Sunday, February 26, 2012

Gym Workouts are not all that bad!

I did it! I went to the gym yesterday and did my first workout program as designed by my PT on Wednesday. 

Upon arrival I was very nervous! Would I remember what exercise was what and which machines I used when doing the quick round on Wednesday? It can be very daunting when you walk into a gym and see all that equipment but the key is knowing how to use it and how to use it properly for yourself.

I grabbed the program from behind the front desk and was stoked to see that it had been written in simple language as well as said what weight and what settings for the equipment. Off to warm up on the treadie for 10 minutes and then that was it, I was into my very first round of circuit! Circuit involves lots of strength type training for me. A lot of it upper body actually since I mentioned that I have zero upper body strength. This is very normal for females apparently. You would think with all that baby carrying we do, we would be stronger up there but it was interesting to chat with the PT about it all since we actually are using our back muscles to carry these heavy bambinos!

So my workout is 10 minute warm up, circuit, cardio for 10 minutes, circuit, cardio for 10 minutes, ab work and then stretch/cooldown. 

It doesnt sound like much but it took me an hour and a half to get through it all as well as burning off 1018 calories for my SSS session. I was pretty happy with that! Hubby and I chose a time when we knew the gym would be quiet. I figure its easier for me atm to work through these exercises without feeling like I am being judged by others who are fitter in the gym. I have to also remember though that this is the first step! This might seem outside my comfort zone but it is also not the comfort zone I should be worried about! This is my health....my life....and you cant put a price on that.

I thought I would blog today to give a message to everyone.....

Dont let the thought of embarrassment get to you. This is so much bigger than a feeling. This is life. This is the future we are building and being fit and healthy also means the future looks a lot brighter than it does right now. 

We can ALL do this! WE just have to be bigger than that little inner voice that seems to always say the wrong things at the right time. We need to gain control and with each step in the right direction, we are regaining that power.

So go on, get out there and get that workout done that you have been putting off. Even visit your local gym and see if you can get your own program fixed up. Some gyms even offer it for free when you join up. Look into it and you just may be surprised.

Get out there and JFDI!

Cath xoxo

Friday, February 24, 2012

Never Give Up and Never Give In!

Hi all,

Well I have been a little quiet on the forum and blog front for a little while and that is cause I had a bit of a wake up call when I went to the gym last week.

Hubby is doing his PT certificate and the gym has been amazing enough to let me sit in on everything even though I am not doing it. I even got a 3 month membership to the gym as well. They have been nothing but lovely!

Anyhow, last week it was all about fitness and how to test fitness levels. I thought hell yeah, I should blitz this without a problem.....how wrong I was. The group is made up of mostly 18-20 year olds with only me hubby and another lady aged 35 and over. I was not comparing myself to the younger ones in the group but I was down on myself personally as I really thought I could achieve so much more!

We did a step test for 3 minutes to test our VO2 output or whatever it is.....well mine came in at poor to good.....everyone else including hubby came in at excellent.....then we did a 30 second sit up test. I manage 13 and same with the 30 sec pushup test. The average for the majority of people is AT LEAST 15! I thought I did ok in my sit and reach (+3) till I found out the average for females is +11!!!. Then we had to do like a chin up hold type thing and see how long we could hold it for. I managed a measly 3 seconds and then proceeded to lose grip and fall hard on my foot. Gosh it hurt!! Next up was the beep test! Never done one of those before. Anyhow, off I went and was buggered by the time it beeped onto 3.2.

That was it for me. I was devastated but still kept a brave face for the rest of the morning. I was so upset too that hubby who has only just started exercising and eating healthy did so much better than me who has been doing this a lot longer than he has.

I spent the afternoon using the R.I.C.E method on my right ankle as it was so painful when I took my shoe off after the fall earlier on in the morning and I pondered on everything that had gone on. I know I cant compare myself to the others and I wasnt trying too but I really though that I personally was fitter than that!

So I had a booking to see a PT to set up a personalised program for me. Never done that before as usually just follow Michelles program or just go walking/running. I told him that it wasnt the fact my legs couldnt go anymore in the beep test but I just couldnt breathe! I literally was out of breath. He said that I need to improve my lung capacity and has given me a workout program to help do just that as well as help me get fitter. He also said to not dwell to much on the start as we all have to start somewhere. Its the starting point that is the most important part of any workout regime since its what we use to improve ourselves on.

They were also trying to get me to have a go at there 5 week Ultralite plan but after a lot of talking with the amazing 12WBT ladies on facebook, I am going to strip what I know back to basics and utilise the tools I have here. With the money I wont use on the other program, ill put towards a gym membership. It might be 40 minutes each way, but I think having the support of a PT is just what I need right now.

I have hit a small speedhump in the road of my weight loss journey. Its not the first speedhump and it certainly wont be the last. I am just proud that instead of giving up, I have taken the step forward to learn to be even better than I am now. I have learnt so much from Michelle and the 12WBT team and you know what.....

Not even the gym could find fault in this program ;) I knew they wouldnt though! Even though I have the workouts here, I have taken on a program a little more tailored to what I am after. Who knows, I just might be at finale looking fabulous AND be at goal weight!!

My family has faith in me, Michelle and the 12WBT crew have faith in me, my 12WBT family have faith in me, I just need to find that faith to have in me too! I WILL DO IT! I CAN DO IT!

Much love everyone and remember to NEVER give up!

It never gets easier, but you WILL get better at it :)

Cath xoxo

Friday, February 17, 2012

Complacency can creep up on a person before they know it!

Well its been a long time between blog posts but not without good reason......or is that without a good excuse ;)

Over the past two weeks, I have had a uni exam to which I have no idea how I went.....I got through our house inspection with the owners and finally I have been busy printing out and organising myself for the uni semester ahead which at this time seems to be taking up all my time!

So how have I been going these last two weeks.....well I havent gained any weight so thats a good thing right! My diet has been nice and clean apart from the still occasional slip up but the exercise has waned......

A LOT!

Hubby has been trying his hardest to get me up and motivated but I think I have slipped into the mentality that if I eat healthy, the weight is coming off anyway!

BAD MOVE!!

I need to get back to the whole get up, get out and JFDI!! I mean if hubby can come home from a 12 hour shift and push himself for 30+ minutes on the cross trainer, then what is my problem? Why am I sitting there on the lounge watching tele whilst he is out walking laps of the forest?

Admittedly I got up Wednesday morning and I honestly had no intention of walking the 15km for our wedding anniversary......but you know what, I over come that inner voice and I DID IT!! 15km in just under 3 hours and a total calorie burn of 2113 calories!! I was stoked. All day Wednesday I was like, you know what, I can do this. 1 hour a day....that is it, thats all I need.

I said I would have a rest day yesterday after the mammoth workout on Wednesday which I did. Here I sit though, Friday and its almost midday....still have done NOTHING! I am heading to the gym tonight with hubby who has his first session with the gym to learn to be a PT so I might just head off with him. See if being in the gym is inspiring enough a place to be in to get back the JFDI mojo that seems to have gone wandering.

Its tough being in this place. Know that only a few short week ago you were so motivated and then hitting a slump. I know that the food is spot on, I have to keep it that way so thats a good thing right.......

Well if only I could be as vigilant with my exercise. Even setting the alarm for 4.45am as I use to do isnt working this time. I just get up turn it off and go back to bed.

I will report back this evening with hopefully good news! Perhaps I need to feed of hubbies drive and energy for a while. I know I helped him to get to the place he is in now.....maybe its time to get the favour back!

Until later this evening,.......

MWAH!

Cath xoxo