In Peril!

My streak was almost in peril today . . . but with the motivation of my peeps, I restrategized! I have been going through a week of not sleeping and behind on everything (I even noticed the acute need for a pedicure while at yoga yesterday!) so I got moving rather late this a.m. I did not have time to exercise before heading off for a day of kids b'ball games, and I knew I would not be home until 7:30 - with packing and organizing the week to look forward to as I travel the next 4 days. But then I saw that Jodie went out and walked in the snow, and decided if she could do it, I can do it! So, I changed clothes in to more exercise friendly gear (also used for scrapbooking - hmm, can the love of one use transfer to another?) and headed off to the games. Funny how no one seemed to notice that I was in sweats and not designer jeans (like I own any - but you get the picture).

We had an hour between two games, so instead of chatting and looking at nasty concessions, I bundled up for the 21 degrees and went outstide and walked! The track of course was covered in snow, but it was one big high school campus (and gee, I was the only one out there!). There were even some hills. I may have a little wind burn, and was a little sweaty for the last game, but I was proud that I did it!

And even more - I packed a good lunch and snacks so I was not hungry all day and not even tempted by the ususal stuff. Isn't it interesting when one aspect of this "healthy lifestyle" falls in to place, it makes it all fall in to place?

Press On!
Jessica

I worked out with Jillian Michaels today!

My search for new workout experiences continues.  I bought the Jillian Michaels DVD 30 Day Shred.  It has 3 20 minute workouts which combine strength, cardio and ab work.  She does a 2 minute warm up, then 3 circuits -- each with 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of ab work.  Then 2 minutes cool down.  It's pretty old school which made it easy to follow -- you do need some hand weights but other than that....pretty straight forward.  I added on 10 minutes of incline walking to officially complete my 30 minutes.

I'm with you Jodie -- I have never ever in my life worked out 14 days in a row.  This is a weird thought but it seems like taking the debate out about wether you will or won't work out any particular day -- sort of removes the gray area.  So the voice in your head is only debating what the workout will actually be -- not if you'll work out.  I'll tell you -- I'm pretty damn proud of all of us!  A few weeks ago we were all making excuses and our story was about how we just couldn't do what ever it was we thought we needed to do -- but not now!  Now the story is that we are on a streak -- how cool is that.  Jodie -- I am really excited for you.  Working out and feeling in shape is such a confidence booster in so many ways.  From looking fabulous in that dress to feeling strong and disciplined.  You should definitely try the Zumba -- I have heard it is a lot of fun.

Amazingly enough I found a Aikido class associated with Y I just joined.  I can't start classes to April -- but it's almost like fate that I came across it.  I looked on the internet and the yellow pages trying to find Aikido in Duluth -- but no luck until I joined the Y.  I wouldn't have joined the Y if we wouldn't have started this crazy streak.

That's enough for now.  If I have phone service out at Minnesuing I will call you Monday night.  I'm sure I'll need some emotional consoling after a day with Susie.

Melissa

Two weeks down

Two weeks down and already excercise today for this week. We had 18 inches of snow this week and I am walking outside for my 30 minutes. THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE! Starting to enjoy it again. This week I will increase my time. Looking into Zumba this week with friends. Diet doing well, I tried on my dress last night and around the hips fitting better. Still stuck with zipper but this week is the week! Melissa thanks for pushing me to do this. I am farther then I have been in years. I do not know how you two are doing 7 days a week. Maybe I'll try a 7 day week soon!
Melissa YOU NEED TO CALL ME MONDAY NIGHT AFTER SUSIE. It a great journey but not fun in the beginning. It's hard to see yourself.

Jodie

Steak Night.....or Day 13, which ever catches your attention!

Greetings to my favorite 2 streakers --

I keep saying streakers....I'm a  little concerned about the people I might be attracting! :)  Well I must admit I can't believe it's still going.  I'll say I'm no quitter for sure -- but it was hard to imagine this streak thing actually coming to fruition.  The best thing of all -- it has really made me get out there and find new stuff to do.  There is no way in Hell I was running day after day...so I got busy looking for other options.  So today I joined the Y officially.  I have lived all over the place and I have never joined the Y....never even thought about it.  Then....I headed to the Duluth Running Co. store to joining the upcoming running group.  And let's not forget, I did all that after going to Circuit Training class.  And....if we are divulging all -- I went to my WW meeting before that.  I'm down nearly 7 lbs. since the end of November.  So I am frighteningly on track.  This week will be my 1st challenge and the following week even harder.  But like you Jess -- I will focus on this challenge 1 day at a time.  I am at on off sight -- there is a small gym, but my days will be full with the session and dinner always includes wine.....my ultimate weakness.

Not sure if I will have great internet access...so you may not see any postings.  Don't be concerned -- I'll just be off the grid, but hopefully not of the program! :)

I hope both of you are doing good and feeling better about what has happened with this challenge.  I am certainly getting something out of this that I never even expected.  This has totally gotten me out of my exercise rut and I desperately needed that...I was really getting unmotivated.  Now I feel invigorated to keep exploring.

And Jodie if you are there -- Monday is my day with Susie....so God knows what will happen next! :)

Cheers......Melissa

Elliptical

I meant to get back to you re: the elliptical. I love that machine - I feel like I torch way more calories in a short time vs. the tm. Of course you know how slow I run! I don't know if this helps, b/c every machine varies, but this is what my trainer has me do:
* 2 min at low perceived exertion (around 3) at level 2 maybe and 60 rpm
* 1 min at highest exertion (9) at level 10; maintain 75-85 rpms
* repeat for 20 minutes minimum
If that seems too easy, alternate minutes only.
At least it goes by fast, and torches close to 350-400 calories.

My weight has not budged yet, so my lastest piece of advice (which Mel I think you do anyway) was to do 15-20 min of cardio right away in the a.m. before I eat breakfast to get metabolism going. I did this a.m. (did not count towards my 30 min!) so we'll see if it helps over time. . . .

Also, my sinus issue is rearing its ugly head again (pain!) but I can't see the ENT until Mon morning (then I get on a plane! Joy!). I think I may need surgery, so we'll just see how that effects my streak! One day at a time, right?
JW

Thursday, Jan. 27th: Day 11

I'm officially in the double digits.  I took it easy today -- just did some walking with incline.  First let me comment on the 6am of Spinning.  Let me tell you -- it requires a lot of preparation to haul yourself out of bed at 5:30 and get to another location with everything one needs to workout and then shower and dress for work.  Then there was my lunch, my work papers, etc.    Now on to the actual workout.  It was hard and a bit confusing to a first timer.  And it is as hard or easy as you want it to be -- thanks to that little gear shifter.  Only 5 other freaks interested in spinning at 6am -- oddly enough 4 were men.  And believe it or not -- on the way out....I signed up for the Friday class.

Got to work and talked another unsuspecting victim in to going with me on Friday.  You know what they say....misery loves company. :)

Now -- let's focus on our fellow streaker Jodie!  Well I would say you need to have some compassion for yourself and appreciate what you have accomplished.  Your diet is going great as you called out and you are completing the goal you set for yourself of working out 5 times a week -- even though you have hit some roadblocks that would have stopped you in your tracks in the past.  Nice job!  Can't wait to see a picture of you in the dress.....you better post that!

For next week -- pick one day of your 5 and work out for 60 minutes and see how it feels.  If you fell good do it again the following week.  If you don't like...stick with the 30 minutes.  Ir's way more important to keep it going than push yourself farther than you are ready for!

Signing out -- Melissa

Spinning!

How did the spinning go? I used to love it - but I admit that it took awhile to embrace (was really hard for me at first). My sister-in-law said she ran her best marathon when most of her training was spinning - I think it will work different leg and core muscles.


I went cross-country skiing last night for 1.5 hrs! Our park has free lessons, so Doug and MK and I went. Not sure if I'm sore from Mon weights, or Tues jog and stairmaster, or skiing! The rental was for 24 hrs so Doug and I might try to go again this a.m. to practice.


My horoscope today reads" you may be feeling worn out and tired lately. Don't ignore the signs that your body needs to rest. . . slow down." Good thing I don't believe in them!

Tuesday, Jan 25th: Number Niner!

Glad to see you posting Jessica!  I felt like I was all alone there for awhile.  So you must be in double digits!  My story today is one of progress.  I ran 3.5 miles and then walked .75.  I had been only running 3 -- but I was feeling strong and added on another half.  Then for the big finale......  I walked to the Y and proceeded to sign up for a 6am spinning class.  Let's see it's 7pm -- so that means it is less than 12 hours till I'll be spinning.  OMG!  This has all gone too far.

Someone else mentioned that band thing.  I'm still thinking about it.  I was thinking of taking my jump rope with me for my next trip.  I know you are going to do great on your next trip -- it will be your best trip to date!  I have tremendous confidence in you!

Melissa

Dry Sauna!

Does sitting in the dry sauna count?! It raises your heart rate and makes you sweat! Don't think I could stand it for 30 min, though (I could barely breathe for 15). Felt good after cardio though. I have been feeling so "bloated" (like my fingers) so I thought I could try sweating some of it out. Not so sure it's working. But I gotta tell ya - find one of those stairmaster machines. I ran/walked 2 m then got on that thing for 15 min and it totally makes you sweat. I guess using those big butt muscles!
Jessica

Travel

I don't travel near as much as you do, Melissa, but when I do I am always thrown off, even with the best intentions. I have a trip next week (Denver then on to Toronto, 4 days) and I am also concerned. I suspect you are like me - you "know what" to do, it's just ACTUALLY doing it. My trainer gave me a workout (with a stretchy band, easy to pack) if you would like me to send it to you. But like I said, I have packed it and not quite gotten to it . . . however, "The future depends on what we do in the Present!" Gandhi

Double Digits!

THE POWER OF THE STREAK - it works! I am on day 12, and the challenge has motivated me through some "off" days! On Sat nite we went out with a big group of people quite late and had a glass of wine or three . . . I knew Sun was full of two kids b'ball tournaments (read 8 games) and I had to cheer my Steelers on. So I got up at 5:30 am on Sun (!) and got on that treadmill. I admit I had a small nap later, but that was one big hurdle for me.

The other hurdle was technical difficulties with this here blog, but Mel - I am laughing b/c once I got it all figured out I had Doug take a pic for my "B" - before I even read your entry, I swear!

Jessica (aka ETHEL)

Jodie and......the Dress!

The dress...
Well I will have to say it's been a tough week for me, for someone who made every excuse why I do not exercise.  Monday and Tuesday went well, walking on treadmill at planet fitness, then Wednesday hit.  I woke up at 4:30 in morning and never went back to sleep.  I had a district sales manager meeting all day and dinner at night.  Got home around 9:00p.m. And went straight to bed, and told myself I couldn't exercise!  Thursday came the excuse started all over again, thought I was going to drop out that day but then the dress came into my life.
I went shopping after the meeting on Thursday because I needed something for a upcoming meeting in two week.  I saw this dress and decided to try it on, but could not get it zipped up.  It looked good on me and I decided that minute to stop my excuses and get going.  On the way home from shopping I stopped by the gym and have walked every day  since even in the snow outside.  Started southbeach  diet on Friday to lose 9 pounds which I think should do it to zip the dress.  I also did a core dance DVD today which was a good workout.  So melissa go out and buy some tapes at target for your trip.  This challenge and the dress kept me going because i would have stop on Wednesday.
Thanks for pushing me to sign up for it and  check off one week or 5 days!
Jodie

Sunday, Jan 23rd: Day 7

It's Sunday.....a day to sleep in, hang out in your jammies -- the epitome of lazy!  In addition two great playoff games to watch.  But I still needed to motivate myself to workout.  So I wen't old school -- possibly inspired by the old school football I intended to watch afterwards.  Dug out the jump rope and started jumping.  I learned the value of jump roping back in an old boxing class.  It looks simple and not particularly taxing....but you'll be surprised.  And if you're good there is all the fancy footwork you can add  to impress your friends.  Well that took about 5 minutes -- now what?  I threw in a few push ups, some lunges, squats and the quintessential sit ups.  Finished up with a few more minutes of jump rope and put the big DONE stamp on it.

I must admit I am enjoying 2 things about this craziness we are calling "The Streak" -- I love the trying new stuff and I love writing the workout down in my journal.  I feel such a since of accomplishment.  I hope you guys are feeling it to!

That's all for now!  Melissa

Saturday, Jan. 22nd: Day 6

It's the weekend and the 6th day of my personal exercise streak.  Today was a running day....inside on the treadmill.  It was 9 below zero this morning and I don't mean the wind chill.  So jumped on the treadmill and watched some HGTV to kill the boredom.  Also tried out a new heart monitor band to get an idea of how hard I'm working.  Now I just have to do some research to see what rate I should be at.

I admit I'm a little concerned about being able to keep my streak going.  Just booked my market trips for February and all I could think is how in the world am I going to get a workout in on those travel days.  I guess its one day at a time as the ol' saying goes.  Curious how my cohorts in crime are doing...haven't heard much from either of you.  So feel free to chime in....and soon!

Today's quote......"Run now, wine later!"  And I am..........Cheers!"  Melissa

Wednesday, Jan. 19th: Day 3

And on the 3rd day the Gym-Gods created the elliptical machine.  I have to say it's not my favorite -- but I didn't want any of the machines to feel slighted so I had to give it a chance.  Isn't that what they say..."give ellipticals a chance?"  Here's the problem -- I'm a treadmill kind of girl.  So I never know wether to I should do one of the pre-program settings or the manual option.  Then what resistance to use.  I don't want to be a slacker....so I think I set it too high.  Then I feel like my 30 minutes will never end.  Today was no different. But I survived and was able to walk away so mission accomplished!

I did start exploring the classes at the local YMCA.  If I'm gonna do this everyday -- I am most definitely going to need lots of options.

Signing out for tonight -- Melissa

Tuesday, Jan 18th: Day 2

Greetings to all --

Since I know how serious we all are about this fitness streak, my loving husband set up this blog for us to use to motivate each other and inspire each other to greatness.  Or possibly pick each other up and dust us off if we have a moment of weakness.

And yes my friend Jessica....this Blog counts as my "B."  How jealous are you?  But I must give credit to Jodie -- who suggested this idea.  I am putting all of us on here as authors....once I figure out how.  So this is our blog to do with as we please.  Post recipes, fitness challenges -- make wine recommendations, frankly whatever we feel like sharing.

One last detail I must share.....  The blog name is in honor of the 2 greatest friends I can think of -- Lucy and Ethel.  May we all have as much fun together as Lucy and Ethel!  With that I will end with one of my favorite exchanges between the girls --

Lucy:  I have a plan
Ethel:  I'm still recuperating from your last plan

....and yes Jodie I could apply this to our little trapeze episode!

signing out.....Melissa