Gym Day Two

Have I mentioned how much better I feel after being back in the gym just two days?!  Yesterday I was trying to find an excuse not to go and today I was really looking forward to it.  Even the walk over to the gym was nice.  It was just starting to sprinkle and it really cooled things off. 

Today was a focus on cardio.   I was on the treadmill for 35 minutes.  I jogged half of it (GO ME) and walked the rest.  It was a brisk walk but after not jogging in at least a month it was nice to know that I still could.  Still working up to being able to jog the whole time but that I going to take some practice and more gym time.  I was very pleased with what I had done and am looking forward to doing better then next time around.

PROOF

For all my fellow runners, this isn't a bad start right?!  Granted the jog was only at 5mph and the walk was at 3.5mph.  I wasn't going for the gold I just wanted to burn some calories.  WHICH by the way brings me to my next subject.  Why is it that it was on the eliptical for 30 minutes yesterday and burned close to 400 calories and only sweat a little bit, while today I was on the treadmill for 35 minutes, burned 300 calories and sweat my arse off?!  I am confused I guess.  Maybe this difference in the machines?  Difference in the work out?  

All I do know is that I really like riding my bike over being in the gym!  That is a FOR SURE.

Gym day one

I had a great visit to the gym yesterday and I am actually looking forward to going back again today.  It was a cardio day on the eliptical with a few ab workouts in the end just because.  Topped off by some great stretching.  I needed that so badly.

My attitude has been awful lately.  Maybe it is the weather.  But working out is releasing those endorphins that I need to make me feel better.  I must keep it up. Next on the agenda is a long cardio workout at the gym today.  I was going to check out a new group ride closer to home but it looks like the weather is going to be just as crappy today as the rest of the week has.  This isn't a good thing for my cycling, since I refused to go out in the rain and ride.  It is going to be to more indoor cycling and gym workouts for me.

back on the wagon

AGAIN....

I took a brisk walk during lunch today in the extreme heat.  It wasn't too bad.  I stayed on the streets with an abundance of shade.  It made it a little less like Hell.  It wasn't until I stopped to get my lunch that the sweat really started to roll.  Overall I was happy to be out of the office and working off the 5lbs of weight gain I have had since March.  I have a long way to go people.

I have my weekly Wednesday night ride tonight with St. John's Cycle.  I am looking forward to being with friends and riding my new bike again.  Tonight I might even get my name on the bike.  That will be awesome!  I missed last week because of a meeting and I didn't ride this weekend because of Mr. J and his surgery/recovery.  It is going to be fun.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  This time last year I was working towards a goal with the assistance of a coach (David Houle from D2 Cycling Center, the best coach in Central FL).  I did most of the work on my own.  I had a workout schedule to follow and lots and lots of advice from my coach but I went to gym on my own 5 days a week, I road 3 days a week and I was dedicated and it worked.  I conquered my goal in style and I lost almost 25 lbs doing it.  This year I have goals but no motivation.    I always find an excuse for not going.  Yesterday I actually told me husband it was too hot to walk to the gym and workout!  How stupid is that?!  I would be sweating my butt off at the gym anyway.  That is a grand excuse. 

If money were no object, I would love to be able to get a trainer to help me achieve my goals.  Someone that I would have to be honest with and in turn be honest with myself.  Sounds silly huh?  Why can't I be honest with myself?  I have so many goals that I have set for myself this year and the year is half over and I haven't achieved one of them.  I need guidance and words of wisdom I suppose.

113 miles!

In one weeks time I rode 113 miles!  I am so excited.  :)  4 days of rides, 3 of those in a row.  This is definitely a good thing.  I am happy to be back out on the road.  I feel better, stronger and happier.  I have a long way to go to get back to the cycling strength that I had in September of last year but this is most certainly a step in the right direction.

Last night was just an added bonus and what put me over the 100 mile mark for the week.  I had a quick fit at D2 and was done in time to saddle up with the Mellow Monday ride.  A nice 18 miler, moderate speeds, no pushing the pace.  It was good to ride with friends that I haven't ridden with in months.  I accomplished some things last night on my bike that I haven't been able to do ever.  It was a thrill and the highlight of my day.

Having this new bike has ignited the flame in me to accomplish my goals that I set up for myself at the beginning of the year.  I welcome the challenge now and I want to push myself to see that nothing stops me from achieving! :)

Mar 24th 2011

March 24th 2011!  That was the last time that I was in here to post anything.  Probably around the time that life got really busy and complicated. Around the time that I gave up on fitness and healthy eating habits.  Sad I know.

Since then I have received comments from friends and acquaintances regarding starting up my blog again.  I didn't realize how many people were reading my blog and we actually drawing inspiration from it.  That makes a girl smile! :D

I am back.  100% I am back.  I am going to resume to my fitness journey.  I am going to lose the 5 pounds that I have gained back. :(

I started this past weekend with an old fashioned ride withe Seminole Cyclists. I felt so great on Saturday after my 35 mile ride that I was ready for my 38 mile ride on Sunday.  Although my legs weren't ready for the back to back rides.  I haven't done that is so long that it took a lot of effort to get myself back to the parking lot. I still managed an 18 mph average for both rides.  To me that is just impressive for an out of shape cyclist. ;)

I have a new ride that I need to introduce.

I love it!  Full carbon, great response time, light and stiff.  I just have to get used to the saddle. OUCHIE  I have a bike fit appointment tonight with David Houle from D2 Cycling so that I am going to be 100% ready for the road.  I am looking forward to it.  In the process of selling my other bike.  Hopefully I can get asking price for it.  If you know anything that is looking for a really great starter bike for an awesome price send them my way.  It is posted online here www.bikeflock.com.

This week is filled with lots of activities, work, minor surgery and family time.  I will be sure to make my blog a priority not only to my readers but to myself.  I need to get back to keeping myself honest about my eating and my activities.  Wish me luck.

Motivation Less

Last nights ride was hard.  I felt good when I got there but having to start hard out of the parking lot to catch the group and then having the pace line start out hard (18-19) on the incline, in a head wind it just killed my legs.  I was having a really hard time catching my breath and I felt really dehydrated.  Thank goodness for some really great friends and hubby that hung back to pick me up and waited for me at the stop sign.  I just don't think that I would have been able to finish all alone.  I was ready to turn around and go back.  At one point I was asked if I wanted to SAG (put my bike in the back of the assistance truck and have him take me back to the shop) but I knew that I didn't want to do that.  I wanted to push through it.  Part of me knew that this was the push that I needed to finish the ride.  At this point we were only 4 to 5 miles in and I had a long way too go.  I got in the middle of a great pace line and we took off again.  I felt great.  P was talking me through and reminding me to drink water the entire time.  I really think that his support is what helped me to finish.  Thank goodness for the tail wind once we turned around.  The added push was what we all needed.

I did go out with the faster group.  I did get dropped.  But I pushed through and made it through my 19 miles.  I feel good about my determination.  Next week will be better for sure.  I know that everyone goes through these little humps.  I have to remind myself that this is beginning of the season (at least it is for me) and I that I have a long way to go to get back into the cycling shape that I was in at the end of last year.  I look forward to that day. 

Tomorrow I will participating in a fun social ride the 3rd annual Bike Park to the Park that the City of Winter Park is hosting.  I just love this event.  It is a lot of fun.  We will see every kind of cyclists there.  Mom's with babies, hard core racers, trikes and recumbents.  The best part is the we are promoting the healthy lifestyle that comes along with the cycling.  What better way to start my Friday than with a bike ride.

Cycling Day

It is Wrong Way Wednesday today and I need it so badly.  After dealing with Strep throat for two weeks (both kiddos) and having to pick up the boy child early from school today I think that a little hard work on my part is just what I need to do recharge.  I am going to try and go out with the faster group tonight and hold on.  It might take every ounce of energy that I have in my body but it is worth a shot.  It is a gorgeous day and it should be a beautiful night.  I have been eating pretty darn good for two days so that should help.  I am already up to glass number 4 of water hopefully I will be at #6 or #7 by ride time. 

I have missed this so much.  Thank you daylight savings time for bringing back my night rides. :)