Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Push-ups day 9 & 10

Push-ups:
Day 10:
Set 1: 18
Set 2: 22
Set 3: 16
Set 4: 16
Set 5: 25

I missed posting Day 9:
SET 1: 16
SET 2: 21
SET 3: 15
SET 4: 15
SET 5: 21

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Overwhelmed.

Besides the fact that I'm set to graduate in May, my overwhelmed feelings are of the present.
I know I was somewhat cocky during winter break about my four science courses this semester.  Truth is, I'm completely freaking out.  Most specifically, O Chem is going to be incredibly challenging.  My posts might become a little less frequent, since I'll be focusing on getting through these courses.

We dived right back into material on Friday and I don't recognize all of the terms that Dr. Green was discussing.  I guess the nice thing is how all of the students in the course say how awesome Dr. Green is. So, I need to go chat with him, like every day.  I don't think just reading the book is going to catch me up on the game.

My evolution course is being taught by a woman from Prague.  Her accent is incredibly heavy, so I will have to pay 100% attention to try to learn everything.  I really would like to get an A this time around.  I also would love to get an A in my intro to bio course.  Both of these will help my GPA so much.

My intro to conservation biology course only has 10 students in it.  We have a 20 minute presentation later in the semester.  I think that sounds like fun because we get to research an organism that has a recovery plan in store.  I'm hoping to pick something that is related to the marine systems.

I think part of my other feelings come from that my wedding planning.  Since these four courses are going to be taking over my life, I have to put a lot of my planning on hold.

Exercise: Push-ups (8) Sit-ups (5)

These push-ups aren't getting any easier.  At all. But it's so rewarding to finish each day, even though I want to give up while I'm doing them.  


Push ups day 8:
Set 1: 14
Set 2: 19
Set 3: 14
Set 4: 14
Set 5: 19


Sit-ups day 5:
Set 1: 15
Set 2: 17
Set 3: 14
Set 4: 14
Set 5: 35

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Push-ups (7) Sit-ups (4)

Pushups Day 7:
Set 1: 12
Set 2: 17
Set 3: 13
Set 4: 13
Set 5: 17

Sit-ups day 4:
Set 1: 14
Set 2: 17
Set 3: 12
Set 4: 12
Set 5: 30 (30 is 15% of 200 :] )

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Nervous

The first day of classes is the day after tomorrow.  This is my last first day ever of this undergraduate degree.  I'm so nervous.  Mostly, I'm fearing failure.  Mind over matter, Mercedes, mind over matter.  I WILL pass each of my classes.  And I WILL pass all of them with a B or greater.  I WILL not be retaking any courses next semester, because I want to be done. 

As much as I anticipate graduation, I fear that I won't be able to find a job.  A master's degree doesn't really interest me all that much.  I just don't see the desire to be so distinguished in one field.  Except nursing, and I can't do that yet.  I still may apply for the associate's nursing program here in Fairbanks.  It would be nice to have that degree done.  If I really can't find any employment, I plan on taking the CNA course this fall.  It's only 6 weeks 8-5 and I would be eligible to take the exam for my CNA license, which would give me a full time job in the field. 

But I'm crazy nervous about O Chem II.  I haven't taken any chemistry since 2009, and it's definitely a subject you need to continue using to remember.  I've been reviewing the book as much as I can.  I've already told a friend of mine that I will be using his chemistry knowledge as my tutor.  And I plan to meet with my instructor every week.  I really, really, really need to pass this class.  There is no way I would not hate myself if I had to go into a sixth year. 

Push-ups/Sit-ups

My push-ups aren't getting any easier, but I'm still getting up each day and doing either my push-ups and sit-ups.  

Push-ups :
Push-ups Day 5:
Set 1: 10
Set 2: 12
Set 3: 9
Set 4: 9
Set 5: 13

Push-ups Day 6: So, for some reason, I was following Day 7 for my first set, so I did too many!! I also need to make sure I mark in my notebook which set I've finished.  Today I think I may have repeated set 4/5. 

Set 1: 17
Set 2: 13
Set 3: 10
Set 4: 10
Set 5: 15

Sit-ups:
Sit-ups Day 2:

Set 1: 9
Set 2: 12
Set 3: 9
Set 4: 9
Set 5: 20

Sit-ups Day 3:
Set 1: 12
Set 2: 15
Set 3: 11
Set 4: 11
Set 5: 30

Friday, January 13, 2012

Donating blood + Day 4: Push-ups

Donating Blood

I donated blood today.  Or at least I tried to.  I guess I wasn't quite hydrated enough, because they couldn't get my blood flowing quickly enough to fill up the bag within the allotted time.  This is utterly depressing for me, because they in critical need of pints of blood - and all I needed to have done was drink more water.  Le sigh. 
They are doing a promotion this year.  If you sign up for you next 3 appointments, you're entered into monthly prizes!  I did that, so my next three donations are March 9, May 4, and it should have been June 29, but since my wedding is on the 30, I moved my third donation slot to July 2.  You also get to sign their board saying that you are participating in the program. 
They suggested that I take a baby aspirin the day before I plan to donate to help get my blood flowing.  This makes me a little nervous, because the questionnaire asks if you have taken any aspirin the day before.  Are you supposed to say yes to that question then?  I don't know if I'll do it or not.  I also need to ask next time whether my going to Jamaica in October will prevent me from donating at all.
 
Work-out

Woo-Hoo!  I feel like I'm getting stronger.  My set of push-ups today was challenging.  I suspect that Sunday's won't be any easier.  I really do think it is easiest for me to get out of bed and start my day by doing either of the reps.  Yesterday's sit-ups didn't make my abs sore.  I need to make sure that I am doing them correctly.  Tonight, I need to add the sit-up pages from the website to my notebook. 

Today's push-ups:
Set 1: 9
Set 2: 11
Set 3: 8
Set 4: 8
Set 5: 11

Yesterday's sit-ups:
Set 1: 9
Set 2: 9
Set 3: 7
Set 4: 7
Set 5: 20!!

My scale might need a new battery again, because there is no way I lost 10 lbs since Monday! Haha, if only I could believe it.   Someday (soon) it will read accurately the reading it gave me this morning. 


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Exercise Day 3

Today was Day 3 for my 100 pushups project.
Set 1: 8
Set 2: 10
Set 3: 7
Set 4: 7
Set 5: 12!

I was feeling a bit sore while I was doing my pushups this morning, but I still didn't feel like I needed the long break time.  I took just one minute again.

I think I'm going to start rotating days between pushups and sit-ups.  There is a website for 200 sit-ups.  I'll be a week off compared to the pushups, but that shouldn't be a problem.  *pause to do the initial test* 18 push ups. Oooh crap.  That puts me in the poor range.  Oh well, I'm up for the challenge.  200 push-ups at the end of 6 weeks? I can do it!  I'm going to follow the middle column starting tomorrow.  

Since I started updating it with the push-ups, I'm going to continue updates with the Days following where I'm at with the push-ups.  I'll put my sit-up updates in with my push-ups.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Post 100! Exercise Day 2 and general ramblings

Stats:
This is my 100th post! I'm rolling on the floor laughing because this blog was started May 13th, 2007, and now, 4.5 years later, I've reached my 100th post.  I wish it was going to be more interesting, but I can't say that much has happened!  Hooray! I am proud of myself though.  So, here are the stats of my blog thus far!

I don't know why I'm so addicted to the statistics... I mean, who cares?  I use it as a journal mostly, but I guess I do have some things that I would like the world to know.  And you'll notice, the spike is when I kind of started self-advertising on facebook.


Push-ups: Day 2
Yesterday, I was incredibly sore.  Today, I am relatively sore, but I didn't feel that I needed the 90 seconds of rest in between my sets.  I didn't do quite as many as day 1, because I didn't have to do the assessment.  I'm a little disappointed in myself, because my max today was also 10.  I was hoping to do twice the suggested minimum again (minimum was 7, so I wanted to do 14), but that didn't quite work out.  For the most part I was able to keep a stead pace and keep my tummy off the ground.  We'll see how day 3 goes on Wednesday. 
Instead of staying consistent with the days of the week, I am choosing to just take one day of rest.  I'm afraid that if I always skipped the weekends, that I would lose hope in doing it.  So, it'll always be on the odd days of the month (at least for this month.... next month it'll be even days). 
When I get home tonight, I plan to do Biggest Loser Fitness again.  My legs were pretty sore from that the other day, which surprised me because I didn't feel like I did much.  It's either that or talking Britton into doing P90X or going to Planet Fitness.  The very last option would be best since we are already paying for the membership each month. 

General Ramblings:
I love getting things shipped sooner and quicker!  I ordered a textbook and toner for my printer on Friday of last week and they shipped yesterday.  And to make things even more awesome, they're being shipped 2-Day Air via UPS.  I absolutely love it!  I'm not always this lucky, but I'm super pleased this time around because I want to review my Organic Chemistry book x1000 before class starts next week.

I'm crazy nervous about O Chem.  I haven't taken any chemistry since 2009.  I took Intro to Chem I & II my first year (07-08) and then retook the second semester Fall '08 and took O Chem I Spring '09.  I've already told one of my APhiO brothers who does tutoring for the chem department that we're going to be best friends this semester.  I've got to pass. I will not be an undergraduate student any longer. 

Speaking of next semester, I have no idea how I want to schedule my working hours.  I'm in class from 9-1 every day, with labs Wednesday afternoon and Thursday night. I'm thinking it would be super nice to be done with the work week by Wednesday.  But I also don't want to be on campus late every day of the week, since that makes making dinner really, really difficult.  I thought about working 8 hours on Sundays, but then I don't have any time on the weekend to do homework (because I have difficulties doing homework at work, though I used to do that...) or make dinners or clean my apartment or do laundry. 

I'm planning on working Wednesday nights, because Britton will be teaching - so it makes sense for me to stay on campus. So, I just took a time out from writing this and I think I figured out when I want to work.  Yay me!
I'll still be on campus from 8a-9/10p on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and it means working 4 hours on Sundays, but I suppose I'll live.  I really want to switch out of my Thursday night lab, but since there are still 10 seats open in it, that means more 1-on-1 time with the TA, which is fantastic.  Usually this means that they are a little more laid back.  It also means there are less students to ask stupid questions.  Later labs are often also filled by students who work during the day, which is also nice, because often this means they are older students.  That being said, I think I've figured out my schedule for this semester.  Hopefully it's fully approved.  Right now, I'll have either Tuesday or Thursday off (depending on when I get scheduled my ambassador hour) and Saturdays off from work.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Exercise journal - Day One

Some of you may remember my weight loss blog that I started a long time ago.  I think I posted about a dozen times over the year and a half it was open.  I've decided to cancel that blog and work everything into this one.

So, with that said, I'm watching The Biggest Loser while I write this today.  Already, I did a 15 minute yoga session on my Biggest Loser Kinect game.  I have started the One Hundred Push-Up Challenge.  If you remember from my goals, I want to be down 15 pounds by April 1st, 2012.  I also want to have ripped arms for my wedding!

I challenge you to follow along with me and even do the 100 push up challenge yourself!  By the end of the program, you'll be able to do tons of push ups! You start by doing as many push ups (or alternate push ups, which is what I have opted to start with) as you can.  Then you follow the chart and figure out where you start.  I'm only a level two.  I'll be able to do more later.  My max for day 1 was 10! That impressed me.  I think I probably could have done more, but I want to follow the program.

I've started a written journal in addition to tracking in the Lose It app for my iPhone.

I think tomorrow (if I make it) I want to go start the couch to 5k again.  I am thinking about signing up for Beat Beethoven again.  It would be so awesome to beat last year's score.

In addition to my own motivation, my dad challenged me to loose more weight than him by my wedding.  And I challenged Britton to join us.  We haven't decided on the stakes yet, but it should be fun.

I weighed in this morning at 239.6 lbs.  Unfortunately, this is a bit higher that I thought I was.  But, it only inspires me to work harder.  I haven't been eating lots of sweets - and those that I do, I eat half as many/much as I really want to.

Friday, January 6, 2012

It's the little things in life

Like my fiancé having the fantabulous idea to help me super clean our apartment.  We're about 2/3 done, with the den, living room, dining room and kitchen done.  Just the bathroom and bedroom left and we need to borrow a vacuum from the office to vacuum the whole place.  It feels fantastic to have (nearly) the whole place clean.  We're planning to have people over for dinner next week because it's so darn clean!  Hooray, maybe it'll stay clean.

Monday, January 2, 2012

2012 Goals

I really don't care for the term "resolution." 

Define: resolution /ˌrezəˈlo͞oSHən/:
Noun:
  1. A firm decision to do or not to do something.
To me, this sets us up for failure every single time.  I HATE failing.  I have a FEAR of failing. 
So, due to my hatred and fear, I prefer to make New Year's Goals.  Goals allow for revision and change.  It's not a "firm decision." How do I know something drastic won't happen in the next year that will prevent my "firm decision" from happening?

I lead into SMARTER goals in my last post.  I'm sure dozens of leadership academies teach SMARTER goals, but I have Alpha Phi Omega to thank for my knowledge of SMARTER goals.  While I don't always use the method, it certainly helps me accomplish my goals Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger to quote a song that I enjoy listening to.

As a reminder, SMARTER stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timely
Evaluated
Revisable

This year I want to use the SMART part for my New Year's goals and do the -ER part at the end of the year/goal.  

Goals for 2012

1. Be 15 pounds lighter by April 1st, 2012.

My goal to lose weight is specific - I know exactly what I want to do. 
It is measurable - the scale will tell me whether I am accomplishing this.  
It's achievable - I know that I need to eat smarter and exercise more.  
It's realistic and timely - April 1st is 90 days away.  Or 12.85 weeks.  At 1-2 pounds lost a week, this should be easy to accomplish.  I have been reading lots of recipes that I want to try that involve more vegetables I haven't had before.  I am going to give up caring (mostly) what Britton likes to eat.  If he doesn't want to eat whatever I cooked that night, tough. Find your own food.    
I want to do at least 15 minutes of "working out" every day.  I have Wii Fit and I have the Biggest Loser for Kinect/xbox.  I also have a membership at Planet Fitness and I pay the SRC fee on campus.  I need to quit making excuses, and get off the computer and just do something.  Even if I just spend 15 minutes doing as many sit-ups or crunches as I can, it's better than nothing.  

2. Pay off my credit card by December 31st, 2012

I know that I spend too much of my money on aimless things.   And it stresses me out to the max. So, to help my wallet (and my waistline - since much of my meaningless spending comes from buying bagels and coffee out), I want to cut back on things I do not need.  This is going to be an extreme challenge for me, because sometimes a stop through the drive-thru is a lifesaver on my stress level in every way except my wallet.  Originally, I titled this goal Save $1,000 by 12/1/12, but I think right this second, paying of my credit card and improving my credit may be a little more helpful.  Britton and I are talking about buying a home in the next few years.  If I pay off my credit card completely first, then I'll be able to use what I was making payments with for my savings account or to my student loans which I will have to start paying at the end of the year.  
I currently owe about $3,400.  While in school, I can afford to make $400/month in payments (but realistically, it's about $250, because our cell phone bill is applied directly to my credit card).  5x250=1250.  That brings me down to $2,150.  I know my car insurance is coming up during the school year, so I'll be closer to $2,500.  When school ends, if I stay at the library (assuming I can't find a better paying job right away), I can probably afford to make $600 payments (including the cell phone bill, so really only $450).  $450*3 months = $1350, which brings my total down to $820! Then, assuming I can find a job which pays as much as I'm making now, I should be able to continue the $600 payments and get my card paid off by December.  Of course, this goal is limited by any health or car or family emergencies.  Let's hope 2012 doesn't bring any.  This goal is also limited by costs related to the wedding.  If I can pay off my credit card and continue the payments of $450 to my student loans, it will be SO helpful.  But, this means I'll have to limit my outings and grocery shopping and hobbies.  I think I can do it.  Friends, let it be known that I cannot spend bajillions of dollars this semester.  If you need a ride, I may have to ask for a little bit of gas money.  
Specific - pay the $3400 off from my credit card. 
Measurable - my balance should read $0 by the end of the year
Achievable - with minimal spending on groceries and eating out, I can do it
Realistic - I've been making $400 payments for most of 2011, but I think I've been spending too erroneously to make a dent in my balance.
Timely - A year gives me enough time to not stress too much about it.  


I have some other smaller goals that are not coming to me right now, but if I remember them, I'll post them in the future.