Splish Splash: My pool adventures

Truth be told, I've become a little bored with Cycling class. Besides, it's good to mix up the workout routine. I haven't been in a pool in a couple of years. Very early on in my weight loss, get fit journey I used to take water aerobic classes. Actually, it was the first gym group class I took once I enrolled at 24-Hour Fitness in the spring of 2010.

I'm not sure what's going on with me, but three weeks shy from turning 41 years old and I've decided it's time to learn how to swim.  Remember, a couple of months ago I resolved it was time to ride a bike? Maybe it's because I'm coming into myself, maybe it's because I'm working with a trainer, or a little of both. It's kinda nice to have someone guide me and help me in areas where I need it. With Christie by my side I'm more wiling to try new things and I also push myself harder.

This morning, I followed my regular strength training routine and then met up with Christie in the pool.  She introduced me to the paddle board, but that didn't go to swell. No worries. There's always an alternative. I just grabbed the side of the pool and kicked, kicked, kicked. Then onto some pool exercises similar to water aerobics (jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc.). I love how I feel in the water. I feel so light. It's incredible how I can jump and kick so high. If I were on land there's no way I could move so freely and effortlessly.

After pool exercises Christie started showing me how to float on my back. Wow! What an adventure that was! She totally had to help hold me up. I wish I would have had my camera to capture that moment! Needless to say, I didn't learn to swim today but I sure had a splash of a time. Stay tuned...I'll keep you updated on my pool adventures as they happen.

Habits

Despite not wanting to. I did. 

Sleepy. Low energy. Unenthused. I went.

See, the thing is I'm just now getting back into a workout routine.  So, I don't want to miss a workout -- especially because of a lame excuse like I'm sleepy.

I'm trying to form a habit. Forming a habit takes consistency. You know, doing the same thing again and again. Over and over. Day in. Day out. And when it comes to working out -- doing it even when you don't want to.
 
To establish a routine and form a habit -- here's my approach:

- I've started with a small goal. I don't want to overwhelm myself.  Three times a week for now. Once the routine is engrained. I'll add another class or two (Yoga, Weight Training, etc.).

- I'll attend the same class (5:30 a.m. Cycling M,W,F) for a month. This establishes a pattern. Once the habit is formed I'll be more flexible on days and  times.
 
- First day, I introduced myself to the instructor.  This gives me someone to be accountable to. Even if I let myself down. I won't let him down.

- The night before, I set out my workout clothes, underclothes, socks, tennis shoes, towel, and fill water bottle. Preparation equals success. Besides, it gives me a few extra minutes to sleep in.

- Stay away from the negative thoughts. Instead, replace these thoughts with positive,
upbeat messages. The mind is powerful.

So, this morning despite not wanting to. I did. And I'm glad. I feel energized, accomplished, good.

Legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi said: 

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” 

I'm not going there!

Instead, I'm with Aristotle:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Move!

I've been busy, busy, busy with all sorts of projects. As a result my workout routine has suffered greatly. I really miss my gym time and exercising. My body feels so heavy and sluggish. I need to get back in action. I need to move! The numbers on the scale remain the same, but my body just feels so ugh. There is something to be said about exercising. Exercising makes me feel better. When I exercise I feel trimmer, lighter, and less stressed.  My trainer, Steve always tells me I don't have to come to the gym as long as I eat right. Sure, that's true because diet is the biggest factor when it comes to weight loss, but I feel so much better when I combine the two. My goal is to lead a healthy lifestyle that combines diet and exercise. My regularly scheduled gym routine will resume soon, very soon. It's time to move!

My big mouth

Oh my, what have I done? One too many email exchanges and I’ve committed myself to participate in a half marathon. First off, I’m not even a runner. Secondly, I don’t really want to be a runner. Although I have experienced the runner’s high before and I admit I do kind of like it. Next, and probably most importantly I have some pretty bad knees. Megan, however, agreed that I could pull this off. And, without her approval, well I just wouldn't do it. At this point, she knows what my physical limits are more than I do.

Yesterday, I met with a girlfriend who shared her marathon experience with me and a neighbor recently gave me her insights too. The consensus is that I should run part and walk part. My goal is to run at least five miles. I hear this guy Jeff Galloway’s program is the best to follow. He prescribes that you run and walk in intervals the whole course. So following his theory, Megan, and countless other folks who will feed me information I’m sure to meet the challenge.  But, just so we’re clear -- I’m petrified. How on earth are my legs going to carry me 13.1 miles? In 130 days I’ll find out. I guess, I should shut my fat trap and get to training. Heavy sigh. Me and my big mouth.

---

I’m training for the Vancouver USA Marathon. That does sound kind of cool. Oh and the bragging rights after completion will be so sweet.

Kicking and Screaming

By now, you have heard some version or another of my story. If not, here’s a synopsis, I’m a product of childhood obesity and to date I’ve lost 155 lbs. Yes, 1-5-5! Ideally, I still have to lose another 80 pounds to meet my goal weight. That’s a total of 235 pounds. Yeah, I know, those numbers are inconceivable to most. Those numbers are not for the weak-hearted.

By far, battling obesity is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Battling obesity isn’t just about losing the weight. This is so much more than a physical transformation. It’s about finding myself and learning to love myself. It's about talking down the demons on a regular, "You're fat and always will be. "You're ugly." "You can't."  Every single day, I’m at war with myself emotionally and mentally, and boy do I the have the scars to prove it. So, I apologize if I’m always talking about my battle with obesity. I apologize for always complaining about how hard this is. But, if I’m going to fight this battle I will not do it quietly. This is not something you go through in silence. I am kicking and screaming the whole way.

Yesterday, while at the gym I was complaining to my trainer friend about how fat I still am. He listened as he always does, and he also reminded me of how far I’ve come. He’s right. I’ve come along way. Ironically, that’s exactly why I am frustrated, I've come so far, but yet have so far to go. It’s overwhelming. Sure, I’m proud, but this is ONLY round seven of a heavyweight bout. I still have five more rounds to go. I’m tired, wiped out, and downright exhausted. But, I’m way too stubborn and prideful to quit. Instead, I keep tighten up my gloves and getting back in the ring. Yeah, I fuss, I complain, and some days I cry. I think I have every right to do so. So, if you would, please just bear with me when I go off on my tirades. After all, I’m in the midst of kicking obesity to the curb. This is no small feat.


                                     
                  Reminder to self: You’ve come a long, long way, baby!




A whopping 388 lbs.

 

Smart and balanced

A couple of months ago I wrote a blog post, “Scared and a little stupid.” At the time I wasn’t feeling so good and my body was giving me all the signals to slow down. But, I was hard headed and I didn’t listen. I forged ahead to the gym on an empty stomach, light headed, and dizzy. I nearly fainted in Pilates and had to leave class prematurely. That incident was one of my first wake-up calls to take better care of myself. Sometimes it’s important to just STOP. RECOVER. REFUEL. Coming from a person who avoided exercise like the plague and ate whatever foods I wanted. I admit, I have turned my obsession in quite the opposite direction. I eat and breathe health and fitness. It consumes me. I want out of this body so bad and sometimes I just can’t and won’t sit still.

Last weekend, my body, mind, and soul were tired. I was - I guess you could say - tapped out. So I decided to take the weekend off from exercising and thinking too much about it. Time to just chill and relax. I realized after some self-reflection what my life needs is balance. Here’s a recap of my week:

·      Monday – I worked with my Megan, my trainer. Accomplished things I never accomplished before: 33 pushups and 25 modified pull-ups.

·       Tuesday - I hit the gym HARD. I was moving around like Agile Abigail. I tell you I had full command of the gym. I was a Rock star.

·      Wednesday – A vigorous cardio workout followed by a return to Yoga class. In Yoga I discovered my body is in need of TLC. Despite being stronger and fitter my body is really wacked. A blog post about Yoga is forthcoming.

·      Thursday – A tune-up type workout with Megan and I started my pre-training jog for the half marathon I’m participating in this June.

·       Today, Friday - It seems I have hit another brick wall. I’m physically tapped out.

After reviewing my week I guess maybe I still missed the mark in the area of balance. But, to make good on the week I’m not working out today. And, I’m not going to beat myself up about it. Heck, I work hard. My body works hard. I give all of myself when at the gym or with Megan. I respect and cherish my body and its limits. Today I grant my body the rest it deserves. After all, slow and steady wins the race. This is about the overall, big picture and I’m destined to win even if I take a day off here and there. I’m smart and balanced.

"...Life’s a great balancing act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” ~Dr. Seuss

The Best Is Yet To Come



Fighting childhood obesity has turned out to be an amazing, joyous, challenging journey. As I travel the road to better health and fitness at each turn I notice something new about my body. I can jump higher when I do a jumping jack. I’m not as fatigued when taking back-to-back exercise classes. I can jog. When I look in the mirror my looks are always changing too. At each phase I think wow! I look thinner. My legs are more muscular. My middle seems trimmer. So I can see my progress I chronicle my transformation by taking photos. It’s remarkable how at every phase I look at myself and I feel so proud and accomplished. I think geez I’m looking really good, but on the flip side when I look back at the photos I think whoa I still have a ways to go or gosh I thought I had arrived. While at the gym the other day one of my trainer friends said to me, “The best is yet to come,” and you know what he’s right. I haven’t even peaked yet.





November 2010



August 2010