Day 5 - Patience or Patient

So, I finally broke down and went to see my doctor this morning because my back was killing me.  I'm sure it had little or nothing to do with the fact that I decided to lift weights this morning (I chose light weights and only exercises where I could lie down on my back).  He basically told me that I pulled something in my lower back, gave me some meds to help with the pain, and said I need to REST if I want to get better.  Swimming and walking are okay...but I need to stop with the cycling and weights (and definitely no running) until I feel better. 

So, here's the new plan:  I'm going to take about a week off (swimming and walking only), get some rest, and resume my wedding workout challenge starting July 22nd...at which point we'll be 100 days away from the big day.  Provided that I feel better, I'll resume my plan of working out every day.  It actually has a better ring to it, anyway...the 100 day wedding workout challenge.  Until then, I'll continue to monitor my calorie intake (goal = 1,700 cals per day), and will take it easy on the workouts.  If don't use some patience and let this thing heal, I'm likely to wind up a patient of physical therapy again...which I don't want.

So, until next time, I'll be taking it easy, enjoying the soothing sounds from one of my favorite bands of the summer, Beach House.  Listening to their album, Teen Dream now.

I'm sure I'll be feeling better, in no time at all:

Ebay Love

Okay, since I felt the need to gush about Etsy this morning...I've decided to show some love for Ebay, as well.  Check out the super cool milk glass vases that I bought for the wedding:

I know what you're thinking...these will look absolutely perfect with the burlap table runners I got from Ruflly Owl, right?  Exactly.  And then there's this AMAZING silk robe I bought from the Sisters of the Black Moon Ebay shop...which is one of the best spots for finding unique vintage items.  Sometimes I visit the shop just to check out the amazing photography and styling of the models. 

I can't wait to wear this on my honeymoon.  xoxo

Sometimes I think I was born about 2 decades late.  I should have been a teenager in the 70s.  Thankfully, I can go back in time whenever I want.  Ebay is only a couple clicks away.      

Esty Love

Dear Etsy,

I love you...and your little Ruffly Owl, too!  I ordered these super cute burlap table runners to use for my wedding.  The seller offered me an awesome deal because I was ordering in bulk, and I received my goodies only a few short days from placing the order!  Check out how cute they were packaged:

I can't wait to use these at my wedding!  Check out the Ruffly Owl's Etsy shop here: http://tinyurl.com/2fsbgqw or Dacia's blog here: http://tinyurl.com/23dnov2 .  Happy shopping!

Day 4 - Invigorating

Another one down!  Today's activity included a 20 minute early morning walk with Pace in the Barton Hills neighborhood, followed by 20 minutes of laps in the pool.  I forgot how great and invigorating it is to swim in the morning.  It really helped wake me up and get me going this morning.  I'm going to give my back some rest this week before attempting to run, but I must say...I really can't wait to get out on the road again. 

Day 4: 20 minute walk + 20 minute swim.

So far, I've had mixed feelings about this wedding weight loss challenge.  I'm happy that I'm off to a good start (4/4), but at the same time, very frustrated that my back has been hurting so much.  I can't run or lift weights, and it makes it hard to feel like I've really put a good solid effort into it.  I guess I just need to continue with patience and persistence.

With that said...a song that I can't get out of my head today, and thought I'd share with you:  "Big Big Love (Fig.2)" by Foals.  If you don't have the album Antidotes, you're missing out...it's really great to load into your iTunes workout list...and...they'll be at ACL Festival this year, so no better time than the present to get to know this band.

Day 3 - Stationary Submission

Today I found myself in the gym at 6:00 am on a hampster wheel of sorts.  Bicycling in place with nothing to keep my mind occupied but the view from the 2nd floor of 24 Hour Fitness.  If it weren't for the couple displaying an inappropriate amount of PDA, which left me completely perplexed, or the amusement I gained from the lady sporting the neon Jurassic Park muscle shirt, I would have gone completely nuts.  I prefer to spend my workouts in the outdoors running, swimming, biking, etc.  It helps me clear my mind and prepare for a day spent indoors, seated, at a computer.  However...the genious that is drunk Lindsey decided, about 10 days ago, that it was a brilliant plan to have my 130 pound girlfriend stand on my shoulders.  After about a dozen failed attempts in the pool, I limped away with a sore lower back that is still hurting to this day.  (Note to self: you should learn from past mistakes and not attempt cheerleading moves and/or stunts while drunk...or ever, for that matter.  You are in your 30s.)  So, until my back heals, I'm stuck with low impact options, such as swimming or riding a bike in place (it's too dark to ride outside early in the morning...I'm afraid of being run over by a half-dazed suit on his/her way to get their morning cup of joe).

This leaves me frustrated, especially when I boot up my computer this morning, and get the reminder that I'm supposed to "start training for the Austin marathon" this week.  Ugh.  I wish!  For now, I'll have to relinquish my workouts to a state of stationary submission...and be more careful with my back in the future.

Day 3: 30 minutes on the stationary bike + 10 mintues of abs and stretching.
(Lindsey = 3; Laziness = 0)

Day 2 - Walk It Off

Another rough day for my wedding weight loss challenge.  Normally, my Sundays are spent lazily reading in the morning, then finishing up chores to prepare for the work week (this weekend, I started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and it would have been super easy to spend all day on the sofa with this book).  Today, however, began with a World Cup Finals party at Blake and Lamanda's place.  So, another day of early drinking and shenanigans.  I slept it off early this evening, then walked it off for 30 minutes with Pace in the Barton Hills neighborhood.  (Lindsey = 2; Laziness = 0)

Day 2: 30 minutes walking through Barton Hills

Taken alone, the 30 minutes spent walking through my neighborhood wouldn't seem like much...but take into consideration the fact that I was slightly hung over from drinking too many wine spritzers early in the day, and I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself.  It would have been so much easier to nap on the couch in the A/C.  Plus...Pacers got in on the exercise today...and loved it!  (He's still happily panting on the hardwood floors...cooling off underneath the fan).  Two days down...100 to go!

Day 1 - Getting My Feet Wet

So, day 1 of the wedding challenge went about as expected for a Saturday (remind me why I didn't start this thing on Monday???).  While I spent most of the day lounging on the sofa, watching Avatar or in front of this computer researching honeymoon destinations (Tahiti, Bora Bora)...I did actually manage to log in my activity for the day.

Day 1: 20 minutes of laps in the pool

Even though I only put in 20 minutes, I was quite proud of myself for following through today.  It would have been much easier to continue sipping mimosas in the sun, and trust me, the thought crossed my mind.  Not bad for a Saturday!

Wedding Challenge

So, it's 113 days until the "big day," and I still have lots of work to do to get in shape for my wedding gown.  The summers in Austin always lead to a bit of weight gain for me...I can't resist sipping margaritas on a patio somewhere with chips and salsa...which inevitably leads to the skipping of my morning workout routine.  Increased alcohol calorie consumption + too much Tex Mex = 10 pounds to lose in less than 4 months.

The challenge:  Lose 10 pounds in the next 112 days and firm up to look super fab on my wedding day.
The plan:  Engage in some sort of physical activity every day and log my calorie intake every day.  And, of course, blog about it.

112 days.
10 pounds.
1 dress.

I start my adventure tomorrow.  Wish me luck!