Workout DVD Review

I thought it would be a good idea to check out exercise DVD's through Netflix, taking the cue from Kyra on Muscletank. I took a gander at Denise Austin's "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones." I had to turn off the volume because Ms. Austin's voice really got to me and she wouldn't shut up. I couldn't deal with the constant chattiness and her raspy, slightly squeaky voice that resembles fingernails on a chalkboard. ... The workout, itself, is okay, but I would probably do it AFTER my 2.5 mile run because it's not that hard and it involves a lot of stretching, and as long as the mute button is pressed. I'd say this workout is good for someone who never really worked out before. I guess I had become accustomed to Rodney Yee's "Power Yoga - Total Body" DVD. No ongoing and annoying chattter!

Any Mardi Gras or Carnival celebrations going on?

UBW Complete
I managed my UBW today, somewhat BFL style - but with higher reps, just to see what I could do. I'm not doing nearly the poundage I used to do, but I was able to go up to 12.5 pounds.

Reality Check:
Yesterday we went to the house and did more clean up work. I also did an entire free day, which I rarely do any more, and I felt it last night. I was sore from all the manual labor -- which included the heavy lifting, cleaning, moving, plus I was tired and bloated... There's still so much more to do... I couldn't image doing all that heavy work and NOT be in shape... We kicked @$$...

Things that went right:
*Viewed a workout DVD... Glad I didn't actually buy it!
*UBW, somewhat BFL style for chest, biceps and triceps. Triceps I could go up to 7.5 pounds - a slight improvment, and up to 12.5 for everything else.

Things that need improvment:
* I still can't do side raises with any weights, but I keep trying.

I Am A Dreaming Soul

Another Blog Quiz! I couldn't resist! I found this one on Cathy's blog...

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

8 Miles

Michael and I managed our 8 miler at the lake yesterday. I did mine in 1:30:24. I'm not sure what time Michael had since he didn't wear his watch, but he finished about 15 minutes after I did, which is a huge improvment for him. I felt sluggish at the start, but had better running after the split. That makes 6 for 6 workouts/running this week!

Friday Workout

I am ever so thankful for waking up rested yesterday. Last night Michael tossed and turned all night, consequently keeping me up. I did get to sleep in a little bit, but it's hard to sleep when one cat is meowing in my ear and the other deciding that it's comfy to curl up on my stomach.

Reality Check:
5 for 5 this week! I WILL DO MY LSD RUN TOMORROW MORNING!


Things that went right:
*I did a few high reps, low weights of tricep kickbacks before getting into my LBW circuits.
I still have DOMS from the "Yard Work Workout" the other day, and my left arm elbow tendonitous issue isn't totally resolved, so I could only muster 5 sets, 20 reps at only 5 pounds... I tried to go heavier today but I started feeling those twinges again. I could have gone way heavier on the right arm, but didn't. This so sucks.
*LBW circuits - 5 sets, 20 reps with 50# total resistance rods on the Bowflex for leg curls and leg extensions, and 2 20# dumbbells for squats. I finished off with 200 crunches on the Bowflex on the incline, using 20# resistance.
*Nutrition and water intake is right on the mark.
*Added several "new" songs to the Ipod on my Running Playlist... "Bad Things" by Jace Everett was great for crunches but not long enough for 200 reps...

Things that need improvement:
*Build up more reps with the lower weights for my UBW. I suppose I could have done 5 sets of 30. I need to be more patient.
*Get out EARLY to run tomorrow, even if Michael doesn't want to... I have no excuse.

100 List

I got this 100 list off of Angie's blog... I thought I'd give this a whirl...

Rules:
-100 Yes's or 100 No's
-You can only say yes or no
-You are not allowed to explain anything.

1. Taken a picture naked? Yes

2. Painted your room? Yes

3. Made out with a member of the same sex? Yes

4. Drove a car? Yes

5. Danced in front of your mirror? Yes

6. Have a crush? Yes

7. Been dumped? Yes

8. Stolen money from a friend? No

9. Gotten in a car with people you just met? Yes

10. Been in a fist fight? No

11. Snuck out of YOUR house? Yes

12. Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? Yes

13. Been arrested? No

14. Been arrested more than once? No

15. Made out with a stranger? No

16. Met up with a member of the opposite sex somewhere? Yes

17. Left your house with out telling your parents? Yes

18. Had a crush on your neighbor? No

19. Ditched school to do something more fun? No

20. Slept in a bed with a member of the same sex? Yes

21. Seen someone die? Yes

22. Been on a plane? Yes

23. Kissed a picture? Yes

24. Slept in until 3? Yes

25. Love someone or miss someone right now? Yes

26. Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? Yes

27. Made a snow angel? Yes

28. Played dress up? Yes

29. Cheated while playing a game? Yes

30. Been lonely? Yes

31. Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes

32. Been to a club? Yes

33. Felt an earthquake? Yes

34. Touched a snake? Yes

35. Ran a red light? Yes

36. Been suspended from school? No

37. Had detention? Yes

38. Been in a car accident? Yes

39. Hated the way you look? Yes

40. Witnessed a crime? Yes

41. Pole danced? No

42. Been lost? Yes

43. Been to the opposite side of the country? Yes

44. Felt like dying? Yes

45. Cried yourself to sleep? Yes

46. Sang karaoke? Yes

47. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes

48. Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes

50. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes

51. Kissed in the rain? Yes

52. Sang in the shower? Yes

53. Made love in a park? Yes

54. Had a dream that you married someone? Yes

55. Glued your hand to something? No

56. Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole? No

57. Ever gone to school partially naked? No

58. Been a cheerleader? No

59. Sat on a roof top? Yes

60. Didn't take a shower for a week? No

61. Ever too scared to watch scary movies alone? No

62. Played chicken? Yes

63. Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? Yes

64. Been told you're hot by a complete stranger? Yes

65. Broken a bone? Yes

66. Been easily amused? Yes

67. Laugh so hard you cry? Yes

68. Mooned/flashed someone? No

69. Cheated on a test? No

70. Forgotten someone's name? Yes

71. Slept naked? Yes

72. Ever beat up one of your friends? No

73. Gone skinny dipping in a pool? Yes

74. Blacked out from drinking? No

75. Played a prank on someone? Yes

76. Gone to a late night movie? Yes

77. Made out with anything not human? No

78. Failed a class? Yes

79. Choked on something you're not supposed to eat? No

80. Played an instrument for more than 10 hours? Yes

81. Did you celebrate the 4th of July? Yes

82. Thrown strange objects? Yes

83. Felt like killing someone? No

84. Felt like running away? Yes

85. Ran away? Yes

86. Did drugs? Yes

87. Had detention and not attend it? No

89. Made a parent cry? No

90. Cried over someone? Yes

91. Owned more than 5 sharpies? Yes

92. Dated someone more than once? Yes

93. Had/Have a dog? Yes

95. Own an instrument? Yes

96. Been in a band? Yes

97. Drank 25 sodas in a day? No

98. Broken a CD? Yes

99. Shot a gun? Yes

100. Had feelings for one of your best/good friends? Yes

Sleep. It's a good thing.

There's nothing better than a really good night's sleep. Yesterday I spent a good 6 hours or so cutting back and pruning bushes and trees with my son at the soon to be new (old) home. Technically, I shouldn't be doing the trimming, as the seller (my dad and aunt) should be, but I'm doing this to help out my dad, not my aunt who has been a royal pain to deal with -- and I'm being nice. I did the "Yard Work Workout" yesterday, and I am SORE. Definetly feeling DOMS today. With all that cutting and pruning and hauling, etc... I wore myself out. I slept so very soundly and woke up feeling great!

Today I did a 2.5 miler in 26 minutes. .Still, not my fastest time but I felt invigorated afterwards.

Weight Training and Cool Runnings

Last week bombed, as far as workouts and running were concerned. I never did get in my slow long distance run but I'm determined to fit in everything this week. I've gotta get in 3 running days and 3 weight training days. So far I'm 2 for 2. Yesterday I did circuits with moderate weights and high reps. Today I ran 2.5 miles in about 27 minutes. I didn't want to do a full on run, so I felt comforatble with the slower pace.

As far as nutrition is concerned, last week also bombed, but I didn't gain or lose anything, so that is a bonus... I can't slack off all the time, though.

My Grandmother

This is a photo of my Grandmother that I found at the house. I need to do more research on the photo, as far as what the year was. I believe this photo was taken right after my grandparents were wed, perhaps in the 1920's...

My Candy Heart

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Issues On My Mind

Escrow should close in just a month and things should be easy from here on out but they're not. Same old issues with my aunt complaining about every little, unimportant issue and my dad having to put up with it. She comes at him with verbal diarrhea and at high volume, and he was yelling back, but now he just calmly says "stop yelling at me," and doesn't feed into her tantrums. If it wasn't the price of the house she yells about, it's the bids for the tenting, then not wanting to pay to have the old toxic liquids in the shed and junk removed from the property, etc, and so on... She thinks we're "getting a bargain" on the price of the house. We're actually paying over market for it. She insists that the house could have been sold for $100K more than we bought it for. Is she on drugs or what? Maybe she needs drugs... I've tried to put myself in her shoes so I could possibly understand where her head is at on this, and I just can't. The house and property have not been upgraded since, oh, about 1946, when the house was built -- oh wait, I take that back, new bathroom sinks and toilets were installed about 20 years ago. The reason why I want to hang onto this house is because it was one of the first houses in that area and there's a lot of family history there -- I couldn't see the house bulldozed down for condos. I posted about this a while back, when my aunt originally denied us the sale of the house. It was all about the money. She wanted as much money out of us as possible -- she has even verbally solicited the sale of the house to bring the price up, even though she says she didn't, but I had one of the contractors tell me otherwise -- that she asked him if he wanted to buy the house... I've trying hard to "bless and release" my aunt, and I've been as nice as can be when I am in her presence, but it's getting tough.

Other random thoughts:

What's up with gaucho pants being back in style? I didn't like them the first time around and, to me, they look hideous, unless you have a model's physique. I think, for most women, gaucho pants are a fashion don't. I hope they're gone by this fall or sooner....

I thought the opening ceremony to the Winter Olympics was just odd. Did anyone else think it was weird that mostly American/English 70's and 80's disco and dance music was played during the "Parade of Nations?"

This one is my personal issue with myself... My writing abilities have gone down the tubes... I write as if I were talking, and that's probably wrong, as well. English was one of my best subjects in high school and college and I lived for essay questions... I look back at some of my posts on my blog, and comments I've made on other blogs and just cringe...

I'm still on the look out for new running shoes that aren't gong to be discontinued in the near future... I have a good couple of months to do that...

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Today's Workout

I was backup day care for Evan today, so I didn't get started until 4 pm.

I'm finally getting back to somewhat of a decent lower body workout. I did a warm up with the row seat attachment, then did circuits of hamstings, quads, and abs -- 5 rounds 30 reps each at a moderate weight (total of 50# of resistance on the Bowflex) Did regular crunches on the bench.

Yesterday's free meal was quite tremendous. We took the inlaw's out downtown for Brazillian cuisine. It was overwhelming since it was a chuhascaria, where they bring all of the barbecued meat to your table on skewers, cut it off the skewers to a common plate on the table, and the rest of the food is buffet. I broke down and had a caiparinha, which tastes somewhat like a margarita, but has it's own distinct flavor since it's made with cachasa. A day later I still feel stuffed. Today's food intake is very much 100%.

Saturday Run

Today I was back to doing my 10K run at the lake. 1:08. Only 2 minutes slower than the very last time I ran it, but I had to slow down for DH when his hydration pack started leaking... My hip is stiff but no real pain.

Starry Night

I have a poster of Van Gough's "Starry Night" in my hallway. It's not the best poster and the frame is tacky, but it's still one of my favorite paintings. I was fortunate to see the original many years ago...

I spent the day with 2 year old Evan. It's fun when someone actually thinks mundane yard work is fun. He thought it was fun to put small clippings from a bush into the greens bin. I wish yard would could be that interesting all the time. The best part was when the trucks came to take away the greens. We stood in the front yard and watched as the men put our greens in the "really, really big truck" ~ Evan's words. Ahhhh, to find joy in such simple things.

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Workout stuff.
Lower body workout on the Bowflex. Hamstrings, glutes, calves.
Yoga type stretches.
Food is on track.

Eye Witness

Yesterday afternoon I had witnessed something bizarre. As I was exiting the Costco building on Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, I happened to look up and in the not so far distance there was a big explosion in the sky. I stood there and watched all kinds of flaming debris cascade towards the ground. This was all too surreal. Amazingly, with all the people at Costco, there were only a few of us who saw this explosion in the sky. I asked one of the guys at the Costco garage if he saw the explosion, and he said he had not... Once I got to my car and put my groceries in the trunk, I called a friend who I knew would be home. He happened to have the news on and there were reports of a mid-air collision. Since I've been home and been watching the news, it was a couple of small airplanes that collided, and most of the fuselage landed in a park next to a high school, and in the backyards of a few homes, some pieces landed on a home but no serious damage. Three people, who were in the airplanes, were killed. No one on the ground was hurt. The UT article explains more.
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Workout stuff...

I said I wasn't going to run until the hip issue was completely resolved. I just couldn't stand it anymore. I went out for a run this morning and I sure felt rejuvinated. The hip still feels a little sore but it didn't bother me any more or less. I ran about a 2.5 mile loop in my neighborhood in about 26 minutes.

I missed my Tuesday weigh in so I did it yesterday and weighed in at 125. That felt good but I happened to weigh myself today and it was down at 124. I hope that's not one of those fluke things and that the weight is going in the right direction. I hope my body fat percentages haven't gone up, though, even though the weight is going down. My Ormon still says 25%, which is in the okay range but I'd like to be somewhere around 18%. I want to be as fit as possible for this year's marathon. Last year I sort of blew it and didn't pay attention to my body fat percentage and lost a lot of tone when I started with the high mileage training.

In Dire Need Of Some TLC

On The Fitness Front

When I originally started this blog I had planned to keep track of my running and fitness progress, and throw in other miscellaneous blurbs of "whatever" here and there. It's kind of turned into more of the "whatever" and less running and fitness, which is actually emulating what's really going on. It's time to get serious about training again.

Since signing up for the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon (on June 4, 2006) I have not run. I've been having problems with my right hip and have been to my chiropractor for it. Since I had a decent running base before the hip problem happened, I think it will be relatively easy to slide into marathon training. I am still working out with weights and did my long slow distance mileage as a walk instead of a run. I probably won't ever do any speed training, but as long as I can do the miles I will be fine. My marathon goal has never been about time, it's been about finishing. I'm happy to say that my knees aren't bothering me, even with the established running base prior to the hip issue.


In the current issue of Runner's World, there's an ad for Jelly Belly "Sports Beans." They sort of compare to those sports gels, but I wonder how good they are. I'll have to give them a try. At last year's marathon, people in some of the neighborhoods we ran through passed out regular Jelly Belly's. Even though it's mostly sugar, it was a nice switch to have a little something with decent flavor besides a sports gel.

I'm still on the search for another running shoe. I may have to visit Road Runner Sports in my area just so I can try on everything in my foot category. Ugh!

An experiment

Pointsettas from the soon to be "new" but old home...

Up to my eyeballs in avocados...

This is just a portion of one avocado trees at the house I am buying. There are three very large avocado trees, each a different type. Guacamole, anyone?

What's On Your Fridge?

The exterior of my fridge:



The freezer side has 3 magnets that are of a tabby cat (that looks like Lumpy), A Gibson Les Paul guitar, and an amplifier.


The refrigerator side has a photo copied and laminated food chart from the "Body For Life" book, which has been there for about 6 years now, and a butterfly magnet that I purchased while parking in the lot at Seaport Village, just so I could get my parking validated.



The left side of the fridge that isn't covered by cabinets has all kinds of crap on it, such as photos of friends and relatives, a print out of the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon route, car magnets, a spam magnet, a comic strip of "Adam @ Home," and other miscellaneous magnets...

So there you have it. My refrigerator.

Yes, I was bored, but I couldn't sleep, so this is what I did at 3 AM...