It's My Birthday...

Another year older.. 44... I have to start entering a larger number into my machine at the gym... Not liking that!

I have a busy birthday... Full of things to get done on my todo list:
- workout (done)
- run 7 miles, to and from the gym (done_
- Drop off Library books
- Stop at the bank
-Stop at School, pick up books and pay for classes
- Go to Target
- Go on line and check out class
- Go to class at 1 to 4pm, Anatomy
- New customer estimate at 5:30pm
- Study.. read...
- Have cake to celebrate my b-day..

Not a fun filled b-day but I have a holiday weekend.. 3 other days to fit in boating, swimming and having fun along with reading/ Studying.

So, too busy to write more.. off I go to do my running.. errands that is!

Update.. decided to drop the Anatomy class. Too much to figure out with it being an on-line and in class.. with labs and papers to write. I knew after reading the class schedule I was too stressed to even think about taking on more. I am down to 7 credits.. I will do my first aid/CPR and the Anatomy in the spring... along with my Practicum.. where I follow along with a personal trainer for 48 hours total time. I thought I would be able to do it all in one quarter since 3 credits from my degree transferred. Going to class full time, working and working out would be too much on top of spending time with my family the most important thing in my life.

I enjoyed a nice b-day lunch with Steve while the kids were out apple picking.. I did my other favorite thing.. read in bed.. took a 30 minute nap and had cake with ice cream. A great b-day with a little set back but the smart thing to do! I still have a full class load with working but I can do this.. It will be fun... it will be a challenge and its something different for the next 12 weeks.. time will go fast.. it will be busy and I will get stressed!

Write it Down..

I've had a lot to write today. I don't have many of those days where I can think of lots of topics that come to mind.

I had an ah, ha moment today. I had my first weight training class this evening.  After being paired up come then my partner happened to leave early, so I joined another group of women.

Both of the women are runners, 5 years and 8 years or so running.. I only have 1-1-2 years or less under my belt.. I would have thought they would have been running for years.

I was assuming the other women were in it for speed.. not the case. They really didn't care too much about time. They both enjoyed the long distance running, Marathons. They both run about 6 to 8 miles per day. Which is exactly where I am in running. One does a lot of trail running the other indoors. I do a mixture but mostly enjoy outdoor pavement/dirt road running.

These women were a bit younger then me by a few years. I thought they were older. Oops. They both had cellulite and fat pockets around the middle. You could tell they were runners by their calves, but nothing else. Looks can be deceiving..

I did figure out something I have been doing right... working out with weights. I might not be stick thin, or 100% cellulite free.. but I'm far better off having combined cardio and weights. You can see it from my body.. compared to the other 2 that just run. I know I should not compare myself to others. I just like to see the differences in my age range.

2 IN 1

2 posts in one day...

So life is getting more crazy busy for me... I have work.. need to make money!
School.. full time 12 credits
Working out daily - because I need to do this for me!

I do have a plan to do it all.. I just hope to stay motivated to keep it up until December. If I do.. the rewards for all my efforts will be great!

My first day of class on Tuesday went really good. I was not the only older person in class. There were at least 3 other women just as old or older. All of us had a similar goal and one woman lost weight like I did over 2 years ago too. It's nice to have company. I am excited to take on this new journey.. get a certificate and start another new business.

I have another busy day ahead with working out - done.. ran 4+ miles in 39 minutes at 6:15am (just light enough outside for cars to see me).

Class at 8:30 to 10am... we get to be in the Wellness Center today, learning all the equipment and get to workout a bit. I also have a new class at 6pm tonight. I think it's my other workout class..

I also have a super busy work day.. 3 houses but help from Steve which will help cut down on the time I work.

I also have errands to do.. books to drop off at the library.. supplies for home to buy

Plus the kids are still home for summer break.. today is an ortho appointment for both this afternoon..

I also would like to get in some reading for my class tonight and figure out if I can get into the on-line class now that I have to register for by Friday.

My plate is full.. full is good. it's do-able.. just busy...

Hear It All The Time...

I hear these familiar words.. I just don't have time to exercise (run, walk, lift weights etc).

Let's be real.. everyone has the time in a 24 hour day. You need 8 hours of sleep and that leaves you 16 hours. Let's take off 10 hours for work, lunch breaks and drive time.. that leaves you 6 hours a day to fit in 30 minutes of exercise M-F.. and lets not forget the weekends.. lots more time..

If you can make time to eat.. you have time
If you can make time to sit on the computer.. you have time
If you have time to check your phone throughout the day.. and make updates.. you have time
If you watch TV. you have time
If you work, go to school.. you have time..

If you want to make exercise a priority.. you will make time.

No one said you have to workout for hours each day. Or run miles and miles.. Just 30 minutes of which can be broken up into 10 minutes throughout the day.

Just take a look around the MN State Fair and see how many people don't get any exercise. I bet you can tell who those people are! I bet they will tell you they just don't have time..while downing a hot dog or some mini donuts. Better yet.. they just can't do it because it will make their body hurt. Well, if you're over weight.. it's already hurting your body. Exercise is your magic pill to making your body feel better..

Stop making excuses.. to yourself.. do yourself a favor and just walk... every day.. take that magic pill of exercise.. make it work for you.. make time.. schedule time.. be in the moment and start enjoying your life more.. Yes, life is more enjoyable the more you find time..

If you have to get up earlier.. go to bed earlier.. make a plan... be flexible about the plan and have a back up plan.. because you can find time.. time now.. get going!

Life is Quickly Changing..

My life is under going big changes starting now. I decided to pursue a certificate in Personal Training. I need 16 credits to get this certificate and then I can take the ACE test and become a part-time personal trainer if I choose to do so.

Today is my first day of 4 classes. I still have to get into a CPR class some where as the school does not offer this and one of the on-line classes is full but I'm on a wait list to get in. Not sure I need more classes but it would be good to get the whole certificate completed by January 1st.

Life will be stressful juggling family, work and school and working out. I don't want other things in my life that are important to fall by the way side. There will be give and take and it won't always make everyone happy.

This week in particular is difficult. So much going on.. back to school events, ortho appointments, getting supplies for the kids and back to school clothes, soccer games/seasons to finish and soccer season starting for a new team. Plus there is the volunteer commitments I signed up for. Team Manager of REV soccer, the Mud Run, Sept 15th. and I have Logan's soccer games on the weekends some home and some traveling far south plus there will be class and homework to go along with that, lot of reading, kids homework, house work and looking for more work to make more money.

I'm exhausted just thinking about my new schedule.

It will look something like this...

Get up at 4:30am,
Workout 5 - 6:30am
Class Tues & Thurs 8:30 - 10am
Class Thursday eve 6 to 9pm
Class Friday 1-4pm
Work Tuesday - Friday in the morning and afternoons
Homework in between
Logan's soccer Monday & Wed 4:30 - 5:45, until October with games every Saturday and some Sundays
Celina's tennis after-school M-F in the fall

I do plan to go to the gym and walk on the treadmill in the afternoons to study, so I don't fall asleep and want to take naps.

I also want to still cross country ski when the snow is here. I still have my goal of running the half marathon in October.

How quickly my life has changed. Change is good. Change keeps our mind alert and my body strong...

Curve Balls....

Life is full of change.. we have to go with all the curve balls thrown at us.

I want to work on a certificate to be a personal trainer. I'm not sure I'll be able to do that this fall and winter. I've run into one of those curves in the road that is a little more then bumpy. I'm hoping to figure it all out sooner then later. I have until August 31 to sign up for classes. Class does start on Monday but most of what I plan to take is on-line..and I think a class on Friday. I won't miss much of anything. I just dislike waiting until the last minute to get things in order. I'm still waiting for paperwork on the schools side to get things moving along. I'm hoping to get it all figured out by Monday or Tuesday at the latest..

This coming week will be full of eating and exercising challenges. I won't be doing my normal morning routine for the next 5 days. That's a long time to go.. I know I have to get back to my running the very next day. Pick up where I left off.

I'm hoping to do a lot of hiking, walking and burning calories but mostly have fun trying new things. Try to watch what I eat.. make good choices but allow myself some slack..

2 years ago I started my diet the day we went to the State Fair... I didn't miss anything. I still ate, but just a bite or two. I got to try what I wanted. I'll be tested again this year at the State Fair. I'll share my food and give most away. Make mostly good choices, corn on the cob, mini donuts (just one or two), 1 cheese curd, apple, and lots and lots of water. I'll walk, look and keep moving all day long..with the crowds.. Not missing out on anything.. and I'll still workout before I go to the fair..

School starts soon for the kids. That means getting up at 4:30am to go workout by 5am.. it will be dark, I'll have to run indoors.. I need to figure out a way to still be able to run in the light outdoors.. Maybe do a 30 minute run from 6:30 - 7pm.. take a break until 7:30 and run to - 8:15am.. I have a plan!

The Price to Pay

There is always a cost associated with everything. Even things you think are free, cost something.

Running is free to go outdoors and hit the pavement, but getting there will cost you.... lace up your running shoes ($100 - on up), put on your moisture wicking socks ($5 per pair), wear  your running clothes, tank & shorts ($50) times that by 10 or more.., strap on your heart rate monitor, watch ($150)and Ipod ($150).. then head out the door... Cheap.. that's right.. compared to other sports, cheap!

There is also the race entry fees which vary from a low $25 on up to $65 or more.. It's not a requirement but a way to chart your progress and work towards a goal to keep things fresh and exciting.

There is also a bigger price to pay for not running.. on your body and health. That is too high to pay or even consider... so while there might be a few initial purchases, running is still cheaper to do it then not...

Start slow.. don't buy all the running stuff at once.. and get outdoors.. where the fresh air, sunshine, breeze and pavement are free..

Not Going To Get Fat!

I'm never going to let myself be fat again. I know how to stay in shape. I know exercise daily for an hour, or at least 30 minutes of cardio is the key to keeping the fat off my body.

Every day you have a choice.. do something, any thing.. but not to quit. I have to remind myself of this daily when it feels too hard to keep going and I'm wondering to myself why I should keep going.

I don't want to feel like I'm suffocating in my own fat ever again. The fat that use to be around my neck and body felt uncomfortable. I took off that fat suit.. and it feels so good!

It's amazing how much my life has changed since I decided to take the first steps to losing the weight and start working out. Even complete strangers take note of how good I look. People come to me for advice on running, workout shoes, weight training, and diet. Everyone wants to know the secrets of good health and share their struggles.

Life is good.. and I am not going to get fat ever again....

Look at those Pipes!

What a funny compliment. The photographer at Kendra's wedding in the limo said to me "look at those pipes!" I was posing for a photo of Kendra and she took note of my arms. I just said.. "I work...out".. lol... Maybe I've been working them out too much???

The harp player also told me she thought I was a bridesmaid, not the mother of the bride! Got to like that!

The day after the wedding.. with only 4 hours of sleep.. my legs were twitching and my mind was on running.. I got up at 5:30am.. got ready to run and ran my 7.22 mile loop to and back from the gym with my 30 minutes of weight lifting in between.

I feel tired now at 11am.. maybe time for a nap.. or to get up and keep moving so I'll sleep tonight.

I'm now starting week #35 of charting my exercise progress.. I ran 35.4 miles last week... and biked 10 miles.. a good weekly total..

I'll keep plugging away.. with my next half marathon goal in mind.. only a few more weeks until the race date.   I need to write up a weekly plan of running.. the count down to the race..

Bike My Buns Off...

Steve and I went for a 10 mile easy bike ride early this morning along a dirt path. We stopped to watch a train go by and had a good workout climbing up hills.

Steve hasn't been to the gym all week, working instead. He just wanted to bike.. I wanted to run.. but I made a compromise.. I'd try something different and still get a workout in. It's not the same as running. I didn't work up a sweat, but I warmed up and at least did something.

It was a nice, quiet bike ride as it was just the two of us, riding our bikes down the middle of the dirt road. I wish we had been biking this route all summer long. At least we have the remainder of the summer and into the fall to ride.

Next bike ride, we plan on bringing the camera as there are a few places that we came across that would be a good picture spot. I will still run.. maybe I'll run 10 miles and Steve can slowly bike. At least this gives me more options to vary my workout and keep it all fresh and interesting.

Today, is the big day.. Kendra's Wedding. Looking forward to helping her celebrate this very special day.