I knew I liked Pure Barre!

Went to Pure Barre yesterday to make up for my missed Saturday class. Man I was in need of that class! In more ways than one. 

I was feeling flabby. My ass felt huge. My tummy looked like a giant muffin top. I was not feeling good about my body at all. I felt like shit. I have a cold that was beating the crap out of me. My head ached from congested sinuses. I was coughing deep in my chest. My back and ribs hurt from coughing. I couldn't sleep due to the coughing. My eyes hurt from the sinus pressure. All I wanted to do was lay down and close my eyes, even if I couldn't sleep. 

But I forced myself to go to class with a smile on my face. I realized how weak my arms have gotten. I've spent the past year working on running and toning my lower half, that my arms have taken a beating. Not in a bad way. I just realize in PB class when they do arms, that I'm weak, especially on the side I don't usually carry the kid with. The at home DVDs don't focus nearly as much on arms as the classes do. And we only use 2 pound weights in class! And then at the barre I found my zone. I had to stop and regroup and go back into position several times, especially in the second and third thigh exercises. But by the time I got to butt and was staring at myself in the mirror, I was so far in the zone I didn't even notice the sweat dripping down my forehead, or the sweat drops pooling at the end of my hair. I snapped out of it for a second and noticed what a hot sweaty mess I was.

After the class, I realized just how calm and peaceful I was after the class. It felt like I'd taken a week long mental vacation. I was so relaxed and rested, even if my muscles were fatigued and tired. Mentally I was in a great place. I didn't feel the need to blare music on the way home to keep my mind occupied. I did turn it on but was so into the beat. Maybe I just focused so much on the beat during class that I was still in a trance? I took cough medicine with codine last night because I couldn't stop hacking. But I woke up with that same calm, usually I wake up foggy after taking that stuff. Yesterday I was jittery and my heart was racing almost like palpitations. I figured it was from the coughing and not being able to breath right. I really wondered if I should go to class. But now, that feeling is totally gone. I'm very focused today, and still have that calm feeling. And I'm feeling better too. Maybe I'm getting over the cold. Maybe it's still the mental clarity from PB class combined with getting better? Whatever it is, it's a great feeling!! Just proved to me how much I NEEDED that class. 

Found a different barre class that is closer than Pure Barre. Might give it a try. It's called The Dailey Method. Want to do something this summer to kick my butt besides running. I'll still aim to run in the morning, but after work I want something. Especially since I have more flexibility in the summer with my work schedule. We'll see if I like that class. Reviews say it's not as intense as PB (less focus on getting the HR up) and that's one of the things I like about PB, the fact that I sweat 5 minutes in before we're even half way through warm up. But the drive to Desert Ridge is 15-20 minutes, compared to 35-45 to Scottsdale or Arcadia.

Pure Barre - My latest Obsession!

After the 2 half marathons I took off to heal and stop hurting. The shin splints were out of control. My calves were in continual knots. And quite frankly I wasn't seeing the results I wanted to see in my body from running. I was getting thicker thighs again. My belly pooch was coming back.

When I first started running I was doing 2ish miles on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays I'd do Pure Barre DVDs. According to the website: "Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs, and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body." As my weekend milage increased, I tapered back the Pure Barre. I tried to do at least 1 PB class a month (aiming for every 2 weeks when possible). But after taking a class on Saturday, it was impossible to go run 8-10 miles without cramping up. So I lifted up on the Pure Barre focusing more on the running. Big Mistake!! I went from toned, to thighs rubbing together again. I have huge thighs, so when they don't touch, that's a huge accomplishment.

I first heard about Pure Barre when I was in L.A. I saw Melissa Joan Hart on TV raving about this class that totally got her in shape after her first baby. Not long after that, I was working ECMO in the ICU and the nurse mentioned she'd taken this new workout class. We started talking and it was a Pure Barre class. She said, "I was walking around naked getting ready for bed and my husband asked me what I was doing lately because my ass looked great. I hadn't done any workouts except for that ONE class." I was determined to try it at that point. But alas, life in the OR prevented me from doing so. Every so often I'd look up classes, but in L.A. I was intimidated by location. I mean if a class is in Beverly Hills, how likely are you to go? I didn't want to be the fat girl in class who had no clue what she was doing! So I put it off longer. When I moved back to Arizona, I saw my brother's friend comment that she'd taken a class and LOVED it. Her friend from school is an instructor. It was then that I decided to bite the bullet and just do it. I tried to talk my mom into going with me, but she was intimidated by it because it was different.

I did my research and read up on it. But NOTHING could have prepared me for that class. It was INTENSE! I was drenched in the first 10 minutes, and we weren't even done with warm up. The warmup consists of knee lifts, planks in various positions, isometric situps, and arm workouts with light weights and resistance bands. Don't be fooled - nowhere near as easy as it sounds. Then they move to the barre to work the tops of the thighs and inner thighs. Half way through one side, my legs were visibly shaking and continued to shake for the entire class. After thighs is butt, and then abs. Each set of movements seems harmless until you hone in the exercise and really work from the target muscle. And after the first class, despite barely being able to walk and my entire body still twitching - I was in love!

If the studios weren't an hour from my house, I'd be there daily. I'm obsessed and I have loved seeing the results (and missed it when I wasn't doing it). I'd really love to become an instructor. Every time I go I beg the owners to open another one on the west side of town. I ordered the collector series of DVDs to do at home. They aren't nearly as intense as the class, but it prepares you well for the class. My mom tried out the DVDs for a while before her first class. And she agreed, even that couldn't prepare you for the class. It's not like any other type of exercise.

So since the half marathons were over, I figured it was time to get back to it. I've been attempting to do the DVDs at least 3-4 times a week. My goal is 4, hopefully 5. But being sick has thrown that off. But I do have to say, I'm starting to see results. My arms are leaner. I'm losing that "boob fat" between my armpit and my chest. My abs are more defined. I still have the pooch, but the obliques are tighter. (Discovered running in conjunction with PB helps to pull in the pooch.) My thighs are tighter and leaner. They almost don't touch anymore whereas 2 weeks ago, there was full on rub contact going on - so much so I put on compression pants under a dress because it was so annoying. My hips are a little trimmer, but my butt is definitely tighter and lifted!! Glad to be back to the barre after being away for a while. Slowly getting back into PB and running. Hopefully now that it's getting light earlier, I'll be able to go back to running in the morning again and do some PB at night. I had to give up my morning runs due to too many coyote/javalina encounters.

Still hoping for that hot bikini body!

Yup, addiction has been created.

Chris printed out all the marathons in Arizona today. He actually highlighted the one my uncle, dad, and brother are doing. So he's now signed up to do it. I haven't decided if I want to do the whole 1/2 or not. He's contemplating the Disneyland one too. Apparently he wants a different medal b/c TinkerBell is too girlie lol. Now, did I not ask him a bunch if he was really sure he wanted to do it? He had no idea it was a girls race but demanded to do it. Give him props for wanting to do it with me, but I think he's second guessing it now.

2012 races

I think I've started a running addiction. I totally want to run the Disneyland 1/2 marathon, but I know the Disneyland and Tinkerbell for next year are out due to wanting to have a kid in the next year. I told my dad I wanted to run the 5K at Disneyland and he was like "but won't you be pregnant?" Umm yeah! But my goal is to stay in shape this time! I want to be one of those people who pop out a kid and are back to working out the next day (okay next week). I realize that's not reality, but that's the kind of shape I want to be in.

So here's my race goals for this year knowing I'll be having a kid in winter 2012/2013.

January 29 - Tinker Bell 1/2 Marathon

February 19 - IMS 1/2 Marathon? 5K?? I'm leaning toward 5K b/c I want to take a Pure Barre class the day before.

April - Tillman Run

September - Disneyland Family 5K??

October - Susan G. Komen 5K Breast Cancer Run

Wish there was more intermediate distances - 6-10 milers in there. Guess I need to find some different races...

PF Changs Rock N roll ... and 2 weeks!

Went on my long run yesterday (Saturday). Tried out a new pace - run 3 min, walk 1:15. And I went for 11 miles. Was aiming for 12-13, but I had to get back because Ryleigh had to go to the doctor and I felt like a bad mom not at least getting there for the diagnosis and instructions, so I cut it short. New pace felt okay. Will probably try it next week too, just to make sure I can do it.

I was also breaking in new shoes. I ran on Wednesday at the track in my Merrells. Usually I just take my Bikilas. I noticed that when I was running I was lifting my big toe like I do with ballet flats which are tight in order to keep them on. I was on the fence about needing new shoes. The tread on my Merrells were worn, but for a road race, I'd be okay. And they had about 150+ miles on them, so I knew I was getting close to time, especially for a barefoot shoe. I was really trying to hold out until February/March when all the new shoes come out, but noticing the change and wondering how much of a correlation that has to this annoying new shin splint I have... And then reading online that they suggest going a 1/2 size up from your normal size, meant I probably needed new shoes. I also wondered how much of the shin splints/ leg pain was due to the pounding of worn down barefoot shoes, since when I first got the Merrells I was pain free. So I went to RoadRunner Sports and tried the next 1/2 size up. The guy said even that fit was tight, but since I walked in wearing my Bikilas I should be okay. Noticed the fit was more comfortable on the run. Just need to work on getting myself out of the habit of doing that stupid toe lifting thing. These shin splints hurt!

My calves must have been really tight. My plantar fascitis is really hurting today after my run yesterday. And I got an Achilles charlie horse today too, which is just painful and annoying. Took a nap with the splint on and had to get over the pain of keeping my foot flexed. But when I woke up from the nap, my calf and Achilles and sorta the plantar fascitis felt a little better.

Today was the PF Changs Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon. My dad and brother, Cory, were running it. I really wanted to run with them. But now I'm glad I'm saving my first 1/2 for a Disney race. I hear so many stories about how encouraging people are at the Disney races. Today it just seemed like everyone was there for themselves. There were people stopping with less than a 1/4 mile left and I wanted so much to scream out to them "COME ON!! YOU GOT THIS!! The finish is RIGHT THERE!" And people around them were oblivious to others. And then at the end my dad said that they just kinda shoved the medal in your hands. So not how I picture the finish line of my first race.

We took the light rail (for the first time) and the station where we got off was just past mile 1. I got tracking updates for my dad, but not for Cory, so we had no idea where he was. But we knew my dad hadn't started yet. We didn't know what Cory was wearing either. So we missed him at mile 1. We did see my dad and Ryleigh held up her bright sign for him. We then headed toward the finish. We got there as the first few people were finishing. One female world record holder apparently was leading for a while, but made a wrong turn and followed a car. So she ended up finishing at 1:28. We got pretty decent spots against the fence about a 1/4 mile or less before the finish line. We could see everyone coming in the chute. But we missed Cory since our spots weren't that good at the time. My other brother and Ryleigh saw Cory, but the rest of us missed him - again. He finished in 1:50:07!! Quite impressive since it's only his 2nd 1/2 and he hasn't trained that much for this race. Oh and he was running in shoes with HOLES in them. Quite literally HOLES. He put duct take on them to provide a surface to run on. He knew his Bikilas were thin before Christmas (he runs in Vibram Five Fingers). My brother got him a different style (Bikila LS) and it just doesn't fit him right. He's getting blisters in new places, etc. So he decided to go back to his old Bikilas for the race since he had those broken in. But before the race his midfoot of one had a hole in it. And the toes of another had holes in it. I'll have to post pictures, because it's quite the site. After the race, he had a hole in the other midfoot too. I can't believe that doesn't bother him.

I was able to see my sorority sister making her way to the finish too. She spotted me first and I was so excited to see her. So proud of her. But seeing my dad was the best. He was so easy to spot from WAY far away in his psychadellic yellow top and yellow hat. And he was unique because he was the only yellow shirt guy I found wearing a yellow camelbak to match so the chest strap gave it away to us that it was him. He looked pretty good at the end. Especially for a 55 year old completing his first half marathon!! So proud of him!! He's definitely in better shape than me. He finished in 2:36. Way better than the projected 3 hours that we first set our goal to.

He's been a great training partner and the one to push me on days I didn't want to run. Knowing that he was getting up and running made me feel like I had to go too. There were times when I wanted to give up and walk, but I can't let my DAD out run me! He's the reason I ran the entire Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in October. I'd never run 3 miles straight before. But there was no way I was going to let him keep going while I stopped to walk. He's trained on longer runs that I have time to do between long runs. He was up to doing 5 miles straight no walking. I wish I had time to try for that, one day.

Today made me super excited for my own race. I wanted to be the one out there running. It made me learn a few things:

1. That I need to wear something distinctive if I want my parents to find me while I race.

2. I need to make them sign up for updates.

3. I need to remember to have Chris sign up for updates so he knows how far behind him I am.

4. Cheer people around me on.

5. Aches and pains aside, ENJOY the moment!! Heather and my dad were so HAPPY racing to the finish. So many others looked like they wanted to die the moment they crossed the finish line.

I've also decided once I get that medal, it's not coming off. All day. It's my excuse for limping slowly through the park. And as my brother pointed out, it's a valid excuse for getting stuck on a ride. I saw the medal at the PF Changs Expo. I mean it is THE REASON I went to the expo to begin with. And it is gorgeous!!! Bigger than I expected. Bigger than my dads... :-D And TinkerBell SPINS!! And now I'm completely STOKED for the race. Last long run down. Got hopefully 2 (but 1 if the Plantar Fascitis doesn't go away quick) shorter runs this week, a 8 miler on Sunday and then maybe 1 3 miler befrore the big race. I have to at least do a 5 miler non-stop since my brother, 'Topher" did it yesterday and now he's bragging. He just picked up running a month ago, he has a ways to go before he can hold bragging rights over me!

I do like seeing how my decision to run Tinker Bell has inspired my family. My dad was running, but not really serious until I was started. Would he have done the RnR if I hadn't signed up for Tink first? Chris picked up running and has now found a healthy hobby. He could do well if he actually trained. And now Topher picking up running. Hope it lasts.

20 more days!!

I'm so FREAKING STOKED about my race!! It's not for three more weeks, but I'm so freaking excited!!!! I keep having to tell myself that this is about me accomplishing a goal I set for myself 7 months ago, and this will be the completion of the goal. I need to stop worrying about times, and paces, etc and worry about being proud of myself for doing it. Who cares if Chris finishes a half hour before me? Who cares if my dad can run a 3:1 pace and I'm still at a 3:1.5? I did this for ME.

We got our bib numbers last week along with the waiver forms. Hate that I put I'd finish in 3:15 knowing I'll finish closer to 2:45 or less. Hate having a number in the 9000's. But then again those girls who said they have numbers in the triple digits scare me. 1hour and 45 minutes to run 13.1 miles?! Holy cow that's fast! (Chris's cousin just did the Disney World Marathon (26.2 miles) this weekend at under a 10 minute per mile pace 9:52 to be exact!) I'll stick to being excited that I broke 13 min/mi this weekend.

So the bibs made it a lot more real. People are starting to plan their outfits. No matter how much I'd LOVE to run in a tutu, I'll leave that for a future race. I'm real picky about annoying distractions and for my first, I don't want a distraction. I'm holding off on my outfit until it gets closer to race time. I know I'll wear my compression capris, and some leg sleeves (got pink, purple and black to choose from). Likely a tank top and arm sleeves unless it gets chilly in Cali and then I'll consider a long sleeve top/jacket. Of course toe socks and my Merrells. Decided I'm running with the Camelbak. The running belt doesn't hold enough water. And all the stories about the traffic jam and back ups at the water and food stations are making me glad that I've been training with the Camelbak. I can avoid all those stations completely! I'll have my own water whenever I want it (no waiting for a station to come up) and my food right there in the backpack portion if and when I need it. And I don't have to worry about running out of water or refilling bottles on a running belt.

The girls on the TinkerBell facebook page are setting a time up to meet each other which I think is totally cool. Not sure I can go yet since it's the day we're driving in and we have to go to the Expo, but in the future I'd be all for it!!

I booked our hotel. We're staying at the Disney Paradise Pier Hotel right outside California Adventure. And it's right by the start line. Staying Saturday and Sunday nights. Still debating about when we're leaving. Starting to lean toward leaving Friday night, and staying near my grandma or something Friday night, then getting to the Expo early Saturday to avoid crowds, etc. So we have more time to shop and look around at the Expo and take advantage of the services (KT Tape stations, free samples, free massages, etc.) Instead of driving out on Saturday getting in around noon-2 and it closing at 5pm. Then we could just relax and walk around Saturday.

Have to be in our corral at 5-5:45am on Sunday. I think I'll be up at 3 bouncing off the walls. I'm already bouncing off the walls thinking about it. After the race, I found out there's a line to get your medal engraved with your name and your time!!! Holy cow!! YES!! Gotta document that first one!!

Then, I just made reservations for GOOFY's KITCHEN for breakfast/lunch!!! I'm SOO excited about this!! Ryleigh is going to love it. Her favorite part of Disneyland at Christmas was seeing all the characters, so seeing a bunch of them all in one place... she'll be in heaven! And the breakfast... it's like post race heaven!!

And then after lunch, we'll likely go to California Adventure. I really want to see the night show "World of Color". I just need to see how it works. I've seen dining stuff mention special seating for WOC, and there's a fast pass for it?? I'm confused. I though it was just a night time show you go and watch... but apparently it's more.

My parents are going with us so I'm waiting for a response back from runDisney. If my parents both buy ChEAR squad passes that let them into a special area at the finish line, does Ryleigh need a ChEAR squad pass too since she'll be with them? There's no ages on the website.

I was reading people's comments on the runDisney facebook page today. They posted the questions "What was your favorite moment about this weekend?" And the responses were enough to make me cry. "seeing my child smiling at me and cheering me on at the finish line" nearly had me crying! Heck I was running last week and my mom and Ryleigh came to meet us about a mile from our finish point. Seeing Ryleigh about a 1/4 mile away running toward me yelling "MOMMY!!!" was enough to make me tear up. I can't imagine at the race... her dressed up in her TinkerBell costume... my own little TinkerBell cheering for me! I'll be bawling lol.

20 more days!!! It's finally sinking in that this is real and I'm actually going to be able to do it!!!

How it all began

I don't consider myself a runner, but when you find out my workout, I have become one in the past year. I am a dancer, although I haven't danced formally in years. I am a cheerleader, although it's been over 10 years since I cheered. I am an athlete. I do aerobics. I workout with weights and elliptical machines. I take step classes. But a runner??

Here's my story:

I was a dancer and cheerleader in high school. I worked out in high school and college. I maintained a 110-115 pound figure until grad school. Then I became a Perfusionist. Perfusionists run the heart-lung machines in the cardiac OR while the surgeon performs heart surgery. The cases were long. REALLY long. You can't leave the OR in the middle of a case unless there happens to be someone who can give you a break. When you're on call or working after hours, there's no one there to give you a break. You can do 10 ,12, 18 hour cases by yourself with no break for food, drink or potty. So you eat when you can. And you pick things that are quick to prepare (ie. no lines in the cafeteria), quick to eat (no salads) and will sit in your stomach hours longer than it should. On top of that call adds an additional glitch. You can't get into a work out schedule. I mean you can try, but as soon as you're on call you're working all hours of the day and night with no regular sleep schedule. You sleep and eat when you can. Call didn't last a day for me, it lasted 1-2 weeks sometimes 3 weeks at a time. So working out was hit or miss. I tried to run figuring that was something I didn't really have to schedule. I even got super high tech Nike Shox. But whenever I'd run, I'd get pains. Pains in my shins, ankles, hips, knees. Not pains because of running, but pains from biomechanical issues. It felt like things were catching or pinching or not hitting right. So of course that led to less working out.

I got a different job (doing the same thing, but better hours) and actually got into a workout routine. And then I got pregnant...

From Pruett Family

That's at about 8-9 weeks.
And the dreaded exhaustion struck. I decided naps were more important than step class. And then work got busier. And working out became a thing of the past. I tried to get out and walk because I started to swell really bad during my pregnancy. And then I developed Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Pre-Eclampsia. I was up to 165 pounds when I went in to be induced.

From Pruett Family

That was baby's eviction day.
About 8 pounds was baby, and the other 22 pounds was fluid. I didn't recognize my hands and feet when I came home from the hospital after having my daughter. I then fell into the new baby cycle - sleep when baby sleeps. When your spouse gets the same amount of time off that you do, it's an easy cycle to get trapped in without any routine occurring in your household. It made it hard to figure out what time of day it was let alone when to go workout. Also having a c-section, I was sore! Just walking from the parking garage to the doctors office was tiring and challenging. I couldn't even think of 15 minutes on the elliptical.

Once back at work, my hours were longer, and then I got home and dealt with baby. I was better with her about getting her out for walks because we had a nanny who made me feel guilty for never taking her out. But the walks weren't like miles, just strolls around the block. Eventually, I tried rollerblading again. I love rollerblading. But again, never got in a habit. And work began to suck the life out of me again with so many transplants while on call. You know it's bad when you're on call for a week and you do over 7 transplants in that week. My daughter turned 1 and I hated how I looked in those pictures.

From Ryleigh's 1st bday

Soon I discovered the prospect of a teaching job at my grad school - teaching students how to be perfusionists. By September of 2010 we were moving to Arizona. We went to Disneyland right before we moved and I looked like an elephant in the pictures. My legs were ginormous. I was always proud of my muscular legs, but there was a layer of fat on them! Not to mention my giant muffin top.

From 2010.09.01 Disneyland

I had to go shopping for a new wardrobe since I was used to wearing yoga pants and scrubs and now needed professional attire. I used to wear size 2-4 in college. After my daughter I was up to size 8-10. And I was up to 148 pounds at my highest. Some might think that's a normal person's size. And I think it's an okay size. But for me at 5'1" and very muscular, it's not flattering for me to be that size. At our new apartment complex I started waking up early to work out. And I did really good at going 4-5 times a week for 45 minutes on the elliptical. Gotta start somewhere. And then I got a bad bout of bronchitis.

The bronchitis lasted a really long time. It was coupled with the flu at some point. All I know is I was sick from right after Christmas 2010 to February of 2011. I was at the doctor 3 times. Each time seeing a different doctor (which probably wasn't the best, but with the holidays it was what was available). Every time I went to the doctor my heart rate was sky high (think over 120) and my blood pressure was elevated. Each time I had to have a EKG which showed sinus tachycardia (my heart was pumping normally, just really fast). They chalked it up to white coat syndrome, which I still get. One of the doctors ordered a STAT CT scan to rule out a pulmonary embolism. I was 28 years old and they're thinking I had a blood clot stuck in my lung?! I see how my symptoms could lead someone to think that, but I knew better. That was kind of a defining moment for me, waiting for the radiologist to review the CT scan to clear me to go home. If they saw something they'd ambulance me to the ER! Thankfully it was clear and we found out later it was just chronic post nasal drip that required a special antihistamine. But from that moment on, I made 2011 about me. About getting me healthy and happy with myself again.

In October of 2010 we did the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure 5K walk. I'll admit - that walk killed me. It was 3 miles of walking and I was dying by the end. That told me how out of shape I was.

From 2010_10 October

But I also discovered something that probably changed my life for the better - Vibram Five Fingers. My dad had been an early adopter of the shoes and the minimalist running stuff. Before the Komen race he'd been wearing them for about a year prior to that. I really saw how they allow ALL the muscles in his leg to work together. My husband and I were so intrigued, not long after the race we both went out and bought a pair. He got the Bikilas and I got the KSOs.

From 2010_10 October

My dad and his red KSOs.
We mainly wore them as everyday shoes on the nights and weekends. We went on walks just to try out our shoes. And I started to wear mine to my morning workout sessions at the apartment workout center. I discovered I had no pains when exercising, it all felt very natural when wearing the shoes.

I started Jenny Craig in March of 2011 with my parents. They'd done it before the prior year with great success. I was very good about following the meal plans. I was also using the Body Media arm band. It was a great tool. And the weight melted off. Now by this time we had moved into our dream house. And life was good. I was loving teaching. Loving not being sick anymore. And loving the fact that I could see remnants of my old body starting to peek through again. But by 138 pounds or so I started to reach a plateau. I tried to rollerblade again. I love rollerblading. But I wasn't burning enough calories according to the Body Media device. So I knew I needed to start running to see results. And then I thought of my "running shoes" - the Vibrams!

I know when you start training in Vibram's you're supposed to start slow, only use them for 10% of your normal run then build up, etc. But I'd been kicking around in those shoes for months! My lower calf muscles were used to them by now, and besides when my "normal run" is not even a block, I'm pretty sure that's close to zero. So I strapped on the shoes and went running. And that's when it all started.

I'm going to cross post from a prior journal. This journal is for me and my workout/ weight loss journey, so I wanted to put all of that in one place.