August 2010. Sweat it all out!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Dearest Gym,



I realize this may be too soon as we are still getting to know each other. However, every part of me thinks we may have entered into a relationship that will last through out the years; triumphing through the good times and the bad times. I'm aware how irrational I tend to be and I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I haven't felt this way in the past, because I have. Gym, this time it's for real! I want to give you everything I have. I want to be honest with you and my self about what I need from this relationship as well as what I'm willing to give. In the past, this relationship was a bit of a novelty for me; always an exciting new venture that quickly faded into the sidelines of daily life. This time it's different. I've felt the loneliness when we are apart. Not seeing you turned me into an incredibly flabby, insecure women. I've matured since our first experience with each other. I'm adult enough to admit I've made mistakes in the past and giving you my attention and respect for what you do for me now brings me joy and makes me appreciate who I am. I know I'm not the only one Gym. I know about Becky and the countless others, and I know Becky sees you every morning like clock work. I'm ok with this as I know we are on good terms with the fact that I may not be there every morning at the same time to see you but I give you the element of surprise. You appreciate that I see you whenever I have the time, no matter what time of day it is. I want you to know, I'm OK with sharing you. I just hope you give back to us as much as we give to you...

Gym, I don't want to put added pressure on you and scare you away but if I don't share this wonderful news with you, it would make our relationship seem shallow and meaningless. This morning as I was getting ready for work, and of course thinking about your dedication to me, I decided to take a chance and put on the jeans I bought the week before we first met. Remember those? It's been almost a year! I told you about them on our first date. I mentioned how I purchased them hoping our relationship would get me into them. They were my symbol of motivation for making this relationship successful. I know I failed the first couple times around but to quote a great Yogi "It's never too late to start again". I took the Yogi's advice and GUESS WHAT, those jeans fit! I cheated a few months ago and wore then out to an event. However, the pains and struggle to get them on, let alone breath all night was not worth having to hide the muffin top under the spanx ( please note: nothing against spanx, they make the world a better place.) If there is no other solid proof that we really have something here, this is it. Not only did they slip on but they are comfortable, wear all day, breath and eat what you want comfortable! I'm not going to exaggerate the weight loss or pretend I could prance around in these jeans with a bikini top just yet as I've been here before and the muffin is still baking - but this is proof of hope and success on the horizon. Thank you Gym. Thank you for giving me another chance! Thank you for never judging me and for always accepting me back into your life. I look forward to our future together! I can't wait till you see me in those daisy dukes I bought this summer... for next summer.

All my love, sweat and tears,

Tana

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Because Blogging about it makes it REAL: Becky WILL become a RUNNER!

7 years ago (no exaggeration) I bought a pair of Nike Shox in the hopes that they would turn me into a runner. Instantly. They didn't.

5 years ago, I shattered my own personal world record by running a whopping....TWO miles.

Being a runner is HARD.

It's time for a new goal. It's time to do something I have always wanted to do but haven't had the courage or energy to do. It's time to run a 5K!

A 5K, roughly 3 miles in American speak, is something that FIT people can run without breaking a sweat, or leg. Something that people do to warm up for a LONG run. Something that I never could imagine myself doing.

I am scared. I am terrified. I SIGNED UP!

This 5K is a part of a weekend of events in GORGEOUS Big Sur, CA including the half marathon that my (as mentioned before) FIT friends are running in. I will be there to cheer them on as I hope at least one will be there to catch me as I throw myself across the finish line!

http://www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org/Event_Information/courseinfo5k.htm

This will be the longest distance I have EVER run. I am determined to make this 5K my betch, to run it the entire time and to even clock a decent time out of it....well, for me anyway.

**Today was day 1 of Treadmill training (I haven't been on one for longer than 10 minutes in - see above about running two miles 5 YEARS ago) and it was VERY successful in my own humble opinion! I ran ONE WHOLE MILE straight without wanting to pass out and die. I even....good gracious....ENOJOYED it? Could have been the hot man bent over the stationary bike in front of me, or the Tiesto tracks in my headphones but I was filled with euphoria and endorphins and the confidence that I can do this! I have high hopes of mastering the treadmill and then hitting the pavement along the Great Highway of San Francisco as I progress.

I WILL be a runner!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Pick Your Battles, with Tana


That glass of wine on the left is mine. That dessert is not.

I've been getting up at least 3 mornings a week - GO ME! While I feel amazing after each morning session, it has yet to get easy. The days I choose to sleep in for work I've gotten to the gym for a late lunch or evening work out. I feel my clothes getting loose and my thighs getting firmer. I see my stomach shrinking very gradually and my overall disposition is a little bit brighter...

When working to get in to one's "skinny" jeans, one starts to examine and over think every bite of nourishment laid in front of one's salivating face. This particular Tuesday night, while out with the ladies, we dined at Clyde Common - the menu was amazing. I started with a local vodka martini - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_5_21/ai_82333620/ - The conversation ran rampant as G and I waited for or first course, fried chicken liver with raw beets - a rich lovely start. I ate slow and enjoyed each delicious morsel. The main course consisted of grilled lamb, roasted peppers and Israeli cous cous accompanied by a decedent Oregon Pinot. I've been making a conscious effort to really enjoy everything I eat. I've also made a conscious effort to cut my portions in half, no matter how hungry I feel. I leave the table satisfied and can savor the left over for lunch the following day. Picking my battle was positioning myself to indulge in that dessert or drown in another glass of that Pinot. The Pinot won - as it always will. I've tried to plan my days so if I know I'll be having a heavy dinner I make sure my breakfast and lunch are very light.
Tomorrow morning - 630am work out.
Did you get your work out in today?

Monday, August 2, 2010

Bec$tacy: End of July Update and Life Changing Playlist

So....you....one person reading this, you must be wondering, what on God's green earth gets Becky up in the morning, out of her cozy queen size bed (that she still sleeps only on the right side even though shes ALONE - Bradley Cooper doesn't count!) and out into the subzero summer temperatures of the Sunset to go work out?!

One cannot work out without a most amazingtown playlist. I have crafted my latest one based on some older gems and some new ones that rock my ankle socks off! The key is, if you are rich and famous enough to own one (yes convincing your boyfriend at the time that it was his idea to buy you one for Christmas totally counts, even if you broke up 2 months later) is the IPOD - yes close to 99% of everyone owns one, but at my Gym, I not only come across people still using DISCMEN, but also people who think Cords and Christmas Turtlenecks are appropriate gym-ing attire, I don't care if you are over 80, it's not right....and just seems dangerous. Although to quote the Amazing Sophia Patrillo of Golden Girls fame, "Please, I'm 80, bathtubs are dangerous." Maybe I should be cheering these people on instead of nearly running them over to get to the Statinonary Bike. Maybe they are interested in carpooling....

Ahem! Okay, back to me! Picture it. Ipod. Shuffle capabilities. All you need is a kickass blend of songs to get your butt in GEAR and on Elliptical Level 9. Below is my current list. Observe, download, listen....GO!

Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Right Round - Flo Rida
Feel Alive - Benassi Bros
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Closer (Remix) - Ne-Yo
Halo - Beyonce
Stereo Love - Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina
If We Ever Meet Again - Timbaland
Beautiful - Akon & Colby O'Donis
Feels Like Home - Meck
Impossible - Shontelle
Telephone - Lady Gaga
Eenie Meenie - Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber
Hate to Love - Alex Sayz
What Hurts the Most - Cascada
If I had You - Adam Lambert
The World is Mine - David Guetta
Touch My Body (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Remix) - Mariah Carey
I Like It - Enrique Iglesias & Pit Bull
Disco Heaven - Lady Gaga
Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson



And....a weight loss update: As of July 28th, I have lost 10 pounds due large in part to these songs and the fact that they make working out an amazing experience! I am sure anyone who has seen me working the Elliptical is wondering whether I am in pain....or aroused. I'm gonna be honest, it's a little of both.