finally coming out of the flu fog....

Well, this was supposed to be a fitness blog, but this week it is turning into a sick blog. Last Sunday night over dinner our 6 year old remarked nonchalantly that he was not feeling well, and a quick temperature check revealed 103 fever. Into bed he went, and stayed the next 2 days, sleeping pretty much all day and night. If you have an active 6 year old you know that they must be really sick to stay in bed!

Thank goodness for my parents, who stayed home with him. Tuesday night though I felt a tweak in my throat and just didn't feel good - well, the next morning I had over 103 fever! So my parents had 2 patients to take care of, while my husband was trying his best to stay healthy, since he had a crazy week.

We ended up taking Sky to the pediatrician on Friday, since he started developing some secondary infection (he has mild asthma). Sure enough, they confirmed the flu (they don't test for H1N1 or seasonal anymore), plus some bacterial stuff on top. I called in to translate, the the doc questioned all my symptoms and ordered me to stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids, since they were certain I had the flu as well.

I have never had the flu, also never had a flu shot in my live (I am not a big believer in too many shots and worry about the side effects of the shot more then the flu), so I knew I had it. Today is day 4, and this afternoon I am finally feeling a little more normal again. Enough to get up and sit at the laptop for a while, waiting for trick-or-treaters to come around to at least get a glimpse at the party!

I am a little worried about loosing a lot of strength in those days and are eager to get back to a workout. Actually, right now is the first time I can even think about working out, to be honest.... I know I will wait another day or two, but can't stop wondering about how much muscle I am loosing in my lethargy. I am not worried having had too much food, since all I could handle was some apple slices, some joghurt, a few slices of challah bread with butter, and tons of herbal tea and grapefruit juice (gotta get that Vitamin C!!).

Again, a big Thank you to my parents, who have been absolute life savers this week, I can only pray that they and hubby are not getting it now! Hopefully I will be back at work on Monday, I am going on a business trip Wed through Friday, so I need to be fit again! And back to working out as well, will keep you posted on how it is going!

But now, back to bed.... hot water bottle on belly.....

Angie's workouts

It is not even 6:30 am, and I am done with my workout for the day - Hoorayh!!! 20 minutes of intervals on the Nordic Track, followed by 4 rounds of Angie's mini lower body challenge no. 1: reverse lunges, squats, sgl leg step-up, squat jumps.

Wow, that combo made me huff and puff and work up a sweat! I am in the middle of a 24 hour fast right now, started at 11am yesterday, but have to say that I had lots of energy for the workout and felt really great. I started doing the fast a few weeks ago, one day a week, usually Monday noon to Tuesday noon works really well for me. Besides a few minutes of hunger, that go away with lots of herbal tea and water, I feel actually really good, and it is so liberating not having to think about lunch, snacks, etc. A few more hours to go and I have a nice oatmeal waiting for me at work, and red beets and kale with goulash probably after a lunch time walk around the neighborhood.
The sun is finally shining again and the temps are climbing up - I am not ready yet for winter!

I forgot....

I just got myself a TRX! (http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/) Have been debating if it is worth the $150 for me, but ended up getting it brand new on Ebay for $60! So after Tabatas today I will give the TRX a spin - will report on DOMS in the next couple of days! :-)

Weekend is here!

This week has been pretty good. I did my workouts, and tried to add a few days with early morning easy cardio. Today is Saturday, early afternoon, and I have not done my workout yet. Weekends always seem to be so much harder, even though I have more time (or should have more time!). But I will do my Tabatas today, no excuse!

Food has been okay, 90% clean and healthy. I still think I overdo it even with the healthy food. Nuts.... healthy, but not if you eat tons of them! I make my own trailmix with raw nuts and cocoa beans and a few dried fruits, and I easily eat 3 to 5 handfuls every day. Which is probably the reason why I am not loosing weight.

I really enjoy the community on Angies site and slowly getting to know my fellow "fit chicks". You guys are a cool bunch!

It is rainy and cold, and we have to clean up the house. My parents are coming for a 3 week visit from Germany next Friday. They are the coolest parents anyone could wish for, yet still, my Mom is visiting, so I even press the bedding! :-) Help, I am turning into my Mother! Which is, to be fair, not a bad thing in my case! Can't wait for them to be here: I can get up in the morning and leave without having to pack lunches, wake up a cranky 6 year old and get him ready, having to rush work to be home on time to either pick up our son or have dinner with him and hubby.... Dinner will be on the table, the house will be clean, homework will be done - I love my parents visiting!!!!

So far, so good!

After last weeks downhill race I am committed to doing much better this week. No matter what my other half eats or does! He will come around I hope at his pace, as much as I want to force it.
Did my workout yesterday and today, and just had some dental surgery done this afternoon. They had to take some bone out in the back to allow the dentist access to a cavity that formed below the gum line. Not fair, I am such a stickler for dental hygiene! But well, it's done now, I am happy on a double dose of Ibuprofen, and hopefully I will be okay tomorrow for a workout during lunch time. I will see how I feel, but at least some cardio should be okay. This is what the bike or elliptical are for!

I decided to make Monday from noon until Tuesday noon my 24 hour fast day. I did Brad Pilons Eat stop Eat last year for a couple of months, but somehow didn't stick with it. Interestingly enough the 24 hour fast comes very easy to me (well, the first 20 hours are easy, the last 4 are pure will power!!). But I really like that I don't have to think about packing lunch, snacks, etc. for the day, it is pretty freeing! So besides eating healthy, wholesome foods I will have 1 fast day a week. So when I have my "junkie days" it hopefully will not register too badly on my health! And I know that I always have those days every once in a while, and its okay. Life is short, and sometimes chocolate and cake are your best friends!

2 days down this week, 5 more to come, and Angie I promise you, I will stick with the program this week! :-)

week one Sunday night reflection

The first week is over, and I have to admit that I am not too proud of what I did. I started out great for the first few days, workouts good, food good, motivation good. Towards the end of the week it all started crumbling. At first I felt it was just a day, but that day turned into 2, then 3.

So I had basically 3 rest days instead of one, and those with bad food choices. We took a road trip today and I got to talk it over with my husband. He is pretty overweight, and right now does not watch at all what he is eating.

He goes on an Atkins style diet every once in a while, which I don't agree with at all, but its his choice. At least we cook and eat very healthy when he is on it, so in that regards I am loving it! Well, he brought home so much junk, and ate so much crab, that I think I got really angry at him for eating so badly and gaining all the weight back, that he had lost in his last Atkins try, that as a response I eat crab as well!

I never thought about it, but I think I get in this "who cares" mode when I get angry at him. Not exactly a good reaction, especially since I blame him basically for not taking care of himself, and then I find myself in exactly the same situation!! How dumb is this??? I get angry at him for doing what then I do as well!

Well, the bright side is that I feel that I am aware of something now, that I was not aware of before. I will pack away the junk food in the house before I go to bed today and prepare for this new week.

Back to working out and eating well, because I am worth it and I can take care of myself!!!!

Rant over.... time to put away the empty calories, and I will do a few squats and push ups for good measure as well....

Finally weekend!

Friday night, and the week is over - at least the workweek! I am ready for some relaxation and time for my workouts, feel really stressed today. I did well until now, did my workouts plus some very light easy cardio, took a few walks, ate well, and just right now, Friday night, with our little guy at a dogeball event, I crashed. I had brought home a box of caramel candy, that one of my customers gave me today. Well, I should have just had one or two and called it a day. Instead I watched my husband eat them all, feeling all superiour due to my willpower. Then he went to bed early (he gets up at 3am during the week), and I was alone in the kitchen. Major cravings! I started with some nuts, then some of my home made "Larabars", some yoghurt, but nothing hit the spot.

Well, half a bar of chocolate and 3 big twizzlers later, I realized that I really wanted a caramel (they were the artisinal made, very delicous ones, not the cheap grocery store type), and that I should have just had one...

Lesson learned! I know that I will do some extra physical activity tomorrow, so hopefully this binge will not blow my whole week.

The weather is just lovely right now, very beautiful autumn with all the leaves starting to turn, and we had over 80 degrees today in Maryland. Just gorgeous! This weekend should see me inline skating and biking and enjoying the sun (hopefully that rain front will be very slow and not come until Monday!).

Wednesday, day 3

It was interval day yesterday, which I kept short and sweet. Did a nice 30 minute power walk over lunch to soak up some rays and enjoy the sunny fall days here in DC.

Started the day with 15 easy minutes on the bike and some stretching, and then did workout B from the October workout over lunch in the gym. Those weights started being really heavy on the 3rd round!! I enjoy that type of workout a lot, since I get my heart rate up while still getting the weight training.

I am having green smoothies this week for breakfast (a few fistfuls of organic spinach, a banana, some raw organic cocoa beans, some maca, a spoonful of protein powder). Snack is nuts and an apple, lunch is usually left over dinner: some protein with green, like grilled salmon and brussel sprouts today. Some yoghurt for a snack, and dinner (meatballs with tomatoe sauce today). I have been doing pretty well on the diet side, and really hope that I can keep it up! Diet is my downfall, and I don't want the creep to happen.

Now the house is quiet, with son and husband sleeping, and I am enjoying some "me"time....

Monday, Oct. 5th

So far so good - started my day at 5:30am with 15 minutes on the bike to get the juices flowing. I decided last night to do a 24 hour fast, so only had lots of water for breakfast.
Gym and workout A for lunch at the gym, it felt good! Those overhead squats holding 15 pounds really got my heart rate up fast. It was short and sweet, 15 minutes plus warm-up and stretching at the end. More water and herbal tea.

Once I set my mind to it, those short fasts are really easy for me, my stomach grumbles every once in a while, but the hunger is not bad at all. Broke the fast after 23 hours with a few nuts and and apple, then grilled salmon, green beans, and Greek yoghurt for dinner. I feel full and happy right now!

Stats beginning of challenge

weight: 140 lbs
chest: 88 cm/34.6 inches
waist 78 cm/30.7 inches
hip 95 cm/37.4 inches
thigh 56 cm/22 inches
calve 35 cm13.8 inches
arm 30 cm/11.8 inches

My goals are: to get below the 135 lbs mark.
To do 30 good form push ups (currently 20 to 25 max)
Do 5 wide grip pull ups (currently 3)
Fit into a size 4
Be a healthy and fit role model for my 6 year old son, so that I can teach him good eating habits, all the sports I like, plus learn a few new ones with him!

My biggest obstacles: eating while at work!!! And I am surrounded by sweets at work (I work for a gourmet food company with an R&D kitchen and 3 wonderful pastry chefs, and have chocolates on my desk at any given time as samples).
I have a sedentary job and don't move enough.
My husband, who is a chef and cooks the most delicious, unhealthy food :-)
Motivation: I need a good kick in the rear sometimes!

How to overcome the obstacles: I will try to add more activity to my day.
I will have apples or veggies every time I am tempted to eat junk at work.
I will do 10 to 15 minutes of easy cardio every morning to get the blood flowing.
Hopefully this group will hold me accountable and we will all support each other!

Day 1 of loose 10 pounds for the Holidays

I am still not sure if I should post here, or on the FitChick site. Almost seems easier when it is all together there.... I think I will post my stats on the group site, but for the record, I am now at 140 lbs (up 5 lbs from the end of the 90 day LGN challenge).

Today was clean up day diet wise. I have been really eating bad for the last few weeks after doing the Elimination diet fairly strict for almost 3 months. Today I got back to eliminating sweets, no coffee, no wheat, no dairy, but yes, I had a glass of wine with friends...

I did a short 12 minute kettlebell workout in the backyard, swings, snatches, cleans, rows. Felt good, was my first workout in a week due to a bad cough and cold! I inline skated with my son for a while, did some housework, and we took a walk through the woods. So nothing spectacular workout wise, but at least active! Just got the Angie's workouts, and will do workout A tomorrow in the gym over my lunch break.

A new challenge

After finishing Dax Moy's 90 day LGN challenge in July I had lost about 8 pounds, but didn't keep going as strong as I would want to. So it is time for a new challenge, new online support, new fitness buddies, and a new attitude! And getting in shape and loosing more pounds before the holidays sounds just like the thing I need.
Tomorrow, Sunday the 4th, will be my official start to a new round on the road to fitness!