A quick accounting of my workout before I forget what I did!!

5-10 minute warmup

Circuit, 3x:

three up/down on stairs

10 knee kicks/leg kicks (each side)

15 backward leg press (?)

12 reverse curl

My day three run went by really fast, I must say. My feet and calves were extra tight, so I would stop and give them a stretch. However…I didn’t like doing that, so when I just pushed through, eventually the tightness went away on its own. So…lesson learned, push through the tightness and loosen up a little. I found that I was getting a little tense, which made everything else tense.

Now…it’s time to stretch, eat breakfast, shower, and packing for my trip to my hometown. My grandma died Thursday night. She and I were really close,  so I’m pretty torn up about it all. Part of me would rather not deal with it…but I need to go see her.

Okay…stretch!!

Helllooooo. Long time no write!

So, things have been sort of frustrating these past few weeks. I was measured about three weeks ago and not only did I not have any changes, I actually gained, like a third of an inch around my waist! I was not happy. But it did motivate me to sort of tighten up on my eating. I’ve still be fucking up on that…but I’m really trying to keep a moderate diet. I try to make sure that I don’t eat processed foods at the very least, and I think I’m about 80% successful at that.

Funny thing, though…my weight was stable.

I still haven’t lost anything, though. However, Saturday’s measurements were better.

To be honest, I think that to see more changes weight-wise (and more changes with the measurements) I need to change my diet again. I think that recently I’ve been living under the erroneous impression that one diet change was going to solve everything…but it’s dawning on me that to be successful…I need to keep changing and modifying what I eat. Maybe after I finally reach my goal I can keep the same diet.

So…on to the good stuff.

I’m basing the losses here on the last measurements from 7/21. Like always, total losses will be in parenthesis.

Neck: no loss (-1.5)

Upper arm: +.25 (-2.75)

Chest: no change (-3.5)

Waist: -1 (-6.5)

Hips: -.5 (-5.5)

Upper Thigh: no change (-3)

Calves: no change (-1.5)

Total: -1.5 (-24.25)

So, I’m stoked about the waist measurement. That’s the one that counts for me (although, having a smaller ass would be nice, too) and that’s the one that’s in the lead. I have to keep telling myself that I’ve lost 24.25 inches all over my body and that even though the weight is still not budging…I HAVE BEEN MAKING POSITIVE PROGRESS.

I have a doctor’s appointment at the end of the month to sort of see why my weight hasn’t been moving for all the progress I’ve been making on my body size.

So…it’s pretty much business as usual. Weight loss is sorta boring…nothing like the drastic “before” and “after” crap that media pushes on us all the time. But, I’m telling myself (as have other people) that the slower I go, the better of a chance I have of keeping it off. However, I tried running again. This time it was a lot easier…and for several reasons. One was that I now have athletic insoles…which has helped me overall with my regular workouts. Another is that I stopped to stretch between every other 60 second jog. I’m going to keep this up at least once a week (if I can make myself get out there to do it…that’s the real trick) until I can finish the run without stopping. And, the other reason it was so easy was that the track was recently resurfaced with new rubber! It’s all nice and bouncy and smells like a new tennis shoe.

So…that’s it. It’s all just a boring uphill battle. LOL.

Soooo. My abs are KILLING ME. My trainer, Rachel, had me doing these absurdly difficult things that inspired many a whine from me. All the same…it hurts in a good way I guess. I swear to God…I have a six pack under all this flab. LOL.

Anyhoo. As of the last time I weighed in…I had lost three pounds since the previous weigh in which was a month before that. I think.

And previous to that…the weight just doesn’t want to come off.

I know this is verging into TMI territory, but hear me out. A couple of days ago Aunt Flow came to visit after a six month absence. This has been the norm for the last year or two. I had been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) many years ago, so irregularity isn’t anything new. But twice a year is a little…ridiculous.

One of the ladies in my online weight loss community made a comment about how PCOS could be a reason why my body is having a hard time letting the weight go. Considering all that I’ve read about PCOS being strongly linked to insulin resistance and insulin resistance being linked to being overweight and that whole circle…it made sense to me that PCOS could be playing a negative role here.

*lightbulb over head*

She mentioned that she has been taking Metformin for PCOS, and it has helped her.

So, when I get back from my weekend camping trip, I’ll be making an appointment to go see a doctor and see if maybe I can get fixed up here. I don’t see medication like this as a weight loss solution, but if it helps me become regular and avoid cervical cancer or whatever…please! Gimmie! If it assisted in a little more weight lost, that would be an added bonus of course.

As I complained to my trainer last night, I should be seeing just a little more consistency in the weight loss than I have been seeing. I lost a lot of weight at first, but now it’s just not budging. So…that’s that.

Overall, the pounds aren’t a measurement of my success and I know that. I’ve lost a good number of inches around my waist, I’m building muscle, my clothes are fitting better/getting baggy, and I feel better. I’m learning new habits and I’m learning the difference between hunger and the need to binge. That’s the measure of my success.

However. Weight really is a part of it. So, if that number isn’t changing, then I do need to do something to get it going.

So.

Yeah. J

So.

Things are going well over here. Not much to report. My deep depressive episode has passed, thank God. Turns out that the oft-absent Auntie Flo was soon to make an appearance. Her visits always throw me and I end up surprised by my irrational outbursts and murderous urges.

Anyway. TMI.

So. Things are running smoothly…like a well-oiled engine. Or…in my case, like an old engine that needs an oil change. For the most part I’m plugging away, trying to eat well, exercise four times a week (three w/ trainer, once out on my own). I’ve lost seven pounds since April 15th, and a few inches. So…it’s not like things suck and I’m getting fatter. I just have to take one day at a time and then move on.

And…to be honest…one day at a time is pretty uneventful! LOL.

I have a confession to make. I found motivation in something completely ridiculous. Have you ever seen “Pumping Iron?” Aside from the fact that Arnie Schwarzenegger is HYSTERICAL in it, and aside from the fact that bodybuilding as a sport is something I don’t get…I was actually quite motivated by the film. These men really push themselves beyond the pain in order to achieve their physical goals, and that’s what motivated me. Because I’m afraid of pain…of feeling anything that smacks of the tiniest possibility of pain…I’m finding that I’m hard pressed to push myself during my exercises. Like I’ve whined about before, I’m getting the feeling that Rachel is pushing me more than I’m pushing myself and that makes me uncomfortable. If I can find a way to embrace the pain (I know, it sounds cheesy), I really feel like I would have a tool I could use to push myself so that my workouts don’t become a series of weak attempts at dodging having to really work hard. So, thanks Arnie, you old bastard, for helping me find the motivation I need to keep going on my weight loss journey.

So, it’s been awhile since I posted something about my workouts.

They are going really well and I’m the biggest baby in the world. Haha. But I love working out in the park, even in the rain, because it feels like I’m really doing something useful.

Well, my heart monitor agreed with my workout today. Check it out, yo!

Exercise time: 1 hour 1 minute

Average HR: 143

Time in Zone: 57 minutes

Calories Burned: 1021 (!!!!!)

I had a bowl of my chicken tortilla soup and I’m still STARVING.

Poor Rachel. She’s gonna have to hear me blab on about myself for the next…well, however long it takes me to reach my goal. LOL. I think I talked her ear off yesterday.

Yesterday’s workout was awesome. The only problem is with my stupid feet…they hurt so bad! The stuff she had me doing was fine, but my feet were just killing me. I should go to the doctor…but from all the feedback I get from others who are overweight and workout…it is probably just something that comes with the territory. I think I’m going to get a different pair of shoes, though. Mine are too narrow.

Anyway…so here are some stats!

Workout time: 55 minutes

Average HR: 143

Time in Zone: 37 mins

Calories Burned: 805

We did some measurements, too. Mostly good! I mean…not bad in spite of a two week slump. I forgot to take a copy of the results with me, so here’s what I think they were.

Neck: -1

Chest: +.5

Waist: -1

Hips: +.5

I think my limbs stayed the same. So…overall, 1.5 inch loss since last time. I’m a bit amused by the fact that I lost an inch in both my neck and waist, but gained in the chest and hips. Someone told me not long ago that as we lose weight, it’s not always a consistent loss all over the body. 

Yay. I guess.

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve updated. I’ll be honest and say that in the last couple of weeks, I didn’t want to do anything exercise related. I’ve spoiled myself by having a really great personal trainer, and I guess that I didn’t feel like doing anything by myself. It’s a lame reason not to at least go out and take a walk, but there you go. Funny thing is, I don’t really feel all that bad about it. In fact, I enjoyed the break. Hehe. I’ll even go so far as to say that the break did me good…mentally speaking, because yesterday I was really ready to exercise!

Since my trainer doesn’t work at the gym anymore, we’ve moved our sessions outside! We’ll be meeting three times a week for an hour. So, Rachel and I met up at the park yesterday evening. It was nice and chilly, but at least it didn’t rain. I was a bit apprehensive about working out in public public because at least in a gym, everyone is there to work out. At a park, people are there to relax and enjoy the scenery…and I hardly think a sweaty fat chick is a part of that. (yes, I JEST) Because it was cold and wet out yesterday, no one was really around, so it wasn’t that bad. I hope that by the time the weather gets nice, I’ll either be a) thin enough or b) confidant enough to not mind working out in public.

It was a weird session, though. I felt like I was working hard…like, I was putting effort into it, but I didn’t FEEL like I was working hard. Maybe the chill numbed my muscles or something because I am SORE today. And I stupidly forgot to push ‘start’ on my heart monitor. Gah! Oh well. I’m back tomorrow for more.

As far as diet goes, I’ve been mostly good. I’ve had my moments, to be sure, such as, Pascha (Orthodox Christian Easter). Mounds of food! Mounds of dessert! You best believe that I partook most heartily. Other than this weekend, though, I’ve been fairly good on my diet. For the last few months I’ve been working on portion control, still learning what is a normal meal and what is too much. I’m getting the hang of it, but I visited a fast food restaraunt. Only once, though! My huge craving for ice cream has not subsided, but I’ve also not given in to my desire to get a gallon and eat it all in one sitting. A couple weeks ago I was at the store and saw these teeny tiny little servings of Ben and Jerry’s in the ice cream section. They’re like, the perfect size. About 200 calories each, so even then it’s a lot. But, I can eat the whole thing and not overdo it. I bought three and they lasted a couple weeks. Yay for me! To give you an idea of my progress, six months ago I fancied a whole pint to be a serving. So, anyway, the point is, I have a friggin’ huge learning curve.

Last summer when I went to visit my dad and stepmom at my stepmom’s mom’s house, my stepmom’s mom (there’s gotta be an actual term for that relationship) gave me an awesome Crock-Pot recipe book. I’ve never been able to use it…UNTIL NOW. I finally bought a Crock-Pot. Most of the recipes are just made of meat and vegetables, so HEY. Healthier eating, plus leftovers. And I don’t have to actually be there to watch it cook. There might be an issue with the excess of potatoes, in the interest of eating in line with the glycemic index, but right now I need to learn the basic habit of cooking food for myself as opposed to eating fast food. If I need to, I’ll cut out potatoes later.

Another sign of victory. These last two weeks, while I did feel pokey and fat again, I must have done something good. This morning I threw on my jean jacket and it was feeling a little loose. Usually it’s pretty snug and I can only button the top three ‘cause my hips and stomach have been so big. Well, this morning I could button the last two! Around my hips! It was a little tight, but I didn’t have to force the jacket to fit around my hips in order to button the last button. Woo! I couldn’t do THAT two weeks ago.

So. Today was Official Measurement Day. And my body came out to celebrate. These are small numbers, but to me…every tiny bit lost is a step closer to becoming healthy and realising my goals. I’ll take it!

Below, the first number is what I’ve lost/gained since last time, which was March 1st with totals since January 23rd in parentheses.

Weight: -1.8  (-4.9)

BMI: -2.3% (-3.9%)

Fat Mass: -7.64 (-14.45)

Lean Muscle: +5.84 (+8.45)

Inches Lost

Neck: +.25

Upper Arm: -1 (-2.5)

Forearm: 0 (-.5)

Chest: 0 (-1.75)

Waist: -.5 (-1.75)

Hip: -.5 (-2.5)

Thigh: -.5 (-1.5)

Calf: +.75 (-.25)

All Over Total: -3.25 (-11 inches)

So, today I learned how to love my food journal. It’s a lot like anticipating confession. If I don’t do/eat anything that is potentially embarrassing/bad for me, then I won’t have to confess it/feel bad about it. And then I’ll see results.

Exercise Time: 48 mins (I was late for my training session)

Average HR: 152 (rawk!)

Time in Zone: 37 mins (that’s what I like to see)

Calories Burned: 691 (not bad)

So, for the last couple of weeks I’ve been sort of…eh. Haven’t been very good with the diet, haven’t really been up for working hard. The scale didn’t budge, and my measurements didn’t either. And, that’s okay because I didn’t quit. I’m still here, and that’s what counts. I’m just going to assume that this is how it’s going to be and work on making the lag times shorter and shorter.

Today I’m feeling really good. Last night I went to church, saw my favorite clergy person ever (Bishop Benjamin, who is now the Bishop of the Diocese of the West! Yay!!), hung out with the ladies after church, and then got up this morning for a right ass kicking.

Exercise Time: 55 mins

Ave HR: 144

Time in Zone: 38 mins (not bad!)

Calories Burned: 685 (even though it feels like I burned more than that)

Now it’s time for cake!

My diet as of late has totally sucked. But I’ll be making some changes so it won’t suck. HAHA. Had a fabulous workout session today. Here are my stats.

Exercise Time: 1 hr 2 mins

Ave HR: 136

In Zone: 40 mins

Cals Burned: 780

Hm. Not bad! I felt good tongiht. Plenty of challenges, but never impossible.