This past weekend I did something I said I wouldn't do. I weighed myself. I usually try to gauge my weight by trying on my jeans. That tactic has been somewhat counter intuitive. Some days I can put them on easily and others I can't get them buttoned. So when I saw a digital scale, I decided to step on it and face my fear. I have been working out and eating less calories, so I was somewhat apprehensive. I even closed my eyes and said a little prayer before I looked. I won't say the number, but is was 10 pounds less than I weighed myself earlier this year. That's about 1 pound a week. I'll take it!
I am very happy with my progress, but I think I am going to push myself a little harder. Maybe workout a little more and cut out a few more calories. I know slow and steady is the way to lose weight, but I don't think an additional hour of working out per week and 100 calories less per day is extreme. Besides, my endurance has gotten better since the new year. Before I was winded around 15-20 minutes into a class. Now I can go longer and have added more intensity to my cardio workouts. (I still want to take some weight training classes, I just haven't gotten up the confidence) Eventually I want to begin running again. The ThunderRoad Marathon (and Half- Marathon) will be held on November 16, 2013. Who knows I might just run in it. ( The Half-Marathon!)
I am very proud of myself for getting back in the groove of exercising. I like cardio training. I like zumba, cardio funk, walking, elliptical, etc. But I know that resistance and weight training should also be a part of my workout regimen. But I have to admit. I don't like weights, push ups, sit ups, none of that! And honestly all those machines and gizmo are intimidating. To me it's VERY boring. I know that it would help me tone up and have more definition. I would like to start taking some classes and learn to love those as much as cardio.
Can anybody suggest any good weight/ Resistance training class that I might enjoy. Maybe even a "buddy" to go along with for the first 3 or 4 sessions? I liked Jessi's class but it is hard for me to get to the studio at 6:30pm on the nights she teaches.
Tonight is Wednesday night and it's my first Bollywood class with Milli. I have heard nothing but good things about it and I am looking forward to it.
Kara
I am very glad I have finally gotten back into a routine of exercising. I have worked may way up to doing some type of physical activity 5 days per week. I now want to increase the amount of classes I take and branch out to do some weight training.
My eating habits have improved as well. I use an app and log my meals and exercise each day. Keeping a log has been beneficial to me. It makes me accountable and it deters me from eating something high in calories and fat. It has also motivated me to prepare my own meals. Going out to eat can be expensive and the amount of calories in restaurant food is astronomical. A chicken salad I used to get from a restaurant is 1100 calories. That is more than half of the calories I am allotted per day. I can't "afford" to eat that. I also drink a lot more water. I'd much rather eat my calories than drink them!
Even though I am conscious of my calorie intake, I still indulge in some favorite foods. Last night I had full fat ice cream. It was 1/2 cup and I ate it slowly enough to taste it and really enjoy it.
I've learned making better choices and enjoying my favorite foods in moderation is key for me to live healthier, but consistency is how I'll maintain my new lifestyle.
Kara
My diva alter ego name is "Madge." That's short for "Your Majesty. " Madge is the fiercest chick I know! She is strong, confident, smart, crazy, sexy, and cool. But underneath those colorful bandannas Madge had a secret.
Many of you have never seen me outside of the studio or gym, but I like to dress up, wear makeup, and rock some fabulous hair styles. But it's not practical for me to get dolled up to go workout.
My hair is my crown. I noticed a few weeks ago I was developing a bald spot. It was very upsetting. Maybe it's the prescription drugs or more than likely the stress I'm under causing the hair loss. Regardless, I was losing my hair. I felt a part of what makes me beautiful was disappearing.
I made the decision to cut it off and start over. I found it to be liberating. Why not? I am working on a new body so why not do it with a new hair style. I have to get used to it though. It's short. Shorter than I am used to, but its "growing" on me.
Kara
I have made some accomplishments in my get healthy journey. I no longer take the elevator at home. I live on the 4th floor of a building and I normally used the elevator. Since the New Year, I now use the stairs primarily. I noticed I am not as winded when I go up the 106 (yes I counted them) stairs. My thighs have strengthened a lot too. Probably a combination of the stairs and the phenomenal lower body workouts from Jessi and Nyree's classes.
My endurance and stamina are building. Yesterday in Jatrine's class I deliberately "picked up the pace" and challenged myself to push hard during each song. Yes, my knees ached a little and I began sweating like a Coca-Cola bottle at a barbecue, but I was exercising.
I have also stopped weighing myself on a scale. It is entirely too frustrating for me. My weight can fluctuate between 1-20 pounds depending on my diet, exercise (or lack thereof), and hormones. The last time I stepped on a scale I gained 5 pounds and I have been working out and documenting every morsel of food and drink that passes my lips. From no on how my clothes fit will be an indication of how I am doing on the weight loss front.
I am very happy about my subtle change in attitude. For months I have been so depressed, but exercising is a mood booster for me. I don't like (traditional) exercising, but I LOVE how I feel after working out. As of late my mood and sleep have gotten a lot better since I have been working out regularly and more often.
Okay, I have been a slacker on getting the blogs done, but I have a good excuse. I have had 4 job interviews in the last two weeks!!!! (YEA!!) I did bomb one though. The interviewer asked me a question and I went blank! Seriously. It scared me and tears came to my eyes. I got myself together and went through the entire interview.
When I finished, I knew I needed to workout. I was so upset with myself. But after speaking with Dana and a couple other ladies before class Thursday night, I felt better. I am human and things like that happened. (THANKS AGAIN LADIES!)
Last Thursday was Valentine's day and there was every opportunity for me to miss class, especially the horrific interview earlier in the day, but Thursday is Hot! Hot! Hot! class so I had to go. I wasn't sure if Jatrine or Nyree was going to teach, I just know I had to make my way to the studio. Those of you that missed it, missed a treat.
Jatrine was the instructor and let's just say, when Jatrine went to her vault of music and pulled out LL Cool J's "Doin' It Well" the room went CRAZY!!!! First, I have not heard that song in ages, but the intro is a giveaway. Second, the fact that I remember the words to the song is good which means old age has not set in yet and I still have an okay memory. And last, we did the song twice for good measure. Simple moves, but we all got a chance to put a sexy spin on it.
We also got some additional instruction. Jatrine stopped a couple of times and told us to slow down our moves, look at ourselves in the mirror, and take our time. The song "Give It to Me Right" (I think that's the correct title) is worthy of my inner goddess to feel free to be sexy!
Those of you that have not tried HOT! HOT! HOT! need to find your way to the studio at least once to try it! I promise you will LOVE it!
Kara
Everybody at the studio has been buzzing about "JaMakin' Me Burn" class on Monday and Thursday Nights @ 6:30pm with Jessi. I have to admit, I have been afraid (very afraid) to try the class. I love my cardio dance classes. To me, it is not working out. But that is part of the "problem." I know to lose weight and to get the body I want, I have to have variety in my workout routines. A great way to do that is Circuit Training.
I entered class a little late, after I saw all the jumping, running in place, squats, and lounges-YUCK! It reminded me of gym class in the 3rd grade. But Nikki talked me into entering. I'm glad I did. We did all those things, but changed it up and did sit ups, push ups, and partner work to help strengthen our upper body and tighten up our arms. We also did "throw downs." I enjoyed those most of all! (You will have to come to class to check those out. I know I don't have the words to explain those and give them justice).
I hope to be back on Thursday night. I have to be honest, I was exhausted and had difficulty doing all of the exercises. But, I burned almost 700 calories in that one class and I slept like a baby last night. To reach my goal, I have to do things that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable. I not only want to lose weight, but I want to transform my body. This class will help me do it. I have to be diligent and keep my eyes on the prize of fitting into my favorite pair of jeans.
Last Thursday I was so anxious to get to JMD studio on time for Hot Hot Hot! I had an afternoon meeting at 4:30pm. It ran till 7:00pm and once I left the meeting I literally flew down 74 to get to the studio in time for class. I was pleasantly surprised when Nyree came in to teach the class. I have taken classes with Nyree, but only at the YMCA. She is a magnificent instructor. She's sweet, mild mannered, high energy and I love how she is encouraging throughout the class and exclaims, "This is your workout." Her enthusiasm gets me in a state of mind, to take things at my own pace and workout for me, not anyone else. But last Thursday night, I saw a whole new Nyree. The alter diva ego extraordinaire "Ree Ree." Class was very hot! In fact, my glasses were steam stained for 45 minutes!!!! The class was a continuous crescendo of hot, sexy, hip swaying, thigh tightening, ab strengthening moves. I left class feeling super sexy and confident. If you weren't there, you have a chance to experience "Ree Ree" tomorrow night (5th of Feb @ 6pm) I hope to see you there!
This evening's Zumba® class with Jatrine was awesome as usual!!! Music was pumping, hair was tossing, hips were shaking, and calories were burning!
But I have to confess→ oftentimes, I dread Mondays, but today was an awesome day. I stayed within my caloric intake for the weekend and worked out twice, so when I woke up ready to start my day, I had the mindset of continuing my new lifestyle, not starting it over. I know I'm not the only one. I workout and eat right Monday through Friday and lose my mind on the weekend by eating high calorie, high fat, but oh so good food! Then on Sunday night I say to myself I'll start over tomorrow and get back on track, just to do the same thing the following weekend. An endless and frustrating cycle, but I think the strategy I used this past weekend is one I will continue to use.
Friday morning I tried on my "Ooh my booty looks good in these jeans" jeans. They are more than snug, but I can get them up over my hips. That's further than they would go before the holidays. Going into the weekend with my eyes on the prize of fitting comfortably in those jeans one day soon, was just the strength I needed to bypass the Talenti Gelato which is now on sale at the grocery store. Don't get me wrong, the Sea Salt Caramel flavor is divine, but so is my sashay in those Seven jeans.
I also made plans earlier in the week with my fitness buddy to run Sunday morning. We get up at o' dark thirty and have a protein shake before the run and water during and after. After a 2mile run, there was no way I was going to go to brunch and eat all the calories I just burned.
And lastly, I attended a Sunday afternoon zumba session with "The Partymaker" Jatrine. She made a guest star appearance at her old stomping ground, the Siskey YMCA. What a great way to complete a Sunday afternoon.
I am so proud of myself. I'm not starting over, but I am continuing my journey. I want to look at all my future Mondays the way I saw today. One more day closer to being healthier and fitter.
Does your willpower fizzle over the weekend too? What are some ways you try to stay on track?
Kara
When I saw the Jamakin' Me Hot Hot Hot class on the January schedule, it did peak my interest. Not many exercise classes I have attended had a disclaimer "Participants 21 years old and older." I asked Jatrine about it and she answered in true Jatrine style with that big dimpled grin, "You gotta come and see!'
I don't have a word that would truly describe how much I enjoyed the class. First, it was full of beautiful, sexy, hot ladies in all shapes, sizes, and colors. We rocked, swayed, sashayed, strutted, popped, locked, and booty dropped (Jersey Kim workin' it on stage 2X). I think I saw a couple of "Gone with the Wind" twirls also!
I enjoyed the class so much because when I left, I felt, strong, sexy, self-assured, and confident. That was not only a workout for my body, but for my spirit. We as women get so caught up in what someone else looks like on a magazine cover or on the red carpet. But after that class, no Hollywood Starlet had nothin' on me!
My Thursday nights are now more SCANDALOUS!
Kara
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