A shocker of a week, nutrition and training wise.. Lots of chocolate and every other comfort food I could find. I miss my doggie sooo much. I didnt realise how much of a habit she was. when I go shopping I still go up the pet food aisle looking for treats, and when I walk in the door there is no bark to greet me - maybe I could train the kids to bark at me and look ecstatic to see me. normally they are ecstatic when I come home with shopping bags.. they have loved me this week, lots of biscuits and kit kats.
Had the new auditors come to work today, inspecting all the books asking millions of questions that luckily I could answer. I swear to God this guy looked like Dilbert, and he had a touch of halitosis, so I kept making him coffee, while I had lots of raspberry and cranberry tea.
I was going to quit this challenge, as I havent really put my heart into it, but now my doggie has gone and I have more time I shall be back on the wagon.
Not looking forward to weighing in this month. Will post early pics and get it out of the way.
On a good note, winter is going away and there are more daylight hours. I think I will look into SAD, and maybe get one of those ultra lights to treat it next winter. I cant wait until after Easter, we have all decided that is when we can get another doggie, most likely a rescue one that needs lots of love and exercise.
I'm so sorry about your dog. It was very hard for me when my Sophie was killed last year, and it took me a long time to get back into the swing of things. I, also, had no idea how much I would miss her and how much I grieved for her. Take it a day at a time......I know how you feel, and I am so sorry.
How are you doing? I'm so sorry about your dog--we had to have a dog put down b/c of cancer, and it was horrible. We'd had her for many years like you, and it is amazing how much a dog is a part of every area of your life. I still call my parents' dog by her name! I hope you're hanging in there.
Also, don't worry about the challenge. The purpose is to keep you motivated to stay (or get back on) track, not to blow us out of the water with your marvelous transformation!!! (Although we'll take that too...) Really, if you're not doing wonderfully, all the more reason to stay in and try to do a little better next month.
Still hanging in here. Havent seen the inside of a gym for a while, but I have been doing lots of walking. I've borrowed a friends over excited 3 year old collie which has been fun. We are looking for another dog at the moment, it will probably be a rescue one, as no one is at home long enough to care of a puppy.
Not looking forwards to the photos for this month, I tried my jeans on and only got only leg in them. So I am thinking next month if we have a dog, I will be out there jogging with him/her. Im glad this is a 6 month challenge, not a 3 month one. But at least its stopped raining, and its not as cold as it has been.
I like your perspective - this IS a six month challenge, and there's plenty of time to go! I completely agree! Four months seems so soon, but really, it's a good bit of time in which we can make great progress for ourselves.
In all honesty, I wouldn't say I'm good at this stuff yet, despite the fact that I am trying. I do think that each month, I do get better, though. I feel like I'm retraining myself in a lot of ways.
I'm happy you're still hanging on with the challenge!
went to the gym today, and really enjoyed it. it was good to sweat and just focus on what I was doing. The walking I have been doing is good, until it becomes maudlin and i think about the dog..
I did the Venuto workout
5 min warmup on the eliptical
arm circles 15 one way, 15 the other
hip circles, 10 one way, 10 the other
standing lunges, 15 each side
15 pushups
standing twists, 15 one way, 15 the other, these are great, can feel my spine click all the way up and down
2 sets of each 15 reps, 4kg db every exercise
squat
deadlift
bench press
row with db
swiss ball situps
15 min on cross trainer at 80% HR.
that was enough.
I jumped on the scales (well I didnt jump, more of a tip toe) before the workout and I am now 13 stone 2 pound, or 184 which is the heaviest I have been without a baby growing inside me. Holy crap. This is the point where i would normally quit. But I am scared what size I would get to if I am not accountable right now. I will take my photos on Thursday and post early like normal, and then buckle down, so March's photos are better than January's. Blehh.. I have asked DH for help, to stop buying booze and chocolate on his runs to the shops, or at least dont wave them in my face and offer them to me. If Im doing the shopping Im ok as I dont buy that stuff, but feel its out of my control when he does.
So the challenge next month is to get to the gym 3 times a week, and aim for a 1 to 2 pound loss each week. I have a trip to Prague coming up in April, and I want to wear clothes that feel comfortable. And on a shallower note, my ex and his gf are coming over from Australia, and I dont want to look like a bigger version of myself when I see them.
Thanks to everyone who dropped by to check on me, I really appreciate that.
so this month's progress has been proudly sponsored by chocolate and cider..
I really wanted to quit this challenge. My dog died and I fell into a hole, and at the end of that hole was copious amounts of chocolate and ice cold cider. Lord knows how many calories I ingested. But anyway..
I will post and I will continue.
so this month's progress has been proudly sponsored by chocolate and cider..
I really wanted to quit this challenge. My dog died and I fell into a hole, and at the end of that hole was copious amounts of chocolate and ice cold cider. Lord knows how many calories I ingested. But anyway..
I will post and I will continue.
fficeffice" />
Jan 1
Jan 29
Feb 26
change
weight
180 lbs
176
183
+3
height
5'11
right bicep inches
11.8
11.4
11.3
-.5
bust
43.3i
42.1
42
-.1
waist at belly button
35.8
34.64
36.2
+1.56
hips
40.5
40.1
41
+.5
right thigh
23.2
23.5
23.5
0
right calf
15.3
14.5
14.5
0
body fat %
28
27
29
+2
the jeans werent going to cooperate this month
Sometimes we have slipbacks. On the road towards our goals, sometimes we have to make 2 steps back to begin to make some steps forwards.
O and I get the Cider. I think I gained 5lbs when I was in the UK from drinking Bulmers everyday. Stupid Temptations!
I think we've all thought about quitting one time or another. I know I have. But then I notice a subtle change here and there and think, "okay, I can do this". I think we just want to see that magic number right away (guilty as charged).
Glad you're staying in the challenge and those jeans will fit soon enough!
I wasn't subscribed (thought I was, but I wasn't) so I didn't see about your dog until the month-two thread - I'm so sorry... We lost our beloved dog almost 18 months ago and I still miss him... We have two others, but you never replace - they're all so unique and individual...
Anyway - your post is inspiring to me, because I really am leaning towards not staying in the challenge, but... in some weird way, it's helpful to see that not everyone lost 10# this month, if that makes any sense. Although at least you had a good excuse...
I've been thinking of quitting too, but reading your post inspired me to keep on.
Im glad Ive inspired you! Just because it is a six month challenge doesnt mean everyone has to lose 5 pounds a month/put on muscle/eat consistently. I think the hardest part is making the lifestyle change a habit. I havent got there yet, or at least to be strong enough not to let things completely derail me. Your workouts look great by the way
I just wanted to say I'm sorry about your dog. That is so hard.
I'm glad you're continuing with the challenge. I can relate to being frustrated though.
thankyou, i will continue, and stay away from my sponsors this month..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flab of Steel
LOL at your sponsors!
I think we've all thought about quitting one time or another. I know I have. But then I notice a subtle change here and there and think, "okay, I can do this". I think we just want to see that magic number right away (guilty as charged).
Glad you're staying in the challenge and those jeans will fit soon enough!
Im hoping I can at least pull the jeans past my thighs next month! Thanks for the support
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bytsi
I wasn't subscribed (thought I was, but I wasn't) so I didn't see about your dog until the month-two thread - I'm so sorry... We lost our beloved dog almost 18 months ago and I still miss him... We have two others, but you never replace - they're all so unique and individual...
Anyway - your post is inspiring to me, because I really am leaning towards not staying in the challenge, but... in some weird way, it's helpful to see that not everyone lost 10# this month, if that makes any sense. Although at least you had a good excuse...
Stay in the challenge, I will be the poster girl for muck up of the month!
I looked at last months challenge pics and saw all the positive changes people had made, and wanted to quit as it was too embarassing to post weight gain, but this challenge is individual to everyone. The support is what makes it easy to continue, and harder to pull out,
Quote:
Originally Posted by GinnyLou
I have mad respect for you and your determination - you have inspired me.
Stay in the challenge, I will be the poster girl for muck up of the month!
I looked at last months challenge pics and saw all the positive changes people had made, and wanted to quit as it was too embarassing to post weight gain, but this challenge is individual to everyone. The support is what makes it easy to continue, and harder to pull out.
Ok - new challenge - biggest muck-up of the month. I win. You had a good excuse, whereas I had a lousy pathetic excuse (vacation where I coulda/shoulda eaten better cuz I burned tons of calories) and I think I gained more than you... My jeans don't fit, I'm bloated, I can see fat rolls returning to my back... I win.
Ok - new challenge - biggest muck-up of the month. I win. You had a good excuse, whereas I had a lousy pathetic excuse (vacation where I coulda/shoulda eaten better cuz I burned tons of calories) and I think I gained more than you... My jeans don't fit, I'm bloated, I can see fat rolls returning to my back... I win.
ok, you win! This means that March has got to be our month then. I have a weeks holiday in Prague the first week of April and I am planning on wearing my jeans on the flight there. (maybe not on the way back ) Then a whole week of stews, dumpling, lager tours, and the easter market with lots of chocolate temptations.
Maybe your body is responding to the refeed you had on holiday? keep going, I know its mind bending when you plug away and there is no change. Back fat is the worst, especially when it gets in the way when you put a bra on.. and just think of the transformation photos from February to the finished result.
Your sponsors gave me such a good laugh! I have my own too!
I'm so psyched you're staying in! If you ever need encouragement during the day, feel free to IM me over AIM, as I can't access the site from my office. I will tell you to put the choco down and go work out.
We're the only challenge participants in GMT, I think.
Your sponsors gave me such a good laugh! I have my own too!
I'm so psyched you're staying in! If you ever need encouragement during the day, feel free to IM me over AIM, as I can't access the site from my office. I will tell you to put the choco down and go work out.
We're the only challenge participants in GMT, I think.
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm a bit of of a luddite, is AIM an instant messenger thing?
I've decided to kick my own ass this month. Next week I'm getting an overdue haircut and my roots retouched, the week after I will use a facial voucher DH gave me for Xmas. I was putting it off because i felt so blah, and didnt want people in my face, asking what was going on in case I burst into tears about the dog. Had some good news at work, we are getting really busy again so I have been offered an extra day which I will take. When Im working Im good with my nutrition, I pack it the night before. Except last month, I kind of 'forgot' and ended up buying sandwiches and muffins from the lunch lady who comes around in a van. so bad.. and they werent even that nice.
I saw a gorgeous staffy dog in the window of the vets in town, who is looking for a new home. So the lady that is trying to rehome her is going to bring her over tomorrow to meet us all, and decide whether the dog would be a good match for us. If she decides we are ok, then we would have overnight visits until she is used to us. In Australia you would walk into an animal rescue centre, walk up to the dog you wanted, pay for it and take it home. I swear people are nuts about dogs here in the UK. You can take them to the pub, and to hotels when you go on holiday.
I've been here 3 years now, but culturally some things still seem strange!
So, off to the gym today, to do the Venuto w/out. I've been stressing that its a bit wussie, especially with 4kg dbs, but at least Im there, and I know I will get stronger, if I stick at it and dont try to overdo it.
It may be a while before I get the doggie, she isnt a puppy, she's 3 years old. I dont mind that, Id rather have a youngish dog than a puppy and have to start over with training. I have two boys, 12 and 15, and have only just got them into the habit of leaving the toilet seat down and picking up their towels.. so dont want to go backwards again.. and our last dog was 18 years old, so a 3 year old is like a puppy to us.
We may not get this dog until after Easter, so fingers crossed.
Bytsi Im glad youre staying in the challenge, I think the challenge needs a few folks who have wobbled to balance out the stars that make progress every month.
I went to the gym and did the Venuto w/out which was good, and then did 25 minutes on the cross trainer using the cross training option. It was tough because I hadnt done it before. THe machine beeps at you to change direction, speed up, slow down, use your legs only, and the speed changes to, so I was panting a bit. A bit embarassing because I had my ipod on, I think I was panting/grunting audibly. You know the feeling when youre at the gym and you spy on people in the mirrors to see if they're watching you? Or is it only me that does that? Anyway, I think some people maybe heard me grunt, so I kept my eyes down.
I watched DH play a rugby game today, and he got through it without tearing his hamstring, so a major victory for him. It could be the fact I massaged him and gave him porridge this morning too.
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm a bit of of a luddite, is AIM an instant messenger thing?
I've decided to kick my own ass this month. Next week I'm getting an overdue haircut and my roots retouched, the week after I will use a facial voucher DH gave me for Xmas. I was putting it off because i felt so blah, and didnt want people in my face, asking what was going on in case I burst into tears about the dog. Had some good news at work, we are getting really busy again so I have been offered an extra day which I will take. When Im working Im good with my nutrition, I pack it the night before. Except last month, I kind of 'forgot' and ended up buying sandwiches and muffins from the lunch lady who comes around in a van. so bad.. and they werent even that nice.
I saw a gorgeous staffy dog in the window of the vets in town, who is looking for a new home. So the lady that is trying to rehome her is going to bring her over tomorrow to meet us all, and decide whether the dog would be a good match for us. If she decides we are ok, then we would have overnight visits until she is used to us. In Australia you would walk into an animal rescue centre, walk up to the dog you wanted, pay for it and take it home. I swear people are nuts about dogs here in the UK. You can take them to the pub, and to hotels when you go on holiday.
I've been here 3 years now, but culturally some things still seem strange!
So, off to the gym today, to do the Venuto w/out. I've been stressing that its a bit wussie, especially with 4kg dbs, but at least Im there, and I know I will get stronger, if I stick at it and dont try to overdo it.
AIM is instant messaging. If my parents can work it, so can you!
I think a plan of asskicking and some routing pampering make for a good combination!
Where is Australia are you from? I know what you mean about things occasionally seeming alien. It's part of the fun of living in another culture. When I first got here, told a friend that had I moved to Japan, I would likely get *everything* wrong for the first year. Living in England, well, I don't get much wrong, but for the first six months, I definitely didn't get much of it perfectly right.
In the US, they screen you for pets, but not as thoroughly.
AIM is instant messaging. If my parents can work it, so can you!
Where is Australia are you from?
Im from Perth, Western Australia, though I grew up in a v. small town called Esperance on the southern tip of WA. It was so small and isolated the neares town was a four hour drive away, and to go to university meant moving to Perth, which was 8 hours drive away. So sometimes I feel a bit claustrophobic here as there are so many people, cars, etc. but where I am is in the country and lovely.
Do you think you'll take the doggie if offered?
I'm not sure. The lady said the dog loves people, but isnt so sure of her around other dogs. So many of our friends have dogs here, and we go to parks and beaches where other dogs are that we would want to feel confident about letting a dog of a leash and it not getting into trouble. I guess its also down to the lady to see if we are a good match. I feel like she is an Italian mother, eyeing us up to see what the girlfriends family is like!
What's a Venuto machine?
The Venuto workout is taken from his book The Bodyfat Solution and is a weights workout, that is fairly simple. Next time I do it I will put in the exercises and reps. At the moment it is just deadlifts, squats, db rows, db bench press and swiss ball situps. its a break in, so each week you do the same weight but build the number of sets up to four weeks. the hardest bit is the warm up which has lots of lunges and pushups.
Your sponsors wouldn't tempt me, but we all have our temptations. We also can't always have good months, but it is important to keep going. There's plenty of time to go, so next month can always be better. And hey, you were brave enough to go first.
It's that TOM. woke up with a headache and feeling crappy and wasnt going to go to the gym, and thought I'd go for a walk instead. Then 5 minutes into the walk the heavens opened.. So I went back home, changed and went to the gym. I figured I could at least do 20 minutes on the treadmill and go home if I felt crap.
There was a special ed class in there, of kids of about 12-17. They were on the treadmills and they were laughing and their coaches were encouraging them and it was great to see. So that kind of kicked my butt and I did my 20 minutes, then did some weights.
squats 3x15 with 5kg db
deadlifts 3x15 5kg db
2x12 pushups on knees
rows on bench 3x15 5kg db, these hurt after the pushups
3x15 5kg db bench press
2x12 swiss ball situps
that was enough for me today, next week its 4 sets, then on to the other tom venuto programme. looking forward to that. My goal is to get to the gym 3 times this week to do weights, so one down, two to go
went to the gym for cardio, and actually enjoyed it.
25 min cross trainer on the cross training program, its fun, especially when you have to stop to change direction
15 minutes treadmill on the hill programme, level 6 incline at 3. felt quite tender in my calves when i finished
then 2 x 12 pushups and 2x12 swiss ball situps.
im actually looking forward to the gym now, i feel like im doing something towards getting at my goals this month,.
the doggie came over on Sunday, but she wasnt for us. She was adorable and very affectionate, but unfortunately she has a history of attacking strange dogs, so every time we took her out she would have to be muzzled. If it was just me that would be ok, but I couldnt let the kids be responsible for that, as we have a park right behind our house where lots of dogs are exercised. the lady was really nice though, she works in an animal shelter and is going to keep us in mind when other suitable dogs come in. dont know how long i can wait though.. i really miss having a dog in the house, as do the kids.
a bit of stress with DH, he just found out 20% of the US employees of his company have just been fired, including the boss that he is answerable to, but the boss in the UK has said that his position is safe. I wish this economy would bounce back quick, there are so many people affected by it here its scary.
.
. So I am thinking next month if we have a dog, I will be out there jogging with him/her. Im glad this is a 6 month challenge, not a 3 month one. But at least its stopped raining, and its not as cold as it has been.
) before the workout and I am now 13 stone 2 pound, or 184 which is the heaviest I have been without a baby growing inside me. Holy crap. This is the point where i would normally quit. But I am scared what size I would get to if I am not accountable right now. I will take my photos on Thursday and post early like normal, and then buckle down, so March's photos are better than January's. Blehh.. I have asked DH for help, to stop buying booze and chocolate on his runs to the shops, or at least dont wave them in my face and offer them to me. If Im doing the shopping Im ok as I dont buy that stuff, but feel its out of my control when he does. 
so this month's progress has been proudly sponsored by
Linear Mode
