Day 32-37

Day 32 I was feeling seriously sore in my butt and legs!  I enjoyed the pain though because it helps me know that my work is working.  I figured my cardio would be tough because of my lower extremities being taxed but I breezed through my 45 minutes on the elliptical!  Could it be that I am getting stronger?  I pretended I was dancing (something I can do for hours if given the chance)  and it really worked!  Thank you Michael Jackson wherever you may be!

Day 33 I skipped my workout due to overload of everything else.  I am amazed how guilty I feel when I skip!  I did choose to spend the evening with my beautiful niece, Lydia.  We are planning a family October birthday/ Halloween extravaganza and we went shopping at the dollar store.  It was fun and time well spent!

Day 34 I woke up and went right to the gym with my husband.  I love to spend this time with him as I am usually at the gym by myself except for my once a week workout with Regina.  We spent the rest of the day cleaning out our basement.  What a job!  I think I burned as many calories doing that as my cardio routine!  I am lifting weight off of my house as well as myself.  Both feel great!

Day 35 was strength training day.  The routine was just as grueling as when Regina walked me through it!  As I was leaving the gym a friend approached me and told me she was reading my blog and really enjoying it.  She was the third person in two days to tell me this and it made me sooo happy! 

Day 37 Spin Class Day!  I arrived at the gym with a whopper of a headache.  I had almost needed to skip because my son needed to go to the doctor's for strep but my amazing daughter, Tara, took him so I could stay on track.  I was feeling so crappy I did not know how I would even finish the class.  Regina came in, got on her bike and her microphone and acknowledged that this rainy day had everyone feeling low.  Then she cranked up the music and told us she was going to wake us all up.  I don't know what she did but I spun full on and finished almost all of her routine!  If you have ever been in a spin class with Regina you know how huge this accomplishment had been!

Of note:  A few days back I had asked Regina how she stays so positive all of the time.  I mean this woman is encouraging and happy always.  At the time she did not know but right in the middle of spin class she had an aha moment.  On her microphone she told the class that we work together at the beautiful Body Serene Day spa and that I had posed to her this question.  She said that she realized right in the middle of class that her workouts help her work out her frustrations.  Maybe that is a bit of why I performed so well that evening in class...  One of the spinners came up to her and told her that Regina had given her a manicure for her wedding.  Regina and I were proud and happy leaving spin class Monday evening!

Day 27 -31

Day 27-31 have been full and full of activity!  My friend's wedding was a blast!  We danced, we drank, we ate!   I absolutely know I blew the eating plan out of the water but one day shouldn't kill me!  We did go to the farmer's market and the fruits, veggies, cheese and meats are all so fresh and yummy!  On the way home we stopped at the Amish stands along the way and I gave in and bought my first mums! 

Sunday I did my strength training and we went to my mother in law's for a dinner to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary.  Lasagna, sausage with peppers, wine, cheesecake and brownies.  Yikes!  I actually came home and walked around the block a few times.  It made me feel better.

Monday and Tuesday were a challenge to fit my workouts in a very busy schedule.  I powered through because I know that not making it a priority is a slippery slope to giving up.  Monday I got through my second spin class and the new padded pants made a huge difference!  I was able to work harder and longer and I felt very accomplished in the end!

Wednesday I met with Regina.  She had created a new and torturous routine to put me through.  I whined the whole hour but I got through with Regina cheering me on! It is incredible how hard you can work in a 10'x10' space!  No machines just focused movements against resistence.  By the way, Regina has a wonderful website fitresultsbyregina.com.  I cannot express how in this short period of time, Regina has shifted my thinking and my understanding about my body and fitness.  I want her to write a book!

Day 24-26!

Day 24 was whirlwind of work and it took lots of inner strength just to get to the gym!  I hit the elliptical for another 45 minutes and left drenched but proud of myself!   I discovered that Pink's "Missundastood"  is great to kick my butt into gear!

Day 25 started with a trip with my Mom to the courthouse to appeal her taxes.  She told me that she could see a difference in how I looked.  That's right, my Mom actually paid me a compliment!  If your reading this Mom, it is what it is!  She didn't even tell me that she didn't like my hair or outfit!  Kidding aside, we had a nice morning together but it took away my window to work out.  After work I had intended to hit the treadmill but it did not happen.  This means that every day for the rest of the week I have to find a way, no matter what!

Today is Day 26 and I have already been to the gym and back.  Most exciting though is that I am attending a friend's wedding tonight in Lancaster and it is going to be a blast!  My friends are Puerto-Rican so there will be lots of Salsa dancing!  (Although not with my husband as he is awesome but not in the dancing department!)  I suspect that Salsa dancing burns a lot of calories!   I am also looking forward to going to the Lancaster Farmer's Market on Saturday to get lots of fresh fruits and veggies for next week.  I will skip the Whoopie pies but only with great pain!

Day 21-23!

Day 21 was Super Set Sunday!  My husband woke me up at 7:15 because he was heading for the Eagles home opener.  I almost went back to sleep but decided to get up and go.  I got through the strength training well and headed right for Wegman's.  One of my favorite "rewards" after a Sunday morning workout is their iced coffee, it is soo good!  I love my Wegman's and Regina had told me where to find these amazing Florentine turkey burgers (by the shish-kebobs).  I approached the counter just as the butcher was making a fresh batch and they looked so yummy!  Unfortunately, she told me that they were soon going to stop carrying them for the season so I need to find out the ingredients to make them myself!

Day 22 was my very first spin class.  There are no words!  It was extraordinarily challenging.  I made it through the whole class but by "making it through" I mean that I never stopped pedaling.  I was not able to climb all of the hills so for much of the class I kept on riding on the flat ground.  My quads were on fire and then they were dead.  Unfortunately, my other problem was that the seat was excruciating to my "southern regions"!  Interpretation:  I could stand up on the pedals and I did not want to sit down!  I hung in and by the end I looked wringing wet but felt triumphant. 

A man approached Regina at the end of class and told her that because of her spin class he has lost over 80 pounds!  I was beyond proud of her!

Today is day 23 and I met Regina to do more strength training.  She had texted me this morning asking how I was feeling after class.  I told her "sore but accomplished".  she answered that this was the "weakness leaving my body".  I loved the sound of that!   I am really tired today and am looking forward to falling into bed!

Day 16- 20!

Day 16 started out with jury duty at 8:15 in Norristown.  It was a hassle to get there but I have to say that it was interesting being part of the process.  Me and my fellow citizens were herded into a room to watch a video hosted by Larry Kane.  Remember him?  We waited around until 11:30 when we were told that we would not be needed for the criminal case after all.  I raced to work at the spa and by the time I was home around 7pm I was pooped.  No exercise but I was sure to eat carefully so I didn't lose ground. 

Day 17 was my day to work with Regina.  I was anxious to show her my food log as I had been much more diligent with my eating.  She explained how food choices and food combinations are equally important.  I have found that with my allowances and combinations I have not been hungry at all but satiated.  Every time I get a pang it is time to eat anyway!  My favorite meal this week was a chicken soy patty on whole wheat with some spreadable avocado!  I loooove avocado and I know I need to keep it at a minimum.

Regina had a workout planned for me to be done on the machines at the gym.  She showed me how to do what she calls "super sets".  (This seemed to mean moving quickly from one machine to the other)  So, I felt like Super Woman doing Super Sets!  Regina made sure that my body mechanics were correct and she explained how important it is to contract my abdominals to protect my back whenever I use my body as a lever.  I loved how she explained this because it made sense to me in a way that I had not seen it before.

There was a moment when I was listening to Regina and was thinking "this is an example of excellence".  She cares passionately about her work as a personal trainer and she genuinely cares about my success and safety.  I always feel excited when I witness someone being amazing at what they do.  I wonder if she knows how different her approach is from what I have seen before?  This quality has provided me the extra inspiration I have needed to follow through!

Day 18 was the dreaded treadmill routine.  I had myself worked up about it since the day before when I remembered it was next on the list.  Well, I did better than my first attempt but not even close to the full program..  I did finish the time and burned over 300 calories.  Regina assures me that I will complete it one day soon.  I almost believe her!

Day 19 was elliptical day.  I got on the machine decked out with my iPhone, water bottle and paper towels.  I started up and my legs felt like they were made of wood!  Every step was drudgery!  I turned up my music and pushed on and after a while I loosened up.  Thank God because I felt at first like I would never make 5 minutes let alone 45.  I did it and banged out another 435 calories. 

As a side note I was watching the Rachel Ray show and they had a feature on a culinary teacher in the Philadelphia city school system.  This teacher was changing the lives of her students and Rachel gifted them an overhaul of their facilities as a thank you.  I started crying watching it I was so touched.  So, imagine this, I am chugging along, red faced, on the elliptical with tears running down my face.  Enough said. 

Today is Day 20 and I will be working all day and having dinner at a friend's house.  No exercise and I feel a bit freaked out.  I usually feel relieved to have an excuse!  Last night I met some friends at the Hotel for a drink after work.  I saw my friend Anthony and we started talking about the gym.  He told me that he was going to be taking a spin class on Monday night because he really likes the instructor.  Guess who?  Regina!  Monday night also happens to be the night I am scheduled to take my first ever spin class.  Anthony is going to save me a bike next to his for moral support!  Amazing how the universe works!

Day 13-15

Labor Day weekend was not labor free!

  Day 13 was Saturday and I had to work from 8am until after 6pm.  This is usually ample excuse for not exercising but I kept hearing Regina in my head.  Instead of going home and curling up to a glass of wine and the company of my family, I put on my sneaks and took a brisk 30 minute walk around my neighborhood.  At first I was feeling sorry for myself but then I realized how beautiful it was outside!  The last bit of Hurricane Earl was whispering through my hair as I circled around getting a chance to check out everyone's summer landscaping projects.  Afterwards, I felt good about having my wine on the deck and catching up with my boys.

Day 14 started with a trip to the gym with my husband.  Let me whine here that I have been working out the same amount of time as he and yet the changes in his body seem to come so much more quickly!  I used this angst to finish a 45 minute jog on the elliptical and another 425 calories ticked off.  My iced coffee from Wegman's was my great reward. 

Day 15 was the best!  My husband, daughter and I took a 13 mile bike ride from Green Lane on the Perkie Trail!  Yes, I said 13 miles!  I felt so great about the time spent and the accomplishment1  I do admit that I was whipped at the end.  I was also resolute that I want the next ride to be 20 miles.  Maybe Friday!

Day 12!

When Regina and I met on Wednesday I had told her that I was concerned that I had no time on Friday and Saturday to work out.  She asked what was getting  in the way and I came up with dentist appointments, work, obligations.  She told me in a matter of fact tone that I needed to move something and make room.  Not an option to not work out.

OK.  Dentist appointment moved and a one and a half hour window created for this morning at 7:30am. 

This is normally doable but my sister was visiting and we stayed up until 1am talking.  I knew I had to get up early but I didn't want to give up the  rarity of time alone.  So,  five precious hours later, I was dragging myself out of bed and driving to the gym. 

I felt so great afterward because I had kept my commitment.  It is now mid afternoon and I could use a caffeine injection but I will get through.  The point is this:  the way to change is through my thinking.  The commitment to myself has to be a priority or little compromises here and there add up to disappointment and frustration.

P.S.  Erasure's "Chain of Love"

Day Eleven!

I actually finished 45 minutes on the elliptical and burned 435 calories!  I know that for some this is no big deal but for me it is miraculous!

This time I started by listening to a club mix of 80's divas, you know, Chaka Khan, Gloria Estafan, Lionel Ritchie... you get the picture. There is an obscure George Michael song called "Outside" that has a great club beat and seems to last forever and I finished with Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright".  Wow!
I must have been in a nostalgic mood this morning!

Music helps me keep me going in two ways.  First, I need a strong beat to kind of pump me up. That is probably true for most.  Second, I make deals with myself to keep going.  I'll think "you can't look at the time until the song ends" or "only two songs until your finished". 

Whatever it takes!

Days Seven through Ten!

Days 7-9 are a blur of waking up early, teaching, getting something to eat and going to bed.  It is always like that once the classes begin, they literally takes all I have to give.  I was feeling bummed out on the train ride home that my plan had been a bit derailed by this trip.  Pun intended.

However, on Day 10, today, I am back in full swing.  I had my training with Regina and she explained that once I was really embracing the program that my teaching trips would not do much harm.  She also looked at my food journal and told me that I needed to follow much better the plan she had outlined.  I see now that I have to fill my home with the foods on my allowed list so I am not always just trying to do the best with what I have around.  She tells me that I have to think of food as fuel so it is so important to eat a certain way at certain times of the day.

Regina's support and cheering on in my workout helped so much!  She put me through her strength traing 3 times today and I am already feeling wobbly in the legs.  How am I going to feel tomorrow?!  She also helped me plan the next seven days of exercise goals which helps tremendously.  I have an epsom salt bath in my very near future!

Lastly, Regina sent me a text that cheered on my accomplishments for today.  Having a committed coach is
amazing.