Squash the Squish

former gym rat-turned-foodie/grad student on a quest to return to pre-squishy form despite working full time and going to school

Friday, May 26, 2006

week 6 recap

It has been a good week...I've gotten some good jogs in and I'm feeling great! Erich has had time to join me on my jogs this week, and we have had some tough workouts.

Big news...I actually made it a step further in my walk/jog program! I think that having Erich there for encouragement/a kick in the rear really helped. My original thought was that I'd do better by myself, but I really have pushed myself harder this week than I have in a while. I hope Erich is getting good workouts too...he can practically walk next to my jog, our strides are so different.

I am trying to stay positive...I am still pulling a lot of spring/summer pants out of the closet that are just too tight to wear. It really depresses me, but I am trying to channel that into motivation.

Erich and I actually took some true "before" pictures on Tuesday. We got into our bathing suits and each did a straight on and profile picture to compare with as we go along. I really hope that my results kick in by Megan's wedding!

Friday, May 19, 2006

shaking things up

Yesterday evening I had to forgo my Thursday Yanna walk due to thunderstorms...and yoga was at Erich's. But I did not use that as an excuse for a night off! I busted out a dvd I haven't done in a long time...it's a power half-hour program, and you can choose a program for which part of the body you want to concentrate on. I picked the "thigh blaster" and had an awesome workout. It kept my heart rate up for 30 solid minutes, and I am feeling it in my legs today! I may have to make this my regular Thursday workout!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

day of reckoning #1




Well, the wedding came and went. The dress fit...I am pretending to notice a difference in visible squish. The picture on the top is "before"...about a month and a half ago, and the picture on the bottom is from this past weekend.

I still cannot get through the next level of jogging! How pathetic...however, I am still getting good workouts in on a regular basis and trying my hardest.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

yoga

I've had to switch up my schedule a bit this week due to having company in town. I moved my Thursday yoga to Wednesday, and I'll be heading out to try again w/the jog tonight.

Slipping the yoga into my regular routine every week is already paying off. It's amazing that an activity so relaxing and spiritually centering can be such a great workout. I think it's the perfect complement to my cardio workout.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

struggling

Why can't I make it through my next level of jogging??? This is making me crazy! The first shot my lungs held my down, yesterday it was my calves! I got through half of the workout, and my calves started aching so badly that I could barely walk. I stopped twice to stretch, which allowed me to continue jogging a little bit, but I wasn't able to complete my goal. Grrrr!!!

Today is walk Yanna/yoga day, and I guess I give it another shot tomorrow.

Monday, May 08, 2006

week 3

I had another pretty good week. I stuck to my jogging schedule, although I was unable to advance to the next level on Thursday. The routine is supposed to be:
5 min walking
3 min jog, 2 min walk, repeat 9 times (9 times??? Holy cow.)
5 min walking
So I actually made it through 4 1/2 of the jogs. Then I walked for about 3 minutes, jogged another two, and walked the rest of the way home. So it was not a complete failure, but it really frustrates me to not be able to add that extra minute to each round of jogging. I get through the "jog 2, walk 2" just fine. I will keep at it!

Erich got out there with me on Saturday, and we backed it up to the last jog 2 walk 2 program, and I will try again today to kick it up to jogging 3 minutes at a time.

We did ok with our eating over the weekend...only one cream sauce dish, and I did a good job w/portion control. Plus, on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday nights we increased our veggies at dinner and omitted the pasta that we usually have on the side. I don't believe in no-carb dieting, but I know that I could use a decrease.

This coming weekend is my first benchmark for checking on my progress. I'll see how I look/feel in my cute new dress at our friends' wedding, and I will also post the first round of before/after pics! I'm really going to have to work hard this week!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

in the swing of things

My first full week of no classes/establishing a routine is off to a great start. I was proud of myself for getting through my run on Monday, and yesterday I took Yanna for an easy walk for about 30 minutes, and then got in a good hour of power yoga. I ran into a friend on my way home from my walk, and she joined me for yoga. I think it helped to have someone there with me...I might have quit earlier otherwise!

I know this is getting repetitive, but I don't care - I feel great! That alone is enough to keep me on my game.

good article for getting started

This msnbc article that I read this morning has some helpful tips for starting a weight loss/fitness program.