Summer is Here - July

Hey NeverEver's!

July is almost here. In fact its just a day away. I really can't believe that 7 months have passed sense the beginning of the year. 7 months of 5k's, exercises, back sliding, new jobs, started beachbody, got into shakeology and growing this blog. Its been an exciting 7 months and I really can't wait to see how the rest of the year goes!!

With that being said...let me introduce you to July's Calendar!

Isn't it so cute! I found it at http://hellocuteness.com/freebies/2013-calendars/. I wish I found this place sooner but now I found it...its here to stay!

So as you can see from July 4th to the 7th I don't have any exercises planned. The reason is because of Anime Expo. It is something the Hubby and I do every year.

Here we are from last year! This year I am not dressing up this year but Hubby is. Can't wait to show everyone. Can't so now apparently, the Hubby doesn't want it shown until its ready ^_^.

There is also another change that I have been thinking about for a while. To Gym or not to Gym...that is the question.

And I have decided to suspend or quit my gym membership for now. I have very good reasons as to why I am going to try and suspend and if that isn't possible quit the gym.

• I have a Treadmill at work and I am actually using it (mostly)
• I want to finish 30 days of Hip Hop Ab's - And after that I got Slim in 6
• I have good outside weather to workout in
• I haven't been to the gym in 2 months

I also have another reason as to why I want to suspend or quit the gym. 

• I just got a 4 week Boot Camp Program from Groupon with Live in Fit

I just want to know how I am going to survive waking up early enough to get to the 4:45 am class. Oy NeverEver's give me strength! 

I will find out on Monday if I can suspend or if I have to quit. Really I don't want to quit the gym, I just don't want to keep paying for something that I am just not using. 

What else does July have planned for me? 

Well the Hubby's Birthday is on the 10th and I have something planned for him on the 12th. Hopefully, everything will go well ^_^. 

I am also going to be training for my next 5k which is on August 17th. The Ready, Set, Glow 5k. Still can't believe that this race will be my 8th 5k this year. Only have 5 more to go to complete the 13 in 2013 challenge. 

I did decide to do a training plan for this upcoming run. It seemed time to get serious about running my 5k's instead of just 'running' them. I already got my mile down from 16 minutes to 12 minutes and I am sure I can get it down more. So here is my Running Plan!

I got this training plan from Hal Higdon. I almost did the 'Intermediate' Training Plan but after really thinking about it...I am still a beginner. This is the first year I have ever ran before and while I am liking it, I don't want to kill myself or make me hate it. 

Also, I loved that this plan also had Friday as a rest day as that is exactly the day I want as my rest day ^_^

So this is my plan for July. It is going to be a busy month and it looks like its all under control. I just hope the heat doesn't get to bad...I know its wishful thinking. At least the Hubby got the AC unit in yesterday. 

Okay NeverEver's, So what is your plan for July? How do you feel about the gym?

St. Patrick's Day Virtual 5K

Hey NeverEver's!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Everything is gonna be in green today so no one gets pinched ^_~. I do hope you are all going to have an amazing one today. It will be a while until St. Patrick's day is back on a weekend so make sure you go out an have fun!!!! 

Since, that is exactly what I am planning on doing, I made sure to get my Virtual 5K in this morning so I can work off a few of those 'Green Beers'. What? I always wanted to try them...yet can never seem to be able to get one -_-. 

However, before I went to the gym for the race I tried one of the 'goodies' that I got from the LA Marathon Convention. The company Mamma Chia has these squeeze's (seen above) and the drinks. Well I got some of the squeezes and it is DELICIOUS! It has 1200Mg Omega-3, Fiber, no added sugar, 70 calories & Gluten Free + Vegan! 

It replaced my pre-breakfast run, cause I was running late and didn't want to get up this morning. And it gave me that full stomach feeling so I could run my 5K without getting dizzy or hungry! Then it was time to get my run on!

Unlike with my First Virtual 5K I now knew I could run 3.1 miles on the treadmill and whats more I have been training on jogging a mile after classes so I felt ready! Which is more then I can say for almost any of my other races ^_^. 

So it started and I decided that I wanted to actually jog the first mile without stopping. Something that I have never been able to do before. Even while just running a mile I always slowed down to a walk. This time I pushed myself through and did the whole mile WITHOUT STOPPING! Then I took a 1/2 a song break while doing a fast walk then it was back to jogging and I did the whole thing again! 

And with that 'I WILL be jogging this run' attitude I actually did it. My first mile my time was 14:17 my second was 13:31 and my third (I was tired by this time) was 14:07 for a grand total of 42:18! 

I beat my first Virtual Race time of 52:08 and that was amazing in itself. But knowing that I can actually jog a WHOLE mile without stopping...well that is something extra! 

I cannot wait to see what I can do next weekend for the #Anywhere5K 2nd Annual Race. My goal is to shave off 2 minutes on my time. It seems like a reasonable goal and I will be putting it into action. 

Okay NeverEver's, it is time for me to get ready for tonights party and help out a friend move somethings into storage. So i will be seeing you all tomorrow! 

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Sunday = Planday

Hey NeverEver's!

Yesterday was a little bit of a disappointment but only in the NFL sense. Poor Hubby's team did not win the game against the 49'ers. So now both of our teams haven't made it any further this season...but there is always next year, right?

 reference

Anyways, besides the game, Saturday was an awesome day filled with hanging out with one of my Best Friends, exchanging clothes, and getting over to the gym. Best part of my gym day?

I made it 10 MINUTES on the StairMaster without dying! Oh I was so happy! There was a time I couldn't even make it to 10 minutes without giving up and walking away. Yesterday was 10 minutes...tomorrow the World! Okay joking about the World but I would settle when I can make it up to 20 minutes!!

However, my main goal over at the gym was doing a weight routine. And well I am feeling it today...apparently especially in my 'gluteus maximus'. Did my normal machine and bosu ball routine, one of these days I will post the workout here...once I figure it out anyways. 

I do have some other big news! Okay maybe not BIG news but it is Brag Worthy News! 

Target Reference

I got the above outfit as a Large! Yup that is right a LARGE, not an XL or, can't believe I am saying this but, XXL! The best part...it fits great too! So I am ready for Valentines Day a little early but it was way to cute to pass up. 

Told ya that it was Brag Worthy News ^_~

In some other news, I know there seems to be a lot today, I am almost ready for all my recipes next week! Which of course the ideas came from Self Magazine Jump Start and looking at most of the food it looks great, just hoping it tastes good too! Don't worry I will let you guys know ^_^.

Challenge Updates! 

I signed up for a new 5K! If you are new here, WELCOME, my first 5k was Commitment Day 5k and I have another one coming up on 2/2/13 the Color Run! However, since I am trying to do 13 5k's in 2013 I needed to sign up for 11 more and I found a really fun one!

The Neon Run

It looks like a TON of fun and they even drop 'Glow Water' in some places so when it is finished your basically all neon-y ^_^. The San Diego version of this run is on April 13th so I hope you guys will come and join!! 

That will be 3 down and 10 more to go...oy! 

I know there is quite a few bloggers, and others, that are doing this challenge. It is amazing and I really do feel it in my pansita (tummy)! We are already in Week 3 and yes I am still a day behind on the exercises, I blame the Nike Training Club ^_^. Not sure if I am just going to tack on an extra day at the end or double up my workouts...decisions decisions. 

Here is Week 3 circuit. I had to look up 'Running Man', 'Plank Jacks' and 'Push Through', man there is so many exercises I never even heard of -_-. But, I am learning...slowly but surely. 

Okay NeverEver's it is time to go get my grocery's that I need for next week and to end today being with the Hubby. Hope you all have a great rest of your Sunday! 

Gym, Dinner and Evening Walk

Hey NeverEver's!

I made it to the gym again this morning! Yup, second day of working out in the morning...which means I am waking up early in the morning! They say it takes 3 weeks to make something into a habit so lets see what happens the next three weeks.

Anyways, this will not be a super long post. I am way to distracted by the really nice walking weather outside. But, I have to let my food digest and I really wanted to show you my cooking tonight!

I call it...Turkeyburger Helper! Okay, its a horrible horrible name but I got the idea from hamburger helper as you will see ^_^.

I had some Turkey left over and I didn't want to make turkey meatballs so I decided to go simple. A healthy version of Hamburger Helper and above is what I came up with!

The pasta was left over, I seriously can't remember what this type of pasta is called, but it was wheat. And the sauce I used sun-dried tomatoes and basil with EVOO. It was a really tasty combination and something that I shall be cooking again!

The family loved it, even my father in law who doesn't like ANY greens on his plate. Plus there was enough left over for lunch tomorrow! 

Which is good because apparently my temp assignment might be lasting longer then the original 2 weeks. Of course this is awesome because my 24 Hour is literally 2 exits before work or 2 exits before I get on the freeway home. I can't miss it even if I wanted to!

Daily Stats Day 63:

Look at those stats. Second day back in the gym, after a LONG hiatus, and I make it in there two times in one day! Have to say that those stats look pretty good! This is a really good start to the Fall Season! 

Okay NeverEver's, sorry if I rambled today...I re-read what I wrote and fixed things up and I STILL feel like I am rambling, possible its a mood. Anyways, I am leaving you with this as it is time for my Evening Walk. I found it and it really hit me:

Daily Stats: Day 21, Zumba + Weigh In

Hey NeverEver's!

How was your weekend? Even better how was your Manic Monday? I hope it was better then mine of course...at least in the working world. However, mine was great for a weigh in / workout day!

So my workout consisted of Zumba, it really did a number on me, and then catching up with an old friend on the phone while walking the neighborhood. Here are the results!

Not a bad day at all!

So my weight loss is now at a total of 8 pounds. I lost a total of 2.5 pounds since last week and half. I see my weight going down on the scale and it makes me want to workout even more!

I am also pretty proud of my dinner today. More greens then anything else

Alright NeverEver's, so how did you do on the weigh in? What did you have for dinner? Have you tried Zumba yet? I have to say that it is intense! 

Have a good night look forward to writing more tomorrow. 

Daily Stats: Less Breaks and Eating Opp's!

Hey NeverEver's!!

So how do you measure success? I used to say that success was losing weight, not that I worked at it before this. Then when I started working out I thought that success could be measured in how long I worked out in the gym. However, now I think success is not stopping in a class. Especially in a Weight or Cardio class.

And that is what I did today! This was my 3rd Tuesday with Les Mills Body Pump at the 24 Hour Fitness Compton Gym. Found out that 3rd time is a charm in not only making sure that I continue to come back but that I also don't take as many breaks during the workout. Except those abs...I shudder to think about the 'abs' workout. Breaks are still done with that one...but there was less I do have to say!

Doesn't this look fun?!?

I think the reason why I worked so hard today on my class is because I didn't pick a 'Healthy Choice' meal. Going to Corner Bakery, and they do have healthier choices, I choose to have pasta...and not even the small one I choose the large one! I total whopping 1140 calories in 1 serving.

This means that I have to work all the harder tomorrow and learn that though I made a stumble here...it doesn't throw my whole journey out of whack. I will make healthier choices even when working out!

Here is today's stats;

Oy...Don't want to repeat today

This isn't a day that I care to repeat.

So NeverEver's how do you pick yourself back up once a mistake was made? Did it take you a long time to get back on track?

Till Next Time NeverEver's!

Daily Stats: Day 14

Hey NeverEver's!

I hope your Monday was less stressful then mine! Had the first meeting with my new boss today. To talk over what was done in the past week, especially since she was gone for a lot of last week. So needless to say it was a kind of stressful day.

I was able to make it to the gym...if only to find that I didn't have any socks for my gym shoes. So today was a weight only type of day. I couldn't necessarily do my cardio in heels. Although, I have heard there is a marathon for woman in heels. Not sure if that is something we should be running in but hey more power to them who run in those things...I can barely walk.

Anyways, here is my Daily Stats;

I again need to work on more sleep!

  I did forget to weigh myself today, which was silly because its Monday and its my weigh day. But I will weigh myself tomorrow promise NeverEver's!

So NeverEver's...I found that it was very important to have socks for my shoes. What have you found necessary to have at the gym?

Daily Stats: Day 10

Good Evening NeverEver's!

I have recently become addicted to pinterest! So if you see me twittering about some recipe or some motivational saying / background...well I hope you like it. Cause I ain't stopping ^_^. Also if you are part of pinterest let me know and I will follow you!

Okay so today was a good day...except that I forgot to make my lunch and went to jack in the box instead. I got the 4 chicken wings. I only went over my calorie limit by '2' points but it COULD have been avoided if I actually brought my healthy lunch.

So gotta do better tomorrow. In fact after I finish writing this I am going to go make my lunch for tomorrow.

Anyways, on to my workout portion of the day. I FINALLY got to the Huntington Beach 24 Hour Fitness. For those of you who like knowing things, I just started working in Huntington Beach right off the 405. So that gym is really close to me. I actually have to pass it to get on the freeway.

The gym is pretty awesome. Everything is up on the 2nd floor and there are multiple cardio machines but what I LOVE even more is that there are several, of the same type, of weight machines! So if 1 is taken you don't have to wait you can just move to the same machine in a different area! Genius!!

So basically my workout was 10 mins on the Elliptical, 45 mins doing weight's, and 10 mins on the Stair -Master! Which I am very proud of. Now I know 10 minutes isn't something that is awe-inspiring and all but before today I was never, that is right NEVER, able to do more then 5 minutes of the Stair Master! And, with today I was able to make it an even 10.

Next week I am going to hit for 15 minutes!

Here is my Daily Stats from BodyMedia!

I got more sleep this time!

So NeverEver's! I hope you didn't forget your lunch...or if you did you made healthier decisions then I did. But, what is a moment that you are most proud of? Was it finally going the next speed on the Treadmill? Or was it doing that perfect crunch? Let me know I really want to hear about it!

Good Night NeverEver's!

Workout of the Day: Favorite Machine

Hey NeverEver's,

So today's workout was still cardio but on a higher level then other days.
It was ALL gym today and I wanted to introduce my favorite cardio machine to you all here.

The under used, under loved, Rowing Machine

Did you know that this machine can burn up to 800 calories an hour! And...this is the best part...its a FULL body workout. Not like the treadmill which works the legs. This baby burns EVERYTHING!


I also may have forgotten to mention but this darling also focuses on your AB's. That is because you are engaging them from start to finish! Not many cardio workouts do that now do they?


Here is a few more sites that you can check into if you want more information on the Amazing Rowing Machine!


Elliptical vs Rowing Machine  
Rowing Machine Benefits

Day 8: Les Mills #2

Hey NeverEver's!

I know I am doing back to back posts. Sorry! But I really wanted to get that Snack of the Day post out since I haven't done it in so long...and of course I HAVE to do my Daily Stats.

Daily Stats for me are extremely important. It is my way of showing the world that I either succeeded, failed, or did so-so. There is no way I can actually lie on these posts (I do not have photoshop...every one of these pics is done in Paint...Yes I am a ballin Paint user) and I do what to show my progress from NeverEverBeenSkinny to NeverEverUnHealthyAgain!

So as some of you read before I started a new job today. Now while that is an interesting experience in itself, there is nothing like the first day of anything, I had to get back to the Les Mills Body Pump class at my 24 Hour Fitness Compton Sport!

As the survivor of 2, yes 2, classes I can happily report that this class was easier then the first one. I still had to take my breaks, and I still hate those push-ups, but it didn't hurt my arm as much when we had to lift the barbell to the 'meaty' part of our backs. I was also able to remember the moves so I didn't have to take the whole class with my neck in a weird position watching the instructor! However, I did feel that position in my wrists...which means I need to keep them straight. I will keep working on that!

So without further talking here is my Daily Stats for Day 8:

I would have never believed days like this could have existed!

This is the type of day that I want to remember for when I don't want to workout! This feeling of accomplishment!

So NeverEver's this is my day stats. How did you do today? Are you happy as well?

Day 7: A Zumba Workout and Weigh In Day

Hey NeverEver's!

I hope you all had an awesome weekend and an even better Manic Monday! So as it is Monday I want to do 2 things especially today.

First, I want to thank everyone who is reading this blog. So far it has been 1 week of writing and working out! It has been amazing see the stats go up and figuring out how and what to write. Thank each and everyone of you!

Second, today is my Weigh In Day! So as you all know I started off at 213 and with my weigh in today I am at...I wish I could add drum rolls to this as a sound track, but anyways...211.5! I am so happy that I went over my expected 1 pound a week and went to 1.5!

Okay so my workout today was Zumba Fitness at 24 HourFitness Compton Sport. Let me say...they just don't dance in there. They MOVE! I do plan to do a post ALL about Zumba and how it took the fitness world by storm not to long ago. But for now...I will say that I will be feeling this cardio workout for a while! I also can't wait to do it again.
Also, before my Zumba class started, I had to get there an hour early just to reserve a spot, I went to do some Weights. Just working my arms with the machines and dumbbells. So today was an awesome day with a perfect cardio burn and some weights.

So here is my stats for today;

Zumba really kicked my Calorie Burn WAYYY Up!

I am sure you can see why I am happy with today's workout and stats!

Just as an update on my personal life. I am starting a new job tomorrow, Tuesday, but I see no reason for it to effect this blog. In fact I see myself working out more because less then a mile from where I work, Huntington Beach, is a 24 Hour Fitness!

Okay NeverEver's...when was your best day ever on a workout? or Healthy Eating? Did it make you want to do the same thing the next day? Or did you push yourself to hard that day that you just couldn't get up the next? I really want to hear from you!

Night all NeverEver's!

Day 6: Gym and Walk

Hey NeverEver's!

How was your Sunday? I hope some of you were watching the Olympics 2012. I loved watching the Team USA Woman's Beach Volleyball. Man did they look awesome and play an even better game. It made me want to head out to the beach, and I am NOT a beach person!

Okay so I am REALLY proud of myself today and what I have been able to do. As you know yesterday I was out all night at the Oban Festival and then to a friends house to play some video games, yes yes I play video games. But I went home at a not so decent time just to make sure I would wake up for my Gym Date and head to the Downtown L.A 24Hour Fitness.

So I get to the gym and he pushes me and I push him...until we get to the final cardio...20 minutes on a Stationary Bike. We choose this because the rowers are for once taken and we want to see the 400m Swimming on NBC Olympics 2012. Let me say this...those 20 minutes were hell on my @ss! I am only 4'11" and the seat was ALL the way down for my short legs and it still wasn't right. I should have never stayed on it...but since I was on...well I was going to finish that last 20 minutes!

After the gym I head home, work on this wonderful blog a little bit, played some Zelda Skyward Sword with the Hubby, ate some Subway...and felt like I had so much energy! After thinking about it...and EVEN considering going to the gym for a 2nd time today...I decided that I wanted to go walk!

And here is the result of everything I did today!

Very Proud of myself today!

So NeverEver's are you happy with how your Sunday went? Is there something you will be doing better next time? Something you want to do again?

That is it for now NeverEver's!

Workout of the Day: Friends Day

Hey NeverEver's!

As you know I went to have dinner with a friend...but he is also my gym buddy! So before dinner we kicked our larger then life @sses at 24 Hour Fitness!

So because my Muscles are still recovering from my major Body Pump exercise on Tuesday, we did some hardcore cardio today.

• 20 minutes on the Rowing Machine

followed by

• 45 minutes on the elliptical 

I would like to point out that without my Darling there at the gym with me...I never would have survived, or thought I could survive, a 45 minute elliptical session! So if you can NeverEver's take a buddy with you to the gym! They push you harder then you thought you could go!


Here is the stats:

Even with my dinner still burning in excess of 890!

 So NeverEver's go out and get a buddy to exercise with! Its easier when you are having fun!

Workout of the Day: Les Mills Body Pump Edition!

NeverEverBeenSkinny @ss kicking workout!

So I just got out of one of the many classes that are offered by 24 Hour Fitness. Today was Les Mills Body Pump class. Its basically a weight class that hits your legs, back and arms at different intervals and not allowing more then a 10-30 second break between sets. 

I will say this...I was sweating. Which means something was being done right. hardest part of the workout was when we were doing the Behind the Head Press. Apparently my arms haven't been bent in that direction in a while so it was challenging. 

As always here is my stats today from BodyMedia! 

As you can see I didn't hit my 'Steps Taken' quota nor my 'Calories Burned' but I have more calories out then in and that is what is important! 

That is it for today NeverEvers!