I had a surprise this morning...my sister phoned me and asked if I wanted to start going to the gym again. I have a membership, but I haven't been in since November. (I have been walking my dog, though.) Anyways, as of tomorrow I am going to start going to the gym 3 time a week. My sister has quite a bit of weight to lose, and unlike me, she hasn't had to or wanted to exercise in her adult life. I feel like I can show her something important. It gives me a reason to get back into weights and the treadmill.

I will take my measurements tomorrow and then take them again a month later. I have lost 4 pounds since Christmas and I am feeling better. Today I went for a long walk with my husband and our dog, and the skies were a spectacular blue. It is a long walk back and all uphill. My boots and coat weigh 10 pounds extra and I could feel my leg muscles by the time I hiked back.

Congrats Artsy! Sounds like you're doing great! ;)

New found motivation is like new love, eh? :) you sound amazing! Keep up the great work!

Corinna

Great job... keep it going...

OK, I didn't make it in to the gym on Monday, but I did go this evening, and I walked on the treadmill and rode a bicycle. Altogether I wore off 350 calories, and I can feel my leg muscles. I am meeting my sister there again on Friday evening. I am so glad that I am starting again.

I weighed myself on the scales there...after supper...it was a little depressing as I have gained 8 pounds since the last time I used those scales (and to think I was disgusted with myself then!!) Anyways, a start is a start and I give myself credit for that. On Saturday I will write down my measurements.

Hey Artsy at least you wieghed yourself and went to the gym.As long as you are trying intead of denyingyour weight it is gonna drop.

Hey Artsy good job.. Can ya please send some of your energy and motivation my way??? I lost it someone along the line.

I did not go to the gym on Friday because I came home from work with a crushing headache. I did go to the gym today, though, and that makes 2 times this week. So...I am officially back!! We are going to meet at the gym on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. I will try to get in other times when possible.

My sister and I walked on the treadmill, rode exercise bikes, and did some leg presses, leg extensions and leg curls. I felt much more relaxed when I left the gym. I always forget how working out helps with stress...the best I feel is right after a workout. I know it will help me sleep better tonight, too.

Well, I went to the gym again tonight and did a total of 35 minutes on the treadmill and the exercise bike. Then my sister and I did some situps and crunches. Would you believe I can only do 11 situps on the (very slightly) inclined board. Good grief...I am going to try to add one situp more each time I go.

I was bad, adding more weight to the leg exercises. I don't want to get another injury, but my brain says, "go for it".

Tomorrow is the first of the month and time for the "Independence Day" weigh-in....here's hoping for a good number on the scales!

Well, I paid a bit for my "go for it" attitude because my injury acted up on Thursday. However, on Friday night I did 40 minutes of cardio on the treadmill and the bike for a total of 380 calories. I increased my stomach crunchs by another set of 20. Each time I go I add one more situp on the slant board...for a grand total of 12 reps last night. I also did some bench presses and lat pulldowns. Slowly but surely I will get there. I must say, I am sleeping like a rock and I feel better...very relaxed afterwards.

Today I am going to start my food journal (again), and I absolutely have to find some way to increase my water intake.

OK...finally I bought a little journal and started keeping track of the calories eaten, fat grams consumed and water glugged. Please keep your fingers crossed for me to keep up with it.

Last night in the gym I jogged for 20 minutes out of 25 on the treadmill, then I rode the exercise bike. Total calories burned was 420...so that is getting respectable. I will have to try for four days in the gym this weeek instead of three. My legs are looking a little better. I always find exercising easier than dieting.

Tonight I decided to make the extra effort and go to the gym while my daughter was taking her dance technique class. I bench pressed more and I ran 2 miles straight on the treadmill in 19 minutes and 34 seconds...but whose counting? What made me feel great is that I ran longer than a fellow I work with who is at least 20 years younger than me. OK, so I was puffing and had a red face, but, hey...I did it.

Artsy running for 2 miles is AWSOME!! You are doing so well!! It was great chatting with you!

Artsy!! You're doing fantastic! I haven't stopped by this thread for a long time, and I can't believe the difference in your attitude, and what you're doing now! You go girl! :)

Thanks Bev and Sooz! I haven't lost that much weight since New Years, but boy do I feel better. I know that it is probably more important for my health to be active than to lose weight so I feel good about that. I also know that as my activity level gradually increases, I will lose the last 13 pounds. Sooz...it was great chatting with you too!

Weighed myself this morning and I am down 4 pounds since New Years...I have bounced back and forth a bit, so I hope it stabilizes and dips lower. I don't think I will be going to the gym too many times this week because I don't have a vehicle. This means I am walking more, though, as I have to walk back and forth to work and take the dogs for a walk after work. My husband and daughter are out of town for 5 days, so I am a bachelor! Yeah...just make Greek Salad for dinner and that's it...no fussy pre-teen to try to please. It is like a mini-holiday for me. My hope is that it will translate in to a weight loss. Take care all.

I think I am losing a few inches...looks like my sister is too. I talked to my husband about maybe getting up with me at 5:30 a.m. and getting to the gym by 6:00 a.m. for an early morning workout. It sure helps with stress...nips it in the bud. I am not a morning person but I can get in a habit if I push it.

I have a guest pass to a new gym in the town where I work. It's called Curves. It's ladies only (yay!!!) You do a 30 minute round of circuit training, and then you're done. I'm going to try it out, and then possibly join after Spring Break. I would go right after work at 3:30, or else during my lunch hour.

Bev, I hope that gym works out for you...it would be a great transition between work and home. Midway through the afternoon is my best time for a strength workout. Let me know how you like the women only format. I used to work out with my husband, so I am used to the ways of men in the gym.

I started a diet based on the Zone...basically protein, vegetables and fruit with limited starches. It is hard to get used to for the first couple of days. Last night I felt so distressed about the lack of starch I had a small piece of a donut with an apple and some peanut butter. It turned off the stress feeling and I feel much better today...hungry but not desperate. It must be like cutting down from a big smoking habit...you have to phase out the cravings. I started a string under "Weigh In" to post my weight losses.

Artsy! WEll girl, this is my first time on this thread and I have to say, you're enthusiasm is inspiring! Keep up the good work! (your sister too!)

I recently won a month's memebership to a gym (with a hunky personal trainer...which is my sole inspiration :) lol) and with it, I also won a book written by a man who started a major chain of fitness clubs in Canada. (Goodlife) Anywho, if you keep up your excersize habit of working out for at least 30 minutes, 3 times a week, (and eat sensibly of course) you can lose typically 9-12 pounds of fat, and 6-11 inches!! Of course you must keep in mind that the "fat-weight" you lose might not show on the scale because it will have turned into muscle, but you'll feel the difference :)
Your husband and daughter must be so proud of you! Everyone on the board is :) Keep it up!

Thanks for the comments, Sabrechick. It's wonderful that you won a month's training with a hunky professional trainer. If I won something like that I would probably go over the top trying to compete with them/impress them. Let us know what you find out once you start training. It might be enough to get you hooked! Go for it.

PS...I finally took my measurements and recorded them in a notebook so I can see the improvement next month. I think I am losing in my thighs and stomach...hallelooya! I still have a ways to go. I have a body type that never has a naturally slim waist. I calculated my body fat by the method in the Zone Diet book, and it came out 30.97% body fat. I feel like arguing with the experts! I do need to lose 3-4 inches around my belly button, so ....onward!

WELL...bad, bad me. I had to go back 45 days to dig this topic up and add to it. I finally went to the gym again today, and they have couple of new machines there. I tried the elliptical machine and I had a heck of a time making it go fast...couldn't get it to go over 4.5 miles an hour. However, I was using the upper body hand-holds, so I was puffing away anyway. After 25 minutes I rode the exercise bikes, and then I went and did a very modest upper body workout with weights. I can feel the muscles in my upper body as I type this, so I am back on the road again.

Yowzah...I am stiff and sore today. My upper body is sore from the weight lifting yesterday so I won't be working out tonight. My weight was up 2 pounds this morning, and I bet at least one pound of that is sitting in those muscles. Today I walked about 3.5 miles already, and I may walk to my art group tonight.

Your doing so good. Aching muscles mean they got a work out. You can still go to the gym when sore just cut down (and may be take a nice warm bath after exercising or better yet, go in the sauna) on what you are doing, but you can still run and stuff.

Glad you're back at it Artsy! Good for you! :rose:

Thanks for the encouragement, John and Bev. I walked almost 5 miles yesterday. Tonight I went to the gym and wore off 470 calories between the treadmill, the rowing machine and the windracer exercise bike. I also did a few sets of bench presses, lat pulldowns and triceps presses, so it was a pretty respectable day. I feel better.

Today I went to see a Naturopath, and she took a bunch of tests and put me on a new diet based on my blood type and some of the test results. I will post a seperate message under "Diet Forum". Should be interesting.

Wow Artsy!! Very impressive!! You are on a roll!!!! * *

you are really in the groove now artsy!
keep up the great work....
i am heading over to check out the naturopath post.
hugs bell :)

Hi everybody. I was away in Victoria for a week and I was unable to get to the gym, but I did have a great workout the day before I left. I like the treadmill/rowing machine/racing bike combo. Guess what...I did a racing program on the bike and I told it that I was a 30 year old man to see if I could hang in. I won the race, but my heart rate was 172 beats per minute, which is about 85-90% of my maximum. Anyway, it was fun. I was able to add another set to my benchpresses, which was great. I should be able to get into a really consistent routine for the next little while.

While I was in Victoria I did go on several long walks...one 3 hour walk and 2 2 hour walks, not counting all the traipsing around downtown and at the University of Victoria.

I have also started a diet prescribed by a Naturopath and I haven't had any sugar or dairy products for 10 days. I haven't had a cup of coffee for 4 days (boy did I get withdrawal headaches). Because of the "withdrawal" pains, I probably ate too much of the food I was allowed to eat. I bought an East Indian cookbook and I made a vegetarian supper tonight. My husband really liked it.

I am hoping to make great progress in the second half of the month, now that my schedule will be consistent and I have time to make good, healthy food.

I'm back on track right there with you Artsy! :x

I had a great workout yesterday and wore off 530 calories on the aerobic equipment. Did 2.5 miles running on the treadmill and then 20 minutes on the rowing machine...love how the rowing machine makes my back muscles burn. Then I did a few sets on the lat machine. I also have a super-set with dumbells for all the exercises I really don't like doing (shoulder presses, biceps curls and shrugs). Doing them one after the other means I can get through them without being psychologically tired. I feel like I am becoming stronger again.

You go Artsy! I'm changing my exercise to a more varied routine which I think will be more fun.But,HOLY COW! You really go at it don't you?And it's paying off too,isn't it?Keep up the good work.I'll be watching.
Prayers for success. Baylee

i bet you are getting stronger Artsy!!!!!! all that wonderful working out is making you that way. i have never tried a rowing machine.
i still need to get my walk in today and am off to water werobics tomorrow.
great going artsy!
hugs bell :)

Hi Artsy,

I just read the last couple of post here and had to go back and read the entire thread again. You are amazing!!! You really give yourself a workout!!

I have equipment for strength training, but don't use it right now. (doctor says no because of my blood pressure. However my blood pressure has dropped so much with healthy eating and exercise (treadmill) I might be able start again.

This thread has really made me want to get back into a weight workout. :)

Thanks,

Karolyn

Baylee, Karolyn and Bell...thanks for your kind words.

Sadly I have to report today that my back/hip injury is killing me. I think the rowing machine at the gym is causing the problem...plus I need to do the stretching exercises the chiropractor gave me.

The Naturopath I went to thinks my injury could be improved with "Somatics", which is basically stretching to improve muscle balance. At this time I am willing to try anything to feel better. I have been holding off of that because of $$$, however this reoccurring problem is costing me my well-being and in the long run, more $$$. I will try to get an appointment next week.

I can see by reading my own posts that I don't lack motivation or willpower...my body just can't do what I want it to do. I have to solve this problem over the long haul.

Artsy, you are doing wonderfully!! Too bad about your pain, though. Sounds like you are getting very sound advice. You sound fit enough that your muscles will bounce back, giving you the support you want to get back to your routine. Go for it, you're certainly worth it!!!

By the way, I think I'll be in BC this August! I think we'll just drive through the natural areas and take it all in and keep our fingers crossed for some Orca sightings!

Thank you for your kind words, Discomama. My injury is still killing me today, so I will just have to take it easy. I still weighed 145 this morning, so I am encouraged about that.

Well, after 4 days of doing SFA and babying my back I am no longer in major pain. I think I can handle a light workout tomorrow. I will just stick to the treadmill, the exercise bike and some weights for my upper body. GRRR...I am going to do this.

I don't know why, but I am feeling a bit smaller even though I took my measurements again and they have hardly changed at all.

Artsy Im glad to hear you are feeling alittle better..take it easy out there.. :rose:

You're doing great... just be patient with your injury, or you'll be recouperating longer than necessary! :x

Tomorrow I have an appointment for some Somatics training. Somatics is a technique to teach your body how to relax muscles which are permanently clenched. I think my hip injury may be partially muscular in nature, since whenever I run the muscle inside my leg gets really tight. Also, some of my lower back muscles are tight as well. The first appointment is about 90 minutes long, and I'll see what type of phsyiotherapy or exercises he prescribes. Until then, I am starting to paint the inside of my house today, which is a form of activity and should help with the calories. Oh...I am still taking my dog for a walk everyday, and climbing that steep hill on the way back.