Inspiration

Saturday, April 07, 2012

I've found that I am better able to meet my caloric goals when I have time to look at inspirational photos. Seeing images of people who used to weigh close to what I weigh succeed in getting fitter really inspires me. Before and after pictures are great. I have a hard time visualizing how I'll look at my goal weight, so seeing the changes in people that I can relate to helps a lot.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MDWSTRNR 4/7/2012 10:45AM

I hear you. If there's nothing else on tv when I'm on the treadmill, I watch p90X informercials with the sound off. I'll never do the program because of they plyo, and I don't aspire to look like the "after" shots, but it's nice to see how much people can change. Spark success stories are the same, but I don't have a treadmill desk for my computer - yet. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

Anyone want to tell me about their assessment by a personal trainer? I'm a little nervous!

Sunday, April 01, 2012

My mom bought me 6 sessions with a personal trainer! She'll be seeing him herself for 6 sessions, too! I'm excited for us, and grateful that she is helping me in this way. Also--I'm really nervous! Ideally, I'd like to be trained by someone kind of like me, but more fit (for now, anyways :) ). My trainer is a very muscular guy, and I don't know how well we'll relate to each other. I'm really excited--I go for my assessment on Tuesday (let's hope it isn't too invasive!). Anyone been for one of these assessments before? Want to give me a hint about what to expect? Thanks!

I've been counting my calories since I joined SparkPeople. Yesterday I ate more than usual. I was tempted not to record my calories, as I knew they would be high. Also, I had to estimate my total. I decided to track them--the point isn't to track only when you're doing great, right? I'm hoping that tracking on a day during which I ate more than I usually do will actually help me stay on track. It certainly makes me accountable. Then, today, I ate a lot of junk in the morning--also not my style any more. I continued to eat food I wouldn't normally eat, thinking that I'd already set the tone for the day and that I couldn't stay within my limit, regardless of what I tried. But, I decided to track my calories, just as I had yesterday, and I found out that things weren't as bad as I'd thought (not great, but not that bad). I might not be at the low range of my target, but I can stay within my target! I've also realized that I need to not feel like I've messed up when I eat at the higher end of my range. I need to continue to approach this day by day, and to recognize that, while it is great when I eat at the low end of my range, the high end is okay too.

Hope you're all doing well with your plans!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

THEHAPPIESTGIRL 4/3/2012 9:24PM

Thank you all for sharing, and for your support! My appointment was moved to next Friday--I'll let you know how it goes!! Report Inappropriate Comment

TORIAMAE 4/2/2012 9:19AM

I've had great trainers who were muscle heads and great trainers who weren't. It's like any other professional relationship. You're off to a good start if you are being honest with your logging. One thing trainers tend to hate is if you are dishonest about what you are eating and how much you are exercising. I've found my trainers were more OK with me going overboard at times when I was honest about it and what I expected from the outcome. Just remember: he is there to help you reach your goals. He has a lot of knowledge about what works in general but there is still an area where you are an expert: what motivates you and what will help you to sustain. It will take both of you working together to make it happen! Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

DRAGONCHILDE 4/1/2012 10:36PM

There shouldn't be anything to worry about. :) One of my best trainers is a muscular ex-marine type. He's actually REALLY good! Making sure they mesh with your personality is important, but most of them have the same goal: To make you healthier! You'll get weighed, maybe a fat% test, then he'll walk you through some exercises to see what you're capable of. When I was assessed, I was weight, measured, and run through the gamut of exercises. It was hard... definitely! But hard in a good way. I was challenged. I was also given a bit of a hard sell afterwards, as this was part of an introductory package with the gym I joined, but I wasn't willing to pay extra. Make sure you speak up... if you're uncomfortable with doing something, or can't do it... ask for a modification. Just make sure you're not copping out. ;) Try your best! But speak up if something hurts (I don't mean uncomfortable or tiring, I mean actually painful) or doesn't feel right. You're in your body, he's not. Good luck, and let us know how it goes! Comment edited on: 4/1/2012 10:37:42 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

TMORELLI 4/1/2012 9:49PM

it's pretty simple. The one I had was maybe 15 minutes & this is what they did. Put me on the scale to get weight Took measurements of my body - arms, thighs. chest, neck, waist & stomach talked with me about any injuries or limitations i had and what i wanted to get out of the sessions. I didn't really care for the guy i had. He was a super nice guy, but really soft spoken and didn't seem to talk (motivation) with me much. regardless, they are certified and they know what to do to help you. have fun & good luck !! Tony Report Inappropriate Comment

Goals

Friday, March 23, 2012

I've been thinking... This weight loss thing goes pretty slowly. I understand. I've gotten into the low 190s a few times over the past 2 years. I'll be happy to get there again as I lose weight, but I'm really looking forward to seeing "18" at the beginning of my weight! That'll feel like a real accomplishment. Patience...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MDWSTRNR 3/23/2012 7:58AM

Report Inappropriate Comment

Lovely Day

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Today was a beautiful day--sunny and breezy and lovely. And, I managed to fit some fun time in, and not just do work (I did a lot of work, but I went out with my family too)--it was so nice!

I also exercised, which makes me feel great. Went for a walk for an hour and then did a 5-minute core workout (Shape video) and a 12-minute lower body workout (different Shape video). Hurrah!

Now I’m getting ready for bed.

I’m working on staying at 1200 calories/day, and trying to make those 1200 calories nutritious. I think it will take me some time to figure it out, but I believe I’ll get better at it the more I do it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNSHINE99999 3/21/2012 11:57PM

We had some snow this morning which is unusual for the Northwest. I hope you sleep well. Report Inappropriate Comment

Weigh in--and Cooking!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Today I weighed in--my first official weigh in since i started Spark. I weighed 205 this morning--down 4 from 209! Yesterday I discussed my starting weight a bit--I'm not sure 209 was correct. No matter--I'm happy to be eating the right amount of calories and losing fat! I'm so looking forward to being healthier and weighing less than 200 pounds.

I've decided to really go for 1200 calories each day. As I mentioned, my doctor recommended it, so I feel that it is safe for me.

In an effort to be more satisfied with those calories, I cooked today! I'm really more of a room-temperature-food kind of girl--I prefer open-faced sandwiches to hot foods. Still, I have a fantastic vegan cookbook called Appetite for Reduction, and I've really liked all the recipes I've tried so far. Tonight: a variation on a recipe (regular instead of spinach pasta)--pasta with edamame pesto. Only 420 calories/serving and so good! And, I have enough for dinner tomorrow!

I have a lot to do tonight, so I must be going. Let's hope that tomorrow goes well for all of us. And to all a good night!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

J0ETTE 3/19/2012 7:30AM

Woo Hoo! First official weigh in....and you can say you lost 4 pounds! :) Celebration is in order! I hope you did a little Happy Dance. ;) Report Inappropriate Comment