• I was down 2 pounds this week to 191 even.  I swear it seems like one week I’ll be down a few pounds, the next week up a little bit and then down 2 pounds the next week.  Whatever!  I’ll take it.  Again, I know I’m doing the right things so the scale just needs to follow my lead.
• I take pictures every month for my Precision Nutrition program.  This is the third set of pictures I’ve taken.  When I compare this month’s pictures with the first month’s set I see a dramatic difference in the stomach area.  There is still a lot of work to be done but I am so encouraged.
• I went biking yesterday at the Silver Comet.  So.much.fun!  We did 10 miles in about an hour.  After logging into SparkPeople, I realized that this is a pretty slow pace.  I haven’t ridden a bike in years though so it worked for me.  I want more.
• The first 5 miles of the ride was easy…almost too easy.  I had to shift  gears to 7 (the max) so that I could feel like I was doing some work.  The second five was a lot more challenging and my thighs were really feeling it.  I found myself going much faster (and leaving behind the crew I was with LOL) because I just wanted it to be over.
• The fun bike ride has me thinking triathlon again.  There is a sprint tri here in August that I am really considering.  I’m going to have to think hard on this one.  My swim skills are limited (even after taking lessons last year) and very rusty.  I never managed to swim a full lap of the pool.  How can I swim 400 yards?
• I took Lewis and my new BOB Revolution out to the park to test out the 5K course for the race in a few weeks.  The BOB has a really smooth ride and pushing the kid around didn’t seem too bad.  This was a much better experience than my attempts at running with my Graco Snap-N-Go frame.  It is kind of awkward to run without pumping your arms though.
• We are doing the baby tour thing next week so I will be on the road for a week heading to Charleston and Richmond.  I am working hard on getting a workout plan together so I don’t lose my momentum on the trip.
• Nutrition is HARD when you don’t have control over your food because you are staying with someone else.  I feel fine hitting the grocery store at my parents’ house, but I feel funny doing the same at my mother-in-law’s house.  I don’t know what I’m going to do about that.  I can only eat so many fast food salads.

• I was up .5 pounds on my home scale on Saturday.  I haven’t taken my measurements yet so I don’t know what the deal is there.  I’m not freaked out.  I know I’m doing the right things so the weight loss will follow.
• I was down .6 pounds for the weigh-in for our office Biggest Loser contest.  I discount that number because it is taken after I exercise in the morning.  I appreciate it for contest purposes though…better down something than up in weight!
• Feb bootcamp ended Friday and I improved a lot in the benchmark workout we did at the beginning of the month.  I’m looking forward to March’s go ’round.
• Last week was fairly light on exercise.  I took three (planned) rest days.  I feel like a lazy slob!  I made it to three days of bootcamp but I didn’t do a long run and I only had one other day of cardio.
• I decided to do a 10K sometime in May.  It is really hard to find races that time of year because it is so freakin’ warm here.
• I find that I don’t run when I don’t have a race planned.  The downside is that training for a race means that I can’t do other types cardio that I enjoy.  Catch-22 much?
• I need to start drinking my water again.  I am terrible about hydration at home!  Terrible!  There are days when I don’t drink anything from 6PM-10PM.  It seems like I’m always holding the baby or scarfing down dinner really quick before he starts fussing.  This must change.
• I fit into another new pair of jeans.  Yay!  I bought some jeans from Old Navy that fit in one wash but were too tight in a different wash (same size, same style).  Now they fit!
• I love Old Navy for transitional clothing.  $22 jeans work for me when I am losing weight and not trying to spend a lot of dough.  They might not last a long time but they work for now.
• I still can’t fit into the Size 12 Long and Leans from Gap.  The 14s are too big (or maybe it is too stretched out?) to the point where I don’t want to wear them anymore.  I still can’t get in the 12s though.  How is this possible?

• I’m down 2 pounds again as of this Saturday to 192.5.  What a great 2 weeks this has been…down 5 pounds total!  I’m also down a total of 5 inches (all over) since starting my Precision Nutrition program measurements.
• A few people have told me that I look like I’m losing weight.  Yeah!  It is so hard to see it yourself.
• A lot of my workout pants are starting to feel loose.  This is good news too but kind of annoying when you are trying to do mountain climbers in boot camp.
• This was a great exercise week.  I worked out every day this week.  Four CrossFit bootcamp sessions, 2 step aerobics cardio days at home and 1 outdoor running day.
• I truly do believe in the need for rest days though so this will not become a weekly habit.
• The ATL weather was fabulous this weekend so I made the long drive to the Silver Comet Trail on Sunday for a long run.  I’ve really missed running outside and this is my favorite place to run.  I like running here because once you get out on the trail you can’t cut your run short!
• I ran out to the 2.4 mile marker (started running at .3 miles), took a 2-minute break and then ran back to the 1.2 mile marker.  So I ran a little longer than a 5K in total.  I wasn’t trying for any particular time.  I’m just trying to get my endurance back.
• I had to swap out my running shoes.  My running has been off and on since becoming pregnant so I had no idea how many miles I’d logged on my Asics.  I felt shin-splinty after my last run so I figured it was time to toss my old shoes.  Luckily, I had bought an extra pair last year when they were on sale super cheap.  The new pair is a crazy gold snakeskin color but they were $30 cheaper than the normal cost.  No shin split feeling after Sunday’s run.
• I’ve got 7.5 pounds to lose by March 12th.  This is going to be close!  I would be encouraged if I hit that target, but things are going well right now so I’m fine if I get close.
• I bought two pairs of pants from The Limited for extra cheap.  They are a (tight) Size 14 and about 3 pounds from being wearable but at least I could zip them all the way up this time.  The last time I tried a pants search there in mid-December, I had to hang my head in shame and head to Lane Bryant.

DiscoDiva mentioned the Warrior Dash race to me a few weeks ago and I immediately remembered that it was featured on an episode of Bravo’s Workout (love that show!).  The Warrior Dash is a crazy 5K with lots of cool obstacles thrown in like a wall climb, fire walk and mud crawl.

I didn’t give it much thought at the time because the race was already sold out.  However, DiscoDiva kindly pointed out that an extra day was added and I joined her in signing up for Sunday morning!  I am so excited…I live for this kind of stuff!  I love getting the chance to do stuff you usually only see on TV.  I’m not one for mud really but I guess I’ll suck it up. 

If this might be your type of thing and you are in the Atlanta area – sign up!  I got $5 off the fee by using the code CROSSFIT (but it isn’t a CrossFit sponsored event so don’t get scared).  They are having this race in other areas too – don’t miss out on what should be a really unique experience.

UPDATE: Sister P is coming down from Richmond to join in the fun.  Yeah!

• I know, today is Tuesday!  I was off work for President’s Day yesterday and when I’m at home with the baby I lose all track of time.  Lewis and I had a great day though!
• I’m down 3 pounds this week to 194.5.  Whooo hooo…finally breaking the two-week choke hold at 197.5.  I was probably just retaining some water or something before but seeing the same number on the scale gets really discouraging.
• I had good girth changes in my waist, bust and shoulder.  My upper body is shrinking.  Now if only my hips and thighs would get the memo.
• I hit the track for a run on Sunday and man am I out of practice after only 3 weeks!  I intended to run 4 long slow miles but that turned into 3 miles at normal pace with 1/2 track lap walk break between.
• I have so much trouble consciously going extra slow (even though I run slow now anyway).  Every mile was run at 12:00 min/mile with one mile at 11:30 min/mile (yeah!).  I wanted to run extra slow so that I could go for 4 miles without stopping.  Maybe next time.
• I did Seasun Zieger’s Straight Up Step this morning and it is still one of my all-time favorite step videos.
• CrossFit bootcamp is almost halfway done and it has been a great ride so far.  I feel a lot stronger – probably because I’m getting that extra day of strength training in that wasn’t there before.
• I have about 4 weeks left to hit my goal of 185 on 3/12 (6 months post-partum).  I don’t know if I’m going to make it but I am going to try my hardest.  I am definitely encouraged with the 40 pound loss in 5 months though (even if it that was 8 pounds of baby LOL).

• The scale has been playing hide and seek with me showing me down one pound one day and the same the next.  My jeans are getting ever looser though.  I managed to squeeze into a pair of jeans that I purchased from Ann Taylor Loft 2 months ago when I couldn’t get them up over my hips before.  They are hardly ready for prime time yet (serious muffin top), but I buttoned them at least.  I take my victories where I can!
• Week #1 of CrossFit bootcamp is in the bag and I’m loving it.  I’ve really been pushing myself again and I like the feeling.  It feels great not to finish every workout in last place – especially when everyone is so much skinnier than you.
• I’m not liking the soreness.  We do a bunch of mini-workouts in bootcamp so the chance of not being sore is slim to none.  My calves were sore for three days.  How do you get sore calves?!?  The last time this happened I had done a bunch of Turkish Get Ups and I understood the soreness.  This time – not so much.
• I did end up hanging with the Mochas for the exotic dance class.  I wore some yoga pants and a little chemise thing that used to be a short dress when I was smaller (LOL!) as a top.  My trusty old stripper shoes fit just fine.
• I had a great time and I’m glad I went.  I felt pretty good even if there is a lot more going on in the middle during hip rolls than there used to be.  I am determined to get back to pole class once things with the baby settle down.  Right now, I don’t see how I can get a consistent weekend day off (we alternate) without striking a Devil’s bargain with The Mister.
• I did great with nutrition last week until Friday.  My mother in law was in town so we got out for a rare date night.  I was craving food my favorite pizza joint and I feasted!  I had a Greek Salad with chicken (good) along with a few lemon pepper wings (not so good) and fries (ummm).   The Mister and I split a dessert.  I had to do a penalty workout at Saturday bootcamp because of my shenanigans but that food was worth every slamball!
• I was able to have my cheat meal on Friday and get right back to business on Saturday.  That made me happy.  I think I am starting to learn a little something on this program.  If 90% of the time I make really healthy choices  (not just low-calorie processed junk food), a couple of not so healthy choices once in a while will not destroy me.

• I have an irrational fear of my exercise ball now.  At the end of my pregnancy that was the only seat in the house I found comfortable so I spent a lot of time bouncing on it.  An exercise ball suddenly becomes a “birthing ball” when you are in labor.  When my water broke that Saturday morning, I remember sitting on the ball at the end of my couch rolling back and forth in extreme pain.  All of this to say that I am very hesitant now to do any videos using the ball.  It just takes me back to a place that I don’t want to be anytime soon.
• I missed my long run on Sunday morning.  I really meant to get out there but Lewis slept really poorly for a stretch and that means that I slept poorly too.  I didn’t wake up until nearly 10AM after The Mister took over baby duty.  I was actually looking forward to running…which is a great thing.
• I was randomly watching The.Brian.McKnight.Show (longtime fan of his music but comes across so phony on camera!) last weekend and Tatyana Ali was a guest.  I started reminiscing and pulled out her Kiss The Sky CD (yeah I bought it LOL).  Remember this song?
• There is another season of High School Reunion on TVLand now.  My DVR started recording it because otherwise I’d have had no idea it was on.  I love this show.  It really goes to show that most people never change…no matter how much they think they do.  The nerd back in the day still craves validation from the popular people.  It is amazing.
• I’m only halfway through last night’s LOST premiere.  I will cut anyone who spoils it for me.
• CrossFit bootcamp was awesome this morning.  I gave it my all especially during the Helen workout.  Three rounds of a short 200m sprint (more like a jog LOL), 21 kettlebell swings with 25# and 12 band pullups.  My time was 8:38 and for once I was not the last one to finish!
• My major diet struggle is wanting dessert every day.  Dessert can be a 100-calorie pack but I still want it.  Fruit alone is just not a dessert to me (unless it is floating in sugar and butter and covered in pie crust).
• Monday I had a fruit rollup for “dessert”.  Tuesday I did not have dessert.  I didn’t really want it.  I wonder if that means I’m getting better?

• I will continue to post this on Monday although I am using my measurements from Saturday.  My Precision Nutrition measurement check-ins are on Saturdays.  It is too annoying to weigh-in on Saturday and Monday.
• No weight loss this week and I completely own that one.  This week started well on the path to reducing dense carbs at non-workout times and ended up with me eating a combo at McDonald’s yesterday.  *Sigh*.  I don’t know what is wrong with me sometimes!
• This is a new month and a new day.  I’m still at 197.5 and I want to hit my quarterly goal of 185 by March 12th.  It is totally do-able if I fly right the next month and a half.
• I got my body fat measured for the PN program.  I had to find someone to do a 7-site skinfold test which is not necessarily the most accurate way to measure but if someone is skilled with the calipers it can be as much as 98% accurate.  I think it has to be a heckuva lot more accurate than that stupid Tanita scale that I have at home.  That thing put me at 44% even after a 20lb weight loss!  Since I carry most of my weight in my bottom half that method of testing is bound to overestimate me.
• My caliper test body fat came in at 29% which was absolutely not as bad as I thought it would be.  There is still much work to be done though!
• Even if this number is not accurate, a downward trend is the major focus.  I expect it to decrease throughout the 6-months of the PN program.
• My ultimate body fat goal is 20% which is considered athletic.  As a former couch potato, to ever “officially” have an athletic body would be sweet!
• I don’t feel like I’m working as hard as I can fitness-wise.  I’ve been leaving energy on the table during my workouts and that’s not my style.  I feel like there is this script in my head that goes something like “I’m bigger now so it is OK to not push myself that hard”.  “I’m a big girl…I should be out of breath…I should take a break…”  My goal this month is to stop working at 85% and give 100% again.  Size has nothing to do with effort!

Tax return $$ is coming in soon (yay!) and I’m allowing myself to splurge on a jogging stroller.  I am currently using a simple Snap-N-Go stroller frame type thing.  It works fine for the few times we go out and about but on simple walks in the neighborhood it isn’t too good.

I am torn between the BOB Revolution and the BOB Ironman.  I want to train for longer races later in the year and would love to hit the paved running trail with Lewis.  In fact, that taking Lewis with me may be the ONLY way I can find time to train for a half-marathon. But once Lewis grows out of his carseat the stroller frame is no good, so I want this stroller to be able to replace that stroller too.  The Ironman is better for running only (front-wheel is locked) and the Revolution is more all-purpose but supposedly not that great for jogging.

Has anyone used either of these strollers before?  Is there another type of jogging stroller that you highly recommend?  I plan to chat with the good people at my local REI store but they have a vested interest in me spending more money!

• Down 2 pounds this week to 197.5.  I can’t tell with the hip/waist measurement yet because I started measuring differently for Precision Nutrition.
• My size 14 Long and Leans from Gap are getting baggy.  I have a pair of Size 12s locked and loaded thanks to Sister P and Christmas.  I’m scared to try them on though.
• I ran my first post-pregnancy 5K Saturday.  I wanted to finish in less than 40 minutes and I did!
• I’m tossing a bunch of fitness plans around in my head right now.  I’m starting CrossFit bootcamp on Feb 1st M-W-F.  I wanted to start Insanity but I know I won’t have the time to properly do the program.  It is a 6-day a week commitment and I can’t do that with CrossFit.
• My basic cardio endurance still sucks right now.  I did another Cathe step workout this morning and I had to pause it several times.  That was with me using a 4-inch step when I used to have a 6-inch step standard.
• I still have my moves though!  I may not be able to dance but I can step and get all into it LOL.
• I think my best bet now is to do the bootcamp and go back to my basic step and cardio interval videos/workouts.  Insanity may simply be too much for me at this point.  Plus, if it is at all like CrossFit metcon workouts I don’t want to do that every day.
• Precision Nutrition has an exercise program but I am just not into it LOL.  I’ve never felt like my workouts were ineffective.  I think I do a pretty good job.  Prior to pregnancy, I was getting stronger and fitter.  My nutrition is the problem.  For the time being, I will continue with my own fitness programming.