Sorry I haven't blogged a lot lately. Between work, dating, a weekly Spanish class and boot camp, I've been busy. Even my DVRs (yes, I have one in the living room and one in the bedroom) have been feeling neglected lately. Both are near capacity.
Today marked three weeks since I started the six-week boot camp challenge. The weigh-in part didn't go well -- I gained a half pound. But the measurements part went much better. I've lost a half inch around my chest, a half inch around my waist, a inch around hips and a half inch around my thigh. For those who don't like math, that's 2.5 inches total, which I feel good about.
When I started the boot camp challenge, my goal was to build muscle and to tone up the flabby areas (at least a little bit). The number on the scale isn't nearly as important to me as it used to be. Four years into this journey, I've realized that how I feel is most important. And boot camp is definitely helping in that area.
Despite the aches and pains right after, I'm feeling healthier and stronger and I have more energy. So, for now, I'm going to try not to let the number on the scale bother me. This is the most strenuous exercise I've done in my life. I'm proud of myself for trying and that's enough for now.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
A day of rest
After Thursday's crying incident after boot camp, I decided that I had to jump right back in or I might quit. So I went to the Friday afternoon class, which meant three days in a row of boot camp. Friday went much better mentally ... but physically I had to take more breaks. I figure doing something is better than doing nothing, but now I need a break.
I had hoped to go to class this morning, but my aching arches and a strained quad muscle have made me decide that I need a day of rest. I'm proud of myself for going three days in a row and I want to stick with it for the long haul. Overdoing it and really injuring myself would only deter me. So I'm going to take it easy today.
Boot camp is closed on Sundays, but I'm already planning to at least take a walk or do something physical so I won't have taken two days off. Then it's back to class Monday afternoon. I've worked hard during the first three days of the six-week challenge. I think I'll reward myself with a little shopping this morning and then wine this afternoon.
BTW, It's been two months since I made a goal of fitting into a skirt I bought more than a year ago. There's been no progress. I can still barely get it zipped. I have two months to reach my goal. Sure hope boot camp helps.
I had hoped to go to class this morning, but my aching arches and a strained quad muscle have made me decide that I need a day of rest. I'm proud of myself for going three days in a row and I want to stick with it for the long haul. Overdoing it and really injuring myself would only deter me. So I'm going to take it easy today.
Boot camp is closed on Sundays, but I'm already planning to at least take a walk or do something physical so I won't have taken two days off. Then it's back to class Monday afternoon. I've worked hard during the first three days of the six-week challenge. I think I'll reward myself with a little shopping this morning and then wine this afternoon.
BTW, It's been two months since I made a goal of fitting into a skirt I bought more than a year ago. There's been no progress. I can still barely get it zipped. I have two months to reach my goal. Sure hope boot camp helps.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Boot camp made me cry
If you're a regular reader, you know that back in December I tried out two different boot camp programs. At the time, I decided that the cost was more than I could afford. Well, with my tax refund in hand, I signed up this week for a six-week challenge at one of the boot camps.
The first session was Wednesday afternoon. It included a weigh-in and body measurements. And the workout focused on total body fitness. I couldn't do every exercise for the entire time required, but I was close. By the end of the 45-minute session, I had a lot of muscle aches and pains, but I felt fantastic. I was so proud of myself for making it through the class and I was pumped for the next session.
I went again today after work. This session focused on cardio, and it was harder because I was sore from yesterday but also because I've not really done any cardio ... ever! So I struggled but I kept trying. I had to take more breaks, but I wasn't giving up.
About five minutes before the class ended, however, everything went bad. We were supposed to push a a really heavy punching bag across the floor. I simply couldn't do it. During round one when I couldn't do it, other women tried telling me how to stand differently to be more successful. For the second attempt, I tried. But I couldn't do it. Then other women started shouting at me about what I was doing wrong. One woman even said: "We're not leaving until you do it." At first, they seemed like they were just trying to be supportive. But repeatedly yelling at me about how I'm not doing it right really wasn't a good way to motivate me to try harder.
I almost started crying then. But I kept it together for the last station and the stretching afterward. As soon as I got in my car, I couldn't hold it in. I cried nearly the whole way home. I had serious flashbacks to10th grade when a gym teacher told me he was going to flunk me if I didn't run a mile around the track. At the time, I weighed 187 pounds ... pretty close to what I weigh now.
Now that I'm home and I've showered and I'm having a glass of wine, I feel a little better. But this incident just goes to show me that even after four years on this journey, I'm still dealing emotional issues that led to the weight gain in the first place. Luckily, after two days of boot camp, I had already decided to take tomorrow off. I'm just hoping that I can mentally get back in a good place before Saturday's class.
Finally, aside from this one incident, I've loved both classes. They've made me feel good about myself. But, of course, my brain keeps focusing on that one moment when everyone was yelling at me because I failed.
The first session was Wednesday afternoon. It included a weigh-in and body measurements. And the workout focused on total body fitness. I couldn't do every exercise for the entire time required, but I was close. By the end of the 45-minute session, I had a lot of muscle aches and pains, but I felt fantastic. I was so proud of myself for making it through the class and I was pumped for the next session.
I went again today after work. This session focused on cardio, and it was harder because I was sore from yesterday but also because I've not really done any cardio ... ever! So I struggled but I kept trying. I had to take more breaks, but I wasn't giving up.
About five minutes before the class ended, however, everything went bad. We were supposed to push a a really heavy punching bag across the floor. I simply couldn't do it. During round one when I couldn't do it, other women tried telling me how to stand differently to be more successful. For the second attempt, I tried. But I couldn't do it. Then other women started shouting at me about what I was doing wrong. One woman even said: "We're not leaving until you do it." At first, they seemed like they were just trying to be supportive. But repeatedly yelling at me about how I'm not doing it right really wasn't a good way to motivate me to try harder.
I almost started crying then. But I kept it together for the last station and the stretching afterward. As soon as I got in my car, I couldn't hold it in. I cried nearly the whole way home. I had serious flashbacks to10th grade when a gym teacher told me he was going to flunk me if I didn't run a mile around the track. At the time, I weighed 187 pounds ... pretty close to what I weigh now.
Now that I'm home and I've showered and I'm having a glass of wine, I feel a little better. But this incident just goes to show me that even after four years on this journey, I'm still dealing emotional issues that led to the weight gain in the first place. Luckily, after two days of boot camp, I had already decided to take tomorrow off. I'm just hoping that I can mentally get back in a good place before Saturday's class.
Finally, aside from this one incident, I've loved both classes. They've made me feel good about myself. But, of course, my brain keeps focusing on that one moment when everyone was yelling at me because I failed.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Baby steps are better than no steps
I didn't intend to wait an entire month before updating everyone on my progress this year. I just got busy with stuff and didn't feel like I had anything worthwhile to say.
On Jan. 1, I blogged about making this year less about the number on the scale and more about how I feel and how my clothes fit. A month in and the number on the scale is slightly better than it was Jan. 1 (down about 2 pounds), but there's no real difference in how my clothes are fitting. Most days, everything feels too tight. And that's depressing.
The good news, however, is that the size 12 skirt I'm hoping to fit into by May 1 does seem to be fitting a little better. I zipped it when I put it on this morning, but I couldn't breath or move. So it's possible I'm imagining progress because I don't want to admit defeat.
I started the month off well. Eating right and exercising regularly for the first two weeks. The second half of the month, however, wasn't good. I ate terrible foods and drank too much wine. I didn't track anything for nearly two weeks. I'm not going to get into details, but I definitely let emotional eating get the better of me.
February is a short month, so I don't have much time to make progress toward my goal. And, based on my current level of focus, I don't even feel like I have a good plan for staying on track this month. I know I have to get my eating under control, but I also feel like exercise might be more helpful in getting the skirt to fit. (It's the flabby part right around my stomach and hips that's causing the problem with my clothes not fitting.)
I don't like ending on a negative note. So, for now, I'm just going to try to remember how far I've come and be glad that despite setbacks and obstacles, I'm maintaining. I've been exactly this weight for a year. That is progress.
On Jan. 1, I blogged about making this year less about the number on the scale and more about how I feel and how my clothes fit. A month in and the number on the scale is slightly better than it was Jan. 1 (down about 2 pounds), but there's no real difference in how my clothes are fitting. Most days, everything feels too tight. And that's depressing.
The good news, however, is that the size 12 skirt I'm hoping to fit into by May 1 does seem to be fitting a little better. I zipped it when I put it on this morning, but I couldn't breath or move. So it's possible I'm imagining progress because I don't want to admit defeat.
I started the month off well. Eating right and exercising regularly for the first two weeks. The second half of the month, however, wasn't good. I ate terrible foods and drank too much wine. I didn't track anything for nearly two weeks. I'm not going to get into details, but I definitely let emotional eating get the better of me.
February is a short month, so I don't have much time to make progress toward my goal. And, based on my current level of focus, I don't even feel like I have a good plan for staying on track this month. I know I have to get my eating under control, but I also feel like exercise might be more helpful in getting the skirt to fit. (It's the flabby part right around my stomach and hips that's causing the problem with my clothes not fitting.)
I don't like ending on a negative note. So, for now, I'm just going to try to remember how far I've come and be glad that despite setbacks and obstacles, I'm maintaining. I've been exactly this weight for a year. That is progress.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy for a new year
The title of this post has two meanings. One is that I'm really glad 2013 is over. It wasn't all bad. In fact, some moments were truly great. But, overall, it's not a year I will remember fondly. The second meaning is that I want 2014 to be about finding happiness in my life. In all aspects of my life, I want to start asking: Will this make me happy? If yes, then I should do it. If no, then I shouldn't. Sounds simple, right?
As I start year five of my weight-loss journey, I've been thinking about my goals. I think I've been too focused on the number on the scale. I still intend to weigh-in weekly, but I'm setting a very specific (and I hope simple) goal for the first part of the year.
More than a year ago, I bought a size 12 skirt at J.Crew. At the time, I was mostly wearing a 12, but it was a little snug. I never wore it because I was convinced that it would fit better if I lost five more pounds. Since then, I've actually gained a few pounds and I can't even zip the skirt now. I love this skirt!
So my goal is to comfortably fit into the skirt by April 1. That gives me three months to basically lose one size since I'm mostly wearing a 14 now. I tried the skirt on today so I'd have a good idea of how it fits (or doesn't fit) right now. My plan is to try it on again on Feb. 1, March 1 and finally April 1.
Fitting into this skirt means I will be the size I set out to be when I started this journey. Once I get to that point, I can reassess my goals. In the meantime, not getting hung up on my weight won't be easy. But I think having this specific goal that doesn't involve a number on the scale will help me stay focused.
Plus, I'm already off to a good start. I've been solidly on track for 5 1/2 days despite a minor splurge on New Year's Eve. This past week is proving to me that I know what works and how to achieve success. Now I just have to do it.
As I start year five of my weight-loss journey, I've been thinking about my goals. I think I've been too focused on the number on the scale. I still intend to weigh-in weekly, but I'm setting a very specific (and I hope simple) goal for the first part of the year.
So my goal is to comfortably fit into the skirt by April 1. That gives me three months to basically lose one size since I'm mostly wearing a 14 now. I tried the skirt on today so I'd have a good idea of how it fits (or doesn't fit) right now. My plan is to try it on again on Feb. 1, March 1 and finally April 1.
Fitting into this skirt means I will be the size I set out to be when I started this journey. Once I get to that point, I can reassess my goals. In the meantime, not getting hung up on my weight won't be easy. But I think having this specific goal that doesn't involve a number on the scale will help me stay focused.
Plus, I'm already off to a good start. I've been solidly on track for 5 1/2 days despite a minor splurge on New Year's Eve. This past week is proving to me that I know what works and how to achieve success. Now I just have to do it.
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