What's Your Dream?

Rowing is where it’s at! I totally forgot about rowing machines. I can never go on them for too long because they make my back muscles go crazy because they are actually being used for a change! But last night I did a solid 15 minutes on a rower and it was pretty good. My back feels like someone round house kicked me yesterday but that is exactly what I was wanting, to feel like I am making real progress on strengthening my back. I love the fact that it is a cardio workout as well. That was my main draw to it yesterday. I wanted to get 30 minutes of cardio in and after 17 minutes on the StairMaster I ventured over to the rower to work a bit more on my back. I think I figured out that I just need to go nice and slow with a consistent rhythm on the rower and I can go for quite a while. Usually I try to go pretty hard and want to give up after a few minutes. But Last night I felt like I could keep on going last night for quite a while. A little known fact about me, I LOVE the StairMa...

How often do you struggle with motivation? I struggle with it daily and when it comes to working 12 hours a day I'm always completely exhausted after I get off work and have 0 motivation. Strangely enough I found it easier to work out on the late shift because I could wake up and work out before going to work. If were to do that now and if you getting up at 230 in the morning. This is just one of my daily struggles thought I'd share with you so that you know that you are not alone. I've only been on day shift for a little over a month and I'm still adjusting I hope to find my groove soon. Would be in the New Year and all the sales of gym memberships and workout equipment you would think I would be able to my motivation more easily. It really is kind of the other way around because the New Year's resolutions to be a fad that most people don't really stick to in the end,  and kind of just take up my space at the gym. By February usually the gym is back to nor...

Okay, Day 6 did not go very well. And I don't mean with what I was eating or what I did that day but in reference to how many times I had to run to the bathroom. It was a pretty unpleasant day altogether I spent probably half of it in the restroom. And I wasn't just going to the bathroom but running to the bathroom. Now this is the first day I've had  this happen on this program and I'm hoping that it doesn't continue because if it does that means I may have to stop. But today I go back on the fiber drink, because we took a couple days off according to their daily planner, and I'm interested to see if that will straighten my tummy back out or just make me even gassier like I was when I first started. Sorry for the unpleasantness but I promise to report all the gritty details on my Advocare experience. I am hoping for the best! Thank you for reading this nasty post, have a great day.  Keep on running.

I am doing well on Advocare so far! I am only on day 5 but I am sticking to it. On the positive side the headaches and gas have calmed down. Which is good, I am going to attribute the stomach problems to the Fiber drink. I use Benifiber but I think it is way less ... fiber-y. The much brighter side of things is that I have lost 3lbs on Advocare thus far! Which is definitely inspirational! I am pretty excited about that! Now to the good juicy stuff! I was contacted by ClassPass and they are giving you the chance to skip the wait list for the Seattle area and sign up today! Use this link to skip the wait: http://classpass.com/buynow?utm_source=tpblog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=sea&utm_content=3258 I can't wait to hear about your experience with this amazing program. Keep on Running!

So I started Nurtrisystem in February, I lost 20 lbs very quickly on it then I switched plans to a Maintenance plan , which I have been using only on the days that I work,and lost another 8 lbs or so over several months. I have been struggling a bit with my eating the last month or so, so Anthony and I talked it over and I decided to go back to Nutrisystem 100% and he would help support me through the next month and a half. My whole goal of the next few weeks is to just avoid the holiday weight gain that EVERYONE seems to do every year. I am hoping that going back to NS full time I will be able to resist temptation and keep my weight off.  I will be going back to the  Weekends My Way Select Plan , which gives me Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Desert for Monday-Friday and I will be able to eat whatever I want on the weekends. But I will still be on the NS guidelines for the weekends. I will be taking Thanksgiving Day, Anthony and I's Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas ...

This week has been a huge test and I feel like I failed. Miserably. On Monday evening I suffered from a severe leg cramp which I decided to rest from for a couple of days because my leg really hurt. On Wednesday I decided to go and complete the first half of my virtual half marathon and then Thursday I completed it but that night I was tossing and turning all night because my leg hurts so bad. So yesterday I took the day off and today I took the day off because it still hurts when I go up and down stairs so I'm hoping by tomorrow my leg will be fully healed.  Then tonight we had a really really bad night at work so I stress ate about six handfuls of chips and one slice of pizza which is really really bad, thankfully it's something I don't normally do but I can also say tonight at work was a very abnormal night and it's not usually this stressful.  I'm also on the second week of my flipping ba ck and fourth between day shift and night shift which has put me in...

I am about to start my second week of complete craziness with my work schedule. To help get me through it I am calling on all ya'll to help! I don't want to give in and just work the whole week without working out. I want to hunker down and get some great workouts in! Now sticking to my schedule might prove impossible like this last week but I did manage to stick with most of it. Planning it out and sharing it with you really helped me stick to my guns and get out there and do the work!  Here is this week's workout guideline: Sunday - 6 miles Monday - 30 Strength Tuesday - 13.1 Mud and Chocolate Virtual Run Wednesday - Rest Thursday - 30 Strength and 3 Miles Friday - 6 Miles  Saturday - 30 Strength and 3 miles Total Miles = 31.1 Total Strength = 3 x 30  I am striving to reach an average of 30-35 miles a weak through the end of the year. And in order to complete this task I feel planning out all my runs will only help me reach my goal. Tomorrow m...

So this week if the first week in a long time that I have actually planned out my workouts. I wish I had better news to share about my progress this week... First three days went great! Sunday -  Get your rear in gear 5k  (3.1 miles) Monday - 3 mile run 30 min strength Tuesday - 6 mile run Then Wednesday came... I was able to get the 8 miles in, it was rough because I decided to use the gym instead of running outside. BIG mistake, I had forgotten just how hard it is to use treadmills! So I kept going back and forth between a treadmill and elliptical, but I got those 8 miles in! I was working so hard that I completely forgot about the 30 minute strength exercise. So I fell behind on that.  Wednesday - 8 mile run 30 min strength My gym! See the wet parking lot? That's why I decided to take on the gym for my 8 miles. I love how ellipticals use a different set up muscles than just running but my toes always go numb.  Today's schedule w...

It's time to take a look into ClassPass and what it really is. ClassPass is an alternative to a typical gym membership, it allows you unlimited classes at participating studios however you are limited to three classes per studio per month but when the next month starts you can visit that same studio again for three more times. What I love about this is that there is such freedom in class choices and in your schedule. More info can be found on their FAQ page .  This is a link to the map of the studios in the Seattle area! https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zyRHmCkIFraA.koB_PXZI_ZTE You can find class pass on many different social media feeds, a list is provided below. Social Media Here are some hashtags and information to make it easier for you to find! Instagram/Twitter:   @classpass #livingthesweatylife #PassTheHappy (Used to post pics of moments when you are happy!) #classpassSEA #classpass This is the list of Seattle studios! It's finally here! 5focus 8 Limbs Yoga Aha...

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to have a crazy busy schedule so I thought I would lay out a workout schedule to go with my work schedule and post it to help keep myself accountable.  I have set myself a couple of fitness goals through Jan. 1st. First, I am trying to up my mileage to around 30 miles a weak through the end of the year. Second, I'd like to lose 6 lbs by the end of Nov. Through my log everything and my 3 x 30 challenges I feel that 6 lbs could be possible! Two pounds a week is a lot to strive for but I believe I can do it. I have been pretty successful with my weight loss so far, my goal has been to lose 1 lb a week and I have been averaging about that, the last few weeks I fell roughly 3 lbs behind where I want to be.  As long as I don't stray from my plan I feel that I can accomplish this goal.   This is what I have planned for this week. Sunday - Get your rear in gear 5k (3.1 miles) Monday - 3 mile run 30 min strength Tuesday - 6...

First I'd like to start off with an apology to the Seattle Green Lake Running Group Pacers at the Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Everett, WA. After much discussion I learned that there were more pacers at the event that I didn't see because of some technical difficulties, contrary to my previous statement. All of the pacers were in attendance and they did a wonderful job!   That being said, previously I said I'd post my official race photos and they are in! Crossing the finish line! Staying healthy one step at a time. Keep on Running!  

My friend Tricia and I have been working out new ways for fitness motivation such as challenging one another and even contemplating starting a fitness origination  or company of some kind.  Which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. I want to get into the health and fitness industry and I have been thinking of different ways for a while now. I've been thinking of all sorts of things from going back to school for sports nutrition to opening a running store. As a safe idea I would open a running store that can support a running series.  However, a running series that takes place all across the country and eventually can expand around the world like the Rock N Roll series would be a dream come true! But in order for a series to get that big the theme would have to be to die for. I have a pretty good idea for a theme that can easily go across America but I can't see it getting as nearly as big as the Rock N Roll series. I need a much bett...

When I walk in to my local grocery store I am affronted by the seasonal treats; pies, caramel apples, cupcake, cakes, cookies, breads, muffins, candies, delectable deserts of the fall variety everywhere!  This time of year I usually gain 10-15 lbs, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a weakness for the yummy deserts and the heart warming foods of the season. This year I am challenging myself to do better. To keep the holidays foods on the holidays only. There are four major holidays in the next 82 days, all of which include candy, deserts, heavy foods and tons alcohol. So this year I am challenging myself to not indulge in these things except for on said holidays. This is going to be a hard challenge for me but I think that I can do it.  As part of this challenge I am also going to log every piece of food that I eat. I already use MyFitnessPal but I slack off on certain days (weekends) when it comes to logging. What I mean by logging everything, I mean EVERYTHING!!! even do...

The Biggest Loser Half Marathon ! This race was very different than almost every other race that I have ever run. There were several reasons why this one was so different and the first thing that made it different took place a few weeks before the race even took place! I received an email stating that the race location had been moved from Seattle's Gas Works Park to the Port of Everett. I have never had a race location be moved before, I almost pulled out of the race (they offered a refund) but I decided to stick with it, and I'm sure glad that I did!  The second thing that happened different with this race is; I bonded with my new friend Shannon on Facebook through a local running group. We kept each other posted on our other races/training runs and we met for the first time the morning of the race!  Shannon is a lovely lady and I so glad that I was able to meet her finally!  I ran this race after getting off my graveyard shift, drove the 45 minutes to Everett and t...

Diet, for me, I have to watch every single little thing I eat or I balloon up over night! I personally keep a food log on MyFitnessPal , bassett8807 to friend me, and I really do try to log all the food that I eat. I also keep track of my exercise on MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun for all of my outside workouts (you may also friend me on MapMyRun !).  MyFitnessPal MapMyRun I started working out and dieting in 2011 and I lost 40 lbs! But when I moved to the Seattle and started working night shift I gained 30 lbs slowly over a year and a half. All of my hard work down the drain! I was still working out and eating healthy but the schedule did not suit my body. I couldn't figure it out. Finally one day I was pushed to my limits and tried, what I consider to be, something drastic. I started Nutrisystem .  Right away I started losing weight! I lost 15 lbs in the first couple of months. Then I plateaued for a few months, which was due to my busy summer schedule and slacking a little on ...

There are days that we runners all know are on our calendars, rest days. That's right the inevitable rest day. Some times they are very much looked forward to and other times they are a day to feel guilty about. For me I usually regret them. I personally don't like rest days because I feel like I failed or I should have worked and done some form of major work out. I feel like I fail in my health and fitness when I take a day off from working out or running. But the truth is they are called rest days for a reason!  I personally try to plan my rest days on specific days of the week I know for sure I will not have time to fit a work out in. So it's more like a working rest day. But if I am fortunate enough to have a day where I can get a rest day in and do something very productive with that day like yoga or a good stretch session then I do. Those days I feel so much better about myself than if I use my rest day as a work day. I don't just feel better physically either, th...