Not the Good Kind of Pain

Ow. Just... OW.

I've been doing well with my workouts... getting along just fine, but today, the "Straight Up Strength" class I took really took me out. And I'm not talking about, it was so hard I couldn't get through it, I'm talking like, my knee pop SO bad during certain portions and it hurt so bad that I almost left and I don't leave classes. It made my eyes water at one point, and I am pretty tough when it comes to pain. This wasn't the good kind of pain.

I felt like my workout wasn't good, (even though it was probably fine) though I try to live by the saying, "The only bad workout is the one that didn't happen. So, feeling that way, I decided to push myself further, despite my knees hurting. So, naturally, I did the best type of exercise of a hurting knee--- I hopped onto the treadmill.

Oddly enough, once I started moving, my knees didn't hurt as bad. I did a walk/jog combo, and while I wasn't going for a good time, I improved my previous "best time" by quite a bit. My best mile, a couple weeks ago, was 14:28, today, it was 13:26, that's a 00:58 improvement. Awesome!

When I left the gym I felt okay, but now that I am home and sitting both knees feel warm to the touch and are very sore... not the good sore. I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning!

Just When You Think You Can't Go On... Push Just a Little Further...

WOW, I didn't realize how long it had been since I updated.

The good news is that I haven't been updating because I've been busy and content working out. Not because I gave up.

Tomorrow, Sunday 8/12/12, will mark the END of my 6 weeks... not that I am ending there, it's just been 6 weeks. That is SIX WHOLE WEEKS that I have stuck to a fitness plan and diet lifestyle (eating) change plan. That is HUGE for me.

I am VERY fortunate to have some AMAZING instructors at the gym, most of which have been very helpful and encouraging. That has gotten me through, all the time--- it's the little things that push me along.

An old friend (who I use to cheer with at COS!), who is also an instructor at my gym posted this photo a little while back:

THIS photo gets me through as well. Every time I am in a class (because, I've taken to only going to classes for now) and feel like I can't do another rep this is what I think to myself... "Just think-- if you just finish this rep you'll hit your goal sooner and think of how great you'll feel a week from now..." (or a month or a year)...

ALSO--- 6 weeks ago my BEST time for "running" the mile was 15:48. For 6 weeks I've been doing zumba, R.I.P.P.E.D. and a couple other various (and similar resistance training classes). Today, after my Muscle Blast class I was feeling good and decided to see how long it would take me. I "ran" the mile in 14:27. HECK YES!

Just remember--- when you think you go on... push just a little further.

Until next time...

On The Weigh Down...

National Dance day

It's National Dance Day, ya'll!!!

So get out there and boogie on down!!!

Here's what I did: 90 minutes of Zumba! A TON of FUN!

Pretty hair, makeup and workouts, oh my!

Okay, this is just a kind of... rant blog, here...

Can someone PLEASE tell me WHAT THE HEY is up with these girls who get all dolled up-- they do their hair, put on makeup and then go to the gym?

It's not logical!

If you're going to the gym to workout (which is why you should be going) you should be sweating and working hard, so what's the point in doing your makeup and hair if you're going to sweat it off and frizz it up?

Furthermore-- why do girls wear their hair DOWN to workout? Who wants their hair stuck to the back of their neck? Ewww.

And just a final comment--- those girls who go to classes and at the end-- their shirts are bone dry. I just keep thinking-- did you actually work out or are you unable to sweat?

/End of my chunky girl rant.

Week 4 and New Shoes

I've been going to the gym 3-5 times a week, and this is my 4th week. Sometimes, I leave feeling like I kicked butt... and other times I leave feeling like I had it handed to me on a platter.

Tonight was one of those nights I felt like crawling to my car.

Isn't is suppose to get easier?

Maybe I am just tired. And it's ONLY Monday. And it was only ONE zumba class. I'm afraid doing two tomorrow will really test me. Or maybe it was because I woke up feeling iffy, with a sour stomach and it just stayed with me ALL day.

I guess we'll see. ZUMBA. 8:30AM. Tomorrow. I got this. Right?

In other news... I ponied up and bought new shoes... or rather... I ordered them because they didn't have anything in my size in women's. The sales guy... SUPER pushy, and I didn't appreciate that since a different guy at the same store the day before was so nice and helpful and NOT pushy. This new guy was trying to get me to spend WAY more than I had planned and to "just buy men's shoes" because they had them in my size.

Well, GUESS WHAT!? I. AM. A. GIRL. I want a girls shoe in a color other than blue, black, grey or red. So, I ordered a neon pink, white and lime green pair of shoes. Nice and bright like I wanted-- a BIG difference from any other shoe I have. They should be here in a week.

Alright. I'm gonna go try this thing called sleep. I hear it's what normal people do.

Goodnight!

Bigfoot Sighting, Aisle 3...

Since beginning to workout my feet have been giving me problem. The outside of my feet begin to burn and sting within a few minutes of moving, so I decided it was probably time for new shoes. Ideally, a good rule of thumb is new running/workout shoes every 3 months or so. In that case, I am WAY overdue.

I figured that since I was having foot pain I should find a place who specialized in helping you find shoes rather than somewhere who just runs to the back for sizes. A friend of mine suggested I try a place called "Soul or Sole". You go in-- they watch you walk and run and determine what shoes you need.

Just an aside... I could go broke in this store. I LOVE workout shoes. I couldn't possibly be the only girl would want a different color to match every outfit... could I?

Today, I learned a few things. First off, my feet were measured... low and behold-- my right foot is 1 FULL SIZE bigger than my left foot. Not slightly bigger or a half size bigger, 1 FULL SIZE. I mean, COME ON, SERIOUSLY!? As if I didn't already have enough quirks.

And I mean, okay, having two different sizes isn't the end of the world, except that my feet are big. I have HUGE feet. I wear a size 12 in women's (thanks to my stupid quirky right foot.) And it's REALLY hard to find shoes in my size. Most places carry a 10, at biggest. Sometimes they have 11s, and 12... GOOD LUCK.

**sigh**

The next thing I learned is that I am a forefoot runner, which is apparently rare, but also a very good thing. HOWEVER, being a forefoot runner means that instead of running heel-toe, I run toe-heel. Cool, something "different" that is a good thing. "Good form". Yay me! Apparently training for that 1/2 marathons paid off.

Anyhow, since being a forefoot runner is rare I need a special shoe. Newtons (that's the brand) specialize in shoes that pad the front of the foot to absorb impact. However, this type isn't a shoe you want to workout in, so until I start really running again I decided to go with a neutral shoe.

The last thing I learned is that, while I am very flat footed, I do not, in fact, pronate (which is basically when the ankle rolls inward when you walk/run). I also learned that since I don't pronate, I don't need much arch support and too much arch could cause me to under-pronate (ankles rolling out). Upon looking at the shoes I have, we found that they are highly supported and because of that I was under-pronating which is [probably] causing the pain in my feet.

Ohhh the things you can learn at a shoe store!

I found the perfect pair of lime green and neon pink (or raspberry according to the box) ASCICS (my shoe of choice). And I was IN LOVE... I ended up not getting shoes. Go ahead, I'll wait while you put on your surprised face...

I went to at least a half dozen other stores looking for shoes. And did they have my size in a shoe I really wanted? NO! They did not. Figures. The only issue now, is that I am stuck of finding a similar pair to the pink and green asics I found (HEY, pink goes good with green!)-- something bright colored. I found a hot pink and yellow pair... but I wasn't sold yet... I guess I better get to shopping online for some bright new workout shoes.

Always, On the Weigh Down.

Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin Feels

A co-worker once told me, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels."

At the time I smiled and nodded in agreement... then proceeded to eat the cookie left on my lunch plate, thinking "Yeah, but this cookie is TASTY!"

That was 43 pounds ago. Added pounds.

In 2007-2008 I worked at an outdoor science and conservation camp. I hiked and taught science for a living. We lived 15 minutes from a tiny town and 30 from a town with a Target. Staff lived on campus and as a camps work--- we had 3 carbo-loaded meals a day. I ate A LOT. But I also burned A LOT. And my weight stayed at 200lbs. Fast forward to the end of my internship-- I moved home and continued to eat like I did at camp... except I wasn't moving like I was. Within a very short time I had gained A LOT of weight.

As I mentioned previously, my weight loss this time around began at 243, which is my highest weight to date. Since moving home my weight has fluctuated between 225 and 243...

I also need to mention a few other things: I have a lot of health issues and usually 1-2 weeks into starting a workout and healthy eating kick I get really sick and fall off the bandwagon. Getting sick is anything from a 3-week long cold, to a kidney infection, to strep throat, etc. It may seem like a normal thing-- for someone to get sick, but my body has a special way of kicking my butt. I've been to many doctors and have had diagnosis' from fibromyalgia to lupus and a few in between. Many symptoms point to lupus, and a few other disorders, but doctors don't want to give a wrong diagnosis so it can take ages to pinpoint one. Anyhow, my current Dx is fibro... which, I think is a bit of a cop-out Dx, but that's another story.

Anyhow, the point is that I have made it THREE weeks without quitting or getting sick. Somehow I feel like saying that jinxes me.

I hope not.

So... having "fibro" or, whatever I have (which tends to seem like an autoimmune disorder since my body doesn't fight infection well)--- I have certain "symptoms" all the time. Like, I am always fatigued. I can sleep 5 hours or 15 and I am still EXHAUSTED. Joint pain is common and comes in waves and tends to kick my butt whether I am active or not. Working out really took a toll at first, but I'm finding that my knees are starting to hurt less when I workout... but that my ankles are constantly sore. But, I won't give up.

Part of me hopes that all this "sick" and fatigue and joint pain will get better if I lose weight and get healthier. If nothing else, I know that eating better makes me feel better.

Case in point. I've had fast food a couple times this week. Both times I kept within my calorie range, but after I ate I felt too full and "blah"... I HATE that feeling and I am starting to realize I use to feel that way ALL the time. What's funny, is that I don't crave fast food-- I crave the convenience.

Eating healthy is hard. Especially when you're busy. I am hoping to sit down and put together some meal plans this week and I hope to share some recipes and/or snack ideas each week. And don't forget, you can follow me and/or join me on My Fitness Pal I am "WarriorPrncss"

Fun fact: I use the handle "WarriorPrncss" because when I was 14 I had Kyphosis. (A severe forward curve of the spine. A hunchback, basically). My back was 88 degree forward and after 2 years of physical therapy they decided that only way to fix my back was surgery and while I was in the hospital my Grams kept a journal and continually referred to me as her "little warrior princess". Anyhow, they put in 2 titanium rods and multiple hooks and screws. Here are my before and after photos.

Big different, huh? I guess I should also mention... I've had A LOT of surgeries. 3 on my left knee and 1 on each elbow. I'm just a mess, aren't I? Just kidding. I don't like to dwell on that stuff-- it doesn't get me anywhere.

Here and now, I continue my journey keeping in mind that, the extra cookie I see isn't worth it. "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" I guess I'll find out when I get there. For now I'm just On the Weigh Down.

One Day At a Time

Alright party people, I've said and done this a dozen times before-- I'm gonna lose the weight and I am gonna blog about it.

(((Insert hysterical laughter here)))

Are we done?

Good.

In all seriousness, I HAVE said this a dozen times and I have began a blog about it just as many. Why is this different? Because this time I am not starting on day 1. Nope, I am starting 3 weeks in. 19 days, actually.

So, here's the low down. I found a friend who has a gym membership at the same gym I do (which, prior to July 2nd, I hadn't used much), and we decided that we both need to get in shape and we might as well USE the memberships. You know, pay money each month for a service... rather than donating to the gym each month.

My journey officially began on July 2, 2012 and while the first week was a bit rocky (because I went to a wedding down south over the weekend and ate lots of junk as I had NO willpower at the time), the rest was better. I won't say it was smooth sailing, but each day gets easier and easier.

First off, I began by deciding to use the gym.

Second, I got an iPad (not to lose weight, and the iPad is slightly irrelevant since I don't need it for my 2nd point) ANYHOW, I downloaded an app called "My Fitness Pal". This app is available on iPhone, iPad, Droid and you can use a regular 'ole computer at My Fitness Tracker

That app has been keeping me on track. At first, it was a pain, but it's actually a really user friendly app. There is a neat feature that allows you to scan the UPC on food items and 98% of what I've scanned comes up. AWESOME, yes? YES. I originally wanted to use Weight Watchers, but since I have my gym buddy and my mom (who is also working to lose weight) to keep me on track, I decided to use the fitness tracker. This way, I don't have to count points-- I just enter my food and the trackers keeps a tally for me. Easy peasy!

As far as weigh ins--- I weigh in, by myself, friday mornings. And between Jul 2nd and July 20th I have lost 13.2 pounds. Mostly water weight I am sure, but hey, I'll take it!

I hope to "weigh in" here at least once a week... more if I am feeling hungry.

I have to admit though... the more I eat better, the less I want junk. In fact, I had Taco Bell last night... it didn't make me sick... but after eating I wished I had eaten something less fatty. Blah!

Also, I must admit that my initial weight loss wasn't JUST eating better. I've been going to the gym... and I have something to confess...

I am addicted to zumba.

Let me say this again...

I. AM. ADDICTED. TO. ZUMBA.

I've gone 4 times in 5 days this week. Even twice in one day. And I would go every day if I could.

I know... too much cardio, but at least I am moving. I will change it up later. Here what this week's workouts looked like:

Monday: PM Zumba

Tuesday: AM & PM Zumba

Wednesday: P90X, ab ripper and back and shoulders

Thursday: Biking

Friday: Zumba

And to make it worse? I've decided that hitting my ultimate weight loss goal has morphed into "I want to get certified to teach zumba". I don't care if I ever use it, I just want to be certified, (though, the cheer coach in me would LOVE to be a zumba instructor. Did I mention I coached cheerleading? I did. Last year. And ALL year, I SO badly wished I was cheering and not coaching. Performing is WAY more fun. Zumba fills the dance void I've been longing to fill.) However, I do recognize that while I can memorize dances to teach them, I need to get through an entire workout without modifying moves and/or huffing and puffing in order to be an instructor. I did mention this was my end goal, right?

Ok... I think that's it for now.

I hope you join me on my journey (70+ ISH pounds to go)... On the Weigh Down!

--Ashley