My New Baby!

I got this on Saturday.....

My gym's membership fees was just getting ridiculous. There was no way I could keep it up so I decided to make a long term investment. We already have a treadmill, resistance bands, dumbbells and an exercise ball at home. I think with this addition I don't have to go the gym though I must admit I'm going to miss my personal trainer. Guess I'll just stick to Billy Blanks and Insanity videos.

Anyways, I clocked in 30 minutes on this baby and burnt 350 calories this morning. I plan on doing another 30 minutes this evening.

Hope you are all doing okay.

Cheers folks.

I Love My Trainer...

Lol! I scream "I hate you" when he is putting me through grueling workouts but smile when we are done for the day and I'm hurting all over. The reason? Simple! feeling sore means I'm doing something right.

This week has been a good one for me. I've exercised for four out of five days and I've been eating right. After all, weight loss is 30% exercise and 70% diet. Doesn't it hurt when after sweating and struggling to burn 500 calories in the gym, you then go on to binge on a 3000 calorie meal? I'm tired of negating my hard work with food. I don't want to sound like a broken record so I will say this... It's getting better everyday.

When Food Becomes The Enemy....

I was talking with a friend after our workouts at the gym this morning. The discussion centered on how our food intake was affecting our weight loss. See, when I exercise it's an intense affair. I've always talked about how my food choices seem to negate my exercise efforts.

Anyway, my friend then starts to talk about how I should say no to food after 6pm. It was at that point that I made a crazy statement that startled both of us. "Maybe I should try saying no to food after 2pm". 

"What?" Are you crazy? You are acting as if food is the enemy, she said. You see, there are times when even the sane ones like us who have read lots of literature and know that unsustainable eating practices like this do more harm than good get impatient. Lol! The bottom line is I'm not going to do that. It's not a race. I will patiently do the right things.

This morning's workout was a cool 5km walk/run on the treadmill. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

February Wrap Up

So, the month has come to an end and I decided to reflect on my doings this month.

• I exercised at least 5 times every week. 
• I started exercising during lunch break. Intense 45 minute workouts baby

The bad things

• I only did the twice a day workout 4 times. I'm so disappointed. However, there were days that I was just too exhausted to go in the evenings.
• I didn't watch my food intake. With the stress of my mini car crash on Valentines Day came more personal issues that had me drinking more juices and eating out more. Hopefully that would change in March.

I'm sure many people are wondering why I didn't post a weigh in on Monday. Thing is, I only remembered to weigh in after I had worked out at the gym. Now, that wouldn't be an accurate reading since the number would definitely go down after the kind of cardio session I had. I therefore decided that I would weigh in next Monday.

Oh! and after a long hiatus I've decided to continue with the C25K program. I stopped at Week 4 and I plan on continuing from where I left off. 

Twice A Day Update

So, I started the twice a day exercise challenge last week. The goal was to exercise twice a day at least three times a week. I did that for the first time yesterday. Here are my stats.

Morning Session

Cardio: on treadmill

Distance: 5.5km

Time: 63 minutes

Calories Burnt: 713 calories.

Evening Session

Warm Up: 15 minutes on elliptical

6 sets of 12 reps of hip abduction

3 sets of 12 reps for bicep curls

3 sets of 12 reps of shoulder press

3 sets of 10 reps for lateral pull downs

3 sets of 10 reps for seated extensions

Wow! I didn't think I had it in me.

I even had enough energy to go for a morning session today and, I plan on going this evening. Will fill you in on the details later. How is your week going with regards to exercise?

I'll Look In My Gym Bag Twice!!!

That was the mental note I made when I forgot to pack underwear on Monday. So, after finishing my workout and taking a refreshing shower I realized that I didn't pack panties. WTF! I actually cursed so loudly that I'm sure people were wondering what was going on with me. Thank God I drive.

I quietly put on my dress and, with no panties on, I walked out of the gym feeling that all eyes were on me and people could see what I had done. Embarrassing eh? Anyways, I drove as home as fast as I could.

Guess I will remember to look in my gym bag before heading off to the gym. Wonder what would happen if I left my bra. I shudder to even think of it, considering how stubborn the "twins' are. Lol!

Twice A Day Challenge - Day 1

So I started the challenge today because I renewed my gym membership yesterday. The day started with 20 minutes on the elliptical and 44 minutes on the treadmill. I felt sooo good afterwards. 

I went back this evening and spent 30 minutes at kickcardio, 7 minutes on the treadmill and 11 minutes on the elliptical. So, I guess Day 1 was okay. Right?

Weigh In - Week 4

Last week's weight - 208.2lbs

This week's weight - 205.4lbs

Okay! I lost 2.8lbs this week! Damn the 0.2lbs that would have made it three. lol! I'm glad to say that the month of January has been a successful one in terms of exercising and eating right. I've tried as much as possible to create a balance a I think very little food fills me up. I also load up on more fruits and vegetables when I feel like snacking or heading for the sabotaging delights. :-) How was your January?

I previously told you guys about my expensive gym membership and my plan of going twice a day at least thrice a week to maximize its use as much as I can. It would be great if someone joins me in this venture. Not only would our metabolisms be elevated twice but, the rewards on the scale would be so worth it ;-). 

February, here we come. 

What are your plans for February?

Twice A Day Challenge.

I've been good with my food and exercise this week. Except yesterday's workout was mainly low intensity due to the nagging headache and body aches. I just needed at least 30 minutes of exercise to feel that I had put in some extra activity in my day. :-)

Anyways, my membership at the gym expires at the end of the month and I was thinking of paying for a 6month membership which costs about $585. Unfortunately, since I don't have that much I tried convincing my Dad to help me with some of the money so I can focus on my health. He agreed on one condition; I workout twice a day! I was almost tempted to say no but then I realized, "maybe I can do this". I could do cardio in the morning and resistance exercises in the evening or the other way around. Besides, I've gotten to far to let money be a setback, especially when the condition has to do with weight loss.

So, I've decided that in the month of February, I'm going to challenge myself to workout twice a day at least three times a week and then do my once a day routine twice. That totals to five days a week. What do you  folks think? Your opinions really matter.

Is Smiling During Exercise A Must?

Yesterday evening, after an hour of brisk walking on the treadmill, I proceeded to the stairclimber for a quick five minute workout. Guess I wanted something extra before heading for the weights.

Anyways, as I was working out, this guy kept signaling at me with his palms; as if to ask why. I ignored him till I was done and then I went to him and this was the conversation.

Me: I didn't get what you were trying to say on the machine.

Guy: Why did you have a pained look on your face?

Me: Seriously? Isn't it obvious?

Guy: Well, you don't have to put on that look.

Geez! Perhaps I should put up a mirror on every machine I use so I can see my facial expressions. Is this what we have to put up with? Is smiling a must? I'm trying to amp the intensity of my workouts and this imbecile (forgive me) is interested in my facial expression.

On another note, I've been good so far. I have exercised thrice this week and my eating has been good too. I now take a good lunch and have either cereal ( the good kind) or salads for dinner. How has your week been so far?

Update and Gym Switch...

I know I haven't blogged in weeks. Work and life stress are my excuses. lol! Anyways, not much has happened since I last blogged. I kinda gained a few pounds back but i'm working on that.

On the gym front, I'm planning on changing gyms. The one I go to is just beginning to put a dent in my weight loss efforts. Not only do their treadmills keep going off when you are on them, their cycles and steppers are just awful. The trainers are cool but I guess that's what you get for paying $19 per month.

So, the new gym I plan on training at costs a whole lot more but their facilities are ... amazing! They even spinning classes, zumba and yoga classes; all the things I've been longing to do to vary my workouts. It's gonna cost me $310 for a three-month membership but, after my tour around the place I would say it's totally worth it. Guess, I'm gonna be visiting there twice a day, five times a week. lol!

Why I Exercise At Home...

I have never been a fan of the gym. Never. The thought of being stared at by slimmer people kinda freaked me out. And when I decided to finally go to a gym, the instructor had me doing 2000 jumps on my first day. The result... a visit to the cardiologist.

Then, I decided to go for brisk walks in the evenings. I wasn't spared by the area guys... The catcalls and being called names such as obolo, heavy duty, fatty were my portion. Gosh! I couldn't even drown their shouts with my earphones. I was miserable till I discovered that I could do exercises at home and lose weight. Yes, I didn't have to worry about being laughed at.  I could do my situps, crunches, lateral raises etc. I could mess up, start all over and not feel bad about myself.

Last night I did 5 minutes on the treadmill + 1000 jumps of the jumprope and felt so good afterwards... Besides, it will be fun to see the look of surprise on the faces when they see me move from a size 16 to a 10. :-)