Week 39 The Holidays

Well I must acknowledge i won't hit the 60pd mark by yr end....but after the new year i MUST kick into high gear and reach my goal....100 pds my March 29....Not going to be that easy as we all read I have been stuck in the 50 's since October like a yoyo. This was a short week....but feeling strong after being sick...so glad my cold didn't turn into a cough.

Tues. Dec 21, lower body. Pushed hard feel strong. Last day of work before long holiday weekend.

AJ came home late tuesday from Daytona...drove straight thru and for the life of me couldn't fall asleep until he came home. I was hoping to get a few hours in before he arrived but I was wide awake & heard him come home 12:15am and it was great to have him home safe. Sat and chatted then tried to get to sleep.

Wed Dec. 22 Cardio...EXHAUSTED...have no idea how much I slept...I feel like the alarm went off as I was just falling sleeping....I was a failure at cardio....not running last week, it felt so hard and between being so tired and it being so hard I grabbed the railings midway......finished but held the railings on the fast runs after the first 10 min....came home showered...and headed out to Christmas shop....got alot done. Lauren still had school....tyler working, came home and AJ and I hung out & talked all afternoon......wonderful quality time, that he has no idea how much it means to me...to just talk, about anything and everything...he is not a phone person, so phone calls to Florida are never long or informative. Cooked dinner for everyone and Jeff my lovey came back over to sleep....which is always a treat mid week as we usually only see each other on weekends.

Thurs. Dec 23, last day of work out week Cardio weigh in day. First got on scale said I lost 1.5 pounds...then I get on again says only half pound...at least i lost....and it's holiday season. So I had a good upper arm work out, gave Jon his Christmas gift...and now after i finish updating my blog and had a glass of 100% Boathouse carrot juice (which I LOVE) i want to sleep a little long if I could. Merry Christmas. Now to survive til next week...another short week. Feel great this Christmas health wise....been a lonnnnnnnng time since I felt this great! And Happy i general

Week 38 Sick again with head cold (but still workin out

I put this picture up cause I wanted to show a top I wore to a party on Saturday. This top is 6 sizes smaller than tops I was wearing last year....not that I am 6 sizes smaller i everything, I am 4 sizes smaller in most, but I finally have a waist back... YEAH....again, still have a long way to go, but I am doing it. Had a great time seeing friends haven't seen in a long time....and always can't get enough of people saying I am looking great....LOL. I had a scratchy throat on Saturday (tried to ignore it), but woke up with a full blown head cold on Sunday.

Monday Had to go to work, it was last day of class at school, so I had to go. Glad semester is over. I had a great group of students, and really enjoyed teaching the class.

Tues. Dec.14 Lower body. Felt like CRAP but still went in and got a work out done, went to work for little while then went to girlie doctor's appt. Glad to get on the scale there and talk about the weight loss. Had to come home and make cookies for the cookie swap. I made over 16 dozen of coconut macrroons...for cookie swap at work. Never did a cookie swap before, I want to give cookies as gifts, a nice easy affordable, great tasting gift.

Wed. Dec. 15 Cardio...felt worse than tuesday. Jon gave me a great workout but just the walking on incline....I couldn't handle running being so congested...but just as sweaty after this workout.

Thurs. Dec 16 Upper body. Feeling just a tad better. Went back to bed til 9:30 after work out. Had full physical at doctor. Blood pressure perfect 108/60 All my blood work came back perfect.....cholesterol was perfect all the numbers perfect. EKG...perfect. Sugar perfect...no sign of even being close to diabetes. Doctor was thrilled and even happier I have been losing weight. My numbers all show I am in perfect health....losing the weight is all bonus....told him i will keep it up

Fri. Dec 17th cardio weigh. Gained 1 pd lean muscle and lost fat...Jon happy! Jon let me walk the incline one last day...and it was harder than wed....wow i was soaked with sweat...and 20 minutes seems so long walking than running...i have said that before. In incline of 12 going 3.0 was tough in my final minute.

Two parties to get thru this weekend...my dept party today at lunch and friends party tomorrow night. Looking forward to seeing if people like my grab bag gift...LOL

Week 37 Stomach Bug (only 2 days at gym)

I was originally going to do an extra cardio at work on Monday, but unfortunately i was unable due to stomach bug i got Saturday night....It came in like a freight train but gone by Wednesday. I was too weak to go to gym on Tues or Wed.

Thurs Upper body. Felt good to get back to gym as well as feeling myself again. Being good with nutrition. I had Jeff make me my escerole soup for the week on Sunday....so have been eating that all week for lunch.

Thurs. night after work went to dress barn to try ad find an outfit for Saturday's party....dress up....nothing fit right...a lady started helping me realizing my sizes were all too big....she got me sizes i havn't been into in 8-9 yrs. It looked good. I felt good.

Friday. Cardio weigh in. Lost 4 pounds. Sooooo close to 60 pds...today 59 total. Now this is no great feat as I have been up and down in the 50's since Oct. i should be in the 70 pd loss area by now. but let me get past 60. All I have to do is alter my eating on weekends and it can happen.

Having one Christmas party after another does not help. I will try and strategize at these parties and write about it, maybe there is a way to get thru them without over doing it :) I had in my head all thru cardio I wasn't going to make it right up to last minute, but I did it somehow....maybe my legs have more will power than my head..LOL, and of course Jon pushed til the last second

Week 36 Losing the Thanksgiving weight

Although I liked the time ff...getting thru the holidays was hard eating wise but this week was able to get back to routine. i made a delicious italian wedding soup with mini turkey meatballs and escerole in a soup. DELICIOUS. Ate salmon, no snacking. It paid off.

Tues. Nov. 30 Lower body. Jon was out sick, Jen filled in for him. We did lower body. I was hard and good. I was sore after.

Wed Dec 1 Cardio....very nervous after Sat (holding on to the bars midway thru). I kept my focus and made it all the way til last minute and i think i grabbed the bars last 30 seconds. i now I was going 5.5 mph last minute...may not seem very fast (trust me, to me, it is very). Glad i made it that far. You all know what this means...I have to do it on Friday

Thurs Dec 2 Upper body (new 1 of 6) reverse of the other routine. very tough. static curls. brutal. I can feel it. All day at work my legs were very very sore. Nervous about Fri

Fri Dec 3 Cardio. I was more concerned about weigh in. Lost 3 pounds of the 3.5 i gained over Thanksgiving weekend. I am happy, getting back on track...over 3 week til xmas, must keep going down before xmas and new yrs.

Cardio, I had it in my head "if i make it I make it, if i don't its ok" All the way even in my last 3 minutes I knew I was not going to be doing it, got down to 2 minutes left, I said this is my last minute, anything I can do extra is bonus....and somehow I made it thru the whole last minute, running the fastest I ever have in my life...a minute is a long time when you feel every second and you can't breath and your legs are on fire. Jon got me thru motivating me every second of the way...thanx Jon....jumped my distance 4 tenths of a mile doing 1.35 now in 20 minutes...yeah

Week 35 Thanksgiving (did not handle well)

Having Thanksgiving in the middle of a workout week is difficult. What more difficult is time off from work, getting away from the routine of my week.

Tues: Nov 23 Lower body. New rugs so far in half the gym...looks great. Smelly but that will go away. hard lower body. very sore after workout.

Wed. Nov 24. Cardio. Did it...it was tough but I survived....now if this wasn't last day of work for a long weekend wouldn't be so bad...but we went out with friends Wed night. Ate and drank (NOT a normal Wed night at all) Thursday. Cooked all morning, making the most delicious sweet potato casserole (totally fattening) and string beans and cookies. Went to friends house for 2pm. Ate such delicious food......soooo hard to resist from at least trying a little of everything. Now i would never eat that much in the middle of the week. I became very full....at least felt very full, a feel I haven't had since I started at Horizons. It may have been a tummy ache....but it lasted over 3.5 hours......I hated the feeling. I think it was the combination of so many different foods in one sitting even if was one bite and I got a belly ache. It was a real bummer, but everything was great. The belly ache eventually went away.

Thursday Nov 26th: THANKSGIVING Off from gym

Fri Nov 27 upper body...First thing Jon says is "Get on the scale...you are getting weighed in" I said What are you talking about, I should get weighed in on Saturday a cardio day adn end of my workout week for this week...he said "NO" I was upset.....even more upset to get on the scale the day after Thanksgiving to gain over 3 pounds.....it was upsetting...then to get a lecture from him on top of it. I was ready to cry.

Sat Nov 28 cardio. going on a saturday at 10:30...so not my normal routine....I was ready but when I felt Jon really pushing me into my first set of running, I was dying.....I think by 9 minutes I was holding onto the railing.....very disappointing to me and him. I felt like a failure letting him down and myself...but truly...it wasn't a good day to kick it up a notch with me. I would have had success if I stayed the same from last cardio...still would have been tough, but probably wouldn't have held the railing...Oh well. bad day. Next week have to get recommitted if I plan on ever reaching my goal of 100 pounds by March 29, 2011 (My 1 year anniversary of my commitment to getting my life back)

Week 34.....Tough & Sore Week (Good luck Pam!)

First I want to say Good Luck t0 Pam, my girlfriend, who is doing an Ironman this Sunday in Arizona...she is an inspiration to me and will be wishing her all the luck on Sunday. She is awesome! Go Pam #2642.

This has been tough and good week at the same time. Between snack cravings and Jon pushing me it's been challenging. Its not over yet. I have cardio tomorrow which I can't stop thinkin about...I am getting my haircut today and all my thoughts are about how hard cardio was on Wednesday......even though I did it successfully....its crazy....I just want tomorrow to come and get it done. On top of cardio, I am so sore, think Jon is kickin up the weights so I am very sore...but its a good sore, feels like I am working hard. May sound like whining or complaining but its not.....I will never complain about being sore...its his job to keep me sore, means I am working harder, getting stronger.

Tues Nov 16 lower body 1 of 6 new lower body routine....TOUGH still feeling it.

Wed. Nov 17 cardio didn't think i was going to get thru it, but I did...I was gonna jump off at least 3 times but stayed on, i don't know how much he kicked it up...he didn't change my distance on the board, and i still cover up all the screens so I can't see, so i have no idea. Maybe once I stop complaining and get thru these numbers easier he will tell me and put it up on the board. I felt good I didn't quit. But i wish i didn't think about it so much....I am blaming PMS.

Thurs. Upper body Nov 18. I needed to get out by 6:15 and Jon, he is so great, got me thru my whole routine and we got everything done. My arms will be sore tomorrow. Finish blog tomorrow.

Fri Cardio Nov 19. Cardio weigh in. Gained 1 pd.....but its debatable....with the scale at the gym, as it has a different reading everytime you get on....we settled on 1 pound. I am fine. It was a tough week all around with food cravings adn PMS.....which makes me just want to be put in a closet and stay. Makes my mind crazy. I survived cardio, even though my mind said I wouldn't...it used to be that my negative side of me that would say I can't do it is being over rided with the mideset I can and will do it.....yeah....failing would have sucked this morning.

Next week Thanxgiving, not expecting any losses but at least it will be the first Thanxgiving I will be working out thru.....unlike all my whole past life of having holidays with not going to any gym....just a food fest. So glad its the weekend :)

Week 33 Staying focused

I knew getting into this week Jon would be changing my cardio distance cause I have been at 1.30 for over 2 weeks. My plan to get thru is get even another shield to not see the screen where it says (.5 miles...1 mile...1.25 miles) because I know where I am at those points...i didn't want to know where I was especially at 1.25 cause its in my fastest minute. I just do not want anything like me seeing crazy speeds or distances getting in the way of my success....makes me a little nutty in thinking that way, but I have more confidence in just trusting him and not looking at the board while working out. It's all a crazy mental game in my head.

Tues Nov. 9 Lower body. 6 of 6...this was the last routine of lower body, we switch to a new one next week. Worked hard

Wed Nov 10 Cardio. New the distance and speed was gonna change and it did and I did it succesfully. The last minutes I always say to myself "i can do anything for 3 minutes...then I can do anything for 2 minutes then I bust my butt to get myself thru the last push in the last minute which is the fastest.....I also count in my head....well I look at the board and there is an arch of numbers 0-9 and I look at each one thruout a minute counting to 20 in my head 3 times for each minute...helps time go by faster and gets me thru the minute.....its what I do keeps me focused and it works. have no idea what runners do to get thru miles and miles running. I should ask Pam.

Thurs. Nov.11 Upper body 4 of 6. Getting harder....Jon always pushin, never in a bad mood, ready to motivate!

Fri Nov 12 Cardio Weigh in. Lost 1/2 pound.....well the scale first said down 1 pd, then nothing lost then 1/2 pd. I really dislike this scale, as it is never consistent. I was happy with half pound...as long as I am losing. Hard cardio, but got thru...ready for the weekend! Suppose to be a beautiful weekend!

Week 32 Getting Back on track, refocused

Back to work on Monday, eating right, healthy, determined to have a good week. Bought salmon at Costco, eating home made soup for lunch, paying attention to good nutrition, and drinking all my water. Didn't eat any candy on Halloween. made a ham for sunday dinner for company, sent most of leftovers home with mom s I wouldn't eat anymore...too much sodium

Tuesday Nov 2 Lower body. Tough, felt good. Good eating day.

Wed Nov.3 Cardio. Felt better than Friday. Back on track. made sure I ate after teaching.

Thurs Nov 4 Upper body. Feel good. For the first time people are stopping me and noticing the weight loss...has made my mood so good day and night and keeping me focused and motivated. Jon won't be weighing me in, he is taking a short vacation...well deserved! Hope he has a great weekend!

Fri Nov 5 Cardio weigh in LOST 4 pounds...YEAH so happy. Did cardio with Jen It was good. Put me in a great mood. Ready to have a good healthy weekend and another good week.

So with a few weeks of being up and down my total is 56 pounds lost! so close to 60, can't. wait! Haven't been this happy with myself in a longgggggg time!

Took Vacation Combo week 30 & 31

I couldn't wait for vacation...counting the days since August. I planned a kayak trip for 6 of us including my 2 boys, Aj's girlfriend Chantal, AJ roommate Justin, Jeff and myself. I went to Gym the tues and Wed before leaving and changed my time to later for when I came back, since I took the whole week off.

Vacation couldn't be anyore perfect. 86 degrees ad sunny everyday. Jeff and I stocked up the frig with healthy food from my favorite grocery store in Florida, Publix, and planned on eating breakfast and lunch at the condo.

Fri Oct 22 woke up to a beautiful sunrise and put on work out clothes. Made breakfast and headed out to the beach. You can drive on a stretch of the beach so it's easy to walk on the sand in that area. I would jog in intervals to get my heart rate up. Felt good.

Sat Oct 23. Kayaking n St Johns river, over 3 hours of paddling, got a good upper body work out, wildlife was awesome, great thing to do in florida

Sunday. Watched boys surf did more walking on beach....loving the weather

Monday 25th Woke up to do another walk jog on beach. Beached it all day!

Tuesday 26th, missed our connecting flight due to bad weather and extra feuling in Orlando, got stuck in Kentucky for 4 hours...Amazing how when things go wrong I immediately want to eat.....I could have eaten the whole 4 hours....we were pretty good, finally got home by 10:30. Direct flights are always better but had to go with best price.

Wednesday home resting, went and did grocery shopping, made homemade soup. Glad CT is pretty warm, not coming home to cold weather was a plus...tomorrow back to the gym.

Thurs.. Oct 28 upper body, got on scale only gained 2 pounds, a good work out and 2 days of eating right I could lose a pound. Jon was pretty hard on me, pep talk on getting refocused

Fri. Oct 29 Cardio. I didn't think i could do it, but i did, so happy I succeeded. Lost that pound, so I only gained 1 pound on vacation. Goat is to get back on track, eat right, get refocused.

Week 29 food cravings

Last week I made a big batch of turkey chili for the week, this week I went back to the soup.....I made home made chicken soup, but added beans, escerole, and cabbage, chopped tomatoes...By mistake I made it with regular chicken broth instead of the low sodium fat free...I added a lot of water to dilute the sodium. It came out ok. Had salmon and soup for sunday night dinner. Monday night I was hungry after class, I had some soup but I got weak....I gave in to the urge and had 2 tablespoons of cookie dough in front of the tv.....then had like 5 potato chips...what was I thinking.

Tues. Oct 12 Lower body. Tough work out with the new routine

Wed. Oct 13 Cardio...Jon is sick, stood back while I did work out only coming close last few seconds of every minute to change speed...he kicked it up a knotch nad I ended up beating my time...up to 1.28 now in 20 minutes (I remember having anxiety attacks at 1.11)...now I have no fears....which is great

Thurs. Oct 14 New upper body workout, tough......real tough, I can feel it in my arms even as I type today, hurts to dry my hair haha...all good kind of pain. Worked out my schedule for next week since I will be gone thurs and fri, then on vacation at home.

Fri Oct 15th Cardio. Lost 2 pounds happy I lost the pound I gained and lost another pound. Jon distracted me while working out, but knew he was really pushing me cause I got a cramp. Ended up really pushing me and my final distance was 1.30 yeah.....and with no complaints! :)

Week 28 Good Week

I am happy with the transformation. My body really is changing and I can see it. I went thru all my big clothes and got rid of them all.....going to get some favorites taken in and I will never be this size again. I have no idea how many inches I have lost...I know a lot.....I never felt so good in my life......But.....I will never go out on a Thursday night again, like I did this week, especially when there is free food and wine.....I have no self control.

Tues. Oct. 5 we had our last upper body workout....i will be happy for something new. Switch things up a bit.

Wed. Oct. 6 Cardio. Good cardio...so glad anxiety is gone...knock on wood.

Thurs Oct 7 Lower body......this lower body is tough, but good. Went to even at night....never again. Thus is my lightest eating night.

Fri Oct. 8 Cardio. Jon kicked it up a knotch, not my distance up...so happy...kickin butt. Gained a pound. Machine said it was 1.5 pds of muscle......next week will be better.

Week 27...Fantastic Week lost 6.5 pds

I will begin by saying, the week after my "Time of the month" has always been good, I have been consistent of having high loss numbers that particular week every month. I almost always gain the "week of" but this week was great and I will share honestly what I ate everyday.

Saturday

woke up went out to breakfast...had 3 french toast around 10am

Busy all day so lost track of time had a high protein shake Muscle milk light from Costco (Its different from the one they sell at Walmart.....its 20 grams of protein and 150 calories

Went to winery so we brought grinders, turkey, ham and roast beef, cut up to share, chips and salsa. Drank Red wine.....multiple glasses......so Saturday was a not so good day

Sunday

Went to breakfast had ham and egg scramble, with english muffin

Afternoon had half sandwich turkey and shake.

Cooked home made cabbage chicken soup to have for lunch all week at work

Dinner at friends, we had little pasta, sauce and baked chicken, salad, grilled zucchini, and home made red wine

Monday (Back on track) No gym

breakfast: 8:30am 2 eggs ham & pepper 1 pc of 8 grain toast (now Kelly in the caf makes this for me everyday and I told her to make my breakfast as low calorie as possible.....She told me she has been cooking my peppers and ham in the bacon oil (Yikes! so now its with pam)

11:30 80 calorie yogurt with 1/4 cup granola at my desk

12:15 down to caf I have my huge bowl of cabbage soup )stuffed!

4:00 in car on way to teach I drink a whole muscle in car (not the light version)

7:45 home I have 3 slices of turkey. I am tired and not hungry.

plus I drank my 80 oz of water during day mixed with diet snapple to add taste

In bed 9pm

Tuesday

Gym 5;30-6:30 Muscle milk light 6:45

Breakfast 9am 2 eggs ham and pepper

11:45 80 calorie yogurt with 1/4 cup granola at my desk

12:00 Big tupperware containe cabbage chicken soup

3:00 Shake (light version)

6:00 Sock eye salmon baked in foil with steamed spinach (made a big batch of spinach with a little olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper...Lauren had Pasta, I tried 3 ziti noodles cause it was alfredo

Large cup decaf tea

plus I drank my 80 oz of water mixed with diet snapple to add taste

bed 8:45

Tuesday

Gym 5;30-6:30 Muscle milk light 6:45

Breakfast 9am 2 eggs ham and pepper

12:00 Big tupperware containe cabbage chicken soup & yogurt with granola

3:00 Shake Light version

6:00 Sock eye salmon baked in foil with steamed spinach (made a big batch of spinach with a little olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper

Large glass water I drink while watching tv

plus I drank my 80 oz of water mixed with diet snapple to add taste

bed 8:45

Wednesday

Gym 6:00-6:30 Muscle milk light 6:45

9:00 am Breakfast 9am 2 eggs ham and pepper

yogurt 11:45 with granola

12:00 Salad bar with grilled chicken, craisons, pecans, oil, vineger and 3-4 croutons

4:00 Shake in car on way to school not the light version

7:45 Some slices of turkey and some steamed spinach

Large glass water I drink while watching tv

plus I drank my 80 oz of water mixed with diet snapple to add taste

bed 8:45

Thursday

Gym 5;30-6:30 Muscle milk light 6:45

Breakfast 9am 2 eggs ham and pepper

yogurt 11:45 with granola

12:00 Big tupperware container cabbage chicken soup

3:00 hispanic month celebration at work, with food, so I filled a dessert plate with chicken, rice, salsa and corn chips

7:00 Muscle milk light...wasn't hungry, had couple bites of spinach with the shake

Large glass water I drink while watching tv

plus I drank my 80 oz of water mixed with diet snapple to add taste

In bed 9:00pm

This week in gym went back to weight training on Tues & Thurs and Cardio Wed & Friday

Tues Sept 28 lower body...NEW lower body set, tough but good. I like when we switch it up

Wed Sept 29 Cardio, No complaints, breathing much better

Thurs Sept 30th Upper arm tough heavier weights

Fri Oct 1, weight in..Lost 6.5 pounds. I got in the Gym, Robin was still there, i went straight to the scale. I told her to stay cause I couldn't believe the scale myself, told her she will be here when i break 50 pd mark.....Jon made me get on and off the scale 4 times...we couldn't believe the numbers. I lost 6.5 pounds, bringing me to 53 pounds total....YEAH. I was so happy, cardio seemed a breeze as all I kept thinking about was my wight loss.

To date 34 pounds of the 53 is pure Fat, that like 2/3 of my loss so that is good. I feel unstoppable!

Week 26 New Time Slot

I was asked if I minded changing my time just by 30 minutes to always finish at the latest 6:30 and stagger my start times of5:30 and 6am...to accommodate Robin, a woman who is starting the program and goes to workearlier than me....I said ok. Then it switched that I was doing cardio on tues thurs, not wed fri. Ok, so I started off my week with cardio.I was tired and still coughing, but got thru it...I think I held the bar at the very end just a few seconds but finished.

Tues. Sept 21st cardio. I was tired...its that time of the month. I held the bars for a few seconds at end of session, but finished with them off...still a good workout...still coughing after the workout. rushed home took shower not totally cooled down and left my house 2 minutes after 7 still sweating.

Wed. Sept 22 lower body last day of this routine. Still tired but it was a good workout

Thurs. Sept 23 cardio. Did much better, finished fine. Very tired, thought he changed the numbers but he didn't.

Friday Sept 24 upper body weigh in. I expected to gain as I do during this time of the month. Only a pound this time, and it was all muscle. Next week is my good week for losing. Glad this week is over, want the cough to be totally gone.

I am settling into the new schedule. I leave just a little later, but it's fine. Sleep half hour, sometimes an hour longer, in morning.

week 25 I have Bronchitis Again

Sept 14th upper body. Good Upper body, Feel myself getting stronger. Coughing alot

Sept 15th Cardio. Did really good with Cardio. Jon said I was 3 seconds away from 1.27. I feel I wan to break that. Coughed my brains out after gym, had to pull over I was coughing so bad.Co-workers are getting annoyed at my coughing.

Sept 16th Lower body. Oh my favorite thing lunges. Oh how they hurt. Went to doctor this afternoon to confirm I have bronchitis again. The doctor was happy at amy weight loss. I told him I coughed real bad after the gym, he said that is exercise induced bronchial asthma, so he gave a script for an inhaler, anti biotic and cough syrup again. I made up my mind I would stay home Friday and rest. My co-workers will appreciate it, as my coughing had irritated the crap out of them.

Sept 17th Cardio Friday. Lost 1.5 pounds. Stayed home sick. Got a good nights rest but couldn't stay away from gym...wanted to break my time...and I did. I went later 7:30 then coughed my brains out, then sat in my pj's all day and watched girlie movies. Went to bed both friday and Saturday night early, to be rested up for nascar races on Sunday in New Hampshire

Week 24 Good week at Gym

Week Sept. 6-9 I had a very good week at gym. Jon real pushed the weights cause my legs and arms were sore.

Cardio both days were very good. No anxiety at all...yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

Weigh in....knew it was not going to be another 5 pounds...It was a long weekend last weekend with picnics and eating thru Monday. Gained 1/2 pound but gained 1.9 pounds of muscle and lost fat...so that is good. Will do better next week with eating.

Week 23....Good Week! My clothes are too big

This has been a sweltering week of heat with the whole week being in the nineties, plus starting to teach again, at a different time 5-7......very good that I get home at a better time, but learned I need to plan my meals better because when I get home at 7:30 I have no desire to cook.

Tues. Aug 31, Upper body. An hour of pushing it, more weight, I know cause of the pain I feel drying my hair everyday.

Wed. Sept 1 Cardio....woke up, trying to come up with a game plan to gain my confidence back from my mishap last week.....I am a mental case, stressin out over cardio. I told Jon, i thought i needed to go backwards a little to get my confidence back and he said " Go back, no way" then proceeded to give me a a great pep talk, I a few tears of fear fell over my ridiculous anxiety, but he did say something that made me feel completely great and not afraid of failing. I did cardio, without going backwards and finished, had total bladder control and felt great after. Told him he can't give up on me even though I am nuts.

Teaching Monday and Wed has caused me to not eat a full balanced dinner, for the record....I ate, but not too much.

Thursday. Sept 2 lower body. Squats, oh my favorite.....hurt, but happy that I used to hate sit ups more but now trying to push myself to more than 24 in my superset, not much, 30, but I a not dying at 24.

Friday. Sept 3rd. Weigh in day. I knew being the week in the month that it is the week after "that time of the month" I would have a good weigh in...but never expected 5.5 pounds ...wow....47 pounds total now....I was thrilled. I did not push myself to lose that much at all. Was not my plan. I knew it would be like 3 pounds to make up for last week, but not 5.5, and my lean body mass read did show my lack of eating properly, caused me to lose lean muscle mass.....I will be planning my weeks better with the food now that school has started....always have cooked chicken in the frig at night....and eat before i leave work for school.

Won the weight loss competition among some coworkers, I start again with just 1 friend co-worker next week, clean slate. We will help each other! But for now some extra cash for the weekend! Hurricane Earl in for the night.

Week 22 It's behind Me Now

Made the decision to go another 8 weeks...like I am really going to stop now, after making so much progress. I am making this week to be worse than it is. Now that's its gone and done with. I did great with my weight days upper and lower, Wednesday July 25th Cardio I made it thru the whole thing, it was hard.....felt like I had to pee right when a got off treadmill, a strange urge that I have not experienced. I was able to make it to ladies room ok on Wed.

Survived weights on Thursday....very tired at work on Thursday, of course cause its that 'special time" of the month, Oh how us woman just love that time and seems to get worse as I get older, can't imagine menopause...that will suck, cause I think that isn't just for 1 week.

Friday, July 27th felt Lousy went and did Cardio and in my last 30 seconds, I got all dizzy and I swear I really thought I was going to fall off...I grabbed the bars, Jon kept the machine running....for I was in my last 30 seconds....Jon said he didn't change the numbers at all but they felt sooo much harder, again, wasn't feeling myself. I jump off treadmill and I had absolutely no bladder control at all.....

It was awful, embarrassing, and I couldn't really move, afraid to move, just stood there with my legs together.....thank God I hardly had any water, less than a cup. Made it to the ladies room, went home called out sick. I was so tired I did a work out, had a protein shake, took a shower and once my head hit the pillow, I fell instantly back to sleep and I made myself get up at 9:30. I am usually energized after a workout not exhausted....again we are chalking it up to the "special week" of the month. I gained muscle and lost fat, so I am doing well in that dept.

Hopefully the bladder issue is isolated as it never happened before, and hopefully won't again. Other have told me that in running or jumping they have had the same issue at times.

End of week 21 (disappointed myself)

I know I am going to that time of the month when I want to be locked in a closet, but still felt good about this week.

Tues Aug 17 upper body. Good upper Body, heavier weights, getting stronger

Wed Aug 18th Cardio. Although very nervous, and it being tough I made it through and was pleased. Beating my distance. On the board 1.26 :)

Thursday Aug 19 Lower body. Started a whole new set of lower body...I enjoy the change, although back to lunges which are so friggin hard, i know I will be sore

Friday Aug 20. Cardio. Gained 2 pounds of muscle. Its working! I got myself all pumped up for today, ready, no complaining, just gonna do it, have a half day of work, a great weekend planned, nothing can stop me....then with 5 minutes left in cardio the weak person inside of me took over and I jumped off...what a disappointment. the drive home sucked in my head...Jon was upset, i am upset. I know I could have finished. Won't happen again, this feeling now sucks more that the feeling i have that makes me want to jump off in the first place.

The new exercise that i am doing for my calfs now left a bruise the size of the pad on my thighs...must talk to Jon to see if we can do something different. Must look up why I bruise so easy...I have been that way my whole life. I have bruises all over my legs

End of week 20

Why do I lack so much confidence in myself when it comes to doing it.....again I have made such strides in cardio, I have exceeded where i wanted to be and yet I am still coming close to (but not) jumping off the damn treadmill with minutes left...Am I insane? I have faith in Jon, who clearly knows I can do it....is it just easier to fail than succeed? Not saying I will fail or have failed, but the lack of my believing in myself is still deep inside probably screaming to get out, just been locked up for so long.

Will write more later, but really did have a great week.

Tues Aug 10th upper body. Good upper body. feel great

Wednesday Aug 11 Cardio. Really pushed it, and I accidently saw me past the 1.25 mark...I was thrilled, but not seeing the numbers really help me

Thurs Aug12 Lower body. Jon went over how I have progressed from when I started...the weights really have changed, i am sooo much stronger

Friday Aug 13 Cardio. It was very hard to stay on, but I did with success and felt great about it. So glad I have the weekend now to rest my muscles. Jon is pushing me to exceed all my expectations

Great week (end of week 19)

had a great weekend. Bike road on Saturday and Monday night. Sat was 6.5 and monday it wad 7 miles. Took look at the unfinished trail, it will be nice when done. Went to beach. had pizza on Saturday and pasta on sunday, but other then those 2 foods and some alcohol, i did fine. Oh Thai on Fri night.

8/3 Tues. upper body. Felt good to push it today. getting more strength

8/4 Wed cardio. Brought my number blocker and Jon really pushed me, but it felt good, i survived. I felt strong, I really trust he he knows what he is doing. I did my first set of jogging 2 minutes, then a run for a minute...eventually all 4 sets in my cardio I have to get up..i couldn't keep just doing 2 minutes of a fast jog and a run. I made it. Wonder what Fri will bring. Jon wouldn't tell me my time or put on board. I did better, he said, doesn't wan to spook me

Yesterday was so busy at work. I had a job due then we went ot with my boss's, boss's boss, from corporate office, i couldn't make the first hour with her in question and answer time but she took us bowling. She go us Pizza, but i didn't eat any, and bowling didn't come back to me as I thought it would. I used to be an awesome bowler wit good form. I was dropping the ball, not bending dow enough and my legs were killing me after.

8/5 Thurs lower body. Good lower body. Still hate sit ups

8/6 Friday cardio weigh in day. I needed a good weigh in...4.5 pounds lost..yeah. Thrilled, so total lost now is 41.5 pounds. Cardio I was a little nervous. He said I was gonna be pushed more than Wed. and I was, I made it, still don't know my distance, he wouldn't tell me...just knew it was up. We did the first set with 2 jogs and a run and ended the same way, so i know my distance was further! I am better off not knowing...the numbers scare me...I am a freak. Now to enjoy the weekend

Ending the 18th week

Thurs July 29 lower body.....weights getting heavier, hard but good. Had a good eating week, no cheating at all, trying to drink all my water.

I called Bill to ask the dimensions on the treadmill over the distance and speed. I had it in my head that if I could engineer something that covers it, but Jon can easily see it and change it, but I couldn't, then I can get these numbers out of my head and just do it.

Well I made something really quick figuring i would have to remake it, but what i did worked like a charm and not seeing helped me mentally for sure :)

Friday July 30 weigh in..only lost a pound, but i feel like I lost more, the scale will show it next week for sure. Cardio. With my new number blocker I wet from 1.17 to 1.21....almost didn't believe him when he told me. It was better not seeing or knowing, i knew I beat my distance but not by that much. So my invention and mental plan worked. It may be silly but it worked. Wont be able to walk for a few days, back to wobbling, but worth the push!

18th Week....my retaining water week, haha

Well I am determined to do much better than last week, especially with food. Been doing a little extra. I am stressin out a little with wondering if i can do this all on my own. Don't think I can swing it after this session is over, but have to try since my financial situation is pretty tight right now.

Monday. Geri asked me to go for short bike ride around neighborhood, I borrowed Tina's bike and we did 3.3 miles and I loved it. It was really good.

Tues. July 27th Upper body...tough upper body, Jon keeps adding more weights. I like the way he is handling the supersets with splitting up doing different things to trick the body

Tues, evening Geri and I did 6.7 miles on bike, we did the trail and back, felt great, riding the trail is soooo much better than walking it. We went smooth 9-10 mph did a nice sprint and a small hill at end had me huffin and puffin. Felt real good.

Wed. July 28 Cardio. Nervous, about pushing my time/distance, but did it 1.18/20min....happy:) Wish I couldn't see my distance or speed or any of the board....so far a great eating week. Made turkey stuffed peppers for my lunch everyday, no cheating, drinking lots of water! Resting tonight.

17th week. Broke my distance

this was a good and a bad week. It was a bad eating week taking my nephew out to dinner for pizza for his 18th birthday and the company picnic, where all they had was hotdogs and hamburgs, and although hot dogs are a big No, No, they cooked one of my favorite brands....plus i am retaining water

Tuesday July 20 Upper body. good upper body, worked hard. went out to dinner ate pizza (good pizza)

Wed July 21 Cardio. Broke my distance right at as the second hit 20 minutes. 1.17 miles. Happy :)

Company picnic, ate too much, belly ache

Thurs. July 22 Lower body. Good lower body. Pushing hard. Ate much better today.

Friday July 23 cardio. Weigh in. gained 2 pounds. Now you may say I gained 2 pounds from eating too much, but 1.9 pounds of the gain was muscle...so....I may have gained, but some was good gain. If I didn't eat crap I amy have lost a little. Made it into the mid 1.17 in 20 minutes. Yeah, a new record. Happy

16th Week Aj went to Gym with me

It was a great weekend with AJ home, we celebrated his 21st birthday....boy does time fly. He is so grown up and mature. I know I had to get a workout in before tuesday. My plan was when Jeff got up after sleeping over Sunday at 4 am i would get up and walk the neighborhood...well alarm goes off and i was in te middle of a dream, I just couldn't do it. i reset my alarm said good bye and got up later. i was pissed once i got up I had no work out in but i would do it that night.

Mon July 12. Tonight AJ went to gym with me to fill out paperwork for him to come to gym with me on Thursday. I am excited for him to come with me. So happy to find a walking partner, Buddy, AJ's dog. He is young and evergetic adn I would have company. Well we went to the trail adn buddy is all over the place, zig zagging puling me and he's a bird chaser, so I had my work cut out for me, trying to keep his walking straight and at a steady pace...no running, just walking. We did a little over 3 miles and he was much better on the way back then in the beginning. I miss that Tucker can't walk anymore, I know he wish he could too :(

Tues. Upper body. Good upper body, added some weights, next time will be a different routine. I like change.

Wed. July 14, Cardio. I was pretty distracted with some home issues so it was hard to concentrate on what Jon was doing, but I wasn't there mentally, but get thru it...but i see at the end I am so going to break my distance,.....and stupid me in the last 3 seconds when I am already up 3 tenths of a mile I put my hands on the railing....how could I be so stupid...just 3 seconds left, I blew my cardio for it going up being posted on the wall, but I know I had a good workout, That wont happen again, I was so pissed, swearing, good thing no one was there.

Thurs July 15 Lower body Aj got up on his own, he sat waiting to go. I think he was nervous. It was just us there with Jon. Bill came in the middle and introduced himself. AJ did exactly what i was doing, just more weights. I think he relaxed after he saw he could survive, but for sure he will be sore, not today but tomorrow. He did great! and i was really happy he went and he is still able to go one more time if he wants, for an upper body next week. It made me really happy to show him what I have been doing and how hard I work.

Friday July 16th cardio. Weigh in Day. Lost 2.5 pounds this week...yeah! I knew what my time was gonna be, just had to make sure, i didn't grab the railing...and I did it. I am real happy today, looking forward to workday being over and relaxing renting a movie, and sleepin in tomorrow

Ending my 4 day 15th week

I survived my first short week and I liked it, although it wasn't your typical week with the 4th of july long weekend and having Monday and Tuesday off. So it was a short week all around.

Thurs. July 8 lower body. Started whole routine of lower body. I like change so it as good. Tough but good. My son drove home from Florida so back to a full house including his dog buddy. I am happy ;) The heat wave is still with us, no rain ad no break from the humidity.

Fri. July 9 Weigh in day Cardio. I didn't lose a pound on the scale but I lost fat and gained lean body mass by like 1.4 pounds.....so Jon was happy. Me, I want to see actual pounds come off. Still being large, want to get down down down!...then work on the muscle, but I know thats not how it works...Now, to be good all weekend, & get some sort of workout in before tuesday.

Starting A 4 Day Gym Week

With it being a holiday weekend on top of all the picnics I had to make sure I got in a workout in (cardio) before going back into the gym on Tuesday. I had monday off from work and I took tues for a vacation day, so it was a nice Long weekend and a very hot one.

Sun. July 4. Sally and Bob called around 8:30 asked if we wanted to go onto the trail walking...I picked up phone and said NO loudly as the headache was pounding my head from trying Jeff's homemade wine the night before. Slept in. Went to picnic that evening, left before fireworks, tired. Went to bed early that night on the 4th.

Mon. July 5th I woke up a little after eight on Monday, called Sally and Bob and I said "I want to go now, before it's 100 degrees out" we met at 8:30, it was so hot out. I did my walking and jogging, walking and jogging until the sun was blaring on us and it was brutal. Sally walks so fast she can keep up with my jog. I huffed and puffed thru the entire 4 miles, without stopping and was always falling behind, but I got it in, felt good. We had friends over for dinner (great time) and beach on tues in Rhode Island the last day before Jeff goes back to work after being laid off since January.

Tues. July 6 Gym, Upper body. Felt good to have a weight training after a long weekend. My legs sore from the trail, feel I may have pushed it. I will only walk it next time, or maybe use Tina's bike. Came home packed lunches, watered plants off to beach...it was so hot..103 degrees inland, probably 90's at beach, water felt freezing, so it was refreshing.

Wed. July 7th Cardio. It is hot and my legs are sore. We discussed me not trying to jog on the trail. A little nervous about cardio, but Jon got me thru it, kept my same time.....I was happy. Now back to work. At least its Wed., which will feel like Monday and the week will almost be over. Have to watch everything I put in mouth, as I was a little lax over the long break!

Last Week at 6 Days a Week

Worked real hard this week knowing it was my last 6 days a week physically at the gym.

Mon. June 28 Cardio. Good Cardio, no rail holding. Jon keeps me going...and going!

Tues June 29 Lower body. Pushed hard. Legs of course are sore. I hate sit ups....really hate sit ups. They will never be easy...cause as soon as they are easier I will be pushed harder....but thats what its all about ;)

Wed. June 30 Cardio. Wanted to hit a certain number and it wasn't until after the final second the distance changed....Next time for sure!

Thurs. July 1 upper body. Doing well. Arms getting stronger. Wish my left arm was a strong as my right!

Friday July 2. Cardio. Had a bad night. Had a belly ache, all evening, up in bathroom multile times during the night....still bell not right in morning. Must have been whip creme from birthday strawberry shortcake yesterday afternoon....I don't know, but I beat my distance...yeah...even though I was cranky and tired.

Half day at work, then a relaxing long weekend. Must keep reminding myself, even though I go down to 4 days a week at gym, I still have t do on my own at home....walking/jogging the trail

Time for a new progress picture...will have to take one!

Sat. July 3rd Weigh in day. lower body. YEAH lost 4.5 pounds this week. makes up for only losing half pound last week! Legs sore, but the happiness of 4.5 pounds...my total of 36.5 pounds (almost my personal goal which was 40 pounds by the time AJ gets home on the 8th) The 8th is thursday..It will be close, but i have a long weekend with picnics, I will have to be real real careful and watch what I eat and drink. Losing the 4.5 pounds made all the extra weight Jon added to my work out doable. I am so happy. Constantly sore but happy :)

Week 13 with some changes

Will start updating twice a week again. I received an email from Kristin saying she was going to be out this week, I will train with Jon. I didn't know what to expect on Monday. He was out and ready to go. Very nice. I chose to not walk the incline. I was ready to do the flat walk run routine, the walking was just as hard and the workout seems twice as long.

Mon June 21 Cardio. Work out was good, Jon is, 26, went to school for physical education. Very verbal in the morning talking, telling me what he is gonna do next, which I liked, seemed to help me. Very enthusiastic. Had a good cardio. Getting my numbers back up. So glad had day off to go to beach in Rhode Island, going with Jeff taking my daughter and her friend. Working out so early, all sandwiches were made, fruit cut up, cooler packed, car gassed up ready to go before everyone got up. Great day!

Tues June 22 upper body Was good. Jon getting into the swing of things. Good work out.

Wed June 23 Cardio. Another good work out. Jon asked for me to try and not hold on to railing coming out of run...I was able to do it, and beat my time. Bad stomach ache at work starting around 10:30 lasted till I went to sleep, went to company party, couldn't eat or drink. Just had water....bummer, was out late, tired.

Thurs June 24 lower body. Tired this am. Good work out, legs sore after, but whats new, my legs are in a constant state of soreness. Stomach getting better a little. Don't know what it is. Need to start keeping a journal again. I will make it at work. Found out Jon will be my trainer for the new 8 weeks I will be starting. I was surprised, but have to look that maybe change can be good for me to get a new persons perspective or style. Saw and spoke to Bill about it on my way out. Sad to think I won't have Kristin anymore...but have to trust they know what they are doing....and Jon seems to be excellent trainer, so I am in good hands!

Friday Cardio. June 25th. So happy this is last one of the week. Beat my distance, no hands on bar again.

Sat. June 26th Weigh in Day. Upper body. only went down half pound, but gain a pound of muscle, which is good. As long as I am making changes in right direction! Hard upper body workout, but good, feel good. Think I am going to not take any more Advil or Aleve on empty stomach as I think it cold be cause of my stomach aches. Didn't take any today, will see if I get one. Going into my last 6 day a week workouts...then it will be down to 4 days Tues thru Fri.

Tonight cirque-de-soleil...yeah

End of my 12 week Program

I had a goal in mind for ending my 12 weeks, not expecting that I would miss 2 days and think I get hurt. The muscle pain was still really bad by end of Sunday end of 11th week. I got up and dressed but it really hurt to walk never mind run...so I canceled. Went to doctor to to make sure nothing is wrong. Had no idea if I would reach m goal by end of week!

Mon. June 14th Cardio...canceled. Went to doctor to make sure I really didn't hurt myself....and I didn't, just "overuse" he said, put me on anti- inflammatory and told me to take it easy. He spoke to gym on phone.

Tues June 15th upper body again to rest the lower body. good work out.

Wed. June 16th cardio Kristin had me do walking on incline...it was just as hard of a workout, and a minute seemed so much longer than when running. Sweated my butt off.

Thurs June 17th. Krisitn couldn't make it, did not feel good. my belly was hurting me for days...had no idea what it was from. so not much of appetite

Fri. June 18th Cardio, did the incline walking again, what a work out. Looking forward to weigh in tomorrow

Sat. June 19th Weigh in YEAH!!!!!!! Lost 4 pounds this week, over 30 pounds lost made my goal. So happy! Found out last night those pills the doc gave me were really hard on stomach..never taking again! I can't tell you how happy I am I made my goal....don't know in regards to my weight id I ever had and reached a goal successfully...now I did. I have 2 more weeks at 6 days a week then I signed back up for 4 days a week....Not going to stop now!

Kickin It up a Notch wk. 11

Going into my 11th week and knowing Aj is coming home, i wanted to kick it up a notch by not only doing the gym in the morning, but doing something after work...i want to say I lost 30+ pounds before AJ came home in July.

Mon June 7th Cardio. Hard and painful, but I did it. After work still very very sore from cardio figured I would stretch out the muscles and go for a walk. My neighbor Tina said she would go. Never realized how far rails to trails is to walk to from my house...seems right down the street, so we walked there, and once there, we actually in between telephone poles jogged. What a work out...even jogged the distance of 2 poles one time. I am even more sore, but feel good got another work out in. And is sooooo much harder jogging on pavement compared to a treadmill. the gound isn't moving underneath you and I am jogging much slower.

Tues. June 8th upper body. Some heavier weights this am...much harder. Wish I had equal strength in left as I do in right. Tonight went walking with Jeff on The Farmington rails to trails. My legs are so sore....the upper part of my legs

Wed. June 9th cardio. Wasn't going to break any records this morning but had a great work out, couldn't walk all day again..my co workers want to buy me a walker...haha...I try to get up every 15-20 minutes from computer to stretch muscles out, trying to ease the pain. rained out tonight so couldn't walk.

Thurs. June 10 lower body. Hoping to keep stretching those muscles out, to ease the constant pain i have in m upper legs. not successful. Walked to night with friend Mary Ann on track. muscles felt a little better after the walk

Friday June 11 cardio. had better time than Wed. but I feel I pushed it too much as my upper muscles legs worse than ever. Hurts a lot to walk, can't walk normal, but no pain no gain, right. Had half day at work to get a lot of stuff done I need to do. Looking forward to the weekend.

Sat June 12 upper body. weight in. down 2 pounds. Thought it would have been more with the extra work outs and smaller portions, but still keeps going down and thats all that matters. Looking forward t0 enjoying my Saturday and Sunday!

Keep Pluggin Along

Going into my 10th week I took my first day off, being Memorial Day, since I started. We had picnics Sat and Sun, beach on Mon, but I didn't want to to leave party early on Sun....which worked out to cause we were there til after 12 midnight. Mon we went to beach, by Tuesday I was ready to work out!

Tues June 1, Lower body. We started something new, a new machine, no squats adn lunches which I was expecting. I thought it was a good workout...not too painful. It must have used a difernt set of leg muscles cause I was Really feeling it the whole day at work, legs were realy sore.

Wed June 2. Cardio. i was really ready for cardio. I pushed myself and made it back up to 1.15 fro 1.11, a big push, bt I did it and survived...the cardio helped my sore legs.

Thurs. June 3 Upper body. Still using free weights, getting harder and harder, but its workin the arms good.

Fri. June 4 Cardio. Ready for it again, knew I may not make 1.15 but anythig more than 1.11 I was happy and I did. 1.13, more realistic, god workout! Tomorrow weigh in day. opefully those picnics didn't really screw me up last weekend! I ate good all week!

Sat June 5 lower body. Weigh in day. I lost I think a pound and 1/2 but not sure. I wanted the total weight loss and total fat lost for GOOD! So after 10 weeks I have lost 24 pounds and 16.46 pounds of that is just fat.....I would love to make 30 pds by my 12th week but we will see. Its a goal. I am down 2 sizes in clothes and feel fantastic. Well I feel fantastic but constantly sore from working out...maybe that won't go away for a while. I am planning on staying on with Horizon somehow find a way to afford at least 4 days a week. There is a guy who works out there sometimes when I am there and he has been with them for over a year and has lost over 100 pounds. I watched him do cardio today, running the whole 20 minutes...I could feel his pain but inspired to know I could someday run the whole 20 minutes. Can't imagine it right now but I am getting there. My son is coming home in July for 2 weeks and will hope he notices a difference :) http://www.horizonpt.com/

Slow and steady making progress

Wow where's the time going.....starting week 9. Had up and down week but in the end I still lost and and going strong.

After having my bad day at cardio on the 19th....on Fri. the 21st I thought Kristin was going t get right back at the speed we were going before Wed...but she knows what we're doing and she is starting at the end time on wednesday and going up from there. It was still a work out and I finished and was happy. on Thurs the 20th we started new arm work out using free weights opposed to the machine...what a workout, my arms were sore for days!

Sat 5/22 Weigh in Only lost 1 pound but gained 2 pounds of muscle...go figure that. Squats and lunges today. A real work out. Going to make this a good week!

Mon 5/24 Cardio. Past my distance, feels good, no anxiety, Sweaty and happy. Ate cake at work for a birthday...had a belly ache like no other!

Tues 5/25 upper arms. Much harder workout with free weights, but feels good, feel stronger

Wed 5/26 Cardio. Past my distance again. Its doable and again no anxiety!

Thur. 5/27 Lower body. Very hot outside and in. did it was wasn't as strong as Saturday.

Fri. 5/28 Cardio. Ready, made same distance. happy. A hard workout. Feel good. Looking forward to weigh in tomorrow and the long weekend. Took Monday off from gym. My first time in 9 weeks. I will feel guilty but won't chance having a bad cardio day with such a crazy filled one picnic after another and late nights. Back on track tuesday with squats and lunges

Sat. 5/29 Weigh In. I think 2.5 pounds. Keep losing, thats all that matters. Upper arms today. Excited for a fun weekend. Talked about a new program after mine is up. 3 or 4 day program. Whatever I can afford. Feel great!

http://www.horizonpt.com/

Will be updating and posting to get up to date tomorrow, just waiting for my weigh in and the week to end!

Good days, Bad days

Mon. 5/17 cardio. Did it. Didn't break any time. Very sore at work. People ask why I a walking so funny, I say I went to the gym this morning.

Tues. 5/18 Lower body Doing better at squats and lunges, but they are friggin hard. Hurt my right foot doing lifts... Foot bothered me all day. Think PMS is settin in...I can feel it. Not myself.

Wed 5/19 Cardio. Sucked completely, couldn't run, did slow cardio, but finished, disappointed in myself, wanted to break my time, knew when I walked out the door I was going to..got on the treadmill and in first round of running, I couldn't do it....ask me WHY..couldn't tell you. Was it the bad dream I woke from, is it PMS beginning, was it the pain in my upper left leg and my right foot....maybe just a bad day. I don't know my body well enough to know if I was giving up and not running thru the pain or I was listening to my body with it telling me to take it easy. I have No idea.

GREAT week

Thurs 5/13 Lower body. Getting better at squats and lunges....painful but I am doing it! Really cut back on food intake with quantities and what I was eating, switching things around a bit. Less fruis for my carbs and more veggies.

Fri 5/14 Cardio. Kristin couldn't make it, so I had Jeff, another trainer, he was good, put the fans on, which really helped in my body temp. Should have pushed it to break my time, I regret it now.

Sat 5/15 Upper body Weigh in Day. Had another trainer today, I think her name was Jen, showed me lots of stretches. I knew I was going to have a good weigh in, I knew I ate better and less.....5 pounds I lost...but I also lost muscle which is not good, so I have to add more protein?, more food, I will talk to Kristin on Monday...but I am very very happy!

Transforming even after 5 weeks

After only 5 weeks...I was pretty impressed

Mon 5/10 Cardio. I new something was wrong when I got up...not to be graphic...I ate alittle of the WRONG foods on mother's day....indulged alittle with bernaise sauce and potato casserole....even though it wasn't a ot, my body hasnt had dairy, butter, since i started...needless to say I was in the bathroom when I got up and had to get off the treadmil halfway thru, then ack on. Couldn't break any times but it happens...live and learn. Kristin was fine and understood. Sore still after...but slowly got better at work....aiming to do extr good with small portions this week. Suffered all day from Mothers day meal. Mother's Day itself was great, we had a real realxing time.

Tues 5/11 Upper body. Arms did good, can't realy talk to Kristin when I do cardio, but arms we can chat alittle. It was good. I am getting stronger! Feel good!

Wed 2/12 Cardio. I was ready, my knees felt ok. It's still so hard but I was determined as much as Kristin to change the number on the board from 1.14 to at least 1.15 and I did, in the last 2 seconds it changed to 1.15....thank God, I would have been pissed with myself if I couldn't push it just alittle more.

Finishing my of week 5

I didn't write mid week due to me responding to a comment posted. I hope that answered their question, I think it did as the person reveled themselves to me finally. ;)

Mon. 5/3 Cardio. Hit the 1.11 mark again in Cardio.. Wish I broke the time. Knees killing, lots of ice.

Tues 5/4 Lower body. Pulled a muscle in back of thigh, very painful, did the best i could

Suffering from unknown anxiety about the gym.

Wed 5/5 Cardio...hit 1.14 Yeah!!!!!! hard but did it...again kness killing, lots of ice.

Had heart to heart with someone who knows me real well, speaking about my fears at the gym, and it a combination of fear of failing, hurting myself, disappointing Kristin, and talking made me feel much better

Thurs 5/6 Upper body did good, increasing the weights. still sore from lower body in the thighs. Hope its better by Satuday.

Friday 5/7 cardio Hit 1.14 again....happy:) Knees real bad.....icing...still sore from lower body in the thighs

Sat. 5/8 Lower Body. weigh in day...lost only 1.5 pounds but looking back at body fat I started with 141 pounds of bady fat and now I am down to 127 pounds of body fat and up in my lean body mass...so that sounds better to me that just saying I lost just 1.5 pounds. Another guy was there today who I have seen many times working with Bill, who has lost over 100 pounds with them over the course of a year. Amazing. He brought in his old pants and Bill took a picture.

I did much better today with lower body, I went in with a different mind set and it seem to help me perform better. Now I look forward the rest of the day and tomorrow off. Sleepin in, Plus its Mothers Day!

Responding to comment

Anonymous said...

I have read each one of your postings which describes your day. I have yet to come to the understanding as to WHY you made the decision to lose weight in the first place. I'm trying to lose weight myself but keep failing, I just want to give up, how do you do it?

Answer: i wanted my old life back....from over 14 yrs ago but even better.

It was never a matter of why i wanted to lose weight...I never wanted to gain in the first place. I used to be thin...thin with never exercising....over 14 yrs ago....a marriage, becoming an instant mom of 3 young children, marrying for the wrong reasons, dealing with drug addiction in the home, a divorce, custody battle.....all at the same time making sure my kids were as unaffected as possible, made it very difficult for me to balance taking care of myself and the kids. The kids were #1, and I let myself go, food was comfort. Kids turned out awesome, and I kept getting bigger and bigger, averaging 10 pounds a year. Tried diet after diet, but it wasn't until I went to the doctor and realized I gained 40 pounds since my last visit 4 years prior, it was a wake up call. I FINALLY was ready. I needed to get real with my weight, see what I really looked liked, realized where i will be by the time I am 50 and needed to do something. Friends helped me make a video to apply to the Biggest Loser with the promise if i didn't get on the show (1 in a 300,000 chance) I needed plan B. After doing research on weight loss programs I found personal training in a personal training facility....where I don't have to be self conscious in a public gym..which I wouldn't go into. Found one 3 minutes from my house. They promote a 12 week transformation program...5 or 6 days a week. It cost a lot of money but I knew it would, as it is 1 on 1 training is expensive and I have to say worth every penny. I just had no idea how hard it would be to do all the work, but even though I suffer in pain, bitch about it, the program is working....I know it will take a lot longer than 12 weeks...more like 60 weeks, but eve after 12 weeks, I will be transformed into a new person. A person who has lost weight, gained muscle, and shrunk many many inches. If you follow their program, push yourself, eat what they tell you it works....I am proof. So that is why. I wanted get control of my life, and get healthy for the next journey in my life as my kids grow and have their own life. I had no idea how hard it would be, and I still have doubt, I have many fears, I have pain, but I keep going, my faith and commitment to this program keeps me getting up everyday at 4:30 am. It isn't an option in my head not to finish or not get up and in the gym. Hope that answers your question.

Trying new things

Thurs 4/29 Lower Body...Holy Sh**! is all I can say right now. I am writing this live as I am still trying to catch my breath, my legs are shaking and I am still sweating from the NEW lower body workout Kristin is having me start..from lunges to squats to using the sit up machine...everyone who I have seen doing any of these...it didn't look very hard...but a totally different story when I am trying to do it. Boy and I was just scratching the surface of how those others were doing it. I had no weights on the machines while doing it. Not what I expected this morning...but my sneakers worked out great!

Fri 4/30 Cardio. From my ASS to my ankles are so sore from all those new exercises from yesterday! My thighs from squats were making it sooo difficult to get out of bed. And this morning Cardio!!!!!! I was happy I had my new sneakers for cardio.....thinking it would make cardio just a little easier....it didn't...it was still as hard and I still kept my distance of 1.11. Came home still having to ice the knees. Between my thighs and my knees I can only imagine what I looked like walking upstairs to take my shower. Needless to say it took me awhile to get up there. Hoping the pain will get better as the day goes by. Looking forward to beautiful weekend weather. Pain ALL day & night from those squats and lunges!!!!!!

Sat 5/1 Upper body. Weigh in day. Solid 3 pounds lost Still aching from lower body on Thurs. I drag my body out of bed for upper body and weigh in. I wanted 4 pounds, got 3, I am ok with that. Its consistently going down, think close to 15 pounds now. Gaining lean body mass and losing fat....Kristen looks more at that than I do. Upper body was tough, maybe because my whole lower body still hurts so much....hope this all doesn't sound whiny, but I never did a lunge or a squat EVER in my life, never mind some some sets of them. And everyone says they will get easier and I will be able to do more as I keep doing them. So now I am going to enjoy my Saturday, and Sunday of rest and sun and some fun! Have to buy some healthy food to bring today for a gathering with friends.

Figuring It Out

I am typing all this trying to get used to my new progressive glasses...sucks getting old. Is not that easy. Lauren said she likes my other glasses better. We'll she what others say.

Mon 4/26 Cardio. Tired this morning. I knew Kristin was going to make me at least stay at 1.09. It was hard...We stayed at 1.09. Came home and put ice on my knees...She said my knee problems could be due to my sneakers....I don't have good knees to begin with....I am hoping its the sneakers rather than an old injury flaring up, cause that would mean it would only get worse. As the day progressed my knees did not get better. Not good.

Tue. 4/27 Upper arms. Wow arms are totally getting harder.....and heavier, and its arms for a whole hour, but I am impressed what I can even do. My left arm is weaker than my right. I wonder if it will balance out. I probably have more strength than I ever have in my life.

My knee was bad all day at work. My co-worker Danielle (a runner) also said it could be my sneakers, said I should go the this special store where they really measure your foot, fit you perfectly, put me on a treadmill and video tape me running to see, if my form is correct in the shoes....I wanted to go Tuesday, had to teach. After work Jeff made me an awesome baked chicken dinner with grilled asparagus and squash. Its so nice he takes care of me on Tues and Thurs, before I teach...semester almost over.

Wed.4/28 Cardio. My knees felt a little better when I first got up, took 2 aleve to get thru cardio. I could tell Kristin was kickin it up alittle...I asked 3/4 thru if we were ahead, to see if we were going to break the 1.09....and we sure did. 1.11...yeah. Can home in pain...iced the knees, I was really looking forward to going to the store Fleet Feet in West Hartford at lunch with Danielle. The store was awesome. Never had such good customer service for buying a pair of sneakers. The guy was great....did a lot of explaining. It was quite the education. I was fitted and then got on the treadmill and my feet were video taped...then I watched it in slow motion. I had good form with my toe and heel action, so I was good to go. I wore them out of the store, and instantly felt relief with my knees and walking. The other sneakers really were worn. So glad I went and so excited with my new sneakers! Actually looking forward to trying them out on Friday with Cardio and hope it clears up my knee problems...quick!

End of my 4 weeks!

Thurs 4/22 Upper body. Kristin is trying new things with upper body alternating arms, which takes longer, seems harder. But it always seems harder, need to have the "Burn" to get anywhere, right?

Fri 4/23 Cardio. I pumped myself up for passing the 1.07 mark, knew Kristin was going to make it happen and I was very careful to stay away from hitting the emergency button. I took 2 Aleve right when i got up, to keep with how sore my knees are after, maybe it helped...I survived and made it to 1.09...yeah, stilled iced the knees when I got home, but I was much better at work after awhile.

Sat 4/24 Lower Body. Weigh in Day. I was really surprised with it being birthday week, I still lost 2.5 pounds. Which put in my head that I want to lose 4 pounds this coming week. Kristin kicked up the weights in lower body, it was tough, but I keep doing it. She is a great motivator, glad she is my trainer. I know I am the biggest client they have, I know it will take a long time, but I am into my 5th week and I have never worked so hard at something or been so committed to doing something for me so consistently...EVER. I couldn't and can not do this on my own. Goal, to lose 4 pounds this week. I have to make it happen:)

Crazy Birthday Week

First off I too 2 work days off to celebrate my birthday. Our original plan was to go away, but friends convinced me I shouldn't break my gym routine when I am doing so good....so Jeff and I just went away Saturday night down to the shore to see the beach and enjoy the Casino. Monday morning I get up 5 am to go to cardio.

Mon. 4/19 cardio. Hoping my misbehavin on Sat would not effect me but I couldn't break the 1.07 mark. I was pretty wiped after the workout. Then Kristin asked me if I wanted to come in later on Tues since I didn't have to work......GREAT, 7am...why didn't I ask that for cardio....such a dummy.

Tues 4/20 My BIRTHDAY, Big 43. Lower Body 7am...walked in got the gym and there were no lights on, just natural light from outside. Kristin and her husband and owner Bill are inside and at first I thought they must have just gotten there, but come to find out there was NO POWER. A truck had hit the pole on the street on Monday afternoon and they haven't had power since. They actually were upset thinking they may not have power for a few days.....but business as usual. Lower body by natural light. Bill was trying to hook up a generator to get a treadmill going....i was wondering if there would be power for Wed, 5 am...no natural light at 5am. Beautiful weather for my birthday, spent the day with Jeff in the Litchfield Hills and enjoyed a dinner with my daughter. Great birthday...wonderful spending 4 days with Jeff. He helped make it very special!

Wed 4/21 Cardio. 5am Power back on, we drove by on tues. and saw them working on building. I could tell instantly Kristin was determined to change the 1.07 that hasn't changed in 3 cardio sessions....not....not much fast walking in between jogs and runs, it was real tough, bt i was getting thru it ony 5 minutes...I know I will break my time and I was working so hard i put my arms down in front of me trying to catch my breath in a walking minute and closed my eyes...and accidently hit the emergency stop button...I had no idea what happened. I said what happened and Kristin said you hit the emergency stop button...Cardio is now over.....I couldn't stop apologizing, I felt so bad, we couldn't break the time or anything and I could hear the disappointment in her voice, even though she says it happens all the time and its fine. i said lets at least do another 5 minutes, which I felt better at least getting the 20 min in. I walked out of there like a dog with its tail between it's legs. Back to work!

Survived 3 weeks...YEAH

Thurs 4/15. Lower body. Tried some new things...one of which I feel I am still to big of a person to do but will talk to Kristin about it...could only do 4 or 5 and feel they weren't good's ones. It was for the abs. Did the ball today with no help from the wall...usually have my feet against the wall to help with balance....I seem to have gained some balance. No leg cramps which is great.

Fri 4/16. Cardio. Was giving myself a panic attack at 4:30 in the morning thinking about how I felt after Wednesday's cardio...but tried to turn it around saying I can do ANYTHING for 20 minutes. Preparing for my Cardio, I kept thinking about the biggest guy still on the Biggest loser who jogged his first 20 minutes straight on the treadmill..then continued to do even more. Anyway Kristin kept the speeds the same as Wed. I survived, barely....and I felt better friday all day then I did Wednesday, so that is progress.

Sat 4/17 Upper body. Weigh in day. Now I got on the scale on the sly right when I got in and it said I lost 4 pounds then warmed up for 5 minutes on treadmill and officially weighed in, this time it said 3 pounds lost....So at least 3 pounds....so I was happy. I still lost pounds........pounds that will NEVER to be on me again. It's my birthday on Tuesday. I have Monday and Tues off of work....Jeff and I were gonna go away, but friends convinced me to not break my cycle of working out, so we are just going away tonight, for 1 night, to have some fun, enjoy some things I like to do...but still be careful what I am eating...this is a tough week with birthday celebrations. Tomorrow night with the family, I am sure I will eat out tonight....just have to watch it.

Trying to Welcome the Acceptance of Pain

Mon 4/12. Cardio. Maybe because I had a day off or maybe because Kristin keep pushing, but again cardio is just HARD. You think you can't endure another second and Kristin says "come on Sue 30 seconds left...10....5....and its done....then I choke, and try to catch my breath. I know if I have liquid or food in me, it would be all over the treadmill. I want my body to accept the pain but all I feel is resistance...is that the way its suppose to be

Tues. 4/13 Upper body. Heavier weights, feel burning in so many different places in my arms, can't believe there are so many different muscles to stretch

Wed. 4/14 Cardio. The hardest EVER thus far. right shoulder cramp, lower abdomen cramps, didn't think I could finish, but made the 1/2 mile in 10 minutes and made the mile in 19 min...have no idea what I finished with, as all I was concerned with is trying to breath again....took over an hour to stop sweating when I got home. 28 more cardio days left...what will i be writing about on June 18th?

Noticing the changes

Thurs 4/8 Upper body. Tough...getting into reps of 15 pounds and 24 reps of 10 pounds....not so easy, pretty stinkin hard to tell ya, I have never had any upper body strength even in my thin days. I hope to one day do one push up. Never been able to do one.

Fri. 4/9 Cardio,going in I knew we were never turning back, hitting the mile was a definite. My goal in my head was to hit half mile within the first 10 minutes, with my logic being it won't be so insanely hard at the end to push to make it....I almost made it, hopefully next week for sure, but those last 3 minutes are still hell...but made the mile! :)

Sat. 4/10 Lower body 6:30. Get an extra hour and half extra to sleep, yeah! Weigh in day! ok. I lost only 2 pounds...BUT in regards to fat and muscle, since the beginning I have lost 4.97 pounds of fat and gained 2 pounds of muscle, which is great! Jeff has been really good support. We don't get to do anything anymore on friday nights cause I get weighed in on Saturdays and I am not drinking. So I cook and relax and go to bed early. So people ask me if I feel any differently since starting 2.5 weeks ago....since making so many lifestyle changes. Besides the workouts 6 days a week at 5 am I eat only what I am suppose to, I don't drink AT ALL (except on Saturday nights) and even then its greatly reduced. I drink 80 ounces of water a day. So from this I have noticed:

• The daily 24/7 aches & pain I used to have diminished except for the pain of working out.

• I walk faster, standing taller everywhere I go.

• My foot problems have improved...some how?

• My skin is softer due to all the water I drink.

• Taking less of my daily medication I have been on (which is awesome)

• I can walk to my class at Tunxis and not be totally out of breath

• I can just turn over in bed easily.

So that's all great...they only thing is I am completely exhausted by the afternoon. I have energy in the morning, but it feels like midnight for me by midday....I know that will change, and I lose weight. I have a very very long way to go. I know it's at least a year at this to get 140 pds off at least in a year, if not longer. Took 14 yrs to put it on, why would i think it would come off so fast! So I am happy!

Making the 1 Mile Mark

Mon 4/5 Cardio Day...Survived an Easter with all the food, I made a lot of things I could eat and I only had one serving. It was a beautiful day, had time to sit out in the yard before and after dinner. This morning was cardio. Kristin keeps kicking up the speeds at the end, I was actually scared today I was either going to fall off or hyperventilate or throw up. I didn't do either of them. i survived. Someone who is a runner probably doen't get how hard it is to run 3 minutes straight. (jog actually). Even typing it...it sound easy, but its not! Her goal for me this week is do the mile in 20 minutes...think we were .93 this morning

Tues. 4/6 Lower body. No cramping for the first time, which is good, but nothing is getting easier cause K keeps adding more weight!!!!! I guess I better get used to the fact this is all never going to get easier, just harder and more challenging.

Wed. 4/7 Cardio. I was trying to put myself in a positive mode of "I can do this" Everytime she picked up the speed I kept saying to myself" you are a runner...you are a runner" ...Then.....I heard those words from her..."we are going to hit the mile this morning." Yikes! But I did it, running last 3 minutes, going even faster last minute...but I did it...thanx to K to keeps pushin me.

Finished First Full week

Thur.4/1 so surprised waking up hasn't been a problem. Lower body this morning with me getting another cramp in my back upper thigh. Clothes feeling better, have more energy....looking forward to Saturdays weigh in. Finally no more rain...yeah. Long day with a work out and teaching class.

Fri 4/2. Cardio this morning, with Kristin kickin it up a notch, felt like I was going to throw up again in the last minute. That would have not been pretty. I like cardio days, sweat a lot and then come home have more time to relax have a shake to cool down before shower. Took a walk at lunch today with the girls. I held everyone back but they didn't mind it was a beautiful day. I am still out of breath walking outside...I am sure that will get easier with time, happy I got more exercise today.

Sat 4/3 My alarm never went off and by some miracle I work up 6:50...(have to be there at 7 on Sat) Weigh In....big let down for me only 3 pounds, for the working out and completely changing what and how I eat, I was expecting at least 5 pounds...but Kristin was happy and fine with it. I was annoyed. It will not discourage me and I feel so good, and she keeps pushing me, it will only get better, the weight HAS to come off with what I am doing. Came home energized and it's a beautiful day.

Official Start of Week 1

Mon. 3/29: Still real sick, calling out and going to doctor....but still met at 7 am to go over nutrition. Kristin and I met to over nutrition, foods should and shouldn't eat, how to keep the daily food log 6 meals a day which will be a tough transition, with each meal having balance with protein and carbs. Doctor appt 2pm...respiratory infection. He said I still can exercise if I am not to fatigued

Tues 3/30 Feel like shit.....Upper body 5 am, 1 hour. Good push on the arms. I have no voice. hurts to talk. Went to work. Should have stayed and rested. Annoyed everyone at work with my cough. Found someone to teach my class, so I could go home to rest and go to bed early.

Wed. 3/31 Actually feel better. cardio 5am. Told Kristin if this will make things worse, I shouldn't do it, she ended up kickin it up a notch, thought I was going to puke...but I didn't. Went to work, feeling better. Looking forward to Saturday when I get weighed in. Need to take a Before picture. I feel better in my clothes. Surprised my feet aren't bothering me as much as they usually do.

Starting Plan B Week 1 (3) day trial

Jeff from Horizons called on 3/22, from me to come in to learn more go over the program, in detail. I went and Jeff sat with me for 2 hours to go over everything, and we had great conversation, about what they can do for me, what i was looking for and i left feeling pretty good about this being "it". I left and started telling everyone this was my plan B. Then the questions started of "when are you starting?" I couldn't answer them. It was too hard for me to make that decision of when. I am glad i did not have to, Jeff called on Monday and said I am starting on Wednesday for my 3 day free tryout at 5:30 am with Kristin and if i like it I can sign up on Saturday. I was thrilled, he gave me my start date.

3/23/10...Went out to buy work out clothes.

3/24/10. waking up seemed to be easy, got ready, there before 5:30. 4 minutes to drive there! Awesome..Went in met Kristin and knew right off the bat she was so nice, read to go, we chatted a little got to know one another a little. I left my Biggest Loser 9 page application with them to read to get to know a little more about me too. Day 1 weigh in 283 BMI 51, weight of fat to lose 140 lbs. REALITY, YIKES, I want to be 140 pounds, I know what it feels like to be 140 lbs for goodness sakes! Upper body work out tough, nice Kristin right next to me doing reps, pushing. went home, my arms were so sore I could hardly hold the hairdryer up to dry my hair.

3/25/10. woke up scratchy throat, ignored it. Cardio, treadmill. Kristin changing the speeds up and down, up and down. I asked her if i would be running by the end of the 12 weeks...she said "I am sure", never knowing I was going to be in a full jog for my last minute which took me by surprise. It was a long ass 60 seconds, but i made it.

3/26/10 5:30 Full blown sore throat, staying home and resting. Today lower body workout. I was sure this was going to be easier since i feel my legs are stronger than my upper body, and my legs do hold up a lot of weight, but no, on top of getting a horse cramp in the middle of a set...the next morning I couldn't even walk, My calfs were KILLING me, I couldn't straighten my legs all day and I felt pain I never experienced!

3/27/10 Woke up sick and coughing. But still went officially signed up for 12 weeks on Saturday. Costs a lot of money but what a difference...i cold never get this much out of a workout by myself, she is there pushing me motivating me, we get along, laugh, have things in common. She wants me to succeed, and will help me get there. Plus we are alone, if I want to scream in agony, I could. She is great, I feel great, besides this pesty cough. Rest the rest of the weekend!

Monday first full week, Monday we go over nutrition