Last night

Last night I did 30 minutes on the elliptical. Tonight I have my personal trainer session with Heather, making it 4 days in a row that I've exercised! Tomorrow night I have Junior League, so that'll be a night of "rest." :-)

Weekend workouts

Saturday I did 35 min. on the elliptical, and last night, I did 1.7 mi on the treadmill. I'm a little sore this morining, but it feels good to be back in the swing of things with the exercise!

Kara has come up with an exercise plan for me to get ready for the 5K in April. I'm going to try to follow that and see how it goes!

Workout last night

Had a trainer session with Heather last night, worked on chest and triceps. My arms are sore this morning! Only did 15 minutes of cardio (the elliptical for .95 miles), was especially tired after being in charge of a reception and award ceremony at work yesterday morning. (It went well, but I was beat! Slept well last night!)

Someone gave me a tip about another exercise-related wesbite, the President's Challenge at http://www.presidentschallenge.org It's not just for kids anymore! :-) Once I finish the National Body Challenge and Duke's exercise challenge, perhaps I'll plug into that one.

Thanks, Lisa, for the info on the fit test! Nice to know I'm above rock bottom (now), and on my way up!

Different gym

Last night I went to the Capital Fitness in Chapel Hill, since the pool at the one close to home is down. I ran into a co-worker there, and that was a treat. (I don't get to see her often because her shift starts at 8 PM.)

I spent 14 minutes on two different elliptical machines (trying out different brands), then 16 minutes on the treadmill. Spent the first 5 minutes on the treadmill doing a 5-minute "Fit Test," which flashed that my level was "Below Average." Was a little discouraged by that, considering my hard work so far, but I still have a way to go, I know! (The competitive person in me wondered if that was the lowest level, or if anyone could get something lower than "Below Average." That rating isn't sitting very well with me!) Will be interested to do that little test again in a few months and see if there's an improvement.

Mixing things up

Last night, George and I went to the Fitness Center. I did 10 minutes on the treadmill for .49 miles, 5 minutes on the recumbant cross trainer, then 15 minutes on the elliptical for .98 miles. Right now, the elliptical is still my favorite.

I'm enjoying watching the Winter Olympics, and it makes me want to get back in good enough shape to ski again. (Lisa, hope you all are having a fun time this weekend! Bet your hard work is paying off!)

Speeding up a little

I did 30 minutes on the elliptical last night, tried to pick up the pace a little and logged 2.11 miles. Bit by bit!

Had a nice time chatting in the hot tub with a pediatric dentist and a couple of retired librarians. Always interesting to see who I meet at the Fitness Center. At most other gyms I've joined, I've just gone to work out and gone home. I wonder why there's a different sense of being social (without it being a pick-up place) there. Maybe "sense of community" is a better way of putting it. One thing the Fitness Center does is that everyone's membership badge is clip-on (rather than keychain swipe) and has a photo and first name in bigger letters.

**Note to Lisa: the dentist went to Duke too, class on '79. She said your name was familiar, as she roomed (in Bassett) with an ADPi. (She was a Kappa.) Fun to make connections.

Last night at the gym

Last night I had a PT session with Heather. We worked legs and shoulders, good workout! One new machine she had me use was called the Butt Buster--pretty funny! It also did a number on my quads and hamstrings, so I need to revisit that machine. :-) Afterward, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical for 1.96 miles. Felt good to get an hour's worth of exercise in. Ran into Stephanie from church there, was fun to see someone from ERUUF in another context.

I was a little worried toward the end of last week, that I was losing my motivation a little. I decided that part of it was likely the setback of being sick, and that I probably just needed to work through it. The workouts on Sunday and yesterday have helped me feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things.

Last night, after my workout, I watched last week's episode of The Biggest Loser, which I'd taped but haven't had time to watch. To me, it's very interesting to watch the workouts and see their reactions throughout. Although it feels a bit voyueristic, it's an interesting slice of human nature. This particular episode seemed a little more grounded, not quite as much "drama." I liked seeing the one couple finishing the triathalon together, quite an accomplishment!

Yesterday's workout

Went to the Fitness Center, and spent 30 minutes on the elliptical (doing the weight loss program) for 1.93 miles, and then a little over 14 minutes on the rowing machine for 2000 meters. The rowing machine was a different machine for me, one I hadn't done in maybe 5 years! Was fun getting a slightly different workout.

Afterward, I enjoyed the pool and hot tub. :-) I also weighed in, and was glad to see I weighed the same as last week! Odd that I should feel that way, but my last weigh-in (and big loss) was partly due to being sick, and I didn't exercise as much this past week as I worked on getting my energy level back. I have higher hopes for this week.

I also had my blood pressure and resting heart rate checked when I got to the Fitness Center yesterday, and both numbers are going down. That's encouraging, and it'll be nice to have those numbers to take when I have my next doctor's appointment. Last time I went, Dr. Blackford asked if I was checking my blood pressure. The machines in the drug and grocery stores can be a little inaccurate, so.....I'll be able to take a copy of the log at the Fitness Center when I go to the doctor for checkups.

In other news.....

No workout last evening, so I'll be heading for the gym after work today.

Meanwhile, I had a Junior League meeting last night, and another JL event this morning before work! Our chapter has a Community Advisory Board, and this morning there was a breakfast meeting for our Junior League leadership and this board. I was asked to present one of the Training & Education Committee modules the committee has created for the group assembled this morning. I was there at 7:30, was presenting there at 7:50, and was expected at work back at the library at 8:30, where I was first on the agenda for a meeting. I made it, just barely, and still managed to sidestep all the pastries at both places.

I learned more about the 2006 North Carolina Festival of the Book this morning. It will be held at Duke and the surrounding area in April, and it looks like it'll be interesting! See http://www.ncbook.org for more info.

Speaking of more info, Hungry Girl is a neat site for food tips and diet suggestions: http://www.hungry-girl.com/

Back to the gym

I met up with Heather at the gym last night, but we decided to pass on an all-out work-out since I was still feeling a little puny. I did do 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, to ease back into things. Even with the light workout, I slept well last night, went to sleep during the Duke-Carolina game, in fact! Was glad to learn of the outcome when I woke up. :-)

Sick

I've been sick since Friday, so no new exercise to report. I did weight on Saturday, though, and am down 16.8 lbs! I must be up front and admit that some of that is probably dehydration, so I'm expecting some fluctuation when I'm better. Can't wait to exercise again, though!

Last night's water aerobics class, and compliments

The water aerobics class last night was fun! It was a little odd to have a good workout and not sweat. The class was a combination of cardio and strength training. The hot tub felt like heaven afterward. George and I both hope to go back to the class.

Yesterday, two co-workers asked me (in different conversations) if I'd gotten new glasses (yes, several months ago), and this morning another co-worker asked if I'd gotten a hair cut (yes, in early January). Makes me wonder if they see a difference in the shape of my face, and it's translated to noticing the other things about me. Obviously, the change right now is pretty slight, but it's there. Hmmmm.....

Water Aerobics!

George and I are planning to do a water aerobics class tonight at the Fitness Center! It starts at 6:15, so I hope we can both get there in time! Never done water aerobics, but lots of people swear by it.

No workout to report last night. Had a Junior League meeting, then went home to watch the Duke-Boston College basketball game on TV. Does watching Duke basketball count as exercise?! Perhaps it will during March Madness, when I tend to jump up and down with the Cameron Crazies during close games! (I can add arm movements this time for a little jumping jack action!)

Mid-week update

Last night I did 17 minutes on the elliptical, then a 30-minute strength training session with Paula, as Heather was sick. We did upper body stuff. A little sore today!

Right after work, I had an appt with Kara at the Fitness Center, got acquainted with the weight machines there. They're very nice! Also, Kara encouraged me to keep track of times and mileage on my cardio and email her. She's going to give me suggestions on how to set my cardio goals for my road race(s). That will be a big help!

This morning I started keep track of what I eat. This will be a surprise, I think!