Hot Damn!

I lost another SIX pounds!!! SO happy!! Inches went up to 26 lost. I also got dunked to determine if I lost any lean mass and I didn't, all six pounds were from body fat! What a great way to start week six.

Then I looked at my schedule for the day...Hello Level 3!!! All my workouts today were advanced and tomorrow they are as well! I am still weak on my running, but am working on it. Today Marco, the trainer who wants to come up with more challenging bike rides (past blog), took about five of us on a ride. We went all the way down to Hermosa Beach. As if that was not enough, he had us do Indian Rely all the way there! Indian Rely is when the last person in the line has to race to the front of the line, passing everyone in the line. Then the next goes...and so on. I burned over 1000 calories on that ride!!!

My knees and calves are still killing me...but it seems a little more worth it when my numbers are strong!!! Time for Icy Hot ...then to bed I go!

Three More Weeks...

I have done nothing but relax for the better part of this weekend. I was able to get some jewelry making done (for an upcoming wedding ...I was commissioned to do two pieces for all the bridesmaids...10 of them!!) and I had about 5 hours of BRG work to get done. Other than that, I caught up on my shows and my sleep. Now I sit, as I do every Sunday night, pondering what my weigh will have to tell me. And every Sunday night I play the expectation management game. We'll see...!

I only have three weeks left. In some ways, the time has gone by really fast. But in most ways, I have felt every minute of every day!! I am planning to take some time tonight to set some goals for the coming weeks. I think if I focus on some specifics...besides the numbers on the scale...it will keep my spirits up and I'll be more productive.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

PS...they snuck more nasty egg whites into my breakfast sandwich this morning!! Those things do not refrigerate well!!!!

Stairway to ...the Weekend

Every Friday we do the Santa Monica Stairs (SMS). I had to sit out last week due to my calf injury. I did pretty well today, but my calf started hurting about halfway through. I searched the Internet to find some pictures of the SHS so you could see them...these don't do them justice because you can't capture all 180 of them in one photo, but you can get the idea. I completed eight trips today (down from my best of nine...but my leg hurt).




I had a progress meeting with my coach today. She and I are working on a program for when I get home. She also told me to start taking Sundays off ...YAY! I am very glad I switched to her as my coach...she is great.


Also on the schedule today was a bike ride. It was the typical ride to Manhattan Beach (20 mls). Mariah and I made such good time on the ride that when the trainer got back to the gym(they usually ride with the slowest person), he said that he wants to create a new ride for us that will challenge us more. He wants to have the van drop us off way down the coast and for the three of us to ride back...for FOUR hours!! Ugh....although, I bet it will be beautiful.


On a sad note, one of my closest friends here left today. I already miss her. She lost 38 pounds in 7 weeks. She still has a significant amount to lose, but the difference in her before and after pics was amazing. I need to get used to people that I like leaving...the closer Thanksgiving comes, the fewer of my friends will be around. I started taking a poll today and so far I know of only 6 people who will be here that week. I'll be in my home stretch by then so maybe it won't matter as much.

I hope everyone is settling in for a nice weekend!!

Keeping It Real

Many of you have commented on my positive attitude...which I appreciate. My positive attitude is a survival technique...make no mistake! To keep it real....

• I am homesick, miss my dog, my family and friends, my house, my life... this place is a smelly shit-hole.
• I am so sick of all the nasty smelly people laying around bitching, gossiping and leaving their sweat everywhere and stealing food.
• I am starting to get grossed out by a lot of the food (not ALL of it, fortunately). If I have to open up another container with a smelly, congealed ball of egg whites in the morning I will be sick.
• I am tired of being tired and sore and always needing to ice, heat or stretch something in fear of not being able to move in the morning.
• I am tired of being constantly worried that I am not doing enough to make my numbers.
• I am tired of only sitting on the half of the couch that I have covered with my throw (that is constantly falling or slipping). The rest of the couch is too nasty.
• I have to wear shoes or socks at all times in my apartment since my carpet is actually crunchy.
• I want to be able to sleep in, drink coffee, get in my car and just drive (have not driven in over a month)...maybe see the leaves or go shopping...or whatever
• I am sad that I am missing the Fall in DC...especially Old Town. I am sad that I am going to miss all of the fun and tradition of the Thanksgiving holiday (not the food...but planning, cooking, getting up and watching the parade and the dog show while I finish preparing the meal and setting the table, having family fill my house and celebrate the things we have to be thankful for...and after all of that, the relaxing long weekend when I usually start decorating my house for Christmas fun)

I am not having a bad day and I am not writing any of this for pity...I just wanted to keep it real. All of the above commentary is just a reality. It is also the sacrifice that I CHOSE to make to focus on my health and weight loss. While this place is a less than desirable environment, I am learning so much and hopefully changing my bad habits!

I choose to have a good attitude and appreciate the things that I like about this place...many of the trainers, the friends that I have made (yes, they are still sweaty, as am I...but they don't bother me), being able to ride bike along the beach....and the many other good things that I have written about.

To close this post, I want to share a quote from a card I received yesterday (thanks Magda!)

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone"

Let's just say...I am living!!

In Need of ZZZZZZZ's

For the first time, I had trouble getting to sleep last night which resulted in me only sleeping about six hours. That does not come close to what I need to get through the days here!! So...I was DDDDRRRRAGGGGIIINNNGGGGG today!

The spin class was ridiculous!!! But I made it all the way through and did almost everything. I also had a cardio boot camp, abs/core workout, personal training session (which was HARD) and did intervals for about an hour on the treadmill. Then I came home and almost fell asleep while soaking in a hot tub!!

I am having a hard time not getting caught up in the numbers. I really want big losses and am worried that I won't hit them. While I lost 15 in my first month, I really want to lose 20 in my second month. I know that the most important part is what I am learning and the habits that I am establishing...that is what is going to help me take off the rest of the weight that I want to lose and keep it off. That said, I want BIG numbers!!!

Being really tired today did not help...so I am planning on being in bed by 8:00 tonight. My day tomorrow is packed with hard cardio...and I mean packed. They didn't even give me any breaks to eat or pee!!! I will have to get creative.

I am watching The Biggest Loser from this week. Very cool that it is in DC! Tracey drives me nuts...she is a big bucket of crazy!!

CardioRetail Anyone?

Today was a good day. They dunked me and I found out that I have lost 2.5% of my body fat -- which is a good start.

Adrien came back to the gym and did my first couple workouts with me. Then I rearranged my schedule for the day so that we could just get out and spend some girl time together. We had lunch outside (I ate my pre-packaged, approved lunch) and then went and did some "Cardio Retail"...yes that means shopping! I bought some new workout pants at LuLuLemon because mine were falling down all morning. These are my first from LLL because I have never been able to fit in their clothes!! Their tops are still too snug...but I picked out a few things that I will be back for in a few weeks! Then we just walked around and shopped in Santa Monica (see... cardio/walking and retail/shopping). I also bought some great lavender bath products to luxury-up my epsom salt baths. After our girl time, I went back to the gym for another 3 1/2 hours of training.

On a separate note, for those of you who have expressed concern over whether or not we will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee together or a bottle of wine in the future...have no fears!! I am, and always will be, a big believer in MODERATION. The reason I am off the caffeine while I am here is primarily because it dehydrates and dehydration is the number one reason people get injuries. I am off the wine...well...I guess that one is obvious (sleep, empty calories, slowing your metabolism....I'll stop there as it is too depressing!!). But yes, my goal is to come home, continue to loose weight by living life in moderation.

I must now go to bed because they put in a spin class tomorrow that is 11/2 hours and led by the owner of the gym. This class has made many grown men (and even women ;-) ) cry. I think they are crazy for putting me in it already....but I'll give 'em what I've got!! BTW...the calf is feeling better!

ONE MONTH - Stats

I have survived one month....one more to go. Today, my friend Adrien came to visit from DC. It was SO good to see a familiar face!!! She hung out and worked out with me for a few hours today and she will do the same tomorrow...just the boost I needed! Thanks A!!

Okay...here is a rundown of some of my achievements...granted, this is more for myself to go back and read on really hard days, than it is for you all!

THE NUMBERS:

• 15 pounds ...lost 6 last week!!!
• I am getting dunked again tomorrow to see how many actual pounds of fat I have lost and how many pounds of lean muscle I have gained
• 20 inches...gone!!

HAVE NOT DONE OR HAD IN ONE MONTH:

• No alcohol
• No caffeine (no coffee, tea, diet sodas...you got it)
• No artificial sweeteners
• No processed food
• No sweets
• No fried food (yes...that includes french fries)
• Have not worn make-up (yay!)
• Have not worn anything but workout clothes (except jeans and a t-shirt once) (also very nice!)
• Have not worn heels or even shoes -- only sneaks and flops (very, very nice!)
• Have not slept past 7:30 AM (usually up at 6 or 6:30)
• Have not gone to bed past 10:00 PM (usually in bed at 9:00PM)

WHAT I HAVE DONE IN ONE MONTH

• Worked out EVERYDAY (except yesterday) - typically for 5-7 hours
• Been very sore, stiff and had minor injuries (see bullet #1)
• Discovered muscles that have remained unknown to me for 42 years
• SWEAT more than I even thought humanly possible
• Improved my strength -- upper and lower body and core (yay core!)
• Improved my endurance (still working on it...but it is improving)
• Gained an understanding of my heart rate patterns and how to manage them (even w/o a monitor)
• Stuck to my eating plan...no cheats... started at 1500 calories per day...rapidly moved down to 1200
• Learned how much I am capable of doing (physically)
• Become a cyclist
• Focused only on myself and my goals...finally
• Learned, and now cherish, the value of a good night's sleep
• Found my inner athlete

...and did I mention... 15 pounds and 20 inches....Buh-Bye!!

Thanks for sharing in my ups and downs and helping me get through my first month. You will never know how much your support helps me get through the hard times!!!! I raise my glass of unsweetened tea to you all...and toast to great month and an even better month ahead!!