Back from the dead.

Oh jeez. The last time I posted was in January. Why am I not surprised?

I've been crazy busy these past few months. I completed my first student teaching placement, which was AMAZING. I seriously learned so much and grew more than I thought possible as an educator. I was completely overwhelmed by the love and support that I received from the staff, my students, and parents. Definitely could not have asked for anything more out of my first placement! On my last day, which was a total mess of tears, my kids and teacher threw a (not so) surprise party and showered me with a huge basket filled with things a future teacher might need. I received a ton of brand new books, lots of school supplies, and a book of the most adorable letters ever. I cried like a baby and it was so hard to let go of the little bodies that clung to me as I walked them out to the bus loop. I'm getting teary eyed as I think about it, so I'll stop here before I'm a total mess again. I can't wait to visit them when I'm done with my second placement! Hopefully I'll get to sub in the building in June.

Along with teaching full time, I have a night class twice a week. Mondays and Wednesdays I don't get home until after 7, sometimes after 8. It's been good for me, though. I'm definitely a person who benefits from staying crazy busy. 

I've gotten back into a workout groove, which I needed. I go to Zumba twice a week (two different instructors so I'm getting two completely different workouts) and I've tried to get back into Couch to 5k. I've been running on my treadmill because I'm not hardcore enough to run outside in the cold. However, since the weather has been beyond gorgeous and record-breaking for this time of year, I decided to take the party outside yesterday. I was reminded of why I'm doing the program - I can't run outside. It's so hard for me to find the correct pace. I'm going to continue to do the longer runs on the treadmill, and start the program over outside with my sister (I started it in the summer, so I could use a refresher). She wants to start a running program and she lives right around the corner, so we're going to do it 3x a week. We pinky sweared (can you tell I've been around 7 year olds for the last 8 weeks?) that we would work towards a 5k in the fall. So obviously, that means it's a done deal.

Today I got ballsy and tried out a bootcamp class at the gym. Let me just say, after seeing the instructor explain and demonstrate the various rotations, I was ready to walk out. I'm not going to lie, I was terrified. We started outside in the parking lot (the sun was shining and it was 70 degrees - made it a little bit more enjoyable) with two rotations of power jumps, high knees, lunges with a bar, burpees, and jumps on steps of varying height (I was afraid to jump on the highest steps because I'm so short, so I just did regular steps on those). Next, we went inside for ~10 rotations, mostly using weights and some abs. Lots of bicep curls, dumbbell rows, push ups into a side plank, V-sits, curtsy lunges with weights, supermans with weights, etc. After we completed the entire rotation, we went back outside for these side squats. Not sure what they're called or how to really describe them. We got into squat position and then shuffled/side stepped maintaining the position down the length of the parking lot. Then we sprinted (or jogged, in my case) back and forth. The fun didn't end there, because we went back inside for another set of rotations with the weights.

It was definitely tough, but I'm glad I stuck it out. The instructor was really nice and showed me how to do each move, and told me I was doing a great job. I'll definitely go back.

I'm going to Florida in three weeks with a friend, so I'm trying to do as much as I can. I'd really like to lose another 5 pounds (8-10 would be better, but unrealistic) and maybe tone up a tiny but more before we go. I've decided to start the 17 Day Diet from the beginning again, because I've eaten a bit more than I normally do over the past few weeks. I haven't gained, but I'd like to get the hell off of this plateau. So far I'm still at 21.5 pounds lost since July, so it's time to crank up the volume.

This morning, I treated myself to new sneakers. I've had my current sneaks for longer than I should probably admit to hardcore athletes (2-3 years... whoops), and my arches have been starting to hurt. I ordered these snazzy Asics from FinishLine:

I paid $60 shipped after joining their rewards program and getting a $10 off of a $50 purchase coupon. Not too bad! My last run with Asics wasn't pretty, so I was hesitant to try another pair. To be honest, I really just wanted these because they're cute, but I took the time to read about 6 pages of reviews, most of which were positive. I wanted a lightweight shoe that would be good for Zumba, but also provide enough support for running. Hopefully they work out!

I was going to buy a HRM, but decided that sneakers are more important right now because I'd rather be comfortable while working out than know how many calories I'm burning. It'll definitely be my next "big" workout purchase, though. I'm kind of digging this pink/purple Polar ft4:

I feel like most HRMs are pretty ugly, so at least that one's a LITTLE more exciting! I'm also in desperate need of new pants, because mine are getting a little loose around the waist. Not necessarily a bad thing, but having to pull up my pants gets a little old after awhile.