Shelli Belly

Mary, of A Merry Life, needed motivation to get back into the gym and she brought a whole sleu of us whith her. For every comment on her blog she added 30 seconds to her workout. So I added a comment and decided to join in as well. Unfortunately I joined in before I checked my schedule. So most will be walking on Wednesday 3/31. I’ll hit the tread tomorrow.

I will be on the bike and the treadmill for
1 hour and 30 minutes.
That’s right she received 180 comments!
All for one!

Charge >>>

Recap
I am very proud of my achievements during my Spring Break Challenge. I was able to stick to the 2 a day goal with no real worries. I started to get a cold right off the bat but I hammered through my goal until Thursday of that week when I finally crashed! It was a good day to be sick because it was our last real winter day. So it was very cozy to sit there with a huge blanket and no guilt for taking care of myself and watching a marathon of Saving Grace. The effort involved in living a healthy lifestyle is tremendous. From packing the right clothes for your workouts, to shopping for the right meals, to planning every minute of the day, to the laundry nothing about this is easy. The effort everything took this week paid off in the pride I feel. I didn’t just sit around and watch TV and wish and wallow. I took action and made every effort to accomplish my goal and a couple of times surpass it. I think the focus of the week really is going to put me on the right track until the end of the school year. The desire to do what I know is right for me is becoming stronger than doing what feels better for the moment. So this Saturday morning it only took two seconds to jump out of my bed to head to the gym. I knew that the sleeping in would bring no pride but 18 miles on the bike would carry me through to the next good choice.

Here are some of my Bodybugg reports for this week

Last week I was nonchalantly chatting with JT  about how I’d like to try a spinning class someday.  As the conversation progressed he laid out his training schedule for spring break.  He and his wife are going on a huge bike trek through the state of Louisiana in April.  Other treks have included Route 66  and even Death Valley.  So you could imagine my surprise when I heard from another friend that I was expected to join in with him on a spinning class on Tuesday morning.  It really never sank in that some how during last weeks lunch duty I had made  these plans with JT. 
      I am fortunate enough to work with some of the most amazing teachers that are actually my friends.  They are so supportive with every little step I make towards a healthy lifestyle.  When I applied for Biggest Loser in 2008 the casting director asked if there was anyone at my school that I could team up with.  Well my school has the healthiest teachers around. They bike, snow machine, cross-country ski, swim, weight lift, run etc.  This group of teachers are on the move.  So with every effort I make they really cheer me on and I am very thankful.
       So when I heard from Mac that JT was expecting me I just had to go.  I got there early enough to join the gym but not early enough to set my bike up.  Mac and I ran in and she adjusted the seat for me and we were off.  I couldn’t reach my toes to lock in my shoes to the peddles so I just faked it.  There was JT sitting tall and peddling away.  He advised me to do half of everything the instructor was doing.  If she was at a 10 be at a 5.  I couldn’t believe I was doing it.  I was keeping up to the best of my ability.  I was worried about my knee but it didn’t hurt.  Oh but my seat!  Good greif my butt was hurting so bad.  OH the pain!  In the past I was worried about the pain but I remembered what JT would say ”You gotta have your seat time everyday.”  Now he was right next to me and he asked me, “If I was familiar with the bike yet?” My answer was, “In more ways than any one has been.”  Besides the pain I had a blast.  The music was great the instructor was kind.  She even came over and strapped my feet in.  That was a little embarrassing but quickly I got over it because we were UP and then we were Down!  I did have to release my left foot from the strap because my knee started to hurt.  I think I just need to adjust the seat next time.  But oh my gosh I had a blast! In the end I was very proud of myself.  I had tried something that I had thought I wouldn’t be able to do for a least 100 lbs from now.  Hmm what else can I do?

My vacation plans so far have been working out, literally.  I did catch another cold but I’m not going to let that slow me down. 

So I faced this week with determination. I even designed a logo for the break.  I then set the goal to work out 3 times a day.  When I was making this plan I knew I could schedule 2 times a day and still have a resemblance of a vacation.  After this last quarter I really needed the break.  I however got over eager and made a declaration of 3 times a day on the first logo.  I  stretched the goal. I got over zealous.  At the beginning of Spring Break I felt like the soldier with the flag storming the hill with the army behind me.  Hmm if I don’t have a gun maybe I should let the army go before me.   I have adjusted the goal to a manageable 2 times a day.  Then if I get a third work out  in that will be an extra achievement for the day.

What do you think?  Did I take the easy road?

        I’m focussed and determined!  This is going to kick-start me into a fabulous spring.  I have been planning this break for some time.  I normally have plans that involve an airplane and warm sun but not this time.  I want to work out as much as I can this vacation.   I will also be very focussed on my sleep and eating.  I have had too many vacations that I have wasted away in front of the tube.  Not this time.  However, it was very tempting this morning because Ice Road Truckers were on and the new season of Damages is on my DVR but I am determined. 

Day 1 – I slept in and had a restful morning.  I’m on vacation after all. I set up the DVD player in the extra bedroom and got right to work.  I did the Biggest Loser’s Last Chance Workout DVD.  It has Jillian screaming at last year’s contestants, Seon and Tara.  Love Tara. Go Green!  She is still amazing.  I loved her determination.  The work out was good. Most importantly the modifications allowed me to keep up with everyone and not put stress on my knee.
               I then got a few episodes of Ice Road Truckers in and then headed to the gym at school.  I cranked Mandisa and knocked out 20 minutes on the elliptical.  According to my Bodybugg I’m at a calorie deficit of 1281 so far today.  I’ll work out one more time today using Jillian’s DVD. Its going to be a great vacation!

Update 10 – Day 185

1. Pray and listen to the Word and/or read the Bible everyday.	2.	3. Read 4 books
”Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6	Click to see some charts.	Yep
4. Exercise
Student Challenge Finished 6 of 6	Walk 75 miles 7.5 weeky average	Swim 20 times Twice a week.
Very much ready for Spring Break!	Walked 35 / 52.5 Fell short on this one.	Swam 14 / 20 Fell short but went everytime I could. I never just whimped out.
Something you might not know about me is that …
when I was in my 20′s I always wanted to take off to Alaska and work in a Cannery. Well 20 years latter and $45,000 in debt I made that dream come true. In 2007 I headed up the Case-up department. Basically I was in charge of the the freezer and shipping departments. This all consuming job was so stressful and taxed every bone in my body. When the summer was over I had such pride in what I had accomplished but during the ordeal I didn’t think I was going to make it. I quit so many times in my head but I stuck it out and actually lost 20 pounds. This summer I am going to chase after another dream from my 20′s. I want to be a Flagger. That’s right I want to stand on the side of the road and Stop traffic. I just got certified and I’ll start looking for my summer job this next week.

Perfect 10 image from Pippa’s Porch

Update 9 – Day 178

Perfect 10 image from Pippa’s Porch