All I have to say.....

Don't eat a big lunch then go play tennis.  The results are not pretty...

Yes, those are balls in my pockets.  ;-)

Boxing Day even in the USA

Boxing Day - December 26th

Today was a struggle.  It was rainy and overcast.  The sun might have come out for 20 minutes.  If you've read my prior posts, you know I suffer low energy when there is a lack of sunlight.  And energy was waaaaaaaaaaaay low.

I managed to do some calisthenics and an hour at the gym:

Crunch holds at 90sec each pose.  3 repetitions

Side leg lifts (50 each side)

And that was it.  Pathetic.  Forced myself to hit the gym for an hour.

I did legs (hip abductor, hip adductor, glutes, thighs, hamstrings, and a round of abs and back muscles) Then I finished on the spinning bike (HIIT for 20 mins).

Came back home and rested.  Then went out to Midtown Miami with my sister and bestie.  Had an interesting drink called a milk tea.  Basically a Thai team with rum.  (Forgot to take a pic).

Merry Christmas

Just because it is a holiday does not mean we can take a day off!  (Remember we are two weeks behind schedule due to the stress of work, cold of home, and hibernation syndrome of winter right before I headed over here to Miami)

So with that in mind, my sister and I did an intense 75 mins spinning class.  I swear that was the first time I have done spinning, and it not for the faint of heart!!!  I totally was not mentally prepared for that session.  Of course, I plan to torture myself a couple more times before I leave.  ;-)

After spinning, we kept our regularly-scheduled hour long tennis sessions.  After tennis, we did a couple laps around the courts and a set of full-length suicides. In fact we do laps and/or suicides before/after every tennis session.

 Suicides are where you sprint from the base line to the service line and back, from the base line to the net and back, from the base line to the opposite service line and back, from the base line to the opposite base line and back.

Please excuse the hair!  This was post work out after all!

Day at Hollywood Beach - Christmas Eve

Is it a full-fledged Miami vacation without a trip to the beach??  Of course not.  After a day of tennis and gym with my sis, we decided to head to Hollywood beach for a late lunch and a walk with another of our sisters and a friend of mine from college.  (Don't ask how long ago that was!!!)

On our way there...

Views from the pier

And of course the drinks I had...

That was a an interesting concoction with Jalapeno-infused tequila and lime juice.

And of course, a couple hot toddy's!!! Egyptian Mint and Ketel One Citron

After three rounds of drinks and a some nosh, we decided to take a walk on the beach...

Day 4 in Miami

Totally was feeling blah today but my mom went Xmas grocery shopping so I went to pick her up...

Eventhough I so wanted to take the day off, my sisters and I are planning to head to Hollywood Beach so definitely should not skimp out on the gym or tennis.  Tennis is a standing date so that was certainly going to happen but what about the gym....?

After dropping my mother off, I decided to suck it up and head over.  Let me tell you those 1st 5mins on the treadmill were brutal but I managed to do HIIT jogging/running for 20 minutes.

Then I ran laps to warm up for tennis.  My sister and I had a great 60 mins work out!

And of course, I kept hydrated... No, seriously...
I've been drinking the same amount of water as usual however with the heat, humidity, activity, and drinking; I had not been properly hydrated these last two days.  No bueno!!!  My energy level was down, my system wasn't flushing itself out as well.  So now I have to make sure to drink more of that liquid gold known as agua.

Day 3 in MIami - Still on track

Amazingly I have been consistent so far here in beautiful Florida.  Maybe I should make moves over this way....

Today, was another day playing tennis for an hour, then followed by the gym.   Thanks sis for being my partner in crime. This time I concentrated on my arm routine for 30 mins, lifting free weights and using the machines.

After a productive day, off to Miami downtown to hang with my bestie and exchange gifts.

And of course ended the day, with a hot toddy...

This time I've been using Pumpkin Spice Tea (tis the Season) and coconut rum.

Day 2 - Miami

Today has completed Day 3 of more active activities in good ole' Sunny Florida. 

 This was on my way to play tennis with my sister:  Notice I am wearing a Hypnotiq while going to work out.  ;-)

Some shots of tennis:

And at the gym later...

Of course I can't not have some drinks and fun.  Hung out poolside with my girls and one of my sisters. Had two glasses of Pinot Grigio!  I know, not so bueno but I've been doing so well and I've eaten so well so alas....  I'm feeling good and I'm on vaca so....

Back on Track in Miami

I am finally back on track in Miami.  I came in Saturday evening.  I went to the gym for an hour.  Sunday, I took a walk and hit the gym for another hour.  

I am super happy with being back on track.  Already, I've dropped 5 lbs.  For the next two weeks, I'll be tracking both lbs and inches just because it's easier here in Miami to track both.

Saturday evening after the gym, I hung out with friends and family.

Yesterday was a day relaxing at the pool after the gym.

After my work out on Saturday, I took the following pic:

Post gym yesterday:

On my way to my bestie's place downtown Miami:

And as you can imagine, partying has also taken precedence.

I've stuck with my rules around straight flavored-vodka except for the Prosecco I had over girl talk.  I mixed it with organic Cranberry juice so it had some health benefits.... Right?

The Struggle is Real

Enough said.  

Seriously, these past two weeks have been a struggle mentally and emotionally.  Work has kept me crazy busy and took a bit of a stressful turn this week.  All I want to do is stay in my covers or leave my house for party mode only.  It's the worst during the winter months.  I am definitely a person affected by cold weather and more importantly, lack of sunlight.  My body does not want to get up out of the bed unless the sun is nice and bright, whether cold or hot out.

This is dangerous.  I pretty much slept and partied for three years hence how I went from a size 4 to 14.  Can we say not cute...  Granted this funk has only lasted about two weeks and I'm still fighting the good fight.  Normally, I would have pretty much given in by now.  But not this time.  I can taste my goal and I have to stay the course.  I've managed to do bouts of calisthenics and about three hours of roller skating within the last two weeks.  I think Ol Skool Weds will definitely stay on the rotation.

I haven't been to the gym since my last post which was what a week ago.  This is why I need to blog daily as this is a way for me to keep my accountability up.

While I haven't been working out as much, I've not blown up like a complete hot air balloon - maybe a teeny tiny water balloon.  If only I could deflate as quickly as a balloon, that would be helpful as well.  Hit me up and keep me on my game!!!!  Thanks to those who I see in real life who ask me all the time about my blog and updates.

My non progress pics are below as well as some fun times throughout the week.

Reset Button

As you know, I made it to the gym Monday night.  I was geared up for Tuesday.  Lost some energy and motivation but with the help of a best friend, got it together and went to the gym only to discover I had forgotten my sneakers at home.  So no gym for me :-(

Wednesday came along.  I already knew the gym would not happen as I planned to go rollerskating with a friend.  And rollerskate we did.  I haven't been in quite some time but all in all, a good 90 mins workout.  Still feeling blah and fat from missing Tuesday so the goal is to hit the gym for 2 hours after this event I'm hosting tonight.  Not only that, but woke up with a killer migraine that refuses to go away.  Wish me luck in getting through this day and accomplishing my goal of making it to the gym!!!  I made sure my sneakers are indeed with me.  So at least we are partly there. 

I did do light calisthenics this AM.  Nothing to brag about so not going to mention what was done.

It HAS Begun

As you know I have been struggling with consistency and intensity.  The challenge for the next two weeks until December 20th when I travel (I know again.  Maybe I should turn this into a travel blog.  lol) Anyway, as I was saying, the challenge for the next two weeks is to hit the gym for an hour every day starting yesterday.

I am happy to report that I did indeed make it after my requisite sushi and sake at Virago.  Love luv that place!!!

At the gym, 20 mins on the bike, 15 mins weight circuit concentrating on legs, 10 mins Stairmaster, 5 mins elliptical, 10 mins treadmill.  

I must say that was a pretty easy and laid-back routine.  I think because my goal was just to get there I hadn't really thought much about what I wanted to do.  This evening's gym routine will have to be more intense.  I feel like I could have done what I did last night in my sleep.  Not sure if this is a good thing.  Does it mean I'm becoming more fit?!  I set my bike and elliptical to level 9.  Doubled the weights and reps for my hips, thighs, and glutes.  As always, the Stairmaster is set at highest level (20) for the majority of the time.  I definitely chilled on the Treadmill.  I did an incline of 10 for the majority with varying walking speeds then dropped down to no incline for a light jog.

This morning, I stretched.  Much needed.  I don't do it as much as I should and I definitely need to do it at least once a day if I plan to rev things up.  

My plan this evening is 40 mins on bike, 20 mins on arms, 5/10 mins on abs, 15 mins on treadmill.

We'll see...  In the meantime, here is my pic from this AM.  Waist is trimming up nicely if I do say so myself :-)

Highlight of my day yesterday: I met up with a friend yesterday whom I met a little over a year ago (at the time of some of the before pics)  Exact words and I quote: "You look like you've dropped at least 20 lbs and wow, you have really toned up.  Even since the last time I saw you." (which was a few months ago before I started this blog)

Back from NOLA!!!

Took a quick trip down to visit family and see the game.  The game was most pitiful as we were trounced by the Panthers.  Cam Newton is a cutie pie but really the Saints need to do some soul searching so fans can...

Anywho, here are some highlights from the game...

Okay... it is all about me.  That is how bad this game was!!!!

Seriously though, this is my home away from home.  Every time I go, I never want to leave.  It was worth the quick trip just to get a dosage of family loving, good drinks, and beyond incredibly delicious food!!!  I was lax in taking pictures of those lovely items.  

My people live in the Uptown/Garden district.  If you visit, definitely go onto Magazine Street.  Great eclectic eateries and nice little boutiques.  

On another note, just as the Saints need to do some soul searching, so did I.  I realized a liquid cleanse in the middle of the holiday season is definitely not going to work!  So I will continue to watch what/how I eat (not being strict about it) but definitely hitting the gym everyday is a must!!!!  Starting today.

As I just rolled to town in the weeeeee hours this AM and remarkably made it to work, I managed only to do a 5 min plank and 30 plank push ups.

Will update later with gym shots and work out routines.  

Continue to read, comment, and follow to keep up the motivation!!!!  Ya'll are the best!!!

For inspiration, check this out!

Toodles!