Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
So I had 30 minutes to kill, so I hop in my car and go down to the Clinton Library. Went walking all around the place. This taking pictures on the walk really makes the time pass faster.
This morning I trekked all over St Vincent Hospital Campus and was going to count that as the walk for the day, but my sister said I couldn't. WAH!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Well my sister called. and chewed me out about the hiatus. She said I must have been on hiatus for the last 2 months as there have not been that many posts! Well dang it, she is right. I just decided to make it official. However she won't let me.
Then the same day that I talked to sister, my BFF from the 10th floor at work (Keshia) comes to my office and wants to talk about my exercise and what I have been doing. I tried changing the subject multiple times BUT SHE WOULDN'T LET ME. So next week she is going to call me every day and ask did I walk around the block at lunch time. Every single day she is going to call me. So the Gym Virgin is now back on the wagon. Accountability sucks.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Did a mile at Lake V today. The ducks and geese have migrated over there and their crap has followed. I wish the City of Maumelle would get rid of these feathered creatures or at least take them somewhere far, far, away.
Somebody online asked me to be part of a recipe chain letter. So I thought I would share my holiday recipe of the season with you. Here goes:
Paula's Peanut Butter Reese Cup Cookies
(1) roll of PB cookie dough
(1) package of reese cup mini deals
set oven to 350. Put scoops of dough on a cookie sheet in whatever size floats your boat. Cook for 8 minutes. While hot put a reese cup mini deal on top of them. Step back, admire your work, and call yourself a chef!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Today my daddy came to Little Rock. He brought with him his black lab, Gunner. Daddy has gout in his feet. I said let me take Gunner for a walk around the block. Let me just say Gunner took me for the walk. We started off walking, then we graduated to trotting, then we went to running, then we went to me flying through the air hanging on to the leash for dear life!!! Evidently, when a lab has been in a vehicle for 4 hours riding he gets pretty wild and crazy when he gets out. He used me for his play thing.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Today I went to Lake Valencia for a 1 1/4 mile walk. Was a beautiful morning. Just the right temperature. Sun was shining. You really do feel better after a walk of any kind. Husband went with me. Husband did not walk. But he drove me up there. Of course he had to dispute the signage at the lake that clear states it is a 1 1/4 mile. He said it is more like a 1/2 mile. Why does he think he knows everything??????
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Kids for those of you who are not familiar with The Spudnut Shoppe in El Dorado, Arkansas well let me bring you up to speed. It is a doughnut place that has been in El Do for decades. They make, without a doubt, the best doughnuts in the world! Krispee Kremes have absolutely nothing on a Spudnut.
So yesterday the Husband and I go to El Do to put up a Christmas tree for Dan. We were there early in the day so we thought we would go to the Spudnut Shoppe on the off chance it was open. This place is only open a few hours a day and we figured the day after T'giving they might be closed.
Our eyes glazed over (pardon the pun) when we saw the cars lined up outside the place meaning they were open. We bought a dozen. We decided this would last several, several days for just us 2 people. STUPID STUPID STUPID US.
We ate 2 each on the ride home. We ate 2 each last night watching TV. We ate 1 each for breakfast.And now there are 2 lousy doughnuts left and we have only had them in our possession for LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!!!!
Walking trail here I come. I will be the one with the Spudnuts all over my bubble butt.
Friday, November 19, 2010
My daughter talked me into buying Spanx. They make it in plus size now she said. Now friends, it is one heck of a marketing company that can make a plus size person believe that a $ 30 piece of spandex is going to make them look smooth and svelte.
I got the Spanx that you pull on and it goes past the mid section and up under the bra. If I had been thinking clearly, I would have realized this was not the smartest thing I have ever done. The contortions I went thru to put on said Spanx. Then I got to thinking about the contortion I would have to do at work to take the Spanx off everytime I went to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I didn't have this light bulb moment until after I got to work and was parking my car. So bottom line..............I didn't pee all day. It was just to much trouble. Once the Spanx is on, ain't nothing but God and a pair of scissors can get it off.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Well who would a thunk it? I lost 2 more pounds this month. I hope you can tell on the picture I am holding out the waist band on my pants.
Sunday, I cleaned out a bedroom so I could have a place to put my little orange desk. I moved furniture, books, etc. And now 2 days later I can barely walk. My whole body hurts. But this is where I come to you when I type (see picture).
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
So I go to a business forum yesterday. It was good. However, I can't escape exercise anywhere I go. We had a freaking workout break!!!!! We had to bring 2 canned goods for the food pantry. But before we handed those in we had to do a mini workout using the cans as weights. No I didn't whine about it. Well I really did but only to myself.LOL
This a.m. I turned on my directv music channels to the 60s bubble gum station. They keyed up Chubby Checker and I did the twist for at least 10 minutes. I never knew that song was that long. Then I did hand weights to the tune of "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to". Then I vacuumed my house to the Beatles singing "I wanna hold your hand". And that friends concludes today's mini workout.
Monday, November 8, 2010
I walked (briskly) for 1/2 mile at 7:30 am today. Got to get back with the program... I bought a table at an estate sale yesterday for $ 5 bucks. Came home and painted it Fireside Orange. I am going to count that as some exercise activity. Mainly because I would have never done that before. I am making a small bedroom into my office. I wanted a desk that didn't start out life as a desk. Thus my new orange table/desk! Now when I go to pay bills I will smile first because I do love the color orange!!!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. That would have taken exercise and quite frankly that ain't been happening. I am bad. I know that. Most, well actually all, of my routine has consisted of running the floors of the building where I work. I thought these new hours would be easier to fit workouts in. Well I was wrong (as I sit here drinking a full octane coca cola). Which BTW, I tried giving them up. That lasted 1 day. The caffeine headaches are too fierce.
Gotta get it in gear. Just wanted to touch base. Hope you are doing better than me. Laters!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Race day! April, my daughter, said we had to be downtown at 5:45 am. It was still very dark out and a little chilly. We register at the Blue Cross sign up table, hang around to have the company group picture made, and then head on downtown to see the booths and get in line for the race.
We decided to do the 2k race instead of the 5k. As we walk downtown their are so many people in wild costumes. There was a pink harley that I wanted to do a photo opp with but April rolled her eyes! Once we got down there, we stopped at a research booth and "spit for a cure." We literally spit in test tubes and filled out lifestyle paperwork. This was for a blind study to see if we are prexisting for breast cancer. We thought we would get the results. But no. The research is just for testing and large data purposes.
The crowd begins to pick up, making it more difficult to make our way to the "freebies" tents where they give away alot of the good stuff. Unfortunately, when 45,000 people are congregating, it is darn near impossible to get near anything. We managed to get a pink key chain. I hear snippets of other people's conversations as we walk around. Some are talking about their chemo, the pills they take, and remission. I admire them tremendously for being there and doing this.
April and I had on the Blue Cross tee shirt they provided for the company team. I have to tell you they were pretty boring. They were blue with a blue ribbon theme i.e. blue ribbon cure for breast cancer. However, our shirts were quite tame compared to others I saw. Let me see, we saw shirts that said everything from "save the ta-tas to little bitty titties are the best." One group was sponsored by Riggs Catepillar. Their shirts had a pink dozer on them that said "making tracks for the cure." I thought that was pretty cool. They also had pink license plates that said Cat with the dozer. Maybe next year I can be on the tee shirt committee. The Gym Virgin would like to see a blue tie dye shirt with a funky 70's theme of Peace, Love, and the Cure!. I am seeing a big pink Peace sign. We could totally rock that out.
It was close to race time, so we went back to the starting point for the 2k. They let the serious runners go first, then the 5k, then the 2k. We probably waited 45 minutes of just starting and stopping before we actually started moving. My legs begin to cramp.
As we head toward the Broadway Street Bridge, I am doing ok until we got to the middle of the bridge. Some people feel the need to bring their dogs on leashes to the race. One such yippy dog came up from behind me and tangled around my feet. I have balance issues anyway, and I thought I was going to fall. After the dog left I kept swaying back and forth. That is when April and I realized the bridge is swaying. Swaying to such a degree, I thought I was going to throw up. We then went sideways, in a crowd that is going forward, and finally got to the railing of the bridge. I held on for dear life, as the swaying increased with the relentless pounding of 45,000 pairs of feet. I couldn't decide what was worse, the swaying, or looking over the rail at the swirling water.
We decided to de-bridge. It takes alot of fortitude, my friends, to walk against the grain of 45,000 moving people, but we did it. We then walked our 2k around the downtown area in Little Rock. Along the way, we came across fireman starting to take down the American flag. I thought we were the only gals watching them until I realized there was a whole row of women sitting on the ground staring up at the fireman. Fireman, which by the way, were wearing their gear AND pink tee shirts and pink caps. I thought their picture was blog worthy!
After I finally got home I told the husband that as it turns out I am not a race athlete. He smiles and says that is ok, because he didn't marry an athlete, he married a pretty cheerleader. And that my friends, is why after 35 years he is still the one I come home to.
P.S. Will I support the Komen race next year?
ABSOLUTELY!
Will I go down there and walk?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!... A smaller race ... yes...but 45,000 people...there ain't no way!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
This a.m. I go to Lake V again. Another 1.25 miles. Drank lots of water. Thanked God for the ability to walk, no matter what the pace. Breathed in the cool morning air and prepared my mind for the new day. Focused on what I can do and will do. Thinking about Saturday and the Komen walk. Got the shirts for that yesterday. They are a little boring...will have to Gym Virgin them up a bit. Laters!
Monday, October 11, 2010
I wake up. I am hearing voices. Then I realize. IT IS MY SISTER SCREAMING GET UP AND GO WALK. She is in my head all the way from St. Louis. AGH!
So I put on my jolly workout wear and haul butt out the door. Today 1 mile in the neighborhood before 7:00 am. Did some Rambo lunges along the way. Am sure the passing cars think I am hearing voices for real now. I was trying to lunge along the road cracks by the curb. Did arm swings and head and neck stretches and shoulder roll overs. Just like Rambo said to do. Seriously, are you getting this mental picture? gym virgin. workout clothes on inside out. hair ever which way no brushing. glasses fogging up. ipod shuffle and wiring hanging off the side of my shirt. bonnie raitt blaring in my ear saying give them something to talk about. I think I did that.
Laters!
Friday, October 8, 2010
So I just talked to my sister, SHERRI MCCANN IN CHESTERFIELD MISSOURI, who proceeded to chew my butt out because I haven't done squat in two days. Well blah blah blah. I told her I was doing the Komen walk in a week. She asked me if I had ever walked 3 miles in one setting. Well no, I haven't about it. She then said I have to, HAVE TO, mind you call Rambo and schedule an early morning session with him. She told me to get my butt out the door and walk around my neighborhood RIGHT NOW. I think she has eyes and ears in my house because she knows everytime I don't do something. AGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wellllllllllllllllllllll, The gym virgin is 54 today!!!! Woo hoo!!!!! The day is full of possibilities. Going out with my husband and daughter tonight. Son will be there thru the telephone. He always calls and sings Happy Birthday to me. I wait for that call to make my day complete.
If I could have anything in the world today, just for me, it would be:
1. Maw's banana cake
2. all my family at dinner tonight
3. a real house
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Back in the day ( and in this case the day is the '70s )I drove my sister and I to school. Everyday, without fail, I would get out my Elvis 8 track and pop that baby in as loud as it would go. My favorite song was "Burning Love." So in that vein, after a not so great weekend, I got out my Ipod and cranked up Elvis and Burning Love and hit the streets. I did 1 mile this am to the tune of Elvis, The Archies (Sugar, Sugar) and The Rolling Stones. And just for kicks I threw in a little Flo Rida. So to you oh Monday morning I say BRING IT ON!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Well another phase starts tomorrow in the life of the Gym Virgin. New promotion at work, new hours, new...new...new. The only down side is now I can't see Rambo except if we schedule a Saturday. Don't really see that happening, but it could. The Gym Virgin likes her Saturdays.
Will be either going to the little gym in Maumelle every morning or walking at Lake Valencia. May alternate. I will just have to see what mood I am in.
Komen walk/run is October 16th. Am registered for this one. Company paid for my entrance. If I don't show up they will make me reimburse them. I can assure you the Gym Virgin is not going to let that happen.
Am mad at the fine folks at Just My Size. I ordered a new pair of capri length workout leggings. They confirmed my order. They said they were in stock. They said they would ship within 24 hours. That was 3 weeks ago. All they sent me was a postcard that said they were NOT going to ship the leggings. out of stock they said. AGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Am doing weights, lunges, etc at home tonight. All the things Rambo has me do at the gym.
So I have been thinking. And these thoughts just come at random. Up till now, I have had no interest in clothes that look good, because basically they didn't. For the first time, I am thinking about fashion and how I can play into that. What a light bulb moment this has been. I have even been looking at coats. I have not worn a coat since 1977. Why, you ask?? Because coats on a fluffy person make you hot and they add even more bulk. What fluffy person needs that???
Do you remember how I was talking about spinach leaves the other day?? I didn't know you could cook this stuff. Or rather, I didn't know I could cook this stuff. I have now discovered egg white omelets with mushrooms and spinach leaves. Yum-Yum!!!!! Top it with some salsa and chopped tomatos and I have died and gone to heaven. I love those little egg substitutes in the mini cartons. Each carton is one serving. Makes it a snap to fix in the mornings.
I also found a recipe for asparagus quiche. Made with egg substitute and a frozen pie crust. Am thinking I can do that!
Laters!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Got email from Rambo today. He now wants me to keep a food and drink diary for a week AND I have to bring it to the next session. He says I have to write down EVERYTHING. Is it not enough I went skipping down the block in downtown Little Rock doing right hook jabs????? BTW, I got a promotion at work and in the meeting with new management, he says "didn't I see you skipping down the block with some guy with your hands up in the air?" AGH.
I think this is going to have to count as the 'something I have never done before' on the goals list.
Went to Lane Bryant today. Am now wearing tops a full size smaller than in June AND I can almost wear the next size smaller! When I can wear a size smaller pants, then I will know I have made it to the other side. LOL
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tonight was trainer session 2 for this week. We started out walking in downtown Little Rock. I thought we would,literally,just be walking. Oh, how wrong the Gym Virgin was. First of all, Rambo had me reach for the sky, while going down the block. Then I had to do boxing jabs while going down the block. Then I had to do lunges, while going down the block. THEN I had to skip AND reach for the sky while going down the block. THEN I HAD TO KICK BOX WHILE GOING DOWN THE BLOCK!!! I was all worn out and my foot had not even darkened the gym door yet.
We get back to the gym and work on the dreaded core with the balance ball, squats, weights, and more lunges. Then we go upstairs to the machines. On one machine I was supposed to pull the weight to my sides and then behind me. Well Rambo holds my hands when they are behind me. To stretch fully he says.
Stretching out time is another whole series of loosening up the muscles. My muscles got so loose, I had to sit down I was so jittery. Not to worry, Rambo modifies real quick and we stretch even more while sitting down!
BTW, I have lost 4 lbs since the 15th! Am pretty shocked by that.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Well just got back from trainer time with Rambo. He has me get there early so I can do cardio i.e. treadmill or bike for about 20 minutes before we start our session. Tonight we did the balance ball. I was much steadier I think. We did side kicks and front kicks. These nearly killed me. I was holding onto to him and a machine for support! But I did them. They are harder than I thought and they pull muscles I didn't know I had.
Then we had to get on the mat ON THE FLOOR!!! We did bike simulations. You raise the right knee to meet the left elbow or in my case you get them to wave at each other. LOL It was a real chore to get down on the mat. Getting back up off the mat required Rambo pulling me up.
We did the leg press machine, and the two more weight lifting machines. Then we stretched everything out. Then Rambo says to hold onto a machine and he takes my foot and BENDS MY LEG AND TAKES IT BEHIND ME. SO I AM STANDING LIKE A CRANE WITH MY LEG HIKED UP OVER MY BUTT AND RAMBO DOESN'T LET GO UNTIL IT HAS BEEN AT LEAST A MINUTE. Then he does my other leg.
I go back on Wednesday night for another session. He said we are going to do weights and then we are going for a power walk around downtown Little Rock. I told him that sounded pretty cool. We agreed I am going to do 1 session a week from now on.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Gained 1 lb. Am not surprised there. However, and I don't know how to say this correctly but...I feel more 'compact' not as jiggly. Energy level is still good and is slowly getting higher. Did NOT do 5k walk today. Plans changed at the last minute.
Concentrating on drinking the water or crystal light. We have these big mug things at work. I have been drinking 1 a day. Am going to 2 - 3 a day starting Monday. Cokes are down to 1 or less a day. These are real cokes. I don't do the unleaded versions. I do like Tab. Maybe I should pick some of those up.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Just learned yesterday, Rambo is going to weigh me AND MEASURE ME MONDAY NIGHT. The man is also having me sign some papers, that in effect says, if he kills me during a workout, he is not responsible!!!!!! HE IS GOING TO WEIGH ME AND TAKE MEASUREMENTS. HE IS GOING WHERE NO ONE, EXCEPT GOD, HAS GONE BEFORE WITH SCALES AND A TAPE. I am so freaking out.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Today is the 3 months anniversary of the year long marathon. I walked on the treadmill at lunch for 30 minutes at 2.0 mph. Completed 1 mile. Forgot my gym shoes. Word to the wise, never, ever walk for 30 minutes on a treadmill in regular shoes. I have blisters now to prove why that is not a good idea.
People, I have had a 'not good' 2 weeks. I haven't worked out like I should have, and I have been eating Blue Bell ice cream at night. Keshia told me today I had to recognize I am only human and a few mistakes do not a failure make. So today, I am back renewed, recognizing that when I fall, I can choose to stay down or get back up. I am choosing to get up.
Will post my 3 months pictures this weekend. Camera battery is dead today.
Am working 12 hour days this week. Had to cancel with Rambo for Thursday. He emails back and wants to know my schedule for fri/sat/sun. I told him I had to work until 8 on friday, saturday is the 5k walk/run, and sunday I am out of town. So he said what about Monday? I told him I work from home on Mondays and wouldn't be downtown at 6 like usual. He told me to come to the gym at 7. So come hell or high water I will be back at the gym with Rambo on Monday at 7 for an hour of finding my intensity. Do you see why I like him? He just doesn't take no for an answer.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Today I did 1/2 mile around my neighborhood. Didn't have time for more. Saturday is going to kick my butt. I can already tell it. I ordered some new workout capri length leggings. Hope they come in before Saturday. Capri length is a REAL stretch for me.
Went down to what I though was the entrance to this Murray Park (where the walk is being held Saturday). If I was at the right place, then crap. I will have to walk a mile just to get to the race starting point and the Big Dam Bridge. I'll be all raced out before I even start.
I hope the tee shirts are cutesy. Will have my camera to document all the 5k moments!!!
Friday, September 10, 2010
So today I signed up for the 5k walk for the juvenile diabetes organization. You know the Gym Virgin will do anything for a free tee shirt! It is Sept 18th at THE BIG DAM BRIDGE!!! Turns out it starts in the park and then goes across the bridge. Keshia is going to this too. April can't go and she thinks I am going to pass out. That is certainly possible. But here's the thing, there is no shame in trying and failing. Shame comes when you fail to try.
Looks like I will have several dates with the Big Dam Bridge this week to get ready for my very first 5k!!!!!!!!Now I am a 5k Virgin as well!!!!
Laters!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Today Today Today....Husband pumped up the balance ball deal like I have at the gym. Has been in my closet for 5+ years. The thing about the ball is, well, it is a ball which means it rolls and moves like a bowl of jello. I take said ball and put it behind my back and lean against a wall. Then I move ever so slowly down the wall and then back up again. THIS IS ALOT HARDER THAN IT SOUNDS!
Next on the at home agenda is free weights. 5lbs in each hand, pull them up to chest height, then out to the side, then back to the chest. 15 reps, rest 15 more reps. Rambo told me last week there is not any difference between regular weights and the kettle bell weight. SHAPE magazine touts the kettle bell weight like it is the end all be all of exercise equipment. If Rambo says there is no difference, then that is good enough for me.
Lunges, with no hands!!!!! Guys this is so significant for me. I have such balance issues to deal with. Seeing as how I want Santa Clause to bring me a Regions Bank green bike or an orange bike, I have to get this balance issue nipped in the bud.
Finished the evening with step ups on one of those aerobic stepper deals. Another thing I have had for 5+ years. It was hid under the sofa.
Tomorrow, after work, going to the little gym in my building. I have a hot date with the mountain climbing program on the treadmill. I noticed at the big gym they had hula hoops. I wonder if Rambo can teach me to hula hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Laters!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
So I have an interview this week. I wanted something to wear that looked snazzy. I go to the store and pick this turquoise long lite sweater thing. It would look good with black pants and tank or a white shirt. Then I went to the accessories department. And that's when it happened. I saw a display of belts...black belts, silver belts, white belts, brown belts, red belts. It occured to me that I, Gym Virgin, can probably wear a belt loosely thrown round a shirt with the sweater thing on top of that.
So there I stood for about 10 minutes, looking, not touching, not trying on, just looking at the belts and letting that realization sink in. The last time I wore a belt was 1978.
Tomorrow, I am going back to try on the belt. And dare I say it...I might just buy the belt.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Today I washed my car. You know how they have that brush you can soak up and really go all over the car to get the dirt off? Well usually I don't do that because it just wore me out. I couldn't hardly breathe. WELL, TODAY I DID THE WHOLE CAR WITH THE SOAKING BRUSH SCRUBBER!!!! It is the little stuff like this that just gives me the biggest thrill. Normal things that I can do now, that I couldn't do prior to June 15, 2010.
THEN...I went to Lake Valencia in Maumelle and walked the trail for 1.25 miles! Plus it wasn't even that bad. I was sweating to beat the band, but I wasn't totally exhausted. Rambo told me to always focus on the things I want out of this exercise. So on the whole walk I pictured my happy, sassy self strutting around in pink boots come December!
Now, I am going out side to clean my patio furniture.
Laters!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
So tonight was my night with the trainer. Keshia was there tonight too. I get there 10 minutes early and start doing the recumbent bike. Did 1.58 miles. Then Rambo shows up. We start by working on the "core." Let me just say right now I hate the core. This is when I got the throw up feeling last time. We do weights. Lots and lots of weights. We lift, breathe, lift, breathe. Then we do lunges. Rambo wants me to do them without holding onto any support i.e. balance on the one leg and lunge to a 90 degree right angle. I whine, I carry on, I lunge. I do 6 without holding onto anything and 8 barely touching the machine. Then I switch sides and do 15 without holding onto anything!
Now my protocol last time was to stop and watch when Keshia did her reps. DID NOT HAPPEN THIS TIME. Oh no, right after I get finished, Rambo is telling me to keep doing stretches, breathing etc. Stay Loose he says.
Next we go to the balance ball. This scares me. I perch on top of the ball holding Rambo's hands. He gets behind me and is holding the ball still. I have to do sit ups and lean back until I can touch his chest. I swear that man kept moving further and further back. He says he didn't but I beg to differ. Keshia goes to do her reps. I tip toe over to a corner, thinking he would not think to tell me to do anything.BUT I WAS WRONG. HE FOLLOWED ME. He made me put my leg upon a bench, balance, and do stretches!!!! Do you have any idea how hard that is????
Next it is machine time. Friends, you just haven't lived until you have someone positioning your legs onto a machine that you have no hope on God's green earth of ever positioning yourself into. I am telling you nothing deters Rambo. You don't just sit down on the machine and work it. you have to mold yourself into the contortion that will fit you to the machine. This is when he tells me I am going to find my intensity. I have to exercise, I have to remember to breathe, I have to remember to keep my core straight, my knees bent, my arms strong, AND I have to stay focused!!!!
All in all, I have to admit, it was a good workout. Rambo keeps me on task and does not let up. The Gym Virgin needs that!
Signed up for the 5k Susan B. Komen walk/run in October today.
Monday, August 30, 2010
So I am flipping thru the new issue of SHAPE magazine and discover some really easy recipes with 6 ingredients or less! I don't cook very well. My prerequisite for any recipe is preferably 5 ingredients or less, but I am willing to add 1 more item if the finished product is worth it. Saw this recipe for pasta and spinach leaves. I thought you could only eat spinach leaves like in a salad. Who knew you could cook this stuff? Anyways the spinach leaves cook down with tomatoes etc; then you put it in the cooked pasta. I am going to try this out this week. Will let you know how that goes. The magazine gives you a shopping list for the whole week of recipes. They have a list of what they consider 'standard' pantry fare...let's just say my pantry is lacking.
On the last page of the mag, they feature a reader and their weight/health journey. The Gym Virgin has her sights set on that little feature page. Let me tell you. Not today, but some day.
Did some walking today. Must do better tomorrow. About to do some lunges before going to bed. They help with balance. My balance is just awful.
Laters!
P.S. I just noticed the day counter is on 288! Time is definitely marching on. Just yesterday it was in the 300s.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I want to invite you to click on the "follow" link on the left and join the "I am following the Gym Virgin" team! Takes about 2 minutes or less to do. Post your picture! I will enjoy 'meeting' you. Also please feel free to hit the "f" button below, after each blog, and share this on your facebook page. The comments I get some days are the only thing that makes me move my happy self to the gym or outside. BELIEVE ME, I NEED YOU GUYS!!!!!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Turns out I got my Thursdays mixed up. My trainer is NEXT Thursday. So today I went to the gym with Keshia and Jasmine. I did the treadmill hill climbing program. It had a 7.5% incline at 2.0 mph. I was holding on for dear life people. Sweat was pouring off me. Was a 15 minute program. Then I went to recumbent bike and did the mountain climbing deal on it. 15 minutes there. This program goes up and down continuously. Just when you think the mountain is over, BAM here it comes again. All in all, good workout!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Am doing more weights at home today! Once you get used to the 5 lb weights, it is really not so bad. And it doesn't take that much time.
I was thinking today about all the things I have said "no" to because I didn't think I would fit. All the times I made up excuses because I didn't think I would fit. All the times I let life pass me by, because I didn't think I would fit.
1. Was in Georgia for a conference, my friend Kathi wanted me to go downtown with her to see the musical "Wicked". Worried about theater seats.
2. Fishing with Husband.
3. Restaurants that have booths and do not offer tables.
4. Going to see my sister on Southwest Airlines.
5. Taking a back seat whereever I go because I don't want to block anyone.
6. Not getting a pedicure because of the elevated spa chairs.
7. Not going to the mall, because it wore me out.
8. Not going to Arkansas Razorback football games or similiar events.
9. Not going to see my niece play soccer in Little Rock.
and the list goes on and on.
PEOPLE, THE WORD "NOT"IS NO LONGER IN MY VOCABULARY.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Husband and I get out there about 7:00. Kids, I have to say and I can't believe I am saying it but IT WAS MUCH EASIER THIS TIME OVER LAST MONTH! Do you believe it? I am not saying it was not hard. I am just saying I died a little less this time. We went over 1/2 way across. Course I was dripping wet with sweat, but I wasn't passing out like last time.
Laters!
Update on thursday training. had to reschedule to this coming week. Talked to Keshia who had her one on one with Rambo. She said he was of a totally different mindset i.e. she worked her butt off for the hour. Did alot of floor exercises and free weight lifting deals.
Told the husband I am going to the Big Dam bridge tonight. I want to be on top of the bridge at sunset. I want to take pictures of the sun meeting the water. Naturally, husband thinks I won't be safe, so he says for the good of the cause he is going to drag his happy self up the Big Dam bridge with me. He has to be my protector. Which is ok, as I like being protected:) Is he a trooper or what? Anyways, pictures to follow of this later today/tonight.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Well today I took a discretionary day from work i.e. the Gym Virgin calls this a I just wanna have fun and do nothing day! So that is what I did. First stop mani/pedi shop. I don't know what the heck that little guy is saying to me and I don't really care as long as he makes my hands and feet look cute. Then I went to the fat lady store to remind myself why I hated it. I walked around. Vowed to never be this again and left. Then took my happy self over to another much cuter trendier store and tried on clothes. I tried on everything. I did not buy anything. I could really see some difference in the shirts. There was one that was a deep red. The front had some kind of design thing on it, but it was the back that I liked. At the top, probably about 2 inches from the neckline and going down about 6 inches, it was cut into strips. The slashes run side to side. It sounds awful, but boy was it cute. Saw a lime green jacket that I loved!!!! Am promising myself something new by my birthday in October.
Was going to go to gym, but NOT. So I have been a lazy Gym Virgin all day long. Will probably get my fluffy butt kicked tomorrow night by Rambo during our training hour.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Today is the start of a new week! I am at home working. Am doing the weight training book I told you about last week. Doing it in 10 minutes sections as time permits. Will get in 3 segments by 6:00. Then I am doing a step up and down deal on this little step up bench that I have had under the couch for 6 years. It is an aerobic step up bench deal. I am going to do step ups during commercials tonight when I am watching my recording of Mad Men. (Can I just say here that I adore Don Draper? If you don't watch this, you should:) That should be all total another 20 minutes. Doing what I can kids.
I am not where I want to be; but I am better than I used to be; and I am not as good as I am going to be!
Let's keep it moving...Later!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
I have been doing this for 2 months today! I have not always been good. However, I have never, EVER, done exercise this long in my entire life! I lost 3 more pounds this month; making a total of 6 lbs all together. I wish I had measured inches when I started, but I didn't.
My workout pants are baggy AND Friday I wore jeans that I haven't had on my fluffy butt in 2 years! Unbelievable. I am beginning to think I might just really and truly do this.
See pics below, at bottom of page!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Today, I would like to introduce you to my new trainer, Mr. Paris Star AKA Rambo. Yes, I have hired a trainer whose name sounds like an adult movie title...AND I THINK HE IS FREAKING AWESOME!!!! He is efficient. He emails me to confirm our sessions. I like that. He has a plan for me. I like that. He is willing to modify when needed. I like that. He is high energy. I like that. Now, of course, my opinions may all change after this Thursday when it is one on one time...just the Gym Virgin and Rambo. Last Thursday I had Keshia there with me and I could 'rest' when Rambo was concentrating on her. We'll see.
Upcoming Events...
October 16th is the Susan B. Komen walk/run. Have been talked into participating in this.
December 4th is the Jingle Bell Rock walk/run. Have recruited April, Keshia, and Takisha for team Gym Virgin! If you would like to be a member of team Gym Virgin, let me know!
(This is just blowing my mind I am even talking about walk/run events. Two months ago I would not have believed it. If I can do this, believe me friends, anybody can. Of course, I will do just about anything for a free T-shirt!)
Tomorrow is August 15th! Month 2 is coming to a close.I will post the new weigh in totals and new picture.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Just came from the gym with Rambo trainer for my first session. My friend, Keshia, went to the session as well. On the way to the gym I am playing the Rocky theme over and over in my head. I am pumped, ready to go. Woo Hoo it is trainer time!
Fast forward one hour and I am hurting like I never have in my life. I wobbled to my car and wondered if I even had the strength to drive it home.
People, I am telling you I HAVE BEEN TRAINED!!!! First thing we did was to go upstairs and do a warm up i.e. 10 minutes on the treadmill. Then we go downstairs to the weight room. Rambo likes to work the top of the body, then the middle, then the bottom. Now Rambo had scientific names for this like quads and abs and all that crap but you get the idea. We get to the weight bench or bench press. I told him I have alot of trouble with balance. Laying on that skinny bench like to have killed by back, plus I thought I was going to fall off. If my butt weren't so fluffy, then my feet could have touched the floor. Rambo said we would modify. I have learned 'modify' is a key word.
We go up the stairs to a machine bench press and I did that for 10 reps. Next we go back down stairs and get out the balance ball. The idea was to lay on that and do sit ups. No can do. The Gym Virgin rolled off the ball onto the floor and had to do a contortion to get back off the floor. At this juncture, I believe Rambo is getting the picture of my abilities. He has an excel spreadsheet of my proposed workout plan. He is marking it everytime I do something, the reps, how much weight, etc. He is also going to calculate what my heart rate should be.
Next we do several weight lift deals with our arms, 10 reps each side. Rambo says we do this in front of the mirror for motivation. All I can say is you haven't lived until you are exercising in front of a full length mirror. Rambo said I was to look in the mirror and FOCUS. Turns out I tend to look at the floor. Rambo says I can't do that.
Then we did lunges. I held onto Rambo's shoulder for this. In the future, he says I will not get to hold on to him but will instead use hand weights while lunging. Lunges were 10 reps each side.
Next more weight deals where you hold the weight and bend over and lean down to your knee. 10 reps each side. Rambo says not to move your hips but keep them still and bend from the waist. He also says not to lock your arms. He talks alot about muscle safety and not hurting yourself. At this point, I literally thought I was going to throw up. I felt nauseaous. We stopped for about a minute. He says this is 'pause for a cause'. Then we did breathing stretches, inhale...exhale. Surprisingly this helped alot. Husband used to tell me how he threw up during football practise back in the day. I totally get that now.
Next we go upstairs and did leg strengthening machine where you push yourself backwards with your legs. 10 reps. We did some more stuff, but my brain hurts and I can't remember.
We talked about the Big Dam Bridge and Rambo says we will go there and go over that thing. Turns out he runs that all the time with the girlfriend. That just figures.
It is now straight up 7:00 and my hour is over. NOT!!!! We then have to go to the aerobics room and do cool down stretches. We stretched, we shook it out, we bent, we curved, we worked it all out.
Kids, I have to tell you after tonight, the thought of eating anything non healthy makes me ill. I mean why would I do all that work just to mess it up with wrong food???
Rambo and I will be meeting every other Thursday to start. Will start 1 week from tonight. If I can live to tell about it, I think this will be a real good thing.:)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Am in a very I-don't-even-know-what-kind-of-a-mood. I feel whaleish. It's too hot for anything. I am doing weights (5 lbs) with a book I have had for ages. Something called Kim Lyons' Your body, your life. It has different paths in it for the weights. Sister recommended it several years ago. Anyways that is tonight's deal. It is really a good book. Tomorrow night is my 1 hour session with the trainer dude. I am really looking forward to it actually. Hard to believe, but I am. Sorry for being such a debbie downer tonight. I told my friend, Keshia I was kind of afraid of the trainer. And she said, "Don't be afraid, be ready!" I like that. I made a copy of the saying and put in on my desk. Because I am ready. I just want ready to happen alot quicker than it is.
Later.
Monday, August 9, 2010
4:12 pm
Because I work at home on Mon/Tues now, I went up at noon to the senior center to sign up for their gym. The cost is like $ 16 period for the rest of the year. Senior center is for people 50 and over. They have ellipticals, bikes, tread mills, and a sitting down elliptical deal. Now the down side is they are only open till 6:30 pm. So I am going to have to bust it to get up there when I get off at 5:30. Should be able to do 30-40 minutes up there on these two at home days. It is so freaking hot outside I just don't see any other option at this point.
6:45 pm
Went to gym. Did the sitting down elliptical deal for 25 minutes. did the mtn range program with a resistance of up to 14. covered 4.25 miles. let me tell you this is h-a-r-d for the Gym Virgin. Then I did 5 minutes on the treadmill to cool down. Then the place closed up. My head hurts today. I feel dizzy. Later.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Well it is 4 days until D-Day with my Rambo trainer. I have never had a housekeeper, but I have heard people say they clean up their house before the housekeeper gets there so it won't look so bad. I get that now. I am going to go into workout overdrive for the next 4 days! I mean, come on, from what I can tell trainer guy is going to kill me. I need a fighting chance.
On another note, I am more convinced than ever that I need to come up with a line of workout wear for the fluffy. I mean, let's face it even socks leave rings on my ankles. I hate that! It cuts off circulation i.e. ankle swells. I don't know how to get started in something like this, but I definitely have ideas on what is needed.
I was in Academy of Sports this week (which by the way does not have one single, solitary item for the fluffy workout person) and they had a line of Nike gym bags all lined up across the front of the store. They were all either black, navy, or a combination of those two boring colors. My vision is to see gym bags lined up across the front of the store in lime green, blazing orange, lemon tree yellow, peacock blue, cotton candy pink, ruby red, etc all with the logo 'Gym Virgin' blaring across the front of it. or maybe "I am a Gym Virgin" across the front. Whatya think?
Also in the Academy of Sports I perused the bike aisle. The bikes are up on displays above the floor and in most cases above your head. The bikes are predictable bikey colors. Why can't there be a display of bikes in colors like the gym bags I want? Why can't they have the bikes displayed in a circle format. By that I mean the bikes could be in a pinwheel format that would be visually stimulating and create a klaidescope of color and would have to promote more interest than what they have now.
WHERE'S THE COLOR PEOPLE????? I LIKE MY WORLD IN BOLD, VIVID COLOR.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Well kids, I have fallen off the wagon or have I gotten on the wagon? Well, either way (insert sad face here) I did not exercise today AND I went out to eat AND I ate chinese food AND last night I had pizza. I know, I know, I know. I just want to keep it honest and real here. I feel like a pig. What was I thinking? Now I will have to work twice as hard to make up for this horrible lapse in judgment. AGH!!!!
From time to time when I come upon a terrific workout find, I will share it with you guys. Today's find is the neatest little watch ever. It is a one piece rubber deal that comes in all colors (solids, tie dye, two toned, glitter, gold, silver, bronze), is lightweight, waterproof, and the one I picked will glow in the dark. How cool is that??? I picked the neon green. They are all $ 20-22 and come in 3 sizes. The reason I like it is it will allow me to keep up with my time. Dripping sweating will not affect it and if I fall out on the floor... the watch will not break! Add to that it is just so darned cute. To go to the website, just click on the picture of my watch.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Well today I go down to case the "spinning" room. Tomorrow is the day for the class. The instructor is there. Her name is Anna. Before I knew what was happening, she had me weighing and then was showing me the spin bikes. Now people I was not prepared for that at all. I was down there on my break.
These spin bikes are on a pedastal thing. Anna jumps onto the bike from the rear. MEANING SHE JUMPED FROM THE FLOOR, OVER THE SEAT, AND ONTO THE BIKE. And then she said "you try it." I said Anna are you freaking kidding me? I was looking for a way to lean the bike over so I could get my leg over the middle bar. I couldn't even move the bike it was so heavy. So Anna gets behind and starts shoving my fluffy butt up and over the bar and boom bada bing I am on the bike. Do you have any idea what it is like to have someone you have just met grabbing your butt? Once up there on mt everest bike, I couldn't get down. I could not reach the floor. I had to hold onto to Anna, lean sideways, and literally fall off the bike. My hair was already sweating wet. I can see how I would lose weight on that thing. Crap, I could never get off. I made an executive decision and told Anna I don't think I am ready for spinning at this point in time. I figure if you can't get on and off a machine by yourself, then maybe, just maybe, you are not ready for it.
Go back to my desk and see we got an email from someone who works at the company and is also a trainer. He charges $ 10 for one hour. First session is free. I sent him an email that said:
I would like to try a session on Thursday August 12. I am 53. Need to lose 150 lbs. and have only been exercising with any regularity for 48 days. Also bear in mind I tend to whine...a lot. Assume you will be tough. Also I tell everything on my blog. I will probably post your workout spreadsheet (if ok with you) on there. My blog followers cheer me on. This also goes on facebook. I have already told two people over here about you and they agree I should be the guinea pig on this deal.If any of the above has not scared you off, I will see you on August 12.Is 6:00 ok? Let me know.P.S. I have a sense of humor and hope you do as well.
Well, he sent me back the following proposed list of what we will cover in our session. I think the guy must be ex-military. I think I have hired Rambo.
Upper Body
Bench Press
Lateral Raise
Bicep Curl
Scapular Depressor (this sounds painful)
front/side raise
Mid Body
Abs-hip lift
6 Inches
2 Leg Kick outs
Over head Oblique
Weighted Obliques
Planks ( as in walk the plank, what the crap)
Scissors
Reach Crunch
Back-Mountain Climber
Low Back Raise
One Sided Dumbell Pick up
Low Back Machine
Lower Body
All Four Raised (what am I going to be raising here???)
Leg Press
Lunge
Dumbell Squat
Quad Machine
Toe Raise
Cardio
Elliptical (the devil machine)
Jogging
Aerobics
Bicycle
Walking
Stretch
Nowhere on this list do I see the words, BREAK AND LET FLUFFY WOMAN BREATHE.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
LET'S GIVE EM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT...By Miss Bonnie Raitt. Now that is what I am talking about at 7:06 in the am! Am working at home 2 days a week now. TOTALLY SWEET. Sweat is dripping, feet are tapping, have walked 1/2 mile. plan to do another round at lunch today at 1:45.................WOOHOO let's get this Tuesday started!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Well it is only 125 degrees out there. LOL Was a little overcast. Walked around my block. Did a little more than 1/2 mile. Found this snazzy moisture wicking headband online. Definitely ordering one tonight. Wish it was bright green or orange. But oh well.
Husband has grilled chicken. and I don't even want a bite. just water. just some fruit. BTW went to the Sonic and got a water with cherry flavoring. SWEET! during happy hour it was only 49 cents. Man, I love a deal!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Too, too hot for the big dam bridge. decided to do an exercise show on fit tv. the dude's name is gilad. today's show was probably not that difficult for non fluffy people. however for me, it required holding on to the husband for stability. we did things with and without weights. now gilad got down on the floor for part of it. I have one of those exercise ball deals in my closet. It has been there for about 7 years. I assume it will blow up. I think I read somewhere if you can't get to the floor you should use a ball to lean on????? Does anybody know???? Am all out of breathe. I want to take a class so bad but am horribly afraid my lack of rhythm and coordination will even be more evident. How do you become so fluid and artful in movement? I still clunk around. Will it ever happen??????
Worked this am. After work went to a big ladies store. I hate that place. Was going to get a couple of shirts. But I decided right then and there I am NEVER going to buy anything in there again. If I have to wear holes in the clothes I have, then I will. The next outfit I buy will NOT have a "Catherine's" price tag on it.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Ya'll I have loose jeans. in the leg area. I thought it was just the bag out after wearing them a while. But they are loose. At least I hope they are. I have been wearing the same jeans since Bill Clinton went to the White House, the first time.
Tomorrow I am going to the movies. I am NOT going to have popcorn and coke. I usually have a tub of corn with extra butter and a huge coke. NOT TOMORROW. I think I will put some grapes in a baggy and take in a bottle of water. Tonight we had hamburgers and I ate a cupcake.
At work the little gym sent out a notice about two FREE classes for August; Body Sculpting and Spinning. I asked April about Spinning. She said it is a bike, high up in the air, you are leaned over it and pedaling. We don't know what Body Sculpting is. I emailed the gym master and asked if a beginner with only 46 days of exercise history could do the spinning class. Will see what she says on Monday.
Tomorrow evening I am going back to the scene of the crime...The Big Dam Bridge. Can I make it all the way across? I think I hear my sister's voice screaming from St. Louis, she is saying I can do it.LOL
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Something I have always wanted to wear are boots. Funky, snazzy, pointy toe boots! Generally speaking boots are not fluffy people friendly. While in El Do I went to Shelley's Shoes on the square and found these two awesome boots. No, I didn't get them because I can't wear them YET! If you have never been to Shelley's you owe it to yourself to go. She has so many cute and eclectic things. I think the pink leather ($125) ones are to die for. The psych colorful pair are actually rubber rain boots ($40). My goal is to be able to buy and wear these in December.
Have been on exercise hiatus for two days. I am telling you the 1 hour walk and the Big Dam Bridge wore me out. Back to work tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sweat is running down my back into my pants down my leg and into my socks. I am about to pass totally out.
I go down to Lake Willastein in Maumelle. Going to walk the 1.1 mile portion of the track around the lake. Start out strong even tho the sun is blaring its 95 degree self. The city evidently thinks these goose or geese or whatever the crap they are supposed to be are an enhancement to the scenery. THEY ARE NOT. They are little squawking, pooping, annoying creatures. One section of the track was covered with poop. Not to mention it stinks to high heaven. I hold my breathe and get on with it.
Am walking into the full sun and start to lag, drink water and anticipate the shady part of the track. Some old geezer on a bike passes me. I go thru the shady part and get to the last 1/3 of the track only to find the city of Maumelle has barricaded the bridge which connects the two track sides that I want!!! I stopped and watched some other people to see if they would ignore the barricade. The goody two shoes that they are, they did not... they walked on. I wanted so bad to go over the barricade. I mean the bridge looked fine to me. But I was afraid it would break or something so I trudged on. Now I have to take an alternate path that makes the walk twice as long. I drink all of my water, and am one step away from filling my bottle up in the lake and drinking it.
It is at this point I know how people in the desert see mirages, I thought I saw my car 3 times. When I meet people on the track everybody feels obligated to say something to me. Like how's it going? hot ain't it? Now here's deal, when you see a fluffy woman trying to suck the last drop out of a water bottle that has collapsed from the pressure it is not likely she can respond to your banter.
All total, I walked for 1 solid hour. I finally get back to the car and tell my husband the saga and he says "well that's great! you got in some extra walking!" (insert your own answer here. I will let you imagine what I told him)
Monday, July 26, 2010
It's 8:39. I am in my hotel room. In 45 minutes I have to meet Sister and Niece in the lobby. I will have to crawl down there because right now people, I CAN BARELY LIFT MY FINGERS TO TYPE THIS BLOG POST. My legs hurt, my face hurts, my butt hurts, my arms hurt, basically it is a full body hurt going on here.
Sister just called my room. She has just come from the hotel workout room. She is informing me what they have down there. She is also telling me I made her sound AWFUL on yesterday's post. Somehow that makes it all worth it.LOL
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Well I slept with my cell phone in my hand because I didn't want to miss hearing the alarm for the 7:00 Big Dam Bridge workout with the St. Louis trainer nazi AKA my sister, Sherri. I wasn't about to be the one who wimped out, because I knew she would be the one banging on my door telling me to get it in gear! The alarm goes off and I sneak tippy toe into the living room and was estatic I didn't hear any sounds of life from the guest room. THE SISTER OVERSLEPT. Yippie Ki Yeah! No Big Dam Bridge workout!
Then she woke up.
And we strap on our smiley faces and tennis shoes and leave for the Big Dam Bridge. People, my sister does not have an "off" switch. She literally hits the ground running. I hit the ground, then stop, and think about how I am going to run, when I am going to run, and even if I am going to run!
We get to the bridge to which she informs me it is not a steep incline at all. I have to object here. I mean come on, I am practically going to be walking horizontally.
We start the walk. I am carrying my water bottle and my camera. I had already given Sister my car keys to carry for me. She says in 5 minutes we will stop and check my pulse. It has to be 20 beats per 10 seconds otherwise I am not burning fat. I thought this meant we would actually STOP. Oh no, trainer nazi meant we slow down and check our pulse while still going!!!!! My 1st check was at 18. "Ah Hah" she says. "This means you have to go faster!" Faster, crap I was already dragging and begging for mercy. I decide to lighten the load and gave Sister my water bottle to carry.
Second check was at 19. You guessed it, I have to go faster! We were fast approaching the middle way point where I might add they have nifty little benches, not that my butt got to sit on one. We paused for 3 seconds and then she commanded I had to keep going to the end of the flag line they had on the bridge. I had to lighten again, so I gave her my camera to carry. I would like to interject at this point I wanted to throw my sister off the Big Dam Bridge.
I trudge on. By this time she is carrying my car keys, my water bottle, and my camera. She is also walking, more like sprinting, backwards, watching me, telling me to pick up the pace, and TALKING ON THE PHONE. When the last flag is visible to me I wanted to turn around. NO NO She said, I have to go all the way to the flag. I have to be lined right up with the stinking flag. I then surmised the walk down the incline would be a piece of cake. But heck no. Sister says I have to walk even faster because now we are going down hill!!! I am now thinking Sister missed her calling as a drill sargeant in the Marines.
We get all the way off the bridge and I am thinking collapse time but oh no no no. Sister says we have to walk along the path by the river and then walk back up that. I am telling you this woman does not know the meaning of the word STOP. She's blathering on about heart rate and what I need to be doing and what if she lived here and we could do this every day. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
To put it lightly, if Sister lived in Little Rock and did the workout with me everyday...I would have already lost 50 lbs. I would be dead, but thinner. The scary thing is I know she is going to be calling me about this week's workout. I already hear her voice in my head saying "Faster, Faster, Faster." She's already planning my next weekend's walk all the way across the Big Dam Bridge. AGH!!!!!
P.S. I love you, Sister!
So we take my sister and niece and daughter out to eat mexican food. I was good and got the quesadia as planned. Then I said "Why don't we show ya'll the Big Dam Bridge, since I have blogged about it and all". So we go down there and the next thing I know my sister is saying "oh yeah we can come back here early in the morning and walk this thing, get the heart rate up, ya ya ya ya." THE WOMAN IS PLANNING A MARATHON ON THE BIG DAM BRIDGE ON SUNDAY MORNING AT 7:00 AM!!!!!" I said are you mental? I wasn't planning to walk this thing this weekend, I just wanted to show it to you. Well then she started telling me how we are going to check my heart rate while walking the Big Dam Bridge and how my heart rate has to be 25 beats per 10 seconds or some such CRAP. PEOPLE, I AM GOING TO BE ON THE BIG DAM BRIDGE AT 7:00 AM TOMORROW! I can assure you tomorrow's posting is going to be a doozy!
I am also going with her to El Do tomorrow evening to see our parents. Well then she starts saying "Oh yeah, the hotel has a treadmill we want to be sure and use that." I wouldn't be at all surprised if she didn't whip out a coach's whistle from her pocket. THE GYM VIRGIN IS STRESSING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
More and more things are amazing me. Used to I would circle a parking lot, sometimes up to 15 minutes trying to get a parking spot close to the store. Now I have started parking out away from the store and using that as an extra walking time. I have decided every little bit helps.
Today I planted flowers and cleaned the casa. My dear sister and my sweet niece are coming down tonight from St. Louis. April is coming over too! I have a chilled fruit tray and dip for when they get here. Somehow fruit tastes better now. I am not saying I eat totally healthy now, far from it. But I am starting to pay more attention to what I eat. I still have a love affair with ice cream. Every night I do have a bowl of ice cream. And this weekend we are going to eat mexican food. But instead of my usual chimichanga, I think I will order a quesadia or maybe taco salad. I don't know. All I really know for sure is this exercise thing has surprised the crap out of me.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
But today I have on a shirt that was too tight before. It is a summer sweater. And before it showed the rolls in the tummy area. I even thought about tossing it. Now it goes down pretty smoothly. I am definitely shocked.
Short day at gym. 22 minutes and 4.58 miles on bike. Then short walk downtown.
That's all folks!
Later!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Just got back from the workout. Goal for month two is 45 minutes each day. Today I did 2 minutes on the ellip, 15 minutes (3 miles) on the bike, two weight machines (30 reps each) and then I went to the track. Now the track is actually, much to my surprise, a floor of the building which they have taped off to resemble a track. It is really pretty cool because it twists and turns and you don't get bored. It is 1/20th of a mile around. I did 5 rounds. How much is that? Is that a mile? Is that part of a mile? I HATE NUMBERS AND ESPECIALLY DESPISE FRACTIONS. Somebody please do the math and let me know. Anyways all in all it was 45 minutes. I am so tired......
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Turns out the building I work in has a track! Who knew? Certainly not me. I have not seen said track but plan to do this on Tuesday. Keshia said she walks the straight stretches and runs the curves. How many curves are in a track? 2? 4? Guess I will find out. Today's agenda is washing my car.
First month's numbers are in:
Lost: 3 lbs
Gained: Energy and determination
Pictures are posted for the 1st month.
I didn't take a picture on June 15th, because quite frankly, I never thought I would even do this for more than a week. When I went thru all my photos, turns out I don't have that many. When you are extra fluffy, you don't tend to have photos around to remind you of that fact. And if by chance something got snapped by mistake, well then you always destroy that evidence. And there are never, ever any full body pictures. They just don't exist. So the "before" pic is from a couple of years ago. I actually thought I looked good that day. I am really baring my soul here. You can see the all over problem, stomach, hips, bust area is awful. Do you know I once even thought of asking a plastic surgeon if he could do an industrial strength tummy tuck, boob reduction, and all over lipo!!!!
But enough of all that! Let's concentrate on the July 15th first month of working out picture! TADA!!!! You will notice the smile! The I can conquer the world stance!!! Plus this tee shirt I have on was quite tight when I got it in April.
It's the simple stuff I didn't realize I had such a problem with. For instance, before June 15th, I could not even walk around the grocery store without wanting to sit down. Seriously, how pathetic is that! Yesterday, I cleaned the casa, prepared a roast dinner, went to the grocery, unloaded the grocery (typically husband does this), put away the grocery, and took 3 humongo bags to the trash. This doesn't sound like a lot of progress, but to me it is HUGE! Also I have these black legging things I use for the workout, now I know they are stretchy, but I may have to take the waist seam up in them. Guess I will break out the old sewing machine. Used to sew professionally and haven't had the machine out more than once or twice in 10 years.
I also went to Shape.com and registered on their site for additional tips and ideas. When funds are available, I want to subscribe to this mag.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
No gym today! April and I are about to go out walking. I have another problem. My ankles stay swelled up. All the freaking time. It is really getting to be a problem. They go down after I have been home a while. What is the deal?
Tonight's meal: egg white veggie omelette. yum yum. had a tomato on the side. Lunch was chicken salad and baked chips.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Went to gym at lunch today. BFF Keshia made me. I didn't want to go. She just raved about the treadmill so I thought why not. I set the treadmill with my real weight, selected calorie burner program, and was off to a wonderful start on a level path at 1.5 mph. I thought this isn't so bad. Look I can walk without holding on to anything. Aren't I just something. It was a peaceful, tranquil two minutes before all you know what broke loose!
The level path all of sudden went into the rocket launch mode and began to incline until I thought I would fall backwards. In addition, the mph jumped up to 4.0!!!!! DO YOU REALIZE HOW FREAKING FAST THAT IS FOR THE GYM VIRGIN??? I tried to hold on for dear life but the rails on this thing were too wide. All I could do was grab onto the cup holder, prayed I didn't break a nail, and hope for the best; all the time muttering "I am going to get Keshia for this!"
After that trauma, I went back to my old pal, recumbent bike for another 15 minutes.
Then I took my sweaty, hobbling self back to the locker room to assess the damage and question for the umpteenth time do I really want to do this? What do I care about the fitness hype? AGH!!!!!!!!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Went to an estate sale. They had a vintage 1950's bike. had flat tires. Husband said he could replace tires, would paint it lime green or orange or whatever I wanted. Decided the $ 15 price tag was to much so I put a $ 5 bid on it and WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I didn't get the bike. Why oh Why did I let $ 10 keep me from my dream wheels??????????????????????????
Mowing update...have mowed before and usually had to rest 1/2 way thru. But today, I mowed until it was done...no breaks!!!!
Today's exercise....I am mowing the yard. Yes with a push NOT self propelled mower thank you very much. Now granted my yard is small. But it is the mowing that counts!
Also I ate 2 cookies and drank a coke this morning. Of course I drink a coke every morning. Yesterday I did not drink a coke. Does coke make you retain fluids? I don't know that I can give up coca cola. Surely 1 coke a day cannot do much damage. Surely?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Got some feedback on FB that said I should hire a trainer. Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, I probably will have to veto that idea because it is so expensive to do that here. Now there is an onsite trainer at the Big Gym I might could check out her rates. Maybe since she works for the company it is a better deal. I will check that out. I hadn't event thought of that idea until now. Thanks FB people!
You should know, I wasn't going to tell you this, But yesterday when the 9:20 lunch crowd had their omelette extravangaza meal....................I INHALED. Now you know. I inhaled every stinking aroma of that food that I could. I inhaled all the way down to my toes. and it was goooooooooooooooooooooooood. I wish I had a an air freshner that was omelette scented. I would spray that all over the place.
Today I am going to do some fitTV stuff. Found some salsa dancing. I don't know that I am salsa material. But hey, it is my living room and I can dance if I want to.
Later!
Friday, July 9, 2010
I have a workout buddy!!!! My BFF Keshia from work is going to the gym too! It would be sweet if I got off work when she does. But oh well to that.
Today's excitement: did the usual recumbent bike a thon, then did leg press 20 reps, then some torture machine that reminds me of a gyn visit. It is a contortion where you set down, there is this weight thing that you put your legs on either side of and then you push the weights apart using your legs. Let me just say it is a good thing these machines come with pictures of what you are supposed to do because, honestly, I have no clue! Did 20 reps with that.
Then did another leg deal. In this you are sitting like you are in a high chair. Your feet go under this weight deal and you lift this weight up. A bar thing comes down in front of you which is where the high chair part comes in. Did 20 reps there as well.
Today, the 9:20 lunch crowd had omelettes, sausage, hash browns, and toast. I told them I hated them all! This as I ate a cheeze stick and drank water. All their food comes from the grill downstairs. Why is it that good food is always served up fresh and piping hot AND salads at the grill are prepackaged, stale, and about as appealing as beef jerky??? Why can't they have all kinds of greens, fresh tomatos, cucumbers, carrot shreds, onions, bell peppers, radishes, real croutons, and a nice vinegarette??? Why can't they have a soup bar? Why are all the healthy things so hard to get???
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Did you hear that? That was the sound of my scales going head first into the dumpster. They lured me back in. Got me to weigh again. You know the rest of that story. Anytime I tell someone I am doing a 1 year workout marathon, they immediately say "How much have you lost?" Boy, do I need a snappy come back to that one. I guess I could say oh it's not about the weight loss, it's about the experience itself, finding out who I really am ya ya ya. What a load that is.
Well, I am walking again. Now up to 1 1/2 miles. This is real,outside, in the elements walking not that namby pamby treadmill simulated walking stuff. This is real walking, with real people skating past me, with real dogs pooping on the walking trail, and with real bikers in spandex/helmets zooming past so fast I literally spin around and go the other direction. This is not for the faint of heart that's for sure!
FYI, today at work, the I-am-going-to-eat-lunch-at-9:30 am-crowd was at it even earlier today - 9:12 am. Today's sampling was meatloaf, potatos, gravy, and macaroni. And just so you know, this group's biggest person is a whooping size 6. Again, I ask you world, WHERE IS THE JUSTICE? I am a size XYZ and having a 4 ounce cup of yogurt, a banana, and a 1/2 of a celery stalk.
Speaking of sizes, when I know you better I am going to tell the tale of the tape on myself. I plan to post a 1 month picture on July 15th and then every month thereafter.
Later!
Monday, July 5, 2010
So on Sunday morning, I found myself thinking about the workout for Tuesday! Now, this really scares me. Could I possibly be looking forward to the workout? Have I crossed over to the dark side? And what if what I have always thought of as the dark side AKA exercise, is really the BRIGHT SIDE? What if it turns out I really like working out? This is MIND BOGGLING! What if it is not about how I look but how my body performs?
Here is what occurred to me. I was basing my day on what I was going to have for supper that night. In that, if we were having something crappy for supper, then I was in a bad mood pretty much the whole day. What if, I pondered, I start to look at food as a fuel and NOT as a focal point of the entire day???? What if I based my day on other things?
This led me to thinking what if I spent 30 minutes of my lunch hour at work in the gym? What if I ate a protein thing at morning break, then eat some fruit after the workout at noon, and then eat another protein at the afternoon break? My current behavior is to eat lunch I bring OR go down to the grill and get a hamburger and fries. What if I change my whole way of thinking about FOOD??? I am telling you this really scares me. I mean my whole 53 years has been about food in one form or another. WHAT IF I NO LONGER DEFINE MYSELF BY FOOD????????????????????????
I am able to tell a difference in my energy levels. I want to MOVE. This is so freaking me out. I have never had a MOVE mentality. Well at least not in terms of exercise. I have always been a perfectionist. Somehow this whole exercise thing has in some ways loosed me from that. My son told me yesterday not to compare myself with others. I think that is another thing I have always done whether consciously or unconsciously. I never thought exercise would have this kind of ripple effect.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Exercising at lunch at work is just like 9th grade P.E. class used to be back in the day (The day in this instance is 1971). You get all cute with hair and makeup, then you had to go to P.E. put on stinky clothes, get hot and sweaty AND then go back to afternoon classes. Do I need to tell you how much I hated P.E.? I didn't think so. All my friends were basketball players and I was like why do you like that? What am I missing here???
I have decided I am going to have to come up with a line of workout clothes for me and any other fluffy counterparts that are out there. Don't tell me to go to Just My Size.com. I have and those models are the size I aspire to be!!!!! I want real workout clothes, in vibrant colors, that just scream I am a Gym Virgin! I am on the hunt for a very light weight gym type bag that I can have monogrammed to say Gym Virgin. It has to have pockets on the outside, will sling across my body, and be waterproof.
One other thing, at my work people start bringing in food at 9:35 am. I mean heavy duty food like barbeque, burgers, chicken, etc. It is unbelievable! It is more than I can take when I stare down at my Yoplait yogurt in its tinsy ounce container. Where's the barbeque smelling yogurt?????????AGH!!!!!!
Did not go to gym. I am telling you the muscle I have pulled from that darn ellip hurts like all get out. I just did walking today.
The gym virgin is going to celebrate the 4th. See you on Tuesday, July 6th. Be ready to make up for lost time!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day started off good. Was thinking about the gym at 8:00 am and planning my lunch out routine. Then I got some negative news and BAM the day went down hill. But anyways, the 2 minutes from the ellip yesterday has given me aches in places I didn't know I had!
Did 2 more minutes on ellip again today. Did you know you have to set the ellip for 5minutes as that is the lowest it will go? Maybe I will be at 5 minutes in a few weeks, but definitely not now. Went from there to leg press. Did 35 reps on varying weights. Started at 3 and went to 5. Pretty heady stuff. Then I went to my old pal, the recumbent bike for 9 minutes. Also walked 1/2 mile after work. Although the scales are not my friend, turns out the pants I wear to work can now come off WITHOUT unzipping them. I am too paranoid to consider that a victory. Did that happen before and I just didn't know it? That's the way my mind works.
Went into locker room only to find a woman in the buff, parading around, going to the shower. Kids, I am not this evolved. This embarrasses me. Let me tell you a little story. In 1999, I started to college. I was 40 something. One class I took involved going to DC for legislative affairs etc. Me and 30 twenty somethings. We shared rooms. One day I walked into the hotel room to find two people who WERE NOT PAYING FOR THAT ROOM in the bed having sex. I told them quite calmly, that since their names were not on the register for that room I would suggest they vacate immediately. They had to slink out of the bed, wrapped in the sheets, and out into the hall. Didn't even faze me. That experience was not as bad to me as today's nude review in the locker room!
Next topic:
Today's menu was egg whites and 2 thin wheat toasts, turkey with lettuce/mustard, cookie 100 cal pack, 6 oz pepsi, tea, 6 crackers with peanut butter 2 tablespoons.
You know doing all this plus doing a debt diet is just about to take all the joy right out of my life. YES I AM IN A VERY BAD MOOD. Come on endorphins!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Today is day 16 of the workout year. No loss on scales. Therefore I AM NOT WEIGHING ANYMORE. That's it for me. Stupid, stupid scales. I HATE THE SCALES.
Went down to little gym at lunch. Said I wasn't going to do this again but oh well. Did 2 minutes on the ellip. The thing about this demon machine is that you can't make it stop. Your legs just keep moving and moving. I found a way around that, I just fell off. Not kidding. Then did the bike on fat burner mode for 15 minutes. Then did walking outside for 13 minutes. SO THERE...... 30 WHOLE MINUTES OF ACTIVITY.
Today I ate yogurt, a lunchables with turkey sub, an apple, a 100 calorie pack of midget cookies, diet coke, and crystal lite tea. Supper is yet to be decided.
Somebody told me about a show on fitTV called 'dance your butt off'. Am going to have to find this. Thanks Keisha!
You know those 18 free classes at the big gym? Well none of them are at night or after work. Which means how am I supposed to go to that?????? They have 1 aerobics class at 6 am. I don't know what level this is. I need virgin aerobics level. Maybe I can talk my supv into letting me trade some time so I can go to the dance class? I really want to go to that one. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Change of plans. Today was overcast and a balmy 86 degrees. I almost skipped to my car after work! What a difference 15 degrees makes. Decided to walk around downtown instead of the gym. Who knows when the temp will be like this again. Put all my stuff in the car and just went up one block and down another and another and another!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
So today I recorded "total body sculpt with gilad". Now Gilad aka rambo and his clones are using the beaches of Hawaii for their workout. Their backdrop is the ocean, sailboats, and the sound gentle waves lapping against the shoreline. I am, however, in a mobile home in North Little Rock with a backdrop of my kitchen bar that has a bowl of oranges on it and the sound of a cat who is mad I made him move from out of the middle of the floor.
In addition, one of the clones has on a ripped tshirt. Bought that way I am sure. I have on a torn tshirt because it it 10 years old and has holes in it from when the dryer got to hot and burnt it. It looks like somebody took a cigarette and made tiny holes all over it.
It did not escape my notice that the clones are all perfect bodied, tanned, toned, and showed no capacity for sweating that I could see. Again I am not motivated by seeing the 'after' people, I WANT TO SEE THE 'BEFORE' PEOPLE. GIVE ME SOME FLUFFY PEOPLE TO WORKOUT WITH. I want some whining, sweating, begging for mercy people to stand beside me and do this mess.
The show has four five minute segments. I lasted for 2. The moves they were doing were not that bad. It is just I am so out of shape. Will try for segments 3 & 4 later today. They involve hand weights. I just happen to have two 5 lb weights that have been used as paper weights for a number of years as well as to hold the door open on grocery day.
Have been cleaning the house and am about to skip joyfully down to the dumpster to take out two bags of trash. May just try for a few cartwheels on the way back.
Later!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Glad it is friday. Did bike at gym with real weight plugged in to it. I think the machine has an ugly side now that I have been totally honest with it. Seemed to be alot tougher on the hills in the program. But hey, maybe I imagined that. The walk to the car went really very well. It was 98 degrees. I only stopped once,(did not sit down),for about 30 seconds, then plowed on. I was quite pleased with myself. Now that is not to say I wasn't dripping wet with sweat, my eyes were glazed over, and my car seemed like an mirage in the desert BUT all in all it wasn't bad.
Also my daughter ran on the treadmill today for 45 SECONDS! Shocked her so bad that she could do that, that she just stopped cold. She has been walking for weeks and has participated in a 5k walk/run.
Got some good comments today on here and facebook about food choices. THANKS FRIENDS! Does anybody know if tortillas are ok with turkey by that I mean are they a better choice than wheat bread? Gotta get to the grocery tomorrow.
Regarding the scales, I just don't think I will weigh for a very long time. It just bums me out too much at this early stage of the game.
Next week I am going to the BIG gym.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Ok, so yesterday I didn't post. I had a job interview, then I worked over, then then then. THAT'S NOT THE REAL REASON I DIDN'T BLOG. The real reason is I weighed two days ago and I haven't lost one stinking ounce.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT ONE OUNCE. Now what do you have to say about that?????
Today I walked the 1/2 mile round trip to work. AND I went to the little gym and did the bike for 19 minutes and TADA 4.50 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I did the fat burner cycle this time. I also drank water every other breath all day long. I wish they let us have a locker for the week. I do not like lugging all my clothes, shoes, and crap down to the ghetto parking lot after the workout. UGH! Today is day 9 of the workout?? Do you know this is the longest I have ever done anything athletic???I am pretty jazzed about that.
Now before long we have to start talking about food. Not today though. Well let's talk about it a little bit. I need some lunch ideas and snack ideas.
Also I have another goal-I want to walk (dare I say jog, run) in the Jingle Bell Run this December in Little Rock.I am already planning my outfit right down to the bells on my shoe laces!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Today, I went to the gym at lunch. BIG MISTAKE. First off everybody was there plus some kids!!!!!I thought this was a no kids zone. It took 15 minutes to get down, change, and get in to the workout area. Then I did 15 minutes on the bike i.e. 3.75 miles, then 15 minutes to change back, then 15 minutes to eat a sandwich. My hair was wringing wet with sweat and I felt sticky the rest of the day. No more gym at lunch for me. Not enough time to workout given the constraints of changing, etc. I am not even going to go into the locker room trauma drama, tons of people, yatada, yatada.
At 5:30 this afternoon the temp was 100 degrees. I started my 4 block hike to the car. Although it was incredibly draining, I felt a little stronger today on the walk. Wasn't quite as winded. Had to stop once for about 2 minutes to get my breathe back and drink water. Boy, I wish the downtown trolley went by my parking lot.That would be sweet!
Tomorrow I go back to the after work routine. It's just better that way.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Today was my work at home day. So no gym. Instead, I decided to walk just at dusk, when the sky is turning from fiery sunlight into the deep charcoal of a summer night. Yes, it is still hot, but it is different. I have an old rag top convertible. It's the kind of night I like to pop the top and just drive. The sky, the stars, the night. I just let what is left of my hair blow in the wind. My son passed away several years ago. It is the kind of night I would just drive and wave hello to him.
But I digress. Tomorrow kids, the ellip has got to be turned up to 2 minutes. That's the plan. More leg presses, I also plan to tell the bike what I really weigh. That ought to get its wheels spinning! May add 1 new machine to the mix. Depends on how the other goes.
I have been icing a seedless watermelon in the frig for 2 days. Am going to go have some of that right about now.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Well today is a day for goal setting. First I though I should tell you a little more about my gym situation. I have 2 gyms. The building I work in has a little gym. It has the circuit machines, tread, bike, ellip, etc. All the usual suspects. The company I work for has a big gym, two blocks down. This is where the gym nazi resides. Big gym also offers 18 classes as well. All of this is F-R-E-E to me. I know, I know, I really have absolutely no excuses! One of the classes is a 30 minute dance cardio deal. Sounds fun to me. Goal # 1 is to go to this class.
Every Sunday I absolutely love to read the newspaper. It is a ritual with me. I always save the Target circular until last. To me it is the dessert of the paper. Goal # 2 is to be able to buy and wear the cute little workout clothes they have in all the cute colors!!!!!
I am in a trimming down state of mind. I had, until yesterday that is, a big, cumbersome comforter on my bed. Was 10 years old, was lumpy, had seen better days. So I chunked it. The thing took up my whole trunk! Then I went to the Great Clips Salon and told them to cut my hair OFF SHORT. I am talking just a tad longer than Jamie Lee Curtis short. The theory being, I want to only have to put a dab of product in my hair, run my fingers through it and wa-la, DONE. Goal # 3 is to take my short hair self, and my work clothes to the gym in the early am. Do the workout or take a class, shower and then go to work. THIS WOULD BE A HUGE STEP FOR ME. Maybe I should make a bucket list for this year. Things I want to do during the workout year. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I am focusing on light and airy. I want nothing to tie me down and weigh me down.
Am going to do a lap around my neighborhood tonight i.e. 1 mile I think. Am putting on my Ipod, cranking up everything from Gaga to Cash to Elvis to Stones and back again.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Well, I went to the Big Dam Bridge at 8:00 this evening. By then it was only 85 degrees. Started walking it. The bridge is roughly 3/4 of a mile across it. I probably walked 1/4 of it when it started a thunder storm with lightning. I am all about this exercise deal but not to the extent of getting struck by lightning!
All ages walk, run, bike on the BDB. Saw a mother pushing a double stroller with twins. Thought about my cuz out in New Mexico who pushes her babies like that. She is a fitness guru too. Now regarding the bikers, I must say these people are serious! They are wearing their spandex shorts, helmets, and are bent over on the bikes so much they are practically parallel with the ground. One whizzed by me and provided a nice breeze! Although I would like to eventually ride a bike, I am thinking more of a model like those lime green bikes on the Regions Bank commercial. They are old school and cool!
Got a comment today on the blog that says I should do 5 days of workouts per week. Now this sounds like a plan I could live with. I don't know who you are O.One but I like your way of thinking!
I didn't go to the gym yesterday. THERE I ADMIT IT. I, GYM VIRGIN, DID NOT GO TO THE GYM YESTERDAY! My husband saw I got home early and asked me if I went to the gym and I LIED. I said I went at lunch time. What a crock. I mean if I go at lunch time, then I will look like a wet noodle at work for the rest of the day. Well I guess I could TRY going at lunch. I have been whining that a one hour lunch is too long anyways. I could try that, I think. maybe. My sister says if you get the exercise out of the way early in the day then you don't have to dread it. Of course, my sister plays tennis, and is a size 6. SHE DID NOT GET ANY OF THE FLUFFY GENE POOL. I got every single one of them. Now I tell you on what planet is that fair?
Today's workout routine (I like saying routine because it makes it sound like I know what I am doing) is to go down to the Big Dam Bridge and try to walk over it. Yes kids, they really named it the Big Dam Bridge. It is fitting in more ways than one. I will let you know how that goes when I walk over the Big Dam Bridge. I just like saying the Big Dam Bridge. Big Dam Bridge, Big Dam Bridge, Bid Dam Bridge.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
I can't even think I am so tired today. I did 1 minute on the elliptical. My legs turned to jello after 30 seconds. I wanted to die. Had to use 30 seconds just to stop the machine. Then went to bike for 13 minutes. I put a towel over the numbers thinking I could psyche myself out. NOT. Then I went on to the leg press. Now this is a deal where you push this big metal thing out with your legs. I picked the weight level 4 out of about 25 I think. Anyways, it was HEAVY. Did that for about 20 reps. "Reps" thats what the gym nazi calls it. Then I fell off the leg press, crawled to the locker room to get my bag.
Now the last two days I have been parking in the building's parking tower i.e. $ 10 per day. However, today I had to go back to parking in the ghetto lot i.e. $ 15 per month. The sun was blazing, my butt was dragging, and I thought about falling out in the street and hoped a cop would pick me up.
I want a tee shirt that says, "if found return to gym." Because kids, this is getting harder and harder.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Well kids, I neglected to tell you yesterday that I was too much of a wuss to go into the locker room, so I did the workout in my dress clothes! I know... how pathetic is that. Probably have to burn those clothes they got pretty hot and sweaty.
So today, I put on my big girl panties and marched myself right into the locker room like I owned the place. Now here's the thing, nothing is private in there. The only place to change clothes was to go into the shower area. And I use that term loosely, there is no shower door only a flimsy curtain. Once I made the mad dash to change, I peeked my head out around the curtain, looked both ways, and scooted my happy self over to the community bench to put on my shoes. I was feeling so proud of myself until in walked the twinkie, the size 4 twinkie who just bounced around all over the locker room like a kangaroo on speed. I wanted to yell, "do you have to parade your size 4 self all over the place?" Where are all the fluffy people? I ask you, where is the locker room and gym for fluffy people?????
Anyways, today I decided to give the recumbent bike another go round. Yesterday I did 18 minutes and 3.50 miles. Today, drum roll please, I did 18 minutes and 4.11 miles! I had 2 whole endorphins rise up and get excited. Tomorrow, I will try the elliptical. The thing is up on stilts I think. Hauling my butt up there will be a sight in itself.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
I went to the gym. I spent 5 minutes trying to get the lock to open on the locker. I had to put my gym bag in there. I started just to take it into the workout area but was afraid the gym nazi would confiscate it.
I ambled over to the recumbent bike and selected the "random" program. The bike then asked me how much I weighed. I though that was a little pushy seeing as how we had just met. I lied and punched in 150. The bike then told me I was going to do 30 minutes on the random program and then boom bada bing it started. I pedaled, I sweated, I went 3.5 miles and crashed and burned after 18 minutes. Thought I was going to die.
Then I waited. Waited for the endorphins to kick in. Waited for that euphoric high exercise is supposed to bring. It is 2 hours since I exercised and I AM STILL WAITING ON THOSE FREAKING ENDORPHINS! I think I have one lousy endorphin that just couldn't rally the troups. Either that or somebody has lied to me about this exercise business.
In exactly 3 1/2 hours, the odyssey begins. I will have to cross the threshold of the G-Y-M. I have found out where the scales are. I guess I will weigh. I am going to take pictures of the machines I will use today. I had a salad at lunch and I am pumped! Ready to rock and roll. Ready to be a lean, mean, exercising machine. Ready to be able to limp back out to my car without whining.
Now I need a goal of how long to do this exercise thing on the 1st day. Any suggestions out there??? I am thinking 15 minutes. What say ye?
Monday, June 14, 2010
and all through the house, the gym virgin was trying to think up ways to avoid the the gym tomorrow. I thought about it and right now I walk about 1/2 mile to and from my work building (parking lot to building). I thought it was more like 10 miles, but so much for my estimating.
I don't know what I am going to wear at said gym. There is not alot of plus size stuff out there. That is unless you want to look like those gals on the biggest loser and wear the bra things and spandex short things and let all your fluffiness just hang in the wind! I don't even think so.
The other issue is the scales. Is ignorance bliss? Would I be better off not knowing? Decisions, decisions, decisions
Sunday, June 13, 2010
What does it say about a person if the gym orientation wears you out? What does it say about a person if all you are thinking is "where's a place to sit down?" What does it say about a person if you are the only one in the group who doesn't know what a "glute" is?
I'll tell you what it says...it says you are 53 years old, need to lose over 100 lbs, and are athletically challenged.
My name is Gym Virgin and I have never worked out in my life.
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