Wrap Up

So I wrapped up this week -2lbs and feeling just a tad stronger.

Here was my workout for the week...
M- P90x legs/back + 75min spin (brick workout)
T - Treadmill + ab ripper x
w. Arms and back + ab ripper x
Th- 75 min spin (brick)
fri - ab ripper x
Sat - spin + treadmill
Sun - none

Nutrition:
In total, I give my self a b- for the week. I had a few A+ days and a few C days. My problem is late night. I love love love Tea with honey and honey has 150 calories per serving. I need to find a substitute or go cold turkey.

I'm beginning to give thought to what I want to accomplish in the next 12 months. I really thinking about how much running I should or could do. It is probably not in my best interest (long term) to do too much, however I would really like to have a big goal. Not sure if it will be a longer triathlon or somthing totally different. I'm thinking this is the year to add a century bike ride and possible a longer one. More to come...

Thanksgiving plus deltas

So the week went well -- all things considered. My mom is doing really well , responding to Chemo much better than expected. As a result, I was able to get in 3 really great workouts. I visited the Bally's gym in Tampa and I was able to spin, do the elliptical and also get in a few really good strength training sessions. My nutrition was ok - definitely could have been worse. I had good control and ended with a deficit on 3 of the 5 days I was there. I was able to maintain, not gain any weight -- which is always a good thing.

I'm feeling really excited about using the next few months to really build a good cardio and strength base - upon which to build my skills for next year. I am not exactly sure why I feel so good - especially given my current body composition - but I feel really good. I'm definitely thinking about joining the triathlon club at the gym .. I think I'd benefit from the camaraderie and the structured workouts.

My focus over the next few weeks is going to be on building up my strength in my arms and quads. I need to make sure my quads are stronger this year- to help offset my knee issues. I've been playing volleyball lately - and boy does it hurts. I'm sure that my years of playing V-ball earlier in life is what caused my current knee troubles. While I need to take it easy - I'm working on securing volleyball scholarship for my 10 year old:) -- never too early to start.

So - the focus is on getting strong and building endurance -- and cleaning up the diet.

weekly wrap up

So here is the scoop:

exercise
4 1/2 hours of cardio
1 1/2 of strength training

Food
Better - but still not where I want
The good:

• More conscious of sugar
• More protein , less carbs
• More water
• Encouraged hubby not to get Pizza

The bad:

• Difficulty staying strong when bad things are in the house
• Struggling bit with non dairy creamer (which has absolutely no redeeming qualities)
• Still need to drink even more water

Overall --1lb down

Not horrible.

21 days...

So I'm definitely recommitting. I'm recommitting to being superfit..... Superfit means

1. being able to have an above average heart rate recovery after rigorous cardio
2. being able to maintain average heart rate above what is expected for my age group
3. Being in the "normal" weight category (not low end of overweight)
4. Having a body fat percent in the mid to low 20s. (low 20s is pushing it a bit)

and....I'm taking names. So join me...

Here is the deal..... I am committing to making good choices minute by minute, day by day for 21 days in a row. 21 days is the time it takes for something to become a habit...so say the experts. Good choices means veggies and proteins, shakes, very little sugar and refined carbs, LOTS of water, not more than 1500 calories per day. Daily exercise.

And I am going to be accountable. I will blog daily and report out progress.

Yesterday... 1 hour cardio/ 10 minutes of strength training/1900 calories :(

Today ..no exercise/1700 calories

Spark

So there is a new book out called Spark- the revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Essentially ,the book proves the strong and direct connection between exercise and mental well being. From my own experience, I've known for a long time, that this connection is very real.

The physical benefits of exercise are pretty well known. Exercise helps prevent diabetes, cardio- vascular disease and many other potentially life threatening illnesses. What is not often discussed, is the positive benefits of exercise on mental illness - depression and anxiety in particular. I'm sure this is because the pharma industry makes billions of dollars from anti depressants or serotonin re uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). If people knew that there a great deal of research that proves that exercise is as effective as medication on depression/anxiety, the pharma industry would suffer -so of course the info is suppressed. The funny thing is that doctors are not certain about how these classes of medications work (SSRI, SNRIs, MAOIs). They are quick to prescribe- and adjust based on trial and error. Vigorous exercise on the other hand, is almost guaranteed to work. It triggers the same chemicals in the brain that many of the medications trigger. Endorphins and Serotonin are both released during exercise , and can have sustained effects.

I feel so strongly about the need to drive awareness and education around this, that I started a non profit organization devoted to driving advocacy, awareness and education around the benefits of exercise on mental health.

I started it because I've had my own journey in this area, and drugs were the first thing pushed my way. No one mentioned exercise or alternative therapy. The first recourse was to try medication. In my journey, I've learned a ton and I'd love to stop the over medication of America. There are so many uniformed conversations occurring in the offices of therapists and psychiatrist - and it is unfortunate that patients feel captive to the advice. Education in this area is key. The data is there... the proof is there. But what incentive does a psychiatrist have to push exercise instead of a drug? NONE. The proof exists and I'm glad this book is out. Hopefully it will help move the needle on awareness and the inclusion of exercise as a therapy (in addition to or instead of drugs).

I plan to do my part.

The Journey Continues

So roughly 2 1/2 years ago , I started on this journey to improve my health by losing weight and getting fit. I knew that I was in a bad place being 50lbs overweight and unfit. I knew that the weight could shorten my life and create the environment for heart disease, diabetes etc. I knew all this , but couldn't get out of it. My mind wasn't in the right place , so I wasn't motivated enough to change my eating. I was using food in all the wrong ways... as comfort , as a stress reliever and overall as an outlet for my emotions.

I have always been someone who likes to set big goals and accomplish them. I get motivated by the challenge of succeeding . On some levels I think I have an addiction to accomplishments. However, when it came to losing weight, I just didn't want it bad enough. When I moved to Washington from NJ, I met a bunch of really fit people and had the support of a company sponsored weight loss program. I decided to get serious about the weight loss and used a triathlon as a motivation. After all , given my fitness level, completing a triathlon would be a humongous accomplishment. So my journey began . What an amazing journey it has been. I've learned so much, experienced the joy of getting fit, completed 4 triathlons, 2 50mile bike rides, lost 58lbs and motivated others to get fit. The problem with my accomplishment addiction is that once I accomplish something, the thrill is gone. It is hard to do it again.

So here I am, in an uncomfortable but sadly familiar place. My motivation is waning, the emotional eating is slowly but steadily resurfacing and my 5 workouts a week often get replaced by other priorities. The downturn started in April and I've not been able to get back on the train since then. Since April, I've gained 11 lbs and only been able to lose 3 . I feel like I am at a turning point . I need to get back on track or be a part of a recidivism statistic- the people that lose weight and then quickly gain it back. If past is prologue, the solution for me is to find big goal to go after. The goal has to be bigger than just losing weight . It has to be something that is more difficult for me than completing another triathlon. Sure I could set a goal of a longer triathlon - say a 1/2 Ironman, but I need to face the reality that my running game is not going to improve by much (given the condition of my knees).

This blog, strangely enough, keeps me motivated and reminds me of what I've accomplished. it is my way of staying accountable to my no limit, no excuses way of living. It is less about the fact that a few people read it (and I am so grateful for the support/love:) , but more about the accountability to myself.

So what is my big goal? What will keep me motivated? How will I not be a statistic? The journey continues.

Random musings

The elliptical simulates standing cycling...

• I realized this during an elongated standing interval during Friday spin class.

Short intervals make the time go by quickly..

• My new at home workout 1 set of treadmill interval (10 minutes of 1m sprint/1 min jog/walk) 10 min strength train (1min each till fatigue) (repeat 3-4 times)

I have double hips

• you know the part that curves out at below the waist (hip #1) then the part that curves out below the joint (hip #2) . That is the exact location of the extra 10 lbs

Skinny girls have cellulite too ....

• Always refreshing to walk into locker room, see skinny girl in thong with orange peel butt.

True contentment is elusive

• Temporary happiness is more attainable

I like yoga

• The chanting ...I'll have to get used to.

Going on autopilot is totally ok if it works for you..

• It works for me

It is really hard to get back on the wagon after falling off.

• but get back on is what I will do.

One Line At A Time

I got up early today and I couldn't decide what to do. I knew I wanted a longish workout but wasn't exactly sure what to do.I planned a bike ride around the lake, but my tires were flat and my bike shoes were at the club. I tried unsuccessfully to pump my tires - but the air came out as soon as I put it in. That plus my faulty gear shift , was enough to make me bag the bike ride- at least until after I visit my friends at the bike shop.

I decided that I needed a running workout, so off I went. The plan was to run to from my house to Office Depot and then walk back. Office Depot is about 3 1/2 miles away - at the top of a pretty wicked hill. The first mile was as usual, not fun. I focused on my music - my most favorite podrunner podcast -Cold Sweat. As I approached the hill, I decided not to look up. I focused on getting to the next line in the side walk. Not on the entire hill . I is way too intimidating to look up at the hill. So one line at a time , I made it up the hill. There were at least 20 times where I wanted to stop , but I kept going, one line at a time. After I got up the hill , it became easier. After a while, I started to feel good. I felt so good that I didn't mind the rain. So good that I took a detour to the local high school track and ran around . So good that when I got to Office Depot , I passed it and ran a 1/2 mile more.
Turns out, I wasn't able to walk home (too many bags) so I called hubby to scoop me up.

This was the first time since surgery that I've run longer than 2 miles. As long as I can walk tomorrow, it certainly won't be my last.

A parting gift , a brick or shall I say a pebble

So today was my first brick. To be honest - it was really a pebble ...not quite a brick.

My favorite spin instructor taught her last class today before heading out on maternity leave. She decided to give us a parting gift... a killer workout . High resistance + high cadence = torture. I wore my hr monitor and after 61 minutes , it said I'd burned 1097 calories...and boy did I feel it. I was soaking during and after the class. I felt really good about working that hard. Since Danskin is in less than 45 days, I need to really cram in order to be ready. Cramming for a triathlon -- what an insane concept. So basically I'm trying to cram in a bunch of training time in order to feel good about my effort at the triathlon. I have accepted that I probably won't beat my time from last year, but I'm ok with that. What I'm not okay with is giving anything less than 110%. That means from this moment on -- the heat is on.

So today - my first brick equalled 61 minutes of spin class and a 20 minute run. Tonight I will do weights. Tomorrow run + weights in the day and swim at night. Friday brick --- swim, bike, run.

Bring it on!!!! I think I'm ready...

Find something to feel good about

Day 2 of getting back on the spin wagon. Wednesday's used to be my favorite day because of the intense endurance work and the lasting endorphin rush. Today I was more anxious than excited. I knew wasn't as concerned about my cardio endurance as I was my muscle endurance. I know that even at 13lbs heavier, I am still pretty fit (from a cardiovascular perspective). The problem however was my muscle endurance. The last 3 months of inactivity has caused a serious reduction in muscle tone and endurance , no doubt. So I sat on the bike - ready to go as far as my body would take me. In my head I told myself to go hard but i was prepared to take off resistance if I needed to.

But I didn't.

I pushed and pushed and felt my quads and glutes burn with pain. At one point I yelled out - because it was so tough. I wasn't alone - the instructor was pouring it on today. As usual- she is very motivating and always manages to squeeze in some little line that keeps me going. Today the line was "I know your legs are on fire - they should be, but find something to feel good about. Your breathing, your posture- the fact that you are here". That was it for me: Find something to feel good about. I thought about it and started to acknowledge the things I felt good about - the fact that I had gotten my butt out of bed; that my bike pants still fit ; that spin class actually works both with bike riding and losing weight. That phrase was enough to sustain me through the rest of the 60 min of torture- without letting up on the resistance.

I should certainly apply this phrase to other areas of my life - perhaps it will get me through too.

13 weeks

The Danskin Triathlon is in exactly 13 weeks.  Some days I feel like it is not realistic to assume that I can get myself in shape enough to complete it – let alone meet my goal of taking off time.  Today I feel  – completing it and completing alone is the goal.  My head is saying “ you can do it”  -- go for it.  But my heart is hurting. Wondering if I can deal with not being able to do what I did or not being able to train the way I want to. Or accepting the fact that I may actually finish much slower than my first time.  I don’t feel so great about going for it.  I will though. I know myself – and that I can’t resist a good challenge.  The question is should I?

 

 

what it means

After my last post - about finding the happy place between perfection and failure - I've been working really hard to be kind to myself and embrace where I am. While it is hard not to beat myself up for not working out or not working out really hard, I've have been growing .

What the being in the middle means.....
being ok with not working out 5 days a week - really not feeling bad

• getting in a really good 30 min workout instead of no workout because I only have 30 min
• doing yoga or abs only one day instead of weights, cardio, abs
• taking a nap if I need to
• listening to my body and accepting that pain is there for a reason
• not being a constant calculator - adding up every calorie worrying about the deficit
• Going on vacation and sleeping in a few days instead of working out every morning
• swimming in the pool with my kids playfully - instead of doing laps (as I've often done in the past)

What it doesn't mean....

• adopting unhealthy coping skills (emotional eating)
• not being totally and completely honest with my calorie intake
• going for 5 days without working out at all
• giving up
• being comfortable with being even 1 lb overweight
• Giving up my goals or what I love -- triathlons:)

So with this new found comfort comes a few struggles. I am still struggling to not feel like a slacker but it is getting better. I am still struggling with the Lupus thing - it is a little hard to manage- but I'm trying medication. I am struggling to take off 6lbs - it is not as easy as it was before. The good news is that I am embracing the journey and all the highs and lows that come with it. I do the best I can each day -- by moving as much as possible, making good food decisions, using healthy coping skills and being kind to myself.

A little grace, hour by hour and it's good to be sore

I have trouble finding the comfortable spot between perfection and good effort. I'm learning the value of extending grace to myself . I am such a creature of extremes -either I'm driving hard or I feel like a failure (or slacker). I'm accepting that sometimes it is ok not to drive hard - and that is ok. I'm learning to be more comfortable in the middle. It won't always be the case - as I think improvement comes from driving hard but right now I need to give myself a little grace.

I'm really focused on making good decisions in the moment - hour by hour, day by day. This approach has been helpful the last few days. I'm accepting that there are valleys and peaks. What is important is that I don't stay there.

I've had really good intense workouts the last few days...and it feels good to be working that hard. I also realize that I have a really solid base and so my cardio endurance and strength is solidly in place - even after not working out for little while. So I'm on my way back and it feels good.

A few favorite things, sleep and vitamin D

Sleep does a body good....

So for the past 3 weeks or so I've been averaging 4 hours of sleep. It is not that I can't go to sleep - it is just that I can't stay asleep. Most times I get up around 3 and just stay up and head to the gym for my 5am workout. Other times I get up at 1:30 or 2, try to go back to sleep , dose off around 4:45 and then get up at 6:30. At first, it didn't impact me too much but now it is getting to be a problem. I am generally a person who doesn't require a full 8 , but I definitely need 5-6. I'm going to try some late night yoga and hot milk before trying the heavy artillary (cough syrup or something stronger).
Sleep is so important in maintaining healthy body functions. Everything from weight loss, stress management to a healthy immune system. I've got to get this under control.

Vitamin D
Also - I went to the doc to make sure everything was ok since I've been feeling a bit run down. I have a vitamin D defienciency (which I think affects 60% of the population according to Oprah) and declining white blood cell count. I'm going to a rheumatologist tomorrow - to interpret my results further. It is a slight concern at this point...nothing I'm too worried about. I'm praying that it is all ok.

My new favorite things:

My book rack on my bike for indoor rides at home.

• This new water bottle with a straw (love this!) it is no spill and very cute. I think I've increased my water intake by 50% .

My mini trampoline. It is a really good cardiovascular workout and really helps build endurance..And it is great for legs - with low/moderate impact.
My new Soul Sista tee shirt....








Off the team
My goal this month is to really increase my cycling time and also increase my running. So far I have a ways to go to my 50 miles. I'll do it though, even if it means a few marathon bike sessions.
I've had to remove myself from the triathlon team because the schedule just doesn't work with my home schedule. I'm kinda bummed. I was really looking forward to it.

Goals
I'm planning to do 4 triathlons this summer: 1 each month June through September and 2 big bike rides - 1 in May (75 miles ) and July (100 miles). These goals feel a bit more ambitious right now than I expected. In other words - I don't feel at all ready.

Run the blues away

This morning, I woke up at 3:45 with just a ton on my mind. I tried to read a bit, tried to pray but really struggled to clear my mind . I struggled quite a bit this morning. I was feeling really down and a bit overwhelmed with all that I have on my plate. Just when I begin to feel comfortable with the rhythm of my life - something comes along and shakes things up. I strive to be a great mom and wife and most days I do a good job. Occassionally though, I really blow it. This weekend I forgot something that was really important to my daughter - and I felt just horrible. I've also been working much more than my husband would like. Anyway - all this to say - I've been an emotional wreck the last few days. Today - I felt really low and just had trouble clearing my mind enough to develop a plan.

I contemplating staying in the bed all day. That is what I really wanted to do. I envisioned staying in my pajamas all day and just using the time to clear my mind. Not realistic - so I decided to go to the gym.

I arrived at the gym at 4:45 and chatted on the phone until the club's 5am opening time. I got in a went right to work. Instead of weights first - I felt like running. So run I did. I ran and ran for about 40 minutes (which I never do). It was a great mind clearing activity.
I then went over to the weight room and did my usual full body circuit - for another 40 minutes.

As I left the gym at 6:30, I still felt a little blue. But by the time I got home and started to wake the kids for school, I was singing. I was still singing when I got out of the shower - and have been in a great mood ever since.

All this to say - for me exercise is my anti depressant. I've come to rely on exercise to help me maintain my weight - but I'm coming to rely on it more and more for the endorphin rush and mood enhancement. I'm convinced I would have had a really bad , probably moody day had I not spent time at the gym.

On another note -- Danskin Triathlon registration will happen anyday now. I'm so excited!

What I believe to be true

• I believe that I need more muscle in order to be an efficient calorie burner (hence the 60/40 focus on strength training)
• I believe that building leg muscles gives the biggest bang for the buck - since they are really big muscles
• I believe that I look and feel much better with more definition
• I believe that high intensity cardio is the only way to burn fat -
• I believe it is better to be a little fat and fit than skinny and and not fit.
• I believe that strength training can be a cardio workout but it should not substitute a good sweaty heart pumping aerobic workout.
• I believe that the best cardio workout machine for those with lower body issues -- is (in order of priority) running, elliptical, stairclimber, high intensity biking (don't bother with recumbent or low intensity biking), walking on high incline on treadmill, walking really fast on low incline
• I believe that proper eating is way more important than the amount or intensity of the workout. My body reflects what you eat more than how you workout.
• I believe that I need a proper eating plan that I have to work every day
• I believe that 1500 calories is the upper limit of what I should eat each day.
• I believe that fiber and elimination are key elements
• I believe that sugar and refined carbs are the enemy
• I believe that to get health and fit - I can accept no excuses when it comes to practicing what I believe
• I believe that I all things are possible - with the proper practice and faith in God

Focus on what I can do

The plan:

 

Go to gym – workout the parts that are working well -Abs and Arms. Focus not on what I can’t do, Focus on what I can do.

 

By planning to focus on what works – I felt really good going in. I felt in control and ready for a good workout.

 

The result:

 

Not only did I work out the working parts, I got on  the bike – just for fun. Guess what – 10 minutes of full cycling . I almost screamed for joy when my leg completed a full rotation on the bike.  I was sooo happy.

 

Then – feeling very badaxx , I jumped on the treadmill to see what I could do.  I did a little jogtype walking thing at 3.2 (woo hoo) .

 

The amazing thing is that at 3 weeks post surgery despite swelling, atrophy, pain etc., running (or whatever I was doing) feels better now than it has for the past 6 months.  I just may get the other leg done after all.

 

  

Key Learnings

• Work life balance is an action verb- not a destination. Sometimes my thinking is off in that I aspire to get to a better work/life balance- but I approach it as more of a journey. More time with family and friends, more time doing things I love , more time hanging out - not feeling pressured to do something, more time reading the books in my "to read" basket, More time decorating, etc, etc. What I realized over the last 10 days (as my life was turned topsy turvy), is that I will never get to the proverbial ideal state of balance. I must look at balance literally not figuratively. Balance is what you do - not where you get. Every action I take, every project I start, every trip I take is adding weight to one side of my "scale" . I must treat my balance objectives as if I'm standing in the middle of a seesaw and literally balancing . I must be strong enough withhold the weight of each side and I must constantly monitor what is on each side so that I don't get out of balance. I must constantly (daily) check my calendar to ensure that I am spending the right time in the right places. I must constantly evaluate previous weeks and adjust future weeks in order to stay in balance.

• I am fearless - except when it comes to surgery. I am not afraid of many things...but for some reason this surgery is freaking me out. My doctor added to my fear. I called him last week - almost ready to chicken out. He says he is more afraid of what will happen if I don't get the surgery. He said my tendon could possibly become completely detached. He also said I will experience some level of muscle atrophy and I should look to be walking in 10 days- with crutches. I have never been sick or hospitalized so I'm a little afraid of being down. I am really afraid of gaining weight after the surgery. I'm trying to think positive about this but I'm not quite in the right state of mind.

• If you set a 30 day challenge for your friends, you need to stick to it yourself. I don't know what is going on but I'm afraid I've been teetering on falling off the wagon. I don't know what it is but my workouts have been really weak. I've had some really great days and a few not so great days. Since speaking my doctor I've been a little afraid about working out too much. Plus - my knees have been hurting - perhaps this is psychosomatic? Maybe I'm bringing it on. My nutrition has been a little on the brink -- inconsistent. Some days were great - some days I had too many carbs -- bread + pasta.

I have to get my mind right -- because I don't want this surgery to be the event that leads to a me gaining the weight back. I want to look at this and be proud that I didn't allow surgery and recovery to impact my resolve. I want to return to triathlons next year faster and stronger. I need to work on my mind game ...I'm not there yet.

No Excuses -- hair and all

Yesterday – I saw Melisha.  Now Melisha is not just any hairstylist, she is the most in demand hairstylist on the Eastside of Seattle. She is usually booked for weeks – even months and it took me 1 month of waiting before I was able to see her.  How was she?  Very good. When I left – my hair looked shiny and sleek and it was bouncing and behaving.  My daughter even commented when I got home that my hair looked beautiful.  And beautiful it was. 

 

So the 30 day challenge that I made yesterday morning was weighing on my mind as I sat in the chair getting the final flat iron smoothing.  As I sashayed out of the salon ( 60 dollars lighter), with the wind blowing through my tresses, I thought… I can’t possibly take spin tomorrow and sweat this out.

 

No Excuses – hair and all.

Well – this morning I got up and headed for the gym. Already accepting that I would have less than 24 hours of perfect hair and that I all but wasted my time and money at the salon.  

 

Today’s class was intense and wonderfully hard. Of the 60 minute class, we spent  45 minutes of straight hill climbing with no recoveries. And my clothes and hair had all the sweat to prove it.  When I was done I did a quick arm and ab workout and then dashed home to take the kids to school.  When I left the gym – my hair was a wreck.

 

The amazing thing is that when I got home , my hair was dry and actually looked quite good. By the time I got dressed – it still  looked pretty good.   All in all – I did nothing at all and it looked quite pretty good.  So yesterday wasn’t a total waste – in fact my hair is still bouncing and behaving.  And best of all – I am on track with my 30 day challenge…   

 

Although I think it might be too easy and  I need to add “lose 6 lbs” to my challenge.

 

J

LL Cool J and pincurls

Back to normal today . I am still on East coast time so I was up at 4:15 and out the door by 4:45. I started my workout with 40 minutes of weights -a pretty tough circuit with little to no rest between sets. I’ve learned a ton about the most efficient way to work out from a few sources and I’ve tried to implement the tips that work best. With regards to weights and cardio – starting my workouts with weights is more efficient than starting with cardio. It takes your body 15-20 minutes to begin to burn fat from cardio . Rather than wait- I do weights first at a pace that gets my heart rate up – that way I get double the impact.

So here is what I’m doing these days: 12 reps of dead lifts (50lbs), 16 reps each leg of leg raises on a bench (44lbs), 20 calf raises, 16 squats with abductors (50lbs on shoulders), 20 calf raises, 12 hammer curls 15lbs per arm, 15 shoulder raises (30lbs). I do this circuit 3 times without resting more than 15 seconds. I got this workout from my man LL Cool J. Yes we go way back and from time to time he passes on good tips . Ok so not really … but I did get his workout book for valentine’s day from my hubbyJ. In addition to the great pictures , there is some pretty good advice in the book . I learned about super sets , the power and need for heavier weights and working past fatigue with lighter weights. I really want a more sculpted look so I’m going to be adding more weights over the next few weeks.

So by the time I finished the 3^rd set , my heart rate was quite elevated. Then it was time for spin class. My legs are still fatigued from this morning’s class. I got the sense that my instructor was on a mission to take people out today… and she was enjoying it. The class was incredibly hard today (high cadence hills) and people were dropping like flies. I thought I saw her smirk a bit , as one by one people packed it in. Not me… though. I was like bring it on! It felt so good and made me realize that I love spinning perhaps a little more than I love outdoor riding. I can be totally focused on me- my breathing, my pace, the power in my legs, my position etc. While I love riding outside – I am usually thinking about the rain, the cars, the bumps in the road, etc. Today was totally inward focused and I loved it.

After spin – I did 30 minutes on the elliptical – super fast 176 at level 6. Then I did abs, stretched and went home to take a special little boy to kindergarten. 2 hours 15 minutes in total workout..

How’s the hair? I tried pin curls during the workout at the suggestion of my friend. It worked really well overnight but couldn’t stand up to my workout. After working out I looked like a shaggy mop head. I ended up having to use my flat iron to get a few curls. I’ll keep trying.