So yesterday was a good start to the day. I got in a good workout. We also took the initial measurements. This is a benchmark to starting off with the workout program. I need to find a good graphing program to write all this down. But at least I have it here just in case.

Right Arm=14 in
Left Arm= 14 in
Right Th= 28.75 in
Left Th= 28.75 in
Waist- 38 in

As part of the holistic approach to improving me, I’m really learning to focus on the positive stuff. I already have an increased endurance and stability. I am already more positive and focused and really feel a difference in how I hold myself. From the diet perspective, I’ve found that I really do love steamed broccoli. I have even started searching for new recipes to make around broccoli. It’s tasty, filling, and makes me feel better. As I gradually start to incorporate new good, healthy foods into my diet, I find that I have more energy and really do enjoy the tastes. It’s a wonderful start to a new beginning. Just gotta keep it going.

Today was my first day back at the personal trainer’s. It was a good day. Unfortunately I had a lot of pent-up stress and frustration due to external influences that caused me to get really frustrated with myself during the workout. But once I really got into the groove things really picked up and I made some really good headway. Tomorrow we are going to weigh me, measure me, poke and prod me to get some ‘before’ numbers. While I’m already feeling the benefits of the workout in improved sleeping, increased energy levels, and a better positive mental attitude, these before numbers are really going to help solidify why I need to be focused on this for a while. This week before bed each night, I am picturing myself at the top of a mountain overlooking a beautiful lake and enjoying being in the outdoors. There are so many scenic areas around Texas and the world that I really want to enjoy. I can’t wait to have the energy and the stamina to really tackle those higher mountains.

It’s that time of year where everyone converges on the roads for family, fun, and friends. Keeping a workout program going while also travelling on the road with family, being surrounded by everyone drinking and eating rich, indulgent foods can be difficult to fulfill my goals of leading a healthy, active life. But it is doable. For sure. And I actually feel better and less stressed. It’s amazing.

Since none of my family members have active gym memberships, I thought the easiest way to keep up the regime was to grab a few workout dvd’s and get kicking. I started out yesterday and today with hour long Taebo workouts. When I got done I certainly felt like I had gotten a great workout in. I was sweating and my limbs were feeling the strain of the cardio kickboxing. One of the harder things for me is the mental picture. I’m so self conscious about working out in front of people. And yet at different periods, my brother, sister-in-law, and dad were all watching along. I know that they were well meant but it was really stressful seeing them in all their perfect glory watching me as I was sweating and straining. But I got through it. I’ve also got some good ideas for spring to get out doors and enjoy the weather. I can’t wait to have the energy to go hiking in Enchanted Rock. I keep picturing myself getting to the bottom of one of the bowls in Vail, exhilerated and having fun instead of sore and out of shape. That mental picture keeps me going even when I want to be lazy. I may look and feel foolish right now but at least I’m doing something to change my world.

Wow. PersonalTrainer outdid himself today! I can’t tell you the number of positive responses I’ve gotten from everyone encouraging me to do this. But it certainly helps to have found a key motivator in someone who can work with me on a daily basis to make sure that physically I give it my best. He’s awesome and always checking to make sure I don’t hurt myself (which admittedly I would probably do because of my predisposition to wanting to be better, faster, stronger than my body currently is..)

Here was today’s workout:

In the far right hand corner was a bunch of cardio. 35 Minutes to be exact. This heavy weight champ was 3 sets of 10 minutes of elliptical cardio with a 5 minute sprint at the end of the workout.

In the far left corner, our competitor in blue was the circuit training regime. Focusing on core strength, legs, and upper body, this workout was designed to motivate and stimulate each muscle group leaving no stone unturned and no muscle under worked.

Springs

Deadlifts

Overhead Triceps

Jump Lunges

Jumping Jacks

Walkins-Walkouts

Finally we have Abs… These things are yummy! I can feel my muscles working. It’s a great thing.

Abs:

Oblique Twists

Toe Taps

Leg Drops

Key take away from today is that I’m feeling amazing. When I get done with these workouts, it’s like I’m a whole new person. It’s like I become aware of just what I can accomplish… which is ANYTHING I want. It’s such an empowering feeling to be doing something so good for me. I am loving it.

I keep reading a bunch. Yes. If you know me, that’s what I do when I need to think. I read or I dance. Anyway, I digress. I keep reading about these things called affirmations. I recall while in 4-H growing up that we had to develop these goals for each thing that we did. It really taught me about how to learn to create goals for myself but they never told us we actually had to believe we could attain them. Bad 4-H bad! (admittedly my poor attention span may have missed the affirmations part of the lecture)

Regardless, I keep reading about the affirmations that are there to assist you with believing that you can achieve the goals you want. Of course I’ve always had a great support structure in my parents and my brother to help me learn what I need. But it’s really up to me to believe that I deserve what I want and that I can do it. I don’t think I have consciously done that before. So anyway, I’ve created affirmations to help me create a new positive train of thought and help visualize my world when I attain my goals. (notice I said when and not if… see … it’s working!)

Today I woke up and went to the elliptical machine for 45 minutes. I had a great little walk around the apartment complex and in this wooded area to allow me to cool down. I also got in 3 sets of ab crunches, screwups, and upper ab pulsey thingies. I need to learn to write down what those exercises are. Anyway, today was fairly cardio intenstive. We have a huge super set tomorrow and I’m energized about it. I can’t wait!

Oh and the sun is out now! It’s a beautiful day today. Makes me miss my walks with a good friend. I’ll have to start that up again.

I’ve been going through a small amount of drama lately. Some of my friendships are falling down around me. Shattered into fragments of trust that once was, I’m finding out that the only thing I can control is myself, my attitude, and most importantly my reaction to adversity. Relationships/friendships/partnerships can either be very healthy and supportive or they can be toxic to ones self image. For me, I am learning that I have a tendency to find the people in this world who are toxic to me and try to hold onto them for dear life. I think this stems from a long line of wanting to prove that I’m worthy. that I am good enough.. that I am pretty enough… that I am smart enough… that I am worthy of love/respect. Well I’m here to say that I have nothing left to prove. I am just me plain and simple. I don’t have all of the answers. And more importantly I’m learning that I don’t have to be the foremost authority on everything. Hate me if you want to. Love me if you can.

So while I’m going through these realizations, my emotional and mental attitudes during my workouts fluctuate like mad. Poor physical trainer.  I could sense today that he was just as frustrated. Unfortunately the passionate Irish girl inside of me needs to truly go through the gambit of emotions to purge out the demons. To end this on a more positive note, these workouts are saving my life. I’m on a long road to redemption and finding myself and these workouts provide a way for me to refocus my energies on my life’s purpose. It’s ironic that I look forward to 5am. It’s the happiest time of day for me.

I’m going to start off this blog by stating a fact. I am fat. I’m unheathly and that my friend is going to change. I have a goal to weigh less than 140 lbs by March 21, 2008. Right now I’m well on my way to achieving those results. This blog is going to chronicle my journey through weight loss, increasing cardiovascular strength, and increasing energy. I’ve already started kinda by hiring a personal trainer. Niko is quickly becoming my rock and main motivator for reshaping me. He’s been super supportive and helpful in his training program and creativity. I love getting up in the morning and working out with him. It’s a great start to a day and gets me motivated. I am going to make an appointment to capture all of the right stats for BMI and other stuf and post them as well. This will allow me to chronicle my improvements in health and fitness. I can’t wait to get started!

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