T.G.F.M.T (May My Way)

Thank God For MyTreadmill.... Ok that's a bit much but,




I can finally say I have reached a few of the goals I set for myself this past year+. I didn't fall prey to the resolution trap ,thankfully, because I had already started working on healthy habits long before January 2011. I knew I wanted to lose a few more pounds. My initial goal was 168 lbs. I also wanted to start switching up my routines from just the treadmill, and DVD workouts at home to hiking the hills, walking, or jogging out on the trails.




With the help of some friends who swear by trail-running I set out to find out what the big difference in outdoor vs indoor workouts. Out of my comfort zone I found some beautiful sites that make you want to sit and meditate more than run. I started enjoying myself so much that I spent more time snapping photos and enjoying the sights than actually exercising. My improvements stalled. Eventually....., I re-focused and was able to push myself to put in more miles, put down my camera phone and get back to the task at hand. I dropped down 5 lbs. to 165 lbs and ran in my first 10K Marathon in February 2011. I didn't set any records but I enjoyed to race process and have my sights on a Half Marathon in December 2011 during our vacation.











With the change of the weather I have again become a "treadmill" junkie. I suppose I secretly love the serenity and the freedom. But what I have learned this month (May "My" Way) is that my training is "My" training I have to work it whatever way it works for me. And it is working I hit the machines and have begun to see big improvements in tone, my recovery time and yes weight loss. I am 10 pounds lighter than my initial goal weight (168) at this time last year. Today at 158 pounds and just over 6' feet+" I feel great. My clothes fit better, I am eating better. And I owe that to the focus I get from creating my own personalized workout plan. This includes my treadmill. Not all my workouts are precise and planned but rain or shine, I feel proficient that I can create a workout that works for my body.








I still love the freedom of jogging on the roads, or a nice peaceful power-walk in the park but I so appreciate my treadmill. As soon as the rain lets up I will probably be back to exploring paths and hopefully finding some great adventures trails, and taking pics while out and about but my trusty friend treadmill has gotten me this far... I (<3) it! Oh and iPad you're not so bad either. (U gotta have something to watch while on the treadmill).





Part of my May "My" Way Challenge :)

May My Way Challenge

May My Way

I am ready for May my Way! This is a great month (my birthday) and ( great year) turning 40!! Perfect time for me. I am at the place where my routine needs big change, if I plan to see any improvements. Here are my goals:

Goals- to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday, and do a minimum of 3 workouts a week outdoors (weather permitting).

Working out everyday is a challenge for me. I have missed one workout day since the challenge started. But I'm going to go into the weekend strong, for my Mother's Day weekend hoping to celebrate with a hike at the park or a 5K run.

Happy Mother's Day

21 Days Challenge Weigh-In Wednesday

Weigh-In 164.8!! Not down much but after the week I had I will take it!! Woo-hoo!

I just finished Jillian Michaels Master Your Metabolism book ~tons of useful info, the one thing that really seems to work for me is eating every 4 hrs, and not eating carbs a couple of hours before bed. I had been feeling really exhausted and took time off from my normal workouts because I could not find the energy. After reading Jillian's book I increased my protein having egg-whites with almost everything, and lots of almonds. Then I set an alarm on my phone at 4 hr increments silly at first but now my tummy growls almost in sync with my alarms. And I started taking my vitamins again,I am still working out the kinks in my "clean" eating routine..... Somehow I've convinced my self that going vegetarian means I can replace meat with -ruffles sour cream and cheddar potato chips-?! ;) I used to crave chocolate now I'd kill for a bag of these chips???....

Overall I am really happy with the progress I've made and I know Consistency is the Key.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." ~ Aristotle

OnTwitter ~ @ATravelista

21 Days Challenge

Forgot to weigh in on Wednesday. Today still the same as last week at 165.6 really happy about maintaining. My goal is to get down to about 155. But for this 21 day challenge I have decided not to focus on the number.


My goals for the next 21 days:


1) Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn to cook some great vegetarian meals. I recently cut meat out of my diet, and now I am having trouble finding things to cook.


2) Increase water intake.



"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." ~Aristotle

Tonya ~ @ATravelista

I'm Down w/the Sisterhood!!

Weigh In - 25 Feb 2010 173.8

Weigh In - 26 Mar 2010 167.0 lbs

www.shrinkingjeans.net
Not getting back on the scale till Weigh In Wednesday!! ;)

Victory Celebration

Finally broke out of the 170's! Weigh in this am at 169!! I know "that" pound is only one bag of skittles away, but today I am victorious over that number!! I'd like to thank Jay Z, N.E.R.D. and my workout alter ego Sarah Connor (as played by Lena Headey in Terminator: TSCC ) for distracting me from the sounds of my awkward shuffle on the treadmill. My Nike+ for showing me how far I've come (since Dec 247.39mi total and 32.91mi for last week) toot-toot!! EA SportsActive, Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD, DC's Toughest Trainer Kimberly Linton & The February Fitness Challenge and The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans best online motivation support teams ever...! I'm sure I'm forgetting one but I have no time working on my plan to get down to 159!!.... :D

Time to kick some butt!....

Plans For Spring Challenge Week !

Week One Spring Fling ~ My plans for this first week......

Exercise/Diet

Trying to increase my miles as my main goal for this week ~ I ran 5.34 mi on 3/1/2010 at 2:57 PM with a pace of 11'15"/mi. I've been trying the Healthy Choice and Lean Cuisine meals for lunch sometimes for dinner, and the 100 Calorie or Fruit for my snacks. I've also decided to use my measuring cups for portion control on the times I don't have the frozen meals. It is working out pretty good and makes it easier to count my calories for the day.

Tools

I am in "love, love, love" with the Calorie Counter Application for the iPhone!!! (I think it works with the IPod Touch and the Blackberry, Android or any smartphone to find more info go to www.fatsecret.com) Trying not to miss logging meals I've seen much better results when I do it daily. I'm also weighing myself daily, at least, for this week to see how it works out. I know it's going to fluctuate but it keeps me honest. =) I haven't taken measurements, I will try to take my measurements before I start the 30 Day Shred DVD.

So far I stay motivated by interacting with people who are working towards similar goals: changing for the better.... & reading about all the hard work everyone's doing on the sisterhood site ~ just when I'm ready to skip a workout I'll see a post about an awesome run or kick butt Jillian session!! Haha! So thanks Team!!! ;) And I'm......

down 2 lbs. today...... Springtime here I come woo-hoo! Happy Active Week! =) (no ugly feet jokes please)