Exercise Slow Down :-( August 30, 2009

Current Goal: 1) Fill out UGA application, 2) Schedule a set day and time for going to the Forum to strength train by myself, 3) Schedule an alloted Children time on Saturday and Sunday, 4) Catch my negative self and change it to a positive inner conversation.

Current Struggle: I admit I was seriously bummed after my ‘free’ meeting with the Personal Trainer and my exercise partner has to under-go doctor tests; so, I let that derail my exercising schedule.

Current Weight: 161.6 (according to my scale on 08/30/09)

Current Mood: Bummed but ready to accept ’no excuses’! 

****************************************************************

Hello to everyone who is ‘along for this ride.’  It has been a rough two weeks.  I hadn’t realized how much I was counting on having a ‘professional trainer’ to show me the right way to strength train; not to mention that added responsibility of having someone to answer to!  I got so depressed about it that I actually let my emotions derail me from my goal…being the happiest, healthiest me I can be.

I mean when it comes down to it neither I nor you really need a PT physically beside us to strength train.  Think about it this way…how many things in your lifetime have you learned?  A lot!  Were they all from having someone physically there telling and showing you what to do?  No!

People learn in a lot of different ways: seeing, manipulating, hearing, or a combination of all three.  I can read about something I want to learn and I might retain 1/3 of it.  I can listen to an aerobic instructor during a class and follow the instructions, but I will not retain even 1/3 of the exercise class routine.  However, if I get a book (read) and a video (seeing) and do (manipulating) what they both say…I can setup and learn my own strength training routine.  By watching the video, I will learn the correct form and by reading the book, I will learn the correct amount of reps and sets to do for what I want to achieve.  Of course, as my past has taught me…my best teacher is experience…and no, we don’t have to finish the rest of that saying : p

The book that I am reading to help set up my personal strength training routine is called, “The Ultimate Body 10 Perfect Workouts for Women” by Liz Neporent, M.A. and it is awesome.  It covers a beginner workout, weight loss workout, abdominal workout, leg and butt workout, upper-body workout, strength workout, gym workout, and stretch workout.  The last three are the ones I am concentrating on using for my routine.  Liz Neporent also has a book called “Weight Training for Dummies” that I am on the libraries waiting list for.

 Now that I have my routine in hand, the next step is for me to make a date with myself.  I need to decide when I want to workout and put it in my day planner.  That time is ‘me ‘ time and NO EXCUSES!  I also want to get equipment for using at home.  I have my body, a yoga mat, 5 lb dumbbells, walking shoes and cross-training shoes.  I want to get a set of dumbbells and maybe a kettlebell and exercise ball.

If anyone out there has an exercise routine they enjoy…please share via comments to this blog.  Thanks Bunches!!

Just keep moving…just keep moving!

Bye for now!

Monday’s Personal Trainer Update August 20, 2009

Current Goal: 1) Fill out UGA application, 2) Set PT appointment for knowledge and routine (August 17 @ 11 a.m.), 3) Change childrens time to Saturday and Sunday, 4) Adjust ‘me’ schedule for children in school, and 5) Continue my positive inner conversations.

Current Struggle: I have set up a new schedule for exercising since my children are back in school.  Lillian, I can’t wait to meet you at 10 a.m. on Friday.  : )

Current Weight: 161.4 (according to Julie’s scale August 5th)

Current Mood: Adjusting well to my new routine : )

****************************************************************

Okay, here is the scoop on my meeting with a Personal Trainer on Monday.  We met at 11 a.m. and started with a discussion, as we warmed up on the eliptical machine, on where I was at physically thus far and what I wanted to accomplish with strength training.  I told him I wanted to do full body strength training.

After our discussion, we started working…okay, he started instructing and I started working : )  First, I held 5 pound dumbbells and did sidelunges while doing bicep curls.  I went to the left for a count of 12, rested a minute, to the right for a count of 12, rested a minute, and then repeated the sequence for two sets.  Then, I got water and moved to a step exercise.

He put the step up 4 platforms high, which I thought was really high for a beginner and we kept the dumbbells from the first exercise.  I did a right step up, and while I lifted my left knee up for a high knee, I lifted the dumbbells up above my head.  Then, I lowered the dumbbells, while I stepped down with my left foot and then my right foot.  I then repeated this stepping with the left foot first for a count of 12.  I did two sets of this exercise, got water, rested for 5 minutes and moved on to my next challenge.

For my third exercise in my full body workout, we kept the dumbbells and moved to what looked like a 2 inch rubber balance beam.  He had me place my left foot on the rubber balance beam, while I kept my right foot suspended.  When I was balanced, he had me lift the dumbbells from in front of me out to my sides (forming a T) making sure I did not lock my elbows.  I then lowered the dumbbells to my sides, and as I slowly lifted my right leg up behind me, he had me bring the dumbbells to my front making sure I kept my elbows bent.  Then, I lowered my arms to my side and lowered my foot to beside my left foot for a count of one.  He had me do 12 balancing on my left leg and 12 balancing on my right leg.  I again did two sets, got water, rested 5 minutes and moved to my next challenge.

For my fourth strength training exercise, we moved to a machine that held a barbell.  He adjusted the weight (no, I didn’t ask him how much he put on it…sometimes it is best not to know those things), put a cushion that looked like a pipe insulator on it and showed me how to work it.  I opted to work the barbell across my shoulders while I stood in front of the machine.  I had to place my feet about even with the front of the machine, lift and roll the bar to keep it from locking on me as I lowered my body into an almost sitting position, then squeezed my glutes and exhaled while I lifted the bar back up.  I did 12 reps and two sets of this exercise, also.  Then, I got water, rested for 5 minutes and moved to my next challenge.

My last exercise was on another machine.  It worked my biceps, triceps, pects, and various muscles in my shoulders and upper back.  Once again, the weight was set for me…didn’t ask…and I was told to climb up onto the platform with my knees resting in the middle.  I grabbed the first of three handles and proceeded to raise my body with my arms until I could just see above the machine, then lowered my body until my elbows were almost straight.  I did 12 reps and rested one minute.  Then, I grabbed the third of three handles and repeated the process for 12 reps.   I finished the reps, got water and then we begin my stretching/cool down.  For my cool down, he had me do a lot of yoga stretches that felt good.

I was hot, sweating, tired and I felt absolutely wonderful…until we discussed his PT fee.  I would really love to have someone standing beside me when I enter the gym to show me what to do and the correct way to do it; however, I cannot afford $60 per session for 24 sessions ($1,440 for 8 weeks meeting 3 times a week).  When I told him I couldn’t do that…he dropped it to $55 per session for 24 sessions ($1,320 for 8 weeks meeting 3 times a week).  Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe I AM TOTALLY WORTH IT…I just can’t afford it…There is a difference.  As a single momma living on a limited income (until I finish school), I know where my financial priorities are.  So, I have decided to use the one fullbody workout that I was given for free and hope that I run into some very knowledgable gym ’regulars’ who will show me how to use other machines and do other strength exercises.  I also went to the Library (my favorite exercise DVD place) and borrowed some strength training books.  Maybe, I can create my own workout routine.

Anywho, back to my workout.  It was awesome.  I was surprised I didn’t feel it Monday night.  I was a little sore on Tuesday morning and I got a little more sore by Tuesday night; however, it was only enough to make me realize I had gotten a really good workout…not the kind of sore that makes you not want to move for about a month : )

PS:  Oh, I just remembered something about Carolyn using her ‘bonus’ money for a personal trainer.  I will email her for more information.

Well, that’s my PT update…take care of yourselves and MOVE!

Routine Changes… August 15, 2009

Current Goal: 1) Fill out UGA application, 2) Set PT appointment for knowledge and routine, 3) Change childrens time to Saturday and Sunday, 4) Adjust ‘me’ schedule for children in school, and 5) Continue my positive inner conversations.

Current Struggle: I am struggling with creating a new schedule for my exercising with my children being in school.  Right now, their buses aren’t running on a set schedule (8 a.m. one morning and 8:20 a.m. the next) and the teacher’s don’t have all the required paperwork in my son’s new middle school.

Current Weight: 161.4 (according to Julie’s scale)

Current Mood: Tired, but trying to adjust to this new routine : )

****************************************************************

Hello Everyone,

As you can read from the information above, I am having a hard time getting acclimented to a new routine with this new school year.  I have two children in two different schools riding two different busses leaving at two different times in the morning and getting home at two different times in the afternoon…whew.  My son doesn’t get home until 5 p.m….it is almost like he has a 9-5 job.  My schedule for everyone is still very much a work in progress. 

I’m hopeful that the second week of school will help the bus drivers cement in a set time (give +/- 5 minutes) for picking up my children.  Then, I can set up a set morning routine for myself.  Right now, I am exercising with Wii Fit, Wii Active and a lot of different DVD’s from the library.  (Have I told everyone how much I really like my public library!  They are great, because I can try out a lot of different exercise routines from hip hop dance, belly dancing, cardio/strength training, aerobic and ballet.  Really, there are bunches of exercise routines so you can never get bored.)

But I digress…I am working on a set schedule for exercising because I need/want to go to the gym for strength training.  I am meeting a personal trainer Monday at 11 a.m. at the Lenox Forum.  It will be fun and challenging at the same time I’m sure and I can’t wait.

Meet me back here on Monday evening and I will pass on the knowledge I have gained….

Til then…take care and remember:  Keep Active!