I love mornings

As much as I dread waking up at 5:00 am, I love the accomplishment of getting a good workout in before 7:00 a.m. Todays workout: three rounds of KB high pulls, situps, and running 1/2 mile - for time. I did 50 high pulls and 50 situps per set (feet unanchored, hands over chest), and finished the whole thing in just over 26 minutes.

I intend to go for a run and do some pushups later today...but I have a ton of stuff to get done today too.

I had a hard time sleeping last night...I'm not sure why. It could've been that I have a lot on my mind, or it could have been because it felt really warm. The overnight low was only 70 degrees.

So since we're on such a tight budget, I'm making some homemade gifts for family members. I didn't think we'd be able to get a tree, but I found a pretty decent 6' tree at Target for $17. I found some ornaments at the dollar store, and I'm going to try to make some too. I have a recipe for cinnamon ornaments: you make a dough out of cinnamon and applesauce, cut out shapes with cookie cutters, bake, and decorate. Two of my homemade gift ideas are sugar and/or salt scrubs and pomander balls. If you guys have any other good ideas for homemade gifts or ornaments, throw them my way!

Be strong!!!!

Started the day out right!

Worked out first thing in the morning, before DH even woke up! I decided to take a Crossfit bootcamp for a month. I've really missed working out with a group on a regular basis and I figure this is the closest I'll come to MBG. There are two Crossfit groups in Austin; I decided to try the one that I was less familar with. I think it really makes a difference having a group to workout with. I can train on my own for a while, but sometimes I need someone to push me.

Anyway, we did different range of motion stuff to warm up - some was normal familiar stuff, and some I hadn't done before. Then we practiced snatches and swings, before we started the workout. The workout consisted of three descending sets of snatches, swings, and running, done for time, very similar to some of the MBG workouts. We followed that with some medball stuff, including throwbacks with a partner. I think my time was 11:45. Maybe it was 10:45. No, must've been 11:45.

Then I came home and did some pushups. I lost count of my sets, so I'm not sure how many I did, but at least 40. Possibly 50. Probably 40. Why can't I remember anything???

Anyway, where is everyone? I guess busy...I hope I see you guys online again soon! Miss you! Be strong!

Back in Texas!

So I got back earlier this week. I really enjoyed being back in WI and back at the Monkey Bar. Training went well, but would've been even better if I hadn't been sick the whole time. I am finally starting to feel better. It helps that its in the mid to upper 70's and super sunny everyday!

So today, DH and I went to a Crossfit community workout. We did a warmup typical of this group, including squats, pushups, various range of motion exercises, a couple line drills, and then some agility ladder stuff. Then we did three sets of running, then squats, then pushups. The length we ran was the same every time...up a little hill and then to a marker. We did descending sets of squats and pushups: 50 squats + 25 pushups; 40 + 20; 35 + 15. Then we did some med ball stuff after that. DH has been working so hard this past month that he's been consistently lacking sleep, and probably not eating enough. After the first round of running/pushups/squats he was done. When we got home, I did 10 more pushups, to make it an even 100 for the day. Then I did 60 situps.

I made a pretty yummy dinner tonight. Saag paneer (pureed spinach and cheese) and rajma dal (kidney beans), two of my favorite Indian dishes. I made my own paneer for the first time too. To make the paneer, I used a quart of skim milk and 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice - brought the milk to a boil, removed it from the heat, added the lemon juice, and stirred until the curds formed. Then I drained it and compressed it. For the spinach, I used an onion, fresh ginger and garlic, jalepeno, tumeric, cumin seeds, ground cumin, and ground coriander. For the kidney beans, I used onion, ginger, garlic, jalepeno, canned tomatoes, and garam masala. DH and his sister had it with basmati rice and yogurt; I skipped the rice.

I will post again SOON! Be strong!!!

Looks like everyone's busy

So now that I need you ladies more than ever, being stuck here all alone, everyone's too busy to post. Ah well. I'm usually too busy too. I've been on call both weekends I've been up here, but I did get Thursday and Friday off for the holiday. I didn't workout on Thanksgiving, except horsebackriding.

Today I did 4-10 minute blocks: jump rope, then run, then burpees, then jump rope. I finished that up with 100 situps and 100 PW pikeups. It felt pretty good. As much as I try, I'm still pretty tired most of the time. I'm not sure if its being away from my normal routine or what. I'm trying to eat well, but its hard with the cafeteria choices I get. Maybe I should do some yoga.

All the way from the booming metropolis . . .

of Black River Falls! I'm finally settled in here, and getting used to my new schedule. Monday I did get to do the house of pain workout with K-smash and Chad, and it was great! All of those chins made my back feel great the next day. I need to squat heavier though; I'm so lazy with weighted leg exercises!

Tuesday, I did the pyramid workout as posted, in my hotel room. I actually have about a 6 yard length to use, so I could even crawl, lol.

I've also been running daily, which is great. Tuesday I did my favorite ascending sprint pyramid (courtesy of K-smash). 1 mile warmup, 1 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, 3/4 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, 1/4 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, 1 mile jog cooldown. The last 1/4 mile was at a 7-minute mile pace.

Wednesday I was talking to my sister, who mentioned that she has gotten her mile down to 7:15. So I was like "I wonder if I can do that?" To be fair, I did use a treadmill, which is easier, but I did a mile in 7:22! That's pretty good for me, but I'm going to work towards sub-7:00 while I'm here I think.

Thursday was a steady 2-miler, nothing fancy. I was barely awake this morning at 6, I was on call last night until midnight. So just making it down to the exercise room here was an accomplishment.

I miss you ladies tons! Stay strong.

Hey Everybody

Hey Ladies! I decided that my lack of posting has been going on for way to long. Sorry that I have been away. I have been training really hard and still working a ton of hours, but everything is really coming together!

I have been eating a lot of greens and tofu and I feel really good. I am forever fighting my sweet tooth, but have been allowing myself a handful of unsweetended dried papaya everyday. That helps along with a piece of fruit too.

I have the same cold that K-smash has and am fighting it hard. I went to the MBG today and once I got there, I decided to listen to my sick body and not work out. That was a good idea. Instead, I went to the co-op and made a salad of Spinach, tofu, and red onions. Yummy

Monday's prison workout was nice. I decided to go heavy and it took an hour and a half to complete it. Now I know why we called it the house of pain! Ha! I did full chins, with asst. from my partner, full push-ups, 20k for front squats and 28k for swings ( I alternated the swings with 16k one arm snatches).

I finally climbed the Rope! I have been trying for a couple of years and last week, I finally did it. All the way to the top! YAY!

Yesterday, I did my own workout. 20 one arm snatches with the 12k followed by a 50 lb D-Ball carry for 30 yards, then rest one minute. I did this 10 times. It was a killer. Then I climbed the rope for a cool down. heh! (just kidding about the cool down, but I did climb the rope)

I hope everyone is doing well. Be Strong!

Happy birthday, T!!!!!

Today is my sister-in-laws birthday! Yay for T!!!!

I am finally feeling better! Much, much better! I was so miserable Friday that I finally went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a sinus and inner ear infection...

Today I went to Body Power and Combat Conditioning at the MBG. We did a workout with pushups, chinups, squats, and swings. I did regular pushups, 90 degree assisted chins, front squats with a pair of the 12kg KBs, and swings with a 28 kg KB. Chad spent some time correcting my form with pushups, which was great. I really need to spend more time doing HEY when I'm home. I felt like I could've gone harder, but after being sick all last week and still on antibiotics, I thought maybe I should ease back into it. However, after class Super J said that I should check out the Combat Conditioning class this evening. That class rocked! It was super awesome! Casey is a great teacher and really kept us moving. I'm so impressed with Casey - she is really tough! I can really see why she's the U.S. champ...she's awesome!

I really miss the classes at the MBG, and its so fun to be back. The place is super motivating. I love the atmosphere. Everyone is always encouraging. People are always pushing each other to challenge themselves more and more. All the instructors are awesome, and Jon is amazing.

Well, I'll be seeing you ladies again soon! Be strong!

In a slump but still healthy!

Didn't work out this weekend and my diet sucked, but I did get some really good sleep, so 1 out of 3 saves me from complete failure... Will work out tonight, then back to morning workout on Wednesday. Hm. Still working on figuring out how to take good care of myself for myself. I think I do really well when I have someone else to focus on and keep myself organized for. It's harder (but I've learned much more important) to create a lifestyle that supports health, fitness, and balance. Anyway, that's all I have for today. Be strong!

Sick of being sick!!!!

(I wrote this yseterday, but it didn't let me post until today).

Jeez, how long is this stupid cold going to last? Grrrrrr!!!!!

I did the 5x5 workout today with Guns and Super J. Started out doing swings with the 32kg and front squats with 2x12kg. Moved up to 40kg swings and 65 lb dball squats. Did pushups with 30 lb pball on my back for 4 sets and the green PPU (1 set of cables) for 1 set. Chins - regular chins, and didn't finish them. Chins are still a huge weakness for me.

I had some chicken soup at Willy St. for lunch and made some more chicken soup for dinner for my Mom and I. That was really good. My Dad had some too, but he fished out the chicken and didn't take any of the veggies...what a cheater! I used some salt-free veggie boullion, a couple huge boneless skinless chicken breasts, half an onion, a ton of minced garlic, and chopped celery, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, and carrots. Oh yeah, and I added parsley and dehyrated red bell pepper, and finished it off with Penzeys Red and Black pepper. Yum. I think I might take tomorrow easy. I'm planning to walk with my Mom, and maybe I'll get some running in. Well, ladies, be strong!

It's October in November!

Just loving this little window of genter autumn weather we are finally having... Managed to get up early again, and work out this morning. 5x5 for push-ups, chin-ups, swings, front squats. I used 2 purple bands on the power push up for 2 sets and then upped it to 3 bands for the remaining sets. I made myself do full chin ups, no resistance (apart from my lower body which I count as resistance enough!) and swings and front squats I used 40K. (1 for the swings, 2 20s for the squats). I feel great! Finished with a nice shaky side warrior... Have a powerful day!

Still sick, but trudging through it

I went to FIT class tonight, and worked out with Guns. After the warm up, we did agility ladder stuff, jumprope, and broad jumps and sprints. That was great, although its difficult to breathe because my throat is so raw, and my ears are still a bit clogged. I did well on the first two sets (agility ladder and jumprope) but then I pretty much flopped on the broadjumps and sprints.

I'm drinking tons of tea - green, white, chrysanthemum, pomegranate...and taking cod liver oil...that's always helped me get over colds and stuff. Hopefully I'll get over this quickly so that I can start kicking some butt at the gym!!!

Back to it!

Hey! I mean that...HEY! I took the high energy yoga workshop a little over a week ago with Kari, and it was really awesome. As always, the process brought up more than I bargained for. I had a private session with Kari to work on my feet (my arches are too high...everything that made me a "good" dancer is undermining my strength now!). I took the week off after that workshop and the session just to let the imprint of the yoga work settle.

My new favorite asana: side warrior.

Did the BP workout Friday and Monday, and a jump rope workout this morning. My diet has been bad, I'm working through some delayed, post-divorce anger right now, so I'm cutting myself slack around this and just knowing I'm doing the best I can.

Looking forward to lunch from the salad bar, and a dinner of kale and tofu! See you soon at the gym, K-smash!!

Sick and tired...literally

DH and his sis made it back to TX safe and sound. It was so good for them to come back to WI and see everyone, even though it was under such heartbreaking circumstances.

I wanted to go to the gym today, but I've developed a cold. When I woke up this morning, my ears were a little blocked up and I was dizzy and had no sense of balance at all. I'm feeling better now, so I think I'll make it to the gym tomorrow. I haven't worked out in a over a week now. Now only that, but over the past week, I've been perpetually dehydrated and sleep-deprived. So, the plan is to jump into the fire and start going full-force again tomorrow. See you girls soon!