On a Mission: Lose 10 lbs in May!

Recently I've felt a major running slump and noticed a nosedive in my diet. I've been really stressed, sick with allergies, and just afraid of the warm/hot weather. I've also been working a lot, and with the two new employees I'm sure my hours will do down, too, leaving me broke but with more time to workout.

So here's my plan: May is National Runner's Month, so I'm going to make the most of it and add strength training into the mix. I have two valuable resources already when it comes to strength training. I have the Wii Active game, as well as Wii Fit. However, I feel the Wii Active will provide the continuous workout that I need. I also have Jillian Micheal's "30 Day Shred" DVD and let me tell you, it is a KILLER. So far I know that I will not need to spend any money on workouts because I already have those, and some awesome new running kicks and clothes. With regards to the workouts, I've made a plan based on my work schedule (which can change on a weekly basis and I have no control over it). Basically it's 2 days of strength training and 3 days of cardio.


Monday: Strength training on the Wii or Jillian DVD after work (usually 8 hour work shift)
Tuesday: Cardio day: run 3 miles easy before work (usually an evening shift)
Wednesday: Cardio day: 3 miles easy, finish with a loop of hills in the neighborhood
Thursday: (day off) Strength training with Wii or Jillian DVD. Supplemental cardio: run 3 miles easy.
Friday: (day off) Cardio: Run 4.5 miles easy.


Throughout the month I will gradually increase the intensity of the workouts so that by the last Friday in May I will be back to running 6.3 miles and hopefully be at Level 3 in Jillian's DVD.

Also, one last goal: TO CONQUER THE PUSH-UP! I will have awesome arms and no longer fear the push-up by the end of the month!!

So, after posting this, I'm asking anyone who reads this to join in if you need motivation to feel great, and to also hold me accountable for this! I know I really need the motivation to get back into a routine (and I'm excited to see how my bikini fits this year!).

In January I pledged to lose 18 pounds in the Pound for Pound Challenge. I know that I won't make it, but if I lose 10 this month, I'll be at 12, which is amazing! Please join me if you need the motivation!

Oscar Wao

I recently finished "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz. Two of my friends suggested this book and I am so glad they did. From the very first page I knew this was going to be a great experience in literature. Diaz's writing style is so refreshing from the generic fiction writers and he actually had me laughing out loud, which I rarely do when I read. Diaz really paints the picture of life in the Dominican Republic in the 40s to the present day and evokes sympathy for his main character. One of the things that impressed me was the way he captured the female experience of his characters living in the "DR". Another great thing is Diaz's use of footnotes throughout the novel. Not only are they helpful for those of us who do not know the history and politics of the DR (which is the majority of us), but they provide comic relief, as well. Diaz tells a great story about love and the sacrifices people will endure for that love.

I watched "An Education" a while ago and forgot to write about it. This film was great and had me really into it the entire time. Peter Sarsgaard puts on a fantastic performance. You never know if his character is a good guy or bad guy. I spent the entire film waiting for him to be bad, but I'm not sure if that is my prior experience with the male species of humans or if the script was written this way. I enjoyed it.

"Sherlock Holmes" is also a great film with wonderful acting by Robert Downing, Jr. and Jude Law. I also love Rachel McAdams and she never fails to deliver a great performance. I'm thinking about buying this one at Blockbuster when they sell their previously viewed DVDs for cheap.

I also read "The Last Child" by John Hart, but it's not worth blogging about. It was depressing.