Melra, I can appreciate what you're saying. Why don't you commit to aiming for a full 18 minutes. Once you get there, if you feel (ha ha!) you can do another minute or two, go for it.
When I was running regularly, no matter how fit I was, I usually thought I could only run two miles tops. And I was always beat at the end of the run. But I could have done twice that and felt the same way at the end of my run.
I think it's a "mind thing". We think we can only go a certain distance, but we've got more in us than we know.
Plus, we're women. Great stamina and pain endurance.

It's so fun that we are actually all posting in here now.

In my training for the 1/2 marathon, when they have us running a certain time, they expect us to walk as well. Like I am "running" 25 minutes on a 4:1 interval, which means run 4 ,walk 1. I would do the best you can, then fast walk for a minute, then start back up.

Walked an hour again yesterday!

Way to go ellis! I am so glad your new meds are working well for you. Nice to see you with the energy to get your exercise in. Woo!

Good Job Ellis!
Melissa~This might sound silly, but how do you keep track of the intervals so that you know when to switch gears? Just keep looking at your watch?

Thanks for the advice you guys! I am so tired this morning it's hard to even conceive of exercise! I was feeling really really lazy this weekend, but I forced myself to go out last night and at least get a walk in. After about 15 min or so into it, I was bored, so I just started running and did 1.25mi straight then walked out the rest for a total of 40 min.

Good for you Mel, for making yourself get out there! I have a watch with a Chronometer/Stop Watch feature. So I just start that when I go and keep looking at it. I have bought a watch with an interval timer now, you set that for the 4:1 or whatever and it beeps when you need to switch. It should be on its way to me now.

I did my 20 minutes of strength training for my legs this morning and a 1/2 hour run at lunch. I thought it was only 20 minutes, but it was 30, so I had to put a little more effort in. It was okay - just a little hot out today.

See ya tomorrow!

Got in some movement today -- 45 minutes!!! And the garage is clean again for my workout tomorrow morning I'm going for a full week of movement

Rachel

rachel~ I don't know which is more impressive-your exercise goal or your clean garage!

melissa~now that sounds like a nifty little gadget. Great job pushing through the extra time at lunch too!

Ellis, I was totally thinking about you today when I went to the gym. I was on the treadmill and I just kept repeating "it's a mind thing, 18 minutes; mind thing, 18min" And I did it! Only 18 min, but I did it. I was running slower than I did the other day-I got just under 1.5mi. But I'll take it! I finished up my time by walking and then the elliptical. Thanks for the challenge! I also did my strenght training reps and I was able to increase my weight for a couple of sets.

Awesome Rachel & Mel!

I did my upper body strength training this morning and 30 minutes on the arc trainer. I haven't done the arc trainer in awhile. I was pleased to note that I am actually better at it with a little more endurance.

Woohoooo everyone!!! Look at all this exercise!!!

I got up and did a 30 minute step tape in my garage. I haven't yet been able to time it to get a tape finished before the kids wake up and want breakfast, but at least I haven't yet just quit. I pause it, give them some cereal, then go back and finish. YAY!!!

Melra, great job on the 18 minutes!!! WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!

Keep it going, Melissa!!!!!!!

OK, gotta get to work...

Rachel

Woo hoooo!!! You girls are doing GREAT!!

Melra, I'm so glad I inspired you.

I walked an hour yesterday, and again today. The sweat is RUNNING down my... everything! It's terribly hot and humid here.

ellis~great job keeping up the walking! I hear you on the sweat -yuck- and then I feel so macho wiping my face with my shirt! Tuff grrrl!

melissa~um..what's an arc trainer? (are you getting help with geometry? no wonder it's hard!)

I'm having a really hard time getting myself motivated tonight--if I don't go to the gym right after work, I just fade away on energy. Last night I was amped for like 3 hours after my workout, but it's hard to imagine I would feel that way tonight. My dh has the car, so if I go for a run I have to go outside and it is way humid hot gross here right now...blech. I know I have to do something...if I don't get outside, then I'll probably just do a video. I'm supposed to get 40min moderate cardio tonight, plus abs and back.

How do you guys stay motivated? Sometimes the weight loss just doesn't do it and I have to "dare" myself to move my butt. My fitness side has been winning more often lately than my lazy side, thank goodness! I was just curious what keeps you guys going?

It's a party in here we are all doing so fabulously!

This is an arc trainer, it is like an elliptical trainer (except easier to spell!) - not as complex as it looks at all.

I stay motivated because I am not yet happy with how I look. I am big on self talk, except when it comes to working out it is mainly negative self talk. I rode my bike for a 1/2 hour at lunch today. I didn't want to. I sat and had this conversation with myself.

Devil me: I don't wanna go on a bike ride... whine... I already did everything on my schedule
Angel me: But you know your training schedule is light. You didn't lose all this weight by sitting on your ***.
Devil me: But I'm tired...whine...maybe I should just listen to my body for once and rest today.
Angel me: Listen to your body? That is how you got to me 244 pounds. Your body doesn't know what is good for it.
Devil me: But I don't wanna.....

But I went anyway and I am glad I did. I have to exercise in the morning. I would never do it after work. I get too caught up in the million other things that have to be done.

wow, melissa--that's crazy looking! I've never seen one before--is this something you have at home, or is it at the gym?

I've had that conversation with myself before, only my "angel" is a little more...terse with me--more like "You suck! Stop whining! Get up!" and occassionally the "devil" me tells her to stick it. That happened last night. I never got anything done--didn't even change out of my dress clothes. I swear I will make up for it throughout the week, though. I had such a great workout on monday night and I really want to duplicate it tonight. Dare me to run 19 min straight?

rjneeley~good job on getting that workout in, despite interruptions. It's almost like family times their demands to our workout schedules or phone conversations, isn't it? My dd never fails to have an "emergency" every time I get about half way through the warm up. Keep it up!

ellis~what kind of walking program are you doing--is it a daily time you're aiming for?

Hey Mel, the arc trainer really isn't complicated. It just looks that way. It is at my gym. I don't think I have anywhere to fit that thing in my house!

I know you can run the full 19 minutes! It is nothing! Only 60 more seconds than 18! In order to motivate you I just ran my full 20 minutes with no walking! (Shhh, don't tell my coaches.)

I am still fighting with myself about going to the gym on the way home for my strength training. It only takes 20 minutes. I know I can squeeze it in.

Woo! I did my strength training. It was a little quick, but worth it!