Followed with another 15 mins on the treadmill. I had planned to do 30-degree push-ups, but I just couldn’t get comfortable on the angle. So, I did the first set as full, on the floor push-ups. I realised that I couldn’t likely do another 20 over the next two sets, so when I got to them again I started off with the knee push-ups, but did half that way and went back to half on my toes. I figure at least until I move to the next level (3 sets of eight) I’ll likely do them this way. So between the squats, the bent-over rows, the push-ups, and the prone jackknife, my hands and wrists are sore. Oh well, I’ll live. The one really good thing is that I managed all three sets of the prone jackknife without falling off the ball! You know, sometimes it’s the little things.
Thanks. Today's battle was jogging for short periods of time on the treadmill. We'll see how that goes (I suspect that tomorrow morning will tell me if this was a good idea or not!
Well, I took my math evaluation test and ended up with 75%. This is much better than I expected because, well, I really didn't study. And it's been many many years (well decades really) since high school math. And you know they lied when they said you would use it later. I've even taken a couple of statistics and reliability courses - and I use MiniTab, not the formulas. I think not knowing what I was studying for was the main reason I didn't study. So I have a few areas marked as 'needs some development', which is optional. It's suggested that you work on them until you score over 80%, so I will.
So I actually walked outside this morning. The drive to the college took me less time than I expected so it left me with a ton of free time, so I did a circuit of the campus and the parking lot for 30 mins. It also didn't take as long as I had planned (booked time was 9-12, but I was out by 10:30), so I managed to get in my treadmill time when I got home.
I did a nutty thing that I hope I don't pay for later (or tomorrow). I really just walk on the treadmill to keep myself active. I usually just walk at 2mph, but at about an average of about a 5% incline (going as high as 10% at times). This breaks a sweat, and raises my heart rate, but I noticed that I'm not needing to put in as much effort recently. So this morning I did a combination of walking intervals with 4mph 1-min jogs in between 2-min walks. It was fun (ie. almost killed me) and I definitely broke more than a light sweat! As long as my knees are okay (specifically the left one), I'm going to start doing at least one of these each day. Of course today, I've likely overdone it as I did it 3 times, 20 mins each time.
Food for the day:
I've been lurking in your log but just wanted to tell you that I am also very impressed with your attitude, work ethic, & progress. I need a new saying, but until then "YOU GO GIRL!"
Tracey
__________________ Just because your mother thinks you're special doesn't mean I do
I've been lurking in your log but just wanted to tell you that I am also very impressed with your attitude, work ethic, & progress. I need a new saying, but until then "YOU GO GIRL!"
Thanks Tracey. I sometimes forget that I'm not really doing this in a vacuum. I just get up each day and do what I need to do. It sounds way more simple than it is I suppose.
Ah well, no rest for the wicked. The knee isn't too bad this morning, so there will be another attempt to do jog/walk intervals on the treadmill. The only thing that's sore today are my arms/shoulders. Yes, I know I shouldn't hang on... but during the jogging at the moment I feel it's the only thing keeping me on!
The morning was 1 x 20-min interval session and 1 x 30-min walking session on the treadmill. In the afternoon I did a 15-min warm-up on the treadmill, followed by:
And I followed with another 15 mins on the treadmill. And I bargained with myself the whole 15 minutes. I really wanted off that treadmill. I grabbed the bottle of water (and I never do that) so I could drink a little, and this was probably the hardest 15 minutes so far. I’ve also decided to start putting the pace up on the walks as well. Slowly, but still up a little. Even though I find the 90 minutes each day requires a push, it really has become too comfortable. I know I really just do them to keep active, but I know once they become too easy I’m not getting any real benefit from them. They’re not there yet, but it was time to push it a little.
I’m also pushing the max on the dumbbells as well. I’m going to see how the large sand weights do on the dumbbells, but I really think I’m going to break down and look into a set of Select Tech (or PowerBlock) dumbbells. And then I’ll still have to look for a heavier bar (preferably something I can use the sand filled weights with), and maybe a few extra plates. That’s not quite so urgent, but something I have to think about soon as well. Who would have thought that 75 pounds was going to be too light?
I’m not saying that they’re gone for good, but wow, no real cravings in the grocery store. I had about 200 calories left for the day, and kind of half heartedly looked at a few things. Even thinking if I found something I really wanted I’d consider it even if it put me over. I paused and looked at the Häagen-Dazs raspberry sorbet. Not too bad at 120 / half-cup. Heck, even the entire container wouldn’t put me over by even 300 calories…
I put it back.
I wandered down the aisle with the chips, but other than to pause to consider if we had any tostidos (we take them with homemade chili) didn’t even look at them. I considered the pistachios, but I decided that they were too expensive. And really, I eat soy nuts and almonds, so they would really have been an acceptable purchase.
I saw 100-cal packs of chips and such, but honestly, they’re such a rip off (price-wise). Thought the same about popcorn mini packs. I considered buying popping corn, but just couldn’t be bothered. Even saw those cute looking mini chocolate bars at the checkout.
Nothing, not even tempted.
It’s a mini victory, but a nice one. Late night (usually after work) shopping used to be when I stocked up. And not always on inherently bad thing. Just my own secret little stash of stuff just for me. It doesn’t mean that it won’t happen tomorrow, or the next day, but tonight the demons are in complete control.
(I just came home and finished up my planned evening snack.)
I am starting to think about calories like a bank account. What do I want to spend them on. I am thrifty, no cheap, and this really helps me along with butt busting workouts. You just don't want to ruin it all!
Kelly - I've been doing that for a while. I remember one night looking at something (that I did end up buying) and thinking more of the calorie cost than the item price. I decided that I could afford to get them.
Carrying them down the stairs wasn't quite so happy, but still good. I also got 2 - 25lb plates for my barbell and some spring collars. And a very rubber smelling mat for the floor. I only mention the smell because I realised on my way home there was a funny rubber smell in the vehicle. I know it will go away a little.
I'd maxed out the dumbbells I have the other day. I'd been using some odd combinations (water filled weights I had for travel / sand filled weights / wrist weights), but 20 lbs was the real max in the end. So when I hit that yesterday in the shoulder press (and getting close on the lunges) I decided it was time. The plates for the barbell could have waited maybe a couple of weeks, but since I was there I figured I might as well.
I picked the PowerBlocks because I can add on to them if I ever need to. I wasn't sure if 50lb ea would be a max or not.
Wooohooo powerblock. I have the little pair up to 25 lbs I believe. I like them if I can figure out where to put the hooky thing.
I played around with them a little today, although I notice there are gaps (ie. not every step can be 2.5 pounds), but I'm okay with that. I've got some 2 pounds wrist weights which I can use for those times. I'll be using them tomorrow for step-ups, but it's Monday when I'll use them over the 20-lb mark.
Just a short entry for the day. The morning was 1 x 20-min interval session and 2 x 30-min walking sessions on the treadmill. I suspect I'll skip the jog/walk tomorrow though. The left knee is feeling like it needs a break.
Breakfast: 12-grain bread, peanut butter, orange (282)
AM Snack: protein shake, soy nuts (224)
Lunch: lentil soup, smoked back bacon, apple (452)
PM Snack: protein shake, soy nuts (224)
Dinner: baked pasta with meat sauce and cheese, snow peas, butter, salad w/dressing (688)
Late Snack: protein shake, fruit salad, biscotti (347)
Sorry, couldn't resist. I took this Wednesday but forgot to download it from the camera. See what I mean though about a really small piece? But oh so worth it.
Followed with another 15 mins on the treadmill. I actually goofed a little today. Usually I take the sheet and put what weights I plan to use. For whatever reason I didn't do the step-up line, so by mistake I used Monday's weights. Usually what I do is start with the highest weight I managed on the last workout, and by the last set increase it. And I was so tired today that I just didn't notice.
I was just dragging myself around today. Although I was up at a decent time, I didn't have breakfast until 10am. I forgot my morning snack (adjusted lunch to compensate), and really had to force myself on the treadmill. The afternoon wasn't much better. I really did consider stopping somewhere around the push-ups, but kept going. And laying on the mat after the last set I tried to convince myself that I really didn't need to do the last 15 mins on the treadmill. I did finish it, but today's sets just wore me out. I don't think it was the weights chosen, just not a good day.
Tomorrow is going to be another rainy day, but it looks like by Sunday we'll see some sun. After waiting for Spring, my allergies are now bothering me a little. Careful what you wish for, right? By the end of next week though I should be able to get into the pool most days. It helps keep my sinuses in check. Also tomorrow is a quick road trip down to Vineland (in Niagara area) to buy more frozen sour and sweet cherries. We're finished the two pails we got back in February. Usually we can them, but somewhere along the way we finished them up this winter. Of course we didn't can any last year so that's probably why.
So, I'm going to add my food now, and maybe try and make an early night of it.
Breakfast: egg/egg white omelet, pecan cherry bread, jam, orange (481)
AM Snack: none (0)
Lunch: onion soup with baguette and cheese, smoked back bacon/turkey, apple (609)
PM Snack: protein shake, soy nuts, fruit salad (427)
Dinner: hamburgers(2), barbecued onions, snow peas, butter, salad w/dressing (794)
Late Snack: protein shake, fruit salad, biscotti (309)
I was just dragging myself around today. Although I was up at a decent time, I didn't have breakfast until 10am. I forgot my morning snack (adjusted lunch to compensate), and really had to force myself on the treadmill. The afternoon wasn't much better. I really did consider stopping somewhere around the push-ups, but kept going. And laying on the mat after the last set I tried to convince myself that I really didn't need to do the last 15 mins on the treadmill. I did finish it, but today's sets just wore me out. I don't think it was the weights chosen, just not a good day.
Don't let it get to you. We ALL have those tired draggy days... but you still did it instead of sleeping in (which can be so tempting, especially when it's gray and rainy like it was here). You kept going and finished... maybe you do need a rest day if you haven't had enough of one lately, but either way - you did it. The majority of the world would've blown it off, so give yourself credit
Don't let it get to you. We ALL have those tired draggy days... but you still did it instead of sleeping in (which can be so tempting, especially when it's gray and rainy like it was here). You kept going and finished... maybe you do need a rest day if you haven't had enough of one lately, but either way - you did it. The majority of the world would've blown it off, so give yourself credit
I agree, good for you for sticking with it! I have those days more than I like to, but i always feel better knowing that I got my workout in.
Thanks to both of you. This has sometimes been my problem in the past. I'll talk myself out of it for 'just one day' and then it's a downward slide. I have gone to a Sat/Sun two day rest period, so by Monday I'm sure I'll be raring to go.
I am trying to convince myself to do some spring cleaning this weekend. Hey, maybe I could beg off that.... nah. I will be outdoor weather sooner or later and I'll regret not doing some of the things I want to do now.
I did manage to throw some of my usual Sunday laundry in last night (although it's drying as we speak). I'm going to try and get the chores done mostly today and make tomorrow a true rest day. It's kind of gray and rainy here again this morning, although I understand it may clear tomorrow. Here's hoping.
I should probably post this in my blog (and I might later), but sometimes I just want to shake my fellow dieters and tell them to wake the hell up.
Maybe it's because mostly I don't feel like I'm dieting. I really do consider that I'm working on a healthier way of living. A nice side effect is that I'm losing weight. But seriously, has our society really progressed to the point where we can't be happy with a modest weight loss? I find the diet boards quite supportive. I tend to stick to the 300+ group though. I mean, with a top weight of over 400 pounds it is sometimes good to talk to people who understand. Those who have struggled with the same issues. Someone who has never been more than 20 or 30 pounds overweight just can't understand what it's like to deal with being so heavy. I remember looking at home gyms more than a decade ago, and not being able to fit on the ones available locally. I mean, does that make sense, that equipment should be manufactured for people who don't need to lose weight? Anyway, that's a completely different rant.
I see an annoying trend lately. People who aren't happy with losing 1 - 2 pounds a week. Completely unrealistic expectations as well as very unhealthy practices to lose weight at all costs. Posts from women who suffer mood swings based on their morning's weigh-in. Yes, I weigh daily, but only to chart it, not to really look at it. Women who freak out if they go up .5 a pound day to day but jump for joy when they lose 4 pounds overnight. Two days later they're depressed because they 'gained' 3 pounds back.
I mean, come on. Do they really believe that a 4 pound difference in 24 hours is a sustainable loss. Oh, or the ones who have the flu and lose 10 pounds in a week. Happy happy joy joy... until some of it comes back. What a shock.
I've seen at least a couple of posts from people recently who have probably lost 50 pounds or so... complaining that they're only losing 1 pound or a pound and a half a week. I really want to tell them to wake the up. (Decided not to type the actual word.)
Having said all that, maybe I'm just mad at myself. When I see the women eating 1200 calories a day, losing 5 pounds every week, I'm just a little bit jealous.
Only a little.
I quickly remember that eating like that, and exercising a lot, and sleeping very little landed me in the hospital. Not specifically from those things, but it left me unable to fight off a simple infection. Also, not being willing to slow down when I knew my energy levels were dropping week to week. Oh, and ignoring the pain that started in my side and eventually traveled up to my shoulder every time I took a deep breath. (It was a pleural infection, which resulted in about 900ml of infected fluid needing to be drained, a hospital stay of almost 3 weeks, a boatload of three different kinds of antibiotics, and walking around with a drainage tube sticking out of my back for at least another month.)
Oh, and did I mention that my hair had thinned out quite a bit. Seriously, like clumps every time I washed my hair. Good thing it was so thick to start with.
So, I'm a little angry about the people who think a pound a week isn't good enough. And I'm a little angry at myself for wanting that 5 pounds a week loss myself. I'll settle in the end for my modest 2+ pounds a week (and be happy even if/when it slows) eating way more food than I thought I'd be able to.
maybe I'm just mad at myself. When I see the women eating 1200 calories a day, losing 5 pounds every week, I'm just a little bit jealous.
It's hard not to feel that way. I think a lot of us think about it, but it's because we want to think what they're doing is "easy" - and in reality we know it's NOT. Nor is it healthy.
And the thin hair thing? Have you looked closely at the women on Biggest Loser? Their hair is REALLY thinning on some of them!!! How much of a sign do they need that what they're doing is NOT HEALTHY?!?
Bysti - I know, but I think like all, sometimes I do want it to be faster. In the end I'm realistic about my progress. I just see so many women on the diet boards who aren't realistic about slow progress. The only thing they see is someone else losing faster. Ah well, they'll have to find their own way. I don't think I watch the Biggest Loser closely enough to notice the thinning hair. It is something that a lot of women would freak out about though. Mine seems a little better lately so I'm not too worried about it. Even though I thought I was eating a varied diet, the addition of another multi vitamin seems to have helped. Or, it was something else entirely and whatever it was has ceased.
Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, cracked wheat oatmeal bread, orange (443)
AM Snack: almonds (164)
Lunch: 2 whole wheat tortillas, mustard, smoked turkey, cheese, apple (528)
PM Snack: soy nuts (134)
Dinner: sirloin steak, corn, snow peas, butter, salad w/dressing (478)
Late Snack: protein shake, fruit salad, biscotti (438)
I made the cracked wheat oatmeal bread yesterday using whole wheat flour. It’s a very dense loaf, but really nice as toast. I had it this morning with two fried eggs, one on each piece. Oh yes, I should mention that the dough weight was just about 2 pounds and the pan I was using is best for a 1-1/2 pound loaf. So, silly me, I split it. So two slices are almost the size of a regular slice. That’s good though since most mornings I’ll probably only have one slice.
And I finally started going through some of the clothes in my closet. I was going to wait for a while, but I was out shopping the other night and realised that the pants I had thrown on were just way too big. I started with the pants and made piles by size (each manufacturer, since plus sizes are often dependent on who makes them). I tried on one from each size and eliminated a couple of piles right away. Then I had my mother decide on the last couple. The ones I would have called too tight are the ones she told me to start wearing. I realised that I’m still not that comfortable with things that fit better.
Sigh, something I’ll have to get used to. So when finished I’ve got three pairs of pants, two pairs of leggings, and three pairs of capris for the summer in the keep pile. The shorts will be okay as well, although one pair needs to be garbaged (they’re about 4 sizes too big). I’ve started dividing the shirts into 1-okay to wear today, 2-need to lose a few, and 3-need to be altered before wearing them in public. I’m glad to say that the #3 pile is getting bigger as I go, and the #2 pile would probably do in a pinch, but will definitely be fine to wear as the #1 pile gets too big. The only real problem is that I’ve got way too many tops left to try on!
I was going to leave it, but I finished off the sorting. I found a few more that can be added to the slightly too tight pile, so that’s good. I also found two long sleeved tops from my top weight. I put one in the pile to give away, but I did keep one. It’s probably the only thing that really shows the difference from my (probable) top weight, as I remember that it wasn’t tight, but it wasn’t loose on me either. I’m swimming in it. I think the days that I’m feeling that I’m not making any progress I’ll go put it on and wear it for a while.
Oh, and then I found the old box of work clothing that I'd boxed up before our trip last year. Mostly stained (we had two chemicals, one that bleached, one that left a dark mark on things), and a few rips, but probably suitable for yard work. So, even though I'd done all my laundry early, I'm back on Sunday night doing laundry.
I'm popping in after a week's worth of your posts, but I have to say you are so encouraging to me. It's great that you were able to get new dumbbells because you've increased the weight in your workouts! I'm still trying to figure out what are good weights for me but I go to the gym so I don't have to buy any. I wish they had more in between sizes because I can't jump from 10# to 15# on the dumbbell shoulder press, but I think I could do 12.5#. I guess it will come in time. The Powerblock dumbbells sound like a great option!
I also wanted to comment on the lose weigjt quick mentality. It's so sad to me that people want a quick fix and will damage themselves in the process. There is not only physical damage like the strain on your body, hair thinning, susceptibility to illness, etc. There is the emotional damage of thinking that a quick fix weight loss is actually going to help long term. There's a reason that only 5% of people who lose weight actually keep it off long term. If you take your time and develop a healthy lifestyle along the way that does not change the minute the scale rinally reads what you think it should read, THAT is true success. You will maintain your healthy weight and body condition because you are chooising to eat right and to work your body even when you are "done" with weight loss. Another thing I noticed is that as I lost weight very slowly and was strength training along the way, my body was able to tone itself better along and along so the end result was much better overall than if I just killed myself to lose all quickly. For me it was a pound or less a week loss.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your successes and your thoughts!!
Pauline - you might want to invest in a pair of two pound wrist weights. That's what I've been using to work up on the dumbbells. They may look a little odd (the ones I have are pink), but they'll allow you to go up 2 lbs, so the next step up with be 3 pounds. Even with the PowerBlocks I'll need to do this as there are still steps of 5 lbs at times. They still jump from 10 to 15, and then 20 to 25, so I'll still be using the hand weights to do those in between steps.
And thanks for the other comments. I think I'm past my somewhat jealous phase now, although I still see far too many women who can't be happy with modest progress. It could be that we're a now, now, now kind of society as well.
I don't think I watch the Biggest Loser closely enough to notice the thinning hair.
To be honest, I didn't notice it at first - it was my DH who pointed it out!!!!
I always read that women should wear more fitted clothes instead of baggy - that it's more slimming and flattering. But like you, I'm not always comfortable in tighter clothes. I see my back-fat rolls and "muffin top" and try to hide that with loose shirts that don't cling in the wrong places... Maybe I need to do what you did and have a trusted friend (my mom wouldn't be right for this job!) help me pick out what actually looks ok... Hmmmmm...
Maybe I need to do what you did and have a trusted friend (my mom wouldn't be right for this job!) help me pick out what actually looks ok... Hmmmmm...
She just got the job because she was here when I was doing it. I really wasn't going to ask her, it was somewhat unsolicited. I had on a t-shirt later that I knew was tight and she wavered about telling me it was fine. Then she did the right thing and admitted that it was just a little too tight. So for now, I'll trust her judgement. However, I'll probably have someone else confirm it. You just can't always trust your parents.
I'm really loving my new heart rate monitor. Very cool. Well, except during the original fitness assessment where it ranked me very low. I'm probably going to try and manually set the beeping zone as it's using an arbitrary one for my age (124-141). It was good at the beginning, although I had to jog for a minute to get it to stop beeping for too low. Then of course it spent a lot of time beeping 'cause it was too high.
And I followed with another 15 mins on the treadmill. I kind of cheated a little on the pullovers today. I probably should have started at 16e, which is what I finished the last workout with, but I didn't have the 16-lb dumbbells handy. They're water-filled, and to try and get the room I'm working in a little more tidy, I took the water out and put them away. So I started back with 15-lbs, but did increase it to 17.5.
Boy am I tired. I also helped the pool guy scrub down the blanket a little. He's not opening it until tomorrow, but we've had so much snow that there's a ton of water in the pool (almost to the rim). So he brought a pump and we took some of the water out this afternoon. And in a couple of hours I'll take a little more out and keep filling for a few hours. I'll do the same tomorrow as he can't be here until after lunch. Yay though, as I could be swimming as early as Thurs - but realistically it's likely going to be Friday.
And I ended the day with 120 mins of exercise. I'm just keeping an eye of it so the overall totals don't go down when I start using swimming instead of the treadmill at times.
Exercise
Time
Cals
Max HR
Avg HR
Max %
Avg %
Treadmill
0:30:00
269
162
139
91
78
Treadmill
0:30:00
293
155
146
87
82
Strength Training
1:00:00
551
163
141
92
79
Totals
2:00:00
1113
Food for the day:
Food: 2611 (29% fat, 35% carbs, 36% protein)
Breakfast: egg white/egg omelet with cheese, cracked wheat oatmeal bread, jam, orange (478)
AM Snack: protein shake, almonds (254)
Lunch: 2 whole wheat tortillas, mustard, smoked ham, cheese, apple (506)
PM Snack: protein shake, grapes, soy nuts (475)
Dinner: curried chicken over broccoli, salad w/dressing (451)
Late Snack: protein shake, grapes, biscotti (448)
Stage 1 - A7 (4/7)
I'm probably going to try and manually set the beeping zone as it's using an arbitrary one for my age (124-141). It was good at the beginning, although I had to jog for a minute to get it to stop beeping for too low. Then of course it spent a lot of time beeping 'cause it was too high. 
Linear Mode
