There will be more tests

This past week has been a roller coaster in emotions. The good: Lots of fun was had on Turkey day as well as over last weekend. The bad: Medical tests and inconclusive results.  I have not had as many work outs as I would have liked and my eating has not been as healthy as it could have been. Brain just is not shutting up about the medical issues. I am trying really hard to not use food to block the thoughts. Web searches and getting more knowledge is how I am trying to get thru this.

Now to the medical issues:

On Oct 27th I turned 40 and that is the magic time to get your first mammogram. I went in on Thursday the 17th and had my yearly and then also scheduled my 1st mammogram for sometime in December. While I was at my yearly I mentioned that I was unsure about my IUD and I was still at times having heavy periods. She decided she also wanted to schedule an ultrasound. Since I was already taking a 1/2 day on Friday the 18th I decided to get the ultrasound out of the way at that point.

Come to find out that due to issues at work the building was closed on the 18th and instead of just a 1/2 day I had the whole day off. I was able to reschedule my ultrasound for the morning. Once that was done I asked at the lab if there was a way to squeeze me in for my mammogram as well. Might as well get both out of the way. I was in 'luck' and I got that done as well.

On Tuesday I got a letter about the mammogram. "There appears to be an area of concern that requires additional evaluation". Then my brain did the Oh Shit, Oh Shit, Oh Shit!!! Today... the doctor's office called. It seems there is some issues with the ultrasound and fibroids. They want to get me in for a MRI.  Brain of course starts in on the freaking out again.

Now I am scheduled for both follow-up procedures on Wed morning Nov 30th.

So that has been my medical issues over the past week. 

Update in Bullet Points

Monday was busy with 30 minutes on the elliptical in the AM and 1 hour of Pilates in the PM

Weight was down 2.9lbs (271.8 lbs)
 
I completed the 100 hours and will get my Y T-Shirt soon
 
Tues is not as busy. AM Strength Training and relaxing at home after work

Looking to Participate in the YMCA Reindeer Ramble 5K Run/Walk on Dec 10th 
 
Having fun recording things on Fitocracy and leveling up. 
 
Wed the plan is Cardio in the AM and Pilates after work
 
Saturday we plan to go to LAC to sign up and start our free membership. (1 month for me)
 
I hope to also find out about the personal training (3-1 hour sessions)

That is about it for now. I will try to have a more in depth post soon.

Weekend Recap

On Saturday LM and I went to Lexington Athletic Club to participate in Cardio for Comfort. They were raising money for Hospice. I do not know the numbers but I am betting at least 100 people participated.  The big plan was to take 4-30 minutes classes and have some fun. We did 2 classes and had great fun. We were both very tired after Hi-Lo Aerobics and then Zumba. I did stay and watch some of the boot camp class and really glad I did not take it. I would not have been able to keep up. We went upstairs and checked the door prize table. LM won a T-shirt and then they mentioned that there was an envelope attached. Once LM opened it up she found out that she had one 6 months free. WOW!! I got 3 personal training sessions and since I am not a member they upped the prize to include a free month. We shall see what happens after the free time. We were discussing the what ifs about joining if we find out we like it. Would we want to keep both gym memberships? - probably. What would we consider getting our money's worth if we did join LAC? - going at least 5 times a month. (5 classes) It is something to think about.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere at LAC. The people were very welcoming and friendly. The 2 classes had instructors that gave good options and did not talk down to people. One big thing they pushed was that if you did not get the movements then just keep moving. Doing something is better than stopping. In the Hi-Lo class the instructor gave a range of movements that could be done for some of the exercises so you could increase or lower the intensity as needed. The place had a really great feel.

The rest of Saturday was errands, resting and movie watching. JD and I went and saw The Immortals at Movie Tavern where we also had dinner. I had a pretty good Avocado Pita with Lettuce, Onion and Cucumber.

Today I decided that I was going to do Week 2 Day 1 of my strength training workout. It is the same exercises as WK 1 Day 1. You decrease the reps, increase the sets by 1 and decrease the rest time by 15 seconds. I also increased from a 5lb dumbbell to the 8lb. I could feel it this time. I think this week I am going to be doing the routine Sun/Tues/Friday.  I am very proud of the fact that I am continuing with the program.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I probably will not get to record my weigh in till late in the day but I will weigh in when I first get up. JD starts his new schedule tomorrow. Instead of working 2pm-10:45pm he is now going to be working 5:30am-2pm. We have 1 car so I have to get up and drive him. The interesting thing is that the Y opens at 5:30 am. Tomorrow LM and I are going to see what it is like to go work out at 5:30am. I figure I can do 30 minutes on the Elliptical. I also plan to go to Bliss Wellness tomorrow night for a 6pm Pilates class.

I am making time for me. Scheduling around exercise is becoming the default instead of everything else before exercise. I like this change.

Day 3 of Strength Training

AKA: Oh my I am hurting, but in a good way.

The pictured workout consisted of 2 Modified Compound SuperSets.

#1: Back and Thighs: Squats with Dumbell Rows (8lbs)

      Chest and Core: Push-Ups w/ Side Rotation (modified)

#2  Shoulders and Thighs: Upright Row w/ Side to Side Plie Squats (8lbs)

      Triceps and Thighs: Plie Squats and Tricep Extension (10lbs)  

 

Page 145 of The Body Sculpting Bible Express

Today was a bit harder. I did have to modify the 2nd part of the 1st compound superset. I am not ready for pushups and knee push ups hurt because of the arthritis in my knees. I can not kneel for very long at all. Instead I did Wall Push Ups.




I have also been having fun logging my workouts on Fitocracy. From the about page: "Fitocracy is the game you play to improve your fitness. Play it to track your progress, compete against your friends, and get real results in your physical fitness."
Right now I am level 6 and after tomorrow's workout I will probably get to level 7. I am still learning about the site and finding some groups to follow.

Back on Sunday I mentioned some goals. At this time I have only eaten out once which was tonight at Firehouse Subs. I have also kept up with my food diary all week. I may eat out twice this weekend, but 3 times in 7 days is MUCH better than I have done in the past 4 weeks.

Now it is time to get ready for bed since tomorrow is a busy day with going to Cardio for Comfort and then a bunch of errands. I am very nervous and excited about tomorrow. No idea if I will be able to keep up but I am definitely going to try.

Day 2 of my Strength Training

Today is the 2nd day of my 21 day express workout challenge. I increased the weight up to 8lbs on some of the exercises since I was not sore on Monday.

Modified Compound SuperSet #1
Shouders: Dumbbell Upright Rows - 8lbs                           2 sets/18-20 reps/ 60 sec rest
Calves: Two-Legged Dumbbell Calf Raises  - 8lbs             2 sets/18-20 reps/ 60 sec rest


Modified Compound SuperSet #2
Biceps: Dumbbell Curls  -  8lbs                                           2 sets/18-20 reps/ 60 sec rest
Triceps: Lying Dumbbell Triceps Extensions  -  5lbs           2 sets/18-20 reps/ 60 sec rest

On Friday the routine gets more challenging. I am going to struggle with one of the exercises on Friday (push-up with side rotation) The book does have suggestions for working up to the exercise. Next week I will be doing the same exercises but increasing to 3 sets, lowering the reps to 15-18 and the rest between is 45 seconds. Week 3 I will be doing 4 sets, 12-15 reps and 30 second rest.

Today I also went to the Y for Pilates at 5:30. I am enjoying taking Pilates twice a week. I am glad K was back today teaching at the Y. Her teaching style is really good. I went to the beginner class and it had 6 people! 3 were relatively new.

On Saturday LM and I are going to participate in Cardio for Comfort- A fundraiser for Hospice of Lexington being held at the Lexington Athletic Club.







They are going to have a wide range of classes going on for 2 hours. Per the information I have seen they will have 2-3 different classes every 30 minutes. I am excited to try out Boot Camp. I may also give Spinning a chance. The cost is $20 and the benefits are helping out a great organization, a couple of workouts, a t-shirt and the chance for door prizes. I have always wanted to see what LAC is like and now I can. The gym looks really cool/interesting but I know I would not go since it is across town from where I live.

Cardio for Comfort Event Listing on Facebook

Now that I am more active it is fun to find local events to participate in. Run/Walks are listed on a local shoe store's website. There is one every weekend. I will definitely write about them!

21 days

I admit the thought of strength training is scary to me. I have a bunch of books and some equipment just gathering dust. I enjoy weight work once I start but I have not been able to just start. I get so bogged down on the details that I do not do anything. I just freeze. I also worry about injury if I do not do the exercises just right. What if I do not get a good rest day? What if I work the same muscles too much? The What Ifs just run round and round in my head.
THIS ENDS TODAY!

Last night I cleaned off my weight bench. It was a nice catch-all place when I would come into my room. I found a home for all items that were on the bench. Below the bench are my 3, 5, 8 and 10 lb dumbbells for use.

I picked one of my books and it has a beginner routine to do for 21 days and each day should only take 21 minutes. The routine for Monday consists of 2 modified compound supersets. 18-20 reps for 2 sets with a 60 sec rest.

#1 Back: One Arm Row
     Chest: Inclined Dumbbell Bench Press

#2 Thighs: Dumbbell Squats
     Hamstrings: Dumbbell Stiff Legged Deadlifts

I just completed the exercises and recorded them. Day 1 of 21 is in the bag. I did 5lb weights which at this time seems to be about right. On Rep 18-20 I was starting to feel the fatigue.  I think the 8lb weight would have been too much at this time.

Back to the Gym again

I did 1 hour today at the Y. 30 minutes on the Elliptical and 30 minutes on the treadmill. This means that I am now 3.5 hours away from completing the 100 hour challenge at the Y. I might be able to get that done this week. Woohoo!! It depends on when I get to the gym and if I do a class or just use the machines. We shall see. I will take a picture once I get the new shirt.

An interesting thing happened today after my workout. My face was feeling alittle tight and itchy. I reached up and felt grit against my skin. When I looked in the mirror in the car my face looked like there was something white on it in spots. I did a quick taste test and found out that it was salt. I of course had to come home and do some web searches to see if it was something I needed to be worried about or not. Thinking back I believe I have noticed a grittiness before, but not as much as there was today. Quite interesting. I may be a salty sweater.

My knee is not too happy with me and the longer work out. I do not think I have done anything major though. Rest and some anti-inflammatory meds should take care of it. I always need to be careful of the knee.

Today I did eat out twice- Subway and Qdoba. My plan of fast food only twice in the week starts tomorrow. I also need to restart my food diary. This time of year is hard for me. I either do not want to eat, or want to eat everything in sight. That is one reason I need the food diary. It helps me to keep track and not eat mindlessly.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I know I did!

Saturday Exercise

Today I had my 2nd Pilates class at Bliss Holistic Wellness Center in Lexington Kentucky. It is at a more reasonable hour (10:30am) than the session at the Y (7:30am) that I finished 2 weeks ago. I got a great deal with Groupon where I paid $22 for 5 classes. Today K had us using the ring during class. I have a love/hate relationship with the Magic Circle. It is great because it gets me to concentrate and center. I have a focus point to help make sure what needs to stay steady does and what is moving is the only thing moving. I hate it because of the same reason. I have to modify some of the exercises at time and K is very good at advising on modifications. One big problem I have is knee pain when kneeling. I am thinking I might have to find out what is out there that might help. I do not like not being able to kneel.

So with the hour class today and the 30 minutes yesterday I am only 4.5 hours away from the 100 hour club. I started in April. This means that in 8 months I got 100 hours of exercise in. That is an average of 12.5 hours (750 minutes) a month. Woohoo!! I wonder if I could join again in December and try for another year. I would only have 7 months to get the 100 hours since I would have to finish by June 30th 2012. I could wait till January and then have the full year to complete the 100 hours. I would have to average about 14.5 hours a month to finish in 7 months. Just something to think about.

Time to get on with my Saturday and also think about what I want to get food shopping tomorrow. I need to figure out things to take to work and cut out the eating fast food. Goal for next week is fast food at most twice.

Has it been a week already?

A week has gone by it has not been a good week. It shows in the scale. The scale registered a 6.7 lb gain in 1 week. I know the problems and still working on the solutions.
-Eating out fast food way too much. This week especially. (pizza, chinese, fish, burgers)
-This week I have a visit from Aunt Flo.
-Lack of Exercise- Nothing in the past 5 days
-Boredom and Stress eating

In the month of October I only recorded 8 hours working out. This includes the time for bowling. The main good thing is that as of the end of October I have recorded 94 hours toward the 100 hour club at the Y. I will get my t-shirt this month! This is one month before the deadline. I did go tonight and did 30 minutes on the Elliptical. I almost had a panic attack before going in though. I was feeling like I did the first time I started exercising. The running in your head about what are being saying/thinking about the fat chick exercising. It took me 5 minutes to get out of the car and go into the gym. Tomorrow I am going to have the same issues with going to Pilates. At least I was able to get the 5 class pass for $22 from Groupon and I really like the Pilates instructor.

Work has been a bucket of stress lately. First there was the health insurance raise in rates and the cancelling of the 2011 heath and wellness program. On Wednesday they downsized. I did not lose my job but a friend did. It has been so not a fun couple of weeks. My department had 4 people laid off. Some had been with the company over 20 years. Thursday was not a good day. Neither really was today.

I may be starting to do my exercise in the morning. My boyfriend is moving shifts and he will be working 5:30am-2 instead of 2-10:45 starting in 1 week. The gym opens at 5:30. We have one car so I will be up and driving him at 5:30 anyway. I shall have to see how it works. I am so not a morning person. I will let y'all know how it works out.

Time now to relax some before heading out to get JD from work. Try to think about something to do this weekend maybe.