Taking on the Coast

I woke up at about 3:00 AM with insane cramps in my rigth calf...so that pretty much nixed my plan to do the BHB. I did however do the bike part. I rode up to the mountain that we hike...which involved getting up a long, steep street that leads to the base of the mountain...it was a wicked bi#*%!! Then for some reason...I think it was guilt...I decided to take on the coast. I knew I needed to burn more calories so I rode back down the street and proceeded to ride all the way from Palisades to Manhattan Beach -- I later found out I rode 44 miles!

As a result of my adventure, I am so miserably sore that I had to make it an early day. I felt like hell ...sore, achy, freezing...I came home took a hot shower and crawled in bed. I keep telling myself that this is what my body needed...but another voice in my head keeps mocking and taunting me about my crappy weigh in and the fact that I am not close to my goal. BTW, weighed this morning and have only lost one pound so far this week...which means unless something mystical happens, my Monday weigh in is going to low again. This place is making me crazy...on what planet is a 44 mile bike ride NOT ENOUGH?????

One Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty...

...steps!!!! That is right, we did the Santa Monica Stairs today and I completed ELEVEN trips! That tops my best by two! I also had one of the hardest personal training sessions that I have had since I arrived...thought I was gonna die!!!

I am going to do a mid week weigh in to see what is going on. I figure that if it is good, I will be happy and it will renew my purpose for being here. If it is bad, perhaps it will kick me in the a**
and make me kill it on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!!

Tomorrow I am scheduled to do the Bike, Hike, Bike...I am ASCARED!!!! It is a very intense 3-4 hour workout (depending on how fast you move). I told my coach (who is also responsible for our schedules) to keep hour five open for me as well...just in case!!!

I realized when I got home last night that in two weeks (from last night), I will be home with my sweet doggy!!!!! I can't wait! I also can't wait to be able to take a hot bath in my wonderful bathtub. I will not miss having to break my bath time in two parts...upper and lower body...the tub in this apartment is like 4 ft. !!!!

PATIENCE...Not One Of My Greatest Virtues

Okay...let me get this out of the way...I only lost two pounds last week. Yes, I am disappointed, frustrated, yada, yada, yada...but it is what it is. I worked really hard last week in my workouts and I stuck to the meal plan. I just have to be patient for my body to get the message. The good news is that I lost another 5 1/2 inches -- so something is happening!

My coach reminded me that I have lost 14 pounds in the last three weeks. Then I reminded her that I have only lost 23 in six weeks. She responded that four pounds a week is really good for a woman. Funny, they didn't mention that when I was researching the program!!

I am also really bummed because Mariah finished the program today. She is going to stay with Milla (another good friend of ours who has been in the program for 12 weeks and just moved here) through the end of the week -- but she won't be at the gym. Mariah did really well on the plan -- she lost 42 pounds in 8 weeks. I will be lucky to lose in the low 30s!!! But I can't compare, she was able to do level 2 and 3 since her second week and she is also 8 years younger than me. But still!!!!

SO...I am trying to muster up some positive energy and get my head straight. I have two weeks to make the most impact possible. Since the scale is unreliable, I am going to focus on things that I can control -- sticking to the eating plan and stepping up my workouts. I have the Bike, Hike, Bike this week and really pushing myself on jogging....both really good for the calorie burning!

This One Is For You Josh!!

Now THAT is a bicycle fit

for a princess!

Thanks Josh!!

I Think I Can...I Think I Can...I Think I Can...

Don't know how many of you are familiar with the children's story "The Little Engine That Could", but I think of it often...especially every time I look at the calendar and count how many more days (17), hours of workouts (80+), etc I have left before I go home. I know my Mom will especially appreciate this because she had to read this book to me several thousands of times when I was little!!

I just realized it has been a few days since I have posted. Thursday and Friday were not great for me...low enthusiasm, tired, sore and REALLY HUNGRY. Honestly, I eat my tiny little meal and my stomach is growling 30 minutes later!! And now the CRAVINGS have started. I had a dream that I was eating at Chili's last night!!! That is probably because I was craving a margarita, chips, salsa and guac....and a really good burger and fries all day yesterday...and I could order both at Chili's!!

My trainers and nutritionist agree that me being hungry is a really good sign that my metabolism is kicking up....it is about time!!! Six weeks in...thanks for finally joining the party!! Well, I have weigh in on Monday...we will see...

Today was a really good day. I got up and had breakfast at the apartment then went to the gym and worked out for two hours (1 hour of strength circuit and 1 hour of cardio boot camp) then I took off for a 30 mile bike ride. It was beautiful outside. I even stopped at one of the piers and just "took in" the scenery...something I don't get much of a chance to do here. I accomplished all of this before lunchtime. At home, in the past, I would just be starting my second cup of coffee after sleeping in way too late!!

I am really ready to go home. I am anxious to start implementing my new habits into my life. I feel like it is time to take the training wheels off!! Only two more weeks to get through here...two more LONG weeks. Make that LONG, HUNGRY weeks. I am going to see how my weigh in goes and then potentially ask for them to move my protein up to at least a level B.

I am off tomorrow. I am thinking about heading to the beach...to RELAX for once, instead of sweating at boot camp. I don't even feel like I am near the ocean...time to fix that!!

Picking up the Pace!

Whew...I hiked that mountain so fast you'd think there was a Neiman's having a Last Call shoe sale at the top!! I shaved another 12 minutes off my time to the top. It felt really good and my legs were strong the entire time. Of course Mariah was JOGGING in front of me...yes, UP the mountain....but still, it was my personal best.

I had a posture and alignment class today. It is amazing...the coach worked with me for a half hour and completely opened up my lower back and hips. Then she put each leg in traction for 15 minutes which completely re-aligns the body. I try to have this class at least once a week. I have also asked for the coach to send me all the exercises so that I can do them at home.

The rest of my day was pretty easy which is a good thing because I have been going pretty hard this week. Tomorrow is looking challenging as well. Now that I am doing well on the hike, my next big challenge is Bike, Hike, Bike (see description in one of my previous posts). I think I am going to try the "Bike" part of it tomorrow to see if I can handle it. I am only worried about the very last part of it which is a long street leading up the mountain that is entirely uphill.

Almost done with week 6.... the weeks are starting to go a little faster. I can't wait to come home and see everyone. I hate being so far away from all my peeps!!! Hope everyone is doing well!!!

I Hate Jacob and His Ladder!!!

For anyone who understands the title of today's post, 'nuff said! For those who do not...some crazy sadist invented a never-ending ladder that is set at an incline and you just keep climbing...grasping for the round wooden rungs until you pass out or finish your workout! Ugh, I hate it....but it burns more calories than just about any other piece of equipment in the gym!!!!

Here is a pic....no silly, that's not me on it!

Anyway, had a challenging but good day. I had a training session with one of the hardest trainers in the gym. He completely upped my game on weights. As I was doing my fifth, one-minute plank I happened to look at my arm....there was a new bump...I think it is called a tricep! There is was...with a subtle cut defining it!

Aside from workouts, I had my "Grocery Store" session today. The nutritionist took three of us to the grocery store and we walked aisle by aisle talking about good choices, needed nutrients and meal ideas. It was really interesting. She is a big believer in eating the "real" stuff in smaller portions versus eating anything processed or "light" or "fat-free". She even had us pick out some of our favorites and then gave us options for how to eat it in a more healthy way or how to substitute it for something better for your body. All and all, a very interesting experience.

I am getting back on the mountain tomorrow...fingers-crossed that my knees and calves hold up!! (is "calves" the right way to spell that...plural of a calf...or am I spelling it like I have a bunch of livestock???)