Good morning!
Well, last night was an event, indeed. I got weighed and measured by April, my trainer. Needless to say, I stood on the scale backwards and wouldn't look as she took my measurements. Let's just say that I have an avoidance conflict. If I don't see it, it doesn't exist. It works for me!
Now, I have been an avid gym rat in my day. Actually, until I started working again, I maintained a reasonable gym schedule. However, since the major life change occurred, I maybe fit in two workouts on my home elliptical trainer. Consequently, these were about twenty minutes in length each and most likely did not even put a dent in the gourmet cupcakes I had eaten which inspired me to get on the darn thing in the first place! Therefore, the thought of the workout didn't really instill fear in me as much as inspiration. I really should have connected with fear, though. At one point, my trainer, April practically had me vomiting. I have done an interval or two in my life, but this little exercise had me to the point that I wanted to get off that machine and dump that bottle of water right over her head. (I never would really do that. I really love April, but we all have our moments!)
If the cardio wasn't enough, April next had me do a series of resistance training exercises. At one point, I was in a serious amount of hurt. As she lowered the weight to accommodate my pain, she made a "cute" little comment about the weight being rinky-dink or some similar descriptor. That's all I needed. I told her to crank it up and we'd see about rinky-dink! Let's just say that after I managed to lift that weight my ego was patting me on the back but today, my muscles are slapping me in the face!
Just before we finished the weight-training, April said, "I have great news. We do abs next". My response? "Can you tell me exactly where the 'great news' part figures in here?" I have to love her.
All kidding aside, April is wonderful. Throughout the hour she was pushing me along and encouraging me to get the job done. Her favorite phrase for the evening was, "Good girl!" For some of you, that might sound far too much like a compliment one gives their canine friend or young child. For me, it was affirmation that I can make this happen. As I plan today's food, I hear April's "Good girl!" every time I make a good choice. Thanks, April. "Good trainer!" xoxoxoxoxoxox
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Day One
Good morning, All,
Well, the day has begun and the cat is out of the bag. Two of my classes and a select few of my colleagues know about this project. This both empowers and terrifies me. Now I have "outed" myself as a potential role-model. I can't fail with my students watching. There is no entity more judgmental than a teenager! If I should fail, there is no doubt that they will remind me of it!
That being said, I am pretty optimistic. I am competitive by nature and know that I can do this...again! I just need to get my mind in sync with the goal. After tonight's initial workout with my trainer, I know that I will be able to stay focused. Who wants to waste a good workout?
Mondays will be difficult. I leave the house before the kids get up and won't really see them until it's time to put them to bed. At first this really bothered me. Now, however, I recognize that once I get into the routine of putting myself first and finally loving myself again, whatever limited time I have with my munchkins will be happier. I recognize that I am only my best self when I feel comfortable and confident.
Time for lunch....salad greens, 2oz. of tuna and Archer Farms pomegranate and berry LF dressing; 1/2 Chobani yogurt and an apple! Who needs a salty frozen entree or a heaping PB and J? Ask me in two days and I'll most likely say, "Me!" Oh, well, everything takes time.
Well, the day has begun and the cat is out of the bag. Two of my classes and a select few of my colleagues know about this project. This both empowers and terrifies me. Now I have "outed" myself as a potential role-model. I can't fail with my students watching. There is no entity more judgmental than a teenager! If I should fail, there is no doubt that they will remind me of it!
That being said, I am pretty optimistic. I am competitive by nature and know that I can do this...again! I just need to get my mind in sync with the goal. After tonight's initial workout with my trainer, I know that I will be able to stay focused. Who wants to waste a good workout?
Mondays will be difficult. I leave the house before the kids get up and won't really see them until it's time to put them to bed. At first this really bothered me. Now, however, I recognize that once I get into the routine of putting myself first and finally loving myself again, whatever limited time I have with my munchkins will be happier. I recognize that I am only my best self when I feel comfortable and confident.
Time for lunch....salad greens, 2oz. of tuna and Archer Farms pomegranate and berry LF dressing; 1/2 Chobani yogurt and an apple! Who needs a salty frozen entree or a heaping PB and J? Ask me in two days and I'll most likely say, "Me!" Oh, well, everything takes time.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Returning to the "Me" I Want to Be
About a year ago, I applied to participate in an article that Fitness Magazine was doing. To make a very long story short, I was passed over for that particular article but some months later was contacted by one of the editors to be a participant in a different article. This was an offer I simply could not refuse. The focus of the article is fitting diet and exercise in the daily routine of the working mother. There is no denying that since having my boys I have "let myself go"; something I had vowed I would not to! Oops!
In 2000, I lost 57 lbs., adding to a previous weight loss and was amazingly fit. I maintained my healthy lifestyle for seven years! During those seven years, I met my husband, a professor in movement activities and lifetime fitness. He seemed to be my perfect match! With a husband whose lifestyle is committed to fitness, how could I possible fall off the wagon? Seems almost impossible, doesn't it?
Well, call me an over-achiever, but I not only fell of the wagon, but went log-rolling down the hill and into the pit of bad-eating habits at warp speed! We managed to conceive our first son, Logan on our honeymoon. This gave me permission to go into a carb-coma after eating those precious handfuls of doughy goodness only on special occasions for seven years prior. I actually remember announcing my pregnancy to my colleagues with those mega-muffins from the local bakery. Everyone knew something was up. I NEVER ate those. This was a monumental occasion, though. I could "cheat" now. This was the time, right?
That was the beginning of the end. Since I was a "high-risk" pregnancy, I was told to take it easy on the exercise and to make sure I was eating enough. The doctor didn't need to tell me twice. I certainly didn't want to disappoint him or put my baby at risk. Who was I to poo-poo the doctor's orders. Again, I over-achieved and planted my butt on the couch and ate gross amounts of carbs and sugar throughout my pregnancy. Couldn't let the little tadpole starve, now, could I? I was going to be the best patient my OB ever saw. If numbers were the measure of success, I was at the head of my class. I gained about 75 lbs.! Yay, Me!
Needless to say, another pregnancy and four years later and I am back at the beginning. Unlike in 2000, though, my time and fridge are no longer mine alone. Having two little balls of energy and a husband to consider; a 40 minute commute to and from work; and a profession which requires me to bring the job home with me certainly doesn't lend itself to exercise and meal-planning. (Unless, you count chasing after a two-year-old to retrieve the scissors he has as exercise and making sure there are frozen dinners in the fridge as meal planning!)
Here we go. It all begins tomorrow. Boy am I a wreck! Failing at this is one thing, but failing in front of all of the readers of Fitness Magazine is something altogether different! Hey, I've been on the other end of these articles. I know what evil thoughts I have when I see those women make excuses for why since their last check-in a month ago, they have only lost .5 lbs. and no inches.
Sure what really matters is that you feel better.
Oh, you are right. It must just be your time of the month.
I can tell by looking at you that you gained so much muscle that the scale is not registering the loss.
I know, I know. I sound cynical. That's because I am. I used to be that woman. To some degree, maybe I still am. If I weren't, I wouldn't be here now, would I? The point is, if I fail this time around, perfect strangers will judge me in ways that make me want to go out and get a gourmet cupcake. That will be counterproductive now, won't it?
Wish me luck. Join me in my quest. Share a thought or two, and recognize that we are all on this journey together. Although our goals may not be the same, we need continued support and understandin
In 2000, I lost 57 lbs., adding to a previous weight loss and was amazingly fit. I maintained my healthy lifestyle for seven years! During those seven years, I met my husband, a professor in movement activities and lifetime fitness. He seemed to be my perfect match! With a husband whose lifestyle is committed to fitness, how could I possible fall off the wagon? Seems almost impossible, doesn't it?
Well, call me an over-achiever, but I not only fell of the wagon, but went log-rolling down the hill and into the pit of bad-eating habits at warp speed! We managed to conceive our first son, Logan on our honeymoon. This gave me permission to go into a carb-coma after eating those precious handfuls of doughy goodness only on special occasions for seven years prior. I actually remember announcing my pregnancy to my colleagues with those mega-muffins from the local bakery. Everyone knew something was up. I NEVER ate those. This was a monumental occasion, though. I could "cheat" now. This was the time, right?
That was the beginning of the end. Since I was a "high-risk" pregnancy, I was told to take it easy on the exercise and to make sure I was eating enough. The doctor didn't need to tell me twice. I certainly didn't want to disappoint him or put my baby at risk. Who was I to poo-poo the doctor's orders. Again, I over-achieved and planted my butt on the couch and ate gross amounts of carbs and sugar throughout my pregnancy. Couldn't let the little tadpole starve, now, could I? I was going to be the best patient my OB ever saw. If numbers were the measure of success, I was at the head of my class. I gained about 75 lbs.! Yay, Me!
Needless to say, another pregnancy and four years later and I am back at the beginning. Unlike in 2000, though, my time and fridge are no longer mine alone. Having two little balls of energy and a husband to consider; a 40 minute commute to and from work; and a profession which requires me to bring the job home with me certainly doesn't lend itself to exercise and meal-planning. (Unless, you count chasing after a two-year-old to retrieve the scissors he has as exercise and making sure there are frozen dinners in the fridge as meal planning!)
Here we go. It all begins tomorrow. Boy am I a wreck! Failing at this is one thing, but failing in front of all of the readers of Fitness Magazine is something altogether different! Hey, I've been on the other end of these articles. I know what evil thoughts I have when I see those women make excuses for why since their last check-in a month ago, they have only lost .5 lbs. and no inches.
Sure what really matters is that you feel better.
Oh, you are right. It must just be your time of the month.
I can tell by looking at you that you gained so much muscle that the scale is not registering the loss.
I know, I know. I sound cynical. That's because I am. I used to be that woman. To some degree, maybe I still am. If I weren't, I wouldn't be here now, would I? The point is, if I fail this time around, perfect strangers will judge me in ways that make me want to go out and get a gourmet cupcake. That will be counterproductive now, won't it?
Wish me luck. Join me in my quest. Share a thought or two, and recognize that we are all on this journey together. Although our goals may not be the same, we need continued support and understandin
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