A couple days ago I did my first strength training circuit without the trainer by my side. Huge anxiety levels! There were so many people there, and I had to keep taking out my sheet of paper that she wrote on, figuring out which machine to use and what to set it all at. I had to keep skipping over machines because they were in use, and then I skipped a couple due to not knowing what to do or forgetting. I was supposed to do push-ups but couldn't figure out how to place the weight bar in the same position it was in last week. Then in all my anxiety, I forgot to throw the medicine ball around. And at one point, I couldn't find either of the stability balls I needed. Then I noticed one off in a corner with no one by it, so I went and grabbed it only for some guy to suddenly walk up and say "I'm using that!" Ugh, then get your ass over here and use the damn thing! Like I was going to hog it, do you see me?! Do you really think I could walk off with it for like half an hour? Really?!
Tonight I have to do strength training again and I am so afraid of it being busy in there. I know it'll get easier as I learn the machines. Then I have to learn new machines, and on my own, which is even more frightening. But there is no way we can afford the trainer. Time to become an expert at strength training I guess!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
233.2 - 108.2 pounds to go!
Current Weight: 233.2 pounds
Current BMI: 42.65
BMI Lost: 2.15
Pounds Lost: 11.8
Pounds to Meet Mini-Goal: 8.2
Pounds until BMI is 'obese' instead of 'morbidly obese' (218): 15.2 pounds
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Gym: Day 2, and Compliments Are Nice
So day 2 at the gym was a bit better. I changed before we went, which meant just throwing my purse into a locker. No changing in a hurry, praying no one comes in. No trying to hurry while the husband waits. We also took my oldest niece along as she is staying with us for the next week and a half. I wasn't sure if she would want to, or if I wanted her to, but it all worked out pretty well. Her and I rode stationary bikes and talked while Matt walked on the treadmill before joining us.
Somehow, the bikes at the gym are so much different than mine at home. Mine has less resistance bands, which means at the gym that I have to set it at 5-6 to feel like a 2 on my home bike. So one would think it would be easier to do more/go farther on the gym bikes. Ugh, if only. Instead I log my activity and see that I've gone considerably slower, like 5 mph slower. It just makes no sense to me. But today my outer thighs are slightly sore, so I must have worked them more than normal.
I met my trainer by chance. She was talking to a woman by us, then came over and asked how things were going. I was immediately annoyed that I said "I'm dyin'" and her response was "no no, we don't say those words around here! you're not dying!" Well yes, woman, I understand in the literal sense that I am indeed living, and in fact prolonging my life, but as a matter of speech, I was tired, sweaty, and wishing I could stop. So my trainer is this very thin, blond woman from CA who overly perky, enthusiastic and positive. While I understand why my husband points out that they kind of have to be, I know that while I am pushing myself to the point of hurting, I don't want a cheerleader. Well, maybe I do, but I don't!
Today I told two co-workers about our new "changed lifestyle." Both were extremely supportive, of course. One offered some tips, which the gym employees had already covered: strength training first, then cardio. I was taken a bit off guard at the info he seemed to have learned from his friend, namely because he's lost weight via depression/starvation. The other co-worker was "inspired." I told her to wait a good 6 months before being inspired, but it was nice to hear.
Somehow, the bikes at the gym are so much different than mine at home. Mine has less resistance bands, which means at the gym that I have to set it at 5-6 to feel like a 2 on my home bike. So one would think it would be easier to do more/go farther on the gym bikes. Ugh, if only. Instead I log my activity and see that I've gone considerably slower, like 5 mph slower. It just makes no sense to me. But today my outer thighs are slightly sore, so I must have worked them more than normal.
I met my trainer by chance. She was talking to a woman by us, then came over and asked how things were going. I was immediately annoyed that I said "I'm dyin'" and her response was "no no, we don't say those words around here! you're not dying!" Well yes, woman, I understand in the literal sense that I am indeed living, and in fact prolonging my life, but as a matter of speech, I was tired, sweaty, and wishing I could stop. So my trainer is this very thin, blond woman from CA who overly perky, enthusiastic and positive. While I understand why my husband points out that they kind of have to be, I know that while I am pushing myself to the point of hurting, I don't want a cheerleader. Well, maybe I do, but I don't!
Today I told two co-workers about our new "changed lifestyle." Both were extremely supportive, of course. One offered some tips, which the gym employees had already covered: strength training first, then cardio. I was taken a bit off guard at the info he seemed to have learned from his friend, namely because he's lost weight via depression/starvation. The other co-worker was "inspired." I told her to wait a good 6 months before being inspired, but it was nice to hear.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Gym: Day 1
Last night was our first night going to the gym and I learned a lot.
I felt like I took too much stuff with me for starters. I decided to take my bag, loaded with workout clothes, a towel, a book, my shoes. Then add my new purse, which is pretty big (to me) as well. I changed in a hurry, hoping no one would come in as I took my bra off or something, which thankfully didn't happen. But do I really feel like changing that fast every time? Do I go into a stall instead? Maybe I should do like my husband did and just wear my outfit there, lock up my purse and be done with it.
So first we walked on the treadmill. All I could do was notice the people around us that were jogging/running, pray my calves would not start burning, and ward off fears that people were watching my fat ass jiggle as I walked at my measly 2.2 mph. We did the 5 min cooldown at the end, which slowed us all the way down to .5 mph at the end and some woman was looking at us like we were dumb. Do people not do the cooldown?!
Stationary bikes were definitely outnumbered by the treadmills, ellipticals, and some other machine I don't know the name of. Thankfully, not many people seem to use them. The recumbent kicked my butt. It was nice not having my butt hurt and leaning back, but holding my legs up while peddling tired me out way faster than an upright bike. So, I switched! Now my complaint is that I go way faster on my bike at home, but as my husband noted, we had just walked on the treadmill. So now I'm torn between walking and biking, or just biking (which I can do at home!) While I think I should definitely walk to build up some muscle and gain speed, I'd much rather peddle my life away on a bike, and it burned more calories, which at this stage, I need to do!
I felt like I took too much stuff with me for starters. I decided to take my bag, loaded with workout clothes, a towel, a book, my shoes. Then add my new purse, which is pretty big (to me) as well. I changed in a hurry, hoping no one would come in as I took my bra off or something, which thankfully didn't happen. But do I really feel like changing that fast every time? Do I go into a stall instead? Maybe I should do like my husband did and just wear my outfit there, lock up my purse and be done with it.
So first we walked on the treadmill. All I could do was notice the people around us that were jogging/running, pray my calves would not start burning, and ward off fears that people were watching my fat ass jiggle as I walked at my measly 2.2 mph. We did the 5 min cooldown at the end, which slowed us all the way down to .5 mph at the end and some woman was looking at us like we were dumb. Do people not do the cooldown?!
Stationary bikes were definitely outnumbered by the treadmills, ellipticals, and some other machine I don't know the name of. Thankfully, not many people seem to use them. The recumbent kicked my butt. It was nice not having my butt hurt and leaning back, but holding my legs up while peddling tired me out way faster than an upright bike. So, I switched! Now my complaint is that I go way faster on my bike at home, but as my husband noted, we had just walked on the treadmill. So now I'm torn between walking and biking, or just biking (which I can do at home!) While I think I should definitely walk to build up some muscle and gain speed, I'd much rather peddle my life away on a bike, and it burned more calories, which at this stage, I need to do!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Things, They Are a-Changin'
Things I have changed in the last couple/few months:
- Cooking/baking from scratch as much as possible
- Stopped drinking pop and now drink water 95% of the time
- Exercising more (tonight is our first night going to the gym!)
- Eating less and trying to exercise portion control
- Following Ramit Sethi's advice re: saving money, investing, etc.
- Stopped playing World of Warcraft!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
235.6 - 110.6 pounds to go!
What a great feeling seeing the scale go down 3 pounds!
We still haven't hit the gym yet. We bought new shorts/pants, shoes, and locks for the lockers. We even know what bags we'll be using (him Nintendo, me Domo). I think the anxiety of not knowing what to do and how often is stopping me until a trainer calls us. It's silly, I know this and I tell myself this constantly, but I can't defeat the anxiety of going. Regardless, they should call tomorrow to schedule a meet-up, so there's not much longer.
We still haven't hit the gym yet. We bought new shorts/pants, shoes, and locks for the lockers. We even know what bags we'll be using (him Nintendo, me Domo). I think the anxiety of not knowing what to do and how often is stopping me until a trainer calls us. It's silly, I know this and I tell myself this constantly, but I can't defeat the anxiety of going. Regardless, they should call tomorrow to schedule a meet-up, so there's not much longer.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Two Milestones Today
I rode the bike twice today! Twice!! The first time, I spent 32 min at the second resistance level. Normally I only spend about 5 min before I feel too tired in the knees/thighs, but today I spent the whole time on that level. Then we did some errands, got some more items for the gym, and I rode again while we watched a show... for 55 min! I feel great just knowing I rode not once, but twice, let alone on step 2 and for almost 90 min today! Crossing my fingers for a great weigh-in tomorrow!
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