Cutest running partner EVER!

I did NOT want to run this morning.  Monday morning.  I just didn't feel like it.  But, I knew I had to do it.  I was trying to figure out what I could do for motivation this morning when Paula told the girls they had watched enough Olympics this morning - turn off the TV.

So, I asked the girls if they wanted to go for a run.  Erma passed (once again proving she is EXACTLY like me) but Willa said yes.  She ran upstairs and put on her shorts, t-shirt and running shoes.

Off we went.  I drove to the local college track and she had a full lap in before I got half way!
She made it about 3 long laps as she was on an outside lane.  I made it a few more laps.

I wish I had a picture of her running the track - it was so cute!  This was taken when we got back.  Still cute.

More photos and some inspiration

Here is our group photo from the race last week.   Paula, her friend Joy, Scab, his friend Ed and me.

Now, for a bit of inspiration... at mile 8 Paula found a man who was running at her pace, Miguel.  He was over 300 pounds and not giving up!  He ran for over 3 hours to complete a half marathon!  Now, can you (can I) really not get out of bed to exercise today?

Not quite right

Friday night is pizza night.  I talked the girls into making healthy pizza tonight instead of ordering out.  We used gluten free pizza base at fat camp and they were soooooo good.  Unfortunetly, they didn't have the same brand at our Whole Foods.

The girls ate it but it was not quite right.  I don't think I will be able to talk them out of greasy, cheesy, gorgeous, bad-for-you pizza again.

More zumba

Since I can't run every day, I thought it was about time to look for a zumba class in Oak Park.

I found Pineapple Dance Studio and it wasn't that great.  :(

I will keep going but I am trying to find another casual studio.  So, I think if I can run every other day and zumba every other day....that will be good.

I like purple or pink

Today was the first day using my new running shoes.  It was time for a new pair AND I wanted to support my arches to hopefully stop this planters facitis.  So, I went to the fancy Fleet Feet.  It is THE place to buy running shoes in Chicago.

They measure your feet.
They get you on a treadmill and watch you run.
They tape you running and then show you where your problem running places are.
They bring out several pairs of shoes and then you run in all of the shoes to see which one is best.

As I was trying on shoes, I noticed they had a sign that said, "You can not pick a running shoe by color."  Well, I hate to be argumentative but you sure can!  I have been selecting a pink or purple Nike since I was 12 years old!  (This also brings up the old argument that my mom wouldn't let me have Nikes until I was in 7th grade but then Paula got them in 5th grade.  ALWAYS SO SPOILED!)

I digress....

I told Dylan, my sales guy that I have always picked by color.  He told me to just pick the shoe that was best and he would then look at the colors options.

I ended up selecting a pair of PURPLE Brooks.  No Nike!  I couldn't believe it but I wanted the best thing for my feet.  Did a 30 minute run and a 30 minute walk today - no problems.

Photos from the race

The start of the race - I was in wave 25 and I know there were at least 29 waves.  They started each wave every minute, so I started the race with Paula and Todd, 25 minutes after the Olympians.  Whatever!

The half marathoners show off.  Whatever!

This is towards the end of the race - maybe 1/2 km to go.  So, that is why I am not racing as ugly as normal.  I must see the finish line from here and be in a better mood than I was 20 minutes ago.

 Here I am at the finish YEA!!  And then receiving my participation medal.

My PW

Today was the Rock and Roll Half Marathon and Mini Marathon.  The mini was a 5k.  So, Paula and Todd ran the half and I ran the mini.

I could blog about this for days!  (and I probably will)

I don't know if it was because I had to get up at 4:45 this morning or that I hadn't run in a week or was just too excited with the day.  But...I ran a PW (a personal worst) for my 5ks.  It was a hard race for me but I will get back on it.

Victoria 49:31
Paula 3:04:51
Todd 2:20:34

Happy Anniversary!!!

ONE YEAR with NO McDonalds!
And they said it couldn't be done!!!!!


To answer a few questions -
I have been to McDs.  Just a few times for coffee only.
I have had other fast food.  I think I had Burger King once about a week into this once.  But BK was never my addiction and I don't really think I have had that in a year either.
While I do crave the idea of it once in awhile, I do not need it.  I will not be going there to celebrate.

Do we look happy?

Mary and I rocked the house.  She lost a great 2.2 lbs in her one week and I lost 11.2 lbs!  Yea!

 Mary is coming out of the assessment room - SMILING!

Two of the trainers, Kelly and Gretchen, after my assessment.

Just a little bit more info on RMR

Thanks for the questions on RMR.  I'll give you a bit more info but I am definitely not an expert.

I do think you need to have this done professionally.  If for no other reason, you need a computer program to determine the RMR.  You have it done first thing in the morning as soon as you get up, for obvious reasons - you need a resting heart rate.  No food, exercise within 8 hours before.  You breath into a tube for 10-20 minutes until the computer can get its reading.

What comes out of the computer is this -

The report lists your RMR but also averages you total burn for the day.  It then uses that information to give you caloric range to eat from.  My RMR is 1440.  It calculates that my natural activity is 432 cal so I should eat between 1152-1440 calories per day.

It then can gauge my metabolism as compared to a typical person of similar sex, age, height and weight.  Mine is 16% below normal.  grrrrrrrrr. :)

Do I look thinner?

(am I looking for compliments, or what?!?!?) :)

Today

Sept 2011

Candids! :)

I am icing FOUR parts of my body today.
Did not hike.
It is raining - which is breaking the 108*++ temps we have been experiencing.

So Mary and I posed for some candids in the gym this morning.  :)
The gym before brekkie - no one here.

Mary has been using the nu step machines for her cardio.  No stress on knees and ankles but she is getting a good workout.

The new menu is great

The food continues to be fantastic.
Brekkie today was hash with turkey bacon - it was really good.
Lunch - PIZZA!!!!!  Yuumo.
Pineapple softserve for dessert tonight.

Paying for a crazy day

I went crazy today and I am now paying the price.
I did my big hike and did three treading classes.  Over 30,000 steps.

I can not walk.
I don't think I can do anymore exercise here.

My planters f is hurting and I have pulled a muscle in my thigh.  VERY painful.  I am icing so maybe I can give it a go tomorrow?????

My Fitness Pal, Nike and iPhone are liars!

Anytime you go to use any tool that is going to tell you a calorie burn, they ask you:

age

gender

height

weight

And with that information, they use the average to determine your calorie burn and in many cases, your RMR.  (resting metabolic rate)

In a calories in - calories out diet, you need to know your RMR to determine what your calories out is.  I had used all of the internet tools and my RMR was about 1800.

Today, I had my RMR tested and SHOCKER!  My RMR is only 1440 calories.  On top of that, my metabolism measured a crappy SLOW.  No wonder if I eat an extra piece of fruit, I am compromising my day.  Geeeeeesh.

The good news out of this information is that I really just need to keep doing what I am doing.  I need to slightly adjust My Fitness Pal information and I should be tracking perfectly.

It is hot and hard in St George

Another day of 108* temperatures and the exercise keeps coming.  Mary and I had similar schedules today and worked our bums off.  We had intervals today for cardio class and the instructor recommended if you don't want to time your intervals, just do it to your music.  I thought that was a great idea.  (I already do it.)  She suggested one song off on song on.  I exercise to a song and then when the chorus comes, I crank up the workout.

V - Mumma what was your fav thing today?
M - The massage I just had.  [giggles]  I don't know - it is all a blur.

V - So there is no least favorite thing?
M - Not today.  Just a tough day.

Obviously, Mary still had time to stop and play with the noodles!  :)

Interview with a vampire

I mean Interview with Mumma!

V - So Mary, how was your first day?
M - [giggles]  Just wonderful. [sarcastic]

V - What was your biggest surprise?
M - No surprises really - it is how I thought it would be.  I knew it would be hard.

V - What was your favorite activity?
M - Pool exercise.  I took two pool classes today.

V - What was your least favorite?
M - Core!  I had a hard time on the floor.

V - Do you feel healthy?
M - Not yet.  [groans]  There is not a place on my body that doesn't ache.

V - Any comments?
M - [giggles]  Everyone has been very nice here and I am learning a lot.
I hope I make it through the week.
The end.  [giggles]

Mary has arrived!

Sunday is a free day

Today I am going to enjoy Wimbledon - Go Roger!
I am going to lay out at the pool.
Mary has arrived so maybe we will go down to the Nevada border town for some casino time.

It all starts back up again tomorrow at 6:30 am!!!

Paula - don't read this

Saturday is a half day here at the Ridge.  I decided I would give the famous stop sign hike a real go and try and get to the top since I would have the afternoon off to recuperate.  As mentioned, it is 5 miles on a 1000 ft incline.  The other thing that has had me nervous, besides my ankles and feet is that the rattlesnakes are out.  Grrrrrr.....  My friend saw two on stop sign last week!  EEEEEEKKKKK!!!!

Well, I made it to the top in 1hour 30 minutes which is a pretty darn good time.  My ankles seem to be ok as do my feet.  And no sneaky snakes.

The food is AWESOME

I didn't think the food could get any better than last time but it is just fantastic.  I really want to cook these recipes when I get home.

Today's menu:

Brekkie - breakfast tacos (eggs, chicken sausage, avocado)
Lunch - chicken pizza - so GOOD - they got new pizza bases - YUM
Dinner - spaghetti squash with CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES FOR DESSERT

Q&A

Thanks for your comments and emails.  I love that you are all interested.  Here are some answers to some of your questions:

Q -What is up with the no fruit thing?
A - FR is not really giving a lot of answers to the menu changes.  They said that people were eating a lot of snacks so some were getting up to 2000 calories a day.  I can see how that could happen.  So, there is a snack bar ONLY before the hikes.  I think you can take two snacks.  There are apples, bananas, almonds, hard boiled egg.  As soon as the hikers leave, the snack bar is closed for the day.  NO OTHER SNACKS!  You may get fruit as dessert (last night was pineapple skewer and tonight is chocolate covered strawberries!!!)  But that is it.

Q - What are the new classes?
A - Almost ALL of the lectures have had a revamp which is really nice. Today's fitness lecture was called "Living the crazy zone".  It was about how to adapt from the crazy fat camp lifestyle to life at home.  It was given by Paige.  There are also new exercise classes.  Tuesday now has 1st chance workout instead of a straight core class.  Friday is the biggest change.  I am really looking forward to this afternoon.  The schedule reads like this:

2:30 - Zumba, Pool or Circuit
3:30 - Wii Dance, Pool or Circuit
4:30 - Stretch, Pool or Circuit

HOW FUN IS THAT????  I am going to do Zumba, Wii Dance and Circuit.

Q - What is up with the Planters?
A - I am not really sure except I didn't have a spur which makes a big difference, I guess.  And, I caught it right away. And, the cortozone shot is working wonders.  Rachel D told me to go and by Dansko shoes so that is all I have been wearing when not wearing my runners.

Q - Where is Gail?
A - She couldn't get in here so she is at a resort somewhere else in St George.  I will see her tomorrow and can compare other fat camps.

Yesterday....

Treading Thursday is always a big day and to make every day count, I did TWO treading classes.  What is treading?  Pick a cardio machine.  I did treadmill first and elliptical for the second class.

5 minutes - go as hard as you can
5 minutes recovery
4 minutes - go as hard as you can
4 minutes recovery
3 minutes - go as hard as you can
3 minutes recovery
2 minutes - go as hard as you can
2 minutes recovery
1 minute- go as hard as you can
1 minute recovery

It doesn't sound difficult does it?  I don't think I have ever sweated so much.  I was up PAST my aerobic limit.

I also had a core ball class and I was wiped out.

My planter facitis was acting up a bit and for the first time, I have a blister on the bottom of my foot.  Ouchie.  Lots of icing last night and just passed out tired.

Too tired to type

that's it

Today's menu

Brekkie - greek fritatta
Lunch - black bean soup and mahi mahi tacos with pineapple salsa - YUMMO!!!
Dinner - turkey cobb salad with chocolate torte for dessert - TRIPLE YUMMO!!!!!

I ran mountain

I am having a not great day.  My stomach is really bothering me and needless to say, my muscles are complaining at every class.

I did make it to two classes today; mountain and H2O intervals.
Todays mountain class was you start at whatever level you want then you go up one level every three minutes 15 times!

I did run the whole mountain but had to stop for a bit because I thought I was going to throw up.  I didnt and got right back in to it.

VERY tough.

Can't get out of bed

no picture needed

Every muscle in my body aches.  Muscles I didn't even know existed.
My tendonitis is back - but not too severe.  Enough to make me limp.
I have taken about 10 advil.  2 every time I woke up.

It is 7am.
I am going to try and make it to the hot tub to see if it offers any relief before brekkie.

Zumba-ing and getting noticed

My Tuesday arvo was tough.  Your first two days here are so full on that by Tuesday at 2:30 you are exhausted and you still have 3 classes to do!

Plus...open gym today was zumba. I was going to go to the cooking demo but I bumped into Erica who was a guest with me last year and loved it so much, she stayed and now works here.  Erica talked me into zumbaing and it was a seriously FUN FUN class.  People were singing and yelling and really getting into it.

My very last class was a new one called First Chance Workout which was SO HARD! There were 6 VERY DIFFICULT weight stations set up.  You rotated through all six and then ran for 2 minutes.  You did this three times.

The fun thing about this class is that one of the instructors came up to me and asked if I had lost a lot more weight - she said I looked great.  The two instructors that I was closest to are the two that have noticed.

(Just to let me recap my day - 2 hour hike, 1 hour stretch, 1 hour zumba, 1 hour swim, 1 hour cardio, 1 hour core - EXHAUSTED)

New Yummy Dishes

Since the calorie content has changed, there are several new dishes.  We now have 1500 calories a day which is roughly broken down to - 

400 brekkie

600 lunch

500 dinner

Today's menu was

Brekkie - chocolate banana peanut butter smoothie MEGA YUM!!!!!  418

Lunch - french lentil soup 140

chicken mushroom barley risotto YUM! 471

Dinner - stuffed bell peppers (capsicum) YUCKO 485

Dessert - mango soft serve  41

TOTAL 1655

I don't think I like the big lunch.  I feel too full for the afternoon exercises.

I think I am going to start skipping the soup.  I want 1200 calories when I am here.  It is too hard to do it at home.

I rocked - literally

My ankles have perenial tendonitis.  I know you have all seen me hobbling around at one time or another.  The two biggest reasons I activate it are flat shoes and uneven surfaces.  So after my first hike here, I never hiked again. It took three days for my tendons to stop swelling where I could walk.

Since I don't have Mar-gie with me to help me in the gym in the morning, I knew I would need more of a workout.  So after much deliberation, I did the famous stop sign hike this morning.

Stop sign is 100% pavement so I knew I could do it.  It is a 5 mile hike up 1000ft into this beautiful national park.  It was gorgeous.

Today, I did half a stop sign and then walked back down.
Every day I will try to do a bit of a different hike on this same trail.

BEFORE breakfast, I had 2+ hours of hiking, over 5 miles, over 14,000 steps and burned about 800 calories.

First day was AWESOME!!!!!

My first day back was great.  I was able to successfully complete all of my classes.  My planters facitis seems to be healing.  My big wins were:

1 - my fitness levels were 100% better than last year
2 - I made it through all of the classes pretty easily
3 - my favorite instructor commented right away on how great I looked
4 - dessert was chocolate covered banana  (it was about 1 1/2 inches and covered in chocolate - 141 calories!)
5 - I did run during my cardio class for 2 minute intervals.  YEA!

The food was great.  Lunch was a rice and black bean burrito and dinner was a chinese chicken salad. Yumm-o.

Today's schedule was:
7  gym - I did eliptical as I was afraid of doing too much on the treadmill.
9:30 brekkie
10:15 stretch
11:15 pool cardio
12:30 lunch
2:30 circuit training
3:30 core training
4:30 swim intervals
5:45 dinner

I did skip my classes today so that I could do them with Mary next week.

Where is my brekkie fruit?

I went to brekkie this morning and the first thing I noticed was the menu sign for the day.

The total calories states 1468.
Previously, we only have 1200 calories.
Hmmmmmmm.

Then my muesli came but there was no fruit.  Where is my brekkie fruit?
So I looked up to the salad bar and there was no fruit up there either.

It seems they have changed the meal plan and some of the program.  I can't wait to get more details.

1 July - I am back

In St George, concrete jungle where dreams are made oh

Theres nothing you can't do, now you're in St George

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you, now you're in St George

St George, St George*

I am very excited to be here for a refresher and get back to serious weight loss.  My two main issues are:

1 - the planter facitis - what can I do for exercise?

2 - I have gained weight while on holiday.  I will post the exact number but....possibly a full 7 pounds!

So, basically while I am here I will lose the weight I put on in the last two weeks instead of getting to 60 pounds.  But, better to get back on it.

*Lyrics from Empire State of Mind but changed to St George which is where fat camp is.  Last year one of the instructors had us sing this while we were on the treadmill.  I loved it.