Discovered a good free fitness website

A personal trainer at the gym told me about this site today. So I thought I would check it out and give it a go. If it's a way to keep track of my fitness progress without being too time consuming, I think I will like the site.

I have a primary goal of losing about 25-30 pounds as quickly and safely as I can. I need to drop this weight to help bring my blood pressure under control. I've been hovering in the Pre-hypertension to Stage 1 Hypertension range since I gained 15 pounds recently. So I'm on a mission to drop the weight.

The site is My Fitness Pal.  You can track your exercise, your calories, your nutrition, your meals, and your progress.  It's hard to believe it's free.  They even set up a blog for each user that is available to you to use.   They also have a mobile app that works with I-Phone and Droid. 

Let me know if you try it. 

New 100 Mile Fitness Challenge

The ladies over at 100 Mile Fitness Challenge are beginning a new 100 mile challenge beginning July 1st.  It's been ages since I've posted on my blog and a long time since the last 100 Mile Fitness Challenge.  So I'm making a fresh start on both my blog and on the challenge.  Post a comment if you want to join me.

Hot Chocolate Race

Last November 2010, I walked/ran in my first BIG (30,000 people) 5K in Grant Park in Chicago.  It was a really cold but sunny morning.  At the end of the race, we were served Ghiradelli hot chocolate and fondue.  I'm glad my neighbor and her husband were with me to share in the fun.  I just registered for the 2011 race.  For my friends who have asked to join me in one of these events, here's your chance to do the 5K with me at the 2011 Hot Chocolate 5K Race in Chicago.  Dr. Oz was there last year and I ran by him at the start of the race.  He was high-fiving us as we ran past. 

Here's a short video from 2010's race to motivate you to get moving.  Ram Racing's Hot Chocolate 2010 Video

Last Chance Workout-WHEW!! It's hard!

This week I tried the Last Chance Workout that was available on my cable's On Demand.  For me, it was definitely a challenge.  Jillian works you through 4 circuits that are a mix of cardio and strengthening using weights.  I didn't use any weights and followed the beginner version of the workout.  The first 3 circuits were a fun challenge for me, but circuit 4 did me in.  The beginner's version of circuit 4 was still too hard for me.  But I'm not deterred; I'm motivated to get all the way through the entire workout, including circuit 4. 

I'm not sure how that would translate in my 100 mile fitness challenge.  So I'm taking zero miles for the last chance workout, leaving me only 10 miles for the week ended May 27th, for a grand total of 75 miles/100 miles.  25 miles to go in the month of June!!!!!  I should be able to do that easily.

Kicking it into a Higher Gear

I've been traveling the last two weeks and haven't had internet access. But I worked hard at walking and exercising more while on the road......I can add 12 miles for first week and 15 miles for the second week.  My new total:  65/100 miles

100 Mile Fitness Challenge

YAY!  12 miles this week!  Now I need to control my eating, so I start losing some weight.

Getting fit takes time and discipline

This week I have finally started ramping up my exercise.  Now I need to be disciplined not to eat more than I should, in order to make my 2 pound/week goal.  The weekend was tough food-wise, but great in the exercise department.  Can't wait until I can say that my food intake and my exercise output for a week were exactly what they should be in order to achieve my weekly goal.

Fitness challenge update and immediate fitness goals.

Slowly but surely, I am beginning to "get on board" with myself in my quest to become fit and healthy.  While I'm still not exercising as much I want each week, I am honing and working on eating better.  So after 2 weeks, I have lost 4 pounds.  It may not seem like much to you, but to me, it's a start.  I have become aware that I need to establish some specific goals for myself, not only in the exercise area of my life, but in general.  My overall fitness goal is  to lose 50 pounds by December 31, 2010.  To achieve that, I need to ramp up my physical activity, combined with sensible eating.  To achieve that, my initial immediate goals are to workout daily, avoid fast foods, lose 2 pounds/week and drink sufficient water daily.

I should add  to my goal list to go to bed at a decent hour. I stay up too late these days. 

So here's to 4/50 pounds lost!

Fitness Update!

I am in an 8 week challenge with a friend to try to lose 2 pounds a week.  This is midway through week #1 and the challenge has good, but difficult.  I've had a dry cough for several months.  This week the cough went ballistic on me so I finally called my doctor.  I definitely have a respiratory ailment and am now on antibiotics and cough meds.  I have been fortunate to not have to take antibiotics much in my life.  I think, thankfully, this is only the third or fourth time I've ever been on antibiotics.  So I hope the drugs kick in and knock the bug out of my system...FAST! 

In the meantime,  I'm watching what I eat and trying to move more.  Once I get over this bug, I will ramp up my exercise.

100 Mile Fitness Challenge:  this bug has slowed down my 100 mile progress, but I still managed 6 this week....