I'm Baaaaccccckkkkk!

How does anyone find time to maintain a blog?  Seriously???  I don't even want to bother looking to see when the last post was, or what it was even about...but I will...

So it was just over a month ago...and about the some of the comments that people make about how I've changed myself.  Whatev.

So the latest and greatest with me?  um...hmm...lemme think...

I just don't have time for anything new!  Same job, same husband, same child (who just turned 2, by the way...yay Stella!), same house, etc.  One new thing to report though...I somehow got talked into a half marathon.  Yep...you read that right, I swear I was peer-pressured into it!

This is what I'm doing (just click that little linky over there).  I may have finally gone off the deep end!

Ahh...back to the Y tonight...

The new session started last week and I finally made it tonight.  Boot Camp followed by Spin.  And both were great!  While in spin class, just sitting there pedaling away and dripping with sweat, I had the following realization:

We joined the Y approximately one year ago.  We joined primarily so my husband could swim (remember, he's training for tri/ironman races).  Now...I only go to the Y for my classes as I primarily use the gym at work for most of my exercising (and occasionally utilize the living room at home).  In the time we have been members of the Y...I have dropped approximately 40 lbs. (176 to 136).  I have gone from a size 12 (and at least one pair of size 14 jeans) to a 4.  And recently, the 4s have seemed a bit too big.  I've gone from larges and extra larges in tops to mediums.  And some of those are now a little loose fitting.  My bra size (yes, I'm going there...I'm going to share my bra size) has gone from a 38DD to a 32DDD.  But dammit...my shoe size hasn't changed at all!

The Y definitely doesn't get all the credit, not even a good portion of it.  It goes to me.  I'm the one doing it.  I'm the one that quit making excuses.  I'm the one getting it done.  It is no longer a matter of forcing myself to exercise - I stopped doing that quite some time ago - it is now a habit.  And by habit, I mean I am not happy if I can't get at least a small workout in.  Like cranky unhappy.      A kind of crankiness that could rival Stella's legendary crankiness when she's tired.

And here's the thing.  If I can do it...why can't so may others do it.  I work full time (and then some), I have a toddler.  I have a husband (a husband who works a complete opposite shift and has his own fitness goals).  But I do it.  I hear all kinds of excuses from people of why they can't (and many of those excuses I used at one time or other myself).  I hear that from people and yet they tell me what an inspiration I have become.  What exactly am I inspiring because they certainly aren't joining me in the gym...but rather contentedly complain about what they dislike about their body, health, etc.  I understand, I do...been there done that...but geez...if you say I inspire you...prove it!

No Excuses!

That was always one of my biggest downfalls...I always found an excuse to not work out, to not go to the gym...or even to excuse the way or what I ate!  Since I've been on my kick this year with the weight loss, fitness gain, etc...this is what has helped me achieve the results I have made this year - no excuses! 

I really put the 'no excuses' rule to the test last night.   Obviously it is a very busy time of year for everyone...but it is also the time of year where many of us fail at our diets and exercise programs...or at least slack off.  And perfect time of year to come up with every excuse possible not to work out.In between the last fall session and the new winter session starting January 7, my Y is doing a free mini-session...offering a limited number of classes and my favorite cycling (spin) class is included with that.  I okayed with my husband to go last night so was packed and ready before leaving for work for the day.  As the day wore on, I realized I forgot a towel to shower after the class.  That would have been an excuse for me previously.  And I debated using that as an excuse to not go.  But really?  I realized this before even leaving work, so I could have very well used the gym at work and been able to shower and go home (we have towels at work) so that excuse was no good.  I went on ahead in the direction of the Y...decided I would suck it up and drive home sweaty & smelly afterward and get a quick shower in before Stella's bath.  But then...something prompted me to check my bag for my lock (I have two different gym bags...sometimes, yes, I actually do squeeze in more than one workout - one at lunch and then a class or two at the Y) - and it wasn't there.  I couldn't very well leave stuff in my jeep at the Y...that's just not smart.  And I could NOT leave things in an unlocked locker.  My purse?  Phone?  The husband's Christmas present that is sure to make me wife of the year?  No.  THAT could have been my excuse.  And a great one at that.  I really really thought about it...but then I realized there was plenty of room in that particular classroom to stash a gym bag and extras (and plenty do it)...so I stayed the course.  I went to spin class.  Sweated my butt off, drove home smelling like a pig...but dammit, I did it...I did not let the excuses win!

App Review: Workout Trainer by skimble.com

Pretty sure I briefly mentioned this app in a post from the other day but wanted to mention it again now that I have had a chance to try it out.  I have the app downloaded to both my cell phone (a Samsung Galaxy that I am not a fan of...I really miss my EVO) and my Kindle Fire (LOVE)!  I found it while just doing a search on different fitness apps available, liked what I saw and downloaded it.

I finally tried a workout this past Sunday after my cardio.  This is the actual workout I did and I gotta say...for a 25 minute workout, it was pretty good!  Almost like a condensed version of the boot camp class I take at the Y a few nights a week.  Some of the features I like about the app are the workout preview so you can check out the entire workout before starting it...this also includes step by step instructions of each of the moves.  A 'trainer' will talk you through the entire workout (the voice is rather annoying, but it is what it is...you could upgrade to the 'pro' version for a few more trainer options).  Rest periods are built into each workout, and it gives you a calorie count (estimated) that accumulates as the workout progresses.  There are so many different workouts available on the free version, I am not sure an upgrade to the pro version will ever be necessary!  You can choose from three different intensity levels, search for workouts based on the area you wish to workout; search by cardio, weights, full body, running, yoga, etc.  I've even come across P90X workouts, CrossFit WODs, army-type workouts...even just a two-minute drill like wall sits or planks.

I think this app really takes away more excuses for people not to workout.  There are short workouts, long workouts, workouts that require no extra equipment...really...no excuses not to workout.