Fit Fridays: INSANE TIMES

I though I would pop in to say hi this week while I have a free minute. 
I have just finished up my 3rd week of the INSANITY workouts.  9 more to go.  9 more weeks and 6 days a week?!  UGH! That sounds horrible.

It is about the only "Cindy time" I can squeeze in lately. Ernesto and I are starting to get crazy busy.  My phone is ringing off the hook and I'm driving all over Atlanta giving estimates for Christmas light installation.  We have already surpassed last year's sales and we have another 4 weeks to go! woo-hoo! 

For me, the best time to do it is in the morning of course, before I start getting Christmas Light Pro calls for estimates. 
 My review of the INSANITY videos is the same as week one:  it's a great workout!  I am always drenched in sweat and feel good afterward.  I have to say though, that Im getting a little bit bored and quite sick of that feeling that my workout is hanging over my head all day.  I liked my old way.  If I didn't get my workout in, I didn't get it in.  But for some reason this workout, with the calendar prominently staring at me from the refrigerator, MUST. BE. CHECKED. OFF.  EACH. DAY.   I do love how the videos concentrate on your core.  INSANE RESULTS!  That is what Im shooting for. We will see what I look like in 6 more weeks!

Fit Fridays: INSANITY

Ok, here is the deal.  Last year when Ernesto and I started getting busy with the Christmas Lights, we didn't stick to any kind of workout schedule.  This was understandable for him, but me?  Why didn't I work out?  I really like working out in the outdoors, and when the crappy weather rolled in, I lost my desire to get out and DO SOMETHING. 

This year I am not going to let that happen!  My bother and sister and niece have been doing the 60 day challenge of INSANITY and told me it is a great workout!  I was hesitant to start it on principal alone, I mean, there is an info-mmercial for this thing.   And although I am in disbelief of any workout that promises dramatic results in a short time,  I thought this program could work perfectly for our xmas light season.  It's indoors and I can do anytime when I have an hour to spare between estimates.  Sure, I'll give it a try, why not?  The most important thing for me [regarding my 20 years of fitness] is that I feel good when I DO SOMETHING.  Laziness does not suit me.

I started on Monday Nov 1, and after 6 workouts, I must say, INSANITY is a damn good workout!  Im already sweating MAO after the 10 minute warm up. (I do sweat a lot anyway)  The workouts are about 40 minutes long, and if you are not in shape, you will struggle to keep up.  I consider myself to be in very good shape, and I fell behind with a few tough moves. (going from ski abs to in-and-outs) I will do 6 consecutive days of workouts and one rest day....for 60 days!  The question is:  Will I get ripped like the hot-ass instructor Shaun T?  Only time will tell. 

Ok, after saying all of the above, I have to let you know that I did not have pay for the set of DVD workouts, nor would I ever pay $130 for any workout.   Convenience is key for a life of habitual fitness and walking into my garage for Crossfit, or out on the street for a run for this last year has convinced me I don't ever need to pay for a gym membership.  

Will INSANITY work for you?  I don't know.  Do you have the discipline and motivation to workout 6 days a week for 60 days? If not, then no.  No, you won't see results.  But if you stick to it, Im sure that 40 minutes of cardio, 6 days a week will yeild some kind of change.

Im sure so many people buy this program and never ask themselves that question, before buying.  And that, my friends....that is why we call them suckers.

 **In addition to the workouts, I have been drinking a gallon of water per day and have cut down on sugar [or eating sweets]. Maybe I should take a before and after body shot so I can be one of the next testimonials in the info-mmercial.

Fit Fridays: Critical Mass Halloween Ride

It was just last month that I learned about the monthly Critical Mass bike rides. There were a couple hundred people on that ride and I thought it was so fun! Riding in such a large group and stopping traffic on busy Atlanta streets was so cool. On last Fridays' Critical Mass, over 430 people showed up for the Halloween ride and most of them were wearing costumes.

Smita had already had her costume on from work that day (iphone app: plants vs zombies) and Ernesto and I painted our faces like Day of the Dead.

It turned out being a very frustrating evening as I got separated from the group and ended up riding the busy Atlanta streets on my own (wearing all black no less).  How did I get separated from a group of 400 people you ask? No, Im not a slow rider!  I had to stop and try to coordinate [by phone] with two other lost riders (Grrrrr....Smitter and Nester!) and by the time I did that, the riders were out of site. 

I still probably rode around 10 miles that night, but the group went 20 and I.....Ugh!  I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Here are a few pics at the begining of the ride.  Happier times.

After the ride we ended up hanging out and the Elmyr in Little 5 for a little bit.  Everyone [but me] was tired from the long ride... grrrrr...

Oh well, lesson learned:  Don't use a cell phone or worry about lost people when you are riding your bike.

PS. FIT FRIDAYS was not posted the last week, but you didn't miss much.  Only I did. There were a few short runs over the last couple weeks. One Crossfit.  So Sad!

Last year at this time [xmas lighting season] I didn't workout much, because Ernesto didn't workout at all.  This is why I will be trying the 60 day challenge of INSANITY on my own.  My neice, sister, brother and sis-in-law are doing it and although I prefer to work out outside, this should fit into my schedule and there is no weather barriers to consider. 
I am starting this on Monday Nov1, along with no sweets [til Thanksgiving] and trying to drink a gallon of water every day!  Somethin' different!

Fit Fridays: Ti ti

This week just flew by, didn't it?  Mine was filled with joy.  I think this picture will explain it.
Look at my cute little babies:

TI TI & HIS PAPI HAVE A LOT IN COMMON

I didn't even want to leave the house all week so I could spend time with my little Ti ti.  He is doing really well.  He's using the litter box and eating kitty food.  He is really funny too.  He's chasing around his toys: balls with bells and a squeaking mouse, jumping up for feathers and climbing his way up the bed, chairs and legs.   I already have him trained to come running when I call him.  He likes to hide in my Tico pot.

He also likes to sleep a lot, especially on my sheepskin rug. 

Nothing seemed more important as giving lots of attention to my new kitty.  However we did manage to get a lot of work done for The Christmas Light pros,  do a few more estimates and get our workouts in.

Saturday: rest
Sunday:  Run Atlanta Belt Line to Piedmont Park
Monday:  Run 4 miles
Tuesday: Crossfit: 5 rounds:  run 800 meters, 30 wall balls, 30 box jumps,
Wednesday: Crossfit: 9-27-27 /6-18-18 /3-6-6 of thrusters, pull-ups, bar dips
Thursday: Crossfit:  4 rounds or 50 sumo dead lifts
Friday: rest

Fit Fridays and Cooler Weather!

Finally, cooler weather seems to have descended on Atlanta.  The days are still sunny and warm, but we have turned off the air conditioning and have slept with our windows open the past few nights.  I love it! 

As the picture above shows, Ernesto's back is pliable again.  Those deadlifts were a killer, but after a week of "rest" (and that just means no workouts) he is able to swing a golf club again. Progress.
This week went by so quickly, I can't even remember what I did?!  Boring.
Because Ernesto was not working out, I slacked a bit on mine too.  Only one Crossfit and a couple short runs.  Bad girl. 


Saturday-Monday: rest
Tuesday:  run 4 miles

Wednesday: Crossfit: 5 rounds of: run 400 meters, 30 box jumps, 30 wall balls (Lucy blogged it!) 
Thursday: rest 
Friday: run 4miles

Fit Fridays: Back Breaking!

RIDING WITH CRITICAL MASS THROUGH ATLANTA

 Not a great week for workouts, but I must say I was very productive in other areas.  Zafiro Jewelry!
 Since I went to the Mart a couple weeks ago and bought all these beautiful gems, I realized that I also needed some chain.  The Atlanta Arts Festival really cut down on my inventory (not that I'm complaining) I needed to make more necklaces for this weekends' show in Sandy Springs.  So I did. 

Workouts as follows:

Saturday-Monday: rest
Tuesday: walk 3 miles and Crossfit: "Helton" WOD
Three rounds for time of:
Run 800 meters
Dumbbell squat cleans, 30 reps
30 Burpees

Wednesday: walk 3 miles (this doesn't really count as a workout, just a bonus)
Thursday: rest


Friday:  Crossfit: "The Seven" WOD
Seven rounds for time of:
7 Handstand push-ups
135 pound Thruster, 7 reps
7 Knees to elbows
245 pound Deadlift, 7 reps
7 Burpees
7 Kettlebell swings, 2 pood
7 Pull-ups


"The Seven" workout is the one that Ernesto did on Wednesday and threw out his back while doing the deadlifts.  Pobrecito.  He is much better now [that he is on drugs] but he was bedridden and in pain for 24 hours.  I was very careful (and even went a little lighter on weight) when I did my dead lifts.

Critaical Mass Bikeride: 10 miles  Our friend Jason told us about Critical Mass.  On the last Friday of every month, hundreds of bikers meet downtown and enjoy stopping traffic on some of Atlanta's busiest streets.  It was a great ride!  We started at Woodruff Park downtown and continued on through west midtown, Georgia Tech campus, Atlantic Station, 17th street bridge, the Prado, the Atlanta botanical gardens,  Virginia Highlands, Inman Park and then ended at our place.  It was such a great tour. Many cities around the country are organizing groups rides like this.  Check your city to see if they do something similar. 

YEP! A MALE BIKINI RIDER.  BRAZILIAN. GO FIGURE.

Fit Fridays: Busy Busy

Busy week here in Atlanta!!  Treffry was here from Columbus Ohio and we combined collections of Zafiro Jewelry and Pluma Jewelry for the Atlanta Arts Festival in Piedmont Park.  We had a wonderful weekend hanging out together and it was a record success for both of us!

ME & TREF IN FRONT OF THE ATLANTA SKYLINE

Treff came in a couple days before the show and we made our way around the city! Thursday we scoured the Howell Mill design area and Friday we checked out a few Buckhead boutiques.  I have some great pictures to share and more details about our awesome weekend coming soon!

But First....

FIT FRIDAYS:
Although this week I was only able to squeeze in two Crossfit workouts, they were doozies. 


Saturday: rest

Sunday: rest

Monday: rest

Tuesday: Crossfit:  3 rounds, 9-6-and 3 reps of: barbell thrusters and pull-ups
Wednesday: Crossfit "Fran" 3 rounds of 21-15-9 -thrusters and pull-ups
Thursday: Run 30 minutes
Friday: rest

Fit Fridays and Week Update!

What an awesome week I've had!  Kate was in town and although she had to work all week, we had a lot of fun girl time too!  It was great catching up.  Oh and her interview about working/living in Haiti is coming to Viva Cindy soon- I know you will enjoy it!

This girl is a shopper!  Not many people can hang with me, but Kate actually took longer than me.  She had a long list of things she wanted to bring back to Haiti with her, and darn it, I had to accompany her!  Thursday and Friday we hit 2 TJMaxx's and a Marshals, totaling about 8 hours of shopping!  Since I had $$$ burning a hole in my pocket from my show last weekend, I treated myself to a few shirts and a great new pair of jeans.  If you haven't been to these stores lately...GO!  There are such great deals on clearance items right now.  Best buy:  a navy Tahari  trench coat on clearance for $35! The original Tahari tag read: $298! Wow!   I saw so many clothes that I would've have bought if only I had an office job.  Fashion is what I miss most about working.  Oh and the steady paycheck!  Oh well, I will be crazy busy with the Christmas lights soon so maybe next year!

Besides shopping this week we:
- called on businesses for Christmas Lights Pros
 - attended birthday cookout at my friend Lucy's
- Steph stayed over for one night (she was in town from Costa Rica) So great to have the girls together again!
- we restaurant hopped: ate tuna tartar at Serpas followed by arugula procciutto pizza at Fritti
- had dinner at One Midtown Kitchen. (try the lamb carpaccio and smoked trout!)
- homemade Indian dinner with Smita
- enjoyed salmon cakes that Ernesto made- so tasty!

Yes, it does seem that my whole week was about eating, but I did balance it with 4 workouts! Thank you very much!

Fit Fridays and Crossfit !!


Here is what the week entailed:
Saturday: rest
Sunday: rest
Monday: Crossfit: thruster-5 reps, hang power cleans -7 reps, sumo deadlifts-10 reps. repeat for 20 min
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: Crossfit:10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 reps of these three:  deadlifts, bench press, cleans (I almost cried!)
Thursday: run 5k
Friday: Crossfit: 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, run 5k

Fit Fridays: That's Right!

What an awesome week to come back to Atlanta. Yes, it is still 90 degrees, but it is not nearly as humid. It's been perfect weather for being outside, especially in the early morning and evening. We got our workouts in before it got too hot out. Pictured here: Today's killer Crossfit workout.  My arms and shoulders are going to be sore tomorrow!

Heres how my other workouts went this week:


Saturday: hike 3 miles at Gorges State Park 
Sunday: rest
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Crossfit: 5 rounds of: 50 18" jumps, 40 squats, 30 sit-ups, 20 push-ups, 10 pull-ups
Wednesday: Crossfit:   20 seconds of squats, rest 10 seconds. Repeat for 4 minutes.  6 dips- 6 pull-ups.  Repeat for 4 minutes.  Bike 20 miles on the Silver Comet Trail. 
Thursday: Crossfit:  7 rounds of 21-18-15-12-9-6-3 [reps] of 2 exercises: pull-ups and handstand push-ups
Friday: [pictured above] Crossfit: 7 rounds of 21-18-15-12-9-6-3 [reps] of 2 exercises: sumo dead lifts and push jerks. I die!



Besides being a great workout week, I have been productive in other areas which always makes me feel good.  Most of my time was spent on preparing for upcoming jewelry shows.  I have 3 this month!  I know, when it rains, it pours!

Other things that went on: 
- I called on potiencial clients (businesses) for the Christmas Light Pros
- Re-designed layout and colors of my booth for the jewelry show this weekend, Arts on the Creek
- tried a new recipebeef & bean chile verde and it was delicious! (you must substitute the jar salsa in the recipe for homemade- try this one from VLC.)
- Baked a lemon pound cake with lemon curd for my friend Lucy's birthday (plus we hung out all day and it was great!)

Fit Fridays: HOT to COOL!

{AT THE TOP OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN}

Ernesto and I are at my brother Brrrians house Asheville now and boy is the weather nice here!  The humidity is low and the temperatures are topping out at 80 degrees! The evenings are cool and we are sleeping with the windows open!!  It is wonderful!
My sister and her family are here with us and we are having a blast!  Since arriving on Wednesday we have kept the workouts going.  It's been a great week.  What have you guys been up to?

Here is the week in workouts:
Saturday: rest
Sunday: run 1mile -but too hot for more walked 45 minutes
Monday: Crossfit: 15 rounds of 20 seconds sprints, 40 seconds rest
Tuesday: Crossfit: 6 pull-ups, 6 dips, handstand push-ups, 8 kettle ball swings. Repeat for 20 minutes straight.
Wednesday: Crossfit: 30 burpees, 30 box jumps, 30 foot to hand (while hanging on pull-up bar), then 25 times each ,  then 20, then 15, then 10.  It sucks.
Thursday: Crossfit: 400 meters of walking lunges.  ouch!
Friday: one hour and 1/2 of hiking in Montreat Asheville

Fit Fridays: San Diego Part 4

{Visiting with the sea lions in La Jolla}

Another great workout week.  Are you guys keeping up with workout goals?


Saturday: bike to Coronado (30 miles rt)
Sunday: run 3 miles, run 10 flights of stairs
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Crossfit: 5 rounds of 20 pull-ups, 30 push-ups, 40 sit-ups, 50 squats
Wednesday: run one "fast" mile (just under 8 minutes)
Thursday: walk Torrey Pines trail and beach
Friday:  hike Cowles Mountain

Fit Fridays: Ready for Beach

The count down is on!  Beach, here we come!  

Exercising in this Georgia heat is HARD.  Im sweating my a$$ off (but not literally)

Are you guys working out harder now that it is summertime?
We did some killer Crossfit workouts this week:

Saturday- 

Crossfit:

Run 1 mile

200 bar lifts (in lieu of rowing)

Run 1 mile

Sunday- Rest

Monday-

Crossfit:

Seven rounds for time of:

10 Handstand push-ups

Squat clean, 10 reps

10 pull-ups

Tuesday-

Crossfit:

Five rounds for time of:

15 pull-ups

15 dips

10 reps of power cleans

Run 220 meters

Wednesday-

Run 5k and Crossfit: 

For time: 150 Wallball shots, 15 pound ball

Thursday- Rest

Friday-

Walk 5k and Crossfit:

Complete 5 rounds for time of: 

Run 800 meters

30 kettle ball swings

30 pull ups

**I only completed 3 rounds - I started at noon and was dying in the heat

Fit Fridays: New Month New Goals

I always feel like the beginning of a new week or a new month is a good starting point.  Ok, it's June !  Starting this month, Im going to do this this and this.  Im not sure why.  Can't I start something on the 22nd of the month? Do you do this too?

To me, June 1st, though not the first day of summer,  feels like .....the first day of summer.  When I think of summer I think of the beach, and when I think of the beach, I think of bathing suits and when I think of bathing suits I think of working out and when I think of working out I think of my eating habits. Healthy.  I want to look healthy and I want to feel healthy.  There is always a bigger push when summer rolls around.

{Roatan, Honduras}

I have to consider that if I ever want to complete #13 on The List,  I should probably do it sooner than later.  (Im just saying I will be 37 in November. Yikes!)  Also, since we will be on the beach in San Diego this summer,  I have mucho motivation brewing in me.  So, I will workout at least 5 days per week. No excuses!

Im going to do a little extra too.  I will start the "no sweets and no [or maybe limited] alcohol" regimen again.   I noticed when I gave it up for 40 days earlier this year, my skin looked a lot nicer.  Plus you have to understand, when I stay at Ernesto's parents there is junk food galore and I would rather restrict myself totally than rely on self discipline and moderation.  Not my strong points.

So without further ado, this weeks' activities so far:

Wednesday,  June 2 - Run 3 miles
Thursday, June 3 - Run 5 miles
Friday, June 4 - Crossfit  -  3 rounds.  21reps-15reps- 9reps of squat snatches, pull-ups

What are you doing to jump start your summer?

Fit Fridays: a tough week

I can honestly say that Crossfit has kicked my butt this week.

Saturday:  Snatch balance 1 rep, 5 times


Sunday:
For time:
50 Box jump, 24 inch box
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings, 1 pood
Walking Lunge, 50 steps
50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press, 45 pounds
50 Back extensions
50 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
50 Burpees
50 Double unders

Monday: rest

Tuesday: rest

Wednesday:

95 pound Deadlift, 5 reps

13 Push-ups
9 Box jumps, 24 inch box

*Repeat as many rounds as you can in 30 minutes ( I completed 15)

Thursday:

50 sumo dead lifts

rest 3 minutes

*complete 4 rounds

Friday: rest

Fit Fridays -a slow week

Unfortunately, with my trip to Ohio this week, I  did not have a good workout week.
I only worked up a sweat two times with these Crossfit WOD's (workout of the day)
Two is better than none.

Wednesday - Crossfit: 20 weighted squats, 20 yards walking on hands, repeat 5 times.
This workout was a killer.  I completed only 3 rounds.

Thursday - Crossfit: 15 dumbell split cleans, 21 pull ups, repeat 5 times.
I am still doing jumping pull ups, but have a goal to learn crossfit kipping pull ups by end of summer.

Fit Fridays and Half-Marathon Training Schedule

This week has been good in the way of workouts, despite the fact that we have been drinking beer and eating sweets again. 

Sunday - Crossfit WOD: (Workout Of the Day)
For time:
10 Dumbbell Clean & Jerks
1 Weighted pull-up
9 Dumbbell Clean & Jerks
2 Weighted pull-ups
8 Dumbbell Clean & Jerks
3 Weighted pull-ups
etc...down to one clean & jerk and up to 10 pullups

Monday - Hike 12 miles in Amicalola Falls State Park

Tuesday- Rest

Wednesday - Run 4 miles /walk 1


Thursday -  Crossfit WOD: 5 weighted overhead squats/Repeat 5 times, increasing weight


Friday - Crossfit WOD:
50 dead lifts 
150 double under jump rope (or 300 singles if your like me and can't get the doubles)
50 burpees 

If you'd like to learn more about Crossfit, click here.


I have been searching online for a half-marathon training schedule that fits for me. I have 18 weeks and the following is a 12 week program. I like that because if I am having trouble with upping my milage one week I have some extra time to repeat as necessary.

This is a 'beginners' training schedule. (from About: Running) 
This is where I should start. I love to run, but it is not easy for me. I am not great at pushing myself to continue when I get tired. I like how the long run adds just one mile per week. I can handle that!


Beginners' Half-Marathon Training Schedule

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
1	Rest	2 mi	Rest	2.5 mi	Rest	3 mi	2 mi EZ
2	Rest	2 miles	Rest	3 mi	CT or Rest	4 mi	2.5 mi EZ
3	Rest	2.5 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	5 mi	2 mi EZ
4	Rest	3 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	6 mi	3 mi EZ
5	Rest	3 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	7 mi	3 mi EZ
6	Rest	4 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	8 mi	3 mi EZ
7	Rest	4 mi	Rest	4 mi	CT	9 mi	3 mi EZ
8	Rest	4 mi	CT	3 mi	Rest	10 mi	3 mi EZ
9	Rest	5 mi	CT	4 mi	Rest	11 mi	Rest
10	3 mi EZ	4 mi	Rest	3 mi	CT	12 mi	3 mi EZ
11	Rest	CT	Rest	3 mi	CT	5 mi	2.5 mi EZ
12	Rest	2 mi	20 minutes	Rest	20 minutes	Race Day!	Rest Day!

New Series: Get Fit Fridays!

I have been thinking.....I am going to start a workout log. It makes me feel good/motivated to see it on [virtual] paper.

We are signing up to run the America's Finest City 1/2 Marathon this August in San Diego. I have run it twice before, but it has been about 4 years. My running workouts in the last year have been short and sweet, (via Crossfit) so I will need to do some serious training to finish in a decent time. I am not the strongest runner. Yes, I work out regularly, but nothing prepares you for a long run...except running.

I thought it would be fun if we (that is you & me) kept a log of our workouts over the next few months. It isn't necessary that we do the same workouts, or that our frequency is matched, only that you do something and share it.

This is and idea I just had this a.m. so I will add more details/design later. I would like to add some videos of our workouts and a handy calendar feature for both of us. Yes, Im including you...spring is here and you know what that means....

Here is how I worked up a sweat the last 2 weeks:

Last week:

-climbed Cowles Mountain

-7 mile bike ride

-40 mile bike ride

-hike/walk Torry Pines 2.5 hours (plus run big hill)

This week:

-ran (some walking) 6 miles

-ran one mile and did crossfit* (on the beach at Coronado. so nice)

-ran 5k and did crossfit*

Tomorrow we leave for our road trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon with mis suegras. Ernesto and I are planning to hike at both stops including hiking to the bottom of the canyon and back in one day. 14 miles. Ouch. Crazy? Maybe, but it must be done. That should cover my workouts for the 5 days we will be gone.

* Crossfit workout: sprint 50 yards and do 10 push ups or 10 squats - repeat 10 times.

**Crossfit workout: 10 burpees-10 sit ups, 9 burpees-9 sit ups, 8 burpees-8 sit ups...repeat to 1.

Live with Back of the Pack Racing in AZ

Today at noon the "24 hours in Old Pueblo" endurance bike race begins at noon. My brother Tim and his buddies Judd and Ted are founding members of Back of the Pack Racing, and they stoked to start this grueling race. Just as the name suggests, the race is 24 hours long and the goal is to do as many laps on the trail as possible. (each lap 16.4 miles) No sleeping!

It is not only these 3 dudes that are crazy enough to try this, the camp ground is filled with around 1000 people, 1/4 of them being supporters of the racers. Here I am sitting on top of the mountain overlooking the campsite. (in the middle of nowhere)

I have been assigned to blog, tweet and photograph this race from start to finish. All coverage will be on Judd's blog, Back of the Pack Racing so please check there for interviews, updates and tweets. Judd introduces me as guest blogger right here.

Ernesto's assignment is to keep the fire going all night, warm up the chile burritos and have good music blasting when they come into the camp between laps. The challenge for us is far less.

Pre-race videos are now up on Back of the Pack Racing. Check them out here.

IT'S TIME TO GET MOVING AGAIN

Sometimes all you need to get motivated is some new workout gear! I was planning to order these Asics running shoes on Amazon for the new year and to my surprise, when we came back from Ohio there was a gift certificate in the mail. Erin and Tavo sent us one for xmas. (that was so sweet and unexpected, thanks guys!)

I have been on a 4 MONTH hiatus from working out. This is the longest break I have taken in 20 years! Im so excited that my new running shoes [my motivation] arrived today in the mail!

My last workout was a big one, biking 200 miles through Mexico, but even that gruelling workout was not enough to keep me tight for 4 months! ha!

I actually weigh the same but I definitely don't feel the same. If you work out regularly, you know the high that working out brings, and the satisfaction you feel with your body. (well, come on, Im a woman, we are never totally satisfied) But still, this break was nice and now I have a renewed energy! I know how it feels to be in shape, and I don't ever want to forget! After 20 years I think it's ingrained in me. At least I hope it is! Ill let you know in a month or so. (If I forget in the future please remind me of this post)

I do have a goal of running 4 half-marathons in the next few years. (#5 on THE LIST) I think 2 will be good for this year, so my workouts are not going to be all Crossfit, I will be trying to get some serious miles logged.

**For once I would like to be well trained for a race.

disclaimer: this is not a New Year's resolution. #1 because I don't make them, #2 because I don't need to a "new year" to start a program. It just happened this way.

Working out is a way of life kids, come on....

"Who's comin' with me? Who's comin' with me?

CrossFit in Atlanta

Ernesto and I just got back from doing a kick-ass CrossFit workout in a CrossFit Gym.  Our friends Tori and Marcus work out at CrossFit Decatur and although we have been doing the workouts for a while in Costa Rica, we have never been to an actual CrossFit  gym.  It was awesome!  In a warehouse style building, it was airy and open with all the garage doors open.

The "WOD" was called KELLY.   Run 400 meters, 30 jumps onto a 24" box, and 30 wall balls.  Ernesto took a couple pics of me.  Yes, he finished before me.You must throw the medicine ball up to the top line and catch it and squat till your ass hits the ball on the floor.  5 rounds for time. It hurt.  Bad.Ernesto finished at 29:14 and I finished at 41:06.  The best part of this gym is that you are working out with a group of people and their are 2 trainers cheering [read: pushing] you to finish fast. UGH!  

You pay for this "personal training" too.  $150 single/$250 per couple per month.  Steep yes, but your ass will be in shape in a few months.  Literally.  I would consider this splurge, once we "settle down."  It can be counted as entertainment money.  Here is Marcus (blue shirt) with us.  Thanks for inviting us dude, it was a great way to start off our saturday morning.The gym is right by our old house, so we had to do a drive by.  It made me a little teary eyed.  It looked so cute.I wanted to get out and look at MY garden.   We were shocked to see that they cut down the HUGE oak tree in front.