Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Losers
Yep, yesterday we had a loser picnic. Our fifteen week challenge has ended. The most weight lost was 60+ pounds by one of the guys. His prize...a gift certificate to participate at no charge in the next round of the competition. We all lost pounds, some more inches. It was a fun day and I think I've decided to do it again. Next time there is an advanced group, so here we go again.
The next challenge doesn't start until mid June, so I'll still be working out and getting stronger. Join me and we'll compare note.
Talk soon, so "come on with your rat killin'".
The next challenge doesn't start until mid June, so I'll still be working out and getting stronger. Join me and we'll compare note.
Talk soon, so "come on with your rat killin'".
Monday, May 16, 2011
Last weigh in...
Well, we had our last weigh in on Thursday. I was down another pound. I ended up losing 17 pounds and 19 inches during this competition. I've lost 20 in all. The inches don't sound right to me, but my body fat was down a bunch also. This is just a start for me. I'm used to working out and using the food diary, so I'll continue in this vein until I lose around 30 more pounds. I learned a lot during the competition. The main thing I learned is that for me, I have to exercise and move a LOT. I had always heard, "only 30 minutes a day, five days a week". I have to face up to it, that just wont work for me. I have to get my cardio up and keep it up for at least 45 minutes to one hour. I know this now and I think it will work for me. We have our group party this weekend, so that should be fun.
I'll keep posting here until I lose my remaining weight. I'll be keeping track of other weight loss blogs because you're never too old to learn something from someone else.
We'll talk soon.
I'll keep posting here until I lose my remaining weight. I'll be keeping track of other weight loss blogs because you're never too old to learn something from someone else.
We'll talk soon.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Yep, it's me again...
Just stopping in to say hello and to introduce you to the newest members of our gym. For some reason, their trainer only allows them to do their workouts outside the gym.
Aren't they the cutest things you have ever seen? If you click on the photo you can see the baby in the back screaming at me "hey, stop taking our picture...we're working out!".
We are entering into our last week of workouts with our final fitness evaluation being next Thursday. I have lost 18 pounds, and have leveled off at 179 pounds. I still have 30 pounds to lose, so I'm not stopping by any means. I really feel like I now have the tools to continue. Those tools include the knowledge that I can do it. Before I had convinced myself that I was too old, too menopausal, too whatever to lose weight. It's not true. Now I jog and do squats and lunges and all the things that I was just too trifling to do. Yep, I know it now if I keep myself motivated, I can continue on until I am healthy and fit. I am most definately on my way.
I talked about losing weight for about five years and I dieted for various amounts of time and never lost much. I really wasn't convinced that exercise was the key, but now I know that I need to monitor my calorie intake and my activity level to do it. Knowing your own body is key to getting and staying healthy.
That's it for me for today. I'm sore as all get out from yesterday's workout, so I guess I'll mosey on down to my studio and sit on my fanny for a few hours.
Take care and call soon!
Aren't they the cutest things you have ever seen? If you click on the photo you can see the baby in the back screaming at me "hey, stop taking our picture...we're working out!".
We are entering into our last week of workouts with our final fitness evaluation being next Thursday. I have lost 18 pounds, and have leveled off at 179 pounds. I still have 30 pounds to lose, so I'm not stopping by any means. I really feel like I now have the tools to continue. Those tools include the knowledge that I can do it. Before I had convinced myself that I was too old, too menopausal, too whatever to lose weight. It's not true. Now I jog and do squats and lunges and all the things that I was just too trifling to do. Yep, I know it now if I keep myself motivated, I can continue on until I am healthy and fit. I am most definately on my way.
I talked about losing weight for about five years and I dieted for various amounts of time and never lost much. I really wasn't convinced that exercise was the key, but now I know that I need to monitor my calorie intake and my activity level to do it. Knowing your own body is key to getting and staying healthy.
That's it for me for today. I'm sore as all get out from yesterday's workout, so I guess I'll mosey on down to my studio and sit on my fanny for a few hours.
Take care and call soon!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Oh my, how did I do it???
When your trainer warns you, "today's routine is very hard" beware. Using the Insanity cardio workout as a guide, we did 50 minutes of calisthenics. We did jumping jacks, push ups, squats, burpees, mountain climbers, 1-2-3's, long jumps, running in place, and side kicks. We used weights. We did planks. Then we did all this over two more times. It was one tough workout. That little negative voice, that has been on vacation, came to watch and even had me thinking during the session, "What's wrong with me, why is this so hard". Why, because it was that difficult of a routine.
Our trainer does this to keep us challenged and to let us know just how much we can do. We are all so much stronger then when we first started. At the end of the session, after a nice stretch and rest, I regrouped and even shot hoops with the hubby.
I have lost another pound this week, bringing me up to 16 pounds since we started the weight loss challenge. Only two more weeks to go. Hubby says he is going to do the challenge again in the advanced class. Me, I think I'll do continue on my own, as I want to get in some swimming and water aerobics also.
Well, that's it for me today. Remember you can do a whole, whole lot more than you ever thought you could. You just have to get started. I am living proof. Fifty-eight years old and doing the Insanity workout....get outta here.
Our trainer does this to keep us challenged and to let us know just how much we can do. We are all so much stronger then when we first started. At the end of the session, after a nice stretch and rest, I regrouped and even shot hoops with the hubby.
I have lost another pound this week, bringing me up to 16 pounds since we started the weight loss challenge. Only two more weeks to go. Hubby says he is going to do the challenge again in the advanced class. Me, I think I'll do continue on my own, as I want to get in some swimming and water aerobics also.
Well, that's it for me today. Remember you can do a whole, whole lot more than you ever thought you could. You just have to get started. I am living proof. Fifty-eight years old and doing the Insanity workout....get outta here.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Staying strong.
Just a quick post to let you know I'll still working out and getting stronger. My weight has stalled at 182. I think this is three weeks at the same number. I try not to be too tied down by numbers. I am getting smaller, stronger and healthier. At my age, what more can a gal ask for? We had a good workout yesterday, running laps and doing circuit exercises. This is not my favorite routine, but the body needs a variety of moves, in order to stay revved up and to strengthen the muscles. Remember this if you are going about the same routine, day after day. At some point, if you don't change it up and challenge yourself, it's not really that beneficial.
I know that I used to think, something is better than nothing, but is that really the case? There is one gal at our gym that looks maybe 40 something, that is carrying all her excess poundage in her front. She is a bit barrel shaped. Every day she strolls the track. I mean really slowly. I don't know her story, she may be recovering from something that prevents her from moving any faster, but I really don't think that is the case. Maybe it's the fact that she talks on the telephone the entire time she is walking. She does wear those shoes that are supposed to help exercises your muscles, but I'm skeptical about those also.
Sorry, I got side tracked for a bit. Had what my sister calls a shiny moment. Got distracted by something else, you know. Any way, my point being in addition to changing up my workout routine, I think it's just about time for me to drop my daily calories down a bit. I'm at 1400 calories a day and burning off usually about 400-600 calories depending on the workout. There is a technique called Zig Zag Dieting that is used by Weight Watchers, as well as numerous bodybuilders. In essence, it takes the number of calories you are consuming per week and instead of having the same number each day, one day you might do 1000, then one day you do 2000, and then you drop back to 1400 and so on. As long as the calories equal the weekly amount, and this is supposed to shock or snap you system out of the groove that you have gotten into. I am not one to sponsor or suggest any particular website, but this one has a good description of what I'm talking about.
Well, hubby just got back from having his cholesterol checked, and boy are his numbers greatly improved. He went from totals of 247 to 202. All of his numbers are borderline perfect, instead of borderline scary. Weight loss, exercise and healthy eating, as well a being a man of strong faith seems to be working for him. So join me in congratulating him on such a good check up.
Also, Happy Birthday to Peri! My sweet sister and one of my favorite commenters has a birthday today. Go Peri Nicole, have fun today and enjoy life, as it is good.
I know that I used to think, something is better than nothing, but is that really the case? There is one gal at our gym that looks maybe 40 something, that is carrying all her excess poundage in her front. She is a bit barrel shaped. Every day she strolls the track. I mean really slowly. I don't know her story, she may be recovering from something that prevents her from moving any faster, but I really don't think that is the case. Maybe it's the fact that she talks on the telephone the entire time she is walking. She does wear those shoes that are supposed to help exercises your muscles, but I'm skeptical about those also.
Sorry, I got side tracked for a bit. Had what my sister calls a shiny moment. Got distracted by something else, you know. Any way, my point being in addition to changing up my workout routine, I think it's just about time for me to drop my daily calories down a bit. I'm at 1400 calories a day and burning off usually about 400-600 calories depending on the workout. There is a technique called Zig Zag Dieting that is used by Weight Watchers, as well as numerous bodybuilders. In essence, it takes the number of calories you are consuming per week and instead of having the same number each day, one day you might do 1000, then one day you do 2000, and then you drop back to 1400 and so on. As long as the calories equal the weekly amount, and this is supposed to shock or snap you system out of the groove that you have gotten into. I am not one to sponsor or suggest any particular website, but this one has a good description of what I'm talking about.
Well, hubby just got back from having his cholesterol checked, and boy are his numbers greatly improved. He went from totals of 247 to 202. All of his numbers are borderline perfect, instead of borderline scary. Weight loss, exercise and healthy eating, as well a being a man of strong faith seems to be working for him. So join me in congratulating him on such a good check up.
Also, Happy Birthday to Peri! My sweet sister and one of my favorite commenters has a birthday today. Go Peri Nicole, have fun today and enjoy life, as it is good.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Slow and Steady....
Yeah, I know...I know. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I'm down one more pound today. I know that losing slowly is the best thing to do. It allows me to practice healthy eating and exercising until it becomes second nature. Since my long range goal is to lose weight and get stronger by the time I hit the big 6-0, I actually still have two years to go. So even though I really wanted to lose two pounds a week and end up with a 30 pound loss at the end of the weight challenge, I knew that half that was more realistic. I'm happy to have lost 14 pounds during the competition and another 3-4 prior to that. During the winter I saw 200 on my scales several times. If I were 5'9" instead of 5'3" I could have dealt with it, but 200 pounds on this short little frame was a bit uncomfortable.
I'm still working out twice a week with the trainer and I mentioned that I felt like I needed more core work. Take my advice, never, ever, EVER, tell your trainer to give you more core work. We had to balance on the bosu balls and do crunches and since my butt is as round as the ball, I kept rollling off of the thing. I rolled completely off and felt like a little turtle with its' legs wiggling about. Took two of them to right me.
Anyway, today we walked the crazy incline machine until I thought my lungs would burst into flames and we did a kettlebell circuit routine, combined with laps. (Kettlebells, I just love these little buggars. Check them out if you havent). When working out, it does seem like for a very short period of time, during every session, I think "I'm going to stop, I can't do this". But I don't and I always feel so good afterward. During laps I may slow down to a walk and start up again with a jog, or on the treadmill I take down the resistance or speed, but I try to never just quit. This is working for me. My hubby, on the other hand, is so strong that he usually stays with the resistance and speed on the machines and usually does extra laps while we are finishing up ours. That works for him. My point being, know your own limits. Push them if you can do so safely, but otherwise better safe than sorry.
I hope everyone is tuning up for a beautiful spring. My plan for spring? I want to try to eliminate something unhealthy from my regimine every day. How about you? Let's add more movement. Thirty second exercises are a great place to start. Calf raises and wall pushups will help more than you ever imagined. Just remember, that there is something that you can do. If you are extremely out of shape, start slowly. Try to walk a bit. It's a good place to start. If you are not mobile, check to see if there are any of these seated exercises that you can do. You will feel better. I promise.
Well, that's it for me today. Happy and getting healthier every day. Oh, by the way, I'm wearing a pair of size 16 jeans today, with no MUFFIN TOP! Sometimes it's the little goals that mean the most.
Later.
I'm still working out twice a week with the trainer and I mentioned that I felt like I needed more core work. Take my advice, never, ever, EVER, tell your trainer to give you more core work. We had to balance on the bosu balls and do crunches and since my butt is as round as the ball, I kept rollling off of the thing. I rolled completely off and felt like a little turtle with its' legs wiggling about. Took two of them to right me.
Anyway, today we walked the crazy incline machine until I thought my lungs would burst into flames and we did a kettlebell circuit routine, combined with laps. (Kettlebells, I just love these little buggars. Check them out if you havent). When working out, it does seem like for a very short period of time, during every session, I think "I'm going to stop, I can't do this". But I don't and I always feel so good afterward. During laps I may slow down to a walk and start up again with a jog, or on the treadmill I take down the resistance or speed, but I try to never just quit. This is working for me. My hubby, on the other hand, is so strong that he usually stays with the resistance and speed on the machines and usually does extra laps while we are finishing up ours. That works for him. My point being, know your own limits. Push them if you can do so safely, but otherwise better safe than sorry.
I hope everyone is tuning up for a beautiful spring. My plan for spring? I want to try to eliminate something unhealthy from my regimine every day. How about you? Let's add more movement. Thirty second exercises are a great place to start. Calf raises and wall pushups will help more than you ever imagined. Just remember, that there is something that you can do. If you are extremely out of shape, start slowly. Try to walk a bit. It's a good place to start. If you are not mobile, check to see if there are any of these seated exercises that you can do. You will feel better. I promise.
Well, that's it for me today. Happy and getting healthier every day. Oh, by the way, I'm wearing a pair of size 16 jeans today, with no MUFFIN TOP! Sometimes it's the little goals that mean the most.
Later.
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