Day Eight, 04/23/08

Today was a good, but tiring, workout. We had a circuit of exercises to do first. Arms, abs, legs, were all worked. It was very good.

We then had to do mountain climber push up thingys. Don't ask...I don't know what the real name is, but basically we had to crawl up the hill (which might as well been a mountain) and do push ups along with it. I wasn't able to do the climbing part very well, but I did what I could.

The shoes came in handy with the running around the circuit and then running the laps. I really do love the way they feel. More so, I like that my shins aren't hurting like they did before.

Afterwards we did some other types of abs work. We were definitely feeling it!!!

It was a good workout. Not as cold as it was in the beginning of the 4 weeks, which was also good.

Thanks again for checking in on me!!!!

Day Four - 4/14/08

I didn’t eat great on Saturday – two casino parties in a row will do that to you. However I ate a lot less than I normally would. I also had one Diet Coke Saturday, the first one I’ve had in a week. Sunday I got up at 9:30 am and walked the neighborhood. I’m guessing it was about a mile, but don’t know for sure.

It's getting much easier to get up at 4:20am.

I have my toast with peanut butter and a big glass of water then head on my way.

I wear my sneakers, workout clothes (generally a long sleeve t shirt and a pair of cheapy knit Capri pants), and my hat.

I take my weights (that Tricia so kindly is letting me borrow), mat, water and towel. I have my little routine in the mornings and it's working out well.

I generally get out of the house by 4:45 and get to the park at 5:00. Tricia and I are generally first, followed by the instructor, then the other 8-10 ladies who are on the track of better health. We have some ladies that look like they have worked out for ages, but they haven't. There are some intermediate girls and then the group I fall into which is "I never run unless someone is chasing me". LOL. We have a good time. We encourage each other and cheer each other on.

No one is left behind. A lot of alternate exercises are made for me. I can't do anything that requires the use of my toes (push up - I can accomplish on occasion but generally I do it on my knees). I can't jump rope. So, there are other things I do. There is a woman who can do even less than I can, and she still gets her work out in. We all do.

It's been great!!!! I am so glad I did it!!!

Day Three - 4/11/08

Yesterday I went to the Greenway and walked/jogged 2 miles. I meant to do one mile, but didn’t see the ½ mile mark. Ugh. Paul also took some "before" photos of me. Hopefully when we take "after" photos we'll see a least a little difference!

So today - I did it. I "ran" one mile in 17:52. No, that's not an awesome time, but you know what? I did it!!! No stopping. I either jogged or walked. It was great to finish.

Also for one minute:

Push ups - 27
Sit ups - 21


The goal is to improve my own time/amounts. I know people can do way more than I can...but *I* want to do more than I can right now. :-)

We went back to the house and had a big breakfast of egg whites and toast. It was good and filling. :-) Tricia and I are excited about our first week being over.

Day One - 4/7/08

Tricia and I have lost our minds and decided to join boot camp. I am going to try to keep a diary of what I hope to be PROGRESS.

I got up at 4:20 so that I could have my half a slice of wheat toast with peanut butter before heading to my first day at "Boot Camp".

I was tired, didn't sleep well the night before, but I was looking forward to it.

We laid our mats out and stretched, most of us first timers to the class, not exactly sure what to expect.

We were informed that this Friday we will be running a mile. I can't tell you the last time I ran.

We did an assortment of exercises, from jumping jacks (she said it was 25, but it was 1, 2, 3 - ONE, 1, 2, 3 - TWO...so that would be 100 in my book) to jogging/walking (she adapts for those of us who can't do the harder things...I walked with 5 lb weights...moving arms, etc as I went along. By the end of the hour we had run, jump roped, did crunches, push ups, worked with weights on our arms, threw a 6lb ball and squatted, stretched etc. All of it LOOKS easy enough, but I learned a few things. I can't jump rope to save my life. I can't run backwards without feeling like I'm going to fall (and did once). I can do about 15 of her jumping jacks before my legs turn to Jell-o.

I came home, had a banana (small one!) and 2 egg whites. You are supposed to have protein right after you work out to help with the muscle. Who knew? :-) She wanted me to have 6 egg whites, but after all that working out there was just no way I could eat more.

I took a HOT shower and napped for a little bit.

On my non-workout days (Tues, Thurs and Sun - Saturdays I'll be "off") I'm hoping to walk with the weights or ride my bike. Walking/running for me is so tough because of my hips/legs and the way I drag my leg, but I'm going to try. That's all I can ask for.