My first post for 2013...at least it's not February yet!
Well, this second round of my Hybrid fitness plan is not going nearly as well as the first. I'm going to the gym, but missing some days. I'm eating healthy, but also making bad choices. The result of not being 100% committed is a 8 pound weight loss in 8 weeks. Fail.
Like every excuse-maker in a Weight Watchers meeting, I'm going to pull out the line, "Muscle weighs more than fat!" to explain the lack of lost pounds. I do think there's truth to to - actually, it is absolutely true that muscle weighs more than fat. What I'm skeptical about is this - is it really what's causing lack of movement in the scale?
In my case, this time, the answer is "Probably not." HOWEVER, my upper thighs are thinner, and my 'upper' mid-section (my spare tire's spare tire) has narrowed. So, I know I'm at least getting great benefit from my workouts in that I'm toning my muscles and redistributing weight. This is my silver lining, I guess.
Every evening, as my mind is thinking about the day, I recommit to being better the next day. One of these days, I'd really like to follow through.
Another note: I think Troy might have the idea that I'm a hypochondriac. Every day, something goes 'pop' or 'rip' in my joints. Here's a list of the maladies:
Chronic pain in knees (even as I sit here typing, they ache)
Sometimes debilitating pain in the right knee
Sore bones in my left foot (maybe plantar fasciitis?)
Jacked up left ankle/heel (from a bad dismount off a workout step-up thingy)
Bulging disk in my lower back
Sciatic nerve problems down my right hip/thigh
Muscle and joint pain in left shoulder
Weak wrists (that can't support my upper body for long, or that go all carpal tunnel syndrome on me)
Sore thumb (from boxing)
Asthma
Morning headaches
Wow, okay. Now "I" have the idea that I'm a hypochondriac. Actually, the only thing that kept me from working out was pinched nerve in my right shoulder. Everything else, I'm just ignoring, powering through, or modifying my workout to avoid pain or further injury.
What I wish I knew was if everyone else is experiencing these things to some degree? Or is my pain tolerance low? Or is my whine tendency high? Or, perhaps all three.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Off to a Terrible Start
Week 1 (version 2) started on December 3, and it has not gone well.
I started getting a cold/flu on Monday, but went to the first class anyway. Wow...it really sucked. Not sure how much of the suckitude was due to the oncoming illness or my declining fitness... I forgot how much cardio is in the first month. There was a lot of wheezing going on. Oh, and a little barfing too. Yay!
So, I missed class on Wednesday and Thursday due to achy, stuffy, headachy business. And then I missed this morning (Monday of Week 2) purely due to oversleeping. This is terrible! Never missed a class for this reason before. Shame on me.
So, I haven't improved my attitude any, it's pretty clear. Still have thoughts of "I hate this. I hate this. I hate this," running through my head. I'm seriously going to have to force myself into mental conversations along the lines of "You can do it. You can do it!" I'm sure this would make a difference in my workouts - there have probably been a million studies proving mind-over-matter.
On Friday, after a hella-bunch of ab work, I was laying on the mat dying/recovering. I said to Troy, "Troy, I'm dead." Well, someone in the boot camp group behind me pipes up, "You're not dead! You're only half dead." Well, I'm a little ashamed to say my first thought was, "You shut the hell up, back there! You don't know!"
Also, I've renamed "burpees" barfees.
I started getting a cold/flu on Monday, but went to the first class anyway. Wow...it really sucked. Not sure how much of the suckitude was due to the oncoming illness or my declining fitness... I forgot how much cardio is in the first month. There was a lot of wheezing going on. Oh, and a little barfing too. Yay!
So, I missed class on Wednesday and Thursday due to achy, stuffy, headachy business. And then I missed this morning (Monday of Week 2) purely due to oversleeping. This is terrible! Never missed a class for this reason before. Shame on me.
So, I haven't improved my attitude any, it's pretty clear. Still have thoughts of "I hate this. I hate this. I hate this," running through my head. I'm seriously going to have to force myself into mental conversations along the lines of "You can do it. You can do it!" I'm sure this would make a difference in my workouts - there have probably been a million studies proving mind-over-matter.
On Friday, after a hella-bunch of ab work, I was laying on the mat dying/recovering. I said to Troy, "Troy, I'm dead." Well, someone in the boot camp group behind me pipes up, "You're not dead! You're only half dead." Well, I'm a little ashamed to say my first thought was, "You shut the hell up, back there! You don't know!"
Also, I've renamed "burpees" barfees.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Good news / Bad news
So, after a lot of thinking, discussing, planning, it looks like I'm going to sign up for a second Biggest Loser 12-week program with Troy.
I'm able to apply what I spent on the other program (6-week Advanced Health) toward Troy's group because I was able to show that my nerve problem was debilitating enough that I wasn't getting my money's worth. That was certainly true - unrelenting, burning pain over a fourth of your body sure does hamper a workout program. I'm just glad Hybrid is being flexible so that my money isn't wasted.
ANYway, the shoulder is better and I'm looking forward to getting back into a fitness routine. Not sure when we start, but probably this coming Monday. There's almost zero likelihood that I'll lose another 55 pounds. I'm shooting for 35, but this time around I have to be super careful about my diet. Which leads me to the bad news.
Because of my drastic weight loss this summer, my hair follicles have decided that they're pretty shocked and they're going to start acting crazy. Which is just my dumb way of saying - my hair is falling out. Yep, I'm shedding like a german shepard in the spring, and it really sucks. I'm even having dreams about visiting doctors, comparing myself to bald guys, and paying close attention to the Hair Club for Men commercials. I'm just nervous enough about it that I'm going to visit my doctor.
Now, I'm only speculating that the hair loss is due to the weight loss, but I'm pretty sure. I remember in 1989, when I was on an 800-calorie per day diet, my hair thinned, too. In fact, I'm not sure it ever really came back. But that was just on the top of my head. This seems to be all over, but of course, I notice it on the top of my head because it was thin there to start. Ugh!!
Gotta say, I'd rather be fat than bald.
I'm able to apply what I spent on the other program (6-week Advanced Health) toward Troy's group because I was able to show that my nerve problem was debilitating enough that I wasn't getting my money's worth. That was certainly true - unrelenting, burning pain over a fourth of your body sure does hamper a workout program. I'm just glad Hybrid is being flexible so that my money isn't wasted.
ANYway, the shoulder is better and I'm looking forward to getting back into a fitness routine. Not sure when we start, but probably this coming Monday. There's almost zero likelihood that I'll lose another 55 pounds. I'm shooting for 35, but this time around I have to be super careful about my diet. Which leads me to the bad news.
Because of my drastic weight loss this summer, my hair follicles have decided that they're pretty shocked and they're going to start acting crazy. Which is just my dumb way of saying - my hair is falling out. Yep, I'm shedding like a german shepard in the spring, and it really sucks. I'm even having dreams about visiting doctors, comparing myself to bald guys, and paying close attention to the Hair Club for Men commercials. I'm just nervous enough about it that I'm going to visit my doctor.
Now, I'm only speculating that the hair loss is due to the weight loss, but I'm pretty sure. I remember in 1989, when I was on an 800-calorie per day diet, my hair thinned, too. In fact, I'm not sure it ever really came back. But that was just on the top of my head. This seems to be all over, but of course, I notice it on the top of my head because it was thin there to start. Ugh!!
Gotta say, I'd rather be fat than bald.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Hello again
So, the mind is a strange thing (some more than others, of course). But let me tell you what I mean. I've talked about running here before, how I hated it, then got to sort of like it when I realized I could actually do it. And I would write about my little goals - ran for three minutes straight today or ran two miles but with breaks every quarter mile.
Well, today, I got back into the gym after three weeks of no exercise and a fair amount of unhealthy eating. One of the circuits was to run a mile and we were going to be timed to see how we would progress in the following week. So, I start running at a level just below where I left off three weeks ago (speed of 4.0 as opposed to 4.5) and just kept going. Because I was focused on the long haul, I didn't notice every second tick down as I usually do. By the time I got tired enough to slow to a walk (or I should say, by the time I noticed my heart rate was at 168), 8 minutes had gone by. I couldn't believe that, after weeks of slacking off, I was able to run 8 minutes straight. Yes, sort of a turtle's pace, but running nonetheless.
What's weird here is that I can remember running on this same treadmill in the height of my 12-week program, looking at the timer thinking, "Just make it to 3 minutes without stopping," or even "Just make it to 2 minutes," and it would be a struggle to stick it out.
So, two things: either I was eating so few calories that I was lacking in energy OR this is a mental issue. I started to wonder today if my inclination is to give up before the goal is reached regardless of how far away that goal is. So, if I have a goal to run 3 minutes straight, am I going to get that same mental "I can't do it!" at the 2 minute mark event though I know I can physically do 8 minutes straight?
I don't know - it's just so hard to make that mind-body connection. They haven't worked well together, like, ever.
Well, today, I got back into the gym after three weeks of no exercise and a fair amount of unhealthy eating. One of the circuits was to run a mile and we were going to be timed to see how we would progress in the following week. So, I start running at a level just below where I left off three weeks ago (speed of 4.0 as opposed to 4.5) and just kept going. Because I was focused on the long haul, I didn't notice every second tick down as I usually do. By the time I got tired enough to slow to a walk (or I should say, by the time I noticed my heart rate was at 168), 8 minutes had gone by. I couldn't believe that, after weeks of slacking off, I was able to run 8 minutes straight. Yes, sort of a turtle's pace, but running nonetheless.
What's weird here is that I can remember running on this same treadmill in the height of my 12-week program, looking at the timer thinking, "Just make it to 3 minutes without stopping," or even "Just make it to 2 minutes," and it would be a struggle to stick it out.
So, two things: either I was eating so few calories that I was lacking in energy OR this is a mental issue. I started to wonder today if my inclination is to give up before the goal is reached regardless of how far away that goal is. So, if I have a goal to run 3 minutes straight, am I going to get that same mental "I can't do it!" at the 2 minute mark event though I know I can physically do 8 minutes straight?
I don't know - it's just so hard to make that mind-body connection. They haven't worked well together, like, ever.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Where It's At
So, I haven't been working out. I won't go into all the excuses, but the main one is that my shoulder still hurts. Massage, chiropractor, regular doctor, muscle relaxers...should try physical therapy next, but I'm tired of making appointments, tired of explaining the symptoms, tired of not getting results (have I mentioned I'm impatient and always want a quick fix).
I had a false start last Monday morning when I went to the first session of a 6-week, 5-day-per-week program only to decide that I could only do it half-hearted with my shoulder aching. This weekend, I mentally recommitted to doing this 6-week program - another group started their session this morning. So, I went even though I still had shoulder pain.
What I discovered is that most of the exercises helped ease the pain. So, pressure on the muscles in the shoulder made the pain go away during that exercise - so weird. If I could do TRX squat rows all day, I would, because as I sit here at my desk, I ache with every breath and turn of my body.
After workout, I went to a pre-scheduled chiropractor appointment. He's snapping my back now and leaving my neck alone. He's also given me four different stretching exercises to do. I think I'm on the right track. Fingers crossed.
This weekend, I went to Pasquale's with Shawna, and let me tell you - I wasn't even thinking the word 'diet'. That place is awesome - margarita, chips, tacos, rice, beans. I didn't say 'no' to anything. And, of course, afterward I felt miserable - like super, dooper, don't-even-let-me-smell-those-left-overs miserable. I said to Shawna, "It's like I was just let out of prison, knowing I'm being put back in in a couple days!" Terrible.
So, my goals starting this next work-out phase: 1) to finally reach and surpass the 60 pounds lost mark, hopefully in the next week or so, and 2) to reach 80 pounds lost by the end of November.
I had a false start last Monday morning when I went to the first session of a 6-week, 5-day-per-week program only to decide that I could only do it half-hearted with my shoulder aching. This weekend, I mentally recommitted to doing this 6-week program - another group started their session this morning. So, I went even though I still had shoulder pain.
What I discovered is that most of the exercises helped ease the pain. So, pressure on the muscles in the shoulder made the pain go away during that exercise - so weird. If I could do TRX squat rows all day, I would, because as I sit here at my desk, I ache with every breath and turn of my body.
After workout, I went to a pre-scheduled chiropractor appointment. He's snapping my back now and leaving my neck alone. He's also given me four different stretching exercises to do. I think I'm on the right track. Fingers crossed.
This weekend, I went to Pasquale's with Shawna, and let me tell you - I wasn't even thinking the word 'diet'. That place is awesome - margarita, chips, tacos, rice, beans. I didn't say 'no' to anything. And, of course, afterward I felt miserable - like super, dooper, don't-even-let-me-smell-those-left-overs miserable. I said to Shawna, "It's like I was just let out of prison, knowing I'm being put back in in a couple days!" Terrible.
So, my goals starting this next work-out phase: 1) to finally reach and surpass the 60 pounds lost mark, hopefully in the next week or so, and 2) to reach 80 pounds lost by the end of November.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Snap, Crackle, Pop!
So, I haven't been good about writing - I feel like I've been on hiatus, even though I really should be boot-camping my ass off. In the three weeks since my Biggest Loser Group ended, I probably did four boot camps. Not great.
On Wednesday, I happened to be driving past Grandpa Niesen's former house and saw that Mom and Aunt Karen were cleaning out the shed or, "Dat Shet" as Grandpa would say. I stopped to say 'Hi' just when they were trying to lift a garbage bag full up junk into a bin. Strong youngster that I am (right), I chipped right in and hefted that bag up and over. It must have been 60-70 pounds. Anyway, since that day, my shoulder has been burning with a pinched nerve. (Also, I found out that that bag was full of, among other things, raccoon poop...great to have had my face right up against that! No wonder I had the urge that night to prowl after dark, poking through the neighbors' garbage.)
On Sunday, I decided to find a massage therapist to see if she could manipulate it out. Nope! Ninety dollars later, and all I have to show for it is a back that feels like it was peppered by paint capsules shot from a paintball gun.
This morning, after a fitful night of not being able to find a comfortable position, I made an appointment with a chiropractor. My first visit ever, and holy crap, what a crazy business that is. The doctor was super personable, took X-rays, talked me through how, where and when I was experiencing pain. He showed me the X-ray of my neck, and interestingly my neck is curved to the right and also rotated to the right. So, up-and-down there's a convex curve, and side-to-side, there's a twist of the vertabrae. He also found evidence that, as a youngster, my neck must have been snapped back, like a whiplash injury as there is calcification of the tissues at the base of my throat. Interesting. So, he has me sit on his little chair, and he starts gently probing my neck, jaw, cradling my head in his hands. "Kari, inhale a deep breath then let it all out." In breath....ooouuuuutttt breath....SNAP! He wrenched my neck and it snapped and popped in three or four places. It didn't hurt, but I wondered if I was dead or paralized. What an odd feeling, to say the least. Then I laid down on an adjustment table, and we did the 'breath in/breath out/SNAP' game in two more places on my back.
So, am I better? Well, I felt a lot better for an hour or so afterward, but then the pinching started up again. I'm going back tomorrow.
On Wednesday, I happened to be driving past Grandpa Niesen's former house and saw that Mom and Aunt Karen were cleaning out the shed or, "Dat Shet" as Grandpa would say. I stopped to say 'Hi' just when they were trying to lift a garbage bag full up junk into a bin. Strong youngster that I am (right), I chipped right in and hefted that bag up and over. It must have been 60-70 pounds. Anyway, since that day, my shoulder has been burning with a pinched nerve. (Also, I found out that that bag was full of, among other things, raccoon poop...great to have had my face right up against that! No wonder I had the urge that night to prowl after dark, poking through the neighbors' garbage.)
On Sunday, I decided to find a massage therapist to see if she could manipulate it out. Nope! Ninety dollars later, and all I have to show for it is a back that feels like it was peppered by paint capsules shot from a paintball gun.
This morning, after a fitful night of not being able to find a comfortable position, I made an appointment with a chiropractor. My first visit ever, and holy crap, what a crazy business that is. The doctor was super personable, took X-rays, talked me through how, where and when I was experiencing pain. He showed me the X-ray of my neck, and interestingly my neck is curved to the right and also rotated to the right. So, up-and-down there's a convex curve, and side-to-side, there's a twist of the vertabrae. He also found evidence that, as a youngster, my neck must have been snapped back, like a whiplash injury as there is calcification of the tissues at the base of my throat. Interesting. So, he has me sit on his little chair, and he starts gently probing my neck, jaw, cradling my head in his hands. "Kari, inhale a deep breath then let it all out." In breath....ooouuuuutttt breath....SNAP! He wrenched my neck and it snapped and popped in three or four places. It didn't hurt, but I wondered if I was dead or paralized. What an odd feeling, to say the least. Then I laid down on an adjustment table, and we did the 'breath in/breath out/SNAP' game in two more places on my back.
So, am I better? Well, I felt a lot better for an hour or so afterward, but then the pinching started up again. I'm going back tomorrow.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Kinda geeked out
Just found out that one of the trainers at Hybrid is starting an "Advanced Health Plan". It's a six-week plan targeted at those of us who have completed a 12-week biggest loser program (the elite corps that we are!). It starts on October 1 includes weigh-ins and fitness plans. Bad news is that it costs the same per month as the biggest loser program; good news is that the price will drop if more people sign up. I just signed up - I need more help still.
ALSO, I'm starting a "Cleanse" on Monday. This is put together by the sister-company to Hybrid, which is Fit Fresh Cuisine. It's all food (not like an all-liquid cleanse), controlled calorie, balanced nutrients meal plan. I'm interested to see what it's all about and hopefully it will kick-start my losing again.
I'm excited by these things - which is just weird to say/admit. By the way, 'True Confessions' I bought a donut at PDQ this morning. Just a simple sugar donut - no frosting or filling. Anyway, I got in my car, looked out the windshield and what did I see? A whole cage of "Blue Rhino" brand propane tanks. Mocking me, begging me to remember my Blue Rhino photo.
I mean...I ate the donut...but I'll just have yogurt for lunch.
ALSO, I'm starting a "Cleanse" on Monday. This is put together by the sister-company to Hybrid, which is Fit Fresh Cuisine. It's all food (not like an all-liquid cleanse), controlled calorie, balanced nutrients meal plan. I'm interested to see what it's all about and hopefully it will kick-start my losing again.
I'm excited by these things - which is just weird to say/admit. By the way, 'True Confessions' I bought a donut at PDQ this morning. Just a simple sugar donut - no frosting or filling. Anyway, I got in my car, looked out the windshield and what did I see? A whole cage of "Blue Rhino" brand propane tanks. Mocking me, begging me to remember my Blue Rhino photo.
I mean...I ate the donut...but I'll just have yogurt for lunch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)