Third Week

This week the Flu Bug hit our house. Which means that all 5 of us had a sick day. My 8 year old took Sunday. My 6 year old and 2 year old shared Monday. My day was Tuesday. Wednesday I was still in recovery mode. Thursday evening my hubby began his round and ended it Friday evening. So, I went to the gym on Monday, then did 2 classes on Thursday. Wednesday, even though I was not feeling well, I took my oldest kids to a corn maze and wandered around for a while. On Friday evening I went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the elliptical. So I still did 3 days, and one of those days I did 2 classes to make up for missing one earlier that week. Not bad for a week of sickies. Right? Have you ever noticed that men don't handle the flu quite as well as women do? Is that only at my house? When I was sick, I emptied my own bowl, still managed to get the kids lunches packed, back packs ready and kids out the door. My husband laid in bed and asked me to empty his bowl each time he got sick. Under normal circumstances, my husband doesn't mind helping around the house...but when he's in charge of the whole day, well, it turns out he DOES mind. It was a LONG week. Incidentally, it turns out that the flu offers some pretty quick weight loss. 5 lbs in 24 hours. Not bad. Also not permanent and certainly not the way to do it. I don't recommend it. Fortunately THIS week has already started off better. I even talked my hubby into joining me for circuit training. It's fun to exercise with a buddy....and for me, it was even better that it was my hubby.

Second week done

Okay, so remember in my last post, just one week ago, I mentioned that it takes 12 weeks to see a difference? And I sort of naively inferred that I would STILL be stepping on the scale (daily) just to check-in? Well, I have ben doing it. And after 2 weeks I can tell you that the scale isn't budging. I *KNOW* I am working hard. I confess that I haven't changed my eating habits. BUT, I figured I'm working out and burning massive amounts of calories 5 times a week and DARN IT if I didn't expect to see some sort of drop on that scale. It is SO hard not to get frustrated. I even did 2 extra classes this week. I mean...come ON! What's a girl gotta do? Okay. That's not a fair question. If I were to alter my diet on top of this increase in calorie burning, I'm sure I would see the number on the scale begin to drop. Anyway, despite the lack of decrease, I am still going to keep getting up every morning and going to these classes. I tried a "pump it" class this week (one of my new "extra" classes). It was 45 minutes of weights using a barbell and hand weights but working your whole body. Most of me is just a touch tender but my pectorals are KILLING me. A good sign. Sore muscles. This coming week I am hoping to make it to a spin class. Shudder. I don't like to bike. That little teeny tiny seat just doesn't do it for me. But, it looks like a good calorie burn...and my husband wants to go. (Just what I need, to work out next to my incredibly healthy skinny husband...who just happens to be a cyclist.)

One of the positive side effects of this exercise thing is that I have no problem falling asleep at night. If I would just get off the computer and close my eyes, that is. So I'm going to do that now and probably dream about working out. 'Cause that's what I do now. I even workout in my sleep. Ridiculous.

One week

I read an article the other day written by a collaboration of nutritionist and personal trainers. It was full of advice and answers to health questions. Most of it I already knew. But there was one questions inquiring about how soon you should see results. The answer shocked me. I figured 4 weeks and you should be able to tell that you've been busting your tail...at least a LITTLE something, right? Do you know how long before you see results? 12 WEEKS! That's right, TWELVE freaking weeks. Is it any wonder that I usually only make it 6 weeks before I get frustrated and give up? So I'm committed to 12 weeks. I'm going to try to do some sort of cardio and/or weight training at least 5 days a week. I'm one week down. I missed going to the gym on Friday this week and I generally try to take Sunday off (I don't consider 50 sit-ups before bed a violation of that). So I made it. 5 days of classes at the gym. My favorite class was offered on Thursday and Saturday. It was a quad-step aerobics class...the last 20 minutes of the class the instructor pushed us to do 6 steps. Awesome. Exhausting. Totally worth it.

Now, despite my new found knowledge (remember, 12 weeks) I still find myself stepping on the scale every morning hoping that I'm the exception. Why? I don't know. Maybe just to torture myself....maybe because I find it difficult to believe that one can work so hard and NOT see some sort of result. It just doesn't seem fair. (I know, I know. LIFE isn't FAIR. Does this statement make you want to stick out your tongue as well?) So, another 11 weeks to go. I expect to see results...and I'll probably still step on the scale every single morning....because I'm just that kind of person right now.

Short and Sweet....

I joined a gym on Saturday. On Monday I tried a "circuit training" class that had me sucking wind and thinking that I might black-out at any time. (I'm trying it again on Wednesday.) Today I did step aerobics. LOVE IT. Looking forward to trying more classes. I was a step class master about 10 years ago (pre-babies) and foolishly thought I could just jump right in at my old level. I now know differently. I'm back a square one EXCEPT that I still know some of the steps so I can enjoy the workout and not get too frustrated trying to figure it all out. Fun stuff, I tell ya. Looking forward to a QUAD-STEP on Thursday morning. It's gonna be awesome. I've decided to become a gym junky. :)

A few words . . .

It is me, Tracey.

I ran last week.

I ran last night.

I might run again tonight.

I'm back on Week 1

Just thought you'd like to know. :)