Since I’ve decided to pursue running…my goal for that is to work up to 5 miles and run in our local 7k Shamrock Run next March.  Why not!!

In the last two weeks I’ve begun my training for the STP (204 miles in two days)  My pre-ride packet came in the mail with all sorts of information……along with a training schedule.  I knew I was close to what was recommended, but I wasn’t putting in enough continuous miles.  So..now I’m up to speed and the ol’ legs are feeling it too!  Each week I’m putting in 100 miles….20 miles on Wednesday, 40 on Saturday and 40 on Sunday.  I learned something very important …wear the bike shorts… they really, really help…:)  

On the off days I’m doing light cardio on my elliptical and weights 3 times a week. The only thing I’m still struggling with is getting my diet right.  Just when I think I’ve got it down…  I get torpedo’d by events..:(

It was a great test to step up to the machines and see how far I could push myself. You know what…I pushed!! Even though my training has been hit and miss for awhile I was able to set the weight as heavy as I have in the past.  Completely satisfying, to say the least. I did focus very heavily on the legs today…just to see what they could do.  Sitting leg press….I rocked it!!  I will be a bit sore for a couple days…but well worth it…..:)

 My next goal….I’ve been very strong in my cardio…cycling/treadmill/elliptical.  My stamina has reached the point where I really want to add running to my regime.  It’s time to take it up another level.

In July there is a bike ride that I’ve registered  for..and it will be the hardest challenge I have ever attempted.  204 miles …in 2 days…..:)  Let’s just say that training has now commenced!  My goal right now is to put in as many hours/miles on the stationary bike as I can, until warmer weather allows me out on the road.  I need to increase my weight training again…so the whole body is strong. 

This is not an unattainable goal….it’s a trainable goal…

BUT…I have a new goal…

My daughter is getting married the middle of May….I have 4 months to go after my new goals.  I have a very realistic goal of losing 20lbs. ….basically 5 lbs each month.  How am I going to achieve this….here’s how:

4 types of cardio…I want a lot of variety this time, so as to address every fiber that I can:  cycling, treadmill, elliptical and a new one for me….running.  I will do one of these .75 to one hour everyday.

Gym Weight training….3 times a week….on the off days I will be doing at home basics:  push ups, crunches and squats.

And the big one…..NOT a diet…but to focus on my clean eating menu as diligently as possible.  Back to my 5 small meals per day and water, water, water…..

Tomorrow….Day 1.

Just a little over two weeks until I head for Hawaii. Woo Hoo…after the big dump of snow we’ve had around here and all the snow shoveling I’ve had to do….the sands of Maui are looking mighty fine..:)  The swimsuit has been purchased and I’m thinking about packing my bags…ALOHA!

One more good nights rest and I hope to hit the gym…with gusto…:)  Time to try and push through this delay and get this show on the road.  I did go out and buy a swimsuit for Hawaii….

I’ve changed up my routine and am hoping for some better results than I’ve had in the last 3 months.  I’ve patiently tried the Zone type cardio…but it’s just not working for me.  Just before I got ill I had gone back to a much more strenuous regime and it was definitely working for me…so I’ll be sticking to that for the winter months!  This "easy keeper" needs to quit taking it quite so easy.

Weights….I’ve been pushing fairly heavy for the last couple months…now I’ve changed it to lighter pounds and higher reps. The first time I did that I woke up the next morning so sore, I could hardly move….just the way I like it..

29 more days until Hawaii….

Yes..I’ve had a few distraction mostly job related, but in general, I’ve managed to get to the gym regularly.  My diet has not been as tight as it should be …so I’ve got to get that under control before I’m going to see anymore big changes.

Starting tomorrow I’m going back on a strict clean eating diet for the next 25 days.  There’s no hope of maintaining that on Christmas Eve/Day, so I’m not even going to put that kind of pressure on myself. 

Hawaii….40 more days…let’s see what kind of big changes I can make happen is this window of time!!

So out of necessity AND survival…I completely changed up my routine while she was here.  I upped my cardio workouts, substantially, to accommodate the extra calories I KNEW I would be consuming! My main focus was to watch my diet the majority of the day (at work..etc.) and plan on having one overload meal everyday.

My plan worked….I managed to maintain my weight. Because, face it, the biggest fear was that I was going to balloon up while she was here and hate myself for being so weak. 

Only 54 more days until I leave for Hawaii..:)  That is just a little over 7 weeks to go!  I’ve got to change my way of thinking….no longer can I say I want to lose X amount of weight this month….I’ve got to focus on week by week now.  It will be here before I know it….AND I’ve got 3 more gluttonous holidays to get through!!

What is my new exercise this week…not sure what you call it…..but you squat, stand and then lift a 10 lb medicine ball over your head, over and over again!!….definitely a full body workout. 

Okay..I lied…. I’m still extremely motivated.  I still have my eyes on Hawaii, but my energy level has been way too low from illness, and the fatigue too high.  So…I decided that I HAD to take this past week off….from everything.  No progress has been made, so far, for the month of November…BUT…now that I’m finally feeling better, I’ll once again start my workouts and clean eating.  Only 62 more days until I leave for Hawaii…that’s not very long and I fear it’s not enough time to reach my goals, but I guess anything is better than nothing at all..!!