Running....

I know I have been slacking off (on my blog, but not in life) but, I have been working out everyday and keeping up...just got a little busy and have not been posting. I have been logging it all on SparkPeople though. I have been going to 2 classes a day...had a few days off and am really trying to get more running sessions into my schedule. I have also lost 1 more Pound!

Lately I have really found a loooove of this RUNNING business....

I posted a little about it before, but it all started when my gym buddy Joanne won two entries for the 10Km Vancouver Sun Run along with weekly Training Clinics. She asked me if I would go along with her and I thought, well...that would be something interesting, I would love to try something different, and what a challenge that would be...so I was in! The first training session I was nervous that I would be behind and not in shape enough, but we joined the Turtles to start and it was surprisingly easy....so we did Turtles again the next week...I felt I could move up a group...and when I DID, I KNEW I made the right step...it felt GREAT...I was not tired at all, and even wanted to keep going...so now I am thinking of moving into the fast group from the medium group! I will try it next week and see how it goes. 

When I USED walk around the mountain a lot, I would run for 2-3 telephone poles and walk more...I would only run non-stop when I got to the downhill parts, and I would be out of breath, and my heart and lungs as well as legs where not working with me! I would NEVER even THINK to run up-hill...and had no idea how to pace-myself, so I was going into this with THAT mentality...but then when I was running THIS time...I noticed my heart, lungs AND legs were loving this...I felt like I did not even have to stop or rest. I know this is because of all those LesMills classes I have been so dedicated to...my sports-inspired BodyAttack, my heart-conditioning RPM, strength-building BodyPump, my BodyCombat, BodyJam, as well as ZUMBA and occasional Hot Yoga. They all helped me conditional myself for this...nothing like conditioning your heart, lungs, mind and body to go out and enjoy a run, never wanting it to end.

At first I was not doing my homework runs on my own time, because I thought I go to the gym enough so why would I do that lol...but once I STARTED doing them, I have been trying to fit them in any time I get the chance because even though the weather is cold, the feeling I get when I am out there is like nothing else, and I crave that feeling. The most wonderful feeling...out there in nature, running on the mountain...breathing in the chilly air...and at the same time, nice and warm from such an awesome workout and the sunshine shining down on you...all you hear are the rocks under your feet and the occasional bus, car or airplane. Ahhhh nothing more relaxing....

I have been running 4.89-6.16Km so far. I put the baby for a nap and off I go. I walk for a minute or so and then run the whole time at different paces, navigating my way through different routes up here on the mountain and lots of little hills and bigger hills...to challenge myself on the route and I just keep on running. If you have never tried it...start small in intervals of walking and running and work your way up...it really is an amazing experience and a really nice thing to do for YOURSELF! 

I love this quote:

Well off I go to clean my house...

UmmKhaled

GOAL #2 REACHED! MashaAllah!

Today is a happy day for me... I have REACHED my GOAL #2! I am starting on GOAL #3! I feel like I accomplished a lot and I am really loving the way I feel about myself these days!

GOAL #1: Was to lose the 23 pounds I gained while I was in UAE for 4.5 months...anddddddddd..
UPDATE: Alllll 23 Pounds GONE!! YAY!

GOAL #2: Was to lose ANOTHER 10 pounds....and......
UPDATE: All 10 of those Pounds are GONE... Double Woohoo!

SO NOW I AM:

DOWN 33 Pounds since I came back from UAE...which takes my TOTAL since giving birth to Baby#3 to 49 Pounds of weight I NEVER want to see again InshaAllah!

I am now starting Goal #3...which is to lose another 10 pounds. I have not been that goal weight since a little before I got Pregnant with Baby#1 who is 8 years old now lol!  It is ABOUT TIME hehehe!

Sooooo I am satisfied with the way I look now Alhamdullilah...but I would like to be more toned and fit looking, which I think with my favorite Les Mills Classes I can achieve that InshaAllah! As soon as this holiday stuff is over I am hoping to get into the gym more. Now that I have a 2nd car it is easier for me to get to the gym now that my husband is back to work.

I also LOVE shopping again...I can remember after Baby#3 going into the stores and having to Buy L or XL shirts...and now I can pick a Small off the rack and not even try it on and I KNOW it will fit...since I am a pear shape though...I need to work on my bum and thighs hehehe but I am satisfied with how I look and enjoy getting out of the shower and getting dressed like I used to...just a few months ago, I would dread getting out of the shower because my clothes were SOOOO tight because I refused to buy a SIZE or TWO bigger after gaining that 23 pounds back...so I would go to the bathroom and fight with my jeans to get them on....they had JUST fit me a few months ago and I worked so hard to get into them...BUT NOW...I just gave THOSE few pairs of jeans away because they were too BIG! 

So just wanted to mark my big accomplishment of GOAL #2 behind me...and now I am moving onto GOAL #3.

Thanks for reading...

Loooove Kasey UmmKhaled

I am LOVING my new....

 SUUNTO M4 Heart Rate Monitor/Watch! 



I have been really wanting a Heart Rate Monitor/Watch (pictured at right) with a Chest Strap to monitor my Heart Rate and how many Calories I burn in my workouts because I have been guessing from "averages" I was reading online. So NOW that I have my new SUUNTO M4 I am all set! It also is a pretty nice looking sporty watch and adds to my cool factor at the gym LOL...JK!  :) I bought it for around $169.99 so about $190.00 with tax.

Yesterday hubby and I went to Coast Mountain Sports now called Atmosphere and I chose the beautiful black one with fushia around the inside :) I love it because I love pink and my new-ish Adidas Climacool Sneakers are Fushia as well! I almost ALWAYS wear total black at the gym hheheheSLIMMING! because it is So anyways...I am just in love with it and I am so excited to see how many calories I burn in my beloved LesMills Classes. I do have to update my workouts I know.

Well I am off to get Khaled at school...a little walk to add to my workout log...so off I go :)

Love UmmKhaled

My New Treadmill...

Well...finally I got my new Treadmill. So now I have no excuses. I must take my weight tomorrow and my measurements and continue on where I left off in Canada! I hope it is not up tooooo much, but I can't kid myself...I know it IS! Good-Bye yummy goodies and treats and Arabian food! I shall only taste it from now on because I have no excuses now.

Starting tomorrow I will do my logs again. Every week I will do the "Weekly Weight & Measurement Check" and I will log my exercise for the day. Now all I need is a Stepper and some Step Class DVD's and I am all set. I will do them in front of the big screen TV hehehehehe! I HOPE I can get Les Mills DVD's of the classes because they are AWESOME and I have lots of room to do them in. I would sooo love that. Oh and also I need to sometime soon get a Spinning Bike and DVD's so I can do some Spinning because that was my favorite and I brought my shoes. Once I am more settled into a routine I hope to find a gym with some classes but for now I have only found Les Mills classes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai...so those are 1.5 hours away!

Soooooo wish me luck and InshaAllah (God Willing) I will be as successful as I was just before I left! I just want to feel great again and this gives me something for myself to focus on :)

Loooove Kasey UmmKhaled

LES MILLS: The Most Amazing Classes!

So...What is all this...

...that I have been talking about everyday?...Day-in and day-out?

Well they are Les Mills Programs and they are awesome and life-changing. I definetly want anyone looking to lose weight, tone up, or just plain have fun and meet new people to click on this website and go into "Class Locator" and find classes near you. Click on the logo below for all the information!

It is great if there is a gym (like mine GoodLife Fitness) with classes you can get to and they are worth every penny and more...you get a great workout...they are very energized...the instructors are amazing and work you hard and motivate you to really great music, and you just have tons of fun! The classes fly by and you get wayyy more of a workout than walking on a treadmill or any other machine I can tell you that. Before you know it...you are addicted to them and hooked! They are truley above any other classes and can't even be compared (and trust me I have taken other classes before) So go on the site...check out The Programs and Go! I even previewed where they are in UAE already since I will be moving there sometime this year.

These are the class descriptions from the Les Mills website:

(Click on the picture and it will bring you to more about that particular class)

RPM™ is the indoor cycling workout where you ride to the rhythm of powerful music. Take on the terrain with your inspiring team coach who leads the pack through hills, flats, mountain peaks, time trials, and interval training. Discover your athlete within – sweat and burn to reach your endorphin high.

BODYATTACK™ is the sports-inspired cardio workout for building strength and stamina. This high-energy interval training class combines athletic aerobic movements with strength and stabilization exercises. Dynamic instructors and powerful music motivate everyone towards their fitness goals - from the weekend athlete to the hard-core competitor.

BODYCOMBAT™ is the empowering cardio workout where you are totally unleashed. This fiercely energetic program is inspired by martial arts and draws from a wide array of disciplines such as Karate, boxing, Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Muay Thai. Supported by driving music and powerful role model instructors strike, punch, kick and kata your way through calories to superior cardio fitness.

BODYPUMP™ is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. Great music, awesome instructors and your choice of weight inspire you to get the results you came for – and fast!

BODYSTEP™ is the energizing step workout that makes you feel liberated and alive. Using a height-adjustable step and simple movements on, over and around the step you get huge motivation from sing-a-long music and approachable instructors. Cardio blocks push fat burning systems into high gear followed by muscle conditioning tracks that shape and tone your body.

BODYFLOW™ is the Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates workout that builds flexibility and strength and leaves you feeling centered and calm. Controlled breathing, concentration and a carefully structured series of stretches, moves and poses to music create a holistic workout that brings the body into a state of harmony and balance.

RPM is my favorite...because it is hard..it is body and mind challenging...and it is really fun! I love the feeling after Track 5 when I know there are only 2 Tracks left, and then you really feel great after the class like you really accomplished something difficult. Bring a towel because you will sweat more than you ever sweat in your life!

Next up my faves are:

BodyAttack...BodyPump...BodyCombat...BodyStep...and I like BodyFlow but it is in a different category as it is a mix of Yoga, Pilates & Tai-Chi but you do sweat, it is just not as intense as the others, but it is really relaxing especially since they dim the lights. I am not into the dance ones like BodyJam, but I know a lot of girls that love it...I am just not into dancing but if you are it would be fun!

Hope everyone gets to enjoy classes like these :)

Love Kasey UmmKhaled