Weekly Workout Wind Up (3/14-20/13)
My second installment of Weekly Workout Wind Up…
Thursday, March 14: 5-Mile Run, 30 Min Stairmaster and 15 Min Elliptical
Friday, March 15: 5k Run
Saturday, March 16: 14-Mile Run
Sunday, March 17: One Hour Spin
Monday, March 18: 5-Mile Run
Tuesday, March 19: Rest Day
Wednesday, March 20: 6×800 speedwork on the treadmill
How did you sweat this week?
#back2basics, Blogging, Half Marathon Training, Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weekly Workout Wind Up, Weight Watchers, Working Out
Weekly Workout Wind Up (3/7-13/13)
Well it is finally time that I put all of my workouts in one post to make it easier for you all to see what I’m doing and for me to keep my week’s straight. 
So let’s get this party started…
Thursday, March 7: 4 mile Run
Friday, March 8: Rest Day
Saturday, March 9: 2 hours of Spinning while at a Spin Instructor Orientation
Sunday, March 10: 10 mile Run
Monday. March 11: Ran 6.2+ miles And 45 min Spinning Class
Tuesday, March 11: 30 min Stairmaster
Wednesday, March 12: 45 min Tempo Run
Would you all like me to add my Plankaday Streak to this roundup as well?
#back2basics, Blogging, Half Marathon Training, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Workout Wind Up, Weight Watchers, Working Out
Dynamic December
I am jumping on board with many of my fellow bloggers and coming up with some goals for December (just a week late 
).
But, now I am looking forward to a #DynamicDecember (I like alliteration so sue me ).
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So here are the three challenges/hashtags you will see me using in the upcoming month:
1) #hlgDec2Rem - This challenge was designed by Jan (@HealthyLoserGal) and one of my favorite people in the world. 
For this challenge, I am really working on getting #back2basics, sticking with tracking (#trackstar) and getting in my Good Health Guidelines. I’m not going to beat myself up if I miss a day (since I did miss 3 of the 8 days in December), but I’ll just try to do my best!
Jan is one of the best motivators, and people, around!!
2) #plankaday - This has been life changing for me. I am not one for crunches, especially with that back injury back in early 2011, so this is a great way to get some core work in without sitting and doing a bunch of crunches – I don’t want to do – on the floor.
This program was started by Dr. Sherry Pagoto (@drsherrypagoto) and is open to interpretation. For me, I work on doing at least two planks a day and keeping the variety up! Front forearm plank, front straightarm plank, reverse plank, side forearm plank or side straightarm plank.
I started with a 30 second front forearm plank back in August 2011 and hit my PR of 5 minutes & 15 seconds in November 2012. Anything is possible…
I am going to continue to do my #plankaday every day. I am enjoying the versatility and loving the #plankaday community.
3) #100ozchallenge - This is actually the first challenge that I started on my own! I have had at times upwards of 50 people participating. Woo! I feel wicked cool. Okay, that wasn’t cool. Dammit!
Anyway, this is a pretty simple challenge: drink at least 100oz water a day. That’s it. Keep yourself hydrated during the winter months. I just saw on twitter today that “Dehydration can cause ageing & can slow down metabolism as much as 3%” – I am here to not let that happen! Stay hydrated!!
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I set these goals for myself because this is the person I want to be. The person I want to strive to be. The person I will work to be … one day at a time.
And because of you – my family, friends, Facebook crew and twitterverse – that will hold me accountable, will support me and will keep me going.
The hashtags help to build a community. It opens the doors to new relationships, tips and most importantly more support.
So for me, this is what I will be striving for in December.
What will you be doing for you?
#100ozchallenge, #back2basics, #plankaday, Blogging, Fitbloggin, Half Marathon Training, Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Working Out
*WINNER ANNOUNCED* Pure Barre Class With Me Giveaway!
**WINNER ANNOUNCED**
Thanks to Random.org, the winner of the giveaway is #7 …. AND #18:
THAT’S RIGHT! Jess at Pure Barre Burlington was nice enough to give away 2 free classes with me instead of 1! Thanks Jess…
Congrats to Heather Federico AND Robin Nichols!!
Thanks to everyone who participated and keep your eyes out for the next giveaway – which will be launching TOMORROW for Sparkly Soul headbands …
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Are you ready to lift?
Do you wanna feel the burn?
Looking to tone?
Then Pure Barre in Burlington is the place for you!
—
Just a reminder of what Pure Barre is courtesy of the Founders:
Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective way to change the shape of your body. Using small isometric movements at the ballet barre set to motivating music, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record breaking time. Clients see results in just 10 classes, lose inches in weeks and have fun doing it!
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I’ve been attending the class for just over a week now & am starting to drink the Pure Barre koolaid
Check out some of my thoughts so far: Class One, Class Two and Class Three!
It is definitely a unique workout that hits spots on my body I never knew you could strengthen.
So now it’s time for the good news!
You ready?
Are you sure?
Well, here it is …
… I’m giving away a free class with me at Pure Barre Burlington!
And following the class – we can grab a Dunkin Donuts coffee or a beer (pending time of class)
—
So here’s how to enter:
*Follow @IrishEyes1982 and @PureBarreMA on Twitter (if you have an account) - leave one comment after following both
*Like Weight Off My Shoulders Blog and Pure Barre Burlington on Facebook (if you have an account) - leave one comment after liking both
and
*Comment below answering the following question: “What about Pure Barre makes you want to check out a class with me?”
… I will take responses until 2pm ET Wednesday (November 28).
The winner will be picked at random … Good luck!
#back2basics, Blogging, Fitbloggin, Half Marathon Training, Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Working Out
#100ozchallenge
So I started the #100ozchallenge on Twitter early in 2012, but I never formally introduced it so I thought I would now.
Better late than never, right?
So I gave up Diet Coke on December 7, 2010 … and have remained soda friend to date! WOO!
But, I needed something else to drink to replace the many many cans of Diet Coke I was consuming a day …
Enter WATER!
I know. I am ahead of the curve on joining the “drinking water” and “staying hydrated” craze.
Well, I noticed that I am better at creating a new habit when I have a challenge or community to turn to.
Then #100ozchallenge was born.
So the goal is quite simple: to drink at least 100oz of water a day.
Seems pretty basic.
The #100ozchallenge hashtag is a great way to find motivation from others and a sense of community.
But, if you feel that 100oz is too much water for you in a day – that is fine. Shoot for your own goal, but still use the hashtag to keep us up to speed on how you are doing.
So I ask, are you in for the #100ozchallenge?
#100ozchallenge, #back2basics, Blogging, Fitbloggin, Motivation, Weight Watchers, Working Out
I Should Be My Own #1…
The past few weeks for me have been a negative spiral inside my head.
I’m not good enough.
I’m not strong enough.
I’m not worthy.
Why do you bother trying?
I shoulda … I coulda … I woulda …
Now, I think everyone knows that for me the toughest struggle in this whole weight loss journey is switching the mental part from being the first to point out my flaws/self-deprecating humor to being my own biggest cheerleader!
In the deep part of my brain, I know I am worthy of all that has happened in my life in the past 2.5 years, but for some reason it keeps getting blocked by the negativity.
I should be my #1 priority … ALWAYS!
Then on Saturday morning during my long marathon training run, Jessie J’s song “Who You Are” came on my phone. Despite hearing this songs dozens of times before, the lyrics hit me differently this time around … I really listened to what she was saying.
—
I stare at my reflection in the mirror
Why am I doing this to myself?
Losing my mind on a tiny error
No, no, no, no, no
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing
It’s okay not to be okay
Sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart
Tears don’t mean you’re losing
Everybody’s bruising
Just be true to who you are
Who you are, who you are, who you are
Who you are, who you are, who you are
Who you are, who you are, who you are
I forgot what to do to fit the mold, yeah
The more I try the less it’s working, yeah, yeah, yeah
Don’t lose it all in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing
It’s okay not to be okay
Sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart
But tears don’t mean you’re losing
Everybody’s bruising
There’s nothing wrong with who you are
Yes, no’s, egos, fake shows like boom
Just go and leave me alone
Real talk, real life, good luck, good night
With a smile, that’s my home, that’s my home, no
No, no, no, no, no
Don’t lose it all in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing
It’s okay not to be okay
Sometimes it’s hard to follow your heart
Tears don’t mean you’re losing
Everybody’s bruising
Just be true to who you are
Yeah, yeah, yeah
—
It’s like she’s been in my head the past few weeks. But, she speaks the truth.
WHY do I let myself get so wrapped up in one mistake? WHY do I beat myself up constantly when I don’t reach my own expectations? WHY after all this time do I hold myself to this regard of being perfect all the time? WHY do I care so much about what other’s think of me?
I. Am. Human.
I. Am. Me.
And now it is time to remind myself of that.
I don’t want to miss out on celebrating my successes because I failed to reach the ideal results that I had in my head.
Life isn’t going to go exactly how I want it to, but I need to enjoy the ride while I’m on it.
So today is a new day. I’m ready to be proud of my accomplishments and to pick myself up when life doesn’t turn out how I want it to.
I am ready to be my own biggest fan because if I can’t do it for myself how can I do it for others.
Okay, it’s actually WAAAYYY easier to do it for others than to do it for myself.
So let’s rephrase : I owe it to myself to be my biggest cheerleader because I am so many other people’s biggest supporter – friends, family, Weight Watchers members – and I need to be there for me … so I can be true to who I am!
I just need to remind myself that no one is perfect so why do I expect to be?
It’s time to love me … imperfections and all! Because accepting me will allow me to be a better friend, a stronger Weight Watchers Leader and a happier runner!
#back2basics, Blogging, Fitbloggin, Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Working Out
Just Keep Swimming…
This morning I did my first swim workout in far toooo llooonngg!!
Okay one main reason for that was the lack of a bathing suit made for lap swimming in my size. Yes I had one that I have had for years that was WAYY too big, but I just never could get around to buying one that fit. (See: my fear of buying bathing suits in general! )
So finally yesterday I decided that since I had a 16 mile run on Saturday, I wanted to get a low impact workout in on Friday and what better way than in the pool. So I asked the wife to borrow one of hers. She is a good 2 inches shorter than me, but I thought it would be able to stretch enough to make it work. I set that aside and proceeded to dig out my goggles and swim cap.
Ohh it felt good to even take those out of the bottom draw!
After my final Weight Watchers meeting of the week, I hit the Boston Sports Club pool near my house – since they always have at least 3 lap lanes available at all times – and was ready to get back to the pool.
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Growing up I always loved swimming. My mom always said I was a natural born fish. I was on a swim team constantly until I hit High School. In junior high, I even coached my own little swim team at the local Boys & Girls Club – Dani’s Divers – and had a blast.
But then it just went to the wayside as other sports took the forefront of my time. I tried to get back into swimming after college whenever possible as a way to get back in to shape .
Thankfully our gym in Chicago had a pool, but it seemed every time I tried to hit up the pool it was jam packed.
So I was psyched when we got the Boston to find that this pool always had a couple lanes open and since my schedule is more flexible now I could pay attention to when it is dead.
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So this morning I put the suit back on and I can tell you it felt awesome! I was excited since my ActiveLink (Weight Watchers activity monitor) is actually waterproof so I could wear it in the pool as well!
I went into the pool without a clear cut plan and just made one up as I went along. I couldn’t remember how much a mile was in “lap” speak so I focused on getting into the rhythm instead.
I felt AWESOME throughout the swim. I loved how I didn’t have to worry about my back or my knees or my ankles. I could just let go and swim.
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Since there isn’t much thought needed in swimming laps or outside noise to bother you, it is a GREAT time to just think. And as I swam I thought about how it relates my life and my weight loss journey.
No matter how long it had been since I was last in the pool or the last time I even thought about lap swimming … as soon as I started the freestyle it came right back to me. The breathing. The strokes. The kicks. It was second nature.
My weight loss journey has been the same way … especially this summer.
As many know I used to work many days straight without a day off when I worked in baseball, which led to a much more regimented schedule – which overall lent itself very well to weight loss and Weight Watchers during the tricky summer months.
Well, this summer is completely different, I feel like a New Member trying to navigate the world of Happy Hours, weekends away, BBQs, etc.
But, I am learning that even if I take a couple of weeks of what I call a “relaxed adherence to the plan” (thanks fellow WW Leaders for that phrase), I know that I can get right back into the swing of it when I need to.
I just need to jump right back in and start swimming…
—
So in the words of Dori when it is time to bear down and get back to basics:
#7DayChip, #back2basics, Blogging, Fitbloggin, Motivation, Weight Watchers, Working Out
Face It Friday – 0.2 lb Gain
Ladies and Gentlemen, this weigh-in shows that tracking and activity and Weight Watchers works.
Why you might ask?
Well in full disclosure I weighed in June 1 at 154.8 (0.2 under goal – Woo!) and proceeded to slip up. Oh hell, eat and drink my way through June. Yup! I basically took most of the month of June off from tracking my food. I just sort of went off the Weight Watchers deep end if you will.
BUT … I did up my activity. I am training for a half marathon so I am putting some serious miles on my sneakers and hitting up a lot of cross training.
When I checked in with myself on June 19 I had probably put on almost 5 lbs. YOWZA!! That’s not good.
So I UPPED the activity and when I weighed myself at home on June 29 I had only gained 0.1 lbs from the previous home weigh in 10 days prior. Now during that time my eating was atrocious, but my activity kicked serious butt.
This my friends proves that activity can help you maintain, but you need healthy food choices + activity to = weight loss.
SOOOO on June 29 my dear friend Lindsey (who does WW online) and I decided to make July our bi-atch. Is that how you spell that? I’m not hip enough to really know that lingo. But I digress…
So after the July 4 holiday I got off my bad food wagon and hit the scale. Ooohhh that number wasn’t pretty. It was literally 6 lbs heavier than my home weigh in on June 1 … and 3 lbs over my Lifetime status range.
Oh no that wasn’t gonna stop me.
I stepped into BEAST MODE.
I made the week after my bi-atch. I tracked every BLT. I measured out my wine. I weighed all my food. I blogged every food log. I upped my activity even more thanks to the extra incentive of AL (aka Active Link).
And what happened?
I weighed in this morning officially 0.2 lbs heavier than on June 1 … and right ON GOAL – 155 even.
Yes! Woo!
But more importantly I felt AWESOME this last week. I tracked for 8-consecutive days for the first time since December 2011 and felt in control.
I felt on top of the world.
So yes, I may have slip and slided for 3 weeks, but I got myself back on track.
Why?
Because I NEVER want to go back to where I started. So even seeing how a 5 lb gain – even though most of it may have been bloating or what not – was not fun. I felt GROSS. I never thought I would be in the 150s and feel uncomfortable,
But I did.
And now … I. Am. Back.
So yes I tripped, but before I hurled myself down the rest of the stairs. I caught myself on the railing and picked myself back up.
And THAT is what matters!
#back2basics, Blogging, Face It Friday, Fitbloggin, Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Working Out
What A Fabulous Friday…
…when I went to bed last night I was decently happy with how May turned out. I hadn’t accomplished all of the goals I had set out, BUT the month was leaps and bounds better than April.
So I had no idea that June would start off with such a bang today! If this is any indication of how June is going to turn out … let’s do it!!
To begin with today is Face It Friday and I got it done. I wasn’t totally sure what to expect on the scale since I had taken full advantage of the three-day weekend with the wife. BUT, I did run and workout a lot so I thought I would come out even. And…
I lost 0.4 lbs and came in 0.2 lbs UNDER goal! WOO! I will take it.
—
Today: Loss 0.4
Starting Weight: 217.4
Today’s Weight: 154.8
Total Lost: 62.6
—
Wow! I was happy to see that as even though I had been working out a lot – I felt blah. You know what I mean? I felt sluggish and run down this week. I think the higher pollen rate had something to do with it.
But, I woke up this morning feeling good, fit and trim … and the scale agreed!
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Did you know today is National Donut Day?
Yeah – I didn’t. So when I went to get my usual Dunkins Medium French Vanilla Iced Coffee with Skim Milk and Three Equal (1 PP), they asked me if I wanted a free donut. I swear the glazed donut (my favorite) was beckoning me to take her home.
NO! Okay, in my head I screamed no, but to the woman behind the counter I calmly and rationally said “No, thank you.”
I felt accomplished … even though I came home and splurged on the pizza I didn’t eat last night (but today is a new week with a new 49 weekly points so I felt okay).
After some errands and snuggling with the pups, the word went out from Sparkly Soul that I was named their Blogger of the Month for June! Woo!! I want to thank everyone that nominated me … including myself! Yes, I owe myself a treat.
But, this is such an honor. I not only love wearing their product, I love what the company stands for.
There are definitely mornings when I am feeling a little off that I can turn it around by putting on my Sparkly Soul headband … and I start feeling fierce!
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I also found out that my ninth – yes ninth – Weight Watchers at work meeting will be starting this week (4 on Tuesdays, 1 on Wednesdays, 4 on Thursdays). Woo! I can’t believe how much has changed in the four months I have been with Weight Watchers.
It is an amazing feeling to help people on such a personal journey…
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So June 1st, you have rocked … and you aren’t even over yet!!
I can’t wait to see what the rest of the month has to offer…
#back2basics, Blogging, Face It Friday, Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Working Out
April FLOUNDERS Bring May MOTIVATION
I think we all figured out that my April was NOT up to par. I would be on plan for like 3 or 4 days then go off the wagon – so to speak – for three or four days. There was no rhyme or reason to what I was doing. I let my will power take a vacation to some warm tropical location, while I ran around like someone who has their issues with food under control.
THANKFULLY you all kept me more on track than I would’ve been. I thank you for being there while I fought to get back on track … and failed.
Overall in April, I had a BLAST. Lots of time with good friends, good beers and good food … but, I ended up gaining just under 2 lbs.
NOT what I had planned.
But, this is the time to buckle down and figure out how to be on plan, while being social.
I am using the month of May as a time to get “BACK TO ME” – time to focus on my needs, my health and for now, the number on the scale.
I seem to work better when having a goal or challenge in mind – I think back to how I kicked BUTT in December because of my Dynamic December challenge.
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So here is what I am looking to accomplish during #MarvelousMay:
1) #plankaday - This has been life changing for me. I am not one for crunches, especially with my back injury, so this is a great way to get some core work in without sitting and doing a bunch of crunches – I don’t want to do – on the floor.
This program was started by Dr. Sherry Pagoto (@drsherrypagoto) and is open to interpretation. For me, I started with doing a 60 second forearm plank every day for a week. The next week I upped it by 5 seconds and did 65 second forearms planks every day for a week. I did 5 second increments until I could hold a forearm plank for 4 minutes – yes! I can hold a plank for 4 minutes. Ahhh, I never thought that was possible.
Once, I hit that goal I switched up my planks. Last week, I did one 2 minute forearm plank and a 1 minute side plank on both sides every day. I like to keep my core guessing each day what I will do.
I am going to continue to do my #plankaday every day. I am enjoying the versatility and loving the #plankaday community.
2) #back2basics - I think this is a great challenge and timely for me as I am trying to get back into the swing after flip flopping back and forth in April. I also like this challenge (started by Colleen - @tryn2bfit) because it again leaves the choice of what you focus on up to the individual. I think that is a great way to keep people’s attention and driven when they are working on something extremely personal.
For me, I will be focusing on hitting all 6 of the Weight Watchers Healthy Guidelines. Every day of the month I will be sure to have my required amounts of liquids (water), fruits/veggies, vitamins, dairy, healthy oils & exercise. I am pumped.
3) #30daychip - I owe a lot of success to the man that created the #7daychip/#30daychip program: Brad Gansberg (@bradgansberg). He has been a great motivator and has gotten me back on track more times than I can count.
This is yet another great challenge that you set for yourself. I have done a few different #7daychip topics, which you can see here.
The basic premise is to do something healthy for seven consecutive days … or if you are feeling like you want a real challenge you can go for 30 or 100 days.
For this, #30daychip (which would be my second) I am looking to track my food every day. That means: log it into Weight Watchers eTools, write it up as a food log post on my blog and Facebook/Tweet it out.
4) #100ozchallenge – This is actually the first challenge that I started on my own! I have had at times upwards of 50 people participating. Woo! I feel wicked cool. Okay, that wasn’t cool. Dammit!
Anyway, this is a pretty simple challenge: drink at least 100oz water a day. That’s it. Keep yourself hydrated during the winter months. I just saw on twitter today that “Dehydration can cause ageing & can slow down metabolism as much as 3%” – I am here to not let that happen! Stay hydrated!!
–
So today is Day One, I am refocusing and getting back to my Number One Priority: ME!
What will you be doing to make May the best month of 2012 thus far and rock your own #MarvelousMe challenge?
#100ozchallenge, #7DayChip, #back2basics, #plankaday, Blogging, Fitbloggin, Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weight Watchers, Working Out