Hey guys! Happy Hump Day!
As you may remember, last week I posted a Tough Love Letter to myself where I promised to go back to basics and workout every day for 30 days, and post weekly progress reports here.
So here is Part 1 of the 30 Days Active challenge recap, as promised.
{WEDNESDAY}
Last Wednesday, after I published the tough love letter, I was all jazzed up to get started on my new challenge!
So I grabbed my husband and we hit the weight room together (followed by a yoga class for me).
It felt awesome to be back in the weight room! I ran into a couple of my cycling students, which is always a pleasure. Love my people!
{THURSDAY}
Oh, was I sore on Thursday! I think I pulled a muscle in my arm as it still hurts today – been working too hard 🙂
Since I couldn’t really use my arms to workout, hubby and I went on a long walk on Thursday evening.
{FRIDAY}
On Friday I woke up with an itch only a run could “scratch”. 🙂
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know that I got injured running about a year ago (on my first run in forever), went through a long and expensive PT, got a pair of expensive running shoes and never got back to running – story of my life…
Until the 4th of July 2014.
So at about 7 AM on the 4th of July, I dusted those Brooks off, laced ’em up, left a note for my husband (who was still asleep like most of sane people out there), and went for a run with the C25K® – 5K Trainer.
No, my bad knees didn’t give out and I ran/walked for about 1.7 miles. I know people who eat marathons for breakfast, and I’m awful proud of them and proud to be friends with them. But you know what? There’s no feeling like being proud of yourself for making those first 1.7 miles after a long period of being a lazy ass injury!
I felt horrible every step of the 1.7 miles, and felt awful proud of myself afterwards!
No knee pain so far (and it’s been almost a week), so I decided to stick with the C25K for now.
{SATURDAY}
It was my turn to teach Saturday Cycle at the Y at 8:00 am last week. The Y has dropped the 9:00 am class for the summer and made the 8:00 am class an hour long instead of the usual 45 minutes.
I have to admit, I dislike an hour long cycling classes. I think 45 minute format is ideal for getting a good workout and not overdoing it.
But hey, the boss is the boss, so I put together a hilly, one hour long nightmare plan on Friday night 🙂
It is VERY schematic though – the height and steepness of the hills in the drawing above had nothing to do with the actual intensity of the class profile elements. I just did that so I could better visualize the terrain I planned out for the class.
So on Saturday morning I grabbed my husband again (gotta love that guy for everything he takes from me!), and we headed out the door for the morning cycling madness 🙂
We killed it! It was a wonderful class – great energy from my students, lots of compliments from the class on my playlist. By the way, you can check out the playlists I use in my indoor cycling classes here.
After getting home, taking a quick shower and grabbing breakfast, I went back to the Y for a yoga class. Oh did that feel good to my sore legs and arms and shoulders!
{SUNDAY}
Regular workout was just not playing out for me on Sunday. The evening was approaching fast so I had to come up with something to stay active.
When the family decided to drive to our local swim club, I decided to bike there.
It’s not far – just about 1.73 miles one way, but that was better than nothing.
It felt great to do some laps at the pool afterwards, too!
{MONDAY}
On Monday I taught my regular indoor cycling class to my regular 3 summer students 🙂 You know, you might see a lot of instructors complaining about attendance numbers dropping in the summer time. I LOVE this time – I use this opportunity to try new things in the class that I wouldn’t be able to try with a bigger group, use it to bond with my students and give them more attention during and after class.
Love-love-love small classes. They might not be blasting the bigger class energy, but they sure feel rewarding and challenging!
{TUESDAY}
It was HOT here on Tuesday. I kind of gave up on the idea of going for a run since early morning – it was sticky! Options were: home yoga DVD or weight room at the Y.
Since my arm is still not 100%, I decided to wait with the weight room.
Home yoga DVD seemed a little boring….It cooled down after the rain…So I ended up going for a run 🙂
I love that feeling of freedom running gives you…All you need is a pair of shoes and some motivation to lift yourself off the couch and get out of the door – and you won’t regret it.
I felt so much energy after the run last night!
So, friends. Here are the results of Week 1 of the 30 Days Active Challenge:
- I. AM. SORE. Like, all the time and everywhere 🙂
- I am 2.8 lb lighter (that’s after a 6 months plateau and then a gain – I couldn’t believe the number on the scale finally moved in the right direction!)
- I look at my FitBit more than I look at my watch 🙂 Sometimes I feel like I look at my FitBit more than I look at my husband! 🙂 🙂 🙂
- I feel empowered!
That’s it for now, guys.
Remember to check back next Wednesday for the Week 2 recap of my 30 Days Active challenge I brought onto myself 🙂
Stay strong!
This post has been shared on the Work Out Wednesdays Linkup. I am also a featured blogger there this week! Check it out – it is a great weekly linkup with wonderful people.
Looks like a great week of workouts! I’m amazed at the fat burn during yoga! That is awesome!! And you SHOULD be proud of getting out there and walk/running 1.7 miles…we are each on our own journey and just because someone eats marathons for breakfast, doesn’t mean your accomplishment isn’t as great!! You go girl!
Thank you, Sue!
Not that I was comparing myself and marathoners – they sure have their own reasons to be proud, just like very single person does.
If I felt that proud about 1.7 miles, I can only imagine what it would feel like after a marathon 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and supporting me today!
Great job! It’s awesome that you are getting the results you want and so soon! Granted you are working out everyday, so it makes sense you lost some weight 😉
I really need to get consistent about my workouts, but haven’t been able to since… ahhem, my pregnancy and my kid is almost two. Ooops. You’re making me want to wear my new workout gear – maybe a long overdue run tonight!
Again, great job!
Yuliya recently posted…WIAW: Paleo style!
Yuliya, you go for that run, girl 🙂 You won’t regret it!
I’m so glad I made you feel like it 🙂
Too funny I always liked teaching the 1 hr class instead. Never thought I could get it done in 45! Hope your arm is better
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Road Runner Sports outfits you for summer Giveaway
Thanks, Deborah! I kind of changed my mind a little after this Saturday about 1 hr classes 🙂 I think I like them, not more than 45 minute ones, but I still do 🙂
WOW!!! What an awesome week of workouts!!!! XOXO #wowlinkup
laurie recently posted…Tuesday — Random Thoughts — Gentle Reminders
Thanks, Laurie!
Yayayayaaaaa!!! Great work! And I so wish I could take one of your cycling classes! I love spin.
MrsFatass recently posted…#justtrollin
I so wish you could come to one of my classes, Sue! Maybe one day…if and when you’re in PA 🙂
Woohoo! Rockin’ it! Keep it up!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…4 Week Shape Up Plan from One Fire Fitness Healthy Living
Hey, thanks Nicole! We’ll see if I can keep it up 🙂
Oh goodness! Do I feel your pain! I have been recovering from a running injury for a year…only to develop a new one on the other leg when I started running again. 🙁 Be proud of that 1.7 miles. You deserve it!
Thanks, Niki! I sure am proud and will try not to get injured again.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Hi Lena,
I just hopped by from #wowlinkup Workout Wednesdays to check out your 30 days active challenge report and I am so impressed. Your week has been amazing. I love the fact that you mix it up and that your husband participates in a lot of fitness activities with you. Unfortunately, mine does not! All the best, Deborah
Deborah Davis recently posted…Are You Eating “Healthy” But Not Losing Weight? 10 Reasons Why I Love “The Virgin Diet Cookbook”
Deborah, thanks so much for stopping by! Your support means a lot to me!
This was a great post! It is great to see the variation and I totally agree with you in that running in something you just do- shoes, watch (maybe), and go. I’m recovering from an ankle injury and did my first run in 2 months on Monday, legs on Tuesday, and yoga on Wednesday. I’m so sore too!
Andrea recently posted…10 things to do between vacations
Andrea, so glad you’re back to running! It is very satisfying – both for body and soul. Thanks for stopping by today!
Lena I see you drag the hubby around with you and I LOVE IT!!!! A family who works out together stays together – remember that. It sometimes can be hard to start out with a run but once you are out there – what a feeling of accomplishment. GOOD FOR YOU for getting back out there. #wowlinkup
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…100 Push Up Variations
Thank you, Diatta!
Nice first week back! You should be pumped! #wowlinkup
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Fuse Nail Review
Thanks 🙂
you had a great workout week and oh man I know what it is to be sore everywhere but that loss is worth it!! 🙂 I am *also* obsessed with my fitbit 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…The Great Debate About Having Children
Yeah….I’m still sore 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Nellie!
How awesome you are getting results and you’re doing amazing.
becca recently posted…SafeHands Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer Line for Children & Adults #Review
Thanks, Becca!
I’ve run over a dozen marathons all under 4 hrs., over 100 tris, many century rides, 9 open water swims from Alcatraz and many others,and I don’t keep track of the 5k, 10ks….and it’s just that. No biggie. There are certainly more important things to focus on and be proud of.
Impressive list, Cheryl. I honestly don’t see the relation to the post above though. Do I need to run an ironman to get the watch? To understand the benefits of compression socks? To achieve somebody else’s goal of coolness? 🙂 Anyway, I didn’t get your idea behind that comment.