Feeling GOOD

Brittney, here!  Hi, how are you?

I think today was a classic 180-day.  A mere three hours ago I was ready to lay waste on my couch after a highly stressful day while drinking an adult beverage and probably eating bagel chips.  Sadly, this is the honest truth, but I DIDN"T.

Instead????? I just got back from a 2 mile jog/walk.  I have to give my husband all of the credit for the motivation to accomplish this task.  He swooped up the kids and said, "Go for it!"

The weather was pleasantly warm today, but as I started jogging I could tell it was getting cool.  Around 36 degrees.  Sidewalks were starting to get a little slippery from a misty rain all day.  I decided to run on the street with my bright construction vest (it's literally bright orange with reflective stripes on it).  This time of year seems like the hardest time to see things at dusk and I'd rather look like a jogging construction worker than risk someone not seeing me!

I don't want to pat myself on the back as if I just ran a marathon, I don't feel like I deserve that kind of applause YET, but I will say that I feel really good for two things in particular.  I ran 1 mile straight tonight.  I'm not sure if I've already done that in the last few weeks, but it was from start to finish - one mile.  I feel very fulfilled to be getting comfortable running again.  Baby steps!  I then walked & jogged the second mile of my workout and felt great afterwards!!!

Second feel-good event of the night was after my cool-down and ab exercises.  For the first time in a long time I attempted side plank abdominal exercises.  I have no idea if that's what they're called, but I lay on my side and bend at the waist, raising my torso and legs slightly off the ground.  This accomplishment might be confusing if you're just starting to read my blog.  A little backstory, I have had a couple years worth of working on correcting my diastis recti (splitting of abdominal muscles from pregnancies).  I've been VERY very very cautious, but tonight I felt it out and it felt GOOD.  So I took it easy and did one set on both sides.  Baby steps, part deux.

In addition to my exciting turn of events tonight I'd also like to share some information about the first part of my day!

I went to a Women's clinic to figure out if I'm having any kind of hormonal irregularities or not.  Over the course of the next few weeks I will be taking a ZRT Saliva Test to see if I need a little bit of help in the hormone department.  After the discovery of the little skin abnormality that was removed from my back two weeks ago most likely being caused from a hormonal imbalance?   Plus the fact that I've been off and on anti-depressant medication from post-partum depression for three and a half years, but still don't feel "right??"  It's time to try to figure out the root of what's going on.

Busy day!  Time to relax with the hubby and decompress.  Until next time!  :)

Motivating Tweet by @Women_Fit

Motivation:

GET FIT: Eat cleanly, get your body moving, drink lots of water. (Side affects may include happiness, radiance, and amazing health)
— Women's Fitness (@Women_Fit) November 14, 2013

Week 4 Check-In & Saggy Baggy Elephant

Boring check-in this week but I know I will regret not having this when I take accountability in the future!

CHECK-IN SURVEY: Week 4
Number of days of Exercise: 3
Number of Cardio Exercises: 3
Number of Weight Exercises: .5
Total Time Exercised:  4.5 hours
Total Calories Burned:  still gadget-free.
Proud Moments: Noticing strength in certain muscles.  Even though I cannot see definition yet, my legs are getting stronger.  I'm not as sore.  Super good feeling!!

Today I had my follow-up for the skin issues I've mentioned in previous posts.  The doc gave me a clean bill of health!  On the spectrum from GOOD weird skin growths to CANCER, I am on the good side of the spectrum.  YAYYYYYyyyyy but also ew.  

It's a good feeling, though.  In the back of my mind for the last two weeks I've had this unknown of "what if?"  The suture spot on my nose seems to be fully healed!  Stitches were removed from the base of my neck, middle of my back and my side.  I cannot wait for the remaining three to be all healed up!  I'll be able to stretch my upper body freely again.  Yes, please!

GOALS FOR WEEK 5
I need to tackle my food intake.  When I say tackle?  I mean NFL-style tackle.  I want to start seeing some results now.  I've hit that point.  I've been exercising for four solid weeks and I feel like I'm starting to pull out of the pathetic stage  (or as I have been calling it the dark side).  I don't necessarily like calling it the pathetic stage?  But that's how I feel about my abilities when I look back at it.  At the time I was very sensitive to it, but now that I can run a mile without falling over, it's time to tighten up the reigns.  Make things count MORE.

I saw this on Pinterest over the course of the last week, and I feel like this was written for me.  I don't do well when I scream on top of a mountain of how awesome of a job I'm doing.  For a lot of things outside of exercising, too.  I like to under-promise so I can over-deliver.  I feel like, with starting my active life again this time of year might work to my advantage.  I can hide under layers of clothes and coats and hopefully by the time warm weather comes?  I won't need to hide.  By summer I want to be stellar. 

YET - i'm super nervous.  I'm afraid I'm going to be the Saggy Baggy Elephant.  Will I be able to tighten everything up?  Or am I going to need to wear support tops and pants and live in Spanx just to keep things from flapping everywhere?  Attractive.  

A cold has struck our house this week as well.  Just coughed up a lung just now as I'm typing this.  I didn't work-out tonight simply because it hurts to breath.  Itchy uncomfortable lungs.  I know that isn't any kind of excuse.  No excuse is a good excuse but that's how the cookie hath crumbled today-ith.  

Until next time!

Stuck On A Machine?

I have to confess.  I'm usually all about "focus," and "make it count," during a work-out.  I believe this is a smart and sure-win approach with exercise.

Well, today my kids were quite a handful and I can feel a cold coming on.  Perhaps some post-nasal drip?  Whatever it is, it's that dull feeling in the back of your throat like it might start to hurt.  Little bit of runny nose.  A large amount of feeling, "blahhh."  So I hopped onto the elliptical for my workout tonight and did the opposite of what I usually say to do.  I totally zoned out.

I would love to say this is the first time doing this, but it all started when my iPhone did an update about a week ago.  It wiped out my exercise playlist!!  I was forced to find different means of entertainment, so I jammed out to iTunes Radio.  Pretty good stuff, but about 30 minutes into my hour-long workout I needed something more exciting.

Confession:  One of my favorite "entertainment" shows on TV is America's Best Dance Crew.  Not sure what that is?  I don't blame you.  It's a little show on MTV (not even sure if they still have it going??) where dance "crews" try to win.  Imagine The Voice, but with dancing.

Well, I have approximately 30 minutes worth of dance compilations between these three videos that seriously motivate me.  They are so much fun to watch, and time FLIES.  In my personal favorite order:

I Am Me Crew (Season 6 Winners) Compilation:




Followed by Quest Crew Compilation:



Save the best for last ~ Jabba Wockeez Season 6 Final Performance:




Enjoy :)

Cool Crisp Night

I used to think that running during the summer months was my favorite (which don't get me wrong, I love it), but tonight?  I was reminded of cold night jogs.  The kind of cool that startles your lungs at first, but when you are done running and after you've stretched and cooled down, you still feel the cool breath in your lungs.

Tonight I did a 3.5 mile jog/walk.  Felt so very good, yet so very bad at the same time.  My body is still adjusting to pounding the pavement.  I've been on my elliptical the majority of the past few weeks.  The switch to running outside is not feeling the best on my ankles, shins, and knees.  Not only is my body not used to this type of impact, I'm also carrying a lot of extra weight at the same time!!  I am still officially on the dark side of exercising.  I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but DAMN!

The problem with running outside in cold weather includes sweating.  You need to have just the right balance of layers.  You also cannot stop or slow down too much or else you get chilled and then the remainder of your workout is just not fun.  It was about 32 degrees Fahrenheit tonight, but as soon as it gets colder I start to need something over my mouth when I run.  I don't like too sharp of cold air on my lungs.  And remember, I live in MN, so I can honestly say I have run in colder weather than I probably should.  haha

Another problem is wearing gloves that aren't smart-phone friendly!!  I told my husband today that I want a pair of gloves that I can still wear while using my iPhone (in case i need to switch up my playlist, etc).  If anyone has some gloves they love and care to share, please leave a comment!  I'd be grateful to hear some of the tried and true gloves.  

I didn't have a chance to stretch very good at the end of my workout, either.  and I was COLD when I got home, so I jumped in the shower right away.  

Not to sound like I'm complaining this whole time, but tonight was my first plunge into exercising with my suture wounds.  I was not very loose, I think I was pretty tense in my upper body the whole time from some discomfort, but I'm not going to let these little buggers keep me from staying active.  I just hope they heal good, and fast.  

That's all for tonight!  Have a good one :)

Healthy Little Snack Option

I just wanted to share an obscure but effective snack.  Obviously the best choice is to grab fresh fruit or veggie for a snack, with a handful of nuts/seeds, etc.  There are more times than not that I do not have time, or we are running out the door so I need something to tie me over that is fast and easy.

Or like this morning when I walked into my kitchen with the full intent of grabbing a treat out of the left-over Halloween candy jar, instead I grabbed one of these.

Like I said, this is obscure, but my favorite snack right now is baby food ~ specifically fruit pouches.  They're organic, they're low in calories, they make my sweet tooth happy and they are a perfect snack.  They're in single-serve pouches and are easy to toss in my purse for when we're out and about.  That's what I call all-kinds-of-awesome.

My kids love these too, for snacks.  Plus I don't ever buy them without a coupon, so they are affordable.  

I just enjoyed an apple blackberry fruit blend.  For 50 calories.  YES yes yes yes.  and my sweet tooth craving has been sufficed. 

A Little Rough

The last two weeks have been interesting to say the least. I mentioned briefly in an earlier post about finding some questionable bumps that my dermatologist was scheduled a to remove. Today was the second of two procedures to remove these lovely bumps and freckles/moles that seem to be feisty. 

Not going to hold back here, but I feel like a piece of sushi. All chopped up and in pain. I had three areas on my face done last week. Three areas on my back/side done this week. 

A wave of emotions is accurate, from feeling good about being proactive to anxious about the pending results from biopsies and the like. Oh and not to complain, but I hurt. Four of the six with sutures and one that is particularly deep. 

The ones done on my back and side will pose an interesting involvement on physical activity. Rubbing against clothes and movement while healing. My elliptical workouts might need to be on the slow side for a few days! 

Keeping fingers crossed for good results next week.

Week 3 Check-In & My Seasonal Nemesis

Greetings!  I'm a day late in posting my Weekly Check-In, but better late than never!  

CHECK-IN SURVEY: Week 3
Number of days of Exercise: 3
Number of Cardio Exercises: 3
Number of Weight Exercises: .5
Total Time Exercised:  4.5 hours
Total Calories Burned:  still gadget-free.
Proud Moments: Walking/Jogging Outside 5.5 miles on a beautiful fall day!!!  amazingness 
Needs Work:  Most significantly my core.  That is what I'm most determined to get strong and fit again.  Everything else too, of course but I'd love to have a killer stomach again more than anything!

NEMESIS

It's like they turned on the switch for Christmas the day following Halloween.  Much to my dismay my local Wal-Mart's seasonal section neighbors the toy section.  I found some neat coupons for toys last week and headed to Wal-Mart to do a little Christmas shopping.  Straight to the toy department I marched only to pass by the rows of Christmas festiveness.  

WHAT TO MY WONDERING EYES WOULD APPEAR?  ...but my nemesis, and 8 tiny double chins that follow.  (sorry that didn't rhyme, lol)  These are the most dangerous pieces of candy to me I have ever experienced in my life.  They are amazingly delicious but are TERRIBLE nutritionally.  and I can't stop myself.  I've tried.  I can't.  

I am no longer allowed into retail stores that sell these without a parent or guardian.  

I give you, the Candy Cane Hershey Kisses.  Stay away from them or you will eat more than you ever intended to.  

Will I Be Able To Move Tomorrow?

There's a little country road that I used to run on regularly. It's a plain old gravel road, but it's my road. Sure, other people use it, they throw their garbage along the ditch, and the river kind if smells. But it's my road. One solid mile to the next intersection, a mile and half to where the road makes a T.  Plus there is a big hill that never gets easier.

I used to live within a quick warm-up walk from my road. It was an easy hop, skip & jump to squeeze in a friendly jog.  That is no longer the case.

Today for the first time in... literally years, my road & I had a reunion. It took me three miles of jogging/ walking to simply get to my road!! And about a half mile into the reunion I realized I probably won't be able to move tomorrow from being so sore!! It even crossed my mind to have someone come and get me as my muscles were tensing up!! But that doesn't matter. I was determined, and frankly it felt so damn good to be back.

The sky. The air. The sweet little spots along my road that burst with character  made my two hour long workout the most fun I've had in a long time.

Looking down at this gravel brought back sweet dejavu but also memories of the sweat and tears I worked on this dirt. And I plan to do it again.

What a beautiful fall day for a run <3