Well, I definitely haven't lost any weight since joining Curves. But it's definitely not for lack of working out! It's probably because I am on my "holiday diet": I eat whatever I want, and whatever other people give me (no matter how fattening it is). Not a good diet to be on. Hopefully, when we stop buying and making yummy treats (and other people stop giving us yummy treats...) I will start losing weight as I work out. Other than that, I don't have much to say. I am just SO sick of food right now, especially chocolate (never thought I'd say that in my life). But the holidays this year have been just too much for even MY sweet tooth to handle. So, I'm off to Curves in the morning to burn off some of this goo that has plastered itself to my thighs. Wish me luck in this new year of working towards a smaller jean size!

Still going strong.

I've been faithfully working out at Curves since I joined. I try to go three times a week. Although, last week I only made it twice because of the jewelry show I was getting ready for. But, I've already gone on Monday and Tuesday this week. And I am finally feeling sore in my muscles, which means I am working harder than when I first started.

The difference came when I received my Curves Smart Card last Thursday. It's a small card that you insert into every resistance machine during your workout. It is specifically programmed for each person based on age, weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate, range of motion on each machine, and muscular strength. It knows, on each machine, what my maximum potential is (based on # of reps, and how hard I'm pushing). If I'm doing what I should, the display will light up green. If not, it will flash orange. The goal is to keep the light green for the whole time at each station. It is HARD! I'm not exaggerating. I've done pretty well so far at keeping it green on most of the machines. The only one I seem to have difficulty with is the inner thigh press. I can not make that one go green to save my life! My adductors need some work, apparently.

At the end of the workout, you then insert the card into the main computer to see instant results. It tells you how hard (by percent) you worked each machine, and also breaks it down by muscle group. It tells you how many calories you burned, and all sorts of other useful info. And if you come in two days in a row, it automatically adjusts your workout to be more of a cardio workout (i.e. the green light comes on easier), as to give your muscles a recovery day.

I really love this new technology. No more counting reps or putting weight plates on as I have done in past weight training programs. I love the challenge to push myself harder at each workout. And I'm really feeling the difference.

3 Workouts Down...

I've been to Curves three times now. It was VERY hard to get out of bed this morning. I almost convinced myself to stay home. But my fat cells aren't going to burn themselves off! So I pulled myself out of the house into the 24 degree freezing air at 6:30 am. And once again, it felt great!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Curves, it is basically a series of hydraulic resistance machines set up in a big circle. There are small square "recovery" mats between each machine. You do 30 seconds of intense repetitions at one machine, then move to the mat for a little cardio/aerobic movement for 30 seconds. Then you go to the next machine. It's 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off for all 15 or so machines. You do the whole circuit twice. It takes about 30 minutes total. Because of the quick pace, it is a very tough cardio workout. And at the recovery stations you can make it very intense with jumping and arm movements.

It's especially tough for me because I have no endurance built up yet. I find that during the workout, I occasionally feel light-headed. So I have to ease up a bit and just do really easy jogging-in-place between machines. And luckily, halfway through the circuit, one of the machines has a hand grip that checks your heart rate to make sure you are in a good range. The resistance training part isn't as hard, (except when I'm already out of breath), and I'm not as sore as I expected to be. So, I figure I need to do this every morning to really see results. That's a big commitment. I pray for the strength to do it!

Here it goes again...for real this time.

I have been driving past the Curves at our local strip mall for four months now, wanting to go inside and see what it's all about. So, yesterday, after not being able to zip up my winter coat over my ever-expanding hips, I did it. I walked inside Curves, and made an appointment for a consultation later that day. After the consultation, and finding out that my body fat is almost 29% (gasp), I wrote a check and signed up. The lady was shocked when I told her I wanted to come the next morning at 6:30 for my first workout. I had to schedule it with her because she needs to help me learn the routine the first time through. Somehow, this morning when the alarm went off at 6 am, I got my fat self out of bed, ate a scrambled egg, and drove over to Curves in 22 degree COLDNESS.

Let me tell you: It was SO worth it! I felt so good getting my heart rate up and sweating! I'm ready to go back on Saturday morning and do it again. She said I should try for 3 days a week at first and then come more often if I can. I can't wait to make this my daily routine. I really feel good about this plan. Trying to exercise at home was just not working out for me with my kids and having no room in this apartment. I also figured, if a little money is invested in this, I will feel more motivated to uphold my end of the deal. So here goes try #736 at losing weight. Ok, I'm exaggerating just a bit. But darn it, it better work this time!

Wow...

I guess I won't be losing 13 pounds in the next 30 days! Maybe I should set smaller more manageable goals. Like: lose 1 lb this week as I start exercising again. I did about 30 minutes of yoga and pilates yesterday, and that was plenty! It was so hard, and I'm sore from the very little that I was able to do. But, you have to start somewhere I guess.

I have recently been motivated by my new "larger size" jeans that I can't hardly button. And my older brother, who has started doing triathlons and marathons recently. He has lost a lot of weight and feels great. He said that he would pick on me about getting in shape if I want him to.

Lots to think about and work on! Wish me luck once again. I am determined NOT to give up on this, even if I try and fail a few times. Eventually, something has to work!

I am a slacker.

This diet is NOT going so well. My sinus infection/cold or whatever never really went away I think. I'm feeling worse today. Yuck! Then there was my birthday (Italian dinner, cake, etc.) Then I made chocolate zucchini bread and consumed half of it myself. Then my husband went away for a business trip on our anniversary of all days! I'm a little depressed about that. Now I'm trying to keep myself and my children alive one day at a time until he gets back.

So where does that leave me? Well, at the moment, fatter and more tired than I was when I started this thing. I will continue to post, because I need to figure out the underlying emotional issues and stresses that contribute to unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle. I know that some of you might wonder why I even want to lose weight. You might see my 128 lbs and scoff because you think that I don't need to lose weight. I hear it all the time! But believe it or not, I am right at the overweight line on the BMI chart for my height and age. Not to mention, I feel horrible. That's enough of a reason for me!

So, if anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

Bec is NOT making Sue look bad...

Ok Sue! This is NOT a competition. And, I am not nursing a baby, which makes a huge difference. I was probably eating less than I should yesterday in the morning. But I honestly wasn't feeling very hungry. But it hit me later. And then when I went to Walmart at 9:30, I passed by the Oreo cookies like five times, but only resisted them the first four times. I came home and pigged out! It was SO yummy. And, since I had eaten healthy the rest of the day, it actually kind of balanced out. (Not that I recommend this style of eating to anyone!) So, there's my explanation for yesterday.

And today is my BIRTHDAY. Do I really need to count points today?? When I was at Walmart last night, Dustin called my cell phone and told me to pick up two packages of cream chesse, buttermilk, white vinegar, and a package of red food coloring. I was like, what the heck is he making? I assumed he was planning my birthday cake. The only possibility using all of those ingredients is red velvet chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting...mmmmmm. I wouldn't let him stay up all night making it, though, so I guess he will make it tonight.

Here's food for today...Breakfast:
1 chocolate breakfast drink = 4

Lunch:
leftover chicken & black beans w/ veggies = 4
2 oreo cookies = 3