5.5

Unfortunately, due to life demands, I could not fit in cardio yesterday. Which means instead of having a day off this nice long weekend, I'll be at the gym each day. Oh well!

We did cardio with Brian this morning. Whew! Cheryl and I were limping out of there. But we survived. And before we left, we weighed ourselves. I have lost 5.5 lbs! So I am pleased. I hope that pace keeps up, as then I'll be on track to lose my goal.

This week is a busy one squished into fewer days than normal. Four personal trainings, a nutrition evaluation, a dentist appointment for my whitening trays, and a hair appointment at Indra. On top of that, my daughter starts first grade on Wednesday, so there's a whole lot of driving, my husband has a birthday Friday and my daughter has a birthday party on Saturday. Gonna be one crazy week!

So I am going to enjoy a few quiet moments. And eat some protein, of course!

Weights, Shakes & Playdates

For the first time in my seven training sessions, I am admitting that I am looking forard to my session tonight. I really feel a sense of accomplishment after the weight training - I can physically see the progress I am making (with the weights increasing). And as hard as it is and as much as I sweat, it feels good. Maybe now that I've admitted that, FT will increase my workout, as perhaps it should not ever 'feel good', but so be it. At least the dread factor isn't playing tonight.

I have tried to improve my nutrition, primarily my protein. And thanks to Cheryl, I am sucking down an EAS carb control protein shake. Not too bad. DEFINITELY better than the powder ones I could not ingest last week.

A side benefit to this whole process is that I have found a great friend in Cheryl. We are similar -stay at home moms trying to make it through a grueling but fabulous makeover. So it has been really nice getting to know her a bit. When I walked into the Finalist Interview a few weeks ago, we instantly recognized each other. Apparently we're in the same mother's group and have briefly met on an occasion or two. Who knew that a few weeks later we'd see each other 4-5 days a week and meet up for playdates at the park? We are definitely forming a bond (sweat bond or not - still good stuff!) which is fun and will last a long time. I expect that we'll continue to meet up and encourage each other to 'stick with it' once the official makeover is done.

So that's my day today - weights, shakes and playdates!

A Mistake, huh?

So last night's weight session was great. Bryan was awesome and pushed really hard. We did three circuits and barely took a breathe inbetween. But that's good!

Doing one of the exercises the first time around, Bryan allegedly made a mistake a put 10 extra pounds on. I mentioned it seemed heavier, but pushed through. It was only when he was removing the weights that he noticed he 'forgot' to take one off when he added another one. Needless to say, because I completed the set, he decided that 'mistake' was a good one and decided to not only keep those weights high, but also bumped up some others. There was even one exercise where I got a weight from the 'lower rack'. Progress, I suppose!

I am not as certain about my nutrition as Cheryl, so tonight's consult is much needed. I'm going out today and bringing some protein with me. Now to be able to drive past the Starbucks instead of pulling in....

Protein, protein, protein

I find the easiest thing to maintain is the exercise. I am 'forced' into it four days a week, and did it the other two days just so I could look forward to Sunday off! It's hard, but it feels great when I'm done.

Nutrition: it's going OK here. I tried one type of shake/powder and couldn't take it. So I bought another today and hope it's better. And I bought some bars. I actually bought the South Beach ones because they seemed to have the higher protein and lower carbs than the others. I haven't weighed myself - I'm scared I haven't actually lost weight.

Cheryl had a great idea: cardio training together. I think it'll work from here on out. Just having someone else who is going through it and encouraging you to hold the planks longer is awesome. Tomorrow will be tough without her! I have really been enjoying the weight training - it feels good, and challenging.

I have a consult with Dr Nahata next Friday morning. So I'll have more news then!

And Indra I see in two weeks. Very curious what they'll say/do!

That's my update. I think I'll definitely need some guidance in the nutrition area on Tuesday. I've grasped some of it but am certainly still struggling. Now that I have some bars, that will help maintain my protein all day.

Thanks for checking in!

Ouch.

I thought last night was hard. Whoops. I was so wrong.

Tonight was cardio intervals with abs. Talk about hurt. At first the pain was the cardio, but then as we got further on, I looked forward to the cardio. Funny how that works. I am just thankful to Cheryl (my co-winner) for not laughing when I fell - literally - off the ball tonight. =)

But enough complaining, all these aching muscles tell me that I have been ignoring them, and now they're waking up - so this is good news. And the nutrition consult tonight was amazing - so much I had no idea about. I am excited for my morning run to the grocery store (odd, yes?) to stock up on all the good things to eat.

Never thought I'd look forward to stepping on a scale - now I just hope it makes me happy.

Day 2 - Done.

Easy?

Well, I was told we'd 'take it easy' today because it was our first day of training. You know, figuring out weights and the like.

Um, I'm in trouble. I did not at all consider that easy.

My trainer for the night, Dorothy, was really great and encouraging. Challenging, too, which was good for me. I look forward to meeting other trainers throughout this process. I am especially interested in my nutrition evaluation tomorrow with Lisa. I don't know whether I eat well, horrible, or somewhere in between.

Anyway, we have barely just hit the tip of the iceberg. This is gonna be tough. Good. But tough.

Day 1 - done.

Day 1

Today is the first day of our personal training. I am excited to get underway, but am nervous about how hard this is going to be. I know it is going to be worth it! I just am trying to keep the end result my driving motivation.

We had our fitness evaluation last week. Yikes. Not a pretty thing. But I suppose it must be done so we can see a positive result - right? It also confirmed how much I need help.

I keep trying to think of the part of this makeover I am most excited about - and it keeps changing. The teeth whitening is a huge thing for me. And just something different and contemporary with my hair (instead of my signature ponytail!). And a new outfit - stylish and hip. Wow. And then the whole body change - fitter, slimmer, healthier. I expect my favorite part will keep changing, but for now, I am content to remain grateful for all of it. I would have been ecstatic to win even one of these prizes. To have them all together is beyond belief.

Thank you to all the sponsors - I feel as if my life will be longer and healthier and happier because of your generosity.

And to my family and friends, and those I don't know - please keep encouraging me! I hope this feeling of excitement can drive me and help me achieve my goals. But I know that every bit of motivation you provide will push me that much more. Thanks for being part of this journey with me.

Here we go!!!