Pilates - should be named Painlates

I went to my first Pilates class on Sunday. It was only 45 minutes long - I thought how hard can it be? The class started at 11:15 am and went until 12 noon. At around 11:32 am I was wondering if I was going to be able to make it until 12 noon. Intense core workout like this ol' body has never experienced before. I am happy to tell you that I sucked it up and forced myself to stay until the end. The instructor told us that if our stomach was burning to just push through it. My stomach was like an inferno! I seriously expected Dante to rear his ugly head in the mirror in front of me at any moment. Class ended and I told my friend Sara that I was so happy that I pushed myself to stay and that I was feeling great. She said, "Oh, just wait until tomorrow." I thought how hard could this be on my body. I am exhausted after Zumba and Group Groove, but always feel wonderful the next day. Aside from the day that I felt like I rowed the length of the entire Chicago river and convinced myself that I was having a heart attack that night...the pain hasn't been too bad. Oh..and I probably only rowed 1500 meters that.. lol. This morning when I woke up and I went to bend over for some reason I was astonished at the amount of pain I was feeling. Every time I would laugh - pain...take a big step up...pain...bend...pain...squat pain...from my hips to through my abs...I am coping with some serious pain today. I keep telling myself that this is good pain and that the more times I pilatiate myself the better it will start to feel. So friends, if you have never been to Pilates be forewarned it is much more intense than yoga. Give it a shot...you might be like me and find yourself experiencing and discovering muscles you never knew existed.

I wanna see sweat coming out your pores!!!

The eye is healing :) I'll be back in my contacts on Monday! Thank goodness. I did learn that the left lens of my specs was made incorrectly so first thing next week I will be having that corrected - at no charge to me thank you.

Yesterday I went to Zumba - another fun night of shakin what my mama gave me. It really is an enjoyable time and you get a total body workout. Today I went to the gym with my workout partner and we did a few different things. I totally enjoy going more with my workout partner - the time seems to fly by. Today I biked, walked on the treadmill and a pretty good clip I must say and NuStepped for 2500 steps. When were finishing up on the treadmill and getting ready to head home I said something I never thought I would hear myself say. I looked at my friend and exclaimed "Oh yeah, I'm sweating..look at those toxins coming out of my system...damn it feels so good!"

So, I was feeling the little curious when I got home...having put in a good 120 minutes at the gym already this week...so I got out the Wii Fit. I am confused..I have been eating better and working out a lot. Why is the scale not going down? I wonder what I am doing wrong. Perhaps it was just the time of day and I should try again in the morning. I don't want to become one of those people who are so obsessed with the scale that they step on every day, but after all my hard work these past few weeks I sure as hell want to see the number decrease.

Eye, eye, eye...

Happy Monday! My husband was kind enough to remind me that it has been a few days since I updated my blog. Thanks, honey. Isn't it sweet that he is an avid follower of my blog :)

The reason I have not updated in a few days is because I have been dealing with an eye issue. It turns out that I have a corneal ulcer in my left eye ball...and let me tell you...it is extremely painful! I went to the opthomaligist on Thursday and gave me some antibiotic drops and requested that I return the next day at 9:20am so he could see how the ulcer was healing. After he put various drops in my eye and looked it through many different scopes - he said, "Well I have good news and bad news." Great! Just what I wanted to hear. The good news was that the ulcer was starting to heal the bad news was that the antibiotic was causing a toxic reaction in the rest of my eye and causing my cornea to be bumpy instead of smooth like glass. No wonder it continued to be so painful. He prescribed a new antibiotic drop for me to use and rewetting drops. Today is day 4 on the drops and I happy to tell you that the eye is feeling better. I actually was able to wake up turn on a light without feeling like a gremlin or having to put on a pair of sunglasses over my reg specs to see...oh that looks so attractive too...lol. I go back tomorrow for another evaluation. I'll be sure to update you.

So, how does this impact me losing my ass you wonder...my gym is extremely bright...so for the last few days I haven't been able to be in very bright setting. Just yesterday I was able to return to the gym. I have to tell you I was so happy to get back at it. My husband came to my gym as my guest yesterday. We each did our own thing for an hour and then headed home. I am happy to tell you that in a weeks time I was able to go an additional 500 steps in 10 minutes on the Nustep :) so I stayed on and extra 5 minutes and went a total of 2000 steps. I also rowed and walked the treadmill. I did a great job of keeping me heart rate up :) Working out in glasses is a bit of a pain. Sweating causes them steam up a bit and slide on my nose. It is only a matter of time until I am back in my contacts :) I'm not sure what classes we are going to go to this week. I'll be sure to update the blog and let you know.

Have a great week everyone!

Feelin' Groovy

Happy Wednesday all :) Today has been an icky Midwest damp, rainy day. The kind of day where the last thing you want to do is venture out doors if you don't have to. I woke at 5am with terrible sinus pressure and itchy, watery, red eyes! Happy morning. Here's a glimpse into me...I loathe mornings...so being up at 5am makes me one mean monster. Just ask my loving husband. I would make a redneck truck driver blush for certain. I found yesterday at the doctor that she thinks I have non allergy rhinitis - which is a mix of things that show up as a hay fever reaction, but are brought on various other things such as weather change, odors, pet dander, etc... There is not too much to do for this ailment. I took some nose spray, some OTC sinus/allergy meds (sometimes they help sometimes they don't) and some advil. Oh and used some great lubricating natural eye drops :) They work sooo well. All I wanted to happen was for this reaction to subside and for me to crawl back under my warm covers with my husband and our cats. After two failed attempts of returning back to bed - I was up for the day.

Here's another glimpse into me (bonus you are getting two of them today!). If I don't enjoy doing something I will find every excuse not to make it happen. Come on now- that is one that I know a lot of us do. But, I'm reaaalllyyy good at it. I can talk myself out of just about anything. Given the weather and the ailment inflection this morning I wondered if I was going to follow through and make it to the gym for Group Groove. Guess what happened? Ahh the title gave it away - didn't it? I did it! I was moving and grooving all over that studio. Well maybe not so smoothly...I trip myself on the box step and the grapevine. I sure as heck disco fingered, shimmied and shook my thing.

Perhaps I really, really do like going to the gym. I wonder if it is because of how I feel or the social aspect. Either way...win/win for me. I need to get in shape and I crave human interaction. I love working for myself but, it does get lonely at times.

Gather round my friends...let us shake our groove thing! See you next Wed at Group Groove!

Gym week two :)

I can't believe I have completed my first week of working out at the gym. I am happy to tell you that I enjoyed every day! It was honestly great.

Tonight Mindy and I planned our workout schedule for the week and picked various classes to attend. We scheduled ourselves to attend Mon-Fri again :) We are going to try a few new things this week including Big Band, Group Active and Pilates. I think doing various classes is going to keep our workouts interesting and fun. Our strength training with our trainer may start this week too. Pow! Pow! Look out...I'm gonna beat your booty...lol just kidding!

I was so inspired again by working the marathon this weekend. It always amazes me to see 40,000+ people of all ages, shapes and sizes pounding the pavement. I don't think I will ever run a marathon...running and Allie just don't go well together. Don't get me wrong...if I am in danger or being chased I would haul my caboose just as fast I could. Aside from that scenario...I would rather walk or saunter even.

I hope you all have an amazing week. I will keep updating on my daily gym experiences. Again, if any Chicago locals want to check out Galter let me know - I would love for you to be guest!

Four for four :)

I am thrilled to report that I made it to the gym four of the four days I was in Chicago this week. I have to tell you that I am already feeling a difference. I am less stressed and sleeping better. I honestly feel a jump in energy too :) Look at all of these bonuses...why the hell did it take me so long to get started?!

This morning I was so awake and feeling so great that I took a 2 mile walk around the neighborhood before going to yoga class. Yay me!

I have also decided to sign up for strength training with a personal trainer for 6 weeks. Wish me well - I think she is going to kick my booty! I will be sure to write more about this once it starts.

A big shout out to my workout partners...without whom I can't guarantee my daily attendance would be so stellar - Mindy (my daily rock star workout partner - in addition to the classes we take together, the walks we take together, the bikes we ride together...we surely give our abs a workout! we literally are in stitches almost the whole time we are at the gym - who would have ever thought we would be laughing and smiling while working out?) Heather (a truly kick ass gal pal who is in great shape and encourages us to attend classes with her when we otherwise would not...and a seasoned vet on the equipment :) thank you!) Tamme...you are going to kick our ass really hard...we need it...we know it...thanks for keeping us laughing while you are doing it!

Have a great weekend all!

Today I met a new friend...Zumba!!

Hello my loyal fans :) I have to say it warms my heart when you give me gentle reminders that I am slacking on my blog.

We had a great weekend in DC filled with lots of family, love, laughs and calories!!!! Why is it that my grandma is such a magnificent little baker? She is now making various kinds of candy...she makes these peanut butter patties covered in dark chocolate that I just can't resist! If you don't believe me check out my hips...as they say...they don't lie.

We flew home last evening and I was very good about getting back on track this morning. I am really proud of myself. I could have very easily fallen off the track...but I was determined to get my caboose back on today. I made really good food choices, drank lots of water and went to the gym twice today. Yes friends, that's not a typo...twice!

The first trip to the gym was to meet with my trainer and do a total body analysis. Let's just say...I wasn't feeling too great about myself after the assessment. I was weaker, chubbier and less flexible than I care to share. My blood pressure was great :) Ahh...the silver lining in my blob of a cloud. My trainer was great and reminded me that everyone starts somewhere and that by taking this first step it will only get better. I know she is right. I look forward to sharing my advances with you all. My second trip to the gym was for Zumba! class. Wow, what a workout. This type of workout is a Latin dance infused class. My parts wiggled and I giggled the entire time...and I was exhausted and sweat covered when the hour was up. If you have not experience Zumba! check it out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BILiNvLA-lo

I will be taking a kickboxing and two yoga classes yet this week in addition to just generally working out at the gym. I hope to have some great before and after pics to share with you. My plan is to take a photo each month to track my progress.

I think I am going to sleep very well tonight after two trips to the gym today. Good night!