Trying Out New Gym Locations

I am a member of the Y in my area and there are quite a few locations to choose from. Mostly, I go to the one about 6 minutes away on my lunch break. There is also one that's about 15 minutes from my house that I go to on weekends, or the nicer one that is about 20 minutes away from my house.

I wanted to find one that is in between my house and my work so I went to the Shady Grove one on Monday. Its a nicer area, and I have come to realize that the nicer the area = the more people that go to the gym = the more people to judge you.

Now, don't take that the wrong way. The gym was nice, huge. The people weren't mean. But its just not as friendly as some of the other locations. I'm sure some of that was me, I get intimidated in new situations and so I avoid eye contact/conversations with new people. So that's something.

So, I'm standing in the "fitness" area trying to figure out the set up. there are about 10 treadmills squeezed one by one against a wall/window. In front of those are the ellipticals, different brands, each with their own weird options. I don't like ellipticals. I feel stupid on them, but guess what I ended up doing the longest? yup.

I tried the treadmill first. There is always that one in every gym that makes some weird noise when you get to a running pace. I ALWAYS FIND THIS ONE. I got to a running pace and it sounded like I had hammers on the bottoms of my shoes. So I opted for a 5 minute walking warm up and then weights. Then I did the dreaded elliptical and felt stupid. I just don't like all that bouncing motion I get. (and I don't mean from my -A boobs...just...everything else. My cheeks. My pony tail. My knees. But my boobs? nah.)

After this embarrassing spectacle I made of myself I did some sit ups and went home. There is a good chance no one even noticed I was in the gym. It was just one of those times I felt silly. Ever have those?

I returned to my go-to lunch time location yesterday and felt much more at home. Plus, only about 3 people are there when I am. So If I trip up on the treadmill or fall off the exercise ball, there are less witnesses :)

Winery!

Saturday = Girls Day.

It was the first Girl's Day that didn't involve Willow since...she was born, I think. Jessi H is getting married this Friday so we went to Colonial Beach for the night. We went to a 25,000 square foot antique mall and did about 3 miles of walking Saturday. We also went to a winery (a first for both of us! It's important to know how to make a proper sangria), and went to a kind of Tiki Bar to see a band.


So, this is kind of embarrassing, but I always thought sangria was just any kind of wine mixed with fruit and ginger-ale. Nope. Turns out the proper wine to use is Port. I'm not a big fan of the stuff, its a little strong tasting for me, but turns out it is perfect for sangria. Oak Crest Winery in King George, VA has a free wine tasting which was nice. It seems like a small winery but most of their wines were really good. There was one called Hot Jazz that had jalapeño juices in it. It would be awesome for cooking, not so much for drinking.


The hotel we stayed at has just been remodeled at the start of the summer, and it was right at the beach. It was a clean hotel but nothing fancy, but when you are coming from Bumpass that is not something required! The staff was nice though, and the rates were very reasonable. We stayed at Rivers Edge Inn.

I didn't know this, but Jessi H pointed out that the "sand" (aka pebbles) is where VA stops and Maryland ends. We ate nachos at a casino that was right over the water so technically we ate them in Maryland. That, for some reason was quite entertaining to us.

We had a great time, and it was nice to get out and go somewhere new.

When You Get In A Slump

What keeps you motivated when you get in a fitness slump?

I've been going to the gym at least a few times a week, plus weekends for about a month and a half now. I don't know if I just don't notice or what, but I feel like I look no different. Not that I was expecting to become a 6-packed, guns for arms, running machine or anything. I was just expecting a little more...firmness? Which, by the way, is hard to find in some areas after having kids. I don't care who you are.

Sometimes not seeing the results you want can leave you unmotivated. We have to remember that everything takes time, and its more about how you feel than how you look. (Right now I feel b-l-o-a-t-e-d)

Also, its good to switch it up a bit, or kick it up a notch. Try doing 20 reps instead of 15. Try adding 5 lb. to the weights. Go an extra quarter, half, or even whole mile. Try a group class. Any (or all) of those can be helpful.

I haven't ran outside in a while, so that will be one of my goals for next week. Maybe switching it up and getting some fresh air will help.

Still not seeing the results you want? Keep these in mind:

- Give your body a break. Those rest days allow those muscles to heal and strengthen.
- Drink enough water, if not your body will retain it.
- Sleep! Sleeping 8 hours (or trying) is essential for your body, mental focus, and well...everything
- Eat! Eat for fuel. I'm not saying skip the ice cream because that would be hypocritical of me. Ice cream can be fuel....right? Just be sure that the bulk of your food is veggies, fruits, grains and lean meats.
- Try cardio and weights. Doing cardio for at least 10 minutes before weights helps to speed up your metabolism and it warms those muscles up!
- Last on my list- Stretch! Before. After. Both.

from Theberry.com

So...I Took a Little Break...

Okay, lets go back about what? 2 months? Whoops!

I draw a sweet dirt family for Josh, and he draws a dinosaur. Romance isn't dead here! lol 

I'm just going to do a quick update and then get to it!

New happenings:
-Willow is 2...its terrific and terrifying at times
- I joined a gym. You can call me a gym rat, because I love it!
- I started back with school.
- We took Willow fishing for the first time and she was so good she took a nap on the boat.

Wow, nothing big ever really happens in my life. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.



Anyway. With everything going on in summer, I haven't been running like I was. I would rather come home after work and play with my daughter. I did join a gym and one of its locations isn't far from my job so I will go on my lunch breaks at least 2-3 times a week plus on the weekends too. I have an hour lunch, so I will fit in about 10 to 15 minutes of running on the treadmill, then weights. I also will do the elliptical but I hate it. That thing is just awkward.

Another reason I've been going to the gym more than running outside is because it has childcare. So on the weekends when I go I can take Willow. She gets to socialize and play with other kids while I do my thing. If we don't have errands to run then we will go to the pool after, which she loves too. I see it as a win/win.

I went to a new location Sunday, and it was the biggest gym I've been to yet. The Y in Ashland was 2 stories. It even had an indoor track. I was compelled to use the indoor track but then I saw the treadmills. They have touch screens! They have different "paths" you can take while running! Its like traveling virtually to Italy, Germany or other places. So, I had to try it. I ran 1.5 miles and loved it. After that I used the usual machines. Chest Press, Leg Press, and some that I can't remember the names. Let me just say, its Wednesday and I'm still sore. I'm going to my usual location at lunch today.

Another reason I've been shortening my runs is because I want to focus on other fitness goals. I would like to see an improvement in over all strength. I will always continue running as long as I continue fitness but since I have not signed up for any races I am not training for anything. I do enjoy seeing the difference in my strength in my arms, shoulders, back and legs. Abs are another thing. After have a baby those things might take years to build up!



Okay, so catch up is done. not much is new. But I will continue to write, just in case some one might be interested (but lets not get my hopes up here, okay?)

2

2 years ago today I was (impatiently) waiting the eviction notice I had given my unborn daughter to take effect.

She was 2 days past her due date, it's the middle of summer and I'm sweating places I didn't know where possible.

You wouldn't think 2 days is a big deal. But when you've gained 50+ pounds and your stomach is touching the tops of your thighs almost (to what felt like) your knees when you sat down, its a long wait.

2 days later, she was born (rather dramatically), via induction and emergency C-section. She had to be resuscitated, but she finally took in her first breath and she was here. 8 pounds, 9 ounces at 7:47 pm. The first thing I remember was hearing her sneeze. I didn't get to see her right away because of the resuscitation and my passing in and out, but when I did I feel in love instantly. Josh got to hold her first (you can't hold them while you are being sewn up) but I got to give her a kiss first, so it evened out.



Every day in the hospital I was elated and sad. Elated to have her here, my baby. For some reason this idea kept popping in my head "She will never be this small again, tomorrow she will be a little bigger." That was what made me sad. (blame the hormones)

I eventually forgot about that part because everyday was a new adventure and she slowly started getting her own little personality. I was also very sleep deprived some sleeping sitting straight up on our sofa for about 3 weeks.

Every minute with her, every day, has been a wonderful experience. Its hard, but worth it. I like to think that I'm a better person because of her. She made me hate less and love more. She is teaching me patience (that is an ongoing process).

These past 2 years have been amazing, and I'm so thankful to have our Willow in our lives. She is a sweet, wonderful girl. I also now realize that even though she is getting bigger every day, she will always be my baby, even at 6 feet tall.

Afternoon walks, Oatmeal Recipe and My Favorite Cleaner?

I went for a walk on my lunch break yesterday afternoon:


I am going to go on another one today, a longer one. The shoes I had on yesterday rubbed the bottoms of my feet a little raw, so I only walked for about 20 minutes.

I have a recipe that I came up with this week for oatmeal, I was at a loss for what to add to it to change it up, and I came up with this:

R.M.'s Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

1/2 cup old fashioned oats
3-4 strawberries, cut up
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1 capful of vanilla extract
1/2 cup of 1% milk
1/2 cup of water

Mix all the ingredients together and microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Its really good if you add some honey. Its okay if you add splenda, either way its best if you add some sort of sweetener.

Last night's work out consisted of scrubbing the bathtub crayon off my shower, scrubbing the walls in my bathroom and cleaning toilets. Hot, I know. Also did some core work and push ups. I could only do about 20 when I started, and its getting easier to get to 30!
 
More cleaning tonight, I think I'll tackle dusting and dishes. Woo. I ran out of my favorite cleaner last night. Pledge Mutli-Surfaces is my best friend right now. You can use it on glass, wood, electronics, anything. Plus it smells awesome. I need a lifetime supply of that stuff!

I better go!

 Happy Hersday!!

"Daddy Picked Me a Flower!"

3 More Days

What day is it?
Come on, you know.


HUMP DAY!!

The commercial with the camel reminds me every time.

So including today, there are 3 days until Willow's birthday party.

Shit.

I kind of feel prepared, and then I kind of don't. Like, I have all the paper plates, napkins, utencils, cups. All the stuff you use to eat food, but not the food. Thank goodness for my mom who ordered the cake. Now I just have to get all the side dishes and Josh is handling the grill. Also, I need to get one of those big tubs of ice cream but I'm not sure where I'm going to put it since I can't even fit a hot pocket in our freezer at the moment. Hmmm

So with everything going on, on top of daily life, its been busy. Mostly busy by me stressing out and not getting much done. The thing about that is: 1. I can't really get down and clean the house until the night before/ morning of because little people (and big people) that don't put things back and track things in. So other than catching up on laundry/dishes and other things, I'm not doing the major yet. 2. Living from paycheck to paycheck (like most Americans) I am waiting until payday to get the rest of what I need.

Josh is cleaning up the outside, but I will probably end up helping- a little- with that.

Anyway, I've been squeezing in sit ups, planks, push ups and the like. At least 20 minutes a day. squats and lunges too.

I cannot wait to run again. How do you run in this heat? I know they say dress like its 20 degrees warmer, but when its in the mid 90's outside, what am I supposed to do? I'm pretty sure no one wants to see me run naked. There's a lot of jiggling action there. Do you run in the morning? at night? On a treadmill in the glorious AC? I cannot wait to join the gym Friday. You better believe I'm going there Sunday!