Saturday morning workout

This morning I did 65 minutes on the elliptical again. I'm feeling the need to work on upper body strength more, but haven't fit it in on a regular basis yet.

Last evening I drove by the new gym I'll have to start going to in the mornings in a couple of months, but it had closed for the night, @ 8:00 on Friday nights. I did look through the windows, and there seems to be a lot of equipment. Perhaps I'll get by there today.

Fresh Air

I did 65 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym this morning, so while I didn't exercise IN the fresh air, I listened TO "Fresh Air," an NPR show, via podcast on the iPod. Great way to pass the time, as the "Fresh Air" segments are pretty long....the one I listened to this morning, an interview with Will Ferrell of SNL fame, was 45 minutes long.

Two workouts

Last night I went to the Duke Fitness Center and walked for 30 minutes. Since it was my second workout of the day, it was nice to take it a little easier. I saw a couple of ladies for the Rice Diet there, which was nice.

This morning I was back on the elliptical for 65 minutes. I was a little tired and sore when I woke up this morning, probably from the extra exercise. (I also had two 15 minute walks at work yesterday.) But I went ahead and did a full workout. I'll probably head to bed a little early tonight.

Mid-week workout

This morning I got back to 65 minutes on the elliptical machine.

I found out earlier this week that the gym I go to for my early morning workouts will be consolidating with another branch of the same gym in a couple of months. In mid-May, the closest gym for morning workouts will be a little farther away, but won't share a parking lot with a Chick-Fil-A (a plus!). Although the new place won't have a pool and hot tub, I don't use those things in the early morning (no time). I still have my nights-and-weekends membership at Duke Fitness, still the best in town (except for the hours).

Quick workout

Overslept this morning, so I only did 45 minutes on the elliptical machine. It felt good to get the extra sleep though, even if the rest of the morning getting ready for work was rushed.

I've added listening to podcasts on the iPod to my morning workout routine. It's a nice change of pace. I'm doing some podcasts during the first part of my workout, then changing over to music.

Gold AwardI

I finally hit the Gold Award for the President's Challenge with this morning's workout, as I suspected I would, and thought I'd have to find another incentive program that would keep my interest, but lo and behold, there's a Platinum level that's not advertised (that I can find) on the website. It will take 500,000 points to earn it, and I'm 16% of the way there with my 80,289 points. Been working on this since October 3 of last year, so it will definitely talk me a while to hit 500,000 points!

Meanwhile, I walked around the East Campus wall last evening (in addition to yesterday morning's workout), and did 60 minutes on the elliptical machine this morning.

Weekend workouts

Yesterday, George and I took part in the community walk portion of the Great Human Race in Durham. It was a 5K walk, very nice outside! I was a little sore, but not much. I think that walking on pavement made me feel the soreness, since I'm accustomed to the non-impact feeling of the elliptical machine.

I was back on the elliptical machine at the gym this morning for 65 minutes.

Shaking things up a little

This morning I did 15 minutes on the treadmill first, then followed with 45 minutes on the elliptical. I definitely like the elliptical better, but it felt good to change the routine a bit. I hope to get outside for some exercise this weekend, sounds like it's going to be beautiful!

Another good workout

I did another 65 minutes on the elliptical machine this morning, burning 696 calories and going 4.96 miles! It would be great to be in the 5-mile and 700-calories-burned neighborhood with each workout. Hopefully, they will become more prevalent with time.

It's fun having the new playlist for my workout on the iPod. I don't have to scroll through songs nearly as much, which is nice! Funny how a number of the songs have the words dance, boogie, or groove in the title. ;-)

Faster workout

This morning I spent 65 minutes on the elliptical, with the resistance at 8 most of the time. Turning it up to 9 felt a little harder than I could take this morning, but level 8 seemed a little easy, so I picked up the pace, and finished with 4.96 miles and 698 calories burned.

Part of what helped me go faster today was that I've got a "workout" playlist going on my iPod! When I have the playlist tweaked, I post the list.

Getting back on track

This morning I did 65 minutes on the elliptical machine, though at a lighter pace than usual. I'm still a tad sore in the legs, but it's getting better.

Meanwhile, the official times were posted for the Run for the Oaks 5K I did in Raleigh on Saturday, and my chip time was 46:30, right on target with what I suspected. I was the next to the last person with a timing chip to finish, and the very last person in my age group (40-44-year-old females), by 26 seconds. Still, I'm feeling really good about the race, and look forward to the next one.

George and I are talking about doing a 5K together this coming Saturday here in Durham. George is doing the walk portion, and I may do the walk with him. We'll see if I have my sea legs back by then.

Lighter workout

This morning I did an easy 50 minutes on the elliptical. I'm still pretty sore since the 5K, though not quite as sore as Saturday night and yesterday. Still, I don't want to overdo it too much, muscle-wise. Of course, I'm missing burning those extra calories and getting even more fit.

Interesting thing, how actually running the whole 5K on Saturday has opened up my thinking about moving up to 10Ks and on to the marathon. It's really given me a sense of accomplishment, a lot like actually finishing the Cary Road Race last April (where I walked a lot of it and finished in last place!). My next goal will be to break 45 minutes on the 5K.

The Day After! Run for the Oaks 5K Results

Well, the Run for the Oaks 5K went much better than I even expected yesterday! I was able to jog the WHOLE thing, much to my surprise, and I was so surprised when I saw the big digital clock at the finish line, that I stopped in my tracks for a couple of seconds to gawk at it! :-P THEN I remembered I actually had to cross the finish line, which I did somewhere around 46 minutes, 30 seconds! I broke 50 minutes at last, and beat my last 5K time by about 6 minutes! I was sooo excited!

The weather was chilly AND windy, but I had the wind at my back for part of the way, which helped. Being St. Patrick's Day, some people were dressed in green, and when I finished the race at City Market, they were getting ready for Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade, with vendors (some of them with food!), musicians, and such, gathering. It was pretty festive, so a fun atmosphere!

I signed up for a timing chip to wear on my shoe during the race, but official results haven't been posted yet. Will post here when I know for sure.

Meanwhile, I'm pretty sore today, but still managed to do a light 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning. I'll be taking it pretty easy while the soreness goes away.

Light workout

This morning I did 65 minutes on the elliptical, but it was a pretty light workout. Tomorrow morning is the 5K in Raleigh--yay! I'm pumped!

Speaking of the 5K, I went to Raleigh yesterday evening to pick up my race packet, and the cute longsleeve t-shirt came in medium only! Wahhh! I'm still a long way from a medium size, but I'll get there!

Shorter workout

This morning I did 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, scaling back a little bit to get ready for Saturday's 5K road race, the Run for the Oaks. It's a beautiful day here, so I hope to go walk around the Quad at some point.

Wednesday workout

I did another 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning. Went to bed late last night, though, so I'm really feeling tired now. Need to get more rest before

I went to see the gynecologist for my annual physical yesterday, and he was pleasantly suprised and very encouraging about my weight loss. I love talking about the Rice Diet and sharing my story!

Before and Progress Pictures

I recently got copies of pictures taken the first day I started the Rice Diet, as well as pictures taked sometime in early February, I think. It's encouraging to see these pictures and to be able to notice my progress! (The pink top pictures are from the first day, and the blue top pictures are from February.) I still have a long, long way to go, but I'll get there. I have to remember the balance between taking things one day at a time, and remembering the big picture, both in terms of my health and in how I want to look, feel, and carry myself.

Today's workout

I worked out for 65 minutes on the elliptical this morning. It's been harder getting up since the time change Sunday morning, but so far I've been able to get a full workout in. I've been getting to bed at a decent time, to boot. The early morning crowd at the gym is a little thinner while I'm there right now, but I bet it'll go back to pretty normal soon.

I'm getting more and more excited about Saturday's Run for the Oaks 5K! I'm feeling stronger and lighter on my feet. It'll be interesting to see what my finishing time turns out to be.

iPod News

My new computer at work has iTunes on it, so I'm trying to learn about it on lunch breaks and at home (with the iPod and iTunes for Dummies book), so that I can add music and podcasts to the iPod I got for my birthday. It's been a great addition to my workout routine! Podcasts I'm going to try out include "This American Life," "Car Talk," "The News from Lake Wobegon," and something about learning Spanish.

Back on the elliptical

Saturday morning I walked the cross-country trail, and yesterday I took an ususual break from exercising. This morning I returned to the gym refreshed, and did 65 minutes on the elliptical, hitting the 5 mile mark and going beyond 700 calories burned for the first time in a while. Now I'm a little tired, but it felt great to have a hard workout this morning.

Yesterday (in my tiredness) I found myself grumbling a little about having to work so hard at losing weight. Sometimes I wish it were easier for me! The extra rest I got yesterday helped relieve this bad attitude shift. Another thing that helped was that I ordered something different from my usual supper at the Rice House. A little variety helps a lot!

Short workout

Did 30 minutes on the elliptical this morning, as I had an early eye appointment this morning, and I got to bed late last night after a meeting in Raleigh. I did have a brisk 15 minute walk from my car (which I parked in my usual location for work) and the Duke Eye Center, all the way in the hospital complex.

I have to start getting to bed at a decent time! How did my life get so busy?! I thought I was busy before, but it keeps getting busier, it seems.

Shorter workout today

This morning I only did 45 minutes on the elliptical. Was tired and a little short on time, as I'd spent some time doing some chores this morning.Life has been so busy and hectic the past week or so! I'm hoping to get out for a walk around the campus today to round out the hour of exercise.

My fasting blood sugar this morning was 79! Wow!

My next 5K is a week from Saturday, so I'll continue to forge ahead!

Time at the gym

Last night George and I met at MetroSport to work out together. I got there first, and a new massage therapist was in the lobby, offering chair massages. Wow! That was great! I thought it was a great idea for her to be out there meeting people and offering short massages. The workout was a little shorter, though, 15 minutes on the elliptical and about 10 minutes of strength training. This morning, though, I was back at my normal gym with 60 minutes on the elliptical.

Tuesday morning workout

This morning I made it through an hour on the treadmill, but I must admit I am tired. I got to bed at an almost decent time last night, but didn't get home til 10:00 due to a meeting, and pretty much went straight to bed. Not much down time. Feeling a little run down in general. Hoping for some down time soon!!

Morning workout

Did another 60 minutes on the elliptical this morning. I'm finding that even if I'm tired, once I get 10-15 minutes under my belt, I often feel like I can finish the hour of exercise. If I haven't gotten warmed up and in a groove by then, then I know I'm tired and need to listen to my body.

Thursday workout

This morning I did another 60 minutes on the elliptical machine. Today was one of those times when I went in thinking I'd do 30 minutes and go home, but ended up being able to last the whole hour after all. I took it 5 minutes at a time.