Small Achievements

Weigh In Weds.  The thought brings a shudder to me, because I'm never certain if I've done enough work to reach a goal.   Truthfully, we could all make a bugger effort when it comes to achieving our goals.  But some progress is better than no progress!  And this week was a good week for me.

I've lost 6.5 lbs in 3 weeks.  That's pretty much on track for my goal of 2 lbs a week.  But I can honestly say that it feels like slow progress.   My trainer didn't work me quite as hard as last week (thank goodness!)  but he doesn't let me slack either.  It was "arms" day, and I'm sure by tomorrow I will be feeling the effects.  In a good way  :)

I've increased my steps to over 12k a day; it helps to have cooler temps and I can walk Sadie around the block before bedtime!   I'm actually looking forward to my workouts and the progress I can make in the next week.  :)

Weigh In Weds

I am a little sad, bummed out, because my weigh in wasn't what I wanted it to be.  It was down a half pound, though, and down is always better than up!   My PT took  measurements and I lost fat content, so that's a plus in the right direction. :)

In addition to 45 minutes of intense training,
I also logged a total of 12,400+ steps.!!
*high five*   (I gotta say, though, that it was
SO intense, it's now 2 hours post workout,
and my muscles are starting to cramp up!)






I just need to keep up the work the rest of this week, and through the weekend.


Next week will be better with the right set of goals!!!

Weigh In Weds

Weigh in Wednesday - yep, that was today!  Down two pounds, not much in the scope of things, but its a process, a long trek, a lifestyle.

 

I had another session with my trainer, and it went well.  I'm feeling awesome, but my arms and legs feel like spaghetti noodles.  *grin* that's ok, well worth the price. 

There are days, however, 

when I don't feel like exercising.  

And that's when I check my "Top 100" list.

Here are a few reasons why I need to exercise: 

• Because you made a commitment to yourself
• Because you're tired of starting over
• Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
• Because you're not a quitter
• Because it improves your cholesterol
• Because it boosts your metabolism
• Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
• Because if you can do this, you can do anything
• Because a fit body is a healthy body
• Because it beats sitting on the couch
• Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
• Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
• Because not working out isn't working out for you
• Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

Yep, I made a commitment to me, because I'm worth it, it's good for my health, and frankly, not working out isn't working for me.   I gotta be moving in order to reach my goals! 

Day 3 ... Keep Walking!

Sometimes a hard day at work makes a body want to say "let's just go home and chill" .... but I resisted and took myself off to the gym, as per my personal 30-day challenge.  It is my goal every day to a) walk at least 10k steps, and b) to get 30 minutes of exercise.

I can honestly say my hard work is paying off.  It's Weigh-in Weds for me, and I'm at #254.  With the usual swings of water and such that women have, I can say that I'm down 2 lbs, if not more.  The scale isn't rocket science, but if you take it on averages......   that works best for me :)

So today's numbers:
   29 minute walk
   21 minute elliptical
   12,480 steps





In other news, as I walked into the break room this morning I heard this:  "Obama will not last as President - who ever heard of a black man holding down a job for more than four years?"

I'm sure this was just a blurb of something being repeated from the past ....  but it sure made me chuckle!   I know, I know, its stereotyping all the way, along with being politically incorrect, and thankfully no one else was in there to make me feel bad for chuckling......  but I did!

Weigh In Weds

*throws her fists into the air*   -- I did it!!

Today, I reached my goal:  I lost 50 lbs!!!

I joined 24 Hour Fitness in 2011 and started my own regiment of cardio and resistance training, but my progress was very slow.  After a year, I realized I couldn’t do it on my own, and hired a personal trainer.  Not only did he switch up my workouts, we talked at length about food, nutrition and eating habits.   With a few simple changes (cutting out sugars and processed carbs) I was on my way, and lost 25 lbs in five months.   But again I struggled on my own, and decided to try another round with a personal trainer. 

It’s been harder to take off the second 25 pounds, but with hard work, persistence and loads of encouragement and advice from the trainers here at 24 Hour Fitness, I finally reached my original goal:  to lose 50 lbs.    My doctor, and my family and friends are amazed at my tenacity.   It’s not always easy – you can’t just “give up” food.  You just learn to eat in new ways.  Am I always successful?  No, I stumble from time to time.  But I leave the guilt behind, make myself accountable by saying “I chose to eat that” and move ahead to make better choices.   

 

I’m 53 years young, and I feel terrific.  Thanks to the training staff here, I can do things I haven’t been able to do for years.  They inspire me to dig deep to reach my goals, and even surpass them!  And when I do, I reward myself with something – this time, it’s a tattoo of a phoenix.