I think I might be a Sopranos character for Halloween this year, only because I flipped off my scale this morning and was tempted to threaten it until it showed me the numbers I wanted to see. C'mon!!! I lost 0.8 pounds this week (yay, loss, she says sarcastically) but I'm 0.6 pounds away from my 50 pound mark. That's it. A lousy bit more than a half pound. I worked my butt off this week, and I'm so mad at what happened weight-wise. Grr. (okay, vent over. I am happy that I lost this week, but seriously, I thought I'd be in the 170s this morning, but I'm *STILL* in the 180s. Gimme a break!)
As I mentioned on Miz's blog, I was thoroughly disappointed in the whole BL Oprah edition. Basically, they paraded everyone from the last Ali-won season. It was like a WOW look at their transformation. It was a bit depressing, because everyone said they spend two hours at the gym daily to maintain what they lost on the ranch. Huh? That is not going to work in this little girl's life. One hour a day is what I can give up (okay, that's a lie, I probably could give more, but that would be bordering on exercise obsessiveness!) And it sounds like the guys had the biggest struggles with who they were in this new body.
This is something I've talked with a lot of you about... how you see yourself. I'm getting a lot better with recognizing myself in THIS body, my 180ish pound body vs. my 235ish pound body. One of the things I did this year was go through my closet and get rid of my once too tight size 20pluses. But there are still some things I held onto because they didn't look that bad. Uh, that's a lie. Too big clothes look as ridiculous as too tight clothes. But yet... and many of you know about this... there are days when I lay out my clothes in the morning, and I think, uh, no, I'm so not going to fit in that today. But then I do. Amazing. It's a mind-game, just like running is.
Another thing Jillian and Bob talked about was working out. Bob says you should have one rest day, Jillian says two. Hmm. What do YOU do? I try to exercise at least 5-6 times a week. But let me tell you... if I *only* exercise five times in one week, I do feel guilty. Why couldn't I have gone to the gym for day 6? Or did a video? Or gone for a walk? How many days a week do YOU exercise? Do you try to hit a certain goal? Do you feel guilty if you don't?
Have a good weekend!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Just. Keep. Going.
OMG OMG OMG.... Bob and Jillian are going to be on Oprah. TODAY. THURSDAY. I just found out and rearranged my schedule so I can be home to watch (good thing I have no office hours/classes on Thursdays!!) Obviously, more on this tomorrow!!
There is this point on the "30 Day Shred" video that Jillian says "I know you think you're going to DIE... but you're not." That's where I was today. Today was my first 27 minute run, and I really thought about not doing it at all (stupid cold winter-like weather and stupid me for picking a 5K at the beginning of December). On Monday morning, when I did my last 25 minute run, I expanded my running area past the stadium/hospital complex and onto the roads/sidewalks around there. I decided to go in the opposite direction of where I went on Monday, just to challenge myself a bit. This is how the run went:
The first 17 minutes was fine. In fact, easy. (wow... did I just say that?) Nice, flat/downhill area. Then, around 17.5 minutes, I got hot. As in sweaty hot. I was running with a long-sleeved wicking shirt under a sweatshirt plus gloves... it's cold out there!!! So I stopped and took my sweatshirt off and tied it around my waist. Then, I faced the mountain. Ha. Seriously, I knew it was coming at the end of my run. So, I started running up it. I kept thinking as cars drove past me, that their drivers were thinking "OMG... she's going to die." In my head, I started thinking "OMG... I'm going to die." And then Jillian's voice popped in my head: "NO YOU ARE NOT." So, I started thinking more positively. Slow and steady wins the race. You're almost at the top. Just. Keep. Going.
And I did. And after 27 minutes, I saw that I had run 2.14 miles. That's a 12.5 minute mile!!!!!! I seriously was so proud of myself. Heck, I still am!!! I'm feeling a lot more confident about the 5K in 5 weeks. I kept having dreams about finishing the 5K in 45 minutes-- the last person across the finish line-- but if I continue at this pace, I'll be done in about 35 minutes, which is totally acceptable. I think that I can easily start running for 30 minutes at a time (which I'm going to try on Saturday and see how that works out). Trust me, I'm all smiles today :)
There is this point on the "30 Day Shred" video that Jillian says "I know you think you're going to DIE... but you're not." That's where I was today. Today was my first 27 minute run, and I really thought about not doing it at all (stupid cold winter-like weather and stupid me for picking a 5K at the beginning of December). On Monday morning, when I did my last 25 minute run, I expanded my running area past the stadium/hospital complex and onto the roads/sidewalks around there. I decided to go in the opposite direction of where I went on Monday, just to challenge myself a bit. This is how the run went:
The first 17 minutes was fine. In fact, easy. (wow... did I just say that?) Nice, flat/downhill area. Then, around 17.5 minutes, I got hot. As in sweaty hot. I was running with a long-sleeved wicking shirt under a sweatshirt plus gloves... it's cold out there!!! So I stopped and took my sweatshirt off and tied it around my waist. Then, I faced the mountain. Ha. Seriously, I knew it was coming at the end of my run. So, I started running up it. I kept thinking as cars drove past me, that their drivers were thinking "OMG... she's going to die." In my head, I started thinking "OMG... I'm going to die." And then Jillian's voice popped in my head: "NO YOU ARE NOT." So, I started thinking more positively. Slow and steady wins the race. You're almost at the top. Just. Keep. Going.
And I did. And after 27 minutes, I saw that I had run 2.14 miles. That's a 12.5 minute mile!!!!!! I seriously was so proud of myself. Heck, I still am!!! I'm feeling a lot more confident about the 5K in 5 weeks. I kept having dreams about finishing the 5K in 45 minutes-- the last person across the finish line-- but if I continue at this pace, I'll be done in about 35 minutes, which is totally acceptable. I think that I can easily start running for 30 minutes at a time (which I'm going to try on Saturday and see how that works out). Trust me, I'm all smiles today :)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
BL Recap: All Right Already!!!
Really really quick before I grade...
I missed the first half hour. I gathered about the Blue Team winning a temptation/challenge (what on earth would you call that?) and adding 40 pounds to the Black Team's weight at the actual hanging on a pulley challenge. (I also missed Bob calling Vicki "Shakespearean"... she's SO Lady MacBeth... damn.) Anyway, I think Phil is a big wimp. Dude, I was waiting for you to tighten your grip on that rope. Geez... to be shown up by Renee???? Should have put her in the middle.
Missed the last chance workout half hour... on the phone with my mom. But the weigh ins??? I hate Brady (but you already know that) AND Vicki AND Heba. I'm glad Phil went home (big wuss, and really? A vote for Michelle??) BUT I can't wait for next week. I love when they let old cast members rejoin (yay!! like Ali last year!!!) and that they're all going individual. Think that Vicki and Brady will end up hurting each other when they turn individual?
That's all for now. Need to grade before I head to the gym. I have another hot date tonight with the elliptical :) Tell me what YOU thought of BL!!
I missed the first half hour. I gathered about the Blue Team winning a temptation/challenge (what on earth would you call that?) and adding 40 pounds to the Black Team's weight at the actual hanging on a pulley challenge. (I also missed Bob calling Vicki "Shakespearean"... she's SO Lady MacBeth... damn.) Anyway, I think Phil is a big wimp. Dude, I was waiting for you to tighten your grip on that rope. Geez... to be shown up by Renee???? Should have put her in the middle.
Missed the last chance workout half hour... on the phone with my mom. But the weigh ins??? I hate Brady (but you already know that) AND Vicki AND Heba. I'm glad Phil went home (big wuss, and really? A vote for Michelle??) BUT I can't wait for next week. I love when they let old cast members rejoin (yay!! like Ali last year!!!) and that they're all going individual. Think that Vicki and Brady will end up hurting each other when they turn individual?
That's all for now. Need to grade before I head to the gym. I have another hot date tonight with the elliptical :) Tell me what YOU thought of BL!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
My motivation for the gym
Sorry for the lack of blog updates this week... work/life is crazy.
What make me go to the gym when I don't want to? The fact that I shell out $36 a month for it. That's what is making me go there right now and fulfill my date with the elliptical. I could do a video. I could do nothing. But I want my money's worth :)
There very probably will not be a BL update this week. Sorry kids!
*******************
Here is my post gym update. Yes, I go to the old people gym (E will tell you that). But what drives me crazy is that the people in the 50+ range don't give a CRAP about form when they are lifting weights. I saw this guy do a tricep kickback today, and I swear, I thought he was going to hurt himself. I also saw some 50 year old lady doing bicep curls, and again, lifting with ridiculously heavy weights, and doing exaggerated Sly Stallone movements. Oy.
What make me go to the gym when I don't want to? The fact that I shell out $36 a month for it. That's what is making me go there right now and fulfill my date with the elliptical. I could do a video. I could do nothing. But I want my money's worth :)
There very probably will not be a BL update this week. Sorry kids!
*******************
Here is my post gym update. Yes, I go to the old people gym (E will tell you that). But what drives me crazy is that the people in the 50+ range don't give a CRAP about form when they are lifting weights. I saw this guy do a tricep kickback today, and I swear, I thought he was going to hurt himself. I also saw some 50 year old lady doing bicep curls, and again, lifting with ridiculously heavy weights, and doing exaggerated Sly Stallone movements. Oy.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Music Motivation
I read on The Daily Spark that we should make different playlists to go with the different activities we do: running, elliptical, cross-training, etc. I decided to spend a little bit of time on my Saturday to do this (so much better than cleaning my bathroom). In the process, I learned a little bit about myself and my music.
1) According to my "Top 25 Most Played" list, I've played "Waterloo" by ABBA 190 times, by far the most played song in my Itunes. "SOS" by ABBA was a distant second, played 83 times. I blame a random watching of "Muriel's Wedding" and then my viewing of "Mamma Mia!" And, seriously, who does not love "Waterloo" or ABBA?
2) My friend R and I exchanged CDs back in September of running music. My list to her included: "I'm Every Woman" by Whitney Houston, "Stronger" by Britney Spears, "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, "Labels or Love" by Fergie, "Stronger" by Kanye West, "Celebrity Skin" by Hole, "You Can Do It" by Ice Cube, "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai, "Stupid Girls" by Pink, "Hung Up" by Madonna, "I Don't Wanna Be In Love" by Good Charlotte, "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera, "When I Grow Up" by the Pussycat Dolls, "She Bangs" by Ricky Martin, "Gonna Fly Now" from the Rocky movies, "4 Minutes" by Madonna and JT, and "Brand New Day" by Sting.
3) My recently purchased music includes "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry, "Keeps Gettin' Better" by Christina Aguilera, "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J, "Groove is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite, and "Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads. I've started noticing that my radio listening turns into "running song analysis", as in, "this sounds like a good workout song."
4) Prior to this new playlist kick, I had 162 songs on my Ipod Shuffle. Unfortunately, I found myself shuffling to some specific songs, so I think these playlists are going to help me. Like "Thnks fr th Mmrs" by Fallout Boy. Not a Fallout Boy fan at all, but it is perfect for a mid-elliptical pickup.
5) Cheesy songs get me moving. Take, for instance, "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot. Yes, it's on my Shuffle. Yes, it is cheesy beyond belief and it makes me think of that episode of Friends where Rachel got her baby to not cry by singing it. However, if you got some JLo-type authentic booty (like me), you've got to embrace it. (Sidenote: I love on the 30 Day Shred when Jillian tells us to stick our butts out when we're doing squats... "Ain't no shame ladies!" She cracks me up.) "So Cosmo says you're fat? Well, I ain't down with that. Cuz your waist is small and your curves are kicking..." Yes, in all the misogynistic lyrics that are included in this song, sometimes, Sir M. comes up with some nice points.
So what songs are you totally loving right now? Tell me some cheesy/wouldn't tell your friends you like them songs that you LOVE to work out to. I'd like to know that I'm not the only one obsessed with teeny bopper music at the gym!
1) According to my "Top 25 Most Played" list, I've played "Waterloo" by ABBA 190 times, by far the most played song in my Itunes. "SOS" by ABBA was a distant second, played 83 times. I blame a random watching of "Muriel's Wedding" and then my viewing of "Mamma Mia!" And, seriously, who does not love "Waterloo" or ABBA?
2) My friend R and I exchanged CDs back in September of running music. My list to her included: "I'm Every Woman" by Whitney Houston, "Stronger" by Britney Spears, "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, "Labels or Love" by Fergie, "Stronger" by Kanye West, "Celebrity Skin" by Hole, "You Can Do It" by Ice Cube, "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai, "Stupid Girls" by Pink, "Hung Up" by Madonna, "I Don't Wanna Be In Love" by Good Charlotte, "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera, "When I Grow Up" by the Pussycat Dolls, "She Bangs" by Ricky Martin, "Gonna Fly Now" from the Rocky movies, "4 Minutes" by Madonna and JT, and "Brand New Day" by Sting.
3) My recently purchased music includes "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry, "Keeps Gettin' Better" by Christina Aguilera, "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J, "Groove is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite, and "Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads. I've started noticing that my radio listening turns into "running song analysis", as in, "this sounds like a good workout song."
4) Prior to this new playlist kick, I had 162 songs on my Ipod Shuffle. Unfortunately, I found myself shuffling to some specific songs, so I think these playlists are going to help me. Like "Thnks fr th Mmrs" by Fallout Boy. Not a Fallout Boy fan at all, but it is perfect for a mid-elliptical pickup.
5) Cheesy songs get me moving. Take, for instance, "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot. Yes, it's on my Shuffle. Yes, it is cheesy beyond belief and it makes me think of that episode of Friends where Rachel got her baby to not cry by singing it. However, if you got some JLo-type authentic booty (like me), you've got to embrace it. (Sidenote: I love on the 30 Day Shred when Jillian tells us to stick our butts out when we're doing squats... "Ain't no shame ladies!" She cracks me up.) "So Cosmo says you're fat? Well, I ain't down with that. Cuz your waist is small and your curves are kicking..." Yes, in all the misogynistic lyrics that are included in this song, sometimes, Sir M. comes up with some nice points.
So what songs are you totally loving right now? Tell me some cheesy/wouldn't tell your friends you like them songs that you LOVE to work out to. I'd like to know that I'm not the only one obsessed with teeny bopper music at the gym!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Weekly Weigh In: Basking in the Love
I lost 2.2 pounds this week... which brings me to my lowest weight since starting this weight loss journey. WOOT!!! I reached my lowest point back in June before I went to Spain and then spent a month at home with my family, barely exercising and eating whatever I wanted. (Bad Kiki!) But look! Look!!! I'm 1.4 pounds away from reaching my 50 pound goal. I'm hoping to reach it next week, but....
I've made a decision not to hang things up on deadlines. For instance, I'm not going to tell myself that I need to lose my next 50 pounds by June. It took me over a year to get these 48.6 pounds off. I refuse to get hung up on those deadlines. I look better than I have in a long time and I feel fantastic. I'll probably look better and feel even better when I'm rid of these last 50 pounds, but you know what... it'll happen. For instance, I told myself that I wouldn't redesign my blog until I hit that 50 pound mark. Well, I was REALLY getting sick of my old background. So, I changed it. And you know what? I think it motivates me a little bit to giggle at my "pound" ticker at the top of the page (I'm such a nerd, forgive me) and to see the new cute argyle background. Why do we do this to ourselves? Are we going to continue punishing ourselves for losing "only" a half pound or a pound a week? THAT IS THE AVERAGE. Just roll with it.
As for my doctor's appointment... first off, I got weighed in, fully clothed and shod, which is not what I do at home. According to the doctor's chart, I lost about 22 pounds since I was last there in November (ear infection, which is when she mentioned putting tubes in my ears... thank goodness that cleared up). Anyway, the nurse (who's chubby herself) starts asking me what I've been doing to lose my weight, and I told her that I'm just eating better and exercising, to which she gave me a "Yeah, right" look. Why is it that fat people think that other fat people are using some magic recipe to get rid of excess weight? It's all about calories in/calories out!!! Oh, and as a former hypertension patient (complete with meds), I'm happy to report that my BP was 124/78. Woot! Then the doctor comes in and also commends me for my weight loss. I ask her about my exercise induced asthma, which is triggered by the cold weather, and she suggests that I might want to exercise indoors. I told her that I will, but for now, I'm training for a 5K on December 7, and I need to work on it outside. To which she was like, that is AWESOME. Seriously, I thought she was going to high-five me. So, her solution is two fold: take a hit off of my inhaler BEFORE I exercise (rather than waiting until I get asthma related symptoms) and if it's REALLY cold, think about putting a scarf or something over my mouth and nose. Since I've moved my training to the afternoons when it's warmer, I'm hoping that it isn't much of an issue .
I've made a decision not to hang things up on deadlines. For instance, I'm not going to tell myself that I need to lose my next 50 pounds by June. It took me over a year to get these 48.6 pounds off. I refuse to get hung up on those deadlines. I look better than I have in a long time and I feel fantastic. I'll probably look better and feel even better when I'm rid of these last 50 pounds, but you know what... it'll happen. For instance, I told myself that I wouldn't redesign my blog until I hit that 50 pound mark. Well, I was REALLY getting sick of my old background. So, I changed it. And you know what? I think it motivates me a little bit to giggle at my "pound" ticker at the top of the page (I'm such a nerd, forgive me) and to see the new cute argyle background. Why do we do this to ourselves? Are we going to continue punishing ourselves for losing "only" a half pound or a pound a week? THAT IS THE AVERAGE. Just roll with it.
As for my doctor's appointment... first off, I got weighed in, fully clothed and shod, which is not what I do at home. According to the doctor's chart, I lost about 22 pounds since I was last there in November (ear infection, which is when she mentioned putting tubes in my ears... thank goodness that cleared up). Anyway, the nurse (who's chubby herself) starts asking me what I've been doing to lose my weight, and I told her that I'm just eating better and exercising, to which she gave me a "Yeah, right" look. Why is it that fat people think that other fat people are using some magic recipe to get rid of excess weight? It's all about calories in/calories out!!! Oh, and as a former hypertension patient (complete with meds), I'm happy to report that my BP was 124/78. Woot! Then the doctor comes in and also commends me for my weight loss. I ask her about my exercise induced asthma, which is triggered by the cold weather, and she suggests that I might want to exercise indoors. I told her that I will, but for now, I'm training for a 5K on December 7, and I need to work on it outside. To which she was like, that is AWESOME. Seriously, I thought she was going to high-five me. So, her solution is two fold: take a hit off of my inhaler BEFORE I exercise (rather than waiting until I get asthma related symptoms) and if it's REALLY cold, think about putting a scarf or something over my mouth and nose. Since I've moved my training to the afternoons when it's warmer, I'm hoping that it isn't much of an issue .
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Don't Call It a Comeback
I've had "Momma Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J stuck in my head over the last few days, especially that one line. This whole fitness thing is a lot of ebb and flow, between not being motivated, being sick or being too busy. Yesterday, I had a flu shot around 12:30. By 3:30, my arm was in total pain. I read online that they administer the flu shot directly into a muscle, which is why it gets so sore. I decided to skip the 30 Day Shred last night (ha! plank on that arm? ha!) and again this morning, even though I'm feeling better. I don't want to push it. I did 45 minutes on the elliptical last night as well as this morning. Today was supposed to be a running day, but because I run near/around my university's football stadium, and we're having a Thursday night football game, that wasn't going to happen. I went to the gym and attempted to make nice with the treadmill. Nope, couldn't do it. I gave up after about 2 minutes of uncertainty and just went on the elliptical. I'll attempt my run tomorrow, and then again on Sunday.
I'm going to the doctor today. It's time for my annual checkup, plus I really want to talk to her about my exercise induced asthma. I've been battling asthma since I was 3. What I had when I was a child was ridiculous, but it got better as I grew up. The only time my asthma started bothering me again was when I moved from Florida to West Virginia and started walking up the hills and steps in and around campus. I needed to get an emergency inhaler for those attacks (and still, I didn't do anything about my weight. D'oh!). Since I've lost weight and gotten more fit, it isn't much of an issue anymore, but since it's gotten cooler (and now colder) my asthma kicks it into high gear after a run. I get kind of wheezy and raspy and (TMI) really phlem-y. So, I want to discuss this with her, because I don't want my asthma to stand in the way of me kicking my fitness into high gear. Wish me luck!
I'm going to the doctor today. It's time for my annual checkup, plus I really want to talk to her about my exercise induced asthma. I've been battling asthma since I was 3. What I had when I was a child was ridiculous, but it got better as I grew up. The only time my asthma started bothering me again was when I moved from Florida to West Virginia and started walking up the hills and steps in and around campus. I needed to get an emergency inhaler for those attacks (and still, I didn't do anything about my weight. D'oh!). Since I've lost weight and gotten more fit, it isn't much of an issue anymore, but since it's gotten cooler (and now colder) my asthma kicks it into high gear after a run. I get kind of wheezy and raspy and (TMI) really phlem-y. So, I want to discuss this with her, because I don't want my asthma to stand in the way of me kicking my fitness into high gear. Wish me luck!
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