Thursday, January 25, 2007

Confessions of a Dangerous Stomach


Sorry its been a while. I went to NYC last week and classes started for the spring semester on Wednesday. Truth is that I have been reluctant to post anything since Tuesday because I have some bad news . . . I gained 3.8 pounds last week! Ugh! I can't say I'm all that surprised. I ate badly in NYC - escargot, quesadillas, margaritas . . . I am upset about the amount of time I lost in losing weight. It took a lot of time to lose 3.8 pounds, so now it is disheartening that I need to lose it all over again. I'm no longer in One-derland, I'm at 200.8. I thought I'd never go back to 200. Funny thing is that I didn't cry when I found out. In the beginning of this weight loss journey I gained 0.4 pounds one week and was so upset I couldn't stay for the Weight Watchers meeting that night! I was so naive! :) But, in some ways the gain was a good wake up call that I need to stay vigilant. I had a pretty easy time of it over the holidays so I was due for a gain.

Many thanks to Kimberly, Vickie, Georgia Girl, Amazon Alanna, Angelfish24, Lori, Cynthia and Susan for your comments on my last post about looking for advice on working out. You gave me some great ideas about getting DVDs to do at home, working exercise into my schedule so I do it on autopilot, and taking advantage of working out at the rec center of my university.

I have signed up for water aerobics again. This time I'm doing it in deep water, which I'm excited about. The classes start February 12th. So that is on Monday and Wednesday nights. Tuesday night I have class. So that leaves Thursday - Sunday for going to the gym. I don't think I have the discipline to work out every day, but I do have the time. I think I am going to start coming up with a work out goal for each week. I've seen a lot of blogs with tickers that show how many minutes people have done cardio for that week or month. I think those are great!

My goal this week is to go to the gym at least 3 times before next Tuesday (ride the bike for 45 minutes each time) and to not use my flex points this week. Tomorrow is going to be the true test because I am going out to dinner with my sister. Wish me luck!

7 comments:

Vickie said...

I have never signed up for any of the "programs" at my gym - classes yes - but the insentive programs no.

I am on my third week of one now - Called I Lost It At the Gym - and it is helping.

The first week - they listed a variety of catagories and you picked 5 things total to do - 20, minutes cardio, 30 minutes cardio, 40 minutes cardio (one catagory) - then go introduce yourself to a Personal Trainer was another - 20, 30 or 40 minutes weight resistance, etc.

The second week was go to the gym and work out 4 times.

This third week - there are 6 machines listed and you must use all 6 for 20 minutes each during the course of the week. Of these 6 machines - I knew how to use 3, knew what two others were - but not how to use them, and didn't even know for sure what the last one even was.

I thought that the "introduce yourself to a PT" was a cop out catagory - but it wasn't - because now I stop and ask them things all the time - not juse the one I met - but all of them.

I still say - for me - if I TRY to do something EVERY day I am successful most of the week - doesn't have to be a LONG something - even 20 minutes is something. If I TRY for 3 or 4 times a week - I never get in the habit and it just doesn't happen. Classes are very helpful to me - if I sign up and pay - I AM THERE. But the treadmill or row machine or elliptical or recumbant bike and all the weight resistance machines are important too - and those are the ones that I have to get into a habit/pattern in order to make it happen.

You hear lots of things about waiting a day between workouts (wieght resistance) and if I am SORE - I do rest. But I use very light weights and do not KILL my body and I will use every day. I alternate parts of my body and use different machines/muscles. But I try to use a variety of resistance machines every day.

If you have not tried the row machine or eliptical or anything else - because they look intimidating - ask someone to show you. I have done this with lots and lots and learned what i can and can't do. I can't use spin bikes - but can use recumbant, etc.

Cross training isn't just for the "real jocks" - it applies to all of us so we mix up what we work/use and don't get bored.

angelfish24 said...

Good for you on going to ww even though you knew it would be a gain. I didn't go last week and then I used that 'no weigh in coupon' the week before. I think I just don't want to face not being in onederland anymore. Feel real bummed about it as I've been of track for a few weeks now. I will face the music this monday, if you can, I can. This is just a blip in the long journey ahead and I can't throw in the towel now.
Exercise is my saving grace right now and prob. will be a few pounds up but could have been more. Way to go on trying to fit in more exercise, it does help with the mental health for me anyway.

TrixieBelden said...

Vickie, thanks for sharing the program you are doing at the gym. I am going to check out the rec center's website to see if they have anything like it. I'm a little intimidated to do any other classes besides water aerobics because they will require looking at myself in the mirror, which I don't like doing. :) But I like the cross-training idea. During previous times of exercise I would always work out with weights. For some reason I haven't gotten into them this time around. Thanks for the pep talk!

TrixieBelden said...

Vickie, thanks for sharing the program you are doing at the gym. I am going to check out the rec center's website to see if they have anything like it. I'm a little intimidated to do any other classes besides water aerobics because they will require looking at myself in the mirror, which I don't like doing. :) But I like the cross-training idea. During previous times of exercise I would always work out with weights. For some reason I haven't gotten into them this time around. Thanks for the pep talk!

TrixieBelden said...

Angelfish24,

Don't let a gain get you down. You are right, it is all a part of this crazy journey we are on - the good and the bad. Just think how wonderful you will feel in a week or two when you have a loss again. You'll be able to see the results of all your exercise and dedication!

Amazon Alanna said...

I think that a 3x a week goal is a great one to start out with. It's what many healthy Americans do, so it's perfect!

Lori G. said...

Really, this weight gain is temporary. You'll be back in onederland soon. At least you went back and made yourself accountable.

Remember, you're not defined by the number on the scale.

You're more than that.