Day Nine - 04/25/08

This was our third Friday. :-) I'm still going strong!

Today was interesting. The part we go to work out was blocked off. Today the Tour de Georgia is coming through there, so it was closed off. We all parked a mile or so away and walked to the pavilion. We got to workout in front of workers putting together the site. It was fun though. They cheered us on and joked with up. It was fun.

We did crunches, sprints, push ups, wall sits. We did some cardio. We worked lats and arms too, which I really like to do. I love the burn. My legs end up feeling like Jell-o, but my arms usually end up feeling great!

The work out was improvised mostly, since Maria wasn't able to bring her equipment in. But, we did work. And we did sweat.

Thanks for checking on me again!

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 Seven, 04/21/08

This is the third Monday of Bootcamp. Only one Monday left in this session. I think I'll be going again.

I can't believe how much energy I have. And it's not "fake" energy. It's not caffeine. I have one cup of coffee in the mornings and ZERO Cokes. I take that back...I have had one Diet Coke on each Saturday - during Casino Jobs. Other than that, no sodas.

This weekend I didn't get to go for a walk or jog like I wanted to, but I did work in the yard. I mowed the lawn and then went back and sprayed the weeds. It was a nice day to be outside.

I'm down 8lbs now. I can't believe it. Actually I CAN believe it, but it's just such a nice feeling. I don't feel it in my clothes yet, but my work out partner, Tricia, says she can see the difference. I don't see it, but I FEEL it and that is so awesome to me!

My shoes were a good investment. We ran a bit today and I can tell how much better my feet (well, my foot) feels.

Thanks for checking in on me today!

Day Six - 4/18/08

I shaved a minute off my mile!!! 16:48. :-) It was a good run.

However, my push ups stayed the same and I lost one on my sit ups. Oh well. :-)

The shoes feel great, but being 6lbs lighter feels better.

We did crunches, lunges, sit ups, and some others that I don't know the names of, but they look silly and make you work! It was good all around.

I can't wait until Monday!

Tomorrow I'll go for a walk when I get up and Sunday I hope to go for a run.

Thanks again for checking in on me!

Shoe Shopping

Let me start by telling you, if you don't know me already, that I hate shopping. I am not the typical woman who loves to buy shoes and clothes and spend hours at a store or mall. ESPECIALLY shoe shopping. Because I have the half amputated foot, buying shoes is generally frustrating and annoying. That being said, I had to find some running shoes. Some good supportive shoes to work out and run in. I was told about two stores that did similar work. The one I went to, because it's closer, is Fleet Feet Sports.

I got there as was greeted at the door by Kitty. I told her I needed to be fitted for some shoes. She was very helpful from the moment I sat down. I explained that I didn't have feeling in my left foot and that it was partially amputated. She didn't even flinch. Asked me to take my shoes and sock off and to look at the orthotic. She had me walk without my shoes and socks so that she could see how my feet "walked".

She then measured my feet and gave me a pair of socks to put on. She came out with three pair of shoes. I tried them on one by one. I couldn't believe the immediate relief in my feet. The shoes were secure and you could tell were supporting where I needed support. I tried on and walked/jogged with all three pair. I picked the pair that we both agreed seemed to have the best support, etc. She then brought out three more pair. Tried all of those on and did the same thing.

Finally, the decision was made and a pair of shoes was picked. They are a brand I'd never heard of "Brooks". I did some research after coming home, and they seem to be a top rated shoe. Brooks Adrenaline is the type I got.

Fortunately my mom helped pay for it because it's more than I normally would have spent on shoes, but I do believe it's necessary or I wouldn't have done it. I can't mess with my feet. I just can't.

The other thing I want to say about Fleet Feet is that they did all of this work to fit me and get me the proper pair of shoes, and the shoes did not cost me a bit more there than they would have on line or at another store! KUDOS TO FLEET FEET. I'll be sure to write to them as well to thank them.

Thanks for checking in on me!

Day Five - 04/16/08

Here we are, day 5. It really is getting easier to get up at the crack of freakin' dawn. :-) But today as I was doing crunches in the park I realized...I am staring at a dark sky with STARS. It's still NIGHT TIME. *sigh* Oh well.

I improved on something today. It's not going to sound like a lot, but to me it's HUGE. I was able to jog almost the entire lap today. (3 1/2 laps is a mile) Again, I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but I wasn't able to jog more than just a few steps last week.

We played a couple of games today. Lots of running and heavy breathing. Most of us lost our breath from laughing so darn much. It was hilarious. I can only imagine how we all look out there running back and forth in the cold.

Speaking of which, it was 34 degrees this morning. Brrr. I had my jacket on, until we started moving, then it came off.

We went back to the house and had breakfast, showered, got ready for work.

I'm going to try to go today to look for some good running shoes. My mom is helping me with buying them (early bday present) which is a great help. I think it will make a difference. I'm going to go to a shoe store called Fleet Feet. I've had a couple of people suggest that store for me, specifically because of my feet. They apparently evaluate your feet, the way you walk, size, shape, everything. I'm going to give them a call to give them the heads up that I'm coming. I'm just not sure how much this will run me, hopefully within my budget. (Heh...run....).

We were supposed to go to a nutrition class tonight, but the man who was going to do it had to reschedule, so that will be next Wednesday. I'm looking forward to that class.

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!!!