Exercise and Weight-Loss Update

It's been a while, so I thought it was time for a weight loss/exercise update. I'm pretty proud that I've kept up with the gym since the fall. Generally I lose interest in that pretty quickly. The KEY has been joining the gym at work because I can get my workouts in over lunch (with friends!), take classes, and then not have to worry about it at home at night. Then, any walks or "extras" we do at night are just bonuses!

I haven't really lost any more significant weight since Thanksgiving despite a 3-4 days per week intense class schedule at the gym. My nutritionist says that's super common when your body gets in the routine of the same class, SO in the last week, I've decided to switch things up and make Tuesdays and Thursdays cardio days to kick it up a little. Since the weekend, I've now lost another pound. Gotta watch that diet, too! :) 

The one thing I have noticed is lost inches. My arms are hands-down the area I notice it the most. Last I checked, I think they were down 1.5 inches (each) or slightly more. I'll have to get an officially measurement tonight. My legs are also much more muscular than they were and the fat that is by the armpit is basically GONE! WOO HOO! Still working on that darn stomach area. Grrrrr.

I definitely feel stronger and more confident in many ways and just today, on my new cardio day, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and then got borerd out of my mind (that's why classes are better for me!!). I decided to jump on the treadmill and see if I could run a mile without stopping. I haven't done that in years (though can't say I've tried too many times). I DID IT. And, most importantly, I lived to tell about it. I didn't even WANT to pass out. It felt so good to be able to do that again. It goes to show that even though I haven't been doing super cardio-heavy workouts the exercise is still working. 

I'm so excited for spring when we can get the bonus walks in at night, play outside, go hiking, etc. (Sidenote: the kids can't either; they're about to lose their minds from the winter stir-crazies!!!) :) 

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Well, week two has wrapped up. I'm getting a better feel of what portions are like and what makes me full and what so absolutely does not. In our meeting this past week, the leader emphasized (and then emphasized some more) that our weekly allowance points are built into the plan for a reason - to keep you from craving things most diets say you "can't have." Weight Watchers is about flexible restriction - meaning moderation and good choices. It is not about dietary restriction, which is what most diets are. How many times do you hear someone say "Oh, I can't have cake. I'm on a diet."? All. the. time. That's the super nice thing about WW - you really can have anything you want.

Let's back up since most people probably don't know what weekly allowance points are. Weight Watchers gives each enrollee 49 weekly points to use however you want. You can use them all, you can use none, and you can use some. Basically, these are points above and beyond your daily totals. These points make it very easy to stay "on plan" since you will almost always have some points available if you want a piece of cake, a donut, etc.

So...I tried something risky this week. Since I hadn't used any of those 49 points last week, I decided to test the limits and try half of them this week to see if I still lose. I obviously didn't use them on pure junk, because that would defeat my purpose. But I did have a piece of cake for a friend's birthday and didn't feel the least bit guilty. I will not always do this, not by any means. But she encouraged us to see if our bodies allow us to have some extra treats each week and still make it work for us.

When all was said and done, I lost another 1.4 pounds for a total of about 6 (not worrying about the decimals)!!! Plus, this week, I lost an additional 1/2 inch in bust, 1/2 inch in my waist, 1 inch in my hips, nothing in my right thigh and 1/4 inch in my left, and 1/4 inch in each biceps.

OH, and in fun news, a few nights ago, we were driving home from the grocery story. As we passed a house down our street, Seth told me to stop!! The guy was putting out a really nice exercise bike to the trash. We pulled over and Seth asked if it still worked, and the guy said yes! They had just gotten a new one, and didn't need this one anymore. It was in PERFECT condition, so Seth drove Carter and I home and went back for it. We are now the proud new owners of an exercise bike, which just happens to be the same brand as our new treadmill!

Working Out Woes

I've said it before: working out is not really fun for me. Well, let me clarify. Playing sports and doing things that don't really feel like exercise are fun. But the basic gym things are just sort of blah. Our gym didn't offer classes, plus we didn't really have time to go since we had Carter, so we dropped our membership a few months ago.

Then we got a treadmill, which is nice and helps save us some money each month that was going into gym memberships. Well, that wasn't really quite enough. So, we've added a few things - the 30 Day Shred (the torture work-out by Jillian Michaels), some free weights, and one of those nice inflatable balls (which Seth so kindly purchased and then surprised me).

Ever since we've gotten the ball, I've never quite been able to use it super well. Something always just seemed off about it. I've tried following the pictures in magazines (you know the ones I'm referring to - a woman who is 5' 10", 110 pounds, in a sports bra and spandex pants, with immaculate make-up and hair) but it definitely wasn't playing out so nicely for me.

A few nights ago, I was doing some ab work on the ball with hand weights. All of a sudden, I lost my balance, and the ball started rolling (with me laying on top). Next thing I know, I crashed into the wall, fell over onto Carter's exersaucer, and dropped both weights as I toppled to the floor.

Because I cracked up laughing, so did Seth. We laughed HARD. It was quite the sight, I'm sure.

And then I looked at the box that the ball came in. For those 5'11" and taller.

Um, yeah. That explains some things.

Pain.

I received some hate mail yesterday in the form of the 30 Day Shred. I couldn't get the DVD player to work last night, so I started this 20 minute workout thing today.

I'm trying to find the words to explain what this workout did to me.

She mentions that "pain is fear leaving the body." Let's just say my body must have been very scared, because oh, the pain.

I sweated far more than I do in an hour at the gym, which should say a lot for a 20 minute workout. My 8 pound weights were clearly too much weight based on the fact that Jillian said no more than 5 pound weights. Plus my arms and legs were are shaking uncontrollably.

Anyway, day one of shredding is over.

Here's to hoping I don't need my legs or arms for anything useful like walking or picking things up tomorrow.

Shred or Alive

It's all the rave these days. Jillian Michael (from The Biggest Loser) has a workout DVD called the 30 Day Shred. Everyone I know is talking about it and how wonderful it is for your body.


I have, however, heard people mention that they are on death's doorstep after they are done because it is that hard of a 20 minute workout.

Well, I tend to be lacking motivation and time these days, so 20 minutes of a trainer screaming in my face to get my butt of the couch, work harder, run faster? Sign me up!

I bought it on Amazon and it should be here by early next week at the latest. I plan on starting it on a day that I don't need my arms or legs for anything useful like walking or picking things up. Anyone else shredding?