May 2012
9 posts
It's over Johnny.................
From that famous movie, Rambo, if you remember the line, mentioned in the title, Rambo’s response was “it’s not over till I say it’s over”. Well that is where I am. Even thought this incredible opportunity and journey is coming to an end, that is not the case for me. My #’s are now as follows:
Weight - 290Lbs, down from 315 - lost 25 LBs in 3 mos
...
What Do You Mean? It's Over?
It’s true the Gold’s Gym “Show us Your Journey” challenge is coming to an end. The last twelve weeks flew by so fast. It has truly been such a life changing experience.
Twelve weeks ago I started this journey to see if I could accomplish a simple goal and that was to see myself through 12 weeks of change. I documented all of my activities, controlled and...
WatchProgress is Priceless
The Results ...
It’s hard to believe that twelve weeks have passes since we started “Show Us Your Journey”. I have learned so much about living a healthier lifestyle, exercise, and about myself. Above all, I have learned that this journey was about ME. I cannot compare the total pounds, inches or percentage of body fat lost against anyone else because they are not me. Our bodies are all different and we each...
Final Weigh-In, Measurements, and Thoughts
Let’s go back 90 days ago….
Weight: 160.2 pounds
Waist: 38 inches
Hips: 41 inches
Thigh: 24 inches
% Body Fat = 39.4%
Today’s numbers…
Weight: 148.4 (-11.8 pounds)
Waist: 33 inches (-5 inches)
Hips: 38 inches (-3 inches)
Thigh: 23.5 inches (-0.5 inches)
% Body Fat = 31.7% (-7.7%)
% of Total Body Weight Lost = 7.37%
Pics: Day 1 and Day 90
Wow! I can actually see a difference!!! I’m...
Weighing In, Week 12
Starting weight = 160.2
Week 1 = 156.25 (-4 pounds)
Week 2 = 155.0 (-1.25 pounds)
Week 3 = 155.5 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 4 = No weight taken
Week 5 = 156.0 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 6 = 152.0 (-4 pounds)
Week 7 = 150.8 (-1.2 pounds)
Week 8 = 149.2 (-1.6 pounds)
Week 9 = 151.2 (+2 pounds)
Week 10 = 148.8 (-2.4 pounds)
Week 11 = 149.0 (+0.2 pounds)
Weight Loss to date = -11.2 pounds
Where has the...
Wednesday Weigh In - End of Week 11
This is it one week left of the Gold’s Gym “Show us your Journey” Challenge. For this last week I am increasing my cardio workouts this week to maximize my calorie burn.
I never thought I could get to this point in my journey, so many others have given up on their own goals, but I am so determined to hit my ultimate weight goal. I knew that my goal would not be...
April 2012
45 posts
Fit Wednesday 4-23
went to Golds and did an AJ workout - now you ask “what is an AJ workout?” well it is one of the pain sessions AJ put me thru during these past 3 months. Started w/ lat rows for 10 reps, then right into incline pushups off the bench, and repeated for 5 sets, then went to Lat pull downs for 10 reps, then right into tricep extensions - repeat for 5 sets, really blew up my...
Fit Photo Friday, Week 11
Pushed it hard today, re-visiting some exercises we haven’t done in a while.
Ab/Core work included: Scissor kicks, straight leg lifts, 1/2 V-ups, and a boat sit
Kettlebell swing, Sumo squats
Hammer Strength Dead Lifts (new), step-ups
Lat Pulldowns, Hammer Strength Chest Press
Wait! Do you see what I see? Knees! What is this journey coming to? I wore SHORTS to the gym! Yikes!!!
This has been a crazy week with the semester coming to an end and finals, trying to fit everything in plus my workouts has been very challenging. Let me assure you that i hit the gym everyday but wasn’t able to get any new pictures this week. I had some really good strength training workouts and yesterday my trainer gave my own personal boot camp, talk about affective. I am feeling stronger...
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This week my trainer Phil introduced me to the foam roll, it help massages your muscles and feels great. Along with those I also did..
Side lateral runs
Toe Taps
Heavy Step ups
Riser Push ups
Plank alt knee ups
Only two more weeks left have to finish this journey strong, I am proud of what I have accomplished and looking forward to my future health.
Wednesday Weigh In - End of Week 10
To succeed at any thing, especially weight loss and fitness, you really need to evaluate where you are, where you have been and where you want to be.
This challenge focuses on fitness and getting active in our lives. I went from not being active at all to shifting my life style to daily activity. I really see the changes that have been taking place and I am excited to continue on my...
Weighing In, Week 11
Starting weight = 160.2
Week 1 = 156.25 (-4 pounds)
Week 2 = 155.0 (-1.25 pounds)
Week 3 = 155.5 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 4 = No weight taken
Week 5 = 156.0 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 6 = 152.0 (-4 pounds)
Week 7 = 150.8 (-1.2 pounds)
Week 8 = 149.2 (-1.6 pounds)
Week 9 = 151.2 (+2 pounds)
Week 10 = 148.8 (-2.4 pounds)
Weight Loss to Date = -11.4
Up and down, up and down. Losing weight can be a...
It has been a good week, I have Tried some new things this week that I never have which will be in fit friday and it feels good. My body fat is down from 29.4 to 25.6 which is a great number to see. The intense cardio has greatly helped me towards my goal, I can’t Believe this journey is just about over but I feel my trainer has me ready to get to my goal and continue to be healthy.
WatchJust because you spend the majority of your time at a desk doesn’t mean that you are chained to it. Why not take advantage of your breaks? It is a fact that you will burn more calories standing than sitting.
Every chance I get I try to stay off the chair and keep moving. This week I took a swiss ball to work with me to give me some options to just sitting around all day. A few simple exercise...
Fit Friday 4/20
End of week 10 - as usual, did an amazing workout with AJ this week - warm up was body weight squats (20) into pushups (10) for 5 sets then went to exercise pairs and triplets (5 sets each), by the end (worked out for an hour), I was exhausted but very proud that I got thru it. I pushed myself hard - last set was a tough one where I barely was able to get the exercise done - but pushed...
Closer to 30" than I thought ...
As the saying goes, “when it rains, it pours” and this is so true of my week. There just does not seem to be enough hours in the day in order to accomplish everything that must be done. Then life has to go and throw unexpected twists like kidney stones into the mix. Despite the flood that this week has brought, I must push on and continue to move forward. Life can get tough and how we ultimately...
Fit Photo Friday, Week 10
Exercise tip of the day: DON’T WEAR COTTON!!!
I know this, but wore it anyway. I’ve been pushing an 8:30 min/mile this week on the treadmill; did that again today before meeting with my trainer, and thus, the major sweat marks! I love a good sweat, but it’s not too pretty in the pictures.
WatchHad a great workout this week, did some different kind of exercises with a bar bell that I really enjoyed. I love that my trainer mixes it up every week with all kinds of new things that way my body will not hit a wall and get use to same kind of exercises. Some of the exercises included…
Shoulder press
Hand switch
Bent over rows
one arm shoulder press
Wednesday Weigh In - End of Week 9
So far this journey has provided me with the knowledge that I need to succeed. But it is not about what I’ve learned, it’s about what I do with this knowledge next!
The last few weeks I have been able test how well I can use my knowledge in to my workouts. As I progress in my workouts I can Identify myself when I need to adjust my habit to insure my long term goals.
With my family...
It's Almost Over.
It’s hard to believe that this experience is almost over. I feel like I just started to be honest. I look at the other participants, and feel completely disgusted with myself. It’s hard enough feeling like I’m going at this alone in my personal life, but when something this personal and emotional is publicized, it puts SO much pressure on the person trying to lose the weight....
Weighing In, Week 10
Starting weight = 160.2
Week 1 = 156.25 (-4 pounds)
Week 2 = 155.0 (-1.25 pounds)
Week 3 = 155.5 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 4 = No weight taken
Week 5 = 156.0 (+0.5)
Week 6 = 152.0 (-4 pounds)
Week 7 = 150.8 (-1.2 pounds)
Week 8 = 149.2 (-1.6 pounds)
Week 9 = 151.2 (+2 pounds)
Weight Loss to Date = -9 pounds
Hmmmm….part of me thinks the number on the scale last week was a fluke. My...
Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th is supposed to be a crazy day - with lots of weird things happening, but no, that was not the case. it was a great day here @ the jersey shore (yes I said it - Jersey Shore, but there is no correlation to that show on MTV, which is why I’ve said in previous posts “coastal Jersey) 70 degrees, sunny and nice w/ a sometimes cooling breeze coming off the water. So,...
A Time to Heal
Daniel and I had a great workout last Saturday and this one shall be no different! Our progress has been increasing as Daniel’s strength and endurance continue shoot up! So to keep Daniel’s future ventures in mind (we were too late to sign up for the GO! Saint Louid 5k) the end of our next session will be about rest, recovery, and focused injury prevention. Hope all is well with...
Fit Photo Friday, Week 9
Last Saturday, I ran a half-marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. This was my second half-marathon, run 18 months (to the day) after my first half-marathon. HM #1 was completed in 2:12:18. I’m pretty sure I’m a better runner than I was 18-months ago, and it would have been nice to have beat HM #1 time, but a few things put a kebash on that goal. Obstacle #1— The 7-(now 8-)year old...
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I’m the rubber-band man this week I used resistant bands for my training, they felt weird at first but I could deftly feel them help my workouts. I did four sets of each.
Resistance Crunches
Resistance Knee raises
Riser push ups with lateral band
Lateral raises
Front raises
Bench press
Tricep Extension
Wednesday Weigh In - End of Week 8
It’s unbelievable how many things have changed in just the last eight weeks. I have created new workout habits and have been able to adapt them to everyday life. I didn’t think it would be possible with work, school, kids, soccer games and many other events that life throws my way. But I have made it a priority and have stuck with it. I can sure tell when I have missed a day.
My meals are the...
Week 9 ... minus 25.5" & almost 9%
We have finished yet another week and are drawing closer to the end of this journey. Although this journey will end, my journey to achieve a healthy lifestyle is just beginning. This is a lifestyle change and not just a 12 week journey. =)
I have now lost 25.5 inches and dropped my body fat from 34.5% to 25.59%! The biggest loss to date is in my abdominals where I have lost 5.5” followed by 3.5”...
Weighing In, Week 9
Starting weight = 160.2
Week 1 = 156.25 (-4 pounds)
Week 2 = 155.0 (-1.25 pounds)
Week 3 = 155.5 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 4 = No weight taken
Week 5 = 156.0 (+0.5)
Week 6 = 152.0 (-4 pounds)
Week 7 = 150.8 (-1.2 pounds)
Week 8 = 149.2 (-1.6 pounds)
Weight Loss to Date = -11 pounds
After getting sick for the second time during this journey (thanks to my 3-year old this time), and indulging a...
Workouts on 4-6
Got pulled in a few directions today (see a pattern???) and wasn’t able to do the workout I expected nor wanted - as the weather was beautiful - AJ had put an outdoor workout together - which I’m actually enjoying more than being inside - sled pulling / pushing, tire flipping, running, hammers (hitting a sledge hammer against a large truck tire)
In the past, I would have said...
Trying it on my Own!
This week was a challenge for me because my trainer Jen came down with the flu and was unable to make our scheduled workouts. This is one of those stumbling blocks that try to divert you off your path, but with sore knees I hopped over that block and continued on my way to the gym. With six weeks of training certainly I could continue workouts without a trainer.
I recalled many of the workouts...
Raw Power in Motion ...
It’s Friday and I’m back with more photos! Today I wanted to highlight one of the three classes that I absolutely love. I took a “Raw Power in Motion” (RPM) class and let me just tell you that I walked out 45 minutes later soaking wet. Kate is an amazing instructor and kept me motivated throughout the entire class. The first time I took the class she assisted me by helping me to understand the...
WatchThese exercises were very up-tempo gets your heart rate up with some explosive moves. I did four sets of each exercise.
Up down and side to side hurdle
Heavy ball toss
Single arm swings
Scissor kicks
Flutter Kicks
Trying On My Wedding Dress.
How many times have you heard a woman say “if only I could fit into my wedding dress again”? Well, I’m selling mine on Ebay! The wedding dress for most women represents a happy, perfect time in their lives- full of hope and promise. Yes, I was happy to be marrying a wonderful and amazing man, but was NOT happy to be walking on the beach (we eloped to Florida) in a heavy, size 28...
No, I was not really having fun while doing these exercises. My trainer Brenda was making me smile to appear as if I were enjoying her brutalizing workouts. I definitely have noticed that I’m stronger, so there is progress. But now it’s time to step it up, because I still have a long way to go!
Tip from the Trainer Thursday: Nutrition 101 (Part Two)
By Robert Reames
This week, let’s take a look at the ideal meal structure to get the most out of your food and why cheat meals can be a good thing!
Meal Structure
Optimum meal structure for metabolic success:
- “The Perfect Meal”: Contains lean proteins, high fiber starches and a generous portion of non-starchy...
Wednesday Weigh In - End of Week 7
It has been really good week so far. All of my clothes keep getting looser every day, have I bought new clothes? Nope not yet , Really can’t see spending money on clothes that just won’t fit in two weeks. So I just keep cinching the belt, my starting belt didn’t have any more hole in it so I sent to the thrift store, my current belt I am in to it 3 notches with 2 left to go. Then I might have to...
Weighing In, Week 8 + Measurements
Starting weight = 160.2
Week 1 = 156.25 (-4 pounds)
Week 2 = 155.0 (-1.25 pounds)
Week 3 = 155.5 (+0.5 pounds)
Week 4 = No weight taken
Week 5 = 156.0 (+0.5)
Week 6 = 152.0 (-4 pounds)
Week 7 = 150.8 (-1.2 pounds)
Weight Loss to Date = -9.6 pounds
Goal #1 for this week: Get under 150 pounds!!!
Measurements:
(Start – Week 4 – Week 8)
Waist: 38 – 36.4 – 35.8
Hip: 41 – 39.5...
Dwindling away & proud of it …
I must start by saying thank you to everyone that is following my journey and/or the journey of my teammates. Your comments inspire me to push harder and sometimes see what I cannot. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. Some of the ideas that run through our head are harsh. Would we say these negative things to our spouse or close friend? Probably not. We must remember that we did not get this...
Fit Saturday - 3/31
As it so happens work and life got in the way (put your surprise face on) on Friday.
So instead of working out, i worked ON - the lawn, boat and car - so did a different kind of work out. On Saturday, met up w/ AJ - would have gone outside, but it was rainy, cold and nasty, so stayed in side - standard rotation - exercise pairs - Body weight squats, pushups then to Body rows and...