5 miles

First, a gym update: My membership/endorsement deal through work with Fitness World West expired this week. However, I like the gym (and trainer Traci) so much, I have re-upped on my own. So, for at least the next year you will continue to hear me reference FWW.

Now, those five miles. I missed working out yesterday, my schedule just wouldn't squeeze out time. So, after two days off from the gym, I went in with every intention of a good run and workout.

Once again I stepped on the treadmill and went beyond my planned distance. I did my warm-up walk, started to run and kept running. I ran for 20 minutes and then walked for one and then ran for another 15. At that point I had run a 5K and walked most of the rest of 4 miles. So I decided to run another 5 minutes and then train for hills with a hard walk. I ended up working out for an hour total and did exactly 5 miles. It was weird timing. That means I averaged a 12 minutes mile, not too shabby.

Afterward however, my legs informed me they needed extra stretching and water and that weights and abs would have to wait until tomorrow. You know, I can accept that, because my body did an awesome job of taking me through five miles! That's at least 1/2 mile further than I have ever gone (on purpose) before.

As you know, running isn't my 'ultimate' thing, I have yet to figure out what that might be. But I do know I love the way I feel after. Not only do I feel great mentally at the accomplishment, but physically I am exhilarated, even if I am exhausted.

Tomorrow though, it's easy on the cardio, hit the weights and abs hard. And I am looking forward to that too.

Yours in fitness, Kate

I need to ask a favor

I found out today that my allotment of personal training sessions at Fitness World West is coming to an end. I will still have a membership at the gym for a couple of months, but I may have to give up my sessions with Traci.

The reason is because the gym doesn't think anyone hears the commercials we are running on Lite 104.1. They don't feel like anyone has come into the gym because of the advertising. So, they are not sure if they want to renew the agreement. I get that.

But I honestly believe people are hearing them and some may even be acting on them, I just don't have a way to prove it. That's where you come in. If you are looking at a gym, please consider Fitness World West.

I'm not just saying that because they are an advertiser. I am saying that because I am a believer that working out there works. I love working out there because it's for people who want to get or stay fit. (It is not a meat market.)

Everyone can feel comfortable working out there whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete. No one stands around and looks at you funny, because they are too busy doing their own thing. Also, if you seek a distraction during your workout, most cardio machines have LCD TVs attached to them with cable.

So, if you have been thinking about joining or changing gyms or you know anyone who has, I would like to encourage you to consider Fitness World West. I am not asking you to just randomly call them, but if this is something you have been considering anyway, it is a really great gym.

Also, I have had great results with my personal trainer Traci, so if you are looking to take your fitness to a new level she can help you out.

If you have questions, let me know. Otherwise if you are interested or perhaps want to try a FREE week, call them at 223-5111.

Yours in fitness, Kate

My current weight & My gym

I weighed in today, as I do every Tuesday. I believe I mentioned last week I did so after two days of the stomach flu - I 'magically' lost 4 pounds. Well, I am a realist and I knew I would gain back once my body was in balance. I was just hoping to keep two pounds net loss - I did!

I am very happy. I now weigh 149. It is the first time I have been under 150 since junior year of high school. I feel awesome - mentally and physically.

Which brings me to my second subject - my gym. I go to Fitness World West. I see Trainer Traci. And I love it. I am actually headed there in just a few minutes.

If you are looking to make a change, I highly suggest you see the team at Fitness World West. I am working on finishing my weight loss journey, packing on muscle and going into lifetime maintenance. But if you are just starting, this is the place for you as well. Traci even has a Women's Weight Loss class for group personal training.

I couldn't say enough good things about Traci and FWW if I tried, so I will pass on the coupon instead. Below you will find the coupon for a one week FREE trial. If you use it, make sure you mentioned that I gave it to you. FYI - I do not get paid pass out coupons. But I want them to know I am out here supporting them, because they are back there supporting me.

And, if you do join the gym, let me know - we can bump into each other on the treadmills. ;)



Yours in fitness, Kate

New Year's Day

I have been so busy today that I haven't been able to blog. I have resolutions I want to share, but they will have to wait, because I am going to bed.

One that I am already following: Keep my healthy lifestyle on track - I worked out at Fitness World West (thank you for being open!) and I ate the right way.

By the way, everyone else worked out at the gym today as well. I hope everyone takes it easy and slides back into (or for the first time) their workouts. Over doing it will kill any urge you might have to follow through long term.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Keep on rollin' through ick-ville

I ended up taking Friday off from the gym because when I woke up my throat was raw and I was quite achy. However, I slept for nearly ten hours Friday into Saturday (a record in recent history) and the sore throat was gone, but the achiness remained. That did not stop me however, I went and hit it at the gym. I came away feeling pretty great for a sick person. Please note, if I were running a fever (a.k.a. potentially contagious) I would not have gone, because that is just plain wrong. Also, ick or not, I ALWAYS wipe machines when I am done, because anything else would be rude, oh and dirty.

Trainer Traci is awesome for many reasons, but one of the wonderful things she does for me is write up workouts for when she is gone. You see we normally workout Monday-Wednesday-Friday, but she is gone until Wednesday. That means Friday and tomorrow I am without her, so she knocked routines for me. Since I didn't go on Friday, I did that workout yesterday. Today I will do my own thing and then tomorrow it's another Traci workout.

Yes, I am working out on New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day too. Not doing it would start the New Year off all wrong for me, so I am going to make the most of the fact that Fitness World West will be open. By the way, if you have resolved to get healthy in the New Year, this would be a great time to stop by, they have a joining special. Let them know I told you. :)

Well, speaking of the gym, if I am going to make it and then get to my mother's for dinner, I better roll.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Christmas Eve Fantasy

I am lacking motivation today. It is why I am blogging at the moment instead of, well anything else.

Really, only two things I MUST do today - Go to workout at Fitness World West; buy a gift for my brother-in-law. Other than that (like the rest of the world) if I accomplish anything else, well bonus.

Oh, and there is one other thing I must accomplish, getting these freaking little candies off my desk. Excuse me for a minute... All right, that's better. They are now in the candy dish at the front desk. At least if I want them I have to move to get them.

By the way, I noted the Asian food festival we have at my Dad's every Christmas Eve. Well, it started with a burned dinner and emergency call to have Chinese food delivered like 10 years ago and then became a tradition. It is also our Easter tradition. Odd since we are neither Chinese or traditional. Tonight I will have to miss out though, I have to work at 5:45 in the morning, so I will go to bed instead.

That's all right though, I'll get to hang with my furry children AND I will not ingest all of the lovely fat and calories of Americanized Asian food. Hopefully my healthier dinner will give me visions of sweet things to dance in my head - "On Gerry, on George, on Jon and on Viggo... Dash this way, dash this way, dash this way all..." (For those keeping track that is - Gerard Butler, George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi and Viggo Mortensen.)

As a typical woman, you know what I want them doing -

A nice massage, home cooked meal, a little deep house cleaning, ooh, oh yeah and my car could use some work. (Slow anti-freeze leak, which one of you can twist a wrench?) Mmm. Thoughts like that will keep you warm on a cold winter's night.

So, whatever your fantasy, may it come true when the big guy drops down the chimney tonight.

Just a note regarding Santa: he may be big, but he is totally in shape and has amazing heart health. This is because he is constantly in training to withstand his annual night of magical world-wide travel. there is nothing like messing with the space-time continuum to give you a workout.

Yours in merriness, Kate

PS - Here are my little elves to help motivate you (and me):

Why I love Fitness World West

Fitness World West.

The reasons I love my gym (in no particular order):

- Trainer Traci (o.k., that is #1)

- It's a gym that will meet any fitness need. There are people just starting out, elderly folks going through therapy, people like me who are fit and trying to get even more so and really fit people all the way up to competitors in Iron Man and Ultimate Fighting.

- People are there to get fit. There are gym friends and nice conversations, but it's not a pick-up joint full of people that are there to "look good". People are there to workout.

- It's very modern and "old school" at the same time. The machines are modern, so much so most of the cardio machines have LCD TVs! All the basic cable channels at your fingertips while you run, bike or do elliptical. "Old school" because there are plenty of free weights down stairs and a pool if you are just looking to swim.
- It's always clean. I know this may seem basic, but if I could number the gyms I have been in where you felt afraid to touch things, you'd know how important it is. Besides, the other members get it and always wipe down the equipment when they are done.

- The other trainers willingly give you a bit of advice if yours is not around. That's another gripe I have had about gyms before, the trainers always held themselves above everyone else. They didn't even want to make eye contact without charging you for 30 seconds of their time.

- In fact, all of the staff is great. From the moment you walk in you feel welcome and everyone says "Hi". But, if you don't want to converse beyond that, they don't press, they just let you do your thing.

- I feel comfortable. I never feel like any of the members or staff are staring or judging when I workout. Everyone is clear that there are different levels for everyone. And everything has to be tried for the first time once.

- It's fun. I have tried a few classes and the instructors keep it fun, even if you have never been there before. They are patient and teach, not condescend.

- It's easy access. Right off I-235 on Westown Parkway, right across from Valley West Mall.

There are other reasons too, but I think you get the point. No matter where you are in getting healthy, whether at losing pound one or trying to cut your 10K time, you really should consider joining me at Fitness World West.

They even have a one week FREE trial offer to see if it fits your fitness style.


Hope to see you at the gym!

Yours in Fitness, Kate