An Excuse is the Skin of the Truth (Donna's Challenge Log)

[LisaS]

Eat more on Wednesdays.

[Sminchie]

Originally Posted by clevagirl73

I definitely need to figure something out with my insane teaching schedule because I wore my HRM and found that I burn over 2000 calories in the course of a day (I walk around in all 4 classes including the 3-hour one), not to mention my Wednesday morning workout. I'm over-compensating for burning so many calories on Wednesday that I virtually nothing on Thursday.

I can relate to days like this! I'm trying to make sure I eat often enough and get enough sleep, that seems to help me, but its such a challenge sometimes.

[clevagirl73]

I attempted the Week 6, Day 1 run for the Couch to 5K program yesterday but I only made it through 16 minutes before my shins locked up to the point where I had to stop. I am going to try again tomorrow.

Today I did a FIRM workout DVD using a 6 pound medicine ball. My exercise plans had to be altered because I spent the day waiting for the electrician who showed up 5 hours late

Lisa - I took your advice yesterday and it made a huge difference. I actually took my snacks and ate them right before I started my classes. Going more than 4 hours without food was making life miserable.

Sminchie - Good luck to you

[LisaS]

Glad it helped.

[dillytl]

Sorry to hear about your shins Donna......don't remember if I've asked this before, but, have you been properly fitted for running shoes? The right shoes can make a HUGE difference!!

[clevagirl73]

Tracey - I did get new running shoes but I needed better arch supports apparently. I did Week 6, Day 1 run today. Wahoo! I got through the entire thing with virtually no shin pain. How is that possible you ask?

I bought a new pair of arch supports for people with flat feet. I don't have flat feet per se but when I run I really need lots of shock absorption through the arches. I felt myself over-pronating more than usual on Wednesdays' run and thought maybe with a bit more support, I'd have less pain. Voila!

[dillytl]

EXCELLENT!! Woohoooo!! You'll be kickin ass in that 5k soon!!

[Evie]

Originally Posted by clevagirl73

Today I did a FIRM workout DVD using a 6 pound medicine ball. My exercise plans had to be altered because I spent the day waiting for the electrician who showed up 5 hours late

Oh, I can't stand waiting around for repairmen who are always late! At least you managed to make good use of your time.

Nice work with the running-- and the shoe situation!

[all4love]

Hey Lady! Looks like you're keeping up the momentum in here pretty well. Just wanted to stop in and say hi.

[clevagirl73]

Thanks Tracey and Evie Yesterday was a planned rest day though I spent most of it cleaning the upper 2 floors of the house and was exhausted like I had run a marathon.

Today I did Week 6, Day 2 of the Couch to 5K. Holy Shit! That run was hard Not because of my shins but because I thought I had strapped the girls down with 2 bras but apparently not enough because I was sweating like a 'ho in church and damn near out of breath during the second 10 minute run. It was pure mental will that got me through it. Now I want to sleep like a baby but we have friends coming to us.

Thanks for stopping by All4Love

[clevagirl73]

This morning I did FIRM Body Sculpt Blaster DVD. This was a 30 minute circuit workout alternating upper and lower body exercises. I've had good success with workout DVDs which utilizes circuit training and/or supersets so I'll stick with that until I don't see results any longer.

[dillytl]

It was pure mental will that got me through it.

Sometimes that is ALL that gets you through!!! Way to go, Donna!! You are so close to the finish - have you registered for your 5k yet??

[clevagirl73]

Thanks Tracey....Today was another mental will run as it was my first 25-minute run. I got through 22 minutes before I got a massive side stitch but I just walked until it stopped and finished my run.

I wanted to do the Long Beach Festival 5K until I realized it was the same day as my conference presentation in San Francisco. I need to look for another local run and get Len to buy me a new pair of running shoes and arch supports to break in.

[dillytl]

Awesome job on the 22 minutes. I HATE side stitches!

Sorry to hear the 5k you wanted to run doesn't fit your schedule. Definately find another one and sign up. Have you checked active.com? That's where I go to look for races! Can't WAIT to hear about your first 5k!! WOOOT!

[clevagirl73]

Thanks for the link Tracey. I will take a look and see what I come up with. I just want a race where I can raise money for autism awareness since my eldest nephew is autistic and the state is cutting funding for research ans services.

Forgot to post last night that I'm down 2.4lbs for a total of 4.2lbs since the start of the challenge. Wahoo!

[dillytl]

I'm down 2.4lbs for a total of 4.2lbs since the start of the challenge. Wahoo!

GO DONNA!!!!!!

[Sminchie]

Originally Posted by clevagirl73

Forgot to post last night that I'm down 2.4lbs for a total of 4.2lbs since the start of the challenge. Wahoo!

Great job! Congrats!!!

[clevagirl73]

Thanks so much Tracey and Sminchie

I completed Week 7, Day 1 of C25K (the 25 minute run with no walks). And I did it according to plan. Granted, I took the speed down just a tad but I feel such a high as this is the first time in my entire life that I have run continuously for more than 20 minutes Wahoo!

I also did a 15 minute stretch session from Michelle Dozois' Ultimate Workout DVD and had the freakin' audacity to sweat my ass off

[Moondust]

Hey, Donna. Just stopping by to say hi to another California girl. Good luck completing the challenge. We all need it! Congrats on the 20 minute run - you'll get to that 5k in no time.

[clevagirl73]

Moondust - Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. What part of California do you hail?

Today I did a 30 minute Circuit DVD - Michelle Dozois' Ultimate Workout Weights

Here's a breakdown of the workout:

Kettlebell-inspired dumbbell swings with squats
Squats with Corner Dumbbell Press (light weight - one dumbbell)
Arm Circles with Single Light Dumbbell
(Heavy Weights)Deadlifts (8 reps) then Deadlift with Row (second set with weight shifts; third set with pulses on rows)
(Heavy Weights) Chest Flye with Bridge - (second set with leg lifts, single flyes and then pulses for chest)
Gliding Discs under Feet - Planks in Push-Up Position (second set pulling leg toward elbow)
(Heavy Weights) Squats with Bicep Curls (over high step) - (second set with hover squats; third set with hammer curls; then 2 count bicep curls)

(Light Weights) - Tricep Dips with Weights on Lap (single count, then double counts, single counts)
(Light Weights) - Standing Tricep Kickbacks
(Light Weights) - Long Arms Backwards and Then Up and Down (Triceps Worked)
(Light Weights and Gliding Discs) - Side Plies (then add upright row)

(Heavy Weights) - Glute Blasts (Side Lunge and then Sway Weight Up High)
(Heavy Weights) Side to Side Sways Up High
(Light Weights) - Step Ups (second set then add overhead press; then add 3 pulses up top; then small step-ups)
(Heavy Weights) - Glute Blasts (Opposite side)
(Light Weights) - Step Ups (Opposite side)

Lunge with Gliding Discs (weights optional)
Lunge Forward with Gliding Discs
Repeat with Opposite Leg

Push Up Series
1. Push Up with One-Arm Balance
2. Push Ups with Hands on Discs
3. One Arm Triceps Push-Up with Hands on Discs
4. 12 Regular Push-Ups

Back Extensions with Hands-On Discs
Swan Dives (Back Extensions Moving Entire Body)

Heels on Discs - Reach Back to Work Core
Curls with Heels on Discs
Obliques with One Foot on Disc
Obliques with Leg Raises
Pulses with Leg Raises
Leg Kicks with Core Rotations

Stretch

This kicked my ass royally mostly because there was no rest.

[Moondust]

Donna, I work in Bakersfield and live north of it, out in the sticks That workout would've kicked my ass too!

[Evie]

That workout sounds looong and intense. I like it. Good job.

[LuckyStella]

Originally Posted by clevagirl73

Today I did a 30 minute Circuit DVD - Michelle Dozois' Ultimate Workout Weights

(Awsome workout snipped...)

This kicked my ass royally mostly because there was no rest.

Wow...that's def hardcore! Keep doing that along with your running program, and there won't be anything left of ya!

I've never tried kettlebells...are they better/different/more effective than dumbells? Are there KB exercises that just can't be done with DB's?

[GinnyLou]

Looking good in here, Donna. I find that running is a HUGE mental game for me. And new running shoes are always nice.

[clevagirl73]

Moondust - North of Bakersfield is quite away from LA. Yes, this workout forced me to rest on Saturday which was not part of the plan.

Evie - Actually, the workout totaled 30 minutes. It went by so quickly because there was no rest.

Stella - I think there are some kettlebell movements that can be done with DBs particularly swings. I don't own any kettlebells but I do like the swinging motions.

Ginny - Hey babe! Yes, running is more mental than anything for me. Any sign of discomfort (i.e. throbbing foot) and I'm ready to quit. But I just push myself through it and feel much better in the end.

I didn't have time to post but I did a 20 minute run yesterday. I upped the speed a bit which was challenging and I didn't go the entire 25 minutes as planned. I have been focusing on time instead of speed and distance so I'll stick with the speed that got me through the 25 minute run and once I finish this program, I will work on distance.

[dillytl]

Hi Donna! Lookin' good in here!!

[clevagirl73]

Thanks Tracey

I decided to give myself a break and played on my Wii Fit for 1/2 hour. I did do the run, hula hoop, advanced step and balance games. I had a blast and sweated my ass off

I am also down 1.8lbs this week bringing my total for the challenge to 5.8lbs lost thus far

[dillytl]

NICE!

[poppypixie]

I haven't been in here before but it all looks very good!

Your running looks like it's progressing very well and the weight loss since the start of the challenge is great!

[AnnetteW]

Congrats on the weight loss...I'm hoping not to show a gain for the first month.

My daughter recently completed C25K and right now is just running regularly, but not over doing it. Her plan is to wait till Spring to be able to increase a bit, since she can't count of the winter weather to be on her side.