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!