I LOVE my Monday shoulder routine…short and sweet…

Shoulder Press on the Smith Machine…3 sets ( 8 reps at 50 lbs, 6 reps at 50 lbs, 5 reps at 55 lbs) after an easy warm-up set at 30 lbs.

DB Side Lateral Raises…this kills…start with 15’s and work down the rack (15, 12, 10, 8 lbs x 12, 10, 8, 6 reps), rest then repeat for 3 sets total…shoulders will be burning…

3 sets of cable rows…12 reps at 60 lbs, 10 at 70 lbs and 8 at 80 lbs

Shoulders done in about 30 minutes so I decided to work on the abs…they’re burning…but I feel so good having got both the cardio and the weights done for the day…off to visit some family

Have a GREAT Memorial Day!

Isn’t that typical of a 15 year old?  So concerned about what everyone else is going to think.  Or maybe it’s not just that age, but people in general.  We get so caught up with other peoples’ opinions of us that we do things for the wrong reasons.  Or…we don’t do things at all.

That’s one reason I’m growing to love my 40’s.  I find that I don’t care too much about what others are going to think about me anymore.  I mean, I still have those thoughts, but my response to that…WHO CARES!!  It’s my life and I’m going to live it the way I choose.  Period.

I still gotta tell my son.  The response I anticipate from him…"Can we talk about something else, Mom?"

Size is my main concern right now.  I’ve been told that most women tend to wish they had gone bigger, but I remind myself that I’m not like "most" women.  I’m more practical.  Not doing it for anyone but me.  And…being athletic, my worry is that I’ll go too big and they’ll get in the way, be an annoyance.  So…I’ve been looking at pictures and pictures and pictures trying to decide.  My plastic surgeon suggested a small to medium C and I’m starting to think that would be about right.  I’m not looking for the "OMG she got boobs" reaction, but more of the "Did she get boobs?" kind of thing.  DEFINITELY no super-sizing for me!!

The saline vs. silicone decision has already been made…going silicone…due to my leanness…doctor said they would look more natural and be less prone to visible rippling.

Anyway…pre-op appointment is Tuesday which will be EXACTLY one week before BA Day!!

So, as soon as school is out (9 school days left), I’m going under the knife.  Those that know me know that this wasn’t an easy decision.  I’ve always been of the opinion that you should make do with what you were given.  I mean, spend money for boobs?  Ridiculous.  Needles to say, as I’ve gotten older (and leaner), I’ve changed my thinking on this as I have on many things. I mean, really, people get braces to fix their teeth, laser surgery to fix their vision, etc…why shouldn’t I get boobs to fix my lack of?

I must tell you, though, one thing scares me a little…

I won’t be able to workout in any form or fashion for 2 weeks and then I can only do lower body stuff for another 2 to 4 weeks…when I found that out, my first thought was "that could be a deal-breaker"…is that sad?  I have so engrained working out into my lifestyle that the mere thought of not doing it for 2 to 6 weeks scares me.  Why is that so scary?  I think because of where I’ve come from.  Those that have followed my story know I’ve lost a LOT of weight.  I did it the old-fashioned way…working out and eating right…and so, not being able to work out for awhile makes me think that I will gain wieght.  Now, in my mind, I know that not working out for a short period of time shouldn’t make that much of an impact as long as I continue to eat clean.  In my mind, I know that the break will actually be good for my body.  In my mind, I know that I will get back to it with the same passion I have now.  In my mind, I know that I will eat clean.  In my mind, I know that even if I do put on a couple of pounds, I can take it off pretty quickly once my life is back to "normal". 

We all know, however, that fears are often not "of the mind".  They are often irrational things based on emotion.  And…the best way to get past it is to stare it in the face…take action regardless, right?  So, I’m doing it, regardless.  Regardless of my fears, regardless of everything else, because I want to.

Stay tuned for my post-boob implant surgery thoughts.  I’ll have LOTS of time to post since I won’t be in the gym!

Anyway, I feel SO rested today!!  Isn’t it amazing what a day of personal pampering does?  Now I feel really ready to tackle this next week and it promises to be a difficult one…we’re down to 14 school days…in 8th grade…brains are off…hormones are on…need I say more?

Back to the working out today…fixin to go rollerblading and for you non-Texan speaking bb’ers, that means I’m getting ready to go rollerblading…9 miles, nothing but me, my music and my thoughts…a different kind of heaven if you ask me…and the weather looks perfect…not a cloud in the sky, a bit of a breeze, temp in the 60’s…gonna be another AWESOME day!!

Being a perfectionist CAN be a bad thing.  In my pre-middle-aged days I think I let it be a bad thing.  How?  By choosing to NOT do things I wanted to do because I feared not doing them well enough.  I feared not being the best.  Anyone out there relate? 

I ran my first 5K in October of 2006, about a month after turning 40.  I had only been running for a few months and not "training" for an event at all.  Just running.  I was scared.  What if I didn’t run the whole thing?  What if I finished last?  What if, what if, what if?????  Those thoughts would have prevented the younger me from even signing up.  But…the 40-year old said, "what the hell" and signed up.

The night before the race, I wanted to just not go.  I mean, it wasn’t like I was gonna win.  Why even show up?  The fact that co-workers were going to run it with me prevented me from taking this path though.  I was stuck.  Had to go.

On race day, once at the race, I felt like I was gonna puke.  I got over it and ran the race.  I had to walk parts of it, but I had a goal of 33 minutes and I beat it…by more than 2 minutes.  Crossing the finish line was the best feeling ever.  I, the person who always said "I’m not a runner" did it. 

Prior to turning 40, I wouldn’t have done it, period.  But, that was only the beginning.  Since turning 40 I’ve run three 5K’s, improving upon my time each time out, a 10K, I did a figure competition, I’ve taken up rollerblading again AND I’m working on my PT certification.  

So what changed?  My attitude.  I’m living for me now, not anyone else.  If I want to do it, I do.  I don’t care so much what others think and I’m definitely not seeking approval from anyone but myself.  And, know what?  I’m happier!  I know it and the people around me know it.  I’m still the perfectionist, but I use the quality differently.  I use it to push myself to do better because I know if others my age are running a 5K in 23 minutes, then I can do it too.  Yes, I have to work hard to get there, but the fact that I’m not there yet isn’t going to prevent me from doing it.

My point…don’t let fear of not being perfect or even good enough stand in your way.  Don’t wait until your 40 to start living your life.  Decide what you want to do and go for it in spite of your fears.  You will amaze yourself at what you can accomplish. 

PS:  I ran a 5K yesterday and I felt like puking.  Only difference is that the feeling came after the race not before.  I pushed myself because I wanted to beat 26 minutes.  I ran it in 25:58.  I was hoping to finish in the top 3 for my age group and that didn’t happen.  Had that been my only goal, I would have been disappointed.  Instead, I was happy for accomplishing my time goal.  Crossing the finish line is still the best feeling ever.

Live YOUR life! 

Since then…I’ve done a couple of 5K’s and I think I like that distance better.  I ran the last one in 26:17 finishing 4th in my age group (old women) out of 49 of us.  I’m doing another one next weekend and my goal is to finish in under 26 minutes.  Wish me luck!!!!!

I discovered (or rediscovered I should say) rollerblading a couple of weeks ago.  Not sure what made me think of it, but I decided to dust them off (it was literally 10 years since I had worn them!) and head out to a trail not far from us.  It’s in a really nice area along a river, lots of trees and such.  It was really peaceful and I had an awesome time.  So much so that I’ve made it a weekly habit.  I go about 7 miles and it’s a pleasant change from running and lifting.  Not to mention that it’s a great cardio workout. 

Still working on the PT certification…been hard to get my intern hours with work and working out…but, I know that’s just an excuse…I’ll get it done soon.

Went to the Ronnie Coleman Classic last weekend…was ok as far as shows go…nothing spectacular.  Missed the men, but the women looked awesome in their suits…made me think about competing again… 

Other than that…5 weeks of school and I’m out for summer…can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Truth is, I’ve been GREAT. 

I’m training for a 10K…running three time per week…a short 2-mile run during which I try to improve upon my time (last time was 17:15), an interval run where I alternate between sprints and walking/jogging and then my long run which is currently at 5.5 miles.  Initially, my goal was just to run the whole 10K, but I now KNOW without a doubt that I can do that so I’m thinking about a goal time…maybe 57-60 minutes…I don’t know…putting a time in writing scares me.  Anyway, as someone who always hated running, I honestly cannot believe that I’m calling 2 miles a "short" run and that I’m actually running more than that at one time and REALLY enjoying it.  In a sense, I’ve already accomplished so much…actually running the thing will just be icing on the cake.

I’m also working on my PT certification…passed my tests and doing the internship now…I’m thinking I’ll do a little personal training during summer break and go from there.

My daughter’s soccer season is in full swing and son’s baseball season is starting up so schedules have had to be adjusted…with all that and work, free time is in short supply these days, but I don’t think I would really want it any other way.

I’ve been experimenting with the diet.  Trying to figure out the best way to balance the desire to get super lean (I’ve put on a little weight and would like to lose about 7-10 pounds) and stay there while providing enough of the right type of calories to fuel my running.   So…currently I’m following about a 50-55% carb, 30-35% protein and 10-20% fat diet and my calories are in the 1900-2200 range on most days.  I’ve been doing this for about the last 4 weeks and feel great.  I think I’ve lost about a pound or so…NOT great, but I’ll take it…and I honestly don’t know about the body fat%…I THINK it has gone down slightly, but very slightly…so, next step maybe cut down a little on the calories?????  I don’t know….why does it have to be so hard?  Any runners with advice out there?  Please share…

That’s it for now…everyone have a WONDERFUL Sunday and an AWESOME week!!!

 http://www.womenshealthmag.com/article/0,6176,s1-11-68-1052-1,00.html