100 Days of Workouts - Day 9 - January 17, 2014

Wheeee! It's Friday. I'm tired. I was hoping to get a great cardio day in today but my left foot had other plans. I think all of the standing and starting this 100 days of workouts has taken a toll on my feet. I need new shoes for work and working out ASAP! It is on my to-do list, I just haven't had the time to order. That will be done tonight!

Day 9 Workout:
20 minutes elliptical (2 miles)

25-30 minutes weight lifting:
leg extensions 25lbs x 20 - 4 reps
upright rows 20lbs x 12 - 4 reps
back extension x 50 - 3 reps
lat pull down 50lbs x 12 - 4 reps

 

used for back extensions

used for my lat pull downs 

100 Days of Workouts - Day 8 - January 16, 2014

The day isn't going exactly as planned: home with sick baby, didn't bring work laptop home (is being dropped off shortly), and Cole's basketball game is cancelled for tonight because the opposing team cancelled school today. Home all day, and will be home all night!

I was thinking about trying to get in a workout video today with the baby but he is stuffy, snotty, and not in the mood to work out with mama. The boys got home tonight and we had Papa Murphy's pizza. Its not really in my 'diet plan' this month, but isn't fast food and I ate light. We had Cole's science fair project to finish up and other homework. At 9:30 I got in a quick mat workout, and that's it!

Day 8 Workout:

Modified mat workout

30 minutes

(push ups, yoga, crunches, plank)

100 Days of Workouts - Day 7 - January 15, 2014

Day 7 Workout:

Elliptical 40 minutes

100 Days of Workouts - Day 6 - January 14, 2014

After Thanksgiving last year my husband came into my office (he's one of the county's tech guru's and in my building often) and summoned to me to another office in my building. In this office they had just installed a standing desk. I don't wish for other people's things often, but I had wanted one for years!!!

I have a desk job, I have sat literally from 8-4:30, only leaving my chair to go to the bathroom or the mail room. I have read about this type of work lifestyle and how extremely unhealthy it is. We are not made to sit all day, every day. My tail bone still aches from the thought of sitting all day. I would get home and stand by the island and do busy work just so I wouldn't have to sit. Didn't watch TV at night, and even watching a movie with the family was not as enjoyable because I just couldn't make myself sit.



I went back to my office and asked my boss if I could order one, his immediate response "yes, whatever makes you happy". I have an awesome boss, truly. So, I got to ordering! The hardware was not cheap. But, as they say, "A happy wife is a happy life". I have 11 work-husbands and believe me, they want a happy work-wife!

I had to wait until last Tuesday (the 7th) to get my desk installed and have not been happier! It is by far my favorite piece of office equipment, even above my 2 computer screens. It has only been a week but I can feel in my core/abs and my legs that my blood flow is better. I can tell in the way I think more clearly and how I feel at the end of the day that standing vs. sitting is better for my whole body. I have the ability to lower my desk and sit if needed. I got a padded mat to stand on today and I will also order new shoes for work only. I'll have some adjusting to do too so I don't hurt my wrists while standing and typing. Even if I only stand for half of the day, it is better than sitting for all of it!




 

 

Day 6 Workout:

  40 minutes elliptical (4 miles)

100 crunches

Light upper body weights and cleans

 

I stopped at 40:21 but almost stopped at 7:19 because I wasn't feeling it this afternoon. I feel so much better knowing I made it to my goal of 4 miles or 45 minutes, whichever came the quickest!

100 Days of Workouts - Day 5 - January 13, 2014

Normally, I work out in our small weight room at work. It has decent equipment but lacks in the cardio area. We have one elliptical that squeaks sometimes and an older treadmill. They do their job, but definitely no longer top of the line equipment. With only have one treadmill and one elliptical it also causes issues for many people using the equipment. Trying to remember when people use the equipment is a challenge.

I do like lifting weights in the morning when it is quiet but won't do cardio, I get too sweaty. I go at a slower pace when lifting so it is fine for me to workout then transition to work for the day after I change (and reapply deodorant, perfume, and mascara!)

I do have to take my 'lunch break' for my workout, but I am lucky in the fact that I can eat lunch at my desk. Today my break was at 3:15pm, so I can cool off a little bit while I type this (the rest of my break) and then work for another 30 minutes before leaving for the day!

Almost time to go home!!

Day 5 Workout:

45 minutes elliptical (5.15 miles)

100 Days of Workouts - Day 4 - January 12, 2014

Trying to fit in workouts on winter weekends is much harder than in the summer. I can't go on a family walk/jog/bike. I hate pulling myself away when we are only together, as a foursome, for a few short hours each week. Normally when the boys are doing nap time and/or screen time is when I cook, clean, and prep for the week. I'll have to pull myself away from chores to get my butt going!

 

Day 4 Workout:

12 minute walk - .6 miles
5 incline with 2.5 lb ankle weights

(The baby woke up from nap so workout was ended)

71 minute walk - 4 miles
5 incline with 2.5 lb ankle weights for 15 minutes
5 incline for total of 50 minutes
No incline for remainder
(During baby nap #2, while the Cole was watching football) 

 

100 Days of Workouts - Day 3 - January 11, 2014

I currently use two different pairs of running shoes; one at home, one at work. My pair at work are my older pair and my pair at home are my newer pair. We bought a treadmill and I will only wear clean shoes. The pair at work still have a little life in them but more for walking, they gave me a blister the last time I ran and I'm pretty sure they would if I tried to use the elliptical with them on.

What I really need is a new pair of running shoes. (I probably need two but one will do for now.) I don't feel like going in to try on new pairs so I'm going to order the exact pair I have right now which are these Nike Pegasus 28 running shoes. I love them but they are at least 2 years old and have many miles on them. My old shoes will become my work shoes which is where I normally use the elliptical machine and have low impact. The new ones my at home shoes, where I normally run on the treadmill or do high impact workouts (P90X).

Day 3 Workout:
50 squats

100 crunches
Curls 4 reps of 20 (10lb weight) 

 



Love my shoes!

 

100 Days of Workouts - Day 2 - January 10, 2014

Day 2 of 100

I feel like some days I don't have the time I need to devote to working out. Mostly when I'm at home, I don't want to leave my little family to go to the basement and use the treadmill or throw in a workout video. I need to get over that. I am a better mother and wife if I am active and healthy!! I also spend about 90% of my waking hours at home cleaning up after my little family, so these workouts will give me a break!

Depending on the day, I can run between a 9-12 minute mile. I always have an extra 9-12 minutes a day, even if it is at 10:00pm. There again, no excuses!!

Day 2 Workout:

36 minutes (4.5 miles)

 

I really felt like finishing after 20 minutes but stuck with it until 4:30 when I had to leave to pick up the baby. I made the most of my time available!

 

 



100 Days of Workouts - Day 1 - January 9, 2014

It seems I have more and more self goals this year. The past 24 hours or so I have read a little about people participating in 100 Day Challenges. I have decided I'm going to jump on board and log it on my blog to keep myself honest! The days I am tired may be short and sweet, only workout/activity details. I'm hoping to get more excited as the days go, but man does 100 days seem long!! This will put me into May! Mostly this will be an online journal.

 

Shannon's 100 Day Fitness Goal = Physical Activity Daily for 100 Days

 

I don't have a specific weight loss goal, I'm not training for anything in the next 100 days. I'm looking at cardio, weights, casual walks with my family, squats, etc. Anything that I can fit in a day that I normally wouldn't have time to do. Make the effort. I just want to be held responsible for what I'm doing to improve my health. I have been enrolled in gyms, participated in classes, joined online groups, and have access to equipment at home and at work. I have no excuses anymore to be overweight.

 

My weight history that has brought me to this point in my overweightness:

Pre baby #1 = 125 lbs

Post baby #1 = 200 lbs

Lowest post baby #1 = 160 lbs

Wedding day = 170 lbs

Pre baby #2 = 190 lbs

Post baby #2 = 120 lbs

Lowest post baby #2 = 190 lbs

Currently = 200 lbs

(ugh and blah! yuck!) 

 

Day 1 Workout:

20 minutes elliptical (2.5 miles)

Abs and arms workout (10 minutes)

15 minutes elliptical (2 miles)

 

I felt great afterwards and wish I had done more, but it was all time allowed for today.

 

(I took photos of myself in the weight room mirror but they aren't uploading correctly. Will do a before/after post later I guess!!)

January 2014 Resolution

JANUARY 2014 - Resolution for Month 1

No fast food.

I try to eat healthy. I try to eat whole foods. I try to make food at home. Some weeks, some months I fail. I'm sick of it. Fast food is expensive, makes me feel icky, and really isn't 'food'. I've read countless articles on fast food and even got my son to give up chicken nuggets so why do I still eat it?!

For the month of January, no fast food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There will be no exceptions. I will have no excuses. In the amount of time I can go through a drive-through I can instead go to the local grocery co-op (2 block from my office) and get the ingredients to throw together a sandwich or salad, or both! I plan on saving money and calories. Two goals for the price of one!! Plus, I drive past a grocery store on my way to and from work, there is no reason I can't stop instead of planning to eat out the next day.

In preparation, yesterday we were home all day, so I made a chicken. I plan on making it into Chicken Wild Rice soup. (I'll post my recipe this weekend, it is amazing.) This Saturday will be dedicated to make-and-freeze meals in which I'll make, freeze and pre-portion spaghetti sauce, soup, chili, and dessert/snacks for lunch. I'm hoping to get the hubby on board too, as he is usually my fast food partner. We'll see how that goes!

Wish me luck!!