It took a picture on Facebook to kick me in the rear and get me back on track. Last night was spirit night for my Relay for Life team and our community manager (who loves taking pictures) came by one of our tables and asked if we would mind having our picture taken and if we didn't mind, would we mind having it on Facebook.
I am not the type of person who processes compliments on command. People always tell me that I am photogenic but the photos that they are taking and or seeing are normally from the chest up. It wasn't until last night that I saw, before my own two eyes, that when I sit down to take a picture and have my hands in my lap, I look like I am nine months pregnant!
I just looked at that picture and was in utter disbelief. I know cameras add 10 pounds but it seems that these new HD cameras add about 20 pounds! It's either that or that is truly what I look like sitting down.
Either way, that photo inspired me in my workout this evening. I am on my fourth week (I can't believe it) of The Biggest Loser's Cardio Max workout and during my 40 minute session, my goal has been to burn 400 calories. I came close to that one day last week when I burned 397 but it wasn't until today (and seeing that photo) that I burned 401 calories.
That has been the greatest workout achievement I have had since starting the Biggest Loser workout series and I pushed myself harder that I ever have today because of that photo. One day, I hope to use that photo as my before and take another one sitting down as my after (one where I don't look like I am pregnant and ready to go into labor at any moment).
Small things can lead to something bigger. That picture (something small) is going to lead to something bigger (more motivation and determination to change) and although it will take some time, I am eager to see what comes next.
Showing posts with label the biggest loser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the biggest loser. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Weigh In Day: Workout Calendar
Since I had another week of unexpected days off from working out, I knew I needed to take the time and make a workout schedule. I have postponed my actual stepping on the scale to next week because I wanted to highlight a non-scale victory I had last week (plus the fact that my workout schedule is now available under the 'workout schedule' tab).
For some reason, I have always worn my age in jeans. What does that mean? When I was 16, I was wearing a size 16. When I was 18, I was wearing a size 18 and so forth. The highest jean size I have ever been in is a size 20 (you guessed it, at the age of 20) but all of that changed recently (at least partially changed).
I tend to be a last minute dresser. What does that mean? I think of something I am going to wear, then when the day comes that I want to wear it I have either already worn it or it doesn't fit the way I want it to. That is exactly what happened to me last week.
I have a favorite pair of jeans. Ones that fit absolutely wonderful (I guess you could say that I have worn them out, but doesn't that make for a great pair of pants?). Unfortunately, this particular pair of pants has a rip in the back (while that may be the still for some, it wasn't for me). What makes it even more unfortunate is that I had somewhere to be where a rip in the back of my pants wouldn't have been appropriate. I tried on numerous pairs of pants and they didn't fit the way I wanted them to. My mom suggested I try another pair of pants I have from Old Navy and after I told her they wouldn't fit, I reluctantly tried them on.
The moment of true was fast approaching as I pulled them up and the fit!! Those jeans were a size 18 and I couldn't have been more happier to know that I could wear them. That is what inspired me to come home and continue with week two of the Biggest Loser workout (it was week two because I had already taken a week off, then this week makes the second week off which means I will be starting week three on Monday).
Non-scale victories have really pushed me on this journey, they have inspired me to keep going on this journey and that is one of the reasons why I created a workout calendar. Visually seeing what I have to do (yes have to, I am not giving myself too many options because when I have those I don't succeed as much as I would like to) lets me know that I am steadily working towards my goal. I think it's the fact that I am able to cross things off of the calendar that lets me know I am getting closer to what I have been working towards.
If you want to see what is on my workout schedule, head over to the workout schedule tab and click anywhere on the calendar to get a closer view.
For some reason, I have always worn my age in jeans. What does that mean? When I was 16, I was wearing a size 16. When I was 18, I was wearing a size 18 and so forth. The highest jean size I have ever been in is a size 20 (you guessed it, at the age of 20) but all of that changed recently (at least partially changed).
I tend to be a last minute dresser. What does that mean? I think of something I am going to wear, then when the day comes that I want to wear it I have either already worn it or it doesn't fit the way I want it to. That is exactly what happened to me last week.
I have a favorite pair of jeans. Ones that fit absolutely wonderful (I guess you could say that I have worn them out, but doesn't that make for a great pair of pants?). Unfortunately, this particular pair of pants has a rip in the back (while that may be the still for some, it wasn't for me). What makes it even more unfortunate is that I had somewhere to be where a rip in the back of my pants wouldn't have been appropriate. I tried on numerous pairs of pants and they didn't fit the way I wanted them to. My mom suggested I try another pair of pants I have from Old Navy and after I told her they wouldn't fit, I reluctantly tried them on.
The moment of true was fast approaching as I pulled them up and the fit!! Those jeans were a size 18 and I couldn't have been more happier to know that I could wear them. That is what inspired me to come home and continue with week two of the Biggest Loser workout (it was week two because I had already taken a week off, then this week makes the second week off which means I will be starting week three on Monday).
Non-scale victories have really pushed me on this journey, they have inspired me to keep going on this journey and that is one of the reasons why I created a workout calendar. Visually seeing what I have to do (yes have to, I am not giving myself too many options because when I have those I don't succeed as much as I would like to) lets me know that I am steadily working towards my goal. I think it's the fact that I am able to cross things off of the calendar that lets me know I am getting closer to what I have been working towards.
If you want to see what is on my workout schedule, head over to the workout schedule tab and click anywhere on the calendar to get a closer view.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Weekly Goals
I don't have a long list of goals for this week and that is because I don't think I could handle a long list and added stress on my plate. This week, I am keeping it simple. I am not denying myself anything nor am I judging myself on what I do or do not achieve.
This week, my one and only goal is finding time to exercise. For the next 9 weeks, my schedule will be hectic but I know this is just another stepping stone on my journey, its a reason for me to give up and say that I don't have time. That is the main reason, I am making this my one and only goal.
That exercise can come in the form of The Biggest Loser's Cardio Max or Power Sculpt or it can come in the form of me going to the gym. At this point, I don't think the gym will fit into my schedule for the first two weeks, so I will be relying on at home workouts. I did pickup The Biggest Loser's Power Sculpt workout and I am still trying to figure out whether or not I want to start that in conjunction with Cardio Max, like it is recommended or if I want to finish the remaining 4 weeks of cardio max and then start 6 weeks of Power Sculpt. That decision is still up in the air.
Maybe focusing on one goal will be better for me. Maybe focusing on one goal won't benefit me at all. In the end, I am going to create a workout schedule for both workouts, put it somewhere for me to see and actually focus on completing those workouts, with built in rest days.
I have said all along on this journey that I was going to take time for myself and I am finally getting around to doing just that.
This week, my one and only goal is finding time to exercise. For the next 9 weeks, my schedule will be hectic but I know this is just another stepping stone on my journey, its a reason for me to give up and say that I don't have time. That is the main reason, I am making this my one and only goal.
That exercise can come in the form of The Biggest Loser's Cardio Max or Power Sculpt or it can come in the form of me going to the gym. At this point, I don't think the gym will fit into my schedule for the first two weeks, so I will be relying on at home workouts. I did pickup The Biggest Loser's Power Sculpt workout and I am still trying to figure out whether or not I want to start that in conjunction with Cardio Max, like it is recommended or if I want to finish the remaining 4 weeks of cardio max and then start 6 weeks of Power Sculpt. That decision is still up in the air.
Maybe focusing on one goal will be better for me. Maybe focusing on one goal won't benefit me at all. In the end, I am going to create a workout schedule for both workouts, put it somewhere for me to see and actually focus on completing those workouts, with built in rest days.
I have said all along on this journey that I was going to take time for myself and I am finally getting around to doing just that.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Motivation
I knew that in order for me to be successful on this journey, I would have to stay motivated. When I started this journey, I definitely did have motivation, but for the last 6 days my exercise motivation has ceased to exist.
In my defense (not sure if I can use this in my defense) last Thursday was an unexpected rest day, mainly because I had two exams and was getting stuff together for my cousins wedding and I was away from home from 6am until 3:30pm then again from 5:40pm to 11pm. But, I was all for doing my workout at 11pm when I did get home but I also knew I had to be up the next morning to finish more stuff so I told myself I would have my one and only rest day of the week. Friday was the same thing (final touches) and my rational was "hey, you've been out all day running around, you can take a break" and I did take a break. Saturday, exercise wasn't even an option, because I once again told myself that "today, every thing is coming together and you will be on your feet all day today" so I had yet another rest day. Sunday through today my bed has been calling me and so have those lifetime movies which meant I haven't done a thing but eat. In my defense again, they haven't all been high calorie foods, mainly fruit (although those low calorie foods can soon add up).
So where is my motivation?
I don't know where it is, but it is slowly coming back today. I love doing the biggest loser workout but I have been in a rut since my Polar FT4 has been away from me and I think that (believe it or not) that is the reason I haven't been motivated to jump back on the workout train. On the other hand, I made it before without my Polar and I shall make it again (until I have a new one or upgrade to the FT7).
So today, I am back to doing the Biggest Loser workout because my entire reason for being on this journey was to become a better me and I can't do that by sitting on the bed, watching lifetime movies and eating. My body is telling me that it is ready to work harder than ever for what I want, I just have to get up and listen to it; I have to motivate myself.
In my defense (not sure if I can use this in my defense) last Thursday was an unexpected rest day, mainly because I had two exams and was getting stuff together for my cousins wedding and I was away from home from 6am until 3:30pm then again from 5:40pm to 11pm. But, I was all for doing my workout at 11pm when I did get home but I also knew I had to be up the next morning to finish more stuff so I told myself I would have my one and only rest day of the week. Friday was the same thing (final touches) and my rational was "hey, you've been out all day running around, you can take a break" and I did take a break. Saturday, exercise wasn't even an option, because I once again told myself that "today, every thing is coming together and you will be on your feet all day today" so I had yet another rest day. Sunday through today my bed has been calling me and so have those lifetime movies which meant I haven't done a thing but eat. In my defense again, they haven't all been high calorie foods, mainly fruit (although those low calorie foods can soon add up).
So where is my motivation?
I don't know where it is, but it is slowly coming back today. I love doing the biggest loser workout but I have been in a rut since my Polar FT4 has been away from me and I think that (believe it or not) that is the reason I haven't been motivated to jump back on the workout train. On the other hand, I made it before without my Polar and I shall make it again (until I have a new one or upgrade to the FT7).
So today, I am back to doing the Biggest Loser workout because my entire reason for being on this journey was to become a better me and I can't do that by sitting on the bed, watching lifetime movies and eating. My body is telling me that it is ready to work harder than ever for what I want, I just have to get up and listen to it; I have to motivate myself.
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Biggest Loser - Cardio Max
Yesterday, I mentioned that I had recently started the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout and I am in LOVE with it so far. This is the first at home workout that I have found in a long time that actually challenges me and pushes me to new levels.
The workout, a 6-week program for maximum weight loss, features Bob, Jillian and Kim. Bob takes on cardio level 1 and leads the warm-up (5 minutes), cardio level (20 minutes) and cool down (5 minutes). Level one is as far as I have gotten since I started on Friday because it is recommend that you complete level one for weeks 1-2. Jillian comes next with cardio level 2 which adds on another 10 minutes and Kim comes in with cardio level 3 which is a kickboxing routine for another 10 minutes.
By week 6, the workout will run around 50 minutes but at the beginning it will run you around 30 depending on if you take breaks or not. For a 30 minute workout you do get a good calorie burn in.
Here are results from days 1 - 3. Day 1 is normally my day to follow along while taking note of everything that occurs in the workout which means I do not always catch every move but I do try. As the days go on, I try to add in a move that I may have missed on the first day or add more reps of moves that I may have stopped earlier than those in the workout.
Day 1 (Introduction)
Day 2 (gave more than the previous day)
Day 3 (Completed some additional reps)
I do enjoy burning more calories than I did the day before, but I focus more on getting in all the moves and digging deeper than I did the day before even if I have to do a few reps more than once to get the hang of it.
One of the biggest things that I like about this workout is that it actually features real people. By real, I mean people who are not flaunting around their bodies in sports bras and short shorts (but I do suppose the whole "if you got it flaunt it" phrase appeals to most). The participants in this workout are actually from the Biggest Loser. There are times when they get off sync, when they don't dig as deep, when sweat is pouring off of them and they are breathing hard. These are the things that I want to see in a workout which is targeted at helping you lose weight. I can't follow someone (in other workouts) who does a modified version of something which is on the same level with the non-modification.
Yes, this workout does have modifications but they are modifications that I can follow. Each day I cannot wait to do this workout because seeing contestants from the Biggest Loser inspires me to push myself because I know that I can dig deep for something I want.
The workout, a 6-week program for maximum weight loss, features Bob, Jillian and Kim. Bob takes on cardio level 1 and leads the warm-up (5 minutes), cardio level (20 minutes) and cool down (5 minutes). Level one is as far as I have gotten since I started on Friday because it is recommend that you complete level one for weeks 1-2. Jillian comes next with cardio level 2 which adds on another 10 minutes and Kim comes in with cardio level 3 which is a kickboxing routine for another 10 minutes.
By week 6, the workout will run around 50 minutes but at the beginning it will run you around 30 depending on if you take breaks or not. For a 30 minute workout you do get a good calorie burn in.
Here are results from days 1 - 3. Day 1 is normally my day to follow along while taking note of everything that occurs in the workout which means I do not always catch every move but I do try. As the days go on, I try to add in a move that I may have missed on the first day or add more reps of moves that I may have stopped earlier than those in the workout.
I do enjoy burning more calories than I did the day before, but I focus more on getting in all the moves and digging deeper than I did the day before even if I have to do a few reps more than once to get the hang of it.
One of the biggest things that I like about this workout is that it actually features real people. By real, I mean people who are not flaunting around their bodies in sports bras and short shorts (but I do suppose the whole "if you got it flaunt it" phrase appeals to most). The participants in this workout are actually from the Biggest Loser. There are times when they get off sync, when they don't dig as deep, when sweat is pouring off of them and they are breathing hard. These are the things that I want to see in a workout which is targeted at helping you lose weight. I can't follow someone (in other workouts) who does a modified version of something which is on the same level with the non-modification.
Yes, this workout does have modifications but they are modifications that I can follow. Each day I cannot wait to do this workout because seeing contestants from the Biggest Loser inspires me to push myself because I know that I can dig deep for something I want.
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