Mon. 1/30:
You guys are awesome. I have already had so many fb messages, emails, comments and texts of encouragement within just a few hours of my last blog post. It's amazing how much that lifts your spirits and encourages you to get off your poofy tushy. :)
So, after posting, I got up and went to the gym. Now, we have a gym in the garage. Jimmy is an athlete... always has been. Furthermore, he was a gymnast in highschool and college so he doesn't need tons of stuff to workout on. He does have a squat rack, a weight bench w/full set of weights, a pull up bar - with adjustable rings (he does all sorts of exercises with those), some small/portable size parallel bars, various bands, jumpropes, hand weights, etc. We also have a sound system out there so you can rock out to a workout. Jimmy does crossfit exercises and I really want to do them with him one day. (obviously, not enough YET to be doing them... but I think it would be awesome to do it together).
For whatever reason, I hate working out at home. Maybe it's because I am a stay at home mom, and I like the atmosphere at the gym. Maybe it's because I like the cardio that I can get without having to really "run" out in nature or doing jumprope (Have you tried that lately? What was seemingly effortless as a kid just about kills me after only one 3 and a half minute song). I definitely enjoy the spin classes at the gym. I have purchased all sorts of workout videos: Turbo Jam, Tae Bo, Several yoga videos, Jillian Michael's, Biggest Loser, Hip Hop Abs, Hot Body Boot Camp, The Wave.... and I last a few workouts. I just like gym workouts better than home workouts.
Anyway, at the gym, they are doing a push for training. They are giving out free "sessions" with a trainer which I know will end in a push to have me sign up as a client. I would LOVE to do just that. However, in order for me to be a stay at home mom, we have to make tough choices. And for now... I just can't afford $60 weekly sessions with a trainer. In the meantime, I plan to get a good workout. The only time I could schedule it this week was tomorrow... after my spin class. Part of me is scared... I am going to be whipped before I even start with the trainer. But part of me is excited to see what he makes me do. Will let you guys know tomorrow.
Oh, and today's workout: 40 min cardio - 10 treadmill run/walk, 10 rowing machine, 20 elliptical.
Tuesday, 1/31.
CRAP! CRAP!!!! CRAP!!!! I signed up for training. 2x a month... the smallest package they have. It's only $35 a session because it's contracted - he was "giving me a deal", but I went in today knowing they'd sell it to me, telling myself I wouldn't do it... But I did it. Truth be told - I LOVE having a trainer. They push me farther than I push myself. So, now I have to be extra frugal... It will be worth it... I know it will. They will help me reach my goals faster than I could do it on my own. I have buyers remorse... but I also know that this will help me reach my goal. UGH... I might still cancel it. I have until the 9th. I am so wishy washy sometimes. I want it... but can I really afford it? I think I can... but I need to be better with financial choices... is this a prudent choice? I will have to think on it. I've got 9 days to try it out.
Assuming I don't cancel, I'll have two training sessions the first week of the month, and then I will do those two workouts for the remaining 3 weeks of the month. I'll have a monthly assessment where they measure everything and all that fun stuff. My body fat % today was 38%. SOOOOOOOOOO NOT GOOD!!!! That means I have 77 lbs of fat on my body, as compared to the 129 lbs of lean tissue.
Today, I went to spin class at 8am. Had my appt at 9:30 with a trainer (who said I actually only look like I'm 28 --- woohooo). He showed me a few exercises - one of which almost made me throw up... but I did it anyway... I had probably a 20-30 minute workout and then we went over my goals and how to realistically achieve them.
Had oatmeal for breakfast, and a big salad for lunch (with avacado, kidney beans, sunflower seeds, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red/yellow peppers, celery, green onion, carrot, feta cheese & a tablespoon of Ken's Honey Mustard dressing). Drank a few gulps of a protein shake as a snack... will finish it later when I need another snack. All in all - I feel great. Sometime very soon, I am going to post a disgusting before picture. Brace yourselves. :)
Peace Out -
Susan
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, Jan 30
Well, this blog is definitely serving it's primary purpose - helping me with accountability. I have had several in person inquiries and a few on fb/comments here. So... yes, I haven't posted in over a week, and yes... if you were wondering - it's because I blew off the whole eating right, exercising thing.
I have nothing but excuses and laziness to blame. But I wanna say my excuses are good ones. :) I was just having a sentimental/emotional week (and NO, it wasn't corelating with any female cycles) and wanted to veg. Plus, I found a new addiction (at least it's not food) - The Vampire Diaries. So, instead of going to the gym, I spent my free time watching the past 2 seasons of TVD so that I could catch up to the current season.
All that being said... I DID workout twice in the last week (2 workouts shy of my 4x a week goal) and I didn't eat too badly... just three days of adding sugary snacks (almond cookies with my coffee and little debbie heart shaped cake thingys).
And yesterday's weigh in was 207.5 lbs, which is actually 1 lb down from my weigh in on the 19th. So, I definitely didn't do what I had planned or wanted to as far as making healthy choices the past 10 days, but I went down. For that I am thankful. There's nothing worse than actual yo-yo-ing to frustrate a plan for healthy living.
So, today... it's back on. :)
Thanks to everyone who's asking about my progress. It really does help me behave. :)
-Susan
I have nothing but excuses and laziness to blame. But I wanna say my excuses are good ones. :) I was just having a sentimental/emotional week (and NO, it wasn't corelating with any female cycles) and wanted to veg. Plus, I found a new addiction (at least it's not food) - The Vampire Diaries. So, instead of going to the gym, I spent my free time watching the past 2 seasons of TVD so that I could catch up to the current season.
All that being said... I DID workout twice in the last week (2 workouts shy of my 4x a week goal) and I didn't eat too badly... just three days of adding sugary snacks (almond cookies with my coffee and little debbie heart shaped cake thingys).
And yesterday's weigh in was 207.5 lbs, which is actually 1 lb down from my weigh in on the 19th. So, I definitely didn't do what I had planned or wanted to as far as making healthy choices the past 10 days, but I went down. For that I am thankful. There's nothing worse than actual yo-yo-ing to frustrate a plan for healthy living.
So, today... it's back on. :)
Thanks to everyone who's asking about my progress. It really does help me behave. :)
-Susan
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Getting Started.... Again
Many of you know my history, and you know that I have struggled with my weight for quite a few years now. I'm just going to sum up for those of you who are new friends or for anyone who wants a refresher:
In 2001, I was officially diagnosed with diabetes. At that time I was about 60 lbs overweight. I had gained most of that in the previous 8 months.
I controlled the diabetes with diet and exercise except during my pregnancies, UNTIL Jordan was born. At that time, I had post partum depression (which had been going on since Stephen was a baby, but I didn't realize it) and I didn't care to do any of the things I was supposed to do. I didn't want any meds because I wanted to breast feed. Actually, I didn't want to, but it was the easiest and fastest way to feed a voracious eater.
2006-2008 - I got counseling for the depression, and focused on my emotional and mental health rather than physical.
Since 2009, I have been working to get rid of the weight. As with anything worthwhile, it takes commitment and work and follow through. I have gone through the cycle of starting and drifting into inactivity many times over the past two years. I know I have said it before, but I truly feel that I am in the right place now - spiritually and emotionally - I have the right support and the right mindset to get this done.
I am blogging about this journey for myself mostly. It's a form of accountability for me and I hope someone can find that for themselves as well. I don't plan to share every single thing I eat or do, but I do plan to weigh in at least once a week. In reality, I weigh in every morning, but I will more than likely NOT post that every day. I will also be posting some blood sugars, if I feel it important enough to reflect on... like how I thought I could eat some P.F. Chang's frozen chinese food the other day and actually eat some rice with it and keep my sugars in a decent range. NOT! White rice is just about NEVER a diabetic's friend.
So, last Tuesday, January 10, 2012, I had a diabetic follow up with my primary care doctor (who is phenomenal if you happen to live in the Roswell/Alpharetta area). We discussed my goals, my current state of health and where I need to be in order to get off of the shots I take for diabetes. I need to drop 40 lbs.
On January 10th, I weighed in at 214 lbs. My goal is 165. Now, I know that a lot of BMI and weight charts say that I should weigh between 155 and 160, but I weighed that as a senior in high school... and I have more muscle mass on me than I did then (some of you have seen my legs, so you know what I am talking about). And I don't want to look anorexic. I want to be fit. I want to look my best and be able to do all things physical with my crazy fearless sons. I want to rock climb. I want to WANT to run. (I guess it COULD happen).
Anyway, after that appointment, I committed to myself to workout 4 to 5 days a week. I know that some weeks will be harder than others, and some workouts will be a 20 minute workout video instead of the hour-long kick-@ss spin class that I love. I had already committed to eating better. I've been on and off doing the South Beach diet since around Thanksgiving, and it works. However, I don't want to feel hungry or deprived (which I do on South Beach because I love fruit), so I am pretty much doing this the old fashioned way. Healthy diet and excercise. I try only to have carbs like bread at lunch (rarely but occasionally dinner), vegetable and fruit carbs are available to me any time.
I am making fish for dinner 1-3 times a week, and trying to replace most of our ground beef meals with turkey instead. (I'm weaning my kids off of the beef... doing half and half mixes). I fill half my dinner plate with salad or whatever greens I made for dinner that night.
For breakfasts I generally have an omelet (usually with onion, pepper, brocolli/spinach/or kale) OR if I am going to my hour long spin class - I eat oatmeal. On the ocassion when I am in too much of a hurry for making anything, I will make a quick protein shake.
I am finding that I CAN eat a few slices of lunch meat rolled with a slice of 2% chedder or colbyjack AND enjoy it, instead of having an actual sandwich with bread and mayo. And apples are my friend... as is a big spoonful of Skippy Natural peanut butter. :)
My exercise recap for the last 9 days:
During the week of 1/9-15: I went to the gym three days (two days cardio-treadmill/rowing machine, and 1 day at Spin Class) and I counted vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping the entire first floor as exercise because at the end of that 2 hours my back is sore and I'm sweating profusely. I don't know if you can really count that as exercise, but I am a work in progress so I am counting it.
This week:
Monday 1/16 - school holiday, tried to do a workout video - only got 10 minutes of cardio yoga.
Tuesday 1/17 - spin class
Wednesday 1/18 - gym/cardio: 20 min elliptical, 10 minutes rowing machine, 10 minutes treadmill/walking.
Today 1/19 - spin class
If you have any questions, feel free to reply to the post or email me. I will answer the questions here unless you tell me you want the reply privately.
Thanks for reading. It really does help me with my goal.
-Susan
In 2001, I was officially diagnosed with diabetes. At that time I was about 60 lbs overweight. I had gained most of that in the previous 8 months.
I controlled the diabetes with diet and exercise except during my pregnancies, UNTIL Jordan was born. At that time, I had post partum depression (which had been going on since Stephen was a baby, but I didn't realize it) and I didn't care to do any of the things I was supposed to do. I didn't want any meds because I wanted to breast feed. Actually, I didn't want to, but it was the easiest and fastest way to feed a voracious eater.
2006-2008 - I got counseling for the depression, and focused on my emotional and mental health rather than physical.
Since 2009, I have been working to get rid of the weight. As with anything worthwhile, it takes commitment and work and follow through. I have gone through the cycle of starting and drifting into inactivity many times over the past two years. I know I have said it before, but I truly feel that I am in the right place now - spiritually and emotionally - I have the right support and the right mindset to get this done.
I am blogging about this journey for myself mostly. It's a form of accountability for me and I hope someone can find that for themselves as well. I don't plan to share every single thing I eat or do, but I do plan to weigh in at least once a week. In reality, I weigh in every morning, but I will more than likely NOT post that every day. I will also be posting some blood sugars, if I feel it important enough to reflect on... like how I thought I could eat some P.F. Chang's frozen chinese food the other day and actually eat some rice with it and keep my sugars in a decent range. NOT! White rice is just about NEVER a diabetic's friend.
So, last Tuesday, January 10, 2012, I had a diabetic follow up with my primary care doctor (who is phenomenal if you happen to live in the Roswell/Alpharetta area). We discussed my goals, my current state of health and where I need to be in order to get off of the shots I take for diabetes. I need to drop 40 lbs.
On January 10th, I weighed in at 214 lbs. My goal is 165. Now, I know that a lot of BMI and weight charts say that I should weigh between 155 and 160, but I weighed that as a senior in high school... and I have more muscle mass on me than I did then (some of you have seen my legs, so you know what I am talking about). And I don't want to look anorexic. I want to be fit. I want to look my best and be able to do all things physical with my crazy fearless sons. I want to rock climb. I want to WANT to run. (I guess it COULD happen).
Anyway, after that appointment, I committed to myself to workout 4 to 5 days a week. I know that some weeks will be harder than others, and some workouts will be a 20 minute workout video instead of the hour-long kick-@ss spin class that I love. I had already committed to eating better. I've been on and off doing the South Beach diet since around Thanksgiving, and it works. However, I don't want to feel hungry or deprived (which I do on South Beach because I love fruit), so I am pretty much doing this the old fashioned way. Healthy diet and excercise. I try only to have carbs like bread at lunch (rarely but occasionally dinner), vegetable and fruit carbs are available to me any time.
I am making fish for dinner 1-3 times a week, and trying to replace most of our ground beef meals with turkey instead. (I'm weaning my kids off of the beef... doing half and half mixes). I fill half my dinner plate with salad or whatever greens I made for dinner that night.
For breakfasts I generally have an omelet (usually with onion, pepper, brocolli/spinach/or kale) OR if I am going to my hour long spin class - I eat oatmeal. On the ocassion when I am in too much of a hurry for making anything, I will make a quick protein shake.
I am finding that I CAN eat a few slices of lunch meat rolled with a slice of 2% chedder or colbyjack AND enjoy it, instead of having an actual sandwich with bread and mayo. And apples are my friend... as is a big spoonful of Skippy Natural peanut butter. :)
My exercise recap for the last 9 days:
During the week of 1/9-15: I went to the gym three days (two days cardio-treadmill/rowing machine, and 1 day at Spin Class) and I counted vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping the entire first floor as exercise because at the end of that 2 hours my back is sore and I'm sweating profusely. I don't know if you can really count that as exercise, but I am a work in progress so I am counting it.
This week:
Monday 1/16 - school holiday, tried to do a workout video - only got 10 minutes of cardio yoga.
Tuesday 1/17 - spin class
Wednesday 1/18 - gym/cardio: 20 min elliptical, 10 minutes rowing machine, 10 minutes treadmill/walking.
Today 1/19 - spin class
If you have any questions, feel free to reply to the post or email me. I will answer the questions here unless you tell me you want the reply privately.
Thanks for reading. It really does help me with my goal.
-Susan
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