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Chariots of Fire

You've heard me moan and groan about wanting to get into better shape and to stop being squishy, as well as throwing out promises about working out.  Granted Life gets in the way a lot but last night I took a major step in the fitness department.  Now it may not be much for some, but for me, it's beyond huge.

I went for a run.

I don't run. 

Unless it's after my child or away from someone with a weapon.

But I did.  I started on the Couch To 5K program and downloaded the iPhone app which made it SUPER easy.  I did everything I was supposed to and didn't cheat once.  And with each running segment I felt myself gain more and more endurance, of which I have always been severely lacking.  I'm more of a strength girl as opposed to cardio.  But my heart and lungs need to start holding their own so I thought I'd try this, and plus it's all the rage with my friends online and I'm nothing if not easily influenced.

My goal is to stick with the program which consists of running three days a week for nine weeks at the end of which I should be able to run a 5K.  And that's what I want to do.  It's so beyond anything I would ever consider myself capable of which is why I plan on doing it.  Pseudostoops said she'd run a race with me (which for her would be more like a brief jog as she competes in half marathons in NOLA but hey, I'm happy for the company and support) so it looks like this is my new goal.  I have no doubts that it will be hard, and I'll slip up here and there and that's okay.  I put too much pressure on myself to do things perfectly or not at all which causes me to stop.  Quit.  Make excuses as to why I can't continue on.

I have faith in myself that this time I will see it through one way or the other.  I'm not stepping on a scale because for me it's not about numbers.  I just want to look and feel better so as long as that happens, the weight isn't an issue.  Plus, let's me honest, it's a great incentive to have to go out and buy new clothes.

Let's see where this takes me.  Besides to the Advil because yeah, I'm feeling it today.

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I have a new post up today at Craftastrophe with the freakiest doll you will ever see.  I also had a guest post up at Work It, Mom! last week about planning and surviving a toddler birthday party.

Check in

Thanks for all of your inquiries regarding our trauma--it's still being resolved.  Of course it is!  This can't be taken care of in a timely manner, what with the hazardous fumes permeating our will to live and all.  Oh NO.  I'd have nothing to blog about if that were the case.

Happier thoughts?

Well I don't know about happy so much as TERRIFYING, but um, I'm running a 5K?  In five weeks?  And I'm really excited about it?  Even though I don't run unless being chased by someone brandishing a weapon?  I blame all of this on Pseudostoops, as she IM'd me at a moment of weakness all peppy and chipper asking me to run with her since it's in my town.  And then I foolishly asked Twitter if they thought it was doable and got THESE obnoxious responses:

SarahLena@samanthajcampen Incredibly doable. I trained for my 5k in 6 wks. Get C25k and get started! (There are lots of folks who only walk it.)

wbgookin@samanthajcampen I say go for it. Just start a C25K plan and wherever you are in the plan on race day, that's what you do! :)

asouers@samanthajcampen I bet you're more in shape than you think! I say GO FOR IT. Can't hurt to try...

tracystew@samanthajcampen TOTALLY doable, I ran 5K in March with about 1 month training, it's really a great time!!

John_Campen@samanthajcampen It's crazy doable, yo. 5km = 3.1068559612 miles

So this is a lessen to all of you that I easily cave under peer pressure.  I do my first wee bit o' running tonight as practice.  I'm going to use Couch to 5K as a general guide, as well as tips from others who, you know, DO stuff like this.  Gah.

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We have two great giveaways going on over at Live Well Spend Well.  The first one is a Burt's Bees package of goodies and that ends tomorrow, and the other is an awesome organic facial care gift pack from Brittanie's Thyme, which ends Sunday.  Get those entries in and be beautified!

Coming clean

I wrote a few weeks ago about my mission to work out and live a more active lifestyle.  So many of you joined me and were on board to get on the fitness bandwagon and it was awesome.  I really appreciated your support and I'm being totally honest when I'd think of you when I didn't want to get up off the couch and Shred.  But I did anyway because I didn't want to let you down.  And it got to the point where I'd actually look forward to sweating and puffing up a storm after work.  I know, it blew my mind too.  But then. . .I got sick.

Like, horrible sick with a sinus/cold trauma that left me unable to move without fearing death.  I had a stabby headache behind my eye that felt like an ice pick was hacking away at my brains. Then when that finally subsided we moved effortlessly into a monster cold where my throat was swollen and I couldn't breathe.  Joy.  So, because I love you all while simultaneously fearing your judgment, I want you to know I have not worked out in two weeks.  And y'all, it bums me the eff out.

So I'm going to put down the Pirate's Booty treats tonight and huff and puff with Jillian not only in honor of you, but in honor of my committment to myself.  Because these jiggly bits have got to GO.  And also because I so desperately want to see this fitness routine through to the finish line, whereas the finish line equals a smokin' behind in a pair of these.

Ready, set, GO!

60 Day Shred BlogHer Challenge

I used to work out a TON in college.  Like, I'd go to the gym five days a week, and on Mondays and Wednesdays I'd go at 6:30 IN THE MORNING before my first class.  Then?  Before bed?  I'd do my obligatory 100 sit ups.  I felt amazing.  My energy was through the roof and my body was pretty sweet too.  I'm sure I didn't think so at the time, because that's just how it goes, but hindsight 20-20 and all that? I was smokin'.  Due to this regimen, my self-confidence skyrocketed and I was able to get out of a very unhealthy long-term relationship.  I felt in control and good about myself and along came Bryan.  I'm not saying that working out will automatically get you an amazing husband but seriously, I wouldn't have turned out to be who I am if I hadn't hit the gym and found some inner strength in addition to building muscle.

But, as I'm prone to do, I let life get in the way and my awesome habits died.  I graduated, we moved, got married, blah blah blah.  I always tell myself I'm going to work out again and it fizzles after a week or two at best.  And yet, I remember college and how incredible I felt (and looked), so why is it hard to get back at it?  Complacency.  Laziness.  Not being accountable.  We also have little things such as working full time, having a toddler, a house to take care of, a moment for some piece and quiet. . .you see what I'm saying.  But those are all excuses.  As with anything important, if you want it bad enough you find the time and energy.

I want to find the time and energy.

At work today the thought of working out tonight flickered through my brain.  Then on Twitter my friend said she Shredded and it hurt like a mo' fo'.  I then replied that I had wanted to but after remembering how hard it was I'd rather plunk down on the couch.  Then I got these:

pocklock@samanthajcampen get up. Do it. You will feel better. MOOOOVE IT LADY! (xoxo)about 3 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to samanthajcampen
Sundry@samanthajcampen It's only 20 minutes! You can do ANYTHING for 20 minutes, and you'll feel like a rockstar afterwards. *clap clap*!
pseudostoops@samanthajcampen do it do it do it!about 2 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to samanthajcampen

So I did.  And I cursed Jillian a thousand different ways but you know what?  I DID feel like a rock star afterwards.  A small step yes.  But a step nonetheless. 

I'm attending BlogHer in Chicago this year (HOLLA!) so I have set a goal.  I am going to Shred until the conference since I need a short-term date to keep me motivated.  Also meeting a ton of amazing women whom I call friends is also another kicker.  So I invite you to join me.  Nothing fancy-pants or full of stress: working out until the end of July.  You don't necessarily need to Shred (though I highly recommend it) and you don't have to make it to BlogHer--though if you are going let me know and we can meet up.  This is just a quest for fitness and we can all be accountable to each other.

Who's in?

Let's Get Physical

Operation High-School-Reunion-Get-In-Shape-Girl is now in full swing, and the reasons are two-fold:

1). My thyroid meds finally kicked in and I have the engery of an average lazy person now, whereas before I was somewhere between "Angst-filled teenager high on pot" and "Vegitative state with no hope of recovery" due to my metabolizm shutting down and the rest of my body following rapidly behind. Now I can make it to the couch without falling over in a heap! I can not only feed myself but also have normal conversations--at the same time! The joy of Synthroid is neverending.

2). Came home from work today to see this posted by the mailboxes: "As of July 1st, Health Club Membership is now FREE to all residents." Come again? You mean I don't have to work for this hell hole to get free health club? Bryan and I can now work out together after work WHENEVER WE WANT? I ran my ass upstairs (there goes that energy thing again!) and changed so fast you would have thought I was Superman. And people, I sweated my ass off for almost an hour tonight and whoodoggy did it feel good. I'm not kidding about this--I hope to work out at least 5 days a week. This will also help my depression, so the benefits are bountiful. And having a workout buddy? Even better. I don't care about the numbers on the scale. I just want to feel good, get healthier, and shed some squish. That's all.

(So should I have not asked Bryan to pick me up a small, but albeit very chocolate-y, cookie on his way home from Texas tonight? C'mon!)