We're Gonna Pump...You Up!

Man, does my chest hurt like a mofo. Ashley worked my chest ridicously yesterday. It feels good, but it's a very hard area to stretch.

I got to the gym really early this morning. I had intentions of doing the step 'n flex class, but didn't want to waste 20 minutes so I ended up doing 50 minutes of cardio and then some ab work. I used the treadmill mostly with 5 minutes of rowing machine and bike just to kind of mix it up. I was getting pretty tired towards the end, but I stuck with it and was fine. My sleeping habits the past week have not been the greatest. And I've had this headache for over a week that just won't go away.

I'm having a hard time relaxing, I just feel stressed all the time. I am usually not like this. I am going to take a night to myself tonight and do everything I can to get over this. A bubble bath is in definite order my friends.

In related news, I have done really well on my diet and weighed in lighter than I have in a forever ever if ever ever. Well, not ever ever that I remember anyway. High school doesn't count. Yeah for weightloss!

I can't wait for my kickboxing class on Thursday!!

Escardonme!

I feel awesome today!! And thank goodness it's cooler. Whew, yesterday was a kick in the pants! I did my kickboxing workout today and afterwards, I did 13 more minutes on the treadmill and about 10 minutes worth of abs and stretching. Time goes by so fast when you're having fun! :) We had a bunch of new people in the class this morning. I was helping this one girl out, she's never done kickboxing before. I've been doing it so long now, that I forgot how coordinated you have to be to get the moves down. And I will again show my evil side and say she was a skinny and was having trouble getting through the class. It was cool helping her though, I felt like I actually knew something and it gave me a little taste of what it could be like if I ever went into that field. I do have to say that as much as I'm working on my endurance with the burpies and everything, I freakin' hate mountain climbers.

I had to stop kicking a few times 'cause my hamstrings were so tight from yesterday's workout. Ashley worked my legs and they feel wonderful today. She had me do quad curls with 70 pounds (ouch), then burpies with the bose ball where you place your hands on the bose ball, jump out with your feet, bounce your feet out and then in, jump in and then lift the bose ball over your head. Had to do that for a minute. It actually wasn't that bad and was kind of fun. Bose balls are the half balls where one side is flat and the other is a squishy bubble that is used for stablization and really works your muscles. After that we did leg presses and hamstring curls. It was a great workout. I did some ab work after that and was doing the thing where you lay on your back holding an exercise ball in your hands and you lift the ball while lifting your legs and at the top, you move the ball in between your legs and then go down and come back up and move the ball to your arms again. First of all: ouch. Second of all: not very pretty and I ended up letting out a big fart during one of my reps! Omg!! It was freakin' hilarious.

I hope we do arms tomorrow! They're feeling kind of mushy!

The Hike

Man, was I nervous to go on this hike with my good friends Cori and Micah Balls. But I made a committment to myself and them and went for it. I have the greatest time with them, we had a blast driving up. It was so beautiful when we got there. The hike up was challenging for me. I was sweating like a pig and niether Cori or Micah were even short of breath most of the time. It really made me realize how far I have to go. I didn't end up making it all the way, I think we climbed for 2-21/2 miles out of 3. We hit snow and besides my total exhaustion, I knew I wouldn't have made it very far in the snow. They were so understanding and patient with me. I didn't have to take too many breaks, but I was quite touched by their concern. We did stop at the top of this amazing view and it was absolutely breathtaking. We finished our lunches and chatted a bit and then headed down. Going down is ten times easier for me, but I definitely felt the altitude change in my body and I didn't realize until the very end how worn out I was. And falling 4 times didn't help! :) When we got to the car, I felt sick. It eventually went away after awhile. I was proud of myself for doing it, but also kind of disappointed that it wasn't easier for me. But I hope I get to get out with them at least a couple of more times before the end of the summer. They always motivate me towards my goals.

I woke up feeling good. A bit tired from the lack of sleep due to the pyros in the neighborhood, but I was still able to get to my kickboxing class on time. I could tell that my right leg was a bit sore from one of the falls I had during the hike, but other than that, I was fine. I didn't have enough energy to do more cardio afterwards, but I did do some additional ab work and made sure I stretched really well.

It was a good experience. Now I won't fear hikes no longer!

Step 'n Flex

I finally made it to step 'n flex class this morning!! Yayyy! It was tough, but I'm so glad I did it. I wish there was a bit more cardio involved, but it definitely is going to help me with my endurance. I feel really good!

And I overate on accident a bit last night, but fought the urge to upchuck. And I stopped eating as soon as I felt the fullness coming on. So yayyy for good things!

I'm Back!

After a good weekend where I pushed through leg soreness by swimming on Saturday and jogging yesterday in the hot, hot heat, I met with my personal trainer this morning for an incredibly exhausting workout. I had to work hard not to get sick. I did 25 minutes on the eliptical before she hobbled over to get me. We did a circuit where I had to do 1 minute of squat skates and then 1 minutes of push-ups. Holy moly, we did that 3 times. My arms felt like they were going to fall off. After that, she asks me if I could handle 15 pound weights for arm presses. Being the trooper that I am, I was all for it. Why do I get myself into these situations? The next circuit was 1 minute of jump rope and then one minute of arm presses on the ball with 15 pound weights. I don't know how I did it. I had to stop a few times and walk in place so I didn't get sick. It was really hard, but I pushed through it. We were actually suppose to do more, but that took all of our time. I felt kind of bad, usually I kick more butt than that.

I spoke with Ashley about my eating disorder and she was really supportive. She actually told me she's struggled with a similiar thing and knew exactly where to send me. I could tell she was happy that I came to her and she gave me the biggest hug and it was all I could do not to start balling right there. I am so glad I opened up to her and I can't wait to get into a clinic for further support. I want to beat this, I will beat this.

I feel awesome today. My co-worker even said I looked radiant and told me that I inspire him. What a great start to a great day!! Now if only the AC worked. :)

Pushing Through

I was carrying a dirty secret last week. I had started to make myself throw up after allowing myself to overeat during late day meals. I wasn't talking about it because I was embarassed and ashamed, but I had an incredibly wonderful friend confront me about it. It was exactly what I needed. I can't thank her enough for caring enough and having the balls enough to do that. I then began to open up about it and used my support system to start paving the way to overcoming it. I have asked for some personal time with my personal trainer this weekend to discuss it with her. This is a big step for me, I have never disclosed this struggle I've had for the past few months with her at all. But I know she will guide me to right support system and help me overcome it. I guess it's something I should have done awhile ago.

It's quite a viscious cycle. You feel out of control and you actually get to a point where you justify it. This week, I've just been taking small steps to get back on track. I haven't overeaten in 3 days and I've worked out Mon and Wed. I overslept yesterday or I would have been at my step and flex class. I feel good, not 100% yet, but things are on the right path.

I got to spend a wonderful evening with my boyfriend last night. It's kind of weird to say that. And tonight, I get to spend with my brother and am way excited. We're going to dinner and the to the Fall Out Boy concert at the Tacoma Dome. It should be fun. I am more excited to spend time with Mitch than the concert. :) Life is good. I have the best friends in the world and they have helped me get through this rough patch. Thank you!!

Burnt Out

This last week has been difficult. I have had cravings up the ying yang, I've had to make myself go to the gym, I am just burnt out and I'm not sure where it's coming from. If it's work, lack of sleep, working out or all of the above. I overate at dinner last night. Why? I don't know. I don't know why sometimes I do that. I know I'm going to fill like crap afterwards, I know it's not good for me. So then why? Am I sabatoging myself? If so, what am I afraid of? And if that's not it, am I just tired and loopy? Or maybe I'm just being too hard on myself. I tend to do that. It wasn't like I binged or anything, I just ate a whole sandwich at CPK, when I know I am full after a half. I hate it because I feel like my workout with Ashley was wasted. It's so frustrating sometimes. But all I can do is forget about it and do better today.

I did go to kickboxing class this morning despite my exhaustion. It was hard, I was so tired. I wanted to quit, but I didn't. I worked through the pain. I'm glad I did it. I didn't have the energy to do any extra cardio afterwards like I usually do, but I'm still satisfied. And I think I'll be ok the rest of the week on my eating.

Ashley is going to be gone next week and she gave me homework to take care of me. I've decided to stay home on Sunday instead of heading down to Spanaway. I need a day to sleep in and rest. And maybe spend some time with the new boy. Hee hee.

I've decided to mimick the workout Ashley had me do on Monday next week while she's gone. My legs have never felt better! Here it is:

Exercise: Weight: Reps:
Burpie with push up - 30sec x 15
Pliet Squat 10 lbs m. ball 30sec x 15
Mt. climbers - 30 sec x 15
Lunge walk - 2 laps
Jump Rope - 30 sec x 15
Bridges on ball - 30 sec x 15

It is possibly the hardest workout I've ever done. Make sure to do at least 30 min. of cardio before this if you dare!! ;) Burpies with push ups is where you jump out with your feet and then jump out, do a push up, jump in and then stand up. Bridges on ball is where you take the exercise ball and lie on your back with your feet on the ball. You then push in with the ball, lifting yourself with your legs. You're suppose to keep your hips up at all times while you're doing the in and out movement, but I could only lift my hips on the lift. This really works your hamstrings.

Yesterday we worked on the back, which is my favorite. My back is looking so nice these days, I just feel like I'm turning into a lady and it feels good. :)