F.I.T.

Dear Work: Seriously?

2012-03-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Work has been nuts. Just nuts. I've been working 10 - 12 hour days for the last few weeks, and the days when I arrive and leave on time make me feel like I'm somehow shirking my responsibility... it's pretty awful.

I haven't been eating as great as I should be. I haven't been working out as I should be. Basically, lately I feel like one big ball of fail. I'm not, but I feel like one.

So I finally joined a gym. That's right, I did it. I've had gym memberships before, but when my favorite gym went bankrupt and L.A. Fitness bought them, I cancelled my membership, because I didn't want to be a member at LA fitness. That wasn't what I'd signed on for. Then, for about the last year, I've been doing Groupons & Bootcamps, but I haven't found a place that's both affordable and fun.

Rock Star Boot Camp - which I really enjoyed - is just too expensive for me to do long term. So I broke down and joined a gym. I'm now a member at LifeTime Fitness and loving it. I can go to the gym after work, which is nice! Boot camp was just mon-fri at 6:30, so if I didn't get off work in time, I couldn't attend. This way even if I get off work at 6:30, I can still get a great workout in.

I'm really excited about the gym and I've started a new eating regime, too. I'm looking forward to a healthier, happier, fitter me :) I even tried my first spin class last week! It was intense (and my butt hurt for 3 days from the seat!) but really great. I'm looking forward to trying out their rock wall and a few other awesome features over the next few weeks. I've also gotten more into interval training, which is great because it'll really help my breathing and endurance.

Other than that, I've just been working. Seriously. It's been a lot of work and not a lot of fun, but Europe is just around the corner! Whee! Hopefully work will chill out soon and my new workout & eating regime will start to pay off!

For now, I have to just keep staying positive and take it one day at a time. That's what it's all about :)

Boot Camp Week 2 Begins!

2012-02-13T07:27:00.003-07:00

Today starts off Rock Star Boot Camp Week #2 and I gotta say, I'm pretty excited. I didn't miss a SINGLE day last week, not one!

When I first tried Rock Star, I was only going once per week, and I was doing a few other boot camps, so I didn't really get the full experience. I didn't really like it very much, last time. But let me tell you, doing Rock Star the way it was intended... 4 days a week w/o missing any classes... it's a whole other experience! It's incredible!

I am definitely seriously considering continuing on with the camp once I finish my 24 day challenge (aka Groupon for 6 weeks) but I have to look at my finances... it's not a cheap boot camp... and with good reason! Its amazing!

My eating hasn't been 100% fantastic, but I'm just taking it one day at a time. That's really all you can do. Fortunately there aren't any big valentines day dinners in my future. The BF & I are going to go to the Ren fair this next weekend, and then eventually we're going to see Wicked, but I think we can pretty much avoid any big fancy meals. We're good at that.

This weekend I was going to go shopping for some new clothes, but that didn't happen... exactly. We hit Khols and I did get a new pair of jeans and a denim skirt. The denim skirt is a pretty big deal since I NEVER wear skirts... I can't wear this one to work, but it will be something cute to go out in... here's a pic!

Other than that, just gearing up for Europe! Hunting for the best deals on things to do, working out, and wearing my Hot Pants! I do love them! I sweat like crazy!! haha, but even if I didn't wear them, the whole working out thing is amazing and amazingly good for me and I just feel so strong and empowered!

Stay Shiny!!

Workin' It!

2012-02-08T07:31:00.004-07:00

Yesterday was Rock Star Boot Camp #2 (of 24). It was a strength night, and it was killer. I used a kettlebell for the first time, which was awesome, but those are harder than I thought to use because of the wrist twisty action.

My inspiration for this week:

Image from: http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

I think it's a pretty good rule to live by, actually. I challenged myself yesterday with a 20lb kettelbell (I probably should have started with like a 15 or something but I was feeling ambitious) and I used 12 pound weights all night last night.

Tonight is another cardio night, and I have NO idea what it's going to be like. My butt is sore, my calves are sore, my feet are sore, my shoulders are sour, but I feel great, overall.

PLUS, if I'm lucky, the tides will be changing today and I can wear my HOTPants! Yeah! I really hope I can. I need to re-take my pic for the 2-week challenge and start it over since I only got 2 days into it before I couldn't wear them due to feminine annoyances.

I need to get back on my learning Dutch train, for sure. I've been skipping the last week or so because I've been so tired due to feminine reasons. But every now and then you need a break, I think. I looked on the Keukenhof website today and accidentally chose the Dutch version, and I could understand most of what I read (which was only the buy tickets page, mind you) and I could pronounce most of it, too, which is great! Yay for Rosetta Stone!

Other than that, I'm looking forward to kicking some serious grass tonight and tomorrow in boot camp, then this weekend we're definitely going hiking and I'm probably going clothes shopping because I need some long-sleeve shirts, a few more tank-tops and a few more work clothes.

Stay shiny!

Yoga Is Hard.

2012-02-06T07:40:00.002-07:00

So I attempted yoga again this weekend. I know, I know... I can't expect that I'm going to be amazing in one go. I did find it a teeny bit easier than last time, but I was doing a different yoga workout, too. Overall, I think I like yoga, I just need to practice it more and eventually, as I get better, I'll enjoy it more.

This last week has been hell for my uterus. Seriously, it's been revolting hard core. I haven't hardly worked out at all because of it, except for the yoga, and let me tell you... I feel awful about it.

But I start boot camp tonight. Rock Star boot camp. Yes, I've done RS before... my Groupon for BCOR turned out to actually be for RSBC... so I'm pretty psyched! I know I'll get a great work out with Curtis.

The only thing I'm not excited about is that my uterus still sucks today. But I'm determined to push through it. I need to!

In the Hot Pants department, I haven't been wearing them for the "that time of the month" reasons. You could not pay me enough to put those on right about now. Seriously. So I'm going to start my 2-week challenge over again within the next few days. I'm excited to put them on again and kick some serious grass!

Other than that, things have been very mellow. I finally got my federal tax return, so it's time to start booking the last few things for Europe! All we have left is our high-speed train from London - Brussels, and a few other things like a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of London (with a free, Jack the Ripper walking tour!) and Keukenhoff outside of Amsterdam (the giant flower garden).

Wishing you all the best this Monday! Stay Shiny!

General Update

2012-02-02T08:10:00.001-07:00

I did not work out last night. Nope, no sirree. Everyone needs a rest day though, right?

Last night, my uterus was in prime torture mode (sorry guys -- true story). And my knee was acting up. So I took the night off, made some awesome chicken for dinner (with snow peas!) and generally relaxed. It was much needed.

I also discovered a few things:

1. BCOR fitness = Rock Star Boot Camp. Seriously!! I'm so excited! I bought this Groupon ages ago thinking I'd get to try a different kind of boot camp, because I love them so, and it turns out that I get to go to Rock Star Boot Camp 4 days a week for 6 weeks! Yeah!

2. Rain Jacket For Europe = Yay! I finally found a rain jacket that I can wear while in Europe. It's light weight, water-repellent, has a hood, is plain black, doesn't have a whole lot of bells and whistles and is generally awesome. It's a "The NorthFace" brand, and it's under 100$. Yay!

All I need left for Europe is shoes, jeans and a few shirts. I can't buy them until it get's closer to the date, tho, because I plan on being slimmer.

I feel like I've lost some weight and slimmed down a little, which is great. I'm loving it! My boyfriend has, too (he's doing P90X) which is also awesome!

Tonight is the last night of Ultimate Body Boot Camp, then tomorrow I will be working out (since I took yesterday off), I need to pick up an arm band for my iPhone because I want to start training for a 1/2 marathon and I'm planning on getting my hair cut this weekend. So much to do!!

Plus the BF & I are thinking of seeing a movie this weekend, plus we have a hike for Sunday, the cat has to go to the vet Saturday morning, and we need to go grocery shopping. I have a very busy weekend planned!

And tomorrow... whew. Tomorrow is going to be tough. We're filming all day for a video we're putting together at work, so I'm going to be on my feet all day. Trying to gather the desire to work out after that is going to be tough. I'm debating on whether or not I should wear my Hot Pants all day on Friday... since I'm going to be moving around so much. I just can't decide. I think it would be cool, but will I be uncomfortable after a while? I do think they are helping, though. I've definitely noticed a change after only a few days. Of course, the before & after pics will be really telling... hmm... I think I'll wear them tomorrow. It couldn't hurt!

Stay shiny!

PS: Shout out to RyderB for being so very inspirational and motivating! It's great to read your comments! Thanks so much for helping motivate me to do better, and for generally being a source of inspiration and awesomeness!

February Goals

2012-02-01T07:24:00.001-07:00

Well, it's that time again... goal setting time!

I have a few goals for the month of February... hefty ones. Here they are!

Lose 10 pounds!

Crazy? Maybe. Inspiring? Definitely. I'd love to be able to lose 10 pounds this month as a re-commitment to myself. Hey, guess what? I'm going to! It's only 2 little pounds a week!

No Excuses!

Often I get home from work and I'm tired, or I get stuck late at work, or I have cramps, or I'm hungry or I'd rather play a game, or I'd rather read, or I have to do laundry... the list goes on and on and on. Well, let me tell you, that excuses list is about to get really short... because February is a month of NO EXCUSES! Don't feel like it? Too bad! Laundry to do? Do both! Tired? A workout is the best pick-me-up!

Get Through Bob's Yoga DVD

This might not seem like a really out-there goal, but let me tell you, that DVD is HARD! I tried it last Sunday and I got through 15 minutes before I collapsed! I haven't really done a lot of yoga before, and I knew it would be a challenge - especially Bob's DVD - but I'm looking forward to it! By the end of February, I'll be a yoga-fool!

Hike Every Weekend

I have my weekends pretty open for workouts. Saturday is a double day. I can either go for a run + do yoga, or go for a hike + do yoga. Sunday I can either hike, do yoga or do a cardio workout. More on my schedule later (and how it's going to kill me, most likely) but as long as I have it as a possibility on either day, I can't miss it!

Eat A Salad Every Day

I love salads. I usually eat one for lunch on the week days, but slack on the weekends. I have a lot of work functions coming up that will extend over lunch and include take out or catering... which means my salads are in a sad state of not being eaten. I don't want to miss out on them, especially since they are not only delicious but provide me with tons of awesome nutrients, so I'm going to make it a goal to eat a salad every day this month!

Now, about that schedule...

I'll be starting BCOR boot camp next week (I hope... I have to call them). It's 4 days a week for 6 weeks. So Mon - Thurs I'll be at boot camp for an hour in the evenings. Friday's are my "rest" day. I have to have one, and Friday will be the best day, I think. Saturday & Sunday are "open" days. I have a list of activities I can do and I have to do something. Saturday's are double-days, so I have 2 activities I'll do... either hiking+yoga, or jogging+yoga. It doesn't have to be intense hiking or jogging... I don't have to be out there for hours or run 12 miles... but at least a 1/2 hour. Sunday's will be a pick one day. Either hiking (if I didn't go on Saturday), Yoga (if I'm feeling it two days in a row), or cardio (maybe the elliptical this time, instead).

On top of my crazy work out schedule, work just seems to get busier and busier. There are only two of us here and things just keep piling up. But working out and eating right is going to be so worth it in the long run, I just have to remember to NEVER GIVE UP!

I have a few other fun things this month too:

Valentines day - my amazing boyfriend (we're in cohabitation mode now) is taking me to see Wicked (the musical) for v-day.

Shopping - at the end of the month we have some big, all-week meetings and I need to look more professional, so I get to go shopping for new clothes and hopefully they'll be a tad smaller...

Matsuri - we have a Matsuri festival at the end of February in Phoenix every year. I'm looking forward to going with my bff, my boyfriend, and a few other friends this year, plus my fancy camera. I'm hoping to catch some good shots!

That's the update, folks! I know I promised to write 5x a week last month and that didn't happen. I'm trying to get better, I swear! I think about it at least once a day... and then work just get's so busy I can't think of anything else!

Stay shiny, and remember...

Image from: http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

Boot Camp #7 & #8 / 12 Report

2012-01-25T07:33:00.004-07:00

The last few nights have been great. I'm really enjoying the boot camp. There are a few things that I'm not fully capable of doing, or that I hate doing, but overall I think it's a great workout and the time flies. The people in the camp clearly want to be there, and I do too, for that matter. Whee!

I've just been plotting my workout schedule for the next 90 days. The boyfriend and I are signing up for Premier Fitness' 90 day challenge. I don't have any boot camps after mid march because Groupon hasn't featured any (sad-face!) so I'm not sure what I'll do. I definitely want some kind of boot camp... but It would only be for roughly a month - a month & a half (because after that I go to Europe for 2 weeks).

I'm not sure if I want to spend 200 - 500$ (depending on which boot camp I choose) for a month and a half of classes. I'm just going to have to consider my options. I might try P90X, but I don't do well with DVDs, usually. I like the group-class atmosphere.

My eating has been on-point lately, too. Yay me! I'm really excited! Every time I think about putting something in my mouth I think about Europe. It's a BIG motivator. And I'm hoping that I'll be in much better shape by Europe, so that even after Europe I'll be able to continue my awesome eating & workout regime. I mean, I know I can do this. I know it!

And I know something else, too:

Image from: http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

Of that I'm certain, even though I haven't really seen any amazing results.... yet! I know I will see results and I know they'll be amazing. I just need to keep with it. I'm loving the way I'm feeling, though, so it should be pretty easy! I just can't have any injuries. Knock on wood.

Other than that, things are going really well. Work is really busy, but I'm managing. Working out is helping my stress levels stay low, too, which is nice. I have a Bob Harper Yoga DVD coming in the mail today, and I'm going to be incorporating that into my workout schedule. Yoga is something I've wanted to do for a while but I'm not comfortable enough yet to take a class.

Stay Shiny!

Rockin' It Despite the Evil Numbers.

2012-01-23T07:45:00.002-07:00

This weekend was pretty awesome. The boyfriend and I didn't get out hiking, but we did both commit to signing up for a 90 day challenge issued by a local gym, and we took before pictures for it (not a fun process, let me tell you) and measurements (also not fun) and weighed in (again with the not fun). I think I am more excited about it than him, but it's just kind of depressing to actually get the numbers and see the photos, you know? The numbers don't lie to you, and they don't try to soften the blow. They're just big and mean and angry and very honest with you.

There is a reason I hate numbers.

Anyway, even though we didn't get out hiking, we did hit the gym on Saturday, and Sunday I went in the evening. Saturday I hit the elliptical and did some free-weight strength training, and Sunday I hit the treadmill and did some body-weight strength training. Squats, etc.

I feel pretty good about my weekend, even though I was kind of lazy. I just keep thinking about Europe and that really motivates me to push harder at my workouts. Now I just have to train myself to think of Europe when I'm eating (particularly when I'm about to eat something I know I shouldn't!) and then I should be golden.

Pretty much, this is my mantra:

Image from: http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

And I know it's true. And you know it's true. And the numbers know it's true. I have to sweat, I have to sacrifice, and I will succeed. It's just a matter of embracing that truth.

One of my goals for February is to eat a Salad a day. I call it the Aly Standard Salad.

Lettuce mix (arugula and spinach is my favorite), a few craisins, a few walnuts, deli chicken or turkey slices and a dash of home-made balsamic vinaigrette. mmmmm. Throw a quarter of an apple in there and it's even more delicious.

Anyway, I'm really excited about this 90 day challenge. I can't say that I think I'll win, but it's great motivation. And the boyfriend is excited about it, too. It'll be fun to do it together.

It has been challenging balancing work and working out, though. Work has been very busy the last few weeks and I just feel like I can't catch my breath. But I'm determined not to miss anymore boot camps because of work. Work can just wait. I need my work-life balance, and that means my work outs.

This week: working out 6 days, drinking green tea instead of coffee, thinking of Europe every time I'm about to do something "bad".

stay shiny!

Boot Camp Report #3: I Hate the Alphabet.

2012-01-13T14:47:00.001-07:00

No, it's true, I really, really do.

Boot Camp last night was not terrible... until the end. I mean, sure, he compiled a list of all the exercises I hate the most [read: plyometrix], and sure, I was still super sore from Tuesday so doing any kind of squat made my ass feel like it was going to pop like a burst balloon, but it was a good workout.

Then, at the end, this one girl said "Can we do Alphabets?!" She was excited. The rest of the class... not so much. It turns out, Alphabets are a particularly nasty piece of torture. You kneel on the ground on all fours, and extend one leg out to your side. Then you raise it off the ground. But wait -- there's more! Then you proceed to draw out with your extended toe every letter of the alphabet from A to Z. When you're done with that side, you switch and do the other.

Image from: http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

Yeah, it's like that. I worked until my ass gave out, and seriously, it was intense since I was still really sore from Tuesday. Did I mention I was sore? I was hella sore.

I completed another Quest in Fitocracy, which is awesome. And I figured out how to find a list of the quests so I can complete them, which is potentially more awesome. Plus I leveled up. I just love saying that. I leveled up my fitness - whee!

Tomorrow morning I have a Bountiful Basket to pick up, then the boyfriend and I are going hiking. Saturday night we were invited to go to the Dubliner and see the Brazen Heads, but I'm feeling wishy washy about that. I want to go, but I know I'll drink, and I really almost kind of want to avoid alcohol because I have to weigh in on Sunday. Damn Saturday nights!

Plus, I ate not so fantastically the last few days. If I didn't miss a meal, I ate some pretty high calorie stuff [read: Chipotle] ... though only the once or twice. I didn't have Chipotle twice, I had Chang's one night and Chipotle another. Sigh. So we'll see.

Three day weekend, though! That's exciting. I am planning on running a 1/2 marathon the first half of this year (if not a structured race then one of my own creation haha) and I need to get back into the running so I might go on Sunday or Monday. I have Boot Camp on Monday though, so maybe not.

We'll see. I seem to be saying that a lot lately.

Anyway, I'm going to blow this Popsicle stand. stay shiny!

Ah, A Rest Day

2012-01-12T07:40:00.001-07:00

So yesterday was a rest day. A glorious rest day.

I got a lot done, actually. I did the dishes, cleaned the bathroom, took out the trash, vacuumed, got a bunch of clothes together for donation, re-organized my closet, re-organized my living room and burned a CD for my coworker. Overall, pretty awesome.

I'm still sore from Tuesday. Mostly in my glutes, hamstrings and my thighs. I've been stretching like mad, so at least that's good. I'm not nearly as sore today as I was yesterday. Yay for stretching!

I'm looking forward to tonight. I'm going to bring both my 5lb & 8lb dumb-bells, and we'll see what the night brings. I'm going to try to use the 8's all night. Why?

Image from: http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

Because I believe in redefining my impossible.

Oh, I absolutely do. Also, I'm considering signing up for a 90-day challenge. It's being officiated by Premier Fitness Systems, and basically is judged on muscle definition and weight loss over a 90-day period. You send in 2 before photos and your weight, and after 3 months you send in 2 after photos and your weight. Winners are announced at the end of May (the contest runs Feb - Apr). I'm going to see if the BF want's to join in with me :) It could be fun! Plus, I have Europe in May, so that could really help motivate me to work even harder. The grand prize is a 2 night stay at a fancy hotel in Sedona, AZ -- a 1,000$ value.

I watched the Biggest Loser last night. I subscribe to Hulu+ (I don't have cable) so I get the shows a little bit later. Usually TBL is really good about putting them up the day after. I was impressed with the turn-around of the individual who was voted off, but I kind of think that maybe that individual could have made some of those realizations sooner. It sounded like said person already had, but wanted an excuse to get off the ranch because said person was unhappy there. But I could be wrong. :) I'm very happy with the turn around tho, and very impressed with that persons dedication after leaving the ranch. I love me some TBL!

Anyway, time to get to it. Hard work... DEDICATION!

Bootcamp Report #2: Never Challenge Your Trainer

2012-01-11T07:37:00.003-07:00

Note to self: Never Challenge Your Trainer.

So yesterday I wasn't feeling too bad after my first Ultimate Body Boot Camp. In fact, I was feeling down-right dandy. A little sore in my shoulders from all the push-ups, but not terrible. [Thank you, 100 push ups app!]

Today when I went in, I was the dreaded first person there. I picked my spot, unrolled my mat and greeted Ray, our trainer. I told him I was feeling "just fine" from the workout yesterday and I wanted "more of a challenge". I told him to bring it. Never tell your trainer to bring it.

I'm pretty sure that the whole class hated me, and Ray made sure they knew that I was the one who said I wasn't feeling challenged and I wanted a harder workout. They'll thank me some day.

We started off with warm ups which were normal enough, then we did a lot of leg warm ups. We went into a bigger room next door and proceeded to do a lot of back and forth leg workouts. Walking lunges, bear crawls, duck walks, you name it, we did it. Pretty sure I came close to passing out a couple of times.... as did most of the rest of the class. But I didn't complain! I smiled the whole time and maintained my "bring it" attitude.

Image from http://believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

[I definitely felt like a champion after last night, though I'm pretty sore this morning!]

After our leg workout, we went back into the other room and did a reverse pyramid for our arms. We started with 20 dumb-bell presses (straight over our heads), then we went down into a push up position on the dumb-bells and did 20 (10 on each side) dumb-bell lifts. Then 18 and 18, 16 and 16 and so on and so forth until we got down to 2 and 2. OH MAN THAT WAS INTENSE! I was using the 5 lb weights and I'm pretty sure I wanted to die, and I'm SO GLAD I didn't bring my 8 lbs last night!

Ray, on the other hand, told me I had to bring them next time. Damnit. So Thursday I'll bring my 8's and my 5's (just in case). I want to get a pair of 15's, because for dead-lifts I can do a lot more weight, but it's a pain in the butt to carry that much around with me and I don't have a bag that will hold it all.

So I have a night off tonight, which is great because I have to clean like you wouldn't believe. Then boot camp on Thursday. This weekend I'm going hiking with the boyfriend, and even though Monday is MLK JR day, we do still have boot camp, which is OK. I wouldn't miss it!

It's been crazy this week, because I get off work at 4, I get home by 4.20-ish, then I have to feed my cats, change, and I have about 20 minutes of down-time (usually to get house-hold stuff done) before I have to leave to get to boot camp. I work out for an hour, and then traffic is less crazy so I get home in 15 minutes. I shower, have dinner, and then it's suddenly 8.30 or 9pm! I read for a while and then pass out. So I'm definitely excited to have a night off tonight!

Aaaand I know I'm jumping the gun (I always do) but I weighed in this morning because I was curious. The combo of working out, getting back to eating amazingly, not drinking soda or alcohol, plus not being on my period has put me back at 191!! Considering last week I was at 194, this pretty much was the best way to start my day!! I'm hoping that by Sunday's weigh in I can be at 190, but we'll see how that works out.

Here's to a great 2012, everyone!