New Year Sports Outlook

Well it’s official… I must be rooting for the wrong teams. Both of my football teams lost this week. The Jackets were trampled by LSU in their bowl game and the Falcons lost today to the Cardinals in the wild card playoff game. Not a great start to the New Year in the sports department for me…
On a good note, I found out earlier this week that boot camp is ON for the month of January! We had enough folks sign up that my 5:30am class is a go and they start this coming Monday the 5th. Too bad I will still be out of commission from the post-surgery recovery for another week after the 5th… hopefully, I can return the week of the 12th… I will have to look at the January schedule and decide which workouts I can or cannot do yet. I cannot wait to back to the workout regimen!

My First Gig

This morning I led the 5:30am boot camp class as the lead instructor for the first time EVER. I had it all mapped out in my head... and it was perfect...in my head... Once the workout started- (which was my favorite- Sprints!!) time just FLEW by... It is a very cardio intensive workout to say the least... but, what a great way to start off the weekend!! We took a group photo before everyone left... notice the sweat...

Yes, I am a slave driver... and I love it!

360 Degree Turn in the Road of My Life

Oh how life has a way of doing a 360 degree for some folks... especially my life! I am happy to announce that after four months of boot camp as a camper, I am now a boot camp instructor! Yes, today was the end of my first week as an instructor and I have to say that I absolutely LOVE it! L-o-v-e it! This has been such a great week for me in many aspects... not only was this week my first week instructing, but I also hopped on the scales again this morning and I have lost a total of 28 lbs!! Now here is the kicker: 28 lbs is a LOT... 28 lbs is so much that I have to make an appointment with the jeweler to have my wedding rings sized DOWN! How awesome is that? I am hoping to get to the jeweler next week... and it is almost an emergency down-sizing because they are really, really loose and I cannot hardly type with the engagement ring on any more because it keeps rolling around and around. And I think Hubby is starting to get nervous...
I am also still discovering an entire "new" wardrobe of clothes in my closet and clothes drawers that I have not wore in YEARS. I am having such a good time trying on clothes that I actually "forgot" about! I am now having to put away T-shirts that are too big no too...which is so ironic considering that for my entire life I have always put away good clothes thinking that "I will save this just in case one day I will fit into it again".
My new company car arrived on Wednesday of this week... a Ford Taurus and it is really nice. It has some serious "get-up and go" as my grandmother used to say. Sitting that close to the road is really going to take some getting used to needless to say. But, this is a fuel-saving step in the future of our company and I am a supporter.
Hubby and I are headed up to Tennesee this afternoon to camp and whitewater raft the Ocoee River with some friends... pics to follow!

Boot Camp Update

Boot Camp Update- I completed my offical 3rd month of Boot Camp this past Friday- it was just stretched out over 4 months (May 5th thru now)and I wanted to boast that I reached my goal of running a mile under 10 minutes. This past Friday I ran a 9:57 mile! And it was brutal. Man, was I hurting during that PT test! But, I blew it out on the push-ups, sit-ups and dips too. All in all, I am happy with my results. I am almost 25 lbs down and when I get back from my vacation this week, I will be making my decision on what to do next in my fitness life. Hooah!

Not A Good Start Today

So this morning when I went to leave our house, the garage door would not open. I suppose with all the lightening we endured in all those heavy storms in the early evening, maybe the door was shorted...? Who knows and Hubby is still out of town. In my haste to get on the road to Boot Camp, I had to lug all of my stuff back up the stairs and then exit thru the front door and down all the front steps... and I was sweating buckets the entire time because of how humid the early morning was. I then had to feed the dog and try numerous times to get the door locked (the key has issues)... needless to say, I was VERY late leaving the house. I was exiting the neighboorhood by 5am. Well, guess what... lo and behold one of Cobb County's finest was parked in the middle of the median on Johnsons Ferry Rd at 5:05 am this morning clocking vehicles!!!!! I could NOT believe that on the ONE morning I am running late, some cop is actually using his radar gun at 5:05 AM!!! I mean there are what like 10 cars at the most out at that unspeakable hour of the morning!!?? And then, after I got onto I-285 Eastbound one of Dekalb County's finest is clocking folks from the emergency lane!!!??!! Oh I was LIVID.. and very late to Boot Camp... NOT a good start to this day AT ALL.

Not-So-Lazy Summer Days

Hubby is out of town on business until Wednesday night and I hate to admit how empty the house feels tonight without him. We stayed home and had a pretty passive 3-day holiday weekend. The most excitement was enduring the dogs nervousness when some of the neighbors behind us decided to shoot off their fireworks at 12:30am AFTER the 4th was over... Sampson goes CRAZY at the booming sounds from fireworks and these did the job! He was pacing around our bed and whining and whimpering the entire 30+ minutes those yahoos kept booming behind us. I am sure he wanted to dive into the bed with us but, there is NO WAY I was letting him do that... do you know how much black dog hair would be on our white comforter for crying out loud?
We did whip out the ol' turkey fryer on Sunday and made our own homemade buffalo wings and onion rings... and they were the BOMB. Hubby is such a great "Fryer"...
Boot Camp Month # 3 started back today (unofficially)for me.... I am really only going this week to make up for the week I lost in June for work travel. I am traveling again all next week and most of the week of the 21st so I really don't start (officially) until the 21st in the new 6:30am class.
I am slammed at work this week trying to get contracts written and a schedule constructed for my new project in TX...
Oh well, at least I am busy... it makes my time go faster until Hubby returns.

8 Weeks of Boot Camp Complete!

I finished up my second tour of Boot Camp this past Friday… I have now completed 8 straight weeks of pain and agony at 5:30am in the morning each and every weekday. Truthfully, it has not been THAT bad…. I enjoy self torture tactics… no pain no gain, right?
I improved in all areas of my final PT test on Friday… I am most proud of improving my one-mile run by almost another minute! I ran it in 10:13 minutes… and I thought I was going to die! Sweat was just pouring off of my head… the salty stuff just stinging my eyes… I seriously need to invest in a sweatband. We get this coming week off and then start back on July 7. I am a little sad that we are not reporting back this week to be honest though… I have two big travel trips for work this month too- Denver all of the week of the 14th and El Paso most of the week of the 21st. But, the good folks at Operation Boot Camp are working with me on my crazy schedule and I will still get to boot camp all around my travel days. I just have to make sure I work out while out of town and on the weekends too.
In the meantime, after a nice ½ mile swim at the Aquatic Center this afternoon and our weekly trip to the grocery store this evening, I am preparing meals and such for the upcoming week. Oh and as of Friday morning (before the PT test) I am 21 pounds lighter and I am feeling great! Yes, life is good.

Burn Baby Burn!

I am feeling the burn this morning... What is the burn you ask? The burning in my legs, knees, feet and hips after running 4+/- miles this morning at boot camp! I only slowed from a run to a power walk on the two hills and then ran the entire trip WITHOUT STOPPING!! I am stoked at my progression in my running game! I never dreamed I could run non-stop for 45 minutes in my entire life. It is very exciting for me to achieve this and all of my other fitness goals. This Friday marks the end of my 8th week of boot camp and the last day of Month 2. I have a PT test on Friday morning to measure my improvements on running, push-ups, sit-ups and dips. After the 4 miles I ran today, the one mile on Friday should be cake walk. Can I get a Hooah?

Water Does A Body Good

I have another idea I wanted to share with my readers... it kind of goes hand-in-hand with the new Water Cooler concept at our home. In my quest to improve our diet habits, we have quit purchasing flats of bottled water and replaced them with our Camelbak bottles.



I have two different ones- a 24 oz. and a 32 oz. I try to drink at least 100 oz. of water a day. So I drink at least 4 of these a day...if not MORE. I fill up both of these before I leave the house for boot camp every morning and drink both bottles of water before I get to the office- that is 60 oz. of water before the sun even rises! I truly believe that water really helps boost your energy level throughout the day... so drink up!!

The Boot Camp Journal- The Last Day # 18

I completed the Boot Camp Program yesterday. I graduated with Perfect Attendance, 15 pounds lighter and I ran an 11:02 mile! I beat my first day mile by over 2 minutes! I improved on my push-ups, sit-ups and dips reps too! They gave us Boot Camp T-shirts and stickers and I got a koozie for my perfect attendance. We celebrated last night at the Dunwoody Tavern with one free drink of choice and appetizers. All in all, it was a wonderful day.... and night.
Now that I have completed my first Boot Camp and found that the results are just so positive for me, I have signed up for ANOTHER THREE MONTHS!!!! Yes, folks you read it right... I have signed up for another 12 weeks of blood, sweat, tears and torture. Call me crazy but I am determined to make a positive lifestyle change. And Boot Camp is the only way so far that has truly made a difference in me physically AND mentally... Believe me, it is NOT easy getting out of the warm bed at 4:30am every weekday morning and going to that park to exert myself for 45 minutes to an hour each day.... BUT (yes, there is a but) I can see how much better I feel, how much more energy I have, the good changes to my body, and most of all, it makes my attitude MUCH more positive! And when I feel good, Life IS Good!
So this ends my series of Boot Camp Journals... I will not keep boring every one with my daily journals. I will only write highlights as they happen on occasion in the next 12 weeks.
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 17

Today was about 15 degrees cooler than yesterday!
And less humid…? Maybe?
Today was the obstacle like course in the ball field on the WET grass.
Running and jumping and lunging and shuffling all around cones.
And then bear walks (one hands and feet at the same time).
Crab walks were almost impossible to do!
I was huffing and puffing!
Tomorrow is the last day of Boot Camp.
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 16

Woke up dead at 4:35am.
I was so sore all day yesterday from a combination of the 4+ mile run and the bike wreck the night before. My left butt cheek hurts the most.
Arrived at 5:20am.
Today's workout was called "Sprints".
Great.
And that is ALL we did... SPRINT!
Sprint up the hill over and over and over.
I was D-Y-I-N-G!!!!
I repeat- D-Y-I-N-G!!!!
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 15

Woke very groggily at 4:35am since I did not fall asleep until almost 1am!
Arrived at 5:15am.
They announced today was "the long run" and did not even stretch or do warm-ups!!
Today's workout can be summed up in one word over and over again:
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
RUN RUN RUN RUN
That would be running for about 4 1/2 miles!
(More like half jog/half walk for me)
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 14

Very sleepy this morning on the way to workout...zzzzzzzzz.
Today can only be described by one word:
RUN.
Repeat for 1.5 miles!
Random stops during run to do push-ups or squats or dips off the curbs.
Keep running.
My ankle did not hurt so bad today.
And I did not walk as much today as two weeks ago.
Could I possibly be improving?
Hoorah.

Oh, and TGIF!

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 13

Today was "Bring A Friend To Boot Camp" day.
There must have been 25 additional folks this morning!
People were piled on top of each other doing the warm-ups.
Run up the driveway to the ballfield (or half-jog up it for me).
Split into 2 teams.
Run to each cone (10 cones total in a line), stop and do 5 push-ups or 5 situps.
After the 10 cones run to 3 different stations to do mountain climbers or planks or whatever...
Repeat 5 more times.
And the ground was SOAKING WET.
I had grass and water from my toes to my nose.
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 12

Today was another tough day.
My ankle is doing somewhat better… I am not limping much when I walk.
But, I still cannot run.
Running hurts.
So today I did legs and abs exercises while everyone else ran.
We did arms today using the “resistance bands”.
The Instructor even commented to me during the arms workout that I was doing them so well that maybe I should have used a stronger band.
My ankle seems to be hurting on the inside face of the ankle instead of the outside face….
Very strange.
Great workout.
Would have been greater if I could have run.
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 11

Today was tough.
Woke at 4:30am- ankle is still painful- but, not as raging painful as it was when I took 1/2 a painkiller and went to bed last night.
Moving slowly this morning.
Arrived at 5:15am.
To make a long story short, I pretty much did the entire workout VERY CAREFULLY.
I did absolutely no jumping (no jumping jacks, no leap frogs, etc.).
I lunged instead.
Sideways shuffling from Point A to Point B was painful.
When everyone else was running, I was half walking/half jogging.
I did all of the push-ups, sit-ups, leg /abs, etc.
I was sweating bullets so the workout was still a challenge!
Put on the ace bandage and came to work today.
Hoping tomorrow is better.
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 10

Friday marked the halfway point of boot camp for my first month.
I woke up today ready to start the second half… at 4:40am.
Arrived at 5:15am.
Got some heat for the 6 wings I ate on Sunday.
Warm-ups.
Run up the driveway to ball field.
Cones are set up in straight line.
Everyone is designated their own cone.
Get in “plank” position (holding up one’s body weight on elbows and toes).
Hold until every one before me has run around me and then I get up and run around each and every body after me…
Run across field and up to asphalt parking lot.
Run down the hill to the bottom of parking lot to first station of zigzag cones.
I am half way down the hill when all of a sudden…
BAM!
My right ankle got off balance in a rut of uneven pavement that I did not see (probably because it was so dark)…
And down I fall…
O man did that hurt!
I fell hands and face forward…of course, because I was running downhill- that did not help matters either.
My left elbow is pained.
But, my right ankle is what hurts the most… I roll over and lay there.
People are flying by me and I am trying to get up.
I am trying to walk it out.
The pain is roaring at my right ankle… the Instructor is right there with me…
I pretty much slowly finished the rest of the workout while I still functioning.
Needless to say, I drove back home after this one…
I wound up staying home all morning icing the ankle before and after a LONG shower.
I had to go to a business luncheon in the middle of the day to pick up a safety award for my company.
But, then I decided to go back home and elevate the ankle.
I have been pretty much out of commission all day today… the pain is unbelievable.
Hubby came home early… we did venture to the grocery store for a few groceries and ace bandages.
Not sure what tomorrow brings….
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 7

Woke up at 4:35am.
Very sleeeeeeepy… had a hard time falling asleep last night.
Arrive at 5:20am.
Today’s workout is “Legs, Abs and Butts”.
Warm-ups are not too bad this morning.
Run up driveway hill and over to ball field.
Split class into two groups.
Spend 35 minutes moving between four stations.
Each station has different leg, abs and butt exercises that KILL.
We are sprinting back and forth between stations as they “switch” up the groups from station to station.
From the first station of exercises on the ground, I knew it was gonna be trouble…
Why?
The grass was absolutely drenched!
And we are just wallowing around in it on our stomachs.
On our backs.
On our knees.
On our stomachs again.
By the end of the session there was not one dry spot on a stitch of my clothing!
I could not wipe my brow ANY where!
And I was covered in dirt and grass.
Today has been the worse so far.
BTW, I have noticed that I now have a permanent grass rash on my knee caps thanks to Boot Camp. The crab grass just EATS my skin!
Storms predicted for tomorrow- cannot wait to do this again IN THE RAIN no less!
Hoorah.

The Boot Camp Journal- Day 4

Woke up at 4:35am after a very fitful night of sleep. (Or should I say non-sleep?)
Not raining when I loaded up truck- thanks goodness!
Thought to myself how interesting today would be with a wet ground though!
Arrived at park 5:20am.
Today was titled "Fabulous 50's" or something like that... meaning everything will be done in sets of 50!
Start with very fast warm-ups- getting winded...
Run up the driveway toward street in zig-zags sideways... Huh?
Finally make it to top- now I am really heaving.
Do a few leg exercises.
Run into woods to grassy clearing.
Get a partner- some guy named "Veelas" (not sure on spelling)
I do 25 sit-ups while he is holding my feet and he is doing the "plank".
(Plank is where you hold your entire body weight up off the ground with your elbows and toes)
Then he does the 25 sit-ups and I have to do the "Plank".
Holy Smokes I am hurting! The Plank is Killer!
Oh, and let's not forget the soaking grass and ground that I am laying in...
So humid this morning.
So thirsty.
Do 25 more and then the plank while partner does his other 25.
More running- back up to top of hill driveway and now down the street!
Huh?
I just pray in my head that we are not running the dreaded "1 mile" route.
Stop in front of fire station and do 50 assorted push-ups in different antagonizing positions.
Back on feet and running further from park...
Run down street to different park entrance and down the driveway to bottom parking lot.
Really, REALLY winded now...
Shuffling squats sideways all along and up and down the parking space lines.
They keep on yelling to keep our butts down while shuffling in squatting position.
Hell, they are lucky I am still going at this point!
More leg exercises.
So thirsty.
Run further down park driveway to the nature trail.
Walking lunges and squats all the way down the trail... Yikes!
Miraculously show up back at original warm-up spot.
50 Dips off the street curbs- oh my aching tri-ceps!
50 mountain climbers in the mud.
So, so thirsty.
50 sit-ups in the mud. Seriously, I am laying in the dirt people.
Ending stretches in grass...
You should see my outfit. Thank the Lord for Gain detergent.
Hoorah.