Week 4

Still having problems with flare-ups. It's like walking on a tightrope, hard enough to build, easy enough not to flare. I still think it is the cardio, so I have taken the resistance down a step when I start riding the bike and so far that is working. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ok, now the real weird part . . . at the end of the work day yesterday, before my lower body workout, a thought ran through my mind "I'm kinda of looking forward to this". Wow, never thought I would look forward to exercise. Never thought I would have reached the 4th week of this 12 week challenge feeling like I can really do this. I am feeling so positive about making real changes in my life, my body, my health. I am enjoying this. I AM REALLY ENJOYING THIS. It's a miracle . . .

I haven't written for a bit, but still going strong. I have lost 6 lbs. total so far, the work outs (both cardio and weighted) are getting better (and I don't feel like such a dork), the Form is filling me up and the six meals a day is getting to be a habit.

I changed to doing cardio workouts on a recumbent bike at our community center. I have to get up at 5 am but I have done some much better with replicating my workout and feeling like I have really work out without flaring my Fibro. To be honest, I was really doubtful I could do all this exercising and still be without pain. Sure I get sore and I struggle with fatigue, but I'm getting active and in better shape and still keeping the flares away. I didn't believe it was possible.

Flare-up

Saturday I woke up and felt like I had hit a wall. So exhausted and pulsing pain in my legs and arms. I slept most of the day and was still too sore Sunday to go to church. I was really hoping I would not flare-up my fibromyalgia, but it happened, so I am having to re-think my exercise plan.

I think it was the walking that caused the flare-up. The weight lifting has been easy to keep slow and easy. Walking was hard to keep it the same each time (especially when you are suppose to increase and decrease the intensity throughout your workout, per Body For Life).

I felt better this AM and went to 5 Points and worked out on an recumbent bike. On that I am able to work out at a specific speed and resistance (and increase and decrease the intensity), something I can reproduce each time. So I am taking it slow and easy and building slowly. I'm a little discouraged but I am still committed to make it work. And not too thrilled to have to get up at 5 am three days a week.

I've scored weight loss!

Well, don't get too excited. I have lost 2 lbs. But considering I am also building muscle (that we all know weighs more), I am doing pretty darn good.

I think the hardest thing for me is all the planning, all the recording what I ate, the workouts, the weight I lifted, etc. Besides the fact that I feel like a pack mule by the time I load up the three meals I eat while I am at work. I am missing the sweets but looking forward to my "free" day on Saturday. On "Body for Life" you get one free day a week where you eat what you want. It is suppose to keep your body off balance and keep it from going into starvation mode. I plan to keep using my Form so that even if I eat what sounds good, I don't stuff myself.

I forgot my Form yesterday and had to go it "alone" for lunch. It was harder to quit eating and leave good on my plate. I am starting to realize that my "I'm full" message is broken or at least slow. I am taking the Form earlier before a meal now, and I think it is even working better.

Change is hard and changing habits is one of the hardest. But I am still in this "marathon" even if I am bringing up the rear!

Okay, I think the exercising is getting to me. I am SOOO tired. When does the exercise make you feel like you have more energy?

Well, at least the Fibromyalgia isn't flaring. So I guess I can't really complain . . .

It's D-Day! Today is the official start of the 12 week Body for Life Challenge at work. I kinda of started last week, since I am being really cautious with the exercise. I figured I might need some extra time. I did my 3 cardio workouts and 3 weight training work last week and I feel like it is really do-able.

I will admit the weight machines are a bit intimidating and there is a part of my that feels like someone is going to come up to me and tell me I don't belong there. Especially the free weights. I am so weak, I can't even do the biceps machine (the lowest weight is 10 lbs). So I am standing there with guys hefting these HUGE weights and I am using the little pink 2 pounders. But I swallow my pride and keep going. I do refuse to do the exercise machine where you lay on your stomach with your butt in the air. Maybe when my rear end isn't so big . . .

The Form is working great! I am easily eating 1/2 as much as I normally do without really trying. I don't plan on taking for the rest of my life but I think my past problem with protions was mostly habiting and I think this will help me establish new habits.

All in all, I am feeling positive . . .