Progress

Monday, May 31, 2010

Busy weekend!!!

I went to cookouts on Saturday and Sunday and didn't make it to the gym, but I didn't eat any crap. I didn't eat at all at my in-laws' family's barbecue, and I splurged on two turkey dogs at my family's gathering. I still didn't have more than 1400 calories yesterday.

Apparently, the gym was running on weekend hours today (7am-7pm). It would have been nice for them to post that on FRIDAY, when the holiday weekend began and when I was there last, but NOOOOO... So I get there at 6:10 today, already pissed off, looking forward to my "me" time at the gym to unwind and relieve some stress, and I only have 40 minutes (gotta stretch first!) to do my normal workout. In a nutshell, I was 3 machines short of a full workout, PLUS I felt extremely rushed the whole time. I mean, the employees were turning off the TVs 15 minutes before they closed, I finished up at 6:55, and when I came out of the locker room a minute later, the lights were already off. I was so frustrated.

Here's my abridged workout today:

Bike 14 min @ 100-110 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 135 rpm, 5.6 mi
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100 lbs, 2x20 @ 50
Glutes 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Ab curl 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35

PT tomorrow... Last time she talked about possibly trying some machines this time, so maybe I can get some kind of upper body workout soon...

Friday, May 28, 2010

I weigh less than hubby for the first time ever.

Yup. That's right. I've been over 200 pounds since we first started dating almost 4 years ago, and even though he loves me no matter what, and actually liked the size I was, it always made me feel like crap to know that my little 5'2" body weighed more than my extremely muscular 6-foot-tall other half. It just didn't seem right. Well, today, I weighed in at 196, and he weighed in at 197. I'm pretty proud of myself.

At the gym today, I did lower body. Again. Funny thing is, the people at PT gave me some stretches to do to "help" with my trapezius issue. Well, Wednesday night my left arm/shoulder area felt pretty good after my PT treatment, then I hit the gym and it still felt fine. I did the stretches they told me to do before I went to bed, and my arm started killing me and I could barely fall asleep. I did them again today, and the pain got worse. I'm supposed to do them 2-3 times per day, but that's not gonna happen. I'm the sole caregiver of a 3 month old during the day, and I can't afford to have the use of my left arm limited any further. I don't know what the deal is, but I'll run the issue by them tomorrow when I go to PT. I had to reschedule yesterday's appointment because I got invited to an impromptu get-together at hubby's grandmother's house, so now PT is tomorrow morning instead.

Here's today's workout:

Bike 14 min @ 95-100 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 120, mostly level 2, 5.75 mi
Calf extension 1x15 @ 70 lbs, 2x20 @ 35
Glutes 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 per side
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35
Leg extension 1x15 @ 40, 2x15 @ 20
Leg curl 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20

Progress report #6

Here are this week's measurements. Not much change, but then again I can't do any upper body workouts right now, so it's not bad.

Biecp: 14.25"
Bust: 46.5"
Under bust: 37.25
Waist: 36.5" (↓ .25")
Belly: 41"
Hips: 46" (↓ .25")
Thighs: 26"
Calves: 15.75"

I love how everything else is changing EXCEPT for the belly measurement. The ONE place I really want to lose the fat. Awesome. I should be getting the results from my bloodwork soon, so we'll see if that reveals anything.

Here are the pictures:

Last week
This week
Last week
This week
Last week
This week

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

PT today, and a very fitting quote.

Every day when I boot up my computer, I check Sleep Talkin' Man to see what hilarious pearls of wisdom Adam has imparted on us. The gem that Karen posted today is priceless, and it's exactly the way I feel.
"Whoever invented calories is gonna get their face fucked with ice cream cake."
God, I'd love some ice cream cake. lol Funny thing- lately I've been having dreams where I eat a bunch of a highly caloric food (coincidentally, it's almost always cake), and then I feel really guilty. I wake up thinking I had eaten a shit ton of cake. I guess that's my inner fat chick saying "Don't even think about it!"

I went to my first PT appointment today. They assessed my range of motion and all that good stuff, then did ultrasound therapy, which sends out sound waves that are absorbed by the muscle and it's like a heating pad, but deep in the tissue. Then I got a massage. I can't do upper body at the gym yet, so I'll just do lower body and abs every other day. I go back to PT tomorrow, then Tuesday and Thursday next week.

On another note, I went to get a few tops today, since I have like, no tank tops, and none of my shirts really fit. Well... all the tops I got were a size medium! It's crazy. I never thought I could wear a misses size M, but I do now. It feels so good to go shopping and actually LIKE what I see in the mirror when I try stuff on, instead of just buying clothes because they fit. I can't wait til hubby comes home and sees the new me!

Here's what I did at the gym today:

Bike 14 min @ 100-110 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 130 rpm, 5.75 mi
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100 lbs, 2x20 @ 50
Ab curl 1x15 @ 70, 3x20 @ 40
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Glutes 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Leg extension 1x15 @ 40, 2x15 @ 20
Leg curl 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Went to the doctor today...

She said I have a huge knot in my left trapezius and it's compressing the nerve. But there's no knot in the right side. But, my left arm is my baby-carrying arm, so I use it for lifting/carrying all day, more so than my right (even though I'm right handed). She's sending me to physical therapy so they can work it out.

I was going to go to the gym every day again this week, but my arm isn't really hurting right now, and I know that as soon as I put those bras on, it's gonna start up again. Dr. L said I could go to the gym, but not to do upper body until I get things straightened out with PT. She said I could still do cardio, abs, and lower body. I think I'll just skip today, since I'm going to PT tomorrow- that way I won't aggrevate it again and maybe can heal faster. I did lower body yesterday, anyway. Let's see what PT brings....

Monday, May 24, 2010

No workouts this weekend

I need to go see the doctor about this nerve crap. I took Saturday and Sunday off from the gym on the advice of the hubs, a.k.a. Mr. Fitness. This weekend, my arm started going numb. I tried to keep heat on my neck/traps/shoulder area and take ibuprofen, and it calmed down by last night. Today, as soon as I put my workout bras on, my wrist and hand started tingling and going dead again. By the time I got to the gym, my wrist was hurting (kind of like a carpal tunnel kind of hurt) and I could barely feel my ring finger. Now that I'm back home, no bra on, I can feel a burning/tingling where my traps meet my neck on the left, and my arm still hurts. I have a feeling that I'm compressing the brachial plexus, but I don't know what to do about it. I obviously can't stop wearing bras, and I DAMN sure can't stop working out. I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do tomorrow, since I have to do upper body. This is so annoying.

Here's today's workout:

Bike 14 min @ 90-100 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 110 rpm, level 2, 6 mi
Glutes 1x15 @ 60 lbs, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Ab curl 1x15 @ 70, 3x20 @ 40
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35
Leg extension 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Leg curl 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Calf extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Progress report #5

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post yesterday. I had a really fun girls shopping day with Sumer and then went to the gym, so I was pretty tired. I'm no longer stalled at 201 pounds. Yesterday morning I weighed in at 199. This morning I was 197.6. Hopefully I'm back to consistent weight loss and this isn't a fluke. Funny thing is, I treated myself to some junk food at the mall yesterday- I had one of those delicious buttery-tasting soft pretzels. YUM! I haven't had one since... December? January? One of those two. Every time we went to the mall when I was pregnant, I would eat 2 or 3 of those damn pretzels. lol I thought they were a lot more calorie-laden than they really are. I figured it would be about 500 calories for one pretzel, but it's only 330. Well, not "only" as in 330 is nothing, but it sure beats 500.

I had my blood drawn yesterday, so I'll find out if PCOS is the problem in about a week.

I'm not going to the gym today- I think I have a pinched nerve and it hurts. It's right in the area where my trapezius muscle meets my neck on the left side. Last night my left wrist and hand started losing feeling. The only thing I can think that could have caused it is pressure from the straps of my workout bras. Some are racerback and some have regular straps (I wear 4, plus a bra tank). I think the combination of the tightness of the bras and the weight of my boobs has been slowly cutting off the nerve. But there's nothing I can do about it- it's not like I can go without them, and I don't have enough support as it is, so I can't afford to take any off. Oh well.

I'll start with yesterday's workout:

Bike 14 min @ 100 rpm, 1 m in sprint @ 130-140 rpm, 5.75 mi
Triceps press 1x15 @ 60 lbs, 2x20 @ 30
Fly 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Chest press 1x15 @ 20, 2x20 @ 10
Back extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 60
Biceps curl 1x15 @ 20, 2x20 @ 10
Triceps extension 1x15 @ 30, 2x20 @ 20
Lat pulldown 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 30
Row 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 25
Shoulder press 2x20 @ 10

Here are this week's measurements:

Bicep: 14.25" (↓ .25")
Bust: 46.5"
Under bust: 37.25" (↓ .5")
Waist: 36.75" (↓ .5")
Belly: 41"
Hips: 46.25" (↓ .25")
Thighs: 26" (↓ .5")
Calves: 15.75"

Slow but steady wins the race, I guess...

And here are the pictures:

Last week
This week
Last week
This week
And here's another angle that I'll also be using from here on out for comparison

It's hard to see any difference. I probably should have been documenting my whole body with photos, the same way I do with measurements. Oh well. My belly is the ONE area I REALLY want to improve. I'm fine with everything else the way it is.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Fourth gym day in a row

I'm really enjoying working out, even though I'm not getting the results I want and get frustrated. This morning I weighed in at 198.6, as opposed to the 201.2 that I've been seeing every morning for over a week now. It could have just been the fact that I only had about 30 ounces of fluids all day yesterday, compared to my normal amount of about 2 liters. Either way, I'll take it. I was getting tired of seeing the same number every day, and 198.6 is my lowest weight so far in 6 years. I wonder what the scale will say tomorrow...

Tomorrow's my doctor appointment, so keep your fingers crossed that I get some answers soon...

Here's today's workout:

Bike 14 min @ 100 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 120 rpm, 5.75 mi
Calf extension 1x15 @ 80 lbs, 2x20 @ 40
Leg curl 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Leg extension 1x15 @ 30, 2x20 @ 15
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35
Glutes 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Back extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 60
Ab curl 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40
Obliques 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Appointment moved to this Friday.

I called the doctor's office this morning to see if they could get me in for the bloodwork sooner. Nex Friday is a long ways away, and I just need to find out what the hell is going on. I'm getting really pissed off. So keep your fingers crossed that I can get some answers and fix this.

Here's today's workout:

Bike 14 min @ 100-110 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 130 rpm, 6 mi
Triceps press 1x15 @ 70 lbs, 2x20 @ 35
Row 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Fly 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Lat pulldown 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 30
Bike 5 min @ 100 rpm, 2 mi
Triceps extension 1x15 @ 30, 2x20 @ 20
Ab curl 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40
Obliques 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40 (per side)
Biceps curl 1x15 @ 20, 2x15 @ 10
Back extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The case for PCOS

I've suspected I've had PCOS (polycystic ovary or polycystic ovarian syndrome) for a while now. I didn't really think about it before my IVF cycle and pregnancy, because I was busy dealing with other health problems. But after I delivered and I had a major hormonal reset and noticed so many GOOD changes while my hormones shifted, I began to think "Hey... maybe there was something wrong before." This is what WebMD says about PCOS symptoms:

"Often, hormone changes that lead to PCOS start in the early teens, after the first menstrual period."
Well, looking back, that's when things started for me.

Early Symptoms
• Few or no menstrual periods, but some women with PCOS have regular periods but are not ovulating. I don't know if I would have had regular periods- I did up until I was 15, when I went on the pill, and I've been on it ever since, except when I was pregnant. I also don't know if I ovulate, because I've always been on the pill, which prevents ovulation.
• Heavy bleeding. Check.
• Hair loss from the scalp AND hair growth in other places (face, chest, back, stomach, thumbs, or toes). Check.
• Acne and oily skin, caused by high androgen levels. Well, I don't know what it's being caused by, but I have it.
• Depression or mood swings. Hormonal changes are a known cause of emotional symptoms. Check.

Gradual Symptoms
• Weight gain or upper body obesity (more around the abdomen than the hips). This is linked to high androgen levels. Check. My belly is like, the one place I really put on weight, and it's the one place the weight doesn't come off.
• Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair. My hair is thinning.
• Repeat miscarriages and infertility. I never got a chance to test this, since my tubes are completely blocked and twisted so I can't attempt to conceive naturally.
• Symptoms of too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and insulin resistance, which can include upper body weight gain. Check. I can't metabolize carbs to save my life.
• Pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis (chronic pelvic pain). CHECK. But I've always had endometriosis, too, which causes chronic pelvic pain as well, so I wouldn't have noticed anything "out of the ordinary".

They say it takes 3 months for your hormones to regulate back to normal after you have a baby. Well, I just hit 3 months postpartum on May 12. My hair started falling out again about 2 weeks before that, and I know it's not my thyroid causing it because I had a full workup a month ago and it's still managed on the same dose of medication. For the last 3 weeks, I haven't lost any weight. I was losing anywhere between a half a pound to one pound a day before, and all of a sudden my weight loss has hit a dead end, even though I go to the gym 4+ times per week, for an hour or more each time, and only eat about 60% of my recommended daily intake of calories. That doesn't add up.

I hate this. I'm working my ass off, and yeah, I'm getting some muscle tone, but the fat on top of it really isn't going anywhere. And it could all be because of a hormonal imbalance that I can't really do anything about. It's SO frustrating. This is why I always ended up giving up on my weight loss efforts in the past, because I would work my ass off for nothing. I think the only reason I lost any weight recently was because my hormones were still adjusting from the pregnancy, but now they've gone back to their normal, complacent selves and I'm left to deal with the consequences. I mean, c'mon, I could never lose weight in my life, and as soon as I got pregnant and my hormones started changing, I LOST 6 pounds, when all of my pregnant friends were gaining weight. It took me 20 weeks (half my pregnancy) of eating mostly potatoes and cheese for every meal (that's what I craved) to even gain those 6 pounds back, and I only gained a total of 19 pounds (including those 6) during my whole pregnancy. And if you think about it, almost 7 pounds of that was baby, and then probably another 5 pounds or so of extra fluids. I seriously HATE being a woman and having to deal with hormones. I have an appointment with my OB/GYN on May 28th for blood work and stuff to investigate this PCOS crap. If she sees that I may have it, she may try me on metformin, which was developed for people with Type 2 diabetes, but in patients with PCOS, helps the body to respond better to insulin. It decreases the absorption of dietary carbohydrates through the intestines, reduces the production of glucose by the liver, and increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, which delivers glucose to your cells to be used as fuel. I don't think that's happening in my body. Instead, it turns into belly fat. Grrrr.

Anyway... here's today's workout (I told you I was going to the gym 6 days this week):

Bike 5 min @ 80-85 rpm, level 2 resistance, 1.75 mi; 9 min @ 90-100 rpm, level 1-2, 1 min sprint @ 120 rpm, 3.75 mi
Leg press 1x15 @ 80 lbs, 2x20 @ 40
Glutes 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Bike 5 min @ 90 rpm, 2 mi
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Calf extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40
Back extension 2x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40
Ab curl 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40
Obliques 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40 (per side)
Leg extension 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 20
Leg curl 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 20

Although I can still feel my triceps from yesterday, I'll be in the gym tomorrow doing upper body. Feel the burn.

Monday, May 17, 2010

The only one could stop me is that chick in the mirror.

No, those aren't my words- I'm quoting Lil Kim. C'mon now. I have better grammar skills than that.

But the quote is true and fitting, isn't it? A good motto, if you ask me.

Here's today's workout:

Bike 19 min @ 90 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 120 rpm; 7.5 mi
Triceps extension 2x15 @ 40 lbs, 2x20 @ 20
Bicep curl 1x15 @ 20, 2x20 @ 10
Triceps press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40
Shoulder press 1x10 @ 20, 1x15 @ 10 (I SUCKED at these again.)
Lat pulldown 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 30
Ab curl 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Obliques 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 40 (per side)
Back extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40
Fly 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Chest press 1x15 @ 30, 2x20 @ 15 (barely made it.)

I've been noticing something. I'm much better at exercises where I pull the weight, and really bad at things where I push the weight (i.e. shoulder & chest press). Hmmm...

I'm gonna try to go to the gym 6 days this week. Let's see how that works out.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

I wish the gym didn't close early on the weekends...

My gym is open 24 hours... Monday through Thursday. It closes at 9 on Friday, and is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, which is kind of hard when you have things to do. Gotta learn how to budget my time a little better.

On Saturday, me, mom, and the baby went to a cookout at mom's best friend's house. I was a little apprehensive, since there would probably be a ton of tempting foods, but I went anyway. I ate before we left the house- there's nothing worse than going to a picnic hungry when you're on a diet. It's like going grocery shopping on an empty stomach- totally counterproductive. At the cookout, I had ONE baked chicken wing, 4 ounces of grilled chicken, and splurged on a hot dog. We were there for over 4 hours, and I ate less than 550 calories worth of food the whole time, so I'm pretty proud of the choices I made. I passed up the nachos, cookies, cake, and ice cream cake, even though they looked pretty tasty.

Today, mom took care of the baby so I could get some sewing done. I've had like 4 projects to do for a few months now, but between being so messed up after I delivered, and never having more than 30 minutes at a stretch to so anything during the day, the projects got put on the back burner. My plan was to start and finish my most important project (infant sized Air Force ABUs so Marius can match Daddy when we pick him up at the airport next month), and then go to the gym. Well, it took longer than I expected, and before I knew it, it was 6:30 p.m. By the time I got dressed and got to the gym, I'd only have 15 minutes to work out, so I didn't go. I'm still not done with the outfit, but I only have a onesie left to make, which won't take too long (I hope).

So I didn't make it to the gym this weekend. Big whoop. I'll be there tomorrow, and I'll do a little extra to make up for it.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Today's workout, and a problem with BMI....

I was just reading an article in Women's Health magazine, and it reminded me of something. You know what drives me crazy? I'm built like a bulldog. I'm short and stocky with a bigger bone structure, and I've always been pretty muscular. OK, that's not the part that drives me crazy. What drives me crazy is that since I'm so short, with a propensity for building muscle, the standard BMI calculation will always categorize me as being too heavy based on my height and weight alone. Like, right now, with my height at 5'2" (which is never going to change, unless it goes down), and a weight of 201 pounds, my BMI is 36.8, which makes me "obese". I would have to weigh 163 pounds to get my BMI down to 29.8 and at the end of the spectrum for the "overweight" category, and 136 pounds to bring my BMI to 24.9, the maximum threshold for the "normal" category. I'm sorry, but this frame is not built to weigh 136 pounds. I'm sure my bones and my current muscles alone weigh more than that. I could be less than 10% body fat and still exceed that weight. Oh wait. I'll never have that little body fat- I actually have boobs and an ass, and I'd like to keep those, thankyouverymuch.

The thing that pisses me off about the standard BMI calculation is that there are things in the medical world that use that, and that alone, to determine a person's eligibility for certain things. Take egg donation for example. I've looked into it, and I'm not gonna lie, it was mainly for the money. It pays $3-4k per cycle. That's a LOT of money for very little work. But every place I checked out, they wanted to know your BMI, and if it was higher than like 28-30, you were automatically ineligible. This is crazy. I mean, they seem to be reasoning that since I have a higher BMI, that I'm unhealthy and unfit for the process. I don't see what difference it makes. Someone in the "normal" BMI range could eat junk food all day, have diabetes, and smoke cigarettes. But they're "normal", so that's ok? Obese women get pregnant and have babies all the time. I've successfully completed my own IVF cycle with good response and no complications. Some of the women who are looking for donor eggs are heavier and want the donor to have similar physical traits. I don't see why it matters, and it feels almost discriminatory.

Ok, stepping down from my soapbox.... Here's today's workout:

Bike 18 min @ 85-100 rpm; 2x1min sprints @ 125 rpm; 7.5 mi
Leg extension 1x15 @ 40 lbs, 2x20 @ 20
Calf extension 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 30
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Glutes 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 40
Leg curl 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 25
Bike 5 min @ 95 rpm, 2 mi
Ab curl 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Obliques 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Back extension 1x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40

Progress report #4

I'm still frustrated. The scale is all over the place, but down is not the direction it's headed. On top of that, I've been getting headaches for the last few days, and last night I woke up drenched in sweat. These are side effects my doctor said to watch out for when taking the CLA- she said these can be signs of an overactive thyroid. So for the next few days I'm going to cut down the CLA to one serving a day (at breakfast) and see how that goes. I might have to stop it altogether, but we'll see.

I don't feel much different this week, but I've been pretty down on myself the last few days, which might have something to do with it. On top of that, the pictures came out pretty light this week, so it's hard to see details. I kept adjusting the light in the room but couldn't find a happy medium. It was either too light or too dark, and the settings on the webcam suck. Hopefully I'll start feeling better about things next week, 'cause right now I just feel like blahhhhh....

Here are my measurements this week:

BICEP: 14.5"
BUST: 46.5" (↓ .5")
UNDER BUST: 37.75" (↓ .25")
WAIST: 37.25" (↓ .5")
BELLY: 41"
HIPS: 46.5" (↓ .25")
THIGHS: 26.5" (↓ .5")
CALVES: 15.75"

Ok, so the numbers on the scale aren't really changing, but these numbers are, so it makes me feel a bit better.

Here are this week's photos compared to last week. Please excuse the poor quality of today's pics:
Last week
This week
Last week
This week

Stay tuned... After I get back from the gym later, I'll post my workout and discuss some issues I have with BMI.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Exhausted and discouraged

My lack of sleep is really starting to have an effect on me. I have no one to help me with the baby, so I'm up every 3-4 hours. I've never been someone who's been able to nap- for some reason when I can only sleep for a short time, I wake up feeling MORE tired than I did before I went to sleep. I'm usually better off staying up. So this 3-4 hour sleep pattern is killing me. I'm definitely not getting enough sleep for my body to properly recover from my workouts or to metabolize the way it needs to, but I'm doing the best I can. It's just hard to not get frustrated (especially when I'm over tired) because the number on the scale is just hovering in the same place week after week.

I noticed that since I went back on the pill that my weight loss has slowed down to a trickle. I was steadily losing weight (more than 2 pounds per week, and that's WITHOUT working out), and I don't know if it's a result of the extra hormones or what, but now I'm really not losing anything. I just keep fluctuating. I don't want to be on the pill. I was on it for 8 years straight and never lost more than 5 pounds, no matter how hard I worked. But without it, I'll be in so much pain that going to the gym won't even be an option. It's a catch-22. I guess I'm getting tired of having some medical condition running my life. Like, I can't make certain decisions for myself because I always have to put the medical condition first and abide by its rules. It's extremely frustrating. I don't need anything that's out of my control to hinder my weight loss. I mean, if it was just a matter of laziness or lack of willpower, that's one thing. But it's not. I don't want to feel like I'm working my ass off and getting nowhere. It's the worst feeling in the world.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Just another day at the gym

Upper body today. Didn't go tanning. My little man is 3 months old today! I can't believe how fast time flies. Three months ago, I was half dead in bed, and look at me now!

Here's what I did today:

Bike 14 min @ 95-105 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 120 rpm, 6.3 mi
Fly 1x15 @ 40 lbs, 2x20 @ 20
Biceps curl 1x15 @ 20, 2x20 @ 20
Lat pulldown 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 35
Triceps press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35
Shoulder press 1x15 @ 20, 1x15 @ 10 (ran outta steam again)
Ab curl 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Obliques 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Abdominals 1x15 @ 30, 2x20 @ 15
Back extension 2x15 @ 80, 2x20 @ 40

There's a different biceps curl machine in the circuit workout area of the gym, so I tried that today and it worked better. The other on that I was using has handles that rotate, so I ended up curling my wrists. This one had stationary handles, so I was able to keep my wrists pretty still and use only my biceps. Gotta work on that damn shoulder press!

Monday, May 10, 2010

AWESOME start to week 3!

So.... I DID IT! I finally broke 200 pounds!!!!


(Wow. I really need to repaint my nails. They look like crap. lol)

I'm extremely proud of myself. It's been 6 years since I was last at this weight, and it feels SO good to accomplish a goal!!! Bathing suit, here I come!!

I'm going to set another goal in the meantime, between now and the bathing suit goal. I want to work toward something again, without getting really discouraged, since September and our cruise are quite a ways away. I'll have to think of something. Perhaps a tattoo after another X amount of pounds or something. Who knows.

I did drop sets with my lower body workout today, and I can "feel the burn" more when I do, so I'm going to continue with them. Here's what I did today:

Bike 14 min @ 100 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 130 rpm - 6 mi
Calf extension 1x15 @ 50 lbs, 2x20 @ 30
Leg curl 1x15 @ 50, 2x20 @ 25
Leg extension 1x15 @ 25, 2x20 @ 15
Leg press 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35
Hip abduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Hip adduction 1x15 @ 100, 2x20 @ 50
Back extension 1x15 @ 75, 2x20 @ 35
Ab curl 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Obliques 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)

The only machine I didn't hit today that I wanted to was glutes, because I didn't have time before my tanning slot. I've been signing up for the tanning slot an hour after I start my workout, but I think I'm going to start signing up for the slot 15 minutes later so I can get everything in before I go tanning. You never know when someone will be on the machine you want. lol

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Pain is just weakness leaving the body

I saw that quote on a shirt while I was at the gym today, and it's a good way to look at things. Not just working out, but a lot of things in life. I've dealt with a lot of pain over the years (both physical and otherwise), and as much as it has sucked, I think it's just made me stronger.

I usually have a day off between workouts, but tomorrow is my first Mother's Day and I have a lot of people to visit, so I got my weekend workout in today. I decided to try drop sets today to see how I felt, and it wasn't bad, so I'll definitely be doing it again. Here's what I did today:

Bike 15 min (14 min @ 90-100 rpm; 1 min sprint @ 120 rpm) - 6mi
Row 1x15 @ 40 lbs, 2x20 @ 20
Triceps press 1x15 @ 75, 2x20 @ 35
Biceps curl 1x15 @ 25, 1x20 @ 10
Shoulder press 1x12 @ 20, 1x15 @ 10
Lat pulldown 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Fly 1x15 @ 40, 2x20 @ 20
Ab curl 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30
Obliques 1x15 @ 60, 2x20 @ 30 (per side)
Back extension 1x15 @ 70, 2x20 @ 35

I ran out of steam pretty fast with the biceps curl and shoulder press, so I definitely have to work on that. I think I'd be better off using free weights for the biceps curl- the way the machine is designed is kind of awkward for my short arms, even when I adjust it.

Two weeks down, 19 left until our cruise.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Progress report #3

Ok, so the scale has yet to dip below 200. Yes, it's frustrating, but I know I'm building muscle, so I can't be too pissed off about it. The more important thing is that I FEEL better. I FEEL stronger. I FEEL more toned. And hey- I've only been working out for 2 weeks! I can't expect to see a huge drop in weight right off the bat. I've already lost quite a bit (close to 30 lbs!) just from diet alone, and I'm proud of myself for that.

Here are this week's measurements:

BICEP: 14.5" (↓ .25")
BUST: 47" (↓ .5")
UNDER BUST: 38" (↓ .5")
WAIST: 37.75" (↓ .25")
BELLY: 41" (↑ .5")
HIPS: 46.75"
THIGHS: 27" (↓ .25")
CALVES: 15.75"

Gradual changes, but changes nonetheless.

Here are this week's pics compared to last week's:
Last week
This week
Last week
This week

Do I look any darker than I did before? I don't think so. Maybe a tiny bit. This tanning thing is going to take a loooooong time. lol

I think the CLA is starting to have an effect...

Today and yesterday, I've been more hungry than usual. I haven't done anything different or changed my eating habits or anything, but I'm getting hungry sooner after eating than I did before. The only thing I can think is that the CLA is starting to work and I'm metabolizing things faster. Let's hope that's the case. So far I feel good on it- no bad side effects or anything. Let's see what the next few weeks bring in terms of results.

Here's today's workout:

Bike 15 min (14 min @ 85-95 rpm, 1 min sprint at 118 rpm); 5.65 mi
Hip abduction 3x20 @ 50 lbs
Hip adduction 1x20 @ 50, 2x20 @ 70
Ab curl 3x15 @ 30
Obliques 3x15 @ 30 (per side)
Back extension 3x20 @ 50
Leg curl 3x15 @ 25
Leg extension 1x15 @ 25, 2x15 @ 20
Leg press 3x15 @ 50
Calf extension 3x15 @ 40

Progress pics and measurements later.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Today's workout

I'm tired. lol Baby hasn't been sleeping well the last few nights, so I'm only getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep, and not in one stretch, either. Today I did arms, back, and abs. Here's what I did:

Bike 17 min (16 min @ 85-95 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 116 rpm) - 6.5 mi
Triceps press 3x15 @ 50 lbs
Biceps curl 1x15 @ 25, 1x15 @ 20, 1x15 @ 15 (for some reason had no stamina for this today)
Shoulder press 2x15 @ 15
Row 1x15 @ 30, 2x15 @ 25
Ab curl 3x15 @ 30
Obliques 3x15 @ 30 (per side)

I'm feeling more toned, but the scale isn't really doing anything. I've noticed that on workout days, in the evenings after I get back from the gym (where I drank water), my weight is lower than it is during the day. On my off days, my weight is higher. I'm thinking to get more weight loss benefits, I should increase the frequency of my workouts. I'm currently going 4 times per week, so every other day, which allows 24 hours of rest for my muscles. They need it since I'm not sleeping well. They have to recover sometime. Maybe once the baby starts sleeping through the night, or on days where I end up getting more sleep, I'll add onto my 4 days. I guess it's just a matter of playing it by ear.

Monday, May 3, 2010

The start of week 2 and a new supplement

So I've been looking into fat burning supplements, and after doing some reseach and consulting with my doctor, I decided to start taking CLA. I was originally looking into Lipo 6, but found that a lot of these fat burners shouldn't be taken by people with thyroid problems, because they can affect thyroid function. CLA is just a fatty acid, with no other herbs or ingredients that might affect my thyroid. I started taking the CLA today before my workout, so we'll see how I feel on it.

My abs right at the bottome of my ribcage are still sore from my last workout, which is kind of bothering me. None of my other muscles have stayed sore this long, so I don't know if maybe I overdid it and maybe irritated the area around my incision there, or if my abs were just so weak that even a little bit of exercise had them saying "What the hell is this?" Probably the latter, since nothing actually hurts, and the incision area isn't painful or sore to the touch. Just a case of weak springs, I guess. lol

Here's today's workout:

Bike 17 min (16 min @ 85-95 rpm; 1 min sprint @ 118 rpm); 6.8 mi
Leg press 3x15 @ 50 lbs
Hip adduction 3x20 @ 50
Glutes 3x15 @ 45 (per side)
Hip abduction 3x20 @ 70
Leg extension 3x15 @ 25
Leg curl 3x15 @ 25
Calf extension 3x15 @ 35

Hopefully my abs have recovered by the time I have to do upper body on Wednesday! I'm gonna try to increase my cardio by a few minutes every week, and I'm transitioning from muscle building to muscle toning workouts this week, so by the end of the week I'll be on a good lower weight/higher rep routine. Maybe I'll see 199 this week. We'll see.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Abs are good to go!

Ok, I know I said I wasn't going to do ab-specific exercises, but I decided to try it and see how I felt, and it felt good to be using those muscles!!

Here's what I did today:

Bike 15 min (14 min @ 85-95 rpm, 1 min sprint @ 120 rpm); 5.8 mi
Triceps press 3x12 @ 70
Biceps curl 2x12 @ 30
Shoulder press 2x10 @ 20 (I ran out of stamina really fast on this today for some reason)
Row 3x12 @ 30
Lat pulldown 3x12 @ 40
Back extension 3x20 @ 75
Ab crunch 3x10 @ 10
Abdominals 3x10 @ 40
Chest press 3x10 @ 30

Plus, I've been going tanning every time I go to the gym. I started out at 5 min, now I'm up to 7 min. Every summer, my face, arms, feet, and part of my chest get tan, but everything else is stark white. Since we're going on a Caribbean cruise in September and I have to wear a bathing suit, I need to tan my whole body. I'm so white that I don't want to blend in with the sand when I'm laying on the beach in the Bahamas. lol

Progress report #2

After my first week of being in the gym, I'm definitely noticing some differences. Even though my measurements haven't changed much, I can definitely feel some of my body fat being replaced by muscle- like in my bicep/tricep area and thighs. I can also feel my abs getting stronger. When I tighten them, I can see my abdomen sinking in much farther than it did. I haven't done any ab-specific exercises, just because I'm only 3 weeks post op, but I do keep my abs tightened for my whole workout, which helps- even that has helped me build my abs up, which I guess isn't hard, since I had the weakest abs in the history of the world before. lol

I've only lost 2 pounds from last week, but I know I have more muscle mass than before, so that's fine. It doesn't bother me. The only thing that sucks is that the antibiotics I've been on have screwed up my digestive system. If I just could have pooped this morning, the scale would have said 199-point-something. I swear! lol Perhaps tomorrow.... lol

My measurements from this week are:

BICEP: 14.75"
BUST: 47.5"
UNDER BUST: 38.5"
WAIST: 38"
BELLY: 40.5" (↓ 1")
HIPS: 46.75" (↓ 1")
THIGHS: 27.25" (↓ .75")
CALVES: 15.75" (↓ .25")

Here are this week's progress pics in comparison to last week's:

Last week
This week

Last week
This week

I'm happy with my results this week. My belly is a little smaller- it doesn't hang over the waistband of the sweatpants as far and doesn't stick out as much. I still have a lot of work to do to get rid of it, but this is a great start. When I can actually do ab-targeting workouts, I'm sure I'll see even greater results.