Day 4

I'm hoping I will hit my writing groove and these will become more witty, but for now.. I'm proud that I am getting the work done and keeping myself accountable.

Day 4 of my 30 day March challenge was Thurs, Mar 3rd. I met my friend at the gym and we stretched before working out. We completed 40 minutes on the treadmill (I was 3.5 mph at a 2-3% incline). My hips are hurting today. 

My friend was meeting her friend at 11am for lunch so I said good-bye and stayed at the gym. Yep, I stayed to finish my workout. I am loving the gym.

I did:
Abs:
crunches - 3 sets of 10 with 80 pounds
side twists - 3 sets of 20 with 50 pounds


Bicep curls - 3 sets of 10 with 30 pounds
Triceps - 3 sets of 12 with 30 pounds
Shoulder press (to the sides) - 3 sets of 10 with 35 pounds


I'm trying to find the weight that makes me exhausted at the end of the 30th rep. I know that means it's not too light and not too heavy. My arms feel the burn, but not enough pain to discourage me from the next workout.


My day 5 workout will be on Saturday. I will be a great workout (especially after the crap I ate today). Hopefully I can make it to the store afterwards to pick up a new pair of shoes and some new t-shirts for my workouts.


This is the new me. I am healthy and happy!
 

Day 3

Woot. Woot. The exercise train is rolling from the station.

It's day 3 of my 30 day challenge and I'm doing great (though it is only day 3).

I met my friend at the gym this morning. We worked out for an hour-ish.

1. Ab machines - I have strong abs with a healthy layer of fat on top.
2. Arm machines - I avoided the shoulder press since it caused cramping last time and my triceps were screaming at me while doing bicep curls (because of the pressure down on the pads). That's good - I've made them work.
3. Recumbent bike- 30 minutes at level 7 - this worked up a good sweat.
4. Stretching - nothing like coaxing those muscles to relax after working out.

I drank a protein shake for breakfast and had my morning mocha. The protein infusion seems to help me from getting dizzy after working out. Nathan and I enjoyed a lunch out. I had Aloo Matar (potatoes and pees in a spicy sauce). I kept my portion small to save money and calories. I drank 24 ounces of water - definitely need to go refill my water bottle. I had some all white chicken nuggets with the kids for a snack at 4 and am still not hungry. I'm realizing now that I am seriously lacking in the fruits and vegetables department, so I'll have a carrot or green bean snack for my dinner.

I'm feeling very tired and blah right now. I'll put the chocolate away and step back from the kitchen!

Meet some other great friends working on losing weight by joining Lucy's Fat to Fit Blog Hop.

Day 2

Another successful day!!

I met my friend at the gym.

Stretching (more like gossiping)
40 minutes on the treadmill at 3-3.8 mph and a 2-3% incline
We skipped weights because we ran out of time.

I feeling my muscles in my arms today. Not terribly, but enough to know I did good. I have a cramp in my trapezius muscle that causes my right arm to feel numb. Last time I ended up calling the chiropractor at 3am for the pain. I used my friends advice and imagined my muscles as taffy and slowly pulled the muscle into a longer shape. It worked enough to not cause my unbearable pain and I fell asleep. 

Now it's Day 3 and I'm off to the gym again. Woo Hoo!

Day 1

The first day of my 30 day challenge is complete and done!!

9am:
20 minutes on the upright bike
ab exercises
2 bicep machines

11:30am:
lunch with Mr N (slice of pizza)

1pm:
20 minutes on the rower
20 minutes on the treadmill (3mph, 2% incline)
2 tricep machines
2 shoulder machines

Overall - a great first day
(I even drank water!! about 48 ounces so far).

March Challenge

picture found at http://healthycurb.com/blog/

It's always time for a change. Every night I think "if I had done 10 sit ups today - I would be 1 day closer to losing the weight". I've gained about 75 pounds in the last 11 years. This is the weight I gained having 4 kids. My oldest will be 11 in June and it's time to rid myself of the weight I carry.

My knees hurt, my heart pounds as I go up the stairs. It's time to slim this waistline and get healthy. For me. For my children. For my life.

I've started by joining LA Fitness. My neighbor and I bought a one year family plan. It's all paid for and daycare comes out automatically. My youngest enjoy the daycare. I'm glad they are old enough to be in charge of themselves because the childcare staff is horribly inattentive.

I was going 5 days a week (for 2 weeks) and walking a 5k on the treadmill. I gained 3 pounds. I really don't think I changed my eating habits, but with this new challenge, I'm going to track everything.

My goal:
1. go to the gym 5 days a week for the month of March. Walk my 5k on the treadmill (takes me about 50 minutes). 
2. use the weights to perform arm exercises 3 days a week.
3. use the weights to perform leg exercises 2 days a week.
4. use the weights to perform ab exercises 5 days a week.
5. follow my firm, flat abs fast (10 minutes) every night with my husband.
6. write down everything that passes through my lips. EVERYTHING!!
7. Drink water - this one is huge. I realize I haven't had a glass of water in 2 weeks. I drink coffee. Lots of coffee.


I'll try to get some updates on here. Tomorrow will be my weigh in and measurements.

My challenge for April will be to start the couch to 5k.

Let's do it again

Another year. How is it 2011 already. I swear, every year I think "this is the year". This is the year I will get serious and lose that baby weight. Why is it so hard to be motivated. I'm thinking I'll print a photo or two to remind me what I look like.

You've heard of anorexics? I think I'm a thin-o-rexic. Not sure what else to call it. I think I look thinner or better than I do. I see myself in the mirror. I think, yes - I'm overweight by the scale, but I look OK. Then I see photos and I think, no - there is no way that is me.

I was always normal growing up. I ate and ate and played. Never did I have trouble. I was fine in college. But, I was putting on 10 lbs a year (without realizing it. this was pre "scale love affair"). I had my babies (4 in 5 years) and put on weight with each one. Since I have never dieted prior to this, it is really hard. 

I want to be fitter. That is my goal. I have a high fat percentage. I'm not thinking numbers or sizes. Just that I want to be fitter. Yes, I can go out for a 3 mile walk. Yes, I can hike up the mountain, but it's not making a difference in my body. Probably because it's so random that I do these things. Diet alone will not change me. I have to change my thinking and get myself to the gym. No mommy guilt. I sit at home playing on the computer or cleaning. That's not quality time with the kids. So why do I feel guilt about putting them in the kid care so I can take care of myself. In the long run, that means I will be able to take better care of them.

I have my first appointment with the gym this Friday. Two friends on my street are going to meet me at the school bus and we are all going to the gym. Accountability. Friendship. Encouragement. Together we can do it. Hopefully, my next post will say that I'm sticking to it. Or that I feel so great, I will finally sign up for that 5K with my family. Then it's off to a 1/2 marathon. That is my ultimate goal. Weight loss will be a happy side effect.