You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink....

Huh? What's that got to do with anything?

Yesterday at work, we had a company rep stop by. I haven't seen her in a few months. She's a little younger than me...single and looking for Mr. Right. Last time she came by, she took myself and a couple of co-workers out to lunch. I stuck to ordering something off the menu that did not contain lots of calories, fat etc. The others ordered cheeseburgers and fries with cheese....yeah.

So yesterday when she stopped by, she said, "Wow...you have really lost a lot of weight!"

I smiled and accepted the compliment by simply saying, yes and thank you. I didn't jump up and down and say...Can you believe I've lost 54 pounds!. (On the inside I wanted to, but I didn't)

Her next words are the words I hear from everyone who has commented on my weight loss: "How did you do it?"

I don't know what they expect to fall from my mouth..maybe some new type of miracle cure...or a potion that you take at night and the next morning you wake up and the fat is just gone..POOF!

I can tell you what they don't want to hear - which is the truth. My answer is and will always be: I have changed my eating habits and the way I look at food. I am very conscious of what I am putting in my body. I exercise in some form everyday.

You can almost see the let down in their face as my words roll out of my mouth.
Nope..no miracle. It takes determination, dedication, and hard work.

The next thing I hear will vary, but it is usually in some form of an excuse. This time it was , "Oh, I hate to exercise."

And yes, I have heard before, "I could never do that" ; "I just don't have willpower to stick with it"; "Maybe someday I'll give it a try".

There are times I wish I could put my hands on their shoulders and just SHAKE them!

So, my conversation yesterday ended with "Find something you like to do and then do it". I would like to believe that would happen, but I know it won't.

Just like anything else in life, if it something you REALLY want, you will find a way..you will make the time..you will work at making it happen.

I'm not superwoman, a person with miraculous abilities to just make the weight disappear. I'm just like everyone else, but maybe I just want it more than others.
I work hard everyday, I struggle with food issues, and yes there are days when even I don't want to exercise. I had the courage to face myself, accept that a change HAD to take place, and a willingness to overcome my fears and thoughts of failure.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox for the day. Meeting my personal trainer at lunch today - first day after two weeks. He had a death in the family and was out of town. I'm really looking forward to hitting it hard today!

28-Day Bootcamp Challenge

So I decided today to join the sparkpeople.com's 28- Bootcamp Challenge.

I like it because it is organized. It tells you what you need to do each day to complete your daily goal.

Today was day 1 of week 1.

This weeks goals are: 1. Track your food for at least 3 days
2. Do 1 - 10 minute bootcamp workout video (free on their
site) each day.
3. Do an additional 10 minutes of cardio for five days
4. Track your workouts


On another note, I weighed in today....and drum roll please...dadadaaaad:

3 lbs gone!

That brings my total to 54 lbs.

I am definitely not the same person I was before...on the outside or on the inside.

I feel like a caterpillar who has turned into a butterfly and is ready to be set free!

I love knowing their are so many opportunities out there and the fact that I never know what tomorrow might bring.

Life is GOOD!

Trying a New Routine...

I have been getting very lazy in the mornings...getting up having a cup of coffee and eating my cereal or oatmeal then getting on the computer. I check my email..check facebook...do a post on my blog...then check sparkpeople.com. By the time I was done, I had no time left for getting in any exercise in the morning. Something had to give.

So, I'm trying something new to see how it works. The past couple of mornings I have been able to get out of bed at 5 AM. I then go ahead and take my shower and put on my work out clothes...go grab a cup of coffee and eat my cereal or oatmeal. And then I'm out the door at 6am headed to the gym. I carry my work clothes and make up with me. And I do all my blogging and computer stuff at night (in between all the household stuff I have to take care of when I get home).

So far so good.

It takes about 30 minutes to drive to the gym. I start work at 8 am, so that gives me a pretty good amount of time to work out and then get changed and get into the office.

Yesterday, I did the 5K loop on the treadmill - alternating between running/jogging and briskly walking. I completed it...but it took me 40 minutes. Now, that may seem really long to you seasoned runners. But, I have to say, I was so proud of myself. That is the first time I had ever done it! I ran 2 miles and walked he 1.1 mile left. Run 1/4 mile, then walk 1/8 mile...alternating the whole distance.

Then last night, I used my resistance bands working my arms, abs, and thighs. Pooped, I went to bed at 10 pm.

Up again at 5AM and out the door by 6AM. Got to the gym a little later than yesterday...hmmm..not sure how.

Hit the treadmill again, hoping for a repeat performance of yesterday...but my body had other ideas.

I had to stop at 2.5 miles - just a half mile short of completing because my knees were begging me to STOP NOW!

My knees were really sore, so in an effort to keep from having any injuries that would keep me from running, I decided to listen to my body and give it a rest. My legs felt pretty weak when I got off the treadmill, but off to work I went. Sweaty, stinky...and SORE!

I hobbled around the office bringing amusement to everyone. But it will pay off in the end.

Think I might skip riding the bike tonight. I think I hear my whirlpool tub call my name.

My New Toy....

Last night, my 16 year old son and I went out to eat for dinner. It is very rare that we are able to do this, just the two of us.

I didn't sweat it about the calories. I feel that the choice I made was o.k.....I could have done better, but I knew what I had eaten earlier that day and felt it was o.k. to splurge. So I ordered "Yolandas". It was 3 chicken enchiladas with ranchero sauce, mexican rice and a guacamole salad. I at one enchilada and 2 bites of another, half of my rice, and none of the salad (I'm not really into guacamole). Anyway, I was FULL! Took the rest home in a to go box.

Afterwards, my son and I headed to Walmart to pick up some stuff that we needed. Mostly, we went to get him a new phone.

Then we walked back to the sporting goods section. I bought a new 8lb dumbbell. I always look around to see what I can purchase to add to my "stash". I wish I had enough room to really have a home gym, but thankful for the room that I do have now.

I bought a resistance band. I had been wanting to try one out for some time, but never did. Then one day at the gym, my trainer gave me one to do bicep curls. Wow...that was hard! I was hooked.

I didn't take it out of the package until today and as soon as I started using it, I wondered why I didn't buy one earlier. These things are GREAT!!!

There are SO many different exercises you can do with a resistance band from an upper body workout, to lower body workout and even core exercises. This is definitely one piece of equipment that I will be using on a daily basis. It was funny, because everyone in the family from hubby to the youngest kid wanted to use it. Next time, I think I'll buy a shorter one to go with my collection.

And whats more great about it is that you control your workout from low impact to high impact. Its perfect for the beginner as well as the seasoned pro.

Wonder if I can get buy using one at work sitting at my desk....hmmmm. Might have to give that a try.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

Day 3 with Personal Trainer

Yesterday's session started off like the week before with a 5 min warm up on the treadmill - 3 min walking at 3.5 and 2 min jogging at 4.7.

Then it was on to strength training, weights, stability and abs. Instead of doing 2 reps on the machine, I did one rep and moved quickly to another and did basically a circuit and then started over.

My trainer did comment that he can see definition in my arms...Yay! I can see it too, but it's great when someone else actually notices. I wish I could see them from the back...that's kinda hard to do even with a mirror.

Anyway, we tried some new things, increased some weight and really moved around. We went from working on the arms (I wish I could remember the names of those darn machines)to working on my legs with two leg and one leg extensions.

He had me do two different types of squats..man could I feel them. And then it was on to lunges (I can tell you, I hate lunges, but I will do them because I know it is good for me).

Then it was time to move upstairs to work on the abs. Lying on a mat with my hands positioned behind me, I had to lean my back at an angle and raise my legs bent and then straighten them out. Then when pulling them in, I was to pull my body up at the same time. I was lucky to get 12 done. Then it was time to bicycle in the air - same position as before and then reverse. Got it done and was definitely feeling it.

A couple more ab exercises and the 50 minutes were done.

When I got back to the office, I was feeling it everywhere. And now that it is the next morning, I feel better, but I think I might have pulled something in my back on the right side. It's feeling like there may be a catch in it. So, I'm going to take it a little easy and see if I can get it worked out.

Today, I go to the doctor for a weigh in and to have my blood pressure taken. While I there, I'm going to talk to her about the headaches and the feet swelling and see if she has any suggestions.

Well that's all for now. Happy Thursday!

Day 2 with Personal Trainer

I was going to take my camera with me so I could get some pics to go along with the post, but left my camera at home.

Yesterday was my second meeting with the personal trainer at the gym. Our schedules are tight so we meet up during my lunch hour. I wasn't sure what to expect this go around.

I started off by warming up for five minutes on the treadmill - three minutes walking at 3.5 and two minutes jogging at 4.5. Let me input something here...I had been using the C25K program and still on week one. The longest that you jog is 60 seconds and the walk for 90 seconds and keep alternating for 20 minutes. I hadn't jogged for two minutes yet...and I did it! And the amazing thing is, when my two minutes were up, I felt I could keep on going!

Next it was on to the gym machines...leg presses, 50-70 pounds, 2 reps @12 each. I could really feel it in my legs when done. Worked the arms on various machines, chest, and back.

We went over to the free weight section and he handed me a 30 pound barbel and wanted me to do curls. It looked light enough...I can do this. He handed it to me and at first it was no problem. When I reached about the 7th curl, I could feel the burn and I had to really push myself to get to 12. I rested for 30 seconds and then set out to do it again. I focused my eyesight on one point and began. I could hear the trainer saying, "Rest if you need" and "Do you need me to help". I was determined I could do this without any help. I fixated my sight on one point in the room, I continued to breathe and made it to 12 without stopping and without help. It was a great feeling of accomplishment! But, it also made me feel really whimpy because it was just 30 pounds!

After that it was over the head pushes with two 7 lb weight. This was right after the 30lb dumbells. But I did it...2 sets of 12.

I did some additional exercises before he let me go. Even as I was leaving, I could feel the workout in my muscles. But this is why I am here...this is what I want...this is what I NEED.

When I got home last night, it was just my son and I. I made BLTs for dinner, with Turkey Bacon...yum! My son (15) actually prefers turkey bacon over regular bacon and I think it tastes better too.

I checked my emails, etc on the computer and decided to round out the day with one more workout (oh...I also rode my stationary bike that morning for 5 miles). I love my DVD Fat Burning Jam - Dance Off the Inches. It lasts for 30 minutes and I really worked up a good sweat doing it. It felt great to have such a productive day!

On another note, upon waking this morning, my body feels like it has been run over by a semi truck - yep, you got it - sore muscles. But that's okay...it just means that I am working muscles that need to be worked. The soreness will go away and I will continue. But for today, I'm going to take it a little bit easier in the workout department. I might go for a treadmill walk at lunch or a bike ride tonight...we'll just have to see.

Will try and post some pics another time.

Routines and an Update

I am a routine kind of person. I have always been. I like routines and lists. I will make a list for everything, from grocery shopping to cleaning, from dinner menus to bill paying. My husband has even made fun of me for this habit...but hey, its what works for me.

My eating and exercising really is no different. I try and make a plan for each day. If you have followed my food log on the side bar, you have probably noticed by now that my breakfast and first snack are usually the same everyday, oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast and a banana for snack. It's what I like and I don't get bored with it. When I get up, I don't even have to think about it, its just automatic.

I try and eat during the day around the same time each day...it just seems to help me stay on track. Like I said before, its not even something I think about now, it is just done as a habit (a good habit).

Exercise is almost the same way...but I do change it around a bit. I try to get it in before work, during lunch break (if I don't have errands to run), and again at home after work.

I love routines. Did I already say that? Having a routine helps me stay focused on whatever task is at hand.

People are different. I know some that like to fly by the seat of their pants, and that works for them. What works for one person may not necessarily be the best way for the other. You just gotta find your own pace.

Now for an update....Yesterday, I was one pooped puppy. I thought I was tired the day before riding in a car for 12 hours, 800 miles, 3 kids and 1 husband (who would only stop twice..Grrr). But it really must have caught up with me yesterday. I did five loads of laundry and got them all put away except one.

Because I committed to start my 5K training yesterday (see earlier post), I went to the gym and the family tagged along. They went to the pool while I stayed inside and proceeded with my workout.

The first day of week one indicates warm up by walking briskly for 5 min. Then you are to alternate run for 60 sec and then walk for 90 sec. You do the alternating for 20 minutes. That went great...no problem! Yay!

After that, I was eyeing those dastardly eliptical machines (The Machines of Death). "Hmmm", I thought. "There is no one else in here, I'll give it another chance."

I figured, why not. I'm already sweaty. If anyone comes along, it'll look like I've been on this thing for awhile! (Yeah, I know..deception, not my proudest moment). Anyway, I climbed on and got it started moving. Looked at the direction for the arms. Did I want my arms to push or to pull. Decisions, decisions. I think I must have been thinking on that way too long. Oh heck, just push the button already! Now, I don't even remember what I chose. So off I go! Still on level one...but I'm doing it. I decide to just shoot for 5 minutes. I didn't seem as difficult this go around as the first time. But 5 minutes was enough for me. When I looked at the display at the end of my 5 minutes....I had burned 14 calories. 14 CALORIES...are you kidding me...was that all? . SIGH. I WILL do better next time. Yes, I said next time. I will master that eliptical machine...I am now on a mission!

After that, I did go and do a little strength training...arms and legs.
Then enjoyed sitting out by the pool with my husband while we watched the kids play in the pool.

At home, hubby cooked dinner. I was the last one to finish eating and it was all I could do to keep my head from falling onto my plate. I was going to try and get 5 miles of biking in....but opted to go to bed instead. I was instantly asleep when my head hit the pillow. Ahhhh....