Awkward personal backstory:

Last January, I decided to stop taking birth control. Not that I was looking to get pregnant at the time, but I figured it'd be a good time to stop putting any extra chemicals in my body (this was right around the MS diagnosis and all that craziness).

Since then, my period has been completely out of whack. Some months it's early, most months it's late. When it's late, I freak out and take pregnancy tests, which are inevitably both a relief and a disappointment when they come out negative.

Pregnancy tests are expensive. Hello, affordable fifty-pack: http://www.amazon.com/Wondfo-Pregnancy-Test-Strips-50-count/dp/B004AOMAOG

IN ANY CASE, it got to the point where I was going two months without a period. Not okay. After a few uncomfortably invasive ultrasounds at the gyno, it was determined that I have PCOS. Maybe.

PCOS, if you haven't googled it, can lead to irregular periods. It can ALSO cause women to have serious difficulty losing weight. And as such, I was put on a medicine called Metformin. It's a diabeetus drug that also regulates hormones, or something.

For some women, Metformin greatly improves success with diet and exercise. Since I've been really struggling with getting the scale to budge the last few months, I started the pill with cautious optimism.

Firstly, it has killed my appetite. Whereas before it was difficult to meet my 1800 per day calorie goals, I've now seen several days in the past week where I've been sub-1500.

Second, I *felt* thinner this week, and stepped on the scale on Friday after weighing in on Tuesday. I had to reset the scale twice just to make sure what I was seeing as true. Four pounds lost in three days. Four pounds. Three days.

I KNOW it can't be that easy. But holy hell I want it to be.

I've worked out several times since I last blogged. I've been really good about sticking to a minimum of three workouts per week. I just can't always find the energy to tell you about it.

I worked out today:
2 minute fast run warmup
23 minutes calisthenics

This holiday break contained nowhere near the amount of fitness that I would have hoped. It has, however, contained many, many calories. I've still faithfully tracked what I've eaten. LoseIt does nothing to deter my intake of all the tequila, apparently. Here's last week:

Oh God! The calories!

So anyway, that'll need to stop soon.

I've worked out a few times over break. I calisthenic-ed twice, and ran once, and did random housecleaning and the like. I should have done more. I am filled with regret and calories. Delicious calories. 

The calisthenics continue. I worked out last Sunday and didn't blog about it. On Monday, I was sore. So it goes.

I worked out today:
4 minute fast run
25 minutes calisthenics

Our tickets to Jamaica have arrived. In 101 days, I'll be flying off to a week's worth of paradise.

So I was all excited today when my husband informed me that the latest version of iSmoothRun has a "treadmill" setting. Previously when using the app on my treadmill, it informed me that I wasn't running at all, OR that I was running across the street and back (which definitely does not actually happen).

In any case, I quickly updated my app and gave it a go. Unfortunately, the results are less than I'd hoped for. I ran for five minutes, at a pace which I am CERTAIN is faster than I run when I'm on the trail. The app said I was only running 2.something mph, for a completely unimpressive 22 minute mile. I KNOW I'm going faster, so I guess I'll just go back to caring about time instead of distance.

I tried the calisthenic routine again after my five minute warm up. Today I am sweatier than I was on Sunday, and everything felt more difficult. Perhaps my form is more accurate today, and that's why it's harder? Perhaps I'm just a wuss who can't plank worth a damn. Whatevs.

I worked out today:
5 minute warmup run
25 minutes of vigorous calisthenics and plank failures

Something different.

A few months back, I mentioned to my husband that I might want to try a new way of working out. Since he's now some sort of super fitness guru, he sent me a beginners calisthenics workout he put together himself. Today, after waking up and not exactly feeling like running, I decided to give it a go.

And it was awkward. I had to shut the front blinds because I didn't want the church-goers driving by to witness me in all my ridiculous glory.

First of all, planks are really hard. I watched an instructional video, and this confident plank lady was all, "Depending on your level of fitness, you'll be able to hold a plank anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes."

Apparently I have no "level" of "fitness" because my plank lasted a shaky 10 seconds before collapsing. Don't even get me started on side planks.

"Look how happy I am! And not shaky at all! Side planks are super fun! Aren't you having SO MUCH FUN?"

So anyway, I finished the 25 minute workout and felt shaky but otherwise proud that I tried something new.

I worked out today:
25 minutes of planks, knee lifts, bench dips, bent rows, wall pushups, and jackknife squats

I'm definitely in a body-hating funk today. This had better be PMS related...

I took my measurements, as I realized I hadn't done so since August.

Chest: OLD = 47" NEW = 46" Newer= 45"    

Waist: OLD =  42" NEW = 40" Newer= 39.5"  

Hips: OLD =  54.25" NEW = 53" Newer = 51.5"   

Right Thigh: OLD =  34" NEW = 32.5" Newer = 32"   

Left Thigh: OLD =  34" NEW = 33" Newer = 32"    

Right Bicep: OLD =  17" NEW = 16"  

Left Bicep: OLD =  17" NEW = 16.75"  

The arm measurements didn't change. Arm flab is difficult to lose? I've never heard that one before.

I was hoping for a bit more of a difference. It's several months later, after all. 

Dear Self,

This is what happens when you don't work out as much as you should. This is what happens when you don't count calories as well as you should. 

Love,

Self 

OR

Dear Self,

Be pleased that you are still making progress. You didn't gain this weight overnight and you won't lose it overnight either. You've lost 12.5 inches and 24.2lbs, and that's pretty great. Keep fucking going and don't be a slave to body image issues.

Love,

Self

Whichever. 

I worked out today:

20 minute treadmill run

Okay, so now I guess I'm just bad at updating this blog. Me? Bad at updating? Never!

(always)

Anyway, I'm back on track with my three workouts per week plan. At least for now. I have a faint desire to set up some sort of goal in which I work out every day over Christmas break, but I don't want to push it. One week at a time...

I worked out yesterday:
20 minute run while listening to terrible rock music from my past

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)