Monday Fitness Report

This was going to be my big Olympics post. I was going to tell it like it is from the Canadian perspective, which is something I think needs to be done.

However, I think I'll save that for later.

I think that today, you need to hear about me.

I'm happy to report that I tried on some clothes today and they fit me almost better than they did last spring, before I was tied up with my cast and was forced to sit on my ass drinking slurpees and eating chocolate for almost two months.

They are still tight, but I can put them on, do them up AND sit down and all the hang over is only marginally embarrassing. How's that for progress?

So, if you are just tuning in, I am training to complete (yes, I said complete, not compete! lol) in a dualthon at the end of April. I'm trying not to pay too much attention to the weight loss and keep April in my sights for now. I tend to get to 20 pounds and then get bored and put it all back on again.

So every day is a new day. I look forward to my work outs. I forgot how much I love the gym. I love walking in there and knowing that while we are all at different stages and progressing at different rates, our goal is ultimately the same.

I love the energy of the gym. I love the music on my ipod. And I love the TV that is hooked up to my treadmill.

I have discovered, through the Olympics, that I love to watch sports when I am on the treadmill. Those athletes inspire me to do great things. Like complete my run! lol

While I am not eating the greatest and would definitely see faster progress if I could control myself a little better, I'm okay with what I'm doing. Every now and then I kick myself, but my main goal is exercise for right now, and I'm sticking to that.

I am also competing in a friend's local version of "The Biggest Loser" and have until June to lose the highest percentage of weight. This I likely won't win because of my diet, but the main prize is $500, so it's worth a go.

So, let me share with you quickly what it is that I am doing. (This is mostly for me to look back on. Sorry to bore you!)

Sunday is the first day of every new week. This is the day I will increase my running time. I am following the 5K training program from my Running Room journal. This week is 10x1(2), 6x1. The 10s and the 6 are jogging minutes and the 1s are walking. The 2 in brackets means that I am doing two sets. I'm also increasing my speed slowly. I started out running at 4.2 and am now mostly running at 5.0-5.2 with a few bursts of 5.5. This is, for me, a huge deal. I'm very excited that when I get tired, I slow it down to 4.8, which does seem very slow these days!

Mondays are cycle fit (a stationary bike class) and if Leon is home, then I do one hour of yoga. He is working Monday night, so it'll just be the cycle class this time.

Tuesday is another running day.

Wednesday is soccer practice.

Thursday is kickboxing at lunch. My co-workers and I signed up for a cycle/core class, but there wasn't enough room for all of us. We signed one into kickboxing with the intent to rotate, but I love it so much I sort of took over! It is the full meal deal with gloves and pads and I am having a blast!

Fridays are my soccer games.

Saturday is a running day.

There is usually one of these days when life gets in the way and I can't get to the gym, but by planning every day in advance, I don't kick myself for missing one here and there. You'll also notice that I don't do any weight training yet. With full time work and soccer several times every week, there is just no time. Soccer is almost done for a bit, and then I will implement some weight training on those days.

There you have it. If, at some point, I find myself discovering the "runner's high", I will let you know. So far the only high I get from running is turning the treadmill off when I'm finished.

I am beginning to think it is just a myth...