Changes

Source: colleengetsmoreawesome.tumblr.com via Jeni on Pinterest

So yesterday was one of those "i'm-so-exhausted-i-just-want-to-sleep-all-day" kind of days.  Plain and simple, I felt like a slug!

I got through the weightroom session just fine (Squats/Bench/Auxiliary).  Feeling pretty good actually.  But I had ZERO desire to go run.  I don't know if it was the struggles I had faced the previous 2 days with my runs or the nasty humidity or whatever other excuse I could come up with, I just didnt' want to do it.  And I didn't.  I knew Wednesdays are usually my recovery day, so if I was feeling up to it I would run today.  And I did.

I got in some good core work, scap work (for posture) and stretching then headed out for my run.  The fact that is was only 62 degrees may have helped ;)  After discussing with the hubby a bit, we decided that continuing to train on the "week 1" plan for my running was probably in my best interest for now, so that's what I did.  It was still difficult, but I finished it and I wasn't so dead that I wanted to curl up in a ball on the floor.


I haven't posted a food log in a while, but here's what I've had so far today:
B- Light Multi Grain English Muffin w/ Honey Peanut Butter
PW- Vanilla protein shake made with Almond Milk
L- Mesquite Deli Turkey, Spreadable Swiss, Dill Pickles on FlatOut Sliders, Pistachios & Bing Cherries (and a Philly Swirl bar for dessert!)
Not sure what the rest of the day will bring, but I have about 1000 cals left for my afternoon meal, dinner and possible evening snack or dessert.

It's my birthday...I'll complain if I want to!

I lifted this morning...I felt slow and sluggish.
I attempted to run this morning...I couldn't move and stopped half way through and went inside to finish on the eliptical.

Such a blah day.  Hopefully I have more energy tomorrow, I need to bust my butt after tonight's birthday dinner!  I gave myself some slack for dinner tonight and just ate what I wanted to.  I was really in the mood for pasta, so we tried a new place that we'd been told was tasty.  Georgio's Italian Ristorante.  I consumed copious amounts of bread and olive oil, indulged in a caesar salad, and ate about 1/4 of my actual entree: penne with pesto cream sauce and italian sausage and of course a diet coke.  I WAS STUFFED! Oh Lordy was I stuffed!!!

But what was the one and only thing I had been wanting since my last birthday when we showed up and the shop was closed so I didn't get it?  That's right, Crumb Cake.  I was hoping for blueberry, but they only had strawberry tonight.  Either way, still delectable! I enjoyed each and every crumb.  Now back to reality tomorrow!

I did get some killer workout swag for my birthday though!  More on that later, once I take some pictures!!

Productive Morning

Source: fitnesslovingmom.files.wordpress.com via Jeni on Pinterest

Today was the beginning of week 2 of the Color Run Workout I am doing.  Last week I was running for 1 minute, walking for 90 seconds.  Today was a role reversal: Run 2 minutes, walk 1 minutes.  It kicked my butt! HA!!

I still feel much more at home in the weightroom, but I am trying to build a little bit of a base for my cardio.  I don't really ever see myself going out for a long run for the fun of it.  But I'm starting to make my training a little bit more well-balanced.  Cardio was always a BIG no-no in my training as an athlete, but since those days are over, my overall health should benefit from its addition.

Back into the weightroom on Monday! 

2 good days of training!

The last 2 days of workouts were great...and they kicked my butt at the same time! I love that feeling you get after a great workout, when you're drenched in sweat, on the floor, slouched against the wall.

I am still really motivated in the weightroom, which is great.  Some days I feel like going back in the afternoon to get in another session.  I also finished week 1 of my running workout today.  There are 2 things I have learned while running. 1) Running on concrete sucks, always find some grass to run on; and 2) Your sports bra serves as a great cell phone holder (it has my timer on it) but your phone WILL get wet, so you may want to invest in a better case!

Sunday I begin week 2 of this workout and I'm ready for things to get heavier, harder & more intense!!

Thunder Thighs!

Source: google.com via Jeni on Pinterest

I came across this image the other day on Pinterest and couldn't help but share. I love my "Thunder Thighs!"

My workouts are finally starting to get a bit more organized.  So much so that I was actually able to get a 4-week plan written out on paper with all of my reps/sets/percentages for the cycle.  If you'd like to check it out CLICK HERE (I uploaded it to Google Docs, please let me know if the link doesn't work...I'm new to this!)

Today's Plan:
Squats & Bench 6-4-2-12 (75%,80%,85%,40%)
Lat Pull Downs 3x10 @ 90lbs
Rolling Triceps 3x10 @ 10, 15, 20 lbs
Fat Bar Curls 3x10 @ 55lbs
Color Run Week 1: Run 1 min, Walk 90 sec x8

I don't even want to get into what I ate today.  I am within my calorie range, but I at SO many little "meals" today it was insane.  I just wasn't hungry for a sit down meal so I nibbled A LOT!!!


I am putting together a tutorial for making "Snow Cones" with your ninja blender, some ice & crystal light.   Perfect for sweet cravings!!

So it continues

Source: emptybench.tumblr.com via Jeni on Pinterest

Good morning everybody...all 2 or 3 of you who actually read this!

I started out the morning in the weightroom as usual & then followed it up with some grass running.

• Hang Cleans 5 @ 155; 4 @ 170; 3 @ 180; 2 @ 185 (I was doing percentages of the max 1 rep effort I did last week of 210.  This was 75%, 80%, 85% & 87.5% respectively)
• Cable Low Row 3x8 @ 75, 80, 85lbs.
• Flyes & Reverse Flyes superset 3x8 with 15lb dumbbells
• Russian Twists 3x20 with a 40lb dumbbell
• Week 1 (Day 2) of my running program.  8x 1 min run; 90 sec walk.

The running was definitely easier than yesterday!  Probably the biggest difference was running on our grass rec fields at our university versus pounding the pavement.  I'm almost to the point of looking forward to getting my runs in.  My plan is to run after my lifting workouts Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and get one in on the weekend.  Wednesdays will be dedicated to recovery in both the weightroom and on my runs.

Breakfast: Thomas Multigrain Light English Muffin with half of a banana mashed with PB2 {190cals}
Post-Workout: Vanilla Protein mixed with almond milk {180cals}
Lunch:  Taco Salad (Shredded Lettuce, Deli Chicken, Black Beans, Cottage Cheese, Salsa, Corn) {300cals}

I swore I would never do it...

Source: sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net via Jeni on Pinterest

Today I went for a run.  There, I said it, I actually went for a run.  I came across the above workout on Pinterest and thought it looked like a reasonable way to get into running.  I am not actually prepping for a 5k, nor do I really ever see one in my near future.

It felt pretty good.  My legs were definitely a different kind of tired afterwards!  I plan on incorporating 4-5 days of this into my workouts, most definitely AFTER my weight training.

Had a great dinner tonight as well!  Spinach & Feta Salmon burgers on focaccia bread with a spinach salad and sweet potatoes.  DELISH!