LOL - I’m usually to impatient to wait for things to air dry, but maybe I should do that until I shrink myself a bit more and they start to get loose. Even though the scale has been holding for quite a while my clothes are telling me that I am doing ok. A few blouses that were “comfortable” in the summer are starting to get baggy, and another that was snug around the hips now fits well. Unfortunately it is a very summery blouse so I have kinda missed the opportunity to wear it....unless someone would like to suprise me with a trip to Florida (wink wink nudge nudge)

Good workout at the gym after school. Back, Quads and Shoulders. Dropped one set of my first two supersets and the cardio sprint intervals to make the workout a bit shorter and complete it in under an hour, but I did follow up with 35 min on the bike, so including warm-up I did 45 min total of cardio (the minimum required by my trainer!). I’m still feeling a bit worn out overall, but I was able to push my max weights a bit easier today.

I’m planning on turning in a early tonight and hoping to get another night of solid sleep. One other possible reason for my dragging recently may be that in my rush to get out the door in the morning I keep forgetting to take my vitamins. I had 3 days left in my case when I got to the end of the week. Good thing it is not a necessary prescription!

So how is October going so far, Catherine?

Hi again Joan - thanks for asking how I’m doing. Are you going to start filling in for Shawn? I miss his almost daily responses. I really am concerned about him. I hope he is OK.


3 days into October and 3 workouts done, but yesterday was a rest day. I did two workouts today.

Let’s start with Wednesday. Cardio day - 30 min on the elliptical followed by 15 min on the rower. Timed 2000 metres - did it in 10:44. Followed up with a Yoga for the Back podcast. (my lower back is much happier with me this week - maybe a combo of last weeks massage and a few targeted yoga sessions - must try to keep getting those in)

Yesterday ended up being a rest day. I opted to go watch the Girls Field Hockey team play a game in the afternoon (in the pouring rain - they won 5-0) and didn’t have time to get a good workout in before my dentist appointment (just a cleaning - no problems). I was hoping to go for a walk or do something in the evening, but my SIL needed someone to watch my nephew while she went car shopping with her parents. (Her dad was in an accident last week and the CRV was totaled. Good new is that he is ok - just a few bruises.) Had tones of fun playing with Matthew. Who know a 2 year old could be so mesmerized by Survivor though!!

Since I didn’t get anything in yesterday I started today with a morning cardio session (I normally do my workouts after school - but went in early to get it in). Started on the rower today and took almost a minute off my 2000m time (9:48), because I started out fresh and figured out better technique. Completed 20 min total on the rower then hopped on the elliptical for another 25 for a total of 45 min.
After school I thought my trainer was going to meet me in the school weight room for a workout, however he forgot that plan and was waiting for me at his house!! I even talked about this with his sister this morning because when I saw him yesterday we confirmed the meeting was for 3, but didn’t mention the location. I figured he knew because I technically work till 3:30ish and if I was to go to his place it would be at least 4:00 before I could (should) get there. He and I had that discussion last time. Anyway, I called him at 3:10 and made my way out to his place after all (after calling up to his sister and telling her her brother was a “dufas”!! Of course in good fun). Great workout. New plan. Program 6. I’ll post it later. Back to a cardio based weight training program - high reps again. Not entirely sure if I like everything in it yet - lots of bosu ball stuff and some of my “internet research” discourages training on unstable surfaces. I’m concerned that stepping on and off a bosu ball is a sprained ankle waiting to happen, but it was a good leg workout. And bosu ball planks are TOUGH!! I like those. Also by my 3rd set of 30 reps of Hamstring curls on a ball I was totally feeling a BURN! OH man!! If you haven’t tried those before you should!! Mike commented that my face was the same colour as my shirt (red).

NO ONE could take Shawn’s place. . . . I miss him and worry about him too.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the bosu ball as long as you’re supervised and watch what you’re doing. They use it a lot in the physical therapy section of the place where I go to exercise. It should help with balance and your core and those are both certainly important.

Time for an update - only batting 50% in the last 4 days.

Saturday 45 min cardio. Nothing too exciting to report - just straight cardio on the elliptical. Busy day though - did some shopping.

Warning - Bra take in next paragraph

FINALLY got my hands on that particular sports bra I’ve been eyeing since last May. I found a boutique that could order from Champion and did so in July, but someone changed the model number and they brought in the wrong one. When I went in to get it the first time the store owner tried hard to convince me that this was the one I ordered so I had to go online to show her the one I really wanted. Fortunately the girl that helped me the first time remembered so they gave me a discount on the purchase I made that day. They re-ordered and it arrived a few weeks ago, but this was the first chance I had to go out and get it. Tried it out during my workout and it seems to do the job I want it too. I will likely order a few more.
I also started researching bikes. I went into a bike shop on Youge St. to find out what I might want and how much I can expect to spend on a new bike ... and all the necessary gear ... and some not so necessary things too. Bikes are so much more sophisticated than what I ever had as a kid. My last bike had 3 gears. The store owner steered me toward Hybrid bikes (cross between a road bike and a mountain bike I think). He sent me out for a ride on 4 different options. (I can count that as a bit of extra exercise - likely about 15 min - so a total of 1 hr for the day!! but this was before I hit the gym so it was more like a warm-up.) I like the fact that they are more upright (you’re not leaning way over forward) and I really liked the ones that had front suspension over those that didn’t - makes for a much smoother ride. I know I will add fenders to any bike I get (I hate getting that muddy strip up my back!!). I’d also have to get a helmet and likely a pair of bike shorts to wear under pants. Anyone who has any advice on particular features I should be looking for would be much appreciated. Any good web sites?

Sunday - woke up not feeling great - headache and queezy - had my normal breakfast, took an advil and went back to bed. Still felt off the rest of the day - so it tuned into a rest day.

Monday - still feeling low - had enough energy for work, but not a workout.

Today was better. Headed down to the school weight room at lunch and started on my new workout plan. About 1/2 way though I got called by Michelle to come and play dodge ball inter-murals for the teacher’s team, (2 female minimum required!) So I ran upstairs only to get pegged off within the first few minutes. I had forgotten my workout gloves so I headed to my office to get them before going back to the weight room and witnessed a fight occurring in the parking lot - so I called that in to the main office and was delayed another 45 min before getting back to my workout. When I did get downstairs I only had time to finish the routine and stretch a bit before I had to go and get ready to teach last period. I had a few bits of lunch and changed clothes, but I didn’t get to shower. After classes I got paged to speak to the police regarding what I saw. (DELETE - reconsidered posting details - better not - I only have a few sketchy details anyway)

On the way home I stopped at another bike shop. I saw a bike I liked - but for cosmetic reasons and the price is at the low end of the range. The shop owner didn’t really let me get a hands on feeling of any bikes though. He can’t get me that bike “in my size” till November so have time to keep looking before I commit to anything.

Catherine....I’ve been thinking I might like to get a bike with a rack on my car to go to the state parks. There are so many great places that are close to take it. I’ll be waiting to see what you pick out. It’s been years since I had one and I’m sure they have changed a lot. Like how you mentioned not having to lean over. Keep up the great job.

Denise

OMG this Red Schwinn was the bike of my dreams when I was 12 years old. I remember when it would go on sale for $39.99 and I would drool over it in the paper. But alas.....I never got it.

The second one is a beach cruiser we see a lot of around here. I like the handle bars. No gears, not really good for mountain trails but fun for cruising.

Hi, Catherine! I was just catching up with your thread, in part at least. Life’s been hectic, and I barely remember to post my own workouts, but glad to see you are still enthusiastic. (Amazing what the right sports bra can do, isn’t it?)

You’re still working harder than I am, I think. I haven’t been to the gym in over two weeks, all I can do to get the Jazzercise commitment in, but I can feel my arms aren’t as strong. Tonight I intend to remedy the situation.

Best,

Ann

Thanks for stopping by ladies. 

Denise - One of the accessories I looked at was a rack for my car - they start at $150 and go up from there - it will wait till next year.  I’m already looking at at least $700 for a bike and the nessessities.

Ann - your still an inspiration to me because you have made you initial big goals!  Sometimes other priorities must take precidence (sp?), but you’re still moving on a regular basis so you’re still doing terrific!!  BTW I keep meaning to email you and see exactly what you are up to.  Hope things are going well in other areas of life.

Today I got a two part workout in.  Swam at lunch (first time back in the pool since the end of August).  Didn’t quite have time to finish my 1 km swim while I had a partner - got 34 of the 40 lengths completed in 17:24 .  That pace is still over by less than a second a length to make the 1 k in under 20 min which is a goal.  Next time I’ll have to push just a bit harder.  I was doing flip turns, but I still don’t quite have the timing down and I missed the wall on a few turns which slowed me down.  Cooled down, had a good stretch and enjoyed a float all alone in the pool. (I still float too well).

After school I headed to the gym to put in some more cardio time.  (I really debated going - but I have had to many off days recently and knew I wouldn’t do it if just went home.) I put in another 1/2 hr on the cross ramp doing intervals, followed by a few ab exercises and more stretching.

Funny, I started to Email you, Catherine, but started fading into sleep at the computer, so I’ll catch up with you soon. Things are a bit shaky, as in changing and shifting foundations, but basically good.  Love the two part workout. I still try to get 1 1 /2 classes in when I can. There’s only one class this Saturday due to all but one instructor being at district meetings… so I will have to walk and hit the gym to compensate for the lost hour of sweat. Right now it’s pouring.

Hey again

Dodge ball interrupted workout again today. Got through 2/3 of my program then headed upstairs to play for the teacher’s team. I really can’t say I contribute much because I rarely get a ball and I haven’t pegged a student yet because I am usually the fist one out on our side. They know I am the slowest moving target . Went back to the weight room and finished my workout (with some modifications) then followed it up with another 15 min on the rowing machine.

On the plus side the scale is finally starting to move again. I got on this morning and I was down to a new low. Can’t officially say I’m down 40 lbs yet, but I’m close. It’s been way to long since I’ve reported my last 5 lb marker. I’ve been holding for the last two months. Hopefully this new program will continue the progress. (I still have yet to post Program 6 on my thread. I will this weekend)

I’m feeling like I need to do some yoga before bed tonight for a extra stretch and some relaxation so I’m going to go and pull out my sticky mat.

Catherine - 09 October 2008 07:48 PM

[color=purple][size=3]On the plus side the scale is finally starting to move again. I got on this morning and I was down to a new low. Can’t officially say I’m down 40 lbs yet, but I’m close.

Catherine, that is phenomenal! It may seem slow to you… hey, I know it seems slow to you, I’m there too… but it seems like just yesterday to me that you were at the 25 pound mark. You’ve worked for this. Enjoy it!

I miss the ‘new low’ feeling. Been bobbing up and down the same five pounds for almost two months now. I want that next round number! That will be my battle-cry as I attempt to ramp back up.

-- A

Program 6 - Cardio, Agility & Endurance

Each superset is repeated 3 times

Day 1

Incline BB Press (30)
BOSU Step ups (1:00) - don’t think much of this - usually use a step bench
BOSU Planks (1:00) - good ab exercise - get into a plank with hand on the egde of an upside down BOSU ball and rock it back and forth

Cable Rows (30)
Squats (30) (Machine Leg Press if knees start to bug me)
Twisting Crunches (30)

DB Dead and Swing (20)
Leg Curl on Ball (30)
BOSU Lateral Squat (1:00)

Day 2

Flat BB Press (30)
BOSU Step ups (1:00)
BOSU Planks (1:00)

Lat Pulldown (30)
Wide Squats (30) (Machine Wide Leg Press if knees start to bug me)
Twisting Crunches (30)

DB Dead and Press (20)
Leg Curl on Ball (30)
Hip Raise (feet on bench) (30)

Here is my new program that I started over a week ago.  There is not a big difference between Day 1 and Day 2 - mostly the same exercises but maybe hitting a particular muscle from a different angle (eg Flat Bench Press vs. Incline Bench Press).  I don’t always have access to a BOSU ball depending on which gym I am working out at so sometimes I just use a step bench for the step up and side lateral squats.  I am enjoying the change, and I seem to be responding to it well as I’ve dropped weight (FINALLY!!) in the last week.  (more info about that in my next post)

So far my knees are holding up and I am able to do full bodyweight squats again.  Between the Squats themselves and the dead and swing/press I am doing 150 deep knee bends per workout plus steps ups from the front and side.  I’ll keep listening to my knees and watching my form closely and also be sure to keep my quads well stretched.  Hopefully I’ll be able to keep it up and not have to go back to modifying exercises to go easy on the knees.

Nice use of color in your post.

Glad you’re enjoying your new workouts. Variety certainly is welcome

okay - I typed out a long post yesterday and when I went to submit it, it got eaten by cyber space. I was too ticked to retype it out again then. Today I’ll give my updates in a few smaller posts. I’ve already posted my new workout program as promised. (It’s a holiday Monday so I didn’t miss the weekend!)

Topic of this post - I’ve FINALLY started to move the scale again!! Yah!! I can now officially announce that I am down to my next 5 lb marker and say I am down 40 lbs. I put the new dress pants that I got a few weeks ago that were a bit snug when I bought them and they fit!! Yah!! Now I just have to get them taken up so I can wear them to my newest nephew’s Christening next weekend.

I have just a few more pounds to go to get below 200. I said in an early post I wanted to get rid of all the “2’s” associated with my weight. I’ve definitely left size 20 behind and 2x for the most part (depending on the fit). So soon I’ll be able to say that all the 2’s are gone (unless they are in the one’s placeholder - they don’t count - and I doubt I’ll ever see the 120’s - that would be too skinny anyway!) It has been so much fun shopping in regular stores. I still don’t have complete freedom, but it is so nice to go into stores that for so long were off limits to me. I even purchased a pair of cycling shorts in a sports store this weekend! (more on the bike shopping in my next post). Next will be to get rid of the X’s all together and have even more shopping options!! This is fun!! But expensive! (I keep thinking I should try to sell some of my “too big” wardrobe on Craig’s List! - just to help fund getting clothes that fit.)

Now for the workout updates. I think I posted last on Thursday.

Friday - migraine day - no workout - came home after work and passed out on the couch with an icepack on my head.

Saturday - Day 2 of my program. Good workout - came out soaked. Finished up just before the gym closed and I didn’t get a chance to cool off or recover a bit so my legs were wobbly as I headed up the stairs to my car.

Sunday - no formal workout - bike shopping - about 20 minutes of “test riding” on a few different bikes.
Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend - so dinner with the extended family. Very good healthy meal. I maybe had a bit more than normal, but it was all very healthy food and I had eaten lightly though the day so it balanced out.

Today - good workout at the gym again. Day 1 of program. Went to the gym location with a Steam room. It was really HOT today - good clean out of the pours!
Thanksgiving dinner #2.  Mom bought a turkey before she knew that my SIL was going to have everyone over, so she cooked it today with all the fixings.  Yum - except for turnip and I like my mom’s stuffing better.  I packed leftovers for lunches for the next two days.

I need to get a good cardio workout in - I’m falling behind in that department.

LOL Joan - I got the colours right, but I couldn’t get the font sized the way I wanted it!!

Topic of this post is my endeavor to purchase a bike.

I printed off a list of shops in Toronto and headed out Saturday afternoon. The first two I hit were a total waste of time - the first one was no longer in existence and the second only had 1 used bike for sale - they just sold accessories and fixed bikes. The third one had more options, but the shop owner seemed less than thrilled to serve me and wanted to close up for the day and go home. He did show me one option, but it had grip shifters (I’d prefer click shifters) and it is a men’s bike so I have pretty much ruled it out now. The last store I visited was much more upscale. They were geared toward tri-athletes. Unfortunately they didn’t carry many of the type of bike I am looking at. But the shop owner was really good and answered many questions and even sized me so I have a better idea of how to fit a bike to body proportions. She directed me to several web sites so I can research some bike brands and to another store she thought might have more possibilities.

So Sunday (before our family dinner) I headed to another shop on Yonge St. They had one good possibility and I went out for a good ride on it. (Giant Sedona - pictured below) I was tempted to jump in and just get it, but again, it had the grip shifters I don’t really like (and the peddles were kinda cheesy too). I headed down the street to the Trek bike shop (brand name store) and had a good look at what they offer. I bought a water bottle cage, but ruled them out as an option just because I don’t like the shape of the frame of the women’s bikes.

What I am looking for is:
A Hybrid / “Comfort” bike with a fairly upright riding position. I don’t plan on any major races in the near future or any serious back country riding either so I don’t want a road bike or a mountain bike.
Two features I want are font fork suspension and click shifters - so far I have only seen bikes that have one OR the other, but I did some internet research yesterday and I have found a few options from brands I have seen in the stores just different models. Now I just have to see if a bike shop can get the model I want.
Other things like peddles and saddle I can change out easily enough after the fact, but it would be better to get them now and get the credit for the original parts that I “return”. I think I’ll insist on a good saddle now, but upgraded peddles will wait till next season when I am more comfortable and won’t be as nervous to have my feet attached.

Hey Catherine!  Congratualtions on 40 pounds gone!  Your doing a great job on keeping everything consistent!

40 lbs is a HUGE weight loss - congratulations.  I admire you for having been reasonable over Thanksgiving - wish I could say the same!

I haven’t been on a bike for years.  I think when I do, I will be looking for one with a generous and comfy seat!  Hope you can find one that you like!

Wow Catherine...how cool you lost 40 pounds. I’m also impressed at your research for the bike. You really know what you want. Good for you. I’m learning a lot from what you are writing. Keep up the good work.

Denise

Hope you find the bike you want soon. Whenever I know exactly what I want in an item, no one makes it. So I can understand your quest for the features you want.

Thanks Girls!! I am excited to finally see a nice drop in my weight. I had been holding since the beginning of August. I actually feel like my lower abdomen is a bit smaller. I think the difference is just that my daily activity has increased since I am now actually teaching in the pool again. That - and I lost the water weight I tend to hold each month. I’ll take it either way. A new low is always encouraging and motivates me to work harder.

And I did today!! I headed to the gym after school and completed 90 min of cardio. I wanted to use the rower, but since there is only one I had to wait, so I hopped on a bike and rode the hills program for 25 min (an effective interval program - HR 135 - 150) until the lady on the rower was done. I quickly moved over to the rower before anyone else could snag it and got right into it. The display is a bit different than the one at the school so as I saw how I was doing I set a goal of 6000 metres in 30 min. It was a good challenge for me. It kept my HR in the high 140’s - 150’s and I really had to keep my effort up to make that pace. Now my mid back muscles are totally spent. I followed that up with another easy 35 min on the bike (HR 125 - 135) for a total of 90 min. I don’t think I’ve ever done a cardio session that long before. But it felt good. I was listening to podcasts (some MTM, The FitCast and Leigh Peele) and I was surprised at how motivated I was to go hard, usually I need obnoxious dance music to motivate me to get my HR up there. After I put my “Relaxation Music” Play list on and had a good stretch.

I’m finding with this new program I am really feeling tightness that comes from challenging my muscles. The upper hams and adductors are particularly tight (no ... that’s not the right word… sore isn’t either ... but it is that good feeling of tightness). Stretching is more important than ever. I feel I want to stretch every chance I get. When I wake up I stretch before I even get out of bed, when I’m waiting for the kids to change before and after class I stretch, when they are playing a game I stand and stretch my quads. I’m feeling a bit of stiffness in my kness again, but no pain.
I had about 10 minutes at the end of period 3 before a last period class so I stole a mat and did some ab exercises and stretches in my office before the boys arrived. Tonight I keep wanting to do forward bends to lengthen my back and hams after todays rowing session.


Bike update: I purchased a bike today!! Well ... I ordered it and put a down-payment on it. The bike shop I went to last Tuesday (that is just around the corner from the school - so much closer to home than any of the others I went to) carries the bike that I found online. It is the same brand (Giant) as the one in the picture of yesterday’s post, but a different model (Cypress) and has all the features I am looking for, and as a bonus it happens to be priced at the bottom of my price range that I had budgeted. I could have gone for a deluxe model, but the shop owner talked me out of it saying the extra money was not worth it for a few higher end mechanics - the ride would be the same either way. The only negative is that the 2009 model is a boring gray colour instead of a nice blue like the 2008 .... and I won’t get it till November… so I guess there are two negatives. I’m just hoping it doesn’t snow too early this year so I can get some good rides in before I have to put it away for the winter.