So, as you can tell it’s been really hard for me to get back on the band wagon. Surgery is extremely hard on the human body. It’s been hard working my way back up to where I was before. My doctor told me the healing process may actually take up to six months. This week was the first week that I actually was able to burn over 300 calories on my cardio machine workout. (i.e. treadmill, elliptical)




I have been doing this since, March and even before I stop working out I realize it was taking longer to burn 400 -500 calories during my cardio machine workouts. So, I knew that my body was getting used to my workout routine and I was going to have to kick it up a notch. My thoughts were “What was I going have to do to kick it up a notch?”, workout longer, increase my intensity, try yoga, Pilates get a personal trainer . In the mix of deciding what new workout routine to come up with I found a book “Escape your Shape” that I had put away for three years. A colleague who had done personal training on the side had recommended it to me. The book emphasizes exercising base on your body shape. Body shapes are broken down into four categories: hourglass, cone, ruler, spoon. I am a hourglass shape what does mean? My weight is evenly distributed, I actually trend to look less that I really weigh, but most of my weight is in my hips, legs and arms. So, how does this apply to an hourglass shape like me that wants to lose weight? Since, I want to lost weight and tone I should not do workouts that involve high resistance, as it will bulk me up and make look bigger. Which is not what I want to do or see while trying to lose weight. By increasing intensity and using low resistance I will get the most from my workout base on my shape. After digesting this information in the book I saw of some of this may be true. For years I would say I can’t take too many step classes, whenever I take to many step classes I get curvy and don’t tend to look any smaller at all. Step workouts is one of the exercises that the book recommends that hourglass types should avoid.



My new workout includes ( you should change your workout routine every six weeks)

20 minutes bike 1 hour Zumba

15 bike 25 minutes treadmill and 10 Stairmaster or kickboxing 60 mins

15 bike 25 minutes treadmill and 10 Stairmaster

15 minutes bike 1 hour Zumba

20 bike 25 minutes treadmill.



Motivation:

I have my days where I feel like doing nothing, days I just want lay on the couch. But, most days I don’t, it’s not a option for me. I still struggle with motivation but, am always trying to do things to phys myself signs reminding me to journal , gym five days a week and weigh in day. What else motivates me? looking good in my jeans, looking good at the beach. Living a healthy lifestyle and escaping the risk of high blood pressure .



What has my first 20lbs of weight lost has done?



As any women that has lost weight this was my excuse to go shopping. Not over board I still have a ways to go, I remember walking into a store in the mall and looking at the tops I could fit, and saying “oh this is cute and that cute”, and then all of sudden I said “I don’t want to look cute anymore, I want to look sexy and grown in my clothes” and then I walk out the store. As I continue my shopping I decided to visit everyone’s favorite jeans store the Gap. Let me honest yes I wear Gap jeans but, most of my visit were on-line. Not only for convince but also because it was easier to find my size on-line. So, I walk in to the gap with my new found confidence. To my amazement I had a hard time finding my size a L in tops and a 16 jeans. It felt almost felt like a conspiracy. The Gap had XL, XXL tops, dresses and size 20 jeans. I said to myself when I wore these sizes I could barely find my size, now I am down a size it a rarity again. After a couple of chuckles and checking out the clearance I was able to find items in my size and on the clearance rack.



Losing 20 lbs pounds means that I have lost a total of 14 inches. And I with my tummy being a little flatter am still critical a of my body. Now I seem obese with my thighs thinking to myself how big they are and how much I want to lose them I guess I am never going to be satisfy its what keeps me going. Losing my first twenty has also made me feel like I never want to go back to gaining those 20lbs back.

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I am back

Just wanted you guys to know I am back, down 15 lbs and a complete dress size. Working my way back to my regular workout routine. Before and after pic next week.

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Week 4 April 8 - April 15

This entry is going to be short, as I am getting ready for surgery tomorrow. Down another pound this week, so that makes 6lbs in about a month. I started March 18. Slow and steady goes the race as they say.

Last night was my last night at the gym for what will seem to me like an eternity. As I walked to my car after class, all these feelings come over me first I was sad, sad that my routine was going to interrupted for couple of weeks. Second feeling: Disappointed yes, disappointed which even took me by surprise. I compared it to that of an athlete. Have you even been looking at game i.e. football, baseball, and observe the athletes facial expression when they get hurt. Many have a look of annoyance and disappointment a kind of “awe man I can’t believe this is happening; now I can’t play. How long is it going take for me to recover”? When am I going to be able to play again?” That’s how I felt. I am also worried; will all my work be in vain am I going to gain back the 6lbs.

To be honest no matter how hard I try to focus on recovery, the above will still be in the back of my mind. While recovering I am going try to come up with a new workout schedule. My body seems to be taking longer to burn calories now.

One, thing I wanted to touch this week was food. Yes, food and our attitude towards it. I am not a psychologist by any means. But, I felt the need to share this: Food is a means to fuel our bodies it gives us energy, nutrients to vital body organs and over all helps our bodies do its job. Below is definition of food according to Webster’s dictionary:
Food- “material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy; also: such food together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments) something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies.”

One thing I had to learn was food is not going nowhere, therefore I don’t keep a lot of food in my house, there is not going to be a massive explosion, the supermarkets shelves are not going to bare the next time you go in, and you’re not going to go hungry .

Look I enjoy a good meal just like the next person, and I am not perfect am not trying to judge anyone. I am just a person trying to lose weight. All, I can say is when I see stuff like people storing food, having it everywhere, having enough food to eat for two months it makes me wonder. Is it a fear of really going hungry? or, are they doing it for control, comfort , gratification.

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I was unable to post last week’s blog 4/1 due to the flu, so below is a combination of l ast week and this week.

Week of March 25 – April 1

Well it’s another good week. I’m down 1.2 lbs this week but I have to admit I was not happy. I expected the same weight loss as last week (three pounds) or at least two pounds. I realize I did some things differently this week, but you know what, I could have done everything the same this week as last week and still may have only lost 1.2lbs. So, long story short after that I said “I will take the 1.2 lbs thank you very much I worked hard for it.” This is a marathon not a sprint. This week was much different than the first week as it took everything not to reward myself, yes I said it reward myself for losing 3lbs last week. You know what I am talking about, you lose weight and now you think you got the magic formula. I can eat this and that and still lose weight, or all of sudden you think you have got super metabolism. For example when I got off the scale last Thursday morning instead of having a half of bagel thin, which I had been having for the last six mornings, I had an entire one. I had to laugh at myself because it was too funny. I said “There you go again rewarding yourself”. Last week, I also had a bad Charlie horse which I thought it was going to mess up my workout routine. I was determined not to let it do so, I decided to do my treadmill workout in fat burning mode 10 minutes longer than my usually workout. Fat burning mode allows you to work out at a slower pace while keep your heart rate in the fat burning zone. Warning, everything I have read says you burn fat in the fat burning zone and calories, but you burn more calories and fat in the anaerobic/cardio zone. Still fat burning is great for people who are trying to becoming accustomed to working out or you have had injuries in the past.

So what were my accomplishments this week?

1. Did take before photos boy, I was like” Is that me OMG”.
2. Also took my measurements those of which I was like “ok where is the 36 22 39 not on me that’s for sure.”

Tools and just plain old good information to know:
My dear friend referred me to this great website called hungrygirl.com. It is awesome. It wasn’t until I starting writing this week’s blog did I think “wow I need to pass this along”. Now wait it’s not a diet, it not attacking you cause your over weight, or the fact you enjoy a good meal. It’s more of an informational web site it tells you about great low calorie alternatives to the foods you love. Have you ever eaten something low cal that tried to impersonate some food item that you enjoyed? I say impersonate because it promises its tastes just like that food item but doesn’t quite deliver. You bite into the imposter and you’re like “What is this”? Thus far I have not had that problem with anything that hungrygirl.com has recommended. Here are some things that I picked up in the last two weeks, almond milk unsweetened or vanilla 30 calories less than skim milk and taste great, and guess what it is lactose free. Thank you oh great one! Yes, I am one of the unlucky lactose intolerance people. Thomas bagel thins, since one regular bagel has over 300 calories. Sure, if you’re a native New Yorker you could take the dough out from the middle to cut the calories. But why do so if bagel thins are only 110 calories, and they come in wheat, plain and everything, everything, of course, being my favorite. So, I have a half bagel most mornings that’s only 55 calories with coffee. I either spread some I can’t believe it not butter light or the light Laughing Cow original Swiss cheese which taste just like cream cheese, another hungrygirl.com tip. Best of all I can now enjoy bagel Tuesday’s in the office like everyone else for less calories. So go check this web site out I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed. Another, reason I love hungrygirl.com, all of their items that they recommend can be found in your local supermarkets and, since a lot these items are new to the public they are often on sale. You know the buy two for this price sale.

Fitnessmagazine.com I cannot tell you how much I love, love, love this web site all you have to do is subscribe to it, don’t order the magazine. It’s got workout playlist suggestions for your iPod. You can create your own video workouts. It’s got exercise video work out from top trainers. It’s even got a bridal boot camp workout with the trainer from Bulging Brides! I like most of us in the struggle knew about fitness magazine but, had no idea how resourceful the web site was, so when I decided I wanted to add toning to my workout and needed something that would allow me to use my dumbbells at home I found great workouts on this website.

I also love, love to read inspirational stories, and found a guy who basically has lost over 141lbs the same way I am trying to, by counting calories down and still enjoying the food that he loves without over indulging. Once, I read this sentence on his blog I was like we click. “You can’t tell someone that been eating cheeseburgers their entire life, as of today you must stop. It just does not work for some of people” So true. Check him out at www.344pounds.com.

Week of April 1 – April 8 Well it another good week down 1lb so that 5lbs in three weeks, hope I can keep this up, man I keep thinking really and truly how hard this is, and I hope I can stick with it. We’re talking about 7- 8 months of my life. Well this week despite having the flu and missing two days of working out I forced myself to go to the gym on Saturday. I have also stuck with my promise of not leaving the gym until I burn a minimum of 400 calories. Thus far, I have been sticking with it. The next couple of weeks will be difficult as I am having surgery and cannot do anything physical for two weeks, and even then I have been advised to ease my way back into a normal flow.

So what were my accomplishments this week?

1. Energy, that’s right folks I got more energy than ever before.
2. Guilt, I actually feel guilty now if I don’t workout at least 5 days a week. It’s like a second job.

Tools and just plain old good information to know:

I am fortunate. I can say without stuttering that I live comfortably. No, I am not rich by any means but I can afford a treadmill, Wii Fit, exercise videos, and a gym membership to a very nice athletic club. But, there are people out there that can’t and to them I say there are so many things you can do to get yourself active that does not cost a dime.

Stairs: Stairs are a great form of exercise and the best thing is that they are everywhere from your home, the mall, the movie theater and office buildings.

Walking: I remember this song from some silly show my brother and I use to watch when we were kids “Put one foot in front of the other and soon you will be walking out the door.” And that is all you have to do is step right outside your door and go for a walk. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise.

Make that walk to the mall entrance or store entrance a little longer. That’s right stop praying for the parking fairy. Give your HEART some exercise it will love you for it

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My first week

So, below is my first blog entry (thanks Nita). I plan on writing one a week. It’s for me and anyone that wishes to read it, I hope it inspires others as well as keep me on track.

First, I went to the Internet and did a search on BMI (my friend Leneen) gave me that idea thanks my “Neen Bean”. This calculates how many calories you need to eat in a day to gain weight, maintain your weight or lose weight. Of course, I chose the lose weight drop down from the menu section. Being the over achiever I said, “What the heck let’s try two pounds a week”. That took me to ~1600 calories a day. Next, I went in search of a free calorie counter website there are tons out there and I chose myplate. com from Lance Armstrong’s website. The website allows you to put in your calories, water consumption and your fitness activity for the day.

Decisions: After doing the above I had to make some serious decisions or as I like to say commitments.

1.I decided that I was going stick to this for one week from Thrus, March 18 to Thurs. March 25. 2. I also began reading success stories and other items on-line. Please, take everything you read on-line with some discretion not every method is meant for everyone. And sometimes not all the information is always accurate.3. I also realize I needed to kick it up a notch at gym and go a minimum of five days a week.4. I also decided to have one day off from counting calories and that was Sunday

I am beginning to think this can work for me, but I am being very cautious, as I’ve been down this road before. Its only three pounds, can I really stick with this? Others have done it, why not by me? Restricting my calories really seems to be working for me. I can tell you I have been on every fad diet there is, believe it or not restricting my calories to 1600 a day did not make me feel hungry or deprive. Yes, the portions are smaller but I ate what I wanted. I am not spending a whole bunch of money on particular diet items. I eat regular non-diet food, I even had chick –Fila this week. Again, I counted my calories and had just burned over 680 calories at gym. I felt like eating chick-Fila and the world did not end.

Next week:

Plan is before and after pictures never got around to doing that measurements of body parts and I need to start taking a multivitamin a day. Got a bad Charlie horse last night.

So that’s it for this week. Hope next week just as good. See you next week.:)

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