Relativity of Weight

Well, I officially began the Gold's Gym Challenge today! My appointment was at 10 am for weigh in, measurements and picture in a two piece. I ended up taking my picture in a sports bra because the top just didn't cover enough for my liking. I was nervous, boy was I nervous but I did it.

Which leaves me to the topic of this blog. I weigh myself weekly at the gym, every Tuesday in the locker room. I know my home scale isn't at all accurate. So today, I step on a portable scale at the gym with a trainers beside me marking all my measurements. This scale says I weigh 233.4 lbs! I know I didn't gain 10 pounds this week, so one of the scales must be off. :/ Talking to a few of the members, they tell me they believe it's the scale in the locker room. Yikes! That means I weigh even MORE than I think I weigh... But it doesn't mean I haven't lost 23.5 lbs. I am going to continue to use that scale to weigh myself, because it's been the basis of all my measurements thus far. Kinda sucks that it's off but I guess it's all relative anyways. I'm on my way to a total body transformation!

Here is my stats sheet! Sorry - no bikini pic! Trust me you don't want to see it anyways it isn't a pretty sight.

Feeling good Friday!

Wow,it's Friday - we made it through the first week of the new year! I not only made it to the gym all week but I trained hard! I'm so proud of myself. Today, I did two hours! Now, I work out for 2 hours several times a week but it's not usually like today. It's usually because I want to do a group exercise class (like Zumba, Kickboxing, or Cycle)that runs an hour long and also use the weight training / gym facilities often meeting up with Rich for a gym date. Today though, I did it all on my own. I missed Zumba this morning and there aren't any Friday night group exercise classes. So I decided to work out on my own. I started my routine with 30 mins of elliptical. Then I moved on to do this ab-coaster machine. I do 3 sets of 20 on each side of my abs and in the middle. My core is really week from years of neglect. It's my biggest problem area right now but I can tell it's changing and strengthening - slowly. I did a ton of different resistance and weight training today. For a cool down, I did a jog/fast walk on the treadmill. I'm already feeling the burn but it feels great!

Today I faced two "fears" at the gym.

Fear # 1

It might sound kinda funny but I'm afraid of the treadmill. I have bad knees and I've pretty much always disliked running - big boobs and running do not go together. It's not a pretty site. Plus I've struggled with my endurance and didn't want to fail. My endurance has increased since working out so I decided that I'm going to concur this fear of the treadmill and use it for my advantage. I jog/walked today as a cool down for close to 15 mins. Next time, I'm going to do more. It's sort of a personal challenge for me.

Fear # 2
There is this machine at the gym. It intimidates me so much. It looks so challenging and I've really only seen really fit people and personal trainers use it. While I was working out on all the normal machines I decided that I was going to try something new - a challenge today. I didn't even know how to use the machine, I walked up read the instructions but didn't really "get it". The machine is next to the personal training section so I asked one of the trainers if she would help me. Even that took courage - she is this cute tiny blond girl with 0 fat but so strong, and man, even though she is tiny her muscles are huge. I've seen her work out! lol She was super helpful and friendly though and the machine wasn't so difficult. I am going to add it to my weight training machine. I'm naming the machine - the intimidator. ha ha Here is a picture of a similar intimidator..

Dunn... Dunn...Dunn

Sound effets (Dunn Dunn Dunn) it's arrived. The dreaded two piece I purchased for the contest at the gym. Part of me can't believe I'm going through with this. I mean who wants to see a fat chick in a two piece. Who ever created this rule has to have some sort of issues, lol. Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyways. The swim suit is cute - it looked great on the model and the color is beautiful. Seeing it on myself, umm not so pretty but that's what I'm entering the contest to change. Honestly, I have to say that although it's bad - it's not AS BAD as I thought it was going to be. Of course, my boobs are too big for the top, but that's nothing new. It's just ONE picture right? I decided to show you a picture of the dreaded two piece just so you can get a visual. I'm not sure if I will be brave enough to post the before picture.



Thursday nights I always do Zumba. Adrianna instructs on Thursdays and I always get a great work out. I can feel it in every muscle of my body. Unfortunately, she's been on vacation and we've had subs for a while now. Tonight Julia subbed. She has subbed once before, when I first started going. I remember her class was so challenging. I couldn't keep up. When I seen her tonight, I knew I was in for it! The energy was great though - and the best part - tonight I was able to keep up and got a GREAT workout. Seemed like everyone enjoyed the class, it was probably the most energetic I've seen the class (as a whole) get. Great work out @ zumba plus cardio with Rich. I really love that he comes to the gym to workout with me. I know it's his way of being supportive - and it makes me work out even harder. I call this time a date. It's the closest thing we've gotten to a real date in a long time. Now only if I can convince him we do not need to go have Cafe Bravo (the best Mexican restaurant I've eaten) after working out... at least I had a salad. :-/

Waiting Wednesday

Zumba was on the menu for my nightly work out. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, my voice is scruffy and my body feels tired. But with determination, I went to the gym anyways and enjoyed Zumba.

A lot of people have asked me what my motivation is for going to the gym, and how they can tap into it. It might sound silly but for me this is a great compliment. For over 7 years, I had no motivation to go to they gym. I've been medically obese and just kept pushing through life. Besides just not feeling good about myself, I've had so many medical issues and warning signs that I need to do something about my weight. I've had gallstones,gestational diabetes, knee issues, high blood pressure, and other body pains. Once I needed a TB test done for work and seen a new doctor, before giving me the TB test he suggested gastric bypass... umm I'll pass. I've always known I could lose the weight with a nutritious diet and exercise but always put it off because something else in my life came first: work, school, husband, kids, family, etc.

Since finishing grad school and being laid off I realized I need to re-prioritize my life. Notice, I left out God in the above list. I've always been a believer I've rarely taken time for God in my life. This too is changing. God and me time are now not only in the list of priorities but at the top. In June, when I found out I was being laid off I knew God had a plan for me, a purpose. I just didn't know what it was. I've asked, and asked but the only word that keeps coming to my heart is wait.

I've taken this time and waited. I've enjoyed more time with my babies. They are only little for so long. I've taken this time and focused on things that make me happy, the Mom's inc bible study, spending time with other believers, and found a new appreciation for exercise. While, I'm still not really sure what God's plan for me is, I know it's God's will that I have found a peace with myself and with waiting. I've always considered myself an optimistic person but lately people have noticed that not only am I more fit but I'm happier.

My daughter has a cartoon by Max Lucedo in which he says, "Sometimes, God's answer is yes, sometimes God's answer is no and sometimes God's answer is wait." I know with God I can achieve my goal weight but for now, I must wait.

In his heart a man plans his course,but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Weigh In Tuesday

Tuesday have got to be my favorite day of the week. I look forward to zumba and weighing in. I feel good because I pushed myself to go on Monday and am back craving more on. I felt good going to the gym today. I'm wearing an outfit my mom bought me for Christmas and the shirt is already bigger on me than it was last week! I knew it was going to be a good weigh in day and it was a great day, lost another 3 lbs. :) Total lost so far 23 lbs!

Today's routine was a challenge. 45 mins of Zumba, 30 mins of elliptical, 30 mins of weights. Endorphins were high and Ibuprophen will be needed!

The First Monday of the New Year

I was back at it at the gym today. Mondays are always my hardest days to go but I think I've discovered a new enjoyment to Mondays - cardio kick boxing. Tonight was the third time I've gone to this class. Ticka, the instructor, is so positive encouraging and passionate about fitness it makes the time fly by and I know I got a killer work out, because I can feel it. After our kick boxing we always work out our core. I think this is just another reason I love this class. I struggle in my core and need a lot of work. Today, we laid out flat on our elbows and toes with our tummy towards the ground but not touching. We sort of rotated or lifted our tipy toes and kept our bodies lifted and balanced. I really felt the burn in every muscle in my body. It was awesome.


I've also been considering doing more meal planning. I go to the gym hard 5 days a week but I know sometimes my eating habits and lack of planning defeat the work out I just did. Anyone done any meal planning? Monday nights we usually have a salad. I weigh in on Tuesday and I always want to get the most bang for my buck. Tonight, I bought a delicious rotisserie chicken and made a chicken salad with it. Absolutely DELISH!

Oh and 3 people at the gym said I looked good and thinner today! So I decided to take a pic, excuse the hair it was after cardio kickboxing. Wish me luck for weigh in Tuesday.

New Year... time for something new

2010 is going to be a great year. I hit the gym as soon as it opened today, I wasn't going to have no closing early business stop me today. I was determined to start the new year off right. While I don't really believe in New Years resolutions, I do believe in goal setting. I am going to hit my fitness goals this year.

Since it's a new year, I decided it was time to try something new at the gym. There are a few things that still intimidate me: example cycling class and the treadmill. Today, I took on the cycling class and you know what, it really wasn't that bad. What a great workout, it was challenging and my rump is on fiiyyahh. Most importantly though, I did it!

Is there something new you want to try but are a bit intimidated by?