Extreme Makeover - Me Edition

It's Wednesday - again! (where did the last week go??) - and that means it's Extreme Makeover - Me Edition over at Amber's! What a great way to get positive feedback and encouragement from lots of gals who are trying to accomplish the same thing I am - taking care of myself, and making it a priority to be healthy and exercise. If you'd like to join in on the fun, head over to {aefilkins} to get the scoop on how to participate!

My Progress For the Week

This week? Not so good - damn you, Cadbury Mini Eggs! My weight is actually UP (like 3 pounds up!) in spite of the fact that I worked out 6 days, including a 5 mile run, 4 mile run, and a couple days doing the FIRM. I just do not get it. I know I am building muscle, and the scale does say that the fat % is going down, but muscle also burns calories every day so you'd think the more you had, the more you'd burn. And seriously - it's not like I've been gorging on chocolate cake and mexican food (although I'd like to!) I know some of the weight is water retention (hands and feet are very sausage-y) but I'd REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE TIPPING POINT IS - at what point does your metabolism kick and and fat burn?? So - here's me, disgusted with myself and my scale. I know that many of you participating in this are trying to lose more than my 5 (now 7!) piddly pounds, and I apologize if it sounds petty/whiney/bitchy/whatever. But I'm approaching that magical age of 4-0 in the not-too-far-off future, and I'd really like to get it off. I really thought training for this race next Saturday would do it. If anyone has any magical wisdom to share, I'd love to hear it!

Amber's Question of the Week

Share some of the music that you work out to. What helps you rock it!? What gets your blood pumpin?

I have to say, I don't listen to any! If I'm at home doing a DVD, I just listen to whatever they have to say; if I'm on the elliptical, I read (at least through most of it); and when running, I just tend to veg out or think or listen to the birds. It is SO noisy at the house CONSTANTLY, so I really just enjoy the quiet of the outside, or working through problems in my own head, or even just listening to myself breathe. Of course, all of this only once I've hit that 'groove' where I'm not gasping for breath up the first hill :-)

I tried running with my i-pod a few weeks ago and really just found it more distracting than anything else, I found it hard to find my pace so I just turned it off. Hubby thinks that's strange, but I say, whatever works for you!

So, this is my last week to train before the race, and (once again) I'm going to try to stick to my calories each day, drink more water and less coffee, oh - and floss! Need to be better about flossing, so says the dentist (and my own head). And now I must run and finish cleaning the upstairs so I can get on with getting ready for the yard sale this weekend (goodbye lots of baby things!)