2007 was great and I’m blessed to have found all of my friends here at MTM.  You have all inspired me in so many ways and encouraged me when I was having trouble.  Thank you all!! 

Now that exercise has become a regular part of my life and I feel so much better but I have found that it’s just not enough.  For this brand new year I’ve decided that I need to change things up a bit to get me to the next level so more detailed goals are necessary.  My main goal remains, to be in shape by the time I turn 40 in May 2009.  What that means to me is active, strong, physically fit, and at a normal, healthy body weight and fat %.  I’m only part of the way there.  I’m strong, active and much more fit than I’ve been in years but my weight it still far from normal, so a change of diet is a must.

I spent my day preparing for my new adventures in eating healthy foods.  I’ve tried every diet out there at some point in my life and have failed at every one of them.  I’m trying a new approach this time around.  I’ve been studying nutrition and am amazed at what I don’t know and what I’ve been doing wrong.  Instead of deprivng myself I’m going to feed myself only the best foods.  I will record everything I eat so I can see exactly what needs to be adjusted.  I will continue to weight train 2 days a week but will add cardio a minimum of 2 days a week. 

Tomorrow we start a biggest loser competition at my office and I’m starting an exercise challenge with my friend Tim, so I’ll have motivation coming out of my ears. 

Carrie, Best Wishes for achieving your Goals in 2008.

I wont wish you luck since we both know luck will not be the reason you achieve your goals.

I have a great food memory, so I look back at my week and assess myself. It is good to keep a journal, internally or externally! The nutrition aspect is key, and I honestly have to say that I learn new things every day. I can also say that I RE-learn a large percentage of it every day! Haha, I wish I could remember it all. But the more I use it, the more reason my brain will have to keep it easily accessible!

We’re on that quest for the kind of knowledge that saves lives, our own! I think your plan is awesome, Carrie!

I love a challenge. Good luck and Happy New Year!

Hi Carrie,

You sure have a great plan in place!  You’re so right about not “dieting.” Simply tracking what you’re eating and learning how your own body reacts to different foods (or amounts or timing of foods) will let you tailor your plan to fit YOU!  Making those little adjustments along the way is SO much easier (and more effective)!

I know you’ll reach your goal! 

Hi Carrie
Sounds like you have a great plan for success in mind there. Just keep on moving and eating healthy and pounds will fall off.
We are working on the same goals. I am becoming 40 this summer and want to loose some pounds before that.

Wishing you all the best and a good start for your Challenge.
Jordan

Great plan, Carrie! Happy New Year!

Hey, Carrie.
Great job starting off with a prep day...I did the same thing.  (cuz the gym was closed yesterday and the temps are in the 20’s here).
Good job on reading up on nutrition.  It will make a huge difference in your pursuit.

Good luck on becoming the biggest loser!!  Might I suggest you guys measure body fat and not weight, cuz with your weight lifting, you’ll be at a disadvantage.

Hi Carrie…

Yes, I am ready for that challenge… you’ll finally work in cardio into your routine and I’ll finally work in weight training into my routine! (You’ve been peanut butter, I’ve been chocolate… and we both become Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups! Remember that commercial?)

Carrie, that is awesome that you want to focus more on how your body is working and have a plan of attack for the year 2008.  I too took control of my eating by joining weight Watchers and have found that plan extremely helpful in teaching me about the importance of eating right and eating healthy to get the results you want.

I’m sure your going to kick butt, remeber… if it was easy it wouldn’t be worth doing! Hang in there and don’t give up!!

Wow!  Thanks everybody for all the replies and encouragement. 

Thanks Muscles, I’ll take the luck too just in case.

“We’re on that quest for the kind of knowledge that saves lives, our own!” I like the Brandon!

Chad, We were trying to come up with a fair way to do the weigh in because we are all of different sizes.  One girl has about 15 lbs to lose, another 30 lbs, one guy wants to lose 50 and I’d like to lose a small person.  We decided that % lost would be the way to go.  I know my weight lifting might not help me in the competition but it should help in my personal goal to lose the fat.  Even if I don’t win, the competition is fueling the fire inside me so I’ll play along.

Hey Tim, You got your chocolate in my peanut butter! 

Shawn, Emmi, Brandon, Judy, Tim, Muscles and many others, you’ve all had great results losing weight so I might be picking your brains for info.  You all are inspiring to me.  Thanks.

On to my workout… Jan 2nd was a make up day at the gym with my trainer since they were closed on Monday and I go back again today.  Two days of lifting in a row is gonna wipe me out but I’ve gotta do it.  Last night I spent 75 minutes lifting working my chest, shoulders, and triceps.  My trainer heard about my Biggest Loser competition so he really pushed me.  I didn’t feel like going but when I was done I was energized.  It could have been the cold weather.  Burrrrrrr

Incline press 55, 55, 75, 85, 95, 95 and 115 lbs
flat dumbbell presses 20, 25, 30, 35, 35 lbs
flat dumbbell flies 4 set @ 20 lbs
incline dumbbell flies 4 sets @ 20
shoulder presses on the Smith Machine 65, 65, 85, 85, 105, 105, 115 lbs
4 set super sets of side dumbbell raises 15 lbs and front dumbbell raises 20 lbs
seated overhead extensions 20, 25, 30, 35, 35 lbs
push downs “V” bar 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 lbs
push downs straight bar 80, 80, 90, 90 lbs

Tonight I head back for legs and back.

Quite an impressive weight session you got going there, Carrie! Indeed!

Shawn, Emmi, Brandon, Judy, Tim, Muscles and many others, you’ve all had great results losing weight so I might be picking your brains for info.  You all are inspiring to me.  Thanks.

Pick away, Carrie. I’ll help you in any way I can.

All this talk about chocolate and peanut butter isn’t going to help me lose any weight. Reese cups are my favorite things in the world after melted cheese. {drool} mmmmm..... melted cheese............

Great work at the gym!! 
I’ve been sick all week, so I’m going to have to catch up with you next week!!  Good luck in the competition at work!

Oh, you’re strong!

Carrie, actually the muscle will give you an advantage, muscle burn lots of calories!

OK Emmi, I won’t talk about naughty food if you don’t. 

Sorry to hear you have been sick Chad.  You’ll be kicking my butt in no time.

Thanks Jenni.  Welcome to my thread.

That’s true Shawn but muscle is heavier than fat so I have to make sure I dump a bunch of this fat.

My workout tonight:

squats 95, 95, 135, 185, 225, 225, 225 lbs
leg presses 20 reps @ 135 lbs, 2 sets of 15 reps @ 225, 12 reps @ 315, 12 reps @ 405 lbs
leg extensions @ 50, 50, 60, 70, 80 lbs
hamstring curls @ 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 lbs
pulldowns @ 40, 40, 50, 60, 70 lbs
underhand pulldowns @ 50, 60, 70, 75 lbs
rowing machine @ 40, 50, 60, 70, 70 lbs

Where is the cardio?

Yay.  Another great workout.
Shawn - I was thinking the same thing!

I’m planning to do it tomorrow.  I had to do two makeup days with my trainer and I don’t do cardio with him.  He doesn’t want to stand there and watch me walk on a treadmill.  Good job riding my a$$ guys.

Thats what we’re here for!  (and good at)