Lawd, It's Hawt

Anything related to running is not conducive to low-country summer temps. (Yes, I'm quite aware that summer is still 6 days away but try telling that to the thermometer.) Not the running itself nor thinking about it; watching someone else do it; see someone doing it in a movie; reading about it online or in a magazine. NOTHING about running is conducive to low-country summer temps. NOTHING.

Knowing this as I do, why is it, you ask, would I venture out late Friday morning around 11:00 to attempt a run? 

Stupidity. 

I see other people doing it all the time. From morning through afternoon into the evening. They seem to be ok. And they're not all young. There are a few out there older than me and Methuselah.  

But I'm not doing that anymore. From now on, if I don't get out there to run before 6:30 A.M., I am NOT going. 

Thus was born my great idea. I call it My Great Idea of the Summer of 2013. 

Three mornings each week of the summer, I will go up to school and run my Sprint 8s up and down the stairs. Oh yeah. My brilliance is astounding, eh? 

It's not that bad really. I've done it once already and I not only survived, I made it through all 8 rotations! And so, when I took that late Friday morning run, I was able to do it. It was hot, but I was able to get through the whole thing AND felt like I could have gone further. I didn't because I also don't like throwing up and going too much more would have resulted in that very act. Because it was hot.

Here's my point- Sprint 8 is fantastic for improving your fitness level. It works. It's for real. 

Go to Dr. Mercola's site HERE, if you're interested to learn more about Sprint 8. Mercola's site is the first place I learned about it. And I've seen the results- improved level of fitness. 

What improves your fitness level?

Working It Out

I discovered, during my three weeks of an awful hayfever attack, that even allergies- if they're severe enough--can interfere with my fitness plan. And I did not like that one little bit.

I had to stop exercising for three weeks. THREE WEEKS. But I couldn't do anything that required exertion because I was certain that I would cough up a lung. Or two. And I kind of need those things. 

This meant I couldn't walk the dogs for a couple of weeks either. But that was ok because Birdie took my place. I started walking them again last week and it went fine. Even though I hacked most of the time. No worries, my lungs remained intact.  

This week, I started back on my Synergy workouts. And I realized just how much I have missed working out. NOT because I had a difficult time. On the contrary! I was back at it and doing even better and working harder than I was before that blasted allergy attack.

I actually missed working out. Hush you say! I know! But it's so true. I was so used to working out on that Synergy schedule, I missed it when I couldn't get it done. But I'm back. I'm stronger than before. The stamina is much better. The motivation returned. It's just fabulous!  

There is a change, however. This time, I have put my own spin on the Synergy plan. 

• Monday/Wednesday/Fridays are for Sprint 8 and weights. 
• Tuesday/Thursdays are for plyometrics and stretching. 
• Then there are the 7 days/week of walking pups one mile in the mornings before school. 
• Saturdays and Sundays are my down days. Unless I miss a workout during the week, then I make it up on the weekend. 

I feel like this is a doable plan not to mention an enjoyable one! BUT, regardless of the plan, I believe the key to this whole fitness thing is developing the habit of fitness.

I've tried so many different ways to get fit. Some of you have read about them on the blog. And I've enjoyed most of them but they didn't stick. Which I thought was due to my short attention span and the fact that I get so bored so easily.

But now that I tried the whole 8 week commitment to the Synergy plan, I can see how it was more about getting into the habit of working out. Once the working out becomes a habit, it really doesn't matter what you do. Your body just HAS to do something. I like this! I wish I had discovered it sooner. But I'm glad I know it now!

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get your fitness habit going! I can't even begin to tell you how much better you'll feel!

If you're already in the habit, what's your best fitness advice? 

A Little of This and Some of That

This week has been crazy because of Labor Day. Whenever the husband has a day off during the week, it throws me off kilter. I thought yesterday was Tuesday all day long. But, thanks to Mrs. 4444s and Friday Fragments, I know that today is Friday!

It's still so hot around here. Today, at noon my time (eastern standard time) several of us are going to stop what we're doing and pray for fall- of course I'll be focusing on begging for cooler temps--if anyone would like to join us please feel free to do so!

Birdie and I took the dogs to the county park yesterday. BIG mistake. HUGE error in judgement. And it was all heat related. As in- it was too freaking hot to be out at the county park with the dogs. Poor Tucker was so hot I had to pick him up and carry him. We stopped at shelters along the way and gave them water and 90% of the path we took was in the shade so it could have been worse. HOWEVER, the mosquitoes---there's no way they could have been worse! If we stopped for a nanosecond our legs looked like we were wearing black knee socks. Hate those things.

I'm just a few pages from being finished with the first book of THOSE BOOKS- I'll let you know what I think and whether or not I plan to continue through to the bitter end soon. I get a kick out of the fact that everyone knows exactly which books I'm taking about when I write 'THOSE BOOKS'.

DoodleBug went to her practicum school yesterday for the first time and she loved it! This semester the students have to spend an entire day at their assigned schools (every Thursday) and all of the schools are Title 1 schools. DoodleBug had a fantastic experience and said, "I never want to teach anywhere else!" I always knew that's where her heart was. Some of the girls didn't have such a good experience because of the classroom teacher---it wasn't pretty. And that's all I'll say about that. For now.

The mosquitoes were out in full force again this morning. The dogs look at me like I've lost my mind. But most people are used to what I call 'the low-country salute.' Which is the way we constantly slap our arms, legs and faces against the attack of the mosquitoes and gnats. It would be quite comical if it wasn't annoyingashell.

Sunday marks the end of Synergy, Week 3 and the beginning of Week 4. It's going well. If you're interested in finding out more or checking out my journal, click right here!

That's pretty much it y'all! Have a fantastic weekend!

Synergy Fitness and the End of a Challenge

This first Sunday in September marks the end of the Summer Sizzle Challenge. But it certainly doesn't mark the end of the summer HEAT and HUMIDITY. Stupid weather.

I have been a terrible challenger this summer. I got bored and then I just didn't care to track and then I just didn't care at all. I blame in on the aforementioned HEAT and HUMIDITY that caused me to lose my motivation and eat lots of frozen yogurt. Yes, I really am blaming the weather and I'm not ashamed.

But the challenge was good in many ways---

• I met new bloggers/challengers
• I learned more about myself 
• I learned tons about true organic foods and about those evil monsters at the Monsanto corporation
• I increased my fitness awareness and level
• I discovered Phil Campbell's Synergy workout program featuring the Sprint 8
• I walked quickly up three flights of stairs and did not have to stop at the top for a few minutes before continuing to the car

So even though I wasn't very good to the challenge, the challenge was very good to me.

And Rochelle? She's just the best challenge host EVER! I adore her! Her leadership qualities are phenomenal and her care for the challengers was felt and appreciated by all.

All in all, I only lost about 10 pounds- at least that's what I can figure from my best guess. And that's fine. It's not about the weight loss at this point. I'm focusing on increasing my fitness level now and I'm pouring 100% into that.

Yes, I need to lose a bunch of weight. But the weight gods (as Rochelle calls them) are not in my corner right now. So I called forth the fitness gods and we're kicking ass!

I'm keeping a daily journal of the Synergy workout plan that you are more than welcome to read by clicking here. And feel free to leave comments there too! I've just completed Week 2 of the 8 week commitment and I'm already noticing differences in shape and fitness!

I won't be posting any before and after pictures from the challenge. HOWEVER, I am planning on posting before and after shots for the Synergy program. Only 6 weeks left.

There are some leaves from one of the neighbor's trees falling into my yard right now. Which is a promising sign of fall---even though it's hard to appreciate when the temperature is 91 degrees. The weather app on my phone says the humidity is only 66%. The weather app is lying.

I'm not joining in another challenge for the fall. I'm on my own with this Synergy workout. BTW, I emailed Phil Campbell (the guy who wrote the book) and he emailed me back! He also put me in touch with the woman who is gathering research. She lost 80 pounds just doing the Synergy program. And I do believe here because she's not asking for money. LOL Seriously, head over to my Synergy tab and follow the links. Maybe this is something that will work for you!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Regardless of your personal journey- I wish you great success!

Summer Sizzle- And a Rant

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 12 and the beginning of Week 13! And guess what Week 13 is? Our final week! WooHoo!

I really did begin my Synergy workout this week. I even made a page devoted to keeping a Synergy journal. It's at the top of the blog if anyone wants to see how the first week went, or you can just click here. I thought that keeping the journal right here on the blog would help keep me accountable. We'll see.

I would love to tell y'all how I have enjoyed rocking the hell out of this challenge, but that would be a lie. I haven't- as far as weight loss goes. However, as far as fitness is concerned? I think that I might have. Remember those 3 flights of stairs? And now that I've started the Synergy workout, I have to say that fitness has become a major goal.

Weight loss stopped being my main focus a while back when it switched to healthy eating. I can't tell y'all how much better we feel now that we're eating only organic foods- veggies are certified organic and from local farms; dairy products and meats are from small, family owned farms that don't use machinery or give growth hormones or antibiotics to their livestock; grass fed beef, free range chickens/turkey, wild caught fish (fresh from the docks I might add); sugars are only organic cane sugar or honey; flour is unbleached and gluten free; we buy spring water that had to be researched just so we could be sure it was actual spring water with little processing (OH, and there are natural springs right here in our state and one is close to us so I'm going to start filling up there...it's FREE); soaps and shampoos, etc. contain no chemicals... And I know it makes a difference because, two weeks ago, we were out of conditioner and I had some left over from when I bought any old thing from Wally World. I didn't stop smelling that stuff for 3 days and it gave me a headache and made me all itchy...yep, won't be buying anything like that ever again.

And now for the rant portion of the post: I've learned so much about fitness and healthy eating. I've learned which manufacturers to avoid because they claim 'natural' but are not organic and which ones are affiliated in any way whatsoever with the Monsanto Corporation. I've learned that it is nothing less than a complete and utter travesty that our government is allowing big business (and this has been going on for AGES) like the Monsanto Corporation to produce GMO crops and tell the American public that our food is safe and nutritious and even the supreme court who enables Monsanto to run the small, family owned farms out of business. Disgusting. And I don't even know the half of it, I'm sure. But that's enough to make me sick and tired of it. And scared, to be honest. It's not good when our food supply is not only being tainted but being allowed to be tainted--dare I say- encouraged to be tainted.

So, yes, I've lost weight. But that's not the best thing or even the most important. My fitness level has improved tremendously and I'm completely motivated to boost it even more. The foods I feed my family and the products we use are healthy and chemical free. There's no turning back now! And we're all the better for it! And we are more encouraged than ever before to go off the grid. It's time to say, "ENOUGH."

Week 12 - (begin August 19) - SURPASS YOUR FITNESS/WEIGHT GOALS FROM WEEK 10
I definitely surpassed my fitness goals from Week 10 by beginning the Synergy workout!

Week 13 - (begin August 26) - LOW CARB WEEK & NO EATING OUT
We don't eat that many carbs in a day or week and we rarely to never eat out, so this really shouldn't be a problem.


Have a great last week of Summer Sizzle y'all!

I'm Late! I'm Late!

For a very important date! I'm a day late posting the Summer Sizzle- Week 8 Update: Week 9 Deets! Sorry!

Well, kind of sorry. It's not like it wasn't crazy around here all week with the 21st birthday and Birdie coming home from London and all 4 of the lovelies and their boys being here all weekend! Whew! It's a wonder I'm still alive!

It's also a wonder I didn't gain any weight this week because I didn't really pay attention- I was just too busy. Although, everything I did eat was healthy. Unfortunately, we still have to watch those stupid freaking calories.

For our weekly challenge, I joined up with Julie who was kind enough to take time out of her incredibly busy days to set up a virtual 5k for us! I can't sign up for an actual 5k until the fall because the one I hope to walk/run is on Thanksgiving day. Anyway, I did get a 5k in even though the time was far from great. It has motivated me, though, to get out there and get my time down!

I mentioned before that I was planning on implementing the Sprint 8 into my exercise routine. I tried it a few days and it's not bad BUT I decided to buy the book that tells more about it and I'm glad I did. There's way more to it than just running (or whatever) sprints.

The book is Ready, Set, GO! by Phil Campbell. He lays the whole thing out for you including the science behind the theory. He gives you exercises WITH pictures (cause y'all know I have to have a picture or I won't understand) and schedules. He also gives detailed instructions so that you can get the best out of the workouts and avoid injury. I'm digging this book.

My dad and stepmom are coming this week with my two nieces so I will put this program into practice beginning NEXT Monday. I just hate doing things like this with an audience.

I saw a piece on Olympic race walking this morning and am going to work on my pace trying out some of their techniques. Though I'll probably look more like the Today Show team than anything resembling an athlete of Olympian proportion. I am not a Today Show fan but prefer the NBC local team over the others so I just happened to catch this. I found a video of it HERE if you want to watch. It was cute!

I'm still sitting on my exercise ball while at the computer- well, I WAS. Until I pulled my back out on the dang thing. That's right. I finally understand that engaging the core means torso NOT abs. Sheesh. I don't know if it's all the groovin' I'm doing while sitting on it, the fact that I'm on there having such a time that I don't realize 2 hours have passed OR a combination.

Ok, this week's challenge: Week 9 - (begin July 29) - NO SUGAR (unless it's all natural) AND NO SNACKING AFTER DINNER The sugar part is not an issue. I already only use honey, Turbinado or Coconut sugar. NEVER refined sugar and always organic. But the snacking after dinner? Well, I've gotten back into that bad habit. So it's good that it's included in the challenge this week.

That was my week. How did y'all do?

Summer Sizzle- Week 6 Update; Week 7 Deets

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 6 and the beginning of Week 7-

Anyone else HOT out there? And, by HOT, I mean sweating buckets upon buckets every single day even when not exercising? Yep. Me too.

On to the update-

• I tried the Sprint 8 three days. It's fine- but too soon to tell how it's going to affect any fitness/weight loss so I will continue until I figure that out.
• I'm still walking/running 7 days/week every week- even in the heat/humidity and even when it rains. I walk Strider, come back to get Tucker and then walk him. After the dogs it's ME time- I walk/run another 2 or 3 miles- except on the Sprint 8 days. I average about 5 miles/day.
• Still drinking the hell out of some water every day. It can't be helped. Did I mention it's HOT outside?
• Still not counting calories but still keeping food intake healthy only (except for those darned dark chocolate edamame that jumped into my cart at Trader Joe's. Again.). 
• Still juicing daily.
• Was successful with this week's challenge of eating vegetarian. 
• I lost 1 pound.

Week 7 - (begin July 15) - COMMIT TO AND SIGN UP FOR A 5K
Ok this one will be easy on the commitment part and difficult on the sign up. I plan to run (maybe walk) a 5k on Thanksgiving Day in Charleston--the Charleston Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble. We can't sign up until the fall. Besides, just signing up for one doesn't do one thing for making me commit to actually DOING it. So, I'll just continue training and sign up when we're allowed to do so. 

And there you have it. Short and sweet!

Hope everyone had a great week and has an even better one coming up!