I got the workout of my life this week, by walking a half mile up a mountain at 4000+ feet of elevation. Phew! I thought I was in great shape after walking 60 miles in the 3-Day, but that half mile beat the tar out of me. I’m so glad there aren’t hills like that in Florida. Coming down sure was easy though!

I think that if I had a personal trainer, I’d be able to figure out what my workout goals are. Without one, I’m sort of floundering, or in some cases, not working out at all. I came across a blog tonight that can act as a virtual personal trainer of sorts by providing information on weight training, and it’s written by a personal trainer at aerobics instructor. Marcela has worked in Las Vegas training people for the last 3 years and is now sharing information on weight training via her blog. Fitness has always been her life, and she’s worked as a dancer, a choregrapher, and a physical education teacher too. She has a Ph.D in Kinesiology, and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education, so it’s safe to assume she knows what she’s talking about. Marcela has some great tips on her blog about portion control in eating (avoid all-you-can-eat buffets!) , how to squeeze exercise into a busy schedule (definitely something I need help with – blogging only works my fingers out, nothing else!) and she’s got a whole category on training tips and ideas. Marcela even shares what SHE eats so you can see how a pro handles her food intake and calorie count!

The blog is a must-read for anyone interested in learning how to pump their workouts up!

Did I mention I signed up to be a training walk leader for the 2007 3-Day? We’ve got a beautiful, LONG trail right next to our house practically, so I of course want to walk there. And since Tammy is signing up after the holidays, and she’s never walked before, I’m going to have to get her walking early…and break her in! Training walk leaders also get a cool lanyard to wear during the 3-Day so people know who you are! (That’s me – all about the lanyard)

I’m walking in Tampa Bay in 2007, and I’m walking with a new team – The Yip Yap Girls. One of my friends from middle/high school, Teresa, is the team captain. Kim is already signed up, and Tammy says she’s joining after the holidays. I’ve signed up to be a training walk leader in my area, so I’m pretty excited about that too!

That’s a video I found on PayPerPost. It’s a struggle for most of us I imagine. After getting up, and going to work all day, you come home to more responsibility. Kids need to be driven here and there, bills need to be paid, you need to do laundry, and eat – how do you fit exercise into that? I’m not sure, because I haven’t been to the YMCA for a workout in months. I don’t struggle with my weight, so I’m lucky, because that’s no excuse for not having a more healthy lifestyle.

We’ve lived in our new house for 5 months now, and haven’t made it to the YMCA in town, but we’re paying to use it every month. Whoops! I finally got over there last week, because my oldest had a softball game at their field. It’s a nice, relatively new facility, and I think one of the kids will be taking guitar lessons there on Saturdays, so maybe that will get me back into workout mode. Without a walk to “train” for, it’s easy to be lazy, but we should be using what we’re paying for!

One of my friends who just walked in the Tampa 3day has already formed her team for next year – The Yip Yap Girls. I think I’m going to have a lot of friends to cheer on in Tampa in 2007. I know a lot of people are worried about finishing the 60 miles. It sounds HUGE, but you guys have ALL year to get ready for it. And if I can do it, so can you!

This red exerciser is an interesting looking contraption. You see a lot of odd stuff being sold on late night TV, and that’s where I saw this contraption. It’s a good idea in concept, being that it’s so small and portable, but way overprice at $174 for the size that it is.

If you’re stressed about conquering 60 miles in 3 days, you may want to try the best self help book called “Simone and Elvis. It’s a self mediation book to help you relive stress. They even have a relaxing flash slide show to help you chill out!

Just did another two laps around the ‘hood – that makes for 3 days of walking in a row.  The shin splints don’t seem to be bugging me as much either, so here’s hoping they lay low for the big walk.  I was talking to my former boss today and she and her husband are both doing the Tampa walk together…in memory of his first wife who died of breast cancer.  That’s sweet!