Progress after Week 1

I must say, since week 1 has ended (the full work out week, not just Couch to 5k) I feel so much better. I'm happier, more positive, more upbeat. I just feel amazing. I have lost 1 pound so far and 1 inch in my waist and hips. I just want to scream to the world at how worthwhile doing all of this is. I never thought I had the self control or the motivation to count calories and work out 6 days a week or even remember to take my multivitamin daily. But since starting this with friends, I can do it.

My friends see me as crazy happy. I'm bubbly, bouncy and so cheerful. This is what happens when you treat your body right. My New Year's Resolution was to be a happier person and deal with stress better. Guess what world? I'M DOING IT!

So tonight after my last class ends at 7:30 p.m., I'll be headed to the gym for another wonderful date with the elliptical. I went on a run last night along with a workout in the gym at noon. Today it's elliptical day. Bring it on, world. I'm ready for you.

Elliptical Exploration

I will say I was first kind of weary of working out at the gym. I don't enjoy the gym (well haven't in the past.) I didn't know what to do. The many machines were overwhelming. I simply did not know what to do. Luckily, I had a wonderful friend who knew the gym much better than I and was willing to walk a beginner through the works.

I posted earlier this week about adding in strength training and that I did. I began to know weights and machines and how to train. However, one of my favorite things I've been able to add is elliptical time. I will admit, I doubted them at first. I didn't quite know what to expect. But I've learned to enjoy my elliptical time as a good way to help build up my running legs especially when it's too cold outside to run and I just hate treadmiles.

Today I managed to do a 30 minute workout on the elliptical. Passed about 2.25 miles and worked in resistance intervals every 4 minutes. I think it went well and I definitely worked up a sweat.

Week 2 Day 1 done!

As of 9 a.m. this morning, my first day of Week 2 is done. I know I worked through these over the summer. However, having had to restart, it's nice to get over the Week 1 hump and successfully complete Week 2 Day 1. I've got awhile to go and I'm hoping not to get stuck on the Week 3/4 hump again. (That was just not a fun time.) We'll see how it goes. But for now, it's all go!

Adding in some gym time

I was never a fan of the gym. I don't like gyms. I get bored in gyms. However, it's always better to be tortured with a friend.

Today, one of my fraternity brothers agreed to start a workout routine with me. So we headed to the campus gym. My friend knew that I do my runs and am great with cardio. Sadly, I don't have a clue about things to do when it comes to strength training. She became my trainer as we agreed to suffer together through an arms and core workout.

We did 15 minutes on the treadmill to warm up, then stretched and hit the weights. Did a few sets of curls and other bicep and tricep exercises along with a pyramid of crunches for our cores and some planking. Overall, it was a really great workout.

I know I'll be feeling it tomorrow. But since a run is on the schedule for tomorrow, I think I'll be ok.

Night Run

Sometimes you just need a way to let off steam. Tonight, that was a night run. College campuses are really awesome sometimes. You can almost completely avoid roads and because it's late but not too late, it's really a quiet time to just settle into a groove.

I kicked off Day 2 of Week 1 of Couch to 5k dressed in bright colors and headed out before 8 p.m. (It can just barely be classified as a night run.) I must say, I'm surprised.

My body remembers all the conditioning I did over the summer. I was able to last the whole work out no problem. I even changed the last 1.5 minute walk into a 0.5 minute walk and a full minute jog THEN the 5 minute cool down. It felt good to be out and I can't wait and see how I do for Day 3.

Channeling Singles Awareness Day into Something Awesome

Ok all of us in some way know how it is to be single on Valentine's Day. It sucks. But it doesn't have to. Also known as Singles Awareness Day, V Day can become a lot more than a day to mope around with chocolate and a chick flick.

Now you may ask how in the world this has anything to do with fitness or running and why in the world it's being posted on this blog. Well, I do have a point.

It's all about channeling. Channel the emotions into doing something good for yourself. Hit the pavement for a run and THEN break open a bottle of champagne with the girls. Eat some dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. There's a lot more benefits in dark. Maybe make yourself a yummy crunchy salad and make sure to drink lots of water.

Singles Awareness Day does not have to be miserable. Actually, it can be a time to smile, concentrate on yourself and love yourself. Loving yourself is such a big part of the battle of bettering your fitness and physical happiness. Take this day to do something for you.

For myself, I have now scheduled runs 3x a week and placed them in the ever growing calendar. But these are ones I'm going to keep. I placed them in the afternoon however if I know I won't be able to make them, I will be getting up early and going for a run. Besides for that, I'm eating healthier, going to enjoy a nice salad, and spend the night sipping champagne and watching Magic Mike with my other single girlfriends. V Day doesn't have to be Death Day and it doesn't have to be mope and complain day either.

Winter Running and Back in the Game

College life can be hard. Getting used to a new schedule, having friends around and managing time to run is a balance that for a semester, I didn't have under control. But after the wonderful blizzard of 2013 has cleared a bit and the pavement is just sprinkled with some small puddles and snow piled on the sides, it was time today to get back out. I restarted my Couch to 5k app, laced up the shoes and hit the campus.

Campuses really are great for running. There's plenty of sidewalks and plenty of land. One loop around my campus is roughly 1.5 miles and for getting back into running, it's a perfect distance to start with. I have to say, it was great to run again. Having gathered together a lot of stress recently, it was the perfect idea.

I managed the run surprisingly well. It was about 40 degrees F outside which for a February day is pretty darn warm. With yoga pants and a t shirt, my muscles warmed up quickly and I didn't get too winded.

After coming home, I also weighed myself on my Wii Fit. I'm down 14 pounds from the summer. Yay! I'd like to lose another 8 before I'll be at my goal. I can do this!