Today the boys were off of school for I'm honestly not sure what. I'd promised myself I wasn't going to skip a single class before the Disney trip and I wasn't going to allow myself to use the kids as an excuse. They came with me.
Not their first time and not their best behaved class. They were all over the place untill I finally had to tell them to just follow me from station to station and stay out of everyone else's way. I went into class knowing I might not get the best workout today but that something is better than nothing.
I was right. I did what I could with them getting in my way and trying to do what I was doing. (You know you bring your kids to Boot Camp a lot when they can do the warmup stretches) They sort of stayed out of everyone's way but I've seen them behave better.
Since I didn't feel like I gave 100% to the class I decided to use the kids as live weights and do some exercises with them. I got a little creative.
I also did my 15 swings with the 45 pound Kettlebell! Watching the video I probably should have done my swings away from a classmate's body but hey, no harm no foul...
Patrick is my bigger son, he's the one I do the squats with. He weighs about 60 pounds now. Brian the littler one isn't far behind his brother weighing in at about 55 pounds.
Swings and Squats
The kids wanted piggyback rides so rather than walk in a circle I used their weight to give myself a little extra workout.
Piggyback
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
14 Swings
14 Swings with the 45 Pound Kettlebell and my friend Cathy being goofy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeqlelPAS74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeqlelPAS74
Monday, March 14, 2011
Movitation
I am most successful in life and in endeavors when I break them down into small pieces or goal related projects.
To just roll merrily along without a destination does not work for me. I have to have my laser sights locked in on something for me to be able to accomplish anything.
Take Boot Camp. I took two weeks off, but came back stronger and more focused than before. I go to class and I'm pumped up like a crazy chick, more now I think than ever before. I sat myself down mentally and said
"Okay you slacker. We have less than a month till the Disney Trip. Till your husband's 40th birthday trip. Less than a month till you are going to drag the whole crew to photos with Mickey Mouse and drive poor Mike nuts asking him to take photos of you at various places, in various poses. Less than a month till you turn the camera on yourself and take video footage. How do you want to look in these photos and videos?"
Even the lazy bitch agreed that I should look as smokin hot as I can and work as hard as I can to get there.
So I'll give class my all and push myself for the next 19 classes till the trip and then what? I come back after a week away and how will I be motivated? What will drive me? What will fuel the passion?
When we get back I will have less than a month till the 5 boro bike tour. 42 mile bike ride through the 5 boros of Manhattan. Last year I attempted it after not having been on a bike in over 20 years. This year I'm working to have stronger legs and when we get back from Disney I'll be going to Boot Camp and right from Boot Camp I'll be heading into the city to take my bike out and will do at least 10 miles each day.
After the 5 boro I'm not sure what is next but I do know we will be very very close to the end of the school year and the summer that got me into serious trouble last year. (I didn't go to Boot Camp and gained back 20 pounds and lost all my muscle) That alone should be motivation for me. I cannot let that happen again. Ever.
Oh by the way, my measurements today are 43" 36" 41"
To just roll merrily along without a destination does not work for me. I have to have my laser sights locked in on something for me to be able to accomplish anything.
Take Boot Camp. I took two weeks off, but came back stronger and more focused than before. I go to class and I'm pumped up like a crazy chick, more now I think than ever before. I sat myself down mentally and said
"Okay you slacker. We have less than a month till the Disney Trip. Till your husband's 40th birthday trip. Less than a month till you are going to drag the whole crew to photos with Mickey Mouse and drive poor Mike nuts asking him to take photos of you at various places, in various poses. Less than a month till you turn the camera on yourself and take video footage. How do you want to look in these photos and videos?"
Even the lazy bitch agreed that I should look as smokin hot as I can and work as hard as I can to get there.
So I'll give class my all and push myself for the next 19 classes till the trip and then what? I come back after a week away and how will I be motivated? What will drive me? What will fuel the passion?
When we get back I will have less than a month till the 5 boro bike tour. 42 mile bike ride through the 5 boros of Manhattan. Last year I attempted it after not having been on a bike in over 20 years. This year I'm working to have stronger legs and when we get back from Disney I'll be going to Boot Camp and right from Boot Camp I'll be heading into the city to take my bike out and will do at least 10 miles each day.
After the 5 boro I'm not sure what is next but I do know we will be very very close to the end of the school year and the summer that got me into serious trouble last year. (I didn't go to Boot Camp and gained back 20 pounds and lost all my muscle) That alone should be motivation for me. I cannot let that happen again. Ever.
Oh by the way, my measurements today are 43" 36" 41"
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Today
I'm finally back on track and I can feel it. I've been to Boot Camp 5 days in a row with plans on going tomorrow as well.
I started taking the Ritalin on Tuesday before class and let me tell you what an intense difference it has made in how I go about EVERYTHING but especially how I attack my beloved Boot Camp.
It's allowing me to focus on what I'm doing and even though most of the exercise sets only last 40 seconds in the past that's been almost too long and I lose focus or my brain can't stop hopping around to allow me to focus and give my all to whatever the task at hand is.
With the drug I can concentrate on being a bad ass and ignoring what my body is feeling and just listen to my brain.
The other side effect that can't be ignored is the energy factor. Ritalin is a psychostimulant and so I experience a massive surge of energy and get up and go which allows me to push harder and go faster and for longer periods.
The last side effect that some find detrimental but I find nothing but awesome is the suppressed appetite. I have no desire to eat or snack and while I know in order to not get sick I HAVE to eat, the lack of strong appetite allows me to make smarter better food choices.
I've only been on it a week and as I said I've been attacking Boot Camp in the MOST ferocious manner but I think it's too soon to see changes in my body HOWEVER today my beloved trainer and owner of Boot Camp told me I was looking fantastic. It took me by surprise because I don't think I look any different despite feeling stronger. It pleased me so much that I stopped what I was doing and galloped over to kiss him on the cheek.
It is my goal to get to Boot Camp every day (except Sunday) till we leave for Disney World which is in 26 days. (so that's 20 Boot Camps) It is also my goal to swing the 45 pound kettlebell everyday after class adding one extra swing each day. Yesterday I did 10, today I did 11, tomorrow I'll do 12 so that by the time we leave for Disney I'll be able to do 35 swings with that weight.
If I stay on track and keep to this plan I should be confident to wear my tube top this trip...
I started taking the Ritalin on Tuesday before class and let me tell you what an intense difference it has made in how I go about EVERYTHING but especially how I attack my beloved Boot Camp.
It's allowing me to focus on what I'm doing and even though most of the exercise sets only last 40 seconds in the past that's been almost too long and I lose focus or my brain can't stop hopping around to allow me to focus and give my all to whatever the task at hand is.
With the drug I can concentrate on being a bad ass and ignoring what my body is feeling and just listen to my brain.
The other side effect that can't be ignored is the energy factor. Ritalin is a psychostimulant and so I experience a massive surge of energy and get up and go which allows me to push harder and go faster and for longer periods.
The last side effect that some find detrimental but I find nothing but awesome is the suppressed appetite. I have no desire to eat or snack and while I know in order to not get sick I HAVE to eat, the lack of strong appetite allows me to make smarter better food choices.
I've only been on it a week and as I said I've been attacking Boot Camp in the MOST ferocious manner but I think it's too soon to see changes in my body HOWEVER today my beloved trainer and owner of Boot Camp told me I was looking fantastic. It took me by surprise because I don't think I look any different despite feeling stronger. It pleased me so much that I stopped what I was doing and galloped over to kiss him on the cheek.
It is my goal to get to Boot Camp every day (except Sunday) till we leave for Disney World which is in 26 days. (so that's 20 Boot Camps) It is also my goal to swing the 45 pound kettlebell everyday after class adding one extra swing each day. Yesterday I did 10, today I did 11, tomorrow I'll do 12 so that by the time we leave for Disney I'll be able to do 35 swings with that weight.
If I stay on track and keep to this plan I should be confident to wear my tube top this trip...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Back to Boot Camp
I can go for months and months with not a peep in my life. My days are quiet and spend in solitude (at least from the time I drop the kids off till I pick them up again) and my routine is set and does not vary. Then you get periods like the last two weeks where life has not allowed me to get to my beloved Hoboken Boot Camps at all save for the Saturday class.
While I don't mind the flurry of activitity I do hate taking any time off from Boot Camp and two weeks is far far too much time!
I got to class on Saturday and knew I was going to feel it and that I was going to struggle to get back into it.
LORDY did I struggle! I huffed and puffed and panted and had to take it slow and modify some of exercises just so I could get them done.
There is no class on Sunday so my next chance to get back was today. Thankfully David has started a noontime class beacuse I had to go for bloodwork in the morning.
While I was excited to get back to class, I knew I was going to struggle again and would do so for at least the next 4 or 5 classes.
Tomorrow I'll get back to my favorite 9am class and I know it's going to kick my ass. It would be so much easier to just not go and save myself the pain and exhaustion. The lazy bitch would be more than happy to go down that road. Drop the kids off at school and head into the city for some brunch or dessert or just come home and plop in front of the computer and not move till it's time to get the kids.
A small part of my brain won't allow me to do that though. No matter how long I'm away from class I always always always go back. I simply cannot stay away. I love the class and the people and the results far too much.
Today I went for bloodwork to check my thyroid and to get myself back on Rittalin so that I can once again begin to see the weight loss and the changes in my body that I'd been seeing before last summer.
Trying to get back on track and take better care of myself.
While I don't mind the flurry of activitity I do hate taking any time off from Boot Camp and two weeks is far far too much time!
I got to class on Saturday and knew I was going to feel it and that I was going to struggle to get back into it.
LORDY did I struggle! I huffed and puffed and panted and had to take it slow and modify some of exercises just so I could get them done.
There is no class on Sunday so my next chance to get back was today. Thankfully David has started a noontime class beacuse I had to go for bloodwork in the morning.
While I was excited to get back to class, I knew I was going to struggle again and would do so for at least the next 4 or 5 classes.
Tomorrow I'll get back to my favorite 9am class and I know it's going to kick my ass. It would be so much easier to just not go and save myself the pain and exhaustion. The lazy bitch would be more than happy to go down that road. Drop the kids off at school and head into the city for some brunch or dessert or just come home and plop in front of the computer and not move till it's time to get the kids.
A small part of my brain won't allow me to do that though. No matter how long I'm away from class I always always always go back. I simply cannot stay away. I love the class and the people and the results far too much.
Today I went for bloodwork to check my thyroid and to get myself back on Rittalin so that I can once again begin to see the weight loss and the changes in my body that I'd been seeing before last summer.
Trying to get back on track and take better care of myself.
Monday, February 28, 2011
MS Stair Climb
I did it! Yesterday I climbed 66 flights of stairs or 1,215 individual stairs.
What a super fun event it was. I've always been a huge fan of Rockefeller Center and it's massive art deco building and going "behind the scenes" to see a part it that not many folks get to see was a real honor.
The day started out way too early when my oldest son woke me up at 3:30am. I hadn't planned on leaving home till 6:30am but because he got me up at such an ungodly hour I was out the door by 6am.
It turned out to be a good thing since I didn't arrive to the event till almost 8am with all the trains running on a Sunday Schedule.
I had a choice to make. Take my cel phone or my camera. I didn't want to have something in each hand while climbing in case I needed to pull with the railing to get up the stairs (It's a stair climbing trick. When your legs get tired, you use your upper body to pull you up the stairs wtih the hand rails) The cel phone doubled as an IPOD so I could push myself with music but the camera...We all know how I love my photos!
I knew they frowned on cameras in the stairwell but I was going to try to get mine in anyway. It was simply more important for me to have photos than music.
I checked my whole purse and coat at the bag check area and just had my camera. I made the mistake of picking up my event tee shirt before the climb so I was stuck with a shirt around my waist which I hate.
I sat on the ground getting myself prepped mentally (telling myself what a total badass I am...) and watching all the folks come off the course with their medals around their necks. (The firefighters in full gear were insanely inspirational! Easy on the eyes as well!)
Would I be one of those folks? I truly wasn't sure. I kept reading that this event was the equivalent to a 5k race in distance and if you could run a 5k this event would be cake.
I'm not a runner and have never attempted a 5k (Thank you shin splints!) which is why I wasn't sure if I would finish. I promised myself I would do the very best I could and go as far as I could so that no matter what the outcome, I would be proud at the end.
All of a sudden they were lining us up to head to the starting line and we were off going up to the 3rd floor where the event began.
They spaced us out so that we weren't bunched up and then I was at the stairs climbing. My first thought was "Holy mother of GOD these are some steep-ass stairs!" and they were. There was nothing gradual about them. You were going UP and you were going to work at it.
At about the 5th floor I had to stop to catch my breath and at that landing there was a woman wearing an orange shirt which means she had MS, the very disease we were climbing for.
She and I fell into step and never left each others sides. We were loud and we encouraged each other with war cries of "WE GOT THIS!" "COME ON! WE CAN DO IT!"
Everyone that walked around us, or by us or fell in step with us became an unofficial pack member and they all picked up our war cries till the stairwell was filled with our cheering each other on. It was an amazing experience.
I've always thought that I prefer to do this sort of event alone, but after yesterday I'm not so sure. It would be really nice to have a team pushing and supporting.
I struggled to the first rest stop on the 28th floor and marveled when we arrived there. Patti my new pal had to rest and she went to the bathroom. We were at the rest stop much longer than I would have been if I were alone but I wasn't going for time and so it was fine.
Once we caught our breath and our legs were strong again we moved back out into the stairwell and started climbing again. We weren't in a rush at all and took it one step at a time, one floor at a time and all of a sudden we were at the second rest stop on the 48th floor! More than half way there!
Here there were EMTs who were busy administering oxygen to more than one person and checking pulses on a few others. At that moment I felt very very strong. Here I was, a fat stay at home mom who couldn't even run a single city block and I was in better shape than these "athletes". Maybe it was just that I had better luck but I didn't think so.
In the landing we started to climb again when a yellow shirt caught my eye. I turned around and a beauty queen was standing there. No lie, no hallucinations. A woman with a sash declaring her "Ms. Belliza Latina" was on the landing cheering on the climbers. I of course needed a photo with her. (Super glad I brought the camera with me!) and we started to climb again.
As we climbed I could feel a faint breeze and realized how close to the top and the finish line we were. We were ALMOST THERE. All of a sudden off to the side we saw a girl who looked like she was in distress so Patti and I stopped for her and her team mate. Turns out the gal had Asthma and was having a hard time breathing. We decided we couldn't leave them and would wait and all get to the top together.
Thank goodness yesterday wasn't about time for me because we were there about 10 mins or more waiting for her. We then all took it super duper slow up the last 6 flights together.
Turning that corner and seeing that open door to the rooftop deck was the most amazing thing. I teared up and couldn't speak. I'd done it. I'd climbed 66 flights of stairs. I climbed over a thousand stairs.
Patti and I hugged each other and agreed that we made an awesome team.
Honestly I'm so happy I decided to make it more about the experience and not about setting time records or seeing how fast I could get up.
I had the immense pleasure of meeting so many wonderful folks on the way up and it was like one big family with all of us supporting each other and cheering each other on. Sure the fastest ladies time up was a little over 11 mins and the fasted men's was a little over 8 mins but they didn't get to take home the cool memories I do.
Because I took my time and didn't race, I'm going to be sure to be a part of this event for as long as my body will allow me to. It was fantastic and so much fun.
I did not struggle at any point with the idea of bailing on the course. I never once felt like I wasn't going to be able to finish or make it to the top. That alone is enough for me but I DID finish. I climbed all those stairs on my terms and in my time and I had a blast doing it.
I'm glad I could be part of such a special event for such a wonderful cause!
Next year I'm recruting EVERYONE I know, including my oldest son (who will be 8 at the time) to do this with me. It's that much fun!
What a super fun event it was. I've always been a huge fan of Rockefeller Center and it's massive art deco building and going "behind the scenes" to see a part it that not many folks get to see was a real honor.
The day started out way too early when my oldest son woke me up at 3:30am. I hadn't planned on leaving home till 6:30am but because he got me up at such an ungodly hour I was out the door by 6am.
It turned out to be a good thing since I didn't arrive to the event till almost 8am with all the trains running on a Sunday Schedule.
I had a choice to make. Take my cel phone or my camera. I didn't want to have something in each hand while climbing in case I needed to pull with the railing to get up the stairs (It's a stair climbing trick. When your legs get tired, you use your upper body to pull you up the stairs wtih the hand rails) The cel phone doubled as an IPOD so I could push myself with music but the camera...We all know how I love my photos!
I knew they frowned on cameras in the stairwell but I was going to try to get mine in anyway. It was simply more important for me to have photos than music.
I checked my whole purse and coat at the bag check area and just had my camera. I made the mistake of picking up my event tee shirt before the climb so I was stuck with a shirt around my waist which I hate.
I sat on the ground getting myself prepped mentally (telling myself what a total badass I am...) and watching all the folks come off the course with their medals around their necks. (The firefighters in full gear were insanely inspirational! Easy on the eyes as well!)
Would I be one of those folks? I truly wasn't sure. I kept reading that this event was the equivalent to a 5k race in distance and if you could run a 5k this event would be cake.
I'm not a runner and have never attempted a 5k (Thank you shin splints!) which is why I wasn't sure if I would finish. I promised myself I would do the very best I could and go as far as I could so that no matter what the outcome, I would be proud at the end.
All of a sudden they were lining us up to head to the starting line and we were off going up to the 3rd floor where the event began.
They spaced us out so that we weren't bunched up and then I was at the stairs climbing. My first thought was "Holy mother of GOD these are some steep-ass stairs!" and they were. There was nothing gradual about them. You were going UP and you were going to work at it.
At about the 5th floor I had to stop to catch my breath and at that landing there was a woman wearing an orange shirt which means she had MS, the very disease we were climbing for.
She and I fell into step and never left each others sides. We were loud and we encouraged each other with war cries of "WE GOT THIS!" "COME ON! WE CAN DO IT!"
Everyone that walked around us, or by us or fell in step with us became an unofficial pack member and they all picked up our war cries till the stairwell was filled with our cheering each other on. It was an amazing experience.
I've always thought that I prefer to do this sort of event alone, but after yesterday I'm not so sure. It would be really nice to have a team pushing and supporting.
I struggled to the first rest stop on the 28th floor and marveled when we arrived there. Patti my new pal had to rest and she went to the bathroom. We were at the rest stop much longer than I would have been if I were alone but I wasn't going for time and so it was fine.
Once we caught our breath and our legs were strong again we moved back out into the stairwell and started climbing again. We weren't in a rush at all and took it one step at a time, one floor at a time and all of a sudden we were at the second rest stop on the 48th floor! More than half way there!
Here there were EMTs who were busy administering oxygen to more than one person and checking pulses on a few others. At that moment I felt very very strong. Here I was, a fat stay at home mom who couldn't even run a single city block and I was in better shape than these "athletes". Maybe it was just that I had better luck but I didn't think so.
In the landing we started to climb again when a yellow shirt caught my eye. I turned around and a beauty queen was standing there. No lie, no hallucinations. A woman with a sash declaring her "Ms. Belliza Latina" was on the landing cheering on the climbers. I of course needed a photo with her. (Super glad I brought the camera with me!) and we started to climb again.
As we climbed I could feel a faint breeze and realized how close to the top and the finish line we were. We were ALMOST THERE. All of a sudden off to the side we saw a girl who looked like she was in distress so Patti and I stopped for her and her team mate. Turns out the gal had Asthma and was having a hard time breathing. We decided we couldn't leave them and would wait and all get to the top together.
Thank goodness yesterday wasn't about time for me because we were there about 10 mins or more waiting for her. We then all took it super duper slow up the last 6 flights together.
Turning that corner and seeing that open door to the rooftop deck was the most amazing thing. I teared up and couldn't speak. I'd done it. I'd climbed 66 flights of stairs. I climbed over a thousand stairs.
Patti and I hugged each other and agreed that we made an awesome team.
Honestly I'm so happy I decided to make it more about the experience and not about setting time records or seeing how fast I could get up.
I had the immense pleasure of meeting so many wonderful folks on the way up and it was like one big family with all of us supporting each other and cheering each other on. Sure the fastest ladies time up was a little over 11 mins and the fasted men's was a little over 8 mins but they didn't get to take home the cool memories I do.
Because I took my time and didn't race, I'm going to be sure to be a part of this event for as long as my body will allow me to. It was fantastic and so much fun.
I did not struggle at any point with the idea of bailing on the course. I never once felt like I wasn't going to be able to finish or make it to the top. That alone is enough for me but I DID finish. I climbed all those stairs on my terms and in my time and I had a blast doing it.
I'm glad I could be part of such a special event for such a wonderful cause!
Next year I'm recruting EVERYONE I know, including my oldest son (who will be 8 at the time) to do this with me. It's that much fun!
SERIOUSLY?! I'm not sure I can get up to the top of THAT!
WHAT have I gotten myself into? And the lazy bitch in me sighed and said "We can still go home..." but we didn't!
This was not an easy event and I had to take breaks but the floors flew by!
At the first rest stop. I don't look happy but I actually am! Just exhausted.
The lovely brave inspiring Patti and I. I don't think it would have been as much fun without her!
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