I miss my trainer.

I know it's hard to believe...but I miss my trainer.

I am still going to the gym and trying to kick my own butt, but it's not quite the same. I don't sweat as much...I'm not as sore...I'm not as challenged.

I miss my trainer.

Maybe I should get a 2nd job to pay for training sessions. I've already ran up the bills, paying for the first 20 sessions...I was planning on signing up again in January...but I don't know that I want to wait that long.

Oh well. Finances are tight and training is a luxury...I have to keep the belt tightened as best I can...but,

I still miss my trainer!

Losing Weight - is easy cause I'm beautiful...

Minnie Ripperton has nothing on me...(she wrote, "Loving You").

Losing weight is easy cause I'm beautiful...
Losing weight is all I want to do...

Because my work schedule seemed a bit out of control yesterday, I decided that I needed to work through lunch and go to the gym afterwards. Good Choice!

I hit the gym and left a bruise (heehee). Not really, but I feel bruised!

Strength training was the goal of the evening. I hit the ground running...

• I started with lunges on the cattle shoot (3 sets of 20) and bicep curls (3 sets of 15).
• 10 pull-ups and 15 push-ups (3 sets).
• Bench presses and rows (3 sets of 15).
• Squatting Jumps and kettle ball lifts (3 sets of 15).
• 3 sets of 15 each: crunches and reverse crunches with icing...(my way of saying lifting the butt as part of the reverse crunch)
• Cool-down Stretching...ahhhhhh...

Today is cardio day...maybe I'll run on the treadmill or maybe I'll glide on the Gazelle (the Arc Trainer).

We'll see...

In Case You Missed it...

...I dropped another pound today...not quite sure where it went, but it's gone!

YIPPEE FOR ME!

This is very encouraging for me. I have spent 6 mos going to the gym, working with trainers and sacrificing things I love (especially coke and coffee) - all in an effort to lose weight. And finally...and I mean finally...the scales are working in my favor.

I guess maybe instead of losing weight and hitting the plateau, my body just decided to plateau first and then lose...either way, I'LL TAKE IT!

100th Post!

Today is my 100th Post since beginning my blog journey back in January. So, I thought I'd celebrate with some of my favorite posts you should read:

10. "The Beginning" - January 6, 2008 (you have to start somewhere)

9. "The Countdown is on - 6 Days and Counting" - April 21, 2008

8. "There's No Time Left" - April 26, 2008

7. "Top 10 Reasons I loved running the Half Marathon" - April 30, 2008

6. "I Don't Wanna" - May 20, 2008

5. "Conditioning...Or Torture!" - May 15, 2008

4. "Temperature Guage" - June 3, 2008

3. "Everyday" - June 10, 2008

2. "You Know You're In Trouble When..." - June 12, 2008

1. "Training is Cheaper than Thereapy - And More Effective" - August 21, 2008

These are in no particular order, but if you're looking for some "Big Loser" entertainment and have nothing better to do, enjoy these posts!

Oh - and I just got back from the gym - another pound has mysteriously vanished from the scale!

Readjusting...

I took a mental-health day from work today. I needed to take a day and do some readjusting...I haven't had the opportunity to go grocery shopping or plan my menu for the week. It's been a bit frustrating because I've been pretty much roughing it and allowing myself to just make choices at each opportunity.

NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME!

So anyway, I did some prep work tonight and made the soup that I will be eating at lunchtime throughout the week. In the morning, I will make a salad to go with it. I did my laundry this afternoon and will iron later this evening for the week. (Just one more thing to make my week a bit easier).

I have my gym clothes all piled up and ready to pack each day.

So, with a little redjusting, I'm ready to roll for the week. I'm ready to see a few more pounds melt off in the next few weeks...and firm up my muscles at the gym!

Some days you got it...

...and some days you don't!

Yesterday was one of those days.

Oh, I had every good intention of taking in the great outdoors, the cooler weather, sunny skies - a perfect evening for a run. But, I just couldn't do it. I didn't have it in me. I was in the midst of "forcing" myself to go for a walk when my R.B. (running buddy) called to ask me to go running.

I told her "no way", BUT, I would be up for a walk. RB was happy. We went for a nice leisurely 2+ mile walk. It was a beautiful night.

I think between the cold medicine and the sinuses and the allergies, I was just plain 'ol exhausted. I still am today, but it's not quite as bad. It seems as if I am going through waves of this tiredness and exhaustion. Is it exhaustion? I dunno. Is it something else? I dunno. I just want it to go away. I'm planning a quieter weekend. Keeping low key and catching some zzzz's.

I am headed to the gym this afternoon. I'm going to show another Gym buddy how to use some of the equipment. I like doing that. FUN!

So, back to work - I got another hour before the gym.

STARK REALITY!

Ok – so my favorite reality program is on tonight – The Biggest Loser. There’s just something about the raw reality of being overweight. Some people watch the previews or the show and think, “Look at those fat, lazy people. Stop stuffing your face! That’s why you’re obese.”

But then again, there is never just one simple answer. And it’s not fair to stereo-type…

I spent the past year training for 2 different half-marathon runs. I had a physical trainer for the past 6 months. I’ve been categorized as a “gym rat” by my co-workers and gym buddies. I’ve made a LOT of changes in my diet and routine in life. I gave up caffeine as part of the process. And yet, I’m overweight.

Dang! Maybe if I got off the couch and went for a run…or stopped by the gym during my lunch hour, I just might get rid of all this weight ---duh! Get your head out of the sand and face reality – not everyone sits down and eats a whole package of Oreos or a bag of chips for a snack (I don’t even have that kind of food in my house).

I can run 13.1 miles at one time. I’m healthy – my blood-pressure is normal. My cholesterol is below 170. Though, I have a weight issue.

My doctor says that I’m potentially more healthy than those who are thinner and seemingly healthier. Because I’m doing the right things.

So, I will almost religiously watch TBL throughout these next few weeks and months. I will find a new source of motivation and ideas for my workouts. I will empathize with the men and women who are going through these trials for this time. I will continue on the path I’ve chose for myself over these past 9 months.

I don’t want to be a downer. Just being straight. Sometimes that’s what you gotta do. I hope someone somewhere in the world wide web will find some motivation – some encouragement by these words that I am writing.

Until next time…

Running...to the Store!

After a pretty busy weekend of fall decorating, football, shopping and room organizing, I realized I forgot a most important event - grocery shopping. Any well-versed dieter and health nut will tell you the key to keeping on track is - PREPARATION! You have to plan ahead. You have to know what's next...no surprises.

Well, that didn't happen for me. In fact, I've been scrounging. I had made a yummy lasagna for a family in my church and while in the process, I made 2 small one-serving casseroles for me and my roommate. I ate one on Sunday. Since the roommie is dog-sitting for the week - I ate the other one last night. THEY WERE YUMMY!

Now, I know that lasagna is probably not the best choice for calories or anything like that, but they were the best choice for taste (and convenience). How many times can I eat Kashi cereal with blueberries in one day?????

Anyway, I decided to take my morning break at work and hit the local Giant Grocer. I picked up some of my favorite snacks: Bananas, apples, Organic cranberry mixed, yogurt...

I've been eating the same thing for breakfast - Kashi GoLean with Blueberries and Skim Milk.

My mid-morning and afternoon snacks haven't been the best choices: fig newtons, pretzel sticks, chips...

I've pretty much been eating the same lunch - Wendy's Grilled Chicken and Mandaran Salad with low-fat Ranch Dressing with almonds, minus the krispy noodles.

For dinner...WWWEEEELLLLL....(imagine Lucy responding to questioning from Ricky - yeah that's the well I'm talking about). It hasn't been going well. I haven't bought groceries - I haven't planned ahead.

So tonight, I'm having grilled chicken legs with brown rice and grilled veggies. GOOD CHOICE!

I'll make my usual stop at Wendy's for lunch - after my strength/circuit training at the gym. I'm going for gold today. I'm EXCITED! My gym buddies better be ready to sweat!

Alright, it's been a long morning - gotta get focused.

Living for the Weekends...

Most people live for the weekends. I sort of do, but they're killing me!

During the week, I'm on a pretty good routine of diet and exercise. I eat well. I drink a lot of water. I go to the gym at lunch-time. I don't miss unless there's a vendor lunch or maybe inventory (I will go after work then).

But there's something about the weekend.

I lose all consciousness of what's good to eat and what's not. I get too lazy to run out to the gym. And, throw in the humidity of this weekend, there's no way I'm going outside for a run or even a walk.

So today's Monday. Back to the routine. I ate my breakfast and am ready for the gym at lunch. I didn't add any pounds on the scale, thank God, but I will add some latent weekend fury to my cardio today.

Slow and Steady...

After months and months of seeing the scale jump up and then down and then up and then down and then rest around where I started...I'm FINALLY seeing the numbers head down.

It's slow, but it's very consistent. I saw the number on the home scale this morning at a place it hasn't been since I did an all-vegetable fast back in January (and trust me, I'm not vegetable fasting right now). I've been very careful about what I'm eating (following guidelines set by the "You...On A Diet" book. I'm still hitting the gym consistently and increasing the intensity of my workouts - AND IT'S PAYING OFF!!!

What's my next goal? I stopped setting "date" and "quantity" goals. I'm just going for being consistent and real about my diet and exercise, knowing that this is it. I can't go back to my old self, but I can also find times to enjoy those things that I like (like a Coke or chips). I've found some healthier alternatives to my snacking - air-popped popcorn with Butter spray and garlic salt instead of a 1/4 stick of butter; 1 oz. of dark chocolate instead of a package of M&M's; Lots of water and OJ instead of Coke and Coffee...

I do plan on celebrating milestones, though. I'm happy to hit the 2-teens. Soon, 1-90's - that's when I told Trainer-Sue I'd take her out to lunch! Hopefully, that will happen before Thanksgiving.

Alright - back to work.

Holding Steady...

For those of you who might be daily scale jumpers...you know exactly what I'm talking about.

As part of your daily routine, you jump on the scale to see how things are going...some days, the weight goes down, some days it goes up. I've had fluctuations as much as 5-7 lbs in a day! That's frustrating when you're really working hard.

But here's something I've noticed lately...I'm holding steady. I'm not seeing the fluctuations I've seen in the past. In fact, the biggest increase/decrease I've seen is like .4 lbs. That's less than an 8oz difference (or 1 cup of water).

Maybe, just maybe, the hard-work is paying off.

I've been watching the number slowly decrease. It's been sooooo encouraging. This morning, I saw an all-time low on the home scale. I can't wait to see what I get at the gym (that's the "official" scale that I use. I'm seeing a possible 2 pound difference between the two).

So, if the scales are true...I just may be seeing the 2-teens today....YEAH!!!

But whether I do or don't - it's all Good...

I'm holding steady!

It Counts!

Last night, I went to Youth Group for the first time in a year. I've gone to a few of their "hang" events, but I haven't gone to a regular Sunday night meeting since I stepped down over a year ago.

I played some football. I ran. I kicked. I pushed a few kids around (heehee). I scored 2 touchdowns out of the 3 scored for my team! I kept kidding around about being winded-all while waiting for it to happen. I was actually surprised I wasn't. Although, I was completely drenched in sweat - including my socks. Once the flood gates started, it dripped down my knees into my socks. Ewwwwww. I spent almost 30 minutes pretending I was T.O. (I played like him too).

So, my title...It counts! I didn't get to go to the gym. I didn't go running or anything like that. But, I played football and ran around with teenagers (and I kept up)...it counts!

Please Take Notice...

Hear Ye!

Hear YE!

HEAR YE!

The BIG LOSER has finally met her first milestone goal in losing weight - in case you might have missed it. Yep, soon the teens will be upon me (maybe by next week) and I will be even more excited.
.

FORGET DANCING IN MY UNDERWEAR!!!!

.

The double 2's will soon be a thing of the past.

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For those of you who have followed my journey so far, you know this has been a long time coming. The BIG LOSER has been more of a muy pequeno loser. I have done everything within my power to do to get this far. It's definitely not for a lack of hard-work and determination. Just ask anyone who goes to the gym with me - Lisa, Barb, Maryann...Trainer Sue! They'll tell you, I'm no lazy gym go-er.

.

I skip lunches with friends to go to the gym. I pass jelly donuts - and eat nuts and fruit instead (though I don't deny myself - come on, this is a lifestyle, not a temporary fix). I even gave up caffeine (coffee, Coke, Diet Coke...) because I thought it might help. I cook (a lot) of healthy veggie-rich meals instead of buying ready-made meals (which would save me sooooo much time).

.

So if you wonder why I get joyous over the loss of a fraction of a pound - it's because I earned every one of those ounces!

Bitter-Sweet...

I go to my last training session in just 35 minutes. I am sad.

Today is bitter-sweet!

Bitter:
I have loved going for my weekly beatings and being challenged in ways that I never thought was possible. I like the conversation and learning new exercises. I definitely feel stronger and more confident in what I am capable of accomplishing. I like meeting with my new friend, trainer Sue.

Sweet:
I don't have to worry about the cost of training - at least for awhile. Now that is sweet!

I know I am completely dedicated and capable of continuing what I have started. I know enough about the equipment and different types of exercises to keep me busy for the next few months.

I will let you know how it goes...but for now, I am sad.

UPDATE:
No easy day - I'm telling you.

I sweat like I haven't sweat yet! (It might have to do with the lack of air conditioning in the gym).

We worked the legs and arms pretty good - lunges, side lunges, stair jumping, side stepping, balancing and stretching on one leg...

I will definitely be sore!

Dance of Joy!

So, if my life were a reality show - there would be this one particular clip that would be played over and over on the Entertainment shows....

THE DANCE OF JOY IN MY UNDERWEAR!

So, you're probably wondering - what would cause this amount of joy? (You should be asking where I was doing this dance of joy!!!)

The clip would show me (in my underwear) dancing around the women's locker room at the gym. Yep - the gym. I had just gotten off the scale and the numbers made me happy - happy enough to dance in the locker room, in my underwear!

I just thought I'd share that with you today. I have been working out pretty hard: running, lifting, squatting, pressing, lunging, stepping, crunching and lifting for months now. I've changed my diet drastically! Now, the numbers are heading in the right direction. I'm hoping within the week to hit my first goal milestone - never to return!

I'll keep you posted!