Where does the time go?

Wow, we are three quarters of the way through this challenge! I cannot believe how time has flown by, and I still have sooooo much work to do! But, like I have come to realize, this 100 days is just a beginning to the next 15,000 days of my life (give or take a day or two).

It has been a crazy week at work, first recovering from taking a couple of days off. And then there is the co-worker of mine who decided to give birth two weeks early! Can you believe the nerve of her AND the baby? Kidding for sure! We are glad that she delivered a happy, healthy little boy! So, it's been like hitting the treadmill running while set at 8.0. I'm just trying to keep up, keep things organized, keep up on the billing, and keep meds stocked for the hospital. No stress, right?

I have struggled in getting to the gym during this week. I need to get back into the swing of things, not spend so much time at work and put it back into its rightful priority spot in my life. I miss it, and feel the difference of not getting there. I loved getting there tonight and working out with Dallas! He has been great to challenge me during this challenge! Thanks Dallas for all you do!!

40 is the new 20, Right?

Wow! I just celebrated my 40th Birthday this weekend. I have never been one to dread the century birthdays, and this year is no different. There is one exception however, and that is that I am really enjoying the fact that I am actively trying to eat better and exercise frequently. What a great Birthday Present to give myself! I really do feel better!

We spent a couple of days in St. George, where we relaxed, shopped (for new clothes in a new size!), spent time in the fitness center, and I made a new friend! My new friend is the elliptical machine, as we managed to spend 30 minutes getting to know each other! That is the longest time I have ever been able to work out on one. Granted, it was at level one the whole time, but I worked at a steady "jog" pace, and survived to write about it. I really enjoyed being able to get some exercise time in while away, and realized how good it made me feel.

Now, back at home and back to real life.

Turbo-kicked in the backside!

Last night I thought I would try another new class at the gym. Turbo kick is just like it sounds, kick boxing at warp speed. Lots of movements, lots of fancy footwork, lots of punches. Well, that's what they (the other people) were doing... Me, I was doing lots of trying to keep up, not so fancy footwork, and really REALLY weak punches. But it was a great workout and lots of fun!

We are going out of town this weekend, and I am excited that there is a workout facility where we are staying. I never have really cared to find out about this feature when we stay somewhere, but from now on, it's important to me to keep up with the training. I find that my weekends are a little more complicated when it comes to making sure that I eat when I should, what I should, and getting enough fruit. It seems easier at work because I usually start planning my meal for the day, the night before and there is more or less a routine to the day. Another valuable lesson I learned, I need to make sure that I PLAN for what to do on the weekends, or I find myself spinning my wheels and not really accomplishing anything.

Geez, is it 4pm yet? I need to get to the gym!!!

So, Im here at work and I keep looking at the clock. I actually cannot wait to be off work and get to the gym! Sick! I know!! I Love It!! I was looking at the list of classes tonight... Abs class for sure, cardio then weights. There are a lot of other classes that I would like to try and will get around to (cycling, power pump, turbo-kick, pilates, yoga, etc.) I haven't done yoga for a long time, about 6 years. The last time I did, I dislocated my knee..... during the warm up! How embarassing! I have seen the pilates workouts, but never have done it, and it will probably kick my butt. But I've got to at least try it!

Well, Here's to a good week! Enjoy!

While the boss is away, will the mice play??

Tonight was our last workout with Dallas before he leaves to Hawaii FOR TWO WEEKS! Now we are on our own to buck up, and show him what a great job he has done to teach us to do this on our own. This is just a taste of what day number 101 and the rest of our lives will entail. I know our group is awesome and we can do this!

On another note, here is a link to the Service Excellence Rap posted on YouTube... You might recognize a few of the challange peeps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqxo-iKKfco
Way too much fun!

Yay! Nutrition class tomorrow. Can't wait to see what we will learn about this week! Okay, so here's to a great couple of weeks. Dallas, maybe you wont even recognize us when you get back!

FINALLY, the scale moved!

Okay, so after weeks of weighing in and staying pretty much the same, this morning I finally can record a loss of 3 lbs!! It's about time! I know the numbers shouldn't be so significant at this point and I am seeing a change in my physical appearance, but I was constantly working for something, ANYTHING! I'll take that 3 lbs and run with it!! And with that, it put's me about 1/3 of my way to goal for the challenge. So I still have lots of work to do.

Last weekend, my husband and I went to an outdoor concert (Colin Haye is awesome!). My son took this picture of us and I have to say for the first time in a really REALLY long time, I like this picture! It's been so long since I have been confident in having a picture taken and not feeling so out of touch with the image in the picture. Thanks to the challenge for this wonderful change!

Tonight I have an appointment to get my butt kicked by Dallas! It should be interesting, as it always is. Dallas is leaving us and going to Hawaii for a summer vacation. I am soooo very jealous! But in the meantime, I'll be here in Utah...working out as if he is right there next to me and not in Hawaii.

I Survived Bootcamp!

I love the rain, but with the rain sometimes we end up with water in our window well. When I got home from work yesterday, I had to deal with that. That was a bit stressful! After cleaning that up, I needed an outlet for the stress. So I decided I would go to the gym and try out the Bootcamp class. Today as I write this, I realize in my life prior to this challenge, I probably would have headed for the fridge or pantry to try to deal with this stress.

Anyways, Bootcamp kicked my butt BIG TIME!! It was a good variety of cardio/running/circuit training. Though there were times I had to stop and catch my breath to avoid my chest exploding and/or death, it felt really REALLY good to be doing something at this intensity. It is a little intimidating to be in this kind of class with younger, healthier, better toned and in shape people, but they were all so encouraging with their comments! I really appreciated it and it gave me strength to dig in and fight through it!

Tracking my food intake has also been going well! I am still fighting to get in the 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies. I don't know why, but I have never had the urge to just grab an apple, orange, raw broccoli or carrots, and I have no desire to eat any type of nuts. Fruits and veggies are not bad.... I don't mind them, I guess I just need to make a shift mentally and make it a goal to target those items each day.

It wasn't a drift from my diet, I was CARB LOADING

So after taking it easy on Sunday, I was back in the gym with Dallas on Monday! I love them workouts. Its always great to see other people from the challenge in working out, either with their trainers or by themselves. It has been fun to get to know everyone, learn from each other, see each other, and figure out that what we might be struggling with - that someone else may going through the same thing. It's nice to have support from all of you and those around me, and I thank you all!

It was my daughters Birthday on Sunday, but we celebrated with dinner last night. We enjoyed some good old hawaiian food. (I'm getting hungry thinking about it). But we laughed in the fact that the only veggies that were part of the dinner were the peas and carrots in the mac salad and the fried rice. I guess it was good to get fruits and veggies earlier in the day. As the cake was sitting there, people kept asking who was in trouble because there was a corner that wasn't frosted. It was for me, I figured I would have cake, but no frosting. But for a dinner like this, it's kind of like getting the super sized big mac meal, but ordering a Diet Coke....?

Off to the gym after work, I think it needs to be a cardio/abs day!