More elliptical, and shopping

I did anther 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning. Plan to do some walking today on breaks from work. The temperatures are supposed to be moderate here for one more day, then a cold front starts coming through overnight. Brrr! I've been getting spoiled!

Mom took me shopping at Talbot's last night, and I got two new pairs of pants, both size 22! Woohoo! The jeans that are being replaced were size 28! :-D

Gym

Did 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning.

The early morning crowd at the gym seems to be changing. I miss some of the regulars from before Thanksgiving, and there are some new faces. I guess the holidays do different things to different people.

My A1c is down to 6.1, and my total cholesterol is down to 147. Glad for the improving numbers. :)

Today's workout

I worked out 45 minutes on the eliptical this morning at the gym, and then walked 20 minutes around the West Campus Quad. (Beautiful morning here in Durham, especially for late November!)

Back to my normal schedule

It's back to work today after my Thanksgiving break, so I was back to the gym this morning for a 65 minute workout on the elliptical. George and I decided not to do the Turkey Trot on Saturday, expecially with trying to make the mid-day footbal game between Duke and UNC. (Duke lost by one!)

Morning walk

This morning I needed to shake things up a little, so I walked the trails at Croasdaile Farm area for the first time. It was a great change of paces, and pretty scenic! I did 50 minutes before heading to the Rice House for breakfast. I enjoyed the pond, which included several geese. The only drawback was dodging a landmine field of goose poop in one section! But other than that, it was a lovely walk, and a great way to start the day. The pictures here were taken with my cell phone.


Yesterday, I didn't get to the gym until late afternoon, and only made it for 15 minutes. Late day workouts just don't do it for me anymore. I love being able to get my workout in first thing in the day!

Today's Workout

This morning, I walked once around Duke's East Campus Wall (35 minutes), then did 15 minutes on the elliptical at MetroSport with George. (Afterward, we got in the pool for a while until I had to go to the Rice Diet for lunch.) Not the hour I usually do, but I enjoyed the change of pace and scenery. Tomorrow, George and I are thinking about doing a Turkey Trot 5K over at the Duke cross country trail.

Morning walk

This morning, since the gyms are closed for Thanksgiving, I walked the cross country trail (5K long) near the golf course at Duke. The ground was still wet, and it was cloudy and cool, but it was still a nice morning to be out. The course is fairly hilly, so it was a great workout for me this morning. ( I finished the course in 65 minutes.) There were a few others out and about on the trail too, so it was nice not to be doing it all alone. There was a tree down in the trail from the recent storms, so it lent a woodsy atmosphere to my walk. The mile and kilometer marker signs are also a wonderful touch and helped keep me going. Since I have the rest of the week off, I may go back to the trail again before the week's out.

I missed being able to watch "The Biggest Loser" last night. It was prempted by a Madonna show. I passed on that, as I'm not really a Madonna fan.

Today I'll be eating lunch at the Rice House. George will be eating with me, which is very nice of him! Afterward, we'll be going to visit his family in Cary for a bit. His parents are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their home this year.


Happy Thanksgiving, all!

More treadmill

Yesterday I did 8 minutes on the treadmill, this morning I did 10 minutes on the treadmill. Feel good about mixing things up a bit, adding more treadmill time. Still did an hour on the elliptical this morning.

Different schedule

Yesterday I didn't work out until the afternoon (an hour on the elliptical), because I had to take my car in yesterday morning, and didn't get done with that until 10:00. I'm at the Rice House for breakfast now, and haven't worked out yet, but will be going to the gym before I get home. It's cold, windy, and cloudy today, and rain is expected. Once I get home, that may well be it. Nice day to read and nap. Ahhh, vacaion!

I'm 50% of the way toward the silver medal now for the President's Challenge. Bit by bit.

Next week I'll have blood work at the Rice House. Good motivation for an extra push!

The Wall

Yesterday I finally met Denise, and she, Tayler, and I went around the East Campus Wall twice! It was a great workout for me, and it took us just under an hour. The two of them were heading around for a third time (wow!) when I left for lunch at the Rice House.

Haven't been to work out yet today, was up late last night with company. I'm tired, but the party was fun!

More elliptical

I did another hour an the elliptical this morning, felt good. Yesterday I walked during both my work breaks, fun to walk around the quad and enjoy the season. I really enjoy fall in North Carolina!

Big exercise day yesterday!

Between my 1-hour cardio, 2 15-minute walks at work, and a run/walk session with Tayler last night, I got in 2 hours of exercise yesterday! Holy Cow! I was a little stiff and sore this morning, so I cut my AM workout to 30 minutes on the elliptical to give my body a rest. I'll continue to walk on my breaks at work today to fill out the hour of exercise I like to get.

Today's workouts

Did an hour on the elliptical this morning. Hoping to run/walk with Tayler this evening, if the rain holds until after we're done. We're talking about doing the Turket Trot 5K in Apex on Saturday. She seems like she'll be a good race buddy, whether or not we run the same pace.

I finished up the President's Challenge Bronze Medal with the morning workout, and with that am 45% of the way toward the Silver Medal. Going to keep on going!

Another hour on the elliptical

Another hour on the elliptical, and it felt pretty strong too. Ended up chatting a little with a "new" lady next to me named Teresa. Not sure if I've seen her there before. Anyway, she works at Duke too, on the medical side of things. She was encouraging about how long I'd been on the elliptical this morning. That was sweet. :) It helped having someone to chat with this morning, as I was a little tired and appreciated the distraction of chatting . I feel more energized now, even without caffeine.

I'm 99% of the way toward the bronze medal for the President's Challenge! Only 129 points to go. If I do my normal thing tomorrow, that should nail the bronze and send me toward the silver.

I ordered the sountrack CD from "The Biggest Loser" from Amazon this afternoon. I'm pretty excited about getting some new "Pump it up!" music to listen to!

Weekend workouts

Saturday morning, I merely did 30 minutes on the elliptical. I was just plain tired, but I felt like I needed to do something in the exercise realm. I'd hoped to get some more exercise after I'd gotten some rest, but it didn't happen. Ah, well, some days are like that!

Yesterday, I felt a little stronger and more determined, and got in a full hour of cardio on the elliptical. This morning, I lasted 65 minutes.

I'm thinking about doing a 5K in Apex this weekend, one of a number of "Turkey Trots" in the area. Hoping Tayler, Denise, and I can do it together.

Friday workouts

I got to the gym a little earlier than usual this morning, and it felt good to get a jump on my workout! There weren't as many people there this morning...a pattern I've noticed on Fridays. Did 65 minutes on the elliptical.

Got my lab results back at the Rice House this morning, and my A1c (a 3-month average of blood sugars) is down to 6.4! (When I was in the hospital, it was 10.9.) My blood pressure has been lower than usual the past couple of days, 88/58.

I walked for 20 minutes around campus today, what a beautiful day to get outside! I love fall weather!

Afternoon Walk

I just got back from a 20-minute walk around the quad here on campus. It's a lovely afternoon here in Durham, a little warmer than usual, and oh, so nice! On my walk, I noticed a HUGE spider and its acompanying web on a bush. Here's a picture of it, using my camera phone!

New happenings

Last night I met with a lady named Tayler, who I met through Craigslist.org for Raleigh/Durham. She'd posted that she was looking to get back into running, and was looking for other women to train with for 5Ks. I responded and we met last evening. She was very nice, and we had a good workout, walking and running in the East Campus area. It was fun to talk with her, since we seem to be on the same page.

Yesterday at work I took a 15-minute walk break, which felt great! Then Tayler and I walked/jogged for about 30 minutes last night. With my 30-minute early morning workout too, I was a little sore this morning. Even so, I was back to 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning. It was good for getting the muscles going, but I'm definitely tired now. It's a good tired, though.

Luckily, the scales were good to me this morning, after all that exercise. :)

I'm 86% of the way towards the Bronze Medal for the President's Challenge. If all goes well, I should complete that within the coming week! Then on to the Silver Medal!

Today's game plan

This morning, I only did 30 minutes on the elliptical, partly because I'm a little tired this morning, and partly because I'm meeting two new running buddies this evening over near East Campus. Nice to shake things up a bit, and meet new people in the process!

Rice Diet Progress

As of this morning, I've lost 42.4 lbs since I've started the Rice Diet. Feeling pretty good about that! I'm thankful to still be able to go to the Rice House for my meals (except for workday lunches, which they pack for me), the daily medical check-ins (weight, fasting blood sugars, blood pressure), and the bi-weekly bloodwork. It's all helping me stay on track!

More elliptical

I did the elliptical for an hour this morning, felt good to accomplish that. Things have gotten busier at the gym during my early morning workouts. Must be the weather (colder) and time change (darker earlier in the evenings).

I went to vote after working out, but before I went home to get ready for the day. Nice having that behind me too!

Tomorrow evening, I'm meeting a couple of new women who seem to be at the same place that I am in terms of running. Tayler is from Chapel Hill and Denise lives in Raleigh. We're planning to run/walk, unless the weather's still icky. Either way, it'll be fun to meet them!

Weekend workouts

Saturday morning, I worked out for a hard 70 minutes, starting with a 5-minute warmup on the treadmill, followed with a hard 65-minute workout on the elliptical. I really pushed myself, and felt it the rest of the weekend! Both yesterday and this morning, I did 30-minute workouts each. I think I'll be back to my normal workout hour in the morning.

Mom and I had a fun shopping spree Saturday afternoon at the Streets at Southpoint, which resulted in two tops and a pair of pants in the next smaller size down! That was exciting!

Saturday night, George and I went to the Duke-NC Central basketball game. Talk about a high level of fitness! Those kids on the court are in great shape! It was fun to see both teams in action.

What a difference a day makes

This morning I changed my exercise routine a bit, starting with 15 minutes on the treadmill, then 45 minutes on the elliptical. It felt good to change things up. I think I'd like to work up to a least 30 minutes on the treadmill and see how that goes. I look forward to running outside more, too!

At breakfast at the Rice House, I thought about sitting by myself this morning after yesterday's inspection of my choices, but I sat down with a group of people out of habit! Well, when my food arrived, one of the ladies nearby said, "I always enjoy seeing what you have for your meals, it gives me ideas!" She even had a good idea for me, mixing pineapple (one of our fruit choices) in with my mixture. I left the Rice House feeling better today. :-)

Last night I went to a meeting where they ordered pizza at the end. I didn't know that was going to happen, but I was strong, and we left soon after. I do miss pizza a lot!

Exercise and diet

Two mornings in a row of 65 minutes on the elliptical, and I can tell I'm getting stronger. Can also tell I need to shake things up a bit with the machines. I like the elliptical a lot, especially the calories I burn while I'm on it, but it's time for a change of pace, at least for a bit.

My meals at the Rice House are a topic of conversation, I was reminded this morning. Typically, I have rice (brown if available, or white) with my standard mix-ins of low-sodium tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, onions, and bran. (Depending on the meal, I have my one or two servings of fruits/vegetables too.) This morning, a lady sitting near me asked what I was doing (and pointing to my rice and add-ons), and as I explained it she rolled her eyes, and the lady across from me reminded her that I was the one they were talking about. She replied, "Oh yes, you were the one we were talking about!" This isn't the first time fellow Ricers have looked at my concoction in some form of disbelief, nor is it the first time I've learned my food options have been talked about, but it still catches me off guard a bit. Everything I'm adding to my rice is ON the Rice Diet, and it's tasty and filling to me! And I try to be discreet and not make a production out of my mixings, but I do sit up tall and hold my head high....nothing to be embarassed about, and I've stuck with the Rice Diet! Okay, so maybe my concoction is a little different looking, but not gross. :) Perhaps this is just more "real world" practice for me, since there will surely be times when I have to eat differently from other people after I'm not eating at the Rice House anymore. I may get odd looks, but as long as I don't make a production out of it and stay positive, my health (present and future) is more important than others' opinions.