Weight Loss Wednesday

It's that time again ... to report progress or lack thereof. I've actually been doing pretty good this year. I can't say that I've dropped any weight based on how I weighed in at the doctor this afternoon, but overall,  I'm starting to tell a difference. My legs and arms are stronger and I'm losing inches on my tummy. Yay!

Wish this was a faster process ...

I did in fact "quit" the 3N1 program mid-way through phase two. It just isn't customized enough for my individual needs. I have a friend who is a professional MMA fighter and a brilliant fiance - both of whom instructed me to stop lifting all the weights the Y had me on. So, I've adjusted my schedule to look like this:

M - 30 minutes of cardio & upper body weights plus abs
T - 30 minutes of cardio
W - 30 minutes of cardio & lower body weights plus abs
Th - 30 minutes of cardio
F - 30 minutes of cardio & next appropriate weight lifting

I've been enjoying this routine MUCH more as I feel like I'm getting a full workout without the muscle soreness (delayed onset is fine, hurting while you're working is a sign that you are damaging muscle).  I also don't have to spend 2 hours at the gym like the 3N1 program would have me do!

However, I'm still sick. I went to the doctor today and I still have a sinus infection. Boo. So, I missed yesterday's workout and today's. I'm hoping to be feeling better by the weekend when the antibiotics kick in and be back at the gym on Monday.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I had my second meeting with a YMCA trainer for the 3N1 program last week. It has now been 35 days since I began working out at the Y and although I can see a difference in muscle mass and a bit of toning, I'm not losing any weight.

I'm hoping that this is just reflective of building muscle to lose inches because I actually gained 4 pounds. Talk about discouraging! No wonder people give up after the first month or so. Let's talk about the fact that I am lifting weights on a dozen different machines between cardio. Damn, it hurts. I can barely get back on the elliptical after doing all of that. I'm slowly building up to 30 minutes of cardio after my 10-minute warm-up, stretches and weight lifting.

I do the above three days a week. My goal is for my weeks to look like this for the next month:

Monday - strength train plus cardio
Tuesday - cardio
Wednesday - strength train plus cardio
Thursday - cardio
Friday - strength train plus cardio
Saturday - free day
Sunday - Yoga class

For those of you who have met your health goals, how do you maintain it, especially after the wedding?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Since I started the 3N1 program at the YMCA, I've been doing pretty good about staying active. However, I got sick over my holiday vacation and now it seems everything has gone to crap.

I missed nearly a week of "activity" and feel as though I am starting over. Tonight will be my second night back since being sick and let me tell you, I have not been a good girl. I ate lots of sweets over the holidays and am kind of afraid to weigh myself. I'm trying to keep in mind that it's ridiculous to expect results after three weeks.

In addition to simply wanting to look and feel better, I have my overall health in mind and am hoping to create some strong habits to prevent problems later in life. It's more than just vanity - I want to live many years as Big Spoon's wife and hopefully our children's mother. My Dad was diagnosed with type II diabetes in October 2007. We also have a history of heart disease in the family, so it's important for me to start now in taking better care of myself.

If I haven't said previously, my health and fitness goals for 2010 are:

1) lose 20 lbs the healthy way by getting lots of exercise and eating good things.
2) severely limit my processed sugar intake
3) make the above habits for the remainder of my life

What are your health and fitness goals for 2010?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Hello fabulous readers and passers-by! We are half-way to the weekend and I'm very excited because that puts me even closer to my Christmas vacation. Here is an update on my health and fitness goals.

I joined the YMCA of Mid-TN yesterday through a corporate partnership program with my job. Awesome! They are going to pay for half and that is such a nice benefit. Also, it is being taken out of my check as a payroll deduction, so I'll hardly miss it. Anyway, I'm starting tonight!

I am thinking about joining their free 3N1 program as well as taking classes most nights of the week. Here's the info from the Y website:

3N1 Fitness is a personalized wellness program designed to place you on the path to achieve your health and fitness goals. This program design runs its course over a three month period. The plan consists of three phases. In each monthly phase you will meet with a wellness coach for your consultation and workout plan. The program is a combination of strength and cardio training which increases in each phase to build your cardio and strength endurance.


3N1 Fitness is a free service for all YMCA of Middle Tennessee members. Sign up for 3N1 by visiting or contacting your local YMCA to schedule your first appointment and receive your first 30-day exercise plan.

Do any of you use the Y or another fitness club to stay in shape?

Weight Loss Wednesday

There are 305 days until our wedding. How exciting! We've plowed through most of the big things - budget, guest list, date, theme, photographer, venue, catering, dress - and I now have time to work on the details after the holidays. 

But, oh, the holidays! I have an out-of-this-world sweet tooth and zero low will-power. From the time that Big Spoon and I met in 2008 until now, 14 months later, I have gained approximately 17 lbs. That is sooo not cool. Especially because I already own my wedding dress. 

Thus, I need to weigh 20-25 lbs less than I do now. That may sound drastic, but I'm not fully expecting to lose that much. It's setting the goal that counts for me and making the lifestyle changes actually work for once. Now more than ever, I feel like I have the support system to reach any goal I set for myself. 

Basically, I'm holding myself accountable by announcing it to the blog world that I'm challenging myself to lose weight. Of course, for the wedding, but additionally, because I'm in my late twenties and my metabolism is slowing down. I want to have children someday soon and I want to be in good shape, healthy in mind and body. 


I feel completely vulnerable putting this out there, though. Body image and weight issues are something most women won't talk about openly. I'll be doing these things as frequently as possible to trim down and tone up:


• Take the stairs. All six flights, every morning.
• Eat four - six small, balanced meals a day.
• Just say no to candy. Have a treat once a week to feel less deprived of sweets.
• Early to bed, early to rise.
• Find an exercise routine that is fun, because otherwise it feels like a chore and I won't do it.
• Cook more. Cook more healthily.


Okay. Here we go!