PT, Day 2 + Homework?!?!?!?

Today, I saw my trainer again.  We talked about how I felt after Monday's workout (lol I felt horrid! my core muscles were screaming, kept me awake and nauseous that night!)  So he told me we'd tone it down for today and see if that level works better.  We did all kinds of different things, he mixes it up well!  Part of it was tossing a 6lb medicine ball back and forth - which feels like a game, but it was definitely a workout!  Then "slams" with the same ball - raise it over my head and slam it to the ground.  Wow -- talk about a true stress reliever!  We did a lot of other usual things, lots of leg work.  But the best was the last 10 minutes.  He had me lay on my back and he stretched me.  Pulled and pushed on each leg in various positions.  Then did my shoulders and arms.  Maaaaaaaaan - that felt terrific!!  I'm still relaxed :)   What a difference that makes!

But... then came the homework.  I must have blinked five or six times, wondering if I heard him right... "Homework???"  ha!  Saturday's homework = 100 wall pushups.  Ok.  Doable. Sunday's homework = Ball Trio (a set of different arm and shoulder presses done while balanced on a stability ball, oh boy!)

He's going to be the best trainer!!
Time for that hot shower, and an aspirin! hehehehe

PT, day 1

Personal training can be a good thing. 
and maybe a bad one too?!?
I came home tired, a good tired, all my muscles worked to the extreme.  Then I walked the dog and had dinner, a baked potato and 3 eggs over easy.  Showered, took some aspirin and crawled into bed and was asleep before 8pm.  Probably more like 715 hahaha.  But now, nearly 11pm and I'm awake and feeling a little nausea.  Too much in the workout dept, I suppose.  Hope it goes away soon!

Russell is a good trainer, and he works me hard.  Harder than I used to work with Daemeon.  Wow.  I bet I'll be hurting tomorrow!  We did a full circuit-training type routine, with plenty of arms, shoulder, legs, hamstrings and inner/outer thigh work.  Boy oh boy.  We laid out a road map for the month of the things I need to do in order to get to the point I want to get to for the  month of February:  to be down 8 lbs.  Nothing too drastic, just right is what I'm hoping.  But if I hold true to form, I'll lose, then gain some back, because of muscle gain.

We'll see how this goes, I'll keep you updated!

Boxing!!

Wow!  Today, I got my first boxing lesson!  How cool is that??  So it's Monday, and a typical work day's end, and time to head to the gym.  Being Monday, I'm always a little ... blah about working out, mostly ready to slog through my routine and get home, cuz that's how Mondays are.  All changed and ready, I hop on the treadmill and get going. 

I was only a few minutes into it when a young guy comes over and introduces himself (and right now, my mind is a blank as to what his name is -- how bad is that??)   He asked a bunch of questions and I answered, and he said "How about a free training session today?"  Well hell.  Sure!  I answered. (and then I wondered if that was the smart thing to do ???? hahah)   He tells me "Get warmed up, I'll be ready in 4 minutes, I'm gonna grab my gear."    I didn't think anything of it, assuming it would be the usual equipment. Turns out, its boxing gear!   The whole time, he's chattering away about nothing, and fitting the gloves on my hands, and I'm sure the look on my face was like "Whaaaattt?"  And we start in, soft swings at first, boxer's stance, and he's dancing away and telling me to come and get him, keep punching, don't stop ... I'm sure you get the picture!  For 30 minutes, we kept going and going, changing stance, changing from a punch to an upper cut then back again.  First time I ever had permission to hit a man....  lol

Any time you're ready, Mike Tyson.... bring it on! 
This gal's rarin' to go!
(laughs ... yeah, right!)

Worth It!

This morning I got up and went to the gym early.  I'm hovering at the mark for 30 pounds lost! I'm thrilled with my progress.  Of course, with water intake, the heat here in the Valley, and daily living, it can fluctuate from day to day, but ... I'll take the 30.  :) 

 

I hopped on the treadmill today, and thought about those 30 pounds.  Well, first I thought about my reason for being at the gym at 7am on a Saturday.  I celebrated reaching a goal with a Bacon Cheeseburger from Jack in the Box Friday night.  lol I know, I know, that's SO not the way to do it, but 4 months without junk food-- I admit I caved.  And you know what?  It was good, but maybe not as good as I remembered.  I could easily go another four months without one of those again.  Ah, my taste buds are changing :)

 

So back to the gym, I headed there to burn off the extra 500 calories that burger added to my day.  And I realized as I was treading along that I am so much more able, more capable of doing what I've been doing without those 30 pounds.  I imagined six bags of sugar strapped around my waist and trying to reach my time/distance goals that I've set for myself.  And realized how much just those few pounds were holding me back.  My goals switch up as I get into better shape.  On the treadmill, I can either measure distance or time.  I try to mix it up.

Back in March, I would try and push the speed, and my lungs would 'give out' first, I'd be panting so hard, I had to slow down.  I've worked up to building speed, then the leg muscles would cramp.  I was doing this with interval training, knowing that I would walk the majority of my time, but adding sprints in there; at first, one minute at 4mph, slowly increasing the speed and times.  Ok,why the long boring description here?  Because today, I reached a milestone.  3 miles in 47 minutes!!!  And I was able to do three sets of sprints at 4.5mph for three minutes.  Four months ago, I imagine I would have collapsed trying to do that. 

It's the little things that need to be rewarded, 

because we deserve it, because we're worth it. 

..... because I deserve it,

..... because I am worth it!

How am I celebrating?  I'm going to get a a new 'do today!!!

Experiment #3

I've been continuing with my experiments off and on -- not really sure it's paying off in any way that I was thinking it would.  However, I've always been a people watcher -- just never when they're watching me!!  But today after the gym, I put on  my sundress and combed my hair after my workout.  (Forgot to bring in the big Hollywood Sunglasses to complete the look, however!) 

As I'm walking out, most times, the person(s) at the front desk say goodbye, usually using my name.  Today, there were three people at the desk, and I waggled my fingers in a little wave goodbye, smiled at Michelle, didn't know the other guy who was standing there.  But the best was being able to see the look on Trainer Sean's face .... I could tell it was one of those "Who was that??" looks.  I just smiled, and kept walking :)

Wonder what's in store for tomorrow??

Experiment #1

Every day after work, I head to the gym.  I don't allow many things to get in the way of that -- it's my time, it's important to me, and I enjoy it.  (Well, most of the time!)   So I've decided to conduct an experiment or two, just to see what happens.  

Background:  When I dress for work, its in jeans and a navy polo shirt (as required).  None of it is very flattering, and I need to have comfortable shoes for climbing around on ladders, pallets, you name it.  So, I go for comfort rather than looking good. or girly.  Same goes with my hair.  Most days, it's pulled back out of my face, because it can't get in the way of working.  With all that going on, my morning "primping" doesn't consist of much girly primping!  And after a long day at work, in the lovely work uniform of course, I head into the gym.  Not a look that turns a lot of heads, ya know?

I slip into my workout clothes, a pair of bike shorts, and a sleeveless top.  It doesn't hide much, and it doesn't flatter much, either.  Climb onto some gym equipment and go for it, getting all sweaty.  How is it that some women can carry that off -- looking good while they're panting and sweating up a storm???  Definitely not me. After said workout, I usually just grab my gym bag, slap sunglasses on my face and head out to the car really fast. 

So.  What's my experiment?  Not sure if its daring ... or playing with fire ....  but after my workout today, I climbed out of my gym clothes and slipped into a black and white zebra print ankle length halter dress and silver sparkly sandals.  I let my hair down, combed it into reasonable shape, then slapped sunglasses on my face and headed for the door.  

I paused to refill my water bottle.  

I held my head high.  

And pasted a half smile on my face.  

I'm not sure if I was noticed, but its a gym.....  we all know what those are like!  I did get one smile from a nice looking man.  :)  Sure felt good !!

Six Pack!

Because of my work schedule the past week or so, I had to miss a training session.  To make up for it, I saw my trainer yesterday and today.   Yesterday, we worked upper body, and today was lower body.  The end of the session and he says "Time for abs!"  I sat on the ball, a 10 lb weight on my chest, and he says "OK, sit-ups for five minutes straight through."   Well, you can imagine the face I made at him.... but I'm a trooper and get started; while I'm huffing and puffing my way through sit-up after sit-up he chats on about how this is good for me, doing good, keep going, 3 more minutes ... yep, gonna have a six pack soon...."   And without thinking, out slips "Yessss.... Bud Lite Lime"  And Daemeon busts out laughing.  And I keep going "..... ice cold on a hot summer day ...." as I'm still doing the dreaded sit-ups.  Of course, it's harder to maintain a rhythm because I'm giggling like crazy - and dreaming of an ice cold beer! 

But progress in spite of the crazy hours and bad eating habits I kept for the past week - down 1.4 lbs.  I'll take that!   My trainer and I talked about my ultimate goal - he agrees that women need to be soft and curvy, so as of today, I have 49 more pounds to my ultimate goal.  At two lbs a week, 25 more weeks.  That's a very tough goal to reach in that time frame.  But ... you have to have a goal to reach for!  I am using SparkPeople as my calorie counter and reference for tracking my workouts.  It's not 100% perfect, but it helps me maintain my track record.


By the way, I didn't rush home and sip an ice cold beer .... just a bottle of Perrier! 

PT Time!

Daemeon:  Ok, 30 seconds, Prone Iso Abs
(Gal gets into position, supported by elbows, raises up on toes, panics as she holds it and counts)
Daemeon:  .... and 5, 4, 3, 2, ...1.  Good job!
(Gal collapses, in an overly dramatic fashion)
Daemeon:  Well done, but you make it look too easy!
Gal:  Oh, believe me, its tough.  I'll tell you a secret though....
Daemeon:  What's that?
Gal:  On the skinny girls, you can see the muscles quivering.
         But on me?  they're well hidden .... you can't see how tough it is!!
(Daemeon busts out in laughter....
     .....giving this gal an extra minute break time!!! Well worth it!)

As you can see, my time with Daemeon can be total fun!  He's got a great sense of humor, and even though we can crack jokes about it, he works me very hard.  And still respects my limits when he sees I'm tiring.  (You can tell that because my balance gets a little wobbly. )  If you've never hired a personal trainer for some one-on-one training to your own specific needs, let me say this:  Its well worth i!!.  Even with a sore ankle, he works around the injury and still makes sure I'm getting a really good workout.  5 weeks, I'm down 10 pounds, and I feel terrific!!   I use 24-hour Fitness ... if you get a chance, check one out in your area!