I'm so ashamed - by Jj

But not nearly as ashamed as a couple other certain BF's who haven't shown up on our blog in WEEKS should be (hint, hint). And before you think I'm being insensitive, I do understand how busy you both are so please don't take me seriously.

I swore I was going to do better this time around and not put off my blog post but, I did it again. My bad. Wednesday was a bit hectic because I had to drive home that night for the 24th (and eventually I'll post photos of that on my personal and photo blogs) so I thought, I'll do it tomorrow and then I thought it again etc etc etc. That's just how it happens when you don't really have much internet access. But now, I'm sitting in B&N using their new free wifi because the power is out at my house which makes it very HOT and boring. And honestly, I've done about everything else that I can do so I figure my next step is to do the last thing on my list. And that is why I'm ashamed. Why do I put if off?!? I think it's because I'm sick of my life and how it's been going. I'm bored with myself and everything around me, including the gym. But that's neither here nor there and I'm going to shut up and stop complaining and report on my last Aerial Dance class that was last Wednesday. (Again, I know that should technically be a part of the next weeks report, but I've got nothing else fun to talk about.)

I'm sure you've all seen this already as I've made it my FB profile pic, but here it is anyway:


Seriously, does it get any cooler than that?!? I think not. Actually, it does but by the end of the class I was pretty freaking worn out and too tired to do much more. But this still looks cool, right? Validate me, please.

This class was so much fun and a really nice change from the everyday workout. I'd LOVE to take the intermediate class in August, but it's pretty dang expensive. I thought about doing it anyway but then found that I was too late to register without another $10 late fee on top of the already high fee of $55. Sad, I know.

Anyway, next week look for my Snowbird and water skiing report. Although, I feel that maybe it should be called something more like "water crashing" or "skragging" as I was being dragged by the boat more than I was actually skiing. I'll work on that. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll come up with something creative that will make it sound much more exciting than it really was. That's just how I roll.

Eventually when I have some sort of an income that pays more than just my mortgage I'll be depositing $7 for this week. Being home and not having access to the gym really made me lazy as far as workouts go. Again, I feel so ashamed.

Maria Week 40 - Fitness Test

As part of my ESS 2500 Exploration of Movement Science class I had to do a bit of a fitness test. I am sad to say that I didn't do quite as well as I would have liked. But I did pretty dang good. I was in the above average / healthy / good category in nearly everything and in a few places I was in the excellent category.

The best part of the test, although I don't think I trust it, the results said that I have lost another 1% of body fat.

I still feel like a slacker though because I'm not working out nearly as hard as I used to. And I'm not running yet. This is more of a motivational thing right now than a knee issue really.

I am really hanging on to my Wednesday nights. I have an instructor that I just love and I get to put in 2 1/2 hours on that night alone - all her classes. That's where the bulk of my workouts come in. Although I do work out on other days, I don't put nearly as much effort into the workouts as I do Wednesday nights.

Depositing $5 - losing another 1% of body fat is a milestone, but as I said - I don't really trust those results so I'm not counting it for now

Dedicated to Men Who Attempt Yoga . . by Jj

I've got one word for you (and then a whole bunch more) . . OUCH! Monday night I took a pilates class which wasn't too bad. I could feel it in my thighs on Tuesday. Then Tuesday night I took a yoga class. (That may have been a mistake but I'll get over it when I fit into a smaller pair of jeans.) And now I'm really feeling it. I slept with a heating pad on my back. Stupid degenerative disc disease. Who's bright idea was it to use alliteration to make something so painful still sound cute?

But, even though I was in a bit of pain through most of the class, I had to fight with myself not to laugh my way out of all of my balance poses because of the group of college age guys that were in the back of the class. Bless their hearts, they were trying so hard. The poor teacher kept having to go back there and correct everything they were doing wrong. She probably got more of a cardio workout than anything else from having to run back and forth. But hopefully they'll see the benefit and keep coming.

Oh, another random note . . about six weeks ago I'd gone to the gym on a Tuesday night and done some cardio before my yoga class. When I went back to the locker room to get my mat there was a woman in there who asked me what class I was going to. She'd never tried yoga before so I convinced her that she should give it a shot. And she's been in the class every night since! Look at me go, influencing the already skinny to try yoga and make me look chubby. I'm a giver, that's for sure.

As for this week, I did pretty good on my workouts and F&V's. I'll be depositing the max of $10. And when it comes to measurements and milestones . . . I lost an inch around my waist and my sexy muffin top. I would like to make a joker here about how sad I am that I now have less to hold onto but I just can't think of anything clever so I'll leave it alone. So my grand total this week is $14 plus $0.50 from last week since I was just guessing. Pretty good guess, I think.

And one last thing . . I found a body mass index calculator that I like better than the one we were using before. It's much simpler. Now might be a good time to recalculate where you are and what your weight loss goals may be so we can reassess and plan out our goals.

Maria Week 17

I have been trying to post - or at least start a post since Tuesday. Argh! So here it is ......
I love going to the gym. I get so motivated and inspired there. I am a serious regular and am starting to learn the names of and get to know the other regulars much better. I have my classmates from cycling and my other morning classes. They're a pretty tight group and I was accepted into their group some time ago. But I'm starting to get accepted into the night classes group now and that's an even harder group to get into because there aren't as many loyal groupies there. But the regulars I refered to above are the people who don't attend classes - the hardest group of all to get into because they really can't be defined as a "group" ... just a bunch of individuals working out alone together.
The other reason I love going to the gym .... people are starting to notice a difference in me. How can I not want to keep going when someone tells me that I'm starting to get "cut". Or that they have noticed a huge difference in me in just the past few months. Also had a lady comment on how strong I was - said that she was watching me in Powerflex and couldn't believe that I could lift that much. I told her to hang in there because 10 months ago I was ready to cry if I got to class and the 3 and 5 lb weights were all gone and I had to use the 8 and 10 pounders.
I hit approximately 6 miles running on Sunday. Nothing but sheer will power and determination. I know now that the first 3 miles are the hardest and if I can just get past them then I get into my stride and do ok for a while. But after 3.5 miles it wasn't getting any easier. At 4.5 it still wasn't easier. At 5.5 it was hard as #&!! but I kept going - determined to hit a new personal best - if only by .25 miles! And I did it. (Can't say I could repeat it any time soon, but I did it!)
Changing my milestones a bit - want to tailor them more towards my running goals so check them out please!
Also, will be contributing the max - $10