Tri-ing To Catch Up

Holy cow it's been a long time since I've posted!  Sorry about that.  Since I last posted, I finished Phase 2 of the Pull Up Challenge Workout, got a new job, started my triathlon training, got a new toilet, planted a (small) garden and ran a 5K race.  Plus, I came up with that silly title to this post.  So I've been a little busy.  :)

So, to quickly recap my results with the Pull Up Challenge Workout....When I reach up to the pull up bar, from floor to bar, I am at full extension.  I attempted pull ups from a full hang and from beginning with my toes only touching the floor (not pushing off). My initial score from a full hang was zero, and from my toes was 1/4 of a pull up.  At the end of Phase 2, I improved to 1/2 a pull up from a full hang and 4 pull ups from my toes.

I also tested chin ups and got an initial score of zero at a full hang, and a score of 1 full chin up with just my toes starting on the ground. At the end of Phase 2, I improved to 1/2 a chin up from a full hang and 6 chin ups from my toes.  I'm quite happy with those results.  I felt like my upper body strength improved a lot and I like the way my arms and back shaped up!

After Phase 2, I began triathlon training.  I'm using a beginner training program.  I don't expect to be competitive; I just want to finish!  It's sprint distance, so it's 1/2 mile swim, 14 mile bike ride and then 5K run.  I have about a month to go, and training has been going OK, but I miss strength training.  I've only done a couple strength training workouts since beginning the training.  Today I completed TT for Abs, Workout A and it felt great to be lifting weights again.

Last week I participated in a 5K fun run that I have done for the past 4 years.  It was actually the first 5K run that I ever did.  I looked over my results from previous years and discovered that I really haven't improved all that much, lol.  The run is actually 3.8 miles, not really a 5K (3.1 miles).  The first year, I ran it with a time of 40:59, second year was 38:25, third year was 40:35 and this year was 43:12.

Finally, this weekend my daughter and I planted a small garden.  We planted peas, tomatoes, broccoli, strawberries, basil and one bean plant (that she got from school).  I accidentally broke the bean plant during transplant, so I'm hoping it will still grow.  This is our first time planting a garden so crossing our fingers!

Happy Mothers Day!!


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Busy Times And Smart Kids

Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks; I will spare you all of the details. :)

I've nearly finished Phase 2 of the Pull Up Challenge Workout. I didn't look too far ahead and so I didn't realize that Phase 2 has 16 workouts, instead of 12 like Phase 1. I'm not sure if I was supposed to do all 16 workouts in 4 weeks, but I decided to keep my same schedule and did Phase 2 in about 5 weeks. I was going to finish this past weekend; however, I still have 1 workout left and then the final pull up test. So far, my best score is 3.5 pull ups from my toes.

After I finish Phase 2, I am going to take about a week off and then I'll be starting my triathlon training. There is a Phase 3 as well, but I think I'm going to have to wait until the fall to complete it.

Instead of my final workout yesterday morning, my daughter and I went to the store and bought her a new bike. Then when we got home, she had to try and ride it right away. :)

After that, I started making lunch. My daughter has decided that she wants a "healthy lunch" on Sundays, so we have been making lunch instead of going out to eat. I think she is just tired of "chicken and french fries", which is the only thing she will eat when we go out. I've tried explaining to her that she can choose a healthier option, but she insists that we should "eat healthy" at home. Who am I to argue with that?? PS. She was reading this over my shoulder as I was typing and corrected 2 typos. Smarty pants. Not that I am a proud mom or anything like that, but I think I found an editor. :)

So after lunch, I spent the afternoon cleaning the house because I knew that the plumber would be stopping by this week. Our house is experiencing multiple system failure. First, the dishwasher was acting funny, then the water softener went kaplooey, and now the dryer isn't heating properly.

In addition, my kids have started swimming lessons and a cooking class (which is pretty cool), so life has gotten pretty busy. :)

Have a great day!


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Unidentified Flying Pigs

I've been sick recently and haven't posted as much as I would like. There's been a lot going on, but I have one major announcement...

If you have been seeing pigs fly, you can blame my husband. He has signed up to run a half marathon this summer. Friends and Family who know my husband, please pick your jaws up from the floor. :)

I'm not sure what has inspired this. He even got new running shoes earlier this week and took them for walk/jog. I'm pretty proud of him for giving this a try, but also am hoping he doesn't hurt himself. He hasn't worked out at all in a very long time. He plans on starting slow, and working up to running 3 miles, 3 days a week by June. We found a beginner half marathon training guide that we think will work for him and he needs to be able to run that far to begin the program. I'm going to run the half marathon with him so I better be sure and train hard so he doesn't beat me!! :)

Have a great day!

Moving Up - Pull Ups and Workout Journals

This week had 2 milestones - 2 pull ups, and finishing my 8th Workout Journal. Just for fun, I took a quick picture of my journals:



I like to use the small journals that I can easily take to the gym and keep track of my progress. You may notice there are only 8 books in the photo - Book 7 seems to be missing in action. :) Book 1 begins 12/28/09. Prior to that, I used a combination of printed pages and larger notebooks. When I found these little journals, I discovered they were the perfect size.

On Sunday, I did my usual pull up/chin up test. On the full hang pull up and chin up, I got 1/2 for both. Beginning on my toes, I got 2 pull ups and 3 chin ups! Whoo-hoo! :)

Hope everyone is having a great week as well!

End of Phase One

Last week I finished Phase One of the Pull Up Challenge Workout. My goal was 5 pull ups, but I didn't quite get there. :)

Last Thursday, I did a "jump pull up" test, which is how I did pull ups in past workouts (jumping start up to the bar). I got 3 pull ups, which is 1 more than before I began this program.

On Saturday, I went swimming again - still 16 laps in 20 minutes. But I'm not really going for speed at this point, I just want to get in the pool!

On Sunday, I ended Phase One/began Phase Two with my regular test: pull ups from a full hang, pull ups beginning with my toes touching the floor, chin ups from a full hang, and chin ups beginning with my toes touching the floor. Here's a look at my overall progression from the beginning to the end of Phase 1.

Start
Full hang pull ups: 0
Toe touching pull ups: 1/4
Full hang chin ups: 0
Toe touching chin ups: 1

Week 1
Full hang pull ups: 1/4
Toe touching pull ups: 1/2
Full hang chin ups: 1/4
Toe touching chin ups: 1

Week 2
Full hang pull ups: 1/4
Toe touching pull ups: 1/2
Full hang chin ups: 1/2
Toe touching chin ups: 1

Week 3
Full hang pull ups: 1/2
Toe touching pull ups: 1
Full hang chin ups: 1/2
Toe touching chin ups: 3

Week 4
Full hang pull ups: 1/2
Toe touching pull ups: 1
Full hang chin ups: 1/2
Toe touching chin ups: 3


Phase 2 is subtitled "Getting From 1-5 Pull Ups" so I guess Phase 1 did deliver with my 1 pull up. :) Now, moving on to 5 pull ups! In Phase 2, the workouts seem similar to Phase 1, but there have been a couple new exercises and it seems like there are more supersets. I haven't looked too far ahead, but that's how it appears so far. Also, one of things I will be watching more this week is nutrition. Recently, I've had a few more treats than I should have.

Have a great day!


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Weeks 1 And 3 Complete Including The Maiden Voyage

This week I finished Week 1 of the weight loss challenge where I work, and I finished Week 3 of the Pull Up Challenge Workout. I only lost about a pound, but I'm OK with that. :)

On Tuesday morning, I got to the gym a little later then I had hoped, and then realized I had forgotten my tennis shoes at home. Since I couldn't workout in my boots, I went home. I realized I didn't have enough time to drive back to the gym, so I completed the workout at home. Although I did skip the deadlifts. I was running short on time and I couldn't think of a good substitute, so I just skipped it.

Yesterday I finally got my new swimsuit into the pool and completed its Maiden Voyage! The sprint triathlon I am thinking about doing has a 1/2 mile swim, which is about 16.5 laps in the pool. I swam 16 laps in about 20 minutes and I was pretty happy with that considering I haven't swam that far in quite some time.

Today I did another Pull Up Test and improved from last week. From a full hang, I did 1/2 of a pull up, but starting with my toes touching, I got 1 full pull up! For chin ups, I got 1/2 from a full hang, and 3 when I started from my toes (I made sure this week!) I don't think I will make my goal of 5 pull ups from a full hang after the first 4 weeks, but I do feel like I am getting better. Next week I am going to try pull ups from a jumping start. Before I started this program, I could do 2 and I am curious to see if I have improved using that method.

Have a great day!

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Leg Warmers Done And The Challenge Begins

TA-DA! Finished the leg warmers for my daughter. She confided that they turned out better than she expected. Now she wants a matching scarf. :)


Today was Day 1 of the Weight Loss Challenge I joined at work. I've been ignoring the scale and going by how my pants are fitting, so this morning I was up a few pounds higher than I would like to be. My pants are still fitting OK, but I really think my goal is going to be to lose 5 pounds during this 6 week Challenge. This should work well with the Pull Up Challenge Workout I have been using because that will be 5 less pounds I have to pull up!!

This past Sunday was another Pull Up Test. From a full hang, I got 1/4 of a pull up and 1/2 of a chin up. Beginning with my toes touching, I got 1/2 a pull up and 1 full chin up. I feel like I should be able to do more chin ups. I think I complete the 1 and then decide that's it. Next week I am going to make sure I can't do another.

Have a great day!

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Crazy Idea of the Year

Whew! Today I woke up pretty sore. I'm still sore from Sunday's workout! Workout 4 was exhausting and really worked my upper body. Workout 5 this morning wasn't as tiring. :)

So last year I ran a marathon. This year's crazy idea is....[drum roll, please]...sprint distance triathlon!

A friend at work asked me if I would be interested in trying one later this year. After thinking about it for a while, I bought a new swimsuit. Because nothing says getting ready to swim serious laps like a new racerback swimsuit. :) Later this week I plan to take said swimsuit on its maiden voyage and see if I can still stay afloat for any length of time. I haven't swam competitively since high school. I am hoping it's like riding a bike. I'll let you know how it goes!!

In other crazy ideas, I'm going to try and knit my daughter a pair of leg warmers. The most difficult thing I have ever knit is a scarf. If the leg warmers don't work out, I'm knitting her a blanket for her dolls. :)

Have a great day!

Support And Motivation for Weight Loss

Today I finished the first week of Shawna K's Pull Up Challenge Workout. I've been trying to think of a shortened name, but PUC isn't working for me. :)

Workout 2 on Tuesday was similar to Workout 1 in structure - 13 exercises done in straight sets. Workout 3 was a little different; it was straight sets with a few supersets thrown in - 16 exercises total! Which sounds like a lot, but many of them were only 2 sets with short rest periods. I finished in about 35 minutes. No workout on Friday and Saturday, then I start Week 2 on Sunday.

In other local news, I joined a weight loss challenge at work. Not because I need to lose weight, but mostly to support my friends who have joined, and for motivation. And if I happen to lose a few pounds, then it will help the team! :)

And speaking of motivation and support, Friday, January 13 is the last day to join the 13th TT Transformation Contest! If your lucky number is 13, then this is your lucky day! :)


Social support is one of the keys to successful weight loss. So tomorrow morning, get up, put on some workout wear or a bathing suit, grab your local newspaper, and take a picture or two. You don't have to get your support from the TT Forums like I do, you can have a buddy take their Before pictures as well! Read the rules for the contest here: TT Contest Rules

Then, all you have left is to choose which TT workout to use. Complete the first workout, see how it feels. After a couple workouts, you may start thinking, "Hmmm, if I tweaked my diet, I would have better results." And before you know it, the 12 weeks are done and you are taking your After pictures. For inspiration, check out recent winners: TT Contest Winners

Have a great day and Good Luck!

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Beginning the Pull Up Challenge

I thought I was recovering from my cold, and then it took a turn for the worst. I ended up missing 2 workouts last week. I thought about doing 1 of them on Saturday, but just decided to take that last day of rest before I began my new program on Sunday.

So on Sunday I began Shawna K's Pull Up Challenge Workout. The first thing on the list is to measure how many pull ups you can do from a full hang. My score? Zero, none, zilch. When I reach up to the pull up bar, from floor to bar, I am at full extension, so I tried to do a pull up beginning with my toes only touching the floor, but no pushing off. My score? 1/4 of a pull up. :) I repeated this for chin ups (just for my own curiosity) and got a score of zero at a full hang, and a score of 1 full chin up with just my toes starting on the ground. Hmm....I've got a lot of work to do.

The workout was straight sets of DB rows, incline presses, push ups, squats, etc - 11 exercises in all. It's been a while since I have done straight sets so this is a change of pace for me. The workout went pretty fast - it took me about 35 minutes. Today I'm pretty sore in my triceps, lats and chest. Tomorrow is workout 2. There are 3 workouts per week, and from what I can tell after looking ahead a bit, it looks like Phase 1 has 12 unique workouts. It will be kind of cool to do a different workout every time I go to the gym!

Have a great day!

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Goals For 2012

Now that I have had some time to reflect (and to recover from the cold/plague that my children so generously shared with me), I have thought about my goals for 2012. But first, I wanted to recap my 2011 Goals:

2011 Goals

1. Post on blog more often. Hmmm, not so successful on this one.
2. Run a marathon. Check.
3. Be more personable. I think I accomplished this, more so in the latter part of the year.
4. Spend more time with my family. Double check. (Also more so in the latter part of the year.)


Here are my goals for 2012. I came up with a few more this year....


2012 Goals

1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. I recently read Craig Ballantyne's 14-Day Fast Fat Loss Guide where he gives a complete 14-day Fast-Track guide to fat loss using the exact plan he gave to a college buddy who had gained 25 pounds since the birth of his baby. Lots of great advice in that article. This would be a great kick-start for 2012, even for me. I gained a couple pounds over the holidays and would like to quickly lose them (see Goal #2).

2. Maintain my weight. After losing those couple "holiday pounds", I'd like to maintain my weight. At the end of TT Contest #12, I felt like I was at a good weight. I'd like to stay around 145 lbs.

3. Be present and focused in every workout. No more listening to October Project during my workouts. I need more girl-power, butt-kicking music. :)

4. Increase number of pull ups I can do. I am beginning Shawna Kaminski's Pull Up Challenge Workout next week and I would like to increase the number of pull ups I can do in a row to 10. Mini goal: 5 pull ups after 4 weeks of the program. I haven't been able to do that many in a row for a while now. I am looking forward to working toward this goal.

5. Get my chin ups count back to over 10. I used to be able to do that many, then I stopped working on it.

6. Hug my children more often. :)

7. Post on my blog 2-3 times a week. I plan to post my progress with my workouts, and am hoping to start posting recipes again.

8. Keep up with the housecleaning. I am a horrible housewife. ;)


That's about it. Hope everyone is having a great New Year!


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