No Neck Pain?

For time first time in several weeks, I have completed a cardio session without any neck pain! Very happy about that!

Elliptical, level 5, 30 min, 277 cals burned

Fingers crossed that I'm able to go through the rest of the day pain free...

Injury

A few weeks ago, I had an extremely difficult workout.  SO difficult, in fact, that I injured myself.  I managed to pull something on the left side of my neck.  I took a work trip the next day or so, and have yet been able to return to my regular workout routine.

Sometimes we just have to listen to our bodies, and while I've been forced to take this time off, I definitely feel it.  My energy level has decreased.  My desire to get up and moving in the morning is on hiatus.  My balance is slipping.  I'm much more irritable.  It's funny how all of these things come together simply due to lack of exercise, huh?

I tried early this week to run and, while I was able to get in a decent workout (sprints!) and it started off on a great foot, toward the end of the workout my neck started to hurt again.  I guess maybe I carry too much tension in my shoulders/neck while I run?

Either way, I'm going to try again next week.  I'm laying off of lifting weights until my neck no longer hurts, which stinks, but I know it's probably the best thing I can do for the time being.

I hope everyone understands that minor setbacks like this happen, sometimes even more frequently, but the thing of it is that once you get over the setback, to you continue to allow it to be a setback or do you try to overcome it?  Do you work through it or do you let it thoroughly work YOU into a place you sometimes have to fight so hard to get away from?

Life happens, people.  It's how you react to it that will make or break you.  It's how you react to it that will determine if you're successful in the long run.

If you fall down, get right back up, as soon as you can.

Dust yourself off and try again!

Light walking cardi

Worked chest yesterday, feeling good today with only a little soreness.

Treadmill, random, walking at 3.2-3.8 mph

1.98 mi

187 cals

35 min

Sweaty but feeling good. 

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday...

I trained hard yesterday, to the point where my forearms and triceps made it difficult to lift my arms... I smiled to myself while I was walking into the grocery store to get milk. Lifting the milk was a challenge (to say the least) and I chuckled out loud. 

Today was all set to be a killer cardio session (in my head) but when I got to the gym I wasn't so sure my body was going to agree and do what I was asking of it. My iPod is my lifeline when doing cardio and of course, it was dead. I made do with my phone

Treadmill, hill setting, level 6, walked for 10 min, slow jogged at 5.0 for 20 min, 5 min cool down. 263 cals, 2.4 miles, 35 min total. 

Sweat is pouring down my head, chest, and back. It feels great. 

Bad Habits

Another week has gone by and I must have been pretty focused since I didn't even make time to blog!  Haha!

Yesterday's workout was a doozy and I'm definitely feeling it today.  Tomorrow should be fun!  Oy!

Weight still holding steady BUT that should be changing soon...

After reading a post on Facebook (one of the many health and wellness related 'friends'), I decided on Sunday that I no longer wanted to drink energy drinks.  This coming from someone who wakes up and has one then has ANOTHER one around lunchtime!  Yikes!

I started my Monday off on the right foot with my final energy drink and as of now, I still haven't had one.  not to say that I don't want one.  Yeah...  I want one.  LIke, BAD.  I've copied and pasted the below post from the Girls Gone Healthy Facebook page:

Question from one of the GIRLS ~ 

"What is the number one thing you did that helped you lose weight?"

There are so many things. One of the most important was getting the diet drinks and diet items out of my life. They are so full of chemicals and preservative and were really holding my metabolism back. Additionally they were harming my body! For the week it took me to detox from soda - yes, detox. I had intense headaches and felt physically ill. That in itself shows you how horrible they are for you. Trust me - I did not want to get rid of diet soda. I thought I had every right to it and held on to it like a life preserver for years. The week after I gave it up not only did my mind feel clearer but I lost 10 lbs - I would say a total win.

I've heard enough about kicking the aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.  I've had enough of working hard and allowing something so minor to possibly be tripping me up.  Would you give up your favorite food or drink if you KNEW you'd drop 10 lbs?  I sure as heck would!  And I have.  Obviously, I don't know that I'll lose even ONE pound from not drinking energy drinks, but I DO know that it sure won't hurt to try it and get healthier in the process!

What unhealthy habits have you successfully stopped or changed?  I know you feel better for it and would love to hear all about it!

Magnificent Monday!

Happy Monday!

I had a nice weekend with the family despite not feeling 100%.  Got some kind of weird jaw pain going on and I'm not sure what's causing it...

Anyway, I still made it in for this morning's Tabata style workout.  It was tough but good, and I know I'm sure to feel it tomorrow!

I'm having to modify this week's training since I know I won't be able to make it into the club in the mornings again until Friday.  Instead of allowing it to throw me off course (I've been doing SO well!), I'm going to plan out my workouts tonight and simply stick with it just like my morning appointments with myself during the week.  The exact same morning routine, except without burning the extra gas.  Haha!

I weighed this morning and was up about two pounds (like I am every month around this time).  I took my BMI and bodyfat measurements and am curious to see how they compare.  I feel SO much better, man!  My balance and flexibility have both improved though, outside of a handful of stability-focused exercises,  that has not been my primary focus.  I actually noticed it on vacation.  I was getting dressed and, being the less-than-five-feet-tall shorty that I am, I like to wear platform wedges.  (What?  They make me taller and elongate my legs!)  While I was changing, I easily bent over to adjust the strap on my shoes.  It wasn't anything difficult or amazing, I was just able to bend over without having to hold my breath and adjust my shoe.  And it was nice.

It was nice not to have to worry about finding a surface that was just the right height.  I just bent over and did it.

Sometimes it's just the simple things that make it worthwhile...  

Friday Finale!

I've gotten to the gym as planned this week. We managed to break my suv's front passenger window. Well, break sounds like an understatement. It was completely shattered...

Because "my time" is in the morning and with our having to drop off my SUV early to have the window replaced, I planned on doing something at home yesterday morning. I ended up knocking out some burpees. Didn't get all crazy sweaty or anything, but I did SOMETHING (which is always better than nothing). 

Today's workout was very challenging but it was awesome! I'm actually updating this as I walking the treadmill. It took me a good 10 minutes to catch my breath afterward. 

I have noticed in the past few months that I've made some good changes. First and foremost, I've gotten back in the routine of my weekday morning workouts. After being out of it for six months!!!, the challenge of working with trainers was exactly what I needed to make that happen. Now, my mornings don't feel complete without them. 

I've noticed that my clothes all fit again. I feel overall tighter and firmer -- legs, arms, midsection. My balance and flexibility have both improved, which is something I use on a daily basis. 

I'll be doing my second Spartan Race in October this year, too, and can't wait to see how well it goes now that I'm actually in a shape other than 'round'! Haha! 

Additionally, taking a break during our vacation was a good way to hit the reset button. I've come back refreshed and able to see things in perspective a bit better than before we took it. Taking breaks here and there are a good thing. A lot of the guys that come in have worked themselves to a point of burnout, so when they take a week or two off and come back in after having rested, they find themselves actually making gains on the gym that they weren't expecting. It's nice to hear them tell me about it!

Walking on Treadmill, 30 min, 1.38 miles

Anyway, I need to go wrap things up for the week. I hope you guys all have a great weekend!