I ran yesterday morning before work. I was wrapping up a crappy night of sleep, so getting out of bed wasn't terribly difficult. I was hoping that the added morning exercise would help me prepare mentally for the day, but honestly I think it just made me more tired. 

Today, I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed before 6am. Ah well. I did run after school, however, and discovered that Kesha's "Die Young" is my new favorite running track. Sick.

I worked out today: 

15 minute run

5 minutes of situps and bicep curls

I have worked out since the last time I blogged. Not many times, per se, but it has happened.

The holidays are difficult. The cold weather is difficult. This is all difficult.

I'm going to try something new this week. I'm going to wake up 20 minutes earlier than normal and go for a 15 minute run or walk (whatever I feel like). I'll have to set out my clothes, sports bra, shoes, and headphones... God knows if any extra effort is actually required in the morning, the run just won't happen. I need to set myself up for success.

I worked out today:
20 minute treadmill run

When I first started running on the treadmill, I really hated it. I didn't want to admit it, but it wasn't enjoyable and I couldn't see myself actually doing it. Yesterday, instead of trying to jog on the treadmill whilst watching TV, I went back to my trusty rap-filled playlists. And wouldn't you know it, it made all the difference in the world.

I don't mind running as long as I've got music that keeps my mind engaged. Music is the key to success!

I worked out yesterday:
20 minute run

I worked out today:
10 minute much faster run
50 situps
30 arm lifts w/ 10lb weights

Working out is haard.

No. Work is hard. Working out after a hard day of work is the problem.

I was all motivated a week or so ago. Working out every day, excited about weight loss and all that. Wha happened?

I worked out today:
5 minute treadmill run (which is more difficult than trail running, and I haven't figured out why)
10 minute super fast treadmill walk
5 minutes situps and weights

I worked out more recently than I last blogged. I don't remember when. Slacking.

My husband and I had A Weekend of Poor Choices, in which I ate Dairy Queen and drank delicious beers. Not paleo, not calorie-conscious. On Monday my stomach was a wreck and I regretted nothing. This week, however, I will not be stepping on the scale.

I worked out today:
10 minute run
10 minutes kettle bell, situps, and arm weight whatnot

This Friday's weight loss has been particularly motivating. I hope it lasts.

I worked out yesterday:
45 minute walk with husband and dog
1 mile trail run in my best time ever: 14:05

Unfortunately, yesterday's run left me with a burning esophagus and painful bottom teeth (which the internet says results from a lack of oxygen). I'm not good at speed, and I'm apparently not good at running in the cold.

Luckily, I was able to procure a fancy treadmill from my parents today. I'm really excited about having a running machine in my living room. I'm even more excited about not having to run in the cold and snow.

I worked out today:
10 minutes of kettlebell, cardio, sit ups, and upper body weights
10 minutes of very quick walking on the treadmill

I stepped on the scale this morning, expecting to see some not-nice number as a result of last week's slacking. Surprise surprise, I actually lost weight. What an unexpectedly pleasant way to start the day!

Since I'm now down to 260, I've officially lost 21lbs! Huzzah. 

And since I've lost 20, it's time for a new progress picture. 

The progress is not entirely visible in the first or last pictures, but I'm quite pleased at how much of my gut has disappeared. 

I worked out today: 

5 minute cardio in class

10 minutes of silly dancing at the end of the school day (with the entire fifth grade)

10 minutes cardio/weights/situps at home

I did a five-minute workout in class today and the kids loved it. I think I may make this a staple feature of our end-of-the-day "AA" time. Plus, I can count it in LoseIt! Win win.

I worked out today:
5 minute workout in class featuring various cardio moves
10 minute run in the back yard with my spastic dog
5 more minutes of situps and upper body weights

I've started to integrate P90 routines into my morning lessons. Everyone's tired? Let's do some hook/uppercut combos, kids.

Maybe THAT'S how I'll solve my end-of-day craziness problem. No one is willing to follow directions? Fine. Lets do jumping jacks until we're tired.

I worked out today:
20 minutes of cardio, sit ups, upper body weights, and kettle bell.

This week, I am thinking about this:

This is not just some random tropical scene. This is where I'm headed in 178 days. I just have to really earn it first.

I'm losing my motivation.

I mean, Jamaica and having kids and whatnot are all well and good. But I am tired every afternoon after teaching. I am having a tough year and I want my after-school drink. Running and aerobics are falling by the wayside.

I ran two miles last Friday. The time before this that I last worked out was the previous Wednesday.

Not okay. This is hard and it will get harder and I HAVE TO DO IT ANYWAY. I cannot fail this time. I've got too much invested to give up this time.

Imma set some goals.

I want to weigh 257 or less by Thanksgiving.
I want to weigh 250 or less by New Years.
I want to weigh 220 or less by March 30th (when we leave for our tropical getaway).

I've set and met many of my running goals. I'm still not close to running that mile in under 13mins, but I can run for an hour like a champ. IF I CAN MEET GOALS IN WHICH I, PERSON WHO HATES RUNNING, RUNS FOR AN HOUR, then I can also meet goals related to weight loss.

I worked out today:
20 minutes of kettle bell, jogging, sit ups, bicep curls, and arm lifts w/ weights
(All whilst watching Breaking Amish, because obviously)

I ran 1.67 miles yesterday and 3.14 miles today. Feelin' fine.

I ran on Tuesday of this week, but I didn't post about it. Whoops. It was uneventful. There was panting and sweating as per usual.

I didn't feel particularly compelled to do much of anything this morning. Husband and I cheated on our diet last night with mexican takeout, so I assume I am still filled with sloth-inducing burritos.

In any case, I figured I should probably get *some* physical activity in before a day of football-watching, so I decided to try to break my mile time. My previous trail best was 14:59, and today I was able to finish the mile in 14:16. Progress!

I'm curious to see what my mile time would be on straight, obstacle-free pavement. Perhaps one of these days I'll come out of hiding and run where I might be spotted by others.
Probably not.

I worked out today:
1 mile run (14:16)
Several hours of high-intensity football watching

Last week I was lazy and only worked out twice. I feel guilty, and more importantly, I can tell I haven't lost any more weight. Must stay focused, humidity or no humidity.

Getting back to running, even after my 10 day hiatus, felt really great. I made myself a playlist comprised of embarrassing rock music that I would have listened to as an angsty teen. I'll tell you this: I didn't not enjoy running to Limp Bizkit.

Sick.

I worked out today:
34 minute run (2 miles)

The humidity is making me bad at blogging. The humidity is also preventing me from running. The humidity makes me feel sticky and sweaty and gross all the time.

So I haven't run in a week. I legitimately want to run, but I'm just not going to run when it's 89% humidity and in the 80s. It's seriously hellish out there.

I've been improvising. I've brought back out the kettlebell, the weights, and the exercise ball. My abs hurt.

I exercised last Sunday: 20 minutes featuring a rotation of kettlebell, bicep curls, arm lifts, and sit ups.

I exercised today: 25 minutes featuring a rotation of kettlebell, bicep curls, situps, jogging in place, and cardio arm work (punching whilst looking tough)

I caved and bought running shoes. I say "caved" because I was pretty sure my old New Balance would be just fine. But after ankle pain, foot pain, and crazy blisters, I decided that perhaps proper footwear would make my runs slightly less physically damaging. 

Purchased for comfort, not style.

The shoes were expensive, but they feel like walking on a gel-infused cloud. And after running 2 miles today, I'm *slightly* less stiff than normal! Hooray mild improvement! 

I worked out today:

2 mile run (35 minutes)

Tomorrow is weigh day. Here's hoping my new back-to-teaching lifestyle has burned off a few extra pounds.

Oy my feet.

Seriously, I've got GIANT blisters. Time to get new running shoes. Time to stop wearing flip flops to work.

I worked out today:
25 minute run (1.7 miles)

People have started commenting at work that it looks like I've lost weight. I say, "I have, thank you" and then I glow in my accomplishment for a couple minutes. This has been a super slow process, but I'm determined to keep going.

Remember how I'm going to Jamaica over spring break as a reward for all my hard work? Best. Reward. Ever. 

Swim a little, read a little, drink a lot. Jamaica!

I worked out today: 

2.41 mile run (39 minutes) - I was shooting for 3 miles again, but started getting really dizzy. When I got back inside and sat down, the whole room looked like it was still moving forward. I'm glad I stopped when I did. Trail fainting is no one's idea of fun. 

Running after a day on my feet is difficult. To make matters a bit worse, my left foot/ankle has been reeeaaalllly stiff for the past few days.

Running, I will not let you hurt me. Understand?

I worked out today:
1.09 mile run (16 minutes... Would have run for longer if it weren't for this damn ankle)

Get out of work. Workout.

Summer is officially over. No more sleeping in until 10am. No more leisurely pre-workout facebook checks. The school year is back in action, and that means I've got to work a lot harder to fit in my physical activity.

One bonus of school returning is the chance to work out after school with teacher friends. I don't think I'm ready to run in front of anyone yet (lest I sweat all over everything in front of everybody), but I can definitely walk quickly whilst gossiping about the day.

I worked out today (after a day of work!):
24 minute run (1.5 miles)

I just checked my inches for the first time since early June. I've lost 6.75 total inches so far!

Chest: OLD = 47" NEW = 46"

Waist: OLD =  42" NEW = 40"

Hips: OLD =  54.25" NEW = 53"

Right Thigh: OLD =  34" NEW = 32.5"

Left Thigh: OLD =  34" NEW = 33"

Right Bicep: OLD =  17" NEW = 16"

Left Bicep: OLD =  17" NEW = 16.75"