The Latest, and not so Greatest

Well I started back at Team Fitness at the gym on Monday. I have definitely lost muscle and some endurance!

Here it goes:

Weight = X (at least it is -22.3 lbs since January)
Body Fat = Y (which is an absolutely ridiculous number)

Plank Test = 2.03 minutes (I gave in early on this one)
Push Up Test = 11 (He disqualified a few of them on technicalities) ;(
Flexibility = 12-1/4" (not great, but not bad)
30 minute run test = 2.96 miles (off my goal of 3 miles)

We are going to do the sit up test next week.

Also, it is one month from tomorrow that I run my first 5K in Race for the Cure in Austin. I was registered as an individual, but requested a change to the Lifetime Fitness team - Team Gina. Gina is a beautiful and sweet Personal Trainer at Lifetime (my new employer) and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently undergoing Chemo, but still at the gym everyday as an inspiration to us all. So be prepared for my requests for donations for our team. And thanks to those who have already contributed! You can link to my personal page here.

And last but not least, my ex-Team Weightloss members Nicole and Ann convinced me to join them in training with Austin Fit, for the Austin Half Marathon on Feb. 18th. It seemed like a great idea at the time. And I am really enjoying it. But when the alarm goes off at six on Saturday mornings, so we can be downtown for 7 am, I'm not convinced! However, being downtown early in the morning is nice. I get to run along the rowers. I miss rowing so much! I'm hoping to make it through the training. We did four miles on Saturday morning (then Nicole and I did a 3-mile Team Alumni walk at the gym afterwards).

Well, I'll try to keep the updates coming. And remember to buy Pink this month!

I'm back...

Well I registed this evening for the Race for the Cure in November. A couple of months ago, a 5K would have been a breeze, but judging by how my pants fit this morning, I've got some work to do.

At least I'll have a motivator. I guess that pizza I ordered for dinner was not such a great idea! ;)

Week 12 Conclusion

Well this marks the end of my final week of Team Fitness. I didn't have nearly the motivation this time around as I did Team Weight Loss. We didn't seem to have the desire as my last group and haven't had any real emphasis on our diets. Plus with half our team dropping out, things kind of went downhill the last 6 weeks.

Anyway, that being said, here are the Week 12 Testing results:

Plank Test - this time: 3 min (Week 1: 2 min 29 sec; Week 6: 2 min 45 sec)
Push Up Test - this time: 20 (Week 1: 7; Week 6: 12) (he made us do boy push ups)
Sit Up Test - this time: 18 in 30 sec. (Week 1: 14 in 30 sec; Week 6: 14 in 30 sec)
Run Test - this time: 3.04 miles in 30 min; (Week 1:2.49 miles in 30 min; Week 6 3.03 miles in 30 min)
Weight loss - 3.1 lbs (hardly worth mentioning).
Body fat loss - 3.9%

I don't think I'll be signing up for another Team class right now. My work schedule is not predictable yet, and frankly I need a break from the 7 pm M,W,F schedule. I just need to make sure I keep going to the gym! ;)

The End of Week 6 Testing

We finished our week 6 testing last night in Team Fitness. I sure won't be breaking any land speed records anytime soon, but at least I improved in almost all areas.

Plank Test - last time: 2 min 29 sec; this time: 2 min 45 sec

Push Up Test - last time: 7; this time: 12 (he made us do boy push ups)

Sit Up Test - last time: 14 in 30 sec; this time: 14 in 30 sec

Run Test - last time: 2.49 miles in 30 min; this time 3.03 miles in 30 min

Now, hopefully I'll make some additional gains by Week 12 testing...

A Missing Friend

This weekend I was reacquainted with an old friend. I haven't seen him for quite some time. We are still miles (well inches) apart, but I know he is there and look forward to reducing the span between us.

We met on the floor of my living room as I was doing some crunches and floor exercises on Saturday evening. In fact, I was so happy to know he was back, I called hubby from the next room.

The friend is my hip bone. Although there is still much work to be done to bring him to the surface, at least I know he's there and getting back to where he should be. I look forward to the day when I can actually see him again.

Here's to old friends!

6 Week Update

Since I did Team Weight Loss before Team Fitness, this is actually a Week 18 update. Time flies. Too bad the weight wasn't flying away with it! However, I did survive over 6 weeks of almost back to back house guests without gaining. I think that is an accomplishment!

So the Team Fitness 6 week check is not complete, but here are the numbers that count.

6 week weight loss - 2.5 lbs (hardly worth mentioning).
6 week body fat loss - 4.5% (pretty good!)

So, according to my home scale I'm hovering around -22lbs since Jan. 1st and around 10% body fat loss. So with hubbies business trips concluding, and the hotel MacInnis being empty, maybe I can work a little harder and get that scale to budge in the right direction.

Now, wish me luck in the run, push up, sit up, and plank test on Monday. I'm gonna need it! ;)

Long Overdue Update

Well, I'm officially mid week 3 of my new program at the gym, Team Fitness. I finished up my 12 week Team Weight Loss program.

The official results:
Weight Loss = 15.5 lb (short of goal)
% Body Fat Loss = 6% (over 3% goal).

Unfortunately, I haven't been doing so great with all the company we have had. But we don't "weigh in" again until Week 6 of Team fitness. My home scale is holding at -18.5 lbs but hopefully that will start moving downward again, once things get back on schedule. Hubby is in the UK this week, so I don't have to make any meals. However, my sister will be here this weekend for a week (with her hubby and my nephew)! I do see a margarita in our future... ;)

Anyway, trying to get motivated. Think Thin (and Fit) for me!

End of Week 10

Today officially starts the beginning of Week 11. I successfully got six workouts in this week, although they weren't as spread out as they should have been. I ended up missing class on Monday to pick hubby up at the airport as he returned from our dear friend Greg's funeral. Spent Tuesday evening with the in-laws before their Wednesday departure home (3 weeks went fast!).

So here is the workout summary for the week:

Wednesday : 5:30 am Spin Class (Anaerobic Threshold Intervals)
Wednesday: 7 pm Team Weight Loss - More Zone 4 work (lots of running)!
Friday: 5:30 am Spin Class (Aerobic Endurance)
Friday: 7 pm Team Weight Loss - Treadmill, Dumbbells, and Resistance Bands, push ups & crunches
Saturday: 10 am Team Fitness Demo class - Ouch!
Sunday: 3 pm Soccer Game (at least I didn't have to play too much, we had lots of subs)

I only have until the end of next week (March 30th), to reach my weight goal. I'm only 2.5 lbs away according to my home scale. I'm sure quite a few more than that on the gym scale. I've already met the fat percentage goal, so I'm okay if I don't hit the weight. But I am a girl, and us girls like to see the scale change! Wish me luck! Think thin!!!

Start of Week 9

Well not much to report. Kiddos' surgery (and my lack of sleep) put me off track a little. I took kiddo to the grocery store in his wagon Friday morning for a little extra exercise. Four miles and two sore arms (had shots for immigration Thursday) later, we arrived back. We had a good hard workout on Friday night in class too.

We had a soccer clinic yesterday. Only three of us showed up. I guess it meant a little more personal attention (which I desperately need all the help I can get). It also meant that my hip was killing me, but seems to be only a little stiff today.

I have TWL class tonight. Monday's are always an easier workout because our nutrition class cuts it short, so if I can get out of the house, I will try to make the 6:00 spin class.

The scale at home (which NEVER matches the gym), says I'm down 12.5 lbs. My dietitian's goal for me is 18lb for March 30th.

That's it for now!

Start of Week 8

Today begins Week 8. I better get my butt in gear if I'm going to hit goal weight. The scale isn't moving much the last couple of weeks. I also haven't been extremely strict on the diet thing, so I think I need to be paying more attention to that.

I had my first ever (in my life) soccer game yesterday. Besides feeling completely useless (although I think I did okay), I survived with a few stiff muscles, a few more stiff muscles, and a sunburn. The girls are so great. I think it is going to be a lot of fun. We lost 2-0, but it was pretty good.

I did Spin class again on Saturday morning with three of the girls from TWL. That was good, but we were all pretty sore from the very hard workout Jaime put us through on Friday night.

Happy Bleeping Valentine's Day...

Let me just start by saying when I got dressed yesterday morning, I knew I was in trouble. It was the first day since I've been working out regularly that I felt my jeans feeling snug and was feeling blah. So I knew we had our official weigh in last night and was dreading it all day.

So here it goes, my Week 6 update:

Total lbs: -5 lbs (What!!! I was 7.5 at the gym last week, and 8.5 at home this week!)

Total change in body fat %: -4%

The good news, is that my 12 week goal for body fat reduction was 3%, so I'm already there, but the weight thing really hurt. I spent my Valentine's evening fighting back tears. They promise me that most women start really dropping after week 4-6, when your body realizes that your sticking with it. I'll cling to that hope. Soccer isn't starting until next weekend (25th) now, so I'll have to get my butt in gear this weekend and keep that water bottle next to me at all times.

Spin Class

Well, the first miracle is that I made it to Spin Class at the gym this morning (I probably wouldn't have if I wasn't meeting Nicole there). The second miracle is that I actually survived it. My butt is a little sore, but otherwise okay.

I grabbed the bike in the back corner. The one thing about Spin class, is that is where the "fit" people go. I was feeling extremely self conscious but inspired by the incredible physiques (and a few average ones) around me . The instructor is a doll (with an amazing body). The lights are turned low (a good thing for me), we had a Tour de France video playing on the big screen and good music to keep us going. Today was an endurance ride, so we basically stayed in Zone 3 for 60 minutes. I know I should have been heavier on the resistance than I was, but still feel like I got a good workout.

Now hopefully I'll be able to make it up the stairs for class tonight! ;)

Start of Week 5 Update

Well, according to the gym scale last night, I am now down 7.5 lbs. We had a good nutrition class last night, that I actually learned some useful information in. When I did the fasting program previously, there motto was "a calorie is a calorie". I'm learning now that it definitely isn't the case.

Also, I made plans to meet a teammate (from Team Weight loss) for Spin Class Wednesday morning at 5:30. Since, I don't her all that well, I definitely will be there!

Have a great week. Back to my oatmeal!

Crazy Week

Well I have been assigned to the Round Rock Women's soccer league 7 v 7 Over 30 team, the "Stars". I meet my teammates on Saturday. League starts the 18th! I think I bought my first pair of soccer cleats today. So crazy. I'm going to die. Well, first I'll probably vomit, and then die!

Next, a friend of mine and I were discussing what would be a good recreational kayak for me to try out (he races competitively). Well, today I went by his place and picked up a "free" kayak (the best kind) and he let me borrow a paddle and seat! If it wasn't so freakin' cold out today, I'd be tempted to try it out! For now, the kiddo is trying it out in the living room.

I'm ready to pretty much try anything to get in shape and lose some weight. I figure the more variety the better. I still may try the curling thing (another girl I know is a member of the Lonestar Curling club). After all, I am a Canadian girl. That will be another week (or year), however, as I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to move after the first soccer game...

Start of Week 4 Update

Not a bad workout tonight. At least it was short. Friday was a hard workout and I did another hard one on my own Saturday night. We have been doing so many push ups lately. Missing bracelets, missing journals, dropping a towel, any excuse to have us all drop and give Jaime "10". I have carpet burns on my knees (yes, modified push ups are allowed).

So here's where I'm at according to the gym scale:

X-5 lbs

Two weeks from tonight we will "officially" weigh in and have our body fat % calculated again. Better work my butt off the next couple of weeks!

Now I'm off to tend to a kid with a fever and change out of these gym clothes.

Good night!

Oh What I Get Myself Into!

Last spring, when I had a momentary lapse of sanity, I emailed a women's soccer group in the area about joining a team. I didn't hear anything, and let it drop. But yesterday, I received an email asking if I was interested and of course said "yes please"! So I filled out the "request for team" form and am waiting to be assigned a team. Apparently the spring league starts on Feb. 18th. I was never a soccer player. The closest I got was to dating the coach of my sister's team (she's the cute, athletic one). They assure me you don't have to have experience. So now I wait... ;)

Mid Week 3 Update

Well, we haven't "officially" weighed-in yet (we do that this Monday), but I did get on the scale at the gym after class last night.

So the latest per the gym scale is:

Weight = X - 4 lbs.

Now, per my scale at home (which weighed the same as the gym scale the first night):

Weight = X - 8 lbs.

What the h-e-double hockeysticks!

Anyway, at least it is moving in the right direction. Also, I'm already getting comments on my weight (or at least inches) loss and my pants are fitting better, so that is some motivation.

Friday nights are our hard workouts (which is probably a good thing, since that is the night I want to sit on my butt and eat like crap). So, I look forward to that.

Also, I dusted off the rowing machine and got out the ab roller and had a great workout Sunday evening. I would love to go back to rowing, so hopefully I'll continue to make that part of my weekly workout routine.

Had a great workout with Jaime last night and we chose our team name "Fab-U-Loss". We, for the most part, have a great team. Meeting great new people from our area. Now, back to work...

Starting Night Sorrow

I started Team Weight Loss at the gym on Monday night. The first night did not involve a workout, so you would think that was a good thing right? I'd rather spend an hour on the treadmill than getting my fat pinched and measurements announced to 18 strangers! Oh well, I guess I should consider it punishment for too many Coronas and pizza lately. After meeting with our Registered Dietitian, Jessi and our new trainer Jaime, we gathered our meal plans, journals, bracelets, and what was left of our pride, and started week one...

Week One Stats:

Weight = X lbs.

Goal Weight = X-18 lbs (for March 30th)

Total Fat % = Y%

Week One

Well, I have once embarked on a journey to become less of myself (physically). I will share my ups and downs (hopefully more downs where the scale is concerned), in the next few months. Stay tuned for more!