My Butt Hurts!

Well...after a pretty hard work-out yesterday, I'm reaping the benefits (or rather the fallout) of my workout.

MY BUTT HURTS!!!

I can't place my finger on exactly which exercise I completed that did this to me, but I wanna do it again! If it hurts, then somehow, I don't know how or why, it must be working!

BUNS OF STEEL HERE I COME!

I'm also feeling the pain in my quads. Oh dooggie! The stairs this morning are a killer. I think I'm more sore today than I was after completing the half marathon. (and I was pretty sore).

Maybe I should start my own workout video. Maybe a group training session...

I could be rich...Rich...RICH!!!

Or maybe I'll continue to just workout and see if I can be firm...Firm...FIRM!

Getting back in the groove...

Now that the vacation and family reunion are over, its time to get back in the groove. When I work, I'm 100% guaranteed I will be at the gym. When I don't, well...

I have a following too! It seems that I'm a pretty good coach when it comes to getting my coworkers to the gym. We're even on a recruiting spree. Might have a new "gym-ee" following us at lunch-time. What fun!

I have been working out with a coworker that kinda challenges me to work a little harder - maybe it's to show off a little, maybe it's just trying to be diligent. (You decide - I'm getting results and that's really the whole reason I come to the gym). It's kinda fun to workout with someone. You get really creative and tend to push it a little harder. It keeps you accountable.

My trainer should be back in the groove today too. Hopefully, she's relaxed and feeling like having a little fun today, but not at my expense. I've been working my tail pretty hard these past 2 weeks without her. That gives me confidence to know I can do it on my own when my training sessions are through.

I'll post an update later on that...

UPDATE - 4:30 p.m...
So, the training session went well. I have to say, my trainer was in a nice, relaxed mode. That doesn't mean she didn't kick my butt or anything like that...

I got to do a lot of arm focus: curls, presses, overhead strokes, butterflies... I used this one machine for the first time where you lay back at an angle on a platform and you do squats with weights on your shoulders. Interesting...my knees hurt at first, but my quads are now feeling it!

I also focused on some ab work doing some incline sit-ups that killed. Good. I was getting bored with some of the ab work that I've been doing. Not really that I was bored, but more like it wasn't hurting anymore to do them. Does that mean I like pain? No, I just don't feel like I've worked a particular muscle group if I'm not at least a little sore later. I'm feeling like I've worked my abs today :)

All in all, I'm definitely back in the groove. See you at the gym tomorrow!

Taking a break!

I have to take a break today. It seems that I've been working a little too hard or something. I'm sore from the weight lifting; exhausted from all the hard workouts and lack of sleep and I'M DIZZY this morning!

I woke up and did what almost every human-being does first thing in the morning - stumbled to the bathroom. But something was wrong. I got in the shower and realized I couldn't stand straight. I was dizzy. I had to hold the wall to ensure there wouldn't be any of those embarassing 911 calls from the shower.

I headed back to my room and laid on my bed to see if it would pass. Nausea was waving through - then I closed my eyes. OH MY - the room was spinning with my eyes closed. It took over 10 minutes for that to slow.

Now, I'm still feeling a little dizzy. So, I called in to work and will lie around for awhile to see what happens next. I'm supposed to drive to NY tonight for our family reunion on Sunday, but that may be put on hold - we shall wait and see.

So, no trips to the gym today (and maybe the weekend off).

Talk to you on Monday.

1 more is 1 less...

1 more lb. lost. Yeah. This has got to be the slowest process - like EVER! I guess I am so spoiled with all the instants and the "fast-food" style mentality that I was hoping for a big loss quickly. Even the reality shows (so REALLLL) show people losing double-digits on a WEEKLY basis. I'll be lucky to hit double digits in 3 mos!

Anyway, I'm not complaining. I'm happy for my 1 lb. It's one more pound that I no longer need to lose!

So, what to do - what to do...

I will keep doing what I'm doing, because it's working. I will continue to hit the gym at lunch-time - everyday. I will go extra long on the weekends. I will continue to watch what I'm eating.

BTW - I cut out Diet beverages from my diet. No more of that sugar substitute (and no more caffeine, at least for awhile). I will continue to cut until I find what it is that is stunting my weight loss.

I WILL BE A BIG LOSER - it just takes time!

Charlie Horse Heaven.

It has been over 3 years since I've had a charlie horse in my calf. I know - trust me. Those things kill. 3 years ago, I tore my calf muscle playing softball. Not a nice feeling. It was like having a perpetual charlie horse for over 3 weeks straight. Afterwards, I dreaded ever having a charlie horse. (I ate a lot of bananas!).

Well last night - it happened. I had a charlie horse in my calf. I jumped out of bed faster than you could imagine and hopped around my room hoping for it to subside. See, there's nothing more "refreshing" than be awoken from a deep sleep with a charlie horse. I barely know what's happening as I'm trying to figure the whole thing out. And, almost as quickly as it came upon me, it subsided.

I'm still sore this morning. I got out my "stick" to roll it out this morning. It helped a lot, but I'm still sore.

I guess I deserved it. I had a pretty hard weight training work-out yesterday. I did a lot of leg work - leg presses, leg curls, quads. But nothing that I thought would bring me this torture! I am sore pretty much across my shoulders and pecs and my calf is also sore.

Guess what I'm eating for breakfast today? BANANAS!

Welcome - to Charlie horse heaven!

Vacation is over!

My vacation is officially over! I'm now 2 hours into the beginning of the work week. It's time to get back into a routine - which includes going to the gym. I got all my stuff ready and I'm headed to the gym at lunchtime!

For those of you wondering how I did over my vacation - well, I lost 3 lbs!!!

I did well. I decided there's no better time than vacation to stop drinking those diet cokes and break the caffeine addiction to soda. (I decided to go cold turkey on coffee and all caffeinated beverages, mostly the Diet Coke.) It's really the only way for me...

I ate fairly well. I didn't stress over what was being prepared at mealtime, but I didn't over indulge (as would normally be the practice on a family outing). I kept very busy: riding a paddle-boat almost everyday with my niece and nephews, swimming out to the dock and back (purposefully doing the breast-stroke for the upper arms), I went running and did some crunches with my nephews, I walked - a lot... I kept busy and physical.

Now, it's back to a busy schedule of laundry, going to the gym, keeping house, oh...and back to WORK!

I'm SORE!

It's been 2 days since my last torture session. My shoulders are still sore. I tried rubbing them down yesterday, but it only helped a little.

I went to the gym last night and put in a pretty good cardio workout. I was sweating hard. I guess that means I was working hard. I burned 300 calories in just 20 minutes. Afterwards, I did 60+ crunches on the ball and some hard-core stretching - ahhhhhh - relax...let the pull relax you...

I didn't stop there. I pulled up to my home and decided I needed to get the 2 flats of flowers planted or they would end up dead. I was dripping sweat as a salty treat for the ants and the flower beds. After about an hour, they were all finally planted. I think that counts as a partial work-out. I'm counting it!

I will be leaving for vacation tomorrow. I will be fishing and boating and swimming and hanging out with my family for 9 days straight. Just because I'm on vacation doesn't mean I drop my goals or plans. I need to be even more diligent (and creative). I'm taking my running shoes and an attitude of "Yes, I will continue to workout, even on vacation."

I've already decided there will be NO S'MORES for ME - ok - ONLY 1 S'MORE FOR ME!

(...Maybe 2).

WHAT DID I DO?

...that was the question I was asking myself during my training session yesterday.

I'm even asking that question this morning as I barely was able to lift my arms onto the desktop to type this blog.

What did I do? I was questioning whether or not I wrote something in my blog that "offended" my trainer. She was on-fire!

Ok - so I was a few minutes late. That was the first time. No need to take drastic measures and beat on the client. Hey, consider it an extra few minutes to refresh your coffee mug, check your email or take a pottie break. No need to take it out on the client.

So, for warm-ups - I got to do some walking lunges. Ok. That's bearable. I don't mind those. But I did them awfully fast and low and felt it in the glutius! So, I lunge-walk the length of the hallway. Now, INCHWORM crawl back! Whaaaa??? Now I thought Squat Thrusts were the worst, INCHWORMS have to be a close second. (Although, I have to admit the first thought that crossed my mind when she said it was more of THE WORM from an 80's Breakdance flashback). That's not what they were!

Imagine with me, if you will, starting in a standing position, bending over and walking forward on your hands until you are in a pushup position. While you are in this position (don't move your hands), walk your feet up until your butt is sticking up in the air and you feel a "nice" stretch in your hammies. Now, without moving your feet, walk your hands forward until your are back in the pushup position. Repeat until you make it down the hallway or crash unwittingly into your face in the carpet!

And, as if the INCHWORM motion itself were not bad enough, imagine with me, the BIGLOSER's beautiful form as her shirt continued to ride up her back and the "exposure" of the uttermost parts were bared freely for the entire gym to see. (I think I heard the normal grunts of the weight lifters slightly change from the usual "Uhh!" to something more like "EWWWW!"). The one time I didn't wear a compression shirt under my workout clothes...

Needless to say, it only went downhill for me from there. I had to do some foot-crossing basketball-style crouches and end in a curtsy fit for a queen (all while holding a medicine ball) - but I actually looked like the awkward step sisters from that Cinderella remake "Ever After". I even stepped on my own foot once, not sure what was going on there... Did as many hamstring curls as I could in 30 seconds (my hands are too sore to describe in detail what this is) and some bicycle crunches for 30 seconds.

Sweat dripping...heart pounding...breath breathing heavily...

Oh. I so wish there was a video of this (there probably is for the viewing pleasure of the training staff at staff meetings). I had to roll on a ball on my stomach until the ball was under my calves. So I was kinda in a pushup position with the ball holding up my legs. Then, I had to curl my knees up and let the ball roll under my feet and then roll it out again. The first one, I went head first into the floor. Second. Legs rolled sideways. Third, awkwardly enough, I was getting there. I was able to finish out the first set and complete two more - no rug burns!

That's all for now. I need to find some Icy-Hot so I can move my arms and bend or twist...oh, wanna meet me at the gym after work?

ME...On a Diet!

So, I went to the doctor yesterday.

All my vitals are good. My cholesterol - 173. My bp - ok. All my other numbers - normal.

You wanna know what he prescribed? "You: On A Diet!"

My doctor prescribed - A BOOK!

He gave me all the advice we all know - eat smaller portions, avoid bleached flour and hidden ingredients in foods, lower sugar, etc... That's all good. I've done most of that already. Chew your food longer, put your fork down between bites. Listen to your body telling you it's full. Ok. I know all that - I'm doing most of it.

Then the kicker - "This takes time". If you still haven't lost any weight in a year or two, then we should talk again. So, keep doing what you're doing! Alright, I'm a patient person, but it's been months! Months of training sessions - months of cardio work - months of no more Coke or Pepsi or Dr. Pepper. Now it's months more!

So I bought the book on the way back to work. I started reading it last night. It's not a diet or anything like that - just a detailed look at how/why we eat and how our bodies work, etc...looks like some fun reading.

I've also decided to keep "doing what I'm doing".

DR. R said this, "You're doing all the right things. You're probably healthier than those thinner around you." Consolation? BIGLOSER says "NOT!" So I'm healthier. I am working harder. I'm eating less. I'm healthier. But, I'm STILL FAT!

Alright, it's time to get back to work!

See you at the gym.

Back in the Saddle (I hope!)

It's been 3 beautifully, wonderful, relaxing days...of pure vacation happiness! I had an opportunity to spend the 3-day weekend with a bunch of girl-friends out in Sea Isle, NJ. It didn't take but the first 5-minutes of arriving for the stress and weight of 8 longs months to just slip off my shoulders and allow me to de-pressurize. It was pure bliss! My first night, I slept so deep and so wonderfully.

But...I was so relaxed, I couldn't motivate myself to do anything, but relax. I wouldn't go running. I didn't do any sit-ups, crunches or push-ups. Just relaxing. I guess that's ok once in awhile, but today, it's back in the saddle.

I brought my gym bag for lunch-time (totally forgetting I'll be spending my lunchtime at the doctor's office). I will have to go after work. The only thing - even though I liberally applied sun block on my body - I have a horrid sunburn on my back that won't allow me to put on that blasted sports bra! Could be a problem...

Anyways, I started my day right with a good ol' fashioned breakfast for Champions, one Egg, 2 Sausage links and some homefries (and of course a huge mug of organic coffee). It's my "BIG" meal. I try to put in the carbs and protein to start the day off. Maybe a nutritionist would beg to differ on my choices...but until then...

I will once again find myself purchasing a salad for lunch. I will most likely stop at Whole Foods, since it's on the way back from my doctor's office in Maple Glen. I will get one of those yummy salads with goat cheese and grapes. MMMMmmmm!

Dinner is the usual...steak on the grill. Veggies. I have some fruit and Sugar-free jello or pudding if I feel the need for a "sweet" sometime during the day.

So, It's back to the gym today. It's back to making good choices...

It's back to work!

I LOST 1 MORE!

I finally lost another pound. THAT MAKES 3 TOTAL from the original starting point of 226 lbs. (It's 5 total since the 14-day challenge began like 18-days ago).

I got my blood test results - everything looks good! Fine then, why am I only losing 3 stinking pounds over a 5-month period!?!? I guess I need to wait for my doctor's appointment on Monday.

I'm glad I've lost the 3 lbs. I've definitely earned every ounce of them.

Today was PERSONAL TRAINER day. The focus: THE ARMS.

I did just about every imaginable arm-type exercise - you can imagine! I guess that keeps it interesting and not too boring. I can tell you, my back is feeling it now. My triceps will feel it later. My abs will feel it for the next few days.

That's ok. I guess that means it's working.

No funny stories or interesting tidbits today. Just a good ol' fashioned workout. Didn't have tons of sweat or fatigue settle in. Just feeling stronger. And happier with one less pound!

Let's hope for 1 more next week!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho...it's off to they gym I-go!

Ho-hum. 'Tis time for the daily trip to the gym.

Last night, I got in and did some cardio and some strength training - since I sorta missed doing that this weekend. I certainly do not want to hit my training session tomorrow without having put in some strength training. It will surely be obvious! I don't pay all the money for nothing - I want to see results!!!

I have to go again after work. My goal is to put in some run-time on the treadmill. Since I actually remembered my headphones, I can rock-out to Superchick while running my mass off!

Gotta go.

o