For the record, I lost 3lbs this week through being unwell.
I don't recommend it, but it does remind me of a line in the Devil wears Prada where the other assistant says that she's "one bout of gastric flu away from the perfect size"
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Well, here I am again. And again I haven’t been successful in achieving my (possibly too ambitious) goal.
So, back on June 29th when I last posted, I weighed about 11st 4lbs. I started the 12 week countdown at Slimming World, but it really wasn’t going well. I lost 1.5lbs, but then I put it back on again. And, in fact, this has been the general trend! My 12 weeks isn’t over quite yet; the lowest I’ve reached was 11st 0.5lbs, though last week I was back up at 11st 02lbs.
I know where I went wrong with the 1.5lb increase because the in-laws were up and I scoffed cake and biscuits and such like. Never good.
But, the losses seem to have come from using “Red Days” from Slimming World. The concept is quite simple, you can eat as much lean meat, fresh fruit and veggies as you like, but you have to limit the amount of grains and potatoes that you eat.
On my loss weeks, here’s a sample of the sort of thing I’ve been eating:
Breakfast
Fresh fruit salad topped with 0% fat yoghurt
Snacks
One Alpen Light bar (½ healthy B), banana, Options hot chocolate (2 syns)
Lunch
2 eggs, 0% fat cottage cheese, salad
Snacks
Granny Smith apple, one Alpen Light bar (½ healthy B), Options hot chocolate (2 syns)
Dinner
Grilled pork chop (fat removed), broccoli, cauliflower, courgette and carrots
Not bad, really. I’ve also had cooked breakfasts – my favourite is scrambled eggs with smoked salmon!
Unfortunately, it’s hard to stick to any diet when you’re visiting other people, or they’re visiting you. The weekend just gone, I was at my sisters. Even though she used to do Slimming World, I’m sure I was pretty far off plan – even just from the drinks! Oh well.
Next weekend we’re at the inlaws’ house, so it’s going to be all cheese and pasta again. I don’t think there’s much I can do about that though. Then my folks are up the following weekend, but I can make SW food for them with no problems.
I went to be measured for the bridesmaid dress for my sister’s wedding at the weekend too. I was pretty happy with the numbers she was writing down, which is good, although the dressmaker said that I had a very thin chest compared to the rest of me. I’m not sure whether she was suggesting that I have big boobs or a big bum (or both) but I do seem to have a long torso! (like I didn’t know that, always having to knit longer for things to fit right!) Anyway, the fitting for that is in January, so there’s something to aim for!
I’ve also promised myself that when I get to my 1.5stone award (10st 13lbs) that I will buy myself a nice new skirt like this one from Next. for work. I’d like to treat myself to something casual too, but I’ll get a lot more wear out of something for work. If I decide that something casual is also in order, I’ll probably get something like this dress or this cute tunic
At least that’s an aim!
Well, so while I guess I’ve not made it to 10stone this 12 week countdown, I will keep trying. I just need to stick to it, I think, and that’s not going to be easy for the next couple of weeks, but I think I can do it. If I manage to stick to it on the days when I’m not visiting or being visited, then that’s well over half of the time.
So keep positive, a loss – no matter how small – is still going in the right direction.
So, back on June 29th when I last posted, I weighed about 11st 4lbs. I started the 12 week countdown at Slimming World, but it really wasn’t going well. I lost 1.5lbs, but then I put it back on again. And, in fact, this has been the general trend! My 12 weeks isn’t over quite yet; the lowest I’ve reached was 11st 0.5lbs, though last week I was back up at 11st 02lbs.
I know where I went wrong with the 1.5lb increase because the in-laws were up and I scoffed cake and biscuits and such like. Never good.
But, the losses seem to have come from using “Red Days” from Slimming World. The concept is quite simple, you can eat as much lean meat, fresh fruit and veggies as you like, but you have to limit the amount of grains and potatoes that you eat.
On my loss weeks, here’s a sample of the sort of thing I’ve been eating:
Breakfast
Fresh fruit salad topped with 0% fat yoghurt
Snacks
One Alpen Light bar (½ healthy B), banana, Options hot chocolate (2 syns)
Lunch
2 eggs, 0% fat cottage cheese, salad
Snacks
Granny Smith apple, one Alpen Light bar (½ healthy B), Options hot chocolate (2 syns)
Dinner
Grilled pork chop (fat removed), broccoli, cauliflower, courgette and carrots
Not bad, really. I’ve also had cooked breakfasts – my favourite is scrambled eggs with smoked salmon!
Unfortunately, it’s hard to stick to any diet when you’re visiting other people, or they’re visiting you. The weekend just gone, I was at my sisters. Even though she used to do Slimming World, I’m sure I was pretty far off plan – even just from the drinks! Oh well.
Next weekend we’re at the inlaws’ house, so it’s going to be all cheese and pasta again. I don’t think there’s much I can do about that though. Then my folks are up the following weekend, but I can make SW food for them with no problems.
I went to be measured for the bridesmaid dress for my sister’s wedding at the weekend too. I was pretty happy with the numbers she was writing down, which is good, although the dressmaker said that I had a very thin chest compared to the rest of me. I’m not sure whether she was suggesting that I have big boobs or a big bum (or both) but I do seem to have a long torso! (like I didn’t know that, always having to knit longer for things to fit right!) Anyway, the fitting for that is in January, so there’s something to aim for!
I’ve also promised myself that when I get to my 1.5stone award (10st 13lbs) that I will buy myself a nice new skirt like this one from Next. for work. I’d like to treat myself to something casual too, but I’ll get a lot more wear out of something for work. If I decide that something casual is also in order, I’ll probably get something like this dress or this cute tunic
At least that’s an aim!
Well, so while I guess I’ve not made it to 10stone this 12 week countdown, I will keep trying. I just need to stick to it, I think, and that’s not going to be easy for the next couple of weeks, but I think I can do it. If I manage to stick to it on the days when I’m not visiting or being visited, then that’s well over half of the time.
So keep positive, a loss – no matter how small – is still going in the right direction.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Hiatus; back in business
Updates from last time:
I didn’t make it to the 1.5stone loss.
I didn’t stick to that plan of activity.
I did get into those size 12 trousers, and felt good in them too!
And so…
It has been a while since I posted anything on this part of my blog. I should have posted a while back though, because I did lose some weight for the wedding!
Ok, I didn’t lose as much as I had initially intended, but I think that’s okay. In almost all of the photos I am happy with how I look, and also in most of our holiday photos from the honeymoon.
Here’s a before and after for you.
BEFORE – 19th September 2010 – weight = 12st 06lbs – BMI = 28.1 (Overweight)
AFTER – 30th April 2011 – weight = 11st 02lbs – BMI = 25.2 (Just Overweight, by 0.2!) – Loss = 1st 04lbs
I know I still want to lose some more weight, but since I came back from my honeymoon (though not while I was there!) I have gained two pounds.
I think that this is partly to do with no longer having a goal.
So, I’m setting myself a new goal.
At Slimming World we have something where you can pay, in advance, for 12 weeks’ membership. You get benefits too, as you get two weeks free when you do that. There’s also a nice recipe book on offer this week I think! In my first 12 weeks at Slimming World I lost 11lbs. I’d like to do the same again; in fact I want to do better. My aim is to get to 10st in 12 weeks. That’s a loss of 1st 04lbs. That also means losing an average of 1.5lbs per week.
AIM – 19th September 2011 – weight = 10st – BMI = 22.6 (Healthy)
I realise that diet alone is not going to be enough to meet this aim. As a result, I’m going to need to do some working out too. My general plan is to work out in our in-the-garage-gym three times a week. I plan to do the three-step-superset that I was enjoying before. I need some extra exercises to balance this out. Perhaps something like:
Ex 1. Deadlift, Squat, Push press (with Olympic bar)
Ex 2. Bent-over row, Pull-up (maybe using the bands to begin with)
Ex 3. Crunches (30 per set), Press-ups (10 per set)
I may have to elevate the press-ups to begin with; I was able to do a set in the past but it’s been a while.
I’ll be getting weighed once a week at Slimming World. I’m pretty sure I haven’t lost any weight since the last weigh in as I’ve had a cold and we’ve been on holiday.
I didn’t make it to the 1.5stone loss.
I didn’t stick to that plan of activity.
I did get into those size 12 trousers, and felt good in them too!
And so…
It has been a while since I posted anything on this part of my blog. I should have posted a while back though, because I did lose some weight for the wedding!
Ok, I didn’t lose as much as I had initially intended, but I think that’s okay. In almost all of the photos I am happy with how I look, and also in most of our holiday photos from the honeymoon.
Here’s a before and after for you.
BEFORE – 19th September 2010 – weight = 12st 06lbs – BMI = 28.1 (Overweight)
AFTER – 30th April 2011 – weight = 11st 02lbs – BMI = 25.2 (Just Overweight, by 0.2!) – Loss = 1st 04lbs
I know I still want to lose some more weight, but since I came back from my honeymoon (though not while I was there!) I have gained two pounds.
I think that this is partly to do with no longer having a goal.
So, I’m setting myself a new goal.
At Slimming World we have something where you can pay, in advance, for 12 weeks’ membership. You get benefits too, as you get two weeks free when you do that. There’s also a nice recipe book on offer this week I think! In my first 12 weeks at Slimming World I lost 11lbs. I’d like to do the same again; in fact I want to do better. My aim is to get to 10st in 12 weeks. That’s a loss of 1st 04lbs. That also means losing an average of 1.5lbs per week.
AIM – 19th September 2011 – weight = 10st – BMI = 22.6 (Healthy)
I realise that diet alone is not going to be enough to meet this aim. As a result, I’m going to need to do some working out too. My general plan is to work out in our in-the-garage-gym three times a week. I plan to do the three-step-superset that I was enjoying before. I need some extra exercises to balance this out. Perhaps something like:
Ex 1. Deadlift, Squat, Push press (with Olympic bar)
Ex 2. Bent-over row, Pull-up (maybe using the bands to begin with)
Ex 3. Crunches (30 per set), Press-ups (10 per set)
I may have to elevate the press-ups to begin with; I was able to do a set in the past but it’s been a while.
I’ll be getting weighed once a week at Slimming World. I’m pretty sure I haven’t lost any weight since the last weigh in as I’ve had a cold and we’ve been on holiday.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sad - but with a plan
This weekend I was feeling very down about myself. While I put it partly down to wedding stress, there’s no hiding from it; I’ve adjusted to my new size and I loathe my body once more. Perhaps loathe is a little strong, but on Sunday morning that was how I felt.
We’ve got a nice little gym setup in the garage now, but for some reason I couldn’t face it. I don’t know why (though it not exactly being warm in there didn’t help!). So despite having my own Olympic bar (though FH has had more use out of it than I have!) I’ve not really been using it. The new setup does have some safety features which should mean I can do more with the bar without as much risk. Having seen a recent photo of me where I am less than impressed with how I look, I know I need to do something about my soft pudgy shoulders. Whether I can do anything of note in 4 weeks (yes people, it’s one month to the wedding), is another question, but if I don’t try how will I know.
Anyway, on Sunday I finally bucked myself up enough to have 20 minutes on DDR 3 on the Wii. It allows you to set an amount of time you want to dance for, and then you’re away. It accused me of being heavier than last time I played, which might be all the layers of clothes I was wearing! I do enjoy DDR, so it’s a good way for me to get some cardio in! I also did about 10 minutes on the Wii Fit, which though short was fun again. I need to do more of the strength exercises!
Well, I have a sort-of-plan too. I know I need to do more stuff in order to get my weight down, I’ve shown I can lose with just diet, but doing some exercise should really help. So, here it is:
Mondays – nothing, this is knit-night
Tuesdays – we go shopping, so 2x8 shoulder press, tricep curl, pushup (if I can), crunch, plank (2x30s)
Wednesday – is slimming world night, so probably nothing
Thursday – DDR x 20mins, weights as per Tuesday
Friday – WiiFit x 20mins on the strength/yoga moves
Saturday – weights as per Tuesday
Sunday – DDR x 20mins, WiiFit x 20mins
Do you think I can stick to that? Is it realistic to expect to do some kind of activity when I get home from work every night, before dinner? Should I look to do some of it in the mornings before work?
I’ll let you know.
Currently 3lbs more required to have lost 1.5 stone.
We’ve got a nice little gym setup in the garage now, but for some reason I couldn’t face it. I don’t know why (though it not exactly being warm in there didn’t help!). So despite having my own Olympic bar (though FH has had more use out of it than I have!) I’ve not really been using it. The new setup does have some safety features which should mean I can do more with the bar without as much risk. Having seen a recent photo of me where I am less than impressed with how I look, I know I need to do something about my soft pudgy shoulders. Whether I can do anything of note in 4 weeks (yes people, it’s one month to the wedding), is another question, but if I don’t try how will I know.
Anyway, on Sunday I finally bucked myself up enough to have 20 minutes on DDR 3 on the Wii. It allows you to set an amount of time you want to dance for, and then you’re away. It accused me of being heavier than last time I played, which might be all the layers of clothes I was wearing! I do enjoy DDR, so it’s a good way for me to get some cardio in! I also did about 10 minutes on the Wii Fit, which though short was fun again. I need to do more of the strength exercises!
Well, I have a sort-of-plan too. I know I need to do more stuff in order to get my weight down, I’ve shown I can lose with just diet, but doing some exercise should really help. So, here it is:
Mondays – nothing, this is knit-night
Tuesdays – we go shopping, so 2x8 shoulder press, tricep curl, pushup (if I can), crunch, plank (2x30s)
Wednesday – is slimming world night, so probably nothing
Thursday – DDR x 20mins, weights as per Tuesday
Friday – WiiFit x 20mins on the strength/yoga moves
Saturday – weights as per Tuesday
Sunday – DDR x 20mins, WiiFit x 20mins
Do you think I can stick to that? Is it realistic to expect to do some kind of activity when I get home from work every night, before dinner? Should I look to do some of it in the mornings before work?
I’ll let you know.
Currently 3lbs more required to have lost 1.5 stone.
Monday, March 14, 2011
the benefits of 10% loss
Well, despite not feeling well, I went along to Slimming World last Wednesday. I only stayed for the weigh in, because of this darned head-cold. Nothing to do with the diet fortunately.
Anyway it turned out that I had lost 3lbs! Hooray! That brought me down to a lovely place. I've lost 10% of my original bodyweight. I'm told that losing just 10% of your bodyweight (if you are overweight or obese) is very good for you - it improves everything from skin condition to fertility! The former is certainly true, and while the latter is not something I wish to test right now, I feel a lot better in myself and sexier than I have in a long time.
I had a great shopping trip last week too. When I lost my stone, I rewarded myself with a pair of jeans that fit me. They were grey straight leg jeans from New Look in a size 14. Well, I've just bought the exact same jeans in a size 12 in the sale. I rock! I'm so pleased with myself! Now I'm looking forward to my next award, which will be 1.5 stones lost. After that the world is my oyster. Well, perhaps not, but it will be a great feeling.
We also went out for a bike ride on Saturday. It didn't go well, mostly due to the ill effects of the cold I still had. However, we made about a 3 mile round trip, and other than some saddle soreness I felt okay afterwards. I know I need to up the activity, it's my main problem now. I think I'd like to do something but I know it's not zumba! I enjoy swimming, but there's not many places to swim round here. I'll think of something I enjoy and can access!
Anyway it turned out that I had lost 3lbs! Hooray! That brought me down to a lovely place. I've lost 10% of my original bodyweight. I'm told that losing just 10% of your bodyweight (if you are overweight or obese) is very good for you - it improves everything from skin condition to fertility! The former is certainly true, and while the latter is not something I wish to test right now, I feel a lot better in myself and sexier than I have in a long time.
I had a great shopping trip last week too. When I lost my stone, I rewarded myself with a pair of jeans that fit me. They were grey straight leg jeans from New Look in a size 14. Well, I've just bought the exact same jeans in a size 12 in the sale. I rock! I'm so pleased with myself! Now I'm looking forward to my next award, which will be 1.5 stones lost. After that the world is my oyster. Well, perhaps not, but it will be a great feeling.
We also went out for a bike ride on Saturday. It didn't go well, mostly due to the ill effects of the cold I still had. However, we made about a 3 mile round trip, and other than some saddle soreness I felt okay afterwards. I know I need to up the activity, it's my main problem now. I think I'd like to do something but I know it's not zumba! I enjoy swimming, but there's not many places to swim round here. I'll think of something I enjoy and can access!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Still going, but getting there
Well, it’s been almost a month since I last posted. Yes, it appears that the jeans may have had a little influence on my weight, but really not enough for me to justify it – the week after the jeans-wearing, I wore many fewer clothes and only lost 2.5lb on the previous week (which was a gain of 1.5lb) – ok, so that’s still good.
Anyway, I’m trying to keep the momentum, which has proven hard with the Future Hubby’s birthday and a visit to the future in-laws for two weekends out of the last three. Last week was a nice 1lb off, but I’m suspicious that this week will be at best a maintain – between sauces and popcorn and the like I really haven’t been that good.
All that said, today I had to go out and buy a belt. I’ve got a couple of pairs of size 14 trousers which are a bit on the big side. While this is a good thing, it’s also a bit of an issue when it comes to the trousers functioning as trousers. So a belt it is. So far so good.
I’ve also bought some new trousers in a size 12 - woo! They’re a little on the tight side, but they fasten and there’s no horrible muffin topping so I’m pretty happy with them. Next stop will be some size 12 jeans, and eventually some nice linen trousers (I’ve seen them, I’ve tried them on, they’re too tight right now but I will have them for the honeymoon!)
I have also had to order some new bras. This is a side effect of losing weight that I was expecting, but dreading. My back size has gone down – which could be a pain because it makes me a difficult size. However, I tried on a cup-size smaller than I usually would in M&S (knowing that their sizes are generous anyway) and the bra fit really nicely. Sadly they only had a blue set and I wanted the white and grey set, but they kindly ordered them in for me.
Weigh in again on Wednesday, I’ve lost 1st 1.5lb so far. My club 10 target is close now; just 2.5lb away. Perhaps not this week, maybe next week if I’m good.
Oh! In other news, we’ve seen a personal trainer and I’m going for a fitness test soon. Hopefully that will give me an idea of how out of shape I really am!
Anyway, I’m trying to keep the momentum, which has proven hard with the Future Hubby’s birthday and a visit to the future in-laws for two weekends out of the last three. Last week was a nice 1lb off, but I’m suspicious that this week will be at best a maintain – between sauces and popcorn and the like I really haven’t been that good.
All that said, today I had to go out and buy a belt. I’ve got a couple of pairs of size 14 trousers which are a bit on the big side. While this is a good thing, it’s also a bit of an issue when it comes to the trousers functioning as trousers. So a belt it is. So far so good.
I’ve also bought some new trousers in a size 12 - woo! They’re a little on the tight side, but they fasten and there’s no horrible muffin topping so I’m pretty happy with them. Next stop will be some size 12 jeans, and eventually some nice linen trousers (I’ve seen them, I’ve tried them on, they’re too tight right now but I will have them for the honeymoon!)
I have also had to order some new bras. This is a side effect of losing weight that I was expecting, but dreading. My back size has gone down – which could be a pain because it makes me a difficult size. However, I tried on a cup-size smaller than I usually would in M&S (knowing that their sizes are generous anyway) and the bra fit really nicely. Sadly they only had a blue set and I wanted the white and grey set, but they kindly ordered them in for me.
Weigh in again on Wednesday, I’ve lost 1st 1.5lb so far. My club 10 target is close now; just 2.5lb away. Perhaps not this week, maybe next week if I’m good.
Oh! In other news, we’ve seen a personal trainer and I’m going for a fitness test soon. Hopefully that will give me an idea of how out of shape I really am!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
How heavy are your clothes?
In an effort to counteract the "Jeans" theory of last week, today I am wearing much less heavy clothing. I have on a light sweater, vest, tights and a short skirt.
All being well I will undo the nasty 1.5lb on that I saw last week!
I'll let you know :)
All being well I will undo the nasty 1.5lb on that I saw last week!
I'll let you know :)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Oops
Well that wasn't in the plan.
According to the Slimming World scales, I've put on 1.5lbs this week rather than losing the 0.5lbs I wanted to get my stone award.
How irritating.
The girls (and guy) at group were very supportive though. Some suggested that it was because I was wearing jeans, and I guess that could be the case but it feels like an excuse. In any case, I plan to wear my work clothes next week which are usually light weight trousers and top.
So, while I'm a bit gutted, I'm hopeful that I can come back next week with a nice big loss to make up for it.
Anyway, we're going to get my Olympic Bar set up in the garage, and maybe some hand weights, we have a skipping rope too! I'd quite like to get a step, but they're quite dear. Not to do step aerobics on (perish the thought!) but to use in the same way as the body pump class, as a mini bench for doing chest press and such on.
I'd like to set myself a play list of tracks to do a body-pump style workout to. And I can have my kit all set up for it. I would also need a light bar perhaps, but I'll have to discuss with my fiancé about that.
According to the Slimming World scales, I've put on 1.5lbs this week rather than losing the 0.5lbs I wanted to get my stone award.
How irritating.
The girls (and guy) at group were very supportive though. Some suggested that it was because I was wearing jeans, and I guess that could be the case but it feels like an excuse. In any case, I plan to wear my work clothes next week which are usually light weight trousers and top.
So, while I'm a bit gutted, I'm hopeful that I can come back next week with a nice big loss to make up for it.
Anyway, we're going to get my Olympic Bar set up in the garage, and maybe some hand weights, we have a skipping rope too! I'd quite like to get a step, but they're quite dear. Not to do step aerobics on (perish the thought!) but to use in the same way as the body pump class, as a mini bench for doing chest press and such on.
I'd like to set myself a play list of tracks to do a body-pump style workout to. And I can have my kit all set up for it. I would also need a light bar perhaps, but I'll have to discuss with my fiancé about that.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Not Quite
So weigh-in on Wednesday was a little dissapointing.
Not because I lost 2.5lbs (woo!) but because that made my total loss 13.5lbs - a measly half a pound less than one stone.
Ah, no - I'm not really dissapointed. I'm trying hard again this week - hopefully in the next 2 weeks I can make it to my club 10 (that's 10% of my original weight lost) which is only 4.5lbs away now. (those of you who are really good at maths will be able to figure out my original weight now!)
Not because I lost 2.5lbs (woo!) but because that made my total loss 13.5lbs - a measly half a pound less than one stone.
Ah, no - I'm not really dissapointed. I'm trying hard again this week - hopefully in the next 2 weeks I can make it to my club 10 (that's 10% of my original weight lost) which is only 4.5lbs away now. (those of you who are really good at maths will be able to figure out my original weight now!)
Monday, January 17, 2011
That first stone, and what to aim for.
So, to stay on target I need to make it to 1 stone lost by Wednesday.
According to my scales this morning, I'm on track for that - though weight difference between the morning and the evening could be a factor, so I need to weigh myself again this evening to see!
I have a little reward for myself if I have made it to the 1st mark, because I'm going to buy myself a new pair of work trousers. I have five pairs of trousers I wear for work. One needs a button sewing on, two pairs are too large for me now (like, falling down large) and two fit quite well. I'm pleased with this because it used to be that three pairs were too tight (hence the button) and two were just fine, so I actually have as many that fit me now as I did before, but I would like another pair.
Tops are a different matter. I don't expect to be much less than a 12 on top, though if my boobs keep decreasing as they are doing then that might happen! I'm pleased to be back into my 32" bras though, that means I'm also the right sort of size for my two expensive bikinis I bought last summer. All being well they'll still fit when we go away on honeymoon!
Eating. Yeah, I'm finding the Slimming World plan okay actually. It's not like Slim Fast where you feel like you're starving to death, and all you want is to eat some solid food (I especially find this at breakfast time!). I'm also pleased with how little weighing and measuring there is with this "diet". I have to weigh cereal, although if I have weetabix it's just 2 biscuits (which is what I'd normally have!) and for minibix it's 14 minis! Porridge does need to be weighed though, but that's fine. Milk I also have to measure out, but my old Slim Fast shaker has a 250ml mark on it, so I tend to measure it out into that! I think that the thing I have been most pleased with is that I can basically eat what I normally eat, just that I have to be a little more picky. So I pick extra-lean mince, or virtually-fat-free cottage cheese. Easy peasy. The "syns" are also a good boost. I can have a cheeky glass of white wine (5 syns) or a gin and tonic (slimline, 2.5 syns), or even chocolate mousse (I make my own with a SW recipe, it even has Baileys in it, and it's just 3 syns per serving!) Love it.
But, To make this 3lbs loss this week, given that I had Chinese on Thursday (worked late, the boss was buying. Managed to have plain rice, and only ate half of the crispy beef in OK sauce), and we were out for dinner at a friends on Saturday (the food was mostly on-plan, the wine however...), well, I'm trying to be syn free for the next 3 days. Though I had about 13 syns (I have 15 to spend each day) yesterday. I'm aiming for zero for the next three days, and we'll see what the scales say.
I'm also trying some self-motivational tactics. I've put a photo of the dress which inspired the dress I'm having made onto the main screen of my iPhone. I may do the same on my laptop. The idea being that it reminds me what I'm doing this for.
That said, I hope that the weight loss will be a longer term thing than just for the wedding.
While I don't want to look back at the wedding photos and think that I should have tried harder, or dislike the photos because I'm unhappy with my size, I also don't want to look back on them (like I do some of my university photos) and think, oh how happy and thin I look there, and now how unhappy and fat I am.
So this has to be more than a once-in-a-lifetime weightloss, even if it's a once-in-a-lifetime wedding and honeymoon that I'm using to get me there.
Once I get to my target, I may try to keep going to SW.
But, that target is another stone (and those pesky 3lb) away from now, at least. I don't know whether I'll be happy with that when I get there, but when I get there I will know.
For my height, I should be between 8st3 and 11st - that's quite a range I know! I'm not sure I'd be happy at 11st mind you, but I'm also not sure that 8st 3lb is something I could maintain (and that is just above the underweight band)
Of course, the middle of that is around 9st 8lb - that's another 8lbs from my aim for the end of April.
We will see.
According to my scales this morning, I'm on track for that - though weight difference between the morning and the evening could be a factor, so I need to weigh myself again this evening to see!
I have a little reward for myself if I have made it to the 1st mark, because I'm going to buy myself a new pair of work trousers. I have five pairs of trousers I wear for work. One needs a button sewing on, two pairs are too large for me now (like, falling down large) and two fit quite well. I'm pleased with this because it used to be that three pairs were too tight (hence the button) and two were just fine, so I actually have as many that fit me now as I did before, but I would like another pair.
Tops are a different matter. I don't expect to be much less than a 12 on top, though if my boobs keep decreasing as they are doing then that might happen! I'm pleased to be back into my 32" bras though, that means I'm also the right sort of size for my two expensive bikinis I bought last summer. All being well they'll still fit when we go away on honeymoon!
Eating. Yeah, I'm finding the Slimming World plan okay actually. It's not like Slim Fast where you feel like you're starving to death, and all you want is to eat some solid food (I especially find this at breakfast time!). I'm also pleased with how little weighing and measuring there is with this "diet". I have to weigh cereal, although if I have weetabix it's just 2 biscuits (which is what I'd normally have!) and for minibix it's 14 minis! Porridge does need to be weighed though, but that's fine. Milk I also have to measure out, but my old Slim Fast shaker has a 250ml mark on it, so I tend to measure it out into that! I think that the thing I have been most pleased with is that I can basically eat what I normally eat, just that I have to be a little more picky. So I pick extra-lean mince, or virtually-fat-free cottage cheese. Easy peasy. The "syns" are also a good boost. I can have a cheeky glass of white wine (5 syns) or a gin and tonic (slimline, 2.5 syns), or even chocolate mousse (I make my own with a SW recipe, it even has Baileys in it, and it's just 3 syns per serving!) Love it.
But, To make this 3lbs loss this week, given that I had Chinese on Thursday (worked late, the boss was buying. Managed to have plain rice, and only ate half of the crispy beef in OK sauce), and we were out for dinner at a friends on Saturday (the food was mostly on-plan, the wine however...), well, I'm trying to be syn free for the next 3 days. Though I had about 13 syns (I have 15 to spend each day) yesterday. I'm aiming for zero for the next three days, and we'll see what the scales say.
I'm also trying some self-motivational tactics. I've put a photo of the dress which inspired the dress I'm having made onto the main screen of my iPhone. I may do the same on my laptop. The idea being that it reminds me what I'm doing this for.
That said, I hope that the weight loss will be a longer term thing than just for the wedding.
While I don't want to look back at the wedding photos and think that I should have tried harder, or dislike the photos because I'm unhappy with my size, I also don't want to look back on them (like I do some of my university photos) and think, oh how happy and thin I look there, and now how unhappy and fat I am.
So this has to be more than a once-in-a-lifetime weightloss, even if it's a once-in-a-lifetime wedding and honeymoon that I'm using to get me there.
Once I get to my target, I may try to keep going to SW.
But, that target is another stone (and those pesky 3lb) away from now, at least. I don't know whether I'll be happy with that when I get there, but when I get there I will know.
For my height, I should be between 8st3 and 11st - that's quite a range I know! I'm not sure I'd be happy at 11st mind you, but I'm also not sure that 8st 3lb is something I could maintain (and that is just above the underweight band)
Of course, the middle of that is around 9st 8lb - that's another 8lbs from my aim for the end of April.
We will see.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Must Try Harder
Well, the last two weeks haven’t been the most dazzling in terms of weight loss. Last week I stayed the same weight, and this week I put on half a pound.
While I can make excuses around Christmas Curry and whatnot, I know I just need to get back on plan and go for it. I have lost a total of 10lbs so far though, which I think is pretty darned good!
I’m still using those white trousers as my aim; I want to be able to wear those on my honeymoon. They’re a size 12, so it’s not an unrealistic aim – drop one dress size in 4 months. I have no real idea what that will mean in weight terms, especially because I have a new toy.
For Christmas my dear fiancé got me an Olympic bar and some weights. We need to have a bit of a tidy up in the garage to make enough room to use them sensibly, but it means I can get some weight training in even though we’ve had to give up the gym membership.
At Slimming World this week we were asked to talk briefly about what we were proud of, and what our aims were for the coming year. I thought I’d include mine here.
What am I proud of from 2010?
Well, in terms of my diet and health, I’m proud of myself for admitting that I can’t do this on my own and joining Slimming World, it’s made such a difference. It’s especially good when I feel like giving up but the other ladies in the group are so supportive. They know it’s hard, and the tough weeks (like this week when I gained weight) are tempered by the fact that other people are also having a tough week and we’re all going to try harder next week!
What do I aim to do in 2011?
Well, obviously I have an easy way of making my goal S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)
Specific: Get into those size 12 white trousers
Measurable: either they fit or they don’t!
Attainable: it’s only one dress size
Relevant: Duh
Timely: I’ve 4 months to do it
But, to try to help me achieve this, and since I think it will need at least another stone loss, my interim targets are:
By 19th Jan (3rd session in Jan) have my 1 stone award (that’s only 3 more pounds in three weeks, should be easy)
By 23rd Feb (last session in Feb) have my 1.5 stone award (that’s another 7lbs in four weeks – more of a challenge as it took me 7 weeks to make it to my first half stone, but I’ll allow some slippage room!)
I’ll revisit these when we get past those deadlines.
While I can make excuses around Christmas Curry and whatnot, I know I just need to get back on plan and go for it. I have lost a total of 10lbs so far though, which I think is pretty darned good!
I’m still using those white trousers as my aim; I want to be able to wear those on my honeymoon. They’re a size 12, so it’s not an unrealistic aim – drop one dress size in 4 months. I have no real idea what that will mean in weight terms, especially because I have a new toy.
For Christmas my dear fiancé got me an Olympic bar and some weights. We need to have a bit of a tidy up in the garage to make enough room to use them sensibly, but it means I can get some weight training in even though we’ve had to give up the gym membership.
At Slimming World this week we were asked to talk briefly about what we were proud of, and what our aims were for the coming year. I thought I’d include mine here.
What am I proud of from 2010?
Well, in terms of my diet and health, I’m proud of myself for admitting that I can’t do this on my own and joining Slimming World, it’s made such a difference. It’s especially good when I feel like giving up but the other ladies in the group are so supportive. They know it’s hard, and the tough weeks (like this week when I gained weight) are tempered by the fact that other people are also having a tough week and we’re all going to try harder next week!
What do I aim to do in 2011?
Well, obviously I have an easy way of making my goal S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)
Specific: Get into those size 12 white trousers
Measurable: either they fit or they don’t!
Attainable: it’s only one dress size
Relevant: Duh
Timely: I’ve 4 months to do it
But, to try to help me achieve this, and since I think it will need at least another stone loss, my interim targets are:
By 19th Jan (3rd session in Jan) have my 1 stone award (that’s only 3 more pounds in three weeks, should be easy)
By 23rd Feb (last session in Feb) have my 1.5 stone award (that’s another 7lbs in four weeks – more of a challenge as it took me 7 weeks to make it to my first half stone, but I’ll allow some slippage room!)
I’ll revisit these when we get past those deadlines.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Half Stone!
So, I managed it! I lost another 1.5lbs so I have my half stone award!
To treat myself I went out and bought a new pair of jeans. They are a New Look 14, and that look great! I'm quite proud of myself. Now for the next half stone!
Having a reward, like buying something nice to wear, is a great incentive for me. I have pledged not to buy any more new clothes now until I reach my next target of 1 stone lost. (unless my current clothes are obscene, as in falling off or to bits!)
To treat myself I went out and bought a new pair of jeans. They are a New Look 14, and that look great! I'm quite proud of myself. Now for the next half stone!
Having a reward, like buying something nice to wear, is a great incentive for me. I have pledged not to buy any more new clothes now until I reach my next target of 1 stone lost. (unless my current clothes are obscene, as in falling off or to bits!)
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Not Dead!
Gosh, I've fallen off the diet-blogging wagon somewhat, haven't I?
Since I last posted I’ve been at the gym, and not, and I’ve moved house.
Moving house has not been helpful with the gym attendance. We now live out in the countryside, miles from the gym. Since we moved I think we’ve been a couple of times. It’s tough, and to be honest I don’t like going enough to make it easy!
Well, I haven’t forgotten my desire to be less fat (who could?) and as a result I have joined Slimming World instead.
I’m finding the plan easy enough to follow, and I love the free foods (which don’t need weighing!) – and a lot of the free food is stuff I really like eating anyway (like couscous or cottage cheese; the extra low fat variety anyway) so that’s pretty good.
I started going on 25th October, and between then and the 22nd November I had lost 6lbs. Rock on! Then I missed a week (theatre) and last week we were snowed off. Tonight is another weigh in (I’ll try to remember to update, especially if I make it to my half stone tonight!)
I think I’ll need to up my activity level, but I’m currently not sure in what way. Either we can try to get back to the gym (which, as I mentioned, is now a long way away), we join a different gym (which is feasible, but might be a bit crap), I go running again (not really feasible in the ice), I Wii fit some more (I don’t think that does much sadly, but hey) or something else.
The something else could be Zumba. My sister thinks it is amazing (and she got me into Slimming World too!) but I would need to find a class I can get to at a sensible time. And then it depends on what fiancé is doing – he already has to wait around in the city on knit-night, though I take myself to SW usually.
In any case I doubt I’ll do much until after Christmas, though the £80pcm we’re spending on the gym could come in handy. Even with a notice period!
Since I last posted I’ve been at the gym, and not, and I’ve moved house.
Moving house has not been helpful with the gym attendance. We now live out in the countryside, miles from the gym. Since we moved I think we’ve been a couple of times. It’s tough, and to be honest I don’t like going enough to make it easy!
Well, I haven’t forgotten my desire to be less fat (who could?) and as a result I have joined Slimming World instead.
I’m finding the plan easy enough to follow, and I love the free foods (which don’t need weighing!) – and a lot of the free food is stuff I really like eating anyway (like couscous or cottage cheese; the extra low fat variety anyway) so that’s pretty good.
I started going on 25th October, and between then and the 22nd November I had lost 6lbs. Rock on! Then I missed a week (theatre) and last week we were snowed off. Tonight is another weigh in (I’ll try to remember to update, especially if I make it to my half stone tonight!)
I think I’ll need to up my activity level, but I’m currently not sure in what way. Either we can try to get back to the gym (which, as I mentioned, is now a long way away), we join a different gym (which is feasible, but might be a bit crap), I go running again (not really feasible in the ice), I Wii fit some more (I don’t think that does much sadly, but hey) or something else.
The something else could be Zumba. My sister thinks it is amazing (and she got me into Slimming World too!) but I would need to find a class I can get to at a sensible time. And then it depends on what fiancé is doing – he already has to wait around in the city on knit-night, though I take myself to SW usually.
In any case I doubt I’ll do much until after Christmas, though the £80pcm we’re spending on the gym could come in handy. Even with a notice period!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
No Weigh In
There’s been no weigh in for a while. I’ve not been well for the past week or so (almost 14 days, actually) and so I’ve not really been sticking to the diet or going to the gym at all. This, actually, isn’t making me feel any better about myself.
What to do?
I’m still not 100% well, so I don’t want to go to the gym and not do anything useful (work hard, or go home) but on the other hand I know I will not lose weight (or rather girth) without going to the gym.
So, other than perhaps going to see the doctor to see if there’s anything she can recommend, I’m not sure what I’m doing.
I’ll post again when I either get back on track, or get some answers as to why I’ve had a cold for so long!
What to do?
I’m still not 100% well, so I don’t want to go to the gym and not do anything useful (work hard, or go home) but on the other hand I know I will not lose weight (or rather girth) without going to the gym.
So, other than perhaps going to see the doctor to see if there’s anything she can recommend, I’m not sure what I’m doing.
I’ll post again when I either get back on track, or get some answers as to why I’ve had a cold for so long!
Monday, March 08, 2010
Weigh In (~)
I’ll summarise my weigh in from yesterday simply: no change since last weigh in.
While in itself that’s not a bad thing (better than an increase!) it’s not the progress I’m interested in.
I’ve been keeping track of whether I’m eating “clean” and I’m hitting about 75-80% clean, which isn’t enough! I had some success last year with the “Slim Fast” plan. Before you groan and list the reasons it’s bad, I know.
Restricting the calories that I consume by making a shake is a simple way to keep the calories down without having to count calories as such. But the Slim Fast shakes have a large amount of sugar in them. I don’t want to get my carbs from sugar, so I’m going to create my own meal replacement shake. At the moment it’s going to look a lot like my self-designed post-workout shake.
Post Workout I have a shake consisting of: 500ml semi-skimmed milk, ~55g protein powder, cocoa powder, green tea extract and guarana. The main difference that I plan to have with the meal replacement is to make them high fibre. To this end I intend to include some oats, and reduce the protein. I hope that it will be palatable!
I’m still going to have my 90% target, so I’ll keep recording what I’ve eaten (or in the case of MRS drunk) and allow myself 10% off plan. That should make it easier too. The other key thing I need to do is watch my snacks. I’m hoping to stick to fruit; I think snacks are one area that I fail in.
I’ll let you know how it works out for me. I really just need to kick start the weight loss, I don’t intend for the shakes to be a lifestyle.
While in itself that’s not a bad thing (better than an increase!) it’s not the progress I’m interested in.
I’ve been keeping track of whether I’m eating “clean” and I’m hitting about 75-80% clean, which isn’t enough! I had some success last year with the “Slim Fast” plan. Before you groan and list the reasons it’s bad, I know.
Restricting the calories that I consume by making a shake is a simple way to keep the calories down without having to count calories as such. But the Slim Fast shakes have a large amount of sugar in them. I don’t want to get my carbs from sugar, so I’m going to create my own meal replacement shake. At the moment it’s going to look a lot like my self-designed post-workout shake.
Post Workout I have a shake consisting of: 500ml semi-skimmed milk, ~55g protein powder, cocoa powder, green tea extract and guarana. The main difference that I plan to have with the meal replacement is to make them high fibre. To this end I intend to include some oats, and reduce the protein. I hope that it will be palatable!
I’m still going to have my 90% target, so I’ll keep recording what I’ve eaten (or in the case of MRS drunk) and allow myself 10% off plan. That should make it easier too. The other key thing I need to do is watch my snacks. I’m hoping to stick to fruit; I think snacks are one area that I fail in.
I’ll let you know how it works out for me. I really just need to kick start the weight loss, I don’t intend for the shakes to be a lifestyle.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Late Weigh In
I meant to post this when I got weighed and measured, but didn't.
Frankly, I'm a bit demoralised, nothing seems to be going in the right direction.
Weight: 12st 6lb (up 2lb)
Body Fat: 26.2% (up 0.3%)
Bust: 38” (~)
Chest: 32” (~)
Waist: 29.5” / 34” (down 0.5" / up 0.5”)
Hips: 44” (~)
Thighs (L/R): 26” / 26” (down 1” each leg!)
Biceps (L/R): 11.5” / 11.5” (~)
Though I don't really think that my thigh measurements are changing that much, I confess I suspect that there's some wonky measuring going on in places! I'm getting my fiancé to measure me, because I know I'll pull the tape tight, or cheat somehow (silly I know) so I'm hoping to average out the measurements over a couple of weeks.
Still, I think I'm not following the diet as strictly as I could be, and also we're not going to the gym anywhere near often enough. We went once last week.
We plan to go three times this week, but things don't always go to plan.
I'm sticking with it, but due to the slowdown last week I may give this phase an extra week before I move on.
Frankly, I'm a bit demoralised, nothing seems to be going in the right direction.
Weight: 12st 6lb (up 2lb)
Body Fat: 26.2% (up 0.3%)
Bust: 38” (~)
Chest: 32” (~)
Waist: 29.5” / 34” (down 0.5" / up 0.5”)
Hips: 44” (~)
Thighs (L/R): 26” / 26” (down 1” each leg!)
Biceps (L/R): 11.5” / 11.5” (~)
Though I don't really think that my thigh measurements are changing that much, I confess I suspect that there's some wonky measuring going on in places! I'm getting my fiancé to measure me, because I know I'll pull the tape tight, or cheat somehow (silly I know) so I'm hoping to average out the measurements over a couple of weeks.
Still, I think I'm not following the diet as strictly as I could be, and also we're not going to the gym anywhere near often enough. We went once last week.
We plan to go three times this week, but things don't always go to plan.
I'm sticking with it, but due to the slowdown last week I may give this phase an extra week before I move on.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Program Update
After a shaky start, I’m enjoying my new program.
The things I was most worried about were T-push-ups and pull-ups. After getting some advice, and also a little thought, I’ve managed to sort out a compromise with the program.
For push-ups, I’ve been working my way down to the floor. I was using a bench (the sort with the removable levels that they use in step aerobics) which I was dropping down slowly. So, when I started the new program I decided to really push myself and go all the way to the floor. (I was two blocks and the step itself away – about one-and-a-half feet) and the first time I did that it was brutal! I really struggled to do the second set. However, in the second attempt at this workout (It is workout B) I managed to do two sets of six proper push-ups! I’m really pleased with myself.
For pull-ups I’m taking a similar approach. One of the biggest problems is my grip strength. I just can’t hold my own weight at the moment. We’ve ordered some resistance bands, which can be used to reduce the amount of weight you’re lifting, but the ones we have don’t reduce it enough. A larger band would leave me with a risk of getting pinged* so I’m using the assisted pull-up for now. The plan is to reduce the weight down to an amount equivalent to the amount the bands can do, and then switch to the bands. That way I improve my core strength. I gather this doesn’t happen, or happens less well, with the assisted machine.
Next Sunday is meant to be a weigh in day, although we’re doing some house-move things. I’ll make the time first thing to get that out of the way. I’ll be doing the “jeans test” again at the end of this part of the program. Once every four weeks should be plenty often enough.
The things I was most worried about were T-push-ups and pull-ups. After getting some advice, and also a little thought, I’ve managed to sort out a compromise with the program.
For push-ups, I’ve been working my way down to the floor. I was using a bench (the sort with the removable levels that they use in step aerobics) which I was dropping down slowly. So, when I started the new program I decided to really push myself and go all the way to the floor. (I was two blocks and the step itself away – about one-and-a-half feet) and the first time I did that it was brutal! I really struggled to do the second set. However, in the second attempt at this workout (It is workout B) I managed to do two sets of six proper push-ups! I’m really pleased with myself.
For pull-ups I’m taking a similar approach. One of the biggest problems is my grip strength. I just can’t hold my own weight at the moment. We’ve ordered some resistance bands, which can be used to reduce the amount of weight you’re lifting, but the ones we have don’t reduce it enough. A larger band would leave me with a risk of getting pinged* so I’m using the assisted pull-up for now. The plan is to reduce the weight down to an amount equivalent to the amount the bands can do, and then switch to the bands. That way I improve my core strength. I gather this doesn’t happen, or happens less well, with the assisted machine.
Next Sunday is meant to be a weigh in day, although we’re doing some house-move things. I’ll make the time first thing to get that out of the way. I’ll be doing the “jeans test” again at the end of this part of the program. Once every four weeks should be plenty often enough.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Weigh in Day
Stats
Weight: 12st 4lb (~)
Body Fat: 25.9% (up 0.1%)
Bust: 38” (~)
Chest: 32” (Up 1”)
Waist: 30” / 33.5” (~ / down 0.5”)
Hips: 44” (up 0.5”)
Thighs (L/R): 27” / 27” (up 1” each leg!)
Biceps (L/R): 11.5” / 11.5” (~)
(~) = no change
That’s quite a lot of no change there. Partly it’s because I’ve not been sticking to the diet as well as I could, having more than 10% of my meals off plan.
My chest has increased by 1” (as measured by Fiancé, directly under my bust where my bra band would go)
I think this is probably because of the back exercises I’ve been doing, notably the fly and row types. While my back is not strong enough to allow me to do a chin-up (yet) it’s stronger than ever. To be honest, 32” chest is a pretty reasonable measurement anyway! So, I’m feeling okay about that one.
My waist (as decreed by clothiers, as opposed to my natural waist which is quite high on me) has also decreased a little. As this is where I store much of my fat, this can only be a good thing. I’d like to get this number down to somewhere in the same range as my natural waist is now.
My hips are up, and I think this is probably for the same reason as my thighs being up by an inch each! (wonky measuring notwithstanding!) I’ve been doing some pretty serious squats, dead lifts and such. I hope that the fat I store in my legs and ass can be reduced over the course of the next four weeks, but we’ll see.
Weight: 12st 4lb (~)
Body Fat: 25.9% (up 0.1%)
Bust: 38” (~)
Chest: 32” (Up 1”)
Waist: 30” / 33.5” (~ / down 0.5”)
Hips: 44” (up 0.5”)
Thighs (L/R): 27” / 27” (up 1” each leg!)
Biceps (L/R): 11.5” / 11.5” (~)
(~) = no change
That’s quite a lot of no change there. Partly it’s because I’ve not been sticking to the diet as well as I could, having more than 10% of my meals off plan.
My chest has increased by 1” (as measured by Fiancé, directly under my bust where my bra band would go)
I think this is probably because of the back exercises I’ve been doing, notably the fly and row types. While my back is not strong enough to allow me to do a chin-up (yet) it’s stronger than ever. To be honest, 32” chest is a pretty reasonable measurement anyway! So, I’m feeling okay about that one.
My waist (as decreed by clothiers, as opposed to my natural waist which is quite high on me) has also decreased a little. As this is where I store much of my fat, this can only be a good thing. I’d like to get this number down to somewhere in the same range as my natural waist is now.
My hips are up, and I think this is probably for the same reason as my thighs being up by an inch each! (wonky measuring notwithstanding!) I’ve been doing some pretty serious squats, dead lifts and such. I hope that the fat I store in my legs and ass can be reduced over the course of the next four weeks, but we’ll see.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Can I Be a Fit Female?
I want to talk briefly about the programme that I'm doing, Rachel Cosgrove's Body Breakthrough.
I've done the first four weeks of the programme, and I'm pretty pleased with my progress.
I've lowered the height of the bench that I'm doing my push-ups on, I've raised my weight on every exercise which uses weights, I do two sets of 45 seconds of prone cobra (I started at two sets of half a minute, and that was hard!), in short; I'm stronger than I was when I began, in many ways.
So, tomorrow is my first day of section 2 of the programme. It's meant to be challenging, it's meant to be harder than the first section. I'm fine with that, I enjoy challenging myself in the gym. However, there are some things which I'm finding sort of demoralising.
One of the exercises I'm due to move on to is called a T-Push-Up. This is the same as a standard push-up, except when you get to the top of the movement, you extend one arm upwards and cross your feet, making a T shape with your body. That's all well and good, but I haven't progressed far enough to do a normal push up yet, so how can I move on to the T?
The other thing that I'm worried about is the chin-up. I've bought some exercise bands to assist with my chin-up, but honestly I can't do even one chin-up (we have a bar at home, so I've had a go already)
I've had some great advice from Ravelry (amazing huh, knitters who lift (Rav Link) are a new group, but they're supportive!) regarding the push-up situation, and they're suggesting what I was thinking of anyway.
So, that leaves the chin-up. I've had a look at some videos on YouTube, I've got advice from my fiancé, I think what I'll have to do is a combination of things to try to get into a place where I can do a chin up. So, that's going to include:
Hanging from the bar, to get used to holding myself up (with bands to begin with)
Assisted Chin Ups at the gym, to get used to lifting using those muscles
Hopefully the inverted row in the other half of this section of the program will also help.
Who knows, by the end of the four weeks, I might be able to do a chin-up!
I've done the first four weeks of the programme, and I'm pretty pleased with my progress.
I've lowered the height of the bench that I'm doing my push-ups on, I've raised my weight on every exercise which uses weights, I do two sets of 45 seconds of prone cobra (I started at two sets of half a minute, and that was hard!), in short; I'm stronger than I was when I began, in many ways.
So, tomorrow is my first day of section 2 of the programme. It's meant to be challenging, it's meant to be harder than the first section. I'm fine with that, I enjoy challenging myself in the gym. However, there are some things which I'm finding sort of demoralising.
One of the exercises I'm due to move on to is called a T-Push-Up. This is the same as a standard push-up, except when you get to the top of the movement, you extend one arm upwards and cross your feet, making a T shape with your body. That's all well and good, but I haven't progressed far enough to do a normal push up yet, so how can I move on to the T?
The other thing that I'm worried about is the chin-up. I've bought some exercise bands to assist with my chin-up, but honestly I can't do even one chin-up (we have a bar at home, so I've had a go already)
I've had some great advice from Ravelry (amazing huh, knitters who lift (Rav Link) are a new group, but they're supportive!) regarding the push-up situation, and they're suggesting what I was thinking of anyway.
So, that leaves the chin-up. I've had a look at some videos on YouTube, I've got advice from my fiancé, I think what I'll have to do is a combination of things to try to get into a place where I can do a chin up. So, that's going to include:
Hanging from the bar, to get used to holding myself up (with bands to begin with)
Assisted Chin Ups at the gym, to get used to lifting using those muscles
Hopefully the inverted row in the other half of this section of the program will also help.
Who knows, by the end of the four weeks, I might be able to do a chin-up!
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Last day of workout stage 1
Today was the end of the beginning. I mean that I did my last workout in phase 1, and I’m moving on to phase two shortly. (All being well, on Saturday)
To do the next stage I need something called a resistance band, something which seems to be expensive and also difficult to get hold of. And I haven’t yet got one. I’ll let you know how that goes!
So, until my next weigh in (Should be Sunday this week) here’s my final weights from my last A (on Tuesday) and B (today):
Step-up 2 sets of 12e/s 6kg each hand
3 point dumbell row 2 sets 12e/s 8kg
Bent over reverse fly 2 sets 4kg each hand
Body weight excercises now include pushups, which I managed 2 sets of 10 for (not full though, I’m doing them with my hands raised off the floor by a couple of feet). I’ll not give away the rest of the program, though it’s more than just the exercises, I think it’s copyright too!
Russian twist 2 sets of 10e/s 4kg
Overhead squat 2 sets of 10 3kg each hand
Lateral raise with external rotation 2 sets of 10 with 5kg each hand
SLSA Romanian deadlift 9kg
Single arm pullover 2 sets of 12 reps 3.25kg / 6.25kg
Cable row 2 sets of 10 reps 11.25kg
Again, not the whole program.
My favourite exercise has been the reverse fly and the cable spilt stance row, I feel really strong doing those, though they are challenging.
The main thing I’m finding hard is maintaining a positive attitude. Even though the numbers at the previous weigh in were good, I feel like I need to do more, make it go faster! However, the next stage of the workouts is meant to be more weight, less reps, to really build the muscle tone and shed the fat. The hardest thing is the diet though. I feel like I’m always eating! Okay, so that’s not so bad, but it is really odd!
I’ve found some cottage cheese snack pots which I like, it’s basically the size of a normal yoghurt, but it’s cottage cheese in there. High protein, low fat, and yummy! I have it with some grapes for my mid-morning snack.
Anyway, I’ll check in again on Sunday with my stats, see how things have gone in the second half of the first phase.
Wish me luck with the next phase!
To do the next stage I need something called a resistance band, something which seems to be expensive and also difficult to get hold of. And I haven’t yet got one. I’ll let you know how that goes!
So, until my next weigh in (Should be Sunday this week) here’s my final weights from my last A (on Tuesday) and B (today):
Step-up 2 sets of 12e/s 6kg each hand
3 point dumbell row 2 sets 12e/s 8kg
Bent over reverse fly 2 sets 4kg each hand
Body weight excercises now include pushups, which I managed 2 sets of 10 for (not full though, I’m doing them with my hands raised off the floor by a couple of feet). I’ll not give away the rest of the program, though it’s more than just the exercises, I think it’s copyright too!
Russian twist 2 sets of 10e/s 4kg
Overhead squat 2 sets of 10 3kg each hand
Lateral raise with external rotation 2 sets of 10 with 5kg each hand
SLSA Romanian deadlift 9kg
Single arm pullover 2 sets of 12 reps 3.25kg / 6.25kg
Cable row 2 sets of 10 reps 11.25kg
Again, not the whole program.
My favourite exercise has been the reverse fly and the cable spilt stance row, I feel really strong doing those, though they are challenging.
The main thing I’m finding hard is maintaining a positive attitude. Even though the numbers at the previous weigh in were good, I feel like I need to do more, make it go faster! However, the next stage of the workouts is meant to be more weight, less reps, to really build the muscle tone and shed the fat. The hardest thing is the diet though. I feel like I’m always eating! Okay, so that’s not so bad, but it is really odd!
I’ve found some cottage cheese snack pots which I like, it’s basically the size of a normal yoghurt, but it’s cottage cheese in there. High protein, low fat, and yummy! I have it with some grapes for my mid-morning snack.
Anyway, I’ll check in again on Sunday with my stats, see how things have gone in the second half of the first phase.
Wish me luck with the next phase!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
