Just Keep Running

So I recently learned after a lifetime of hating it that I actually really do like to run.  It's weird because up until just really really recently I could only run like a quarter of a mile before dying.  I really don't know what changed, but something did.  Now if only I could get my knees to agree that running is good for me, I might do some long runs.  For now here are two I did the last two months.

The first was an easy, non competitive fun run I did with my friends.  I wasn't sure if I would like it or if it would be worth it because it doesn't really make sense in my brain to do anything if there isn't an edge of competitiveness in it.  That might be an over exaggeration but only slightly.  

But with nearly missing the race due to traffic, driving over medians on exit ramps, two fun friends that were totally into getting dressed up and all the laughter we share it really was fun!

Then through a friend that had an extra ticket I got a chance to run the Rugged Maniac.   Then she decided to not run either and I spent the evening trying to convince someone, ANYONE to run with me, so the ticket wouldn't go to waste. 

Wesley finally agreed on the condition that I stayed with him during the run.

(My sad competitive brain doesn't get why you would need to have someone running next to you while giving it your all but I guess other people like people....or something.)  ;)

The morning of the race.  Wes looks thrilled...

 Before the race.

 Wesley at the bottom of the slide at the end.

We survived!

 It was pretty intense.  I felt like I was going to die at the end and kept wondering if my heart would hold out.  But I did finish just 8 minutes slower than the fastest girl so of course it was worth it.

I still carry my battle wounds on my arm.

 Sadly how I got these is a really pathetic, uninteresting story.

Now I'm addicted to these events and keep looking for more I could possibly do.  

Jillian Michael's Six Week Challenge

I did it!  

Today I finished Jillian Michael's Six Week Six Pack Challenge!

Technically, it was my challenge to myself.  On Jillian Michael's Six Week Six Pack workout video she says that combined with a healthy diet (can't say I did this perfectly or even well for that matter), if you do the workout video at least five times for six weeks, you will see dramatic results.  When I heard that the first time I laughed and thought of course you would see results with anything you are doing 30 minutes, 5 times a week.

But then I thought about it for a day and thought, why not.  That's what I want right?  Dramatic results.

So I decided to journal my efforts and results.  I tend to be long winded so I will try and consolidate it as much as possible.

Week 1
January 18th (Saturday)
Starting weight around 150 pounds.  My weight had been around this for several weeks with no change.

I worked out during the day with all the kids around me.  It was hard but I did the entire thing.  My legs are stiff but not my abs.

January 19th (Sunday)
Rest

So stiff, can barely walk normal.

January 20th-25th (Monday-Saturday)
I worked out EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
I could already tell I was getting stronger.

6 times since Saturday




Week 2
January 26th (Sunday)
Rest

January 27th-29th (Monday-Wednesday)
Worked out

Weighed myself Wednesday

145 baby!

January 30th (Thursday)
Worked out

January 31st (Friday)
Skipped working out today

February 1st (Saturday)
Worked out, plus added 5 pound weight to exercise which I will use for the remaining time I do level 1.

Worked out 5 times this week.



Week 3
February 2nd (Sunday)
Rest

February 3rd- 6th (Monday-Thursday)
Worked out

February 7th (Friday)
Skipped

February 8th (Saturday)
Worked out while the kids were awake...so hard.
Still on track



Week 4
February 9th (Sunday)

Rest

I told Wes I seriously wasn't looking forward to starting level 2 of the workout on Monday since level 1 still just about kills me every time.

February 10th (Monday)

I got my wish, I woke up at 1am super sick with the stomach bug my older kids had over the weekend.

I did not work out.

 I barely survived just taking care of 5 kids on a snow day, one of which had the bug too.

February 11th (Tuesday)

Did not workout. Feeling a little better.

February 12th (Wednesday)

I feel somewhat better and decided I should try level 2 of the workout.

I finished it.  Small victory!
Weighed myself.

139.8!

Wahoo!

Tonight I was so sore.  

February 13th (Thursday)

I was so sore all day today.    

I decided to try and do the workout in the evening.  I got to 13 minutes and had to stop because I was so sore.

February 14th- 15th (Friday & Saturday)

I woke up early, worked out.

Only 3 1/2 times this week.  Boo. Plan to make it up later.



Week 5

February 16th (Sunday)
Rest

February 17th (Monday)
Halfway through circuit 2 of level 2 I strained my right hamstring but I finished the exercise.

February 18th (Tuesday)
Worked out

Weighed myself

138.2!

February 19th (Wednesday)
Skipped

February 20th- 21st (Thursday-Friday)
Worked out

February 22nd (Saturday)
Novalee had her birthday party.  I had like four pieces of pizza and some bread.

Worked out and was so sick afterwards.  Such. A. Bad. Idea.



Week 6
February 23rd (Sunday)
Rested

February 24th- 26th (Monday-Wednesday)
Worked out

Weighed myself Tuesday.
137!

February 27th (Thursday)
Did the video in the morning and again at night just to finish it.

Feeling accomplished!  All done!  

February 28th (Friday)
I was planning on being done but I did the video again for the last 17 minutes to make up for stopping 17 minutes early during week 4.  I wanted to be able to know I did it a full 30 times. 30 times in the last 42 days.  That adds up to 15 hours of working out!

Final Results

I lost somewhere around 13 pounds.  But I wasn't just losing weight, I have developed some serious muscles.  My arms and legs feel so much more defined than they were before starting this.  In fact I feel like my arms look the best they have looked since before Wes and I got married.  

Usually after having a baby the first thing to go is my booty.  I actually lose all my curves and turn into a stick person.  I hate that.  I always want to keep my curves but not be so chubby.  This time I feel like I lost a lot of the chubs but kept my curves.  I love it!  I hated every minute of doing the squats in this video but to keep my booty it was worth it.  Now watch them quickly disappear because I plan to never, ever do this work out again. 

I'm currently back into my regular size shirts though they are still a little tight.  Two days ago I had to retire my size 7 jeans because they literally wouldn't stay up anymore.  So I'm back into all my regular sizes again even though I weigh about 15 pounds more than I did before I was pregnant.  Muscle?  That's what I'm going with.  :)

By the end of the six weeks I have developed a serious dislike for these workouts.  Even up to the very last day I was still exhausted after working out and I probably spent the last 42 days sore at least somewhere on my body.  But I have a booty.  Do you like how I keep mentioning that?  :)  

I did take pictures of my bare stomach before and after that I was super excited to share because I think you can see dramatic results but then my conscience (Wes) thought maybe it wouldn't be best to share over the Internet a part of my body I don't share with anyone other than my husband.  So boo for consciences.  :) 

 But I did take less revealing "after" pictures of myself today.  

I guess I don't have much for before pictures.  Here is one of my on New Years Eve? 

Wow!  Well maybe I do have a good before picture after all. 

 Holy crap!  

Um, yes, Jillian Michael's video worked!