Day 8: Zumba

I thought today being Saturday, I would try to jump back into a class and see how my body responds to that. I went to the gym and only saw 2 people in the room where the Zumba class is. I thought it was canceled and started to head to cycling which started in 45 minutes when Carolina, the Zumba instructor, saw me and pointed to the class.  Sigh...I think I was secretly hoping she did not show up. But that is what you have to love about personal trainers and fitness instructors, they have discipline and accountability and ultimately want to see you succeed.  

I finished the class without stopping for anything other than water a few times. I had fun as I always do, but it was hard. My body was definitely in worse shape than when I stopped going two months ago.  I had about 5k steps which was halfway to my minimum goal of 10k. I really would like to get to 20k everyday. I am thinking maybe adding in a walk in the evenings in my subdivision. That will only last a couple months before it gets too cold.  

Whatever the case, I am looking at the LA Fitness class schedule trying to figure out what I am going to do next week:
Sunday: no classes = cardio + weights
Monday: Cycling @ 5:30 pm or Zumba @ 7pm
Tuesday: Cycling @ 5:30 pm or cardio + weights
Wednesday: Zumba @ 5:45 pm or cardio + weights
Thursday: Cycling @ 6:45 pm 
Friday: no classes = cardio + weights
Saturday: Zumba @ 8:30 or Cycling 9:15

I am scared of cycling. I was in much better shape when I did it before and it still killed me, but I know I can go and at least get started back on this quest to lose this weight.

The thing about these classes is I also want to continue going with my daughter who has put on about 40 lbs since we moved back. So, this might start me on 2xs a day working out...which equates to me needing more workout clothes lol. We will see what happens. Wish me luck!

As for the rest of my Saturday...I enjoyed myself. I went to the Greek fest with my cousin and had a good time.  There was a lot of good food there, but we shared so I had just samples of everything.  I will have to call it my cheat day, but I did not go overboard. The best part was I ended up with about 12k steps! Woot! Woot!  Struggled with some knee pain, but I'm ok.  I came home and did my 30 day challenge workout which I have been following everyday.  I have not been posting that here because I usually do it really late, like right before I go to bed.  

15 sit ups
30 crunches
50 squats

Oh and here is a picture of my fridge.  I should call this an extreme makeover, because this is the first time my fridge has ever looked like this! Transforming my eating habits...transforms me!

Day 7: Celebrate

I MADE IT MY FIRST FULL WEEK OF WORKING OUT EVERYDAY!!!!

I hit the gym with a positive attitude this morning. I looked on IG and Nicki Minaj (yes I follow her...all Nikki's are fabulous lol!) had a post that was just what I needed to hear:

This post reminds me of why I am here today struggling with my weight.  I was in a relationship that I just did not understand how to be myself in.  I am so damaged from my past that I was incapable of trusting this person.  I tried so hard to make it work, but it would never work because I was not being treated as the Queen that I am.  When it was over, I was heartbroken and more damaged than before. I thought there was something wrong with me.  It took me two years to get to where I am today.  I am in a better state of mind. I love myself and I love my body too much to keep abusing it with food. Emotional, binge eating led to 50-60 lb weight gain. I was embarrassed to even go out of the house. I am more embarrassed that I never stopped myself 20 or 30 lbs ago. At this very moment, it does not matter...I am on my way to changing my thoughts and my body.

Today at the gym:

40 minutes treadmill
seated leg press
ab machine

I was exhausted after this workout. Now that I have worked out a week straight I know I can do it and it time to plan an actual routine.

Day 6: Off Day

Guess who went back to the gym last night? Yeah that's right! Hit the treadmill for another 30 minutes.

Today I hit the gym at 6:30am, but forgot my pedometer. I hate when that happens. Since I would not be able to track my steps I decided to try out the stair climber. It was not as bad as I anticipated, but I only stayed on it of 10 minutes. I do not know how to zone out on these machines like some people. I am constantly staring at the time whether I am tired or not. I am just bored. There was a lady that was on the machine next to me when I got there and after I got done with my weights. That is what I need to reach my goals.

I like the exercise classes because there I mentally challenge myself to keep up with the group or at least not to give up and walk out. On these machines, when I am done...I am done. I did an hour long spinning class and surprisingly made it through it and I know it is 10 times more intense than what I am doing on that treadmill.

My initial plan was to start going to the gym 2xs a day starting next week, but I think I need to think better.  I like cycling and it burns like 10 times the calories as the treadmill. I think like over a thousand calories. The cycling instructor I like Mandy has classes Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  I am going to aim to go to every one of her classes next week.  There is a group of ladies that are doing Zumba in Broad Ripple on Monday nights. I would really like to meet up with them, but I am not sure if my body will be able to take it after cycling.

I keep reading that getting fit is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise. So, I really need to take a look at my diet. I have all of the right foods at home, but tonight I went to Red Lobster for a birthday dinner. Oh no! NOT THE CHEDDAR BISCUITS!!! I ate way too many and I was disappointed all night at myself. I can't keep letting all of this hard work go to waste being weak to the food that I know is not good for me. I pre-cooked 4 salmon fillets and I have plenty of fruits and veggies to eat with them. Every day I am getting a little stronger and a eating a little healthier. I know this will not be an overnight change, but I know-oh-oh-oh a change gone come!  

Day 5: Sluggish

This morning I woke up very tired and not the least bit enthused about this workout today. I would like to go to bed by 9 and sleep no later than 10.  I was ready to get off of the elliptical as soon as I got on it.  So, I switched to the treadmill...which was no better.

Now I am back home sleepy and hungry.  I don't even feel like making myself something to eat.  I just want to lay down.  Staying up too late is definitely counterproductive.  The night before, I woke up at 3 in the morning and did not get to sleep until 4:30.  This is not going to work.  I have to discipline myself to go to bed.  I am like a little kid scared that they are going to miss something.

One thing I did that I forgot to mention yesterday was I went to the grocery store and bought lots of fruit and veggies. Kale, corn on the cob, red peppers. apples, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, pineapple and a mango.  I know I got more fruit than veggies, but I have to start somewhere.  I did not buy any processed food and that says a lot for me.  I am going to start juicing and the fruits will be essential to take away the taste of the kale.

My workout:
Elliptical 10 minutes
Treadmill 30 minutes
Seated leg press (I think that is what it is called) - 150 reps
Abs machine

Work in progress here...nap time

Day 4: Soreness

Yeah I am feeling the after effects now.  I woke up like dis!  Lol  My arms are sore, but not my legs.  I need to do more squats. I just saw this 51-year old woman getting her life with a jump rope. 

I have a jump rope and I am going to watch this video everyday hopefully to motivate me to use it.  At least I am feeling some soreness.  There were times where I would go to the gym every day for a week straight without feeling sore.  This makes me feel like I am doing something right!

Today was an ok day. I am so eager to do more, but I respond to being tired too easily. I find myself staring at the timer on the treadmill/elliptical wondering why it has only been 20 seconds since the last time I looked. Lol Maybe if the only thing on these tvs were not Donald Trump and the presidential circus. Oh what a show we are in for this next year. 

My workout:

30 minutes treadmill - tried something new today 10 incline 2.5 speed

Arms and Abs weight machines

Part of the 30 day challenge:

30 squats

20 situps

20 crunches

I stay well hydrated. I think.  I am getting the minimum of  8 - 8oz glasses, but I know with my body weight I should be drinking more.  I downloaded an app called water balance to do my tracking.

Here is the link to the lady jump roping:
https://www.facebook.com/jim.quinn.583/videos/1051501554868952/?autoplay_reason=ugc_default_allowed

If that link does not work, try this: 
1051501554868952

Day 3: Tired

I was woke up by the sound of my daughter going into the garage.  I looked at my phone and it was 6:36 am.  Sheesh! We agreed to be at the gym at 6:30.  I really did not feel like getting out of the bed. My body needs 8 hours of sleep, especially if I am going to be working out early AM.

Once I got on the elliptical I was fatigued and it was hard to push through it.  I only did 20 minutes.  Which I think I will do everyday this week and then increase by 5 minutes each week.  I tried to do different leg machines, but I realized how uninformed I am on how to use most of them.  Then, I spent a lot of time trying to adjust the seat for my height and felt like I was doing more harm than helping and moved on to the abs.

Today:
Elliptical 20 minutes
Abs seated and oblique - about 150 reps total
10 crunches/sit-ups
25 squats

I am famished this morning and trying to keep myself occupied with work so as not to snack, but I gave in and had some grapes.  Yummmmm!

I also found this 30 Day challenge online.  There are millions of them now!  There are so many that I would rather just stick to my daily routine and if I happen to get to the challenge, then that is a bonus!

I did not get my 10,000 steps in like I planned because I went to the hospital with my dad.  I ended up with about 7k.  I want to be at 20k daily by the end of the month.  I am going to start walking on my lunch break to get more steps in.  I want to be active all throughout the day, not just at the gym.

Day 2: Back to Back

Yes, I am going to give myself a pat on the back because I went to the gym 2 days in a row...like Drake: Back-to-Back.  I know two days isn't a huge accomplishment, but if I don't give myself praise, who will? Yay me and it wasn't easy to make it to the gym today. I did not have my workout buddy...who is really my daughter that I drag to the gym with me lol.  It's Sunday and I always like to take it easy on Sunday...it is the day of rest, right? All of the excuses were there staring me in the face and I refused to allow it to get me off track this early in the game.

Now, here is what I did at the gym today:
20 minutes elliptical
arms and abs on weight machines
20 minutes treadmill

Here is my first picture of myself to measure my progress and I took my measurements. I don't want to rely only on the scale because I've heard it's the devil :)

I have had a gallon of water. I drank 3-16oz bottles at the gym and this entire pitcher! No soda. No juice.  I only allow myself to drink green tea when I want to taste something other than lemon/cucumber water. 

Day 1: Let's Get it Started

Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Nikki. I am 37 years old, Senior Analyst for a healthcare company, mom of one recent high school graduate, 6'1" and 250 pounds. There is so much more to me than that, but I believe those are all important factors of my story. You will learn more about me and learn to love me :)

The two things I have found are key to my success are CONSISTENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY! I work from home so it is imperative I stay active. I have downloaded the following apps to help me:

Nike Training Club (workouts)
Fitbit (username: tamnikk)
My Fitness Pal (username: tamnikk78)
Stand Up! (timer to make you stand up during work day)
Waterbalance (track water intake)

Feel free to add me if you have any of these apps and we can encourage each other.

Yesterday was my first day back to the gym in over two months.  I was scared to go because I thought I would not be able to stay on the treadmill for longer than 3 minutes.  I completed 30 minutes, but skipped the weights. I did not want to overdo my first day back. I really just wanted to get my feet wet and get in back in the routine.

Today, I am going to hit the treadmill and work on abs and arms. Wish me luck!

Enough is Enough

Well, here goes nothing. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I can remember as early as elementary school being teased about my weight. It never really made a difference to me until high school. I tried out for the basketball team and had to go to the doctor to get a physical. As a freshman in high school, I was 5'11" and 198 pounds. I was a rarity for a female. Tall, dark and beautiful. Unfortunately, at that time in my life, I felt like a gargantuan woman that was not attractive and completely unnoticed by others. I wanted that to change.

I didn't make the basketball team because it was the first time in my life I had done any physical activity other than playing outside with friends. It was so embarrassing lagging behind all of the girls running.  During one practice drill we were running up and down the stairs and I started crying and breathing hard. One of the girls asked if I had asthma. I made a decision at that moment to lose weight. Fitness and healthy eating might as well have been curse words in my house because I never heard them, let alone see them incorporated into our daily routine. I did not know where to start, but I knew the obvious: If I don't eat, I will lose weight. And that I did. I skipped breakfast and lunch at school and only ate dinner at home so my mom would not question me too much about my drastic change in eating habits.

Basketball season started in October, by spring break when we went to Orlando, I was 155 pounds. It felt great! That was 40 lbs in six months. I knew in the back of my head it was not healthy, but I did not care. I became a new person. I was out of my size 16 jeans and shopping for size 10 EVERYTHING! Dresses, skirts, shorts, swimsuits, tank tops. All the big, baggy clothes were a thing of the past and I was determined, so was that girl.

I yo-yoed with my weight a lot ever since then. I would gain 15-20 pounds, but since I was so tall, no one really ever noticed. Except me. I would cut back and mildly exercise until I lost the weight. Then I got pregnant with my daughter. I was terrified of gaining weight and walked everyday, cut out sodas and pork as my way of keeping a balance. I was still young, so I came up with this diet/exercise plan on a whim. I was successful at staying relatively small "for my height" and thankfully had a healthy baby girl.

Fast-forward to two years ago...my daughter would've been 15 at that time. I was a size 12 and pretty much fluctuated with my weight constantly between sizes 10, 12 and 14. At 6'1" tall, this was a size I was very comfortable with. I still was not eating right or regularly exercising. I had mastered losing 15 pounds to fit into a dress if necessary and never felt the need to commit to working out and clean eating.

I had a great job, lived in Atlanta, and was dating my best friend. Life was good. Until, all of those things literally came to an end all at once. My daughter wasn't doing so hot in school, my job was going me the blues and I did not see any room for improvement or pay increases for at least 2 or 3 years and my relationship/friendship was over. I decided to move back to Indiana.

Once back home, the depression set in...heavy.  I gained 10 pounds my first month back. I found a new job that allowed me to work from home. My active lifestyle in Atlanta came to a complete halt and I found myself gaining weight rapidly. 

Now after being here for two years almost to the date, I have gained 60 pounds! This is the heaviest I have ever been in my life including when I was pregnant with my daughter.  I am miserable, but I am determined to stop making excuses.  I have joined LA Fitness, I follow several "get fit" motivational groups on FB and IG.  Most importantly, I have identified that I need to change the way I eat.

Since I have been back home, I have visited two aunts in the hospital for diabetes. There are also, five other family members that have diabetes and I have a cousin that died from it years ago.  There is also high blood pressure in my family.  At this point in my life, I don't know if I can prevent these entirely, but I can at least reduce my risk instead of embracing it.

Today, I start my journey.  I want this blog to hold me track my progress, my setbacks and most of all make me accountable.  I always make excuses to not go to the gym, but why would I continue to sacrifice my happiness and livelihood?  I know I can do it.