Be stronger than your excuses.

Be stronger than your excuses.  I need not only to remember this, but to actually practice it!  WHAT a crazy week - but good news...school starts back next week, so my schedule should be back to normal!  Lord, I hope so!!  As you can tell, I did not work out yesterday.  It was 4:40 when I pulled into my driveway.  Thank goodness for Starbucks, or I would have had the worst headache - I was running on empty by the time Katy finished at her doctor's.  The only upside?  Honey-Buns cleaned while I was gone AND cooked Domino's for supper!!  ;)  I have such a great guy!!  If only I could figure out a way he could do my workouts for me?  Hmmmmm.....nah, just kidding.  I'm going to get back on track.

Since it's already Wednesday (!), I'm going to start my "training" next week.  I am doing yesterday's CaliFit and White Head workouts - they were actually the same thing, but White Head included a run at the end.  :)

For time:
   20 Front Squats w/40 lbs
   30 Box Jumps
   40 Kettle-bell Swings w/20 lbs
   50 Wall-ball Shots w/10 lbs
   *Run 1 mile after completely cooling down/normal heart rate - time separately

This was also a "Compare To" workout - compared to 2/6/13.  I'll have to look up and see what my time was on that day - I love "compare to" workouts!!  :)
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So, I totally forgot my notebook with today's workout written down, so I just did a 30-minute pre-programmed treadmill workout.  I went 1.5 miles (mostly on 7 & 8 inclines @ 3.0 & 3.5 speeds), burning 244.5 calories.  I don't know about you, but I actually HATE to see the calorie count - it just doesn't seem right when I'm sweating and out of breath!  lol -  Well, I did workout today and that makes me happy.  I do admit it's been awhile since I've done one of these workouts and it wasn't as bad as I remember and THAT'S a good thing!  :)

A regular exercise plan is not optional.

A regular exercise plan is not optional.  It gives us the energy to kick ass!  I need to remember this - the "not optional" part!  I've got to get it together, but I have just been running around so much that I just don't feel like doing anything by the time I get home.  I have another busy day today, but I am determined to get a workout in!  I have to go to Atlanta to pay/pick up our IRP tags for our trucks.  I also have to swing by my brother's so he can sign a form I filled out for him to get a copy of his GED transcripts/diploma, then I'm mailing that for him.  How crazy is it that you can't request your transcripts online?  All you can do is print out the request form, then you can either mail it or take it to them in person.  But regardless of which method you use, it still takes up to 3 weeks to process?  You'd think in this modern age of technology that they would have it together!  Oh well, one day...  After going to Atlanta, I'm coming back home to pick up my daughter and then take her to her doctor in Athens.  They're going to check her blood pressure again, then do some blood work to determine if she has pre-eclampsia.  I'm hoping she doesn't - SHE'S hoping she doesn't!  Regardless, we're not letting her do anything while she's here, except going to the bathroom by herself.  I think her blood pressure might have been up because she had her baby shower on Sunday and she was out and about for so long.  Her doctor told her it shouldn't be going up with her just moving/walking around and apparently that's what it's doing.  So....taking care of both my babies!!  I'm going to do my best to workout today - even if I have to force myself to do it!!

Just a refresher of what I'm doing:

Warm-up

   CD1 - Condition Drill #1

      5 reps each

         Bend & reach

         Rear lunge

         High jumper

         Rower

         Squat bender

         Windmill

         Forward lunge

         Prone row

         Bent leg & body twist

         Push-ups

   MMD - Military Movement Drill

      25 yards, each

         Verticals

         Laterals - 25 yards each left & right

         Shuttle sprint

Activity

   Walk 4 minutes, run 2 minutes - 5x

Cool Down

   SD - Stretch Drill

      Overhead arm pull - hold 20 seconds, each arm

      Rear lunge - hold 20 seconds, each leg

      Extend & Flex - hold 20 seconds, each movement

      Thigh stretch - hold 20 seconds, each leg

      Single leg over - hold 20 seconds, each leg

:)

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Calm down, you can do this!

Alright, sweetheart, let's be realistic.  You CAN'T drop two jean sizes in one day.  You WON'T lose 100 pounds in a week.  You WILL binge.  You WILL go a day or maybe even two without working out.  Your weight WILL change throughout the day.  You WILL try new things that won't work.  You WILL cry.  You WILL want to give up.  But you're only human...calm down, you can do this!!

So...I'm starting the my Army fitness training today and needed a little bit of inspiration/pep talk to get me going.  But it's okay, I'll stay calm so I can do this!!  ;)

Last week was such a busy week, I'm hoping this week will be a little bit better.  I do know I have to go to Atlanta tomorrow to pay our IRP tags for our trucks, but that should just be a drive there and back.  My very pregnant daughter is coming to spend the week with me since her husband will be out of town taking a training class for his job, so she will go with me tomorrow and we can lunch somewhere different - that's always fun!!  She had her second (and final) baby shower yesterday.  THAT was really fun!  The bedding that I ordered for little Addy's room at my house should be here today, so I can't wait to get that all put together, then it's just a waiting game.  This is gonna be one extremely loved little girl!!!

As I mentioned earlier, I'm starting the Army fitness training exercises today.  It's basically just boot camp, but I'm hoping I can get into it since my goal IS to be Army-fit by the end of the year.  I have to admit, just writing stuff down today was a little intimidating.  It just seems like it's a lot of work, but it will be worth it!  I'm not going to post the other workouts that I have been following while doing this 12-week schedule - it's just a lot of stuff to be posting and I don't think anyone really reads my blog to see stuff that I'm NOT doing.  At least, that's what I'm going with!  It looks like all of these workouts consist of three things - warm up, activity, and cool down.  Sounds simple, right?  We'll see!

I'm doing the workout that's geared for the person who "failed" the initial Army fitness test, which is called Workout #4.  The Army fitness test consists of three criteria - running 2 miles, push-ups, and sit-ups.  Two weeks ago, my results were:

    2-mile run - 34:07

   2 minutes push-ups - 2 (really 1 using the "Army" count)

   2 minutes sit-ups - 32 (really 16 using the "Army" count)

I have discovered the Army uses a 4-count system, so from here on out, anything I post about reps will be using that same 4-count.  Should be interesting!!!!

Warm-up

   CD1 - Condition Drill #1

      5 reps each

         Bend & reach

         Rear lunge

         High jumper

         Rower

         Squat bender

         Windmill

         Forward lunge

         Prone row

         Bent leg & body twist

         Push-ups

   MMD - Military Movement Drill

      25 yards, each

         Verticals

         Laterals - 25 yards each left & right

         Shuttle sprint

Activity

   Walk 4 minutes, run 2 minutes - 5x

Cool Down

   SD - Stretch Drill

      Overhead arm pull - hold 20 seconds, each arm

      Rear lunge - hold 20 seconds, each leg

      Extend & Flex - hold 20 seconds, each movement

      Thigh stretch - hold 20 seconds, each leg

      Single leg over - hold 20 seconds, each leg

I know the "activity" alone will be 30 minutes, not sure how long the warm-up will take, but the cool down should only be around 5 minutes or so.  Y'all wish me luck - I'm really gonna need it!!

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Nothing today - my daughter is here and her blood pressure is up.  She was told to take it easy, so I'm taking care of her today.  She's laying on the couch getting spoiled!!  Looks like I'm working out on Saturday as well, this week!!

I spent my entire childhood wishing that I was older.

I spent my entire childhood wishing that I was older.  Now I'm older and...this shit sucks!  :)  Today is my 48th birthday and I thought this was appropriate!  Being a grown up does indeed suck at times, doesn't it?  Don't you wish you could just play all day and not have to do much more than clean up your room and a few chores?  No worries at all, just be happy and live life.  Ahhh....the good ol' days!  

I had to break down and take an aspirin last night before going to bed.  My shoulder/back muscles were crazy-mad sore from those modified handstand push-ups!  The soreness is gone this morning, thank goodness!  Plus - I'm well rested.  I fell asleep on the couch somewhere between 9:30 and 10:00.  Honey-Buns woke me up to go to bed at 11:00, and I still didn't want to get up this morning!  ;)  Not a lot planned today, we're celebrating my birthday next week with the entire family (which is what I prefer, anyway!).  Tomorrow is Hayley's 20th birthday - I can't believe that she's going to be 20!!  My brother is coming to stay tomorrow, so today will be spent doing laundry and straightening up.  Not too bad!!  

CaliFit Mamas:

   25 Push-ups

   50 Knees-to-elbows

   75 Push-press, 20 lbs

   100 Jump rope

Brand X:

   puppies - Row 5000 meters

White Head: 

   90 Jump rope OR 30 Double-unders

   15 Burpees

   5 Power Cleans

Well, today is a run day, so I'm not doing anyone's workout but creating my own.   I'm going to do Week 1 of 5k training again today, but with a twist...I'm going to run 1.5 minutes, and walk 1 minute for 8 rounds - instead of running 1 minute and walking 1.5 minutes each round.  After that, I think I'll do 50 sit-ups and 50 push-ups, just because those are the Army Fitness exercises.  Fifty sounds like a good number, doesn't it?  Wish me luck!  :)

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So, spent my day:  lunching with the fam, shopping, taking down old curtains, putting up new blinds, installing 2 baby gates (for my dog to NOT go upstairs nor down the ramp) stripping beds and re-making them, and washing clothes.  Honey-Buns cooked supper (which means he picked it up) - my favorite sushi from my favorite Japanese restaurant.  Yummo!  Will try again tomorrow, but not sure how that will work.  My morning will be busy with my normal Friday paperwork/billing/payroll and then in the afternoon I'm going to Atlanta to donate an old wheelchair to FODAC (Friends of Disabled Children & Adults), then more shopping at Ikea, then to pick up my brother to come spend the night.  It's Hayley's birthday tomorrow and she's requested grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and a birthday peach cobbler.  Now that I think about it, I probably won't even blog tomorrow - doesn't look like I'll have time.  If you don't hear anything else from me, y'all have a good weekend!!  :)

Hand stand push-ups suck!

Hand stand push-ups suck!  I came across this shirt the other day and thought it was cute, don't you?  :)  Well, it's back to work today.  I have to say my hamstrings are still kind of sore.  I think it's from doing the yard work on Saturday, then climbing up and down the ladder on Saturday  night at the race track, and maybe (?) from all of the stairs yesterday.  At least I'm not as sore as I was last night when I went to bed, so that's a good thing!

Excited today - having lunch with two great friends to celebrate our birthdays!  One of my girl's birthday was July 12th, the other one is August 12th, and mine is tomorrow.  We always get together just the three of us and celebrate.  So, I'm super excited!  We just don't get together as much anymore like we used to.  You'd think that once your kids grew up and moved out you'd have all this time for your friends, but I think I'm actually busier without the kids at home.  How crazy is that?

CaliFit Mamas:

   21-15-9

      Wall-ball shots, 10 lbs

      Sit-ups

      Thrusters, 20 lbs

Brand X:

   Puppy weight/Pack weight

      20 Front squats, 10-25 lbs/95 lbs

      30 Box jumps, 12-15"/20"

      40 Kettlebell swings, 10-15 lbs/20 lbs

      50 Wall ball shots, 6-8 lbs/10 lbs

White Head:

   2 Rounds for time

       Run 400 meters

      15 Front squats

      15 Push-press

      Run 400 meters

      15 Power cleans

      15 Hand-stand push-ups or regular push-ups

I'm glad to see some running in one of the workouts today, since I had planned on doing just that!  So...I'm doing the White Head workout today.  My goal, right now, is to run all of the 400 meter runs - definitely as much of it as I can.  I know for a fact I can get one of them in without stopping, so I'm planning on really pushing myself and running as much as possible.  Y'all wish me luck!!

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31:38 - So...so...so tired!  That was tough!  I so did not want to work out today, but I did and am really glad I did.  It's nice to do something that makes you sweat, huh?  ;)

I used 38 lb dumbbells with all of the weighted exercises.  I also did modified handstand push-ups...I had my knees on my weight bench and did push-ups that way.  I made sure my head touched the floor every time I went down, but boy!  My arms were so wobbly by the last five, I was afraid I was going to face plant!  lol

15:17 was my total treadmill time - I do believe that is a new PR for me for doing a mile!  I know you're not supposed to count it since it wasn't a solid mile, but still...I could always use a little ego boost!  lol  - I did not run 400 meters without stopping (bummer), but I did run 2 minutes, then walked for 1 minute, then ran until I hit the 400 meter (1/4 mile) mark.  So, of the 15:17 only 4:00 was walking and THAT is a good thing!!  For me, anyway!

Sweating great!  Feeling great!

Today's workout song:  Paradise City by Guns-N-Roses - FYI - this song started while I was doing a run segment.  I finished that run segment, did 15 front squats and push presses, and started another run segment before it was over!  That has GOT to be the longest song!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbm6GXllBiw

Help! I've run out of weekend!

Help...I've run out of weekend!  I don't know about you, but this is how I feel on Monday mornings...and Tuesday mornings...and Wednesday mornings!!  Can you tell I'm not a morning person?  lol

Well, another great weekend is in the bag, and now I have a busy, busy, busy week planned.  My goal for this week is to do laundry (it seems like that is ALWAYS one of my goals!) and to clean out the guest room - closet, drawers, etc.  My guest room used to be my daughters room before she married and moved out.  For some reason (girls!) she left some things that she just couldn't throw out due to  sentimental reasons and I've realized it's a whole closet full of stuff!  So, I'm going to get all of that boxed up and down in the basement for storage, then really clean up the room and carpet and get the crib put up and everything ready for my beautiful (I already know she's going to be gorgeous!) granddaughter, Addy!  I'm picking up one of my brother's from Atlanta on Thursday and he's going to spend the night, then we have to get up early on Friday morning and I have to take him to mid-Georgia for a meeting of his.  No one else is able to take him and my schedule is usually pretty flexible, so I told him I would do it.  I'm actually excited about getting in that room and cleaning it up.  I've been meaning to do it anyway, and since my brother is coming and going to be sleeping in there, I might as well get it done.  I finally settled on my choice for Addy's bedding and a new quilt for the guest bed and cannot wait until they arrive.  Don't you just love redecorating?  The best thing?  I don't have to paint!  Don't get me wrong - I love to paint, but only when I'm in the mood and I just haven't been in the mood yet.  Busy, busy, busy!

Well, today is a 5k training run day.  I'm still doing Week 1 training and will do it until I can complete it without holding on!  Last week, I made it to 4 rounds without having to hold on, so my goal this week is to beat that!  CaliFit Mamas is having a run day as well, so I will also do their workout with my run.

CaliFit Mamas:

   Run 1000 meters - .621/miles

   50 Thrusters w/20 lbs

   30 Pull-ups, modify as needed

Brand X:

   Rest day

White Head:

   *nothing new was posted on White Head's site*

As I mentioned earlier, I will be doing CaliFit today with my run.  I'm going to go ahead and finish my 5k training run before I do the thrusters and pull-ups.  I will note my time on the treadmill when I reach .621 miles, then start my timer as soon as I get off of the treadmill - which means I won't be resting and catching my breath as long as I have been since the timer will be running!  lol - Sounds like a great start for the week!

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No running today - notice I did not say no workout today...I've been clearing out the guest room and it's closet.  I've discovered that my daughter is apparently a hoarder, but she probably doesn't even know it because all of her "hoarding" stuff was left in that closet!  lol  I made 8 trips downstairs and then down to the basement with boxes and boxes and boxes and boxes, etc.  Then, I made two trips downstairs with boxes and stuff to the garage to take to our local Goodwill.  It took me from 1:00 until 3:30 to do all of this.  All that's left to do now is to remove the leather chaise lounge chair out, move the crib in and put it together, replace the bedding, and install new curtains.  Almost ready for baby Addy!!  :)  Going shopping on Thursday when I go to pick up my brother in Atlanta - I'm going to swing by Ikea and pick up some curtains.  I love Ikea.  Right now, I only plan to buy curtains.  And curtain rods.  Hopefully  I won't see anything I can't live without, but since I have a birthday this week, it will be okay if I do!  :)

Strength comes in all shapes and sizes.  Don't spend your time trying to look like someone else.  Embrace who you are and build your own strength.  This is sooooo true!  I'm all about individuality - always have been, always will be.  That is one thing my parents, especially my Daddy, have instilled in me and the one I am most proud of.  I don't care if I'm like everyone else - I'm me.  I like who I am and could care less what anyone else says.  If you talk about me and I hear it, if it's not true I don't care.  If it is true, I don't care.  As long as I know my truth, and stay true to me - what anyone else thinks doesn't matter one little bit.  Just be yourself, stay true to yourself.  The rest is just life.  :)

I enjoyed going to the birth class with my daughter yesterday!  Of course, we ended up shopping.  Katy needed to get a few small things for Addy's room and we found the cutest Georgia Bulldog booties that matches the cutest Georgia Bulldog dress we bought a couple of weeks ago, so I just HAD to buy the booties as well!  :)  Then, we had lunch with my son-in-law - Olive Garden soup and salad (one of my faves!)  Then off to Katy's and I helped her with Addy's room for a bit, then came home.  Great day!

I'm doing yesterday's CrossFit White Head workout that I missed.  Just a refresher...

   4 Rounds for  time

      15 front squats, weighted

      100 feet bear crawls

      100 feet broad jumps

      15 push-ups

I'm really looking forward to this and am hoping, hoping, hoping the bear crawls are easier than last time!  At least, I don't have burpees to do this time, but still....looks hard, but fun!

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Got carried away doing fun things yesterday and no time to exercise!  I was going to do a training run today, but ended up helping some friends do demo- and yard-clearing work on their house.  SO hot, tired, and sweaty!  Saving this for Tuesday - Monday is a training day.  Y'all have a good weekend!!

I'll make  you bear crawl til you bleed!  :)  I chose today's picture for two reasons - one, it's Jason Statham!  C'mon!!  He's not only cute and hot as hell, but he has that wonderful British accent that just makes you want to drop your panties!!  And two, I thought it was appropriate since it looks like I'm doing bear crawls today!!  Yep...bear crawls.  Let's just hope I don't suffer from the pain afterwards like I did last time.  Maybe (just maybe) those muscles will be like "Hey!  You used us before!  We're good!"  Wishful thinking.

I'm still excited from my workout yesterday.  Of course, that was only day 2 of my commitment to improving my running, but it's good for now!  Not sore or anything right now and that's always a good thing.  My right shoulder/neck area has had a catch in it for the past week, but it seems better today.  Not sure what's been going on with it.  I took two aspirin last night and the pain seems completely gone now, so I hope it stays that way.  I'm super excited about today - I'm going to my daughter's first birthing class!!  Her husband isn't able to go today - he took off on Monday morning to go to her doctor's appointment and he's super busy at work (that's a good thing, right?) so I get to go instead.  Bummer for him...YAY for me!  Then, she wants to go to Hobby Lobby (my little Martha Stewart) and get some stuff for Addy's room, then we're doing lunch.  Happy, happy, happy!  :)

CaliFit Mamas:

   3 Rounds for time

      Run 300 meters

      20 Wall-ball shots

      10 Push-ups

Brand X:

   Rest day

White Head:

   4 Rounds for time

      15 weighted front squats

      100 foot bear crawl

      100 foot broad jump

      15 push-ups

I'm doing White Head's workout today.  Call me crazy, but right now I do not want to do any running workouts since I'm already committed to run three days out of the week.  Maybe one day I'll be there, but right now?  Nope...not yet.  I have to admit, those bear crawls intimidate me, but at least I know what to expect with them, right?  Can't stay in my comfort zone though - I have to push myself through that mental wall I keep throwing up and "just do it!"  I can't really remember (I'll look it up), but I think the last time I did bear crawls I also had to do burpees - I know I did burpees with broad jumps but can't remember if that was the day I did bear crawls or not.  So, that's a positive - no burpees!  :)

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LATE!!  I'm saving this for tomorrow!

You don't have to go fast...you just have to go.  This is a good thing, 'cause I definitely don't go fast!  Yet!!  I hope to improve that, but right now I'm still working on my "go"!!  lol

Last night I was cruising around the internet trying to find the answer to my question about how the Army counts exercises - whether it's a 2-count or 4-count for push-ups and sit-ups.  Well, I kind of found the answer - it's a 4-count.  But now I'm trying to find out if on the fitness test when they say 10 push-ups is it 10 using a 4-count, which is really 20 using a 2-count?  I'm thinking it is - which is bad news - that means I did NOT pass on my sit-ups 'cause I did 32 using a 2-count, which would only be 16 using a 4-count.  Confusing, right?  Oh well.  I did find a copy of the Army fitness training pamphlet that they use for 12 weeks of training.  It give four different training workouts to used, each based on how you scored on your initial fitness test.  I would use training #4 because I failed all aspects - bummer, right?  Anyway, I think I'm going to print this out and look it over.  It might be something I'll be interested in doing.  They do rest on Saturdays and Sundays, with Mondays and Fridays being their run days.  They "test" on the fourth week, taking the day before testing as a rest day.  It has warm-up exercises, then your "active" exercise, then your cool down period - which is pretty much stretching.  The only thing I'm concerned about is repetition.  I could always do a week of "Army" training, then a week of something else - it's something to think about.  Here's the link to the pamphlet if any of you are interested in looking it over:

http://www.goarmy.com/content/dam/goarmy/downloaded_assets/pt_guide/pocket-pt-guide.pdf

CaliFit Mamas:

   As many rounds as possible in 25 minutes

      11 push-ups

      12 deadlifts w/30 lbs

      13 sit-ups

Brand X:

   Sprint triathlon - this involves swimming, biking, and running

White Head:

   12 Power cleans

   40 Wall ball

   9 power cleans

   30 wall ball

   6 power cleans

   20 wall ball

   3 power cleans

   10 wall ball

Well, it's Wednesday which means - run Berta, run!!  I'm doing another 5k week #1 training today, which is eight rounds of running 1 minute and walking 90 seconds.  Afterwards, I plan to do the White Head workout.  I'll post the times of each workout - although the running workout should be the same as always - 20 minutes.  Again, my goal is to run without holding on!

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THAT was an awesome workout!  SO proud of myself today!  First off...I did not want to go upstairs and run - not at all!  But, I did it!  Not only did I run, but I did the first 4 segments without holding on except when I was checking my heart rate.  PROGRESS!!  Yes!  I was close to the 1.25 mile mark when I finished up my 5k training session (20 minutes total), so I decided to run until I reached the 1.25 mile mark.  Well, that actually took me another 1:05 and I did that one without holding on as well.  So, I actually had 9 running segments, and 8 walking segments.

1.25 miles
21:05 total treadmill time
9:05 total run time

I came so close to talking myself out of the White Head workout, but after cooling down and calming down in front of the fan I made myself get up and do it.  My dyslexic self thought it was 21 reps for the first round or power cleans and am so glad I double checked that - lol!  I only used 38 lb dumbbells for the power cleans, though.  I was going to use 50 lbs but I picked them up and quickly put those bitches right back down.  No way, Jose!  So, I switched it and got to work.  Wall-ball shots with a 4 lb ball, super low squats - my legs feel like they're still quivering on the inside!

Total time for White Head workout:  6:58   - SO glad I didn't talk myself out of this and am really glad I  sucked it up for 7 more minutes of working out!!  Great workout, Jen!  I was breathing so heavy and loud I was afraid Honey-Buns would come running upstairs to my rescue again!!  ;)

Workout song of the day:  Graffiti the World by Rehab - some good 'ol Georgia boys!  LOVE them!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUZ8USLbHXs&list=PL569A32B4E82399A4

I'm beginning to think my workouts are tailored more toward not dying than squeezing into a bikini this summer!  Ha!  That seems to be the goal to MOST of my workouts - don't die!  lol  Boy!  Have we had some tough ones lately!  :)

I am glad to say I did NOT die yesterday and I'm not sore today - always a plus!!  Well, now I have a goal to meet and I know what I need to do to get there.  It's just up to me to do it. Believe it or not, I'm actually looking forward to it!  Okay, not the running part, but I know I'll get better so that's a good thing!!

CaliFit Mamas:

   15 Hang power cleans w/20 lbs

   15 Burpees

Brand X:

   "Nancy" for puppies

      3 Rounds for time

         Run 400 meters

         15 Overhead squats w/25-35 lbs

White Head:

   10-8-6-4-2-4-6-8-10

      Pull-ups

      Box jumps

      Sit-ups

I am doing White Head's workout today.  I plan to save the Mamas workout to do when I do a training run, probably with tomorrow's run.  Sorry Brand X...I do not want to run two days in a row!  lol  I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I do plan to do the 5k training run three times a week.  Right now, my days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I do not want to do two days in a row, but will if I miss one.  I know it sounds kind of boring to plan it that way and if it gets to the point where I'm not wanting to do (say) a Wednesday workout, then I'll switch it up.  I just know I won't get better if I don't run and the training specifically says to do it three to five times per week, so....looks like I'm running...a lot!  But not today!  lol

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11:16 - Not too shabby!  I subbed reverse pull-ups for regular pull-ups, so that more than likely had a LOT to do with my time.  That was a great, quick, hot, and sweaty workout!  Very proud of my box jumps!  I really need to find something sturdy to increase the height of my box, since I don't want to spend so much money on a real one.  I can't believe how expensive they are!  Sit-ups were good, as well.  No stopping at all during this workout today!  That is ALWAYS a good thing!!  :)

Crazy story with my dog.  Anyway, both my dog and cat go down to the dungeon...I mean office with me every day - AND you all know I fell on my treadmill one day last week.  Well, I have this huge, ugly scab on my knee now.  I've done really good not to pick at it or anything and have left it alone.  So...after my bubble bath last night, the top part of the scab was coming loose from my skin.  I know this sounds gross, just bear with me.  Anyway - I left it alone and it's been hard because it's been SO itchy!!  We have a ramp that goes over the four steps to the lower level of our house and down the hallway there - all for Hayley's wheelchair access to the main level.  So, the dungeon (I mean office) is in the basement and you have to step off of the ramp down into the stairway to the basement.  Molly, our dog, does not go down by herself - I have to pick her up and place her on the stairs.  The cat, however goes down and up all by herself.  For whatever reason, today the cat and my blind dog decide to race up the stairs after work time was over.  The cat jumps up onto the ramp - Molly tries but can't (DUH!).  So she's waiting for me to pick her up and as I go to pick her up, she starts wagging her tail which somehow gets caught on the scab on my knee and rips it off!  OH the pain!!  AND the blood!  It was ridiculous how much I bled!  Honey-Buns didn't believe me when I told him what happened - he thought I had pulled the scab off by myself!  I was like "NO!  I wasn't touching it, I swear!!"  Anyway - who knew a dog's tail could catch on a scab and rip it off so quickly?  Now we all do!  :)

The beginner 5k plan...this is what I have been attempting to do, but I am going to be super serious about it now.  Trust me...super serious is WAY more serious than regular serious!  lol  

I am going to do my first Army Fitness Test today and show you where I should be by the end of the year.  This is the first time I've set a goal like this for myself, so it will be interesting to see how well I stick with it and how well I do at the end of the year!  I plan to do this beginner 5k plan/run at least three times per week and other workouts in between.  I don't want to do push-ups and sit-ups three times per week - I'm afraid it will get too repetetive and I won't look forward to working out, so I will do other things as well when I run.  I'm going to start with Week One of training today because I plan to bump my running speed up to 4.5 (fingers crossed on that!) AND I plan to run without holding onto the bars on the treadmill.  I know, I shouldn't be holding on anyway, but I have been.  I've discovered I run (and walk, according to my kids) crookedly so I will have to "touch" the side bars just for balance, but I really want to let go of the front bars and run without holding on.  Normally, I can run about 8 blocks before grabbing on to the bars, but my goal is to run completely without holding on at all.

Okay...all of that being said...here is the Army Fitness Tests for Women aged 47-51:

Push-ups - 2 minutes to complete, body cannot touch the ground at any time (if it does, count starts over), you must stay in the "plank" position the entire time
   - 34, to score 100
   - 10, to score minimum passing grade of 60

Sit-ups - 2 minutes, knees bent w/feet grounded either by partner or object
   - 66, to score 100
   - 30, to score minimum passing grade of 60

2-mile run - completed in allotted time
   - 17:36, to score 100
   - 24:00, to score minimum passing grade of 60

Looks intimidating to me, but I'll just have to get over that!  Now that I've discovered I can do regular push-ups, that will be a good goal to have.  I will probably throw in some "plank" holds in there as well, since I'll obviously have to be able to do that during the test, so might as well, huh?  I'm going to continue to do CrossFit sit-ups.  I figure if you can do those, then you can definitely do the ones with your feet grounded, right?  Obviously, the running will be my toughest hurdle and I'm looking forward to jumping over that bitch!  lol

OH!  Forgot to mention this - I know the fitness test is only for 2 miles and I'm doing the training for a 5k (which is 3.107/mile).  I will write down my time whenever I reach the 2 mile mark in my training run, and continue to do the training run as is.  I can't remember if I hit 2 miles during the Week 1 training or not, so I plan to continue to do the training run until I do hit it - but I will at least get 8 reps in of running 1 minute, walking 90 seconds.  Also - not sure if I will move from one week of training to the next on a weekly basis (have I confused you enough already?) because I want to conquer the training completely.  I mean, I have until the end of the year so I don't feel like I need to rush it.  I really want to be able to do this, so whenever I can fully do a training run without holding on to the bars, etc. that is when I will move to the next week of longer running.  I hope this isn't coming out as confusing as it is in my head!  I understand what I'm saying, I just hope you do as well!

Y'all wish me luck!!
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WOW!  As we like to say in the south, I can guaran-damn-tee ya, I failed that test!  WHEW!  So tough, but I did it.  Here's the results:

Push-ups - 2 - I only counted 2 because that was all I could do of "real" push-ups, not girl ones.  I did switch over and started doing girl push-ups but I didn't keep count.  Don't ask me why I didn't count - I could at least see if I improved on those, huh?  I did manage to get in 3 more "real" ones though in the allotted time, but since my knees touched the floor, I'm not counting those.  Oh well, I can only improve, right?  :)

Sit-ups - 32 - score of 62!!  Woot-woot!!  I was so disappointed in my sit-ups today, I was so tired and forced myself to continue.  Just not a good day with sit-ups for me and I was thinking I had to score 34 to make the minimum pass score of 60, so I'm VERY pleased to see I did better than minimum!  Barely, but still...it counts!!  :)

Run 2 miles - 34:07 - NOT great, but it's okay.  I wasn't expecting much on these.  I did week 1 of 5k training, and by the time I hit 8 rounds I was at 20 minutes and almost 1.25 miles.  My treadmill time at 1 mile was 16:47.  I continued to run 1 minute, walk 1.5 minutes or more until I hit 2 miles.  I actually ran for a total 13.5 minutes out of the 34:07.  I did most of my running without holding on, but still had to touch the bar for balance - and yes...I did have my safety clip on.  Don't worry - I have the ugliest scab on my knee right now from falling on my treadmill.  I don't plan on doing it again!

Well, now I know where I am and where I need to go and what I need to do to get there.

Push-ups - add 8 real ones
Sit-ups - check, check!  Do not get sucky or worse!
Run 2 miles - knock off 10:01 from time, which means run, Berta, run!!  :)

Workout song of the day:  AC/DC - Highway to Hell - I renamed it "Treadmill to Hell"!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B0PJkS0iyk

Pain is temporary, pride is forever.  I'm really trying to remember this...my thighs are still ridiculously sore from all of those squats the other day!  The pain really shows up when I come down the stairs or go down the wheelchair ramp we have in our house.  You know the feeling when your muscles are exhausted and they feel all quivery?  Yeah, that's what it feels like.  There's a twinge of pain whenever I go to stand up, but it's worse whenever I go down the stairs and ramp.  I really hope it gets better soon!  Note to self...the next time 200 squats are prescribed in a workout and they are split up into 4 rounds of 50, do NOT do them all at once!  NOT a good idea!!  ;)

I mentioned yesterday that I want to be "Army" fit by the end of the year.  I plan to do the fitness test on Monday, just to see where I'm at.  I'm going to incorporate both "boy" and "girl" push-ups on Monday, but my goal is to be able to do all "boy" push-ups by the end of the year.  I've been watching videos of their push-ups and sit-ups.  They have someone holding their feet on sit-ups or you can prop your feet underneath something.  I'm going to do them that way as well.  I know my 2-mile run is not in their time frame yet, so that's going to be the toughest for me.  But...it's a goal and I'm going to do my best to meet it!  I would do this today, but with my legs as sore as they are, I just don't think it would be a realistic test to see where I'm at.

Califit Mamas:

   "Dana" - this is really called "Diane" in the CrossFit world

      21-15-9

         Deadlift, 60 lbs

         Handstand push-ups

   *compare to 4/11/13

Brand X:

   Squat clean and jerk, 30 reps

      *women - 95 lbs

      *puppies - 45 lbs

White Head:

   "Smykowski"

I believe I'm going to do both CaliFit Mamas and Brand X today.  Sorry, White Head...I've had enough of "Smykowski"!  lol - Isn't it funny?  I don't think I'll EVER forget that workout!  Ha-ha!!  I finally can remember one - and it was brutal!!!!!!!!!!!  ;)

CaliFit Mamas is a "compare to" today.  I looked back at 4/11/13 and I did this with regular push-ups and knocked 51 seconds off of my time from the previous "compare to" date of 11/30/12.  I believe I am going to do modified handstand push-ups with this today, having my knees on my weight bench.  It's hard to do (I have attempted it before), but I figured since I have improved from the first time ever of doing this, I'll give it a shot.  Who knows?  There might be improvements the NEXT time I do this! 

11/30/12 - 5:32 w/"girl" push-ups

4/11/13 - 3:41 w/"girl" push-ups

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So...I'm not working out today.  My legs are even more sore than earlier.  I'm just going to rest them as much as possible and take some aspirin.  Really hoping they get to feeling better.  Y'all have a good weekend!

I like wallballs best when you are really tired...

I like wallballs best when you are really tired, and the ball punches you in the face!  Umm....actually...no.  No, I don't like it when wallballs punch you in the face!  lol - Believe it or not, that is actually one thing that has NOT happened to me while working out!!

I really was beginning to think I was over this whole being sore thing, but apparently NOT!  Oh my goodness...I ached, tossed, and turned all night.  I should have just got up and taken an aspirin, but I really didn't want to open my eyes!  I don't think the soreness was from running, but from squats - just going by where I was hurting.  It would be my butt (glutes), then it would be the area just below my hip flexors, then it would be my thighs.  I feel like I just turned over and stretched out a different part of my lower body all night long.  It's not too bad this morning, but my word - it kept waking me up!

So, I read an article the other day about how the Army is changing it's rules so that everyone has to pass their fitness test, including those who are going to college on a scholarship.  Apparently people are getting their scholarships but then they can't serve in the Army because they are too fat and can't pass the test and the Army feels like they're wasting their money.  So, I looked up their fitness tests.  They have one for women and one for men and it shows how many push-ups and sit-ups you must be able to complete in 2 minutes, as well as how quickly you should be able to do a 2-mile run, all sorted by age.  The minimum score you must have to pass is a 60.  Why am I mentioning this, you ask?  Well, that's my goal - to be Army fit.  Yeah, kind of crazy I know.  And when I say Army fit, I'm talking the minimum score of 60.  I'd love to surpass that, but I'm going to start with that.  Do you think I can do this in 6 months - by the end of 2013?  That's what I'm gonna give myself.  I believe the running part will be the hardest (duh!), and I haven't been able to find out if push-ups are what I call "boy" push-ups or if girls get to do the modified version.  I'm going with the modified version for my goal, but do plan on working on the "boy" version as well.  Anyway, for my age group (47-51) you have to be able to complete:  

     Push-ups in 2 minutes - 10, minimum to score 60

                                        - 34, to score 100

     Sit-ups in 2 minutes - 30, minimum to score 60

                                     - 66 to score 100

     2-mile run - completed in 24 minutes, minimum to score 60

                      - completed in 17:36, to score 100

Looking at the push-ups numbers, I'm going to assume they are the "boy" version, so maybe I should just go ahead and work on them that way.  Yep...that's what I'm going to do.  Anyway, if any of you want to look at the standards for your age group, or at the one for men, here's the link:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/a/afpt.htm

CaliFit Mamas:

   (from yesterday)

   7 Rounds for time

      5 Knees-to-elbows

      10 Wall ball shots, 10 lb ball

      15 Kettlebell swings, 20 lb

      20 Jump rope

Brand X:

   CrossFit Total

      Back squat

      Shoulder press

      Deadlift

White Head:

    3 Rounds for time

      15 Push press

      15 Box jumps

      15 Toes to bar

Today's CaliFit Mamas workout involves 100 meter sprints, which (supposedly, according to comments from doing this in a previous workout) you can't do on a treadmill - so I'm not even going to post that.  I mentioned yesterday that their workout looked fun, so I'm going to do it today.  I got this!

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16:00 - I set a personal goal of 20 minutes, so I'm happy with 16, however, I really wanted it to be in the 15 minute range!  That last round sucked donkey butt...big time!!  Good news - I was able to jump 14 times without tripping!  YAY me!!  :)  Ahhh....the little things.  ;)  AND my knees-to-elbows were still knees-to-boobs, but upper boobs (not lower boobs)!  VERY happy with that!!  And, why is it they seem easier when you only have to do 5?  I was was able to do everything without stopping, except jump rope and that wasn't by choice (stupid rope).  I cannot believe how quickly that got my heart rate going and kept it up the entire time.  I love (and hate) workouts that look so easy, but are kind of tough, don't you?

Wall ball shots with 4 lb ball - I really need a heavier one.

Kettlebell swings with 25 lb dumbbell - I was really feeling it by the 7th round!

My thighs are still pretty sore - they haven't been this sore in a long time.  Silly me didn't think about the squat movement that's involved with wall ball shots and kettlebell swings!  My thighs reminded me pretty damn quick, though!!  Great workout!!

Workout song of the day:  Fight Song by Methods of Mayhem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5YdmmAs_Fo

   

Being challenged in life is inevitable.

Being challenged in life is inevitable.  Being defeated is optional.  Well, today I am opting to be undefeated!  I did not get back in time to work out yesterday - all right...let's call it for what it is - I "chose" not to work out yesterday, I was just too tired when I got home.  I also had a headache from all of the running around, but I sure did enjoy spending the day with my daughter!  We went shopping for my husband's cousins baby gift.  His son is due two weeks earlier than Katy's daughter.  They had mentioned they didn't have an UGA outfit for little Henry and they really wanted to bring him home from the hospital in one, so I found the cutest pair of overalls, booties, and newborn hat!  Well, of course I had to buy our little Addy a GA dress and bloomers, then there was the cutest pair of shoes (not UGA, but precious regardless), and she was just kicking her mama letting us know she really wanted them.  What's a Grammie to do?  We met up with my son-in-law for lunch, then went to get our nails, eyebrows, and hair done.  An afternoon of pampering, who could ask for anything more?  Since I was so late in Athens, I went ahead and picked up supper from our favorite Chinese restaurant and brought that home.  Super yummy!

Well, today is a rest day for Brand X and White Head is doing the "Faith" workout that I did on Monday, so I'm going to do the running workout that White Head posted yesterday.  Just a refresher:

4 Rounds for Time

   Run 400 meters

   50 Squats

The CaliFit Mamas workout for today looked really fun, so I might be doing that one tomorrow.  If not tomorrow, then definitely one day this week.  I'm not going to post it since I'll be doing it tomorrow and I don't want to repeat myself too bad!

Y'all wish me luck for my run!

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26:38 - VERY proud to say I was NOT defeated today!!!  Yipppeeeeee!!!!  :)  I decided to all of the running at once, then all of the squats.  Two things - the running without breaks was a good idea...I was able to do the 5k training of running 2 minutes, walking 1 minute.  After my 3rd running segment, I stopped completely for a 2 minute break, which is included in my time.  I was just a tad over 1/2 mile -  I believe it was 4 blocks over at that point.  I should have started at a walk, but decided since I took a 2 minute break, I'd go ahead and start with a run segment.  I then continued to do the 2 minutes running, 1 minute walking until I reached 1 mile.  It's confusing to me trying to figure out how many minutes I ran/walked without writing it down, so here goes:

2 run

1 walk

2 run

1 walk

2 run

*2 minute break*

2 run

1 walk

2 run

1 walk

1:32 run

Total treadmill time:  15:32

Total running time:  11:32

Total walking time:  4:00

Total time at end of running segment:  17:32

I then did all 200 squats.  I set a personal goal time of 25 minutes, so I went over that by 1:38 - not too bad.  I was really wanting to stop squatting when I was around 90, but then a great song came on that was perfect to squat to, so I kept going!  I was really trying to push through and be done by the end of the song, but sadly my thighs decided to be all wobbly and shit and I just couldn't do it.  I finished them out anyway, stopped the timer and played that song again to cool down to, while sitting in front of the fan!  It's pretty ironic that a great song to exercise/squat to is called "Wasting Time", isn't it?  lol

Enjoy the song - I did!  :)

Wasting Time by Kid Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnvSHutegJk

Sweat today, smile tomorrow.

Sweat today, smile tomorrow.  Actually, I think this should be "Sweat today, smile today and tomorrow!"  I don't know why, but I really do feel better after working out and it's just a mood booster when I finish a workout that was really, really hard!  It makes me happy to know that I did it!  :)

Not a lot going on today, so this will more than likely be a short and sweet blog.  I am spending the day with my pregnant daughter - pedicures, baby shopping, and lunch!  I can't wait for that little girl to get here next month - so excited!!  

CaliFit Mamas:

   "Elinor"

      21-15-9

         Cleans, w/20-30 lbs

         Bench Dips

Brand X:

   "Diane"

      21-15-9

         Deadlifts (puppies - PVC to 45 lbs)

         Handstand push-ups

White Head:

   4 Rounds for time

      Run 400 meters

      50 Squats

I would love to do White Head's workout today, but I seriously doubt I'll be back in time for a longer workout, so I'll probably do both CaliFit and Brand X today.  Normally, 21-15-9 workouts don't take longer than 5 minutes or so - surely I can fit that in!  I will definitely do White Head's workout this week - I'm still trying to improve my running.  I am determined to run better by the end of summer - so I'm making Labor Day my goal time.  Right now, I can run 400 meters without stopping (but forcing myself to do it).  I'd love to be able to run farther than that - should I say double that?  Hmm...I'm afraid to commit to it - I hate to fail!  Okay...I'm going to compromise and say 600 meters.  I will be able to run 600 meters without stopping by Labor Day.  Time to get with it, huh?  But, here's the kicker - starting "tomorrow" - I know, I know - tomorrow, tomorrow - but for real.  I'll do it.  :)

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So they said, "Anything you say can and will be held against you." So I said, "Rich Froning".

So they said, "Anything you say can and will be held against you."  So I said, "Rich Froning." - LOVE this!  I mean, c'mon...have you SEEN Rich Froning?  Hot, hot, hot!!  ;)

What a wet, wet, wet week/weekend we have had in Georgia!!  I actually let Honey-Buns pay someone to come and cut my grass last Thursday morning because it was so tall and thick and wet!  You won't believe how much it has grown since then - which is really crazy because we haven't had but maybe an hour or two of sunshine all weekend!  And guess what?  More rain is coming!  This is the wettest summer I can recall having in a LONG time.  Of course, all of this rain meant no racing this weekend which was a bummer because they were going to do a two-night deal - with everyone qualifying on Friday night, then racing on Saturday.   They've postponed that until Labor Day weekend, but still.  So, it seemed like we had two Sundays this weekend - very strange!  

CaliFit Mamas:

   "Faith"

      3 Rounds for Time - each exercise for 1 minute, then move on to the next one

                                     - score is your total reps

         Burpees

         Power Snatch w/20 lbs

         Box Jump, 18"

         Thrusters w/20 lbs

         Pull-ups

         Rest 1 minute

Brand X:

   Front squat 3-3-3-3-3

White Head:

   "Holleyman"

      5 Wall ball

      3 Handstand push-ups

      1 Power clean

I'm doing the CaliFit Mamas workout today and possible the 5k Week 2 training run - run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute for 7 rounds.  I really need to improve my running and it's obviously not going to happen with me just thinking about it.  Although, wouldn't that be awesome if you could just "think" about running faster and it happens?  lol - I wish....

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241 - WOW, oh WOW!  I don't know why this sounded so easy and simple, but it was FAR from it!  AND, I don't know why I thought I'd want to do a run afterwards either!  Guess what?  No running for me today - I am sucking wind from the workout as it is!!  My second round was the best one.  Round 3 was the worst!  I didn't really keep up with how many reps of each exercise I did because I knew I wouldn't remember and I didn't have time to write them down, so I just started at "1" from the beginning until the end.  I'm guessing that's how you were supposed to do it anyway.  Well, I do know what my burpees were since they were first each round - round 1 was 13 burpees, round 2 was 12, and round 3 was 8.  I know, right?  A big drop from the others, but I was so tired!! I did not do pull-ups - I subbed push-ups instead.

Round 1 - 84

Round 2 - 94

Round 3 - 63

Another great workout!  :)

It's supposed to be hard.

It's supposed to be hard.  If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it.  The "hard" is what makes it great! - This is true, but sometimes (for me, anyway) you don't realize how "great" it is until the next day when you're reflecting on it!  I really don't appreciate some of my workouts until the next day or even further out.  Don't get me wrong, there are some that I get so excited over right away and start smiling before I'm even finished - but there are some that I do and I think "meh", then a few days later I thing "wow!  I can't believe I did that in that amount of time!"  I need to appreciate all of my workouts and be proud of each and every one because I DID THEM!  It is super easy to come up with a reason NOT to work out, but I always know in the back of my mind, that I will feel better if I just go ahead and do them.  I'm not very good at pushing myself (especially with running workouts) and I'm trying to improve on that.  Take yesterday for instance, even though I did not run like I had planned on (2 minute on/1minute off), and even though I could have just cut out the running altogether, I DID continue to run some!  I keep forgetting that I also wore the weighted vest while on the treadmill yesterday, and it was at a 2 incline, so I really should be more proud of that than I am.  See...I just proved my point from above!  I think before, I would have just said "fuck it" and walk the remainder, but I was determined to improve my time and knew the only way to do that was to run more.  So...even though I mostly walked, I still threw in some running.  I'm not where I want to be, but I am getting closer!

I will say, my abs are extremely sore today - even more so than yesterday!  GHD sit-ups are killer!!  My thighs are okay, they were very sore last night but not so much this morning - yay!

CaliFit Mamas:

   Run 6k

   60 burpees

   *Yeah, been there - done that - NOPE, not again today!  :)

Brand X:

   Test day

      L-sit (or tuck sit) for time

      Handstand walk for distance (or handstand for time)

      Chest to bar weighted pull-up for load

      Snatch rep for load

White Head:

   Run 400 meters

   21 Push-ups

   21 Squats

   5 Burpees

   Run 400 meters

   15 Push-ups

   15 Squats

   5 Burpees

   Run 400 meters

   9 Push-ups

   9 Squats

   5 Burpees

9/25/13 Workout - the second CrossFit workout I did

   21-15-9

      Deadlifts 30-40 lbs

      Front squats 30 lbs

      *time 5:38

   *I added a 1/2 mile walk on the treadmill, no incline - time 10:38

You can probably guess that I am NOT doing CaliFit Mamas today!  lol - I also am not doing Brand X. I can't do chest to bar pull-ups, much less weighted ones and I cannot do handstand walks, but I could attempt to do a handstand (using the wall, of course!), as well as attempt to tuck sit or L-sit, but my times would be so sucky.  I should at least try to do those things today, so we'll see.  I'd love to do White Head's workout, but not sure how I will react to my treadmill today.  I'm trying to stay positive in my head.  I noticed that if I go up there and just do it, it's easier than if I think about it or dread it.  So...positive thoughts because I know the only way to improve my running is to do it!  I wouldn't mind doing the workout from September 25th, my second one ever!  Do you see that treadmill time?  And that was starting on 2.5 speed and increasing the speed every minute until I reached 3.0 speed.  Then, I only did that for 3 minutes before declining it back down!  Half a mile took me 10:38 - wow, I was so out of shape!  I really would like to do White Head's workout, so we'll see once I get upstairs.  Keep your fingers crossed!

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22:05 -   I did the White Head workout today and all I have to say is this...you'd think after running yesterday with a weighted vest on that today would be a breeze without a weighted vest, but nope...not at all!  I ran the entire 400 meters of the first round (3:30, exactly) on my treadmill (yes, I used the safety clip today!) I had to use my mat for push-ups because I did "girl" push-ups and guess what was touching?   Yep, my boo-booed knee!  I did not count backwards on this round with the "other" exercises and could tell a difference - I did 9 push-ups, then made it to 17, then to 21.  I did all 21 squats without stopping, as well as all 5 burpees - progress!  On round 2, I ran and walked - bringing my treadmill time to 7:49 (4:19 on this round).  No problem/stopping with push-ups, squats or burpees!  I did the same thing on the third round - running and walking, bringing my treadmill time to 11:35 (3:46).  I assumed the CrossFit recovery position because I couldn't BREATHE!!  By the time I sat back up, my arms were covered in sweat!!  What a great, hard workout!  :)

I tried to do the tests for Brand X - pretty funny.  I cannot do chest-to-bar pull-ups, but I did attempt to do a pull-up and can only bend my arm, so maybe getting off of the floor an inch or two.  I attempted to L-sit, that didn't work so I tried to tuck-sit...nope, nothing there either.  I also attempted to wall walk - and guess what?  Improvement!  This was in a workout a month or so ago (maybe longer) - anyway, I attempted to do this and could not even get my feet up on the wall, much less walk anywhere!  Well, today I not only got my feet on the wall but I was able to move 1 arm back, I tried and tried to force the other arm to go back as well, but it was not happening.  This was very hard on my wrists, so I got down and moved my mat so my hands were on the mat and that made it better.  I still could only do one arm, but hey - that's more than I could do before!  :)  Snatches are 25 lbs - I only have dumbbells and that's the highest for one dumbbell.  I need to get something heavier, maybe invest in a bar and some light weights - nothing big, I don't want to be bulky - just toned.

Great workout, Jen and Gina!  :)

It's July 4th!

It's July 4th!  The only day of the year you might see a person look up from their cellphone!  - I changed this to say "person" instead of "young person" because it's not just the young'uns that are doing this nowadays.  Personally, I keep my cellphone in my vehicle.  I hate whenever I'm out and about and people are constantly on their phone - there's just no privacy and alone time anymore.  I don't even check my cellphone messages - I just delete them.  I'll see that someone called and call them back, but honestly?  I don't like cellphones, just for emergencies.  There are times when I just want to be left completely alone and I actually enjoy driving in my car just jamming to the radio and taking in the scenery.  I don't need to talk to someone constantly - especially when I'm shopping, which is supposed to be something to enjoy.  I've seen too many people throw their money at cashiers while talking on their phones - it's just rude.  I even have a rule for anyone that eats with me - no phones at the table, period.  Unless we get to talking about something and we need to "google", then we'll let a phone come out.  It's pretty funny to watch my kids to see who can pull their phone out the fastest!  But, after we find our answer the phone goes away.  Don't get me wrong, I love modern technology and do not like being disconnected from the internet for too long of a period, but I just think we can survive going to buy milk without having a conversation with someone who isn't there.  Enjoy the peace and quiet, people!  lol

I have to say it...my abs are SORE!  OMG - just sitting here moving around what little bit I am, I feel the twinges!  Also, my upper back around my shoulder blades are a little sore as well.  I think it's from the "boy" push-ups from the other day and the knees-to-elbows from yesterday.  WHAT a workout!  Today is not an easy day either, but that's okay.

CaliFit Mamas:

   100 - lunges

          - push-ups

          - sit-ups

          - squats

Brand X:

   "Smykowski" - Hero WOD - in honor of Mark T. Smykowski, 23

      - Run 6k (3.73 miles)

      - 60 burpee pull-ups

   "Smykowski" for puppies -

      - Run 1-1.5 miles

      - 15 burpee pull-ups

      OR

      - Run 1-1.5 miles

      - 15 burpees

      - 15 pull-ups

   *if you have body armor or a 30 lb vest, wear it!

White Head:

   4 Rounds for time

      - Run 400 meters

      - 24 front squats

      - 24 cleans

As much as I hate to say it, I'm going to do the Hero WOD, "Smykowski".  I will do the 5k training Week #2 thing - run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute for 7 reps.  After that, I will mostly walk (try to run some more) until I reach the 3.73 mile mark.  I will do this with the 8 lb vest that I have - it's not much, but it will do.  I'm sure I'll be begging for mercy before this is over, but it will be interesting to see how I do.  I know we ran a 6k once before for CaliFit Mamas, so I think I'll try to go back and see what my time was for that.  I know it was way over an hour, so hopefully I'll improve on that!  Also - I don't believe I will do the pull-up portion of the burpee/pull-ups.  My left elbow is still sore (as well as my upper back/shoulder area).  But, I will do the 60 burpees (I think).  I don't believe I'll wear my vest for the burpees, but who knows what will happen when I get upstairs to my workout room?  Y'all wish me luck!!

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72:20 - WOW, oh WOW!   I keep saying "That was hard!", but I really, really, really mean it today!  That was harddddd!!!!  So, I did the 6k, which is 3.73 miles - I actually went all the way to 3.75 miles - and I did 30 burpees.  I did wear my vest the entire time on the treadmill - YAY!  I had an accident, though.  I went to step on the side of the treadmill with my left foot, so I could blow my nose, and I missed the side and landed on the floor which caused my right knee to go down on the treadmill.  Of course I don't have the safety pin attached (I know, I know) and I went to grab onto the bar to pull myself up, well...the front of the treadmill came up off of the floor, spilling my water bottle and knocking my Nook off.  Luckily, I kinda just rolled over to my left leg (which was already on the floor) and reached up to turn off the treadmill.  I had just finished up my 3.5 mile mark, so after Honey-Buns came running to my rescue, I got right back on the treadmill and finished up.  Of course, my treadmill time was reset (!), but I was right at (or pretty close to) the one-hour mark, so I added the time it took me to finish up the last quarter mile to 60 minutes.  It's not accurate, but pretty close.  I now have a boo-boo on my right knee where the treadmill and my pants took off some skin, and thought it would get in the way of burpees, but no such luck.  Apparently my knees don't touch the floor (or at least the part that was injured) when I do burpees.  Who knew?  lol  - Anyway, I'm glad I decided to do burpees - it only took my 5:15 to do 30 burpees and yes, I counted down for those.  It really is easier!

Treadmill time - 64:05, actual running/walking - I stopped once for 2 minutes while Honey-Buns replenished my water (before my boo-boo), and then again for another minute when I boo-boo'd. 

Total walking/running time with rests added:  67:05

Rest time after treadmill - 3 minutes

Burpees - 5:15

Total workout time:  75:20

I looked up and we did a 10k on January 21st, but I only did 4 miles of that on the treadmill and the rest was on my stationary bike.  It took me 71:50 to do 4 miles, so I definitely beat that time today!  :)

I was going to do the run 2/walk 1 thing, but just was not feeling it, so here's what I did:

Run 2 minutes

Walk 1 minute

Run 1.5 minutes

Walk 1 minute

Run 1 minute

Walk 1 minute

Run .5 minutes

Walk 1 minute

Run 1 minute

Walk 1 minute

Run 1 minute

Walk 1 mintue

Run 1 minute

Walk 1 minute

Run 1 minute

Walk 1 minute

Walked until I hit 1.5 miles, then I would run 1 minute every 1/4 mile and walk the rest all the way up until 3.75 miles, which was another 8 times.  

Total run time - 18 minutes - not great, but it's okay.  I wore my 8 lb vest the entire time, so I'm happy with my results.  I did not wear the vest while doing burpees though - no way, Jose!  I am exhausted and my feet are hot, hot, hot!  :)

Y'all have a good 4th!  We're waiting for the rain to clear out some, so we can grill some burgers and dogs!