Fat Woman With A Band

I’m having a hard time, mentally, keeping on track. On Thursday I did not, did not, want to do my work out. I didn’t want to do the vertical crunches, the treadmill, the aquafit. Not, not, not.

But I did it. The only thing that kept me going is the thought “only four more sessions after this, and I’ve got a month’s break.” Two more upper body workouts, two more lower body workouts, and one aquafit. And somehow a bit of walking has to be worked in.

I didn’t do my long walk yesterday. My right leg and heel haven’t been 100% and I though I might be overly cautious, I just don’t want to risk making them worse just before my trip. I’m thinking rest and time will heal the heel.

My food intake, I’m reluctant to admit, has gradually increased. Or, rather my food intake of food that should only be occasional foods, has increased. Another reason I need a reset, I think. It shows I’m tired of the same old, same old.

After the trip I’m working in earnest on my half-marathon goal. So twice a week sessions at The Running Room half-marathon walking clinic, and I definite reset on my eating plan.

More exercise. Less food. More weight loss. Keep going.

There. Another goal.

Please read.

Weighing the Evidence on Exercise.

Jackie sent me numbers, and as I’m all about numbers as you might have already figured out, I’m going to share them.

These numbers are the change in my body measurements. When I started training with her she took a baseline measurement of my shoulders, chest, biceps, waist, hips, thighs, and calves. And I’ve been pretty diligent about weighing myself each Wednesday morning.

I won’t bore you with the individual numbers, so here’s the summary:

total of 54.5 cm/21.5 in & 31 lbs/14kg lost in 282 days.

There was some change in each area with the most change in my hips, chest, shoulders, and waist. And with the least change in calves, biceps, and thighs.

There are a couple of other changes that are also all about numbers. The most obvious is the change in clothing size. I don’t actually remember what my clothing size was then, but I do know it’s a smaller number now. The “hidden” change is that my cholesterol numbers have decreased enough that I no longer need to take prescription medication.

As I’ve lamented the scale has not moved in many, many weeks. When I look at the measurement numbers my body has clearly changed even if the scale doesn’t reflect that change. Some day the scale will catch up … some day. Sigh.

I’m content with my progress. I wonder what the next 282 days will bring?

This week marks the end of training with Jackie. Very, very sad.

Jackie is off on her summer adventure on May 2nd, and when she returns in September she won’t be doing personal training.

It’s been an amazing time with her. I know that my fitness has improved since I began training with her in July. I’ve improved my stamina, my strength, lost weight, and lost inches. Of course, I still have lots of room for improvement.

Some sessions were depressingly difficult, where I felt I just couldn’t do what was asked in the way the exercise needed to be done. Jackie was always encouraging, always positive, always up beat. I’m not sure I ever got the “high” that some exercisers get, but the sense of accomplishment after completing a morning’s routine was huge.

Jackie has given me enough routines and ideas to keep me going for a long time. It’ll be really different doing them by myself, particularly staying motivated. I’m going to try, as I don’t want to lose the benefits I already accrued.

Thanks Jackie – you’re the best!

I like eating chocolate.

Chocolate bars

Chocolate cake.

Chocolate milk.

I like the Carolina Chocolate Drops, too.

‘Nuf said.