Thanks, LoriAnn!  I will say that sometimes there are 2-3 entries for the same item, so I still double check sometimes with labels and restaurant nutrition guides. Didn’t know what to use for my steamed dumplings so I picked a calorie estimate on the high side.

I’m okay with recovering when I do slip, it’s when I don’t slip and don’t make progress that is hard. I feel I’m working quite hard at this - though when I read about Tom’s triathlon or the accomplishments of others physically, I feel like a weakling wimp!

Right now I’m on the “no sweets till my birthday” month, excluding the Zone bars I have sometimes. Makes me look forward to turning 45!

I know how you feel… I’ve been working like a dog for a month now, and even though I know I’m doing well (not sucking wind as easily, etc.) it feel like it takes an eternity for the scales to budge.  They moved so much easier in my 30’s and earlier 40’s (I’ll be 49 in August).  My sweets consist of either sugar free jello, fat free sugar free jello pudding or one of those no sugar added 40 calorie fudgesicles.  Other than that, it’s pretty clean eating.  My Mum’s bloodwork just came back, and her cholesterol is through the roof again, so I get to play kitchen police  

Well, now that we know what a bugger it is at our age to get the weight off, we’ll surely be more on top of the situation when we get to where we’re going so we don’t have to do this again!!  With age comes wisdom!!

Keep plugging away… as long as you keep moving in the right direction, even if it’s just baby steps, it’s still way better than the alternative!

though when I read about Tom’s triathlon or the accomplishments of others physically, I feel like a weakling wimp!

Ann,
You make me feel like a wimp with your double Jazzercise classes and now you have joined a gym.  You are doing great!  I think there are not many of us that can compare to Tom.

Thanks, Eileen! But the two Jazzercise classes are not quite like 2 hours of long slow burn. The classes are structured with a warmup, then a build up the aerobic curve (perceived exertion from easy to somewhat hard to hard) and back down, though we go right from somewhat hard toa bit easier to “grab your weights” and do toning and stretching. So it’s not all that hard to do two unless I’m low on energy or sore.  Most weeks someone or other is doing a “double” as well for one reason or another. Since I’ve been doing the same essential workout (with variations, of course, all the time as new routines are phased in) for 16 months or so, it’s gotten a lot easier and I have to find ways of pushing harder.

And joining the gym was the easy part. Getting something worthy out of it, and not killing myself in the process, now that’s taxing.

I really read what a lot of people do in their 100 days, and I feel unworthy. I hope I get as organized and successful with my gym time as many of the others.  I do think stepping up the resistance, gradually, is the way to go to ultimately burn more fat and increase lean muscle. It may take a while… maybe I really do mean “hot by fifty.”

Ann, you are doing fabulous! I love the way you’ve taken your routine up a notch and are making the journey truly your own. You are an inspiration.

Bree

Thank you, Bree. New pic? You’ve got some shoulders, girl!

It’s amazing how the little setbacks and challenges will get me whining, though I can appreciate the big picture too. Two years ago I was too fat and out of shape to cross my legs. Now I can’t cross my legs because my muscles are sore. Progress!

I do think stepping up the resistance, gradually, is the way to go to ultimately burn more fat and increase lean muscle. It may take a while… maybe I really do mean “hot by fifty.”

I agree and that it where I am having trouble.  I am trying to figure out the best way to get in resistance training.  I have done stairs, squats, lunges, etc for my legs and push ups and dumbbells for my arms.  I also have some resistance bands to use.  My problem is doing it.  I have no problem getting in the LSB.  Maybe I just need to schedule my resistance training - write it down on the calendar ahead of time and then do it.

Eileen, I can appreciate that. Resistance training is HARD to commit to compared to cardio. If you overdo it you suffer and can throw yourself off track. For me at least, the difference between “phew, this isn’t so bad” and “Ohmygod I can’t do one more rep” is so fast.

That said, I’ve certainly been getting some resistance in with Jazzercise. We use weights to tone arms, legs, upper back, to work core, etc. Sometimes resistance bands too. I just want to up the ante. Now I know why people hire personal trainers—not only do they get expert coaching, they get a muscle-babysitter, who holds them to it.

I’d love to find a female pal locally who has the same goals so we could sort of coach each other… if that would even work out. Though I saw how it was having a diet buddy… a colleague joined Weight Watchers around the time I started counting calories. She didn’t stick with it, and I did. We weren’t really partners-in-crime, but there was that sense that we would help each other along, and yet when the other person gives up, you have to tell yourself to keep going anyway.

For me I think having a clear cut plan, as well as a schedule, will help. I’m also really interested in using music to pull me along through the resistance portion. I played music Sunday and found myself lifting weights to the beat, sort of.

Okay, had my body composition test today. Here’s how I stack up:

Height: 62”
Weight: 156 lb
Age: 44
Chosen goal weight: 135 lb
BMI: 28.53
Resistance: 470
Reactance: 45.3 ohms
Phase angle:  5.5
Impedance: 472.2

Fat: 53.2 lb (34.1% of body weight)
Fat free mass: 102.7 lbs (65.9%) (does that count the tumors? And the Harrington rod?)
Total body water: 8.2 lbs (50.2% of wt, 76.1% of fat free mass)
Basal Metabolic Rate: 1411 kCal
Daily energy expenditure: 1834 kCal

Funny, I always thought I had more ohms of reactance than *that.*

Not sure what this all means but my út is slightly higher than the digital magic scale said (33%) and my BMR is slightly lower than DailyPlate has assessed it at, but only by about 50 calories.  I’m supposed to have it checked again in 4-6 weeks.

Okay, I feel vaguely like a sack of potatoes that fell off a truck.  It’s not that I hurt specifically, but I can definitely feel achiness in a bunch of places.

Taking ibuprofen. Got slammed at work and had to finally push people away and grab something to eat, I was getting really cranky.

I look forward to lunch, vegetables and cottage cheese and such in the warm sunshine while no one asks me questions. No one!!

Hi Ann,

Hope you enjoyed your lunch and did get some peace and quite.  Be sure to take care of yourself if you feel like your getting something.

Thanks, MB. I did enjoy my lunch. An obnoxiously large bowl of salad, steamed veggies and 1/2 cup cottage cheese.  It does help to clear the head. Since lunch all I wanted was chocolate cake. I spotted the picture on the Friday’s menu last night, and though I didn’t have it, it was burned in my retinas. I wasn’t going to do any sweets from now till my birthday, but I ended up deciding to take five minutes and get an ice cream sandwich (only 180 calories) from the vending machine downstairs, and let myself enjoy it.  I feel a little better. I realize the last day I didn’t work out in some fashion was Wednesday a week ago, and that only because I had a volunteer commitment. Though I’ve enjoyed the long walks particularly, and most of what I’ve been doing is pleasurable, I do feel like I’ve been pushing myself pretty hard lately on all fronts.

I don’t feel sick, just a little overworked. I bet tomorrow my shoulder blades and chest will be sore. Tonight I will use very small weights in class. And try to get to bed very early.

My weight was back down on Sunday, and this morning I was too busy to remember to weigh myself. I feel a huge sense of relief that I got my stuff more organized, my carpets vacuumed, and so forth. There’s lots still to do, but I really needed a kick in the pants to get started on it. I’m going to try taking on home organization in much the same way I took on fitness… make some self-observations, set weekly goals, etc.  I generally do pretty well when I share my living space with others (roommates, and I’m a good guest) but when I live alone, and go for long stretches without having people over, I get rather slovenly. Will work on improving that!

Modestly happy—another pound down this morning. That despite having eaten (gasp) pasta, albeit low-carb pasta, and the actual serving portion the box states (1/8 of the box). That was tough, as I cooked half the box and put the cold al dente pasta away in the fridge. But I cooked as many mushrooms as there was penne, and had a nice full plate at least by current standards.

Congratulations on the weight removal!

I’ve been working on spring cleaning/organizing my house.  I take one room a week and make a list of what needs to be done.  Then try to get at least one thing on the list done each day and then finish the rest on the weekend.  Although I admit, some times nothing gets done until the weekend.

Keep up the good work.  Sounds like you are in a good place right now.