Sadat - Days Off Are Killing Me!

So, i have been traveling alot for work recently, and it has been getting in the way of me shaping up in the Fall. I was in Baltimore one weekend, running a Flag Football tournament in UCLA the next, and running a Soccer Championship last week in No. Pho. All of this leads to a few things, very little chances to work out, and free food, free not good for you food.

The workouts i have missed during this time have taken its toll. i am not as fast or able to endure as much as i was three weeks ago when i felt like i was really getting into it. I also dont feel like the work outs that i have been able to participate in while i was here were at a 100 percent or to my full potential just because i was so stinkin tired.

Last few workouts have felt great to get back into the swing of things. We were in the pool a few days back, but that was no good for me since i am terrible swimmer. I feel like we have been doing more things with weights which is great because I need to gain my strength back.

Today we did a 10k run. If you would have asked me 10-11 weeks ago if i can do a 10k id laugh in your face and maybe punch you. If you would have asked me today the same question, you would have gotten the same exact answer, however, today was different because i was ready to give it a try. 10 weeks ago i woulda said no, then go play xbox. well, i drew up a route for all of us to take looping around tempe town lake. it was a nice day, and there were only 3 of us. we stayed in a nice little pack and ran the whole thing together at the same pace. Made it back in roughly 55mins. I was super impressed with myself and Jose for being able to get through the whole run without issue or without stoppin. Keeping myself at a steady pace has always been difficult to me, i use to always go all out and then burn out. today, thanks to Sarah, i was able to keep it calm and on a good 10 min pace. it went very well.

1 more week to go kids then this whole things done with. I wish it was going on longer but hopefully the you call its tara was talking about will hold me over until Spring Shape Up starts up.

Weight Lost: 20 POUNDS., 10 short of my goal but i feel better.

Tara: Why does running suck so much?

Seriously...why can't I be the one in the office who goes for a 11-mile run and sprints the last half mile (Julie and Laura). I know you have to work up to it, but come on, I have been in this program for almost 12 weeks now, and one thing is for sure....I still hate running. I can do cardio equipment all day, but tell me to go run a lap, and I will mumble and groan the whole time and walk some of it. The pounding on the knees and cramps in the calves, just kill me.

So, we are almost done.

As I was doing my walking lunges with weights today, I was reminiscing to myself about the first week and the magnitude of lunges we had to do. I was so out of shape, I couldn't do walking lunges, I had to do one lunge and then bring my legs together, rest, then move on to the next leg. Today, I did walking lunges for 3 minutes straight with weights! It's exciting.

Our group loves the workouts so much that we are going to do a 5-week "U Call It" group workout over the holiday break. This will keep us active until the spring semester. It's exciting to be able to continue on with this group after the Fall Shape Up Program.

Although I love this program, one thing is still for sure....I hate running.

Tara

Injury #... 5? - Amy

So a few weeks ago I hurt my ankle somehow while running with my roommate. I didn't feel it twist or anything, but felt a sharp pain that increased with the next couple of steps. Since then I've been trying to alternate between resting it and wrapping it while working out. Last week I gave it a good rest, and was able to wrap it and successfully run a 9k on Saturday. I also went rock climbing that day, and while it didn't bother me the day of, it looked swollen and felt stiff yesterday (Sunday). I'm resting it again today and will hopefully see a doctor while home for thanksgiving.

I'm disappointed that an injury has slowed down my workouts. I've never had a sports injury before, and it is frustrating that that is the reason I've had to slow down. I feel motivated to work out, and especially to start training for a relay race I want to do in March, and maybe the PF Chang's half marathon as well, but if I want to have any chance of doing either of those I've got to rest/ice it right now.

I'll update on the results of my doctor's appointment, and hopefully I'll be able to fully participate for our last week.

Even if I can't though, the weeks I did participate in this program really worked. I had to reevaluate my goals, especially the weight loss goals, but as a result of this program I am in great shape. I climbed Camelback Mountain two weeks ago, which is a pretty good workout and could tell a huge difference from how I felt climbing it last Spring. Also one specific goal I set for myself this semester was to be able to go rock climbing without feeling like someone was pulling my arms off the next day, and I'm happy to say that I've been rock climbing for the past few weeks and have felt sore but strong.

I've Been Everywhere!

For the past few weeks the fall shape up has taken on a different format for me. Because hunting season has started, I have been away from the daily workouts. This is not to say that I haven't been exercise; quite the opposite. Instead I have been climbing up and down mountains all over Arizona. Enjoying the scenery while working out was a great change for me. Also being able to see the payoff from all the lunges that I have done was pretty neat too. My ability to conquer mountains has changed drastically.
When I have been able to attend class we've been doing a pretty set workout format. A little cardio to warm up with and then some weight circuit training. I know that it is hard for the instructors to keep coming up with new things, but that is a part that I have really loved about this program.
Luckily this past Thursday Blake had us in the pool to workout. It was a nice change of pace. My shoulders were definitely sore afterwards, but I enjoy that feeling. I was surprised at how hard it was and how much of a workout I got. Water really is a great place to do resistance training. Hopefully there is more to come in the future.

Sonia Hovet

More walking, running, lifting for the week. We were in the pool twice this week, enjoyed this very much.

I enjoyed our strength workout with Blake, he kept on us to lift, faster, keep going and of course don't STOP. Great session!

I decided to face the scale and to my disappointment there was NO weight loss, however I feel good, more energy, so this class has been good for my body & mind.

Look forward to week 9!

Sonia Hovet

Week 7 was very productive for me! I accomplished the climb to the very top of A Mountain!! I didn't do this in any record breaking time - I did cut some walking time as I have been taking longer strides with my walking, thanks to you know who!!

We had a GREAT workout in the pool on Thursday, of course water aerobics is a favorite of mine.

I am going to jump on the scale next week to see if there is any weight loss for me?? Wish me a little luck.

Mid-semester, Amy

It's definitely the middle of the semester. I've been having a hard time waking up for the workouts this week. Last Thursday I arrived about a half hour late and decided to do my own workout running stairs, working my abs, and then finishing with a mile on the eliptical. I'm hoping to get my stuff in gear for next week, and finish the semester out strong.

However, I went rock climbing last Saturday afternoon and it was pretty cool to realize that I actually have some arm strength now, whereas before I had about nothing. I think one of the really valuable things this Fall Shape Up program is doing for me is giving me a jump start toward fitness and helping me get in the schedule of working out almost every morning. Then after the program is over I can keep up the schedule, but form my own workouts out of things I love to do, like running and rock climbing. I'm going to run the Ragnar Relay (Look it up! So fun!) in March so I need to start hammering out some long runs pretty soon. I ran with my roommate a couple of weeks ago and in about an hour we had covered over five miles. Pretty good stuff.

Sadat- Week 7?

Well a week off didnt help me any. Last week, i went to a conference in Baltimore, and so i was unable to participate in Fall Shape up Tues through Thurs. This sucked. Instead of sticking to my diet and working out vigorously for an hour like i normally would, i snacked and ate on whatever Baltimore had to give me. i did however use the University of Maryland, Baltimore's new rec center to get two cardio workouts in. Its just not the same intensity when you dont have the group around you.

Oh well.

This week has been going well, given last weeks setback. Monday, we did 1.5 mile run followed by some lifting and dynamic strength circuits on the field. I felt fine and used heavier weights.

Tuesdays instructor, Blake, finally killed me. we had to do 20 different lifts in 40 minutes, twice. Do the math and that means no rest time. We did legs, abs, chest, tris, bis, and a little shoulder. I was huffin by the end of it. It was a great lift. Havent done something like this the entire time and i think i desperately needed it to gain back a little strength.

Today i was dreading. We had to do a 5k followed by a 500m swim. I dont know if you know this, but i am not a swimmer. I am a great lounger in the pool, i like sitting on the stairs, i like an occasional game of marco polo or chicken. Laps, on the other hand, i dont do. I did great on the run and improved my time by 4 minutes, i got back in 24 minutes. I hopped in the pool and things got slow. I have zero form when it comes to swimming, i just go. i look like how Phoebe from Friends runs, but in the water. This included several gulps of chlorine water, goggle fogging and gasps of breathe where i blurted out "some one just kill me" I tried making eye contact with the lifeguard as much as possible so they knew i was there and could save me at a moments notice. Well, i didnt get my 500m in, i only got 250m. But i am happy with that.

Well see how tomorrow in the pool goes.