Monday

This past week, I've been really focusing on my diet and getting back to journalling this past week.

The good news is that it is making a difference. The bad news: as hot and gross as it has been, I have had zero motivation to spend any time in the kitchen doing prep work, so my choices have not been so great.

For now, I'm riding this tide, though. Make the best choices I can.

Hello!

Thursday

Quick check-in:

Last night's workout was Cathe's Legs and Glutes. It's been ages since I did leg presses. Yeow!

Today, I went for a run before work and then gave blood this afternoon so there won't be much going on tonight.

Hump Day!

I'm working my way through a few of my new iTrain workouts:

iTrain iSculpt Traditional Set 22 - Circuit Training with Mimi. (If you are a fan of the Bravo tv show Workout, she's *that* Mimi.) This 45 min workout would be a good purchase for someone who travels because it uses only bodyweight and a resistance band (preferably with a door attachment). She says something about dumbbells at the beginning, but they really didn't figure into the workout. Each circuit consists of alternating upper and lower body exercises with cardio intervals throughout. The cardio is usually 100 jumping jacks followed by 30 s of mountain climbers. It's not the most creative or challenging of workouts, but it definitely hits all the high points. The download includes a link to a video that demos most of the moves if you want to watch before you workout.

My only complaint is that her timing is a little off. It seems like she ends some sets a little too soon or spends too much time explaining the upcoming exercise and the rest period seems too long. It's annoying but it won't stop me from bringing this workout on the road.

iTread Outdoors Set 36 - Grace Lazenby - 45 min cardio designed to use outside by runners or walkers but can be adapted to treadmill. The workout alternates steady state cardio songs with interval cardio songs. I'm not a huge fan of the music but I did get in a killer run.

Although I found the cueing motivating and impeccable for runners or walkers, I could do without all of the hooping and hollering at the end. Seriously, 80s step aerobics videos aren't this bad. Sorry, Grace, maybe that works in person but not so much when comes through my headphones.

July 4

Happy Independence Day!

Heading out for a run...

Update:

I've been struggling with my motivation lately for running and for my workouts, so I signed up for the Unlimited package at iTrain.com and will be using those to keep my efforts from lagging too much.

This morning, I used iTread Outdoors Set 10 for my run. I managed about 40 min (a little over 3 miles) before the humidity got the better of me. Temperature wasn't too awful but it was just oh-so muggy. This endurance run is set up in units of 6 min of work, 1 min of recovery. Grace Lazenby cues varying tempo changes that get progressively more intense. It was a nice change of pace but I definitely prefer Cardio Coach Sean O'Malley.

Wednesday

Beauty Product of the Week:

Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap

A friend gave this to me ages ago but I only just started using it.

Wow. MINTY is the understatement of the century with this soap. Um, rinse well. That's all I'm sayin'.

The soap itself has little scrubby bits that work pretty well. The reviews at the Bliss site are a little over-the-top in my opinion but it is a great product to use to cool off on hot days.

True Love

see more dog and puppy pictures

Tuesday

The problem with working from home 2 days a week is that it makes getting into the office the other 3 days really, really tough.