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 :)