So, Aaron reminds me that tomorrow is the last day for the fitness challenge.  I hope it has been as fun for you as it was for me.  I have lost 12 lbs, and I think Mike has lost about the same.  Next week we will put up the final results.  In the meantime, make sure you send in your final results, so we can all cheer together.

Today, as we worked out with Lisa, I felt like we made great strides this last eight weeks.  Lisa had us running on the treadmill, and after a mile and a half, I didn’t feel so winded that I thought I was going to die, like I did eight weeks ago.  Mike started out in over-do mode today and was pushing out extra miles on the track, and extra reps on the weights.  After Mike gave out,  I then hit the pool for a few short laps.  Although I still have a twinge in my shoulder, I felt comfortable swimming pretty well non-stop for a half an hour without a break.  Now, I can’t say I’ll ever be a beautiful swimmer, or runner for that matter, but it’s nice to feel like I can accomplish whatever the task was that was set before me.

Now some may have noticed that my husband has become obsessed with his workouts.  Well, that’s Mike for you.  But, all the studies this week are suggesting that several short  intense workouts might be better  for strength-training  and heart health than long moderate workouts.  Calorie experts are still suggesting consistency is necessary to maintain or lose weight.  So what does this mean,  well, maybe new news isn’t really that new.  Maybe we need to combine a couple days of intense (Michael-like) interval training.  Boost up your cardio workout faster than you are used to for 2-5 minutes and then back off and rest for a 1-2 minutes before you kick it up again.  Then the next day take it a little easier with a nice easy walk or jog.  Maybe someday we will even be able to do that outside again.  It’s ok and often necessary to take a day or two off to recover from intense exercise, but if you are like me, it only takes a day or two to totally get out of the routine and suddenly not be paying any attention to working out or watching the diet.  So, for me those off days, I have to try to keep the slower moderate exercise on the schedule.

So, now that I’ve ramble on for awhile.  Don’t let the end of this fitness challenge be the end of your 2010 health kick.  Yes, I know those resolutions were left behind at least a month ago, but remember 22 days make a habit and so  hopefully, you’ve made a few new healthy choices and are well past those 22 days.  Of course, if you haven’t or oops, let a couple of those great plans go, you can always start again tomorrow.  Twenty-two days from today is still before swimsuit season.

We started the day with Lisa by the pool.  That little bit of ache I felt in my shoulder yesterday was a full-blown pain today.  After a few laps in the pool hoping it would loosen up, I gave up and used a kickboard, giving Mike a chance to keep up with me in the pool today.  Lisa gave us a little bit of break anyway, splitting up the laps with some water jogging.  After the pool, Mike was still full of something, so we went upstairs and did a little on the bikes.  My shoulder was really bothering me, so I gave up quickly and hit the showers.

When we got back to the studio, I read up on my health websites how you can actually slow down your weight loss by overdoing your workout (specially if you hurt your shoulder)  The concept is that you lose weight during recovery not during the workout, so you need your rest in between.  Good, because I had no intention of letting Mike drag me back up to the cc for the rest of the day.  I came home and put icyhot on my shoulder, which burned more than it helped, but the rest definitely helped.

My other discovery for the day was the suggestion to drink green tea before your workout.  I had heard that green tea is full of good antioxidants, but the article I was reading suggested that while the caffeine in green tea boosts your energy, the other antioxidants actually helps to digest the fatty acids and burn calories more efficiently during your workout.  So, there you go, Nicole, one more reason to give up the diet coke  and try green tea.  The ladies at the cc were discussing giving up pop for lent.  Give it a try — Switch your coke for green tea, juice spritzers, or good ole fashion water.  You’ll be feeling great and leaving all that extra calories behind before you know it.

Had to kick up the work out today.  Last night we went to Montgomery’s Furniture for their “Second Chance for Romance” Event.  Several local business showed their wares, while we thoroughly enjoyed wine and amazing appetizers provided by Shari & Blaine from 2nd St. Diner.  I could definitely see those Luscious “cakes on a stick” as a great wedding fare.  They were wonderfully presented and so luscious.  Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure from the stuffed mushrooms to the coconut shrimp, there wasn’t anything there that I would call “on the diet plan,”  so after totally spoiling ourselves last night and then joining Shari again for her buffet today, Mike and I really had to get to work this afternoon.

Mike and Lori Waldner were just finishing their workout when we arrived.  Not sure I will ever be able  to (or maybe want to) keep up with their intense workout routines but love to see another couple working out together and looking better every day.

Anyway, Mike and I headed upstairs while the kids headed to the pool.  Mike was running sprints on the treadmill, while I hopped on and just started running.  I think I could feel every bite of that delicious meal jiggling around, so even though I had planned to run one and a half miles, I gave up just short of that.  Then I hopped on the bike and rode 6 miles.  Of course, in the back of my head is that I only have 6 days before I have to do this whole craziness in front of other people.

I then did a quick arm workout,  because I have noticed lately that Yes, I am truly getting old, and all those saggy places my mother and grandmother always complained about when I was young and sure I would always have everything firm and in their original places, now jiggle all over the place on me.  Finally, I  hit the pool just in time to join my daughter after the break.  The pool was busy today as it frequently is on Sundays, but I did half laps for a while and then horsed around with Rachel for awhile, before going back to another set of half laps.  When I was done, my shoulders were giving me fits, so I must have done the arm workout that I wanted to get in.

Tomorrow morning, Lisa and Mike have an early morning swim workout planned again.  Considering I’m already tired and I know how excited Mike is to really push it this last week, I think I may be really tired before Saturday gets here.  It’s a good thing I have a finish line in sight to keep me going.

Another early morning  at the CC.  We met Lisa at 6:45 to go swimming. Mike tried out goggles today. I try to swim with goggles and get claustrophobic.  I don’t think I’m supposed to be that well acquainted with the bottom of the pool.  Anyway, we had barely got started and the power went out.  Since it was still basically dark outside and inside, we waited on the edge of the pool and then after 5 minutes, the lights came on, and we swam some more.

I am really feeling the workouts from earlier this week, so I struggled getting started, but I think I eventually found enough rhythm to get up and down the pool a few times.  After we wore out from Lisa having us swim laps, she then had us swim sprints, as fast as we could go for just the short half of the pool.  20 total laps down and we were able to hit the hot tub for a few minutes.

Then when I hit the shower room, I found myself in the dark again.  By the way, it’s really dark in the family locker room when the lights are out.  Aaron promises to get the emergency lights fixed in there.  But that was enough water adventure for me to last the whole day.

After our work out, we stopped to visit my grandmother for a few minutes.  At almost 89, she still enjoys work outs at the nursing home using the new step machine or doing the group led calisthenics.  The cc has a water aerobics class and an active and ageless aerobic class for the retired age group.  It’s almost always full.  I love to see former teachers and long time friends and neighbors up there staying active and busy.  Guess it proves you’re never too old to take care of yourself, and for those of us that our lazy now, we have no excuses, so we better keep moving.

Hopefully, I’m going to keep my nose to the computer for the rest of the day, unless, I suppose, Mike tries to convince me I haven’t done enough exercise this week yet.  But there’s a bb game tonight to keep him entertained.  I hope your weekend is filled with sunshine, health and lots of playtime.

Great week, team.  We lost 19 lbs.  With 19 members, that means, on average, we all shared a great week.  We’ve also lost more than 5 lbs. per person for a total of 86 lbs, putting us in 4th place for total lbs lost per team.  This week has sped by so don’t forget to send your weighins tomorrow, and then next week is our last week.   I would love to see us break that 100 lb mark.  I am positive we can do it.

Mike is well on his way.  He has his goal in mind for next week, so he pushed up our work out yesterday to twice a day.  We started with a swim at 6:45 am.  We met Lisa there doing her own swim workout.  Then we came back at 6:00 for another 45 minutes of biking and running last night. Today we were back again for our regular workout with Lisa.  What I discovered was that if I work out too much 1) I don’t sleep very well and 2) my legs wear out and I don’t run very well when Lisa wants me to.

Tomorrow we swim early in the morning, then I think I will lay off the bike for a couple days.  It seems to be taking a toll on my knees.  But don’t worry, I’ll be back at it, Monday or Tuesday.  Next Saturday, the 27th, besides being the end of the fitness challenge, is the day of the mini-triathalon.  Can’t wait, I think.  If you want to participate, let Jason Crisp know at the cc.  It’s a great way to see how far you’ve come. Hope to see you there.

After days and days of tax appointments, weddings, and once again, horrible weather, we were finally able to make it back to the cc today.  A good swim, a run, and a bike ride made me feel like we might be back in the swing of things.  The indoor triathalon is only two weeks away, so Mike and I have to get serious about what we are doing.  Mike needs a lot more swim time.  He avoids it like I avoid running.  I just need to work on following through.  I’ll swim but mainly just go back and forth, not really work on my strokes; I’ll run but I think I can run faster if I push myself, and then the bike is just so boring inside;  I do 6 miles but I could easily do more if I was racing for ice cream.

Of course, the topic of everyone’s discussion:  The weather is really holding us back.  Just can’t wait for sunny days and bike rides around the lake, swimming where you have to worry about sunscreen instead of finding a short lane in a cold pool, and running outside wearing shorts and not even minding my stubby legs sticking out.  I’d even take an evening or two of watching my kids play softball. Well, anyway, remind me of this if I dare complain about being too hot in August.

We have two more weeks left of the community challenge, and I would love to see us finish off with a bang.  Keep up the good work, and let us know how you are doing.  Also, don’t forget the cc is still collecting shoes to send to Haiti,  so clean your closets and get ready for summer.  It’s only 4 mos. away!

Great Job, Team.  We are down another 22.5 Lbs! Keep up the great work.  Mike is really getting int o the groove lately.  Double workouts.  Tons of miles on the bike and the treadmill.  Me –well, I’ve been holding my own.  Not as intense as last week, but still hitting the gym a little everyday, trying to keep the calories down, and the chocolate away.

This week has been a week of yearly check-ups.  Teeth cleanings, yearly physicals.–All those fun things. I managed to prove I was healthy.  No excuses, now, huh.  But it’s nice to know everything is going well inside and out.  It’s also good to have someone else confirm all those moles are looking the way they’ re suppose to, and the odd age spots and wrinkles are just signs that time is passing.

In general, I’m lucky.  Good genes, few diseases, and the ones my family deals with, for the most part, are preventable.  It seems that so many of my long time friends and acquaintances are struggling with some of those other types: cancer , heart disease,  diabetes.  So, my suggestion for the day: Make your yearly appointment.  Check your blood pressure.  Keep your eye on those changing pigments, and be aware of changes in your health and digestion.  Hopefully, all of the hard work we’re doing to get and stay in shape will help with all those preventative ailments, but don’t ignore the signs.  Besides, your doctor is always impressed when you show him how hard you’ve been working out.

Little Karstyn just fits my mood this week. That awesome “In the Groove” feeling didn’t really last into the weekend.  Friday I struggled with my cold.  I did take Angel out for a walk, but after a mile and a half,  the wind and the mud chased us back to the house and hot baths for both of us. Friday night and Saturday morning, I was busy chasing two year old boys in the studio.  They were so much fun, but I think I got my strength training in just trying to keep them anywhere near a camera.

Saturday, Sunday and today, I did my workout, running, biking, whatever.  I actually worked pretty hard each time, but I’ve come away feeling, hmm, unfulfilled. Not that huge adrenaline, “I accomplished something” feeling that I had last week.

So, I get back to the studio this afternoon, and the “Biggest Loser” email tells me to “Quit My Whining.”   Basically, the blurb suggests replacing all those negative thinking with positive ones.  You know,  “I don’t want to do this any more.  I’m bored with this exercising.  It’s too much work doing this every day.  I just want to eat Twin Bings and hot chocolate for every meal for the rest of my life. “  Ok, so I don’t really want to eat just Twin Bings, because since I haven’t had them forever, they really don’t taste as good as fresh “in season” fruit.  And, I really like to exercise most of the time.  I just need to switch it up to keep it fun.  And, I know all that hard work is paying off, because my clothes fit better, and I feel better.  So, think positive, go for a walk, do yoga, or play “happy” music to improve my mood, and keep little ones like Karstyn around to keep the yucky stuff all in perspective.

Ever have those moments when everything just clicks, and you feel like you can keep moving forward forever.  I had one of those moments yesterday.  I started going to a new Bible study yesterday led by friend Jill, and figured I could  get a noontime swim workout done before going home.  By the time I made it up to the CC, it was already 12:30, but figured I would hop into the pool and get as many laps as I could in before the pool closed at 1:00 pm.  Normally, 20 laps for me takes almost an hour so I was planning about 10 laps, maybe a little more.  I started clicking off the laps and the more I swam the better I felt, so I kept going. Watching the clock, I hopped out of the pool just before 1:00, and had completed 28 laps!  Funny thing is I still had energy to spare so I threw on my gym clothes and ran upstairs, hopped on a spin bike and biked 6 miles in 21 minutes.

Only down side–the cold my daughter shared with me settled into our ears. When I got out of the pool,  I couldn’t shake that water in my ear feeling, and I couldn’t hear a thing.  You’ d think, as a mother, that would be a good thing;  I could ignore my kids for a while, but, no, not so helpful in real life. I stopped by Lewis to see what they had for “Swimmer’s ear” — Most of the products that are over the counter are 99% alcohol,  in a little bit of gel, which is fine, but I don’t really need to buy a$4  per ounce bottle of rubbing alcohol.  Dr. Oz had a home remedy that recommended olive oil and garlic but Rachel and I aren’t real thrilled with the smell of garlic coming out of our ears. Finally, I did find a homeopathic mixture that had camomile and witch hazel in it.  That seems to help.  At least, I could hear for a little while.

Unfortunately, that “In the Groove” feeling doesn’t last for long, and today, the cold is definitely taking effect, and my brain and body is slow-moving.  I’m on the attack with this cold though.  Kick it in the butt, before it kicks me.  This morning, I took my Claritin, took my echinacia, took my vitamins, sucked on a zinc tablet, and made myself a big pot of tea with lemon.  With the weather not so great again, I think I’ll stick to a less intense exercise day,  and be ready to find that groove again tomorrow.

February is here, and we made it to the middle of the challenge.  Last week, as a team, we didn’t do so well.  We’re still heading the right direction — We lost 3.3 more lbs, but out of nineteen members, that’s not exactly an overwhelming percentage.  Now, I know Mike and I didn’t pull our share last week, but this week the scale is loving us, so I plan on everything going well for you, too.

The dog and I went for a three mile walk outside yesterday.  As long as I headed north, the weather wasn’t too bad, but when I turned toward home, I could really feel the wind on my face, and reminded me why we haven’t been out much this winter.  The weather is changing again today.  The sidewalks are already icy, with freezing mist, and snow is coming tomorrow.  Then it’s supposed to get cold again.  Gotta Love Winter.  Anyway, the extra Vitamin D from what little sun we had yesterday must have helped because the dog slept last night, and I woke up more well rested.

Mike had Lisa all to himself yesterday, and she worked his legs.  He came home whining, so she must have given him a good work out.  As much as Mike and I like to work out together, sometimes it’s good to go it alone, the trainers will give you just a little more intense workout than in a group.    I felt guilty for missing, so when Rachel went to church, I ran 1.5 miles, and kicked up the speed a little from what I had been running.  Then I did my own leg workout, but I’m not whining today.

Suggestion for the Day:  Here’s a new thought.  Watch the artificial sweeteners.  More and more studies are connecting aspartame and other artificial sweeteners to all sorts of disorders and also increase problems with diabetes and metabolic syndromes.Now, this seems counter intuitive since we use artificial sweeteners to curb calories, but often times sweeteners contain hidden calories in their foods, and there seems to be some connection between aspartame and increased appetite.  On top of that, sweeteners have also been connected to mood disorders, fibromyalgia, and cancer studios.

Last year,  I wanted a little flavor to my water, so I started adding those little flavor packets to my water bottles, and almost immediately started having problems with my mood and energy level.  After hearing and reading about connections to the sweeteners in those packets, I gave them up and returned to plain water.  I notice now that my mood is generally better and my energy has definitely improved.  I can’t prove that there was a connection but I’m suspicious.

So, diet coke drinkers, I know you’re going to hate me, but consider it.  Switch your diet cola to water or tea and see if you’re energy doesn’t improve.  You might just be sabotaging your own efforts without realizing it.

My mother and other “non-dog-in-the-house” people don’t quite understand how a dog ends up in your bed.  I was right there with them until three years ago,  when this cute fluffy  8 week old white fur ball that you invited into your life cries all night long from the kennel, because it can’t get close enough to you.  You eventually acquiesce and once it cuddles up under your chin, you’re stuck for life with a dog in your bed.  So, my life goes 360 days of the year, but for the last week, my dog has been up every hour or less, whimpering to get up, get a drink, go outside, wander the house, whatever…  I feel like I have a newborn again, and I empathize with all those young parents wandering their houses in the middle of the night,  wondering if they ever will have a whole night’s worth of sleep.

Yes, you will for a year or so between the ages of 12-14, when they can’t stay out all night past curfew yet, and they hate to get up in the morning, so you get  your sleep between midnight and 8 in the morning.  Then give it up again, because you’ll spend the next six years going to basketball games in far off locations, chaperoning prom functions, all-night youth rallies, and giggly sleepovers,  or worrying about whether they are alive when it’s two in the morning and they haven’t found their way home again.

What’s this have to do with the fitness challenge, ElizaBeth?  Mmm, well, I didn’t get to sleep until 5:00 a.m,  so I didn’t do my workout this morning.  (Sorry, Lisa.)  As much as I loved my time with my kids when they were younger, it was a lot harder then to plan time to workout and get time for myself.  At that time in our lives, it seemed neverending, but, good news, (I think) we did get past it, and now, my kids don’t care how much time I spend on myself, as long as their clothes are clean, there’s food in the frig,  and money in their pockets. Never mind it takes a full time person to make sure they are that well-loved.

On to other good news.  The scale likes me today.  Another two pounds down, and, yes, Shari, the sun IS shining today, which always helps to get us going.  By the way, Shari owns Second St. Diner, and after my blog the other day, commented that they have  new menu items for the fitness challenge.  I missed it on Sunday.  She’s is looking awesome these days after her own transformation.  “Weigh 2 go!” So, stop by the diner and ask her for her recommendations.  I will have to say the Diner  has always been a good place for me to go, and special order foods that fit my needs, so if you have special dietary needs make sure you discuss your options with the waiters.

Yesterday, I had a quick workout while Mike was taking some weight off his head, in the form of a haircut.  He looks better, thanks Jackie.  7 miles on the bike and a quick ab routine, then back to work in the studio.  In the evening, while Mike and the kids went to yet another basketball game,  I did my grocery shopping for the month.  Talk about a weightlifting workout:  By the time I hauled six loads of groceries through the back yard, over the snowbank and to the kitchen, then cleaned out the refrigerator and stuffed everything away, my arms and shoulders were exhausted.

Suggestion for the day:  When grocery shopping, shop the outside edges of the store first, that’s where they keep all the good stuff we’ve been working on.  Aisle one-produce, and deli.  I picked up my veggies for the week.  Remember colorful is good, so I found some great sweet red peppers.  I stopped by the deli to get turkey for sandwiches.  Try a pepper variety for a little kick–Dacey’s favorite.  Off to the bakery in the back, for the good bread.  I try to keep a loaf of rye or multi-grain loaf in the house.  I also found some buns that had flax seed in them.  For some reason, Hy-Vee in Brookings keeps the frozen chicken right next to the bakery — not sure why, but the easiest way to keep chicken breasts at hand are the frozen ones, and they were on sale, so I stocked up.  Over to the dairy, for milk, yogurt and cottage cheese and then at the final corner, is the organic aisle, where we find all those good seeds we talked about. After you do the outside of the store, shop with your list  in hand on the inside of the store, getting the canned and cooking goods you need, that way you avoid splurging on the cookies, chips and other temptations that fill the center of the stores.

On the list was dill pickles.  Thanks, Jan, for the suggestion.  They helped to curb the munchies last night. Try to eat chocolate after a dill pickle.  It just doesn’t work, (unless you’re pregnant.)  So, I think I’ll go add one to my turkey sandwich and take my dog for a walk in the sunshine.  Maybe if I wear my dog out today, I’ll get to sleep tonight.

After Friday’s 20 laps in the pool, and yet no weight off, I was kind of crabby, so I took Saturday off, ate horribly, didn’t exercise, woke up on Sunday and had lost 2 lbs.  Huh!  Anyway, Sunday I worked out by playing with my kids.  After church, we went to 2nd St. Diner As much as I love their food, I do struggle finding foods when I go out to eat that aren’t all grease, white bread and sugar. Yes, I know about every restaurant offers a variety of lettuce salads, but there is only so many varieties of lettuce salad and  grilled chicken breasts that I really want to eat.  So, I’ve gotten better at sharing entrees with my family, and leaving leftovers on my plate.

After lunch, we went to the CC.  Mike kicked up the work out a little maniacally and did 14 miles on the spin bikes and a couple miles on the track.  I decided to do more with my kids while I had them with me, so I played racquetball with Dacey.  I’m in trouble because he just legitimately beat me for the first time.  I may never live it down, and now might have to kick it up a notch.  Rachel and I then swam for an hour.  The pool was packed, so I didn’t really get many laps in, but I did a lot of water walking, and some ab and arm exercises in the water.  In the meantime, Mike made plans for another 6:45 swim workout this morning.  I’m beginning to feel like I’m preparing to turn into a mermaid.

I was so not in the mood to get going this morning, but Mike is all fired up and Lisa was waiting for us.  She decided the 20 laps on Friday wasn’t enough, so her goal for us today was 25 laps.  I think she either got tired herself (nah!) or she figured I was planning on drowning just so I could take a break, because at 22 laps she let us be done.  I did feel better after the swim, but still wear out by midday after starting so early.

After the rest of the day on the computer, I needed to take Rachel in to dance class, so I used my half an hour wait time to get a quick run in.  I ran into teammate LJ who shared with me that she has already lost 12 lbs on the fitness challenge.  “Weigh 2 go!”  Keep up the great work.  I know she and her son have been doing the family GET active together, and I can really see the change in her son as well.  After a couple laps with her, I hopped on my favorite treadmill and started running.

Thank you, my cheerleaders, for cheering me on.  The track was busy, and all sort of mom friends encouraged me to keep going as they were lapping me.  I misplaced my music, so was kind of pouting and needed the extra encouragement.  I was watching Wheel of Fortune which is a pretty good mind-occupier while I was running.  Since I was really short on time, I only ran a mile, and then did 10 flights of stairs, no weights today.  By then, I was already running late to pick up Rachel and was worried about sliding around town on the ice.

So, here we are with a suggestion for the day:  Get a support group.  Grab a friend.  Have someone hold you responsible for your food and activity level.  I’m as much of a private person as anyone.  I prefer working out by myself,  would prefer not to share my weight goals with the whole world, and really like to act like a hermit half the time, but I know having Mike dragging me along to workouts, Lisa keeping me on schedule, and all of you checking in on me from time to time does help me keep going.  Then don’t be insulted when I return the favor, and encourage you in person to keep the faith and as Dori says, “Just Keep Swimming.”

Here’s Lisa at the end of her 20 laps on Friday and still all smiles.