Feeling Discouraged

Had another bad flareup. Was down most of the weekend and still hurting so much on Monday I didn't do my Cardio workout. I guess I will dial my workout down a notch and see if that helps.

I'm beginning to wonder is maybe it is cumulative. I mean, why does my Friday cardio always the one that sets me off? It doesn't make sense, especially when it feels so good while I'm exercising, really no pain. Maybe it is all my exercising, both cardio and weighted, after 6 days, that is setting me off. I don't know how to figure this out except by trial and error. It's feeling like the errors are winning.

I have abs!

Well, you can't see them yet, still snuggled down under a layer of fat, but I can tighten them and I can FEEL them. I have never had any kind of muscle tone in my abdomen, even when I was younger and skinnier. I have been doing ab crunches on an ab machine, I kept adding weight, but I wasn't sure it was doing anything. It is sure nice to see (or feel) the rewards of the work and sweat.

I mentioned earlier about me and my weak biceps and my pink 3 pound free weights, I am proud to say I can now lift 20 lbs on the bicep machine. When I started I could not lift the minimum (10 lbs) more than a couple of times. I have noticed that I can lift and empty a pot of water and pasta by myself much easier now.

Still having some problems with flare-ups, but I recover quicker now and they don't seem so bad. I still have to really watch my heart rate during my cardio workout and keep within a certain limit. I have enjoyed the weighted workouts for awhile now, but I have to say, I am even enjoying the cardio workouts, they are over so quick (20 min) that I can't believe the time is gone by. I don't even mind the sweating part so much.

When I started this Blog and called it "My Transformation" I was just thinking about the transformation of my body, the way I would look. I am surprised to find that it is becoming so much more than that. I feel accomplished when I finish a hard workout, I feel capable of using weights and machines that were so intimidating before, I feel athletic when I can pedal faster on my recumbent bike than the person next to me, especially when I was feeling like such an invalid just a year ago or when I go walk around the track effortlessly as I cool down and drink my water like all the other sweaty people (many so much younger than me). I feel proud of myself when I feel muscles coming alive inside me, or climbing the stairs to get to the Fitness Center (it was a killer when I first started, I had to go up sideways). So even though the changes of my body aren't showing much yet (after, it all starts on the inside first), I am "transforming" in so many BIG ways I didn't expect. I am so glad I did this and I still have a long road to ride (on my recumbent bike, of course).

Still going strong!

I haven't posted for awhile, but not because I have quit the fight but because I am so busy exercising and planning meals. I'm down 12 lbs but also down 2 pant sizes. My clothes are fitting looser and that feels so great to be headed down instead of up.

I had a great experience Saturday. I had a Bridal Shower for my step-sons fiancee at about 1 pm. There was a TON of food. Lots of chips and dips (my favorite!) and meat balls, little tacos, some cookies and brownies, you get the idea. Now remember Saturday is my Free day. I am free to eat whatever I want. I went through the line a picked a little of this and that of that enjoyed it all very much, but I didn't go back for more. I did eat a cupcake, it was wonderful and I was done. Amazing! I know back a few months I would have piled my plate high and gone back for more! I wasn't trying to be good I just ate what I wanted and stopped when I was done.

Now wait, there is more. We were lucky enough to be invited to a friends house for a Barbecue cook off. Two friends each think they make the best barbecue ribs and we got to go help eat the food. We had so much food there, two different kinds of ribs (both terrific) and cheesy potatoes, a rice dish, salad, coleslaw (we brought that, it was embarrassingly skimpy). I filled my plate, but not overloaded, did not finish everything and I was done, full and happy. Again, a situation that just a few weeks ago would have had me going back for seconds or thirds. Now this is on my free day, when I have no restrictions on me at all and I did it effortlessly, almost without thinking.

I credit the Form I am taking that is helping me be satisfied with less food and the Body for Life program. The combination of these two things just seemed to have clicked for me. And I am insulin resistant and have struggled to even lose weight. Keep thinking good thoughts for me and I will write sooner next time!

The first 10 gone!

Yes, it is true, I've lost 10 pounds! In a month!