New Escape (not the SUV)

This morning I was pretty frustrated with everything. So frustrated that the minute my husband got out of bed, I grabbed a basket with 2 loads-worth of laundry, my iPod, shoes and water bottle and went downstairs to do laundry/exercise/shower. I set the timer on that elliptical for 45 minutes. Every time I got the urge to check my time I would remind myself that the sooner I got off that thing the sooner I would have to go back upstairs to reality. When I finally let myself check how much time was left I had less than 13 minutes to go. I finished 45 minutes. I may have even been able to do more but I had decided to do the next level up from what I normally do and I was pretty tired. When did laundry and working out start being an escape?

Level 2, Baby

I moved up to Level 2 in "The Shred". If you are not familiar with it, "30 Day Shred" is an exercise program by Jillian Michaels that consists of 3 levels. Each level is a warmup, 20 minute strength/cardio/ab workout and cooldown. Total time is around 30 minutes. Also, one of my co-workers is thinking about selling his Wii so he borrowed me his EA Sports Active to try it out. If he does decide to sell I may buy the game. From the 30 minutes I spent using Monday night, I really liked it. The only things I didn't like about it was (a) the strap would fall off if I didn't have it strapped really tight and (b) it was clumsy using the controllers with the resistance band. Once I got the hang of it, it got better.

My weight hasn't changed much, if any, since my last post. I am still waking up early to exercise and it is worth it because I do feel better throughout the day. My appetite is starting to go back to normal. I guess hope it was an adjustment period.

A few years ago I joined the Y so I could join a weight lifting class. I started using the elliptical, lifting free-weights and Mark and I would run afterward. I always felt really good afterward. I don't really know how or why I stopped but I did. I never realized how much I missed it.

5:30 a.m.

That is the time I get up to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I tried eating a banana before and cereal after Monday and Tuesday. Each day I would eat my weight in snacks throughout the day. I was never satisfied. Today I tried eating my Cheerios before and a hard-boiled egg afterward. No difference. I ate so much throughout the day. I am frustrated. Even though my weight was down this morning I do not like the feeling of being out of control. Just a couple months ago I could go all morning (after breakfast) with just a cup of coffee, now I have gone through all my calories before I even get home. The workout isn't easy but it isn't enough for me to be able to eat that much.

I hope my body just needs to adjust because I really do like getting up to do the workout. I feel much better throughout the day.

Eight O'Clock Rocks

We have successfully changed Amelia's bedtime to 8:00 (or somewhere very near that). Tonight, Mark went to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and Amelia went to bed at 8:00. That means ME TIME!!! YAY! So I celebrated by cleaning up the supper mess (I am A LOT of fun, can you tell), made Mark's lunch, uploaded pictures for a photo book I am doing and I plan on cleaning the living room. It's been a pretty relaxing night.

Soon I plan to add an exercise routine. My biggest problem is that I don't have a routine. I am not always home, Mark is working long hours and 7 days a week and I am pretty sure I have a teething baby. I have to tell you, I need to fit it in because I am stressed out and feel like I am pulled in a hundred different directions. I am gonna confess but you gotta promise not to say a word about it to me, I have been smoking a little bit again. Not much but I know it's bad and I know I need to stop before it gets out of hand but it is soooo hard. That means I have taken it too far already.

I exercised a little bit tonight. If I told you how long you would laugh. Okay, 8 minutes (see, I knew you'd laugh). In my defense, it was hard so give me a break. I can go way longer on the elliptical. I swear. I CAN, so stop rolling your eyes now.

Time to go to bed. Later!