Weekend Warrior!

My Friday night workout...well it was rough! Paul tried to kill me! I was huffing and puffing and didn't know if I was going to make it through. I keep thinking this has to get easier but each workout is equally or more difficult! I guess that is a good thing. My body doesn't remember what it felt like NOT to be sore! THe soreness has definitely improved, and I am amazed in the strength I have already gained in such a short time. But, I have said it before and I will say it again: this is harder than I ever dreamed it would be.
The awesome thing is that I am approaching Week 4...I have never worked out four consecutive weeks in my lifetime...seriously, never! And I am working out 8-9 times a week! That is crazy talk. My schedule is Mon/Wed/Fri at 5pm with Paul for an hour and then cardio on my own Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri/Sat...and if I can Sunday.
I will be honest and say that I did not want to go to the gym today. In fact I finally pushed myself (with the help of my husband) to the gym at 5:30 this evening. When I get there, and get on a machine...I do feel better and I was able to push myself an hour on the elliptical. It felt great when I was finished. I burned over 600 calories! It just boggles my mind that just a few short weeks ago I was unable to complete 15 minutes on the elliptical machine...or treadmill for that matter. Last night part of my nine exercises included the dreaded stairs. Paul reminded me that the first week, it was incredibly difficult for me to walk up the stairs once...and last night I was doing three sets of 4 flights at a time (I thought I was going to die!...but I did it!). It makes me more determined and motivated to push harder when I think about how weak I was that first day in the gym. I have a LONG way to go, but I am making progress.
I plan to make it to the gym again tomorrow. I am going to try and get in over an hour tomorrow, or possibly two workouts. As of last week I was tied in second place for points with my competitors. The points are based on our participation, food journal, and we get extra points for every hour OVER 5 hours in the gym. We get points deducted if we do not reach the 5 hours. I am trying to clinch second place this week...and of course Mr. Sterling is pulling away with the lead in points! I really do appreciate Sterling and I truly hope for him to acheive his goals, he is an inspiration, motivation, and seems like such a wonderful person who is loved and supported by so many....HOWEVER he is also my toughest competitor!!! The guy is a machine in the gym, he is there sometimes 3 times a day! But it's okay...he gives me inspriation to work harder!

Almost made it through another week!

Yesterday I made it to the gym after work by 5 and did an hour on the elliptical! I was actually dreading it most of the day, but truthfully, it felt so good when I finished. I was also able to get out of bed this morning and back to the gym at 5 am. I got in a good 45 minute cardio workout this morning.
I am really sore today for some reason. My legs, and hips...weird. I guess because Paul tried to kill me on Wednesday afternoon, I don't know? But I guess sore is good! Except that on Wednesday Paul mentioned we would be doing lunges on Friday (today). And I have been dreading the "L" word ever since. Seriously, I'm scared :)

Specific prayer requests:

-that I will attempt the "L" word today without collapsing
-that Paul will not try to kill me
-that I will not throw up after my workout
-that I will remain positive even through the "L" word, and the "S" words...
-that I will make it to the gym both days this weekend

Everyone's support has been unbelievable. So many of you have told me that you are reading my blog, joining my facebook group, asking daily for exercise updates, motivating me, complimenting me....I could go on and on. It touches me more than you know. Thank you. It has only been three weeks, I will keep working hard and I am looking forward to reaping the benefits!

Inspired Again

I started my day off yesterday still in a funk, and feeling frustrated with myself. I was nervous and anxious about my workout all day for some reason. When I arrived at the gym, Paul was already smirking, he was proud of himself for the torturous workout he had planned for me! I told him my frustrations and he assured me that I was doing very well. He said that he was pleased with my progress and very proud of my hard work. I have to admit, it did make me feel better.
After warming up on the elliptical, we started off with push ups and pull downs. I was already feeling winded and my heart rate was up! Paul grabbed four orange cones and said lets go outside. My heart sunk! Nothing good could come out of cones...or outside! I followed him fearing the worst, he set up the four cones in a line, 20 yards apart. We did 5 or 6 drills that included side lunges, jumping, running backwards, skipping, and sprinting. Yes...I said sprinting! I'm sure I looked absolutely ridiculous trying to accomplish these drills. Not only have I never been "athletic", I have NEVER attempted to sprint anywhere in my life, not that my attempt to sprint yesterday was very impressive! It kicked my butt to say the very least! Paul laughed because for the first time I was speechless (I couldn't breathe!). Although I would not say that I enjoyed that torture, it was a nice change of pace and it did make me feel very good after I was finished. I felt like I worked very hard, and it felt like I accomplished something I thought I could never do. But just when I thought the torture was over for the day....
We proceeded inside and ran stairs (8 times!). And if that wasn't bad enough....we finished up with another tough ab workout. Wheeeewwww. I made it!
The last three or four workouts have been extremely tough. Paul knows how to push me hard! After starting the day off in a funk, I definitely felt so much better. I was drenched in sweat and felt like I had accomplished a great workout. This experience so far has already had its ups and downs, and we are just getting started. I am already showing major improvement in my strength and stamina, and I hope to only get stronger and stronger. For the last few years I have neglected myself. I am always worried about taking care of everything else, and didn't realize in the mean time, my health, self worth and self esteem were diminishing. It is such a new and wonderful feeling to be doing something for ME. To hear people say they are proud of me, to see how much support I am receiving from my family and friends is phenomenal. I not only needed this physically, but I needed this just as much mentally. I am no longer just Ryan's wife or Charlie's mom, I am doing something just for me! I feel like it has brought my husband and I closer as well. He is so proud of me for working so hard, and not giving up. And I am so overwhelmed by his support. We are working more as a team and our family is running smoother because of it. The benefits are endless on this journey...and I am going to continue to push hard and give it my all.

Unfortunately I did not get in my 5 am workout, Ryan had an early meeting, so I will get in my cardio this evening to make up for it. I plan to get in my morning and evening workout tomorrow and I plan to be in the gym both days this weekend too. Who am I?!
I'm feeling inspired again and I want to WIN!

One day at a time...

Yesterday was a very productive workout day. I started at 5 am and got in a good cardio session before work. I met Paul at the gym at 5 pm and we got started right away! Paul doesn't like to waste a minute and if we do get started a minute or two late...he has me working 10 minutes over...he's hardcore! But thats what I like about him and thats what I need! And we worked HARD. Starting with the "s" word of course....bench squats. From there we continued to fit in 9 different exercises and finished up with our best ab workout yet. And I was feeling it this morning too! I left the gym out of breath and unfortunately feeling nauseas again on my way home. I continued the tradition and threw up when I got home! I don't know if maybe I'm drinking too much water? or Paul is just trying to kill me? I'm not sure...but after I throw up, I do immediately feel better and I eat dinner and life goes on. Ryan (my husband) says.."Oh, it's normal to throw up after a good workout!". Have I mentioned that the post workout motivation from him annoys me a little?! I'm kidding! Ryan has been so wonderful and supportive throughout this fitness challenge so far, I could not do it without him! I'm a lucky girl.
This morning I hit the gym at 5 am again, my cardio workout was more of a struggle this morning, but I got through it and felt better after it was over. When I got home and Charlie(my 2 year old) woke up, I noticed that both of his eyed were crusted over and he had thick green drainage coming out of his nose...not good. Let me preface by saying that yesterday morning one of his eyes was crusty when he woke up, but I did what any great mother would do and wiped it with a hot washcloth and sent him to daycare! But it looked as though I couldn't mask it any longer. So I stayed home with him today and took him to the doctor. WHich actually turned out to be an encouraging trip, because both his doctor and nurse commented on how much weight I have lost( I don't see it, but very nice to hear). Charlie had a sinus infection, so I'm glad I took him in. It hasn't slowed him down a bit, or even seemed to make him feel bad at all. We spent most of the day playing outside (I walked him to the park about a mile away..) and it was a fun day to stay home and spend time with him. Although when Daddy got home, I was happy to hand him over! All in all, it was a good day :)

***Although I am feeling so proud and still very excited and motivated about this journey I am on...I have to admit I am feeling a bit dissapointed in my weight loss. I read my biggest competitor, Sterling's blog this evening and he has lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks! I know that we have different weight loss goals, and I know that I can not compare his success to mine. And I have to say that he seems like such an amazing person who I want to see succeed and meet his goals and he has been an inspiration to me. But I can't help but be frustrated with myself. At the end of the day, I realize that I am only in competition with my self and this is changing my life for the better in so many ways. BUT...I also want to win! Or at least be a close contender!!! As of Jan. 1st I have actually lost 17 pounds, but after my first two weeks of the fitness challenge...I have lost 5 pounds. Which I know is GOOD...but the pain my body has been through...I feel like I should have lost 100 pounds! I think when I get my measurements taken, I will feel more motivated. Paul is doing an amazing job, he pushes me and is so positive, and works me harder than I have ever dreamed I could work. I could not have hand picked a better trainer for me. We have only been training together for a few weeks and I feel so comfortable with him, and I truly feel like he dedicates so much effort to seeing me succeed. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been chosen for this amazing opportunity, not everyone can say that they just get offered an opportunity like this on a silver platter. I am so blessed. So I need to quit feeling sorry for myself and get my ass in the gym!!!

My AWESOME aunt sent me a quote that she uses all the time, I can remember her saying it to me before, and I think it is something that everyone can relate to and benefit from.
"IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE, YOU WILL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT"

Cardio Queen

Well....since I posted last (on Friday BEFORE my workout) a lot has taken place! Where to begin?! Friday's workout with Paul was rough. He pushed me super hard because I didn't get my 5 am workout in Friday morning....and boy will I not make that mistake again! Let's just put it this way, I went home and threw up 3 times, it was not pretty! SO on Saturday, I got my butt in the gym and finished the best cardio workout that I have ever had! I did an hour on the elliptical and burned over 550 calories! I was pumped up. And glad I pushed my self.
On Sunday Charlie and I went to his cousins birthday party in Spring. We didn't make it home until 6:15. I knew I HAD to go and get more cardio in... so I ran in the house and Ryan fed and bathed Charlie, while I went to the gym before they closed. I was able to get in another good cardio workout last night.
Then.....drum roll.....I made it to the gym at 5 am this morning too!
SO if your reading this Paul----BE NICE TO ME TONIGHT!!!

TGIF

I will start by saying yesterday was a great day! I started with my 5am cardio session, which was a struggle to get to.....because mean old Paul made me super sore again! But it amazes me how working out in the morning energizes me the whole day. I have heard people say that before and thought, how absurd! How could exercise at 5am possibly energize me? But it really does!
Anyway, I also had a blood pressure check and consult with my wonderful OB, Dr. Justin Gayle. I have been looking forward to this appointment, so that I could show him my progress and tell him about the fitness challenge. Dr. Gayle has listened to me cry and whine for years regarding my weight. He told me at my last appointment, that I HAD TO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND DO IT. He was right. And he was truly thrilled that I have finally taken the steps to changing my life. I have lost 14 pounds since my last appointment with him in December. It felt good and at my next appointment in April, I plan to have lost at least 20 more pounds. He is a wonderful man, and I am so blessed to have him as my doctor. He encourages me, he comforts me, and he and his nurse, Donna, have always made me feel like a VIP. I was so proud to share this news with him, and he is pulling for me and supporting me like family.

Now...about today.....
I set my alarm for another 5am workout (4th in a row) and when that alarm went off this morning, my will power was overtaken by comfy bed for one more hour. I had a very important meeting today at work that I had so much to prepare for...the meeting involved many high executives in the oil industry as well as my entire faculty. And this meeting is generally from 10-3. So as I am typing this, I just returned from the dreaded meeting with more follow-up work than when I started....ugh. I am exhausted. And I don't want to go work out with Paul more than anything!!!

BUT....I am. And because I missed my 5am workout this morning I will be working out both Saturday and Sunday as well. I promise I will be more positive next post....that 5 hour meeting sucked the life out of me! I'm sure my sweet husband would rather me vent on my blog rather than when I get home!

PRAYER FROM STERLING'S(one of my competitors) GROUP PAGE:
(when I read it, felt like it was written for me!)
Here's my prayer for today:
"Almighty Father, thank you for a beautiful day, a beautiful life, and a beautiful Savior. God, I'm pumped today and can walk with less pushing from you. Stay behind me ready to catch me when I fall, to push me when I'm weak, and keep me encouraged when I'm down. Continue to bless me and all those striving to better themselves! Bless my trainers and their families that they continue with the desire to restore the beauty of your creation. In Jesus name...Amen."

No more mister nice guy...

Yesterday was my toughest so far! Starting with a 5 am cardio session and following up with a 5 pm training session with Paul, I worked hard! When I arrived at the gym at 5 yesterday evening, I quickly put my things away and met Paul in the office with my food journal. He told me "know more mister nice guy (with a smile) and said that he was going to kick my butt today!" And.....he succeeded. After my warm up on the bike, we traveled down stairs to start with sitting squats (FYI- I don't like anything with the word squat in it). We moved on to the leg press...then to side knee raises on the steps. Now I have to stop there a minute and say that on my first day in the gym (after the lunge incident) I could barley do one knee raise on the smallest step. Yesterday I did 20 on each leg two steps high for three sets! I really pushed myself and it felt good (well, not good literally, but you know what I mean!) and I think Paul was happy with my progress which motivated me too. So at this point I'm already huffing and puffing and Paul takes me to the freaking stairs...I hate the stairs too by the way. And he made me run up and down three times, for three sets....and I use the term "run" loosely! I was clenching the rails and gasping for breath by the time I finished, but I finished!!!
Then on to arms...Paul said we would try to do some "super sets". Well that sounds like a fun term, but it is really not. We worked my upper body on four different machines with no rest in between (hence the fun name "super sets"). I was dying!!!
We finished up with abs and just before I felt I might throw up.....we were finally done for the day! Lesson learned: Paul is not as nice as he appears.

Side note: The top of my right leg has been hurting since Monday(after the graceful fall at work), so David took a look at it and he thinks I might have a minor tear. Nothing serious, it should heal fine and not hold me back!

And another side note: I'm only kidding about Paul. In spite of him being a Cowboys fan, I could not ask for a better trainer. He is motivating, positive, and believes in me . I appreciate how hard he pushes me, it only makes me more determined.

Morning Madness!!!

I have come to the grim realization that I have to get in morning workouts in order to meet my exercise requirements for the week. I am currently working out with Paul Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5pm. But we are required a minimum of 5 hours of exercise per week (including the 3 hours with our trainers) or we will have points deducted. And then if we complete any additional hours we will receive an extra 3 points per hour. The points are one of many aspects of the selection process to determine the winner of the 12 week fitness challenge. And unfortunately we have to complete our required hours and extra hours at the gym or we don't get credit for them. SO....back to my dilemma.....early mornings are going to have to be a must for me to reach my goals. The reason being, I do not enjoy working out late at night (after Charlie goes to bed) because it is extremely difficult for me to wind down for bed. Who am I kidding?! I dont enjoy working out at any hour!....YET. And I am already missing out on 3 hours a week that Ryan picks up and feeds Charlie, which he has been an incredible supportive husband by doing....but I don't want to miss anymore family time than I have to. When I work out at 5 am, I am not interfering with anyone (except my sleep!), and I have time to come home, shower, get Charlie ready, etc...
SO yesterday, I worked out at 5 am and I am still alive. So I guess it's not going to kill me. But today should go down in the record books, because I got up again (although EVERYTHING in me did not want to) and I worked out at 5 am and then I will go at 5 pm to meet Paul. Two work outs in one day? Who am I? This is a definite FIRST. In fact working out twice in one week is a first! If I'm being completely honest....working out twice in one month is a first!
I will update tomorrow if I have the strength to even type!

Day 8

I drove to the gym straight from work. I was slightly disappointed with my weigh in but Paul and David assured me it was ok. I felt better. I warmed up on the elliptical and then we did a full body workout. It was a great workout, I was sweating like crazy! And exhausted when I left. My funny story for the day happened at work. I was walking down the hall and ATE IT, fell hard...the whole building probably shook! I quickly looked around hoping no one saw. I didn't see anyone, however I'm sure it was heard for miles around. And the worst part is it hurt sooooo bad! I made it to the bathroom to look at my legs to make sure they weren't bleeding! No blood, but my poor legs were throbbing once again. Great! Just when they finally felt like the soreness was easing up, I went and fell and probably tore something! I am a clutz usually. But since I have been working out, I have become a total clumsy mess. I guess throwing soreness and tightness in the mix is just too much for my graceful self. I told Paul about my big fall at work. He laughed and said maybe my legs aren't the problem, maybe I am just clumsy! Not funny Paul, it hurt! Paul is skating on thin ice....he laughed at my fall, made me do hack squats, and is a Cowboys fan. I told him we might not be able to be friends. Not good Paul. :)

Friday workout and my weekend away!

I met Paul at the gym at 10 am Friday morning, to get my work out in before we left town. Paul was not going to let me leave without making me work! I started off warming up on the elliptical and felt pretty good. my legs were still killing me, but I had learned to cope at this point! We then went down to the middle of the gym...I felt me stomach turn when I heard the L word come from his lips... LUNGES. I told Paul that he was such a jokester, he assured me that he was not joking, we were in fact doing lunges. I refreshed his memory of the disaster that was me on Monday attempting lunges. He giggled and told me he remembered! My legs trembling, I began to attempt my nightmare. I ended up doing three sets of 12 down and back! Wahoo! I then finished 3 more sets of side lunges. Don't let the name fool you...a lunge is a lunge and it is not pretty. After my second lunge experience he continued to work me to death! I did knee raises, ran up and down the stairs 9 times, and more. It was a great work out. I was exhausted. One week down......

We left shortly after I got home from my workout for Louisiana. Ryan's dad got married on Saturday and we were excited about our weekend getaway! After the long almost 5 hour trip there, we finally reached our hotel around 7. We checked in, went downstairs to eat dinner and then off to the casino. I lost everything I touched, my beginners luck streak is definitely over! The next morning we woke up, ate a healthy breakfast and then headed to the gym for some cardio. Thats right.....went to the gym on my vacation!!!! Mark that one down in the record books, because I know that was a first for me. It felt good, and Ryan was proud of me too, which made me beam. The wedding was enjoyable and the weekend was wonderful. It was a much needed vacation. We arrived back home yesterday afternoon and reconnected with Charlie who we dearly missed, but thank Mimi soooo much for keeping him!

Back to reality tomorrow.....work out with Paul at 5.

2nd workout with Paul

The second workout went much smoother than the first! We worked out my upper body today and I am proud to announce that I did not collapse one time. :)
My legs are so sore today, worse than yesterday and I did not feel like that was possible. BUT, I am still loving and plan to be at the gym tomorrow morning. Paul is very encouraging and motivating and he helps me stay positive. I sure can't wait until my body adjusts and I'm not so sore!

still alive

The next morning after the dreaded first work out, I crawled (literally) out of bed and made it into the gym at 5:15am! I did some cardio and felt good....well sort of! I felt good minus the aching, throbbing pain in my legs!

The dreaded first day in the gym...

Monday rolled around after not sleeping much the night before because I was SO nervous....I packed my things for the gym, ready to go straight from work! I was greeted at work by students, co-workers, professors, family, my husbands co-workers, etc...who all knew about the program. Most of them had heard it on the radio. I was shocked! And more motivated than ever to succeed! Everyone knew, everyone knows, it makes it real. It makes it permanent. I have to do this now.

I met Paul at 5:00 at the gym, to accomplish my first workout. We began by taking all of my measurements and of course, the dreaded first weigh in. He was very friendly, and kind, he didnt make me feel uncomfortable at all He explained we were going to warm-up on the treadmill and then we would be working on my legs today. Little did Paul know he had A LOT of work to do!!! I was already winded after my short warm up but trying to hide it from my new fit friend...he lead me over to the leg extensions. I did several sets with ease (or so Paul thought... :) ) he seemed impressed and that made me happy. He was very motivating and positive. On to our next exercise....on a roll, I felt confidence seeping through my veins. He lead me to the middle of the gym (surrounded by what felt like millions of people staring at me!) and he told me that we were going to attempt lunges, 12 down and 12 back. He demonstrated them for me and feeling like a fitness queen already with my new found confidence, I smiled and began lunging.....8 down...really hurting, but all the while smiling....Paul said lets turn around and do 8 back (I guess my smile wasnt fooling him, he could see me sweating and struggling!) I began my journey back, after my 2nd lunge I collasped! Thats right- fell to the floor, legs did not work, in front of the whole gym. I quickly tried to jump up, for one, because I was so embarrassed and for two, because out of the corner of my eye I could see the head trainer running towards me in a panic. Paul grabbed my arms to help me up.....BAM, collasped again! I couldn't stand, I couldn't get my legs to work! I was moritfied....all the while still smiling! I finally was able to get on my feet. Poor, sweet Paul was pale and assured me that I was still doing well. We continued excerising, finished out our hour....then I was out of there!
My first day had not been the success I had imagined, but it did show me that this journey was not going to be easy, and was indeed going to be a challenge.

Meeting my fate

On Sunday afternoon, all of the 10 chosen gathered for orientation. We were given information about the fitness challenge ahead of us and a nutrition consult to help us get started. We were introduced to all of the trainers and then each contestant was assigned to a trainer. I waited patiently to hear my fate. To see which one of these guys or gals would have the huge task of getting my in shape! My name was finally called and David MaretHouse pointed to Paul and said that he would be training me. He explained that Paul was drawn to my story and he felt we would be a good match. I was excited! Paul was the one I had spoke to on the phone, he was the friendly face who met me when I walked in for the interview....I felt he really understood where I was coming from and he did genuinely pull for me to be chosen for the competition! Yippee!
I chatted with Paul for a while that afternoon about our schedule and nutrition. He seemed as excited about the opportunity as I was! I was pumped, ready, nervous....excited! Paul and I decided at that moment, we were not only going to be successful, we were going to WIN!!!!

Not just another resolution...

Returning back to work in January after the holidays was extremely difficult. Not only did I not want my vacation to end, but I knew the dreaded "new years resolution" time had rolled around again. I thought to my self, how many years have I told my self that I was going to change? How many times I have tried to talk my self into eating better, exercising? How many times have I looked in the mirror and cried because of the person I had become for my self and my family? As the negative thoughts raced through my mind, I began to pray. I prayed for strength and motivation to really change this year. I prayed for my family and friends to really be supportive of me. I prayed that 2009 was going to be my comeback. My best year yet. My life had to change.
As I drove to work that morning, I listened to my favorite radio morning show, Frito and Alli (Candy 95.1) and they were advertising a 12 week fitness challenge. I listened closer and learned that a trainer in College Station was giving back to the community and offering an opportunity for 6 people to transform their life and be a part of the 12 week fitness challenge. Not only was I touched, I was moved to tears. This was the opportunity I needed...desperately. I listened closer and learned that David MaretHouse was accepting application emails until Feb.1st, asking listeners to write him and tell him why we deserved to be chosen. I rushed in to the office that morning spewing to my co-worker about the contest. I immediately sent in my email and hoped for the best.
I decided that day that whether or not I was chosen for the MaretHouse fitness challenge, I had to make a change in my life. I became more motivated and determined than ever. I joined weight watchers and changed my eating habits drastically. I was on a roll, and it felt good! There was only one important piece of the puzzle missing...exercise. I had the competition in the back of my mind, hoping and praying that I would be selected. February 1st finally came! I knew that this was the week I would find out my fate. My cell phone rang Monday afternoon, I jumped with excitement because I didn't know the number...it must be them, I was thinking! The guy introduced himself as Paul from MaretHouse fitness. He stated that they received over 300 applicants for the fitness challenge and they had narrowed the number to 30 people they wanted to interview. We scheduled our interview and hung up the phone. I was shaking with excitement! When I showed up for my interview the next afternoon, a bundle of nerves, I was again greeted by Paul. He expalined that another interview was finishing up and I could wait in the office with him. He was super friendly, asking me questions about my interest in the challenge, he could tell how nervous I was and assured me that the interview would go well. He explained that he read my email and was touched by my story and that he was rooting for me. I figured that he probably told everyone that, but was flattered by his gesture. I interviewed with David and Bear. They were so welcoming and easy to talk to. I answered their questions and plead them my case. I was releived when the interview was over, although the only thing left to do was.....wait.
Thursday morning finally came and the winners were to be announced on Candy 95 between 7-9am. I made sure I was at work by 7:00, to be in my office and listening intently awaiting their decision. At last around 7:40 the time had come for them to announce the first recipient. Alli began to read my email. I couldn't beleive it. I was trembling. Partly because all of College Station knew my weight, and mostly because I was chosen out of over 300 applicants to have the opportunity to make my resolution come true!