Friday, November 22, 2013

Just a quick note....

Just a quick note - I took Hayley to her surgery follow-up appointment yesterday.  It was at 10:30 right across from Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Atlanta.  Can you believe I left at 9:10 and did not get there until 10:30 on the dot?  Traffic was horrible!!  I ended up with a stress headache that just would not go away yesterday afternoon, so no work out then.  Today is a Special Olympics event.  After doing payroll and billing and the event, it doesn't look like I'll have time to work out today either.  I'll get something done over the weekend.  Y'all have a good one!!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013


It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop.  Well...I'm definitely slow!  ;)

You guessed it - no time yesterday for a workout.  Addy kept fighting sleep - not really sure why.  She fell asleep at her normal time yesterday morning and I laid her down on the sofa to nap, but she woke up screaming just 30 minutes later so I picked her up and got her back to sleep, but had to hold her for the duration of her nap.  Crazy, spoiled little girl!!  Then, yesterday afternoon....she fell asleep and woke up again just 30 minutes later and would not go back to sleep.  Every time Honey-Buns got her so I could go work out, she screamed bloody murder - so, no workout.  Hoping today goes better.  She'll just have to be upstairs and watch me run on the treadmill - yep...it's a run day.  Yay!  :)  

I'm doing the runner training for beginners again today.  I'm not looking to improve my time just yet.  My goal is to do the entire thing without holding on to the treadmill.  I made it through the warm-up and two run/walk segments on Monday, so here's hoping for three today!  :)

5 minute warm-up walk
4 x run 100 meters
     walk 300 meters
5 minute cool-down walk
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Filthy Fifty

Filthy Fifty - yep...we're doing it!  I have to say, I'm amazed to see the pull-ups on here as "jumping pull-ups".  It says the same thing even on the CrossFit Brand X site, although they recommend you to NOT do jumping pull-ups.  It causes RHABDO, which is pretty gross.  If you don't know what it is, Google it.  Serious stuff.  Anyway - they do say "don't do jumping pull-ups" on the modification post.  Lucky for me, I've discovered that jumping pull-ups kill my elbows so I've stopped doing them and have been doing beginner pull-ups.  I place my aerobic step in the closet (my pull-up bar is in the closet doorway) and I put my feet on it, hands on the bar, plank my body and pull-up.  I have to say, I can tell the difference since doing these.  My back/shoulder muscles are usually pretty sore the day after, so I know I'm doing something right.  :)

Just to spell it out - here's the Filthy Fifty:
   50 - box jumps
        - pull-ups
        - kettle bell swings, 20#
        - walking lunges
        - knees to elbows
        - push press, 20#
        - back extensions
        - wall ball, 10#
        - burpees
        - double unders (sub tuck jumps)
   *Modifications are:   35 of everything for pack, 20 of everything for puppies

I believe I'm going to do the pack modification of 35 of everything.  I will also substitute tuck jumps for double unders, since I can't do those.  I've also read on the Brand X website that doing extra single unders isn't a good substitute for double-unders because they don't have you going through the same motions - so tuck jumps it is!  :)
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Monday, November 18, 2013

Don't give up because you had a bad day.


Don't give up because you had a bad day.  Forgive yourself and do better tomorrow.
:)

I am happy to say that I can breathe through both nostrils again!  You never know how much you miss that until it's taken away from you.  I don't believe I have ever slept so much as I have this past week.  Granted, I was taking medicine for my head cold, but still.  I took Contac every 6 hours during the day, then I had to switch to Nyquil just so I could sleep at night.  Even then, I ended up keeping the Nyquil by my bed and whenever I did wake up to blow my nose, I would take a couple of sips of Nyquil - and when I say "sip", I really mean sip...that stuff is nasty!  lol  I fell asleep on the sofa Friday night around 9:00/9:30.  Honey-Buns woke me up at 11:00 to go to bed, then I slept until 10:15 on Saturday morning!  Almost the same thing on Saturday night - only it was closer to 10:00 before I fell asleep, but then I slept until 9:30 yesterday morning.  OH - I also napped on Saturday afternoon!!  Crazy, huh?  I guess my body needed that rest, because I felt so much better yesterday.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a napper, nor do I need a lot of sleep.  So, I tend to sleep a lot whenever I don't feel good.  I'm just glad that I'm better.  Now, to get back into my workouts! 

I will have time to work out today.  Honey-Buns is picking up Addy this morning as usual and I'll do her morning feeding, but then I'm taking her over to her other grandmother's house where she'll stay the rest of the day.  Nonnie (other grandmother) is off on Mondays and has been wanting to keep her every Monday, and actually did once, but then she broke her finger and hasn't been able to since.  Well, now her finger is healed and she's ready to start back.  I don't like it - I never was good at sharing, lol!!  I'll get over it.  :)

I am running today.  I plan to do the beginner runner training at least three times a week.  I will do this without holding on to my treadmill and with my treadmill at a 2 incline.  I read somewhere that you should incline your treadmill so it will better simulate running outdoors.  I don't know if this is true or not, but that's what I intend to do.

   Warm-up walk for 5 minutes
   Run 100 meters, Walk 300 meters x 4
   Cool-down walk for 5 minutes

My goal is to run at 4.3 and walk at 3.3, again - all without holding on.  I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.  :)  Fingers crossed!!
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Yes!   Workout #1 is d-o-n-e!!!  :)  Unfortunately, I was not able to do the whole thing without holding on, but I did make it through two run/walk segments hands-free!  AND, I stayed on 0-incline.  I tried it  at 2, but quickly changed my mind.  My lungs are burning, but I think that's more from the cold I'm getting over than anything.  I went for a total of 1.5 miles and it took me 27:54.  Here's a breakdown of what I did:

Warm-up walk
   2.5 speed, 1 minute
   2.7 speed, 1 minute
   2.9 speed, 1 minute
   3.1 speed, 1 minute
   3.3 speed, 1 minute
Run/Walk segments - 4 times
   4.3 run, 100 meters
   3.3 walk, 300 meters
Cool-down walk
   3.1 speed, 1 minute
   2.9 speed, 1 minute
   2.7 speed, 1.5 minutes
   2.5 speed until 1.5 miles reached

Let me just say - I closed the vent in that room a couple of weeks ago because we were starting to use the heat and I can't stand for it to be so hot while I work out.  Well, today is an unusually warm day (73 degrees) and our heat has not been on for a couple of days, but boy - was it hot up there!  I came downstairs and normally I start to freeze before I finish my blog, but not today!  My daughter and son-in-law are coming over for supper, so I'll get to see Addy again for a little bit today - yay!!


Thursday, November 14, 2013

I am sick...just not sick enough to get off of Facebook!


I am sick.  Just not sick enough to get off of Facebook.  lol -This is ALWAYS true, isn't it?  ;)

Yes...I'm still sick.  I did go get some meds yesterday and am taking them 'round the clock, along with juice, etc.  I keep falling asleep within the first hour of taking my medicine, sleep for about an hour, then I can breathe when I wake up!  Luckily, Honey-Buns is here to help with Addy.  She and I both fell asleep yesterday for her afternoon nap!  Honey-Buns woke me up at 4:45 and asked if I was going to take her home or did I want him to - I suggested he do it for safety sake.  lol  -  I did NOT sleep good at all last night.  I think I woke up every 45 minutes to an hour.  I just couldn't sleep, then I couldn't breathe.  So tonight?  I'm taking Nyquil.  That usually knocks me out for a good night's sleep.

Not sure if I'll work out today or not.  I just don't have the energy and if everything stays true to normal, when I do have the energy and I try to do something (like yesterday - laundry and straightening up), I feel even MORE exhausted afterwards - so I might just take it easy again today.  I do know I can't wait until Addy's morning nap time and she's not even here yet!  lol  

Y'all have a good day and STAY WARM!  It's cold here in Georgia this morning.
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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Being sick....

Being sick....I love this - it's SO true, isn't it?  The reason I posted it?  Yep...it looks like I have Addy's nose problems - only mine is a head cold.  I'm going to get some meds and juice this morning to try to keep it from turning into anything else.  I feel horrible!!  I blew my nose and sneezed and blew my nose and sneezed and blew my nose and sneezed all day yesterday - had the best intentions of working out, I just didn't have any energy.  I'm hoping to get a workout in today.  I plan to do the run training thing, plus "Fran" from CrossFit.  Here's what it will look like:

5 minute warm-up walk
4 x run 100 meters, walk 300 meters - withOUT holding on to the treadmill
5 minute cool-down walk
"Fran"
   21-15-9
      thrusters w/50# (calls for 65# for women, but I only have 50)
      pull-ups (I'll do beginner pull-ups)

Y'all wish me luck today.  I've already had to stop and sneeze and blow three times while typing this!  AARRGGHHH!!!!
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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

CrossFit...making a new muscle hurt every day.


CrossFit...making a new muscle hurt every day.  This is absolutely, without a doubt, 100% true!  lol - I am amazed at how many new muscles I am discovering in my body!  :)

Well, yesterday was NOT a good day for me.  Poor little Addy had MAJOR tummy troubles yesterday.  I think she cried more than she didn't - it at least seemed like it to me!  She also did not sleep much because of her tummy.  I think she might have slept for a total of 1 1/2, maybe 2 hours and when she did (finally) fall asleep, there was NO way I was moving that child.  She was miserable.  I spoke to my daughter this morning and she said Addy had a couple more fits last night at home as well.  Fingers crossed that today is a much better day for her (and me!)

Since I didn't work out yesterday (!), I'm doing yesterday's workout today.  I'm thinking of switching it up a bit - I might just do all of the running together and then do as many sit-ups as I can.  Again, I'll see once I get up there!
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Monday, November 11, 2013

Tell someone that you "work out" and no one bats an eye...


Tell someone that you "work out" and no one bats an eye.  Say that you "do CrossFit" and everyone loses their minds.

I'm going to start off by saying (again!) OMG!!!  I canNOT believe how sore and tired I was after Friday's 5k run.  It was just ridiculous.  First off, I fell asleep on the sofa around 9:00 Friday night...Honey-Buns woke me up to go to bed at 11:00.  Then, I slept all night - NOT like a baby!  I was so sore achy, especially my hip flexors...wth?  Anyway, Honey-Buns woke me up close to 9:00 on Saturday morning to tell me he was going to work, then going to see his mom.  I could not believe I had slept so long!  Even though I took two aspirin Friday night, my aches and pains were crazy...the top of my left foot was killing me anytime I bent it or wiggle my toes, my thighs were achy, my hip flexors throbbed all night long, then on Saturday the pain switched to my shins!  I'm okay today, thank Goodness!  I just can't believe how much I hurt this weekend - I really need to get back in my routine.  I don't like pain!  lol

I'm doing last Friday's CrossFit White Head workout.  Yes, it has running and believe it or not that's what I want to do.  My plan is to try to do some kind of running three times a week.  I know, I know.  I've said this before, but I really, really, really mean it this time!!  ;)

   Run 400 meters
   50 sit-ups
   Run 400 meters
   40 sit-ups
   Run 400 meters
   30 sit-ups
   Run 400 meters
   20 sit-ups
   Run 400 meters
   10 sit-ups

I'm really going to improve my running.  Even though I force myself to run, I'm still holding on to the treadmill when I do it.  I came across a beginner running program (another one!) and I do believe I'm going to try it out and see what happens.  This is NOT a 5k training, it's just for beginner runners to run 1 mile.  You are supposed to run 3-5 times per week (sounds doable).  Do a 5 minute warm-up walk, then you run 100 meters, then walk 300 meters - repeating this 4 times and then do a cool-down walk for 5 minutes.  Train this way until you feel you can increase your running distance - going up to 200 meter run segments, then 300, then 400 - running a full mile without stopping.  You are not supposed to do a slow walk during your walking time.  The example I saw said to run at 4.0, then walk at 3.0.  I have been running at 4.3, and walking at 3.0 but on Friday I ran at 4.1 and walked at 3.3.  I'm going to play with my speed and find one that works for me, WITHOUT holding on to my treadmill and using an incline of 2.  I will do this for today's run segments.  I haven't decided if I'll do the warm-up walk or just get to it.  I'll decide once I get upstairs - as usual!  I've really got to improve - and I have, I just want to do mo' better!  ;) 
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Friday, November 8, 2013

If life was easy, where would adventures be?


If life was easy, where would adventures be?  Another truth!  Well...yesterday was a no-go for the 5k.  Addy wasn't feeling well at all.  She alternated from a stuffy nose to a runny nose all day, and wanted to be held all day - not only that, but Gramps just wouldn't do!  Every time he had her, she'd cry and cry - then I'd get her and she would calm down.  Poor thing.  Thank goodness it wasn't payroll or billing day yesterday!  lol

I do plan to do the 5k today, so don't fret.  I'm kind of glad I didn't do it yesterday.  I have been so sore from my other workouts.  By yesterday afternoon, whatever muscles are near your rib cage were killing me!  They're still sore this morning.  That is from the beginner pull-ups that I did.  I saw a video at Crossfit Brand X's website.  Get this - it was a video of teaching kids how to do pull-ups.  Yeah...that's a great perspective, huh?  Anyway - I placed my step/box in the closet and had my feet on it - then I'd plank my body and do pull-ups with my pull-up bar that's on the closet door.  And yes, I completely removed the door from this closet because it is not used as a closet - I keep my smaller workout stuff in in (weights, box/step, mat, etc.).  You won't believe how sore my upper body is from doing them this way - even the area around my shoulder blades are sore.  Obviously, I'm working muscles not used to being used!  I've seen where people do jumping pull-ups, but I have read several articles where those are not good - they cause RHABDO.  I won't explain what that is, just Google it.  It's pretty scary.  I don't like jumping pull-ups because they make my elbow area on my arms super sore, so I was looking for alternatives to doing them.  I'm glad I came across the video.  If I ever do a real pull-up, I'm sure you all will hear me shouting with glee!  lol

Y'all wish me luck today!
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Wow..just, wow.  Even though I haven't ran much lately, I have to say I'm impressed with myself.  Granted, I didn't break any new records (bummer), but I didn't regress much either (yay)!  So...here's the down and dirty:

5k = 3.106 miles - 52:44
1 mile mark - 16:52
2 mile mark - 33:54
3 mile mark - 50:58

I did a 6k on July 4th, which is 3.73 miles - I actually did 3.75, averaging 17.08/mile.  Today averaged out to 16.88/mile, so improvement there!  :)

The last time I did the Army test run of 2 miles was on September 30th and I did it in 32:19, so a little slip back there, but not what my beginner time was so I'm happy with that.  Especially since the first 5 minutes of today's 5k was a warm-up walk.  I started at 2.5 for 1 minute, then bumped it up .2 every minute until I made it to the 5 minute mark, so my 2 mile time probably would have improved if I had started running right away like I did on September 30th.  I'm happy with my performance today.  I started off running 2 minutes, then walking 1 minute.  I did that 4 times, then switched to running 100 meters, walking 200 meters all the way until the end.  I also sped up my walking segments to 3.3 (it was 3.0) and all run segments were at 4.1 (I've been doing them at 4.0).  Overall, very pleased!  It feels great to be back on track somewhat.  :)

Y'all have a good weekend!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

I plan on having such an awesome run, Morgan Freeman should narrate it.


I plan on having such a awesome run, Morgan Freeman should narrate it.  Ha!  LOVE this!!  Someone posted this on Facebook yesterday, and I just HAD to borrow it!  And while I do plan to run a bit today, I'm not sure it's going to be an awesome run.  I am ridiculously sore from my TWO workouts this week.  I can really tell I haven't been working out.  Oh well...back to working out the kinks!

In case you haven't guessed, today is a run day.  And not just any kind of run day.  Oh no...it's a 5k run day!  Yep - 3.106 miles.  Yay.  Maybe.  ;)

I was wanting to go to the park with Addy and at least walk the trails, but wouldn't you know it's raining outside today - argh!  So, it looks like the treadmill for me.  I will try to run as much as I can, but I haven't been running lately and my legs are so sore.  I'm hoping once I get up and going that everything will be okay.  Actually, I'm pretty positive it will be!  :)  Y'all wish me luck!!
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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Don't complain about things...


Don't complain about things you're not willing to work hard to change.  Truth!  I'm posting this for two reasons...first and foremost because yesterday was an election day.  I voted, did you?  I'm extremely disappointed by the number of people that voted here yesterday.  Don't get me wrong - I don't know/have any relatives/friends that were running for a position.  I'm just tired of seeing/hearing people bitch and moan about politicians and every day folks in office and what a lousy job they're doing, blah, blah, blah - then when it comes time to actually get those people OUT of office, no one shows up, so they jump on the back on the bitching bandwagon when nothing changes.  It just drives me crazy.  I don't know how many of the 14,000+ people who live in my town are registered voters, but only 751 showed up at the polls and voted.  In a neighboring town of 621, only 31 voted.  That is just sad to me.  Granted, these were city council elections this time, but still - according to our local newspapers' comment sections - there are TONS of people bitching about things the council has been doing!  Come on people, how hard is it to go vote?  Which brings me back to my second reason for posting today's quote...how hard is it to get in a work out?  lol  I'm trying, I'm trying!  I think I'm okay as long as I still have the "I didn't work out yesterday" guilt thing going on.  I know I'll be up shit creek if I ever don't feel bad for not working out.  So, as long as it's on my mind then that is a good thing!!  lol

Today's HIIT Mamas workout:
   3 rounds for time
      15 front squats w/40 lbs
      15 pull-ups
      15 push press w/20 lbs
      15 knees to elbows
      15 hang squat cleans w/20 lbs
      15 back extensions

The only thing I'm changing in today's workout is the weights prescribed.  I think I'm going to do 40 lbs (or close to it with my adjustable dumbbells) for all weight exercises.  I'll at least do it that way for the first round...then I'll see what's up and adjust as necessary.  I must say, I love these workouts where no shoes are required!!  lol
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Got another work out in!!  Woot-woot!!  Honey-Buns just HAD to go to our truck yard, so I took the swing and Addy upstairs to my exercise room.  Here's what she looked like at the beginning of my workout:
She looks like she's thinking "What in the world are you doing, Grammie?"  lol  Now...here's what she looked like by the end of my workout:

Bored!  Even Pitbull blasting from my Ipod couldn't keep her awake!  I just turned down the music and turned off the lights and left her napping.  She has since woken up, starving of course!  lol  Baby love!!

My time was 15:02 and yes, it could have been way better but I just couldn't go like I used to.  Normally I can kick it in on the last round, but not today.  I also used 38 lbs for all weighted exercises and my inner thighs are S-O-R-E from yesterday and now today as well.  It feels good to work out again!!  :)

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Be stronger than your excuses.


Be stronger than your excuses.  Okay...I REALLY need to remember this AND practice it!!  I actually a window of opportunity to work out yesterday, but I fell asleep while holding Addy.  I had just got her to sleep and was going to lay her down and go work out while Honey-Buns was here yesterday afternoon.  He said he didn't wake me up because I rarely fall asleep during the day and he figured I must have been exhausted.  Which is kind of sweet, but really...I took a nap?  I never nap because whenever I do, I usually wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep.  Well, apparently I was pretty tired because I not only went to bed about 30 minutes earlier than normal last night, but I did not wake up AT ALL until my alarm clock went off this morning.  I think I must still be catching up on the sleep I missed while Hayley was in the hospital last week.  I just did not sleep well while there.  Oh well...let's try this again!

My plan is to do yesterday's missed workout and just be a day behind everyone this week.  I'm also doing the modified version from Brand X, but it's basically the same as HIIT Mamas just fewer reps.
   30-20-10
      Wall ball shots w/4 lb ball (it's what I have)
      Box jumps, 11" box (ditto)
      Kettlebell swings w/24 lb dumbbell

Thanks for hanging in there with me guys.  Some days I just think I'll just give it up, but my intentions are good and still there.  It's just getting on a schedule and in a groove again.  I'll get it - just don't let me give up!
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Who got a work out in today?  This girl!!  That's who!!!  I did the modified version listed above (30-20-10) for a time of 10:44.  I used a 4 lb. ball for wall ball, 11" box for box jumps, and 25 lb dumbbell for kettlebell swings.  I am SO out of it - my time would have been WAY better but I had to stop and catch my breath a couple of times.  I got one in...woot-woot!!!  :)

Monday, November 4, 2013

If each day is a gift, I'd like to know where I can return Mondays.

If each day is a gift, I'd like to know where I can return Mondays.  :)

Wow - where to start?  Last Tuesday, I took Hayley to Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta to meet up with her neurologist to try to refill her pump using a fluoro machine (x-ray).   Well, they got the needle inserted in the right spot, but when they tried to extract the old medicine nothing would come out.  So, we flipped her over onto her side and they looked at the pump and discovered the reservoir was on the wrong side - which meant her pump had somehow flipped completely over.  We went through the ER to get admitted and finally made it into a room around 8:30 or so on Tuesday night.  They did surgery Wednesday morning and told me we could possibly go home Wednesday evening.  Please note - every time we have had this surgery, they have told me we could possibly go home that same night - it's never happened AND it didn't happen this time either.  Even though Hayley has never had any issues with anesthesia or morphene, she started throwing up around 2:00/3:00 Wednesday afternoon and continued all the way through until 12:30 early Thursday morning.  They had given her Zofran, but that didn't help, so they switched to Phenergen (?) suppositories and that seemed to do the trick.  She had been put on fluids via IV overnight Tuesday because they weren't sure what time they could squeeze her into surgery and thought it would be closer to 12:00 on Wednesday, but apparently an 8:30 time opened up and her neuro-surgeon jumped on it.  Dr. Wruble came by Thursday morning and was planning on sending her home that evening, but she looked so horrible (still green and sickly) he decided to keep her overnight.  I'm glad they did kept her.  I can handle anything but throw-up!  I can clean it up all day - that doesn't bother me...it's watching/hearing them throw up that gets to me.  I told the nurses I was taking advantage of them during all of those episodes while we were there!  We finally made it home on Friday around 1:00 and then I had to go straight upstairs to the office and do payroll checks.  I was so exhausted and so happy to be back home in my bed.  Normally, Honey-Buns is at the hospital with me but he was unable to go there this time because Katy didn't have anyone else to keep Addy during the day, so he got baby duty all by himself.  I think he was just as exhausted as I was!  Needless to say, I slept almost 11 hours overnight Friday into Saturday.  I do believe I caught up on my sleep!  lol  

I'm hoping (really, really hard) to get back in a normal routine soon.  How crazy is it that today's HIIT Mamas workout is the Hero WOD from Brand X last Monday?  And, no...I did not do the workout last week but I'm doing SOMETHING this week - even if it's just getting on the treadmill.  I've got to get busy - I'll never make my goal of being Army fit by the end of the year if I don't!

HIIT Mamas:
   50-40-30-20-10...10 lb ball/18" box/20 lb kettlebell (Brand X women:  14 lb ball/20" box/26 lb kb)
   40-30-20-10, X pack...14 lb ball/20"box/26 lb kettlebell)
   30-20-10, X puppies...10-14 lb ball/15-20" box/15-24 lb kettlebell)
      Wall ball shots
      Box jumps
      Kettlebell swings

Like I said earlier, I'm doing SOMETHING today and I really hope it's today's workout!  lol  Hayley is not going to school today, she was exhausted by bedtime yesterday, so I know she won't accomplish much at school if she's tired, so that saves me a little time there but JEEZ...I need to get busy!!
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