Week 12...

I know I am posting late...but it's been a heck of a week.  The positive results is that i lost 1.8 pounds.  Mark is not completely happy about it as he says i should be losing 3-5 pounds a week.  So he is telling me to eat more snacks.  However, i really don't get hungry.  At work I do, but then all i want to eat is junk food or candy.  When I am at home, i really don't get hungry, unless it's dinner time and all I want to do is eat bread...not good.  However, I did have a good week of workout, including Saturday's Beginner's Boot Camp.  Sometimes I wonder if they forget we are all beginners...

On another note, very stressed this week.  With my father falling in the kitchen and breaking oven glass door with his head, requiring 5 staples and 3 days in the hospital.  Then with a good friend in Puerto Rico in the hospital for 3 days with a stomach bacteria that almost caused him renal failure.  Finally, believe it or not, stressing over going home for the holidays, and making sure I don't gain...even if i don't lose any pounds...i want to make sure i don't gain.  This is almost impossible with a mother that enjoys cooking and making things she knows i like.  What to do...what to do...if i say NO she will get offended...even though she knows I am dieting...she always says one or a little will not affect me.  In reality it does, because then I want more.  I rather have nothing to make sure not to get my taste buds going.

Well til next time!!!

Week 11...

This week was hard...going back to work after a week off.  I did my monthly measurements...lost 2 inches on my waist...3/4 inch on my arms....1/2 inch off my butt...nothing on my thighs...overall good.  However, I must eat more.  My metabolism needs it.  I am kind of stuck with losing pounds, but I continue working hard.  Had a good workout with Javier on Monday.  A killer workout with Mark on Wednesday (he continues to make it harder) so much that I could not exercise on Thursday nor Friday.  However, i did wake up Saturday morning to go to Norma's Boot Camp.  Felt good but very tired towards the end.

Feeling kind of sad this weekend.  Many things on my mind.  But I refuse to give up on this challenge.  I am losing little by little and i'm okay with that.  I just get frustrated with the constant pain on my leg/foot.

Let's see what this week brings.

10th week...

WOW...i can't believe it has been 10 weeks of hard work at the gym already.  Perhaps I have not lost as much as I wanted fast enough, but I can feel my body getting fit as the weeks go by.  This has truly been an amazing week.  My plans were to get away and go to Miami, but plans changed.  Instead, I stayed home and actually dedicated most of my time to going to the gym and trying new things.  I knew this week would be tough with Thanksgiving and all.  I started on Monday by going to the gym early in the morning for a little cardio routine (keeping in mind I had fever and had a sinus infection) and then in the afternoon with Javier our normal workout.  He did change it up a little and made me do some new exercises for my arms.  I went again on Tuesday for a 30 minute cardio on my own.  On Wednesday, I had a mini-boot camp with Mark (well that's how I felt it was).  I did it earlier in the day and after the workout, I felt I had soooo much energy.  Still sick, I went to the gym Thursday morning and had so much energy, I washed my car inside and out afterwards.  I was tired but I pushed myself to do it.  I normally pay someone to do it cause I guess I am a little lazy. :)

I will admit I ate my normal plate for Thanksgiving but the food was soooo good, that I went for seconds.  Big mistake! I was hurting for like 2 hours.  But after a few laughs with friends, I felt better.  On Friday, I had signed up for the Beginners Spin Class...another mistake.  My body is definitely NOT ready for that class.  After 20 minutes of pedaling, I gave up.  They need to customize those bikes for a wider, more cushion seats and wider pedals so my feet could fit.  Don't worry, I have already made my suggestions known.  The instructor Norma was so nice and understanding.  I did some stretching and left.  However, Norma suggested I try her Saturday morning Beginners Boot Camp.  I agreed, and again, why did I?

To start off with, I woke up super late.  I am the type of person I like to wake up, relax a little before I get up.  The class was at 8:30 and I arrived at 8:45.  I thought of not going at all, but something told me to just go to see if they were still there.  And they were.  No one else showed up so it was Norma, her husband and me.  I thought they would take it easy with me, which they said they did, but boy did they make me sweat.  At the end, I was very glad I went.  I did things I thought I could not do and realize that I really need to work on my left side (arms/legs) as they are truly weaker than my right.  I enjoyed it so much that I already signed up for a couple of more Saturdays.  I am sure it will get a little harder, but my body needs it.

****P.S. But most of all, the greatest news was that I weighed myself on Friday night after the mini-spin class (LOL) and I not only lost the pound gained the week before, but 2 1/2 pounds more....YEAH...that's a great accomplishment  because I know I ate like 5 pounds of food alone on Thursday.  If it wasn't for that, I know I would have lost even more.  I am very happy about it and feel I am back on track.  The only thing I did a little different this week, besides going to gym everyday, was that I ate a little more of a snack in between the shakes (fat free cheese and crackers for example).  I felt the shakes alone with one meal a day, was not enough and my body needed more food to get my metabolism going.  I did have a day where my sugar dropped dangerously low, which again is good news and means my body needs less medication.

Next week I will try a Strength Express class on Thursday afternoons...wish me luck!!!

9th Week

I honestly thought this would have been a great week...boy was I wrong!!! I worked out with Javier like usual on Monday.  He was tough with me, but I expected that.  However, as a result, I hurt my heel with excessive launchers (which helps me strengthen my knees). So much that I ended in my Podiatrist Office on Tuesday.  He did give me a shot, but warned me it was the last one.  Next is surgery (something that I am avoiding). On Wednesday, I received a call to see if I can do my deep cleaning that day (RPC).  I did and again, I was in pain but I knew I needed it.  I did exercise that same day, even though Mark had an emergency and was not able to train me.  On Thursday, I decided to participate the beginning yoga class at the gym.  I had a total different thought of what it would be.  But I did not give up.  I stayed throughout the class but had to rest more frequently than others, and was not able to do a few things.  I did learn that we should always roll to the right side whenever we get up from the ground or bed.  Has something to do with preventing heart attacks or something like that.  Overall, I felt good about doing it.  I met a lady name Pam who was very encouraging and motivated me throughout.  Again, on Friday I woke up very soar on my left knee and my left ankle.  I guess i over did it with certain positions of yoga.  So much it was very hard to get out of bed.   I did not let the pain stop me and I went to the gym to weigh in and do some exercises on my own.

That's when my whole week went down the drain.  I actually gained a POUND.  I couldn't believe it!!! Another trainer, Will told me not to worry about it because it could be muscles building.  But I did not care, if anything, I should of stayed the same, but not gain.  I was so upset, but I went ahead and did the bicycle and some leg and arm exercises.  But I only stayed for 20 minutes.  I was just so upset.  I thought about what I did wrong this week.  Could it have been the 5 tamales I ate on Wednesday?  The rice I ate on Thursday for dinner?  But I am aloud to eat one meal of whatever I wanted.  I guess in order to lose weight I need to stick to the two shakes for meals and a lite meal, i.e. salad.  But I do get so hungry.  I left the gym so upset, that I decided to go and really pig out.  I went to Sonny's BBQ and had baby back ribs with lots of sauce, baked potato with lots of butter and sour cream, corn on the cob, and TWO garlic toasts.  I said to myself, I am really going to give an excuse to gain now...but afterwards I felt so sick and guilty.  I wanted to give up the whole thing.  I posted on Facebook how I felt and I was very surprised on the response of support I received.  I cannot give up.  I have come a long way to give up and I have such a LONG way to go.  I need to take it easy and stay focused.  I guess I will have good weeks and not so good weeks.  But giving up is for cowards and I am not such person.  I have been through worse hurdles and have bounced back strong.

I am off this week for Thanksgiving and my goal is to go to gym in the morning and in the afternoon to work extra hard and see if I can lose at least 5 pounds.  I will also get very strict in what I eat this week.  My strongest goal is not to give up if I don't meet my goal on Friday and just continue to work at it.  I know God is giving me the strength I need and is by my side every step of the way....

8th week

This has truly been a very interesting week.  It is my official full week on Body by Vi and it has been better than I thought it would be.  I started the week with a workout with Javier.  I know not to mess with him cause he makes me pay for it during workout.  I guess I really need that push.  Wednesday it was time for Mark.  He needed me to step it up with my workout routine.  He made me do things I didn't think I was ready for.  But I did it...and an hour later...I went home in pain.  I woke up worse in the morning...but it was the good kind of pain.  My body needed the change as it was getting used to the normal routine.  Friday came and it was time for weekly weigh in...I lost 3 and a half pounds.  I was thrilled because I will admit, I've been eating not too healthy snacks in between.  However, I've been sticking to the shakes and one meal a day.  I didn't work out on Friday because I was going out to eat and then to a high school football game.  After getting a speech from Mark and eating nachos at the game, I felt guilty and did go to the gym on Saturday for at least a 30 minute workout.  I felt good about going.  I feel my body does ask for me to work out more, but my legs and knees are still not quite in the same agreement.  However, I am determined to stick to this and win the challenge.  I know with Thanksgiving nearing (and going home to Miami) I really need to workout extra hard this week.  Well til next time...

Important News...

I forgot to mention my most important news...I went to the doctor last week to get results of my blood work...the great news is that after having my H1C levels over 8.6 for over a year...they finally went down to 6.2.  I am diabetic and my target is below 7 but my doctor's target is below 6.5.  Therefore I exceeded both of our goals.  Doctor is happy and I am supper happy.  If it continues, I will start reducing my meds and final goal is to get off meds entirely.  God is Good....!!!

Thoughts...

As I sit on my bed...my mind wonders.  I have not had the worst life but it has not been the greatest either.  One day I will open up completely and tell the world my fears as a child and part of the reason why I let myself gain so much weight.  As for now, I can honestly say that I have come a long way to who I am today.  I used to be this shy woman that allowed people to step all over me.  Now, I am a very independent woman who struggles to let anyone get too close to her.  Yes, I have family and friends that I love very much.  But there is NOT one person I completing trust...except God.

Til next time.

7th week

What a week...I started the week with pain and cancelling Monday's gym.  Gym celebrated their 1st anniversary and joined forces with the new Lakeland Raiders Arena Football team to promote wellness through Body by Vi.   I am very fortunate to have been selected as a participant of the Body by Vi 90-day challenge.  It's a contest where the Lakeland Raiders pay for 6 participants to use Body by Vi products and exercise through TBC 24 Hour Fitness and compete for a prize.  I did workout on my own on Wednesday and began the products on Thursday.  It has actually been easier than I thought substituting 2 meals for milkshakes.  They smell and taste good...especially when I add fruits to them.  It's like drinking a smoothie.  However, I did not workout on Friday because I was very tired from testing with my students all day. Oh, did I mention that I am a teacher? Well yes, I am an 8th grade inclusion teacher at Mulberry Middle School.   Nevertheless, after resting my legs, I did go to MHS Homecoming football game and really enjoyed myself.  I woke up Saturday with so much energy, that for the first time in a lonnnng time, I cleaned my whole house in one day.  This usually took me 2-3 days to do.  It was a nice cool day and I opened all the windows, put on some music and did some spring cleaning (well maybe Fall cleaning).  So I guess that was my workout for Friday...because boy did I sweat.

I feel I have lots of energy and that is good because then it brings me a positive attitude that I so much need.  This new challenge will be very hard.  It will take me through Thanksgiving, Xmas and New Years which are very big holidays in my family...eating wise.  But I need to do what I need to do.

6th week

I know it's been a while but this week was very difficult...my trainer had to cancel on me on Monday so I went but did very little.  I woke very swollen on Tuesday and pretty much for the whole week.  I cancelled on Wednesday and did not go to the gym on Friday.  I felt depressed because i had lots of pain on my feet and legs.  No one really understands the pains I have daily.  It gets so painful, I can barely walk.  However, I wake up every morning leaving my pains to the Lord.

5th week

I have to admit that after an awful 4th week, I finally had a great week.  It started with a workout with Javier.  Boy did he make me pay for not training with him the week before...but it felt painfully good.  I went to my doctor on Tuesday and he was very happy to see I had lost 20 pounds since I saw him last in August.  So when Wednesday came to work out with Mark, I was looking forward to see what his scale and measurements had to say.  I was thrilled to find out, I had lost 10 pounds since I started to work out.  I also lost an inch in all my measurements except my waist.  I know it is not much in a month.  But with all my ups and downs this month, I was super happy.  It gave brought back that confidence I so desperately needed this week.  It meant that I had lost a total of 33 pounds since I decided to do something about my weight back in the summer.  I know I need to track only since I started the gym...but I felt I had to share this information also.  On Wednesday, I thought I would work out by myself, but Mark had something else on the agenda.  I did my usual routine, then found Mark to get my measurements.  I thought I would just row for another 3-4 minutes, but Mark made me workout for another 20 minutes.  I actually worked for almost an hour for the first time.  I was struggling and came home dead tired, but felt very good.  On Friday, I actually exercised alone and felt good that I didn't decide to skip it.  I woke up with lots of energy today...could it be the confidence boost I received this week?

Thoughts...

I have mixed feelings.  I don't know how many people actually read this post, but I am getting discouraged.  Maybe it's because I am starting a diet of 700 - 800 calories.  Maybe it's because I haven't lost weight in 4 weeks.  Maybe it's because I am feeling so lonely.  (I have no family here, as they live 4 hours away)  Yes, I have friends, but family is family.  Maybe it's because I'm struggling financially.  Who knows?  Only God knows. But I cannot give up.  Again...I have survived another difficult week.  I've had lots of pain...lots of work (job)...stressful students this year...difficult co-workers (at times)...co-worker battling breast cancer...  Well I will start this week with training with Javier on Monday.  I go for blood work on Tuesday and hope to get good news about my diabetes, cholesterol and  blood pressure.  Then I hope to train on Wednesday with Mark.  Finally gym on Friday on my own.  I refuse to get discourage and I strongly believe obstacles make me stronger...but why so many?  I know I might not be going through anything compared to others, but I still go through them.  I hope my words can inspire someone out there to do the right thing about their health and weight problems.  Don't wait too long like me.  Til next time...

4th week

Sorry it took me so long to post...it has been a very difficult week.  I practically had to exercise alone with nobody to give me that boost I so much need.  I started tutoring and my trainers were not able to meet with me. On Monday, I got there at around 6 and I was able to work up a sweat...and I was in terrible pain on my knee.  I also started the HCG diet on my own.  On Wednesday, Mark forgot about me :( and again, I had to exercise on my own.  I did do my usual but I felt I didn't work up a sweat like I am used to.  On Friday, I did arrive at gym.  I did the bike, some arm machines...and honestly, I gave up.  I was in a lot of pain due to swelling and after 15 minutes, I left.  I guess what really upset me was that I went to weigh myself...and was very disappointed.  I feel I am exercising more every week, and though I have not gained, I am still at the same point I was 4 weeks ago.  I have to admit, I have lost inches, because I see it on my clothes, but it is VERY disappointed not to see that scale go down.  Maybe I need to exercise more than 30 minutes...but shh don't let Mark know this...

Thoughts...

There are many people who may read this and either not know me or don't know this side of me.  Some might know me very good and know how hard this journey is really for me.  However, I can't give up.  I am not getting any younger and my health is critical at this time.  Many people say I am fine, but in reality, I am really not.  With all the obstacles this week I am proud of not giving up.

It felt so good to begin wearing clothes, I haven't worn in years, that actually fit.  That I am able to breath comfortably wearing them...LOL!  I haven't not weigh myself and I am beginning to think I shouldn't for a while. I tend to loose inches more than pounds and I don't want to get discouraged.

I have a couple of new challenges this week.  My chiropractor noticed that my left shoulder seems a little higher than the right.  He said to continue exercising and it should leveled out.  But that is my weak side and hard to work harder with.  Another challenge is the constant pain I have on my left knee and leg altogether.  I am making an appointment with specialist and see what he can do.  I don't want to have to stop exercising like I had to three years ago.  I have arthritis on both my knees and have a knee caps smaller than I should for my bone structure.  Finally,  I start tutoring after school at my school and will not be able to attend gym at my regular time.  In order to continue with my training, I will need to choose either earning extra money or continue with my exercising routine?  I need to have someone training me at least two of three days and there are scheduling issues.  This will be something I will need to work on this week. 

3rd Week

This week started with many obstacles.  On Monday, I was not able to get to the gym until after 5:00 p.m. due to a school bus accident near the gym.  Police had all roads closed.  I didn't give up, and even though I had to exercise by myself, I still did a 30 minute workout.  Normally, I would have given up, turn around and go home. I am so proud of myself for not giving up.  On Wednesday, Mark was busy with new customers, but I did my own 30 minute workout.  As I was ready to wrap it up, Mark came out and said "Let's go".  I was so tired and in pain, but he had me do another 30 minute workout.  Though I complained, it went to death ears.  He even had me do two minutes on this machine that I thought I was going to pass out.  Again, I am glad he pushed me.  I have to admit, I slept very good that night.  However, I woke up with stiff neck and shoulder.  I went to my chiropractor and had a good hour body massage, focusing on those areas.  On Friday, I was again, all alone.  Nevertheless, I did my 30 minute routine workout.  I even did a minute on the "HATED" machine.  I need to get better at the names of the machines. :)

Thoughts...

It felt good to hear a couple of people ask me if I have lost weight this week.  I have not weigh myself in two weeks, but I guess two weeks at a gym is starting to show.  Every morning I wake up with very swore knees, due to arthritis.  However, I am not giving up.  I am tired of the pain and I must do something and I strongly believe I can do it.  Today, Saturday, I woke up like if I was going to work.  Instead of staying in bed, I decided to get up and go to Walmart.  Even though, I will sadly admit, I used the electrical car, I did get out of bed and spent over an hour just looking around.  This is something that I do not do early in the morning at all.  I guess exercising is giving me a little more energy than usual.  However, I did have a sugar low three times this week.  Not eating enough?  I want to believe that perhaps I need to cut down on my diabetic medicine.  Well I guess it is time to go to my doctor and see how well I am really doing.  Time will tell...

2nd week

Well this second week started with a new trainer on Monday, Javier.  He has different style, but not any easier.  He had me work doing steps with weights.  He worked a little more on my legs and thighs.  Wednesday, was back with Mark.  Mark really does work me.  It's hard, but I know it's for my good.  This week was tough because I woke up Thursday with pain on my neck.  Slept wrong?  Too much exercise?  Stress?  Well it got worse as the day went on and I ended up at the Chiropractor.  After an hour of deep muscle massage and neck cracked...I felt better but not completely well.  I was well enough to still go to gym on Friday afternoon.  This day was on my own and I was still able to work up a sweat on my own for 30 minutes.

End of first week

At the end of the first week, I was in so much pain, I could not get out of bed on Saturday morning. But I am determined and with God by my side, I now I can do it. For the first time in my life I am going to share with people how much I weigh and how much I need to lose...for my health and to be able to do things I have not been able to do in years. Well, MY GOAL is to lose 100 pounds by May 15, 2012. I know it will be hard, but not impossible. According to my doctor and trainer, I really need to lose 200 lbs to be on an ideal weigh for a 41 year old woman...so do the math and try to find out how much I weigh when I started the gym... :)

First Day

My first day at the gym was September 19th. I did a few things I knew I could do on my own. I had some pain, but was good the next day. My first day with a trainer (Marc) was on Wednesday the 21st...and boy did Marc work areas I didn't think I can hurt from. I was in crucial pain but did not give up and went again on Friday. I did an exercise with rings that I never thought I could possible do.

Intro...

I am very grateful for Marc, at TBC 24Fitness Center, for the opportunity to help me lose weight and keep it off. I have struggled most of my life with being overweight, eventhough some people say I am just a "Thick Woman". I have always joined programs along with other people, and though being successful, I always gain it back. This is the first time that I actually do something about my weight on my own.