Hydration

Weekly workout recap:
Monday - Cardio Interval & Kickboxing
Tuesday - I was really thinking about going to the gym, but my friend wasn't going, so I chose a rest day instead.
Wednesday - Kickboxing
Thursday - Kickboxing


Despite the heat wave, I need to get out sometime this weekend to do some type of run, even if it's just a mile or two!  I'm going to our shore house weekend, so maybe I'll pack some workout gear since it always seems a little cooler down there.

So I tried Gatorade (the low calorie one) while running and I liked it, so while shopping at Sam's Club I looked at all the Sports Drinks.  I went with PowerAde Zero.  It was cheaper than Gatorade and I liked that it had no calories.  I brought it to Kickboxing last night and that's when I really looked at the nutrition label.  It had more sodium than I anticipated.  So I did a little research today and this is what I saw:

"Not all sports drinks hydrate equally. Those that contain higher amounts of sodium are preferable, because they are absorbed quicker and maintain fluid balance in the blood and muscles better. Choose a sports drink that contains at least 15 mg of sodium per oz."

--Active.com

So I what I'm drinking is okay.  What do you drink while you're working out?

Motivation, thank you for returning!

Babysitting was awesome!  Except they said I could have anything I wanted in their pantry.  And of course they have mini snickers, pretzel M&Ms, and cookies.  Had a little binge, but whatever.  She was really good for me, too!  Sunday I did go to the beach with a friend.  We only stayed for like an hour because she got some kind of rash on her thighs.  It was probably for the better, so I didn't end up getting burnt.  Then we got some delicious fro-yo and went to a friend's house to hang out.


Yesterday I tried that new classes that I've been itching to go to for a while, Cardio Interval.  I finally got my friend to go with me and I think she hates me for it.  The instructor was kind of a jerk, but in a "I'm going to make you work hard, and use the right technique/form" way, which isn't too bad in my book.  My friend just didn't like him, so I think she's turned off to the class now.  But since I went once with someone, I'm sure I'll be fine going on my own from now on.  After that we had a half hour break and then onto kickboxing!  I've been doing the class in just socks for the past week.  And now I know why I should wear shoes - I sort twisted my ankle while doing a switch kick.  It wasn't too bad, I took a couple minute break and got right back into it.  But I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and it felt a little sore.  So I wore an ankle brace today.  No time to get hurt because I'm finally back into the swing of things and I'm starting to see results!
I'm debating a rest day, going for a short run outside, or doing 2 classes at the gym again...  What to do, what to do.

Awesome week!

So four days at the gym this week!!  I'm so proud of myself.

Monday - Kickboxing
Tuesday - Circuit training/Strength class
Wednesday - Kickboxing
Thursday - half hour on the treadmill AND kickboxing
(I really don't like running on a treadmill.  I'm much rather be outside enjoying the fresh air and scenery, but with the heat that's not really an option.)

I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend for a break, let my muscles rest.

Lost a pound this week! :)

Tomorrow I'm babysitting my niece while my brother and sister-in-law go to a wedding.  Then I'm thinking about possibly going to the beach Sunday.

M.I.A.

I've been the worst blogger!!

The transition from the school year to summer camp has been a little hectic at work.  We had our Pre-K graduation last Thursday and this is the week where we don't know who will show up when because school's are letting out and some of our children will finish for the summer - I call it the "test week."  It drives me crazy!  I like to be very organized and being uncertain about these types of things bother me.

I was also sick last Monday.  The stomach bug finally got me after being around work for a few weeks.  That was probably the worst I've ever felt!

I bought a SPI belt, it is the cutest and best thing ever!!  I got a sparkly purple one. :)  I really am amazed at how much could fit in it.  I love not having my phone on my arm anymore.  But it's a little annoying trying to get it in and out of the belt, when I'm using it to track my run (starting and stopping MapMyRun).  So I'm looking into a garmin or something to use on my wrist now.  The one run I've done since, that I can think of off the top of my head was a little over 2.6 miles.  But I could tell it was humid out because it was a little bit of a struggle.


I have so much motivation for the gym right now.  Could be because my gym buddy renewed her membership finally.  If you have someone there with you, I think you rub off on each other and it makes it all easier!  I went to kickboxing Monday and a strength class yesterday.  And I'm going today, definitely for kickboxing, and before that I'm either going to do a core conditioning class that I've never been to before, or just hop on the treadmill.  I know that I should be focusing more on running, but I feel like for a little while I'm okay with doing the classes to loose the little weight I want, and hopefully get stronger.  Then I'll start my "real" training up, maybe once the summer's over and this crazy heat passes.

Proper Attire

The Pixie Dust faded, just as I thought it would.  The first mile of my run was pretty good, but then I was struggling.  I didn't even do 3 miles!  It could have been the weather - it was about 20 degrees cooler and it had rained earlier in the day.  But at least I went out there, right?!  Nearing the end of my run, I told myself that I had to go to kickboxing, too, since I didn't perform my best.  I knew none of my friends were going, so this was my first solo class at the gym!  It wasn't as bad as I thought - not as much fun and laughing to get my through, but still a good workout.

I never know how to dress properly if it's not warm out.  I tend to put on too many layers.  In my mind I know that I'll get hot a couple minutes into the run, but that hasn't stopped me from throwing on a zip-up.  Half way through my run I get uncomfortable and maybe that affects my performance.  Jeff Galloway has a section of what to wear in different temperatures, I'll have to reread that section and follow it!

Kickboxing

Yesterday I had a lot of energy for kickboxing!  When I'm like that my friends say that I'm on my "gym crack." haha  Looking back I probably should have tried to fit in a short run beforehand.  I didn't sleep too well the night before, so maybe I ate the right foods.  I ate a bigger lunch and a smaller dinner as compared to normal.  I'll definitely be trying this out more in the future.
I love the actual bag work that we do in class, I have made a personal goal to knock over my bag with a round house kick... I'm so close!  My favorite part of the class has when he tells us to put our bags off to the side, though, and we do some type of stations.  Maybe it's because I'm already exhausted and it's a challenge to manifest the energy to do it.  But it feels so rewarding when we start our cool down stretches!  Last night we did different types of burpees, Kettle bells, and abs.  I have to be one of the only people in the class that doesn't mind burpees.

I've been wanting to try out different classes at the gym.  They recently added three classes with a new instructor:  Turbo Interval, Core Conditioning, and Boot Camp.  I feel like I need a friend with me to brave that first time at a new class.  I'm working on my running partner and one other friend, so we'll see!

Do you go to classes at your gym?  If you do, what are you favorites and why?

Root, Root, Root

Yesterday I stuck to my diet and felt great!  I just need to keep it going to get to where I want to be.  I have to look at it like the half marathon.  It's a long journey, but I can get there!  No running for me, I wanted to let me legs rest after my 7 mile run (still can't believe I did that).  I'm actually afraid that it was a super freak day and I won't be able to do it again for a while.  I know I'm going to have 'on' days and 'off' days so I just need to "keep on swimming."  I went to kickboxing and, boy, did he gave us a good workout!  I was dripping sweat half way through.  Best feeling ever! :)

I'm really looking forward to Sunday, this weekend.  My dad called me earlier this week and offered me four Diamond Club tickets to the Phillies!  Of course I said yes!  So I'm having a girls day at the game... so excited! :)

Side-tracked

So yesterday I had every intention to go for a quick run after work.  A group of girls were going to Red Robin after they were done work.  But I decided to be semi-girly and curl my hair and look "nice" to go out.  Not a great excuse, but I figured I could afford skipping occasionally this early in the game.  I have plenty of time to train in the future, and in a few months I won't have that leisure.

Today I'm back on the grind.  Definitely kickboxing and hopefully a run.

It's the Little Things in Life

It amazes me how much weather can affect my mood.  Yesterday, I thought it was supposed to be sunny, I planned on a little run and kickboxing.  But it ended up being cloudy and a little rainy.  So needless to say, all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and watch TV.  I let the bad side win.  I started to e-mail someone back, but decided to give up because I didn't have the energy to think.  I knew, then, that even if I had gone to the gym, the workout wouldn't have been great.  So I guess I made the right decision.

This week is the Week of the Young Child.  Every day there's a different "dress up" day at work.  Today is dress like your favorite cartoon character.  And even though Minnie is my favorite, I went with Buzz Lightyear!  Any excuse to wear sweats to work, right?

Bows Galore!

Yesterday was just an off day for me.  I tried something different with when and how I eat during the day and it did not work.  It made me eat way more than I usually do - no bueno.  So I laced up my shoes and went for a run, after I was stuck at work for an extra hour - again no bueno.  I thought I was going to do my 4.5 mile route, but I was wrong.  I finished my first mile under 10 minutes, which I've never done while recording time.  So I know I pushed myself too hard for that first mile and I was burnt out.  I knew I was going to kickboxing later, so I was okay with a lighter run.

I have to share this shop on Esty - JollyHolidayBowtique.  She makes such cute Disney inspired bows, I wish I could buy them all!  They would definitely be cute to wear on race day! :)

Corrals and Teams

Yesterday I planned to go to two classes at the gym, Core Conditioning (a new class that I really want to try) and Kickboxing.  I ended up just going to kickboxing, with little motivation... it was just one of those days.  But I made it through, somehow.

Okay, so I know I'm not going to run this in an amazing time, but I want the chance to do my best while still having tons of fun.  I've been curious about the corral placement.  So I went over to Disney's Moms Panel and went searching for my answer.  Basically you get placed based off your previous race results, and if you don't have one you'll most likely be placed in the last corral (although I have seen where people were placed in the upper corrals and it was their first race).  You need a proof of time from a race of 10K or longer.
I've also read that the once the last person crosses the finish line, the course time limit starts.  So this means people that the people who start sooner will have more time to play with.  And I want the chance to take pictures with some characters, so I want that extra time, if possible.

Picture From Here

After learning this I looked up some races in the area.  So now I just have to decide which one(s) I want to sign up for!

I'm already signed up for The Color Run (5K) on July 8, 2012.

The races I'm considering for a better corral placement are:

Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll half marathon     September 16, 2012
Hershey half marathon     October 21, 2012
Atlantic City 10K or half marathon     October 21, 2012


Along with corrals, I was wondering about their 'teams'.  So went back onto Disney's Moms Panel and searched.  Their teams do not do relays, which is okay because I would want to run with my friend.  Pretty much you get a team bib and are up for the team awards, in addition to whatever the individuals receive.  So that's something to consider if my is really up to the challenge!

Weekend Round up

This weekend there wasn't much working out, unfortunately.  I did a lot of spring cleaning around the house, and still have more to go!  I also did a little yard work yesterday.  So I counted all that as my 'workout'.  Today is going to be almost 90 degrees!  I'm stuck at work, staring out the front door to a beautiful, sunny day.  I'm going to kickboxing no matter what tonight and I'm going to try and run, at least, a little!  I don't' want to overdo it too much with this crazy heat wave.

This may seem a little crazy/silly, but I have harnesses and leashes for my two cats.  So after I did my gardening, my mom and I brought them outside for the first time.  This is Ollie and he loved the new flowers!  Luna, my other cat, wouldn't sit still for a picture, she was too busy exploring!

Lately I feel like I've been having no self control regarding my diet.  I keep eating everything!  I know I can do this, I've done it before.  I just need to get that through my head.

Mother Dearest

When I told my mom about wanting to the the Disney Princess half marathon, immediately she wanted to take the trip with me to cheer me on.  We both have been wanting to go back to Disney, but it's hard to take vacations together because of the whole working together thing.  The last time I was in Disney was my senior trip back in 2006.  And then last time, I think, my mom was there is when I was in the 4th grade, so that was 1998.  We're definitely due for a Disney trip and this would be the perfect opportunity.

My mom always talks about losing weight and her choice of exercise is walking.  She can't really jog or run because of her knees and lately has been having issues with her foot.  So I suggested her working towards the Tangled 5K, and just walking it.  She seemed excited!

So last night I went to kickboxing again.  And this time I was excited to go, the way it used to be!  It was such a good class, I was drenched in sweat and loving every minute of it. :)  I used muscles that I haven't used in a while and I'm still feeling it today.  I absolutely love that feeling!  We had a little birthday party for the instructor afterwards.  People brought snacks and food and cake (not the best idea after working out, but it was really nice).  I skipped the cake and had some veggies, cheese & apples, and these amazing spinach balls that I will be making ASAP!

I had to come into work later today since I have to close, so I decided to try and get up and run before work.  I usually have this idea but don't follow through, so I didn't know how it would pan out.  I, surprisingly, woke up before I usually would to go to work!  I ate a little breakfast and had my coffee, sat down and watched a show on the DVR.  Then I hit the road.  First ten minutes/mile were great!  And then it went downhill from there.  I don't know if it was the fact that it was my first morning run and my muscles weren't warmed up or if it was the fact that it was cold outside (around 33 degrees), or maybe it was a combination.  I walked a lot more and it wasn't because I was breathing heavy or had a side pain, it was more like my muscles just didn't want to function the way I wanted.  Next time I think I'll do a short walk beforehand to get into the groove and hopefully that'll help.  I also don't think I want to do anymore morning runs when it's this chilly outside, I'll save them for the summertime when it's too hot to run after work.

Good Workout Day!

Yesterday was a good workout day! :)  I went out for a run and I just knew that I had to add a little onto the longest run.  I did almost .6 miles farther!  Which, I guess, doesn't sound like a lot, but it was awesome for me!  It's definitely giving me the confidence that I can actually do this!!  The app that I use on my phone was updated and now a voice comes on telling me my time and pace at every mile.  I love that feature, it's such a great motivator!
I told a friend that I would go to kickboxing with her, so I ate dinner and got ready for that.  Now I haven't been there since March 19th, that's three weeks of not going, so I knew it was going to be a tough class.  Man did I miss it!!  It helps get out any aggression and I can just feel my muscles toning.  Two hours of working out and I'm feeling pretty good today.  Skipping my run this afternoon to let my legs rest, but definitely going to kickboxing!