30 minutes of Intensity

And next week I will be going back for more! Tonight was the first class of a 4 week 30 minute TRX class.

 TRX Training Site

My arms are so sore right now. I have no idea how I am going to feel tomorrow. I have been wanting to try this for awhile, but all the classes at the Y were during the day. I have been bugging them for about 2 months now to get a night class. They posted on March 27th an evening class was starting and I called within like 10 minutes of it being posted on facebook. The director was really really surprised. Wow social media works! I shelled out my $25 for the class and had about 1 week to worry some. I so did not have to be worried of course. The Y has been so great every time I go. The instructor was very good. He explained the moves and how to make them easier and harder. We started with upper body and did 4 exercises. Lower body was squats and lunges. We ended with 2 different crunches. I pushed myself and had a BLAST. I am so going to have to budget to do it each month. I mentioned they now need a saturday class so I could go twice a week. :) I can not get to the Thursday class.

Has anyone else tried TRX? What are some other classes you like?

Brushes off the dust on this thing

The past couple of months have been brought to you by high processed foods and lack of exercise. About November my get up and go got up and went. It left me in a funk that I am slowly coming out of. I have been paralyzed with fear to write and fear to start exercising again. The why bother gene has kicked into high gear. I am starting to kick it to the curb. I miss working out and getting sweaty. I miss getting stronger. I am just finding it really hard to get started again. The following is what I have done in the past couple of weeks to ease back into exercising and eating healthy again.

1) I am not Catholic but I really like the idea of Lent and giving up something. This year I gave up chocolate and Fast food. My definition of fast food has been a restaurant where I can talk to a clown, or someplace I do not tip. It has been hard but getting easier. There is 2 more weeks to go. I have been enjoying other sweet things instead of chocolate like homemade larabars and vanilla ice cream when I have been wanting something sweet.

2) In the past 2 weeks I have walked home 3 times from work. It is about 1 mile and takes me about 28 minutes. The first time I did it I was in PAIN for about 3 days after. Yesterday was really good and I am not feeling pain today.

3) LM and I joined a Sunday Pilates class. We missed last week but I plan to not miss anymore.

4) This is the one I am most excited and most scared about. My Y is now offering a night TRX class. I saw the message on facebook and quickly called to sign up. I will be taking TRX for 4 weeks starting Tuesday April 3rd. Of course once I signed up the doubts started. Oh boy did they start. I paid money for this class though and I am not going to let it stop me!

Medical Woes

This is going to be about girly bits so if you are someone who does not like to read about that kind of thing just skim on by. 


I went to the doctor the other day for a 2nd opinion. I have had an ultrasound and a MRI done of my uterus to see if they could find my IUD. I have had the IUD for almost 5 years and that is when they need to come out. My first doctor ordered the tests but never really got back to me about the results or what the next step would be. I called a couple of times and left messages but no response. That is when I decided to get a 2nd opinion. She was kind enough to read me what the other doctor had in the notes.

I have a fibroid that is about 3.5 centimeters. It is probably obscuring the IUD but they are not sure.

I need outpatient surgery to do a couple of things and depending on the results maybe a couple of more things. Here are the problems...

1) The outpatient surgery center will not do my surgery since my BMI is over 40. No mention about the fact that 5 years ago they did it NO problem. These must be new regulations. *GAG*

2) My doctor can not do the surgery at her hospital since it is a Catholic one. If she wants to put in an IUD that is *gasp* birth control and can not be done.

I may have to go to a 3rd doctor who is associated with a non Catholic hospital to be able to get the simplest thing done which is a D&C, removal of my IUD and inserting another IUD

Other options on the table are:
a) Try to remove the Fibroid
b) Try to do an ablation
c) Tubal
d) Partial Hysterectomy (hopefully laparscopicly, but maybe have to be cut open) It would depend on what happens when I go under.

Of course b and c are considered 'birth control' and can not be done at the Catholic Hopital. D I think could be because it would be considered something that is for bleeding. Of course D is the most invasive and could have more thing go wrong.

So the 2nd doctor is going to do her research and get back with me 5-7 days. I so do not like waiting. I really just want to get this done. I am really tired of Aunt Flo. Each time it is just alittle bit worse. It was good for about 2-3 years after the first D&C but has been slowly getting worse and worse. *sighs* It affects all aspects of my life when she visits. I just want to do something that will make it better.

Any suggestions? Ideas? Words of Wisdom? Words of Comfort?

Yoga is becoming an exercise in futility

I signed up for an eight week Yoga class that meets at 7:30 am on Saturday was the 2nd class. I am really trying to have an open mind about this. The first class went really well I felt. I had some trouble with some of the poses, but was able to modify. Today was a different story. I got so frustrated in one part. There is a chunk of yoga where you are on your hands and knees. I have arthritis in both of my knees, with my right being worse than my left.  Because of this I have a really hard time kneeling. I can kneel on both for a short period of time, but I am unable to kneel just on my right knee without PAIN. Today the instructor had us do the hand and knee balance (you can see the move here) and this is where I just started to get frustrated. I did try since we have the mat and we are on a padded floor. I slowly raised my right arm and left leg, and then quickly put it back down. The right knee was having none of it. I was able to slightly do the move on the other side but the left knee was not very happy. Another pose that 'should' be easy is child's pose and I never feel comfortable or that I am getting a good stretch. I think I may have to research and see what other modifications I can do if I am going to finish out this class.

Any suggestions or ideas?? I would love to hear from you! 

FMM: Friend Making Monday

Kenlie over at All the Weigh has a feature on Mondays called Friend Making Monday. Below are my answers to today's getting to know you questions!

1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday? I love to go out to dinner and see a movie. There is just something about seeing a movie in the theater that makes it better. I think it is that I can get lost in the story and not be distracted like I get at home when we watch a movie. 

2) List your top three favorite TV shows.  I do not really watch TV. As of last week we have gotten rid of Direct TV and now only have an antenna and local channels. I will probably catch the new Who do you think you are online and when the next season of True Blood is out on DVD we will get that. 

3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them? I want to be the one taking the pictures. No desire to be in them. I rarely feel like I look good. I am trying to change that and take more pictures for my blog. 

4) Why do you blog? I first started journaling online with Livejournal. I started to write about parts of my life and find people who are interested in reading and are interesting people. I have met some great people on LJ as well as on FB and blogger. My blog is a journal for only one aspect of life. It helps me to be accountable and I love knowing others are reading. 

5) Share five websites that you visit regularly…There are 4 sites I have set to open when I log in. They are Livejournal, gmail, facebook, and blogger. I then will usually go to CNN or Yahoo News. 

6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be? I do not use twitter. 

7) List a few of your favorite snacks. I like snacks WAY too much. My big one that I eat on an almost daily basis is Wasabi Seaweed. It is so crunchy and yummy! I also like chocolate. 

8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind? I am owned by 4 cats. Mr Melodie Man, Dustbunnie, Serendipity and Strife. 

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without? Internet, Computer, and Car

10) What’s your favorite drink?  Diet Coke! 

11) Do you enjoy cooking? I finding cooking meals hard, but I very much enjoy baking. 

12) Do you have children? No and I do not plan to have any. 

13) What are your favorite hobbies? Reading and playing games. I have about 50 different card games. 

14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing? Very much outgoing. I strike up conversations with strangers on a daily basis it seems.

15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change? I would like to be more adventurous. I am outgoing but I do not go out much if that makes sense. 

16) Who is your favorite actor/actress? I do not have any real favorites. I know some that I really can not stand though.. Tom Cruise and Jim Carey. 

17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week?  Stuck out the Yoga class on Saturday. I even plan to go back! 

18) Do you live near your family or far from them? My mom and brother live in town, but I am about 4 hours from my Dad. Everyone else is miles away. 

19) List three of your talents. I am a really good problem solver. I love to just figure something out. This also goes in hand with my talent for bargain hunting. I was even on TV for using coupons before extreme couponing was 'cool'.  I did not take it to the extreme the people on the show do though.  My 3rd talent is the ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. 

20) What is your greatest attribute? That I can see the positive in most things. I am always looking for the good in people and the world. I have been accused of being a Polyanna but I wear that title with pride. 

Hello again, Hello.

Wow it has been over a month since I have posted. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! The past month has been filled with ups and downs. Some things up more than I like because of how down some things were.

In December I got my test results back and I need a follow up mammogram in 6 months just in case. He does not think there is a problem though. I had the MRI for the fibroid and my doctor seems to want to get me in for surgery earlier. I am going to be looking to get a 2nd opinion. One of my big problems is trying to find money for the deductible for 2 years in a row. I know I do not need things done right now, but soon probably.

Also in December I went and picked up my 100 hour shirt from the Y. It is my new favorite work out shirt. I am really glad it is not WHITE. Since you can do this multiple times I signed up in January to work toward a 2nd shirt. It took me 7.5 months to get the 1st shirt. I am aiming to get this shirt in less time.  I would love to be done in 6 months, but I thinking aiming for mid-July will be better.

The bad thing about December is that the only time I really went to the Y was to pick up my shirt. I did do a couple of work outs, but nothing like 4-5 times a week that I have done in the past. I admit that I really missed the workouts.

Fast food was my friend during the month of December as well as usual holiday treats. January I have rededicated myself to little to no fast food. My body and my wallet will thank me.

I weighed in on Friday January 6th and my starting weight for this year is 280. I am up 15 lbs from my lowest weight last year of 265. I am still 48 lbs lower than my starting weight last year. I am going to count this as a win. I am feeling good and I really have made a habit of working out. For the first week of January I have had   3.5 hours of exercise. LM and I went to the Y 4 mornings at 5:30am. Each time I did 30 minutes on the elliptical. I also had about 45 minutes of Pilates and 45 minutes of Yoga. I signed up for what I thought was going to be a Pilates class on Saturdays at 7:30am. The book had it listed as Pilates, but they decided to change it to Yoga. I went for the first time on 1/7. It is an 8 week course. I decided I am going to give a the class a chance. It helps that a friend from Tai Chi is taking the class and I like the instructor. Last time I took a Yoga class was in about 2004 and it did not go well. The teacher could not modify for a big girl and did not make the class feel welcoming. This time will be different.

I still have the same goal (resolution) this year as I did last year: To be more active. I also have added that I want to be more adventurous. We shall see how that goes. Branch out from my normal dinner and a movie on date night. I would love to hear some ideas of things I should try.

I hope everyone has a great New Year and you and yours are healthy and happy. What are some things you have planned for the new year?

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.

And the results are in.

Yesterday was my 40th birthday and the date I had set for my goal to be at 250lbs. I did not make that goal but I am still very proud and happy.

My 40 week Recap

I have dropped about 4 clothing sizes. In January my 28/28s and were getting very tight. I really should have been moving to a 30/32. Now I am solidly a 22.

I have been taken off 2 medications and the other 2 have had the doses cut in half. To be perfectly honest I have not been taking the 2 meds regularly. I am testing my blood sugar at times and even with not taking the glucophage my numbers have been in the normal range. Heck last night at bowling I had a lot of sugar and before bed my blood sugar registered 108. This morning it was still 108. My knees are hurting and popping less. I still have some issues and may need to do something about it.

I have made exercise a habit. When I got back from vacation I did not work out much for about 3 weeks and I totally missed it. My request for my birthday was to have my gym membership paid for the next 3 months. That was the only thing I really really wanted. I love pilates and water aerobics. I even got a pass to take pilates at a different facility so I can do it twice a week. It also helped that they had a groupon. *grins*  I am still working on getting a good strength training program underway. Maybe for the holidays I will ask for personal training.

I think I will get my Y t-shirt for the 100 hour club next month. This means that since March I have worked out 100 hours.

I had earned enough points in 6 months to get payout with my work wellness program. Unfortunately my work decided to cancel the program they had for 2011. So no reward from work for 2011. They are starting a new program in 2012. It is going to be run by the health insurance company. It seems like the rewards are along the same line as what you can get from credit cards that do point programs.

I am happy in my own skin again. I can go the stairs and not feel like I am going to die. I do not circumnavigate a parking lot to get the closest space because it is hard to walk from the car to the store.

Oh yeah, I guess you might be wanting to know what the numbers ended up being. So here you go by the numbers:

Starting Weight: 328 lbs

Ending Weight:  270 lbs

Average 1.45 lbs/wk (40 weeks)

So where will I go from here. I am still thinking about changing the name of my blog. It is not about weight loss. It is more about my journey. Or more to the point my quests. I need to figure out how to get it done, but I am leaning toward YAPS about her quests. One of my quests is to be healthy. Another is to be happy. Heck I have a quest to blog more both here and a couple of other places. I plan to make another weight goal even though that is not the end all be all of this journey. I was going to say be at 225 by 2/25 since it sounds so COOL, but I might be setting myself up for disaster. It would be 45 lbs in 18 weeks. That would mean I would have to average 2.5 lbs/week during one of the more stressful and food filled times of the year. Not going to happen. My next idea which is the one I think I will go with is: 100lbs down (228) by day 100 (April 9th) in 2012. That would be 42 lbs in about 23 weeks. A more manageable number. I am probably going to change my weigh in to Mondays and set up a new ticker over the weekend.

Now it is time to get ready for work and get this day over with. Then the weekend!

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy day!

I am disappointed in myself

Today I walked for the Cure in Lexington Kentucky. There were so many people and it was a great time. Pretty cool because of the wind but a very nice day. No rain which was really nice.

The are a couple of different reasons why I am disappointed in myself.

- I have not been to the Y since before going on vacation (over a week ago)
- I have not been recording my food.
- I am mindless eating and getting trigger foods when shopping.

But. The biggest reason I am disappointed in myself is because I did not go for the 5K today. I stopped after 1 mile. I am just kicking myself for not going on. The reasons I stopped seem so minor. I was going at a good speed. I was feeling good. I had to go the bathroom slightly but nothing that could not wait. I basically scared myself out of going on.

I will put this behind me and move on. Next walk I will do the complete 5K.

Back from Vacation

I am back from my vacation to North Myrtle Beach. We had such beautiful weather. I was able to jump waves every day. I went for a 1.5 mile walk one morning. I kept myself covered in sunscreen so I did not get a burn. It was a great trip. I got some beautiful pictures of the sunrise one day. I lost money on the gambling cruise, but got to go out on the water in a boat. I can't wait to go back to the ocean or gulf. I ate some really good food and some not so tasty food. The car ride back yesterday was so long. I almost need a vacation now to recover from my vacation!

Now time to catch up on my blog reading and soon to head to work. Have a great week!

I have a waist!

Last picture update I mentioned that I could not see progress. Others could, but I just could not see it. But today a picture is worth 1000 words.  The 1st picture is from June 26th and the 2nd is from Sept 30th.

I really see a difference in my face and waist. My cheeks and double chin are not as pudgy. I can see daylight between my arms and side. I really think the Pilates is causing the change in my waist. As the muscles get toned/stronger the waist is becoming more defined. I think it is quite interesting that the previous pictures were 2 months and 20 lbs. (April-June) and I could not really see the progress. This time the pictures are 3 months and only 10lbs but I see major changes.

Tomorrow I am heading with my mom and stepdad to North Myrtle Beach for VACATION!! I am so excited. I plan to bring some healthy breakfasts and snacks. I know I will be eating out more and hope to not stress about it. I have checked out the pictures of the weight room at the hotel and it should be good. The closest Y is about 10 miles away in Myrtle Beach and charges $5/day so I am not sure if I will get to go. I did print out a class list just in case. There is also a facility in North Myrtle Beach but they have a $15/day rate.  I do not think that is worth it. I will be doing a bunch of wave jumping and hanging out in the ocean so that will be great exercise. I hope to get some pictures and maybe some will have me in them. (and not just my feet). I have noticed I am not as camera shy as I once was.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Wow, a graph again

It is Friday weigh in day and the graph is below.

I have 4 weeks to lose 14.5 lbs to make my original goal to be 250lbs by my 40th birthday. For me I do not think it is possible. I am very much ok with this thought. I am modifying my goal to be 225 by 2/25. I think the new goal is kinda catchy! Sometimes for me it is about the numbers. I just can not let it be all about the number on the scale.

With that being said I am realizing my blog title is not really fitting. I am Yapping but not really about weight loss. The blog post the other day by Waisting Time: Whats in a name got me to think about wanting to change my blog name again. I just do not know what to change weight loss to. I know I want to keep YAPS. I just adore the acronym. But what am I really yapping about?

In other news I have worked out every day for the past 6 days:

Saturday: 1mi walk for the health and soul fair. It had only about 20 people and I was dead last. I still finished though! I walked with LM from: 146 TShirts.
Sunday: 30 minutes on the elliptical at the Y
Monday: 30 minutes on the elliptical at the Y
Tues: 60 minutes water aerobics. I used the 8lb weights!
Wednesday: Pilates class. I bumped it up a notch and went to the Int/Adv class. I am still sore. I was surprised at how much I was able to do.
Thursday: Bowling. Yes I really think it counts as exercise.
Friday: Elliptical again for 30 minutes. This time I tried the variety program instead of interval.

Tomorrow I have pilates in the morning. Then I will see if LM wants to do some cardio at the Y. Maybe even a nice relaxing soak to reward myself after working out all week. I am debating about taking Sunday off.