I rocked workouts this week!!!

So, my determination to break this freaking weight loss plateau is at an all time high right now. I was able to fuel that motivation to get my butt to the gym this week, even when I didn't feel like it.

It is much easier to sit on the couch with a soft blanket and scowl at your husband for taking unflattering pictures of you.

We hiked last Saturday, then took Sunday off. Monday I did 35 minutes on the elliptical (my activity tracker picked it up as "vigorous" exercise vs "moderate", so I was working hard), and 10 minutes on the StairMaster. I also walked for a half hour that day. Tuesday was my circuit training class. I usually get there early enough to warm up on the elliptical for 10-15 minutes. That day I got 15 minutes in on the elliptical, followed by the 45 minute class. Actually, looking back, my total activity level on Tuesday was insane- an hour and 27 minutes of moderate activity, and 31 minutes of vigorous activity. I definitely didn't try to get 2 hours of exercise, but it can't hurt. Wednesday's workout was like Monday's, with the extra walk again. On Thursday, the gym was the last place I felt like going, but I dragged my ass in there, and of course I felt great. Class totally killed me! We did a ton of weighted squats, deadlifts, squats with overhead lifts, and other exercises my mind has blocked out in the haze of muscle pain.

no but this picture is killing me

I was toying with the idea of going to Zumba today and taking a rest day tomorrow, but I was so sore and my husband wants to go work out tomorrow, so I gave my body a much needed day of slothliness.

a sloth's still gotta eat healthy

Workout goals for the coming week? Get my butt to Zumba at least once. I also want to break my 11 minute barrier on the StairMaster. I mentioned in an earlier post that it's my new favorite exercise machine. That may be a bit hyperbolic, but I am amazed at how such a simple concept/machine can get the heart rate up so effectively! Even at the lowest level, I am working HARD- which is my number one goals when working out- I don't see the point in driving all the way to the Y only to put in a half-ass effort. When I'm there, I'm there to sweat my butt off!!!

Anyways, I found an interesting blog post about starting on the StairMaster- this guy started a virtual skyscraper collection, creating a list of buildings around the world equivalent to the amount of floors he climbs in his workouts. My max so far has been 20 floors, but I definitely think this is a really cool idea!

While running and I are on a break

Even though my last run was a week ago, today was the first day that I finally acknowledged that I am taking an extended break from running.

Honestly, I still take Rachel's side in this argument

I made an effort to be active but it definitely didn't have the awesome sweat factor of running. I went for a 30 minute (give or take, forgot to track) bike ride, and did this workout (which was admittedly pretty tough). My Bodymedia Fit Link doesn't pick up HIIT workouts or cycling very well, so not sure what my calorie burn was, but I got almost an hour of activity in. I'm feeling very apathetic to all this stupid non-running exercise crap, however.

unimpressed giraffe is unimpressed with today's workout

In an effort to keep up my motivation, I've admitted to myself that I'm going to need to join the gym (something I've managed to avoid for 2 years) so that I can find fun ways to work out that don't involved my still overweight body pounding the pavement. I can use the elliptical, and I love Zumba, so I have a few low-impact options. Having several machines and class options at my disposal will hopefully help keep boredom at bay.

What are your favorite ways to exercise?