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Since Fitbloggin, I have been MIA when it comes to all things social media.
It wasn’t the conference– I had a BLAST.
My break had alot to do with my personal life and now that alot of the issues are resolved, I am finally ready to come back.
Lots of stuff has been happening…. Here is a little bit of this and that….
First, some news on the fitness front– I am signed up for my FIRST 1/2 MARATHON!!!! A 1/2 marathon is on my bucket list, and when my friend Loren told me about the training program that helps support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago along with giving me world-class training, I was IN! I don’t want my first real post back to be a pitch for money, but if you would like to support me on my journey to 13.1 miles, please click here for more information and a secure donation area. So far my training has been good: This is in part what I wrote as an update to my friends and family this morning:
Yesterday, I did my timing/pacing group 3 mile walk for the AIDS Foundation 1/2 Marathon. I “slogged” my way through it– “slogged” is a word I stole from amerrylife that means “slow jogging” — and did OK– 16:30 minute miles. Not the best time I have done in a race, but good enough. Because there is a time limit for the Marathon, I was put in the 14:00 minute mile group with my friend Loren. Atleast I will have a friend to help me on my journey to 13.1 miles!  I am still a bit sore today, but know the more I train the faster my recovery will be.
If you have trained for a 1/2 marathon and have any tips or tricks, please let me know. I can use all the support i can get!
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Second big news- and I am kinda burying the lead here-
I AM FINALLY GAINFULLY EMPLOYED!!!!
Cue the confetti and get out the party hats!
A big reason I have been gone from the blog is hat I have spent many a sleepless night worrying about not having a job. The past 6 months have been rough. Ok, the past 3 months have been rough. I actually enjoyed having “time” to do things I wanted to do and not have to worry about meetings, deadlines and waking up at 6 am. Without being laid off, I would never have been able to be an assistant coach for Girls on the Run. Or babysit for a great mom’s group. Or take 4pm naps!
But after a few months it got old sending out resumes and never getting a call back.
In early March, I heard about a program here in Chicago that allows people who already have a B.A. to train to become an urban teacher through “residency-style” program. The competition is stiff- out of 1000 people who apply, only around 100 people are asked to join the program. I was late in hearing about the program (they start taking applications in September and close applications April 1) but decided that I would apply and see what happened.
After a crazy application process, rigorous testing (and by rigorous I mean two 5 hour entrance tests in one day–ack!), 2 strenuous interviews and countless nights spent worrying I wouldn’t get in, I found out Friday at Noon that I have been accepted!!
I am humbled, honored and am still pinching myself.
I will begin graduate classes toward a Masters in Elementary Education in downtown Chicago on June 14th. I won’t know for a while which grade I will teach, though I applied to be a K-3rd grade teacher. My hope is for 1st grade.
Here is an issue– I may not be able to go to BlogHer now. I will be in class on Friday that weekend and I am not sure if I can miss any days of class. I will find out June 14, but if I do miss BlogHer this year, I know that I will be missing it for a good cause.
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3rd big news:
During the time I was going through my first and second interviews for the graduate program, I was bitten by a (spider? some sort of bug? not sure) on my left shoulder. Overnight it went from a bite to the circumference of a baseball- sized infection. It was hot to the touch, blood red and I was only able partially lift my arm.
Of course.
I went to urgent care, where they put me on a SUPER strong antibiotic and Rx strength Motrin for the swelling. I was tired, not sleeping more than 2 hours a night and feeling crappy for days after starting the meds, though my infection seemed to be healing nicely. Then I had my final interview for grad school last Tuesday — that’s when I started having numbness in my left arm and pains in my chest on the left side of my body.
I figured I was having a panic attack/stressed out from what I thought was a horrible job I did at the interview, and tried to just shrug the pain and discomfort off.
but when I woke up Wednesday morning, I was still having the same feelings. I called urgent care back, and they told me to go to the ER.
So I went.
I will spare you the details, but in short, the infection that was in my shoulder was deeper than they thought, and it was pressing on a nerve in my arm causing it to go numb. I was also having a nasty reaction to the antibiotic, which caused my blood pressure to soar to 188/66. They got me up to the observation deck, got me fluids and some kind of meds, and got an X-ray of my shoulder, just in case. I came home with a muscle relaxer and a blood pressure of 118/47. MUCH BETTER.
My arm is still a bit numb, but I am feeling much better. The meds that made me so sick are done now, and the infection seems to be gone. Thank goodness.
I have to say, the nurses and doctors at the Northwestern ER were great, but I hope to never see them again.
It has been a crazy mixed up life the past few months, but I am glad I was along for the ride.
I am not sure how my blog will change now that I am going to be training for and then teaching. I of course will continue to blog about my 1/2 marathon training, and I have short and long term goals to continue on my weight loss journey. I just have to be a bit censored now that some know my real name (though some still don’t) and I don’t want to be penalized for what I say on this blog.
A few of you have asked me what EXACTLY I did to lose 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist in 21 days for the Naked Fitness Challenge. Well, I am FINALLY getting around to telling you! Sorry for the weight wait.
1. I walked 2 hours a day. Period. It was the dead of winter here in Chi-town, but I spent time either walking in front of the TV (during breaks of the Golden Globes, for one example). My pedometer was broken so I just kept time on my Timex Ironman watch. Everytime I started to walk, I pushed start on the timer. Everytime I stopped, I pressed stop on the timer. When I got to 2 hours on the timer, I stopped. Now I work toward 15-17K steps a day. It is hard, but I do it. Pre Naked Fitness, I would walk about 45 minutes and be DONE. It was never longer than 2-3 miles. I can do 7-8 miles easy now. Crazy I know.
2. Eating plan. Because the trainer (Andrea) is going to be coming out with a book soon, I can’t post the actual menu on my site. BUT, she did post the first week menu here. I followed that menu religiously (except for the polenta chili– I didn’t like it so I ate Chicken and veggies instead.) 2nd week was very close to the first week, and week three we really were on our own, but sticking with 2 hours of walking and eating 1200 calories a day– 80-100 grams of protein, 25 grams of fiber and 8-11 fruits and veggies a day.
3. Elations. I owe my joint comfort to Elations Drink. I have bad knees and usually am in a lot of discomfort during and after working out. After a week drinking Elations, I had no discomfort in my knees at all. When I stopped drinking it (becuase I ran out) my knees were pretty sore. Back on the drink, no discomfort at all again. (*disclaimer: Elations was a sponsor of the Naked Fitness Challenge. I was given a case of the drink, but have purchased it for the last month on my own. I will be passing out Elations at Fitbloggin ’10, but am not being paid or sponsored by Elations to do so. They just will be giving me the free product to pass out.)
4. Alignment exercises. Andrea Metcalf, the trainer, gave us specific movements to do depending on how we assessed ourselves in the mirror. Is one hip higher than the other? One shoulder? Which way do my hands face? If you would like more information about her techniques and to get an assessment, please follow her on twitter @andreametcalf or visit Andrea’s website www.andreametcalf.com.
5. Stretching and “rehab”. For me, this was the most important part. I am REALLY out of alignment when it comes to my hip and lower back. Without Andrea’s help, I would not have been able to continue with the program. When I walk, my lower back and hip tense up and I am pretty much pulling all my muscles. With her help (and a few of her Pain Free Videos) I can manage the pain through stretches alone. I can’t tell you how many chiro appts I went to over the years to help me fix this pain– literally, after TWO 20 minute stretching workouts, I was about 80 percent pain free. I could not believe it. I still do the DVD about 3 times a week to help keep the pain at bay.
6. Group work. Just meeting with the 30-odd other contestants kept me sane and on program. I met really nice people and made a few friends along the way. I truly believe the group helped me keep on the program.
7. A bit of greed. I can admit now that the thought of winning a cool new treadmill at the end kept me going a few of the hard days.  Thought I was not “the biggest loser” and didn’t win the treadmill, I was still happy to cheer my fellow contestants on.
OK, that;t it– really. That’s all I did. Nothing fancy– walking and eating healthy.
Well, it has been a tough week.
I have stayed on plan eating and exercise wise (2 hours of walking a day baby!) even though the darn TV has been tempting me with Wendy’s spicy nuggets and cold Diet Coke.
I even went to a pizza party last night. AND stayed on plan.
I emailed AM (the trainer) and asked what I could eat since I did not want to be the odd duck in the corner eating my 6oz skinless boneless chicken breast and 1/2 cup of broccoli and pining for a crust of pizza. I was WILLING to eat what was on the list for Wednesday dinner, but knew two things about myself:
1. If I deprive myself now, I will WANT MORE LATER. MUCH MORE.
2. If I don’t learn how to eat in social situations, I will become a hermit with 27 cats and never leave the house again. No one wants this.
AM said to stay on plan, I should eat the thinnest crust possible, and eat 3 times the salad as I do pizza.
So I did exactly that. We had Lou Malnotti’s Pizza, and I chose the super thin crust cheese version (3 small squares of a medium pizza, no “end” pieces), a large salad with carrots, red cabbage, cucumber, red peppers and about 2 tables spoons of low fat honey Dijon dressing, and for dessert (though there were fruit tarts, homemade cookies and ice cream treats) had about a cup of cut up fruit. NO SODA. WATER.I also had a Chobani Yogurt for a snack later.
And I was satisfied.
We watched “Away We Go” with John Krasinski and then turned over to the State of the Union. It was wonderful to watch the SOTU with such amazing and intelligent women. I got SO much more out of it than I normally do. I also utilized the iPhone to look up “Pay As You Go” and other new (to me) concepts. I love to learn!!
Weigh-in is Saturday, and I actually have to go in a bit early as I have a baby shower in Glencoe at my normal weigh-in time. My goal this week is 4lbs. I know that is a bit low, but I have to remember that the first week of any weight-loss/healthy eating venture is usually the most weight in a week people lose. I am trying to reign in my expectations– that way, if I lose 5lbs, I will be pleasantly surprised.
I can’t remember if I wrote my goal for this month down here yet. My goal is 20lbs in 30 days. I have 12lbs to go with just 2 weeks left. I hope I can make it, but if I don’t I know any amount of weight I have lost will be a win in my book!
Off to eat lunch!
…AND LOST 8 POUNDS!!!
IN SEVEN DAYS!!!!!!
HOLY CRAP!!!!!
I was so freaked out the past 2 days as I was SURE I was only going to lose like 2lbs (or GASP stay the same or GAIN) after staying exactly on plan. I promise you don’t want to see my texts or hear the crazy conversations I have had with friends the past 2 days. Really.
Thank you to my online and IRL friends for all your/their support of this sometimes-neurotic “loser”!
Most of the people at the weigh-in said that they weigh themselves everyday so they knew what the damage would be. I had resigned from the beginning to NOT weigh-in daily– I fluctuate so much, I would disappoint myself and end up eating a pound of french fries for going up 0.8 lbs.
My 8lb loss proves that I have been on plan, walking 2 hours each day (other than last Saturday) and staying upbeat and positive.
My 8lb loss proves that ANYONE can eat properly and lose weight.
My 8lb loss proves that I CAN DO THIS for 3 more weeks.
Tonight I had grilled chicken breast, wilted spinach with garlic and about a 1/4 of red pepper* for dinner. It was filling and fantastic- and did I mention, fully homemade? My snack after working out (2 hours walking, thank you very much) was a medium banana and a small handful of walnuts. We are supposed to have our “snacks” in the morning, but if I don’t hold my banana until night (when I do my bulk of working out) I am STARVING by 10:30pm. I am doing what works for me but still keeping the calories at 1200.
Onward and upward (which for tonight means going to B-E-D!)
*Red pepper was not part of the plan, but I added it as the pepper was going to go bad, and, actually, as a treat for losing 8lbs. Who knew that red pepper would be used by me as a treat??
Today is day 5 of my 30 day naked fitness challenge — and I am still on track!
While it might not seem like a big feat to still be 100 percent on “it”- this is a BIIIIIG deal for me.
I am an instant gratification kind of girl — if I don’t lose like 30lbs in the first 3 days of a diet (or if I am not fully satisfied) I will go down in flames –carrying a large french fry with me.
Here is my week so far – in bullets:
- Saturday – long and filled with driving round trip 3 hours each way to get to the first weigh-in for the Naked fitness challenge. Started the meals that day, but was not able to get the workout in. Was visiting my grandparents in Iowa and it was very hectic having to drive so much. But I did it.
- Sunday – Sat and watched my mom and grandma while they ate at Village Inn (like an IHOP) and I had hot water with lemon. Thought I would feel deprived and pissed that they were eating a Denver Omelet and chicken fried steak (and PANCAKES!!!) without me but since I had had breakfast and snack already at home, I was actually OK. I didn’t want to make them suffer since I was eating different foods. Also, if I would have been hungry, I would have eaten something protein-filled. But I wasn’t. So I didn’t. (That concept is VERY different for me). Walked 40 minutes at the fitness center where my grandma belongs, then 1 hr, 22 minutes during the Golden Globe commercials. Go me! Tried to choke down “polenta chili” from the menu but ended up eating a green salad with chicken. More about the chili later.
- Monday – Busy day again driving back from Iowa, but I got all the correct food in. I also spent 1 hour on the treadmill and 1 hour on the stationary bike (because my feet were hurting). Missed seeing 2 hours of my mom, but it was worth it to get the workout in. The pipes backed up in the building at 7:30 pm, and we had to wait 3 hours for the plumber to come help. Nasty water overflowed the sinks in my roommates bathroom; since she was not home, my mom and I cleared out her soaked stuff from under the sink. Nasty. 3 other units also got soaked. All is well now though.
- Tuesday – My mom went home.
 First day to be tempted with “outside food”. Instead of an “IHOP” breakfast, I insisted on a small breakfast place close by that uses organic ingredients, cooks with Pam not oil, and is OK with picky orders. I was supposed to have 3 eggs scrambled, 1/4 cup red peppers and asparagus for breakfast. AND I DID! I also had about a 1/4 a cup melon that was not on the plan for the day. I came home after dropping my mom off at the airport (and helping her get to the gate OK- she has a really bad knee) and napped- I was TIRED! Woke up to a text reminding me of a happy hour I was supposed to be at – I slept that long! I threw on some clothes, PACKED MY DINNER (yes I did!) and made it just in time. But I found out I couldn’t eat “my” in the restaurant. No prob. I ordered a small side of lettuce mix, a NO OIL NO SALT NO BUTTER chicken breast and iced tea with lemon. I added my “from home” 1/4 cup red pepper and my ‘from home” low cal salad dressing. SO PROUD OF ME!!!! I came home (late, mind you) and walked 1 hr 40 minutes while watching Biggest Loser. (20 minutes was already done at the airport and at Target).
The rest of the week is UP TO ME to complete to the best of my ability. My plan for the day is to get 1 hour of workout in before noon and 1 hour in during prime time TV tonight. I am already on track for eating today (breakfast down!) and my lunch is about 3 minutes of me pulling a few things together.
Onward and upward!!
PS: Darn iPhone– this is actually the first time on over a week that I have been on an actual computer. I have alot of catching up to do!!
I forgot to post on Saturday but 9am class was great- not too early, not to late. I got my (hard!) workout in, and I was done. I spent the rest of the day getting some things done around the house, watching movies, napping, and relaxing. I love those days.
Sunday was an off day (SCORE!) As much as I love it, my calves and thighs I needed a break.
Today we started up again. Before class, I ran to the ATT store becuase my cell crapped out (at like 10 am this morning) and since I don’t have a landline anymore, I needed a phone…. and a phone I got!
THE iPHONE!
I am so in love with my new phone, and I haven’t even had time to play with it!
I also went out to “happy hour” with a few friends from my old job right before class — and just drank water — we all know what happens when I eat too close to class time lol!
Melissa (the first bootcamp I did- she was the trainer) was our teacher tonight. She was HARD and kicked out butts!
But you know what?
I was stronger tonight – I could tell. I did a little informal “fitness assessment” as today is technically 1 day past the midway point…
- The warmup was easier than it has been in a while. I felt like it was actually a warm-up and not a workout in itself.
- I drank about 2 16oz glasses of water about an hour before class today — I am not sure if the water helped me get more reps in or if it was the fact that I have been working out consistently, but I felt good and got more reps in than ever before on each station.
- When I started 7 classes ago, I could barely hold myself up on core hold for more than 5 seconds at a time. I can make it 10-15 seconds at a time now. My goal is the whole minute she asks up to hold it.
- Squats are my most hated exercise, and at the beginning the teacher was always saying “GET LOW!” (I was almost always standing close to straight up and down and just pulsing) as she walked past me– today she said “GOOD JOB!”. Can’t believe it.
- Lunges are my second most hated exercise. I don’t think I do them correctly. At the beginning of class, she told us to “almost touch the floor” with the bent leg. I was always VERY close to standing position. Today I was able to do about 3 inches from the floor on my left leg (front and back lunges) and about 7 to 8 inches off the floor with my right.
- I was able to do “stinky baby” (hold 2 dumbbells straight out in front of you – and alternate legs on a high step– the dumbbells are a stinky baby that you don’t want to drop and don’t want to hold close) without dropping the dumbbells to my sides at all today.
- I am “good” sore, not “I can’t walk” sore today.
All in all, I am getting there. And I am proud of the progress I have made so far.
PS: Still trying very hard to eat the #WWGE way. I have shrunk my stomach, so when I do want to eat a big meal, I get sick to my stomach as I start shoveling it in. Small portions is the way to go! GO GRANDMA!
New insturctor, new kick @ssedness.
Each day we will have a new instructor– yesterday was a former Chicago Heavyweight boxing champion — today was a tiny woman who was a Drill Sargent– and I loved her.
Lunges, lunges, squats, squats. The dreaded mountain climbers. Squat holds. Bicep curls. Something called “reptile pushups”.
It was crazy-balls, but I did it. My stomach muscles are sore and my arms are jello right now, but I am pumped.
Day 2 is over, and I did it.
I DID IT.
I have the biggest smile on my face right now. I am so proud of ME.
Tonight I am working off of my self-made #WWGE diet:
- Crockpot pork – cooked with 1 can of cream of mushroom soup and a bit of water (1/2 a chop)
- broccoli (1/2 the serving I would normally eat)
- brown rice – cooked with the pork and soup (1/2 a cup)
- 12 oz of water
Since I worked out tonight, I might end up eating a bit more broccoli to fill me up, but we shall see. I will photograph my plate(s) before eating.
I am so excited, soon my camera will be automatically transferring my pictures to my computer– I got a deal on an Eye-Fi card through a Google thingy-madingy. I should get the card soon and will have a full report as soon as I use it the first time.
Off to eat dinner!
AJ
WOW.
Day 4 was a toughie.
But I made it through.
The last class was on Thursday, which gave me time to relax and work out some of the soreness and calf tightness I was feeling… while I thought that would be a good thing, I was pretty out of breathe and moving slowly this morning. I walked a bit this weekend, but not much. This morning reminded me that I am going to have to get up and move on my days off too.
Today was circuit training. 45 seconds each, 3 times at 8 different stations. Most were hopping, squats, pushups or bar work. We did toss a medicine ball in the air at another—I almost smacked myself in the face with that one on the 3rd trip around. I swear it was because the leader told us specifically not too. LOL My arms were jelly by the first round of the circuit, but I pushed through as well as I could. The leader was forever telling me (and only me) to “get your feet up” “arms STRAIGHT not BENT” “HOP! HOP! HOP!” but I am glad she did—it kept me from cheating. I was gasping for breath by the beginning of the 3rd set but gosh darn it, I pushed through. I may have done the moves slowly and only got 2 or 3 reps done in 45 seconds, but I did those reps correctly. Yeah me!
I got new shoes yesterday and my feet felt fantastic.
The warm up was tough today, but not as tough as it was the first morning. I feel “good” sore right now. Two good things I am proud of.
I am tired, woke up at 2:30 am again and couldn’t get back to sleep. I think I am going to take a nap then shower and head to my dentist appt.
It snowed this morning, but the streets were pretty clear at 5:30am I hope they stay that way so I can get to the burbs for my appt on time.
Hope you have a healthy and fitness-filled day!
Did I throw up at bootcamp this morning??
duh, duh DUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN….
Nope.
I took y’alls advise and ate something very small, just a small Dannon drinkable yogurt, and I was fine. I never felt queasy. One of the girls from the class actually asked me how I was doing after – very sweet.
The class stated off with BMI and weight- ugh.
Remember I was “trying it on my own” last month and not weighing in?
Well, I did ok, but obviously Thanksgiving helped me gain a few pounds.
Anyway, it is not the scale it is how I feel.(…the mantra in my head the whole time I was at bootcamp)
Today was rough– about 100 squats (broken up), 5 minutes (broken up) of squat holds, and arm work with bands. One of the things I like about this class is that we only use 2 pieces of equipment- bands and these things that are square that have some bounce to them so when you are running on them, they are slightly like a rebounder. But not as bouncy. I have no idea what they are called, but they are fun to run on. Anyway, I like that they don’t make you use alot of fancy equipment.
After 50 minutes of kicking my butt., I sat down and stretched a bit, then (OK warning, a little TMI) I hacked up a HUUUUUGE, thick sticky green phlegm ball.
That can’t be good.
I feel fine, though my breathing has been crap. As soon as I am done with this post, I will call the doctor.
I am sore (especially my calves from all the running in place) but not as sore as I thought I would be.
We shall see how I feel tomorrow morning (an off day). Next bootcamp is Thursday and I will be one week down.
My friend N and I are thinking of getting Bodybuggs (as seen on the Biggest Loser) to help us track calories in and calories out. Anyone use one? Pros? Cons?
Off to call the doctor and put my food in the crock pot.
Have a healthy day!
*Note: Boring post ahead. You have been warned
I had a boring day today- treadmill, nap and watched TV. Really. It was that boring. I could say that I didn’t go out because it was raining and I was tired and I blah blah blah, but actually, I was just LAZY.
Yes, I walked on the treadmill for 45 minutes.
Yes, I got all the stamps put onto my holiday cards (2 days BEFORE THANKSGIVING- first time EVER so early- I WIN!)
Yes, I got a much needed nap.
Yes, I took an online course from the outplacement company to learn more about “good” resumes.
Yes, I went to dinner with a friend and caught up and had a great time (grilled chicken and veggies to eat)
Yes, I looked on line for easy good crockpot recipes and found a few low-fat good ones…wait.
Wow.
Looking at my “boring” “did not a thing” day and writing all these things down, I actually DID do something today.
huh.
I didn’t get to the grocery store like I wanted to, but that can wait to tomorrow. I need to get a Costco sized package of Chicken and tons of veggies for Monday, as my bootcamp starts that day and I want to be ready. I also need to get a small (2 to 3 qt) crock pot so I can cook my protein all day.
OK, it is 11pm- I gotta get to bed!
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