Rise and Shine ...

Wednesday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 47 minutes (Cardio Balanced Workout)

Even though my body resisted the whole time, I actually woke up early enough to get my workout in this morning. Let me tell you I completely shocked myself when I finally rolled out of bed. I think this workout went a little smoother than the last time I did it. I also tried to really focus on my form and the muscle groups that I was working. I did bite the bullet and used the 4 lb. KBell for the side planks with arm raises. I had no desire to dislocate my shoulders at 7 AM. I figured that wouldn't be the best way to start the day. One of the other reasons why I wanted to get my workout done this morning is the possibility of going to my Bikram class tonight. I really wanted to get back in my routine of morning workouts, which is harder than I thought. Today, I wanted to have time to go to my Bikram class if I chose to go. After I finished my workout this morning, I made the decision that going to my Bikram class would probably not be the best idea. I was already sore all over (and still very am sore). and decided that pushing myself too much this week would not be a wise decision. My decision was confirmed when I got to work and checked the class schedule at the studio. The teacher that is my least favorite of all is still covering the classes of my favorite teacher. She should be back next week according to the schedule. I already signed up for the class so that I have something to look forward to next week.

Back on the Treadmill again!

Tuesday - 3 miles

• 3.14 miles, 35' 02" minutes, 11' 09" min/mile average pace, 153 BPM average heart rate

I made an executive decision today. I decided that I really do want to continue my Kettlebell training based on the RKC training method. I have done research in order to determine if there are any instructors in the area and unfortunately did not find what I was looking for. I did find a certified RKC instructor in the area but he doesn't teach classes as frequently as I would like. I really enjoy doing my Kettlebells at least 3 days a week. As a result, I ordered a new DVD to add to my workout collection. I am really excited to try it out and can't wait for it to come in the mail. I will continue using my Kettlenetics DVDs for now because it is a great workout and I don't want to have a break in my training. I ordered The Ultimate Body Scult and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD Volume 1 from On the Edge Fitness. I stumbled across the website with I was looking at Amazon for more Kettlebell DVDs. One of the main reason why I chose this DVD over all of the others is because I really liked the instructional techniques used by Lauren Brooks. She had sample videos on her website and after watching several of them I was convinced that this workout would be worth the money and would really help me take my training to the next level. I can't wait to try this workout.

While I am truly happy to be getting back on my training schedule, I have not been able to get back to my regular sleeping schedule. By not being able to get to sleep early enough, I am unable to wake up to get my workout complete in the morning. Since I have started my journey to a healthier way of life, I have realized that my body really does need 8 hours of sleep and anything less only leaves me feeling very sluggish and drained. Needless to say, I did not wake up early enough to run before this morning so it was pushed to after work. I really hope that I will be able to get to sleep early enought tonight so that I can wake and do my workout before work tomorrow.

Seeing as how I haven't been able to run in a week, I decided to take it easy today. Based on my average pace, it probably doesn't look like I took it too easy today but I promise I did. My usual Tuesday workout is the randomized hill workout on the treadmill with a walking wam up and cool down. I didn't do that today. I had plenty of hills last week. Instead, I left the incline at 0% so that my calves wouldn't kill me. Hiking 11 miles and running 4 miles through the Appalachian Mountains really did a number on my legs last week. At one point around mile 2, my right calf started to really tighten up and I backed off on my pace and the tightness went away. Around the 2.5 mile mark, I got a nasty cramp in my right side. I maintained my pace and breathed through it. Eventually, the cramp went away. For whatever reason, my right side was giving me problems during my run but I was able to breathe through them and finish my run. I did probably set the belt pace a little fast (4.0 mph) but I felt strong while running and was never out of breath.

Back to the Daily Grind ...

Monday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 34 minutes (Total Body Blast)

Something about having to go back to work today did not inspire me to wake up early. When I did wake up finally, I had to finish unpacking so my workout was pushed to after work. It actually felt really good to get back to my training routine. Recently, I have been trying to use the 8 lb. KBell more than the 4 lb. KBell because I want to really increase my level of training. I felt really good when I did the FlowMotion Basics workout on Friday evening so I decided to try the Total Body Blast workout with the 8 lb. KBell tonight. I think it went really well for my first attempt with the heavier weight. Of course, I am ridiculously sore while I am writing this. I also didn't attempt to do the side planks with arm raises using the 8 lb. KBell. For that exercise, I switched to the lighter 4 lb. KBell because I didn't want to throw out my shoulders. I also didn't attempt a full push up either. My shoulders felt a little sore after the full Turkish Get Ups so I didn't want to push my luck. Eventually, I will be able to do the side planks with arm raises using the 8 lb. KBell and a full unmodified push up. That day is not today though.

On another note, I am working on my vacation recap posts. I took some amazing pictures so stay tuned for those posts. I will likely create a new tab with links to the posts so that you can easily navigate to them. My boyfriend and I had a wonderful time on our vacation and I can't wait to share our experiences with you.

Vacation starts tomorrow!

Sunday – Rest

• Kettlenetics – 47 minutes (Cardio Balanced Workout)

I thought that I wasn’t ready to do the Cardio Balanced Workout with the 8 lb. KBell. I was completely wrong. When will I stop underestimating myself? I decided to go ahead and do my strength training today instead of tomorrow because I am going to be in a car for about 10 to 12 hours and the last thing I am going to want to do when I get out of the car is workout. I decided to do this workout with the 8 lb. KBell because I really want to take my strength training to the next level. The only way that I will be able to get my body into the shape that I want is to constantly force it to a new level. Doing this workout with the 4 lb. KBell was getting way to easy so I knew it was time to push myself to the next level. After the warm up, I was actually ok with my decision to use the 8lb. KBell. By the end of the swings (there are an absolute ton of them), I started to second guess my choice but I stuck with it. I was dripping with sweat and was afraid that I would drop the KBell. After the swings came some more standing exercises and then came the floor exercises. For the first time in two months, a modified push up actually seemed easy to me. Yes I admit that I do “girlie” push ups. At this rate, I might actually be able to do a full push up by the end of the summer. The only exercise that caused me any problems was the side planks with arm raises. After the first set, my shoulders were a little sore. The second set was much harder and my right shoulder actually gave out during one of the arm raise. I ended up using the 4 lb. KBell for the rest of the side planks and arm raises. I felt like this workout went really well especially using the heavier KBell.

What a way to start the day!

Friday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 34 minutes (Total Body Blast Workout)

The more I do this workout the I sweat. That probably sounds really gross (and it is) but I think it means that I am working harder each time I do it. It could also mean that my place is warmer than it was the last time I did the workout. I am hoping that I am actually working harder. When I started doing the the warm up, I actually felt like I should have been using the 8 lb. KBell. I stuck with the 4 lb. KBell though and by the end of the workout I was glad that I did. I know that the 4 lb. KBell is not going to work my arm muscles or my core as much as the 8 lb. KBell would but the lighter weight allows me to get a handle on the rhythm of the workout. Eventually, I am going to do this workout with the 8 lb. KBell but that won't be happening for at least a few weeks. This workout is quickly becoming one of my favorites because of the crazy plyometrics that I end up doing. And even thought the 4 lb. KBell really isn't providing a ton of resistance, the body weight exercises really compensate for that. I can only imagine how using the 8 lb. KBell will affect this workout.

On another note, my vacation is only three days away. If you can't tell, I am super excited! I haven't started packing yet but I have all weekend to get to that. My big concern is making sure that I will have room for my clothes after I pack my running clothes and my photography gear. You can tell where my priorities are. My other big concern is that fact that none of my clothes actually fit me anymore. That is actually a really good thing except when you are trying to get dressed in the morning. I guess I will have to go buy some new clothes this weekend so that I am not limited to the two pairs of jeans that barely fit me (and they are my new ones). I can't go overboard with new clothes though because I am still losing weight. My body has not quite reached the weight that it wants to be at (I know because I am losing weight). People always ask me when I will be done losing weight. My answer is always I don't know. I have never been a tiny person so I don't know what my body wants to weigh. According to the BMI chart, I need to lose at least another 18 pounds before my weight will be considered healthy. I am hoping to achieve that weight by October 1st for my very first half marathon. But after that who knows. Needless to say, even though I have lost 42 pounds this year, I don't think that my body is close to its true healthy weight. Because of this fact, I am having a difficult time justifying buying more new clothes. Unfortunately, none of my clothes actually fit! What a vicious cycle I am stuck in! I also need to go through my old clothes and get rid of the ones that don't fit anymore. They are taking up valuable space in my closet and dresser. I am having a serious mental block with that mostly because I am truly afraid that I wil lbe right back where I started a few months from now. I know that the likelihood of that happening is slim to none because I love the feeling that exercise gives my and I don't want to give that up.

It is definitely getting easier ...

Wednesday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 20 minutes (FlowMotion Basics Workout)

Even though I was totally drenched with sweat after my workout this morning, I can absolutely tell that it is getting easier with the 8 lb. KBell. When I first tried this workout with the heavier bell, my arms literally wanted to kill me during the single arm high pulls and the single arm swings.When I did the workout this morning, my arms didn't really protest. If I could have gone a little bit faster, I would have said the I did the workout perfectly (almost). At this point, I feel that the heavier weight is the main reason why I can't get the rhythm of the workout quite right. Hopefully, I will be able to get the rhythm down with a few more attempts at this workout.

Once I was down with my kettlebells, my thoughts turned to whether or not I should go to my Bikram class tonight. Last Wednesday, the teacher told us that she was going on vacation for a couple of weeks. I know that the point of the Bikram practice is that you get the same workout every time you attend class but I have found that the energy of the teacher can have an impact on the class. The tone in the voice, ther strength of the voice and the instruction provided all have an impact. I am not going to want to spend 90 minutes in a room with a teacher whose voice sounds like nails on a chalkborad. The decision about going to the Bikram class was made shortly after I got to work. I checked the class schedule online to see who would be teaching the class. It just so happens to be the one teacher whose voice really does sound like nails on a chalkboard to me. I decided that maybe it was a good thing that he was teaching the class because I have a BUNCH of things to do tonight after work. Maybe if I get everything done by Sunday afternoon, I will be able to go to a Bikram class (taught by my second favorite teacher of course).

Lazy Day and Target Toning Workout ...

Sunday - Rest

I actually took the day to rest. After my long run on Saturday, I thought I would have the energy to do one of my yoga workouts on Sunday. I figured it would help my muscles loosen up so that I would be able to start my workout routine all over again on Monday. After waking up on Sunday morning, my plans to do a yoga workout were chucked out of the window. My quads were incredibly sore and I had a total awkward limp going on. I could hardly walk, which was the first time my muscles have ever locked up like that. I wasn't really in pain but my muscles were tight so I decided to not take any chances. Instead I hoped that I would be able to to get my yoga workout in after work on Monday.

Monday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 52 minutes (Target Toning Workout)

So even though yesterday was a very lazy day for me, I still didn't get to bed early enough to do my workout this morning before work. I actually woke up so late that I had less than an hour to get ready for work. Not exactly the most ideal situation. Let's just say that my hair and make-up were not high on my list of priorities this morning. After I got home from work, I decided to do my Target Toning workout mostly because I haven't done this one in over a week. I am trying to prevent stagnation in my muscles because I want them get the full benefit of my strength training. The last time I did this workout I only used the 4 lb. KBell. This time I chose to incorporate the8 lb. KBell for the movements that I thought were a little easy with the lighter weight. All of the upper body moves were done with the 4 lb. KBell. All of those shoulder circles are still difficult even with the 4 lb. KBell. I can still feel it in arms. Ouch. I did use the 8 lb. KBell for the entire lower body segment, which worked out very well. I could actually feel my lowerbody muscles working. I used both the KBells for the standing core segment and the floor core segment based on the movement and the other muscles groups used. All in all, I felt like this was an excellant workout tonight and I am surely going to feel it in the morning.

Almost there but not quite yet ...

Friday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 20 minutes (FlowMotion Basics)

After this morning's workout, I think I will be doing this one at least two more time (probably three) with the 8 lb. KBell before trying any of my other videos. My body is still getting used to the heavier 8 lb. KBell. While the single arm high pulls and single arm swings are getting easier every time I do this workout, my rhythm is still considerably slower than the actual workout is supposed to be. That is okay though because form is the most important aspect of Kettlebell training. My focus has been to maintain the correct form throughout each movement. As I become more comfortable with the heavier 8 lb. KBell, my rhythm will become much faster and I will be able to move through this workout at the same pace as I can using the 4 lb. KBell.

I realized last night as I was trying to fall asleep that I will be completing 3 half marathon races over the course of 19 weeks. I am not going to have any time off between my training schedules. In fact, I only have 14 weeks between the Blue Moon Half Marathon and the Rock 'n Roll St. Petersburg Half Marathon. I am not going to have enough time to do my 18 week training program, which means I am going to have to figure out a whole new one. By the way, my boyfriend thinks that I am crazy and I am starting to think that he might be right. I just keep telling myself that as long as I follow my training schedule I should be fine. Because my first two half marathons are only 5 weeks apart, I went ahead a extended my 18 week training schedule to encompass both races. For my third race, I have decided to follow on of the Nike+ training programs. That program is only 12 weeks long, which means I will have two weeks rest in between race number 2 and training for race number 3. Unfortunately, I will be on a cruise with my boyfriend during Week 2 of the training program and I am supposed to run 22 miles that week. I think he might actually shoot me when I tell him that one .... probably not though because he supports me 110%!

Bikram is officially back in my life!

Wednesday - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 34 minutes (Total Body Blast Video)

Another good morning workout. I was a little sluggish this morning getting out of bed. I actually think that I let my alarm run for almost 20 minutes before I finally rolled out of bed. I wanted to do the Target Toning Workout since I haven't done it in over a week but with a 9 AM meeting this morning I didn't really have enough time for the 52 minute workout. This was the second time I did the Total Body Blast Workout and it actually was easier this time. I used the 4 lb. KBell for my workout, which once again proved to be enough. It will take a few more rounds with this workout before I will be able to do it with the 8 lb. KBell. Not only does this workout incorporate the usual Kettlebell movements (swings, high pulls, clean and presses, and TGUs) but also adds plyometrics and calinsthetics. As I am writing this, my sides and inner thighs are incredibly sore. This workout definitely works the entire body and I really enjoy doing it. Hopefully, my soreness will stay away long enough for me to get the full intentions of Bikram Yoga practice tonight.

• Yoga - 90 minutes (Bikram Yoga Class)

My intention for tonight's practice was to be able to maintain the progress that I achieved last week. One of the aspects of Bikram Yoga that I really enjoy is that no matter where or when I take the class or who teaches it the sequence of postures is the exact same. No matter what, I know that when I step into that 105 degree room I will be spending the next 90 minutes doing the same 26 posture and 2 breathing exercises that I did the last time. The heat in the room allows to body to soften and remold into the postures. Of course, the first time you step into a Bikram class your body is not prepared for the heat or the strange postures you attempt to contort your body into. The first time I attended a Bikram class I think I ended up lying in savasana (dead corpse pose) for several of the postures. Rather than leave the room, the teachers actual insist that you either stand in Mountain Pose or lay down in savasana. Three years later, I can now move through every single posture and begun to push myself towards achieving the the maximum of the postures. Over the last three years, I found a teacher that I loved (she moved away), I moved away from my yoga studio (it took me almost two years to find a new one) and I have tried three different teachers at my new yoga studio (I finally found one that I love). My Bikram practice has never been as consistent as recommended but it is a practice that I truly enjoy. It allows me to achieve 90 minutes of mental stillness and peace. I am able to calm my mind and recenter my body so that I can handle whatever the week me bring.

Bring on the Weights ...

Sunday, 6/19 - Rest

I actually rested last week. I know, I know. I didn't think that I could take a day off either but I did it. My body really needed it too. I had originally planned on doing one of my yoga workouts but I decided not to after I woke up. My body went through a lot last week and I was very stiff and sore yesterday. I did end up cleaning my place a little bit, which helped work out some of my stiffness. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to another Bikram Yoga class last weekend but I am already making plans to go on Wednesday after work! Maybe (hopefully) one of these days, I will actually do the 60-day Bikram Challenge, where I attend a Bikram class everyday for 60 days. Who knows, maybe that will be next year's New Year's Resolution.

Monday, 6/20 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 20 minutes (FlowMotion Basics)

When I woke up this morning, I decided to try the same build-up with the 8 lb. KBell as I did with the 4 lb. KBell. When I first started using, the Kettlenetics system, I only did the FlowMotion Basics workout until I could do the whole video without a problem using the 4 lb. KBell. Then I started adding the Cardio Balanced workout into my rotation. I really want to get comfortable with the 8 lb. KBell before I really start swinging it around. After making that decision, I popped in the FlowMotion Basics DVD. This workout is much slower than the other ones, which is probably because it is one of the first videos in the set. When I did this workout this morning, it definitely went much better than the last time I did it with the 8 lb. KBell. I was able to do the single arm swings all the wat to the overhead position this time. The single arm high pulls were still a bit difficult but I was able to manage them. My rhythm is still a little slow but I am sure that I will get that part down after 2 or 3 more rounds with this workout.

Total Body Blast Workout ... something new!

Friday, 6/17 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 34 minutes (Total Body Blast)

This workout really got my heart pumping for sure. The warm up was a much faster pace than the Cardio Balanced workout. My original plan was to do the Targt Toning workout utilizing the 8 lb. KBell as much as possible. When I woke up, it was a little later than I wanted and my body was still very sore. I really wanted to gt my workout in this morning so I decided to try the Total Body Blast workout for the first time. This video came with the advanced kit for the Kettlenetics system, which also came with the 8 lb. KBell. Because I haven't done this video yet, I chose to do this workout with the 4 lb. KBell. I am really glad that I did that because this workout had me jumping and hoping all over the place. I really liked this workout, especially when I got to do full Turkish Get-ups. The last time I did a full Turkish Get-up (TGU) my abs were sore for the entire next day. By the way, I only did maybe two full TGUs the time and this time I did 8 of them! I am already starting to feel it in my core. Hopefully, I will be able to do this workout with the 8 lb. KBell soon. Some of the movements were not as challenging with the 4 lb. KBell as I would have liked. I probably could have done several of the movements using the 8 lb. KBell but without knowing all of the movements ised I didn't want to take a chance of injuring myself by using the heavier weight. I will be doing this workout again for sure. I am completely sore but I feel like it was a great workout and will help me make sure that I avoid stagnation in my strength training regiment.

Bikram, I have missed you old friend ...

Wednesday, 6/15 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 20 minutes (FlowMotion Basics Video)
• Yoga - 90 minutes (Bikram Yoga Class)

I definitely didn't follow the plan I originally planned on Monday. I actually pushed the schedule back a day. Before I really started adding the 8 lb. KBell into the more intense workouts, I wanted to make sure that I could handle it by doing the introduction video with it. I think after my workout this morning I am ready to increase the weight. I will say that there were several moves that I modified because the KBell was twice the amount that I am used to and were really quite difficult to achieve with the heavier weight. I am hoping that by using the heavier weight my Kettlenetics videos will continue to challenge me.

I have started to do research into traditional Kettlebell training.  Yesterday, I purchased a book called "From Russia with Tough Love: Pavel's Kettlebell Workout for a Femme Fatale" by Pavel Tsatsouline. Pavel is apparently the man who brough Kettlebells from Russia to the United States. I figured that if this is the type of strength training that I am going to continue to use then I want to to know as much as possible about it. I also figured that I should get the most accurate information possible. There are several reasons why I chose this book. One of them is because this book goes in depth into each of the major movements done in traditional Kettlebell training. This book also has an 8-week training program that is designed to take the user from a novice Kettlebell user to a Kettlebell enthusiast. I am excited to read this book and to try the training program. After I finish reading the book and have gone through the full training program, I will write a special post about the book and my results.

After my yoga workout on Sunday morning, I decided that I wanted to get back into my Bikram Yoga practice. I found Bikram Yoga about 3 years ago. I was in love with this style of yoga after the very first class. At the time, I was only able to go once a week and didn't have time to devote to an at home practice. The recommended routine is to practice the 90 minute set of sequences at least once a day for 60 days (2 months) in order to see the full benefits of the practice. I have recently rediscovered my love of Bikram Yoga but still haven't been able to incorporate it into my daily routine. The last time I actually practiced this style of yoga about two months ago right before I caught a nasty head cold and before I started my current training regiment. Last night, I decided that I wanted to go to a Bikram class tonight. I didn't expect to be in top form during the class because it has been two months and I did my first full workout with the 8 lb. KBell this morning. After the opening breathing exercise though, I felt utterly amazing. That feeling lasted throughout the entire 90 minute practice. I was able to push myself past my previous limit and actually was able to do the Toe Stand pose, which I haven't been able to do in 3 years! If I don't make it to one of the classes this weekend, I will totally be going back next week!

Cardio Balanced Workout ... I think I should try something new

Sunday, 6/12 - Rest

• Yoga - 56 minutes (Yoga Conditioning for Athletes Video)

Yes I did it again. I wanted to get my yoga workout in right after my long run but I really wasn't feeling it. This was the first time that I have tried the full length workout on the DVD. Let me tell you that I was really impressed with it. The poses that were done in this workout were really targeted to the areas I feel are the most tight or constricted during my normal training sessions. My work schedule and training regiment have not been very conducive for adding more yoga workouts but I feel like I really am going to have to make it a priority as my training gets harder.

Monday, 6/13 - Strength Training

• 47 minutes of Kettlenetics (Cardio Balanced Video)

I decided to do my workout before work again this morning. It seems to be easier and it allows me more time to cook dinner after work. As part of my sister's new plan, we are going to be eating dinner at home a lot more so I want to have plenty of time for that. For some reason, my workout did not go as well as it usually does. I think that once again I was not well hydrated, My boyfriend and I decided to go for a motorcycle ride yesterday afternoon. It was really warm again yesterday and I guess I just didn't drink enough water to compensate. At one point during the workout, I had to stop to catch my breath, which is unusual for me. I also feel like I am not challenging myself enough with this video anymore but I don't feel like I am ready to try this workout with the 8 lb. kettlebell. My plan to correct this issue is quite simple and I hope that it works. I am going to try it for the rest of the week and see what happens. First, I am going to do the Target Toning Video on Wednesday but I will try to incorporate the 8 lb. KBell during the Lower Body Segment and some of the Standing Core Power Segment of the workout. Second, I will do the shorter 30 minute workout video (Total Body Blast) on Friday. When I do this video, I am going to use the 4 lb. KBell for the entire thing because it will be the first time trying this video. Based on how the rest of the week goes, I will either continue with the 4 lb. KBell or start incorporating the 8 lb. KBell into my workouts.

I really like using Kettlebells for the the strength training portion of my regiment. I think that the Kettlenetics system has been a great way for me to become introduced to Kettlebells. I know that at some point in the near future I am going to progress past this type of Kettlebell workout. I have already started looking for some new instructional videos that are more in the style of a true Russian Kettlebell Workout. I think my next video will be Lauren Brooks. She is supposed to one of the best Kettlebells trainers out there so I think that her videos will be the best for me to learn proper technique in my next phase of training.

Also, I really tried to convince my boyfriend to let me do the race while we are on vacation next month. I almost has him talked into it too but then I started really thinking about the logistics of it. So when he asked me "do you really want to do the race?" I actually responded with "I don't know." I told him that while it would be very possible to do, it would very time critical and wouldn't be fair to mother or him for me me to run in the race. We agreed that if we were leaving a day sooner, which just isn't possible, that it wouldn't a big deal. I will still be able to do a week's worth of training in the mountains and I am really excited about that.

Cardio Balanced Workout ... not this one again

Friday, 6/10 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 47 minutes (Cardio Balanced Video)

For the third day in a row, I woke up early and did my workout. I wanted to wake up early enough to also get in a yoga workout but that didn't happen. In fact, I really wanted to stay in bed as long as possible. After much internal debate, I rolled out of bed and changed into my workout clothes. I experienced another internal debate as to which workout to do and the 47 minute workout just barely beat out the 20 minute one. I can honestly say that I was not really 100% into doing my workout this morning but I promised my sister last night that I would do my workout in the morning so that we could go shopping tonight. Once I started the video and I got warmed up, I was glad that I did my workout. The people at work probably wish that I would wait until after I got home because of how much energy I had today. Oh well. I am a little nervous about my long run tomorrow because I am increasing the distance by 1 mile from last week's long run. My plan is to start out slow after my warm up and really try to focus on how my body feels. I would like for my average pace to be around a 13 minute/mile, which is almost two minutes slower than my pace during yesterday's tempo run. Hopefully, I won't go out too fast at the beginning and burn myself out.

It has taken about six weeks of the Kettlenetics workouts at least three times a week but I can honestly say that I am thrilled with the results that I am seeing. My arms and shoulders have definition lines. My stomach is showing signs that there is more than just belly fat in that area. I actually have biceps again, which I haven't seen since my freshman year in college. I am also getting a crazy amount of compliments at work. I guess I really was that unhealthy before. One of the most annoying compliments that I have received is that "I am so inspirational" as the person sits there eating fried chicken fingers and french fries covered in ranch dressing. Please don't misunderstand me. I love compliments and I want to inspire people to make a healthy change in their lifestyle. I don't love when someone says that I inspire them even though they continue to make really unhealthy choices. My journey has been about changing my lifestyle to a healthy one that will improve my overall fitness and ensure that I will live a long, happy and healthy life.

Oh and please wish me luck this weekend. I intend to ask my boyfriend if I can run in the race that I found the other day. Normally, I would NEVER ask him about this type of thing because he always tells me that if I want to do it then I should just do it. Unfortunately, this race is while we are on vacation and it takes place on the day that we are driving up from Florida to North Carolina, which is going to be a really long day especially for him since he will be the one driving. Hmmmm ... this is going to take some careful, yet well executed planning and a little begging. Hopefully, he won't be too stubborn about it.

Target Toning Workout ... Round 2

Wednesday, 6/8 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 52 minutes (Target Toning Video)

Today, I woke up early enough to do my workout before work. It felt good to get my strength training done early but arms sure felt it while I was in the shower trying to wash my hair. My previous post about the Target Toning Workout sort wasn't very enthusiastic mostly because I wasn't very happy with the cardio aspects of it or lack there of. At the time, I felt like my heart rate wasn't raised enough. Man was I wrong! This morning my heart rate was up and I was really sweating. It could have been because I actually knew what pose or movement was coming next so I didn't have to focus so much on the video or instruction. My arms are totally going to feel it for the next couple of days. Let me just say that it is hard to type this post because of the soreness in my arms.

While doing my workout in the morning did give me more energy at the beginning of the day, I was exhausted by the time my work day was finished. Several things could have contributed to that. Unlike yesterday, I did have a cup of coffee this morning and my daily workout was in the morning rather than the evening. I know that I am going on about my energy level and nutrition/diet but I have read that it is really important to determine what works the best for your body. I am really trying to focus on what will give me the most energy throughtout the day because the Wine & Dine race doesn't start until 10 pm. I am probably over thinking this but I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be. My problem finally came to me tonight on my way home from while on the phone with my boyrfiend. On the days that I have felt exhausted, I have also had a cup of coffee. Normally, I will drink anywhere from 8 to 16 cups of water in a day. On the days that I crink coffee, I only have 4 to 8 cups of water. I am allowing myself  to become dehydrated on the days I drink coffee. My solution is not to stop drinking coffee but to make sure that I continue to drink plenty of water!

Cardio Balanced Workout ... again and again

Sunday, 6/5 - Rest Day

• Yoga - 25 minutes (Rodney Yee's AM Yoga for Your Week - Twists)

Yesterday was my first mandated rest day and I felt like I was being lazy because I didn't exercise. I understand the importance of taking a day off from training. Your body is being pushed to a physical limit and needs time to recover. Muscles need to regenerate the tissues that have been broken down during the physical activity. As much as I tried to limit my exercise to zero, I didn't succeed. Last night before I went to bed, I popped in one of my yoga DVDs and did a short workout. All day, my muscles felt really tight and I didn't want to cause any injuries when I continued my training this week so I chose a short yoga workout to to help stretch and lengthen my muscles. I must say that I really think it worked because I am not tight at all today.

Monday, 6/6 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 47 minutes (Cardio Balanced Video)

I have not been feeling completely right today. Maybe yesterday's yoga workout didn't do what I hoped that it would do. My energy level has been low, much lower than usual for me. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what could have caused it. According to my nutrition journal, my calorie intake is about where it should be and for the most part I am not consuming all of the calories that I am burning. (These are the keys to proper weight loss, which I have been trying to stick to as part of my lifestyle change.) The only other source of my fatigued feeling is what I am choosing to intake. I will have to continue to experiment with the food that I am eating to prevent this happening again. Even though my energy level was low, I still went ahead with my Kettlenetics workout. I chose the Cardio Balanced Video because I thought it would be a good way to start my training this week. This workout gets my heart rate up and tones my muscles, without targeting specific muscle groups. Each movement in this workout really engages the entire body. By not targeting specif muscle groups, my whole body reaps the benefits and isn't ridiculously sore for the next three days. Don't get me wrong, I will be sore tomorrow but it won't linger. I must say that this workout is starting to get a little easier, which means I will probably be moving up from the 4 lb. KBell in a few weeks.

Cardio Balanced Workout ... again

Friday, 6/3 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 47 minutes (Cardio Balanced Video)

I am still sore! My arms hurt so much that I actually debated all day whether or not I should actually do a workout today. In the end, I decided that it won't do me any good to skip a day because my arms are sore. I am finally starting to see the results that other people have been seeing for weeks, so the best way to continue my progress is to follow through with my plan. I really like the results that I am seeing and I want to continue to see more of them. On a side note, I think that my "lifestyle change" and the results that I am seeing have started to inspire people around me. My father, who has struggled with his weight for his entire life, is finally taking charge of it and has lost a ton of weight in the last month. I am so happy and proud of him. One of my sisters, who is similar to my father in body type, has also started watching her eating habits and is walking on the treadmill. Her weight loss is not as severe as my father's but she is making an honest effort and it is working. I am really happy for her too. And last but not least, my boyfriend is also working on trying to control his weight. I would not consider him to be crazy overweight but he definitely enjoys second helpings especially if it is a dish that he really likes. The last couple of weeks he has been trying to work on portion control (and it is working even though I am not supposed to actually tell him that). Portion control is one of the hardest things that I had to teach myself but it is a valuable lesson to learn. He already exercises on a fairly regular basis so he is trying to focus on his eating habits first. I am really excited to have the support of these wonderful people in my lives and now I get to help them and provide them with support. Now for my training report. I think that Cardio Balanced Workout is my favorite of the Kettlenetics workout videos. I still have one video that I haven't tried yet, which came with the 8 lb. KBell. I probably won't try this video until I feel that I am ready to start using the heavier weight. Even though my arms are crazy sore, I went for my longest workout video because this particular one really works my entire body. As I am writing this, I can really feel it in my core region. I can feel it in my shoulder girdle, which is increasing the pain in my arms. I must be a gluten for punishment. It is probably a good thing that I have two days rest from the strength training aspect of my schedule. Unlike the Target Toning video, this one incorporates a few movements that I really enjoy, such as the windmill and the clean and press. Those two movements really work the entire body especially the core area. I just need to make sure that I don't allow my muscles don't get used to this workout so that the effectiveness doesn't wear off.

Target Toning Kettlenetics Workout ... First Time Ever!

Wednesday, 6/1 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 52 minutes (Target Toning Video)

Tonight was the first time I have done this workout video. Let me tell you that this one really is a full body strength training workout! The other Kettlenetics workouts that I have done focus more on the cardio aspect of working out and use the KBell as added resistance. This workout was the complete opposite. While my heart rate did increase, it didn't really reach the level of the Cardio Balanced Video workout. I still burned tons of calories though because my muscles are crazy sore. If my arms are this sore tonight, I can only imagine how they will feel in the morning. My glutes and abs will certainly feel it as well. I really like the videos that came with the Kettlenetics system. Even though I am only using the 4 lb. KBell, I am seeing results. My arms are starting to firm and tone, my abs are flattening out and my glutes are rounding and firming. These areas are of course the areas that I hoping to improve most on my body. I think every woman wants to have perfectly toned arms, just a peek at a six pack, and glutes that aren't saggy but rather firm and rounded. I am really hoping that if I continue to follow this system I will achieve that results that I want. I am already on my way because my amazing boyfriend has confirmed that my body is starting to tone up. By the way, he is absolutely wonderful and has been sticking with me throughout my journey and transformation.

Let the Training Begin ...

Monday, 5/30 - Strength Training

• Kettlenetics - 47 minutes (Cardio Balanced Video)

A little over a month ago, I decided to add strength training to my training schedule as a way to improve my overall fitness level. I wanted to try and find a program that relied mostly on body weight because I want a lean, toned body and I simply don't have any fitness equipment besides a treadmill. When I was a swimmer in high school, I was diagnosed with swimmer's shoulder, which means I have tendinitis in my rotator cuffs causing severe pain when my shoulders are over used. For this reason, I have to be very careful about my choice of strength training. In my search for a program that would give me the results I was looking for, I found a kit called Kettlenetics Slim & Tone, which includes several workouts and a 4lb. Kettlebell. This program is not a traditional Russian Kettlebell workout and it doesn't claim to be. It is a cardio/dance inspired workout that uses the 4lb. Kettlebell for some added resistance. After doing more research about this program and the effectiveness of kettelbells in general, I decided to give it a try. I really, really like this program. The workouts are exactly what I was looking for and it challenges me every time I put the DVD in my player. I have been doing a workout 3 times a week for the last month and after every single workout I am drenched with sweat and can feel it in my glutes, abs and arms. My plan is to continue rotating between some of the longer workouts for the first six weeks of my training and then if I feel like my shoulders are up for the challenge I will increase the weight from 4 lbs. to 8 lbs.