Posts Tagged ‘strength training’

Weekend: Weigh-In, Warriors, and Getting Cozy with Strangers

March 7th, 2010

The big headline from the last week should really be that I’m back on the wagon with exercise.  As I wrote a few days ago, I’ve had to change up my cardio routine to keep from losing my mind on the treadmill day in and day out, and it’s going well!  I did fall one day short of my four days of cardio goal, but I got in my strength training as I should, and I’m enjoying the new routine my trainer worked out for me a couple of weeks ago.  The only semi-problem with all this: I gained a pound as of my official weigh-in on Saturday.  I was up from 253 pounds last week to 254 pounds this Saturday.  I’m sure it was because of the exercise after taking a week off.  In fact, I had weighed 253 on Friday, and then did strength training on Friday night, which usually bumps my weight up a little the next day.  This morning (Sunday), I was 252, so I’m confident that my body’s gotten used to the exercise again and is back on track with weight loss.

Which leads me to my progress on the Weekend Warriors Challenge from Brandon over at So Long, Fat Ass! My goals were to stick to my regular eating schedule (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and after dinner treat) and do cardio both days this weekend.  I did fairly well with nutrition yesterday, though I did miss my afternoon snack.  My friends and I spent yesterday afternoon at Atlantic Station here in Atlanta and had lunch at Rosa Mexicano followed by a trip through Dialog in the Dark, an exhibit where you’re immersed in total darkness with a cane and a blind guide to take your group through venues set up like a park, a grocery store, a city street, a boat (including walking a gangplank to get aboard), and a cafe.  You have to use your other senses to experience the world around you, and it really is enlightening.  Oh…and you get cozy with strangers.  Real cozy.  You all think you’re reaching for a tangerine in the grocery store portion of the exhibit, and SURPRISE!!!  » Read more: Weekend: Weigh-In, Warriors, and Getting Cozy with Strangers

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Mid-Week Madness

March 2nd, 2010

I’m about half-way through my week, and I’m back on track with my exercise routine, but my great six pound weight loss from last week is quickly being erased!  Last week, I went from 259.0 to 253.0 pounds, but as of this morning, I was at 257.0 again!  Ugh!!!  This is yet another reason to stick with an exercise routine, and not (intentionally or unintentionally) give yourself too much time off.  I did the first session on my own of the new strength training routine that my trainer set me up with, and I was satisfyingly sore the next day.  (Funny how exercise can turn a normal person into a fitness masochist).  I’ve kicked the strength training up to another level, and while it feels great, I think my weight is showing it (or my scales are jerking me around big time!).

When I jumped back on the treadmill, my endurance had suffered dramatically from having taken a week off.  I was down from 48 minutes to 30 minutes on Sunday, and when I got on tonight, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it for more than 5 minutes.  I think I need some variety in my cardio routine.  So I jumped on the Wii Fit, and I burned over 300 calories that way, which was a nice change.  If it will ever stop snowing in Atlanta » Read more: Mid-Week Madness

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Top 10 Weight Loss Surprises

February 27th, 2010

When I began this journey, I was serious about losing weight.  I’d never lost more than about 30 pounds in my past efforts though.  Now, through making healthy lifestyle changes, I’m knocking on the door of fifty pounds lost, though I still have even more to go.  Losing that much weight has provided me with some surprises.  Here are the top ten surprises in my weight loss journey so far: » Read more: Top 10 Weight Loss Surprises

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My Dismal Week of Exercise

February 26th, 2010

If I had worked out today, I wouldn’t have gotten to see a guy almost get tazed.  But it wasn’t just today I didn’t work out.  I haven’t worked out this week.  At all.  No cardio, no strength training, no moseying around the block with the dog in workout clothes to look like I’m exercising (that would be me in the workout clothes, with the dog, who much to her chilly chagrin remains naked save for her collar).  Nada.  Zip. Zilch.  I’ve been a lazy bum on the workout front…and I’ve lost four pounds so far this week.

The week was destined to start out with a bang.  Last Saturday I went back to my trainer, and she set me up with a great new routine.  I ached, could hardly move, and shook for two days after.  It was awesome!  To my own disbelief, I’ve gotten to where I love that feeling.  Then came Sunday, and I went to a writing workshop that lasted most of the day, and afterward I talked myself into the idea that the whole “day of rest” thing surely includes exercise (ignoring the fact that Adam still had to eat on Sundays in Eden and likely had to go chase down his dinner…cardio!).  Then Monday rolled around, when I co-teach a class until six in the evening, and thus it comprises my one weekly day off from exercise anyway.  Then Tuesday, an alumni event » Read more: My Dismal Week of Exercise

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On the Ball (Or Not…)

January 31st, 2010

Well tonight it finally happened.  I fell off the ball with exercise.  Literally.

But first, I should ‘fess up that I haven’t totally been on the ball as far as exercise is concerned for the past week, in more ways than one.  Last Sunday, I intended to do strength training, followed by cardio, a combination that I’ve come to enjoy.  Instead of working out 6-7 days a week, I double up cardio and strength days, knock it out at once, and the cardio ends up being much easier, without the lead calves that seem to plague me for the first 10 minutes on the treadmill when I start cold.  So last Sunday, I finished my strength training and jumped on the treadmill, only to feel like I was either going to throw up or pass out once I got started – neither of which seemed like a good idea, as I envisioned myself flying off the back of the treadmill and crashing through the second story window behind me.  I went for 4 minutes, and I realized this feeling wasn’t going away. » Read more: On the Ball (Or Not…)

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In It to Win It!

January 25th, 2010

I may have mentioned before that exercise is a lot more difficult for me than maintaining proper nutrition. I got my nutrition in line almost three months ago; the exercise is only going on one month. But I’ve been thinking lately that something must be wrong with me. You see, I’m beginning to…well…like it! “It” being exercise; crazy talk, I know. I must have pulled something in my brain during my last strength training routine, because this can’t be a sane individual talking. » Read more: In It to Win It!

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Sticking with Exercise (Despite my Instincts…)

January 13th, 2010

Today was a strength training day, meaning I got to inflict the joy of criss-cross abs (among eight other not nearly as diabolical exercises) upon myself without the assistance of my trainer.  Have I mentioned how much I hate that particular method of torture exercise?  I’m still amazed that I’m choosing to spend my free time this way in the evening now. But I’m expecting the results to make it all worth it.

Last week was a little disappointing, though.  It was my first full week of exercising regularly, and I stuck to my routines faithfully.  Four days of cardio and two days of strength training.  I did everything by the book and according to my plan.  My weekly weigh in is on Saturday, and when I woke up last Saturday morning and excitedly jumped on the scale, I was up a pound!  After all that work, and a six pound weight loss the week before, I was a little ticked.  The dog sensed my displeasure and showed her concern by looking up, rolling her eyes, and resuming licking herself. » Read more: Sticking with Exercise (Despite my Instincts…)

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“You may be a little sore tomorrow…”

January 11th, 2010

Getting my nutrition in line hasn’t been easy, but it hasn’t been a huge challenge either.  It took some getting used to, but with my motivation to make a change, things began to fall into place.  I still struggle or have lapses every now and then, but I’m doing pretty well overall.  Exercise, on the other hand…

Exercise hasn’t come nearly as easy to me.  The reason is simple really.  I hate it. » Read more: “You may be a little sore tomorrow…”

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