Checking out LIfetime

Last night Audra and I went with Molly as her guests to the new monstrosity that is Lifetime Athletic Club in Des Moines.  Here’s a picture if you haven’t seen it yet. 

It was a bit mind boggling to say the least.  This thing needs its own map! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very nice facility with state of the art everything.  I’m just not used to all the perks of a health club like that and the people in suits and the fanciest locker rooms ever.  We did a class called TCX.  It’s described as “Athletic and intense, TCX features an ever-changing series of intelligent progressions that hit every muscle group”.  And hit every muscle group it did! There were a lot of lunges, planks, mountain climbers, burpees, etc.  We used the step, hand weights, yoga mat and a weighted ball.  My legs and arms were jello the rest of the night.  Which is a good thing. Today my arms still kind of hate me.  Tonight Audra and I are going to do Insanity at the Y so I hope my muscles will rally. 

Also, mad props to my Auntie M who is kicking all of our butts on the Fitbit steps friend list.  The girl went and got a new Flex and has been hammering it out every day.  You rock! 

What I learned with LL Cool J

Even though I’m down 99 pounds from my heaviest point, there are still days I feel like a bloated heifer.  I don’t like how my clothes fit. My muffin top looks more like a spare tractor tire.  Or a picture gets taken where I feel like I have a double chin.  Whatever it may be, we all have had those days.  It’s not often, but they sneak up sometimes.  I’m pretty sure this is an inevitable woman curse.  We never think we look good enough when, in reality, we look great and no one is noticing all the tiny imperfections…except for ourselves. 

Sometimes I need a reminder of how far I’ve come and this was definitely a good one.  While unpacking my boxes in my new house I found this oldie but goodie picture.  It’s bittersweet.  I love it because it’s a picture of myself and LL Cool J whom I adore. Can you hear my heart pitter patter just thinking about his gorgeousness?  So on one hand, I cherish this picture.  On the other hand, I look like I ate a village full of people because my face is so fat and round. I mean, seriously. It’s like skin over an over pumped basketball.  And it makes me sad to know I was that size and never realized just how large I was.  But then I looked in the mirror and I thought, we’re good.  That’s progress.  No more quadruple chins.  I do in fact have a neck.  And, wait, what’s that? Collar bones! Hooray me! I decided that I would display this picture proudly on my dresser.  I didn’t want to hide it in a box because of embarrassment anymore. I wanted it out to remind me each morning when I grab my socks and skivvies that I have come a long way.  I’m not that girl anymore. And I will continue down that path until I reach my goal.  And I’m pretty sure LL and the fat old me in the picture will be cheering me along the way.  

Two weeks

Where to start? Where to start? It’s been a busy few weeks with my birthday, 4^th of July mini-vacation, leaving my husband, moving into my new place and my Grandpa dying.  Let’s just say I’ve spent lots of time in a car the last few weeks.  And also, for the record, when you’re carrying boxes around the house and from the car, Fitbit doesn’t log your steps because your arms aren’t moving. What’s up with that, right?  Bummer. But I know I got a good workout moving because my arms were very sore so that’s a plus.  Lots of travel and moving over the course of a few days meant lots of pizza and drive thru’s. Which meant lots of fat and calories and eating quickly.  And few workouts.  My 20 year class reunion is only two weeks away and I’m 9 pounds from the goal I set for it.  My BFF and I are putting ourselves through a two week mini bootcamp of sorts and making the other accountable for logging food to get back on track.  It’s hot as Hades out so we’re opting for workouts at the YMCA instead of our usual outdoor adventures.  Here’s our schedule for the next few weeks:

Monday- Insanity class 5-5:30pm, Walk 3 miles
Tuesday-Deep Water class 5:15-6pm
Wednesday- Insanity class 5-5:30, Piloxing 5:40-6:35 pm
Thursday- Cardio/Strength class 4:30-5:15 pm, Deep Water 5:15-6 pm
Friday-Optional rest Day
Saturday-Aqua Boot Camp 8-9 am
Sunday-Walk Grays Lake


What is Piloxing you might ask?  Yeah, it’s a mix of kick boxing, pilates and ballet.  Ballet.  Seriously.  This could be my worst nightmare since I was born with no grace or rhythm.  But if nothing else, I’m sure I will be entertaining for the other people in the class to watch.  Has anyone ever tried that class? I know that the Insanity class is a butt kicker so hopefully I can survive them back to back.  Anyway, I’m hoping that our nightly workouts, plus my lunch time cardio plus watching my food like a hawk will garner some results.  Here’s to summer! Hope you are enjoying yours!