This has to be a step in the right direction...right?

[sveta]

Great job on working out - and taking that sugar out of your coffee! Hope Splenda will work for you this time...Good thing I can't tell the difference! I just think it's sweeter than sugar...

[gardengirl447]

Whew! I did it I made it through 5 days at the gym at lunch.
I feel great! I feel so productive! Although reading logs is addictive and counterproductive to working but anyway!!

Todays Workout A 60 sec rest
Squat 2x15 15# DB - up weight next workout
Push Ups 45degree 2x15
Seated Row 2x15 40lbs - up weight next run
Step Ups 2x15 (bench is high - no weight yet)
Prone Jack Knife 2x8

I am ready to add a littel more weight here and there, I just dont want to end up on the gym floor!

[dillytl]

AWESOME job this week!! That's fantastic!! I hear ya about the logs, though - I'm spending too much time hanging out with ya'll and not enough time working!!

[gardengirl447]

Today's Workout

Workout B (phase 1 second round)
DeadLift 2 x 15 @ 55lbs
Shoulder Press 2x15 @ 2/15lbs db
Wide Lat Pull Down 2x15 @ 27.5lbs
Lunges 2x15 each leg w/10lbs
Swiss Ball Crunch 2X10 w/10lbs

WHEW! Feeling good! My lunch never tasted better!!! I was a bit slow walking up the flight of steps to my office. (Feel the burn!)

I am a bit nervous about the food bit I am not sure if what I am following is going to help or do damage. I am staying away from the scale, but I am haunted by that thread of weight gain. Only time will tell. Hope everyones weekend was restful - I know I enjoyed my days off for recovery but was secretly wishing to get a HIIT in.

[gardengirl447]

Todays Workput
HIIT:
Level One low/Level 6 high - total with warm up and cool down 20 min.
Feeling the deadlifts in the "cheeks".

I am feeling anxious - I really want results as anyone does, I am suppose I am just being impatient.

[dillytl]

Nice job on the workout Heather!!! I know what you mean about results, but it's only been a very short time. You are doing what you need to do - just need to add a bit of patience in there! I know it's hard!!

[gardengirl447]

I hope you see this is not an excuse to an addiction.

Ok first off I don’t mind the taste of Splenda and I know all the media hype and tend to lean towards the Lou's opinion but, I guess every body is different. I have tried on multiple occasions to replace the sugar in my diet with Splenda. Each time I have tried Splenda I end up getting bad kidney pain and not to give TMI but after a few days my body would perform a complete "flush" of my digestive tract.

The first time the pain came on I went to the dr they said I presented all the symptoms of a Severe Kidney Infection; I was given antibiotics at the office. Well when the lab work came back no infection. So I stopped the antibiotics. I thought man maybe it’s the food from our weekly order out place so I stopped that still had pain. I eliminated everything i was eating at the time, the pain went away, then one by one tested each food that was part of my normal routine. BAM when I added the splenda back the pain came back. So I cut it out.

Then every couple months I think I am wussing out and need to "man" up and use it, each time the symptoms come on faster. This time Friday, I used 3 packs in my coffee, then Sat 1, Sunday 1, then Monday 3. No good.. last night I was doubled over in pain, couldn’t take deep breaths. My husband was lecturing me "why do you do this to yourself you know what is going to happen".

So that’s it. I am going to try to cut back the real sugar intake spoon by spoon so it’s a slow change. I am disappointed I cant use the simple solution. I drink 2 shot of espresso in the am - no sugar I just cant handle the brewed coffee with no sweet.

I found this blurb today all over the internet: "Due to the chlorine content in Splenda, sucralose can inflame swelling of the liver and kidneys, and calcification of the kidney, as shown in animal studies. If you experience kidney pain, cramping, or an irritated bladder after using sucralose, stop using it immediately."

[sveta]

Sorry Splenda's not woking out for you...It's a shame. Just like you said, it's a very simple solution...Maybe another sweetener? Like Nutrasweet? Don't know

[mel]

I'm a huge splenda fan but have heard of it not working for some people. Have you looked into some of the natural options, like stevia for example? It might be worth a google. I hope you find something that works for you!

mel

[LisaS]

its an obvious question: are you sure you are getting well made coffee? I know someone who HAD to sugar and cream his coffee until he had a really well brewed cup - and he was able to drop the sugar and cut back the cream.

or switch from brewed coffee to an Americano - you might like it better than brewed.

or if you are doing 2 shots in the AM already - switch to tea or hot water in place of the brewed stuff?

[gardengirl447]

Todays Workout:
Workout A
Squats 1x12 20lb 1x12 40lb
Seated Row 2x12 55lb
Push Up 2x12 bw at 45
Step Ups 2x12 16lb (2db @ 8lb)
Jack Knives 2x10 (yes they are hard but I like it - I can feel my form improving!)

Feel good today - my legs are more tired than sore, right now that is

I went to starbucks and got a triple nonfat latte - to solve my coffee dilema this morning!

[gardengirl447]

I am trying the Americano suggestion, not too bad... I like espresso black because of the strong flavor - the brewed coffee is just to weak. This is a great replacement. So I suppose it is cold turkey on the sugar. I will let y'all know how it goes.
I can bet I will crave my post workout shake more than ever! Thats a win-win since I would never drink it without doing my workout!
Thanks for all you support!

[gardengirl447]

Todays Workout
HIIT on Bike - level one/level 9
(20 min total including warm/cool)

When we move on to do HIIT in the book - I will move to the treadmill I am hoping to lose a little of the weight to avoid shin splints with running and walking. I am oddly excited to do this part I would love to be able to run a 5k in June my husband does it every year - I always do the 2 mile fun walk with the kids. (I could be excited due to the 5 shot Americano!)

[gardengirl447]

Todays Workout
Workout B
DeadLift 2 x 12 @ 65lbs
Shoulder Press 2x12 @ 2/15lbs db
Wide Lat Pull Down 2x12 @ 30lbs
Lunges 2x12 each leg w/16lbs
Swiss Ball Crunch 2X10

Okay today was an adventure at the gym. I pushed myself on the deadlifts and then some wacko guy starts talking to me and my w/o partner saying we should decrease the weight and do higher reps (while we are doing shoulder presses - we are rolling our eyes having both read the NROLW) then he proceeds to tell us he used to do steroids and had mad mood swings. She told him he must have been a real a-hole...lol I hope we dont see him there again.

We finished our sets of pull downs and shoulder presses and got to go to the other side of the gym to do lunges and crunches - where a coworker comes up and after my last set of lunges he asks me the workout routine we are doing. All while my heart is racing and I cant catch my breath I finally ended the conversation with "Obviously its a tough workout, I am sweating and cant breathe!!!" LOL

I feel great after my workout - my body is tired yet its wonderful! I love this feeling.

[gardengirl447]

Week 3 - Bring it!

Today's Workout
Workout A
Squat 2 x 12 @ 40lbs
Row 2 x 12 @ 60lbs
Pushup 2 x 12 BW - Lowered the bar 1 rung
Stepup 2 x 12 24lb (2 12lb dumbbells)
Jack Knives 2 x 10 ( I still feel retarded but I feel 'em)

Okay - so Im feeling good physically but emotionally I am disappointed in my progress. I have been eating well, and working my butt off but I have only lost one whomping pound (who knows if thats for real with all the factors to take into account) and I dont feel a difference yet in my clothes, so I am kinda bummed. I know it takes time - its just rough b/c I am working harder than I ever have with diet and excercise. (I am just venting - I am not giving up, no way. Plus someone in my circle of friends said they give me a month of doing workouts till I cave into going to lunch as usual. A taunt? Maybe! I will show her, although I havent thought of skipping yet.)

Hope everyone else is sticking to it and doing well!

[stingo]

Keep on fighting the good fight Heather. Prove to yourself and to others that you can do this. Also, don't let the scale be your guide - take progress photos and determine how your clothes are fitting for better ideas of where you're at. Any number of things could be going on in your body as a result of starting the lifting, so give it a little time to settle down and see what direction you're going in.

[gardengirl447]

Todays Workout
HIIT level One and Nine 20 min
The heat was on in the gym - I was sweating like crazy!