Thoughts

I've noticed a pattern in my work-out efforts. I am great at getting in my 4 day a week strength training sessions and my Pilates as well. I am great at doing my daily cardio--the elliptical and bike, for instance. Then I will go for a run and feel pumped and excited. I will run a great 4 miles and think I can do anything and be so motivated that I will e-mail my dear running friend, Priscilla to start re-planning our marathon together.

Then the next day I will be unable to walk because my knees hurt so badly. So I will continue on with all my other forms of exercise and hobble up and down the stairs for about a week before the cycle starts all over again. Feel great. Run. Want knee replacements. Hobble. Hobble. Hobble. Feel great. Run. Want knee replacements. Hobble. Hobble. Hobble...

So really, maybe I am just not cut out to be a runner. I would LOVE to be able to say I have run a marathon. What an incredible accomplishment. I want to put one of those little 26.2 stickers on my car window. But I don't know if it's ever going to happen. :(

I'm now thinking along the lines of a 100 mile bike ride. That's a big accomplishment, too, right? My parents do one every year. I'll have to look into it.

Hard work

Wow, this bike riding stuff really wears us out...

funny how the one that gets the most tired is the one that is just along for the ride!! (Yes, he is sound asleep!!)

Summertime!!

It's here, officially! I think a healthy lifestyle is a million times easier in the summer. At least where I live. When we lived in Arizona, not so much. Now it's time to walk to church


take day-long family hikes

and fun family bike rides in the evenings. No picture of this because I was, um, riding my bike, but we had a blast last night exploring new parts of the neighborhood. The weather was incredible. Plus, summer is the time of unlimited WATERMELON! (It's a very low-cal food--although I don't recommend eating large quantities of it when you are on a long road trip in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. Food for thought.)

The other night I went out to dinner at an Irish Pub. I spent all day carefully counting and saving my calories, as well as studying their menu and planning what I was going to eat. I also did extra time on the elliptical just to be safe. I chose the Steak Irish Boxty--which is a traditional Irish meal. It's like a pancake with Steak and mushrooms on it. It was super yummy!! I was so proud of myself, though, because although I was plenty hungry, I only ate half and took the rest home. I am usually a finisher. I always finish everything on my plate. I counted it as a huge victory that I didn't! That way I saved major calories and still got to taste some authentic Irish food and not feel guilty. Plus, Ryan got a yummy lunch the next day, too!

Success!!!!

I don't have a ton of time, but I am thrilled to report that since I started starving myself counting calories I have lost 10 pounds!!!!! Woo hoo!!!

30 day Shred

My kids are wimps! They couldn't even make it through level one using Lincoln Logs as their hand weights. :)
Here I am showing them how it's done...