FYI

Mainly I want to be an athlete, a true athlete, competitor, strong! An Olympian would be my idol! So yes, I want to get slimmer, but ultimately I want to kick ass!

Back in the saddle...

So very cliche right? Well here I am, the last day I was here was the Wednesday before memorial day. We left for my cousins wedding in Utah the next day and were gone for 10 days, of course I did one workout that whole time an then came back and slacked. Here I am, gonna try a full workout. Take it slow and steady. Why isn't this easier anyhow?

Need External Motivation

Ok, so I only made it to the gym two times last week because Jude was feeling so poorly on Friday that I didn't want to put him in daycare (worse today I think, but its Nate's day off so that helps).
The problem is that since I got the stupid cold and then hormonal stuff I have not been feeling motivated about the gym. It used to be that when I had a couple off weeks that my body would give me a little break and not gain or even lose a little. But this time around, I just haven't been seeing results on the scale, and the last week have actually been feeling uncomfortable in my clothes (to tell the truth I've been uncomfortable in my own skin :/). For most of this journey I have been just enjoying the quiet time for myself and appreciating the strength I have been feeling and even the muscle definition I have been starting to see, but now dammit, I am feeling pudgy again and just plain lazy! What do I do? I am generally a positive person, I generally fight my own demons because I feel like beating myself up is just not helpful, but I'm starting to beat myself up....
Today starts a new week, and I need to get back on track (how cliche am I?), but I'm just not feeling it. I am reaaaaaallly hoping the wifi works today at the gym, I need to be able to lose myself in some nonsense show to get through it today.

Ha!

So my sweet husband shed some light on my sore hamstrings, I had done some gardening on Monday and was crouching quite a bit. Duh!
Anyhow, back at the gym today for my training appointment. Going to need some pushing for sure, hormones are just unfair.

Only a week overdue....

My hamstrings are screaming at me today after a week away from the gym :( so here I sit on the recumbent bike trying to warm my muscles up. Super disappointed that wifi seems to not want to work today, as I really need some Glee motivation :(
Gotta get on it, 2 weeks till my cousins wedding, want to feel skinnier at least !
:)

Seriously?

I missed yesterday because I was feeling kind of yucky (look, it's how I felt :p), anyhow go here today and I am still feeling bad. But I just did 30 minutes on the elliptical, 6 resistance and about 120-130 strides per minute. I am on the recumbent bike now for probably 20 minutes. I don't see me doing any weights today, I just don't feel strong enough. Who knows, maybe I will try some later today or tonight if I feel any better.
Tomorrow I have a training in the morning and doc appt in the afternoon. Going to request some blood tests to get an idea of how my health is now, and revisit in a year to see how it's. changed. Might need to see if I have allergies or what as well, who knows. Ugh, I hate feeling bad.

Killed it yesterday

Again, in good and bad ways...
The good: 49 minutes on the elliptical and then one weight session consisting of body squats, lat pull downs and pectoral flies. I felt so awesome when I got off that elliptical, I did it at a level 7 and average speed of 150 strides per minute. I haven't ever been on the elliptical that long and that consistently fast ever so it was pretty cool...FYI I'm betting it was the fact that I watched an entire glee episode while doing it :)

The bad: came home and ate a ton of cheesesticks from papa johns. And then last night made an incredible homemade shrimp Alfredo, tons of butter, olive oil, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Though I'm of the belief that these foods are not "bad", I also believe that moderation is key...though I had lots of veggies yesterday too, I ate entirely too large of portions of the other stuff. So I think my next challenge needs to be portion control. Today I am going to consciously make my portions smaller, I will give myself permission to get seconds if needed, but I will be sure to be better about portions. I also think its time for me to make some of my homemade hummus, I seem to snack healthier with hummus. So I'm off to soak garbanzos.

Sore again...

In good and bad ways, had my first official (read:paid for) personal training appointment. I did some things I have never done before like seated calf raises (that is an interesting machine), a deltoid machine and most importantly a lower ab exercise where I lifted both legs off the ground while laying on my back with my hands underneath my butt. Needless to say, I am pretty sore. The bad sore is my right knee, I think the step ups he did with me might be too much for my knee for now, I will talk to him and my doctor next week about it.

Sweaty legs

Ok, so I know that just sounds gross, and trust me that is how it feels!!!! I might have to rethink my hatred of shorts while working out. However, what shorts can I wear without feeling like a stuffed sausage or something?!?!? Ugh.
Another good circuit day. Pushing myself to use the upright bike more often, I can't stand the way the seats feel, but I'm trying to get over that. My hope is to one day get a bike so I can ride with the kids :/
Talked to the trainer today, we are going to text each other our schedules to see where they can meet.

Blah

So I think I know why I'm not posting like I was...I am not seeing actual results on the scale, even though I think I'm more toned and feel stronger, I'm not seeing the weight melt off. I suppose if I were following a diet plan as well (though I don't eat horribly), I might see weight loss happening quicker. Nathan doesn't even see the changes, though I have other friends who have said they see them.
I think I'm getting discouraged and I don't want to give up. I think it's time to call that trainer so that I have another outside motivation.

Yep, definitely a habit!

So maybe I will just be posting the workout day following? Whatever, this is my blog and no one reads it so screw it lol!
Had a pretty good circuit on Friday, enough to make me feel good going to a wedding Saturday night. Back again today with a sore neck (crappy hotel beds suck). Decided to not have my morning coffee, was doing fine right up until 45 min ago...Starbucks will be getting a visit after workout for sure!

This is starting to become a habit...

So wednesday I was insanely sore, first elliptical run and my muscles were spasming! I finished the workout but with much less gusto than Monday, a little less time as well.
Last night was a rough night of rest between the thunderstorms, dog freaking out and Nate having to get up crazy early to go into work. I don't feel as sore today though so I am hoping I can bust out a good circuit today.

Oops again

Forgot to post Monday's stats!

12-recumbent bike to warm up
15-weights (squats, hamstring work and crunches)
10-elliptical (140 strides per minute or more)
15-weights (tried leg extensions but sort of putzed out), did seated lat, seated row)
10-elliptical (140 strides per minute)
20--weights (some more leg extensions, upper pec work, triceps and biceps)

This workout kicked my butt, literally, I was so sore yesterday, and I'm still feeling it today as I start my workout. Might lay off the hamstrings and try the leg extensions an hip work for legs today. We shall see!!

Oops!

So I forgot to enter anything for my Friday workout but it would be hard to enter anyhow as I started my personal training. Jr introduced me to a circuit training workout that I'm going I try today as I felt pretty good after friday, like I had worked my whole body out, not just certain muscle groups. That and I didn't get as bored as I usually do.
It was a trial lesson, but I think I'm going to use him once a week for a month to see how it works.
Feeling guilty about going to the gym today because Nate is home and he isn't interested in joining the gym for just one or two days a week. So this will be a challenge on his Monday's off, gotta remember its only a couple hours of time without all of us being together. It's going to give him time to bond one on one with Jude most times, but today he has Sophia since she is usually at school.
Went back on Facebook today and if anything I felt just blah about it. I have missed some of it, like staying on top of other peoples goings on, but I just don't have the desire to put the effort into it that I did before...

Today's stats

After over a week off I made it back to the gym today, supposedly for my first training appointment....surprise surprise, the trainer rescheduled me for Friday. Anyhow, it was hard going today, but I made it through. Endurance wasn't my strong point so I didn't last at any one thing for long.

15--recumbent bike
20--weights
21--elliptical (yep, wasn't feeling it today)
15--treadmill

Let's see if the trainer decides Friday is going to work....

Today's Stats

20-recumbent stationary bike
20-weights (pushed hardest here today)
30-elliptical (only 4155 strides today)

No energy after the workout today! I had to hit Starbucks for some artificial energy. I actually had toast with cream cheese along with my banana this morning so it wasn't that I didn't eat. Who knows, hopefully tomorrow is a better day, though I have a lot going on tomorrow so we shall see if I make it :/

Ooops, Yesterday's Stats

Yep, went yesterday, brought Nate to check it out. It was really nice to work out with him! Had some trouble finding a treadmill that actually worked yesterday so that was kind of frustrating, but whatever, I got it done!

10-upright stationary bike (took some convincing to get Nate on that, he wanted to dive right in, I told him he could do what he wanted but I needed to warm up my knees)
16-weights
30-elliptical (4330 strides, getting a bi harder to beat my prior strides!)
15-treadmill (4% grade, 3.6 mph)

Going to hit it again today!

Today's stats

Loooong day today but I'm finally posting.

20-recumbent stationary bike
30-elliptical (4300 strides today!!)
27-treadmill (varying grades at avg 3.7 mph)

Publishing!

Today is my 1 month anniversary of hitting the gym! Though no one is going to be reading this but a few of my friends and family, I am publishing like I planned. Here is my 1 month picture:

Change is slow right?!?!

Today's Stats

Well I suppose the bad weigh in inspired me to kick myself in the butt...

20-recumbent elliptical
19-weights (concentrated on legs but did some new leg as well as new arm machines)
30-elliptical
20-treadmill 4%grade 3.5 mph

Skipped breakfast altogether today and it hit me hard during weights, had to bum protein drink off of one of the people who work here. Helped tremendously, might have to purchase some....

Not weighing in today.

Too much celebration on my birthday, not ready to admit I have gained.

On another note, I did my monthly delivery of sandwiches for Dorothy's Kitchen from our church. So disappointing to only deliver 2 loaves worth, I was unable to make any myself this time, only excuse is no time....But is that fair for me to say? How can I not make time? There are so many hungry people to feed, what's an hour to assemble a bunch of sandwiches?!?! I resolve to make it a priority to make them every month on our scheduled donation day. No excuses.

216.

Today's Stats

Kind of a light day, hoping to get some crunches or arms done tonight if everything else gets done...

20-recumbent stationary bike
35-elliptical (forgot to get strides before I got off :/)

Left a message for trainer, we shall see how this pans out.

Back in the Saddle!

Yesterday was, well rough is probably the nicest way to put it. It was my birthday, it was a Monday, and boy did Sophia and I have a blowout! The good news is we have gone over that bump and I for one will be sure to be more cautious when another bump comes along. Parenthood is a challenge for sure, but so worth it!
Here I am again on a Tuesday and I plan on rocking it. Here goes nothing. :)

Today's Stats

20-recumbent stationary bike
27-elliptical with off and on incline (did 3978 strides today!)
15-treadmill at greater than 3.5 speed with 4.0 incline

Was nooooot feeling the weights today so after halfassing a few reps on a couple machines, I decided to move onto the elliptical. I ended up leaving the gym red and sweaty so that's awesome!!! Did a lot more reverse strides on the elliptical than usual, and even tried a couple minutes of light jogging on the treadmill.

This week is done, tonight we build Nates new adjustable weight bench!

Today's Stats

20-recumbent stationary bike
10-weights (found a good abdominal machine and someone to help me use it right)
15-stair stepper (omg this was hard, sweat was pouring down my face, it felt awesome!)
25-treadmill with 3% grade

Talked to a trainer after, thinking of getting one for my birthday present from Nate as he has been asking what I want. The one I talked too "specializes in diets and weightloss" and really stressed the diet side. I'm feeling pretty good about my diet so I really don't want to work with him there, mostly because I hate the word diet. Diets are temporary, healthy eating is something to make a habit of. Anyhow, as long as he and I can agree on that part, he might work out. What I really need is someone to show me how to make the machines work for me, so that I'm not doing useless work ya know? I am loving this still, and pretty sure I'm dropping Facebook after Lent. So many more important things to do!

Update to earlier bday present wish. I was telling Nate how I was agonizing over what I wanted because I want both a trainer and a smaller microwave and toaster oven. His response? "ok so get one for your birthday, and one because you want it." My husband is seriously the best ever...I'm still agonizing, I really don't NEED the smaller microwave and toaster oven.....

Weigh In

213.2! Yee haw!
I am sitting on the recumbent bike warming up as we speak and I fell awesome. I can actually believe I might get to the 100's after all.
What a blessing to be able to take this time out just for me, I feel very lucky! Ooh and I ordered Nates gift, it's a adjustable weight bench, we have the free weights, now he and I can both do some real exercises at home together while we might have just sat on the couch and watched tv, or played online.

Today's stats

Hard time getting back to it when I have been off for 3 days. (long night on Sunday made for no gym Monday), but I kicked butt if I do say so myself!

20-upright stationary bike (note to self, search out bigger seat when choosing a bike next time--ooouch)
25-weights, I petered out on the leg extensions at the end so have to start with those next time.
28-elliptical, 3580 strides this time, hoping to track this every time.

So tomorrow I will hit the gym again, I plan on trying out the stair stepper for the first time in too many years to count. It'll be interesting, my goal is 15 minutes on it and round out my cardio on treadmill after.

Ooh on a interesting note, I think I am going to order Nate's birthday present, it has to do with working out as I know he wishes he had time for the gym too. It will be something we can both use, hopefully he will like it :/.

Today's stats

I made it this morning after all! Decided on just a cardio workout and mixed it up a bit.

20-upright stationary bike
33-treadmill with varying degrees of incline, mostly 3.7 speed though I kicked it up a bit and jogged a couple times.

Good times!

Kid germs

Poor Jude has been fighting a cold for a couple weeks now, either something he picked up in Disneyland, or the gym as I know they don't disinfect the toys etc there....
Anyhow, this morning he woke up with a bloody nose, nothing gushing, but blood yuck instead of green yuck when he gooshes (yes technical term I know). So, I have to monitor for an hour or so meaning I might not get to the gym this morning or it will be another rushed workout :/
Oh well, such is life right?

Today's Stats

15-recumbent bike
20-weights (quads, arms, abs)
35-elliptical

Weigh-in

215.4
Well despite my best efforts with the last couple days of hormonal eating I lost a pound! Whoo hoo, go me, imagine if I hadn't eaten that entire can of cheddar Pringles last night, let's not talk about the girl scout cookies I have been sneaking...hey don't judge, I know I'm not the only woman, let alone human being who has eaten like that before.
Look, we all know that to lose weight we need to eat fewer calories than we expend, and that whole foods are best. I get so tired of hearing those same points being hammered on every talk show at least once per week. And duh, it's not healthy to eat processed foods...but seriously, sometimes the 7-11 calls and you have to answer, otherwise you will just keep thinking about it and that can of Pringles turns into multiple days of searching for something to fill that void and you end up eating more calories in the long run. My craving has been fulfilled, I plan on getting back on the horse and filling my body with feel good foods again, and that my friends is what moderation is all about. Don't beat yourself up for "mistakes", move on.
I am feeling the need to go public with this blog, but know that I have only been working at this for a couple weeks now, and really want at least an entire month under my belt first.

Today's Stats

Was itching to get back to the gym after the weekend. My intention was to be there by 8 as I promised to pick up my friends daughters from school this week because she is working on her house, the first of which is out at 11:30. As a result, my youngest actually decided to sleep in a bit, so I wasn't able to get food into the kids quickly enough to get there that early. I was finally on the bike by 9:30ish. Today was rushed and not as much as I would have liked to have done, however, another day done!!!

15-recumbent bike
15-weights (arms and thighs only this time)
27-elliptical (I feel like I'm getting faster at it, maybe I should start recording my distance or strides?)

Today's stats

216.4
Feeling 100% better after a few days of healthier eating! Last nights minestrone was GENIUS, gonna have to make that again!!

20 min recumbent bike
25 min weights (arms, abs, hips, thighs)
30 min elliptical
5 min cool down on treadmill.

Dinner tonight will be taco salad, so off to the store for the fixings :)

Facebook Magnet

Ugh, I almost logged on today, just to see if anything was going on.  Really? How stupid right?  I am so tired of the Facebook magnet....

Today's Stats

219.6 (Disneyland and travel food will get you every time!)

20 min on recumbent bike
17 min of weight machines
17 min on elliptical
13 min on treadmill

I felt weaker today, but better after I finished!!

Back to the grindstone...

Multiple days of fun and gluttony make for a few pounds. Time to go back to the gym and make up for the monte cristo sandwich and garlic fries...

Brief Vacation

Leaving for a sweet friends baby shower and Disneyland. Time off of gym till next Wednesday!

Today's stats

15 stationary bike
14 weights (abs, quads and arms)
30 elliptical

Knee feeling good still!!!!

Today's stats

15 min on stationary bike
15 of weight machines (focus on quads and obliques today)
16 on the elliptical

I weigh 217.4
Knee felt bad before workout, feels much better now.

Goals

My goals in starting this blog:

3: Be a fit example for my kids
2: Have an outlet for stress
1: STOP BEING FAT!!!

Long story short, I have struggled with my weight all my life (I know, yadda yadda yadda, everyones story, blah blah blah, there is a reason for the name of this blog ya know), its truly time to do something about it.  Recently I had to go to physical therapy because of some pretty excruciating knee pain that came from just being me (namely "actively fat").  During physical therapy I realized something, I really enjoyed spending time taking care of my health...call it bored stay at home mom, whatever, I decided that I had enough motivation now to do this.
I am not the couch potato fat girl, I have 2 active kids below the age of 5, and an extremely hyper puggle.  I do my best to keep up with them, but, I am getting older, and its starting to hurt.

I have been mulling over the gym idea for a week or 2 now, and yesterday asked my sweet adoring husband if I could check a gym out while the kids were napping and he was playing with his new reef tank (this is one heck of a reef tank undertaking, and I am not looking forward to bringing it inside....).  I went to a gym that is pretty close that has been constructing a new improved gym next door, so I thought it might be a nice one to check out.  Enter the car salesman type "fitness counselor", I left thinking I really want to join, but not at all because he sold it to me, only because I need a gym.  As I was driving home I decided to check out another gym that isn't as flashy.  Guess what, that was the winner.  I liked the salesperson, I liked the atmosphere etc... This one doesn't have a pool which is kind of disappointing as that is a nice thing to have if my knee gets out of hand, but who knows if I would actually use it ya know? 

Ok, enough talking, time to walk the walk so to speak so I need to get a move on and get the dog walked, and kids out the door before their childcare time expires today!

Me before, yes, yucky picture but I had my 4 year old do it, my after pic is most important right?