After my blog announcements of needing to lose weight and being bored at the gym, I decided to make a change, mix up the routine and try new things. And here is my week one report: I SURVIVED.
Oh that’s right, the pain train has left the station, woo woo! Woo woo!
So here’s what I’ve done to date:
- Started logging my food again (a PITA)
- Try new gym classes
- Avoid going right back to the elliptical machine
Let’s take a closer look.
Logging food:
I won’t lie, I really hate doing this, but I know it’s necessary. It’s tedious and often finding the right food to log and calculating the right amount can take some time. But so far it’s kept me on track calorie-wise and helping me make better choices. Plus, my inheritantly lazy nature often keeps me from snacking because I don’t want to log it. Wow that sounded sad.
And despite one slip with Texas chocolate sheet cake at work today (I really couldn’t help myself), I’ve stayed in my calorie ranges. I haven’t seen a lot of results yet, but I feel leaner and I know if I stick with it, I’ll start losing the weight slowly again. Goal is to drop what I’ve put on by February.
New gym classes:
This has been fun and PAINFUL at the same time. So far I’ve tried a variety of things: yoga, Pilates, dance class, extreme athletic conditioning and cardio cross training and its been intereting.
I’ve also learned the following things:
- I am Pilates-challenged. Holding your neck up and keeping you legs at a 45 degree angle with your feet in a Pilates “V” = insanely difficult
- I like high energy cardio classes, but the first time I took one, I could not move my arms, sit down, bend over or wash my hair without being in excruciating pain. And I plan to go back for more
- I am ridiculously uncoordinated, but in dance class, I can shake my moneymaker!
- A 5lb and 8lb weight and cause more muscle pain than anything 20lbs or above
- I need to learn basic yoga poses before going into classes, I easily look like I don’t know what I’m doing
- When several people refer to your teacher as “the devil,” that is not a good sign
The adjustment has been difficult but I like mixing up the classes and next on my list: SPIN!
NO MERCY!
And finally, I only went back to the old gym routine once this week because I got out of work late and missed all the classes. Seriously, 5:30 p.m. classes suck a**. Some of us have full-time jobs and can’t make it there and be changed by then! Geez.
So the adjustment is still in process, but I think things are on the right track. And eventually all parts of my body will stop hurting when I work out and do the classes. I cannot wait for that day!
Question for tonight: How do you like to stay active? Do you like high energy classes or more calm-natured classes like Pilates or yoga? How sore have you ever been after a serious class?
My compliment for today: First, you guys were sweet to leave me some on the last post so I thought I’d share what I told myself today as part of my experiment. I said, “Jess you really kicked some a** dancing to Single Ladies at the gym tonight. Nice job, now put a ring on it an ring on it and go home.”
Motivational speaking at its best.
Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this also – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get anything done… Regards
Wow that was one of the great idea but we need vegetables and fruits too except for exercises.
I’m obv way behing on reading, but just wanted to say YAY! I’m glad you’re feeling good and mixing it up and having fun with it.
Variety at the gym is when I noticed the biggest difference for myself. Plus mentally it did me wonders :)
Now I need to try the writing down. I want to, but then I get lazy… Hm..new goal?
I need to hop aboard the healthy train myself!! :)
I LOVE the pilates V. It definitely sucks, but god it works wonders on my abs. Just wait until you have to start doing “hundreds” or your instructor decides the 45 degrees is too easy and pushed your legs down even more. Grr…
Oh man, I really need to get back on the healthy living train too…so it’s not like I should be one to give advice but when I *am* being “good,” I usually do 2 low-impact classes a week(yoga, pilates), and 2 more intense classes a week (aerobic step, bodypump, etc.). I also try to follow stage 2 of the South Beach Diet pretty carefully.
I’m down for any kind of exercise, except spinning. SPINNING IS THE DEVIL
Just cut all the crap out and replace with fruits/veggies. It’s really that simple. May I suggest:
http://www.nevblog.com/2009/07/how-i-lost-weight-by-accident.html
I’m too embarrased to go to a gym. We were walking but then it rained nonstop and it was nasty outside and then the time changed over and who wants to walk outside in the dark?!
Yea i’m FULL of excuses. But I have started eating healthier at work: Salads. And I have a little bit of other food to just “taste” satisfied. Its not like we have much of an option anymore. They cut our food budget seriously. But I’m just happy I still get my lunches provided!
We’re gonna see about getting a track membership at the local recreation center. And eating subway for dinner.
This is so incredible and inspiring! Way to go :) I would love to do a workout just like this…and I thought I needed my Topricin pain cream then! Geesh, I would have to buy stock with your routine!!! Anyway though- it really is awesome and gives me some mojo to get my routine together!
good luck dear. I like working out better than logging food, it’s necessary but oh mannnn I feel embarrassed sometimes :P
and I love pilates class!
That’s AWESOME that you’re taking part in so many different classes. It’s so easy to get stuck in the same routine & never know what else is out there, so good work to you for stepping out of your comfort zone and trying tons of new things! :)
I’m all for high energy and fast paced. I do yoga every now and then but it’s SO HARD for me to be calm and for my brain not to scatter all over the place.
haha… I hit those walls all the time because when I find something I like I stick to it until I KILL it!
First was elliptical, then step, then running, now cycling :-) All are great I would say I have gone up on the sweat factor with each new one though!
“Plus, my inheritantly lazy nature often keeps me from snacking because I don’t want to log it. Wow that sounded sad.”
This cracked me up! Sounds like something that would come out of my mouth.
Admittedly, I’m not much of one for classes. I don’t know why, they just bug me. But even if I wanted to take classes, 90 percent of the ones at my suburban gym are during hours I can’t get there because of my FULL-TIME JOB.
Way to go! I hate keeping a food log, but it really does work. It’s like making a budget for your money.
I have the same problem with classes at the gym in that the start waaaay too early for the time I get off work. Triathlon training has been enough variety to keep me from getting bored. If I don’t want to run, I can bike or swim. And the occasional gym routine stops being so boring.
Keep up the great work!
i think the key is to do what you’re doing – and keep busy. plan things to do every day so your workout doesn’t get dull – and logging food does help and make you realize how much crap you shove in your mouth on a daily basis :)
the first time i did a spin class, i couldn’t walk for 2 weeks. like seriously, could not go up and down stairs. i didn’t go back to the class until 2 months later, but it never hurt again as bad as that first time. Good Luck!!
Nice job trying all those classes! I hope you keep us updated on the spin class. That’s the one thing I’m terrified of.
And, trust me, I’ve been doing Pilates for almost two years now and I STILL can’t do half the moves correctly. My lower abs = jello. If you stick with it, though, you will notice a difference. If you push yourself.
I don’t like circuit training classes. I like ones that stick with one thing at a time.
way to go! sounds like you’re doing a great job getting back into a work out groove and healthy eating! you’re motivating me to do the same :)
after my first hip hop class i could sit down or bend my legs without a little bit of crying for a few days. it was worth it though!
Spin class is the best! And it will kick your butt… and literally make it hurt to sit down for a while…When I first started losing weight I would spin three times a week and swim everyday. I love it. I haven’t found anything that makes my gym time seem more worth it!
You have inspired me…I think I will try logging my calories as well. :)
Great work! And your “now put a ring on it” comment made me burst out laughing, I can totally hear you saying that in my head & it made me really happy =) You’re doing such good work! I’m glad you’re having fun with it too!
Unless a class is specifically marked Intermediate or Advanced, then classes should be all levels and the instructors should be cognizant that there may be new students in class. Maybe if you tell your yoga instructors you’re new, they’ll take the time to more thoroughly explain the poses and/or check to make sure you’re doing them right. If not, they’re not a good instructor. =)
I like diversity to my routine (hahah – that’s kind of funny). I like running and elliptical and the stair machines with actual moving stairs. But, I also love my Bikram yoga classes and weight lifting. And you’re right, lifting 5-8 pound weights in a class can leave you in a lot more pain than lifting 20 pound weights on your own!
I loved your self-compliment. So cute! I fell off the fitness band wagon months ago. I just don’t have time. No seriously, I don’t. It’s not an excuse. But I do ride horses. I really need to start logging calories again. But… that’s not fun…
Oftentimes, when we go about the same routine everyday we get bored. It’s good you have made some variations. However, if we need to achieve something in life we must hold on to the uneasiness and suffering; having done this the rewards are great in the end. :-)
a spin class is something i’ve always wanted to try but am petrified of.
I’ve been doing yoga and biking. It is really hard to eat healthy on a budget though. I feel like I am eating left over pizza for at least three meals a week.
Way to go on finding motivation to get back in shape. I’m in the same boat as you in trying to get back into shape. I thought about doing the food log thing too, but you’re right – it’s a miserable task. (But worthwhile, I’m sure).
To stay active I like to jog. Getting back into it is HARD. And for classes I like Pilates.
How sore have I been? So effing sore. It can be miserable but it’s well worth it! It hurts so good, that’s for sure!
I usually stick to swimming and biking. I’ve never been sick of swimming a day in my life (even after three-a-days) so that tends to work for me. And I can always convince myself to get on my bike in the summer b/c I get the best color (with the worst tan lines).
GOOD FOR YOU! It sounds like a good, hard week of working out. I’m jealous!
I refer to an old yoga instructor as a bully, but the devil works too. And he was amazing.
I personally prefer low impact (hence yoga). I just don’t have the endurance for the high impact cardio. And the few I’ve tried have the instructors yelling at you. I much prefer the soothing comments about finding your chi and aligning your chakras!
YES! Go you! You’ll love spinning, if you have a good teacher who plays fun music, that makes all the difference.
When I was in high school I logged my calories to lose weight. And it worked. We really don’t realize how much we eat! Writing it down makes us look at how we’re eating. And it forced me to measure things out into serving sizes rather than just grabbing whatever i wanted.