Ora: Body & Mind

I have noticed that it is not the young fit models that inspire me, but the more or less the 50-60 year old women that have obviously kept up with their workouts through the years and are fit, with nicely shaped legs, a flat stomach, tone arms. They look younger and in better shape then most 20-30 year olds, minus the grey hair.

So we have decided to do a couples challenge with our gym that is going on for the month of February. It is based on a point system, 5 points for each workout together, 10 points for class done together and so on. Right now we are second after the first 4 days. We plan on going every day and on weekends go twice a day (max is 2 times a day for the competition). We have noticed that the only other group that is beating us is a group that seems to go everyday as well, but does a class and workout everyday, which equals 2 times for that day. Figure we need to step it up a bit, so we are planning on doing a spinning class tomorrow for cardio instead of our normal after weights cardio. I am a little bit apprehensive because I hear they can be grueling, but am willing to do it to win the challenge (especially sense we will get points for that cardio and no points for our normal cardio). Well hopefully we will win and they will slip up.

Either way I see it, we will be buff sexy beasts by the end of February. Ha-ha, should be awesome. 

Am so hoping it will get warmer soon. I miss going out into nature and doing active things outdoors, surfing, skating, bike riding, running with the dog on the beach, etc. Florida is just too cold to go do the normal things and not cold enough to go do the fun stuff like snowboarding. ARG!!! Soon, I wish for it soon. 

Yes I have given it up for the next 3-4 weeks. My boyfriend is training for the fire department and has given up alcohol for this period of time to get in a good state of mind and body for his training. We are big drinkers, and yes I know it does not help out with bodybuilding & etc, but we enjoy it and do it in moderation. We all have our vices, but he is determined to be in tip top shape, so I as well have stopped drinking to stop his possible temptation and reap some of the benefits of not drinking as well. It is always good to take a break. So far the pass week has been fine, but we shall see. 

Yeah I feel it and the after burn too. Finally starting to stick to the workout schedule that I wanted, and boy am I sore. It is a good sore though, so I am happy. Shows what I am doing is actually working. I feel better about myself too. Cut down on my drinking, which is probably my worse habit, and that seems to be helping too. Now I just wish I could sleep in. oh well. Have to wait till Saturday.  

Well I have put most of my workouts onto the calendar, not quite using it the way it was intended, but it sure is helping me realize that I am still not sticking to my workout schedule, but I am getting better. Holiday season throws schedules all in loops.  

I got a new schedule at work that should help me with sticking to my workout schedule. I was working from 9am to 6pm and being in bed by 10pm at the latest (due to my boyfriends early work schedule). Now my new schedule is from 7am to 4pm. This will give us 2 more extra hours to go to the gym, relax, run errands, cook, and do whatever is needed during the week. In the past the gym would be sacrificed if there was a lot we had to do, now we will have the time to do both.

Also I have joined the gym at work so that I can split up my cardio. I will now be able to go to the gym in the morning before work and then also during my lunch. I am not a big fan of cardio so splitting it up into small doses that I can handle is a much better solution, plus when I want to I can do HIIT instead of basic cardio.

I have also had on my agenda to stretch more often and increase my flexibility. I am now incorporating this in with the two times that I do cardio at work. First I will do the cardio and as a cool down period after my limbs are warmed up, I will stretch. Over time my flexibility will increase to what it use to be.

With everything in place I should be able to stick to schedule a good 90% of the time. Yeah!!

Noticed that I set some goals to expire soon and after looking at November realized I am slacking. So I am taking December and deciding to take better action. I am trying to do at least 6 cardio sessions a week, minimum, whether it is going twice a day a couple of days or in once a day 6 times a week. Also I am trying to make sure that I am hitting the weights 4 days a week as well, because I do realize that going only 4 times in 3 weeks is not going to get me anywhere.

Dope. Go workout tracker. =) 

I have noticed that I tend to watch what people at work are eating and then what they look like, and wonder if they realize what they are doing to themselves. I mean come on, do you really think that the reeces peanut butter cups (king size) and orange soda are really going to help out A) your health, or B) your expanding waistline that all ready overflows you belt line?

On another note, sense my birthday and the help of the workout tracker I have noticed that I do not workout as much as I should or would like to. I guess excuses come up and somehow we do not end up going.

Yeah, well I know most of us here can be really critical and self perfectionist, but I was looking at some of my flaws in the mirror last night while I was doing bis and tris and realized that I need to do a lot more cardio. That would so help bring out all the work I do on legs, instead of having a little layer.
 

Dope, well guess it is time to start hitting it up in the morning again.

The blood tests were performed about 2 hours after I ate 1 cup of tuna with relish, crushed red pepper, and jalapenos, and a 25 gram protein shake with fat free milk.
Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol = 134 mg/dL which is below the 200 mg/dL “Desirable” level
LDL Cholesterol = 90 mg/dL which is below the 100 mg/dL “Optimal” level
HDL Cholesterol = 48 mg/dL which is from 40-59 mg/dL  level which is 12 below the “Optimal” level
So after my first ever cholesterol test, my over all my cholesterol looks pretty good, but I could increase more HDL to reach the optimal levels. My only true question for that is: how do I increase these levels? What foods are good to eat to increase this?
Blood Pressure
110 Systolic which is below the normal 120
77 Diastolic which is below the normal 80
Random Plasma Glucose Screening
93 mg/dL which is below the random of 200 mg/dL and even under the fasting of 126 mg/dL
So this as well was my first ever glucose screening. I had ate recently before I went and had it done, so does this mean that they are too low?
Triglycerides
Although no result was stated, they did put down that it was less than 50 mg/dL.
From what I read it is showing lower than normal for females from age range of 10-29 years.