Hey! I am 33 years old, female, 5'5" and weigh 175 lbs. I am down from 184 (last month). I am not new to the 'fitness world' but I am never consistent, so I never seem to make any substantial changes in my body. I have read everything I can put my hands on and I "know" what I need to do, but I don't DO it. I belong to a gym, in my 2nd year there so I do not have any excuses as to why I still weigh so much. Laziness, procrastination, you name it! So, I'm here (thanks to Yvette) to try to get some accountability in my daily routine. I am JUST over the flu, had it for 9 days so I have not worked out in 9 days.

This is what I think my routine should be (please tweak and give tips!)

6 days per week: CARDIO.....Treadmill or elliptical

*When I am on the treadmill, I like to vary my speed and incline the whole time. So, I generally will walk for 5 minutes (3.5-4.0mph) then go up to 5.0mph, then 6.0mph, then 7.0mph, then 8.0 or 8.5 for a minute, then drop back to 5.0 until I catch my breath, jog there for a bit, then just cycle it up or down depending on how I'm feeling. Then at my 40 minute mark, I'll walk for the last 5 minutes. Suggestions?

I try to do a Pilates class 2 times per week.

I haven't been weight training, but I am starting back this week. I used to do BFL weight training, but I think I want to change it up now. This is where I could use some help. What body parts should I work together? Until I hear back, I will be doing biceps/shoulders/triceps one day, then back/chest and then legs. I will work abs every other day.

My husband is building a new room (office/den/workout) so I will be able to add some Tae Bo, yoga, etc videos at home. Those will be in addition to my wrokouts at the gym.

I use Diet Power to track my macronutrients and my calories. I'm a total endomorph, so I keep my carbs clean and light. I'm working toward 40P/35C/25F...suggestions? I try to eat 5 meals per day, but I don't always make it. I have not been as strict with my diet lately.

I do not want to be this heavy anymore, so I NEED to do this. THe last time I had my bf% checked, it was 34%. I would love to get it down to 20%. I would like to be 150lbs by mid May too, if possible. Suggestions?

Thanks!
gina
33/female
married/no kids

Getting over the flu isn't easy, I'm still weak but getting better. I was heading to the gym tonight for an hour walk on the treadmill, and its snowing...ALOT...AGAIN....so no gym.

Meals were not so great either (again, still not feeling great)
8am....bagel with egg & cheese (pooooor choice)
11:30am...lettuce, cukes, ff Italian dressing, olives and turkey slices
3pm...1 cup cottage cheese, banana and an apple
6pm...pork cutlet (no fat) and beans, 3 bites of mashed potato

C47/P26/F27
1548 calories total
(DIet Power gave me 1261, over ate 287)
Did not drink nearly enough water today, and I feel it.

Yesterday was:
C64/P16/F20
2111 calories (way too much)

Yesterday was:
C64/P16/F20
2111 calories (way too much)


I forgot, I did a 45 minute New York Ballet Workout in the morning yesterday-great ab workout. Still missing cardio though :d_frown:

Gina!

I am so happy to see you here! You are definately going to make it this time.

I can't wait to read this and watch you shrink and learn.

Here is my new split that someone from here helped me put together.

chest/triceps
back/biceps
legs/abs
shoulders/traps

There are MANY different routines you can follow. Just remember to lift heavy and not let more than 3 - 3.5 hrs pass between meals.

GOOD LUCK! :tucool:

Oh, another thing I learned here is that you should NOT do H.I.I.T. on an empty stomach. Only do steady 65-75% cardio on an empty stomach.

Do a search on this here in the forum and it is explained. :confused:

Woke up to about 6 inches of snow this morning, so the gym was out.

Did 20 minutes of Denise Austin's Shrink the Female Fat Zone Workout. Pretty basic stuff. Stretching, ab work, light weight routine for entire body. Good way to wake up when I cant get to the gym. I'll go tonight for some cardio if the snow ever stops.

Meals for today, packed and ready to consume!

5 egg whites
1/2 C spinach
1 ww english muffin
2 Tbsp Smart Balance (no trans fat butter spread)

Lettuce, 1/2 C cukes
4 tsp LF Italian Dressing
3 oz turkey
7 olives and 5 cherry tomatoes
one apple

banana
protein powder
FF organic milk

5 oz chicken baked
1/2 C butternut squash

Vitamins: Vita Lea Multi
Fish Oil
Vitamin C
Glucosamine
*Calcium...will check Diet Power to see if I need more today
Calories: 1278
C44/40/P/17F

This is the way I need to do my meals, plan first and then eat...too often I skip the planning and then my caloric intake skyrockets...hence the fact that I am 175lbs.... :p

Oh, another thing I learned here is that you should NOT do H.I.I.T. on an empty stomach. Only do steady 65-75% cardio on an empty stomach.

Do a search on this here in the forum and it is explained. :confused:

Hmmm....interesting! I'll have to check it out. BIll Phillips had me convinced it was the way to go! Thanks for the tip! :tucool:

Did not go to the gym after work...friend with problems called, needed to talk. Blah....Never again. Workout first, talk second. Now its almost 9pm and I didn't do a second of cardio today.

Tomorrow morning, first thing....cardio.

I've been reading Maggie's "Caustic Musings", very interesting reading her daily meals, workouts, etc through the months-she looks amazing too. Inspiring to see the proof and "how" she did it. I hope my journal helps to keep me focused. I truely want to be fit and thin and healthy.

Eating out tonight messed up my macros for today. Instead of my chicken and butternut squash, I had salmon, a baked pot and zuchini. My protein shake spilled into my lunch bag, so that was a missed meal.

My calories ended up being: 1591 59C/26P/15F

Tomorrow...6:30am...45 minutes on treadmill

You are off to a great start. I am glad you are reading the journals here, there is so much useful info.

Keep on posting and you will see the possitive changes it will make to get you to your goal. :claphigh:

UP at 6am...light snow..no big deal.

Off to the gym, arrive at 6:30am.

Treadmill: walk 30 minutes, 3.5mph
jog 15 minutes, 4.5-5.5mph
2.83 miles
307 calories

Normally, I would have jogged intervals the entire time, but just getting over the flu, I wanted to take it easy and wean myself back into running. The last thing I need is setbacks.

Meals:
banana
2 scoops whey protein
water with ice

1/2 C cottage cheese

tuna on wheat
lettuce
tomato
pickles

1 C cottage cheese
green apple

4 oz chicken
1/2 C butternut squash
1 C green beans

Supplements: Vita Lea Multi, Fish Oil, VItamin C
Haven't plugged the numbers into Diet Power, so I don't know my macros yet, will do tonight. Its not the cleanest food today but I don't think its terrible.

Speaking of setbacks....I have had foot surgery twice for the same problem. Tendonitis, burcitis and now I have a cyst in the same spot. I take Motrin, Advil, etc to help wth the daily pains so I can walk, jog, do the elliptical, etc. Today, the doc decided to try to drain it to alleve the swelling and she injected an anti inflammatory medicine into my foot as well. Now, my foot in numb but soon it will wear off and I will be in a lot of pain for a few days. Back to no cardio?! Ridiculous! I'm so bummed out. :d_redface

Foot is bruised, swollen and in pain...so again, no cardio. :d_mad:
Tonight I will see how i am riding the bike. I will do biceps and triceps at home. SHould I work these together or split them up? Need to do more research on which body parts to work together.

Meals

5 egg whites
1 ww english muffin
1 tbsp Smart Balance
coffee with ff creamer and splenda
3 cups water

1 c cottage cheese

nothing planned for lunch, going out today-will be clean

lettuce, cukes, baked chicken

chicken with veggies

Have not entered into Diet Power yet, I need to remember to enter it all in before I eat, not after! I entered it last night for yesterday and I was exactly 40/40/20...I could not believe it! :claphigh:

weight this morning: 175
short goal: 170
long goal: 150 by June 1st
full goal: 140

Is this realistic?

Foot is bruised, swollen and in pain...so again, no cardio. :d_mad:
Tonight I will see how i am riding the bike. I will do biceps and triceps at home. SHould I work these together or split them up? Need to do more research on which body parts to work together.

Meals

5 egg whites
1 ww english muffin
1 tbsp Smart Balance
coffee with ff creamer and splenda
3 cups water

1 c cottage cheese

nothing planned for lunch, going out today-will be clean

lettuce, cukes, baked chicken

chicken with veggies

Have not entered into Diet Power yet, I need to remember to enter it all in before I eat, not after! I entered it last night for yesterday and I was exactly 40/40/20...I could not believe it! :claphigh:

weight this morning: 175
short goal: 170
long goal: 150 by June 1st
full goal: 140

Is this realistic?

This IS realistic but you have to make it happen. :db:

This IS realistic but you have to make it happen. :db:

I've been reading so many posts in here...some say to focus on weight training for fat loss, others say focus on cardio. Will 6 days of cardio (bike for now, later treadmill at steady pace for 45 minutes) and 3 days of weight training be enough? SHould I increase something? I'm going to give it my all! Thanks Y!

Foot pain-high...no am cardio, will attempt after work-bike only

Yesterday was a bust, calories too high, fat too high-not happy :d_mad:

Meals:
5 egg whites
spinach
ww english muffin
1 Tbsp smart balance

blueberry muffin with Cottage cheese

salad with baked chicken

1 C cottage cheese and apple

Chicken, baked pot, green beans

Calories: 1400
44/39/17

I've been reading so many posts in here...some say to focus on weight training for fat loss, others say focus on cardio. Will 6 days of cardio (bike for now, later treadmill at steady pace for 45 minutes) and 3 days of weight training be enough? SHould I increase something? I'm going to give it my all! Thanks Y!

I am following the advice of a personal trainer right now. I am currently on a 4 day weight training split exercising each muscle once per week to failure. Train heavy! It is especially important to feed the muscles with the proper nutrition. I try to fit cardio in 6 days per week. I was told to shake that up too but right now I have a calf issue and am not able to do HIIT so I am currently just going with steady rate cardio keeping my heart rate between 65-75% of my max. I have to say, I have never felt better.

You really have to get your foot 100%, so if it means no treadmill then no treadmill. Use what equipment you can to keep the pressure off. How does the recumbant bike make you feel?

Keep up the great work and stay focused. :tucool:

I am following the advice of a personal trainer right now. I am currently on a 4 day weight training split exercising each muscle once per week to failure. Train heavy! It is especially important to feed the muscles with the proper nutrition. I try to fit cardio in 6 days per week. I was told to shake that up too but right now I have a calf issue and am not able to do HIIT so I am currently just going with steady rate cardio keeping my heart rate between 65-75% of my max. I have to say, I have never felt better.

You really have to get your foot 100%, so if it means no treadmill then no treadmill. Use what equipment you can to keep the pressure off. How does the recumbant bike make you feel?

Keep up the great work and stay focused. :tucool:

I went to Bodybuilding.com and printed off a few workouts. The first one I am going to try is Elite FTS-9 week Basic Training Program. It is a bit intimidating because I am so used to 3 sets, and this program has up to 10 sets! but only 2 reps. I have to read it some more. I also printed out Kara's workout program and a few others. Since I don't know what works for me, I am just going to try each one for a few weeks and see how I feel. For cardio, I am going to do as close to 6 days as I can even if its just walking. I like the bike but I just feel like I'm not working as hard, I guess because I'm sitting down?! :p

The best step that I have made so far, is listening to my body. I am also eating SO much better and planning-so I'm in the right direction. This girl will NEVER see 184 lbs again!
Thanks!
Off to do more research! :spaz:

Gina,

I was like you and did H.I.I.T cardio for almost a year. I didn't think this 65-75% heart-rate thing would work but I gave it a shot. I am now a believer. I lost 3 pounds in 3 weeks. My knees feel better, my feet feel better and my back feels better.

Why not give it a try? Give uo the intervals for a few weeks, it may help your feet to heal. Once you are healed you can alternate between the two.

Y

Gina,

I was like you and did H.I.I.T cardio for almost a year. I didn't think this 65-75% heart-rate thing would work but I gave it a shot. I am now a believer. I lost 3 pounds in 3 weeks. My knees feel better, my feet feel better and my back feels better.

Why not give it a try? Give uo the intervals for a few weeks, it may help your feet to heal. Once you are healed you can alternate between the two.

Y

Will do! I actually enjoy running for longer periods of time. I'd love to do a marathon one day soon. I can put my shoe on again, so the swelling is almost gone! :claplow: I am not sure how to figure my 65-75% heart rate, but I do have a heart rate monitor that I need to pull out again. Can you suggest where I can go to figure the HR? I believe my resting hr is 72, but I'm not sure. Thanks!

Gina,

Put your heartrate monitor on 15 minutes before you wake up in the morning and when you are deeply relaxed check it. I highly doubt your resting HR is 72. Mine is 55 and I am 42 yrs old and far from being an athlete.

Y

Gina,

Put your heartrate monitor on 15 minutes before you wake up in the morning and when you are deeply relaxed check it. I highly doubt your resting HR is 72. Mine is 55 and I am 42 yrs old and far from being an athlete.

Y

Ok, I'll put in on tomorrow morning. Thanks!

I haven't been faithful logging my meals and macros, need to work on that. I have still used Diet Power everyday and I am eating clean-but could use some improvement. MUCH better than a few months ago though.

My eating wasn't so great yesterday, got hung up at work and didn't have the right foods at home (time for a shopping!)

4 egg whites and english muffin ww
coffee with cream and splenda (coffee shop out of ff)

apple

missed meal #3

chicken lo mein, fried rice and egg roll (haven't had an egg roll in years, should have kept going, that meal was calorie and sodium overload. I can't even find the "nutritional" information on that meal! No wonder I'm overweight, I used to eat this stuff on a regular basis...in between meals of pasta, lasagna, pizzas, etc. :eek:

no meal #5...just 2 Fig Newmans and some water

WENT TO THE GYM TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FInally got off my duff and went.
DAY #1 weight training......back and chest
all 3 sets of 3 unless otherwise stated...
chest press...20#
flies #12.5
incline chest press 20#

one arm rows 12.5#
wide grip pull down 52.5# (2 sets)
close grip pull down 52.5# (2 sets)
cable rows 52.5 (1 set/12, 2 sets/10)
hyperextensions, no weight

walk 10 minutes on treadmill, 3.5mph incline at 8 (foot pain)

Supplements: fish oil, vita lea multivitamin
tons of water :tu:

walk 10 minutes on treadmill, 3.5mph incline at 8 (foot pain)

:tu:


Gina,

How does the bike or eliptical feel on your foot? How about swimming? :confused:

Y

Gina,

How does the bike or eliptical feel on your foot? How about swimming? :confused:

Y

The bike is good, no pain and the elliptical is ok for a few minutes, maybe 20 but then it starts to throb. I actually called the local pool for swim aerobics and they asked me to call back mid March for days and times, so we'll see. The public pool has bizarre hours for open swim-lots of elderly swim, swim lessons, team swim, etc. The nice thing is that its about one mile from my gym. If I do decide to swim a few laps, should I do it before or after my gym workout?

I'm really bummed right now. Its 7:30 pm and today was supposed to be cardio day and it turned out not to be. The roads were SO bad this morning-all ice and 9 degrees, but -16degrees with wind chill. I still would have gone to the gym with the cold, but I don't drive with ice. So I figured I'd go after work. (I get out at 4:30pm) but...today I got out at 7pm. I'm EXHAUSTED. I want to go to bed now and get up at 5:30 and have a nice long workout tomorrow since my energy level is depleted tonight. But I also didn't want to miss one day of workouts, so I'm torn. My chest and back are sore from yesterday, so I'm pretty happy about that. Tomorrow is shoulders/triceps and biceps. If I can get to the gym AT 5:45, do weights until 6:30, I can do my 45 minutes of cardio and still get to work on time for 8:30. I'll still be short a cardio session, but I can do cardio on Sunday, my planned day off, and then I'll be on track. I get sick SO easily when I overdo things, so I'm trying to be careful. I think I'll do an ab workout now and then go to bed. I really need to do my shopping and cooking. My husband did go shopping so I have CC and apples again! I am still eating pretty good for not having much in the cupboards this week....

8:30am
Smart Ones Egg Muffin.......gross but i was running late
coffee with FF cream and Splenda

11am....apple
11:30am turkey with veggie cheese on ww bread
seltzer water & pretzels

2pm...missed :d_frown:

6pm...2.5 oz chicken and graham crackers....not the best but I was stuck at work

now..7:40pm...going to work my abs, have a shake, and hit the sack, I'm wiped!

Drank 2.2 liters of water
Out of Vita Lea Multi Vitamins :mad:

New goal....20 miles on treadmill per week to start

Weight this morning....175.2

I need more veggies, haven't eaten ANY in 2 days :eat:

Gina,

You cannot let 6 hrs pass between meal! :mad: I know bars are not a good thing but they are better than nothing. Keep something in your purse or at work. :eat:

Y

UP and at em' at 5:30am! I did it! I hit the gym and had a fantastic workout.
Triceps...dips, feet up on bench
pulldowns 60#
overhead extensions 15#

Biceps....curls...15#
concentration curls 15#
*forgot to do preachers! Bench was used and I meant to go back!

Shoulders...arnold presses...20# :db:
front lateral raises...12.5#, 10#
bent over raises....12.5#

abs (from yesterday)
leg raises
scissors
knee raises on roman chair

cardio...15 treadmill.... .89 miles
15 elliptical... 1.5miles
15 bike... 5.4 miles

Meal plan... :eat:
4 egg whites, 2 pcs ww bread...8:30
bfl chili...12noon
cc and apple...2:30
chicken and veggies...5:30
unsure of #5..........8:30, probably a shake

water will be 2.2 liters at work
at gym, I drank 24 oz
tonight another 24 oz

I feel great! Meals need some work, but I"m SO much better than I used to be! :jumping:

:claplow: :claphigh: :jumping: :d_biggrin :tucool: :D

Workout this morning was an "8" I would say. Ran late so I didn't do 45 minutes so I brought my sneakers with me so I can take a walk-I am going to try to take a 20 minute walk everyday during work (since I eat at my desk and generally go 9 hours or so without fresh air or leaving my office.

Meals:
8:15am...5 egg whites, 1 slice ww toast (usually have 2, but i"m trying to keep meals at or under 200 calories)
coffee with ff cream and splenda

11:15am....cottage cheese, turkey slices and apple

2:15am....protein shake (milk and protein powder)

5:15pm....salmon, yam and broccoli

8:15pm... "ice cream"=peaches, banana & cottage cheese wtih splenda


6:45am Workout
Pre Cor elliptical...30 minutes with steep incline-high intensity
2.45 miles, burned 320.5 calories (machine reading)
No foot pain! :jumping: Swelling is down! :claplow:

Workout this morning was an "8" I would say. Ran late so I didn't do 45 minutes so I brought my sneakers with me so I can take a walk-I am going to try to take a 20 minute walk everyday during work (since I eat at my desk and generally go 9 hours or so without fresh air or leaving my office.

Meals:
8:15am...5 egg whites, 1 slice ww toast (usually have 2, but i"m trying to keep meals at or under 200 calories)
coffee with ff cream and splenda

11:15am....cottage cheese, turkey slices and apple

2:15am....protein shake (milk and protein powder)

5:15pm....salmon, yam and broccoli

8:15pm... "ice cream"=peaches, banana & cottage cheese wtih splenda


6:45am Workout
Pre Cor elliptical...30 minutes with steep incline-high intensity
2.45 miles, burned 320.5 calories (machine reading)
No foot pain! :jumping: Swelling is down! :claplow:

Meals didn't go quite as planned....
11:15...didn't eat the turkey
5:15 was cottage cheese and 2 graham crackers
8pm was salmon, baked white potato and broccoli

Total calories: 1897 :mad:
41/37/21
I usually try to stay much closer to 1400.......
Need to ditch the graham crackers! Addicting! :drool:

I did do 20 minutes of fat burning yoga instead of morphing into the couch after work! :claphigh:

Don't beat yourself up. Your body may have needed the extra calories. You shouldn't eat too low for too many days.

Good job on the yoga, I have always wanted to try it. ;)

Today is going to be a tough day. I stayed up past midnight last night reading and slept until 10am...so I missed a meal already. Its snowing like mad outside (of course!) so the gym is probably out of the question (I don't have 4 wheel drive). My husband will be home from class in an hour, I'll see if I can get him to drive me.

I have a volunteer job today at a pet expo and I will be there for 4 hours so my meals will be off there too. Then dinner with friends tonight, I'll get fish with veggies.

It won't be the best day, but I'll do my best.

If I can't get to the gym, I'll do the best workout that I can at home. TOday is legs. I did lunges with yoga last night so they are already pretty sore.

My at home leg workout will be:
front Lunges
siff squats (on toes to hit the calves too)
lateral lunges
plies

I'll do all of these holding light dumbbells. I'll miss out on leg extensions (my favorite), leg press and hamstring curls :( but it'll do the trick for today.

Hi Gina,
nice journal you have here, I just started checking out other peoples. Good luck with reaching your goals. I think I read earlier that you're husband was going to build a office/workout room. Is that still happening? I would love to have one at home, especially on snowy days. We were supposed to get a 6 inches here, where I am,but it's all rain (thank god, pretty sick of snow at this point).

Just out of curiosity, are you a cop? just asking because my brother is one.

Hi Gina,
nice journal you have here, I just started checking out other peoples. Good luck with reaching your goals. I think I read earlier that you're husband was going to build a office/workout room. Is that still happening? I would love to have one at home, especially on snowy days. We were supposed to get a 6 inches here, where I am,but it's all rain (thank god, pretty sick of snow at this point).

Just out of curiosity, are you a cop? just asking because my brother is one.

Hi! Thanks for reading my journal! Yes, my husband is still working on the rooms for us, they should be done by mid April. I am not a cop, those are just the first letters of my last name. Where are you located that you get a lot of snow too? This winter was awful, wasn't it?
I'm going to check out your fat loss tips for beginners becuase I DEFINITELY need to get rid of some!!! :p

Hi Gina,
nice journal you have here, I just started checking out other peoples. Good luck with reaching your goals. I think I read earlier that you're husband was going to build a office/workout room. Is that still happening? I would love to have one at home, especially on snowy days. We were supposed to get a 6 inches here, where I am,but it's all rain (thank god, pretty sick of snow at this point).

Just out of curiosity, are you a cop? just asking because my brother is one.


I hope you check back in here so youll get this question~! In your fat loss tips, you mentioned losing fat just through weight training alone. I'm doing weights every other day and cardio every day for 45 minutes. Do you think I should be reversing that? I've always read more cardio. I just dn't want to be fat anymore! :mad:

Today is Tuesday and I haven't written since Saturday, so I have some catching up to do!

Saturday was fun at the Expo, went to dinner-had pork tenderloins with veggies, started with a salad (my newest habit) but I drank 4 beers. (not sure if I put this in the last post, but my exercise for this day ended up being 30 minutes of heavy snow shoveling and 20 minutes of fat blasting yoga)

SUnday was like an all day eat-a-thon.......BFL pancakes, a granola bar, Fig Newmans, chili, chicken tenders, and chicken/pasta/broccoli. I feel like I ate all day! No gym. Just a casual walk to the mall-2.6 miles total. I could not sleep and was up all night tossing and turning-my head is so full (went back to school, working full time, annoyed with my fat-nervous about not losing it-, trying to start my own business, etc) so I was up until 1:30am.

Monday: ALarm went off at 5:30am and I felt like I had a hangover, thats how exhausted I was. So, I slept until 7:45 and rushed to work. Family dinner night with my aunts so no gym.

Meals Monday:
9am..bagel with lowfat cream cheese (due to oversleeping)
11:30am..salad with turkey
2pm..cheeseburger (didn't pack my lunch completely)
5pm...on the road, missed it
7pm...restaurant...grilled chicken, zucchini and wild rice (salad first with just vinegar) *getting better at eating out, normally I'd have picked something with fries, mashed pot or a heavy sauce

Tuesday:
Up at 5:45am :jumping:
chest/back 45 minutes
chest press 20# supersetted with 15# flies
DB rows 15#
pulldowns 52.5#
cable rows 45#
cardio 45 minutes.....3.08 miles (machine readout on treadmill)

DOes this workout look ok? :db:

Todays meals (not so good again :mad: )
8:15am...protein shake (skim milk and protein)
11...salad in a pita
12...2 cookies :o
2...chicken nuggets (Homemade, not McD's!!!) and a cookie :mad:

nothing else planned-so much going on, I'm getting off track! I printed out Maggie's recipe file and bought the stuff, so things should get better soon...........

Hi! Thanks for reading my journal! Yes, my husband is still working on the rooms for us, they should be done by mid April. I am not a cop, those are just the first letters of my last name. Where are you located that you get a lot of snow too? This winter was awful, wasn't it?
I'm going to check out your fat loss tips for beginners becuase I DEFINITELY need to get rid of some!!! :p

I just realized you are in Mass-what a dope, I didn't read your info first! I'm in RI-hello neighbor! So you definitely feel my pain of the snw~! :tu:

Well, the day is nearing its end and I have a ton of energy left, maybe I'll take a walk. I did the gym from 6-7:30am today, worked 8:30-6:30pm and I just got home.

Meals today so far
calories: 1142
budgeted with Diet Power: 1355
BUrned according to Diet Power: 1226

C42/P28/F29....obviously, I need some protein for dinner and NO fat! Diet Power is an awesome program. Soon it will be even better when it tells me how to better my food intake. I get an A+ even when I KNOW its not perfect, all because I get enough nutrients with my Vita Lea vitamins.

I wieghed when I got home and it read 178, It was 175 this morning so I am assuming its normal to flux like that during the day. I only usually record and stress over my morning numbers. :p

Maybe I'll go do yoga and eat some cottage cheese.........Tomorrow morning is a nice 45 session of cardio and then wreck my abs......

I hope you check back in here so youll get this question~! In your fat loss tips, you mentioned losing fat just through weight training alone. I'm doing weights every other day and cardio every day for 45 minutes. Do you think I should be reversing that? I've always read more cardio. I just dn't want to be fat anymore! :mad:

If you are doing weights at least 3 times a week, I think that is totally enough, no need for more. What I did was a 3 day split, which means I split a full body workout into three sections and did them each on a different day. if you're doing cardio every day that may or may not be too much, but that is really dependent on the person. A lot of people here do cardio every day. I don't think it is hurting you. If you are doing cardio on weight days, most people recommend separating them, one morning, one night, or something like that. Or at least do the cardio first and then weights.

I think the reason I was successful was a combination of eating right and weight lifting. When I was 40 pounds heavier, my diet was simply horrific. I would eat one or two meals a day, usually both takeout and in between I would snack on any kind of sugary fatty stuff I wanted. So even without the weights I think I would have lost some weight just by changing my diet. I would have liked to do cardio, but I couldn't. IF I did do it, I don't think it would have changed much.

So I wasn't advising that people not do cardio, I was more trying to emphasise how important weight lifting is. Because although my diet was really good last year, the 8 months in between it was quite varied, and I think the muscle I put on helped me to stay a low weight all this time. So definitely keep up with the cardio, but check out how much you do and when. You don't want to be burning too much muscle.

How are your weight lifting sessions? Is your goal to go for low reps high weight. This is what I prefer. Of course high weight is relative. Basically a high enough amount that you can only do like 10 reps. If you can do 20, the weight is not enough.

Good luck!

If you are doing weights at least 3 times a week, I think that is totally enough, no need for more. What I did was a 3 day split, which means I split a full body workout into three sections and did them each on a different day. if you're doing cardio every day that may or may not be too much, but that is really dependent on the person. A lot of people here do cardio every day. I don't think it is hurting you. If you are doing cardio on weight days, most people recommend separating them, one morning, one night, or something like that. Or at least do the cardio first and then weights.

I think the reason I was successful was a combination of eating right and weight lifting. When I was 40 pounds heavier, my diet was simply horrific. I would eat one or two meals a day, usually both takeout and in between I would snack on any kind of sugary fatty stuff I wanted. So even without the weights I think I would have lost some weight just by changing my diet. I would have liked to do cardio, but I couldn't. IF I did do it, I don't think it would have changed much.

So I wasn't advising that people not do cardio, I was more trying to emphasise how important weight lifting is. Because although my diet was really good last year, the 8 months in between it was quite varied, and I think the muscle I put on helped me to stay a low weight all this time. So definitely keep up with the cardio, but check out how much you do and when. You don't want to be burning too much muscle.

How are your weight lifting sessions? Is your goal to go for low reps high weight. This is what I prefer. Of course high weight is relative. Basically a high enough amount that you can only do like 10 reps. If you can do 20, the weight is not enough.

Good luck!

Thanks! Question...I always read weights first, then cardio. Do I have this backwards? I think I'd be too wiped to do the cardio first. :confused:

My weight sessions are lifting as heavy as I possibly can with good form for 12 reps. The last one is usually iffy but I lift it. Ilike to shake when I walk out of the gym. I do back/chest on Tues, shoulders/bis/tris on Thurs and legs on Saturday. Cardio every day except sunday. I work abs on cardio day at the end.

My diet is a work in progress. I no longer survive on fast food and sugary soda. I have just about given up Diet Coke, it doesn't "fill my void" anymore :tu: I eat pretty much all day, little meals and I try my best to balance them out.

I just figured out my BMR (1564.78) and TDEE (2425.41) but I am a bit confused with them. I just made a post in the Fat Loss section listing my caloric intake for the past 14 days and I think I'm "on" but I'm not losing.....here they are......
March 1st: 1591, 2363, 2095,1893, 2149, 1167, 1242, 1589, 1220, 1889, 1897, 1823, 1952, 1361, 1142. I ate the lower numbers becuase that is what Diet Power gave me and the higher numbers were days I was just too hungry to listen to DP! :eat: Counting them out, it looks like I had 4 low days, followed by 4 high.....the food probably could have been cleaner, but not a hog fest like I used to have.
Any suggestions?

I want to be fit because I haven't been happy with myself in 8 years (prior to that I was 130lbs and tone...never worked out though but i should have! :mad: ). I want to feel good about myself and be able to walk with my head up. My husband and I want to have a baby next year and I don't want to be a fat mommy. My doctor wants me down to 150. (i'm 175 now, down from 184). I don't want to battle with this my whole life, it really worries me. So, while I'm "young", I want/need to do it now.

Thanks for reading and for your help! :bow:

I like my routine. Up by 5:30-gym at 5:45, weights till 6:30m followed by 45 minutes of cardio and I'm done.........or am I?

I am reading, and dreading it, that I should REALLY be doing my cardio first thing on an empty belly (ok) but the weights need to be spaced out until the evening. GRRRRRRRRRRR.......If I must, I will. My goal is fat loss and if it lifting then doing cardio is hampering this, then I'll have to change my life around and make it work.

This is what I read on another post........

I need to do cardio on an empty stomache and wait 45-60 minutes before eating a balance of carb/protein/fat.

I need to lift weights and eat protein/fat, no carb, immediately after.

The reason I can't do them together (shouldn't) is because I will need to eat right after lifting, but the carbs I eat then, will hamper my fat loss from the cardio, since fat burning stops when carbs are consumed. Also, by doing 45 minutes of cardio after lifting, I'm not eating the protein/fat that I'msupposed to eat right after lifting. :spaz:

I REALLY hope someone reads this and checks up on me! I am pretty sure, that I got this right. I had to read the posts a few times to make sure.

My issue....I can get up early now! I actually LIKE it! I can even stay up until 10 or 10:30 and get up at 5:15-5:30 and feel good all day! :jumping: I work 8:30-4:30, sometimes more like 6:30 or 7pm-but it didn't matter because my workouts were done. NOW...I guess I'll have to go back to the gym at night :p when its CROWDED and there are no benches to use. IN the morning, my gym is awesome-lots of women working out, full of muscle and serious. At night, its like being in a high school gym class. The girls are about 10, ok, maybe 18, snapping their gum and the guys are just showing off-its sickening. And they are hogging MY machines :mad: . My home gym is almost done, but it won't be the same for me. Ilike the motivation I get from everyone else.

Oh boy, long post.

Tomorrow is biceps/triceps and shoulders. I only have 5, 10 and 15 lb dbs at home, I use 20# to do my shoulder workout :confused:
Well, I''ll do cardio in the morning, work until 6 and then go to the gym, it should be quiet by then. But to do this routine 3 days per week? (I do cardio 6 days)....does everyone who is fit workout like this? It takes up the whole day! Well, at least I won't be eating out :eat:

Todays meals were good but the macros were off, something like 36/34/30...too much fat!

8am..4 egg whites on pita with refried beans and veggie cheese
11:30am..alad, no protein :( with pita bread
3pm..4 egg whites on pita with refried beans and veggie cheese (repeat!)
6:30pm chicken marsala 4 oz (homemade) one small red pot and green beans
8:30 repeat chicken marsala meal


Lots of water, but not my full amount
oooh, I'm so mad about splitting the workout. But losing fat is most important, so if I have to, I will.......

Gina,

Maybe it is time you thought about hiring a fitness coach. If you are seriously interested and can spare a few dollars it may be the best thing.

I have a few I have looked into and if you are interested I will let you know what I think.

I am probably going to get a coach as soon as I finish my 16 week plan.

Y

The reason I can't do them together (shouldn't) is because I will need to eat right after lifting, but the carbs I eat then, will hamper my fat loss from the cardio, since fat burning stops when carbs are consumed. Also, by doing 45 minutes of cardio after lifting, I'm not eating the protein/fat that I'msupposed to eat right after lifting. :spaz:


Hi Gina,
I really think this is a nice concise way to sum up why separating them works, if you are going to try to maximize your effort by doing the recommeded post workout nutrition.

I had recommended cardio then weights, because you could still do the cardio fasted and then the weights afterward. Sure you are tired for the weights. But on weightlifting days you could perhaps do slightly less cardio. Then when you are done the weights you can immediately have the PWO nutrition and shortly after that the protein, fat, carb meal.

I know this was John stone's method, back when he was doing 7 days of cardio with his initial weight loss. (the cardio, then weights, not sure about his meals)

Again I don't know this stuff for certain, I am just reading things same as you. I'm not sure why you can't do cardio and then weights, but there may be a good reason. You should do the experiment on yourself and see what works best. But, please stay motivated! Don't get discouraged. You are working out, you are eating better. The good news is that no system needs to be perfect in order to work. Keep it up!!

Gina,

Maybe it is time you thought about hiring a fitness coach. If you are seriously interested and can spare a few dollars it may be the best thing.

I have a few I have looked into and if you are interested I will let you know what I think.

I am probably going to get a coach as soon as I finish my 16 week plan.

Y

VERY interested! I've been debating hiring a coach at the gym even. My husband doesn't want me spending the money becuase we are going to Australia in May and that is $$$ and he thinks I should know what I'm doing since I read everything :spaz: (as you can tell by walking in my house...magazines everywhere! BFFM, LL books, journals, weight training books, etc! Definitely let me know what you're thoughts are. Email or in here! Thank you, I really appreciate it!
PS...I am wearing size 10 pants today....first time in AGES. :jumping:

VERY interested! I've been debating hiring a coach at the gym even. My husband doesn't want me spending the money becuase we are going to Australia in May and that is $$$ and he thinks I should know what I'm doing since I read everything :spaz: (as you can tell by walking in my house...magazines everywhere! BFFM, LL books, journals, weight training books, etc! Definitely let me know what you're thoughts are. Email or in here! Thank you, I really appreciate it!
PS...I am wearing size 10 pants today....first time in AGES. :jumping:

WOO HOO!!! :claphigh: You are doing it girl! I think you want instant results and that is what is getting you down. Journal daily, eat clean and workout. The body will come. It took me a year to lose ten pounds but I lost it and it will never return.

Keep on going and don't beat yourself up mentally. I noticed in a precious entry that you weighted yourself twice in one day. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! :mad: I know you are using Dietpower so weight once in the AM and no more. ;)

I know what your husband means about spending the money. I hate to tell you how much I have spent in the last year. :p

WOO HOO!!! :claphigh: You are doing it girl! I think you want instant results and that is what is getting you down. Journal daily, eat clean and workout. The body will come. It took me a year to lose ten pounds but I lost it and it will never return.

Keep on going and don't beat yourself up mentally. I noticed in a precious entry that you weighted yourself twice in one day. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! :mad: I know you are using Dietpower so weight once in the AM and no more. ;)

I know what your husband means about spending the money. I hate to tell you how much I have spent in the last year. :p


Thanks Yvette! I have been wearing 12s for quite a while and its depressing EVERY day when I get dressed, I almost dread getting out of the shower becuase I know whats next....the closet! You have known me for quite a while, and I feel like I CAN do it this time, I feel like I'm just a few weeks away from seeing some changes. Putting these 10s on today made me realize that I CAN get smaller, even if its with baby steps. Maybe I'll be wearing my 8s by summer!?!?! :spaz:

I didn't go to the gym this morning, I think part of me was "blah" because I overread and anyalyzed last night before bed. WHen I go to bed thinking "I'll never be fit" I oversleep the next day. WHen I go to bed with a HOOWAH attitude about getting fit SOON, I bounce out of bed the next morning.

I did get up and prepare my meals, which I haven't been doing enough of (i plan 2 meals and wing the rest)

M1: 8:15 cottage cheese, blueberries, protein powder and ice shake
M2:11:00 4 egg whites, ff refried beans, veggie cheese on pita
M3: 2pm 4 oz chicken marsala, teeny red potato, salad
M4: 5pm shake
5:30pm...weight workout at home in basement..bis, tris and shoulders-it won't be as heavy, but I'll increase reps or add another set
Yoga or pilates (video dvd)
M5: chicken with veggies

Thanks Yvette! I have been wearing 12s for quite a while and its depressing EVERY day when I get dressed, I almost dread getting out of the shower becuase I know whats next....the closet! You have known me for quite a while, and I feel like I CAN do it this time, I feel like I'm just a few weeks away from seeing some changes. Putting these 10s on today made me realize that I CAN get smaller, even if its with baby steps. Maybe I'll be wearing my 8s by summer!?!?! :spaz:


OK, what you HAVE to do is get rid of anything that is too loose. This way you won't have anything to wear if you lapse. This is great motivation for me. If something is too big on my I donate it. If I gain weight I will have to wear sweats and I HATE wearing sweats. It's a great motivator for me.

Good idea - I have 3 different sizes cluttering up my closet. I'll bet just getting rid of them would be added incentive to stay away from the girl scout cookies.

How does everyone get those pictures next to their names?

Ok, so I didn't work out yesterday-day off I guess. I woke up exhausted and my calves are killing me-thats what I get for not stretching enough. I need to buy a stretching guide for different muscles. Wearing size 10 yesterday was pretty exciting, now I need to get them so they are loose. My mother noticed that I'm smaller, less "bloated" looking. That was a pick me up! I did do abs last night but no cardio or weights-I petsat (sp?!) so I didn't have my gear. I stayed overnight and its an hour from my gym, so no gym this morning either. I am supposed to go visit a friend's new baby tonight, but it will have to be after the gym.

So, I'm switching my workout to....back and triceps, then biceps, shoulders and chest......then legs alone. So tonight is biceps, shoulders and chest-even though I worked chest on Tuesday, it will be ok.

Weighing in at my parents this morning, the scale read 177, which is up 2 lbs from yesterday.......it HAS to be the scale difference! I ate near perfect yesterday! I'm not logging into Diet Power today, no way!
I measured and weighed every morsel that went into my face yesterday.

tonight;
biceps: concentration curls, DB curls, and barbell curls or preachers
chest: chest press, flies.......not sure what else?
shoulders: arnold presses, lateral raises, front raises

Looking forward to it! :jumping:

ZERO motivation today. Have to go to school for 3 hours, I hope I feel better after that. Going to Boston with my husband for the day & a friend is coming in from out of town tonight. How does everyone get their friends and family to understand that the gym is first? ON my weekends, I'd love to go to the gym when I feel like going instead of forcing myself up at 5:30am, maybe thats going to be the only way. I only have 9 weeks until Australia, it doesn't look like I"ll be packing a bikini :(

I've been reading so many posts in here...some say to focus on weight training for fat loss, others say focus on cardio. Will 6 days of cardio (bike for now, later treadmill at steady pace for 45 minutes) and 3 days of weight training be enough? SHould I increase something? I'm going to give it my all! Thanks Y!

You can overtrain. Yes like in all things, there are many opinions. Most agree that diet is number one, but disagree on what form it takes. I put weights, next in order because muscles = metabolism. Cardio burns some calories. You need to read and re-read forums as well as some books and net to make a good decision.

ZERO motivation today. Have to go to school for 3 hours, I hope I feel better after that. Going to Boston with my husband for the day & a friend is coming in from out of town tonight. How does everyone get their friends and family to understand that the gym is first? ON my weekends, I'd love to go to the gym when I feel like going instead of forcing myself up at 5:30am, maybe thats going to be the only way. I only have 9 weeks until Australia, it doesn't look like I"ll be packing a bikini :(

Hey Gina,

I have the same situation on the weekends. During the week it is very easy for me to workout even though I have less free time to myself. The reason for this is scheduling. What you need to to is schedule your workouts for the weekends. Why not make Sat. or Sun. your day off from working out if that is a problem?

You are already conceding to not wearing a bikini, this is not the proper mind set. Maybe what you have to do is try that bikini on every morning and see if that motivates you.

You can do this but you have to convince yourself first. Go to Jeremy's website and listen to some of his podcasts. Listen to the one that he did with Swolecat, John Stone and Jon Benson first. These are extremely motivational.

How does everyone get those pictures next to their names?



That is called your "Avatar"
First you need to have a picture downloaded to your computer. Then go to your user c/p here in the forums. Then you click on "Edit Avatar"

The intructions are there. If you need any help PM me or catch me on the Yahoo Messenger and I will walk you thru it.

That is called your "Avatar"
First you need to have a picture downloaded to your computer. Then go to your user c/p here in the forums. Then you click on "Edit Avatar"

The intructions are there. If you need any help PM me or catch me on the Yahoo Messenger and I will walk you thru it.

Thanks! sorry to ask such "dummy" questions! :p

Hey Gina,

I have the same situation on the weekends. During the week it is very easy for me to workout even though I have less free time to myself. The reason for this is scheduling. What you need to to is schedule your workouts for the weekends. Why not make Sat. or Sun. your day off from working out if that is a problem?

You are already conceding to not wearing a bikini, this is not the proper mind set. Maybe what you have to do is try that bikini on every morning and see if that motivates you.

You can do this but you have to convince yourself first. Go to Jeremy's website and listen to some of his podcasts. Listen to the one that he did with Swolecat, John Stone and Jon Benson first. These are extremely motivational.

Thanks Y! I woke up super cranky due to slight headache, missed early am gym and now I can't get there until tomorrow. I sat my husband down and explained to him that from this day forward, if I don't workout, I don't get to "play", so I need his help. SO, we are going to Boston and we are going to take a looong walk. When we get home, I am going to lift in the basement. I will do today's planned workout tomorrow. I also just got a phone call that we are going on a cruise in teh Fall.

May 26: Australia
Fall 05: Cruise to Mexico
Bikini: coming out of storage today, I WILL try it on EVERY morning-thanks Y! :claplow:

You can overtrain. Yes like in all things, there are many opinions. Most agree that diet is number one, but disagree on what form it takes. I put weights, next in order because muscles = metabolism. Cardio burns some calories. You need to read and re-read forums as well as some books and net to make a good decision.

Thank you for your reply! I'll keep on reading!

Gina,

Where does your cruise leave from? What part of Mexico?

Y

Gina,

Where does your cruise leave from? What part of Mexico?

Y

I'm not sure yet. I just got the notice that we are having a family trip on a cruise but nothing has been set up yet, just working on getting 22 people to coordinate a date! I'll let you know

Home from Boston, walked a LOT, took stairs a LOT, did walking lunges outside of the JFK Library, might have looked like a dork, but I feel good! :p My husband has agreed to go with me to the gym again, it will help to have someone going with me. Today was officially a free day, so no guilt. Friday I didn't make it and there was lots of guilt for that one. I need to get over the fact that there will be days when I am too exhausted to go and need a day off and not kick myself all day for it because THOSE are the days I let the guilt bury my motivation and I feel like giving up-stoopid, but its what I have found myself to do.
So, today is OK. Tomorrow, we'll be at the gym! Followed by 5 more days of hard core workouts! :db:

ZERO motivation today. Have to go to school for 3 hours, I hope I feel better after that. Going to Boston with my husband for the day & a friend is coming in from out of town tonight. How does everyone get their friends and family to understand that the gym is first? ON my weekends, I'd love to go to the gym when I feel like going instead of forcing myself up at 5:30am, maybe thats going to be the only way. I only have 9 weeks until Australia, it doesn't look like I"ll be packing a bikini :(

Hey Gina - I used to get alot of comments from friends and family that I'm spending too much time at the gym. But between the demands of single parenthood, an elderly parent and a stressful job, I've realized I need these workouts to stay healthy and keep my sanity. Hopefully your friends/family will cut you some slack when they see all the positive changes! You can accomplish alot in 9 weeks - keep the bikini in plain sight to keep you motivated!

Hey Gina - I used to get alot of comments from friends and family that I'm spending too much time at the gym. But between the demands of single parenthood, an elderly parent and a stressful job, I've realized I need these workouts to stay healthy and keep my sanity. Hopefully your friends/family will cut you some slack when they see all the positive changes! You can accomplish alot in 9 weeks - keep the bikini in plain sight to keep you motivated!

Thanks Karen! I guess because I don't "look" fit yet, no one is taking me seriously, I also think thats why I sometimes have trouble staying motivated. I am starting to mention the gym a lot more now. If a friend asks what my plans are for the week so we can get together, I am adding "I am free after the gym" or whatever everytime. I used to put the gym second, but it just can't be that way or I'll let it slide out of my head all together.
Worked Back, shoulders and biceps at the gym this morning with my husband. I need to move the shoulders to chest day though, my biceps were too tired to get their fair share of "abuse" ;) after working my shoulders. Went visiting and out to lunch, then took a 25 minute brisk walk outside with my mom. Pedometer says we went 3.25 miles but I KNOW that can't be right!
Tomorrow is cardio and abs.
I did a lot of reading on MAX OT today :read: , not sure what I think of it yet. I don't think I like the cardio-16 minutes on a recumbant bike? (week one anyway). I am an endomorph and everywhere else says the more cardio the better. I like my routine as it is so I'm not changing anything up, but it was tempting to see the "12 weeks" in MAX OT. :drool:
Anyway, I KNOW my routine and I CAN do it, so it is what I'll do for now.
Gotta go plan some meals for tomorrow...out of protein powder :mad: need to boil eggs I guess.

Gina,

I may try MAX OT in a few months but I will continue to do the cardio I am doing now.

After I finish this 16 week plan that I am on (on week 7 now), I am going to hire Swolecat. I went to his site and the results there are awesome.

Have a great week,

Y

6:45am-7:15am treadmill cardio
walked 3.5 with 5.0 incline, jogged 5.0 & 6.0 with 0 incline
3.2 miles

8:15am...4 eggs and spinach, one flax waffle & sf syrup
missed meal #2 (busy at work)
1:15am...chicken on mixed green salad
4:15....cottage cheese and blueberries with splenda
7pm...meatloaf, butternut squash and green beans
maybe some popcorn during a movie after

I was on the treadmill today and I heard a girl say "I cna't do more than 2 miles anymore if I'm going to lift weights, I read it" the other girl said "thats bullsh*t, I run for an hour everyday and lift weights and I feel great" (she looks great too) Its funny how there are so many conflicting exercise routines. I am finally learning that they are all right (mostly) for the right person.

So my routine will remain 6 days of cardio adn 3 alternate days weights.

Not much to say today, doing my cardio tonight-45 minutes treadmill.

4 egg whites, spinach and red peppers and coffee for breakfast

lunch: meatloaf, broccoli and butternut squash

Scale going back down finally. (176)

Gina,

I was like you and did H.I.I.T cardio for almost a year. I didn't think this 65-75% heart-rate thing would work but I gave it a shot. I am now a believer. I lost 3 pounds in 3 weeks. My knees feel better, my feet feel better and my back feels better.

Why not give it a try? Give uo the intervals for a few weeks, it may help your feet to heal. Once you are healed you can alternate between the two.

Y


65%-75% for how long? steady?

45 minutes

3/23/05: worked later than expected so I worked out at home. Denise Austin Female Fat Zone DVD-not bad. STretching, triceps, abs, biceps, legs, back and chest. Not as heavy as I would have done at the gym, but a good all over workout.

Tonight will be just cardio-45 minutes on the treadmill.

Weight is still up one lb from where I HAD been last week. Need daily cardio, no excuses. It snowed last night! AGAIN! :mad:

3/25/05: Yesterday I posted that I would do 45 minutes on the treadmill last night, but instead, I did 20 minutes HIIT on treadmill at my parent's house. The treadmll is so different from the one at the gym-its by ifit.com. Anyway, I did cardio.

Today I will be leaving work at 2pm and going to the gym. Work is becoming a bit overwhelming and really taking its toll-that needs to change.

Eating so far today is good.

3/25/05: Second post today. I left work early as planned, got my haircut and almost wanted to skip the gym-thankfully, my husband is back into going to the gym, so we went. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical....2.48 miles, 325.4 calories. I am so glad we went.

We are going again tomorrow morning together-chest/triceps and shoulders then 30 cardio again...but we might do the cardio outside-its actually starting to warm up!

I'm still using DietPower to journal my meals but I decided not to double post, it gets to be too much. I journal workouts in a book, food in DietPower and workouts in here for support/advice.

My husband hugged me as he left for work tonight and he said "you feel thinner around here" and he rubbed my sides of my rib cage! That made me feel great.

Allllllllllllllllllright! It's great when someone notices the changes and to know your hard work is paying off!

Karen

Allllllllllllllllllright! It's great when someone notices the changes and to know your hard work is paying off!

Karen

Thank you Karen! Its nice having support in here too! :jumping: It makes me want to workout even more!

3/27/05 Easter Sunday.
Yesterday was supposed to be chest and biceps but it ended up being nothing. We ran errands for Easter, got the car cleaned, met my mom for lunch, took a much needed nap and went to a pre Easter dinner. EXCUSES...I should have gotten up earlier.
I've been staying up FAR too late working on a class project (Powerpoint)-it gets so addicting!

My eating yesterday was that of a highschool boy-LOTS of calories and I don't even want to think about the fat content.
Last night I went to bed at 2am and woke up at 8, stayed in bed until 9 and went to the gym. I did 45 minutes intervals on PreCor elliptical and then 20 minutes of intervals on the bike. I put a magazine on the machine's rack with a female body type that I want to be to motivate me NOT to get off the machine! In an hour, my mother is coming over for a 30 minute walk before dinner and then we do the "family walk" after dinner for about 20-30 minutes.
My husband must think I've lost my mind as he walks into the office and finds me holding a ruler up to my belly-I am measuring 2" below my belly button and it measures 41 inches :eek: ...yes, that is not a typo. That is an insane measurement for a woman who has never had a child. I am assuming mega cardio is the most efficient way to lose that fat-I HAVE to lose it, its so unhealthy!
So, today I will be good while still enjoying the holiday and get right into it again tomorrow.
I wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday! :d_tongue:

3/28/05: Where did the weekend go?

I had a great workout this morning: 30 PreCor, very intense and 15 bike, also intense. I did my 2 walks as planned yesterday and feel pretty happy. No weight loss and no body changes, but I feel better anyway. I circled my calendar on Sunday, no missed workouts for one month-thats my mini goal. When I make things into a "game" I'll stick to them better, I like to win. :D

:claplow: Good for you baby!!! Your blog actually motivated me, I needed that. going to gym now even though it's pouring out!! :tu: keep it up.

:claplow: Good for you baby!!! Your blog actually motivated me, I needed that. going to gym now even though it's pouring out!! :tu: keep it up.

:jumping: WOO HOO! Good girl! I'm so glad it motivated you! When I don't feel like going, I try to envision the summer clothes, tank tops, summer dresses and that boots me in the a$& to get the gym! I don't want ANOTHER fat summer!
I'm going after work tonight-elliptical for 30, bike for 15-if I can get a machine, if not, then 45 on whatever machine is open. I should have gotten up on time this morning! :( I ate chinese food so I was sooo sleepy! :o

3/30/05: Good day so far! Up at 6:15, interval elliptical for 35 minutes. Wanted to do another 15 but ran out of time-NEED to start getting up at 5:45, I'll get up 10 minutes earlier each day until I'm comfortably getting up.
Breakfast was 5 egg whites, broccoli and a tiny bit of ham with spices. Very filling and held me over until lunch. Chicken breast, zucchini and summer squash. i did have a dinner roll-but I usually have THREE so today was good (restaurant). I'm not eating often enough nor clean enouigh but I"m working on it.
I found some cute tops that I want to wear in Australia so hopefully that will keep my motivation up!

I broke my deal with myself already! I missed yesterday's workout! :mad: Not truely by choice, my husband needed me to help him-I need to NOT put it off until after work becuase AFTER work, is too busy of a time.

I NEED a smaller waist-its 41" as I mentioned before. IS cardio going to do the trick? clean food and cardio?

Thanks for reading! Until tomorrow..........

3/31/05: No workout this morning, up until 2am-big fire in my husband's district so I was a "bit" nervous and couldn't sleep. 7am came FAST.

After work, which I usually make excuses for, I went to the gym and did a great leg workout: leg press, curls and extensions and then I did 45 minutes on the treadmill. I varied it up a lot-12 incline, then ran 7mph, then ran 5mph then walked, etc. I left feeling great. I have also eaten really clean today....

Until tomorrow...April 1st!

4/1/05: A bit discouraged today, I've been a member since Feb 17, which is MORE than a month, and I am not closer weight-wise to my goal. I am, however, working toward it more than before.

No workout this morning, my legs are SUPER sore from yesterday. I will take a walk after work if it doesn't start raining, and I will work arms and shoulders and abs at home tonight.

Quiz and presentation due at school tomorrow am and I am not prepared for the quiz, so my focus HAS to be school tonight, but I will get something fitness in!

Until tomorrow.........

4/1/05: Second post today. Left work and came home to study, but I couldn't help but think about the gym. So, I combined them and brought my text book onto the elliptical at the gym with me and pumped out 30 minutes and another 10 walking on the treadmill. I kept the elliptical on its highest incline since I couldnt' really pump away like crazy or else I wouldn't have been able to scan the words on the book. I got a better workout in than I thought I would-my studying didn't go as planned, but I feel good that I got my workout in!

Need to increase my weight training this week.

Goal for tomorrow...pass quiz, ace presentation, 30 cardio, 30 arms/chest and no computer........

Until tomorrow..........

4/2/05: Saturday. No quiz today afterall. Got a 90% on my presentation and did 30 high intensity interval/incline on PreCor.

4/3/05: I dont think I'm going to the gym today, its sort of nice out and I'd like to walk outside for a change. It won't be as intense though. I will do an upper body workout at home today too.

Eating has been basically clean, not following a set plan, just watching my caloric intake and making sure the fat is low. I feel better, not sure if I'm looking any better yet. Only time will tell.

4/3/05: I dont think I'm going to the gym today, its sort of nice out and I'd like to walk outside for a change. It won't be as intense though. I will do an upper body workout at home today too.

Eating has been basically clean, not following a set plan, just watching my caloric intake and making sure the fat is low. I feel better, not sure if I'm looking any better yet. Only time will tell.

Went for a 25 minute brisk walk at 6pm, no weights today. I haven't missed a workout in a week, so thats progress for me. I wonder if doing 30 high intense minutes on the elliptical will result in fat loss? I'll do 45 most days anyway.

Back to work tomorrow.........

You are doing great!!!! :tucool:

Missed a few days of posting, but NOT of working out! :jumping:

Lets see, I last posted 4/3/03

4/4/05: Monday: 20 minute walk at noon
20 minute PreCor at 5pm
20 minute walk at 6

4/5/05 Tuesday: chest and biceps-ouch! Abs too

I could really use some help with my workouts-I've been lifting heavy, doing 12-15 reps. Someone told me that is too many reps and to do 8-10, I assume to failure? Lift heavier if not? Increase wieghts each set or the same weight?

4/6/05 Weds: TODAY! Riding my bike home from work 6 miles = we'll see after that. Probably another walk.

:tu:

One more thing...I weighed 175 today.
Mini goal: 170 by May 1
Long goal: 134 by October 1

Yeah! you are almost to your May 1st goal.

Gina,

You need to periodize your workouts. If you need more info on how to do this let me know. I am at work right now and don't have time to describe this in detail. I could even give you workouts for 2 weeks if you want.

Y

Yeah! you are almost to your May 1st goal.

Gina,

You need to periodize your workouts. If you need more info on how to do this let me know. I am at work right now and don't have time to describe this in detail. I could even give you workouts for 2 weeks if you want.

Y


Yes! Please tell!

4/8/05, Friday.

What a week! Work has been C-R-A-Z-Y!

Ok, so 4/7/05 I went to the gym at 5am and did a fantastic leg workout. I am hurting for certain today!!!

Tonight I will take a walk or a bike ride. No gym because I HAVE to study for a quiz.

weight: 176 today :( but I did have cajun shrimp and pasta for dinner last night :drool:

I'm aiming for 174 by next Friday...baby steps!

4/10/05: Didn't workout on Friday as planned.

Saturday: 45 minute hike in the woods. Not a huge cardio success, but it was still a workout. I ate decent, nothing too bad-just haven't really been to focused on counting/weighing/measuring my foods-must do better!

Sunday (today): Two 2.25 mile walks-each with a different dog-ended up being a full body workout (training shelter dogs). IT felt awesome, I definitely could have done more.
An hour of basketball in the afternoon with my husband.

Will be doing weights tomorrow morning...Legs & Shoulders.

Scale today: 175, teetering between 173 and 175...something tells me I'm going to see 173 by next Friday....gotta eat CLEAN!

I'm NOT perfect and I certainly can improve, but this is the longest I've gone being active. Now, if I can eat clean AND be active, I'd be alright!

4/13/05: STILL not eating clean enough.......

4/11/05: Did a leg workout at home. I only have 10 & 15 lb dbs so I made due. Used the 15s for stiff legged deadlifts (hams are still sore today!), did squats with 15s and did walking lunges without weights. I jumped rope inbetween my sets-that was pretty fun. Then I went inside and did shoulders-shoulder presses 15#, and the rest with 10#: lateral, bent over lateral and front raises.

4/12/05: missed workout :mad: My first miss in almost 3 weeks.

Today, 4/13/05: leaving work early to hit the gym before a wake and have dinner company over.

Need improvement on: DIET and cardio, I have been slacking in high intensity cardio-will do it after weights today.

Questions on diet: I know what to eat and what not to eat. I need some help on WHEN (I do every 3 hours right now, or working on it) and HOW MUCH...do I do 1/2 C cottage cheese or a cup? Or less? Or does it just depend on my caloric intake for the day? Why can't it be easy!? :eek:

4/13/05: Second post today. I didn't go to the gym but I worked out at home instead. I rode my bike for 25 minutes hitting all of the big hills that I HATE but I know are good for me. I was definitely out of breath, my husband, on the otherhand, coasted right up the hill like it was a bump. :mad: Willl do this ride more often...........

Then I hit the "garage". Chest and triceps. I don't have a bench in the garage, so I got out my ball. Felt pretty good, but I know I could have lifted more-I only have 10 and 15 lb dbs at home. I did the best that I could for today.

I had to go to a wake and then straight to Walmart and got some 20lb dbs-which is what I use at the gym. Now i need a straight bar, a pullup bar and someday, an elliptical machine.

Today, my eating was ok, not enough, but ok. cleaner. only 1052 calories, carb 33%, protein 40% and fat 27%. TOns of water and plenty of vitamins. Diet Power tells me "more fiber". Ok! Tomorrow will be better!

Did I read that right? 1052 calories?????? :confused:

Did I read that right? 1052 calories?????? :confused:


Yes, you did. :o Most days, I'm about 400 calories higher, but I got sidetracked at work.

Today is April 17th, Sunday.
This is my caloric intake so far this month, I have not been very careful 100% of the time, but for me, this is better than normal.

Date: calories eaten: C/P/F
4/1-4/3: did not record
4/4: 1281 46/29/25
4/5: 1526 29/35/36 (yikes)
4/6: 1241 33/43/25
4/7-4/12: did not record
4/13: 1052 33/40/27
4/14: 1313 44/32/24
4/15: 1580 29/25/46 (ugh)
4/16: did not record
4/17: 1765 34/21/45 (not sure how accurate-we ate lunch out. I had a salad with peacans and some sesame stick things, I logged everything higher than actual, just in case)

So, as you can all see, I am not eating the best. I need to watch the fat intake. I don't think I'm eating enough protein. I usually get around 85-90 g per day, I think it should be 1gram per lb of weight?

No exercise today. Cardio yesterday-just a 2 mile brisk walk though. Tomorrow, back to the gym for heavy training.
My scale now reads 173!!! Lowest in over a year.

4/19/05...Things are getting hectic, not much computer time lately.

Sunday was an unplanned day off.

Monday: legs and shoulders at home, 20# max when working out at home-can't lift more than that yet anyway. Would have liked to do some leg extensions though. Maybe I'll stop by the gym on my way to the park.

I'm starting jogging today outside-I am so tired of the gym on nice days. The park is 2.7 miles and I haven't jogged outside since last summer. We'll see how well that goes!

Eating was good again today.

4/19/05: second post today

I did my jog outside-I did SO much better than I thought I would/could.

I used my heart rate monitor and my max was 85% and I was in the zone for 21 minutes. My jog was 28 minutes today. I want to continue to increase, evenutally to 45 minutes. I can do 45 on a treadmill no problem, but outside is harder for me. I am so stoked that tonight went well-I think I'll do it again tomorrow before work and save my weights for at night!

:claphigh: Good job!!!

4/20/05: CHest and triceps before work-arms wobbly!!! Love it!

Did my 2nd jog tonight. HR MOnitor messed up and didn't keep track of my heart rate???? Felt like I did better than last night.

I found an online site and it tells me that my max training hr is 162 and my minimum is 138. My hr monitor has my low as 122? and my high is around the 162 mark (its not with me right now). Not sure which is exact, but I entered my birthday and sex into it and thats how it got figured.

Ate clean all day-no cheats or snacks.
My total calories: 1223
Macro breakdown: 39/45/16

Calories are still a little low but this is what I ate:
M1: 4 egg whites, low carb wheat bagle (no trans fat) with TINY dollop of cream cheese and sugar free jelly ...coffee with cream and splenda
M2: protein shake: skim milk, strawberries and whey
M3: cottage cheese and Kashi bar
M4: chicken (made with spices, vinegar and olive oil), broccoli and a small red potato
M5: Advantage Carb control drink (forcing it down now-10pm)

Tomorrow: cardio and abs

Started this venture: March 27, 2005
Missed ONE day
Starting weight: 179
Today: 174
Goal: 140

Bah! I have been swamped at work and have a huge project due at school. Five weeks till Australia though so I gotta get mooovin!
I have been working out, just not logging in here. I did miss Friday and Saturday-school, volunteer work and work killed me this week.

Last I wrote was 4/20/05, so 4/21/05 Thursday was cardio, but I didn't wear my HR monitor. I'm still a bit confused on where I should be. I think its 60%-70% but I dont' know how to tell with the monitor, I think I'll go downstairs and re read the booklet.

Sunday was Back and Biceps, for some reason, I didn't feel as strong. My lat pulldowns were 62.5# but I had to decrease down to 55#-bummer. Same with my cable rows. Biceps are still 15# DB, although I did 20# cable curls. Then I did 30 minutes of cardio-steady state and some sprints.

I took tomorrow off from work. Big gym day.

I really need to clean up my diet and push myself HARD. I am thinking about splurging and just paying for a trainer. I hope I can find one that is focused at my gym-they all seem to be a bit 'out there'.

Too much going on, I need to take some time, write out my goals and my schedule and get back in line.

I missed two workouts this week! I'm so angry. It wasn't due to laziness, but lack of planning...same results either way.

This morning I had a good leg and shoulder workout at home.

3 sets/10

Squats 20#
Walking lunges-no weight. (need to add weight)
SLDL 20# (need to do these on the step)

Arnold presses 20#
lateral raises 10# (can't seem to increase weight!)
bent over lateral 15#
front raises 10# (can't seem to increase weight here either!)

When I was done, I wanted to keep going but I stopped anyway and put everything away-when I went to go upstairs to shower, I realized that my legs were wobbly!
My arms feel fine, for now anyway-but they are toast while I'm lifting.

I am afraid to step on the scale, so I'm taking some time "off" of it. I'm working on cleaning up my diet-going good so far-and like I said, I need to preplan my workout times. I have workouts that I like, but I need to rededicate some time to them. INstead of "legs and shoulders on Monday" I need to have "legs and shoulders at 5am monday followed by 30 minute jog and ab blaster" something like that

Sunday, May 1st:

Up at 9am, gym by 9:30am. Pretty good size crowd today. Making up my 2 missed workouts last week so I can start fresh tomorrow.

Back: cable rows 50# 3 sets/12
lat pulldowns 60# 3 sets/12
Biceps: cable curls to ear 3 sets/12 15#
cable curls from floor 1 set/12 40#, 2 sets/12 45#
Triceps: 60# pushdowns 4 sets/15
45# overhead cable extensions 4 sets/12 BURN!!!!!
Chest: cable crossovers 15# 3 sets/3
no benches for chest press and pec dec was being used :mad:

Off to do cardio.......
20 minutes walking 3.5 various inclines
25 minutes intervals 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and back down again
Total: 45 minutes, all various inclineds, 3.13 miles, 378 calories burned

Tomorrow: Legs, abs and an outdoor jog

I started my journey on March 27. March was decent. April was much better-but I missed 8 days in total of workouts. I did not log my food intake faithfully, and I accept that as my reason that my bf is still high-I haven't had it measured, but I took pictures...its high.

May 2nd: 6:15am: Legs and absLeg press: 180/12, 185/10, 190/8, 200/6, 205/12 (need higher weight)
squats (should have been lunges) 12.5#/12

standing calves 15/12, 20/10, 30/8, 55/6, 60/12 (need higher weight)
seated calves 50/12

Good Mornings: 20/12, 30/10, 40/8, 40/6, 30/12
lunges (switched with squats) 12.5/12

reverse abs 25 x 2
"L" ups 25 x 2 (need more ab work)

7:30PM

35 minute jog/walk outside
3 miles
wore hr monitor-in zone 26 minutes
(no caloric readout on monitor)

Meals May 2nd:
M1: 4 egg whites in safflower oil, 1 piece ww toast
M2: 12 almonds & protein shake (water, whey, blueberries)
M3: tossed salad, salmon pouch & lf italian (drizzled)
M4: burger, grilled-relish, mustard, couscous and broccoli
Missed M5
Too high in fat according to Diet Power.
Better tomorrow.........

Tuesday: Had my pictures done last night...oh my...I need work!

6am:

HIIT 20 minutes, followed by 20 interval walk/jog with steep incline
(forgot to write mileage, will update later)

Meals today:

M1: 4 egg whites (Pam spray) and 1/2 C oatmeal (cinnamon, 1/2 splenda pkt) sugar free syrup-2 Tsp....8 oz coffee, ff 1/2 & 1/2, splenda
M2: 1/2 C Good Friends Kashi Cereal & 1/2 C cottage cheese
M3: 2 meatballs and 1 C broccoli
M4: tossed salad with Newmans LF Italian dressing & protein shake (ice, water, strawberries & whey)
M5: undecided-going out, will be clean

Haven't entered into DietPower, but other than the meatballs, I think its better than yesterday's fat intake. We'll see.......

23 days till Australia!!!!!

May 10, 2005.
I have not been faithful to my journal, but I have been working out daily.

May 4: upper body, BFL style, abs & 20 minute jog, 1.41 miles, 176 cal
May5: 15 minute walk
May 6: off
May 7: off
May 8: HIIT plus 5 minutes & abs: 257 calories, 1.92 miles
May 9: Legs, back & biceps
May 10: 20 minute walk 6:55am

Keep at Gina!

When are you going down under?

Keep at Gina!

When are you going down under?

I leave May 26th! I can't wait! 3 week vacation! Ahhhh.....

I have been SO bad at keeping up with this journal. I keep a food & macro log in Diet Power, my workout log in a daily planner, a fitness notebook with interesting things that I read and I'm re-reading BFFM. Working full time, trying to establish my business, keeping my house clean, doing homework & going to classes, volunteering at the shelter and doing all that I can to help animals in my community-oh, and theres a husband, family and friends in there too. I am finding it difficult to do it all. But I'm not giving up.
I have missed two workouts this month. I have done a terrible job of preplanning-because one thing I have yet to do is go grocery shopping. I"m eating clean, but definitely not enough calories and my macros are off-getting just a B on Diet Power.
I have Saturday to myself, so I'm going to print out some recipes, go shopping and cook ALL day long (and workout).
I'm following the BFL schedule for workouts for the rest of the month until I leave on my trip. I am doing extra cardio and extra abs though. This week, my cardio has decreased so far because I find myself so wiped out after work-last night I was asleep by 6pm, dragged myself back up and went to the gym, but only managed to walk for 20 minutes. (also did 20 in the morning). Terrible intensity-wise.
Anyway, this morning I got up and did Upper Body. Back, chest, biceps and triceps were killer-increased the weight, decreased the timing on each rep and overall, felt awesome. Shoulders were a different story-tehy were SPENT by the time it was their turn-I think I'll do them again with legs on Friday. I worked them, but the intensity wasn't as high.
I need to do some major ab work. I think I'll start incorporating it onto every day that I do weights. I am also taking it along with me to Australia.
We do not have a gym in our hotels, so that is 3 weeks without weights-I'm pretty bummed out about that. We had a decent one in Hawaii, but nothing this time around. So, I'll pack my sneakers-want new ones, and I'll bring the bands and the ab blaster, that should do the trick. I'll be sure to eat healthy too, try to avoid any gains.

My goals:
Preplan my meals
Not miss one day of workouts (only 12 days left anyway)
MINIMAL carbs-veggies and fruit only
MINIMAL dairy-water down any milk consumed
NO EMPTY CALORIES..cookies, twizzlers, etc
Increase calories-1700-2000 per day 4x, 1400=1500 3x
Abs 3x per week
Legs 2x per week
Back 2x per week
Shoulders 2x per week
Follow BFL (with above exceptions)

Sounds like a great plan Gina. Don't stress about not having weights to work out with. How about pushups and squats. Bodyweight exercises are great.

Woke up at 6:30, went for a 20 minute FAST walk-felt pretty good to get some fresh air first thing. I know I should be doing HIIT first thing, but I can't help wanting to enjoy the spring air finally!

7:45am
M1: protein shake (whey, 4 oz water, 4 oz skim milk, 2 strawberries, and one splenda pkt)
M2: missed 10:30-10:45am
M3: turkey, onion, mushroom wrap 11:45am (restaurant)
M4: missed 2pm
GYM: 45 minutes jogging on treadmill-mostly at 4.5 mph
3.09 miles. 395 calories
M5: banana 8pm
M6: BFL pancakes 9pm (ate a few veggie chips while cooking)
Total calories: 1224
C46/P29/F29
Carbs 159/ Protein only 82.3 (not even half of what I should have eaten) and Fat 31.3
Water 143 oz

What a mess I made of my food today! Thats what i got for not going grocery shopping-I went after the gym and before M6 though. I am using Diet Power to track my food, I hope I am entering accurate portions, maybe its good that they calculate low just in case I'm underestimating. LIke M3-Not sure exactly what they put inside it!

Time for bed...legs tomorrow

So, I have one full week left before I leave on my trip to Australia. I am bringing my ab workouts (paper), resistance bands and of course, my running shoes. Chris bought a new pair yesterday, so I'm pretty psyched about that. I work out so much harder when he runs with me.

Thursday was cardio. (I think I already posted this actually)
Brisk walk from 6:55-7:15am outside and
I went to the gym from 7:10pm-7:55pm
45:11 minutes, 3.09 miles and 395 calories
Calories: 1224 46/29/25 burned 576 = 648

Friday was my day off...finally, I only took ONE day off. :o

Saturday was legs. I prefer taking Friday off and not Saturday because I have ALL day Saturday-no rush.

Started: 10am-10:47am, BFL style
Leg press: 200,215,230,245,215
extensions: 70
Leg curls: 50,55,60,60,50 (kinda wimpy)
squats: 20# dbs ....added wall squat-held for 45 seconds
Standing calves: 40,55,55,60,40,
seated: 80

shoulder press: 15,17.5,20,22.5,17.5
lateral raises: 10 (wicked wimpy, but I can't do more yet!)

Once again, I skipped abs... :(

I added shoulders because they get so cheated when I do upper body. I add back to one leg day and shoulders to the other.

So, I met a trainer who seems really pumped to be training. I sat down for a quick pow wow with her and, while I liked her enthusiasm, she left me with questions.
She said absolutely 1200 calories, at least for 3 weeks.
She said no workout the day after legs, i should be too sore.
The first one, no problem, I could use some SUPER clean eating for a while (great, just when I'm going on vacation and have no idea what to expect. one night we are sleeping in a tent in the middle of the Taronga Zoo in Sydney!)

I have been lifting BFL but adding extra cardio, no longer palm/fisting it-will do the 1200 calories per day, switched to 50/30/20 (as of today) and I WILL DO ABS.
This will be my plan for this week and half of next until I leave.
When I am away, I will do abs, light resistance workouts and run every morning-except the morning of the zoo.

I printed out all of Maggie's recipes-my husband loves them too. Today, what is left of it :p I am going to write up my meals for the week, make sure come to 1200 and then I'm going to write out my workout plan as if it is my WORK schedule. This week, I will push myself harder than ever before and see how I feel. I really want this, I do, i just need to collect my information, write it down, weed out the extras and follow MY plan 100% for a few weeks, see how I feel and then re-evaluate. I want the determination and dedication that I read in Maggie's blogs. I"m not lazy, just confused. Its time to get busy though.

Off to do meal plans-going to the gym at 4pm when Chris gets back from school. I needed today to clear my head, write things up and plan while no one was home.

Yesterday, Sunday, 15th. 3:05pm-3:50pm
Run/jog/walk on treadmill-random, level 4 45 minutes, 3.24 miles, 419 calories-I beat Thursday's distance! I'll see how I do first thing in the morning tomorrow.

Today was not nearly the "success" that I had planned :mad:

I am really anxious about going away, so I was awake, literally, ALL NIGHT long waiting to get up. Problem..by the time I needed to get up, I was exhausted. So, I told myself that I would do cardio right after work-nope. We had a bunch of things to do for the trip and of course, the gym was put last. I should have just taken my own car.

I did have CHris make dinner while I did the Ab Blaster 4 times in a row-that felt awesome. Then I got downstairs and he had made chicken and macaroni and cheese. He was all proud to have made dinner, so I ate, but just not a lot. My calories were disgusting today. I NEED them to be 1200.

Tomorrow's meals are all planned, prepared and ready to eat though. ITs 10pm, off to bed, hopefully, I'll actually sleep tonight. I will go to the gym before work, I hate missing my workouts, I just don't feel good when I miss them. Progress I guess. If I could sleep right after, I'd go for a run right now, but I don't want a repeat of yesterday. Ok, off to bed.

Ok, yesterday was great. Right on with my calories-weighed, measured and counted everything. I did my cardio in the morning-20 minute run around the neighborhood.

Today, did HIIT, 20 minutes, random intervals, level 3 on treadmill
227 calories, 1.69 miles

Well, I haven't been posting, but I've been doing really good with my workouts. Food? Not so great. I need to pull it all together. I have read everything, I KNOW what to do, now to do it.

I have been doing a lot of cardio this week and I did my upper body workout. I am going to be on a plane for 5 hours, then for 15 hours straight, so I don't want my legs to be sore. Tonight I will do pilates and some major stretching.

I don't have my workout book with me to update my journal for the past week. Yesterday was a quickie-20 minute intervals on the elliptical crosstrainer and today was 30 high intensity on the PreCor.

I won't be logging in again until late June, will be in Australia and this is going to be the last thing on my mind!

We are bringing our running gear with us and I WILL lose 10lbs in the next 3 weeks.

I WILL BE 164 WHEN I RETURN!!!!!!!!!!

Have a GREAT trip! Looking forward to watching your progress after your vacation.

Where did those 2 months go!?

Australia was amazing! Ran every morning along the beach on the Esplanade. The hotels had amazing gyms too! Horseback riding, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and walking EVERYWHERE-awesome trip with tons of exercise.
Went on South Beach when I got home and dropped 10lbs and I am now working out with a trainer. I have basically given up the computer since I spend most days on it and don't care to spend any more time on it at night. I was definitely spending WAY too much time reading other people's logs and getting down on myself. I am doing so much better now and really proud of my progress.
I'll still poke in now and again but not daily anymore.
Best of luck to everyone!

Welcome back Gina!

Tammy said you were back and I was hoping you would check in. Glad you had a great time! Drop me a line sometime and let me know how and what you are doing.