Progress?

With the end of phase one complete I weighed myself and took measurements to compare with my measurements 4 weeks ago. My weight loss is a measly half pound but it appears I've lost an inch all the way around. The inches lost are more important than the weight since it clearly shows I'm building muscle (muscle weighs more than fat but takes up less space). So while this is all a positive outcome I just don't see it. My pants are still tight and every pair seems to give me a muffin top. This is so frustrating for me since I've never gained weight in my middle area. I've always been a person who gains weight in the butt and thighs and maintains a flat stomach. It's strange that I'm now packing it on in the midsection. Maybe this is what 40 does to you?

I am no expert by any means but I'm convinced that p90x just does not include enough cardio. At least it doesn't seem to be enough cardio for me. Don't get me wrong, what cardio it does have is killer but it's just not enough for this cardio junkie. With an hour and a half invested in p90 each day it's hard to fit much else in but this week I managed to squeeze in two runs. Next week my goal is three. The runs weren't easy but felt great! If anything, running works wonders for my mental health and that's enough reason to add it back in. Truth be told I'm hoping that it rids me of this muffin top as well. I'm thinking that maybe my body is just as addicted to the running as my mind is and it's rebelling by making me suffer with a muffin top. "Hey Body...You Win..I will run and I will love it..you don't have to tell me twice!"

Speaking of progress, after a potty train fail over a month ago Logan is trained. She is such a strong willed little thing. This time it was her idea to try again and wouldn't you know it...success. I'm convinced that because it was our idea the first time she just wasn't interested. Can I tell you just how happy this Mommy is to be done with diapers for good? I'm so proud of my youngest little gal. How do they grow up so fast?

A Reason To Run

The other day the husband registered us for The Broad Street run. This is a 10 miler that we've run in the past. It is a fun, fast, flat race. This year they are capping the run at 30,000. Registration opened on Saturday and it's already been closed...unbelievable!! Last year the husband and I missed out because we waited too long to register. Since I had already started training for the run I was pretty disappointed. That was last year, this year we are IN!

Now let the training begin (at the end of February actually)! I haven't been running too much recently because I have something going on with my right leg and lower back on the right side. My guess is that it's my sciatic nerve. It has acted up on me in the past. I've still been hitting the gym and doing a lot of other things like Zumba, Spinning and Body Works and throwing in a short 3 or 4 miler once a week. Over the next few weeks I will be easing back into my running and my training schedule will start about 10 weeks out.  It will look something like this:

This schedule is loosely based on Hal Higdon's intermediate 15k training schedule. This is not carved in stone because there will be times when a workout will be missed and sometimes the days will be flipped. Some weekends my long run may happen on a Saturday and REST will be Sunday. I also intend on incorporating my Zumba classes into this schedule as cross training since I enjoy them so much, and maybe even a spinning class or two. In other words, I reserve the right to flip and maneuver this schedule however I see fit. :)

Wish me luck!