artsong27’s BodyBlog

Well, as I promised, it’s back to the grind this week.  However, yesterday I almost didn’t make it to the gym.  I teach two classes back to back every Monday morning, and it takes me a while to recuperate in order to complete my Monday leg routine successfully.  Not to mention I had a test yesterday, and an assignment due before midnight that had not been touched over the weekend.  So, there I was in the kitchen, cooking dinner for my husband and I.  I had just about convinced myself that I shouldn’t go and work out.  I was tired, but not that tired.  As I began straightening up the kitchen, I say to my husband, "Babe, I don’t think I’m going to the gym tonight", to which he replies, "Yeah, I knew you weren’t going today".  Well folks, that did it!  I finished cleaning, got dressed, and had a kick ASS workout!  It’s ok for my husband to miss weeks of workouts, but I get criticism when I skip one???  Well, I showed him!

It was hard getting back into it last night.  I have recently reached the 200 lb. mark on the leg press.  I have been away from the gym for about a week, but I decided not to drop weight.  And to my surprise, the leg press felt better today than it had the last time I did it.  It was rough, but I made it through, and it felt right.  My legs and butt are on fire today, just the way I like it!!  I always remind myself about being consistent.  It’s amazing how the numbers at the gym slowly decline during this time of year.  I’m determined to be one of the last women standing!!!!  At least I won’t have to wait to get in the squat rack!  Lord knows come January 1st, there will be a line out the door just to get on the elliptical machine. 

Hello all!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!  I did; I ate myself senseless, but I sure did enjoy it.  By Monday, it will back to business as usual.  School is kicking my butt, and my instructors must have forgotten that this was the week of Thanksgiving, because I had so many assignments and tests due.  On top of that, this was the first year that I had to cook the meals all by myself!  Talk about sore feet and an aching back!  But every dish I made came out well.  I even made dinner rolls from scratch.  I’m a huge bread lover…I think we have maybe 6 rolls left, and I doubled the recipe.

I miss the gym.  Because of all the cooking and schoolwork, I only got 3 workouts in this week, all cardio, and no weights.  What a loser I am, huh?  Well, it happens, so I just have to get it back in gear next week.  I can’t stop now that I’ve come so far.  In about two hours I will be among a sea of shoppers fighting for the hottest sale items available.  I can’t wait; I haven’t been shopping for anything other than food for at least a year, and that is no exaggeration!  It’s my turn to buy something for myself, and I’m so excited.  Ok, I’m off.  Take care, and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

It’s my anniversary!!!  (Tony, Toni, Tone…for those of you who need a reminder!)

Yes, today is my two month wedding anniversary.  I told my husband it felt more like a two year anniversary.  We courted (yes, COURTED)  for four long years.  I never thought I’d see the day when I didn’t have to wake up after midnight to drive home, so I could get to work the next morning.  Now, I wake up with him by my side….then I go to work. It was well worth the wait.  I love him so much!

So, I don’t know what we will do today to celebrate.  I think he wants to go out.  I’m much more simple than that.  Maybe we can cuddle by the fireplace, or rent some movies, pig out, and drink some good Riesling!  That sounds like a plan, but first, I gotta get my butt to the GYM!!!

Today is chest, shoulders and triceps day, then it’s off to the club to teach a cardio class. I’m looking forward to getting in there and working hard.  Good news!  I am now up to 200 lbs. on the leg press!  Yay for me!!!!  It’s hard work, but hopefully it’s paying off.  I feel better, look better, and the energy is high!  Working out affects every part of your life.  If I get a workout in, I know I’m gonna have a pretty awesome day.

so today, I have to hit these legs hard.  I came down with something yesterday, and I couldn’t shake it until last night.  I’m still a little high off the NYQuil, but in a little while I’ll be hitting the weights.  I detest leg day.

I know when leg day comes, I will be of no use to anyone for the rest of the day. I try my best to work as hard as I can.  Now that my progress pics are up, I can see huge changes in my lower half, and this only adds fuel to the fire.  I just have to stay consistent, keep eating well, and working out hard!  I can do this!  It’s so easy training other people, but when you have to push yourself and motivate yourself….I don’t know anything more difficult than that.  I love it!!!!!

It’s amazing how the body changes.  Putting it through the rigors of a healthy diet and exercise program are not easy, especially when results come so slowly.  My saving grace has been progress pictures.  I am sure to take them every three months or so.  Eating clean and exercising are great, but who cares what you do if you’re not getting results.  Since we see ourselves day in and day out, it can be very difficult to pinpoint small changes in the physique.  Although we may feel leaner and healthier, these feelings often manifest themselves into hardcore, visible results weeks or months down the line.  It’s amazing that the camera can sometimes notice what the physical eye overlooks.  The most important thing I think is to realize there is no day but TODAY!  Tomorrow will surely come, and so will January first, and next summer.  Will we still look the same then, or will we do what it takes TODAY, to look and feel better tomorrow.  Setting simple goals and sticking to them no matter what is very important as well.  I always look at myself as a work in progress.  As my body gets stronger and faster, my goals may change, but my willpower and determination can never change.  We all work so hard for these subtle changes.  However, small changes lead to big gains as the years go by.