Day 81 - A Date with a Treadmill

I was beat today, which is why I jumped at the chance to go to the movies with my husband right after work. Nothing like a good comedy (we went to see Date Night - really funny!) to make you feel better, right? What made me feel even better was that I didn't use the movies as an excuse to not work out, even though I really wanted to.

Luckily I specifically told Andy to not let me use it as an excuse. What can I say? I know myself and know that if I went to the movies at 5, by the time I got home at 7 I'd be tired and would still have to make dinner, get ready for bed, yada yada yada. Same excuse different day. But instead, I got home, changed into my workout clothes, grabbed my iPod, and went to the basement. No sitting on the couch, no turning on the laptop, nothing. Like I said, I know myself and I know my excuses.

I found a cardio workout on Self Magazine's website, and I was excited to try it for 2 reasons. 1) It was intervals, which I really enjoy because I think it makes the time go faster, and 2) it was only 25 minutes long because it was pretty intense. The workout consisted of a warm up for a few minutes, and then sprint for 30 seconds, recover for 90 seconds, repeat, for 25 minutes. I actually continued the cool down for an additional 5 minutes because my heart was still beating pretty fast by the end of the 25 minutes. But I figured that would happen - I mean, when's the last time I sprinted for any amount of time at 8mph? I can tell you - NEVER. But I felt really rejuvenated after the workout, which sounds kind of strange since it wore me out so much, but I really did have a lot of energy after.

Maybe it was the sense of accomplishment of not using the movies as an excuse, or trying something new, or even doing cardio for the first time since being sick. I think it was a combination of all 3, but regardless of what is was, the result was the same - I felt great. And that's reason enough to keep it up. Til tomorrow!

~Catie

Minutes spent working out so far this week: 90

Healthy dinners I've cooked so far this week: 3

Day 79 - Don't Call It a Comeback!

Hello? Anyone still out there? It's me, Catie. You know, the woman trying to get healthy? Just incase you forgot, since it's been 2 weeks since I last posted anything. Ugh. I'm sorry. I wish I could say I was doing something super fun - like vacationing in the Caribbean or something, but I wasn't. I was sick. Again. At first I thought it was allergies that started kicking my ass early last week, but then I got laryngitis. Good times! And I still have a wicked cough and stuffy head, but at least I was finally able to work out last night for the first time in over a week and a half. And it felt great! (Imagine Tony the Tiger's voice here - it made me laugh).

Anyway, I think it did my body some good taking a break from working out - and not because I couldn't breathe last week and probably would have passed out if I even attempted to do anything active - but because I was able to really see my improvement over the past 11 weeks or so. Normally taking a week and a half off would have derailed me, but there I was in Lift and Sculpt yesterday like it was part of my routine. Because it is now. It's right there with getting up and going to work.

Also, normally taking off that much time would have set me back a lot. And don't get me wrong - I am freaking SORE today - but that happens after every lift and sculpt. What I realized though was that I didn't lose any of my strength. I was still able to lift what I was before I got sick, which was a great feeling. I'm not going to use that as an excuse to take another long break if I can help it, but still - it was nice to know that I wasn't back at square one. Of course I haven't had spinning yet, so we'll see how that goes.

I am starting to get frustrated about getting sick so often though. It was less than a month ago that I had a sinus infection, and now this? I thought working out was supposed to help you from getting sick! But I'm finding out that what you eat is just as important as working out. And I realized something yesterday in the shower - I'm not 18 anymore. I'm going to be 27 in September, and it's about time that I realized that I can't just eat whatever I want, and justify it by working out. I need to exercise and eat better if I'm going to start to feel better - both physically and emotionally.

Of course, that's easier said than done isn't it? But looking back, I said the same thing about working out and now it's a part of my schedule. I just have to use that same motivation - and this blog - to get me out of my food comfort zone and trying new things. Will I like them all? Of course not. But at least I can try, and maybe even learn something about myself. Couldn't hurt, right? Til tomorrow!

~Catie

Minutes spent working out so far this week: 60

Healthy dinners I've cooked so far this week: 1