Cross-training

Last night I went out swimming (in the insane snow storm) and I can't even tell you how much I enjoyed it. Swimming just stretches out your whole body. I did 40 lengths (one length = there and back) and each length is 25m so I swam a total of 2km. In 45 minutes. I took about a 1 minute break after each length.

I loved it. I told my husband that I would be doing it one night a week. There's lane swimming almost 4 times a week (that I could go to) so at least it doesn't have to be the same night every week. I can add it in whenever I miss a day at the gym.

I've really started thinking about how important cross-training is. Maybe it's because I used to be a runner that I have that frame of mind where I have to go faster to burn more calories. I don't really enjoy walking because I feel I should be running. I would rather be doing cardio then weights..... the bottom line for me is (was) that I wanted to burn the most calories possible. Sure I know how important weight training is and how walking burns more fat than calories but I just couldn't get out the faster you go = the more calories you burn.

But now I'm trying to incorporate different types of exercise into my routine. I'm aiming my weekly schedule to look like this:

Monday - 45 minute body bar class (weights and cardio)
Tuesday - swimming (45 minutes)
Wednesday - 60 minutes on treadmill (alternate walk/running)
Thursday - yoga (I don't do yoga, never have, but want to start)
Friday - Muscle fit class (45 minutes)

Then on the weekends I will most likely walk (but I'm old and wimpy, so only on the days where it's above like -15) or try to do anything to get moving for at least 30 minutes.

So there you have it!

I thrive on routine

After working intermittently (is that even a word?) over the last two weeks, it feels good to be back. Well, about 2 hours ago I wouldn't have said that, while Jeff and I lay in bed trying to convince the other to get out of bed and start getting ready.

But after getting up, having a good breakfast (special K with strawberries on top), packing my lunch (hummus and pickle sandwich, apple, two clementines) and my gym bag, I must say I love routine. I love when there's no planned meals out, no parties to attend, no chance of deviating from my eating plan. And I can go to the gym.

I can't say it enough, if you like hummus you MUST try the Barefoot Contessa's recipe, it's to die for. And so simple.

Jeff's at the hockey game tonight (junior championships) so even though I have a crapload of errands to run tonight, it looks like that will have to be postponed until tomorrow.

When I lived at home oh so many years ago, my mom used to cook porkchops with cut up onions in cream of mushroom sauce. That's what the little man and I are having for supper tonight and I can't wait!

Saturdays are my favourite day of the week

I suppose I don't have to explain why :)

Our fridge is on the fritz. A few months ago it got to be pretty warm in the fridge so we defrosted it one night and then it's been fine. Until now. It was with the house when we bought it, and the owners had been here since 01 so it's got to be 8 years old. Anyways, we have a few options but it's the last thing I want to be spending money on right now.

thanks Mizfit for reminding me to movemove this weekend. It's a tad windy out there but I think Carson and I will head out for a long walk and tobaggon later this afternoon.

I really have to keep my weight gain at a minimum this time around. Need I remind you that with Carson I gained 75 lbs? The last couple of months have been somewhat easy (well, that is before Christmas) because I had morning sickness and some days couldn't keep anything down (blessing in disguise?). But now my appetite is back, somewhat. There are still some things I can't stomach and mostly I am craving comfort foods. So today I'm going to look up some recipes for comfort food, but healthy ones. I love the Eat Shrink and Be Merry chicken pot pie, so I think I'll have to get all the ingredients ready to make that tomorrow night. Any good ideas for healthy comfort foods?

Last night I made the barefoot Contessa's hummus and it was probably the best hummus I've ever made and most certainly better than any store bought hummus. It took all of about 5 minutes too. Yumm-o. For lunch I think I'll have a hummus sandwich with sprouts, pickles and onions.

Since I've got pregnant I've gone through two big bottles of pickles, can't get enough.

Happy New Year!

I have a feeling that 2009 is going to be a really great year. I've never been out to make resolutions - maybe it's because I know I will always fail so why bother making them? But I do think about what I want to accomplish, change, start, finish each year at least mentally. Maybe this year I should write them down.

Or maybe I shouldn't. Maybe this year is going to be busy enough. I really don't know what to expect.

Jeff and I are pregnant! I'm due July 21st (so just 11 weeks now, even though my doctor kept saying 13 weeks because of my LMP but I knew I conceived late, 4 weeks after my period started!). I had an ultrasound on Dec 31st and the baby was moving around and had a strong heartbeat of 169. I've been super paranoid and nervous the past couple months, but after seeing that ultrasound I feel a huge relief. I know I'm not past the three months yet, but I'm much more relaxed and now super excited after seeing the baby. It's funny, I never had an ultrasound this early with Carson (our first u/s was at 20 weeks) so I've never really seen a baby that small on the ultrasound. The whole body was moving around (and then turned outwards, "looking" right at me with his hands up in the air on either side. I couldn't stop laughing, and told the technician it was a little creepy, skeleton little face).

So far I haven't gained anything (although that most likely changed after last night) and I was checking my blog from when I was pregnant with Carson and I had gained 7 lbs by this point. I'm starting off on the right foot at least!

Perhaps my new year's resolution for the first half of the year would be to keep eating healthy and to not use "I'm pregnant, eating for two (total myth, but I swore by it my first pregnancy)" line. To keep going to the gym (not overdo it, but 4 times a week would be good) and to just be sensible. Follow the Healthy Guidelines, eat a wide variety of foods and keep moving.

Here's to a wonderful 2009!

Fly-by

1 - My weight is the same as before the holidays - woo hoo!
2 - I was up early enough to pack a lunch. I was actually awake since about 5am listening to the wind thinking my windows were going to shatter any minute.
3 - I have another gym session planned for today
4 - Only two parties to go to between now and the end of the holiday season!

Not so good.... I went to my mom and Rick's for supper last night cause Jeff was at the hockey game (Canada vs Germany) and I can not control myself around Quality Street chocolates. I had 8. Yes 8. That easily wipes out my gym workout from yesterday. Then Rick made the yummiest shrimp risotto for supper. At least I said no to the ice cream. That's gotta count for something right?

So while I am quite happy that I have maintained my weight over the holidays (which was my goal) I've realized that I'm using the fact that I've been consistently going to the gym as an excuse to indulge. I know it's Christmas. But that's no reason to eat 8 chocolates in one night. Or keep nibbling on all the yummy foods. Or for meeting friends to go out for lunch and supper and making not so good choices. I'm getting right back into it today... my goal? No chocolate for today! I'll report back tomorrow.

Booo

No class at lunch today! There's one tomorrow though. So I think I'm just going to run on the treadmill and do some core work.

Work is dead. I talked to my boss to see if he had anything I could work on, and he didn't. It's the calm before the storm, I realize this. I'm such a pressure worker, I work best with pressing deadlines.

Update: I did 1hr 15 min on the treadmill (walking 10/running 10) then some core work (planks, push-ups, etc...) then took a full shower (normally I don't wash my hair due to lack of time, but it was so sweaty today I couldn't get away with not doing it). Afterwards I was going to reward myself with chicken fingers and fries (one of three options at our quasi-caf today) and then decided to run out and get Subway (hold the cheese please) instead.

I'm getting quite anxious about New Year's Eve day. More to come on that later.

Happy to be here

I'm happy to be back at work today - so that I can go to the gym at lunch!

It's crazy, I hadn't gone to the gym (or done any exercise) since the 23rd. 5 days later, when I hit the pavement yesterday, it was amazing how my body instantly felt better. I definitely got the exercise high and my blood started flowing, my smile got bigger - I just felt a million times better after like a minute of running.

So I'm really looking forward to heading back to the gym today. It's super quiet around here so I may even stay a bit longer (after clearing it with my boss first!)

Sunday morning run

Carson and I just got back from a nice long run/walk (and even slower walk when he wanted out of his stroller). It's freaking beautiful outside - apparently there's an insane wind warning for later so I'm happy we spent the morning outside.

I did it

I went out of my realm of comfort and split an appetizer with Emma:

Baked Goat Cheese & Slow-Roasted Garlic Flatbread Plate Warm garlic flatbread, spiced cranberry relish, roasted corn and onion salsa, fresh papaya and roasted red pepper salsa (can I say DELISH?!?!?!??!)

And then I ordered the

Red Curry Chicken Bowl Chicken, red peppers, green onions simmered in Thai red curry coconut cream, fragrant jasmine rice, steamed Asian greens

I only ate half so I brought the rest for lunch today. As well as my gym clothes so I can work off some of the calories from last night. And my scale this morning actually said 158.6 It wavered! It changed! It works!

I just have to say too, I love the gym. I love it being so close, so accessible. Honestly I wouldn't be going to the gym otherwise. I don't dread going, I find it such a good break - right in the middle of the day, and I come back to my desk completely refreshed and ready to tackle the afternoon.

And I knew it. I'm a weak, weak person. I know I shouldn't bake at home - without the intention of bringing it out of the house right away. I had a few bananas sitting at home, no one has been eating them lately, so they were over ripened. Turning black. Perfect for banana bread. Now, let me back pedal a bit. I don't bake. I don't bake because I love baked goods and I will eat whatever it is I bake. I'm weak, what can I say!?! But I made banana bread. I've never made plain banana bread before and it was perfect. Best banana bread I think I've ever tasted. And 3/4 of the loaf is gone. And it's been three days. Granted, my husband has helped me, but I've done my fair share of eating it. I can't wait for it to be gone!

Sounds like fun

Today's class is "Cardio Sweat and Stretch". It's my first time going and I hope it's worth it.

Cardio Sweat: Come and sweat away calories. The Health Club Santé GroupFIT professionals will motivate and coach you to pace yourself as you move and groove to great music for 40 minutes in this low impact cardio conditioning and stretching class. Challenging, Fun and amazing!

I was also down 2 lbs this week - which is great considering I've already begun to partake in the festive eating season. So long as I can keep up my gym attendance from now until Jan 2nd (and beyond...) I think I can maintain. I'm not exactly watching what I'm eating, I'm just trying to make it as balanced as possible. In between the parties, the lunches, the showers, the birthdays, I am eating well while at home and at work. That's balanced, isn't it?

Update: Class was OK, there were only 2 of us (plus the instructor) but I certainly gave it my all. I know I need variety in terms of workouts, but I normally gauge my workout by the amount I sweat. My treadmill work out leaves me sweating buckets. This class my hair/shirt was damp but it wasn't a full out sweat or anything. Maybe it's not the best gauge. I jumped on the elliptical when I was done and put resistance and crosstrain up to 15. It was definitely hard and I was moving slowly, but I burned 115 cal in 10 minutes. I just wanted to get a little more sweat action happening.

Oh how I miss thee

Morning workouts that is. I have a few errands to run at lunch time today, so I was at the gym bright and early for a good hour long workout. (at lunch I only have about 40 minutes, because I have to get ready and back to my desk within an hour).

I feel so good right now - knowing that I'm done for the day.

I think Jeff and I are going to try and work it out so that I have at least one morning workout a week.

Quick Muscle Fit Update

The class was awesome! Low impact strength training. We used a body bar, a ball, the mat and a step.

Every movement was slow and careful. The instructor kept warning us about creating momentum, about how we didn't want to do that. I could feel the exact muscle that I was supposed to (often times when starting a new class I wouldn't feel what I was supposed to!). It was fantastic. I didn't realize that the girl who I normally set up beside in my Monday class is actually the instructor for this class.

I'll definitely be making it part of my routine. So it works out well, I can do strength training on Monday and Wednesday (the two classes) and cardio on the remaining three days.

Trying a new class...

At lunch today. It's called Muscle Fit and this is the description:

This class focuses on strengthening all the major muscle groups, on improving your musculature and overall performance of your functional movement. The class will use of the STEP, hand weights, body bars, tubing and FITballs.

Even though I'm dying to go out for lunch, I'll do the class instead. I'm not sure where this intense craving for going out for lunch is coming from. I never buy my lunch, I hardly go out for lunch... next Monday I have the day off (to spend Carson's birthday with him) so I forsee a lunch date with me and my boy that day. I'll just focus on that.

Exercising just to eat more?

Hmm... I'm not liking the mentality I have these days.

I'm seriously a rockstar when it comes to exercising. Good workouts, incorporating strength training and cardio, keeping my heartrate to where it should be, and doing it minimum 5/7 days of the week.

BUT - it's like it's an excuse to eat more. We all know the holidays are coming (I'm scared shitless to be honest) and my goal is to maintain until January 1. So it's like I'm already in that mindset. I burned 500 calories today, so I can eat those two chocolate mint patties. I can have a cookie in the afternoon. I went to the gym today so I can have an extra serving of potatoes with dinner. I worked out, of course I can eat two candy cane kisses. Make it stop! I could so easily be losing right now (yes, I know I lost 2 lbs last week but they will come back easily if I keep this up) and instead I'm already in my maintaining mode. When really if I lost like 3-4 lbs, that would allow me a little more flexibility over Christmas.

I'm done whining. NO CHOCOLATE TODAY. Will report back tomorrow.

Tooting my own horn

Toot toot!

For the past 9 workdays, I've gone to the gym every day. My eating hasn't been fabulous (although this past weekend my only treat was a bag of chips I shared with Jeff) but I've been exercising every.single.day. Well, work days that is. So far I've been taking the weekends off. Our weekends are quite busy so I haven't really found the time, but I figure if I eat well and exercise during the week, then my weekends can be a little more relaxed. And so far, it's working out great.

Ummm except for the two Lindor chocolates my husband just gave me before heading out the door for basketball.

Now I'm off to bed!

Focusing on the positive

Maybe not everything in my life is going exactly as planned, but let's just focus on the things that are.

1/ I am LOVING my new job. The people, the work, the agency, the location, the free parking.. the list goes on.

2/ The gym at work. Right now it's not possible for me to work 7-3, so I'm working 8-4. Rather than working out at 3, I came in at 7 this morning. The gym was empty for my whole workout. It has everything I need (err except a bosu ball, I'm putting that in the suggestion box). The showers are beautiful (honestly, nicer than my own shower) with big huge ceramic tile, and long enough to keep your stuff (towel, toiletries bag) still in the shower but far enough away from the shower to get wet. The floors in the changeroom are nice big ceramic tiles as well and CLEAN as heck. The blowdryer is like salon-quality (kicks mine in the butt) and the lighting is perfect for doing make up. And I was at my desk at 8:05. Perfect!

3/ I have been ROCKING my eating habits this week and the scale is moving in the right direction again. I haven't felt deprived at all, or had any of my normal horrible beating-myself-up feelings. Which is always good.

4/ It's Friday. I'm heading out with the girls tonight for a little shopping and then some dinner. Tomorrow morning is the Santa Claus parade in Kanata, picking my mom up at the airport in the afternoon and I'm having the twins sleep over tomorrow night.

Happy Friday!

Wow!

My friends South of the border, good job! I was in bed early last night so this morning when I heard the news, I got goosebumps and when I heard his acceptance speech I bawled. Very very proud of you.

And, to honk my own horn, I've been perfectly OP the past two days and exercised both days.

I guess the word of the day/week/month/year is CHANGE.

This morning started off a little crazy. Jeff never switched his clock forward on the weekend, so this morning I jumped out of bed when it said 6:35. I jumped in the shower, got dressed, got Carson up - changed, dressed, and into my room to play so I could finish getting ready. Was on my way downstairs with him when Jeff woke up (he had been sleeping in the other room cause we haven't been sleeping well) and came out and asked what I was doing. To be honest, I was a bit annoyed because I told him I wanted to be at work early so I could hit up the gym after work. Then he said it's only 6am. I knew at that second what had happened. It's amazing how much time you have in the morning to get stuff done when you wake up an hour early!

Right back into it

Yesterday morning I joined the gym at work. $24/month right off my paycheque, I won't even notice it's gone. It's a small gym, but it has everything I need. I even went to a body bootcamp (that's what they call it, technically it's a Body Pump class with a body bar), and it was surprisingly good. I really liked the instructor and I am certainly feeling it today.

I showered after the class but didn't get my hair wet. It was all sweaty, but I just blow-dried it and thought my hair looked horrible for the rest of the day. But Lisa, Carli and I went out for tea last night and they both complimented my hair before they heard the story. They thought I had specifically styled it like that. So maybe lunch time classes are not such a bad thing.

Exercise + bad memory

At the end of the week, when I try to remember how often I worked out, it's always kind of a blur. I know I should write it down right away, but honestly I have so many lists/journals/everything floating around that I can't keep it straight. This blog is the only reliable "journal" I have. In light of that, I've decided to add a "Recent Exercise" list to my sidebar. Seeing as I update almost every day, I'm making an effort to record when I exercise.

This way when my memory fails me, my blog won't!

8:30 Saturday morning

And I'm dressed and ready for a run! Then I have lots of running around to do to get ready for tomorrow Thanksgiving dinner. Scale is definitely my friend today, but I've been rocking it all week so it's deserved.

I know I keep saying it, but I'm loving my oatmeal so much that I can't wait to get back from my run to make it.