Well....I Tried My Best

First I have to say I LOVE you guys!! This blogging community is AWESOME. You say the nicest, most uplifting things. So thank you for all your wonderful comments on my last post.

Tonight I did try my best. I went to body attack. The same class I did Saturday, except this time it was the full 60 minutes. I TRIED low-impact. It was hard at first because I realized that I never paid attention to it before. I never allowed it to be an option for myself so during the first few tracks (songs) I reverted to what I knew. There were 2 instructors tonight who were happy to point out that I had to bring it down (these are seriously like the NICEST instructors ever). By the end I really did well with keeping it low.

The results? I burned 500 calories but it was in 60 minutes instead of 40. I will take that. Since I do not have 4 hours to walk and that is probably how long it would take me to burn that amount of calories. Tomorrow I think I will let turbo kickboxing go (I am pretty sure I would not be able to control myself in there either). I will walk and get back to weight training.

Just so you know, trying to change like this is PURE TORTURE!!! I worked my way up to jumping around that room. I feel like this is a step in the wrong direction. I am in that class and these woman are working SO hard. Drenched in sweat. Some out-weigh me by 100 pounds (I know cause I have been there). They are giving it everything they've got (even if they are doing low-impact). I admire their red faces and super sweaty shirts. I felt lazy in their company. It felt kind of awful not doing what the instructor was doing. I guess I just need to adjust to it. It is still a great workout. I will continue to go back. Perhaps this week I will put a Zumba class back in my routine. I did like Zumba. Maybe it can help me strengthen my abs to carry a baby around.

Thanks again for your wonderful words. Hope you have a great week!

Confession

Okay friends. I must confess. I have done no weight training in a week and a half. I am totally unmotivated in that respect. When it comes to cardio - I have been a queen. I love it! Can't get enough. I also have done lots of push-ups and abs and a little bit of leg work but nothing involving actual weight training.

I find it ironic since this is where I began my journey. I know it is important. I know it will do nothing but help me. I just can't make myself at the moment.

Did I burn out? Did I get lazy? Was P90X just too much?

I don't think so. I am going to try and fix it.

I met with one of the trainers from my old gym today (because he is super nice and helpful) and he helped me come up with a sketch of what I should do. Now I just need to plug exercises into it and EXECUTE the plan. I need to quit dragging my feet. Stop thinking about it and just do it. If I were one of the kids in my class I would probably say something like "She is a wiz at language arts, above grade level. Math? Well she is capable of so much more. I don't want to say lazy so I will say underachiever."

Me. An underachiever? In certain aspects of life, yes. On this weight loss journey - maybe in the beginning but I still think I was doing pretty darn well for someone who weighed almost 300 pounds. On this journey I have given at least 110% for more than a year. Until the last two weeks. I am disappointed in myself. I am capable of so much more. I need a swift kick in the arse.

My new journey is to lead myself out of this darkness and into the light. Maybe I can get some of my muscle back. I am sure some of it has disappeared. Maybe that is why I gained a few pounds. I am burning less calories with less muscle. Or perhaps it is the fact that I love to eat lately. I am not doing too bad but I could definitely do better.

Is anyone else trying weight training on their own?

I know you've never met me....

I know you have never met me but if you cannot tell, I like to be entertained. All the time. Perhaps that is why I got fat, entertaining myself with food. There is not much I will not do to make myself giggle. Including trying to dress up like the peeps I saw at BodyJam last weekend.

This picture was taken yesterday before my 5:30am workout. I look super retarded because I am laughing while striking a BodyJam move.

Don't worry, no one had a seizure while looking at me but we did laugh pretty hard. Especially because I proceeded to workout in this get-up. It was a little warm. Imagine a room of tired people all wearing gray and black clothing....and then there was me. I even sported a side-pony. There are holes in the back of the shirt and I wore a lace cami underneath to show off the holes.

All I have to say is that exercise is so much more fun when everyone is enjoying it. So go ahead....entertain yourself. Or others. They will appreciate it. Exercise can be fun(ny)

I have not been this sore since fat camp!

I am not all that sore but I may take the day off from working out. A rare occasion for me.

Remember this summer when I made my own version of fat camp (well, if you are new to my blog I am sure you don't)? I was working out 3 or 4 hours a day. Well yesterday was a bit like that.

The classes I love to take at the gym (body attack, bodypump, etc) were created by a dude called Les Mills. He has many classes. They are awesome. Well, yesterday the Les Mills company held its quarterly event. This is where all the trainers get to preview all the new releases. I think there are 8 different programs. This is the first time the public was invited to come. So I signed up (for a small fee of $100 - good lord) and went with the trainers from my gym. It was held at the convention center. Why? Because there were supposed to be about 650 people there.

There were a lot of people but way less than 650. All those people were exercising in one room. And the room? It was set up like a night club. We were pretty much in the dark and there were some colored lights flashing around and smoke machines. A very interesting way to exercise. Imagine hundreds of people exercising, in the dark, all day. It was fun, but a long day.

The last class was hilarious. It was called bodyjam and it is the hip-hop dance class. It did not start til 6 at night so there were not many people left by then. In fact most of the people I went with left right after that class started. This class was awesome for the people watching. People dressed like break dancers from the 80s. And not just the instructors. And they wore glow sticks. There were also confetti cannons. Cheesy and funny. I am a poor excuse for a hip-hop dancer. Oh well, I had fun.

Body Attack (my fav) had a poster that I really liked. It said "Smiling is optional, finishing is not." This is how I feel about exercise.

This morning is pancakes and recovery.

I also must apologize. My last post was #200 for me and I asked you a lame question. Maybe I can think of something better to make it up to you. Just not today. Sorry. If you can think of something I should write about, let me know. By the way, I have been trying your suggestions. So far the winner is something called Crystal Clear. I found it at Kroger and it is carbonated, flavored water. No caffeine, no aspartame, no calories.

No weigh-in this week. I feel bloaty and fat and I think a weigh-in will make me shut down a bit so I am giving myself a break from the scale (also a rare occasion).

I want to leave you with a quote. I know, quotes can be lame but when I read this, it stuck with me. I am reading The Jean Nidetch Story (she is the creator of Weight Watchers). "Those who are successful with the program are the ones who tell themselves that they are not going to let anything stand in their way. People who say they can't succeed spend the rest of their lives proving it."

I think of this in terms of general weight loss, not the weight watchers program. But isn't true?

So tired....

I am still here. Just super busy. Actually eating much better the past 4 days. Exercising like a mad woman. I joined a new gym. It had the classes I wanted. It has dudes....lots of dudes. The place is huge. I went to a 5:30 body attack class this morning. On the way out, I caught someone checking out my ass. So weird. That has never happened before. I guess that is a good thing because before now I belonged to the lady gym. Although it is a compliment for anyone to check out your ass, no matter who it is.

The pic is me (dark hair) and best bud and the two cutest, sweetest, lovable girls ever. Best bud made some awesome babies. We went to a Xmas party for her mom's group. It was fun dancing and playing with them. Until.....Santa showed up. One of the girls is not a fan. She is actually scared to death of him. The tears filled her eyes and she said "go...go....GO!!"" and ran to the door crying and shaking. It was cute (and a little funny). I am sure someday her opinion will change.

Speaking of Santa, I spent 3 days coloring a ginormous Santa that a dad of a former student (remember I am a 1st grade teacher) drew for me. I did not ask him to. It was a gift to me. Super nice. AMAZING artist. I am not an amazing colorer. The time it took me to color, I would have rather been blogging. However, I think I have the cutest bulletin board in the school. I surrounded Santa with letters that my kids wrote to him. Some are pretty hilarious. One student wanted to know if it was okay to ask him if he was fat. I had a conversation with my class about not saying things like that to or about people. Every year kids ask if Santa is real but this was a new one. He did tell Santa he just wanted to hug him. So precious (most of the time).

I have been working out everyday and the kids and I are studying Christmas around the world. It is exhausting. But they are having a ball! I know they have never experienced this before and never will again. I go all out. I hope someone does this for my children some day. Tomorrow is Hanukkah and we will be playing the dreidel game and making latkes. I hope I have enough energy left for kick boxing.

Sorry for being behind on blogs. Just know that I am still sticking with it. I am trying to kick some ass on this 3 pound gain. I have actually stayed off the scale since Friday. I am proud of me. The lady troubles linger on so I am not sure this week will show any different but all these new classes have made my calves sore. I may actually soak in the tub before bed. I will probably be in bed by 8. So sad. So tired.

Hope all is well for you friends. Keep on it! We can make it through this damn food season.

By the way.....did you watch Biggest Loser? HOLY CRAP!!! I was shouting "no way!!" when I saw Tracy and Rebecca. Those are some of the craziest transformations yet. We will get there too. And Danny, the winner? How hot was he? Looking like Mel Gibson, only sane. Pure inspiration and cannot wait til the new season begins in a few weeks!

Exercise Update

Last night was cheat meal. I decided on breakfast for dinner. I love that. Pancakes, bacon and hash browns with a big glass of milk. Yum, yum. As a kid I would love when my mom would say "we're having breakfast for dinner!" It maybe due to my love of syrup.

Thank goodness for Cracker Barrel who serves breakfast whenever you want it (and skim milk). Best bud and I ordered breakfast and it turns out that is what the twins wanted too. So we all left full and happy.

But the day after cheat meal I must get up and get back to healthy eating and continued exercise. That used to be so hard for me. After a year, it is easy. I used to think of it as a punishment but now it is just part of the routine.

Today I walked the dogs 1.2 miles, did my 40 push-ups, ran for a few minutes on the treadmill at the gym for a warm up, completed the shoulders and arms workout from P90X (including the bonus round) and walked at a pretty good pace at the park for about 3 miles.

I went to a park that I thought would have some hiking trails. When I found some and went down them they were covered in brush and fallen trees. A little more dangerous than I was looking for. So my search for local hiking trails continues. I did wear a 10 pound backpack for added challenge and broke a decent sweat.

I have been a little sore from the P90X so I assume I am doing it correctly and working the right muscle groups. However, the shoulders and arms workout today was alot. I can see how these people get ripped. I have a feeling that I will be sore tomorrow. I like that good-sore feeling though.

My bruises from the mud run are still pretty dominant on my arms. They have turned to lovely shades of green and purple. It is not that they hurt but other people think I am in pain. I wonder how long that will take to heal. Oh well. As long as I am not green forever.

I must shower (at 4:15pm, there is no need to rush things) and head off to buy some groceries and new workout clothes (again). During body combat on Friday my pants were slipping down and my sports tank was riding up. I was scared my big white belly would blind someone. My clothes used to move like that because I was too big. Now it is because they are too loose. I know this because the size mediums I have do not give me this problem, just the larges and extra larges. I hate to spend money but I like to be comfortable and covered in my workout classes. Look out Target...here I come!

In the Beginning...

Okay so I am going to turn into one of "those people" who talks about their exercise on their blogs. I like to read them but others may not. I promise I will try not to bore you too much and I will not post every morsel of food I eat (mainly because I eat the same stuff most of the time and I would bore even myself).

Yesterday I did walk/run with the dogs, take body combat (this class is awesome, I am pissed it is only offered once a week - and at 5:30am) and began P90X.

The overview video tells you this program is not for beginners. I can see why. You do have to have some strength to do some of the moves. Day 1 is back and chest. Between everything I did yesterday, I did 324 push-ups (none on my knees either - holla!). All different ways and at different times but I never would have thought I could do so many in a day. This journey is amazing. I am a little sore in the right places today so I think I did everything correctly.

I am still working on my plan for myself but I am not going to use the TOTAL P90X system. I am not following their diet because according to the book I should consume 2400 calories a day. I am currently at 1600 and I like that number. Especially since I am not done losing yet. I am not using their cardio or yoga dvds either (at least not now). I like my cardio classes and I am changing them up a little. I will probably do more cardio then they have in their program because I already do. Cardio makes me feel so accomplished when I am finished.

You may be thinking - what the hell are you doing then? The answer is the strength/weight training and the ab ripper X dvd. According to their schedule I should do abs everytime I do strength training but I may move that to cardio days. I will try it today. It looks kind of awful (meaning hard - 16 minutes). We will see how sore I am from it.

I was talking to one of the turbo instructors this week about changing things up and my fear of loose skin. I told her where I thought it would be and she gave me a suggestion. Wait for it.......cycling/spinning class. Dude, if you read my blog over the summer you know I have an extreme dislike for this class. I know it is awesome and burns a TON of calories but it is hard for me. Mentally. That, and I hate feeling all squinched up over a bike. I like to be up and around and free. It may sound stupid but I feel too restricted on those things. She swears it will take the fat of my midsection (and she really knows her shit). I may (cough, cough) try a class this week but I will have to give up the only Zumba class I have left. But I may have gone as far as I can (as far as body shaping) with Zumba. Zumba is still fun and it tones and gives a good calorie burn.

So for P90X, I will do their strength training which is 3 days a week (I was doing 3 days a week before but for less time and less intensity) and the ab ripper 3 days per week. I am sticking with my 40 morning push-ups and walking/running the dogs 1.2 miles daily. I have turbo kickboxing 3 days per week (my favorite class), body combat 1 day and walking/hiking 1 day. And....possibly.....maybe.....cycling 1 day.

Best bud and I are curious as to how cycling shapes that particular part of your body. It does not seem like it would move that much to do that. But, what do we know?

So there it is. My tentative plan. Oh yeah....in the book for P90X it tells you to take your measurements and 6 different before pictures. I did measurements last week. I was not going to take the pictures but I will want to compare the end results (because I am like that). So this morning I made my husband take my pics. I even did it in a white sports bra and undies (I wanted undies because I will want to compare my thighs where I think loose skin maybe lurking). I didn't even feel bad looking at them. Even wearing white they do not look too bad (I say that now, in a few months when I look back I may change my mind). I kinda wish I had done them at my heaviest just to see how far I have come. I would have never posed for the pics though....not even for my husband.

I am off to try ab ripper X. May you all have a super successful weekend!

Look Out Shakira!

Today was interesting. It was an "open house" at the gym. That means they screwed up my schedule which pisses me off (I am like a 5 year old like that). Normally I workout for an hour on my own (weights and cardio machines) and then do an hour of turbo kickboxing (Saturdays are my only double workout days, they are also cheat meal days, so it all evens out). However, for open houses they do 30 minute classes back-to-back of a whole lot of stuff (read crap I don't like). I was definitely going to do my 30 minutes of turbo, so I decided I would take another 30 minute class that backed up to it. What did I take? Belly dancing. Oh yes, they are going to add it to the class schedule next month. It was actually kind of fun.

I did learn something. Big weight loss does not equal sexy. I have seen larger people who are sexy, I was not one of them. I try to make my hips move like they do but I look like a tard. I must say I am proud of myself because there were probably 25 to 30 people in there and I just gave it my all (I wanted some calories burned). If I had video, I would share, it was that entertaining. One older lady fell and the whole class stopped - except for me. I kept trying to swivel my hips. I think I looked like I was having a muscle spasm. I did step outside of my box, even if it was for only 30 minutes. By the way, that lady was fine, I just didn't want to embarrass her by drawing more attention to her.

Turbo today - we burned over 400 calories in 34 minutes. Man that class is awesome. Zumba is good and dance like but it seems to be more toning. You move your hips there but it is more abs. Belly dancing is in another class. An exotic one. I am not exotic. I am sarcastic.

Oh and the people sitting in there trying to sell us crap. For real dude, I do not want your powdered meal substitute that probably tastes like my dog's ass but enjoy watching me sweat. And there were trays of subs from a sub shop in the same plaza that smelled so good but I know they were not low calorie. That is like selling girl scout cookies outside of a weight watchers meeting except these were free. I did not partake, I just enjoyed the free smells.

So open house days are crowded (someone ran into me in each class, we were that close together), filled with people selling crap and they try to sabotage your calorie count. It was still fun but I am glad it only happens once a quarter.

Oh yeah, I am diseased. I have my first ever case of ringworm. Please don't think I am dirty (like someone from peopleofwalmart.com), I am far from it. I am pretty sure I got it at school somehow. It does not itch or bother me, however it is located on the inside of my elbow which is not a great place to put a bandage, especially when it rips out your arm hair. The medicine says to apply for 4 weeks. I am supposed to keep it covered. I no longer own any long sleeved shirts (except my nice new sweaters and I do not want to chance getting any fungus on them). Tomorrow I will be shopping again.

Hope your weekend is well. Maybe you should shake it Shakira style.

Opps, I did it again....

You are not gonna believe this, but I did it again. I went through ANOTHER pair of workout shoes. You know how I was crying about it LAST month when I started fat camp?

Well here I am again. I noticed last week that I had a hole in the toe. I guess when you triple your workouts, your shoes only last a third as long. I really need two pairs - cross trainers and running shoes. But running shoes are so awesome and comfortable. The shoes I like are $130 after tax. I found them on a website called See Jane Run which will save me $15 due to no tax and free shipping, so I just ordered them.

I may try and find a pair of cross trainers as well. This maybe harder since there are far less of them than running shoes.

In other news, today is weigh-in day because I am having my cheat meal tonight. And the results? 1 pound lost. Now a pound is a pound but I am telling you all, I have never worked so hard for a pound. And that puts me at 200 pounds exactly. Damn it! Maybe next week will be onederland.

Yesterday my trainer changed my diet slightly. Cut me down to about 1200 calories (from 1600). Just to see if we can get one last drop in weight out of the summer. I also have to spread that out over 6 meals. Yesterday I was in so much pain muscle wise that I decided to take today off from working out (unheard of for me - that is a lot of pain). I was looking forward to sleeping in. But I was up at 5:15 because I was STARVING. Cutting out one fourth of your calories leaves your body wanting more.

The bottom line is, if I am going to starve (at least for part of the day) and continue working out hard next week I better see onederland. Do you hear that uncooperative body of mine? Learn the math.

Until then I shall shop for some shoes and enjoy a cheat meal today. Hopefully you all will have better weigh-ins than I did this week. Onward and downward!

The times, they are uh-changin'

I love the lady gym!! Just something about it - the people, the group classes, the energy. I am never really disappointed when I go no matter what class I take. Although, I have a new favorite instructor that I just started taking classes from a few weeks ago and have been stalking her in her classes ever since.

This instructor is hard core and she has like the perfect athletic body. Somebody who I am sure, has always been into fitness and it shows. Well friends, I was wrong (shocker, I know).

During one class last week I heard her say that she used to be over-weight. So I am thinking "oh she lost her last 10 pounds, good for her!"

Sidenote - I am being sincere in this statement. Losing weight is soooo tough! I would never put someone down for trying to get healthy. Whether you are trying to lose 2 pounds or 200 pounds (or 1 stone for my friends who weigh in other standard units of measurement), my hat is off to you and I wish you all the success in the world!!

The next day, I showed up to a class early and was pleasantly surprised to see that she was the instructor. She seems very open like I am and we were alone, so I asked her about her weight loss. I was wrong again. Turns out she lost 87 pounds. She is about 5'2 so that number is super huge! Did I tell you she has like the perfect athletic body? I was shocked. She gained alot of weight with pregnancies and only started working out about 3 years ago after she started Weight Watchers and now she is BIG TIME into fitness and being an instructor.

Now fast forward to a few days later when I show up to take her Zumba class (my 5th Zumba class that week). There was a woman who is about 60 who was taking the class as well. I guess she had been in a class with me earlier in the week. She approached me and said "you must really like Zumba, I think you take a lot of classes." I told her I loved it and how it helped to shape my waist and abs. She then told me that I hop around alot and am very bouncy. I could not help but laugh. I told her how I wasn't always able to do that. I told her when I first started taking classes that I weighed almost 300 pounds and you just cannot hop around when you are that heavy.

This is where heads snapped and jaws dropped, including the instructor. And I got the question I had never gotten before "you used to weigh almost 300 pounds?" I could not help but feel happy inside. I must look far enough away from 300 pounds now that it is hard to picture me that heavy.

So far on this journey, most people knew me when I was at my heaviest. These are some of the first people I have encountered that did not know me then.

Today in a class I noticed something else. I am no longer the least fit person in a room. That used to bother me. Not to be the heaviest, but to be the least fit. When the class would do something challenging and I struggled. I still struggle with difficult moves and heavy weights but I am what I consider a fit person now.

So the times are uh-changin'. Last year I would not have said that. But I have created someone new. A fit, fun person. Hopefully I still feel fit at turbo kickboxing tonight. Burn calories, burn!

Progress is being made, it cannot be denied

Last week was when best bud lent me a bunch of her clothes. There was a really cute pencil skirt that I could not get zipped. It was a size 12. I took that as a goal skirt.

As we all know from my bitching, my scale weight did not go down this week. Also, I am a bloaty piece of work. However, I decided yesterday I wanted to try that skirt on again to see how far off I am. I got it all the way zipped! It is tight, but it zipped. One week later. So that tells me all my working out did pay off. When I took it off I looked at the tag. It is from Banana Republic. I always wanted to wear clothes from there. When I tried them in my younger days, they did not fit. When I get to my goal, I know where I am going to do some shopping!

Today I went to Marshalls and tried on TONS of clothes to see what would fit. Lots fit but I only let myself buy one dress. I desperately need pants (especially seeing how my shorts completely fell off in the dressing room) but I will wait until the week school starts.

I am absolutely AMAZED at what exercise has done to my body. I would have never believed it could look this different even a few months ago. My trainer says that diet is more important than exercise. For me, I think it is the other way around. I am still eating the same things I ate when I got fat. I do not eat bad things, I just eat it more sensibly now (a.k.a. counting calories).

If you are stuck or need a boost, I am telling you, adding or changing your exercise can make a HUGE difference!! Let's just hope (for my sanity) that someday it will reflect on the scale as well. I think I like the number on the scale because 200 pounds is 200 pounds, but a size 12 in one store maybe a size 14 in another store. My trainer is all about sizes, I am all about the scale. What do you like to go by? Just curious.

New Week Ahead...

I had a conversation with my trainer yesterday. As this journey has progressed I have taken it more seriously. When I was training with my best bud it was fun and we would be silly sometimes but we worked hard. The more I have been able to do, the more I want to do.

So here is my irritation. I do not go to the gym to socialize and screw around. I pay a lot of money and I want to get in, burn a lot of calories and get out. I do not understand people paying money to sit around and chat (and there are some people who just sit on machines and talk without executing a single move, why?). My trainer is pretty good about getting to work and working the whole time. So I was discussing with him how the morning turbo instructor is pissing me off because she wants to stop and chat about Wal-Mart (I do not care - you are paid to do a job, so do it). There is an instructor who teaches Bodypump that I took Zumba from 3 times this week. She is so focused and hard core. She even wears a calorie counter that tells us how many calories we burned.

Hell yeah....that is my girl! So my trainer has decided to switch my workouts to all core work (bastard - I hate working the core). In return, I get to start taking bodypump from the super awesome instructor (this will only last a few weeks as sadly summer comes to an end and I will have to work again). I am excited. It will be interesting to see how I do now. I am sure it will be hard (as it should be) but the last time I took the class I was about 70 pounds heavier. I wonder how I will do? Hopefully I will still like it and it will make a better workout schedule this week.

It is sad to me that the morning turbo instructor is being such an buttnut because that is my absolute favorite class and now I want to avoid it because of her. At least I have the Tuesday night class still.

Sorry for the rant. Enough of my bitching. In other news I went out for a glorious cheat meal last night! I get one cheat meal each week and last week I had to use it on a BBQ at my house. It would have been worth it if my husband had cooked but his friend cooked the meat and it was sub-par compared to what I eat everyday. Disappointing. So this week it was Mexican food (but without the super yummy margaritas because I know the calorie count now - damn nutritional information).

It was wonderful. I do not feel I over did it either. Unless maybe you count the AWESOME ice cream I ate with my best bud hours later. I also wore my new dress to dinner (you know the one from the don't shit your pants post) to see if I am comfortable wearing dresses in public. Guess what? I am. I loved it and plan to buy more.

I also went to my local Subway to get best bud a sandwich last night. There are two young guys that work in there that usually only see me after I workout (not a pretty sight). They told me I looked lovely. They are so sweet! They must think I am an athlete because they asked if I had a banquet to go to. Awww....last year NO ONE would have ever thought that. Funny the difference a year can make.

Also, since school will be starting soon and I have no clothes that are appropriate for work best bud went in her closet and found somethings for me to try on. We had a bit of a fashion show. I am still quite a bit bigger than her so I was thrilled that a lot of the stuff fit (and she has great taste). I took one skirt that was fat girl in a little skirt, but it will be a goal outfit. Did I ever tell you my best bud is the BEST??? I will have to buy some stuff but I am not ready to buy nice things just yet.

What a rambling post. Sorry for that, maybe I need a nap or some ADD meds. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Believe it or not, I'm walking on air....

I never thought I could feel so free,ee,ee!

What a glorious day!!! Why you ask? Well first of all, I am blogging from my NEW COMPUTER!!! Woohoo, finally. And it is fast. I will be able to read more of your blogs and comment more. Yeah for you too in that respect (ha,ha).

Down to business. Today was weigh-in day. Now, let me preface this by saying that I had a little talk with myself this morning. We discussed how I lost 4.5 last week and so I should be happy with a 1 to 2 pound loss. I was prepared - or so I thought. I had to weigh myself 4 times to make sure the number was accurate. It sure seems to be. The number? 200.5 - that would make a 7 pound loss this week. Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!

My husband is off today and was on his crappy computer when I ran in the room in my underwear to tell him. In all my excitement I even blurted out how much I weighed at the start and how much I weighed today (before he only knew the number of pounds lost). He was blown away and did not make a negative comment about where I started (told you he was awesome).

Also, earlier this week he found out I have a blog. He knew I spent hours reading yours and he told me I should have one too. He was surprised and asked some questions about it but never asked to actually read it. So I will leave it at that for now. If he wants to read it later, I will give him the address.

This week's weight loss brought me to a new point. I felt like I was floating on air. Still do actually. First because - did you see that number? I am one pound away from one-derland. I have never mentioned it before because I never thought it would actually happen. One pound! I had that as my end of summer goal.

I also thought about what I did this week to make sure it was not a fluke weigh-in. I worked out alot. I ate my 1600 calories (even had my weekly cheat meal on Sunday) everyday. I added a pool workout but nothing too big. Then I also realized that I had a new Zumba instructor twice this week (she subbed for 2 different people). She is serious and kick-ass. We burned over 600 calories in that class in one hour. She only offers one class where she is the regular teacher which is Fridays at 5:45 in the evening. Sucky time but you can bet your bippy I will be there tonight. She maybe my good luck charm.

Also, my turbo kick boxing instructor this morning was totally off her ADD meds and she is pregnant and annoyed the shit out of me. A totally full class and she kept stopping to talk. Seriously? First she made us smell her clothes (because she thought they smelt good, not bad). Then she started talking about the bargain bin at Wal-Mart (which I hate Wal-Mart, I only go for cheap crap, otherwise I am a Target girl). She continued to stop and have side conversations with just about everyone. I was familiar with the routine so I kept going as best I could but the poor lady next to me was new and she almost ran into me multiple times. I could have burned twice the calories with a serious instructor. This is not a social hour to me. I am there to work, otherwise I will go home or run on a treadmill.

Speaking of treadmill - when I was running before my training session today I got up to an 8.0 for the last minute. So I ranged from 7.0 to 8.0 for a mile and a half. Awww yeah.

So tonight I will also be looking at what new instructors I can take classes from. I have two weeks left of fat camp and need to make the most of it.

Hope your day is as happy as mine is. I look forward to reading your blogs tonight as well so make sure you post something new!

I am a Hater!

What do I hate? I hate cycling/spin class. No offense to those who love it. I am glad there are so many options of things to try. I have tried a lot of classes at the lady gym. Here are a few:

1. bodypump (totally awesome weight training)
2. 20/20/20 (cardio, weights and core)
3. turbo kick boxing
4. zumba
5. step
6. cycling and intro to cycling (gotta say, I did not see a difference between the two classes)
7. bodyvive (great for beginners to exercise classes)
8. yoga

My favorites BY FAR are #1 - turbo kick boxing and #2 zumba. Last night I went to turbo kickboxing with the first instructor I ever had. I told her how she made all the difference (and trust me when I say the instructor makes all the difference) in my going from trying to survive the hour to loving it. I was actually sad when it ended last night. I also told her how I thought she was a crackpot when I first started because of some of her moves but now I can do them. So during class she had me demonstrate the high intensity moves. She was so happy that she helped to make a difference and made me love that class.

As a teacher myself, sometimes we do not realize the impact that we have on others. So if you have something nice to say, you should let that person know. Yesterday best bud and my beautiful god daughters made me a fattiversary card (and she sang to me...awww). So today I bought thank you cards for her and my husband. They need to know how great they have been.

Yesterday I made a gift basket for my trainer and made his thank you card. I did him first because man has he had to put up with a lot of my shit.

This week I am reading an awesome book called Never Say Diet by Chantel Hobbs. She lost 200 pounds and looks like a barbie doll. Some books I read and they are too complicated (I just finished the Jillian Michaels metabolism book - damn she knows alot but too much for me to understand). Chantel does the journey in steps. It also has spectacular exercises with photos. Sometimes I am just reading the same stuff over and over but I learned new things from this book and it was written in terms I could comprehend. If I were just starting on my journey, I would follow her plan. It is about baby steps - completely doable in everyday life. So if you are looking for a good read, I highly recommend it!

Okay, so I am a hater of cycling. I tried it again this week because of Chantel's book (she loves it) and I thought that maybe I did not give it a fair shake. Afterall, the first time I tried it I was about 70 pounds heavier and it took all my strength to endure 30 minutes.

Well this week I tried again. I did better. I lasted the whole time. The first 5 minutes were okay, then 25 minutes of wanting to quit because it was so hot, cramped, I felt all hunched over the bike and the instructor was so shouty, followed by 15 minutes that were okay again. Oh, and we have to clean the bikes after (not to mention the puddle of sweat on the floor). No thanks!

Do people like it because it burns so many calories or because they actually think it is fun? Dude, I barely got a bike. People were turned away from the class.

It did make me realize how much I love turbo kickboxing and the freedom of being up and moving around the room for an hour. I guess I like whole body, high mobility exercise classes. Anyway, I am thankful for the opportunity to try again. However, that will be the last time. I know it is not for me.

Yoga Was NOT Made for Fat People

So today was interesting. Normally I workout with my trainer but he had better plans so I went to the lady gym instead (don't worry, I made up my session with him earlier this week). I took a Zumba class and stayed for yoga (same instructor).

I have had this instructor before for Zumba and turbo kick boxing and she is little and spunky and sweet. Today I learned she is also a super, bendy pretzel girl. OMG! She did moves NO ONE in the class had any hopes of trying. We are talking standing on one leg, the other leg trying to touch your nose (in standing position mind you) while your arms were wrapped around your back. I, my friends, stood and stuck one leg out. That is about as flexible and balanced as I am.

The other lady gym has a real mellow instructor for yoga who does not try such foolishness. For that, I appreciate her. So I wanted to quit and walkout but things got better, so I stayed. Fast forward to the end of class where we tried to reverse our blood flow. This involved laying on the back of our head with our legs slung over our bodies and trying to touch our toes to the floor above our heads (kind of like a closing letter 'c'). This is where I determined (not sure why it took me so long) that yoga was not made for fat people.

I am a very stiff, muscular person so it is not easy for me anyway but add some fat to that position and it is hard to breath. I could breath fine today but if I had done that 80 pounds ago, someone would have had to unroll me just so I could catch my breathe - that I am sure of.

So I will wait for the Tuesday night class from now on (I only do it for the additional stretching, my muscles are real bad about that). Yoga at home might be an even better idea.

Did I ever bitch on here about my right knee cap hurting? Not when I exercise, but later in the day when I am walking around my house. Advil did nothing for it. My trainer loves to roll, punch and hurt my muscles. Everyday he'll say "what hurts?" and then torture ensues. We have talked about the knee cap before and he swore it was my quad muscle up by my hip (I thought he was bat-shit crazy, but I kept that to myself).

So Friday, since it was the only thing hurting, he decided to really work on that muscle (he has been working on it for weeks but it still hurt - hence the bat-shit crazy). He found a lump (muscle knot I guess) like a bar of soap and told me to just have a high pain tolerance for the day. After about 5 minutes of extreme pain from him pushing on it, it popped.

Not kidding. A serious pop in my leg that had me rolling and then up and running away from him as fast as I could. He was proud. I was mortified thinking he popped a muscle. We stretched alot and worked out. Can I tell you.....I have had NO knee pain since. It is amazing. I swam for about two hours tonight and made myself a little workout in the pool. It was delightful with no pain and being 80 pounds lighter than last summer.

The moral of the story is, sometimes it pays to let the professionals do their job. Unless they are trying to get you to bend yourself into a pretzel.

Les Mills Bodyvive

Today's post is coming late in the day because I am tired. Double workout day! So this morning was the Bodyvive preview I was so excited for.

The lady gym only has one other Les Mills class - Bodypump. Bodypump is awesome and burns a ton of calories. It is a class with weights (which is why I cannot take it on a regular basis - but I have done it).

Bodyvive started with four instructors explaining the class. It was created mostly for the baby-boomer generation. Those who go to the gym and see classes like turbo-kickboxing (which is my favorite) and think it is too hard (which it is hard) so they just walk on a treadmill.

I am glad to see someone is looking to interest them. The class has 30 minutes of low-impact aerobics with fun oldies music. Then they do some tai-chi/yoga moves. Next is a resistance band toning segment. Finally there was some core strengthening.

It is great overall-body, low-impact class. I did sweat. Even though the preview was today they are not putting it on the class schedule until October. They suggested it as a good class for those interested in taking a class for the first time or to use it as a light day for those who take high-impact, high-intensity classes. They also wanted some of us to become interested in becoming instructors.

The training for instructors will be in August. I gotta say, I did ponder that thought. Back when I was 288.5 pounds and I was looking to start group classes, I would have taken this class for sure. Maybe there are others out there like I used to be. I have lost a large chunk of weight and continue to find new workouts and sources of inspiration. The best way to master something (say exercise) is to teach it to somebody else. Hmmm...should I?

But then I remembered that I wanted an easier year so I can have a baby. Teacher craziness also starts in August so I do not think I would want to do a training class. But it's an interesting thought.

My overall opinion is, if you can take this class, you should. At least once. There is a lot I get from group classes that I do not get from walking the dogs or personal training sessions. People there have the same goals as you, they are happy to see you and many times they are very entertaining. The time goes by faster. If you have not tried a class (any class), give it a go. There are people there just like you, they were new once too, they will welcome you. It is like another family - comforting.

Hope you all are having a super weekend! May you all be BIG LOSERS!

Official Weigh-In Results

Since last Friday I have gained one pound. Not as bad as yesterday but still nothing to celebrate. I did need some extra calories two days this week and then of course there was my birthday. However, there was still a lot of good eating and exercise so I still feel wronged by the situation.

Then I thought about it and my lady troubles are about to begin (if my calculations and feelings in my body are correct), stressful week family-wise and birthday. Hopefully next week it will all even out (before I go out of town for the 4th of July). I will weigh-in on Thursday to be safe.

I did work-out hard today. I am a little pooped but some friends and their babies are coming over to swim. I think that is excitement that I can handle.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I am going to preview a new Les Mills class at the lady gym tomorrow called Bodyvive. I will write about it tomorrow. Ta-ta for now!

There is a Reason Yoga is at Night

Well I survived an hour of the Yoga/Stretch class. There were only four of us so I got lots of personalized attention. I gotta say, I am not flexible and I think this is the sort of things hippies and yuppies have done so I did not think it was going to be for me.

I was wrong. It was actually quite nice. I can see why my trainer has been dying for me to do it. It was all about posture, stretching and breathing (which he is always bitching about).

The reason I think the class was so small was #1 - it burns slightly more calories than sleeping and #2 - it doesn't start until 7:00.

The reason it is only at night is because I am so relaxed I could totally go to bed. Not really the frame of mind for starting your day.

It was kind of a fun work training day. I learned lots about good children's literature which means I now have a huge list of new books to buy which will irritate my husband but I MUST HAVE MORE BOOKS (for the kids of course).

Secretly I must tell you I totally LOVE, LOVE, LOVE books. All the books I buy for my class (and let me tell you there are hundreds, possibly thousands) I totally enjoy myself. My family took me to the library as a kid but I was a slow reader and they were never big book people so it is like I am getting to relive my childhood the way I wish it had been and with all good books. I would never purposely buy a bad or questionable text.

Besides, look at all the books my kids will have to read someday.

But at the training I saw someone I had not seen since April. She did not recognize me and she fell into a wall when she figured out who I was. She was so sweet and gushed over me like I bet my mom would if she could see me. She said she only recognized my smile.

A co-worker from my school was there and I waved her down to come sit with me and she said she couldn't tell it was me because my face got thinner. School has only been out for two weeks. I am not that different. But I gotta say it is nice to hear.

My personal training session was a little rough because he is working on a muscle that is so tight sometimes I want to cry (hence why he was so excited for a yoga/stretch class). My right quad muscle gives me pain in my knee cap. Sounds weird I know, but he swears that is the cause. And he obviously knows more about this stuff than I do, so I take his therapy(what a beating that is) and cuss at him constantly. Whatever it takes to make it through, right?

Well tomorrow morning shall behold a kickboxing class so I need to read your blogs and rest up! Til then campers.....

Do I Get a Day Off?

I got a text message this morning. It was my trainer needing to cancel our session because he was sick. He has really bad allergies that make him all pukey sometimes. He has had to cancel a few times before. I say cancel, but he usually makes it up by adding an additional day the next week - lucky me. I never cancel. I have had to reschedule but I do it with plenty of notice.

I must admit that I was disappointed. I had already walked the dogs and was all set to run on the treadmill. So did I take the day off?

Of course not! I think I am becoming obsessed with breaking a good sweat each day. And man can I sweat. I went to the lady gym and took a group exercise class. It was actually the perfect class because it was 30 minutes of kickboxing and 30 minutes of Zumba. To my dismay, this is only a temporary class until they figure out what we like better kickboxing or Zumba and then it will become a complete hour of either one. Tough choice. I love them both. I would have never thought that I would "love" a class but I do.

You know how you used to walk in a room and check to see if you were the fattest person there (I never did, I guessed I just assumed I was the biggest person and I just never cared if I was)? Well I do something like that now. I am currently taking about 6 group exercise classes per week. About a half hour in, I start looking around to see if I am the sweatiest person in the room and I continue to check until I leave. Sweat just pours off me but I am so proud of it. Now when they say "you can take it up a notch by doing fill in the blank...." I do it. It is kind of like my badge of honor.

In fact I used to go straight home from the gym and would never go in public after working out because I was so sweaty and gross. Now, I make stops on the way home almost daily. Oh I am still super sweaty and gross (I always make sure I smell delightful though). I stop at the post office, Wal-Mart (I fit right in) and every Saturday, Subway. Oh people look at me. In my mind I am smilig and I think "Yup, I already worked out today and burned a lot of calories. Jealous? What have you done for yourself today?"

So even though my Saturday was not the same without my training session, it was still good. I got all gross and sweaty and went to Subway. Who could ask for anything more (I am sure the people at Subway could ask to stand next to someone who has better hygiene)?

After that I showered and went with best bud and twins to a 2 year old's birthday party with a petting farm. It was like 100 degrees today. I love doing things with the girls but I gotta say after two hours there, unless you have actual children to enjoy it, no adult should have to endure those parties. I missed some sunning time in the pool (the sacrifices I make). I will have to make up for that tomorrow.

I have also been extra hungry the last two days and have eaten about 200 more calories than usual. Hopefully I will still lose weight. Actually, my real hope is that tomorrow I will be less hungry.

In closing, I hope you all wear your sweat with pride. Unless you are eating. That is just embarrassing. I know, I have been there too. But not lately, thank goodness.

I Might Survive Camp Yet!

Exciting pictures, I know. Can you tell I have a little too much free time? You should see the hair cut I gave one of the dogs. Anywho, these are my shoes.


The New Balance cross trainers (1st pic) lasted me about 5 to 6 months. My knees were getting sore, my plantar faciitis (foot thing) was flaring up. So on the advice of the trainers at the gym I went a specialty runners store in February.


That is when I bought the Asics (2nd pic). They are good, cushy running shoes. My pains went away. However, I exercise a lot. If you look closely at the picture you will see the hole in the toe.

When I decided there was not enough support I went back to the first pair. Bad idea. They started to rip the skin off my heals.


My cry for help (new shoes) was heard and answered by my loving husband. I was going to wait until July but my feet could not take it anymore. So yesterday I took my old shoes to the runners store. An older gentleman named Lee looked over my old shoes and found me a new pair (3rd pic). They are the newest Asics with the most cush you can get.


I used them today (but only to walk the dogs) and my feet are happy. I feel like now I can survive my fat camp.


Just as a side note, I asked how long shoes should last me. With my activity level, Lee said 400 miles or 4 to 6 months. That is what I am averaging, but boy is it getting expensive. How are your shoes holding out?