So this weekend marks the one year anniversary of my trip to the ER. Everyone thought I was having a heart attack but instead just a reaction from the hernia I didn’t know I had.
The effect of this trip snow-balled into me finally getting a real doctor and a colonoscopy along with the hernia operation. I pretty much lost some of the momentum towards the goal I’d set the year before.
By the end of the year I had gotten on track. At least to the point that I felt confident to pick up the kettlebell classes twice a week and add in another class (Pure Fitness) in between. So I'm sweating three days in a row and coming back each week. Granted we're only three weeks into the new year but it feels right.
Here's something to think about for the coming Super Bowl weekend. We just finished off a two month run of eating everything in sight at the end of 2014. Now a month later here we are getting ready to do it again for one day. Probably not the best idea but after this we can really buckle down and hit our goal. And that goal is to eat better and work out like we mean it.
The Sat weigh in was 243. So a frowny face.
Here's what we did last Sat at the gym:
It was Back & Biceps with hamstrings.
Standing (hinge at the waist) Rows and then Hammer curls (palms facing each other) I used 20lb dumbbells
Set of 12 each (row 12 and then hammer 12. Repeat for three sets total
In between we did standing Hamstring curls. Standing lift your heel like you are kicking your butt. Only go to 90 degrees Set of 12 each leg
Reverse Fly & Reverse curls (palms facing away from your body) 10lb dumbbells
Three sets of 12 each.
Again standing Hamstring curls. Set of 12 each leg.
Finish off with Ab work. Hamstring curls on the exercise ball. Laying on your back and planting your heels on the exercise ball and raise your body off the floor (making your shoulders the supporting point not your neck) curl the ball into your butt. We did three sets of 12.
So there we go a workout with Lorinda. For the Super Bowl weekend I will definitely have to workout with her to help the game day bloat.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Who are "They" and why do I care?
So another week has passed and I'm doing the happy dance after getting on the scale. Down to 240. So since Jan 1 I've dropped 5 pounds. Granted five pounds I should have never gained to begin with, but still encouraging none the less.
This week started the full on workout schedule as planned. Monday I'm attending a stretching class (discovered weaknesses I didn't know I had), Tues & Thurs of course Kettlebell, and then on Weds the new class called Pure Fitness. Awesome schedule with awesome classes. Friday is a day off and then the week gets personal with L. That is personal training at it's best. We always discuss the week and how it went and then she runs me through a workout that I can do on my own.
I always come away from the PT with new knowledge and encouragement that keeps me motivated. Sunday isn't a day of rest but I always do something different that day. It could be cardio with the weight vest or it could be a workout that L has shown me in the past.
So a quick note about the new class Pure Fitness. The instructor is running us through exercises to make our bodies more adaptable for day to day living. In other words when you lift those heavy grocery bags this class will help. If you need to be able to help someone get off the floor due to a fall, guess what? You will be able to because you are functionally fit. It's great.
The food this week was again a challenge but a challenge that can be achieved. One of the things I'm curious about is what "They" say about eating out. Eating out is a common activity that won't go away. So "They" say you're supposed to either order a salad (ha I'm out with friends having fun), don't eat the empty calorie bread that the restaurant provides to convince you you're getting something for nothing, or once your meal arrives to take half of it immediately and put it into a to go box. I don't know about you but I have marginal luck with that strategy. Not only that but mostly it just delays the inevitable. I still eat the whole thing just not right that moment. Which works if it's a dinner outing but if it's a lunch thing than before the day is over I've eaten the rest. Of course re-reading this just convinces me that it's my problem not a universal thing, Ha. Like I said a challenge that I'm working on solving.
I guess it's true, I'm making this up as I go.
This week started the full on workout schedule as planned. Monday I'm attending a stretching class (discovered weaknesses I didn't know I had), Tues & Thurs of course Kettlebell, and then on Weds the new class called Pure Fitness. Awesome schedule with awesome classes. Friday is a day off and then the week gets personal with L. That is personal training at it's best. We always discuss the week and how it went and then she runs me through a workout that I can do on my own.
I always come away from the PT with new knowledge and encouragement that keeps me motivated. Sunday isn't a day of rest but I always do something different that day. It could be cardio with the weight vest or it could be a workout that L has shown me in the past.
So a quick note about the new class Pure Fitness. The instructor is running us through exercises to make our bodies more adaptable for day to day living. In other words when you lift those heavy grocery bags this class will help. If you need to be able to help someone get off the floor due to a fall, guess what? You will be able to because you are functionally fit. It's great.
The food this week was again a challenge but a challenge that can be achieved. One of the things I'm curious about is what "They" say about eating out. Eating out is a common activity that won't go away. So "They" say you're supposed to either order a salad (ha I'm out with friends having fun), don't eat the empty calorie bread that the restaurant provides to convince you you're getting something for nothing, or once your meal arrives to take half of it immediately and put it into a to go box. I don't know about you but I have marginal luck with that strategy. Not only that but mostly it just delays the inevitable. I still eat the whole thing just not right that moment. Which works if it's a dinner outing but if it's a lunch thing than before the day is over I've eaten the rest. Of course re-reading this just convinces me that it's my problem not a universal thing, Ha. Like I said a challenge that I'm working on solving.
I guess it's true, I'm making this up as I go.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
If I won the lottery....
The other day as I was day dreaming, I got to thinking about winning the lottery. We've all done it, well most of us anyway. In the past I've thought about how many cars I'd buy and what type of house/mansion I'd get. Seven cars right?! One for each day of the week! A home with a movie theatre and a giant game room for all the gaming I'd play. Big ass swimming pool and of course a giant garage space for those seven cars. On the lake!
What does this have to do with living forever? Not much in reality. Just like when we read about the movie star who is getting in shape for some movie they're going to star in or the TV show where all these over weight people "show" us how to lose weight. This is a fantasy as in both situations the help they are getting is not available to the rest of us.
So winning the lottery would allow me to work out every day with a trainer and get meals that would satisfy me plus be healthy and nutritious. Hey, I could be just like a movie star! Or a reality TV star. Maybe I'll skip the cars and mansions?
Living a healthy life is probably a way better use of the lottery win. Okay maybe a couple of cars.
Since I haven't won the lottery, not for want of trying might I say, I have to rely on common sense among other things. That includes my experiment of not eating in front of the computer/TV. I've now tried this for a couple of meals during my work week. The results are interesting in that I found that it does seem to make a difference. The difference being that I don't have that expectation at the end of the meal of still being hungry. Something I notice way more than I should when eating while watching a movie or TV show. I'm going to try to keep this up, at least as often as I can.
I also rely on my workouts and my trainer to keep me focused. I've started back at the gym. I have a plan as I've said and that plan includes getting into the gym most days of the week. Spending time with L is a huge help. The other classes are going to make it fun and exhausting at the same time.
The first weeks food program wasn't as focused as I'd like but that is always going to be an issue. Again L had some good input. I'm going to readjust the lite food day as I think I'm fooling myself that I'm actually cutting back that day.
I've lost three pounds in the last week so it's started and it's up to me to keep it going.
Next time: What "they" say about how to eat out and make it work for you....
What does this have to do with living forever? Not much in reality. Just like when we read about the movie star who is getting in shape for some movie they're going to star in or the TV show where all these over weight people "show" us how to lose weight. This is a fantasy as in both situations the help they are getting is not available to the rest of us.
So winning the lottery would allow me to work out every day with a trainer and get meals that would satisfy me plus be healthy and nutritious. Hey, I could be just like a movie star! Or a reality TV star. Maybe I'll skip the cars and mansions?
Living a healthy life is probably a way better use of the lottery win. Okay maybe a couple of cars.
Since I haven't won the lottery, not for want of trying might I say, I have to rely on common sense among other things. That includes my experiment of not eating in front of the computer/TV. I've now tried this for a couple of meals during my work week. The results are interesting in that I found that it does seem to make a difference. The difference being that I don't have that expectation at the end of the meal of still being hungry. Something I notice way more than I should when eating while watching a movie or TV show. I'm going to try to keep this up, at least as often as I can.
I also rely on my workouts and my trainer to keep me focused. I've started back at the gym. I have a plan as I've said and that plan includes getting into the gym most days of the week. Spending time with L is a huge help. The other classes are going to make it fun and exhausting at the same time.
The first weeks food program wasn't as focused as I'd like but that is always going to be an issue. Again L had some good input. I'm going to readjust the lite food day as I think I'm fooling myself that I'm actually cutting back that day.
I've lost three pounds in the last week so it's started and it's up to me to keep it going.
Next time: What "they" say about how to eat out and make it work for you....
Saturday, January 3, 2015
First post of the new year and stuff
So here we are. It's a new year and a new entry in my attempt at living forever. I will attempt to chronicle my life with some humor and reality. Once a week I'll tell you all about it. I think.
So far I've made a plan with L. That plan is fluid and will change as the year progresses I'm sure. I do plan on focusing on a variety of goals all aimed at stuff I want to do better.
I remember as a kid doing pull-ups. As a sixty-one year old adult I can't do one. So I've set a goal that by the end of the year I'll do ten. Also as a kid I was always doing sit-ups. Today I can do one or two maybe, so by the end of the year I'll do fifty. Two concrete actions that will accomplish multiple goals. Those are attainable goals if I focus on the big picture.
Another goal is to focus on arm strength related directly to getting better at shooting my pistols. It doesn't take much strength to hold a 5-6lb weight at arms length. To hold it steady for a couple of seconds does require some though. That's another action that will have a positive affect on the big picture.
Since this is going up at the beginning of the year it may seem like a new years resolution list. It's not, as I've said before, I don't believe in resolutions. I believe in making changes that will support my decisions to live a better life.
Last year I tried some different types of activity. Running was the major one but that didn't work out. Running sucks! I'll get my outdoors activity on my bike, thank you very much.
I don't plan on having a hernia operation or a colonoscopy like I did last year. I don't plan on going to the emergency room because we thought I was having a heart attack. I do plan on hitting the gym as often as it makes sense and putting forth more effort than I have recently.
I plan on re-assessing my food consumption. I plan on making appropriate changes whenever possible. I know I'll still over do it on pizza and cookies but hope I can be better at controlling the pig out urge. I expect to fail but will come back with a renewed determination to remember the big picture and the long game.
Care to join me? You can do it because I can do it.
So far I've made a plan with L. That plan is fluid and will change as the year progresses I'm sure. I do plan on focusing on a variety of goals all aimed at stuff I want to do better.
I remember as a kid doing pull-ups. As a sixty-one year old adult I can't do one. So I've set a goal that by the end of the year I'll do ten. Also as a kid I was always doing sit-ups. Today I can do one or two maybe, so by the end of the year I'll do fifty. Two concrete actions that will accomplish multiple goals. Those are attainable goals if I focus on the big picture.
Another goal is to focus on arm strength related directly to getting better at shooting my pistols. It doesn't take much strength to hold a 5-6lb weight at arms length. To hold it steady for a couple of seconds does require some though. That's another action that will have a positive affect on the big picture.
Since this is going up at the beginning of the year it may seem like a new years resolution list. It's not, as I've said before, I don't believe in resolutions. I believe in making changes that will support my decisions to live a better life.
Last year I tried some different types of activity. Running was the major one but that didn't work out. Running sucks! I'll get my outdoors activity on my bike, thank you very much.
I don't plan on having a hernia operation or a colonoscopy like I did last year. I don't plan on going to the emergency room because we thought I was having a heart attack. I do plan on hitting the gym as often as it makes sense and putting forth more effort than I have recently.
I plan on re-assessing my food consumption. I plan on making appropriate changes whenever possible. I know I'll still over do it on pizza and cookies but hope I can be better at controlling the pig out urge. I expect to fail but will come back with a renewed determination to remember the big picture and the long game.
Care to join me? You can do it because I can do it.
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