I'm on a roll...

So I've been to the gym Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (today) this week!  Small victories add up!  And the only reason I didn't go on Wednesday was because we had some snow and I needed to get the driveway cleared for us to go to school/work. 

Monday, as I said in my last post, I did legs and back.  I knew I would be hurting badly from doing that since it had been so long and WOW was I right.  I am still feeling the effects today, 3 days later!  I know it won't be like this every time, as long as I keep up with my routine! 

Today I did cardio and my legs felt like tree trunks on the treadmill (how's that for some alliteration!?) They felt pretty tight even before I went to the gym so I attempted to loosen them up on the bike before going on the treadmill.  It didn't help much. haha

I did, however, do about 25 mins on the treadmill; I mixed it up a bit, did a nice, easy run, then some interval running (raise the incline & speed), then a walk at a high incline.  I try and change it up so I'm not just running flat each time I do the treadmill, especially since I'm trying to lose weight.

I can tell I'm getting back in a good routine at the gym, I'm already antsy to go tomorrow -- and that's saying something because tomorrow is chest & shoulders day (shoulders is my least favorite!)

If you can't say something nice.....

The truth hurts!  Not all the time but sometimes for sure.  And definitely this morning.  Haha!

I went to the gym on Saturday, slept in yesterday (oopsie), and went again this morning to do legs & back.  I will NOT be able to walk the rest of the week, I believe! 

Anyway this morning I saw a woman I haven't seen in a while; the days I have been at the gym recently, she wasn't there at the same time.  So this morning I smiled & waved to her and she came up and gave me a hug.  I felt bad as I was sweaty (typical).  lol  Anyway she said it was great to see me and asked how I was.  I said thanks and said I was doing great, just trying to get back in the routine, that I had gotten lazy and gained some weight back.  She said, "Yeah, you can tell...."  ::crickets:: 

Haha!  Thankfully, I am not easily offended...at least not anymore.  Having 2 older brothers will cure you of that.  And truthfully, she's right.  I figured other people must be able to tell because I can feel the difference - in my clothes, and just how I feel. Perhaps to people I see all the time, they might not be able to tell but to someone I haven't seen in a few months, they can definitely tell. 

So what do you do with comments like that.....the old me (I mean way back in 2009-2010), would've been seriously bummed out over that and probably eaten something I shouldn't.  Now I will (hopefully) just use it as motivation to get my butt back in gear. 

I need to lose about 20 lbs, quite honestly, to get back to my best shape.  Not that it has to be exactly 20 lbs but right around there....I'm disappointed in myself because last year around this time or in February, I felt so strong physically.  I don't feel that right now but I also have hope because I know how to do this, I know I can get back there. 

First step to accomplishing this:  stop buying Oreos for Isaiah.  lol

Lower Your Expectations

What?  Lower expectations?  That's normally not a great thing but today for me it was.  As I mentioned, I haven't done weights in quite a while.  So when I went to the gym this morning (yay - victory!) to do chest & shoulders, I told myself not to expect to be on par with where I was the last time I did weights. 

I went in with an open mind and did my best but also didn't try to kill myself.  Surprisingly, there were quite a few sets I was able to do the same weight as last time but maybe not quite as many reps.  And I know that will come with time. 

Some of the exercises (hanging shoulder raises), I was able to do the exact same -- I couldn't believe it! 

Shoulder press, which is probably my least favorite, was definitely the hardest but that's no surprise for me.  It's the hardest for me when I'm in the gym every day.  lol

What a great start to a rainy Saturday though.....now the other half of my struggles - to make sure I keep my eating in check today.  Wish me luck!

Fit Fam

So I follow quite a few fitness Instagram accounts and they always refer to their 'fitfam'....or Fitness Family.  Basically fellow fitness enthusiasts, etc.  My son would probably be mortified at me using the term 'fitfam' but it's what's on my mind today....

I went to the gym this morning for the first time in a LONG time.  I mean, according to my notebook, I haven't done weights since June.  :(   I have been to the gym more recently than that but it was for cardio. 

I hate the way I feel right now - lethargic, chubby, weak, clothes too tight, etc.   So today when my alarm went off, I actually got up and went!  I said enough is enough...the only way I'm going to feel better is to get back in my routine.

I'm so happy I did - I ran just over a mile and then did plank and the glute machines.  Didn't wanna kill myself first day back in a while but I felt great just for getting there!  Will be posting some current pics soon as I want to track my progress.  I need/want to lose about 25 pounds so I began recording weekly weigh-ins again like I used to, as of today.  The stupid thing is, I KNOW how to do this, I KNOW how to lose weight and get fit - I've done it already!  I've just been lazy....and honestly, there was probably some effects of the divorce, etc. going on as well.  But I am motivated (finally) to get back on track!

My 'fitfam' at the gym was wonderful - saw so many familiar faces - at 4am, it's a pretty faithful crew.  So many of them came up to me and told me how happy they were to see me, that they had missed me and encouraged me to come every day again.  There's never judgment, as they can all relate to 'falling off the wagon'.  So great to have people who understand you, especially at 4am.  Haha! 

The year from hell - time to celebrate?!

Not to beat a dead horse but it hit me recently, when I sat down and mentally noted everything I had been through in the last year or 14 months, it really was a year from hell! 

January 2012: Jerry wanted a divorce; changed his mind
January 2012:  Three days later, my dad died
February 2012: Rookie, our beloved Boston Terrier died
March 2012:  Jerry wanted a divorce; changed his mind
April 2012: Jerry got an apartment; changed his mind
June 2012:  Jerry moved out for 4 days
July 2012: Jerry moved out for a week
August 2012: Jerry moved out for 3 weeks
January 2013: Jerry moved out for good
March 2013: Max, our other Boston Terrier died
March 2013:  Poppy, Jerry's dad, died

Ugghhh!!  So why am I telling you all this?  In a way, to celebrate - that, after going through all that loss & pain for so long, I am still basically at the same weight I was, only about a 5-6 pound difference!  That is remarkable to me, given my history with food and 'eating my feelings', etc. 

I'm not saying all this to pat myself on the back, it is only by the grace of God that I have made it through.....there were days I didn't want to get out of bed, let alone go work out and go to work, and smile at people when I didn't feel like smiling. 

My point is - if I can do it, you can do it!  Keep your head up but stay on your knees (in prayer!)

Back in the saddle again.....halfway anyway...

Just wanted to type a quick post....I'm still not back in the gym regularly but a lot of that is due to late nights at baseball and twice in the past week I've had a REALLY bad sinus headache/migraine in the mornings. 

However I have done really well with my food choices this past week or so, I feel great as I am back in my routine of good eating and am still drinking LOTS of water. 

Checked the scale this morning - prob not a good idea as I haven't even worked out - but it said I was down 2-3 lbs from a week ago.  Granted, I think a lot of that was water weight/bloating anyway but still, psychologically it feels good to see it going back down. 

My pants didn't feel as tight this morning either so that's always a good way to start your Friday!

Tomorrow morning again I won't be able to make it to the gym. :(  That bums me out because Saturdays are my favorite day for workouts because I don't feel rushed.  Even if I have parties at work, I don't have to get there until noon so I have more time.  But tomorrow Isaiah has a double-header and has to be in New Haven by 9:00 so that's not happening.  Sunday will hopefully be a good workout day!

I'd like to get this extra weight off before we go to Florida in 2 weeks - totally doable as I just need to lose 4-5 more lbs to get back to -85 lost or so.  If I don't lose it before we go, I'm sure I will sweat it off there anyway!  :)

For 'slack' of a better word...

I've been slacking!  No beating around the bush, I'm a slacker.  Gahh!  My workouts have not been regular AT ALL, my food choices have not been great AT ALL.  Time to get back on the ball! Hey I'm a poet and didn't know it!  lol

Only good thing is I've only gained about 5-6 lbs which is good I suppose, considering my lack of regular workouts and the amount of Spicy Buffalo Wheat Thins I've consumed.  Those are definitely my kryptonite!

I did get in a quick run yesterday at the gym but felt how un-conditioned I was.  I'm actually looking forward to buckling down, so to speak, and getting back in my routine.  It won't take much to get back to where I was -- still pretty much hold steady at -85 lbs lost usually. 

This time of year is dangerous at work - thankfully, it's not Greek Festival time which means a food temptation.  But it's dangerous because it's SO quiet and - I dare say it - boring at times. lol  So that means I want to snack more.  But I don't bring bad things with me to eat, which is good, but eating too often is not good either.  I typically try and eat a healthy snack every 2.5 hours or so. 

So to battle that, I'm trying to drink more water than usual.  Yesterday I drank almost 60 oz at work alone - and keep in mind, I only work about 5 hours a day so that's pretty good I think!  Plus that will help me with wanting to snack.

Will keep you posted - chest & shoulders tomorrow along with a quick interval run on the treadmill.  That will usually jumpstart weight-loss for me as well.