Friday, June 29, 2007

Taking it easy

After talking with Jerusha yesterday and then experiencing such muscle fatigue and soreness last night (for a while I felt like I was getting the flu and I might throw up) I decided I need to listen to my body and take a rest day today. I am still sore today and glad I decided not to push it any further. Don't want to end up with an injury or being sick!

I am getting ready to go down to Castledale this weekend, so will continue with my two scheduled rest days and resume my exercise routine on Monday. There's that part of me that is trying to feel guilty that I didn't do what I had planned today, but I am ignoring it! I don't agree! Four days of exercise is still quite an accomplishment! It hasn't even been two years now that I was stuck in a wheel chair. Step by step, Carrie!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

And it's Thursday

Well, I attempted Maximum Cardio (MC) today but about 22 minutes into it, I just couldn't go anymore (even with major modifications.) My mind still wanted to go but my body is just tired. So, I decided to pop in a pilates tape. I did Winsor's Bun and Thigh (B&T) completely (though a couple of moves were modified so I could do them.) So 40 minutes total, not bad!

So today is the official one week point. Two pounds are gone! I think I'll wait a few weeks to do measurements. Honestly right now I am not concerned about the weight loss yet, it is about making exercise a routine and working on my cardiovascular capacity. I talked to Aubrey about starting our running/walking together and of course she is totally up for it. I think we'll start again a few evenings a week. We use the Couch to 5K plan.

I think I am going to have one post where I keep track of my workouts for the week, so I can see it all at once and keep track of the minutes. It will look something like this:

Week 1:
Thursday 6/21 - PS BBA, 42 min
Friday 6/22- PS CST, 38 min
Saturday 6/23 - REST
Sunday 6/24 - REST
Monday 6/25 - BScB, 31 min
Tuesday 6/26 - FB,44.5 min
Wednesday 6/27 - FS, 57 min
Total minutes for week: 155.5

Week 2:
Thursday 6/28 - MC, 22 min; B&T 18 min
Friday 6/29- REST
Saturday 6/30 - REST
Sunday 7/1 - REST
Monday 7/2 - MBS 45 min
Tuesday 7/3 - TJ 20 min; SBHT 34 min
Wednesday 7/4 - REST
Total minutes for week: 139 min

Last night was the last night of my seminar and it felt so good to be able to report that I had followed through with my goals. It was such a powerful night ... I feel ready to conquer the world!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The journey begins

I actually began this journey last Wednesday at my seminar when my eyes were opened. I've known I NEED to do something, I've yearned for it, but kept putting it off. In the last year and a half, I gained 43 pounds. Yup, that's right. I have been on the road to out of control obesity. I am done going down that road. I have seen my sister suffer terribly through her weight loss surgery. I know as hard as it is to exercise and eat right, the consequences of being unhealthy are too high.

Here are some excerpts from posts to a fitness message board I visit.

My goals for this week are to get up at 8am each weekday to workout. On the weekends I will rest, but I will be more active (i.e. go for walks/hikes, run and play with kids, yard work, etc.) No dieting or calorie counting for now, though watch portion control and NO snacking after 8pm.

I actually began my new plan last Thursday. Here is where I'm at:

6/21 - Pure Strength (PS) Back, Biceps, Abs (BBA) - did 100%
6/22 - PS Chest, Shoulders, Triceps (CST) - did 100%
6/23 - rest - went for a walk with kids
6/24 - rest - walked home w/ dd from church: HOT!!!
6/25 - Body Sculpt Blaster (BScB)- walked to 2 homes we visited this morning.

I plan on keeping these goals for the first two weeks and then adding to or maintaining depending on what my body needs. I know for me after about two weeks my body will begin to get used to the extra work and it will become more of a habit. I had a huge wake up call when my daughter was 2 (she is 7 now) which lead to a couple of very healthy years for me. I have recently experienced a new wake up call and am excited to begin this journey again. I feel positive and energized and ready to make some major changes to this body! My purpose in keeping this journal is to help keep the momentum moving forward when life throws curve balls my way.

Posted 6/26 -
This morning I stayed in bed longer than planned but did get up to do Fat Blaster. The last time I did this video (been years!), I do NOT remember it being that hard. For the first "low" impact segment I kept up with the plyos and bunny hops, but that about killed me, so I modified the rest of the high impact moves. Not because I can't do them, but I think my heart would have raced right out of my chest!''

Last night I really struggled with wanting to snack, but I resisted the urge ... GO ME!!! My mind was playing such tricks on me that I literally felt hunger pains. I knew they were not real, because I had eaten well all day and had a good sized dinner. It was funny because a few days ago my sister (she had gastric bypass two months ago) was talking about the classes she took to prep for the surgery. They talked about how your mind plays these tricks on you. I was so glad we talked about this earlier in the week because I was totally able to spot it happening to me.

I have been thinking about what videos to focus on. I have been wanting to do a Cathe rotation, but after today realized I need to work up to her cardio. I think I am going to work on doing some Firms (that is what brought me success 5 years ago) and maybe doing some of Cathe's strength here and there until my cardio capacity improves. I would also love to work on Couch to 5K, but it's been too hot outside. For now it's a play it by feel. Maybe when I re-evaluate at two weeks I'll pick something more concrete.

Posted 6/27 -
Whew, just got done doing Firm Strength (FS). I was screaming (literally;) ) through some of those sets. I had to pause throughout to breath and drink water. But, I did it all! I was SO thankful for the stretch at the end. My body feels like jello right now!!! No snacking last night and it was not nearly the struggle I faced the night before.

On the road again

Okay, I caved I am creating a BLOG! I am done spinning my wheels when it comes to my health and I am looking for new tools to help me on this journey.

I will no longer:
  • Let my past failures pave my future
  • Let my weight continue to spiral out of control
  • Say or think negatively about my body
I will instead:
  • Create a future full of possibility
  • Make the health and well being of my body a priority
  • Look for the good in myself and notice the positive changes