This morning I realized that I had lost enough weight now to consider trying something. So I went to the closet and pulled out my navy pin-stripe suit, which I haven't worn in nearly 2 years. In fact, I only got about 3 wears out of this thing because I bought it too snug since I really liked it (wanted it for an interview) and they didn't really have it in my size.
I am thrilled to report that this morning I put it on easily and am now wearing it comfortably. My main goal has been officially reached - Size EIGHT and LOVING IT! I would still love to lose about 10 more pounds before the year is out and then I will be in a weight range that is comfortable for me to maintain indefinitely. Still, today is for a little celebration (not talking about cake and ice cream here).
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exercise. Show all posts
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Big 2-0
No, I'm not celebrating a birthday... Or my 20th felony indictment... Or my 20th tattoo.
I'm celebrating being
20
pounds
lighter!!!
Every time I pass back down into a different decade of weight I drawing a line and saying "never again." My new diet is great, easy to follow, and more of a change of lifestyle than a diet-diet. That on top of the exercise is working for me. It's slower than I had hoped, but I continue to keep it off, which is the important part of the progress.
I've entered my name in a competition at our gym that is somewhat like a mini-biggest-loser competition. I'm not sure when it starts, but I think maybe the end of the month. If I win, I get 10 full weeks of personal training for FREE, so I'm hoping for that extra boost. My goal is to lose 17 more pounds by Thanksgiving. Depending on what the nutritionist says at that point I'll either have 10 or 20 to go.
Just for the record, once I lose the final 17 I will weigh what I did when I started college. If I lose 10 on top of that it will put me back to my starting high school weight, which seems to be my highest goal. But for some reason that weight is actually at the top end of my class for bone structure/height, so I may need to try to drop another 10, which would put me at Junior High Weight. I have never been skinny, skinny, but I was never really huge either, so I'm not sure it's realistic for me to weigh at 26 what I weighed at 12. But I'm doing what I can do to get to that next 17. For now, I'm just thrilled to be down by 20.
I'm celebrating being
20
pounds
lighter!!!
Every time I pass back down into a different decade of weight I drawing a line and saying "never again." My new diet is great, easy to follow, and more of a change of lifestyle than a diet-diet. That on top of the exercise is working for me. It's slower than I had hoped, but I continue to keep it off, which is the important part of the progress.
I've entered my name in a competition at our gym that is somewhat like a mini-biggest-loser competition. I'm not sure when it starts, but I think maybe the end of the month. If I win, I get 10 full weeks of personal training for FREE, so I'm hoping for that extra boost. My goal is to lose 17 more pounds by Thanksgiving. Depending on what the nutritionist says at that point I'll either have 10 or 20 to go.
Just for the record, once I lose the final 17 I will weigh what I did when I started college. If I lose 10 on top of that it will put me back to my starting high school weight, which seems to be my highest goal. But for some reason that weight is actually at the top end of my class for bone structure/height, so I may need to try to drop another 10, which would put me at Junior High Weight. I have never been skinny, skinny, but I was never really huge either, so I'm not sure it's realistic for me to weigh at 26 what I weighed at 12. But I'm doing what I can do to get to that next 17. For now, I'm just thrilled to be down by 20.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Update of Sorts
It's been awhile since I've posted anything or felt like I had anything to post about. Exercising keeps me busy and TIRED, but I'm actually enjoying it. Isn't it funny though how you can skip one day and suddenly not want to go ever again, no matter how much you know it will benefit you to go, no matter how much better you feel when you do it.
I haven't really been keeping up with my posts or anything, but tomorrow I'm going to go to my first Body Pump class, where you lift weights and do cardio at the same time. I'll post on how it goes at some point.
In other news, my computer hard drive crashed last night, so I'm using Geoff's to type this post. Also, I've been told by my sister that I've been tagged by a meme, but I haven't a clue what to do, so G when you read this, let me know what I need to do?!?
Mom and I are going to ANOTHER Cirque du Soleil show in June. My 6th, her 5th. At the end of this one, we will have seen all of the shows that are touring and we'll have to start saving money for trips to Las Vegas and Orlando to see the shows that are stationary.
I've been asked to play an original song two weeks from now in a church service, so I'm looking forward to that. And most importantly, a week from tomorrow I'm having company - my sister and niece! (I was hoping for my nephew as well, but beggars can't be choosers). I'm so excited! No one has visited me in awhile, so this is going to be fun.
Anyway, by way of an update, I think I covered the basics. I'll try to post something again sooner rather than later, but my life needs to get a bit more interesting (in a good way please) before I have anything worthwhile to post about...
I haven't really been keeping up with my posts or anything, but tomorrow I'm going to go to my first Body Pump class, where you lift weights and do cardio at the same time. I'll post on how it goes at some point.
In other news, my computer hard drive crashed last night, so I'm using Geoff's to type this post. Also, I've been told by my sister that I've been tagged by a meme, but I haven't a clue what to do, so G when you read this, let me know what I need to do?!?
Mom and I are going to ANOTHER Cirque du Soleil show in June. My 6th, her 5th. At the end of this one, we will have seen all of the shows that are touring and we'll have to start saving money for trips to Las Vegas and Orlando to see the shows that are stationary.
I've been asked to play an original song two weeks from now in a church service, so I'm looking forward to that. And most importantly, a week from tomorrow I'm having company - my sister and niece! (I was hoping for my nephew as well, but beggars can't be choosers). I'm so excited! No one has visited me in awhile, so this is going to be fun.
Anyway, by way of an update, I think I covered the basics. I'll try to post something again sooner rather than later, but my life needs to get a bit more interesting (in a good way please) before I have anything worthwhile to post about...
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Exercise Update
So I ended week one of my new routine today, and since I said I would post about it, I thought I'd better stick with that. So, no weight loss yet, but I didn't really expect any. I did exercise every day this week, including today (Saturday morning)! I worked with the personal trainer, Catherine, one day on arms and the next on legs and developed my first routine which I will continue for the next six weeks.
I learned to do my strength training before my cardio every day. I thought I would share my routine in case anyone else wants to try what I do. So first is legs -
I start with squats. I use a pilates ball against the wall, which helps to keep the form and helps me balance. I also hold 8 lb free weights as I do my squats. I do three sets of ten, breaking between each set for a short 20-30 seconds.
Next I use a machine - but I don't know what it's called. It's for your quads - there are four different muscles in the upper leg and it works well for all of them. Again that's three sets of 10 (this is the same for all my exercises, so I won't repeat that again). After the machine I do something that is a substitute for the lunge. Holding 8 lb weights again, I go to a bench and I put one foot up. I pull myself up onto the bench on that leg and touch my other toe on the bench and then go back down. After sets with one leg, I do sets with the other, so this exercise takes a little while.
Last I get on the floor with a pilates ball. I make a T shape with my arms and lay flat on my back. I dig my heels into the ball and lift my butt off the ground. I roll the ball towards me with my feet, and then roll it back out, so each time my legs go from straight to making a 90 degree angle with my knees. This is the hardest and best part of my workout on legs!
So I do those four things on legs day, and then I spend 30 minutes on a cardio machine. I tried the treadmill, but got horrible shin splints, so I switched to a cross-country trek kind of machine, or a ski machine or a stair master and all of those are fine on my legs (and I think more involved because a bunch of them have arms as well). I do 30 minutes of cardio on one of the machines every day, so I won't go over that again.
For arms/abs day, my routine takes somewhat longer. I use two different machines, one that does my lateral muscles (upper back) and one that does my triceps (hangy down part of the arm). Triceps are hardest for me. On free weights I get on an inverted bench (where my head is lower than my butt and I use a bench press bar and bench over my chest. This strengthens the part of the pecs that support your boobs, which is great for someone who is large-chested. Makes you perkier :). I also do another tricep excercise where you make a T with your arms at your sides and raise and lower 8 lb weights. I do this while balanced on a half pilates ball. (Those balls have a specific name but I don't remember what it is).
For abs I do a bunch of hard things. One is like making snow angels, except you lift your legs and your upper back/shoulders off the floor. If you can get that visual, you can probably figure out how to do this. Another is called the plank. This is the hardest for me. You lay on your stomach, then lift yourself up on your arms and toes. Your arms should rest on the ground to your elbow (make an L with your arm on the floor. Flatten out your body (tuck your tummy and butt) and hold for 30 seconds. Do it again, lifting one leg. Again, lift the other leg. And one last time with both feet on the floor. That is the hardest thing I've had to do so far! The last ab exercise is to lay on your back with legs and shoulders off the ground (like in the first exercise) and grab one knee to your chest. Switch legs back and forth letting one kick straight out and up and the other come in to your chest. Do some slow and some fast like this.
Anyway, pretty organized workout system. I feel great doing it, and I really like my gym and the trainer. Sorry the blog was so long, but I thought it would give you an idea of what all I'm doing...
I learned to do my strength training before my cardio every day. I thought I would share my routine in case anyone else wants to try what I do. So first is legs -
I start with squats. I use a pilates ball against the wall, which helps to keep the form and helps me balance. I also hold 8 lb free weights as I do my squats. I do three sets of ten, breaking between each set for a short 20-30 seconds.
Next I use a machine - but I don't know what it's called. It's for your quads - there are four different muscles in the upper leg and it works well for all of them. Again that's three sets of 10 (this is the same for all my exercises, so I won't repeat that again). After the machine I do something that is a substitute for the lunge. Holding 8 lb weights again, I go to a bench and I put one foot up. I pull myself up onto the bench on that leg and touch my other toe on the bench and then go back down. After sets with one leg, I do sets with the other, so this exercise takes a little while.
Last I get on the floor with a pilates ball. I make a T shape with my arms and lay flat on my back. I dig my heels into the ball and lift my butt off the ground. I roll the ball towards me with my feet, and then roll it back out, so each time my legs go from straight to making a 90 degree angle with my knees. This is the hardest and best part of my workout on legs!
So I do those four things on legs day, and then I spend 30 minutes on a cardio machine. I tried the treadmill, but got horrible shin splints, so I switched to a cross-country trek kind of machine, or a ski machine or a stair master and all of those are fine on my legs (and I think more involved because a bunch of them have arms as well). I do 30 minutes of cardio on one of the machines every day, so I won't go over that again.
For arms/abs day, my routine takes somewhat longer. I use two different machines, one that does my lateral muscles (upper back) and one that does my triceps (hangy down part of the arm). Triceps are hardest for me. On free weights I get on an inverted bench (where my head is lower than my butt and I use a bench press bar and bench over my chest. This strengthens the part of the pecs that support your boobs, which is great for someone who is large-chested. Makes you perkier :). I also do another tricep excercise where you make a T with your arms at your sides and raise and lower 8 lb weights. I do this while balanced on a half pilates ball. (Those balls have a specific name but I don't remember what it is).
For abs I do a bunch of hard things. One is like making snow angels, except you lift your legs and your upper back/shoulders off the floor. If you can get that visual, you can probably figure out how to do this. Another is called the plank. This is the hardest for me. You lay on your stomach, then lift yourself up on your arms and toes. Your arms should rest on the ground to your elbow (make an L with your arm on the floor. Flatten out your body (tuck your tummy and butt) and hold for 30 seconds. Do it again, lifting one leg. Again, lift the other leg. And one last time with both feet on the floor. That is the hardest thing I've had to do so far! The last ab exercise is to lay on your back with legs and shoulders off the ground (like in the first exercise) and grab one knee to your chest. Switch legs back and forth letting one kick straight out and up and the other come in to your chest. Do some slow and some fast like this.
Anyway, pretty organized workout system. I feel great doing it, and I really like my gym and the trainer. Sorry the blog was so long, but I thought it would give you an idea of what all I'm doing...
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Something for Me
I thought I would share my excitement here on my blog - I'm doing something for me! Monday I am starting a program with a personal trainer for the next six months. My goal is to go from a size 12 to a size 8. I figured this was a better goal than worrying about weight because I'm sure I will lose some, but I will probably gain some too.
I am doing a class at AC Fitness called "Body Pump" where you do both cardio and strength training at the same time. I am soooo excited about getting started with the class and the personal trainer. I know I'm going to wear out really quickly for the next few weeks, but I can't wait to see some results. When I start losing the weight and getting toned up, I'll be sure to post some here. I want to take some before and after pics each month too!
I have been wanting to start an exercise program, but the real wake up call came with the first time on the doctor's scale in a long time. Years ago I swore I would never let myself get past 150 (that was high school). I passed it and kept going, so I'm ready to work my way back. My target weight is between 124 and 135. That's based on appropriate goals for my build/bone mass, etc. I haven't weighed that little in years and years, and I am looking forward to being that healthy.
I also figure this is the time for me to establish this kind of routine for myself, before children! And we don't want to put off children for too much longer, so I'm going to get myself ready. I am sooo excited about Monday. I'll do a post after my first week or something to let you know how it goes.
I am doing a class at AC Fitness called "Body Pump" where you do both cardio and strength training at the same time. I am soooo excited about getting started with the class and the personal trainer. I know I'm going to wear out really quickly for the next few weeks, but I can't wait to see some results. When I start losing the weight and getting toned up, I'll be sure to post some here. I want to take some before and after pics each month too!
I have been wanting to start an exercise program, but the real wake up call came with the first time on the doctor's scale in a long time. Years ago I swore I would never let myself get past 150 (that was high school). I passed it and kept going, so I'm ready to work my way back. My target weight is between 124 and 135. That's based on appropriate goals for my build/bone mass, etc. I haven't weighed that little in years and years, and I am looking forward to being that healthy.
I also figure this is the time for me to establish this kind of routine for myself, before children! And we don't want to put off children for too much longer, so I'm going to get myself ready. I am sooo excited about Monday. I'll do a post after my first week or something to let you know how it goes.
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