Quick Update
Just a quicky update about my exercise plan so far. It was so rainy last night I just opted to Wii again. I did 30 minutes on the low step with the hand weights the entire time. Then I got out my Gold's Gym Dance Workout game and tried a bit of that again. It's hard, but the tutorials are good, so I can practice. Maybe that'll even get me coordinated enough for Zumba one day.
Swimsuit
I bought myself a new swimsuit. It was so weird to be able to go in Kmart and grab a size 22, it fit and looked good and I paid and left with it. Normally I have to order them in the LB/Romans Catalog and hoped that it would work. After-the-fact, I realize I should have tried a size 20 - if it were comfortable enough, that would last me longer. I'm still not used to not grabbing the largest sizes they have! I still hunt for 28 or larger - it's surreal sometimes.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
My Exercise Plan Report: Day 1
Thanks for all the support and commentary on my post yesterday. As promised, here is an update!
My test run with Zumba
I haven't gone to a class yet, but I went home last night and used the wii to bring up this YouTube video of an acutal Zumba class to see if I could follow along. Talk about discouraging. I could have cried. I suck. I just stood there with my jaw open trying to figure out what the hell to do. I couldn't get what was going on fast enough before they switched and some of the moves are just too hoppy for me and my knees. Plus, my feet don't slide across the floor with shoes on like these people's feet do. I guess it's because of the weight? But, I don't want to exercise in sock-feet. So, I brought up another video on YouTube that must be from the at home instructional DVD or something. It shows you a few moves slowly. I did better, but I still wasn't getting it. Maybe it was just because I was already feeling so defeated. Never-the-less, I really could have cried. Ugh. I wanna do the Zumba tho! It looks like fun, but I suck. :(
Back to Wii Fit
So, after sitting there feeling totally defeated for a while I got up finally made it through 46 minutes of stepping. Only 10 of those were on the high step because my legs were all crampy yesterday for some reason.
Some New Gear
After my Wal*Mart Vision Center© appointment this morning, I found myself some new workout pants to replace all my old giant ones that don't fit anymore. It's so hot here that I have to have capri-style. They only had those in the Misses sizes, but I held up a XL and it looked larger than an XL, tried it on and Lo & Behold they fit better than the 1X womens sized Danskins pants I tried on. Strange, huh? I also got these Danskin shoes for $25. I had been wanting to try the Sketchers, but they are so expensive! These fit really well and even though they are made with cheaper materials, they will last as long as I need them too. They are super cushioned and I like the way they just roll through when you step. Looking forward to trying them out on a walk! I got two pairs of capris, one shirt, and some shoes - I feel like it was $58.32 well spent. The next thing I need is a new water aerobics bathing suit!
Today's Plan
Since it's raining today, it'll have to be Wii at home or maybe a venture back to the gym if it's not stormy! If I stay at home with the wii, I plan to get out my Gold's Gym Dance game and give that another try too.
My test run with Zumba
I haven't gone to a class yet, but I went home last night and used the wii to bring up this YouTube video of an acutal Zumba class to see if I could follow along. Talk about discouraging. I could have cried. I suck. I just stood there with my jaw open trying to figure out what the hell to do. I couldn't get what was going on fast enough before they switched and some of the moves are just too hoppy for me and my knees. Plus, my feet don't slide across the floor with shoes on like these people's feet do. I guess it's because of the weight? But, I don't want to exercise in sock-feet. So, I brought up another video on YouTube that must be from the at home instructional DVD or something. It shows you a few moves slowly. I did better, but I still wasn't getting it. Maybe it was just because I was already feeling so defeated. Never-the-less, I really could have cried. Ugh. I wanna do the Zumba tho! It looks like fun, but I suck. :(
Back to Wii Fit
So, after sitting there feeling totally defeated for a while I got up finally made it through 46 minutes of stepping. Only 10 of those were on the high step because my legs were all crampy yesterday for some reason.
Some New Gear
After my Wal*Mart Vision Center© appointment this morning, I found myself some new workout pants to replace all my old giant ones that don't fit anymore. It's so hot here that I have to have capri-style. They only had those in the Misses sizes, but I held up a XL and it looked larger than an XL, tried it on and Lo & Behold they fit better than the 1X womens sized Danskins pants I tried on. Strange, huh? I also got these Danskin shoes for $25. I had been wanting to try the Sketchers, but they are so expensive! These fit really well and even though they are made with cheaper materials, they will last as long as I need them too. They are super cushioned and I like the way they just roll through when you step. Looking forward to trying them out on a walk! I got two pairs of capris, one shirt, and some shoes - I feel like it was $58.32 well spent. The next thing I need is a new water aerobics bathing suit!Today's Plan
Since it's raining today, it'll have to be Wii at home or maybe a venture back to the gym if it's not stormy! If I stay at home with the wii, I plan to get out my Gold's Gym Dance game and give that another try too.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Trying to Formulate an Exercise Plan
Unused Resources
After yesterday's post, I looked at my gym's website and realized that I am not utilizing the best resource I have. I have many classes that I could participate in including water aerobics and Zumba. There is also a steam room, all kinds of machines, weights, and TVs hooked to everything. I should be using that to incorporate some variety despite the inconvenience.
I used to do water aerobics and really did enjoy it until, believe it or not, it began to hurt my knees. I should try the Zumba class too - I hear it's really crowded, but I just need to deal with it and get in there!
I think before I even think about a personal trainer (which is pretty expensive at my gym) I need to figure out how to make moving around fun for me. Maybe down the road, when I am a few pounds lighter, I can think about a trainer who can help me make sure I'm taking care of more than just my cardio.
My Plan
Over the next 2 weeks, I'm going to experiment with some different fun things like water aerobics, zumba, the gold's Gym dance workout for the wii that I have, and whenever daylight savings kicks in the park, and outdoor things. I'm going to try different activities and different routines (like taking workout clothes to work and walking around campus immediately after work). Maybe even see if I can wrangle up a buddy at work to do it too.
This is also going to help me find my "zone"- the place where I am pushing myself to work hard, but not pushing my knees so hard that I'm in pain. It's been so long since my knees have felt this good that I don't know what I am capable of anymore. I know I feel MUCH better, but I need to use these knees now that they have had a load taken off them.
After my experimental 2 week period, I'll formulate a weekly plan that includes 2 days where I do something other than the Wii workout at home. And my wii workout can vary to include the stepping and the Gold's Gym dance game I have. The good thing is, on rainy days or days when a plan falls through, I have a backup of the Wii at home.
I'll report my findings here! Thanks for everyone's input on my last post! Wish me luck ;) !
After yesterday's post, I looked at my gym's website and realized that I am not utilizing the best resource I have. I have many classes that I could participate in including water aerobics and Zumba. There is also a steam room, all kinds of machines, weights, and TVs hooked to everything. I should be using that to incorporate some variety despite the inconvenience.
I used to do water aerobics and really did enjoy it until, believe it or not, it began to hurt my knees. I should try the Zumba class too - I hear it's really crowded, but I just need to deal with it and get in there!
I think before I even think about a personal trainer (which is pretty expensive at my gym) I need to figure out how to make moving around fun for me. Maybe down the road, when I am a few pounds lighter, I can think about a trainer who can help me make sure I'm taking care of more than just my cardio.
My Plan
Over the next 2 weeks, I'm going to experiment with some different fun things like water aerobics, zumba, the gold's Gym dance workout for the wii that I have, and whenever daylight savings kicks in the park, and outdoor things. I'm going to try different activities and different routines (like taking workout clothes to work and walking around campus immediately after work). Maybe even see if I can wrangle up a buddy at work to do it too.
This is also going to help me find my "zone"- the place where I am pushing myself to work hard, but not pushing my knees so hard that I'm in pain. It's been so long since my knees have felt this good that I don't know what I am capable of anymore. I know I feel MUCH better, but I need to use these knees now that they have had a load taken off them.
After my experimental 2 week period, I'll formulate a weekly plan that includes 2 days where I do something other than the Wii workout at home. And my wii workout can vary to include the stepping and the Gold's Gym dance game I have. The good thing is, on rainy days or days when a plan falls through, I have a backup of the Wii at home.
I'll report my findings here! Thanks for everyone's input on my last post! Wish me luck ;) !
Monday, March 7, 2011
Being Sick - Restriction Changes - Exercise
Being Sick
After two solid weeks of sickness I am finally feeling more normal! Talk about miserable. Coughing non-stop can really, really make the band difficult. I was really tight and it's hard to eat slow (or at all) when you have a clogged and/or runny nose. So, I was eating a lot of things that go down easily.
Restriction Changes
I feel like my restriction from my last fill has "kicked in" after I was sick? I got sick a week and a half after my last fill. At first I didn't really feel anything, but now I actually feel restriction again like I haven't had in a long time. Certain items like bread which I ate before in small portions, are becoming harder and harder to deal with and I've been avoiding them all-together. I think I'm at around 6cc in a 14cc band - my surgeon doesn't like to be specific about it because he says that he doesn't want us to get stuck on a number, it's not about the number, it's about how it's working. I totally agree, but it's annoying not knowing. LOL
Exercise/Personal Trainers
I really don't like the venue of a gym for exercise - I've been making expensive monthly donations for quite some time now and not going. I don't completely hate exercise, I just need to find things that are both fun and easily scheduled into my life. For instance, I really enjoy my wii fit because I can do it at home (which saves me time and wardrobe changes) and because I can watch my own TV while I step and the time just flies. I just bought a lift kit that makes the board higher and sometimes I add some 3 lb hand weights to tone my arms.
I don't hate the gym for normal reasons. I hate dumb things like the smell, the environment, the sound, the time it takes to get ready and go... I dread it. When I can just come home and exercise, I don't dread it. I thought about getting a treadmill, but my home is too small - there is NOwhere to put one!
But, I can't do wii step forever and I need to be doing more. I need to either use my gym membership or get rid of it and do my own thing. I'm not sure what I should do. I'm torn... I thought that maybe a personal trainer would give me some direction, accountability, and motivation. My husband would probably not like the idea simply because he'd be like "But, we can go together", but it's not the same thing. I need an outside party to be accountable to. I can't quite articulate why, but it's just not the same when you go with a spouse and I would just end up feeling inadequate to him and annoyed with myself, ya know? But, I don't know that a personal trainer would make me like it any better.
Now that the weather is getting better, I'm looking forward to going to the park and trying out a little slow jogging. The park here has a dirt trail where I can kind of drag my feet a little and do a sort of scuff-along jog that I can't do indoors. Does that make sense to anyone else but me? That method allows me to get more cardio and it doesn't hurt my knees so bad because it's not as much impact on them. Now that daylight savings time is almost back, it'll still be daylight after work and I can go out there while others are around.
Have any of you ever hired a personal trainer? What was your experience like?
After two solid weeks of sickness I am finally feeling more normal! Talk about miserable. Coughing non-stop can really, really make the band difficult. I was really tight and it's hard to eat slow (or at all) when you have a clogged and/or runny nose. So, I was eating a lot of things that go down easily.
Restriction Changes
I feel like my restriction from my last fill has "kicked in" after I was sick? I got sick a week and a half after my last fill. At first I didn't really feel anything, but now I actually feel restriction again like I haven't had in a long time. Certain items like bread which I ate before in small portions, are becoming harder and harder to deal with and I've been avoiding them all-together. I think I'm at around 6cc in a 14cc band - my surgeon doesn't like to be specific about it because he says that he doesn't want us to get stuck on a number, it's not about the number, it's about how it's working. I totally agree, but it's annoying not knowing. LOL
Exercise/Personal Trainers
I really don't like the venue of a gym for exercise - I've been making expensive monthly donations for quite some time now and not going. I don't completely hate exercise, I just need to find things that are both fun and easily scheduled into my life. For instance, I really enjoy my wii fit because I can do it at home (which saves me time and wardrobe changes) and because I can watch my own TV while I step and the time just flies. I just bought a lift kit that makes the board higher and sometimes I add some 3 lb hand weights to tone my arms.
I don't hate the gym for normal reasons. I hate dumb things like the smell, the environment, the sound, the time it takes to get ready and go... I dread it. When I can just come home and exercise, I don't dread it. I thought about getting a treadmill, but my home is too small - there is NOwhere to put one!
But, I can't do wii step forever and I need to be doing more. I need to either use my gym membership or get rid of it and do my own thing. I'm not sure what I should do. I'm torn... I thought that maybe a personal trainer would give me some direction, accountability, and motivation. My husband would probably not like the idea simply because he'd be like "But, we can go together", but it's not the same thing. I need an outside party to be accountable to. I can't quite articulate why, but it's just not the same when you go with a spouse and I would just end up feeling inadequate to him and annoyed with myself, ya know? But, I don't know that a personal trainer would make me like it any better.
Now that the weather is getting better, I'm looking forward to going to the park and trying out a little slow jogging. The park here has a dirt trail where I can kind of drag my feet a little and do a sort of scuff-along jog that I can't do indoors. Does that make sense to anyone else but me? That method allows me to get more cardio and it doesn't hurt my knees so bad because it's not as much impact on them. Now that daylight savings time is almost back, it'll still be daylight after work and I can go out there while others are around.
Have any of you ever hired a personal trainer? What was your experience like?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Being Sick Sucks
So, I've been coughing and hacking since Wednesday night and my band NO LIKEY. I haven't been able to eat solid things very well at ALL and I'm regretting that I did not bring some soup for lunch today because I just haven't been able to get anything to go down like normal. It's all slow and yucky.
I think all the drainage doesn't help and I've been coughing SO HARD my stomach is sore. It feels like I have a colony of hummingbirds living in my lungs...I feel so exhausted from coughing and nose-blowing!
I'm definitely going home early today. I took care of things from my two days out and I'm outta here soon so that I can find some soup! Grrrr....stupid sickness!
I hope all is well with you guys!
I think all the drainage doesn't help and I've been coughing SO HARD my stomach is sore. It feels like I have a colony of hummingbirds living in my lungs...I feel so exhausted from coughing and nose-blowing!
I'm definitely going home early today. I took care of things from my two days out and I'm outta here soon so that I can find some soup! Grrrr....stupid sickness!
I hope all is well with you guys!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Review of Popchips - I am in LOVE with this great new product!
Let me tell you...I am in LOVE. Mostly with the BBQ ones because BBQ chips are always my favorites. I never have been a big fan of regular potato chips because I find them too greasy. When baked chips came out, I was so excited, but these are even better! They are super light and very crunchy. They are potatoes that have literally been popped like popcorn.
They are low fat (4-5g per serving) and low calorie (100-120c per serving depending on the packaging). They come in single serving bags or multiple serving bags lots of flavors as you can see from the image. I have tried the BBQ, Sour Cream & Onion, and Sea Salt & Vinegar chips! I liked them all!
The great thing about the small single serving bags is that they are exactly 100 calories and you can't eat the entire bag like you could if you bought the multiple serving bags. The large bags only have 3 to 3.5 servings in them for about $3.50 at my local Kroger. The serving size in the multiple serving bags is a little larger making that serving 120 calories.
In my opinion, buying the individual bags is slightly more expensive, but it curbs my desire to eat ALL of them. Which is a problem we are all obviously trying to overcome and sometimes solutions to that problem can come in the form of convenience at a bit of a cost. Which is OK. I'm seriously thinking of purchasing a 24 pack of the BBQ ones on Amazon for $20 thus saving $4 and right now I have free shipping because of an Amazon Prime membership trial.
I feel silly buying in bulk off the internet, but I guess it's no different than going to Sams or Costco!
You guys should seriously try these if you see them in your stores! Check out their website for more info! www.popchips.com
Thursday, February 17, 2011
What I did to Feel Better
So, yesterday, I was having one of those "Ugh" kind of days where I feel bloated and fat and like I'm not accomplishing anything anymore. My clothes are beginning to look crappy and I just feel blah. I'm sure that my TOM has a lot to do with this, so thanks Mother Nature.
Anyways, all my pants are a size 24, except for my best-fitting jeans that are 22s. So, I went to the store and tried on A BUNCH of 22s to prove to myself that I am, indeed, a solid size 22 now and that it wasn't some fluke thing that the ONE pair of jeans happen to fit.
I didn't buy anything, but it sure made me feel good to be able to do it :)
...and to think that I used to wear a size 32.
Anyways, all my pants are a size 24, except for my best-fitting jeans that are 22s. So, I went to the store and tried on A BUNCH of 22s to prove to myself that I am, indeed, a solid size 22 now and that it wasn't some fluke thing that the ONE pair of jeans happen to fit.
I didn't buy anything, but it sure made me feel good to be able to do it :)
...and to think that I used to wear a size 32.
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