Back On The Wagon ...

The health and fitness wagon that is. 

I've been slacking ever since the holidays (yeah, those 'four months ago' holidays). But last week in Nashville I really slacked (so much that my slacks are getting way snug). 

So yesterday I bought salad fixin's, fruit, skinless chicken, some Mrs Dash marinade, and some green veggies.  I'll be cooking those veggies without adding butter and/or fatback. 

I even logged back into www.myfitnesspal.com and logged in my (bran cereal) breakfast this morning.  I stopped on the way to work and bought some apples and carrots to munch on at my desk this week (vs the KitKats and Twix bars in the vending machine). 

I also managed to make it to the gym twice last week.  I have Sweet Gabster more often than not here lately (not complaining! I love that girl!) so I hope to get to the gym about three times a week, and just really make good (and long) use of those times. 

It's not that I have much weight to lose back (only about 5 or 6 pounds) but I need to get those workouts in and firm up my jello belly again.  Gabbie's favorite thing to do lately is sit on my lap and poke my jiggly belly with her finger.  :-o

And I just really feel better overall when I'm going to the gym on a regular basis.  Yesterday I felt like taking a nap but I made myself get up and go to the gym, and I actually felt better afterward than I would have after a nap (although I did go to bed at nine o'clock last night!)

Back On Track ...

Well, back on the treadmill actually.

Today was my first day at the gym in over two weeks.  Between being sick, having The Gabster, and then being sick again, I just didn't have it in me.

I did pretty good today, I just didn't hang in there quite as long or walk quite as fast or lift quite as heavy as before, but I got in a pretty full workout.  Did my arm/ab workout, walked on the treadmill and used the elliptical/bike for a bit.  I might could've gone a bit longer, bit didn't want to burn myself out the first day back.  I'll work back into it over the next few days.

The BoyChild's wedding is rapidly approaching.  Less than two weeks.  I'm taking off from work this Friday to get a few things taken care of (like "getting my toes did") and organizing the buffet for the rehearsal dinner.  Since the wedding (and rehearsal) will be at the home of the bride's parents, I'm going to put out a little buffet afterward for the wedding party.

I'll take off next Friday as well so I can finalize everything, and get it all to the location for the rehearsal / dinner.  Would love to take off a half day Thursday as well, but we're having some in-house training on new software on Wednesday and Thursday, so unless we finish early (or I just bail), it looks like I'll just be starting early Friday and "getting it done".

Oh, and thanks to everyone who "voted" in the "which dress" poll.  It was running neck and neck so I asked the bride and groom's opinions.  The groom of course said it didnt matter to him, and the bride said though she liked both, she liked the 'green' one a little better.  So, Option #1 it is!

I will however be the only "bootless" one.  The bride's mother has bought a dress "similar" to mine (according to the bride) and she found a pair of boots to wear with it as well.  It'll be ok.  I'll change into jeans and boots for the reception / party.

Longest, Roughest, Toughest Workout So Far ...

It wasn't really all that long, rough, or tough, but still it was the longest, roughest, toughest so far!! 

Worked out my upper arms / chest / abs first.  (Really really want to lose the bat wing arms and the belly pooch).  

Then to the treadmill.  60 minutes, 3.5 miles, 4% incline.  (Actually bumped it up to 5% for about ten minutes near the end.)

Then another round on the arms / chest / abs.  

Then, I went to the grocery store and kept thinking "why didnt I get a buggy instead of a basket?"  I didnt need much at all.  Some fruit, half gallon of orange juice, and some bread.  But I also picked up three cans of Progresso soup (low sodium!).  

It was all I could do to carry the basket!!

I just kept thinking "if I'm gonna drop this, please wait til I get home and let me drop it in my own yard, not in the store or the parking lot!"  

I made it home ok.  Got in, put it all away, and made dinner.  Now I'm thinking about going to bed.  At 8:30pm!!

.

Still Trudging Along ...

Made it two miles on the treadmill this afternoon.  At one point I got up to 3.4 mph!  Yay!  Before getting on the treadmill I worked out on the machines.  I spend a lot of time on the ab machines!  Although walking on the treadmill (in front of a mirror! in shorts!) I've discovered I need to spend a lot more time on the leg (especially thigh) machines!!

As of this morning I was down another pound.  But I'm splurging a little with my supper tonight - baked potato with cheese and bbq chicken.  And a (small) glass of Riesling.  So we'll see how it goes tomorrow morning.

Yes, I know you're not supposed to weigh every day but it's the only way I can keep myself accountable.

And no, I dont freak out and fast if I gain a pound because I know the body's weight fluctuates all the time, but if I gain two .... well then, I'll need to step it up a bit!

Thursday .....

Did an abbreviated workout today.  

No cardio.  

Just a half hour on the machines.  

So I could get in an hour of watching this:

Whew!

Only did cardio today.  No weight machines.  Added 5 minutes to my cardio routine though!  It was hot in there today and since I was only gonna do the treadmill I didn't change into my "workout clothes", I just changed into my walking shoes and went.  Well, that was a mistake because my pants were thick (black jeans) and I had on a camisole under my shirt, so that was all just a little more than I could stand.

Never-the-less, I did go two miles and I did up my speed a bit for at least ten of my 35 minutes.

Baby steps.

Double Time ...

Went to the gym this morning about 10am.  That is not a good time to go.  Very crowded.  It seems that is "senior time" (and I dont mean high school!)  So I got in a few rounds on the machines, and about 20 minutes on the treadmill, but I didnt get to use the bike/eliptical.

So, I went back again this evening about 5pm and I was the only one there for about a half hour.  I had made two rounds on the ab machines and was on the seated eliptical when two other ladies came in.  Then I did one more round of the ab machines and as I was leaving one more person was coming in.  I prefer that setting much better than the one this morning.

The saddest part about this morning's workout ... I sneaked a glance at the settings of the treadmill the little lady next to me was using ... and she was walking faster than I was!!

Tomorrow morning is weigh in time.  I hope those ribs my mom shoved in my mouth while my dad held me down yesterday don't come back to haunt me!

Still At It ...

Still working out.  Every day this week.  Even went today.  Planning to go tomorrow and Monday as well. That's the beauty of the anytime access feature.  It also takes away any excuse I have for not being able to get there during "normal business hours".

I stayed a little bit longer than usual today.  Usually I walk on the treadmill for half an hour then do the machines.  Today I did a round of the machines then walked, then did another round of the machines.  I even used an ab machine I had not used before (well, I tried it once and my body just wasnt ready for it, but today I was actually able to use it, so I count that as great progress!)  I just hope I can keep the enthusiasm and motivation going this strong for the long haul!

Commitment ...

Well, I bit the bullet and 'officially' signed up today at Snap Fitness. I have an 'orientation' tomorrow evening where someone will walk me through all the machines and help me set up a 'workout plan'.  This past week on my free trial I just sort of winged it and actually learned quite a lot about things on my own.  I've at least got the treadmill mastered!

Tonight I also bought new 'bathroom' scales - though they are in my kitchen b/c that's the only floor I have with a hard surface (yes, I unfortunately have carpet in my bathroom).  They aren't fancy or expensive, but I'm sure they'll be more accurate (and more importantly, more consistent) than my old ones.  The old ones are about 15 (or more) years old, and seriously you can get on them, step off, wait a minute, step back on, and if you do this five times you will get at least three different readings (the old ones are not digital).  The new ones are digital and though they feel kinda cheap (they may be cheap but they were not inexpensive!) they seem to be working pretty accurately (and are within two pounds of the 'average' of what the old ones say).  To me it's less a measure of what I actually weigh, and more of  a comparison and progress tool as I go along.

So, I'll weigh first thing in the morning (since that's when 'they' say you should weigh) and I'll start a new ticker, and I'll post it once a week.  Yeah, I did this once this year already, but then I went to Nashville and blew it out of the water and never got back on it when vacation was over.  This time I'm sticking to it (for one reason b/c I am paying hard-earned money to a gym to help keep me motivated).  And because I have to do something to make me feel better.  Looking better is just gonna be a bonus.

There will however not be any before and after pictures.

I Need New Shoes ...

These five year old Walmart specials are not going to work for my workouts.  At least not for the treadmill part of it.  I dont even know where to start to buy "good" shoes for running / walking (in my case just walking).

I know I need good shoes that fit properly and have good support, but I also know I'm not about to invest hundreds of dollars in shoes to wear to the gym.

Any suggestions?  Inexpensive suggestions please.  Just for walking on the treadmill; no running, no adverse conditions.  Just 45 minutes to an hour on the treadmill, that's all.

Workout # 3 ...

Today was my third day at the gym.  I actually 'felt' it today when I was working on my arms and abs.  There wasn't any pain, but there was just the 'feeling' that I'd been working those muscles.  Tomorrow I might bypass the arm/ab machines and just spend some extra time on the treadmill.

There are some serious workout folks there.  I like the fact though that all the equipment is adjustable for all levels.  I just have to remember to check the settings before I start or else I find myself wondering why I cant budge the machine - like yesterday when I noticed that the weight adjustment has been set on 170 pounds! (My limit on arms is 40, and on legs is 30!)

Today was 25 minutes on the treadmill, then arms/abs/legs machines .... then 20 minutes on the stationary bike ... then another round of arms/abs/legs.  Not too many reps on each of the machines, but I'll get there ... eventually.

I'm pretty sure I'll go ahead and sign up for the paid membership once my free week is up.  Especially since you can just pay monthly without committing to a year or more.

One thing I'l like to point out though .... I haven't lost any weight yet.  But then I got to thinking ... it must be because I've gained muscle, right?

  

I have (starting today) substituted my Peanut Butter Snickers for this:

Workin' Out ...

At least for a week.  Went to Snap Fitness today and was finally able to find an attendant there so I could get in, look around, and sign up for my free trial one-week membership.  I had tried several weeks ago when they first opened up but no one was ever 'on duty' during posted hours.

I think I will like it ... if I got as often as I should, and really work out while I'm there.

I'll let you know at the end of the week what I think.

And yeah, I'm also gonna try to do that whole "no more peanut butter snickers from the vending machine at work" thing.  I'll let you know how that works out too!