I got to bed around midnight and had to get up at 4:30 am to get my older son off to a band trip. It would be nice if I had a switch to automatically go back to sleep mode, but it doesn't work that way, unfortunately.
My day yesterday was a hodge podge of stuff. I did my usual morning routine of getting my kids to school. Came home, breakfasted, made my plan for the day. Unfortunately in the morning when I was fixing my hair, I got a cramp in my neck. Ibuprofin didn't touch it, only later a shower helped. I feel it's back this morning though.
I ran some errands for things for my son's band trip, got my younger one home from school, helped my son pack for the trip and then readied myself for a dinner out with friends.
We went to this most fabulous restaurant, the Woodberry Kitchen. Every morsel I tried was divine and it seemed everyone agreed. The restaurant uses local farms and seasonal foods for it's menu, so it changes every few days, so there is no "going for my favorite dish" if you revisit. You'll likely have to get something new, but after seeing everyone's dish was divine, I don't think there can be a 'favorite dish'. Even the restrooms were eco friendly. Individual cloth towels to use to dry hands instead of paper. It was just a lovely experience and we will go back again. And even though I ate wisely, it was higher calorie than I usually eat in a meal, but it was so, so worth it.
Company was great too. We met with two other couples. First were my husband's current boss and wife and the other is a mutual friend from Ontario, Canada, his former boss and husband. We used to dinner with his former boss quite frequently and it was lovely to touch base with them again. And while she didn't mention it, (I weight 50 pounds less than the last time we met), she did say I looked 'fantastic'. Felt great! And, I did look pretty smashing if I must say so myself! It's kind of nice to do the hair and makeup and nicer clothes once in awhile. Even though my pants were a bit baggy.
Pants are becoming my woe right now. I had picked up a pair of 16's a couple days ago, but they are damaged. I will have to return them. I tried several on yesterday and I couldn't find anything I liked. So, I stuck with the baggy 18s.
No exercise yesterday. I was going to do it in the afternoon, but that kink in the neck made me make it a rest day, which I hadn't had in 7 days, so that's all good too.
I feel great this morning despite being up way too early. Going out and having a wonderful evening with friends is such a mood lifter. I'm even up a pound from yesterday, but I don't care, last night was worth it. And I want to keep that mentality. Occasional splurge nights are acceptable, I have all week to make up for it and once I get to goal, I won't ever need to be in the 'losing' mode and still can just make up for splurges week to week. I'm OK with that because I don't want to give up things that give me so much joy, like good food does and I don't need to. I just need to budget for them in my calories as much as I do in my wallet too.
Stats for 4/7/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225.0
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
I didn't think clothes could be a motivator for me, but...
While I'm not motivated to be a certain size or plan to turn into a fashionista, I am finding that certain outfits and for now, certain sizes are motivating me.
Tonight I have a dinner date to attend. I mentioned it before, but it will be with one of my husband's bosses and his wife and a former boss and her husband. We were also fairly close friends with the latter. The last time we saw the last couple was 8 years ago when we lived in Canada which happens to correspond with my highest weight - 275. I weigh 50 pounds less than when they saw me last time. Not sure if they'll notice or care. That's not really the point, but it's amazing to me how far I have come since then.
I was planning on wearing something simple. Something I have now, but everything I own is too big My newest pants are getting baggy in the butt and thighs and I swim in all but a couple of my shirts and those shirts don't match the pants I have.
So, I went shopping. I bought a pair of 16 pants on the clearance rack. I tried on several 16s and 16Ws and they all fit, just not all nice looking. But, the black pair will work. Then I found a cute, me-ish short sleeved top. I'll wear that tomorrow. It makes me look less frumpy and therefore I feel less frumpy.
Then I went to look at dresses. I need a dressier outfit in a few weeks and again, I have nothing in my wardrobe. I was convinced 18s would be the size I need as I'm bigger on top than on bottom, but they had nothing. I tried on one 20, but I swam in it (cute dress though!) , so I looked at the 16s and one fit perfectly and the other is just a tiny bit too tight, but I love, love, love it. However, both dresses are sleeveless. I have awful bare arms, but, I also didn't like a little sweater over it. It made it look frumpy and just doesn't fit the style of dress.
So, my motivation right now is to be able to wear that dress which means I need to drop about 8 pounds and I need to work on my arms to make them look nicer in that dress. I want to be able to rock that dress the best I can at this high weight. It is the most darling summer dress and fits my body type very well. Accentuates the positives and camouflages the flaws. I will feel sexy wearing it and I haven't felt sexy for a long, long time.
The weight was going to come off with or without that dress for motivation, but now I plan to work it harder in my workouts and to complain less about strength training because I want to get into that dress sooner than later and I want to look as good in it as I can. Watch, my husband will hate the dress, but I lurve it! It's been ages and ages since I have bought a new dress and even longer since I felt good in one.
The other thing about today's shopping trip is that it confirmed I am now more in size 16s than 18s. And with that, I am now in regular sized clothes as well as plus sized clothes. The best of both worlds. The pants and the dress I got were in the regular section of the store, not the plus size section. Though I scoured the plus sizes first and found nothing. Only then did I think, "Oh wait, 16s are in normal sizes too!" I haven't been able to do that in 11 years and even then, only for a short time. So, that is another motivator right now. I am soooo close to being able to wear the cute clothes again that I'm just itching to get there. It makes me very, very happy! I'm just not a Lane Bryant loving gal! I love classic clothes like Talbots and artsy clothes you see at booths in fairs. It has been so long since I've been a normal size that I don't even know what mall stores to haunt once I get a bit slimmer! Though hitting the smaller sizes at Marshall's and TJMaxx will probably be my normal shopping places as I hate paying a lot for clothes! And smaller sizes... pfft. It's all perspective, huh? A 14 is smaller for me! Probably huge for most women.
And one last thing about sizes. I am giving away and donating all my larger clothes. I'll keep the one worn out pair of blue jeans I have just to show at my goal how far I've come, but otherwise, it's all going out. ALL OF IT. I will not be that size ever again. Period. Someone I know online just said very wisely and another friend said something similar recently too. They will not buy a bigger size if clothes get tight. If clothes start to feel tight, it means it's time to lose some weight. That is the route I will take. Once I get to goal and stabilize, I will just keep that promise to myself. No more bigger clothes. I must lose the weight to fit what I have and only replace like size for like size. That will be a first for me, but it's a promise I plan to keep.
Stats for 4/5/11:
Beginning Weight: 255.6 Now 224.0 (31 and a half pounds lost)
Exercise total hours/minutes in 2011: 88 hours 25 minutes
Total miles in 2011: 292/1000
Tonight I have a dinner date to attend. I mentioned it before, but it will be with one of my husband's bosses and his wife and a former boss and her husband. We were also fairly close friends with the latter. The last time we saw the last couple was 8 years ago when we lived in Canada which happens to correspond with my highest weight - 275. I weigh 50 pounds less than when they saw me last time. Not sure if they'll notice or care. That's not really the point, but it's amazing to me how far I have come since then.
I was planning on wearing something simple. Something I have now, but everything I own is too big My newest pants are getting baggy in the butt and thighs and I swim in all but a couple of my shirts and those shirts don't match the pants I have.
So, I went shopping. I bought a pair of 16 pants on the clearance rack. I tried on several 16s and 16Ws and they all fit, just not all nice looking. But, the black pair will work. Then I found a cute, me-ish short sleeved top. I'll wear that tomorrow. It makes me look less frumpy and therefore I feel less frumpy.
Then I went to look at dresses. I need a dressier outfit in a few weeks and again, I have nothing in my wardrobe. I was convinced 18s would be the size I need as I'm bigger on top than on bottom, but they had nothing. I tried on one 20, but I swam in it (cute dress though!) , so I looked at the 16s and one fit perfectly and the other is just a tiny bit too tight, but I love, love, love it. However, both dresses are sleeveless. I have awful bare arms, but, I also didn't like a little sweater over it. It made it look frumpy and just doesn't fit the style of dress.
So, my motivation right now is to be able to wear that dress which means I need to drop about 8 pounds and I need to work on my arms to make them look nicer in that dress. I want to be able to rock that dress the best I can at this high weight. It is the most darling summer dress and fits my body type very well. Accentuates the positives and camouflages the flaws. I will feel sexy wearing it and I haven't felt sexy for a long, long time.
The weight was going to come off with or without that dress for motivation, but now I plan to work it harder in my workouts and to complain less about strength training because I want to get into that dress sooner than later and I want to look as good in it as I can. Watch, my husband will hate the dress, but I lurve it! It's been ages and ages since I have bought a new dress and even longer since I felt good in one.
The other thing about today's shopping trip is that it confirmed I am now more in size 16s than 18s. And with that, I am now in regular sized clothes as well as plus sized clothes. The best of both worlds. The pants and the dress I got were in the regular section of the store, not the plus size section. Though I scoured the plus sizes first and found nothing. Only then did I think, "Oh wait, 16s are in normal sizes too!" I haven't been able to do that in 11 years and even then, only for a short time. So, that is another motivator right now. I am soooo close to being able to wear the cute clothes again that I'm just itching to get there. It makes me very, very happy! I'm just not a Lane Bryant loving gal! I love classic clothes like Talbots and artsy clothes you see at booths in fairs. It has been so long since I've been a normal size that I don't even know what mall stores to haunt once I get a bit slimmer! Though hitting the smaller sizes at Marshall's and TJMaxx will probably be my normal shopping places as I hate paying a lot for clothes! And smaller sizes... pfft. It's all perspective, huh? A 14 is smaller for me! Probably huge for most women.
And one last thing about sizes. I am giving away and donating all my larger clothes. I'll keep the one worn out pair of blue jeans I have just to show at my goal how far I've come, but otherwise, it's all going out. ALL OF IT. I will not be that size ever again. Period. Someone I know online just said very wisely and another friend said something similar recently too. They will not buy a bigger size if clothes get tight. If clothes start to feel tight, it means it's time to lose some weight. That is the route I will take. Once I get to goal and stabilize, I will just keep that promise to myself. No more bigger clothes. I must lose the weight to fit what I have and only replace like size for like size. That will be a first for me, but it's a promise I plan to keep.
Stats for 4/5/11:
Beginning Weight: 255.6 Now 224.0 (31 and a half pounds lost)
Exercise total hours/minutes in 2011: 88 hours 25 minutes
Total miles in 2011: 292/1000
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Differing priorities
Once upon a time, my goal was to get thin. My goal was to be more attractive to my husband. My goal was to be able to wear normal sized clothes. My goal was to feel beautiful in my own skin. Now, I am a smart woman and wasn't going to do things in a stupid way to get to a thinner body. I knew it was a combination of eating less and exercising, but becoming fit was a secondary priority. Now with that effort, I couldn't make it, gained it all back and went into a self-loathing stage. Though I still tried to look my best when I went out, did important things. I just knew I never succeeded.
This time, my 'looks' are not the priority. Now, of course, It will be a nice side benefit! I'm enjoying seeing my face re-emerging out from under the fat. I'm enjoying feeling my hip bones again (still under some fat, but less of it!) and I'm liking what I see in the mirror. But, that is a side benefit now. Now the bigger benefit is seeing my health improve with the loss of weight and the increased fitness.
Yesterday, while I was waiting for the commercials to end on the workout video, I noticed my resting heart rate is now 60 beats per minute. 4 months ago it was 85. My blood pressure is coming down. I'm now taking 20 mg instead of the 40 mg I started with. I don't know what my blood sugars are yet, but since I don't get the shakes any more and don't crave carbs, I'm going to assume it's doing fine too. So, this time I'm looking for the health effects first.
Now, my mother in law is a doctor and she's been thin most of her life. Coming to the US she put on some weight, but she is not a heavy woman. Just heavy for her. Her top weight is my goal weight. She is also someone who tries to avoid medicines and she got quite upset that she became allergic to her blood pressure medicines and now needs four medications to control her blood pressure instead of the two she needed before. She won't take things for headaches and so on (though she will take a sleeping pill if she's stressed and can't sleep).
She knows my blood pressure was through the roof. She knows my blood sugars are high and she knows my thyroid is under active. I'm only 41 years old. You would think that she would encourage me to do what I need to do to get off as much medication as possible, naturally, and to lose the weight for my health.
No. That is not what she feels. For her, life is about looks and she's afraid if I lose too much weight, I'll look older with baggy skin on my face. She has told me a couple times now that I look fine, I don't need to lose more and that I look perfect. I weigh 225 lbs. Unless I'm 6 foot 5 inches tall, there is no way that is perfect.
But then, she's never had to do anything to improve her health. She does try to walk some as she worries about the strength of her legs, but with her blood pressure, she still drinks coffee. Her thoughts are, "Oh, it's just one coffee." Her blood sugars are borderline high, but she still eats tons of carbs and sweets. For her, the change isn't worth it. And, you know, at 75 it might not be worth it to me either. Different story at 41 years old.
I have to laugh though as she has always been critical of my weight. I was about 190 lbs when I met and married my husband. I was 'fat' to her then. But at 225 I'm now perfect? OK... good thing I don't heed her advise on about anything.
Stats for 4/5/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now 225.4 ( a bit over 30 lbs lost)
Exercise total hours/minutes in 2011: 87 hours 30 minutes
Walking total in 2011: 289/1000
This time, my 'looks' are not the priority. Now, of course, It will be a nice side benefit! I'm enjoying seeing my face re-emerging out from under the fat. I'm enjoying feeling my hip bones again (still under some fat, but less of it!) and I'm liking what I see in the mirror. But, that is a side benefit now. Now the bigger benefit is seeing my health improve with the loss of weight and the increased fitness.
Yesterday, while I was waiting for the commercials to end on the workout video, I noticed my resting heart rate is now 60 beats per minute. 4 months ago it was 85. My blood pressure is coming down. I'm now taking 20 mg instead of the 40 mg I started with. I don't know what my blood sugars are yet, but since I don't get the shakes any more and don't crave carbs, I'm going to assume it's doing fine too. So, this time I'm looking for the health effects first.
Now, my mother in law is a doctor and she's been thin most of her life. Coming to the US she put on some weight, but she is not a heavy woman. Just heavy for her. Her top weight is my goal weight. She is also someone who tries to avoid medicines and she got quite upset that she became allergic to her blood pressure medicines and now needs four medications to control her blood pressure instead of the two she needed before. She won't take things for headaches and so on (though she will take a sleeping pill if she's stressed and can't sleep).
She knows my blood pressure was through the roof. She knows my blood sugars are high and she knows my thyroid is under active. I'm only 41 years old. You would think that she would encourage me to do what I need to do to get off as much medication as possible, naturally, and to lose the weight for my health.
No. That is not what she feels. For her, life is about looks and she's afraid if I lose too much weight, I'll look older with baggy skin on my face. She has told me a couple times now that I look fine, I don't need to lose more and that I look perfect. I weigh 225 lbs. Unless I'm 6 foot 5 inches tall, there is no way that is perfect.
But then, she's never had to do anything to improve her health. She does try to walk some as she worries about the strength of her legs, but with her blood pressure, she still drinks coffee. Her thoughts are, "Oh, it's just one coffee." Her blood sugars are borderline high, but she still eats tons of carbs and sweets. For her, the change isn't worth it. And, you know, at 75 it might not be worth it to me either. Different story at 41 years old.
I have to laugh though as she has always been critical of my weight. I was about 190 lbs when I met and married my husband. I was 'fat' to her then. But at 225 I'm now perfect? OK... good thing I don't heed her advise on about anything.
Stats for 4/5/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now 225.4 ( a bit over 30 lbs lost)
Exercise total hours/minutes in 2011: 87 hours 30 minutes
Walking total in 2011: 289/1000
Monday, April 4, 2011
My weight loss is spurring the whole family on
So, I got this huge medical scare in December and I vowed to myself that as soon as my blood pressure was brought under control, and the kids went back to school, freeing up the TV and the new games for the Wii (we didn't have anything set up in the basement yet), I would start exercising and eating better.
My husband at the same time decided to join a weight loss pool at work. My son around the same time said he wanted to join cross country next fall and surprisingly, as soon as I started to drop pounds, my mother in law started to seem more interested in dropping weight and walking more too (maybe afraid I'll get smaller than her? LOL).
So, here it is, April, entering the fourth months into this and this is how the day went yesterday. My husband and older son went for a run around the lake. My younger son and I went halfway, me walking and little guy on his scooter. Hubby and older son went around twice. We went just once, and then later I went jumping around in the basement with a fitness video. We were all being active!
My husband has lost 13 pounds (5 of it the temporary weight gain from over the holidays). I had gained a similar 4, but didn't count it in my weight loss as I had already lost it when I started this in January). He's now about 7 pounds from his goal. He is swimming 3 times a week and walking/running once a week and will increase that as the weather gets better. Making my older son join him, getting him away from the computer for a bit. It feels good doing this as a family!
On the scale front, my husband was sweet this morning. He said, "Don't be alarmed if you gained weight over night. I weighed two pounds more this morning. I think it's the taco salad." And yes, I saw a .2 gain, which puts me just at 30 lbs lost. I'm also quite sore this morning from last night's workout.
Speaking of workouts - I've done three different instructors in a row. Kathy Smith, Leslie Sansone and last night Susan Powter. Susan is a loud mouth and obnoxious outside of the studio, but is super professional during her workout and she gave lots of great pointers on form which helped me too. Especially showing ways to modify squats. So no sore knees today, just sore abs, thighs and arm muscles, but not too bad.
Off to get little one ready for school!
Stats for 4/4/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225.6 (30 pounds lost)
Exercise totals in 2011: 86 hours
Walking totals in 2011: 284.5/1000
My husband at the same time decided to join a weight loss pool at work. My son around the same time said he wanted to join cross country next fall and surprisingly, as soon as I started to drop pounds, my mother in law started to seem more interested in dropping weight and walking more too (maybe afraid I'll get smaller than her? LOL).
So, here it is, April, entering the fourth months into this and this is how the day went yesterday. My husband and older son went for a run around the lake. My younger son and I went halfway, me walking and little guy on his scooter. Hubby and older son went around twice. We went just once, and then later I went jumping around in the basement with a fitness video. We were all being active!
My husband has lost 13 pounds (5 of it the temporary weight gain from over the holidays). I had gained a similar 4, but didn't count it in my weight loss as I had already lost it when I started this in January). He's now about 7 pounds from his goal. He is swimming 3 times a week and walking/running once a week and will increase that as the weather gets better. Making my older son join him, getting him away from the computer for a bit. It feels good doing this as a family!
On the scale front, my husband was sweet this morning. He said, "Don't be alarmed if you gained weight over night. I weighed two pounds more this morning. I think it's the taco salad." And yes, I saw a .2 gain, which puts me just at 30 lbs lost. I'm also quite sore this morning from last night's workout.
Speaking of workouts - I've done three different instructors in a row. Kathy Smith, Leslie Sansone and last night Susan Powter. Susan is a loud mouth and obnoxious outside of the studio, but is super professional during her workout and she gave lots of great pointers on form which helped me too. Especially showing ways to modify squats. So no sore knees today, just sore abs, thighs and arm muscles, but not too bad.
Off to get little one ready for school!
Stats for 4/4/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225.6 (30 pounds lost)
Exercise totals in 2011: 86 hours
Walking totals in 2011: 284.5/1000
Sunday, April 3, 2011
And it stuck!
First time I hit a milestone and it stuck. The scale is up a bit this morning, but not enough to take away the 30 pounds lost. Phew!
I ate a HUGE dinner last night that was higher in sodium and ate more calories than I have been (about 1600) and my workout was a short and easy one. I just couldn't do a hard workout. My tummy was too full and I couldn't face a racing heart rate when I was so tired too. But, I got a nice 28 minute workout and my heart got going... I basically got something in that works and loosened up the tight muscles which felt great.
Not much more this morning as I have to get going. I'll get a walk in outdoors today. The rain is going to stop and the cold is lifting for one day at least and I will need to take advantage of that. And then another lighter workout later if I do actually go walking.
Stats for 4/3/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225.4 (30 pounds lost)
Exercise hours in 2011: 85 hours 5 minutes
Walking totals in 2011: 280.5/1000
I ate a HUGE dinner last night that was higher in sodium and ate more calories than I have been (about 1600) and my workout was a short and easy one. I just couldn't do a hard workout. My tummy was too full and I couldn't face a racing heart rate when I was so tired too. But, I got a nice 28 minute workout and my heart got going... I basically got something in that works and loosened up the tight muscles which felt great.
Not much more this morning as I have to get going. I'll get a walk in outdoors today. The rain is going to stop and the cold is lifting for one day at least and I will need to take advantage of that. And then another lighter workout later if I do actually go walking.
Stats for 4/3/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225.4 (30 pounds lost)
Exercise hours in 2011: 85 hours 5 minutes
Walking totals in 2011: 280.5/1000
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Ahem!
I'm so glad I didn't reach this milestone on April Fool's Day because no one would have believed me! I'm in a bit of a shock with how quickly the weight is coming off. I thought, "maybe" my thoughts of pre and post ovulation were wrong as I was losing weight pre ovulation, but since ovulation, I've dropped like 4 pounds in 4 days. I was obviously holding water. I also thought, "Well, maybe I'm dehydrating myself." So I drank about 120 ozs yesterday. I even had to get up to go pee during the night. My urine is pale, pale yellow. I'm not dehydrated. But, also I did drop the calories a bit this week. I just haven't been hungry and I'm still eating 1350 on average and I've upped my workouts too. First, I was a driven mad woman wanting to finish the Walk It Out game and then last night I decided to do my first step workout in 11 years.
Now, let me tell you how insane the brain is. In my brain now, I am a fit machine. I feel strong. I feel energized. I do not feel like I did a bit over 3 months ago - in almost anyway. I've been exercising 6 days a week that entire time. But, man, I have a long way to go. The step routine I decided to do was Kathy Smith's Step Workout. I even have the official step. I picked it up eons ago at a Play it Again Sports store for $24.99 with a ton of risers. I know as I still have the price tag on the step 11 years later! Before that I had a Wal-Mart cheapie that was too small.
I did some step (and loved it) during my major weight loss 13 years ago and picked it up 11 years ago too. But, it's been 11 years since I've done a routine. I didn't remember anything about this video at all, but I have a lot of Kathy Smith because I like her pace and style. Also, I had asked on the Video Fitness forum about which to start with and many people said this video (from what I had) was a good jumping back into step video. Once I put it in the machine and saw the set and the dancers, I remembered, "Oh yes, I remember this routine." I also kind of remember initially I could only do the beginner's section, but I built up to the intermediate section. I'm not sure I ever did the advanced section. Maybe yes or maybe no. I am about 100 percent sure I skipped the strength training stuff as I hate it, but I'm going to do it this time because I now realize how important it is.
Anyway, I have done some stepping on the step while doing the Walk It Out game on Wii, so for legs, they have gotten stronger and can do it. The first few times I did the step with Walk It Out, my butt was sore and the back of my thighs. I don't get that any more. However, work that I have not done at all is arm work. And that now and always is my weakness. When I've been doing Walk It Out, I've been keeping my arms swinging by my sides. I was swinging them high and strong, but none of this over the head stuff and at the shoulders stuff. I couldn't do it with Walk It Out as I had to hold the nunchuck and Wiimote in certain ways for it to register my steps.
So, needless to say, very, very quickly my heart rate got racing when I started this step routine. During Walk It Out most days my heart rate averaged 132 for the session. It would be in the 120s for the first 10 or so minutes and then I would spend 50 minutes in the mid 130s - constantly, maxing out at 142. With this step routine last night, my heart rate got to 150 during the warm up. Now, if that didn't make me feel SUPER, duper unfit! If the warm up got me that high? What would the routine be like?
This tape is divided into sections. Yes, it's a tape. I took the VCR downstairs and hooked it all up. There is a 6 minute warm up, 12 minutes beginner's section, followed by the continuing intermediate section for 13 minutes and then an advanced section for 12 minutes. You are supposed to work to your level and then when done, fast forward (if you can't do all the sections) to the 5 minute cool down. Following cool down there is an abs section for 5 minutes, a 5 minute lower body section and a 5 minute upper body section.
So, I dove into the beginner's section with my heart rate around 150 - higher than it ever got with Walk It Out or walking around the lake. About 7 minutes into the beginner's section, my heart rate was around 163. At the end I was getting anywhere from 160-167. That would only be an 24 minute aerobic routine if I stopped there! I've been doing at least an hour every night. So, I decided to see how much of the intermediate section I could do. Surprisingly, I did just fine, my heart rate was staying in the same range of 160-167. At the very, very end of the section Kathy Smith said, "Let's really push it at the end" And we went flying over the step with arms over our heads. My heart rate soared to 174. I was done. But, I did two sections and with no modifications or skipped steps (unless I messed up on the step). I had no courage to do the advanced section. However, I did watch it in fast forward play mode and I actually think I could do it. I think I could because my legs are strong now. It's the arm work that gets me and that doesn't get more intense per section; the leg work does. So, maybe next time I'll get more courage and do the advanced section with modifications if needed.
I did the cool down section, the abs section, and the lower body section and part of the upper body section. I didn't have my risers under the step (yes, I was doing this with NO risers... baby steps people!) and I didn't have hand weights with me. I got in a total of 49 minutes which felt like a workout. I don't think I could go back to 20 minutes videos. Not after pushing myself for an hour the last 3 months.
The only thing that is bugging me this morning are my knees. I just have to realize that I can't do squats. My knees can't take it and I even paid close attention to form after getting pointers from gals on the video fitness forum. Otherwise I feel fine today - no sore muscles except a bit in the stomach from the ab work.
So there you have it. I'm not quite as fit as I my mind was feeling, but I am doing pretty darn well for weighing 225 pounds and for only exercising for 3 months. 4 months ago I got winded crossing a flat parking lot!
And Wow... 30 pounds! That pizza pie is looking well eaten by now! And I am so motivated to keep chugging along. I feel great!
Oh, and I was wearing the foot pod which registers steps with the fitness watch. I'm sure it didn't count everything as sometimes my right foot was planted, but it registered 3.4 miles. I also walked .5 miles on the treadmill yesterday. Sounds wimpy for the treadmill, but it was starting to bug my shins, so I stopped. So, 3.9 miles yesterday.
Stats for 4/2/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225 (25.6 pounds lost)
Exercise total hours in 2011: 84 hours 40 minutes
Walking totals in 2011: 279.5/1000
Now, let me tell you how insane the brain is. In my brain now, I am a fit machine. I feel strong. I feel energized. I do not feel like I did a bit over 3 months ago - in almost anyway. I've been exercising 6 days a week that entire time. But, man, I have a long way to go. The step routine I decided to do was Kathy Smith's Step Workout. I even have the official step. I picked it up eons ago at a Play it Again Sports store for $24.99 with a ton of risers. I know as I still have the price tag on the step 11 years later! Before that I had a Wal-Mart cheapie that was too small.
I did some step (and loved it) during my major weight loss 13 years ago and picked it up 11 years ago too. But, it's been 11 years since I've done a routine. I didn't remember anything about this video at all, but I have a lot of Kathy Smith because I like her pace and style. Also, I had asked on the Video Fitness forum about which to start with and many people said this video (from what I had) was a good jumping back into step video. Once I put it in the machine and saw the set and the dancers, I remembered, "Oh yes, I remember this routine." I also kind of remember initially I could only do the beginner's section, but I built up to the intermediate section. I'm not sure I ever did the advanced section. Maybe yes or maybe no. I am about 100 percent sure I skipped the strength training stuff as I hate it, but I'm going to do it this time because I now realize how important it is.
Anyway, I have done some stepping on the step while doing the Walk It Out game on Wii, so for legs, they have gotten stronger and can do it. The first few times I did the step with Walk It Out, my butt was sore and the back of my thighs. I don't get that any more. However, work that I have not done at all is arm work. And that now and always is my weakness. When I've been doing Walk It Out, I've been keeping my arms swinging by my sides. I was swinging them high and strong, but none of this over the head stuff and at the shoulders stuff. I couldn't do it with Walk It Out as I had to hold the nunchuck and Wiimote in certain ways for it to register my steps.
So, needless to say, very, very quickly my heart rate got racing when I started this step routine. During Walk It Out most days my heart rate averaged 132 for the session. It would be in the 120s for the first 10 or so minutes and then I would spend 50 minutes in the mid 130s - constantly, maxing out at 142. With this step routine last night, my heart rate got to 150 during the warm up. Now, if that didn't make me feel SUPER, duper unfit! If the warm up got me that high? What would the routine be like?
This tape is divided into sections. Yes, it's a tape. I took the VCR downstairs and hooked it all up. There is a 6 minute warm up, 12 minutes beginner's section, followed by the continuing intermediate section for 13 minutes and then an advanced section for 12 minutes. You are supposed to work to your level and then when done, fast forward (if you can't do all the sections) to the 5 minute cool down. Following cool down there is an abs section for 5 minutes, a 5 minute lower body section and a 5 minute upper body section.
So, I dove into the beginner's section with my heart rate around 150 - higher than it ever got with Walk It Out or walking around the lake. About 7 minutes into the beginner's section, my heart rate was around 163. At the end I was getting anywhere from 160-167. That would only be an 24 minute aerobic routine if I stopped there! I've been doing at least an hour every night. So, I decided to see how much of the intermediate section I could do. Surprisingly, I did just fine, my heart rate was staying in the same range of 160-167. At the very, very end of the section Kathy Smith said, "Let's really push it at the end" And we went flying over the step with arms over our heads. My heart rate soared to 174. I was done. But, I did two sections and with no modifications or skipped steps (unless I messed up on the step). I had no courage to do the advanced section. However, I did watch it in fast forward play mode and I actually think I could do it. I think I could because my legs are strong now. It's the arm work that gets me and that doesn't get more intense per section; the leg work does. So, maybe next time I'll get more courage and do the advanced section with modifications if needed.
I did the cool down section, the abs section, and the lower body section and part of the upper body section. I didn't have my risers under the step (yes, I was doing this with NO risers... baby steps people!) and I didn't have hand weights with me. I got in a total of 49 minutes which felt like a workout. I don't think I could go back to 20 minutes videos. Not after pushing myself for an hour the last 3 months.
The only thing that is bugging me this morning are my knees. I just have to realize that I can't do squats. My knees can't take it and I even paid close attention to form after getting pointers from gals on the video fitness forum. Otherwise I feel fine today - no sore muscles except a bit in the stomach from the ab work.
So there you have it. I'm not quite as fit as I my mind was feeling, but I am doing pretty darn well for weighing 225 pounds and for only exercising for 3 months. 4 months ago I got winded crossing a flat parking lot!
And Wow... 30 pounds! That pizza pie is looking well eaten by now! And I am so motivated to keep chugging along. I feel great!
Oh, and I was wearing the foot pod which registers steps with the fitness watch. I'm sure it didn't count everything as sometimes my right foot was planted, but it registered 3.4 miles. I also walked .5 miles on the treadmill yesterday. Sounds wimpy for the treadmill, but it was starting to bug my shins, so I stopped. So, 3.9 miles yesterday.
Stats for 4/2/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 225 (25.6 pounds lost)
Exercise total hours in 2011: 84 hours 40 minutes
Walking totals in 2011: 279.5/1000
Friday, April 1, 2011
This is no April Fool's joke!
I'm down another pound and a little and that makes my March weight loss total 13.2 pounds. Can you believe that? I'm eating every day about 1300-1400 calories and I exercise 6 days a week for an hour. Now, granted, the last two days I upped the cardio a bit, but that was because I had a goal to be done with the Walk It Out game and I finished it yesterday! It took me nearly 2 hours yesterday to do it, but it's done!!! Yay!!!! Now it's time to move on to some of my old videos. Which, of course, I haven't transferred to DVDs yet. I have a couple on DVD (Richard Simmons) and one on loan from the library, Susan Tuttle's Latin something. And, of course, once the weather gets better, I want to do more and more outside. Today the weather is not better - rainy and 44 degrees today. Brrr...
I am so stoked. I'm seeing changes in my body quite a bit now. I can see it in my face, my arms, gut, legs. I'm shrinking and my energy level is going through the roof. I worked out for two hours yesterday, with my heart rate in the mid 130s the entire time and I came upstairs, and made 3 dozen cookies and wasn't tempted to eat one (helps I'm not a huge chocolate chip cookie fan). I ate a tablespoon of batter (that I love) and a corner of the cookie to make sure it was decent. (new recipe and a little crisp, but the kids seem to like them).
One thing I'm more realistic about this time around, unlike the first major weight loss I had, is that I'm not expecting my body to go from flab to fab. I have the same imperfections and always will unless I have some radical surgeries, which I will not do. My tummy will always be bigger and flabbier (I had two HUGE babies - 10 lbs 9 ozs and 11 lbs 14 ozs and the last one also had a LOT of amniotic fluid and large placenta) and will always be riddled with pregnancy stretch marks. I will always have bigger upper arms, and I can't change my saggy, point to the ground breasts either as that's just how they've always been (Ever see large perky breasts? They are implants!). A beach body won't magically appear from under all this fat. But, I'm seeing my figure is coming back. I'm getting a waist again. My legs are looking shapelier (though dimpled thighs will probably stay) and my face is losing the fat, making my eyes appear bigger and brighter. If' 29 pounds can do all that - imagine what another 51 will do?
Being greeted with that weigh in this morning, a day after going out to eat, is a real treat. Yes, I made good choices in what I ate at dinner last night, but even still. Any weight loss of one pound or higher is always so shocking, but it's usually how it comes down for me, bitty steps, bitty steps, whoosh! Oh, and yes... I'm post ovulation now which is usually accompanied by some weight loss, but I lost a lot of weight the first half of the month too! Very curious!
And, I'm finally losing some inches on the measurements too. I knew I lose them slower than smaller framed people, but I saw NO movement in measurements for like 15 pounds of weight loss and then bam!! I did. I was losing inches, just not at my measurement points. Oh, and my 'skinny' pants I bought this winter before I started losing weight, that were a little snug, and now too loose. They are all saggy in the butt. They have an elasticized waist a bit, so I can wear them for a bit longer while I get out of this inbetween size. My two pairs of jeans I got 6 weeks ago are getting baggier too. I have to shrink them up in the dryer to get them to fit better. It's a good problem to have, so it's not a complaint.
OK, stats!
Stats for 4/1/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 226.4 (29.2 pounds lost)
Exercise total hours/minutes in 2011: 83 hours and 50 minutes
Walking totals in 2011: 274.4/1000
Measurements:
Beginning chest: 47 Now: 44.5 (-2.5")
Beginning waist: 43 Now: 38.5 (-4.5")
Beginning hips: 50 Now 47.5 (-2.5")
Beginning thigh: 30 Now: 27.25 (-2.75")
Beginning biceps: 17.75 Now: 16.25 (-1.5")
I am so stoked. I'm seeing changes in my body quite a bit now. I can see it in my face, my arms, gut, legs. I'm shrinking and my energy level is going through the roof. I worked out for two hours yesterday, with my heart rate in the mid 130s the entire time and I came upstairs, and made 3 dozen cookies and wasn't tempted to eat one (helps I'm not a huge chocolate chip cookie fan). I ate a tablespoon of batter (that I love) and a corner of the cookie to make sure it was decent. (new recipe and a little crisp, but the kids seem to like them).
One thing I'm more realistic about this time around, unlike the first major weight loss I had, is that I'm not expecting my body to go from flab to fab. I have the same imperfections and always will unless I have some radical surgeries, which I will not do. My tummy will always be bigger and flabbier (I had two HUGE babies - 10 lbs 9 ozs and 11 lbs 14 ozs and the last one also had a LOT of amniotic fluid and large placenta) and will always be riddled with pregnancy stretch marks. I will always have bigger upper arms, and I can't change my saggy, point to the ground breasts either as that's just how they've always been (Ever see large perky breasts? They are implants!). A beach body won't magically appear from under all this fat. But, I'm seeing my figure is coming back. I'm getting a waist again. My legs are looking shapelier (though dimpled thighs will probably stay) and my face is losing the fat, making my eyes appear bigger and brighter. If' 29 pounds can do all that - imagine what another 51 will do?
Being greeted with that weigh in this morning, a day after going out to eat, is a real treat. Yes, I made good choices in what I ate at dinner last night, but even still. Any weight loss of one pound or higher is always so shocking, but it's usually how it comes down for me, bitty steps, bitty steps, whoosh! Oh, and yes... I'm post ovulation now which is usually accompanied by some weight loss, but I lost a lot of weight the first half of the month too! Very curious!
And, I'm finally losing some inches on the measurements too. I knew I lose them slower than smaller framed people, but I saw NO movement in measurements for like 15 pounds of weight loss and then bam!! I did. I was losing inches, just not at my measurement points. Oh, and my 'skinny' pants I bought this winter before I started losing weight, that were a little snug, and now too loose. They are all saggy in the butt. They have an elasticized waist a bit, so I can wear them for a bit longer while I get out of this inbetween size. My two pairs of jeans I got 6 weeks ago are getting baggier too. I have to shrink them up in the dryer to get them to fit better. It's a good problem to have, so it's not a complaint.
OK, stats!
Stats for 4/1/11:
Beginning weight: 255.6 Now: 226.4 (29.2 pounds lost)
Exercise total hours/minutes in 2011: 83 hours and 50 minutes
Walking totals in 2011: 274.4/1000
Measurements:
Beginning chest: 47 Now: 44.5 (-2.5")
Beginning waist: 43 Now: 38.5 (-4.5")
Beginning hips: 50 Now 47.5 (-2.5")
Beginning thigh: 30 Now: 27.25 (-2.75")
Beginning biceps: 17.75 Now: 16.25 (-1.5")
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