Happy news! I vowed to be in the 250s this Friday and this morning I weighed in at 259.4. *whew* - just made it! But I made it! So I'm still on track to be under 245 by the end of December.
I did get a great mark on my tax course mid-term assignment. A woman who sits behind me said "you must not have a life. You must sleep with the textbook.". Little does she know! Some days I'm blessed just to have a half hour to myself. I have no idea what brought about that catty comment, but I just laughed.
I've been to the gym every day this week again and I've tried two new classes. The 'step & pump' on Tuesday night and 'legs, bums and tums' last night. Today is my big day at the gym because I don't work on Fridays. But first to the lab for my fasting blood test. I've been fasting for 16 hours now and I seriously want to eat breakfast! I forgot about the fasting blood test yesterday evening when I ate an early supper. sheesh.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
New class!
Man, am I sore today! Yesterday I went to a new class (for me), "Step and Pump". One hour of up-and-down on the step. Choreographed moves that almost everyone in the class knew but me. Oh, did I mention that I was once again the biggest one in there - by a long shot? I don't have asthma, but after the first 10 minutes my lungs felt like they were burning. Yes, for one moment I did entertain the "I can stop and rest" thought, but I plowed on. Not perfectlly and I certainly didn't master many of the moves, but I kept moving and my heart rate was at about 160 for the whole class. *whew* I went to the yoga class that followed 5 minutes after this one and it was wonderful. I love yoga :) We stretched a lot of the muscles I used during the step class (like the hip flexor) but I'm still pretty sore today and yep, I gave out the war cry when trying to get off the toilet again! My poor legs. In the next year I will lose a significant amount of weight and it'll be much easier on my body (I'll even be able to jump around - look out stepper!). Today I'm thankful for the strength and flexibility I do have. My body is far from perfect, but it's serving me well and I actually feel a real connect with it. No more hate talk!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Boot camp and hyper-sensitive YET AGAIN!
So today I had my boot camp, which is great because I went out with friends over the weekend and overindulged. Heck, I'm human and it happens. It happens to everyone at some point, thin or fat! So, I'm not going to beat myself up about it. It's in the past and I can't change it. Yes, I'm disappointed in myself but I'm already back on track. What was that old saying? Don't total the car just because you put a dent in it.
During boot camp, the instructor (who is also one of my yoga instructors) told the class that I was double-jointed and that's why I was deep into a position. After class, when there were only about 5 of us left I went up to her and said "you're funny, but I'm not double-jointed. Just flexible", with a smile on my face. One of the other ladies said that she noticed that I have quite a high kick. I told her that it's because I used to be in dance (decades ago now!) and she said 'oh that explains it' and the instructor said "no it doesn't, she was born that way'. So I explained, again, that I wasn't always flexible but being in dance certainly made me that way. I remember quite well what I used to be like, thank you. Why does this upset me? The only reason I can think of to explain why it irked me so badly is that right now I have one fitness 'accomplishment', one thing that I do better than average and it's being reduced to 'oh you were born that way'. So, I wrote the instructor an email and apologized for being prickly, but reiterated that I wasn't always flexible. Who really cares? What the heck is wrong with me? I used to be really easy-going and wouldn't have EVER mentioned anything before. I really like and respect this instructor so hopefully I haven't ruined any friendly feelings there.
So, this week I have scheduled my fitness into my busy work/school schedule. I find writing it down immensely helpful. For one thing, I can add up my cardio, strength training and yoga hours ahead of time to see if I'm where I should be, and if not then I can play with it. I find this better than scrambling at the end of the week. Also, on the day in question, I just have to look at what I'm supposed to be doing, and when (if it's a class). That way I'm not standing around wondering, 'should I take that class or just do the bike today?' or 'should I do strength training first and then cardio?' etc. Big time wasters and lack of time used to be my number one excuse for not exercising. Or worse - I deliberate for so long that the class is going to start soon and then I end up not going at all.
I phoned my mother today (always a bad time, and I have to do it every Sunday) and she said that she had shown one of her friends a recent picture of me. She said that her friend remarked that I looked like I had lost weight. She also said that my sister and brother-in-law also thought the same thing. So I said, yes, I've lost a bit (that's my mother in the picture with me btw) and then she demanded to know how much so I said "I have no idea, a bit" (if I told her 75 pounds then she would exclaim something like 'what? how much did you weigh? you 're still fat, so you must have been over 200 pounds overweight! what is wrong with you?' etc). Then I got a lecture about how I finally look kind of nice and that I shouldn't just put it all back on again etc. etc. ETC.....!!! (see, there's that appearance over health thing rearing its ugly head again lol). What's funny is that my mother saw me live and in person and didn't notice a thing. I hadn't seen her in over a year and what she noticed was my hair LOL I'm so thankful we live across the country from each other and I don't have to listen to this daily anymore! Before you think I'm an ungrateful daughter, I'll just say that she's an extremely difficult woman with some serious issues and leave it at that.
Wow, this is the longest blog in history I think!
I hope you all have a great week!
-Stef
During boot camp, the instructor (who is also one of my yoga instructors) told the class that I was double-jointed and that's why I was deep into a position. After class, when there were only about 5 of us left I went up to her and said "you're funny, but I'm not double-jointed. Just flexible", with a smile on my face. One of the other ladies said that she noticed that I have quite a high kick. I told her that it's because I used to be in dance (decades ago now!) and she said 'oh that explains it' and the instructor said "no it doesn't, she was born that way'. So I explained, again, that I wasn't always flexible but being in dance certainly made me that way. I remember quite well what I used to be like, thank you. Why does this upset me? The only reason I can think of to explain why it irked me so badly is that right now I have one fitness 'accomplishment', one thing that I do better than average and it's being reduced to 'oh you were born that way'. So, I wrote the instructor an email and apologized for being prickly, but reiterated that I wasn't always flexible. Who really cares? What the heck is wrong with me? I used to be really easy-going and wouldn't have EVER mentioned anything before. I really like and respect this instructor so hopefully I haven't ruined any friendly feelings there.
So, this week I have scheduled my fitness into my busy work/school schedule. I find writing it down immensely helpful. For one thing, I can add up my cardio, strength training and yoga hours ahead of time to see if I'm where I should be, and if not then I can play with it. I find this better than scrambling at the end of the week. Also, on the day in question, I just have to look at what I'm supposed to be doing, and when (if it's a class). That way I'm not standing around wondering, 'should I take that class or just do the bike today?' or 'should I do strength training first and then cardio?' etc. Big time wasters and lack of time used to be my number one excuse for not exercising. Or worse - I deliberate for so long that the class is going to start soon and then I end up not going at all.
I phoned my mother today (always a bad time, and I have to do it every Sunday) and she said that she had shown one of her friends a recent picture of me. She said that her friend remarked that I looked like I had lost weight. She also said that my sister and brother-in-law also thought the same thing. So I said, yes, I've lost a bit (that's my mother in the picture with me btw) and then she demanded to know how much so I said "I have no idea, a bit" (if I told her 75 pounds then she would exclaim something like 'what? how much did you weigh? you 're still fat, so you must have been over 200 pounds overweight! what is wrong with you?' etc). Then I got a lecture about how I finally look kind of nice and that I shouldn't just put it all back on again etc. etc. ETC.....!!! (see, there's that appearance over health thing rearing its ugly head again lol). What's funny is that my mother saw me live and in person and didn't notice a thing. I hadn't seen her in over a year and what she noticed was my hair LOL I'm so thankful we live across the country from each other and I don't have to listen to this daily anymore! Before you think I'm an ungrateful daughter, I'll just say that she's an extremely difficult woman with some serious issues and leave it at that.
Wow, this is the longest blog in history I think!
I hope you all have a great week!
-Stef
Friday, October 15, 2010
Doctor Day
Okay, so I've had some issues with my right boob that I've ignored for some time now. This being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, however, I've been bombarded with 'go to the doctor if you notice this-and-that'. So today I went. He did an exam and scheduled me for a mammogram with ultrasound. Which I'm going to have on my 40th birthday. Do I know how to celebrate in style or what? While booking the appointment, the lady on the phone asked me if I was under 300 pounds and mobile to which I answered, without hesitation, "yes I am". Five months ago, that would've been a 'no'. Three and four months ago I would have said "yes, but I'm close to 300". I figure that I'm far enough away from it now that I don't need to get into explanations. The doc also ordered up a whack of blood tests and said that the problem might just be hormonal because I've lost a bunch of weight and that can cause hormone changes which can cause changes in the breasts. I could've told him that I'm hormonal.....lol So, we're not overly worried and I'm happy that I had a good day at the gym and an 'atta-girl' from the doc. For once it was a happy visit - even though I left with an appointment for a mammogram lol.
The boys are going to be out of the house tonight and hubby and I have a romantic night planned. I'll see you all tomorrow ;)
The boys are going to be out of the house tonight and hubby and I have a romantic night planned. I'll see you all tomorrow ;)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Hot 100 update
Here's my update for the Hot 100 challenge:
1) get a stellar mark in my tax course
- well I worked on it this week and completed a huge assignment. I don't have the mark back yet, so I don't know about the 'stellar mark'. I'll have to let you know next week :) BUT I did what I was supposed to do, even though it was boring and there were more interesting things going on lol.
2) go to the gym 42 times in the 100 days
- I've been at the gym every day this week. I've done weights, yoga, zumba, bike, treadmill and boot camp. Boy, I can't wait until I can move my body the way I want to! Oh, and not being the biggest in the class would be nice too :) Last night at Zumba I fell during a pivot (not weight-related, just me-related) and some gals around me were concerned. I told them to go on without me and tell my story LOL. I love Zumba. I can do a booty shake without even trying! I've noticed that I don't need to lower my arms at any point during the one-hour Zumba classes anymore (I would lower them if my heart rate got close to 180, which is supposed to be my top heart rate). yay! My heart rate usually only goes as high as 140. 165 is my highest in the boot camp. Did I tell you that last Sunday a girl puked? Ya, it's pretty intense but it's effective. Also, I can now run in 2 minutes stints on the treadmill. That was absolutely unheard of a few months ago! Apart from weight dropping, I'm off all the diabetes meds and I'm stronger (yes, I actually see muscle peeking out from underneath the fat!) and my cardio is so much better. The Biggest Loser show inspired me to try running on the treadmill. If those guys can do it, why can't I? The answer, of course, is that I CAN and now I DO. Ya, the show has some bad points to it, but I find it helpful.
3) be under 245 by the end of the 100 days
- well, my food is still good. If I want a special something, then I budget it for it BEFOREHAND. One nice thing about working out at this size is that I can burn a heck of a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 30 minutes on the bike at level 10 usually gives me 250 calories burned. sweet! So, I'm right on track to achieve this goal. Take that low thyroid!
Tomorrow is my day off from work, so a busy day at the gym for me. I plan on 1 hour cardio, 1 hour weights, 1 hour of yoga and then one hour Zumba at night. What a difference a few months make!
Oops - forgot to tell you all my weight. 263.0 so a loss of almost 2 pounds last week I think.
1) get a stellar mark in my tax course
- well I worked on it this week and completed a huge assignment. I don't have the mark back yet, so I don't know about the 'stellar mark'. I'll have to let you know next week :) BUT I did what I was supposed to do, even though it was boring and there were more interesting things going on lol.
2) go to the gym 42 times in the 100 days
- I've been at the gym every day this week. I've done weights, yoga, zumba, bike, treadmill and boot camp. Boy, I can't wait until I can move my body the way I want to! Oh, and not being the biggest in the class would be nice too :) Last night at Zumba I fell during a pivot (not weight-related, just me-related) and some gals around me were concerned. I told them to go on without me and tell my story LOL. I love Zumba. I can do a booty shake without even trying! I've noticed that I don't need to lower my arms at any point during the one-hour Zumba classes anymore (I would lower them if my heart rate got close to 180, which is supposed to be my top heart rate). yay! My heart rate usually only goes as high as 140. 165 is my highest in the boot camp. Did I tell you that last Sunday a girl puked? Ya, it's pretty intense but it's effective. Also, I can now run in 2 minutes stints on the treadmill. That was absolutely unheard of a few months ago! Apart from weight dropping, I'm off all the diabetes meds and I'm stronger (yes, I actually see muscle peeking out from underneath the fat!) and my cardio is so much better. The Biggest Loser show inspired me to try running on the treadmill. If those guys can do it, why can't I? The answer, of course, is that I CAN and now I DO. Ya, the show has some bad points to it, but I find it helpful.
3) be under 245 by the end of the 100 days
- well, my food is still good. If I want a special something, then I budget it for it BEFOREHAND. One nice thing about working out at this size is that I can burn a heck of a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 30 minutes on the bike at level 10 usually gives me 250 calories burned. sweet! So, I'm right on track to achieve this goal. Take that low thyroid!
Tomorrow is my day off from work, so a busy day at the gym for me. I plan on 1 hour cardio, 1 hour weights, 1 hour of yoga and then one hour Zumba at night. What a difference a few months make!
Oops - forgot to tell you all my weight. 263.0 so a loss of almost 2 pounds last week I think.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday at the gym
Great workout tonight! One hour of weights (both upper and lower body), 30 minutes on the bike (now on level 10 woo hoo!) and one hour of yoga. Tomorrow night I'm going to Zumba! It's usually course night, but they were cancelled this week because of Thanksgiving. Yay!
I'm going to work on a new playlist this weekend. I love the songs I've got, but I need to change it up. I'd love some suggestions. What song gets you going?
Today at work somebody noticed that I've lost weight. The remark? "wow, you're starting to look good, almost normal! Soon you're going to have start beating men off with a stick". Hmmm. I don't even know where to start on this remark lol. My actual response? "Gee, thanks" with a smile. My inner thoughts? "Why the frick does everyone think that getting healthy is an ulterior motive to getting male attention?!?" Seriously, I've come across this type of remark before and I just find it so annoying. I know, the person making the remark isn't trying to be anything but complimentary so I don't take it out on him/her, but it irks me. I've never been a 'pretty' girl and losing weight isn't going to change that one whit! I am what I am. My father died of a heart attack at the age of 47. He wasn't fat or diabetic and I'm both. THAT is what's motivating me - not attracting men! *whew* - someone check the calendar! I've been hyper-sensitive for 2 days now LOL.
I'm going to work on a new playlist this weekend. I love the songs I've got, but I need to change it up. I'd love some suggestions. What song gets you going?
Today at work somebody noticed that I've lost weight. The remark? "wow, you're starting to look good, almost normal! Soon you're going to have start beating men off with a stick". Hmmm. I don't even know where to start on this remark lol. My actual response? "Gee, thanks" with a smile. My inner thoughts? "Why the frick does everyone think that getting healthy is an ulterior motive to getting male attention?!?" Seriously, I've come across this type of remark before and I just find it so annoying. I know, the person making the remark isn't trying to be anything but complimentary so I don't take it out on him/her, but it irks me. I've never been a 'pretty' girl and losing weight isn't going to change that one whit! I am what I am. My father died of a heart attack at the age of 47. He wasn't fat or diabetic and I'm both. THAT is what's motivating me - not attracting men! *whew* - someone check the calendar! I've been hyper-sensitive for 2 days now LOL.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Thanksgiving
Well, I've been offline for a little while because I was out of town with my sons for Thanksgiving. This time, though, I left with a plan!
First, I wanted to get a ahead of my reading in my tax course and complete an important assignment that's due on the 18th.
Second, I wanted to keep my food as healthy as I could, keeping in mind that a lot of meals would be restaurant food.
Third, I wanted to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
I finished my reading and completed the required assignment, plus one more! Believe me, the mall was calling me, but I resisted....
I ate grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, bananas and so many good and yummy (healthy) things! I did also have a piece of pumpkin pie, but I did an extra 30 minutes on the bike beforehand to 'budget" for it.
I went to an affiliate gym (from the one I joined at home) Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Then I went to the fitness centre in the hotel yesterday. Yep, swallowed my pride and did it! (okay, I dragged my oldest son down with me for support lol).
All in all, I'm counting this weekend a success! I did have a couple of ugly moments (one when the hotel manager said that he didn't want to stand between me and the dessert table) but overall I feel stronger, both mentally and physically.
I missed the Friday weigh-in, but this afternoon I was at 264.5. So close to the 50s!!! In two weeks I should be there. Correction - in two weeks I WILL be there!
First, I wanted to get a ahead of my reading in my tax course and complete an important assignment that's due on the 18th.
Second, I wanted to keep my food as healthy as I could, keeping in mind that a lot of meals would be restaurant food.
Third, I wanted to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
I finished my reading and completed the required assignment, plus one more! Believe me, the mall was calling me, but I resisted....
I ate grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, bananas and so many good and yummy (healthy) things! I did also have a piece of pumpkin pie, but I did an extra 30 minutes on the bike beforehand to 'budget" for it.
I went to an affiliate gym (from the one I joined at home) Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Then I went to the fitness centre in the hotel yesterday. Yep, swallowed my pride and did it! (okay, I dragged my oldest son down with me for support lol).
All in all, I'm counting this weekend a success! I did have a couple of ugly moments (one when the hotel manager said that he didn't want to stand between me and the dessert table) but overall I feel stronger, both mentally and physically.
I missed the Friday weigh-in, but this afternoon I was at 264.5. So close to the 50s!!! In two weeks I should be there. Correction - in two weeks I WILL be there!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Day 4 of 100
Well not much to report today. I brought a friend to the hospital this morning (he had a seizure), then worked (late) then went to my tax course and now I'm home. I ate everything I had brought with me and took my thyroid pill. Now it's time to watch "House" and then bed I think!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Day 3 of 100
Well this morning I made it to the gym for the boot camp class. If you suddenly see a bunch of funny letters in this post, it means that I've collapsed onto my keyboard. *whew* It was a tough class! My already sore quads (love the lingo?) were aching so badly and I actually gave out a sort of war cry in the gym bathroom when trying to get off the toilet. I wanted to yell out to the gals in there that I wasn't going number 2 (I swear I wasn't!!), but how do you do that gracefully? Anyhow, back to the class itself. It was an hour of stepping, weights, knee-upping intenseness. It's sad that I considered the core workout segment 'the cool down'. The girl next to me had to leave the room and got sick. I've seen this on "The Biggest Loser" before, but never in real life. I was a complete huffing and puffing ball of sweat by the end of it, but I completed the whole class and never stopped! Okay, I slowed down in a couple of parts, and I almost fell off the step riser once, but I never stopped! I decided that I needed to do another 1/2 hour on the bike after the class because tomorrow I have my tax course right after work so no workout tomorrow (I would do a jig of joy, but I think we all know how that would turn out). Oh, and then I got the bright idea to walk to the grocery store and get groceries. It's not that far - about 6 blocks. Downhill on the way there, a little uphill on the way back, and there's the added bonus of stepping over tree roots. If anyone finds a jug of milk sitting on a tree root, it's mine.
So, for the rest of the night, I'm going to relax with my glass of wine and watch "Desperate Housewives". Then I'll get hubby to push me up the stairs to bed. And maybe go out and find the milk.
So, for the rest of the night, I'm going to relax with my glass of wine and watch "Desperate Housewives". Then I'll get hubby to push me up the stairs to bed. And maybe go out and find the milk.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 2 of 100
Well yesterday afternoon I went to an Iron Reps class. It's a weight-lifting class offered at the gym I go to. I should mention that I was out of the country for almost 3 weeks and should have eased back into weight-lifting and such. Nope, not me. I went at it full gusto - barbell squats and all. Needless to say that today I hurt just about everywhere (including my neck - what the heck did I do to my neck?!?). I thought I was going to need a crane to lift me off the chair this morning, my legs hurt so badly!
So, continuing on with my brilliant thought process, I decided that going back to the gym this morning for some cardio on the bike was just what the doctor ordered. The doctor would probably have ordered rest for aching muscles, but would I have listened anyhow? nope. So I did 45 minutes on the bike on level 10. Now my legs hurt more than ever!
The saga of my incredible genius doesn't end with this. Whilst at the gym, I noticed a poster for a beginner's boot camp class that starts tomorrow morning. You guessed it. I gimped my way over to the front desk and signed up for it and paid. No, I'm really not a masochist - I swear!
So, continuing on with my brilliant thought process, I decided that going back to the gym this morning for some cardio on the bike was just what the doctor ordered. The doctor would probably have ordered rest for aching muscles, but would I have listened anyhow? nope. So I did 45 minutes on the bike on level 10. Now my legs hurt more than ever!
The saga of my incredible genius doesn't end with this. Whilst at the gym, I noticed a poster for a beginner's boot camp class that starts tomorrow morning. You guessed it. I gimped my way over to the front desk and signed up for it and paid. No, I'm really not a masochist - I swear!
Friday, October 1, 2010
First blog!
I belong to an online group for people who have over 200 pounds to lose. A friend of mine from that group, Loretta, invited us to join a hot-100 challenge. A challenge for the last 100 days of 2010. She belongs to the blogging world and I (until today!) do not. I was just going to tie up Loretta's blog with my goals and progress, but another friend of ours went out of her comfort zone to set up a blog and so I did too! Actually, somebody set up this blog for me about a year ago, but I never created a post. Time to put it to use LOL.
My goals for the end of 2010 are:
1) To complete my tax-preparer course with a stellar mark. I know this technically has nothing to do with weight, but I'm changing my mindset and lifestyle. I have a bad habit of starting courses and then not finishing them. I don't even have a high school diploma. My intentions are always good (in the beginning) but then I lose interest and quit. It's time to finish what I start!
2) To be under 245 pounds. Right now I'm at 267 so this should definitely be attainable. But not so comfortably that I can coast there. I'm not a fast weight-loser and I really have to work at it. I know some can lose 22 pounds in one month, but I can't and I don't want to set myself up for failure.
3) To visit the gym 42 times between now and December 31, 2010. I was going to break this down further into so many classes, bike hours, treadmill hours etc, but once I'm at the gym I love it and have no problem spending a couple of hours there. It's getting there that can sometimes be tricky. That old "time" excuse!
Thanks Loretta for this bright idea!
My goals for the end of 2010 are:
1) To complete my tax-preparer course with a stellar mark. I know this technically has nothing to do with weight, but I'm changing my mindset and lifestyle. I have a bad habit of starting courses and then not finishing them. I don't even have a high school diploma. My intentions are always good (in the beginning) but then I lose interest and quit. It's time to finish what I start!
2) To be under 245 pounds. Right now I'm at 267 so this should definitely be attainable. But not so comfortably that I can coast there. I'm not a fast weight-loser and I really have to work at it. I know some can lose 22 pounds in one month, but I can't and I don't want to set myself up for failure.
3) To visit the gym 42 times between now and December 31, 2010. I was going to break this down further into so many classes, bike hours, treadmill hours etc, but once I'm at the gym I love it and have no problem spending a couple of hours there. It's getting there that can sometimes be tricky. That old "time" excuse!
Thanks Loretta for this bright idea!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
