** Ahem **

Well it's been a very slooooow process but I am finally fully recovered enough to do almost anything I want to at the gym.  Nothing worse than back to back chest infections followed by a sinus/head cold to stop you right on the spot.  During those 6 weeks I did manage to work out twice.  It was difficult but lanes were swam.  This past week though ... I'm on fi-ya!  (fire for those who arent as cool as I .... lol)

I am dying to get to the gym today but decided that 4 days in row was good enough right now and I needed to give my legs and arms a break because the legs are kinda of yelling at me.  In the first three days I swam approximately 7.5 to 8 kms  (3rd day is a guestimate since my lane counting was interrupted too many times by people who lack simply pool etiquette and I was defintely moving at a slower pace than the previous two days.  45 minutes it was.)

The forth day --- Now that was a special day.  Because I drove in to the city with my Hubs, I had limited time and decided that it was time to try something once again.  Something that I attempted on November 15th.  Remember this post?  The one where the earth moved?  Well not only did the earth not move this time but I completed ALL of week one, day one of the Couch to 5k training program.  Unlike my second attempt in December, where I managed to run one full minute then a couple of 30 second stints (all while being beyond breathless), I ran the each entire minute with a comfortable breathing level and no physical discomfort.  The last time around I 30 seconds felt like f-o-r-e-v-e-r but this time around .... I couldnt believe how quickly the minute passed and before I knew it, I was walking again.  If I could have jumped in the air and yelled, I would have ... but I did have a HUGE grin on my face as I started my cool down.  I did it.  I really, really did it and, for the first time in my entire life, I really do think that I can run a 5k run.

Speaking of 5 k runs ... a while ago my friend Katie encouraged me to set the goal of running in the annual 5k Army Run held in September.  I quickly agreed to it then thought myself to be a lunatic.  I mean, look at the size of me.  To run 5k ... what a joke?  I quickly reassured myself saying "I will at least try.  Worse case scenario, I can walk because I know I can walk 5k very easily."  Well you know what?  SCREW THAT.  There will be NO walking.  There will ONLY be jogging and I WILL DO IT!!!!!!  No allowing myself to have that escape clause at the end of the sentence.  To easy to fail.  Best part.  I mean ABSOLUTE BEST PART ... I didnt know my Mom volunteers at that race every year until I told her about my goal yesterday.  She will be there at the finish line helping ... she will see me.  What's more motivating that my Mom at the finish line.  Oh how I love my Mom and I just know how proud she will be of me. 

Tomorrow is day two and I am so stoked - cant wait for it to get here.  I am going to skip the gym though and run outside. The weather has been gorgeous so why not fill my lungs with fresh air?

Wow.  feeling good about yourself is an amazing thing, isnt it??

Out of Commission

It's been a quiet week. 

Came home from work on Tuesday ... went to sleep.  Fever, soooo tired.  Slept until 9:45 then back again at midnight.

Up for work at 7am on Wednesday ...... and in bed again from 3pm to 10pm and 11:30 until 7.  Still fevered ... wtf?  I don't like this.  I want to do things.  I WANT TO GO WORK OUT.  I very, very rarely get fevers so this isnt fun.

Hello Thursday morning.  Time to go to work again.  *yawn*  Still at 100+ fever.  Common sense would stay home.  Apparently I am not that person.  It's better for my student if I am there.  Came home after drs appointment for something else and into bed.  tired but not sleepy.  fever reaches the weekly high of 102.5 - maybe I should stay home.

It's Friday and I am home.  I WANT TO WORK OUT.  I am so bummed that I am sick ... again.  I am eating healthier than I have in forever.  I am working to become healthier physically and feel stronger in the heart and lungs ... yet I have been more sick this year than previous years.  I don't get it. 

On the plus side, my fever finally broke a hundred for the first time since Tuesday - 99.7 AND i am on a computer for the first time, at home, since Tuesday.  To make it better, I am feeling creative for the first time since last weekend and think I am going to spend the day watching missed tv shows while painting, scrapping and getting messy. 

So, thank you bloggers (or Katie since you are the only one reading my vent).  Felt good to unleash my frustations somewhere.  Here's to a healther me by the end of the weekend so I can get my ass to the gym again! 

Can't think of one.

As I came here to type this today, I tried so hard to think of a catchy title for this post but I can't.  Katie stole the show with her Namaste intro a couple of weeks ago and there really just isn't another one that opens it properly.  I know.  I googled it.  That being said, I now know exactly what Namaste means other than it being a salutation of some sort.  It is a traditiona Indian greeting of respect and thank you.  It has a spiritual and symbol meaning that is dont with your palms pressed together in the middle of your forehead or at your head with a light bow to your head and shoulders.  It means “I bow to the divine in you”.

"I bow to the divine in you"

I like that.  It sounds very spiritual.  I may adopt that for my post departures. 

"Namaste"

Very serene; very peaceful sounding.

I did .... that???

Yup!  I did it.  It was awful.  It was great.  It made me hopeful.  It made me question my sanity.  What did I do, you ask?  Well anti-gravity yoga, of course. 

"Anti-gravity?"  uh huh!

Like ... hanging from the ceiling?  yup!

And so started many a conversation in the staffroom at lunch today. 

My goal yesterday was to go to a beginners yoga class that started at 4.  Unfortunately I arrived 5 minutes too late so off to the gym, I went.  I cycled for the first time (ouch) then did a short amount of time on the treadmill, alternating between running and (mostly) walking.  Naturally, I was itching to get into the water but wanted to check the schedule to see if it was aquafit or if I could do lanes.  That's when I saw it on the schedule and began to feel a moment of bravada.  I, the person who has never taken yoga in her life, was going to make her first experience a dramatic one.  As are most classes at my club, Anti gravity yoga rated 'E' for everyone.  HA!  If that wasn't the most stupid thing I had read all day.  It turns out, as I learned at the end of the class, that there are 3 levels of AGY (much faster than typing anti-gravity yoga ) and the class that I was just finishes was level 3.  Strength and cardio ... and that it was!  While I didn't flip or hang upside down, I did swing, balance, shake and sweat with the rest of them.  I am many, many workouts away from taking that class again but I will definitely pay more attention and clarify the class level next time before signing up for the first level AGY class.  (on the upside .. it wasn't just me who didn't know it was a strength and cardio ... it was about 75% of the class)  After that, I soothed my overheated skin with some laps in the pool.  *bliss*

To my facebook friends who got 4 daily miles in their daily feed today ... I apologize.  I want everything to be accounted for and I just don't think that there is a way to enter more than one activity therefore you get the multiple entries passed. 

In the meantime, I hurt a tad from all that I did yesterday but its a good hurt.  I feel good.  I cant wait to go tomorrow and work out again ... but maybe not for as long.  Maybe I'll spend more time in the gym and skip the pool .... maybe.

Here's to a happy and healthy week for everyone.

P.S.

When searching for a video to share, I found one that is from my club, just a different location.  It is actually a local news group talking about what was coming to here when these facilities opened ... which they are now and are totally awesome.  If course, the moves in this video are the ones I couldn't do but I did swing like the move in the beginning.  cant wait for more ... eventually.  :-)

Who's getting healthier?

I'm not too sure it's me.  I am getting yet ANOTHER chest infection.  This will be the third one since the fall and I've never, ever been sick this much before.  So far I am not horrible so I am going to work out tomorrow after a funeral, lunch and a few errands.  I am tempted to go and work out today too but I'm afraid that if I push myself while I am feeling 80%, I will quickly decline. 

First things first ... a shout out to my friend Katie who tried Yoga for the second time.  The first time she hated it.  Then, she was bigger and not as in shape as she is now.  This time .. not only did she love it, she rocked the positions and even did advanced ones.  (you'll know who Katie is because she is the only one that reads and/or comments on this blog.  lol).  We are going to go to my club one day and do a Hot Yoga class together.  I figure the best way for me to prepare for that is by doing regular yoga first.  Good idea, eh?

On the plus side (plus side ... no pun intended  hahaha), I ventured over the the US of A last night.  I was a tad disgruntled to find out the the store I went for was actually closed early.  Not sure why.  Its always been open until 9 ... for years.  I called today to find out what their hours were ... 8pm Mon-Thurs for winter hours.  Well then.  So much for that sports bra and those athletic clothes.  Before going there I stopped at the mall because runners are usually cheaper there than in Canada.  (an average of $30-$40/pair).  Double bonus, I found a pair that I liked that was $30.00 cheaper than here and they were on sale for 50% off.  So I got a pair of Asics for $40.  I loved Asics in high school.  Best volleyball shoe ever!.  I managed to pick up a couple of workout clothing items from WalMart but the plus size pickings are super slim.  I didnt try them on so hopefully they fit.  If not, then I will just have to shrink into them.  Not a bad goal, I think.  For now I will leave you with a photo of my shoe because I just feel like 'spicing it up' with a photos so ... enjoy and have a happy heart healthy day.

It's 3:25 am ...

..... and I'm still awake.  Well, truth be told, I was in bed early for a change.  9:30.  So early for me but washroom then dogs and husband followed by my mind wondering what comes next in the book I am reading kept me awake after my eyes popped open at midnight.  The final chapter of the book is read, internet is surfed, you tube tutorials are watched ... want to now where my mind is now?  Working out.  I want to get in my car, make the 30 minute drive to my 24 hours athletic club ... and work out.  Logically, I know I cant because I have to go to the art store and that doesnt open until 9:30 but this is where my mind is at right now.  Plus I am supposed to meet up with my sister for the workout we postponed from yesterday but that isnt until 2pm.  I have to say though .. the idea of leaving in a few hours, working out for a couple, showering and dressing, shopping, commuting back home and all my noon has appeal to it.  That being said, I will likely fall back to sleep soon, dreaming until mid morning before getting up, shopping and meeting my sister as planned but the fact that I have the urge counts ..... right????

Enjoy the day.  Can you believe we are 6 days into 2011 already?

And I'm Off..

Well it's three days into the new year and I did my first work out of 2011.  After a month of nothing, it felt sooooo good to be in the water again.  Amazing, really. 

I am also pleased to share that my first workout of the year started in a brand spanking new 14 million dollar club.  Now this place is pretty swanky.  It has a coed area and a womans area, with salt water pools in both.  Pilates, anti-gravity yoga, hot yoga, spinning and more.  While I certainly wont be hanging from the ceilings anytime soon, I pan on working my way through as much as I can there.  Aquafit classes, house league sports, spinning.  And all this is included in my membership.  Seriously stoked. 

Did you read that right?  Did I type that right?  Stoked?  Moi?????  About working out?  Who'da thunk, eh?  What is even better is that one of my sweet friends already goes and another is about to join as soon as her current membership expires at the end of the month.  Can it get any better?  Of course!!!  My sister works there so that means random moments shared when we least expect it. 

Next week I have an appointment for a fitness consulation & assessment.  It comes with every new membership and I am a little scared.  I mean, I know I'm extremely out of shape and overweight but there is something about being told you have the body of a 70 year old that scares me.  Ah well ... I'm going to turn that fear into motivation.

Speaking of fear, I was challenged by a friend to do something that I never, ever, EVER would have considered before and, although I am not ready to share quite what that is just yet, I will tell you that I accepted the challenge which again translates into MOTIVATION.  Seriously, what am I thinking?

Here is to a happy and healthy start to 2011. 
*cheers*