Earning My Wings :: Training Week 13

Week 13 was spent getting back on the horse, working out like a normal person and not a crazy person.

 I went easy on my knees by doing elliptical and cycling workouts.  I also spent more time toning and doing yoga to strengthen up those important muscle groups.

I know everyone is crazy about kettlebells these days.  Don't get me wrong - I do enjoy them and see the virtue in them.  However.  Howeveeeer.  Nothing is better than good ole dumbbells.  I would encourage anyone who is looking to tone up fast to drop the kettlebells and work with dumbbells.  I have found them to be, legitimately, the more effective tool.

That being said, after a great series of workouts, I took a little break in sunny San Diego for some relaxation.  Not a single work out was completed and I'm okay with that.

 My return to real life also brought on the beginning of Tone It Up's Bikini Series.  This is an annual 8 week moderate-to-intense training schedule to tone up your entire body.  Training Week 14 will be full of more details... including a Before picture.  Oh boy.

 Until then... keep moving forward.

Earning My Wings :: Training Weeks 11 & 12

 and

Leading into Week 11, I made an agreement with someone close to me.  I'll do 5k a day running or 10k a day cycling for 14 days straight.  The agreement was made to ramp up our fitness levels and while, due to circumstances beyond their control, they were unable to complete the challenge.  I, however...was not able to either.

Why?

Allergies.  Stupid springtime.

So how far did I make it?

10 days.  10 workouts in a row doing either a 5k run/elliptical (have to give those knees a break) or 10k cycle.

I'll be real.  It was exhausting.  I had to be sure to change my diet because I was burning so many calories and I was perpetually sore.  But...my body felt great.  I hit a 10:00 mile with great ease and now I really understand why cross training is so important.  I've immediately noticed a change in how running feels.

Unfortunately, Arizona is heating up, which means the pollen is coming out to play.  Ugh!  On day 11, I couldn't walk outside without my eyes watering up and had to take allergies pills, which severely dehydrated me.  Unfortunately, that put a temporary halt to my challenge and I've resumed regular workouts this week.  I'm really glad I did it though!

So what am I most proud of?

Until next week... keep moving forward!