01/17/2011 10:47
I did lose weight!
I know, I'm not supposed to be weighing (at least, not worrying about
what I weight right now), but I do. I weighed 115 kg last Saturday, and
then last Thursday I saw 113.8. So naturally I was disappointed to
find myself back at 115 kg on at Saturday's weigh-in. The trainer said I
would likely gain in the beginning, but I held steady, so I guess
that's good. But today TOM arrived -- wasn't expecting that for another
week I thought. And that made me realize I always gain about a kilo
before, so that would make a difference, too.
Anyway, I'm not worrying about it, I'm just eating right and going to
fit class 3x a week at this point. And tonight's workout was good --
gets a little easier each time. The trainer said I could mix and match
with other classes now, except of course for Boot Camp which I'm nowhere
near ready for. So maybe I'll mix it up this week. We'll see how it
goes.
Posted By: Anna down under
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01/14/2011 23:51
They warned me this could happen
Actually they warned me that at first I would likely gain weight when I
started training. Well I didn't gain this week, but neither did I lose,
despite eating well and working out three times. I've definitely got
muscle soreness today - not pain or anything, I can just tell I really
worked hard, and it actually feels rather good. Well -- until my dog
jumped up on the bed this morning and I sat up to move her -- bad idea!
My stomach muscles protested strongly, but despite that, I did sit up!
Since Wednesday I couldn't do that to save my life, I'd say I recovered
better this time.
So I'm where I was last Saturday, holding steady at 115kg (253.53 lbs)
and about to go walk the dogs. I was tempted to wait until after the
walk to weigh, but we've got to head out and look at a house today
before lunch, so I won't have time. We haven't gone house shopping in
some time, and we wanted to start looking again this year. Something
interesting popped up, so we'll go have a look. After that we'll want
to grab lunch, so we'll leave today's weigh-in where it is, and do as
the instructor told me -- don't worry about it.
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01/14/2011 10:31
Friday's workout was KILLER!
Well I wasn't sure how I'd go today -- after Monday's workout KILLED my
abs, and I couldn't even do a single sit-up on Wednesday's workout, I
was initially very glad that today's workout with the trainer focused a
lot on the upper body. We did much more boxing exercises (with jogging
spurts in between) than Monday's workout, so my arms are very tired
right now. I imagine they'll be sore tomorrow! So we're like 40
minutes into the workout and I'm thinking wow, I might get away with no
ab work! Silly me. LOL
You know what though?? I did it! I mean -- not as much as everyone
else, but I did it. This time we paired up and sat with our feet
together and passed an object back and forth each time we came up for
our sit-ups. I thought, no way in hell will I get up, I tried Wednesday
and even yesterday and couldn't do even one due to Monday's workout.
Nope, not gonna happen. OK he wants me to try, so I'll assume the
position and just get up as high as I can and try to grab the damned
thing from him but I'm telling you it ain't gonna ... hey! I got up!
And again! And again! I probably did about 10 this time, and I know it
wasn't perfect form but I did them. He was saying to be sure to use
your abs, not your hip flexors. Hell, whatever gets me up is what I'm
using right now. I'll worry about that later.
OK -- finished those -- doubt I'll be able to do a second set. What's
that? You want us to twist right then left when we're about half-way up
to target our obliques? Yeah right, I laughed, I'll give it a try.
Well -- I was past the half way point when I twisted right and left, but
at least I did it. I was really proud of myself for getting through
everything today. Obviously I modified again on the burpees and also on
the plank, which was new for me this week. I did do it from my toes
for about 20 seconds or so, then dropped my knees down. But I made sure
to keep my knees way back, not right under my hips, so it was still
pretty hard. And I made it almost all the way, collapsing about 10
seconds before he told everyone to stop.
So now I'm home, showered, and finished with dinner. Right now I feel
fabulous. But tomorrow -- well, we'll see. And tomorrow is weigh-in
day as well. Not sure what to expect, as they did say I might initially
gain weight because of gaining muscle. Not sure if that would happen
after only a week, but in any case, I'm going to try not to worry too
much about the number on the scale right now. In fact, he didn't even
want me to weigh at all in these first few weeks, but I'm a bit of a
scale junkie. In any case, I'm feeling absolutely fabulous, so I'm not
about to let some number on a scale change that. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Posted By: Anna down under
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01/13/2011 12:44
Wednesday's Workout
Wednesday's fitness class was canceled, with the option of doing the
half hour ab class and the 45 minute card boxing in it's place. I
wasn't sure I was ready for a half hour full on ab work. Had I skipped
that and just did the cardio boxing, it would have meant starting later
and I would have gotten home even later, and wouldn't have been having
dinner until 8:30 pm. I don't like to eat that late, so I decided to go
home and do a Turbo Jam workout. Remember those? I used to do them
regularly a couple of years ago, and it's a good all around workout so I
thought it would be a great substitute. Boy was I right!
It was a bit of a struggle, but I got through, modifying a couple of
times where it was a bit tougher since I was still a bit sore from
Monday's class. I was really disappointed that my class had been
canceled on only my second workout with them, but I was very proud of
myself for ensuring I got in a challenging workout after all.
After the workout, I wanted to try some sit-ups again, since I'd
struggled with them so much Monday. I'd made it through the first 30
second set, but couldn't do any more when the next set came around. So I
figured I should try a few more last night. I had hubby stand on my
toes like the instructor had done and I tried to do just one sit up. No
way in hell. It's like my stomach muscles were totally forbidding me
from even attempting it. I was so frustrated! It kind of hurt to even
try, and they simply would not let me even eek out ONE sit-up! So I did
as many crunches as I could instead.
Throughout the day today I've been trying to do a few stomach exercises
just to keep working it. Modified versions of course, like sitting on
the edge of the bed and leaning back, then doing sit-ups from that
position. Certainly easier, as it felt like half the workload was
relieved. I figure it's kind of like doing a push-up from your knees
instead of your toes -- it makes it easier to do them. Different
positions make sit-ups easier too. I'm not sure how I'll go tomorrow --
hope the class isn't canceled, but at least I know that no matter what,
I'll be getting a workout in.
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01/11/2011 09:42
Can you say STIFF and SORE?
That's right, I went to my first fit class yesterday. How'd it go?
Well ... there's a reason I didn't post about it last night. I got
home, showered, had my dinner and ... well that's pretty much it, I was
buggered! I mean I was tired and wanting to go to bed and it wasn't
even 8:30 yet. Wow. I was still pretty tired this morning and slept in a bit late.
Fit camp was good. I did have to modify some of the moves as you'd
expect -- everyone started off with a jog to warm up, and I didn't get
too far before I had to slow to a walk. Then we grabbed partners and
did a series of boxing exercises. Uppercuts, jab and cross, and
punching up overhead. Then he had me doing a sit-up while he stood on
my toes, and as you come up you punch left and right before lowering to
the ground again. I struggled getting the first 30 second set done -
when we came to it again on the full minute set, I couldn't even do it
once. That's OK, he told me to just curl up as far as I could each time
and don't worry about the punches. Next came push-ups! Believe it or
not, I did get in two sets. No specific number, just do them for the
full 30 seconds, so I'm sure everyone else got in more push-ups than I
did. On the second set I didn't get as many as the first. Of course I
was on my knees and only lowered myself about half way, but hey -- I did
them! Then we jogged (and/or walked) to the tree and back another
couple of times.
Then came burpees
(aka squat thrust). He said to wait while he got the others started
and then he'd come show me what to do. I thought he might suggest a modified burpee
so I tried a couple of those while I waited for him to come back to me,
but I couldn't even do the modified version. When he came back to me
he didn't even suggest that, thankfully. He had me stand with my feet
shoulder-width apart and bend down to touch the ground, then back up and
stretch as high as I could, then back down again. We were to do 10
burpees and then jog over to the hill and back. Then 9 burpees and jog,
then 8, etc. Some jogged to the top of the hill each time, others
turned around at the base just before the steep incline -- I did that as
well.
So I did everything he asked of me as well as I could. The one thing I
did not do was quit. It was hard. I swear 10 minutes into it I was
asking myself 'what the hell have you done?' But when it was over and I
was walking back to my car I felt good -- I crossed over the walking
trails where people were walking or jogging and I actually felt like I'd
like to go for a walk. I guess my energy was just high at that point
and I felt like I could do more. But I needed to get home to cook
dinner, and I also didn't want to overdo on my first day.
I met a lady about my age or a bit older and asked how long she'd been
doing this. She said 2 years. She's lost 86kg (190 lb), but 26kg (57
lb) of that was since she'd joined. She's had some injuries and joint
problems, so she modifies the exercises as well. She definitely
motivated me!
As the title of this post suggests, today I'm a bit stiff, a little
sore. Not bad really, but I can definitely feel that I did something
beyond my comfort zone yesterday. Today it rained, so I didn't walk --
and he said I should rest after each workout right now, so I'm OK with
that. I do think I'll go do some stretches, though -- I think that
would feel really good about now.
I thought I would do the fit camp Mon/Wed/Fri this week, but the other
option is ab camp (30 min) followed by the boxing cardio (45 min)
workout on Wednesday. I can't decide if I should stay away from ab camp
until I can get through my crunches a bit better, or if maybe it's
exactly what I need in order to get better? Looks like it might rain
anyway, so either way I'll probably be in the studio tomorrow. I'll let
you know how it goes.
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01/08/2011 14:04
So we've got a plan
I went for my consultation Friday at the fitness center. They weighed
me, took measurements, and even produced the percentages of fat, muscle,
water, etc. in my body using a fancy scale, and let me tell you, those
numbers weren't pretty. He couldn't give me a copy, as their printer
was down, but I remember figures like 48% fat and 56% muscle and 37%
water and all that, and I thought -- that does not add up to 100%! He
said something about it being estimates based on some sensor in the
scale and not to worry about the actual numbers so much as how they
would change in the next few weeks. He anticipated the fat to go down
and the muscle to get higher. He said that it could possibly cause my
weight to go up at first, because muscle is denser, or 'weighs more' as
some people say. A pound of muscle takes up less room than a pound of
fat, basically. So you'll be losing fat and getting smaller, but the
scale might say you weigh more at first. I'm not to worry about that,
and in fact he'd prefer I didn't even weigh in at all. Sure, no
problem. I'm just kind of addicted to that, but OK if you say so. I'll
try not to.
He then said I can participate in unlimited group
classes for the next four weeks. He recommended I start at 3 days per
week. He didn't want me to over do it and in fact if I felt tired or
like it was too much during class I was to stop. I thought that was
weird. Aren't you supposed to push me to do more? But he explained
that it does neither of us any good to overdo the first week and be
injured or giving up. I suspect he also wants to judge just how much I
can do, as he said it was only for that first week or so. After that I
suppose he'll know how much he can push me. But he's right. If it's
too hard, it's easy to quit. He doesn't want that, and neither do I.
They
have different kinds of classes but I can pick whatever ones appeal to
me and just show up. They are often outdoors, but sometimes in the
center. I just pick 3 sessions to attend next week and that's it. He
didn't talk too much about diet other than to say obviously what I put
in my mouth affects weight loss, but that from our discussions he
thought I had a handle on what to eat. He said my BMR is like 1868 or
something like that -- meaning over that number of calories I would
start to gain weight. I said I was aiming for 1600 or so at this point,
and he was fine with that. He didn't say what I should or shouldn't
eat other than eat sensibly and don't eat things that obviously aren't
good for weight loss - you know, most junk food, cookies, cakes, etc.
And don't go out and have whatever you want for the coming weekend
because you know you're starting Monday. Be sensible. Start slow. Do
what you can. Sounds doable - certainly for a week, right? So let's
see -- what classes are available at times I can attend next week.
I
was thinking Mon, Wed and Fri - he wanted me to get in 3 times the
first week. Monday I can choose from Fit Camp, Boot Camp or Zumba.
Boot Camp says it's high intensity, and Zumba is held at a local club -
not sure where that is. I think I'd rather try Fit Camp. Fit Camp
says: Our most popular unchoreographed workout held at local parks
(where possible) aimed at bringing all clients up to a good level of
fitness and keeping them there. Fit Camp sessions involve boxing,
running, core strength exercises, as well as upper body and lower body
strength exercises. It also says it requires cotton boxing liners, and I
have no idea what those are but I guess I'd better find out fast. I
think starting with the most intense workout is foolish, and I've tried
Zumba at home before -- so I think Fit Camp is where I want to start.
Oh,
and my weigh-in this morning was 115kg (253.53 lb) meaning I'm down
only 1 kg (2.2 lbs) for the week, but I'm fine with that. Will be
interesting to see what next week brings.
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01/05/2011 09:53
OMIGOD I DID IT!
Yep. After work I pulled up out front of the fitness center and for a
moment I was a bit hesitant to go in. I've never been the type who
likes joining a gym, though I was OK with a Curves membership for a few
years. There's always people at gyms who are WAY more fit than me, so I
don't feel comfortable there. But this place isn't a gym, and while
there are group classes it's more a personal trainer session that you
share with 10-12 people. So I paid my $40, filled out the forms and
left.
Because
we've got family here another day or two for the holidays, my
consultation is scheduled for Friday, and my training sessions start
next week. I get 4 weeks of unlimited group sessions. Now if I like
this and want to continue, then there will be an annual membership fee
and monthly fees, and it's definitely not cheap. But if I like it and
it gets results, then maybe it's worth it.
I must say, after I
left and got back in my car I had a 'what the heck have I done' moment,
but I got over that. It's OK to be a bit afraid -- the important thing
is doing it anyway. And I'm also a bit excited, too. We'll see which
emotion wins out come next week. LOL
Today's menu:
Special K (60g) with 1c lite soy milk
2 kiwi fruits
Small Salad with 2T ranch dressing
Baked Beans 220g can
Grain Waves 40g
Pizza Roll made with 2 Eatwell sausages
Heinz Italian Minestrone Soup 420g
Cocoa Banana Milkshake (1c choc soy milk & 1 banana blended)
TOTAL CALORIES: 1668 (64/18/19)
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01/04/2011 14:23
Ooh -- sugary juice drink
I had forgotten I was scheduled to give blood this afternoon, so that
meant I had one of their juice drinks when I'd finished. I sometimes
get lightheaded afterward, so they don't like me to leave without having
something -- and no way am I having a milkshake, meat pie or cookies --
so at 112 calories, the drink box seemed the best option.
Today's stats were pretty similar to yesterday:
60g Special K with 1c lite soy milk
1 medium apple
Leftover Samosa scramble (1/3 recipe, but no wraps)
1 medium orange
1 orange drink box
8 Mini Crustless Tofu Quiches
1 cup each broccoli & Carrot slices, stir fried lightly w/garlic & soy sauce
1c choc soy milk & 1 banana, blended into a shake
1 cup 1 Special K bar
1629 Total Calories (60/21/19)
By
the time I got out of the blood donor center and ran my other errands, I
had to start dinner, so I didn't get in an official workout or walk
today -- but after dinner hubby and I played Wii for a while -- bowling
and tennis -- and that felt pretty good. During bowling when it wasn't
my turn to play I kept moving and doing stretches and exercises, so I'm
sure that helps. And I heard back from the guy at the Fitness Center,
so I'll be stopping in tomorrow to find out about that $40 certificate.
I'll let you know how it goes.
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01/03/2011 11:03
Monday, and off to a good start with minimal hurdles!
Yes, today is the day -- got the new eating plan all worked out and
definitely sticking to it. And I did, really -- but we ended up at the
in-laws house longer than expected and I was getting rather hungry and
they had a platter of snacks out that everyone was munching on. Well, I
had a handful of roasted, salted peanuts. But I counted them in -- so
while today's calorie count was supposed to come in at about 1500, it's
more like 1630 -- but hey, I'm still good with that. I did well with
the situation only having the handful of peanuts, and it actually did
tide me over so I didn't feel hungry. So here's today's actual menu,
including the peanuts, which made it a bit higher in fat than I'd
planned.
60g Special K with 3/4c lite soy milk
1 medium apple
Bombay potatoes & salad with FF dressing
2 kiwifruits
1 Special K bar
about 36 peanuts
Samosa scramble (1/3 recipe, but no wraps)
1 cup steamed broccoli
1 Soy Life blueberry yogurt
1628 Total Calories (54/19/27)
And
I did get in a half hour walk with the dogs this morning before the
rain started. Tomorrow it's back to work after 2 weeks off. That's
always tough - but I'm actually looking forward to getting back to my
normal daily routine.
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01/01/2011 02:22
Happy New Year!!
Yes folks, I'm back and I've got a new plan for the new year. I had a
lovely holiday break -- we went to the beautiful Blue Mountains! It was
my first time there and I was awestruck! We rode a steam train at the
Zig Zag Railway and that was very cool, I felt like I'd stepped back
into the 1800s. We rode the Skyway cable car suspended some 270 meters
above ancient ravines and waterfalls, with an amazing close-up view of
the three sisters rock formation. We explored the Jenolan Caves and saw
some amazing views at Evans Lookout. There was so much to see and
explore there, and I quickly learned just how out of shape I've become.
I couldn't keep up! I had to stop and let others pass me in the caves.
I could barely do the 20 minute relatively level walking trail the
Skyway took us to, so there was no way in hell I could even think about
the Grand Canyon Walk, which is a 3-4 hour hike. In fact, at the 20
minute trail, I had to stop and turn back when it started climbing too
much for me -- I told hubby to go ahead and check it out and meet me
back at the rest area.
I was hoping that $40 certificate from the fitness center would have arrived while I was away, but it didn't. I
won't let that deter me, however, I'll go in next week and inquire.
I've got to do something. I am determined to go back there one day with
hubby and I WILL be able to keep up with him! I know I could just
start walking again or doing some workouts at home -- but I really want
to give this a try. I was reading up on reasons to use a Personal
Trainer, and one of them was getting results much faster -- it makes
sense, with someone pushing you, you'll do more than you would on your
own. At least, I will. I don't push myself as hard as I should.
But
I need an eating plan as well. I was definitely eating more veggies on
the Lunch Box Diet, but it doesn't dictate what you can eat for
breakfast and dinner -- you're kind of on your own there. So I sat down
and thought about when was the last time I was losing weight steadily?
When I was doing Jenny Craig in 2006. They have a vegetarian plan, but
it's heavily dependent on dairy or eggs and I don't eat those. So I
studied the menu plans -- still had copies from when I was on the plan.
I've been coming up with substitutes for their foods that I can buy
right in the store for the most part -- but healthy vegan convenience
foods are hard to come by in Australia so I'll still have to do some
cooking. I want to keep it to a minimum in the summer heat. But I've
come up with a complete Week 1 menu and I plan to give it a try starting
Monday. We've still got family here until then, and I don't start back
to work until Tuesday. Since we shop on Sunday afternoon it seemed
like the right time. I'll let you know how it goes. Today I weighed in
at 116 kilos on the nose, which is 255.74 pounds. That's a BMI of
43.9.
There's
one last part of this plan -- making time to relax, de-stress,
meditate, focus on my vision for my future -- whatever you want to call
it, I need some serious ME time as well. So I'll be finding time
wherever I can to tune into myself, get in the right mind-set and focus
on my goals. I want to be healthy in body, mind and spirit. Here's to a
healthy new me in 2011!
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