Last Week

Last week was a success!

I worked out 4 days last week. Doing weights three days. My body wasn't cooperating on the fourth day.

To change things up and develop a better routine I've decided to assign a challenge each week. Last week it was 10 lunges (each side) every time I worked out. I knew I had to start with lunges because they are my least favorite thing to do. Also because in the past I had saw results from doing lots of lunges. I refreshed my memory of proper lunge form and started it out. I am proud to say that each time I worked out I did my lunges.

I ate pretty well last week, I am still trying to find ways to improve my eating habits. I heard a phrase that made me stop and think. It goes, "do you eat to live or do you live to eat." This will be on my mind and I will share more thoughts on this.

Coming Back With Some Help

Friday was a good day for exercise! I did 51 minutes of cardio and all my upper body workouts, including the up right row. I also ate sensibly and did not snack.

Today's workout was also successful. My shinning accomplishment was doing two miles in 32 minutes and 10 seconds! I then did a third of a mile cool down. Following this, I did my lower body weight lifting, bumping up weight on all exercises by 5 to 15 lbs. I snacked a little bit today by having a piece of toast with breakfast. Lunch was my favorite soup. It's Progresso (c) Vegetables Macaroni and Bean Soup. The broth in it is soo good!! It has a few more calories than some of their other soups, but only by 30 or 40.

There is a great sense of accomplishment seeing this my workouts in writing. Though credit has to go to my amazing husband. These past two days working out has been the last thing on my list and I have tried to avoid it. He has lovingly encouraged me to go, reminding me how good it will feel to have worked out. He really is soo good to me.

Thursday update

So my second week hasn't been the best... Monday I did cardio and crunches, with a few arm weights. Tuesday, was a rough day and I didn't work out. Wednesday I didn't go to the gym either because things got really busy and I was feeling ill. This morning I woke up and went to the gym did 40 minutes of cardio, the leg machines, squats and even lunges.

As I was working out, I was thinking about the lousy week, in regards to working out. I need to be serious about what I'm doing and get back on the horse!! I've got a long way to go and I'm not going to get there if I keep this up. Writing about what I'm doing is really helping me focus and stay on track. Seeing it written down makes me think ok, I can do better.

Weights, weights, weights. I have go to do more weight training!!! Cardio is so much easier, and so much more in my comfort zone. In my head I realize all the wonderful and amazing benefits of strength and resistance training! I've researched different workouts along with the correct way to lift the wights. Now it's time to get out of my comfort zone and put it into action.

I'll keep you updated!

The Weekend

Saturday my supportive husband helped me get up and I had a great workout. I was able to complete my cardio, weights and even some core. I tried to stay active throughout the day, but I have sat while I was working. We found a great table on Craigslist that was only 30 dollars. So went went to pick it up then went suit shopping. We walked around a huge mall. Luckily we found two great suits, shoes, ties, shirts, etc.

After all that we went to the Cheesecake Factory and though I wanted to get something not as good for me, I chose one of their Weight control salads. It was soo HUGE I was really surprised. They are supposed to 590 calories, which is a sensible dinner. It was quit tasty and I could only eat about a third, so I took home the rest.

Sunday is my rest day so I took it easy! Some new friends invited us over for dinner and we got to play with their kids! We are liking our new town and getting to know more people out here.

Hunger sets in

This is usually wrecks my weight loss. I get hungry through the day and munch or graze, which adds extra calories and ends up weighing me down.

Current strategies include:

Loading up on water

Chewing gum

Hungry girl yogurt

Moving - doing something to distract myself.

Being hungry is just one of those things I have to realize is part of loosing/maintaining weight. I just can't act on that, just like I can't act on other feelings all the time. ahhh okay enough complaining I'm heading to the gym after a day of statistics.

Days 2 through 4

Days 2 through four went by well.

Breakfasts have been 1/2 cup Post Grapenuts cereal, sometimes with a banana, and 1/2 cup milk.

Lunches have been Progresso soups, sometimes with a grilled cheese. A great option I've found it to eat the soup first then the grilled cheese as a small meal a couple of hours later.

A good snack I've discovered is the FiberOne Yogurt. It has a good amount of protein and fiber which gives me a couple of hours of not being hungry.

Dinners have been a lot of different things but mostly sensible.

Workout's have been going well. I need to incorporate more core exercises because I haven't been doing them. I'm thinking use those Pilates videos i have... Cardio is going well I did a mile in 13:32 on the eliptical machine last night then another one in about 18 minutes. Yipee

Weight training is in the beginning phase but I need to get better about it. So leave comments and tell me to get my rear in gear.

First day

So the first day went well.

I ate sensibly.

Exercise went well. I did a little cardio and weights in the morning and a lot of cardio in the evening. The morning workout I did one mile in 25 minutes, yes I know whimpy, but I'm taking it slow. Did lots of weights working my upper body. I'm trying the light/normal/Hard sets.

In the later workout I did 2.75 miles in 60 minutes. The first mile was an 18 minute mile. I probably did so much because I was watching Frasier reruns and getting into that. Those little personal TVs on each machine are wonderful!

All in all off to a good start. Still have a long way to go but it'll be good.

Weight Training

Time and time again people say that women don't incorporate enough weight training. So I've found some helpful sites on how to do it properly. Form is extremely crucial, as is the weight that one does. I will start with low weight to obtain better form, and then move to a heavier weight.

What is the proper form to maintain?

A wonderfully helpful sit is: http://www.exrx.net It is a great resource to explore and has animations for many exercises.

This site http://www.strength-training-woman.com/strength-training-exercises.html helps with that question. On the bottom of the page you'll find two lists, the first links to area specific exercises with specific details on form, and the second list is mini articles of the importance of proper weight training by area.

So how many reps in a set and how many do I do?

"For each exercise you do, try to perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps with a weight heavy enough that by your last rep you can't eke out another one without compromising your form. To spark further muscle building, William Kraemer, Ph.D., a professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, suggests alternating moderate-intensity workouts of 8 to 10 reps with lighter-weight 12- to 15-rep sets and super-hard 3- to 5-rep sets."

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/weight-training-tips

I also read in Fitness Magazine that potassium helps to reduce muscle cramps, as does stretching and drinking lots of water. So bananas and sweet potatoes here I come.

Beginning

This is the beginning. My current weight is above 240. My goal weight is 135. So just over a hundred pounds to go.

I'm making a plan that incorporates core strengthening, weight training and cardio. And these will be done every day!!

Updates will come on how I'm doing with exercise and dieting.