New Year = New Goals

Oh September, you've come around once more.

With the 615 Sqn Training year beginning this week I think it's time for us, as a staff, to get ourselves in gear and get ready for this here little fitness challenge. I am going to post my goals here and encourage each of you to set your own so that *fingers crossed* it will be met and so that we can all encourage each other.

My Goals:

To lose 18 lbs by the Xmas break.
To go to the gym at least 3 times per week
To do one non-gym related fitness activity a week

Good Luck with setting yours

Goal Reached--Well kinda

So I've reached a goal of sorts....
I'm going to lay it out...I was big, heavy and unhealthy! No other way to put it. I had wanted to be under a certain weight by this birthday. I was a little apprehensive about admitting my weight on this here interwebz because, well, it'll be out there for everyone to see. However, if everyone can see it and my progress then I can be accountable and continue to stride toward my over all goal of awesome!

So here it is kids...I wanted to be under 200 lbs by my B-day(which is next week). Well, unless by some miracle or level of divine intervention that is NOT going to happen. HOWEVER I choose to focus on the positive. Since Dec 1/09 I have lost a total of 38 lbs and a whopping total of 15 inches! I'd say hooray for small victories but those victories are huge. I have come further in the past 8 mos then I could have ever imagined. I still have 8 lbs to go but as long as they are off by December 1 this year I'll feel pretty good. I did plateau a bit, as anyone does in their journey but I am sticking with it.

I hope that if you are reading this that you realize that anyone can get healthy. I am a testament to this. I am about as 'broken' as a person can be and I managed to do it. All you need is a positive attitude and some friends to help you along the way. This is NOT lip service. I am known for my brutal honesty and right now I speak the truth.

Now I think it's time for me to be setting some new goals--I'll keep you posted on my path to Awesome.

Crunching Some Numbers

So...if I take a week off running, it adds about 2:oomins to my 4.6kms time. It takes me a week of running (3x4.6kms) to gain a minute back. So for every week off it takes two to recover. Gee, I think I'm done taking weeks off!

On the other hand, my hard/long run is now my easy run and the new hard/long run is... hard...and long!

Still on track to run 10kms in the Yellowknife Marathon on August 15th. Although not as far along as i thought I would be, after a motivating conversation with my brother, I've revised my goals for this run. Will update later as they may change again!

Happy run, run, running!

Back On The Horse

I am also removing myself from the "Fail List"! It started when I was planning a trip to Yellowknife to visit my brother in August. I loved him dearly until this conversation. He said he would think of cool stuff for us to do while I was there. And he did... Next thing I know there's a post on my wall on Facebook that says, "Want to run 10kms with me in the Yellowknife Marathon while you're here?" I thought about it for a few days, and then committed. Turns out the 10kms is actually a walk so we'll be the only ones running and can only race ourselves. My kind of race! Although I'll still come in last.

Anyway, I started running again about a month ago. I started at 5mins running and one walking. Up to 10mins running and one walking now. I've had some great runs, some terrible runs and some that felt good because at least I went.

Not sure if I'll be ready for the 10kms. I am at 4.62kms about 2-3 times per week right now. I'll begin posting my progress.

Here's to being on the horse!

Summer's Coming

With the arrival of the warm weather and having made it successfully through our first of many long weekends we are reminded that Summer is Coming! I don't want to say it's here but it may as well be. With the sunny days and inevitable vacation coming on it is easy enough to fall into the trap of the patio/beach/pool zombie. Before you get out the Lounge chair and Kool-aid remember that this is THE PERFECT time to so something. ANYTHING. I'm not saying that hanging out isn't in my day planner....trust me it is but this time of year is the best time to be active and it doesn't have to cost you anything. Go for a hike, play some tennis, go for a swim in one of our MANY lakes, play some touch football on The Commons. Make sure to bring lots of water and wear sunscreen. Over these next few months the goal should be to take in and do as much as you can. Enjoy it because as we all know winter will have a grip on us sooner rather than later.

No Longer On Fail And Loving It!

In my last post I pointed out the fact that my fitness was on fail--well epic fail really--but no longer. I took a step and signed up for a 'Boot Camp'. The simple premises of a boot camp work out is to do really intense workouts in a very small space of time. I had to take it one step further because we all know I always have to be ambitious. I'm in my second week of Kettlebell Boot Camp.

You may ask yourself- "what is a kettlebell?". The long answer - it's a weight that looks like a cannon ball with a handle used to work multiple muscle groups and increase cardio. The short answer-the most amazing piece of fitness equipment EVER. This class is an intense 45 min weight training and cardio session that leaves your exhausted with a huge smile on your face. It's prefect for me because it's 'only 45 mins' but give you a crazy workout. I've been doing it for 2 weeks now and already see positive changes in how I feel. I've even been made to go up to the 30lbs weight where last week I started out at 25lbs and THAT was rough. My instructor Julie is AMAZING. She and her fiancee have had tremendous results with this class so when she tells you to do something you know it's worth it. If you'd like more info check out Julie Mac Fitness (http://juliemacfitness.com)

I am on life Fail!

Remember when I posted my list of goals and I mentioned that I had 2 conflicting facets of my personality? Yeah, well, lazy/procrastinator is winning. I'm totally calling myself out on this because by not doing it I'm just lying to myself and you can really only do that for so long before it gets tired.

Confession 1--Exercise Fail

I haven't worked out since football workshop 2 weeks ago--to be fair I couldn't really do more than waddle for the first 4 days afterward but I could have done some yoga(my poor excuse for a practice on Sunday does not count)

Confession 2--Diet Fail

I haven't eaten a proper amount of food for a day in a while--I've been a carbotarian mostly which is terrible--totally need to revisit the food guide and my "How it All Vegan" to ensure I'm getting proper protein.

Confession 3-General Attitude Fail
I'm starting to defeat myself because I no long feel those goal are attainable due to my schedule. I'm finding my life is getting in the way of me living. I fail at me time.


So I am asking you to remind me (not lecture me) as to why I'm doing this and encourage me to keep going.