Thursday, December 30, 2010

MMMmmmm Chlorine Locks.....

Workout: About 500m in the pool today.


So I made it to the pool. Look, proof!




I found something out though. (Besides owning the world's most uncomfortable bathing suit, and ugliest goggles). I have no idea how to do a proper workout. I just do laps. Lol. So, I'm going to have to come up with something. I'll be working on that. :)




Told you they were the WUGs. They rock something fierce in the water, though! And then I leave you with this.....




Because only weirdos go home and wash the chlorine out of their hair right away. Normal people wait and watch Army Wives for six hours instead. And yes. I did in fact walk all over base with hair like this. I'm so classy.


I'm in such a good mood because I heard from my love, and he is alive and well. Thanks for your prayers. :)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Prayers, Swimsuits, and Being Naked

Workout: 30 minutes weights (chest) / 15 minutes rowing / 5 minutes ab workout


I made my way back to the gym today, woohoo! Had an awesome chest workout, then a not so awesome rowing workout. Well, I say not so awesome because it wasn't a great cardio workout. My arms/chest were just too tired by that point. However, it was a great secondary chest workout! Lol.


Came home and "iced" my leg. I didn't do any leg work, but it's still sore, so I used my Barbie ice pack.




Haha. I could barely feel it through my pants, so I put it directly on skin after this photo. It felt pretty nice. I also had a crappy brunch (since I slept until noon), so I was super weak feeling, and downed one of these, and felt much better after.




These things are THE BOMB. Yum. 


SO now, I have a request. My main squeeze is in Afghanistan right now, and I haven't heard from him in a few days. So I'm freaking out to include hyperventilating in my room kinda worried. Just keep him in your prayers. He's going to need it once I find out he's perfectly fine. And promptly kill him. And that's all I have to say on the matter, because if I think about it too long I freak out. So. On to something else.


I've been telling little lies. Mostly to myself. I have finally admitted to myself that I am avoiding the pool here on base because, honestly, I just get uncomfortable there. It's the whole bathing suit thing.


HOWEVER. It is not because I am uncomfortable with how I look in said bathing suit. I mean - don't get me wrong - I have a lot more ground to cover before I am where I want to be, but I'm seriously not here to impress anyone. I really do not care how I look out here. 


What makes me uncomfortable is being so UNDRESSED out here. I'm not the most modest dresser, I mean I'm from Florida and lived in Hawaii for 3 and a half years. Shorts and tank tops are a way of life. But for some reason, out here with the 800 billion:1 male/female ratio, I try to draw as little attention to the fact that I am a girl as possible. So being all uncovered makes me uncomfortable here. 


But. I need to swim. I miss swimming. And since I can't run, do the stairmaster, etc. this is what I'm going to face. Plus. I'll just go when most people are at work. :) Wish me luck to have a deserted pool tomorrow!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New Year's Resolutions

Weeelllllll..... I totally blew off the gym today. I made it all the way to the "locker room" a.k.a. bathroom with bench, and realized I had no sports bra and no socks. So, instead of trekking all the way back to my room and retrieving said items, I just went back to work. Uber lame excuse. I know. So instead of a post-workout glow, I'm just feeling kind of blah. That'll teach me, right?

Anyways! On to the topic at hand: New Year's Resolutions. Here is the time of year I usually make up some silly blase "goal" that I don't even really mean, just because everyone else has one, and break about 2.5 hours after waking up on January 1. But not this year. I already am filled so many goals, and so many ways I wish to change my life, this year it was super easy! So here goes nothing:

1. Quit swearing. Excuse the cliche, but I talk like a Sailor. It's really bad, and totally not classy. So I'm going to try to quit. This is not going to be an easy task. But goals aren't very much fun if they're not challenging! So here we go. Time to clean up my dirty little mouth for good.

2. Give up soft drinks. GASP! I already quit regular cokes soft drinks (I forget, not everyone is from the South!), and now I have to give up my Diet carbonated goodness, also! And I can't even use swear words to exclaim how upset I am! Dang this New Year. But, in all seriousness. I NEED to drink more H2O. BADLY. So, I'm going to try to stick to water, teas, and maybe a smidge of coffee. Juice is yummy, too. But no more soda.

3. Run. Seriously. I want to bounce back from this injury, and run. That's my goal. I may not be able to do any of the distances I was originally planning for 2011, but I. WANT. TO. RUN. I want to run with my boo, I want to run with my best friend, I want to run by myself. I want to run for fitness, for weight loss, for my sanity. I just have to stay positive, and learn to listen to my body more.

4. I want to learn how to cook/bake. I've never really been that interested in cooking, but I am now. I'm super excited about it, and even went out and bought an apron, so I can be a real housewife. Hello bonbons. :)

5. Enjoy the great outdoors. I mean, I'm going to be living in North Carolina. The possibilities are endless. But I'm looking forward to the hiking the most, probably. Plus. Trail Running! :) But, that goes back to the previous resolution. Staying on topic -ahem.

6. Take a month yoga challenge. I'll either love it or hate it at the end of that month, but at least I'll be able to say I did it! This will have to wait until I'm settled in North Carolina, though. I don't think I'm going to be in one place for a whole month until July! And maybe not even then. But, we'll see.

So. This is what I've got. I think it's going to be a wonderful 2011. (Actually I know it will be. I'm marrying my best friend.)

Have a great New Year!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Decisions, Decisions....

Workout: (yesterday) 45 minutes weights (legs)

This is not a workout/exercise related post. Just a head's up! :)

So, I love the sunshine. Seriously. I'm a bona-fide Florida girl, and need sunshine to keep my sanity. Literally. I lived in Monterey, California for 2 years, and was affected by the lack of sunshine hardcore. Monterey was beautiful, but it is sunny like 5 days a year. It was torture. Thank God Shane loves Florida so much. Because as much as I want to visit his home state of Washington, and I'm sure it's beautiful in it's own ways, I couldn't live there forever.

That being said, my favorite weather is that right before a storm. You know when you walk outside, and there is a briskness to the air, and it feels like everything is electrically charged, and nature is just waiting for something to happen? Oooooh, I love it. Probably stems from the daily thunderstorms of Floridian summers, that you can set your clocks by. Love those summers.

Pretty random, huh? I bring this up, only because this is what it's like outside right now. Such a nice change of pace from hot, glaring sun. (I love beach sunshine. Not desert sunshine!)

Ok, I lied. This post will have a little exercise in it! Lol. I did legs yesterday, and I'm thinking I should take it a little easier. My hip stills hurts so much. I'm starting to worry there is something that could be seriously wrong with it. And of course, we don't really have way of discovering serious injuries with the facilities located out here. So I'm at a crossroads. Do I continue with my cardio, putting more stress on my hip, added to the already stressful environment of walking on loose gravel in heavy boots all day? Or do I not neglect my fitness, and just go easier, and pray that once I get back to the states and can see a professional that it's not very serious?

I'm rather concerned. I'm not a doctor, and I don't know what's wrong. All I know is I feel pain. And it is NOT a post-workout soreness wonderfulness pain. It HURTS. And with my work schedule and the pool hours, a regular swimming regiment is just not possible.

Any advice? EIther way, I'll continue with weights. But I'm very concerned about what a lack of cardio will do.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!!

Workout: 30 minutes weights (arms) / 30 minutes elliptical


So, I took a much needed two day break from exercising, partly for my injury, and partly to lock myself and like 20 lbs of chocolate in my room so I could watch Dexter and mope about the holidays. I needed my little pity party. BUT. Then, I woke up this morning - I mean, come on, it's CHRISTMAS! - in a much better spirit, opened my presents, and got my booty back in the gym. I may have a slight injury, and I may be away from the love of my life and my family for the holidays, but it's ALMOST OVER. I WILL get better, and I WILL get home. So, I figured I'd share what my Christmas looked like this year. 


First off, I may be away from my family and friends physically, but bless their hearts, they have done everything they can to make sure I knew I was in their hearts and thoughts. They have sent me countless cards, letters, gifts, emails, Facebook posts, and Lord knows Shane calls me whenever he can. (I love those days) So my close group of fans friends/family seriously rock. I'd be lost without them.


Here's what I did yesterday:


We'll start with how I spent Christmas Eve. Gross, unshowered, crocheting  in my room watching Dexter. Very festive, I know. :)


One of my girlfriends, Shannon sent me this yarn in my Christmas package. Now. I have very strict rules about Christmas presents. They are NOT to be opened until Christmas. I'm very serious about this, and even told on Shane to my mother, since he opened her gifts early. (He then asked me where my loyalties lie. I told him he'll think twice next time. Nothing like a MIL to inspire fear... Hehe) BUT. This yarn was not wrapped, therefor does not fall into the Christmas present category. It's a very precise science.


Since I do not open my presents early, I had acquired quite a few, seen here.


I had a whole bunch of fun opening these this morning! The love of my life even sent me workout clothes. Sigh. Is it totally weird that I'm a girl who gets more excited over capri running tights and tech t-shirts than regular clothes? Probably, but it's the truth none-the-less. I even took a picture of me in some of my new gear before I headed out to the gym!




I had an awesome workout. It felt really good to be back in the gym again, plus it was like practically empty, so it was AWESOME! Some random guy came up to me and gave me a lifting tip, which immediately puts me on the defensive. I mean, the guy/girl ratio here is pretty much like 800:1, so getting hit on happens fairly easily. And since my ring won't fit under my lifting gloves, I didn't even have my huge, glaring diamond to ward him off. (I keep it on my persons, though. That thing doesn't ever get away from me!) But, even that turned out nice, since he was really just helping, and didn't try to start an awkward convo, he just merrily went back to what he was doing. :) See. Awesome Christmas.


Then I came home and showered for like the first time in a month two days - gross, I know. But I was too busy being mopey in my room for my smell to offend too many people - and got all gussied up in Christmas gear. And by that I mean I put on the ONLY green (or red) shirt I have out here - which just so happens to be an UA tech tshirt - and put my hair down for the first time since I've been out here. Whoa. I know. FANCY.


Here's the blurry result.




Anyways. I got online to find out one of my best girlfriends got engaged last night! Kudos for her!!! (I knew in advance he was gonna ask, it was one TOUGH secret to keep!!) And now I just have to wait until tonight. It's Bingo night. My favorite time of the month here in Djibouti! Seriously. It's free to play, and they have bomb prizes. Like XBOX 360's and stuff. And boy oh boy. Do I heart me some XBOX. 


Merry Christmas everyone. I hope your holidays are filled with joy and family. 

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Thoughtful Gifts

Today was a wonderful day.

My Captain received like TWENTY boxes in the mail today. I guess there is a company in Washington that sends care packages to soldiers/airmen/marines/sailors (woo hoo) that are stationed overseas for the holidays. And boy did they.

Some of the things we received:
+ Trader Joes freeze dried strawberried
+ Trader Joe's chocolate
+ Like 8,000 types of tea, hot chocolate and instant coffee (even Starbucks VIA - score!)
+ An ENTIRE box worth's of candy/gum.
+ Socks
+ Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotions, body sprays, etc
+ Microwavable meals
+ Trail Mix
+ Magazines and books
+ A Barbie ice pack. Yeah, that's mine.... Hey! I'm injured!
... and the list goes on.

I was like a kid in a candy store (almost literally, there was so much candy!), and it was super fun going through this stuff. Then we divvied up the thank you cards, and I got all teary eyed writing mine, just because it was so dang THOUGHTFUL of these people. They don't even KNOW us! I was so moved and touched. This holiday season has been really difficult for me, and I am just so thankful. There I go getting all weepy again.

I've decided to do this when I get back to the States. Perhaps Shane and I will have a new Christmas tradition. I'm going to put feelers out at my mom's church, since they have such a large congregation, and I'm sure they'd love to get in on this.

On a similar note, I also received some personal Christmas cards which also made me cry. I miss my family and so dang much. I will be sure to remember these moments the next time I want to strangle them. See, now I even have proof on the interwebs! :-)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Today' Sad Revelation

Workout: 45 minutes weights (chest) / 1 mi run on TM (9:15)

So I had an awesome chest weights workout today, and was looking forward to my runon the TM, did my stretches, put that mother on 6.5 mph, and took my first step.

And promptly thought my hip was going to SNAP. It was excruciating. I hobbled through a few more steps, and finally got into some sort of stride, and pushed myself through a mile of hell. Seriously, it hurt so badly. I had to stop, hobble over to the stretching mat, and then hobble the 1/2 mile back to my room. I felt like SUCH A FAILURE.

I have had some sort of hip/thigh (it moves) for weeks. I can barely walk without limping, especially with my 300lb 8 lb boots on. I ignore it for the most part, or just try and convince myself it's regular soreness prior to a workout, and I can't let it stop me from working out. After all, I'm 24 years old, and I shouldn't be falling apart from running a measly THREE MILES every so often. Add that to the standard military viewpoint of, if you're hurt and put on limited duty, you are probably just a pansy trying to get out of pt. Needless to say, it was easy to ignore my very real pain.

Not so much anymore. As I was hobbling back to my room to shower and go back to work all I could think was:

I'll never be a runner.
I'll never run a marathon.
I have to give up exercise and my blog.
I'm going to gain a whole bunch of weight.

By the time I got back to my room I was in full breakdown mode. Tears and all. Because before I started exercising seriously, I was just barely getting by out here on this deployment. I would sleep like 13 hours on my days off, and when I was awake, I didn't do anything. Except feel sad. Exercise helped me like times 1000. I look forward to exercise. I get excited about our once a month base 5k's. I love sweating and challenging myself. Mostly sweating. I've pretty much become addicted to endorphines and sweat.

So I grabbed my York Peppermint Pattie, and thought, hey, if I'm gonna stop working out, might as well get serious about gaining my weight.

Then I said "&*^$ that." (Sorry, but I am a sailor, and sometimes I feel a strong word is warranted.) I'm going to medical tomorrow to get a limited duty chit, so I don't have to participate in command pt. I will kick my booty on the elliptical and the rowing machine, (since I am almost completely sure the pain is to blame on a mix of running/stairmaster goodness. My two favorites, of course.) until I have felt NO PAIN (and I am serious about it this time) for at least 2 weeks. Minimum. Then I will re-evaluate and start running SLOWLY. If I can. I'll determine then how I am, injury-wise. Once I get back to the States (and real doctors! Please don't get me started on what "free" healthcare really is.) I will get my hip/thigh checked out, and figure out my options.

If I am able to run again (PLEASE GOD), then I will go down that path. If my stupid ole legs just weren't meant to be runner's legs, I will get back into swimming. (Which I will probably do anyways, since I do love swimming so much.) If I am UNABLE to run I will sob myself to sleep realistically plan new goals for myself, involving swimming. Like THIS. This is something I was going to work on after I had my lofty goal of a marathon under my belt, but maybe it needs to get moved up.

Anyways, what I was trying to get to in this very long novel is this: Just because I can't run (hopefully temporarily), doesn't mean I have to give up my new lifestyle, or joy I get from it. I may need a few more movies on my iPod, and you may want to buy some stock in gossip magazines, since I will be buying them by the dozens to get me through BORING elliptical workouts. But I can do this. And I will.

Off to do non-running things.
-Katy

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tears and Drummers

Workout: 30 minutes weights (legs/shoulders) / 30 minutes elliptical


So I decided to get all up in the Christmas cheer this morning by listening to Christmas music on my iPod while on the elliptical. This was a bad idea of epic proportions.


At first, I was like "Heck yeah, this is putting me in such a good mood!!" But then I started thinking about the holidays, and realized cuz I seemed to had forgotten, that I was not with my family. Then I got sad. But I brushed it aside and started thinking about next year, and how it will be Shane and I's first MARRIED Christmas together, and all that jazz. Got a little bit more excited.


Then the song "The Drummer Boy" came on. Uh oh. This song makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear it. Seriously. Here is this poor little boy who is supposed to give the baby Jesus a present, and he doesn't have anything, so he plays him a song. And the baby smiles at him. Oh Lord. I'm tearing up again thinking about it.  So, here I am on the elliptical gasping for breath trying to will myself not to let actual tears fall. It was AWESOME. 


I don't think I'll do that again. Except for the Jingle Bell Jog 5K this Saturday. But that's actually ON Christmas. So, it's totally different. Totally.


Happy Holidays y'all. If you are with your family and those you love, you are seriously blessed. And I'm wicked jealous. Seriously.

Monday, December 20, 2010

New Plans

Workout: 30 minutes weights (arms...light) / 45 minutes SM goodness


I spent 45 minutes of my day watching the movie "Couple's Retreat" on the Stairmaster today. Okay. I was watching Couple's Retreat on my iPod, and I loved every second of it. It was great. Though, I have decided I need an interval workout. Though probably not on the SM. I love my time on it, and I don't want to do anything to mess with that relationship. So I'm thinking one for the elliptical. Gotta look into a good one.


My workout partner and I got into to it today. Yup. We got into this hue fight at dinner tonight, and he blew off our workout. Second time this has happened, so I'm thinking it's time to part ways. I was debating all evening how to switch up my routine, and I think I have it figured out. I'm going to try a sort-of "two-a-days" for a while. Only on my non-work days. I won't have the time or energy to get to the gym twice on days I work my 12 hours shift. 


So, the goal is on my off days, go to the gym in the am when I wake up, and do my weights program (it's less crowded. Not as many boys to compete for the weight benches.), and then 30 minutes of cardio. Then, in the evening, which is when I usually go to the gym just do more cardio. Though probably a different kind. On days that I work, my usual one workout will do. I'm going to try this, and we'll see how this works out for me. :) I'll keep y'all posted!

Out and About in Djibouti!!

Last night I forfeited going to the gym, and went out with my friends instead. A friend of mine is leaving Djibouti (insert raging jealousy here..), and we went out to steal his plane ticket  celebrate with him. Yummy Vietnamese food. At the "Restaurant Vietnam". Yup. Tat's the name. Djibouti doesn't waste valuable time with clever, catchy names. Straight to the point, these guys.


Went out, and fully planned on going to the gym afterwards. My first mistake. The last thing I wanted at 9 pm when I've gorged myself on Vietnamese food and pistachio ice cream is to go work out. I just wanted to climb into bed and watch Dexter. (I heart Dexter something fierce. But I'm only starting Season 3, so PLEASE don't ruin it for me!!) So, that's what I did. Tonight the gym and I have a date, though. Weightlifting and cardio, yay. Probably not running, no matter how much I want to. My hips are still a little sore/tight, and I am trying to make sure I don't re-injure myself. 


So it's me and my BFF JILL the Stairmaster. :-) Yay! And I leave you with a picture of us from last night.


I'm the one on the left in the blue shirt.



Saturday, December 18, 2010

Favorites!

Workout: NONE! Rest day, and a much needed one!!

I've decided to start a new recurring theme. A list of favorites, things involved in exercise, healthy living, food, etc that I have, and WANT in my life. I think it will be fun. So here's to the first edition!

1. Lipton Flavored Green Tea to Go. I heart these little packets of yummy, no-calorie, deliciousness pretty hardcore. The flavors I use devour are Honey & Lemon and Mandarin & Mango. These little packets of joy make it so much easier for me to drink my required amount of water a day. I use some other no calorie flavored packets of well, but these are by far the bee's knees in my book.

2. UnderArmour Women's UA Jet Print Bra (A/B cup). Now, keep in mind I was passed over during puberty by the Well-Endowed Fairy, so if you are a larger cup, you may find a different bra works better for you. However, for me and my size, this thing is on point. It's breathable, soft, and super comfortable. I don't feel it during my workouts, and better yet, I don't feel my girls going buck wild, since it provides great support. I also love the bright colors, so if it does show under my workout top, it feel less like I'm being one of those classy girls who thinks the world needs to see their underwear. Hello Miley Cyrus.

3. Brocoli. I know, this is the bane of every child's existence, an evil second only to brussell sprouts, but I LOVE IT. And I always have. And I like it simple. A little salt, a little pepper, and a little butter. None of that cheese nonsense. (I love cheese, but not anywhere near my brocoli....) It's so delicious. Yum.

Now, for something I want desperately...

THESE Nike Tempo running shorts. Not just any Nike Tempo running, shorts. But THESE. I love them. They are wonderful and useful. And I will make them mine. I will.

That's all for now. Have a great day!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Proud and Sore.

Workout: 30 minutes weight (chest) / 15 minutes SM / 3.2 mi run (3.0 mi in 27:34 6.5 mph pace)

I do not know why I keep doing this to myself. I will get injured, get my poor legs back to working order, then hurt them again. My hips are so sore this morning. Luckily, this time I think I am just "pushed myself" sore, as opposed to "injured" sore. Though I was concerned last night when I got off the TM. Especially since my dumb butt did the SM BEFORE running. I just don't think sometimes.

Ok, enough with all that. The biggest part of my day yesterday? I RAN 3 MILES AT A 9:13 PACE WITHOUT WALKING!!! Usually I have to walk for few seconds once I get to the 2.25/2.5 mi mark. Nope, not yesterday. My legs were sore, and I was tired (remember SM BEFORE the tread) and I had sweat going into my eyeballs, but I did it.

I wanted to stop so badly, so I made myself deals. You can make it to 2mi and then you can walk. And then when I made it 2 mi, Make it to 25 min and then you can do the last 5 on the TM cooldown. Then when I hit 25 minutes, Ok, seriously, you're almost to 2.75 mi, make it there and you can walk. And finally, SUCK IT UP. It's one more lap around the track. One more lap around the track. Less than a lap around the track. Half a lap......and so on and so forth....

And I made it. I know for most of those Speedies out there, that is not anything to be proud of. But I am. Very proud. Of myself. Very, very, very proud. It was a good day.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Workout: 45 minutes weight (legs/shoulders) / 5 minutes planks / 3.2 mi run (3.0 mi in 28:13)


I was so excited about my run last night. Seriously. It made my whole night, and I got a little bit faster! Sooner or later I'll be able to call myself a real runner! 


We had the Christmas tree lighting here on base last night (I was, of course, absent and at the gym.), and I have to admit, they did a really good job. I really appreciate the effort they go through to make the holidays not so depressing around here. That being said, I only have 90 more days here! Then it's back to the good ol' U S of A!! Woo hoo! Actually, I'm scheduled to be leaving on St. Patrick's Day. So no green beer for me. Again. 


That's about it for the day. Back to reading my favorite blogs and salivating over food I can't make.... YET. Have a great day!

Lack of Motivation

Workout: 30 minutes weights (arms) / 10 minute abs


I was not feeling this workout yesterday. I didn't even do cardio. I was really pissed at myself at first, then I just told myself to calm down, everyone has those days. And I still went to the gym, and I still did the workout. 


Sometimes I need to make sure I give myself a break. I think I was just overly tired. I went home and slept for 12 hours. I feel alot better now. Here's hoping tonight's run goes well! :)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Calorie Rant

Workout: 45 minutes weights (chest) and 30 minutes SM - negative splits.

Calories. The bane of my existance. I'm so sick of hearing about calories. Counting calories, eating calories, cutting calories, etc. Everywhere you turn there is someone else telling you exactly what you should be eating, how much of it, etc. It's enough to make your hair fall out.

I want to lose weight, yes. I want to do this without counting calories, because when I count calories, especially since I am at the mercy of galley food, it just makes me stressed and feel like I'm always failing.

On the other hand I'm sick of people saying because of my workouts, I need to eat more. I disagree with us. The way to lose weight is essentially to burn more than you eat. If I start working out, and supplement the calories I lose with more from food, I will stay the same. I eat when I'm hungry. Sometimes I have a treat when I just feel like one, and sometimes I eat because I know my metabolism needs a schedule, so even if I don't want breakfast, I need to have it.

I guess I'm just getting frusterated with everything I read or hear contradicting everything else. And maybe, just maybe, I just want to eat healthy. I'm not perfect. I do cheat with treats, but the goal isn't JUST to lose weight. It's to be HEALTHY.

Sorry for the rant. I'm just frusterated today.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Sweet Sweat

Workout:

60 minutes weights (legs/shoulders) and 3.1 mi on the TM 30:00 (3.0 mi in 28:53)

Oh happy day. I heard from the boy today. I wasn't expecting to hear from him until the 15th, so it was a nice suprise. I hate when he can't talk for days, I get so worried. I'm mailing out his Christmas presents today. I hope he likes them!!

I was looking into Bikram yoga studios back home. I'm dragging my best friend to one when I get back to the States. I'm pretty excited, though really nervous. I've never done yoga before, and I want to try the Bikram version, one, because after the heat here it shouldn't seem like such a shock, and two because I hate workouts that I don't sweat profusely in. I'm sure you are getting just as good of a workout, but I don't FEEL like I am.

I like to feel like a drowned rat by the time I'm done. It's why I enjoy running and the Stairmaster so much. Because I sweat buckets. And love every second of it. :)

Do you prefer to sweat profusely while working out?

Sunday, December 12, 2010

It's a Wonderful Life

This is what I spent the morning doing.




Life is pretty hard, huh? (Notice the beautiful cross Shane sent me for Christmas? Boy do I love that man.) I almost felt like I was back in Hawaii, and could go get a Planet Smoothie (my favorite) afterwards. It was nice for a while. :-)


Then I went to my shop and found I had mail! Care package! I love my wonderful mother. She sent me a great Christmasy package full of Bridal magazines, hot chocolate mix, homemade Christmas cookies, presents (Yay!), granola bars, etc. I love her dearly. Seriously. People do not realize how important care packages are to those deployed. Especially this time of year when all I want in the world is to be with my hubby and family. So if you know anyone who is or will be deployed, keep that thought in your head. 


This is what my crafty mom did. Please ignore the hideous gold color of the sheets. It's what the store out here had.....






Moral of the story? Today has been a pretty awesome day! 



Saturday, December 11, 2010

Rejected!

Workout: 
60 minutes weights (arms) and 3.2 mi in 35:08 (Though the first 3.0 mi was in 29:53, and the .2 was in like 5:00 for a cooldown.)


So, I got stood up by workout partner last night. Yup. There I was waiting in the gym getting stared at like some kind of freak, and he never showed. I felt like a prom reject. I considered calling it off, but then decided I would be too embarrassed. Lol. So you could say it was peer pressure. Either way I stayed, and of course about 5 minutes into my workout I was loving it, and super glad I stuck it out! 


Hopefully he shows up tonight. I'll go either way, but I prefer to have a buddy. 


Now I'm off to the pool, if it doesn't rain. It only rains like 4 days a year here, so of course the day I decide to go to the pool is one of those days. 

Willpower is a Jerk

Workout: 30 minutes elliptical / 30 minutes SM


As this hungry runner always says: I kicked my trash, and FINALLY got sweat in my eyeballs! :) It was a good day.


So, I made a deal with my workout partner. I would drink 8 bottles of water a day, if he gives up Monster energy drinks. See, I have a horrible habit of only drinking like 2 or 3 bottles (until I hit the gym. I drink AT LEAST three there, probably because I'm so dehydrated), and he can't go without at least one Monster.


We both made it one day. 


I don't know what it is about water, that I don't drink it. I like water. I guess I just don't think about it much. If only I craved it like I crave candy, I suppose. So I started using those little packets you put in water, hoping to maybe fool myself it was my Diet Coke... Lol. It's helping, but I still need to transfer my "no cigarette" mentality and willpower into "DRINK WATER" willpower.


A friend of mine is tempting me with Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies. I had one. I'll allow myself one more, and then I'm THROUGH. Thin Mint girl scout cookies are pretty much my kryptonite. Seriously.


What is one food that you cannot resist?


Mine is Thin Mint girl Scout cookies and candy corn. I heart them pretty hardcore.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

No-Smoking Section

Workout: 2 mi run in under 20 minutes. (untimed since it was group pt on our running trail, and I just forgot to look at my watch at the start....)


Today is a very good day for me. I have officially gone 5 WHOLE MONTHS without a cigarette! I quit smoking cold turkey shortly before making my way out here to Africa. That's right, no patch, no gum, no hypnotism, no Smokers Annonymous (though I don't hate on these options. ANYTHING that helps you quit smoking, I fully support.) I just put them down, and haven't picked them back up. I'm so proud of myself, I could do a little jig. I won't though. That's probably a lie.


-Off to enjoy a smoke free day,
Katefreak.

Sharing (fudge) is Caring!

Workout: 30 minutes weightlifting (chest) 30 minutes TM 2.5 miles (SLOW PACE, lol.)

So I received some sad news this morning. The coach of my favorite football team resigned this morning (for me, I suppose yesterday for the rest of the world...). I'm pretty disappointed, but such is the life of sports I suppose. I wish him and his family well, though.

Yesterday I hit the treadmill, for the first time in a long time. I also ran for the first time since Thanksgiving. My right quad has been giving me a lot of trouble lately, so I've been trying to take it easy. I ran first 1.5 miles at a pretty steady pace, but then my leg started hurting. so I slowed it down and did the run/walk method. Then I stretched a whole bunch! It was a little sore this morning, when I woke up, but feels much better now, so I'm going to try to run again in the morning. (Don't really have a choice since we have pt anyways.)  

I had some yummy delicious fudge that one my co-workers got sent in a care package today. It was like heaven after all this camp food. My favorite thing to receive in care packages are Quaker Oats Chocolatey Mint Rice cakes. Shane sent me some and they made my world.

If you were away from home for a long time, what would you like to receive in a care package?

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Kelly, The Veronica's, and Babies.... Oh My!

So yesterday as I was sweating my little booty off on the Stairmaster I was reading the December issue of Shape magazine. It featured Kelly Osbourne, and I have to say I'm rather impressed with this young lady, and how far she has come in her life. I may not agree with the way she lived her life previously, but I admire her dedication to change her life around. I like how she credits her weight loss to hard work, and a healthy (if restricted) diet, and not some pill she's getting paid to push. (Hello K. Kardashian. All of them.)

This is the cover, and while I feel it looks a little airbrushed, there is no denying the huge difference in the girl she once was. So kudos to her. (Plus, we use the same shampoo.... I heart Wen shampoo something fierce!)

On a different note, I discovered a new favorite song on my cardio playlist last night. The Veronica's "Untouched" really gets me moving. Plus, the message of the song hits a little close to home, with me being in Africa and all. Haha.

And last thing... My good friend sister, Allyson is having a baby in April, and she found out last night she is having a little boy! So there was much celebrating on my side on the world. Congrats to her and her family!!

Off to enjoy the desert heat. Or not!

-Katefreak.

Broken Internal Clock

Workout: Weights (legs) 60 minutes / Stairmaster 30 minutes

I just changed my sleep schedule from nights to days. So I pretty much spent the past 2 days sleeping. I didn't mean to, but my bed was so darn comfy, and there was noone making me get up and join the rest of the human race. It was glorious. As a result, my body is now trying to catch up and figure out when to be awake and when to be asleep. So I woke up at 2:50 this morning. Here's to a long day.....

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Introductions Are In Order

Hi!

My name is Katy, and I've decided after cyber-stalking a few blogs to start one of my own. Makes me feel less creepy, I suppose.... : )

The real reason? I'm trying to live a healthier life, and I've just started to get into exercise and -trying- to eat healthy. I'm getting married in October, to the only guy who would put up with me my calmer, more patient, better half, Shane - or some cheesy nickname involving the word Boo, as I call him. I can't wait to start my life with him, but I want it to be a good, long, healthy one.

Right now I'm in the Navy and currently stationed in Djibouti, Africa. This makes any form of exercise not in our base gym or approximately 2mi long running trail pretty impossible. Luckily, for now at least, that seems to be enough. Though I am so counting the minutes looking forward to my return the US, and exploring new running/exercise opportunities.


                                           (Feeding a gazelle at the Cheetah Refuge in Djibouti)

Anyways. I hope my bad spelling and worse grammar don't scare anyone off. Thanks for checking me out! (I'll post pictures as soon as I can.)

Today's workout: Weightlifting (arms) 60 minutes Elliptical/Stair stepper 15/15 (Was NOT feeling cardio today...)