Day 303 - Just Another Manic Monday

Today was actually a pretty good day.  I had a ton more energy than I have had the last few days.  Of course, I had to use every drop.

I went to my muscle challenge class first tonight.  It was really good.  I can chest press forty pounds.  That's pretty good for me!  The second set nearly killed me though.  And, by the time we got to the last set of biceps, my weights were much lighter.  But, progress is great, and I'm really proud of myself!

Of course, I pushed as hard as I could during the first class, and then when it was time for yoga, I had nothing left.  I dropped to child pose several times tonight.  My arms were so tired, I just couldn't hold some of the poses.  But, I did my best and that's what counts.  It was still a good workout, just not as amazing as it could have been.  Wednesday night I'll go to just yoga.  I'm sure I'll do much better!

Today was the first day of me getting back to strict paleo.  I've been having a hard time lately, and now I'm ready to be strict again.  Hopefully, I won't be too grumpy getting back used to it.  Today was actually fairly easy, diet-wise.  I just hope it continues!

Day 302 - Mothers Day

Today was Mothers Day, and it was pretty nice.  I got to sleep in this morning.  Steve made me a really nice breakfast, and Michael made me a sweet card.  So, the day got off to a great start.  Then, Michael had his KEEN music session this afternoon.  While he was in his session, I went and walked around the track for an hour.  I am averaging just over three miles an hour.  Not the pace I'd really like, but a lot better than when I first started.  So, I'll take it.

The rest of the day was pretty relaxing.  We played games this afternoon and had dinner with my Mother-in-Law.  I'm guessing tomorrow will go back to normal chaos, but it was nice to have a day that was pretty quiet and relaxing.  I wish more days could be like today.

Day 298 - Wednesday Yoga

Tonight's yoga class was nice.  I don't know if the difference is that since it's the only class now, I am not exhausted going into it, or what.  But, I really enjoyed the class and think I did really well.  I am able to hold some of the harder positions a lot longer now.  I even did the transition from down dog to plank!  Normally, I just don't have the strength left for that. 

So, as much as I hate not having the muscle challenge class on Wednesdays, it was nice tonight to just have yoga and really put my all into that one hour.  And, Ithink I got an excellent workout because of it.  So, that's a nice change of pace.

Tomorrow, I will be in a training class almost two hours away from home all day.  So, I don't think I'll be getting any exercise.  So, I am glad that tonight's workout was really good.  And, I am hoping that Friday will be another great exercise day.

Oh, I almost forgot the joy of the day.  Michael has been having perfect days at school pretty regularly now.  For a while we were getting calls almost daily.  Now, he's having good days 4 our of five days a week.  I will definitely take that!

Day 296 - Manic Monday

Today was a really busy day.  Work was a full day, then the gym, and then my Parent Support Group meeting.  All things that I like, but today I seem to be more worn out than I shoud be.

The gym was great, though.  In my muscle challenge class I actually used 20 pounds weight for several exercises.  My shoulders and biceps may not forgive me for a week!  And, I did real triceps dips.. boy am I going to pay.  But, it was a great class.

I went straight from the gym to my meeting.  I did take the time to cool down and get presentable, but didn't have that much time between the two.  I love going and talking with other parents with kids on the spectrum.  It's always empowering to share information, and share hope. 

After I came home, I had a few things to do, but now I am going to sneak off to bed early.  I am completely worn out.  And, I only had one hour of exercise because of my meeting.  Normally, on Mondays, I do twice as much.  Maybe I'm tired because my body didn't get what it was expecting?  I'm not sure, but no matter the reason, I am finding my bed.  Good night!

Day 294 - I love the Weekend!

I really enjoyed going to the intervals class last weekend, and decided I wanted to go back today.  So, this morning I got up and went to the gym for a 9:00 stretch class followed by a 9:30 intervals class.  The stretch class used the stability ball, and that was wonderful.  I really enjoyed the class and felt great going into the intervals class.

The intervals class was pretty intense, but a lot of fun.  She did a bunch of step moves, and interspersed tabata intervals and some strength work using resistance tubes.  I loved the tabata intervals.  They were beyond intense, but really fun at the same time.  And, I know my triceps are going to be feeling the muscle work tomorrow.  All in all, a great morning at the gym.

Then, when I got home, it was time to take Michael to his yoga class.  The room was a little warm today, but it wasn't as crowded as last week.  I'm guessing since it was such a beautiful day, not as many people wanted to exercise inside.  But, it was still a great session.  Michael and I both got a really good workout.  And, I love doing partner poses with him.  I'm not sure why, but I feel really close to Michael when we do yoga together.

So, for the day, I had two and a half hours of exercise.  I came home really, really tired.  But, I also feel like I accomplished something great.  I know I used to exercise two hours a day all the time, but today, it felt great.  I love that I am finding a balance between too much and too little.  And, I really love that exercise is just starting to feel like part of the day, not something I have to do.

Day 293 - Happy But Tired

After the excitement of yesterday, today seemed like a little bit of a let down.  I had meetings most of the day, and I got home tired and cranky. I'm trying to put together an audition video, so Steve and I worked on that for a while.  I definitely got a lot of exercise while he filmed.  It was kinda strange to have him film me working out, but kinda fun too.  Then, it was time to take Michael in the chamber, and then the day was over.  Why is it that the boring days seem to go by the fastest?  But, tomorrow is Friday, and that is always a wonderful thing to look forward to!

Day 292 - Real Life Progress. Four major achievements in one day!

Today was an amazing day.  I did four new things today, three of which I haven’t done in YEARS!  I am just bursting with excitement and pride.

1.        I finally retired the pair of capris that I have been wearing in my before vs now pictures.  They are a 3x and really were getting kinda baggy.  I couldn’t get a size 2x to replace them, so I got a 1x.  They are a little snug, but not too bad.  I actually wore them to class tonight.  I am so excited to be in a 1x!

2.       This afternoon I did a kettlebell DVD.  Steve got me a 5 pound kettlebell for my birthday, and Jillian Michael’s Shred it With Weights DVD.  For the first time, I think I did pretty well.  There was one move I couldn’t do at all, and one I did pretty poorly.  But, I lasted the whole workout, and I am beyond proud of myself.  I do think I need to find a heavier kettlebell, though.

3.       I went to yoga tonight, and one of the first things we did was sit cross legged.  I normally keep my legs straight, angled out, because I can’t cross them.  Tonight, I was actually able to cross them and be comfortable.  It was amazing!  I’m sure the teacher thought I was crazy grinning from ear to ear while doing warm up stretches.

4.       The last thing happened at the end of yoga class.  We were doing chair pose, and she wanted us to do a low chair.  That means squatting all the way down.  I’ve tried it a few times since I started this journey, and every time my knees lock up and refuse to bend all the way.  Tonight, I was able to do it!  It was such a great feeling. 

I know all of these are little things, and most people can do them and not even think twice.  But for me, they are tangible signs of progress.  And, it also reminds me that the important progress is measured in life, not on the scale.  That is a lesson I really needed to be reminded of.