Day 7 and feeling groggy

Before Pic 7/2/2011

Really feel groggy and 'drugged' today... Strange. Don't know if it's the challenge or the Prednisone thingy I'm on. Anyway... didn't do well yesterday regarding Dax's workouts. I had full intentions of at least completing the Meltdown but all I got in was an hour of a spin class at the gym that Amy and I did together. We then took Paigey shopping and went out for Sushi. Today I am clearly doing the Meltdown...if not twice although I do have the 10k Peachtree Road Race in the morning. I really have trained all that much for it...although I do believe I can keep just putting one foot in front of the other..LOL.. Just breathe and run...That's my mantra. The furthest I have clocked on the TM is just 5 miles last week and that was inside running. There are few killer hills out on the course but in all the excitement we shall push through. It is almost 12:30 and the morning has flown by and I have yet to eat anything.. .I know better than that. Off to eat my eggs and spinach and perhaps some oats. I just wanted to upload my before pic that Mel took yesterday before she left as she just sent it to me. She took 4 pics but only has sent me 1 so far.

STATS FINALLY - Day 6

Just a quick note to finally add my STATS... - 6 days late on the measuring but at least I have something to work from now.

Weight from day 1- 141 lbs - Dr appt so hoping the scales were accurrate...LOL

Before pic taken this morning before taking Mel to airport.. hoping she will send to me and I can figure out how to update.. not real puter savvy on this end but I do have kids around... :)

Starting Measurements 6 days late : 7/2/11

Chest: 33 1/2

Waist : 32 1/2

Bicep R Arm: 12 (not flexed- haha)

Bicep L Arm: 12 (not flexed - haha)

Buttocks: 39 1/2

R Thigh 4" - 19

L Thigh 4" - 19

R Thigh 8" - 23

L Thigh 8" - 23

Will post more later.. on to gym for a quick SPIN class... possible MELTDOWN...

Day 5 my Prednisone "HIGH"... LOL

Yep...it's official..I am definitely on a "Prednisone High"... I couldn't figure out why I was still up at 3am this morning when I'm usually zonked by 10pm. Thank you to Prednisone...or NOT. I still don't like taking medication...but I will abide by the doctor's wishes and hopefully this will finally fix whatever is ailing my middle finger after being smooshed in the library book return 6 weeks ago! It's crazy.. the tip of my finger remains swollen and red...but without pain. Who knows! It's not stopping my 'training' or fitness activities so that's ok with me. Besides... I actually got my kitchen floor mopped as well. LOL. I have had several friends comment to me NOW is the time to really get some of that stuff done that we all seem to put off. Evidently this Prednisone supplies a terrific "burst" of energy. In fact...after a long day (I was still up at 7am even after going to bed at 3am) I still had a class to teach at the gym and still get my Tri training in (I was late so did not complete the full 45 minute bike at race pace - only 25 min but I did get the 15 min run on the TM in and decided to run for 3 minutes at a quick pace and then finish with intensity intervals of running at 9.0 for 1 minute with a 1 minute recovery.) Yes ... my heart was indeed pounding through my chest which is the purpose of the drill. I taught my class and spent the rest of the day running around with Melanie as she gets ready to depart for IRELAND in the morning with a stop first in New York for 3 days. Wow.. she really and truly is going...I am so excited for her. I have a very good friend who knows me better than anybody in the world... a true dear friend, I hope everybody has one of those... I have known since I was 13 years old..before I was ever a 'wife' or mother... Just "Lisa"... and he has always said there are no 'coincidences" in life... as for example: I sent Diarmuid a Facebook Message (hoping Mel wouldn't be mad when she found out..LOL) just to let him know I trusted him... I had a gut feeling about him that was good.. I have met this young man who is bringing my daughter across the world..on several occasions during his stay here in Georgia from August to December.. He spent the nite with us during Thanksgiving as well... but you still just never know.... especially uneasy for him I am sure more so meeting with us.. although I have to tell you we are a very laid back family :). Anyway, I just wanted to let him know I was so happy for Mel and this opportunity he was giving her... and that I wanted him to take her hand and not let it go when she got there... I truly believe he appreciates this amazing young woman I am so lucky to have as my daughter..she is special in every way... she lights up anyones life who is lucky enough to come in contact with her... at the end of the message I told him to simply.. "Rock her WORLD". Well, Mel took a look a that message for the first time tonite and she said mom... Oh my Gosh.. Diarmiud is always telling me.. he is "going to Rock my WORLD"... Yep.. I knew I had a good gut feeling about that boy. We both just looked astonished that both he and I connected on just that little same catch phrase... purely coincidental...? I think not... I think we are kindred souls with common bond.. we Both Love MEL. :)

Ok.. onto the challenge... Another good day over here in Georgia. I actually did my meltdown in my kitchen at 9:45pm...lol..and have found a great partner in my younger daughter, Paige, (14)... she is the official 'recorder' of the reps..which makes it quite easier to concentrate on the execution of each tabata.. She has committed to do this for me for the next few days as directed by Dax. Yay.. another way to get out family involved in our fitness lifestyle.. I love it... However, she was quick to point out, she was not at all interested in joining me in the actual exercise moves... recording the number of reps is all she wants to do... LOL

I actually splurged a little today and took Mel and I out for THAI food after we got our nails done..( chicken, avocado and white rice dish...) and it left me feeling so full...UGH! I prefer to feel a little on the 'empty' side stomach-wise versus feeling stuffed! Breakfast was again my usual eggs, spinach and 1/2 cup oats... I even added a 1/2 a turkey burger patty leftover from last nites barbque and quickly regretted that as I felt that slight twinge of heartburn while running on the TM. LOL. I am hoping to finally get that tape measure and get measured... I am so disappointed in myself for STILL NOT DOING THAT. I mean come on..my friend says she has one for me to borrow..but she keeps forgetting to bring it to me and I just have not gone out to buy one.. ERRRRRrrrrr. Tomorrow no matter what! Promise to myself. Okay..off to bed..it is 11:05pm and we are getting up at 4:30am to get Mel to airport..we are leaving house at 5am.

Nite all! I feel good... I just want to say that.. I do... Feel good.

Summer ED Day 4

Day 4: Cheating a little bit today.. I have actually copy and pasted this part of the entry from the Dax site comment section...I hope that's ok:

I am doing so awesome Dax! Really enjoying the tabata (meltdown protocol) in fact I used them at my facility with my clients tonite and we all did them together writing down our number of reps completed. I will have them do it again on Monday and compare score. My mind is clear, my intention is intent. I will complete this 30-day challenge. No question about it. I was not even tempted tonite at my husband' 62nd bday and daughter's going away party to Ireland... Beer was abundant.. homemade teramisu chocolate cake, a giant cupcake chocolate cake with real cherries inside, vanilla ice cream, to die for chocolate ice cream... Was NOT even tempted to indulge. 30 days is all this is. Easy sacrifice for I know the outcome will be just what I expect it to be. Thi sis more mental for me at this point than even physical. They physical exercise and challenge I welcome with open arms. It is the mental fortitude to stay strong and complete what I have begun. I know the end result.. I know how "proud of myself" I will be when I know I gave this 30 day challenge my all. There is nothing that can compare to that feeling... that feeling of running your first "level 10" on a treadmill (one of my girls actually did that tonite..it was great..she had never run faster than 8.5 and didn't believe she could do it.. I knew she could.. if even for just 17 seconds..SHE DID IT... can't beat that feeling! it was awesome to share that moment with her.. that light in her eyes.. You know that feeling) Same feeling my other client got tonite when he hit his PR bench pressing 135 lbs.. so close to his goal of bench pressing his own bodyweight. He has been working toward this goal for months..and it's so awesome to have been on this journey with him.. That same light in his eyes.. that same feeling of knowing how proud he was of himself.. the high fives flying across the room. Yep... nothing is better than setting a goal for yourself, challenging yourself.. and going after it.. and then suddenly you are DOING IT. Damn... I love this life I lead.. I am the "luckiest girl I know".. Can't wait for tmw morning, I will jump out of bed as I always do... looking forward to exactly was "goal" I will aim for and soon conquer. Will it be the day I can do my 8 minute mile in 7:55? I hope so.. that's the next goal on my list.... Thanks Dax...thank you from the bottom of my heart to always challenge us... to help us accomplish the goals we set for ourselves...when I think it's fair to state.. that we simply all just want to be the absolute BEST we can be.. whatever that is.. it's not the same for all of us.. but yet we all share the same 'goal'... of just wanting and striving to get there.

Sending huge hugs to everybody from Atlanta, Ga... USA... keep on challenging yourself.. keep on reaching for those goals... You will surely get your "10 on your own TM".. or whatever your next challenge is... because YOU CAN do anything you want to.. and so much MORE.

GREAT DAY TODAY: Finally feeling better after that drug reaction to sulfa yesterday... Damn.. that was crazy. It feels like it';s almost out of my system now but I am on a round of Prednisone for a few days. I got up early and headed for the gym since I missed yesterday. My Tri plan was to run an easy 30 minutes yesterday so I had to make that up today. I was able to get just a little over 3 miles in and then I did my swim workout. 100 easy, 200 race pace, 3 x50 fast ( about to kill me... the 25 length is hard enough fast...I could really feel my lungs burning at the end of each 50), with a 100 cool down. I did all that on an empty stomach. I just wasn't able to eat my breakfast before I left at 6:45am and even though I know it's important to fuel the body... I decided to try cardio' fasting' just to see. I probably should've at least had something before my swim but I just went and did it. At the end of the swim I wasn't feeling all that strong anymore and instead of teaching my spin class.. I went ahead and subbed it out and headed home. Had my eggs and spinach for breakfast... just couldn't stomach the 1/2 cup of oatmeal I usually have with it. Lunch was leftover portion of chinese food from last nite with an apple for a snack and 8 almonds. Ran around and got ready for my Hub's 62nd bday party/Mel's surprise going away party. By 4:00 it was time to go to the facility for my client training. I had already allotted that I would do the MELTDOWN portion of the workout today with my clients.. nothing like killing 2 birds with 1 stone.. LOL. It was a great workout. I followed it with a barbell complex of deadlifts, to clean, to thruster, to alternating reverse lunges ( Had already done enough lunges with the MELTDOWN thank you very much) and burpees with only 5 reps of each time 3 rounds with 1 minute rest in between. So we will follow this meltdown for 6 days... good thing I love tabata training~ LOL. I teach a bodyworks class at LA FITNESS GYM on Mon and Fri...so you can guess that my classes will be doing this same meltdown sequence so I can again kill 2 birds with 1 stone... might as well make the most of my time! I have a BRICK on the Tri Training Plan for tmw (bike-45 min and run 20 min ez) I will do this at the gym before my class starts. I am so focused.. I am so excited... I know it's just day 4... this is the easy part of the plan...you are so psyched and ready... I keep reminding myself.. I know 30 days is a piece of cake.. just one day at a time.. like everything else I do... breathe and run...just 10 more seconds... just one more rep... This is game is SO MENTAL along with physical... You have to want it bad enough... and I DO!

Day 3 ED Summer Challenge

ERrrrrrr.... This mashed finger of mine is driving me crazy. Over 5 weeks ago I was putting some books in the drop box of the library and the door came down and smashed my finger! The nail turned purple eventually but it seemed fine. Suddenly last week the tip of my finger began to swell, throb and turn red... Really? 3 weeks later? So my husband decides to put a drill bit in it to punch a little hole. Seriously? I really let him do this. Of course nothing happened to relieve the pressure and now I have a purple fingernail with a hole in it! Gave in and went to my dermatologist (already had a scheduled appt) who put me on antibiotic and said it should clear up...She scares me and says...you don't want to mess around with your hands..You wouldn't want to lose your finger! What??? Lose my finger? Are you kidding me! So by this past Monday I am freaking out cuz it's not getting better and I don't want to lose my finger. My regular MD put me on a different antibiotic (Note I am not a medicine taker usually at all...but remember..I'm trying to save the tip of my middle finger) and I woke up during the nite scratching myself without realizing it... I am also all RED. Great! Allergic reaction. Errrrrr... good grief... come on already. Luckily the finger hasn't hurt for over a week..it is just swollen... Xrays proved negative for any break (Hate taking xrays as well..I'm sitting in there wondering what awful rays are being put thru my body). Soooo... another new med is waiting for me and if not better in a week he will send me to orthopedist. Seriously people..with all the crazy workouts and stuff I do... it's the drop box at the Library that has gotten me! Go figure.

I am still experiencing plumbing problems here in the house. They seem to be going from bad to worse...but as long as insurance takes care of it..I shall be patient. Thankfully I was able to get some relief out of the house and head up to the gym last nite. I never go at nite.. The gym is crazy crowded at nite and I am so glad I get to be a 'morning person'. I again ran a mile in 8 min (hooray so it wasn't a fluke the first time)... It was hard as I'm really not used to working out so late in the day. I high-5 all afternoon workout people for sure. I then did 35 min on the recumberant bike (my Tri plan called for 45 min ez ride as this is my recovery week) but I was feeling guilty not being at home... and I was happy I at least got that much in. I did not do the mobility circuit but I will do that today. I am so happy that we have tabatas to do again today and I will do those shortly (as soon as I quit itching and scratching). I also have a 30 min ez run on the recovery plan as well at some point. The Peachtree Road Race is on Monday here in Atlanta, Ga. It is a 10K and I usually run it every year with my daughter, Melanie and son, Clay (the other 2 never have been interested, my youngest Paige did it one year and that was all she needed never to return) it is tauted as the largest 10K in the U.S. Literally over 100,000 people line the streets of Peachtree... it is amazing to see. I haven't actually been training for it, but the Peachtree is not a race you do for a PR...you do for fun, the T-shirt and to be a part of it on the 4th of July. I am just taking it one step at a time and remembering to just 'breathe and run'.... I really wanted to come off that TM yesterday around the 1/2 mile marker..but what's so great is when I get 1/2 way... I know I am so going to finish it. Afterall.... I don't want to be disappointed in myself...if there is ever an ounce left in me...I'm not going to leave it on the TM or in the gym. I still have yet to get that tape measure... somewhere I lost mine, my GF says she has one I can borrow and hopefully we will get together today. If not I know she be at my house for Mel's Surprise Going Away Party for Ireland tmw nite so I will at least get measured by then. I am really proud of my clean eating, however, I know I'm not eating enough. I really need to keep an eye on that. It's important to remember that we do need to "FUEL" our body, not starve it. A trip to the grocery store is on the agenda after my pay check is deposited in the bank. Why is it I always seem to be flat broke by the end of the month. My husband for some reason has gotten in the habit of doing the Grocery Shopping (for real!) only because he says he will buy what's on sale.. Great! I say... only what if we don't want to eat what is on sale...LOL. Who cares if juice is buy one get one, or chips.... the rest of us don't eat that stuf... He does. Oh well... we all have to be accountable for ourselves, we can't make somebody change their habits, they have to want to. I am pledging out loud to do at least a 30 min ez run today along with 2 rounds of each Tabata. Tmw I am supposed to teach my spin class a the gym...I teach an awesome class..and many times follow the Tabata protocol as well. We have done as many as 8 sets of 8 rounds on the bike..it is so hard and so awesome! I switch up the rounds and make it as fun and challenging as I can. 8 rounds for speed followed by 8 rounds of pedaling thru wet mud. Other rounds we alternate even numbers fast and odd numbers hard.... It truly is a great workout!

I hope this plumbing thing gets under control and I'm not "stuck in the house with workers' again tmw. I'm sure like many of you...I tend to get just a little 'grumpy' if my fitness schedule gets 'out of whack". Mel leaves for Ireland in 3 days! WOW! So this 30 day challenge should be completed by the time she returns home at the end of the month... big changes for the both of us perhaps...LOL. Just as long as she comes home... :) Time for breakfast.. Steel Oats with 2 eggs and spinach. Yep.. I really do love my breakfast! Not missing that cereal at all... imagine that~

Dax Summer ED Day #2

Day 2... Stuck home this morning as the workers are here fixing our plumbing problem...errrr! I am so used to going to the gym first thing in the morning. Oh well.... this is supposed to be my "Recovery Week" for my Triathlon Training so technically all I am supposed to be doing is a 45 minute easy biek ride today. I did do the tabata protocol yesterday of bodyweight rows and alternating squats at my facility where I do personal training while joining some of my clients...ended up turning the whole workout session into supersetting of tabatas.. They loved it...as they were sweating and panting. Yep..intensity is vital in working out. I also was able to squeeze in my 12 laps (300) of easy swim at the neighborhood pool yesterday trampling any person who got in my way. I mean really, just 12 laps in a pool didn't take that much time and I needed to get my swim in, apologize for not being able to wait for Adult Swim but I had to be at the facility by 4pm and first things first. I really am trying to remember that in this new sport of Sprint Tri training you are to look at it as just all one training...you are not just swimming or biking or running...but they all 3 go together. I was really hoping to have a road bike by my next Tri on Aug 21 but as life has it...things just keep popping up and my road bike is placed on the back burner. Oh well, I will just take this as another challenge of having to work harder on a mountain bike which will just make me stronger. "All in good time" I keep reminding myself. I am anxiously awaiting today's workout, I hope they get posted earlier in the day or even weekly in advance. Oh well..that's part of my personality..bitch, moan, bitch, moan.. but I am just happy to be a part of this challenge.

I have not yet taken my measurements..but I did weigh yesterday and was 141 lbs. I am so wanting to be in that "130 Club" as much as I know numbers mean nothing...I'm still a 'girl' and I still want to see it. Much better than 4 years ago when my starting weight was 212 lbs~! Going to get a tape measure and will measure today. Need to really pick up my water intake. So glad I joined this challenge as I was getting in such a bad habit of eating cereal for dinner and that always seemed to be when I would also become lactose intolerant for the rest of the nite. As my 14 year old daughter Paige would ask me every time..."Mom, why do you keep eating that if it does that to you?" I really don't know. I think because it is just so easy to make a bowl of cold cereal even though I have already cooked the family dinner. Go figure why so many things we do just because we do. I am glad I will not have any dairy or cereal for 30 days..>I was needing to get that out of my 'diet' anyway. My last 30-day Challenge rid me of my 'cheeses' perhaps I can finally say goodbye to dry cereal... LOL.

Lisa Summer Meltdown Challenge 11

Day 1 of Dax ED Summer Meltdown Challenge. I am looking forward to finally beginning and completing one of Dax's Challenges. I have been on board many times and many times have fallen through. It is not because I haven't wanted to but because as most of my friends will tell you, I am constantly 'all over the place' with my training. There is so much I want to do and not enough hours in the day to do it. I have previously followed the Tony Horton P90X Program which I love love love TONY. I even got to meet him in person this past January when he came to Atlanta, GA for a book signing and a workout. What a treat for me! I have participated in a few 30 day challenges in the past all with good results. I strive everyday to just be a better me. I am a fitness fanatic at the age of 54. Crazy as it seems as until my 49th birthday.. I never participated in any kind of sport or fitness regimen. I vowed I was not going to be Fat and 50. I continue to strive to be FIT and now over 50.... LOL. I hope to inspire others that it is NEVER too late to lead a healthier lifestyle. I am now enjoying a new challenge of Sprint Triathlons having completed my first IRON GIRL in May of 2011. It was amazing!~ If you have ever contemplated this idea.. GO FOR IT! I thought the bike would hold me bike as I was petrified of riding again outside... thankfully with enough urging and pushing from my family and friends I tackled that fear and am now an avid bike rider! I had forgotten how much I love it. Of course the hills here in Georgia compared to the flat rodes of Miami, Florida where I grew up offers a much more challenging ride. I am currently looking for my first road bike as I have only a mountain bike a friend has loaned me for now. I am a fitness instructor at a local gym along with an instructor at a small private Athletic Training Facility. I am so blessed to be involved in the world of fitness. I just want others to feel as good as I feel and to be proud of themselves as I am proud of me. Don't let your fears hold you back! Had I not crossed that finish line in May, I would have missed out one of the most greatest moments of my life.

I am so looking forward to joining this challenge. I post weight and measurements later as I take them. Day 1 has officially begun and am looking forward to the workouts. I, too, am a lover of the tabata method. I use them in my spin class I teach every week as well. Love to get that heart pounding through my chest. I hit my latest goal of running an 8 minute mile last Monday. Yay! I am looking forward to my newest goal now of a mile in less than 8 minutes. I have set another goal of running my first 1/2 marathon in November for Thanksgiving. My second tri is coming up Aug 21.

Shouting out to anybody here from IRELAND..LOL.. My oldest daughter, Melanie, is about to depart on Saturday for a month in Dublin. She met a boy while at the Univ of Ga last August...he left in December and thought that would be the end. A true fairytale romance for anybody reading my blog..LOL.. they have kept in touch thru the wonders of Skype and internet and texting and he has sent a round trip ticket for her to go over. She promises she is coming back.~

This summer should be a "GRAND SUMMER OF 2011" Indeed. :)

Not sure where to post this so I will post it here... I dont' know how to do a live clickable link...

http://www.londonpersonaltrainingstudio.com