Back in the Saddle...again

Wow, it has been quite awhile since my last post. Where does the time go? Seems like yesterday it was the beginning of April and I was looking forward to Easter with my family and now I am planning my 4th of July weekend.

So some updates:
The cyst removal sites have all healed and my hair stylist even stated the last time she did my hair that they looked good. Good thing since she put color on my head for the first time since the removal at that time.

Training… I am still doing my KB workout 3-4 times a week. I have added yoga in 1x a week and I need to find the time to run on the ARC trainer. Can’t I just have 2 more hours in day to get these workouts all in and still get my other stuff done too? I might have to breakdown and start training during the day while at work and stay later and always go to the last KB class.

Love life… well this is a new subject on here for me. I have started to see someone new and things are going great. We met two months ago and have been seeing each other once or twice a week since we met on a blind date. When I say blind I do mean blind. Other than a photo of him on his FB profile I had not idea what he looked like. We did not talk on the phone and had only sent a message in FB but that was it. His cousin is a friend of mine and she thought we should meet. I thank her at least once a week for her introduction because we are so alike it is scary. The foods and things we like and how complimentary we are with each other. We has even started to include each in work and personal life events. He is an owner of local meat market in NE Minneapolis.

We have met each other’s family and I have even stayed with him at the cabin over Memorial Day weekend. We will be at the cabin for the 4th of July and have 2 camping trips planned for the summer. I am also going be at the cabin for his family reunion in September. We are truly a great match for each other, and everyone who meets us thinks the same thing.

I can’t really think of much more to add right now… surprising since I have not written anything in so long. But everything left to write down is all about The Love and I and I don’t want that out there in this public forum.

I have a full day tomorrow with KB and a yoga class and then working on digging up the yard to add another garden for more veggies.
I will be cooking on Sunday for us.. pasta and sauce and maybe some Italian Wedding soup too.
That is it for now – Peace

Pilar Cyst Removal

I managed to not pass out when I got my cysts removed today. I originally thought I would only get a 2-3 removed but ended up getting all of them done. I had 5 lumps and one lump actually contained 3 cysts stacked on top of each other. So I had 8 cysts removed all together according to my doctor. I don't have any idea how many stitches I have in my head but quite a few.

I have already washed my hair, because they said to wash it right away when I get home to get the blood out so it doesn't scab up in my hair making even more difficult to remove. I was seriously nervous about washing my hair but I took my time and just was really gentle with the scrubbing. I think I will be having bad hair day for a week or so because I can't use anything really hot on my head that might melt my stitches.

I did have some bleeding this afternoon so I got the gauze out and just held some pressure on the site that was oozing and it stopped after a few minutes.

My head has been a bit sore so I have taken some tylenol to help with the discomfort and that has made it tolerable.

I also can't workout for a few days and no yoga poses where my head is in a down position. I will have to figure out when to take my makeup class from last week.

My head congestion is also getting better and better as the days go by so maybe it was not a sinus infection like I thought at first last week. I did finally get some Claritin D (from behind the counter) to help clear out my head a bit more. I love that I can breathe again through my nose and stuff actually come out when I blow it all day long.

It is time to head to bed... I have have had a long day and need to get some sleep to be ready for the day at the office tomorrow.

Peace Out

Yoga Training

After yoga has been suggested by two, that is right, two different personal training I decided to give it a whirl. I signed up for a 4 week Absolute Beginner Class (ABC) yoga. I had my first session last week. I found it kind of boring, because all we did was practice sitting, breathing, pelvic tilt. We even got to do down dog. I have to admit that my calves were really tight doing down dog and I just lightly shifted weight from one leg to the other. I was not feeling well yesterday so I did not go to class but I checked first to see if I could make it up this week if I felt better and I am able to do that.

I just need to see how I feel after I get all or at least some of my pilar cysts removed tomorrow to see if I am up to taking my makeup class. I do want to get to kettlebells on Wednesday and sweat but again it will be decided on how I feel with both my head stitches and congestion.

The new challenge for NEKB is the longest plank without moving. The club is putting up $100 and then there will surely be side bets for this. I am guessing everyone who wants to partake will put in $5 and if the winner has added to this pot they will get the entire pot. I thing that there should be a separate pot for guessing the time of the longest held plank but, who knows if that will happen or not. I will need to start practicing at home so I can maybe get close to winning. That extra $$ would be nice to have that is for sure.

I will post again after I do my next yoga class.

Peace

VO2 Max - Failure (In my eyes)

Well, last night I did the VO2 at Kettlebells and my plan was to use the 12kg bell for the whole 80 sets doing 8 reps per set. I only made it about 24 sets doing 8 and then I had to drop to the 8kg bell because I was not able to catch my breath and I was getting a cramp in side that was not letting up during the rest interval.

I can't tell you how disappointed I am in my performance last night. Maybe the fact I only had a few hours of sleep had something to do with the poor performance. I am not sure but I do know I want to try again with 12kg but I am going to gut it out and do the entire 80 sets with 8 reps. I might even try at home a few times to try and get the reps done up.

I should be happy with this performance as most people can't do the VO2 one time let alone doing it 3 times like I have done now.

The Running Update and VO2 next round

Well, the running on the treadmill did not go as well as hoped this last week. I felt horrible and I am pretty sure it looked just as bad. We ended up doing some core work and stretching to try and help my super tight calves, hip flexors and IT band in both legs.

I am still able to use the ARC trainer, which I love, to add the additional cardio to my training to help lose more weight faster. I seem to flip between feeling great and super chubby I am not sure what is causing the flip flop thoughts on how I feel about me and how I look but hopefully they will go away once I get smaller and stronger than I am today.

Tomorrow night, Monday March 15th, I am doing the VO2 for the 3rd time at kettlebells. I am going to be stepping up to the 12kg bell from the 8kg bell and praying that I feel strong and I can make the entire 80 sets with 8 reps. I have to get in the correct mindset during the day tomorrow so I will know I can do the whole thing and not back down. I am excited, nervous and scared all at the same time.

I also need to stop into CES Fitness tomorrow too to see if they need any volunteers for their advanced functional movement seminar that they are having in a couple of weeks. I saw that they are doing hip and leg screens and I feel that I would benefit greatly from a screen and would be great exposure to those attending to see how screwed my legs and hips are currently.

I am kind of sad that I am not going to be able to run in the 5K the end of April but some time in the future I might be able to try again and I will definitely reach out to Leslie again to have her help me get ready. I am hoping in a year I will be ready to try again.

More updates to come after the VO2 ...

Peace

Let the challenges begin...

Running, those who know me would never in a million years would imagine that word coming of out of my mouth as a form of exercise. That is right I am trying running out as an added form of exercise. I was invited to run a 5K the end of April by my Aunt who's kids, my cousins, are all running this race. So to make sure I did not injure my knee with the pounding of running I have hired a running coach to make sure I am running safely.

I had my first lesson last week and I was on an ARC trainer. It simulates running without the pounding of joints. I ran on the ARC yesterday after I got done with kettlebells and I only got through half of my training, 25 minutes. Yikes. I now know back to back training right now is not a good choice. I am hoping that sometime in the future I will be able to bells in the morning and then running in the afternoon. Even if I don't run on anything other than an ARC trainer I would be happy with that for additional cardio. I feel like I have lost more weight in just the couple of days of running so far. I feel great and everyone is noticing how much smaller I am getting. I still doing my Advo.care products and I think I have the right combinations figured out. I have added catalyst in the morning before breakfast and I take all of that with my spark. I then take more catalyst with spark before I work out. I think that is seriously helping my fat burning.

Over all I feel great about me and where I am headed. I have even let my friends know that I am ready to start dating again and told them to bring on the guys!

I can't remember when I was this happy in the past. My training is strong, and my lose is progressing fabulously.

Peace

Local Shopping Finds

It has been a while since my last post... I am still moving forward on my journey of loss, health and spirituality and I have never been happier, even though I am feeling fat today, must be all the chai tea I have drank in the last 2 days.

That leads me to my first local find, the Tea Source in St Anthony Village. Wow, what a great place if you like tea. I walked into the shop and and was taken away by the fabulous smells of brewing teas and the house chai. The chai I was offered was so great, I have to get the tea and spice mix to make my own. I have been drinking it non stop since Friday night and have not missed coffee at all. No wonder being the spice mix is mixed with sweetened condensed milk and that is mixed with the brewed tea. I highly recommend this place if you like tea.

I stopped into this store front on this past week while at work and it housed several small business that had unique products. I found one that I will have to look at again online, ReGreet, they have a very cool concept on reusing greeting cards and to make it fun a way to track it when it has been reused more than once and the miles traveled. If you hate tossing cards and want to reuse them, check this biz out.

At this same place, there was a lady selling honey. I of course don't need any of that since I have a unlimited supply from my dad and his bees. But, she did have a product that I did purchase, bee wax salve with essential oils. Totally love it. I looked up how to make it myself and it is not too challenging so I am going to give it whirl as gifts for friends.

I hope you will check out these local companies in Minneapolis if you are looking for something unique and different or for the tea, something that just tastes great.

I will post later with more info my journey and how it is going for me and my next set of goals.

Training and The Journey

Well I am still training lots even though my shoulders have been sore and I found out that I have tendonitis in my left heel. The heel has not really bothered me with my training. I just notice it when I try to stretch my calf and foot. My shoulders though are another thing. They just plain hurt. I am sure it is overuse so I took Monday this week off from training and did not train on Saturday either so I gave them a 3 day break and they were feeling better tonight.

I tried on a pair of jeans today at lunch that were a size smaller than than when I have been wearing. I did not buy them yet but I am going back tomorrow with a coworker to see what she thinks of them on me. I just might get them ... kind of exciting.

Two of my kettlebell family members told me today that I looked really thin tonight. I was so surprised because I have not felt thin and kind of upset that I was only one size smaller in jeans than I have been. I also know that I am only 2 sizes from being the size I wrote down last summer as a physical goal I had for myself. I also need to look and see what some of my KB goals were.

I am also recently addicted to the movie Julie and Julia. I love Julia Child and I am going toget her cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking which the movie based upon. I already have one of her cookbooks and I love it as a reference for cooking different things. I want to have some of neighbors over for dinner one night as a thank you for removing the snow from driveway and sidewalks this winter, so I am going to make something from one of her cookbooks. I am sure my neighbors will love what I make and it will be coming from the heart.

I also wonder, kind of like Julie, does anyone read this blog? I have never really told anyone about it so I have to guess that I am just putting these words out there and no one is reading. So if you are reading this, Thank You.

I need to sign off for now...

Peace

Stop the Insanity!

Seriously please stop the insanity. I just saw a commercial on TV for this gadget you can use to crack an egg. Really that is one of the first things I learned to do when cooking... now if I had only known I could have gotten a gadget to do it for me.

This is actually worse than a gadget I saw this summer, this thing you mount on wall and put your toothpaste tube in and press a button and it will squeeze toothpaste onto your tooth brush because is a real strength challenge to squeeze that tube to get the paste onto your brush two to three times a day.

I am sure there are people out there buying these things up like crazy with their last dollar. I don't get it because I never considered getting something to actually squeeze my tube of toothpaste or to use to break my egg for breakfast. I do admit though my mom brought this thing from Sweden that you put onto the tube of toothpaste that helps roll down the tube and push the paste to one end but, I still had to squeeze the tube myself.

The other insane thing is the Taco Bell Drive Thru diet. Hello what is that?? Sure I admit I have had the Fiesta Tacos and they are not bad but I had no illusion that I was going to lose weight eating just that everyday for lunch. It is a special treat maybe once every 6-8 weeks but not everyday. It like anything though if you eat less than what you burn you will shrink in size. It is just the way it works with human body. A person just needs to decide do you want to eat more of something healthy like a good salad and homemade soup or some crap like fast food.

I have eaten my fair share of fast food in the past, having worked as a manager in high school and college for Mc.Donald's I ate there. My brother used to be the General manager of a store and my mom still works for those darn golden arches so she for some forsaken reason likes to still go there and eat when I am visiting. She claims she doesn't eat there anymore but I find that hard to believe. On the other hand, there is my dad who loves the fast food joints and eats that stuff all the time. I guess it is no wonder that he is diabetic on so many meds, that he needs a separate bag to shlep them with him where ever he goes.

I always worry that will be me in the future if I don't watch everything I eat and stop working out. I think that is what drives me to keep moving forward with my journey of weight loss and being a healthier me. I want to break that cycle of diabetes in the family and show those who think it can't be done that it really can if you work hard enough.

I have to realize too that my insanity is someone else's miracle gadget that they have been wanting in their life forever.

This now concludes my rant about the insanity that I have witnessed as of late.

Peace out...

Getting Stronger and Personal Records at Kettlebells

WOW!! I am sitting here just amazed still at my performance tonight at class. It was all about Snatching and using heavy bells. I normally use a 12kg bell (26#) for snatching but tonight that was not an option. I used it to start greasing the groove but quickly moved to the 20kg (44#) bell and I was able to rock out a couple of reps on the right and one on the left. It was time to move up a bell and see what happened. The next bell was the 24kg (53#), this too some time and I had to remember no angry face. I started with a one hand swing to get some momentum going and then attempted the snatch. No Joy on that effort that time. Time to regroup and rest for a few minutes; snatched the 20kg again a couple times each side. Next up the 24kg... this time same process a couple of swings for momentum then the snatch, this time was just a controlled clean.

A few minutes later; one last attempt with the 24kg. Again, a couple of swings to get it moving and POW, there it was over my head! I carefully brought it to my chest and then to the floor. I was jazzed.

The next effort was to take the heavy bell we could handle for one rep every 15 seconds doing a snatch; and this was going to last 6 minutes. 24 snatches total; 12 each side. I grabbed the 20kg and managed it the whole time. I was able to do really well (in my mind) with the right side but it did get a bit sloppy on the left every once and a while.

The final effort for the night was a light bell; I took the 12kg, and we going to snatch, swing switch, snatch for 7 minutes. I have done this for 10 minutes, twice, at New Years, but it was at the start of class not the end after heavy snatches all night long. I managed it and did not stop or rest too long at the top of the movement.

Last week we did a similar effort but pressing. I was able to strict press the 16kg (35#) and then the 20kg. I was able to cheater press the 24kg. Cheater press is where I bent my knees and the drive up, it is a momentum thing.

The other Linnea was able to cheater press the next heavier bell; I think that is a 28kg bell (62#). That was more than some of the guys were able to do in class.

In fact tonight the guy next to me and behind me were using a 20kg bell for the 6 minute drill; one every 15 seconds, the same size bell as Linnea and I were both using for the drill.

Michael wants us to start using the 16kg bell for everything during class. I am willing to step up and try to do that, knowing I have the choice to go back to the 12kg if I need to when tired and am having form breaks.

Off to the showers and then bed for the night...

Peace out!

Thankfulness...

Here I sit watching the first episode of season 9 Biggest Loser, the largest group of people ever to compete. They have to ride a stationary bike for 26.2 miles (a marathon) and the last two teams that finish have to go home before even starting. Wow is all I can say they are some really big folks who are being very brave to try and make a difference in their lives.

I posted on my facebook page how thankful I am for my health, self motivation to workout several times a week, the knowledge to cook healthy food and the fact I like to eat healthy food.

I tell everyone I know that I do kettlebells as my primary and only choice of exercise because it is so efficient for me to do one workout that has cardio and resistance all in one hour. I also get asked alot why I like kettlebells so much, that is really one of the hardest questions to answer that I get. I can't explain it but they are just addicting and I feel horrible when I don't workout for a few days. I love the fact that I can travel with then (in my car) so I can do a 30-45 minute workout whenever I want to do one. I have my interval time that I use to time my sets to keep me moving.

One of my friends whom I have not seen in ages saw me today and he just kept telling me how great I looked. One of my coworkers told me too today that I look great and I need to stop wearing big/baggy clothes and show off my figure. I guess I will need to go to Marshall's and find something new to wear.

My training last night was all doubles. I started with a pair of 12kg bells but dropped to the 8kb (18#) after about 3-4 sets. I was not feeling strong so I wanted to make it through the whole thing and still be able to my arms today. I also bought a new bell today, a 14kg (31#) to use as a transition bell between the 12kg and 16kg. I think once I can do the Max Vo2; 7 reps for the whole 80 sets I will then move the 14kg bell and start with 6 reps for the 80 sets.

I am so motivated right now to keep moving forward with my journey to be a healthier person and the feedback that I got today on how great I am looking felt great, and just more motivation to keep the journey going to the healthier new me.

Defining 2010 Goals for Training and Thy Body

Well the new year is off to a great start ... but to back track a bit with the end of 2009 and what happened with 24 Day Challenge.

I successfully completed the challenge and lost 7 pounds, 8 inches and 1 jean size. I feel great and those around me have really noticed the change in my body. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not the same size that I was before and that I am really not the same person inside and out that I was at the start of 2009.

Besides the changes in the body there have been lots of changes in my life. I started the year dating the guy I thought I was going to be with the rest of my life and that ended in July and threw me for a tailspin but I managed to pull myself out of that downward spiral and move on, sort of, the final shove out of the spiral was in November when my friend Renee told me how lovable I was and that I am really worth something regardless of what my family thinks and what my ex did and said to me. I have heard those words before but for some reason when she said them this time they just resonated with me and became the huge turn around in my life both physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I am now feel like I am able to really take care of me and move forward with all that is good in my life and get rid of the things that have drug me down in the past.

Now for 2010 Goals...

I am still in the process of really figuring this out but a couple of my training goals are

-- Max Vo2 (15:15) 80 sets with the 12k doing 7 reps for the whole thing

-- Strict Press the 20kg 3x each side

As I evaluate what I want to do for the coming year training wise I will add them to the list.

Some of my physical goals for the coming year are

-- continue towards the goal of losing 70 pounds by the middle of August while

maintaining lean muscle and losing fat

-- continue to be conscience of where my food is coming from and eating mostly whole foods and keep processed foods out the house

--grow as much of my own food this summer to consume and put up for the winter

As for today, right now, I am taking a rest day. I had trained 4 days in a row and felt great after each time. I was not sore or achey at all. I was tired and ended up taking a nap later in the day on 2 of the days I trained in the morning.

Wednesday night's training was heavy swings. I used the 20kg, and plan was at the bell (every 30 seconds) do 7 swings. This continued for 80 reps total. I was mad at myself at the end and should have gone and grabbed the 24kg bell because I could have gone a bit longer even after doing 560 swings.

Thursday's training was another endurance run...

It started with a 10 minute run of: Snatch, chest, swing switch to a snatch, chest; repeat. The tempo was 1 snatch every 5 seconds. I know there were more endurance runs that day with cleans and squats and I felt good afterwards. I was able to run lots of errands that day after I was done training.

Friday I trained with Fawn. She had a New Years Day class at The Press Gym. She did another endurance training class.

We did a 40 set class with working 30 seconds and 20 seconds rest. We did cleans, snatches, swings, swing transfers, lunges, squat presses

Finally Saturday I trained again with Michael and we repeated the endurance run that we did on Thursday almost identically. I felt great afterwards and was out doing lots of running around afterwards and got to see Michele over lunch.

Today is going to be quiet. I am going to finish my sweater that I have all knitted but just need to seam together and then add the collar. I am also making more chicken stock to use later as I need and complete the Ham and Split Pea soup I started yesterday.

Training again tomorrow night and back to the new normal nutrition plan and moving forward with the weight loss and living life to the fullest and accepting those that come to me for inspiration.

Happy New Year!

Peace