Last Chance Workout

On Monday, we went to the store and I picked up the new "Last Chance Workout" DVD from the Biggest Loser. I previewed it that night and was encouraged to not hear Jillian Michaels screaming at me the entire time. The moves looked hard, but doable. I was chatting online while watching so I may have missed some (most!) of it, but I wasn't worried...

Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. I did my first Last Chance Workout and let me tell you that the real reason they call it a "last chance" workout is because it's the last chance you'll have to workout...because it's going to kill you. It took me about 30 minutes to cool down to an acceptable functioning level. You know how the day following a workout is when the soreness kicks in? Yeah, not so much after this beat up. Around 1 p.m. my hamstrings, shoulders and glutes were on fire. I proudly took an ibuprofen that night.


Wednesday's workout was different because for the first 2 weeks you alternate days with the LCW and upper body/ lower body toning. I didn't preview the toning part so I was going in blind. Had I known what to expect, I might have skipped it. I was still soooooooooooooooo sore from the day before! My hamstrings haven't been that sore since I decided it was a good idea to do 2 consecutive hours of yoga in 1 day...after not exercising for weeks. BUT, I did the workout and I'm glad. I've heard it said before that you always regret NOT working out but never regret working out. So true.

I must tell you about this one exercise in particular. I cannot recall the name of it but it's basically a one-handed plank with a tricep kickback. Oh yeah, and 5 pounds in the hand doing the kickback. Do that exercise for 30 seconds, then switch sides. THEN, you do a one handed plank with a lateral raise (shoulder fly)..with the 5 pounds, of course. 30 seconds and switch sides.

um...ouch!!!



I continued with the LCW today. I'm going to pay for it tomorrow but I noticed a tremendous amount of increased energy today. Michael did also so that's saying something.

This is a 6 week program and I am going to truly try to stick with it! The week after Easter should be my last week. When I think about it in those terms, what's 6 weeks? It's almost here already.

Any encouragement will be greatly appreciated!!

Confession

Believe it or not, I have not abandoned my blog. I have, however, been waiting on myself to "get back in the game" before posting again. I'm pretty sure when I'm not "in the game" is when I really need to post, though.

Where have I been (in regards to sharing any weight loss/weight struggles), you may wonder. I have been...here. I have been living and struggling...falling, really..right off the wagon. I have been unmotivated which has caused me to become a tad depressed which has lead me to overeat...the usual cycle. How, oh, how do I break this??? To be fair to myself, last year from the months of January through April is when I put on the bulk of my weight. I am beginning to think my attitude and motivation may be partially due to the season. The snow, ice, cold, wet...beautiful in its' own way, but I find it mostly depressing. I truly love being outdoors and I adore nature. Not really being able to be a part of it without being wet or frigid is taking its' toll.






Honestly, I wouldn't even be posting but I told a friend that I would weigh myself today and post about it if she would step on the scale, too. So, in essence, I'm living up to my end of the bargain ;) It's the first step...

No surprise here, but I have gained back 5 pounds. Considering I worked out for the first time in February last Tuesday and that I haven't been eating healthy at all, I kind of was expecting a higher weight gain. Now isn't that just sad.

"God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them." ~C.S. Lewis

I do have a plan and it involves prayer, exercise, resisting temptation, eating healthier, prayer, cooking ALL of our meals this week, prayer, blogging about food struggles and prayer. More than just an appetite problem, this "overeating" is a sin for me. It's ugly, gross and it has a name: gluttony. I have confessed, repented and am trusting God's promise to give me the strength to resist temptation. I am trying to fill my mind with His Word and not keep idle hands, both of which I should be doing anyway but this is a sure fire way to avoid temptation and/or defeat it.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded"
~James 4:7-8

"Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
~Romans 6:12-14

Monday Mark

Last week was Christmas week. I made Peanut Butter Balls, ate quite a few of them, drank hot chocolate and indulged in much more food than I planned. I lost half a pound-that half a pound it strictly the result of exercise, not diet. Now, Christmas is over and it's time to get serious. The sweets and richly caloric food are out of the house, and on the menu for this week are healthy meals. It's all planned out. Let's hope I stick to it!

I ran for the second time since starting this journey, and it felt good. It wasn't anything impressive. 6 minutes total. 2 X 1 minute and 2 X 2 minutes. Like I said, nothing impressive but I have to start somewhere! From my house to one of the stoplights and back is 2 miles, but I'm not measuring distance. I would like to run at least 2 times a week. I think that would be enough for me to keep whatever endurance I build and prevent injury. Any running advice is welcome! After the run Thursday, I took an exercise break on Christmas that lasted until this a.m. I haven't gone hiking, even though the opportunity was there. My motivation level was so low. I've felt very lazy for the past 3 days-part of that has to do with a new book I got for Christmas. I've been glued to it!

Next week Liesl and I are going to be traveling with a friend and her 2 children to South Carolina. We'll meet up with my mom and then my mom, Liesl and I are going to the beach until Friday! I'm excited about this mini vacation. My mom will, hopefully, benefit from it and so will we. I am, also, thrilled with the chance to workout at a real gym for 4 days! It will be a nice break from Jillian.

Monday Mark

I am ecstatic. Well, maybe not ecstatic but I am pleased with the results from this past week. I lost only 1 pound again and another 2.75 inches, BUT, this 1 pound puts my weight loss total into double digits!! So far I have lost a total of 10 pounds! All during the holidays!

I worked out for the usual amount- no extra workouts in like I planned because I got sick this week. My appetite this past week, though, increased exponentially! It's not like I've been glued to a strict caloric amount each day and so, when around Tuesday, I began to be ravenous at mealtimes I was shocked. Then Friday came and, well, let's just say girls have all kinds of hormonal stuff that puts additional roadblocks in the way of weight loss. At least I'll know what to expect each month.

This coming week is Christmas and I have a menu laid out so I know what to expect each day. There are possible temptations as we will be having Christmas dinner at my brothers and I have to make Peanut Butter Balls. I just need to plan for extra calories that day, or plan an extra workout. Another great thing about Christmas is that Michael is off Friday and Monday which enables me to diversify my workouts because I'll have access to the car. I plan on much hiking!!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy and Merry Christmas!

Monday Mark

The weekends are tripping me up. I get in a good rhythm during the week and then it all goes to the dogs on the weekend. One thing lead to another and we ate at a fast food joint twice this weekend. It is amazing, though, how full I got after just eating a sandwich without the fries. I probably could/should have stopped at half a sandwich!

This past week has me one pound lighter and 2.75 inches lighter. On my second "rest" day from the DVD, I went for a walk at Rotary Park. The trail is rocky, hilly, and not well marked. I passed through a couple of creeks along the way, too. Halfway into the walk, I got a phone call from Michael telling me to rush home because Liesl had gotten under the sink and swallowed "Goo Gone". She needed to go to the hospital. I felt so helpless, as I'm sure he did. Luckily, we live a mere 1.5 miles from the hospital so Michael headed out on foot with our daughter. Once on the main road, a kind Samaritan offered Michael a ride to the hospital. Meanwhile, back in the middle of the trail, I tucked my camera in the bag on my back and started running. I ran through the creeks, over ice, on a winding, barely familiar, trail. The only thing going through my mind was "my baby is sick and I'm left up to my feet and physical fitness to get me to her". Once at the car, I high tailed it to the E.R. Liesl had to stay for a couple of hours of observation but she is o.k.

The "walk in the park" this weekend proved something to me: I can run. Not just jog, but run. I've been afraid to run because the potential for injury is so much greater due to the extra weight I'm carrying, but, if it's only for 2 days a week, I think it's safe.

Tuesday is my next "rest" day and I planning on running...

...not at Rotary Park, but somewhere!