Still Fighting Fat!

After not going regularly to the gym since Christmas (maybe even since Thanksgiving) holidays, I am trying to make it a habit to go 5x a week.

Flashback... I had gone down to like 143lbs thanks to Slim-Vie (also working out regularly).  I was so happy!  But, after like 3 mths, it just stopped working!  I kept taking one a day for months, hoping it would start working again... but, nothing.  So, after months of nothing and even slight weight gain, I upped it to 2 pills a day.  Well, after about a week, I got my first ever case of heartburn (that's what I think it was anyways).  Hurt sooo bad!  Started around 2 am.  Lasted for a few hours.  And it happened every night for like a week.  I think it was Slim-Vie that caused it because during the heartburn week, I stopped taking it and concentrated on taking other things that would alleviate the pain... baking soda and water, apple cider vinegar and water, Galvascon, apple juice, apples, etc...  Anyways, it finally went away.  And I started taking Slim-Vie again and next thing you know, heartburn!  So, I stopped taking it and put it high on a shelf.  Heartburn went away.  So, that's why I think they're connected...

Well, then the weight really started piling on.. even though I said up there that I wasn't going to the gym regularly, I was still going... 2 to 4x/week... maybe miss a week here and there... wasn't going like I had when I first started - 5x/week.

So, yesterday, Monday, February 29th, I started going back with the intent of going 5x/week again.

I also decided I'm going to do more cardio.  Start with 20 minutes of elliptical (both yesterday and today) and then do circuit training in the women's workout area... doing all body parts everyday that I go.  Using heavier weights.  I've done 2 circuits yesterday and today.  I plan on doing 3... maybe next week.  Then, afterwards, more cardio.  Yesterday and today, I did 20 minutes on the recumbent bike.  Today, I also did 20 minutes on the treadmill.

Today, I did 3 sets of leg presses with 30 crunches in between each set.

Jeremy and I were discussing our weight gain... he's over 190lbs... I'm over 160lbs! :-0  So, I told him that perhaps we need to lighten our dinner.  So, last night, we ate breakfast... I had 2 eggs, 2 toast bread, and 2 pieces of ham.  Drank Super Dieter's Tea both last night and the night before.  I plan on drinking that every night too... at least, for now.

Gym Stats

Went to 90lbs on 3rd set... 10 reps... on lat pulldown.
Went to 90lbs on 4th set..  10 reps on seated row.
Went 60lbs on 3rd set... 10 reps on chest press.
Went 60lbs on 3rd set... 10 reps in pec deck.
Went 75lbs on 3rd set... 10 reps on triceps pulldown.

Did 10 minutes on elliptical pre-workout... went .75 miles :-)
Did 20 minutes on recumbent bike post-workout.   Went 3.5 miles... 172 calories.
Did 32 minutes on treadmill... 2 miles... 186... 8 minutes continuous running at 5.0 mph.  Rest was like 3.2 mph slow...

May Gym Update

Today:

Bust: 41"

Waist: 31½"

Fullest part of abdomen: 37"

Hips: 41"

Thighs: 25"

Calves: 14.24"

Arms: 13"

Weight: 157lbs with no clothes in the morning.

Well, the weight loss is slow... :-/

From Feb. 6th, 2015:

Chest: 41.5"

Waist:  31"

Under belly button (fattest part of abs):  36.5"

Hips:  42"

Thighs:  25"

Calves:  14.5"

Biceps:  13.5"

Weight:  157.8lbs (with workout clothes on)

So, even though there's not much difference in these two stats... I do see differences... my legs are smoother.  I had rippling/cellulite on the front of my legs... it was gross.  It's much smoother there now.  I also had the same thing going on with my upper arms; they're also smoother... mostly smooth with definition starting to be evident.

I usually do 10 minutes on the elliptical, do my work out, then come out and do 50 minutes between the recumbent bike and the treadmill.  Yesterday, I did my 10 min elliptical pre-workout.  My work out.  Then, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical!  I then moved to the treadmill and did 30 minutes on that.

Another thing I've been doing is switching up my weights and reps from week to week.  Like, I'll do lighter weights, more reps one week and then do heavier weights, with at least 10 reps, 3 sets.

Exercise Update

Today is Friday... figured I should document my measurements... so, here they are:

Chest: 41.5"
Waist:  31"
Under belly button (fattest part of abs):  36.5"
Hips:  42"
Thighs:  25"
Calves:  14.5"
Biceps:  13.5"
Weight:  157.8lbs (with workout clothes on)

I don't see anything special about the Roxylean I've been taking.  I even take it without eating and I don't feel any different.  I have been taking a post workout powder in my water that I bought from the local health food store, called Protein 2Go by Designer Whey.  10 grams of protein, 50 calories, made with Stevia.

Exercise Update

So, now I'm taking Roxylean... I've taken it before but it was a different formula.  Wonder how it'll work... I know I liked it before.  Guess we'll see.  I've been taking it less than a week so far.

I also went to the local health food store and bought a buttload of clearance items!  It was great!  I added up the regular prices and it came out to over $300!  I paid $30 for all the clearance items! woohoo!  And some of them had to do workout stuff!  yay!

I was 156 lbs this morning; naked. 

I've been doing 10 minutes on the elliptical.  Then I do my work out (legs & abs one day, upper body and abs the next).  Then, I started doing 50 minutes on the treadmill.  Some days (like yesterday), I run/walk.  Today, I just walked for 50 minutes.

When I run/walk... I do it one minute intervals.  I have done it up to 2.5 miles!  woohoo!  When I do this, I walk at 3.7/3.8 and run at 5.0-5.5.

February Progress

Well, I'm down to 154.5 lbs :-)

Yay!

How?

I'm missed almost a month due to Jeremy's Cougar's transmission going out and him taking my Odyssey to work...

Last Wednesday I started just eating once once a day.  It's working!

Today is Friday... end of first week back at Cajun Fitness.  

Start of Month Two

I have had no reduction of actual pounds, however, I feel like my overall appearance is improving!  And really, that's all that matters!  :-)

Today, I had a SIP meeting.  Mrs. Lafleur asked for a MK brochure!  Yay!  So, I went home, gathered up that as well as a couple of samples and brought it back to school. I put it in her cubby in the office.

I went straight to Cajun Fitness afterwards.

I started with 10 minutes on the elliptical. I did abs and upper body today.  Finished with  46 minutes on the treadmill. Did 2 minute intervals of walking/jogging for the first 2 miles and then fast walking for the last mile.  Finished those first 2 miles in under 28 minutes :-D

One Month at Cajun Fitness

I think I see progress!   My legs are a little more smoother than a month ago!

Being that I can see a difference in a month, it gives me incentive to continue to see what another month brings!

Oh, yesterday, I did 5 minutes on the elliptical, did upper body and arms; free weights too.  Then did 40 minutes on the treadmill, which equaled to 3 miles. First 2 miles (28 minutes), I did 2 minute intervals for walking and jogging.

Trainer

So, I'm working out in the Ladies' Only part of Cajun Fitness when a lady starts talking to me.  Her name is Hallie and she's a certified trainer. She tells me how she has gained weight due to hormone levels and aims to get back to fitness.  She says I look like her, solid... in other words, fit under the fat :-P. She wants to help me!  Since we have the same goals, we'll start training together Monday! :-D
Woohoo!

Sweat!

Me, after doing 5 minutes on the elliptical machine and my little cardio routine :-P

Day 8!

It's Friday and I've completed a full week at the gym, Cajun Fitness, in addition to the 3 days from last week!:-)

What I've been doing is 5 minutes on the treadmill (5 incline & 3.5 speed) then going to the ladies only part of the gym and doing each machine.  I do 3 sets of reps with increasing weights and decreasing reps.  I do more on the ab machine though.

No weight loss yet but my back does feel better already!

And today is day 24 of that Advocare challenge that Jared wanted us all to do.  I find it has done nothing for me. So, my last time doing that.  Waste of $200!

Exercise

Well, I've been going to Curves for a year now... and barely lost any weight... I've lost inches... so, that's good.

Here's the breakdown of my work-out history there:

Joined Curves in April 2008
Curves Smart was implemented in August 2008 & I joined that as well.
I joined the cardio room in November 2008

After joining the cardio room, I did 20 minutes on the treadmill everytime I went work out... and I usually go to Curves 5 days a week.

A couple of weeks ago, I started doing as fellow exerciser does (Diane)... she counts the calories she burns while there and tries to get at least 1000. So, I did that... and did about 30 to 35 min of cardio every week day.

Last week, I decided to do more cardio. I did 40 min on Mon and Tue and 60+ the rest of the week days... 20 min on the Elliptical one all last week along with 20 min on the recumbent bike and 20 min on the treadmill.

I do the the Elliptical and bike first, then my CurveSmart circuit, then back to the treadmill.

I'm hoping that this routine will guarantee weight loss!!! It has to, right??? I'm so sick of being this big! My first goal should be easy... get in front of that 150 lb weight on the Curves doctor scale... My main goal is to got to at least 125lbs. But, I'll be happy (right now, anyways! lol) to be 140lbs! ha ha Sad, huh?

I looked up some info on how much cardio you need to do to lose weight and it was suggested on a few sites, at least 40 min 5x a week. I am doing that. One site also suggested some other helpful things... like supplements that do work. Just so happens, we have one of them... Jeremy had bought it back when he was working for Ryan Energy... and he lost 20 lbs in a month... not saying I'll achieve such desired results... but... I'd be super happy with a 5 lb loss!!!

So, today, I took 2 of those supplements and will eat a small breakfast soon... then, I'll get ready to go work out. I usually leave around 10 am and get home around 12:30ish... prepare a salad... eat it... and go on with my day.

I am really hoping that this works. If it doesn't... umm.... I don't know what else to do...

I really need to lose to help my backpain go away. Everyone who I talk to about it thinks its because of my breast size and I think that too... and with losing weight, I'll lose some of this extra stuff up there... plus, when I'm under 150, my back doesn't hurt. So... either way... if its because of my boobage or because of my short stature not being able to support excess weight... I need to lose it!!! I hate feeling like an old grandma when I rise from the couch!

Curves

Well, I'm tired of being overweight... I have no idea why... but, it seems ever since school started, I've gained weight.... steadily... almost like my body thinks its pregnant... yet... I've had my monthly periods and no nausea. I'm quite certain I'm not pregnant... just fat. I'm heavier now than I've ever been while not pregnant. Its ridiculous. (See how fat I am in these recent pictures??? Disgusting!)

ANYWAYS...

I called Curves today. There's one about 10 minutes from my house. One of the best things about the call was that I won't have to worry about where Wyatt will go, as in being babysat! There's a little area where kids can play and the receptionist (I think that's who it'll be) watches over them. There's a TV, game system, colors, etc. Woohoo! Because, that was one of my concerns... what would I do about Wyatt if I join a gym/health club. And being that the work-outs are only 30 minutes, it shouldn't be too bad w/Wyatt being a little distant from me.

I have an appointment for Thursday at 10:30am. Since the girls are off from school this week, they'll be accompanying me as well... which should work out well with getting Wyatt a little acclimated with being there and all. She's giving me a free week pass (which, yes, I know, they give those out to new members all the time). I told her I may not be able to join just yet... have to see how the money falls as its been quite tight for us recently.

But, I have to say, I'm excited :D What I like also, besides short work-out times, is that there's no contract. They debit your account every month but you can quit whenever. You can also pay monthly without the bank debit but it's $10 more a month. I figure I'll be there at least 6 months. Oh, yeah, I just remembered, they give you 3 months a year to 'pass' on... like, in case someone gets sick in your family and you can't come in... so, that's cool... no need to pay if that happens.

It'll be $34 a omonth plus tax. Registration is $149... HOWEVER, if I join before March 31st and bring in a bag of food, it'll only be $30. Now, there's incentive, huh? :))

I was telling Jeremy about it and he was like, well, since you're paying half the amount you used to for car insurance... which is so true! With USAgencies, I was paying like $78/month plus a down payment every 6 months of over $100. I switched to Farm Bureau and pay $34/month with a $34 down payment every year and a $30 annual membership fee.... plus, it might even get cheaper the longer I'm with them and continue to have no accidents.

Anyways, cool how that worked out :D

Jeremy started with a new company 2 weeks ago (or around that). And he's going offshore for them sometime this week... Friday is the date as of now. He said he'll be gone a minimum of 2 weeks!!! Crazy, huh? I'm so not used to being home alone at night... in the last 11 yrs... heck... in my life... LOL I think I might have slept all by myself (not counting children) a handful of times!!!

One good thing about him going offshore is the money he'll bring in. We'll be out of 'the rears' again! woohoo! Things have been kind of tight since, like, December... which is why he quit his job and got this new one.