Okay. I've been slacking-and I was shamed. I deserve it. Let me clarify - I have been working out, just not talking about it.
Here's the update: been doing more weight lifting through the week and running on the weekends.
But today, let's talk food. So a few weeks ago I met my bestie for a "protein shake" before a workout. She's been telling me about these HerbaLife meals for weeks now and I thought I would give it a shot. Said "meal" consisted of the following ceremony: you walk up to the counter and fill out a card with your name and order. But don't linger-keep the line moving. People need their shake and they have arms wider than my thighs. You don't move fast enough, they move you and you start all over.

You put in your order and take a shot of aloe. I used to drink aloe-for heartburn. My first thought is: if I am OFFERED aloe before the "meal" it's like being served a small plate of tums before a steak. Who would eat at that steak joint?

Next, is a tea. I chose the sweetened hot cinnamon. Honestly, other than the artificial sweetener, it was tastee. Next-the shake. It was a chocolate chip cookie dough. I admit, it was AWESOME! How could this be healthy, and better yet-make my work out better?! At this point, I don't know. I don't care. If it had any form of placebo effect, I will do whatever I needed to-to convince myself it works.
After downing the ENTIRE think in about the time it took her to finish 1/4 of hers, she warned me that it has a cleansing side effect about half an hour after consumption. WHAT? I had a workout scheduled right after this. This was not going to go well. From the cardio center to the bathroom, I have to go down two flights of stairs, down the hall past two racquetball courts and a basket ball court. A LOT of damage can be done in that amount of time. As I went up to the cardio center, I became acutely aware of how long I would need to make an escape from the cardio center at the first sign of cookie dough blow out.

Luckily, the shake did not-shake my intestines as it did hers.

Three days later however, I ate week old roast beef. My ass was in more pain than than the two day post work out burn. I'll take a shake any day. 

No pain... no gain? I better have a lot of gain!

This week I added weights. Monday was upper body-arms and sit ups. And last night was lower body-squats, calf raises, lunges and working my side abs. My routine is the "Body For Life" program: Target a muscle group and start - 12 reps, 30 second break, 10 reps, 8 reps, 6 reps and then 24. I lived by this routine for eight years, and swear by it. One day is legs and abs, another day is upper body and abs. I love it. Until the next day.
Yesterday my shoulders were a little tender, but the pain felt good. That feeling of pushing myself, getting stronger each day, and good pain as a reminder of what I am accomplishing.
Today, my thighs were screaming a whole different story.
I woke up and felt pretty good. I thought last weeks work outs got me prepped for last night and maybe I wouldn't be too sore. I got to work and was sitting at my desk for about an hour when I needed to go pee. I tried to stand and would have rather peed myself than make the 30 foot walk to the bathroom.
By using the desk and all furniture between my desk and the the potty, I was able to waddle to the bathroom, my legs trembling out of pain and need to urinate as I never had before. I also heard a shrill that I thought was the smoke detector. "No...not now" I thought. Then realized it was me, crying in pain as I was going down...squatting...for what seemed like FOREVER before my cheeks met the seat.
Once I was done emptying my bladder, I had to get up. GET UP?? I rocked a few times trying to get the momentum to get myself off the toilet. After a few times of rocking back and forth, I realized I was only moving back and forth and getting no where. 
The handicap bar! YES! I put both hands on it and pulled myself up. S l o w l y. Got my pants up and was able to get myself back together.
Needless to say, it was a long, painful day.
No pain...no...um....

You really can multitask....

Did I say I was going to post each day? If I did-clearly THAT was not going to happen. My goal is to write about once a week. This blogging thing is as tough as getting into a workout routine? And the pressure. I have an evil twin that is ruthless already getting on my about my commitments to my readers. I won't name names (*hint....we have the same first name.)

But alas, I am back-with an update on week one. I got in my five days of work outs. Day one I gave a good 30 minutes to the bike and 30 to the elliptical. It was good! I thought to myself that getting back to running may not be as bad as I though the next day. I was on the tread mill on and off in the last few months, so I probably am only a few minutes off my mile from where I was back in '09. I've really enjoyed my time on the bike, as it allows me to read the latest book on my iPad.

That brings me to a recent conversation I had with my boss-who told me that though people think they can multitask, it's actually impossible. In reality, I agreed with him. In no circumstance can an individually be truly productive doing two things at once. One, if not both, will be lacking focus and not getting full devotion of the task at hand. For example, I am typing this as I watch "Grandchester," a show which follows Downton Abby, in which I have recently become interested in. In the last few minutes, I have missed a few important parts of this show because I am trying to ensure I get all my points included in the blog.

HOWEVER-while reading and riding the bike at the gym, both tasks can be equally accomplished. True story and that's all that needs to be said about that. If anyone wants to refute me on this, I look forward to welcoming it. Oh, and I can also watch "Good Morning America" and run at the same time. Allowing me to catch up on the news and workout-multitasking ;)

Day two-run one of training. How embarrassing.  I walked to warm up for the first two minutes, but still so. very. embarrassing. I took me 26 minutes to get two miles (with the two minutes to warm up.) WOW. I was running a nine minute mile in a half marathon just a few years ago and just a bit faster in six mile runs. That's almost FOUR minutes slower. I've got some work to do.

Through the rest of the week I got in another day on the bike and elliptical with two more runs. The last day on the treadmill I watched the Food Network and was inspired by 'Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.' The kids were disappointed when-after we all worked out, I announced we weren't having homemade pizza for dinner, but turkey burgers inspired by my run and The Food Network. Multitasking-dinner menu was changed.

Clearly muscle weighs more than fat. I weighed in at 125. But my pants don't feel that way. I was 125 in my best running shape and my body fit into the same pants with room to grow. Now-muffin tops. I doubt the number may go down more than a few pounds, but I look forward to how I will feel.

Stay tuned for the next blog and my real reason for doing all this....

No such thing as a swimmers high

I haven't run a road race since 2011. I was part of a relay team, '4 Cheeseheads and a FIB' in the Fox Communities Marathon with one of my dear friends Gina. Since then-I participated in a few mud runs, which were fun! But life without running has been a little less healthy, and it's time to get back in the race.

I LOVE to run! It's a sick addiction that no amount of swimming, biking, walking or weight lifting can replace. But the effects it has on the body are pretty nice too. I used to have six pack abs (or at least four) and now I have a muffin top. Add a few bruises and I resemble a blueberry muffin. I was so proud of the strength in my legs, the definition from the muscle that showed off my hard work. The recent reminder I have of muscle was a fall down the stairs when my legs were needed to try and stop my fall. Yup....my thighs were screaming for days after that.

I used to love the ache of my body from the exhaustion of a long work out. Now my calves burn and I'm winded from walking up two flights of stairs-occasionally I need to nap after moments such as these.

Why did I quit-I had knee surgery a few years ago and have knee problems. About two years ago I saw a doctor who's solution to my pain was a cortisone shot directly to the knee. If you haven't had a cortisone shot before-let me tell you, any doctor who says that it won't hurt, is a liar.  First, the needle was about 12 inches long. Two nurses came in and one sat next to me while the other injected the cortisone directly under my knee cap. the first thing I felt was about a thousand needles under my knee cap followed by an intense pressure as the fluid filled the cavity under my knee. I thought my knee cap was going to pop off my leg and hit the nurse with enough speed to knock her out cold. But instead, I was the one who blacked out. I came to with one nurse holding me with both hands on my shoulders pushed square against the chair. I was soaking with sweat yelling "Good GOD THAT Hurt!" I'm not sure who was more startled at that moment. The same doctor who told me that the shot wouldn't hurt also said I would never run again and should try swimming instead of running. "Many people get that same high." I really dislike that man.

I have never felt anything close to a 'swimmers high' and am ready to prove the doctor wrong. I have set a goal to run a 5k in March at Tanners with my friend Brendan Dooley. It's a small race, but a start. And here is where you all come in. I am asking you to be part of this process. I am going to blog my training. I promise to keep it light-hearted and fun, and what I need from you is motivation. Please feel free to shame me if I'm not sticking to my work out and don't for the positive feedback too ;)

My goals are as follows: 

1. No drinking during the week (unless it's a special occasion...such as my girl Kelly needs some 'Robyn time'-that's a special occasion?!)
2. Three runs a week with two other work outs. (I'm buying 'Run Less, Run Faster'-thanks for the suggesting Gina) and following the training program.
3. Blog my work outs
4. Be honest when I don't follow through
5. To have fun with this
6. MAYBE will take a before and after pic....this is still in the air.

For your:

1. Have fun with me!
2. Stick with me and if you are a fellow runner-please feel free to give advice.

Blog one. Done.