What happens to your body????

This article was too good to pass up....I was surfing through Women's Health Magazine online (which I am addicted to) and they posted this article from Healthbolt.com
"What Happens to Your Body when You Drink Coke"
I was curious to see if there was anything new or profound....and was surprised to see a
10 minute- 60 minute timeline of the effects a regular coke has on the body!
It was really a nice description...and although I allow myself Diet sodas now and then...I could see how this could be a wake up call to the self-proclaimed Coke lovers out there.
Check it out!!

Did I say difficult? I meant extremely hard!

I have been through my first week and a half of boxing class. The instructors are awesome! They are these young guys who like to have a good time while putting through some painful circuits, runs, and heavy bag punches! On the upside...they put on some practice gloves and you get to take out some aggression on them too! Ha.
The low down is that the actual class starts at 7:45pm....BUT if you want to then you can come at 7 and get in some extra cardio. A 35 minute run before class on the treadmill or outside (weather permitting) is optional, and to make matters even more enticing it is supposed to be 4.5 miles! For those of you out there not mathematically inclined, like myself- that is less than a 10 minute mile! I personally like to sprint more than staying in it for the long haul...so I find it a bit difficult to not become ADD on long runs which makes me want to stop walk, and look at the flowers. I don't do it on purpose...this upsets me because it isn't that I cant run for 35 straight minutes, its that I don't want to! Therein lies my problem- it becomes a mental challenge when all I want to do is not think about running while I am running. Does that make any sense? My solution? I turn my IPod up way past the recommended decibel range and huff it out. Who needs eardrums when you could have a six-pack and look amazing at 40 or 50?? If I know I look good- I don't need to hear other people say it!!!
OK, back to my class...so optional 35 minute runs before the actual class begins- then we jump rope to warm up (3 sets of 2 minute continuous jumping, because that is how long a 'round' is in amateur boxing.) I thought this would be easy cause I can jump rope all day long- the next day I wanted to cut-off my calves and feed them to the dogs, because that would have been less painful than trying to walk through Target to get some IcyHot. After that we begin the legs circuit of just body weight squats, lunges, jumping lunges (or scissors), and squat jumps. Yeah- I played the tough girl pretty well during the workout, however, it took me 3 days to recover.

So that has been my first week and half of boxing...did I mention that I will be doing this until April??? Pray...or at least think of me.

Making Motivation

Today I begin a 'boxing class.' Not to the point where I get into a ring with someone and duke it out...but an intense workout session twice a week that I hope I survive. Its being taught by some guys that are real boxers- they sure to be loud and intimidating at first, but I am hoping to break through their candy shells when they see how dedicated I am. I want to sink my teeth into something new and really love it. I am tired of the "Don't start something and not follow through with it" speech. I am looking at 35 minute runs, stairs, jumping rope, one-on-one sparring with my instructor, and boxing techniques on a heavy bag. I am excited, and scared at the same time. Like I said tonight is my first night- so we will see.
I think part of the mystery of fitness is to find something that you LOVE in it. There has to be the magic spark, just like in any other relationship. Fitness, working out, lifting weights, going to classes, spinning, whatever your grunt of choice may be there has to be something, anything that keeps you coming back for more. Softball and lifting was ALL of that for me. My dad was my trainer when I was younger and he was my motivator. Now I have to do it on my own- not only without my father, but without the things around me that I love. There is no championship game...only those damn pair of size 10 jeans, a bikini, and my partner who sees me naked occasionally. (haha.)
So I say to hell with trying things out and not sticking with it...as long as there is something else there to take its place. We all get bored! We all want to look good, and most of us are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to reach our goals. Do the spinning class for a month, switch it up and lift for 3 weeks, swim laps for 2 weeks, and then run on the treadmill for another month...its exercise. You paid for the gym membership...use it to its fullest capacity!
Okay, okay, okay...I am done ranting. I am sorry you had to bear that with me. I am going to do this boxing club class....I am going to give it everything I have for an hour twice a week. Who knows maybe I will be able to kick some serious booty when I am done....but mainly I just want to look like I can!

Beyond this

Hello again. I weighed myself today and it was not what I was expecting- I am 2 lbs. heavier than the last time I weighed myself which was during Christmas. Oh yes this fatigued body of mine not only got the scale at Christmas, but worked out 3 days a week! Fast forward to this morning...my body repays me with a 2 pound increase. Grrrreat! So this got me to thinking this morning in my yoga class (when I was supposed to be a feather in corpse pose) that I wanted to share a little about myself, why I blog, why I exercise, what my goal weight is, and all in all shed some light on Fatigue.
Who am I? I am a 24 year old, female that has been athletic her entire life. When I say athletic I mean it. I have played basketball and softball forever! My sport of choice is softball, but bball kept me in shape...well "a" shape. Lets put it that way. I have always been a 'bigger' girl. I bloomed early, every year in adolescents I became shorter than the people I used to be taller than, and I was on the softball field more than I was in my own house. It all paid off though- I went to a Division I college and played softball on a full ride. My phrase of choice is, "I hit home runs." I am currently 178 lbs, and I LOVE to workout! I can squat close to 300 lbs. and I can bench 140 lbs on a good day. I was told in high school from some of the boys basketball players that I am 'thick' and that it was a compliment. So I embrace who I am...I would just like to look amazing doing it!!!! I want that cute, medium-sized body...I am even willing to work extra hard to get it!!!
Why do I blog? I like to release my thoughts into the dot-com world and see who is out there. I like to help people, let them know they are not alone, and that there is a third-non-creepy-party out there that will listen. The name of my blog "Beyond the Nine" is who I am and who I want to become. I am #9....I have been my whole entire life. I will always be #9 to my family, friends, teammates, acquaintances, and foes. Beyond that number who am I? What do I want to achieve and better yet, what do I want to look like doing it? This blog is about that transformation. Fitness is a big part of it, and probably the thing I will write about the most, but other parts of my life will make their way into my writing. My mother, my partner, my dogs, my dad (daddy's girl alert!) and many, many other things.
I exercise because I love it. I started lifting weights earlier than I probably should have. I hate to run, but I know it is vital. Going to the gym is like going to a meeting for me- there is so much to accomplish and so many ways to get it done with people around you that are working for the same common goal!!! Its exhilarating! I love to see people grunt, groan, grimace and succeed! Slowly that weight, that mile, that muscle will get the job done. Its hard work, but its worth it. "Its the light within you. It gets inside you- its what lights you up!"
My goal weight is: 155 lbs.
I would love to be at 160 lbs. by April 10th....that leaves me 18lbs to drop between now and then. It will be tough...I know that. It seems unreachable, and I cant even picture what I would look like 18 lbs thinner. My goal has always been to lift more, to hit farther, to run faster. Now I am faced with life- I graduated a year ago, no more softball, no more workouts at the same time from a strength coach....its just me.
Well that is a little about me....why I am here....and what I want to get done. I am going to go run now, and take my mind off of this morning weigh in....reward yourself and beat that scale!

"That' Girl

First an update: I am doing well working out and sticking with it thus far. Its only been 3 days since the New Year but its all about small successes! I am going to weigh myself tomorrow, so keep your fingers crossed for me! Who knows what the number could be right now- but whatever it is...I will concentrate on making it smaller next time. Cause that is all we can do. The damage or lack of damage has already been done for this weigh-in. Its always tomorrow that will make the difference. That being said- I really hope it is a good number! I will take any number below the one that I am right now. hahaha...wouldn't we all?

I have a small story that goes along with my thought tonight. I want to talk about "That" girl at the gym. You all know the one I am talking about. "That" girl that wont stop talking to all of the guys, whose perfect genetics gave her this small little frame, she wears next to nothing to lift weights and strut all over the place. *Note: This is not a jealous rant. Even if I looked like that I wouldn't act like this.* Anyway, tonight at the gym I am trying to work out and really get into the zone when this little bitty girl wearing Under Armor from head to toe walks over to all of the muscle bound regular guys and talks, talks, talks! The talking didn't really bother me thanks to my Ipod, but to make matters worse whenever she decided they were done talking she walked right through my set!!! I could have....*sigh*
At any rate, I have seen her before usually her in yellow and pink booty shorts that are clearly for sleeping in. But nonetheless she seems to make her appearance just the same. I give her credit for working out, being healthy, genuinely trying to sculpt muscles onto her tiny frame even! But walking through my set is a whole other playing field.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay so now that I got that off my chest I am going to finish making dinner and mentally begin preparing for my weigh-in tomorrow. I always dread scale days because the results will either make me jubilantly happy or ridiculously upset. Although, I must admit both results will make me push myself harder.
So early tomorrow morning with an empty stomach and completely naked I will be making the 30 foot walk to my bathroom and stepping onto the scale, exhaling completely and looking down at the number that appears. Here goes nothing.

A Promise...

Today is the beginning of the beginning and there is no means to an end. I have been at this for a few months now...I need to do away with 'free' days- they are stupid and illogical...if I am going to do this- it must be a WAY of life. Treats are okay in small portions...but my athletic body needs to understand that I am in control these days. End of story. Here is to the new year, the new me, and the never ending story of conscious decisions, choices, and life after chub.

I know how hard it is to stick with it...I read somewhere that motivation (on average) only lasts up to 17 days. WOW! Most women only hit the gym for 30 days...and then Poof! Just as quickly as it began it ends. I don't want this to happen...finish what we start, reach our goals (or at least see progress and keep at it!) I know all of these things and it is still hard...knowledge is supposed to be power! Where is that power?!?! Why cant I get past the parts that make it difficult when I know that the road blocks are coming, the agony is there? I guess that is the part that makes it all worth it at the end of the day, or when we finally reach the damn goal. We can scream at the top of our lungs, "I DID IT!" Then comes the next step...staying there.
I will deal with that bridge when I get there...and I say 'when' and I mean it. I will slowly but surely make it to the magical number that I have in my head. It isn't unreasonable....its just there. Its the mythical "goal weight."
The journey continues.....................................

Not a New Years Resolution

I refuse to make a New Years Resolution this year...partly because it is my birthday and I want to enjoy it!! And partly because I try to workout everyday and I know being healthy is an uphill battle. Its a daily, constant, conscious choice to eat this instead of that and get into the car and go to the gym instead of watching my beloved HGTV or some other show that I have previously recorded. I have come to the conclusion that I am not going to go to bed on the Eve of 2008 and wake up miraculously twenty lbs. lighter, although I wish I would!
Instead I would like to have the faith, motivation, and willpower to be healthy throughout the New Year...I challenge myself to stay connected to the energy that it takes to propel myself toward my goals. This will be easier said than done...and I guess I have set some sort of goal (or resolution, if you must) for myself in the year of 2008, however I am being upfront with myself about the fact that it will not happen overnight, I will extremely dislike it at times, I might resent setting this goal, but inevitably I will feel better and accomplished once my workouts are done for the day and I eventually fit into my skinny jeans (which may still be bigger than someone else's skinny jeans.) But they are still smaller than the ones I wear now!
All of that being said, its not all about my weight- I have other goals for the new year...

• Give blood on a regular basis (I am O+ which makes me very special!)
• Take the kickboxing class and stop just talking about it.
• Sign up, commit to, and run in a charity event.
• Learn a new language (French, preferably) and brush up on my Spanish!
• Find a volunteer project that I truly care about and give as much time to it as I possibly can.
• Finish my first full year of Graduate School with a 4.0
• Build a stable, healthy relationship with my mother.
• Forget about stress/control for once, and roll with the times.

So here is to 2008, being another year older, and sticking to the goals that we all set for ourselves, whatever they may be. Cheers!