Ok, so this time we complained to the gym owners about the camping chatty twerps. SERIOUSLY. Grrr. I woke up in a great mood today, smiling and happy. Then I got in my car and had to deal with stupidity all around me (seriously, it rains here people - LEARN TO DRIVE IN IT) and the slice at work was getting yelled at REPEATEDLY by a family member of a patient. While I understand the frustration of the family member who was trying to advocate for their loved one from another state.....we were not wrong. She was. *sigh*
So by the time I got off work and got home I was good and pissy. And there were my gym clothes. Did I WANT to go back and do the circuit with those *$&#*(g steps? NO. Did I DO the circuit (around stupid chatty twerps)? YES. And while the inconsiderate people (who were around the age of 17) were very obnoxious I felt an adjustment to my pissy attitude and was very pleased with myself.
And then came home and had yummy stir fry veggies (asparagus, onions, mushrooms, green cabbage + tofu) and a griller (needed protein). Oh, and called the gym when we got home to complain about the people that 1. were just sitting and talking on the machines that we needed to use and 2. about the people that were doing this same thing YESTERDAY and ignoring that it was part of a circuit.
This is do-able. This change in diet is getting easier. I haven't had dairy in a while now, I have found some "fake cheese" that I can tolerate (it's in a green package, you get it at Safeway next to the produce by the tofu) and the Medifast really works!
Now to look forward to a new number when I weigh myself on Friday. We just got a reservation at a little hotel on some islands north of us for the weekend and are going to go explore national campgrounds and walk. Hooray for holiday weekends!
One day. One step. One pound at a time.
~N
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
More Reasons
Oops, meant to include this in today's post. So I thought this article was interesting. Seems diet & exercise helps more and more these days...... in case we needed any more motivation....
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/05/21/dieting-may-lower-hormone-levels-tied-to-breast-cancer
~N
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/05/21/dieting-may-lower-hormone-levels-tied-to-breast-cancer
~N
It Gets Easier
So, hubby went with tonight and we both did the 30 minute circuit. Let me bitch here and now and say that if you are one of those kinds of people that camps on a machine and just yakks on your cell phone or with your equally annoying friend? Ok, I know you aren't because we would not be friends if you were but there were 2 VERY obnoxious guys there tonight. I think they finally got the daggers I was shooting them and they went to socialize somewhere ELSE. grrrr
So yeah, medifast every 2 or so hours. Lots of water (probably could've used more today) and then a couple of grillers and a great big old salad (YUM) for dinner. It is working. I can feel it in my clothes. And remember the picture I posted a few days back - give it 12 weeks it says. Well, this is week #3 with the gym. This is the part I didn't do last time. And THIS is the key ingredient to success. (that and not giving up)
Those steps are getting easier. Don't get me wrong. I am not running and jumping over them. I don't know that my knees would ever work again if I did, but I am still doing them. I count and switch which leg I start the step up with so I think I do about 30 or 40 steps per howeverlongthegreenlightis. Interestingly, it might have been yesterday but at some point in my steps I started to think about walking up stair cases. Because that's basically this exercise. And I thought of stair wells. And that always makes me think of the EMTs and firefighters on 9/11. And I thought of them walking in all their gear, up nearly 100 flights of stairs. And I refuse to bitch about my knees. I will keep going. Those people had a choice and they kept going up. I will too.
One step. One day. One pound at a time.
~N
So yeah, medifast every 2 or so hours. Lots of water (probably could've used more today) and then a couple of grillers and a great big old salad (YUM) for dinner. It is working. I can feel it in my clothes. And remember the picture I posted a few days back - give it 12 weeks it says. Well, this is week #3 with the gym. This is the part I didn't do last time. And THIS is the key ingredient to success. (that and not giving up)
Those steps are getting easier. Don't get me wrong. I am not running and jumping over them. I don't know that my knees would ever work again if I did, but I am still doing them. I count and switch which leg I start the step up with so I think I do about 30 or 40 steps per howeverlongthegreenlightis. Interestingly, it might have been yesterday but at some point in my steps I started to think about walking up stair cases. Because that's basically this exercise. And I thought of stair wells. And that always makes me think of the EMTs and firefighters on 9/11. And I thought of them walking in all their gear, up nearly 100 flights of stairs. And I refuse to bitch about my knees. I will keep going. Those people had a choice and they kept going up. I will too.
One step. One day. One pound at a time.
~N
Sunday, May 20, 2012
To sleep or not to sleep
So, down another pound. That makes 22 since the first weekend in March. That's a start.
I didn't go to the gym on Thursday, Friday or Saturday last week - had a family emergency on Wednesday night that kept me up all hours and I do NOT do well without sleep so was getting my sleep clock re-set.
I did go back today. Did the 30 minute express circuit. Still hate the steps. BUT I'm not in as much immediate pain as I was last week when we first did it. So there's that. :) Yeah I'm going to keep doing the circuit for a bit. The treadmill is a great (easy) warm up for me and I can very easily do that for 30 minutes. This circuit with the weights and steps for cardio is not easy. Which means I need to keep doing it. So the goal is to do it 3 times at least this week and see where we are next week.
So, re: sleep. I remember a while back hearing that the lack of sleep could contribute to weight gain and I thought I'd look into that for today's post. I have always, ALWAYS needed steady sleep. In college I had one or 2 nights (perhaps more but lost to the haze of time) where I did not sleep at all, but since I was a wee girl I have always known when I was tired and that I could fix that feeling by going and finding somewhere comfy to sleep. I generally get 7 or 8 hours of sleep consistently. When I was depressed I could sleep 15 hours easily but thankfully those years are LONG gone.
There are many places to find the info on how sleep and weight are related but one of my favorite sites to check stuff out is webmd.com. There is an article there that points out exactly what happened to me on Thursday. That when you are tired you are more inclined to make poor decisions - picking up that donut for a quick pick me up instead of going for the salad. Well on Thursday I had what would normally be a stressful day at work but on top of that I'd had about 4 and a half hours of sleep and thus found myself rationalizing the veggie burger I got at Burger King. I got a salad as well but still.... Yeah. White bread buns, cheese (oddly enough I didn't find my guts hurting like I'd expected from the cheese) stuff I've stayed far away from in the last month and a half. And I had 60 ounces of iced coffee, sixty. It kept me awake and I survived the day at work, however I did find myself wide awake at 9pm when by rights I should have been passed OUT.
Now, I know I have moms that read my blog and I know one that is a brand-new mom and she has been struggling to get ANY sleep much less adequate and consistent sleep. I thought that perhaps this article might be of interest to you as it is to me. It won't help you get more sleep, but might be food for thought with regards to choices when you're tired.
Here's the link: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/lack-of-sleep-weight-gain
Keeping on keeping on here. You do the same.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
I didn't go to the gym on Thursday, Friday or Saturday last week - had a family emergency on Wednesday night that kept me up all hours and I do NOT do well without sleep so was getting my sleep clock re-set.
I did go back today. Did the 30 minute express circuit. Still hate the steps. BUT I'm not in as much immediate pain as I was last week when we first did it. So there's that. :) Yeah I'm going to keep doing the circuit for a bit. The treadmill is a great (easy) warm up for me and I can very easily do that for 30 minutes. This circuit with the weights and steps for cardio is not easy. Which means I need to keep doing it. So the goal is to do it 3 times at least this week and see where we are next week.
So, re: sleep. I remember a while back hearing that the lack of sleep could contribute to weight gain and I thought I'd look into that for today's post. I have always, ALWAYS needed steady sleep. In college I had one or 2 nights (perhaps more but lost to the haze of time) where I did not sleep at all, but since I was a wee girl I have always known when I was tired and that I could fix that feeling by going and finding somewhere comfy to sleep. I generally get 7 or 8 hours of sleep consistently. When I was depressed I could sleep 15 hours easily but thankfully those years are LONG gone.
There are many places to find the info on how sleep and weight are related but one of my favorite sites to check stuff out is webmd.com. There is an article there that points out exactly what happened to me on Thursday. That when you are tired you are more inclined to make poor decisions - picking up that donut for a quick pick me up instead of going for the salad. Well on Thursday I had what would normally be a stressful day at work but on top of that I'd had about 4 and a half hours of sleep and thus found myself rationalizing the veggie burger I got at Burger King. I got a salad as well but still.... Yeah. White bread buns, cheese (oddly enough I didn't find my guts hurting like I'd expected from the cheese) stuff I've stayed far away from in the last month and a half. And I had 60 ounces of iced coffee, sixty. It kept me awake and I survived the day at work, however I did find myself wide awake at 9pm when by rights I should have been passed OUT.
Now, I know I have moms that read my blog and I know one that is a brand-new mom and she has been struggling to get ANY sleep much less adequate and consistent sleep. I thought that perhaps this article might be of interest to you as it is to me. It won't help you get more sleep, but might be food for thought with regards to choices when you're tired.
Here's the link: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/lack-of-sleep-weight-gain
Keeping on keeping on here. You do the same.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
ow ow ow ow ow
So, we didn't go to the gym. Neither of us wanted to face the circuit today. Instead we did the P90X stretching video. Now, you KNOW your ass is sore when P90X is considered the lesser of 2 evils. This particular one was good, they are all good but normally I can't do the workout. This focuses on stretching all the muscles that were sore....namely all of them. So we did that for 30 minutes, and then we went on a mile walk. And I am still sore. Still moving. And still not giving up.
At one point in the walk, with my quadriceps (the muscles that hide on the outsides of your thighs) burning hubby turned to me and said "does it feel good?". I could've lied. But no. I said "no, but I'm gonna keep on doing it."
Read a great article tonight that I will link here actually. It's all about heart disease and how our diet has caused the high rates of heart disease in the U.S. And it's not (or probably not) the stuff you think they're going to focus on. I'll let you read it but it's written by a cardiac surgeon who says the common theme that he has seen through patients is inflammation in the arteries. Inflammation caused by the processed foods and unhealthy balances of fats and sugars. Here, read it for yourself: (it made me very happy that we eat what we do in my house, there are no processed foods in any corner of this house, none) http://www.sott.net/articles/show/242516-Heart-Surgeon-Speaks-Out-On-What-Really-Causes-Heart-Disease
Tomorrow we head back to the circuit. Stretching is an important key to not injuring muscles. I tend to forget this. I think today's focus on stretching was a good break and will happen more. (it still left us breathless so it was for sure a work out, it is after all P90X)
One step. One day. One pound at a time.
~N
At one point in the walk, with my quadriceps (the muscles that hide on the outsides of your thighs) burning hubby turned to me and said "does it feel good?". I could've lied. But no. I said "no, but I'm gonna keep on doing it."
Read a great article tonight that I will link here actually. It's all about heart disease and how our diet has caused the high rates of heart disease in the U.S. And it's not (or probably not) the stuff you think they're going to focus on. I'll let you read it but it's written by a cardiac surgeon who says the common theme that he has seen through patients is inflammation in the arteries. Inflammation caused by the processed foods and unhealthy balances of fats and sugars. Here, read it for yourself: (it made me very happy that we eat what we do in my house, there are no processed foods in any corner of this house, none) http://www.sott.net/articles/show/242516-Heart-Surgeon-Speaks-Out-On-What-Really-Causes-Heart-Disease
Tomorrow we head back to the circuit. Stretching is an important key to not injuring muscles. I tend to forget this. I think today's focus on stretching was a good break and will happen more. (it still left us breathless so it was for sure a work out, it is after all P90X)
One step. One day. One pound at a time.
~N
Monday, May 14, 2012
OH. MY. GOD.
Ok, so this week is the week I'm doing the Planet Fitness 30 minute work out. It's like Curves. Without the cattle caller. I HATE the steps. HATE them. HATE THEM! But I did them. All 20 stations.
You start with the step. It's basically a purple step that has a handle at one side and you step up and off as many times as you can for however long the light on the wall is green. And that alternates with machines that work on all your muscle groups - arms, legs, and finally a crunch/abs machine that made me want to cry by the time I was done. Each station you do as many reps at as you can in the time that you're given - it's more than a minute, but I'm not sure how long. And did I mention I HATE the steps? Yeah. That means they are good exercise.....
And I did them. I had yesterday off from the gym or exercise. And back at it tonight. That icky feeling from the salad or whatever it was lasted till this morning. NOT a good feeling. So I was happy to have the Medifast today.
We shall see how I do in 2 days at this 30 minute thing. By the time I left tonight (hubby went too and did it) I wanted to just lie down and moan for a bit. Here's hoping by the end of the week I don't loathe those purple steps.
But no matter what - I'm gonna keep trying.
One day. One step. One pound at a time.
~N
You start with the step. It's basically a purple step that has a handle at one side and you step up and off as many times as you can for however long the light on the wall is green. And that alternates with machines that work on all your muscle groups - arms, legs, and finally a crunch/abs machine that made me want to cry by the time I was done. Each station you do as many reps at as you can in the time that you're given - it's more than a minute, but I'm not sure how long. And did I mention I HATE the steps? Yeah. That means they are good exercise.....
And I did them. I had yesterday off from the gym or exercise. And back at it tonight. That icky feeling from the salad or whatever it was lasted till this morning. NOT a good feeling. So I was happy to have the Medifast today.
We shall see how I do in 2 days at this 30 minute thing. By the time I left tonight (hubby went too and did it) I wanted to just lie down and moan for a bit. Here's hoping by the end of the week I don't loathe those purple steps.
But no matter what - I'm gonna keep trying.
One day. One step. One pound at a time.
~N
Sunday, May 13, 2012
oh my aching....
Ok, well I did it. Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday = gym. 35 min on treadmill.
Wednesday = walk for 20 min
Saturday = 30+ min (I didn't count) weeding in the yard.
And I am SORE! But it's a good kind of sore. The kind that reminds you that your muscles really are still there. I'm not sure if I'm going to the gym today or not. This week my plan is to try the 30 min workout that they have that is similar to Curves. You do as many reps as you can on whatever station you are in, for 1 minute, and then move on.
And we are in a new set of 10s on the scale. Give or take a pound of water that seems to come and go (man I drink a lot of water!) I'm well on my way. Yesterday I ate something that must have had dairy in it or something because my guts are complaining loudly today. I had a yummy salad at a local restaurant - had lettuce, tomatos, corn, black beans, avocado, tofu (they substituted this at my request because I asked for no cheese), cilantro and some slivers of tortilla chips. I think it was the salad dressing - I am not sure but I'd guess it had dairy in it. Whatever the case I am fully paying the price today. I feel like Violet from Willy Wonka. *groan*
But that's one week down. Gotta keep the focus up. Medifast is still helping with the small frequent meals. And now I just have to learn how to order food when we go out (I think that besides asking for no cheese I would have been better off asking that they put any dressing they normally add to the salad on the side so I could manage it). Just gonna take practice.
One day. One step. One pound at a time.
~N
Wednesday = walk for 20 min
Saturday = 30+ min (I didn't count) weeding in the yard.
And I am SORE! But it's a good kind of sore. The kind that reminds you that your muscles really are still there. I'm not sure if I'm going to the gym today or not. This week my plan is to try the 30 min workout that they have that is similar to Curves. You do as many reps as you can on whatever station you are in, for 1 minute, and then move on.
And we are in a new set of 10s on the scale. Give or take a pound of water that seems to come and go (man I drink a lot of water!) I'm well on my way. Yesterday I ate something that must have had dairy in it or something because my guts are complaining loudly today. I had a yummy salad at a local restaurant - had lettuce, tomatos, corn, black beans, avocado, tofu (they substituted this at my request because I asked for no cheese), cilantro and some slivers of tortilla chips. I think it was the salad dressing - I am not sure but I'd guess it had dairy in it. Whatever the case I am fully paying the price today. I feel like Violet from Willy Wonka. *groan*
But that's one week down. Gotta keep the focus up. Medifast is still helping with the small frequent meals. And now I just have to learn how to order food when we go out (I think that besides asking for no cheese I would have been better off asking that they put any dressing they normally add to the salad on the side so I could manage it). Just gonna take practice.
One day. One step. One pound at a time.
~N
Thursday, May 10, 2012
motivation
So, normally I am very careful with how pictures are taken of me. Because I'm tall (nearly 6') any picture taken as people usually do will go UP my nose and (in my opinion) shows off my double chin.....which of course I LOATHE. I always have pictures taken from above, an angle that is more flattering. BUT not necessarily how 90-99% of others around me see me.
Today one of my dearest friends put some pics up on facebook. She had a baby boy (who is adorable) just about 7 weeks ago now and I got to meet him last weekend for the first time. It was great. Lots of friends from college, and my friend who I've actually known since we were single-digit ages. Lots of fun. But as I looked at the pics tonight all I could see was the double chin. ARRRRGH.
And then I realized - these are my before pics. :) When I reach my goal (and oh yes I will, I'm waiting for hubby to come home and we're going to the gym tonight) I am going to have a picture taken with little mister and compare it.
It's important to do reality checks, even if you don't like what you see. Stepping on a scale was one thing. Seeing pictures and not liking what I see is another. So I'm working on that. It's a combination of ego and, well, ego really. It's motivation. The pictures are fine. They show me being happy to be with my friends. And someday I will take new ones that look better.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Today one of my dearest friends put some pics up on facebook. She had a baby boy (who is adorable) just about 7 weeks ago now and I got to meet him last weekend for the first time. It was great. Lots of friends from college, and my friend who I've actually known since we were single-digit ages. Lots of fun. But as I looked at the pics tonight all I could see was the double chin. ARRRRGH.
And then I realized - these are my before pics. :) When I reach my goal (and oh yes I will, I'm waiting for hubby to come home and we're going to the gym tonight) I am going to have a picture taken with little mister and compare it.
It's important to do reality checks, even if you don't like what you see. Stepping on a scale was one thing. Seeing pictures and not liking what I see is another. So I'm working on that. It's a combination of ego and, well, ego really. It's motivation. The pictures are fine. They show me being happy to be with my friends. And someday I will take new ones that look better.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
feel the burn
Didn't go to the gym today, hubby begged off (after only 1 day?! lol) and so we went on a walk and then to get groceries for the soup for dinner.
I've forgotten the pains of getting yourself in shape. Specifically how much burn I get in the sides of my calves. I may have to look at getting a new pair of shoes. Today was rough, I did the mile but man there were times it was just incredibly painful. But I kept going. Because I won't give up.
Just keep going. Yup.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
I've forgotten the pains of getting yourself in shape. Specifically how much burn I get in the sides of my calves. I may have to look at getting a new pair of shoes. Today was rough, I did the mile but man there were times it was just incredibly painful. But I kept going. Because I won't give up.
Just keep going. Yup.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Habit Forming
Ok, so today was day #3 going to the gym and the first time hubby went with me. I am such a competitive person!!! He is in much better shape than I am and when we set up our treadmills beside each other I kept looking at how fast he was going and when he started running I thought "he makes it look so easy". DAMMIT!! But I must remember, this is a new habit. I'm not going to just start running. I hate running. I love how easy it looks when someone else does it but I have never liked it. I tried running when I was in high school and I LOATHED it. And that was when I was in shape! So today I just kept re-directing myself, turning my iPod music UP (thank you Black Eyed Peas) and focused on keeping my heart rate around the same. I did 30 minutes and then a 5 minute cool down.
Got super busy at work today and the result was that instead of eating at 5 when I should have, I came home and went to the gym and then ate. So I technically have 2 more meals to eat. I'm thinking chocolate shake and chocolate pudding. :) Yes, those count as meals. Muahahahaha.
So, my goal was to go once a week for a month. So far I've done 2 days this week and 1 last week. They say it takes 2 weeks to create a new habit. Well, ok then. 2 weeks of treadmill action it shall be. Then I'm moving on to the nautlius machines. I just have to remind myself that I'm competing against myself. No one else. And try to picture Jillian Michaels somewhere nearby saying "DON'T STOP! KEEP GOING!".
Yup, this is going to work. :)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Got super busy at work today and the result was that instead of eating at 5 when I should have, I came home and went to the gym and then ate. So I technically have 2 more meals to eat. I'm thinking chocolate shake and chocolate pudding. :) Yes, those count as meals. Muahahahaha.
So, my goal was to go once a week for a month. So far I've done 2 days this week and 1 last week. They say it takes 2 weeks to create a new habit. Well, ok then. 2 weeks of treadmill action it shall be. Then I'm moving on to the nautlius machines. I just have to remind myself that I'm competing against myself. No one else. And try to picture Jillian Michaels somewhere nearby saying "DON'T STOP! KEEP GOING!".
Yup, this is going to work. :)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Monday, May 7, 2012
Temptation EVERYWHERE
Ok, first things first - I had a small piece of chocolate cake today. That's my confession. I almost made it the entire day with just eating my Medifast every 2 or 3 hours, but at the end of the day I said F-it and had a small piece. And enjoyed every bite.
Then I came home, changed into my work out clothes, got my iPod and went to the gym. It was pretty full tonight, making me anxious - I'm not a fan of big groups - but I was not about to let that stop me. Then I walked in the door and was met with the smell of PIZZA. In my GYM. WHAT. THE. HELL??? Seriously?? Apparently the first Monday night of the month is Pizza night at my gym. Short of saying it's to keep people coming because they eat too much, I have no idea why they do this. Anyway, I did 35 min on the treadmill at 3.2 mph. Broke a consistent sweat and kept my heart rate up where it needs to be.
And then I walked right past that pizza (topped with lots of cheese.....) and came home. Drank a big bottle of water and heated up some grillers for dinner. I haven't had enough protein tonight I don't think so will need more than the grillers and sugar snap peas and sweet peppers I ate. But it's a step.
Who gives away pizza at a GYM?!!! Wow. I guess if I keep associating it with stinky, sweaty feet it will get much easier to not eat cheese ever again.
Working on no dairy this week to see if that helps.
So, despite the chocolate cake (did I mention it was good?? It was also very sugary and I've evidently changed my ability to intake sugar because it was almost too sweet for me. Actually it was too sweet but I ate it anyway.)
Doing it.
One step. One day. One pound at a time.
~N
Then I came home, changed into my work out clothes, got my iPod and went to the gym. It was pretty full tonight, making me anxious - I'm not a fan of big groups - but I was not about to let that stop me. Then I walked in the door and was met with the smell of PIZZA. In my GYM. WHAT. THE. HELL??? Seriously?? Apparently the first Monday night of the month is Pizza night at my gym. Short of saying it's to keep people coming because they eat too much, I have no idea why they do this. Anyway, I did 35 min on the treadmill at 3.2 mph. Broke a consistent sweat and kept my heart rate up where it needs to be.
And then I walked right past that pizza (topped with lots of cheese.....) and came home. Drank a big bottle of water and heated up some grillers for dinner. I haven't had enough protein tonight I don't think so will need more than the grillers and sugar snap peas and sweet peppers I ate. But it's a step.
Who gives away pizza at a GYM?!!! Wow. I guess if I keep associating it with stinky, sweaty feet it will get much easier to not eat cheese ever again.
Working on no dairy this week to see if that helps.
So, despite the chocolate cake (did I mention it was good?? It was also very sugary and I've evidently changed my ability to intake sugar because it was almost too sweet for me. Actually it was too sweet but I ate it anyway.)
Doing it.
One step. One day. One pound at a time.
~N
Saturday, May 5, 2012
*ominous theme music*
First of all, after weeks of stressing and worrying and several icky and invasive tests I have been given a clean bill of health. This is great news, and not so great news. Great in that I do not need any more tests (unless in 6 months I'm still having pain) and I don't have cancer or cirrhosis etc. Great in that what I need to do to fix it is keep doing what I've been doing - diet and exercise. Not so great in that I was hoping for a clear answer as to why I've been feeling like poop on a stick.
But that's not much of a not so great eh? :) And I weighed in at the MD office and I am down 10 pounds since I saw the doctor last. I'm telling you I nearly did a tap dance. If ever was a question, Medifast WORKS. Yes it does. I've gone walking with K 4 or 5 times in the last couple of weeks. A mile and faster each time. I'm still very tired so I'm still getting better. But I'm getting better. :)
And today I went and I signed up for a gym membership. Yup. That's where the ominous music comes in. Normally I loathe gyms. I went to a Curves for a little bit, it was very small, loud and bouncy. NOT my style. I felt like a cow in the middle of a stampede. Not at all my style so I quit. Then I signed up for 24 hrs fitness, at least 2 different times. And I did go a few times. Mainly stuck to the treadmill. It was loud, bouncy, but I could just go and be anonymous on the treadmill. But the big hangup was that the closest one was at least 15 min drive from my house... and not on the way home from work. So, I quit after a while.
A few months ago I noticed that an old abandoned grocery store up the hill from my house, next to the Starbucks that we have walked to (MtSnoBB you and I met there) had been turned into a gym. I thought "huh, should check that out". But never did. Last night I saw the sign after coming home from Sweet Tomatos where we celebrated my good news and I said "I'm looking that up tonight." And sure enough, Planet Fitness is a nationwide chain and they specialize in what they call "judgment free zones".
Today we went and took a tour and signed up. K got a $10 a month membership where you get unlimited work outs and no commitment. And I got a $20 a month membership that also includes unlimited guest pass, tanning and massage chairs etc. $20 a month to get healthy. And it's close to home (and coffee). I CAN and will be doing this. It's a great big open space (see: grocery store) FULL of treadmills, free weights, resistance weights, an area that has the circuit that Curves did where you do 1 minute of as many reps as you can and move to the next - without the cattle caller. And it was quiet, the treadmills have iPod docs and headphones if you want to watch tv. It's great! They have free fitness training classes - where you can meet with a personal trainer to set up a personal training program. Other gyms charge for this, but on this program there are only 5 people per class and you pick a time that works for you and meet with the personal trainer - discuss your goals and set up a plan that will help you get to your goals. AND you can then go back for more feedback after you set up a program. Sorta like a personal trainer, but a little less one on one, which is fine with me.
So, I'm starting to put it together. And this time feels like it will stick. Without the fear of some dread disease looming over my head. No excuses when it comes to any different type of gym exercise I might want to do. And a change in what I've been eating and drinking that feels lasting. I am still working on telling my brain that cheese is gross and not incredibly delicious. It's not good for me. In fact part of what's been my problem is possibly a burgeoning gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance. So I'm embracing the non-dairy life (there is always frozen yogurt for dessert) and I will go to that big purple and green gym at least 1 time a week for 1 month, then move the expectations higher (2 times a week etc.) I've even got a guest pass - so if you wanna go with me...let me know.
I'm doing it.
One step. One pound. One day at a time.
~N
But that's not much of a not so great eh? :) And I weighed in at the MD office and I am down 10 pounds since I saw the doctor last. I'm telling you I nearly did a tap dance. If ever was a question, Medifast WORKS. Yes it does. I've gone walking with K 4 or 5 times in the last couple of weeks. A mile and faster each time. I'm still very tired so I'm still getting better. But I'm getting better. :)
And today I went and I signed up for a gym membership. Yup. That's where the ominous music comes in. Normally I loathe gyms. I went to a Curves for a little bit, it was very small, loud and bouncy. NOT my style. I felt like a cow in the middle of a stampede. Not at all my style so I quit. Then I signed up for 24 hrs fitness, at least 2 different times. And I did go a few times. Mainly stuck to the treadmill. It was loud, bouncy, but I could just go and be anonymous on the treadmill. But the big hangup was that the closest one was at least 15 min drive from my house... and not on the way home from work. So, I quit after a while.
A few months ago I noticed that an old abandoned grocery store up the hill from my house, next to the Starbucks that we have walked to (MtSnoBB you and I met there) had been turned into a gym. I thought "huh, should check that out". But never did. Last night I saw the sign after coming home from Sweet Tomatos where we celebrated my good news and I said "I'm looking that up tonight." And sure enough, Planet Fitness is a nationwide chain and they specialize in what they call "judgment free zones".
Today we went and took a tour and signed up. K got a $10 a month membership where you get unlimited work outs and no commitment. And I got a $20 a month membership that also includes unlimited guest pass, tanning and massage chairs etc. $20 a month to get healthy. And it's close to home (and coffee). I CAN and will be doing this. It's a great big open space (see: grocery store) FULL of treadmills, free weights, resistance weights, an area that has the circuit that Curves did where you do 1 minute of as many reps as you can and move to the next - without the cattle caller. And it was quiet, the treadmills have iPod docs and headphones if you want to watch tv. It's great! They have free fitness training classes - where you can meet with a personal trainer to set up a personal training program. Other gyms charge for this, but on this program there are only 5 people per class and you pick a time that works for you and meet with the personal trainer - discuss your goals and set up a plan that will help you get to your goals. AND you can then go back for more feedback after you set up a program. Sorta like a personal trainer, but a little less one on one, which is fine with me.
So, I'm starting to put it together. And this time feels like it will stick. Without the fear of some dread disease looming over my head. No excuses when it comes to any different type of gym exercise I might want to do. And a change in what I've been eating and drinking that feels lasting. I am still working on telling my brain that cheese is gross and not incredibly delicious. It's not good for me. In fact part of what's been my problem is possibly a burgeoning gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance. So I'm embracing the non-dairy life (there is always frozen yogurt for dessert) and I will go to that big purple and green gym at least 1 time a week for 1 month, then move the expectations higher (2 times a week etc.) I've even got a guest pass - so if you wanna go with me...let me know.
I'm doing it.
One step. One pound. One day at a time.
~N
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