Ouch

After work yesterday, I went to the gym with Jennifer (10th day in Dec). I was really looking forward to running! I hopped on a treadmill and started the Week One, Run Two session and had to stop about 10 minutes into the session because of the extreme pain/tightness in my shins and calves. Just when I thought I was making progress! I felt really discouraged last night stopping a third of the way in. Spending the rest of my time on the elliptical didn't feel very satisfying. Anyway, I think I might be dehydrated so my plan is to drink MUCH more water. I also plan to do some stretching before and after my runs and take more epsom salt baths. I hope that will help!

I'm just about ready to leave the office and I am feeling sooo drained! Thank goodness the work day is over!

I have a busy night ahead but I'll fill you in tomorrow.

LJ

P.S. I do have some exciting news - I weighed myself this morning and I've lost almost 10 pounds since I started going to the gym again! So happy!

P90X

A while ago I bought the P90X program. I was planning on starting it but, since I was doing personal training at the time, I checked with my trainer and she said that it would interfere with my program.

Now that I'm no longer doing personal training, I'm thinking that it would be a good time to start to program. It'll be a little hard to commit to it right before Christmas so it's going to be my New Year's resolution. My parents will also be going away for a few months at the beginning of the year so my goal is to shock them when they get back to town. I'm hoping to be well on my way to achieving my fitness goals.

I love that I've been back and the gym and that I'm feeling inspired! The next step is really getting healthy with my diet and stepping up the workouts!

For now, I'm heading to bed - it's over 2 hours past my bedtime...oops!

Night night and sweet dreams,

LJ

Last Saturday Before Christmas

Well, today was a busy day! I ended up going to bed fairly early last night which is good because I had to be up early today. I had an appointment at my salon in Orleans at 10:45 so I had to catch a bus at 9:00 to get there on time. I woke up a little bit later than planned which lead to me forgetting cards and a gift AGAIN.

Because the bus was running late, my mom picked me up at the bus stop at the mall in Orleans and gave me a ride to the salon. Afterwards, we went to Cora's for breakfast and then to do some shopping for my Dad. By the time all of that was finished it was almost supper time so I ended up going over there for dinner and to watch some hockey again.

I got home at a reasonable time and now I'm going to relax, play with the cats, watch some TV and head to sleep! I need to be well-rested for the Dolphins game tomorrow!

LJ

I made it!

Friday is here! Finally! On top of that, there is only a week left until Christmas. I'm just about ready but I have a couple more gifts to pick up but I'm going to wait until I get paid early next week.

I got my hair done last night. It wasn't faded enough to go the colour that I showed you on Wednesday but it did change from burgundy to copper so it is a little more vibrant and bright. I'll post a picture when one is taken.

I'm going for a later lunch with a friend I used to work with. We'll be going to Baton Rouge Restautant which is just around the corner from my office.

I don't have much on the go tonight. Jenn will be picking me up at my house around 5:30 so that we can go to the 6:00 Body Pump class. Afterwards I'd like to do some chores and finish my Christmas cards (finally).

Just got a message from my friend so I'm heading out to eat now!

LJ

Frazzled

After work yesterday evening, I managed to get to M&M before it closed to buy some dip for the party today - I also ran over to Sobey's to grab a whole wheat baguette to go with the Spinach/Cheese/Artichoke dip.

I had planned to do so many other things but, at about 6:30 pm, I was too tired to eat anything, let alone make supper. So, I headed to bed early! I ended up waking up at 9:00 or so because I was starving. I ate a couple of handfuls of Shreddies cereal and watch the 3rd period of the Senators game and then went back to sleep.

So, needless to say, I didn't really get anything done:

• I didn't cut up the baguette for the pot luck and I forgot to bring a knife with me to work so I was stuck using a plastic knife.
• I didn't finish my Christmas cards so I wasn't able to drop them off at the Central Post Office.
• I didn't even bring a blank one to write in for Joanna (my hairdresser) so I couldn't give it to her at my appointment. I also forgot to pick up a gift for her.

Since I didn't really have any time to myself last night I just felt frazzled and like I was always one step behind. I'm hoping that tonight I'll be a little more productive after my appointment so that I can feel more like myself tomorrow!

LJ

 

Random Day

Well - big surprise - another busy day. I'm feeling a little strange and emotionally drained but I'm pressing on as they say.

I picked up my gift for our branch gift exchange tomorrow ($10 or less so I bought a $10 gift card for Tim Horton's). After work I'll need to pick up some baguette and cheese/artichoke/spinach dip for the pot luck part of the event.

I also need to do a bit more Christmas shopping. I thought I was finished last week but I came up with a new list for myself the other day. I'm planning on doing some this week but most of it after pay day next week.

I ALSO need to finish my Christmas cards tonight! I have a hair appointment in the east end tomorrow evening. I'll be going to my parents' house for dinner first and then my Mom has offered a ride home. She also said we could stop at the central post office to speed up the delivery time. Phewf!

Speaking of hair appointment - I'm thinking of doing something a little bit different this time. I still want to stick with red hair but I'd like to make it a little more bright and vibrant. I'm thinking of something like the picture I've posted.

In the meantime, I have to run to another meeting.

I'll let you know how my hair turns out!

LJ

Running, Running to You

I have been thinking about starting my running program again (Couch to 5K from CoolRunning.com). I knew that I was going to the gym (9th day in December) with Jenn to do cardio tonight and, even though I have been sticking with the elliptical machine, I was considering trying the treadmill again.

I've tried to start running a few times since I broke my leg (don't worry - it's fully healed) but the pain in my knees and shin muscles was too strong for me to continue (even at my brisk walk pace).

So tonight, armed with my gym buddy on the elliptical behind me, I hopped on a treadmill and started track 1. I felt extra pressure to get through the entire 30 minute track but told myself that I would stop if I thought there was risk of injuring myself. Well, all of those lunges and squats I've been doing must have paid off! I did experience a little bit of pain in my shins (so I stretched them out quickly while I was in the walking intervals) but I managed to get through the entire session! After I was finished, I spent an extra 15 minutes on the elliptical at a slow pace.

Week 1 - Day 1 - Couch to 5K

Brisk five-minute warmup walk.
Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
Finishe with five minutes of walking to cool down.

After the gym, Jenn was stopping at Subway so she asked if I wanted to pick something up. I went with her and bought a ham sandwich. It was nice that I didn't have to cook because I was REALLY hungry after that run!

I must say, I'm pretty proud of myself! I'm hoping that I'll be able to finish the program by the end of February (since Christmas and New Year's Eve/Day will affect my schedule).

Wish me luck!

LJ

P.S. for a little bonus - click on the title of this post to hear what's in my head right now :)

Where Did the Weekend Go?

I really can't believe how fast the weekends fly by! It was another busy day at the office and another night at the gym (7th day in December). Jennifer and I attended the 5:30 BodyPump class. It was interesting to see another instructor for a change. One thing I didn't enjoy about this class was that there was a camera set up to record the instructor but it was also recording us in the mirror. I just happened to be front and centre so someone will have a nice view of my workout later on. Awesome.

In other news, I think that a girl I went to either high school or elementary school lives near me in Barrhaven. I've seen her a few times on the express bus when I was going home and she got off just a few stops before mine. She was also in the class tonight - we sort of smiled at each other. We weren't in the same grade so I have no idea if she remembers me (especially without the blonde hair). Who knows!? It would be nice to know another person in Barrhaven though - especially someone who goes to my gym!

Well, time to hop in the shower and watch the Sens-Habs game.

Have a great night,

LJ

Temptation - 1, LJ - 0 (BUT - Miami - 14, Jacksonville - 10)

Alright - so we already know that I'm a fan of the Miami Dolphins. I don't really know how I became a fan I just know that I always have been. I also know that, as a Fins fan living in Ontario, it's not easy to get my team's games on regular TV. If they're playing New England or the Jets or if they're playing prime time for MNF or TNF then it's more likely that I'll be able to watch the game.

This summer, I bought a new flatscreen 42" HDTV to be able to watch the Sens and Fins in full HD. I even caved and payed for all of the western channels in HD hoping to catch more Miami games. This wasn't the case. So, I resorted to the default - go to Boston Pizza for games that aren't televised. Last year I went with one of my friends pretty much every Sunday. He wasn't even a big football fan but, by the end of the season, he was cheering for my Dolphins. We always had a blast! This year, he has a girlfriend so we've only gone once. I have another friend who's a big football (Bills) fan but he's not exactly the most reliable. So, for some of the games I was stuck watching updates or following on NFL.com.

Today, the Fins play their biggest game yet - against another team trying to get a wildcard spot (Jacksonville). The game wasn't on regular TV, no one was able to go to the pub with me and I really didn't feel like watching text updates online. Sooo...I called Rogers and ordered the Super Sports Pack which includes NFL Sunday Ticket along with pretty much every other sports game you can thing of (football, hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, etc).

I can't believe I gave in to temptation...but it was definitely worth it. The end result: Miami over Jax. Go Fins Go!

LJ

Family Day

I'm heading over to my parents' house this afternoon. We'll be having supper, relaxing and probably watching some hockey later on. They're leaving in less than three weeks so I'm looking forward to spending some time with them!

LJ

Pumped Up!

I had my 7th December gym day - not too shabby! This was our 2nd Friday night BodyPump class and it went much better now that my muscles were reminded of some of the moves. I shouldn't be as sore tomorrow - phewf!

Yesterday we had our branch Christmas luncheon. It started at 1:00 and the last few of us left the market's Hard Rock Café just after 4:00. I had planned to head home but I ended up staying at the Rideau Centre and getting my Christmas shopping finished. That's right - finished! I felt pretty good about it once I realized I was done - I even announced it to one of the sales guys even though he couldn't have been less interested in what I was saying. After I left Rideau, I caught an express bus on the MK bridge and was really happy to get a seat so that I could watch some more Lost on my iPod.

I'm going to go soak in some epson salts to help avoid being stiff all day tomorrow.
Have a great night!

LJ

Snowed In

Well, I wasn't really snowed in today but, Ottawa was hit with its first winter storm and it was quite a challenge to get to the office. There weren't a lot of people in, either. This week has been pretty busy but I've managed to stick with getting to the gym! I was supposed to take tonight off to get together with my parents and Aunt for supper but, because of the road conditions, that has been postponed. I'm disappointed but I was happy that I was able to make it to the gym after all. Here's what I've done the past few days:

Monday - December's 4th day at the gym (30 mins of elliptical - had to leave earlier for a dentist appointment)

Tuesday - December's 5th day at the gym (60 minute Newbody class - meh)

Wednesday (Today) - December's 6th day at the gym (45 mins of elliptical).

After the gym on Tuesday, I went out to get some groceries. I also went to a few stores with my Mom to help her pick out a present for my Dad.

There is another Newbody class at the gym tomorrow but Jenn has a work party in the evening so we'll be taking a night off. I can't say I'm disappointed to miss this class - it was a lot of choreography which I'm not all that great at and which means I'm not getting much out of the class.

Anyway, I'm home relaxing and should be on track to get to bed by 11:00 tonight.

Night night,

LJ

LJ is Lost

Wow - I've watched so much Lost recently that sometimes I feel like I'm on the island with everyone. If I'm started by a sound or sudden movement, my body overacts and goes into fight or flight mode. This show is so interesting and I love (almost) all of the characters and the way everything fits together. I highly recommend watching! I'm halfway through the 3rd season now so I really don't see any problems getting through the 4th and 5th season by the end of January. I have even been watching on my iPod at the gym while I do cardo and on the bus while I'm commuting to/from work.

I'm taking a 2nd day off from the gym today so I watched some Lost this morning and then went to my parent's house in the afternoon to watch Miami beat the Pats (woohoo!) and have some supper. Now I'm home and trying to stick with my plan of getting to bed by 11:00pm every night. I figure that I need to get more sleep than I normally get. I also want to have more routine in my life. Since I am going to the gym after work almost every day, I would like to be getting to bed at a regular time as well. I'm going to need lots of luck for this part! Anyway, it's almost 10:30 so I'm going to start getting ready for tomorrow and head to bed.

Sweet dreams,

LJ

Back on Track

So, it's true what they say - the best motivation is having a buddy to go with you to the gym. Jennifer and I went the last 3 evenings in a row and I feel amazing! Well, actually I'm feeling extremely sore today - I feel like I can hardly move! On Thursday we did our 2nd day of elliptical (45 minutes) and on Friday we did the 6pm BodyPump class. It's a shame that I'm so far back on my training because the class should have been a breeze for me...but it's okay - one step at a time, right? The important thing is that I'm back on track for the gym. Next week we will be starting earlier - Jenn will be picking me at 5:00 at my house so that we can do the 5:30 classes.

Today I'm taking a well-deserved day off from the gym and will be watching Lost pretty much all day! I'm kind of addicted to this show - it's so good!

Anyway, I need to do some more stretching before I get too stiff.

Have a great day!

LJ

Feeling Good!

Today my friend Jennifer and I started going to the gym together. For the longest time I have wanted a gym buddy so I am super excited that Jenn has decided to get back into the gym. We'll be aiming for 5 days/week - right after work. We went at 5:30 today and did 45 minutes of cardio. I'm feeling good about myself and I really feel like my relationship with the gym has been re-kindled!

LJ

Branch Retreat

I'm in the office - but about to leave for my brach's first retreat. It's all day at the Crown Plaza Hotel which is just down the street from our office. I believe we'll be working on an action plan for the branch and doing some "togetherness" activities. Hopefully everyone will have a good time! I'm about to walk over with some colleagues - wish me luck!

LJ