Off to the gym

I got my new Sweaty Band in the mail today! And just in time before I left for the gym. I love that it has little alligators on it!

Off to work on my strength training. Getting stronger and my endurance is getting longer. Relay is gonna be a piece of cake!

The Boob Tube

That's what my father calls the TV. Not sure why, you'll have to ask him.

It's day 19 of my no tv challenge and I'm DYING!! At least today, I am. While I have been finding ways to stay occupied (i.e. shopping, board games, reading...), there are days that you just don't feel like doing anything and THAT was what today felt like. I just wanted to veg in front of my tv doing absolutely nothing. *SIGH*

I think I felt this way mainly in part because I worked my butt off at the gym yesterday and my entire body was aching. Plus the cold rainy weather always makes me feel like I need to curl up in my pjs with a blanket and just relax. I drank about 18oz of coconut water, took my vitamins, and had lots of protein when I woke up thinking that it might help the sore muscles. If I don't move, I don't hurt. Isn't that how it always is?

So what did I do to ignore the cravings:

1. I turned on the kitchen radio to dance and slide around in my socks and pjs (cause I could)
2. I pulled out my bread machine and baked some whole wheat bread.
3. Cleaned up the kitchen.
4. Continued working on our family haggadah
5. Ran over to the library to get a new book to read
6. Went to the gym

That last one nearly killed me. I must have been crazy. My body was already aching. But I said I would meet some friend for Zumba, which I had yet to try. Verdict: It's a lot of fun! My quads were screaming for the entire hour of dancing, but I endured it and LOVED it. There's another class on Thursday, but I think I might try yoga instead. Tomorrow is a strength training day again and I might just want to do a day of stretching after that. We'll see...

So here it is, after midnight (technically the beginning of day 20) and I survived yet another 24hrs of NO TV. Only 8 more days to go. I can do this!

Winner

While my day may not have started out great - I woke up super sore from my intense workouts the last few days - it ended kinda awesomely. I got a free cupcake at Sprinkles and I got a call from my gym saying that I won a free month for their Member Appreciation Week. How amazing is that?! Going to the gym the last 3 days has totally paid off. Not only am I making myself healthier, I'm being rewarded for it! Generally when I put my name in one of those jars to try and win whatever they are offering, nothing ever comes of it. I can't say that anymore. It definitely was a good ending to the day.


So go to the gym! Maybe it'll pay off in good ways for you!

Feeling Crappy But Happy

So I seemed to have caught a cold a couple days ago and I woke up this morning feeling SUPER crappy. The last thing I wanted to do was wake up and go to the gym.

But I did it.
Yes. That's right. I went to the gym for the 2nd time. Wow. Go motivation. I don't know where it's coming from, but if I can somehow drag myself there while sick, then I think I can do this regularly while healthy.

I'm hopeful this lasts. Many thanks to my friends for their encouragement and support. It means a lot.

My GI doc called me today with good news. All my blood tests came back with good results. I'm no longer anemic, no thyroid issues, and no gluten intolerance. I'm celiac free. Woo! He did say that I should continue my food diary and keep up with the exercise and as long as I get my Remicade infusions regularly and don't miss any, I'll stay healthy. YES! That's what I like to hear.

Now if I can only lose some of this weight...

Gym Day 3. Here I come!

Motivation Needed

So it's been a while since I've actually entered a gym. I know. Why pay for a gym membership if you don't use it? I can picture myself using it on a regular basis, but never really get around to it. It's like the motivation for gym use comes in spurts. When I get the urge to go, I'll actually do it. Regularly. But when the motivation is lacking, it is lacking. I think mainly in part because the use of weight machines leaves something to be desired. I know that using them will definitely help in gaining my strength and muscles back, but if I don't know how to use it, then I probably won't go out of my way to ask someone for help. I'd rather stick to the cardio equipment.

The idea of getting a personal trainer would be awesome. Unfortunately, it's not monetarily friendly. Especially if you need a trainer more than once a week. I've looked into a trainer at my gym, but right now, I can't budget it in. So I've found other ways to get the strength training in. I've got my kettlebells at home, which I still need to upgrade to a heavier weight.

It's funny how if you don't show up at the gym regularly, and the people that work there don't know you on a first name basis, they just assume you're new and try and talk you into meeting with a personal trainer. I think I've been going to this gym for at least 6 years, off and on, and there's always someone who stops me and tries to set me up with one of their PTs. Thanks, but no. If I need one, I'll contact you.

So today, I decided that I need to listen to the doctor and actually go to the gym and use the treadmill and/or stationary bike for at least 40 mins. I'm hoping this recent burst of motivation will continue for a while. I've been maintaining my weight for some time now, but not losing. He mentioned that at my current state, I need to focus more on aerobic/cardio. Walking the neighborhood with Zoe just isn't cutting it anymore. Apparently I'll get a better workout at the gym on a treadmill with a steady pace, then I would if I walked Zoe for the same amount of time. I can see that. Zoe stops me regularly to pee, so I wouldn't have the workout pauses.
I did pretty well today. 30 on the treadmill and 40 on the bike. I'm so glad I have some great workout music, otherwise it would have been a very boring hour. They have TVs, but not all the earphone jacks on the equipment work, so it's one of those trial and error and knowing which machine to stay away from. With my little iPod shuffle, I don't have to worry. Best investment I made years ago.

I came home starving. Made some food and then took Zoe out for a walk. She always looks so sad when I leave the house and don't take her with me. Especially when I have my workout clothes on. This dog seriously knows if I am going to workout. It's like she can sense it and gets super excited as soon as I pull out my sneakers. Smart dog, that Zoe.

Tomorrow is another day. Hoping to wake up with that motivation. Either way, at least Zoe gets her walk.