Excitement @ the Gym

I went last night even though my energy levels were low (as a result of the tummy bug).

I managed 30 mins treadmill, 10 mins bike and 5 mins stepper. I really pushed myself on the treadmill – highest level yet, most calories burned, highest gradient etc. – yet strangely, I enjoyed it!

Anyway, the excitement came in the form of 4 fully uniformed Firemen!!!

Still don’t know why they put in an appearance at the gym at 9pm but it brightened up my workout nonetheless!

Sssshh!

I have another weigh in approaching (Monday) and as usual I'm not looking forward to it.  I did have a blip a few weeks back when the kids were away and I think I put about 3lb back on.  So if I've maintained for the month of February, whilst not happy about it - I'll have to accept it!

I got to the gym last Friday and even made it into the health spa!  I sat in the steam room for a good while, followed by a brief jacuzzi and then out.  I enjoyed the diversity.

This week I went to the gym on Monday.   Still pushing for 30 mins treadmill, 15 mins bike, 5 mins arm cycle and 3 mins wave or stepper.  It works out about an hour long session, with time to move from machine to machine & catch my breath in between.  But is this enough?  Should I be aiming for more?  I try and aim for 3 gym session per week.  I couldn't really find the time for anymore!

Last night, because time was an issue, I opted for 12 mins on the VibroPlate.  It's meant to be the same as one hour in the gym.  I would disagree to some extent but I did feel it in my leg muscles and believe it must be an added bonus if I work it into with my trips to the gym.

Tonight, because of a tummy bug, I didn't dare leave the house for the gym!

OK, its been a while, a week and as the saying goes … ‘a lot can happen in one week’

Caitlin was on mid-term holidays last Thursday & Friday and rather than book holidays from work, my mum offered to take the girls to stay over.  As an added bonus, my sister pitched in and I didn’t get the girls back until Sunday afternoon!

It was as if someone had given us a romantic weekend break, just husband & me.  Thursday evening we went on a date!  We went for a bite to eat and to the cinema.  I can’t remember the last time we went to the cinema or even what we went to see.  This time round we opted for Milk with Sean Penn.  Fantastic, a bit long but Mr. Penn’s performance was amazing, truly believable.

Friday we hit the gym!  I managed 30 mins treadmill, 15 mins bike, 5 mins arm cycle and 3 mins wave machine.  Afterwards we jumped on a bus and headed into town for more food washed down with lots of drinks.  We were like teenagers again!  

Saturday, I went to an all day scrapbooking crop – my idea of heaven!  Sunday we collected the kids and just relaxed!

Monday we were all back to normal with school & work.  Ivan was having a sleepover that evening at a friend’s house after attending a funeral.  While I played Nurse Maid to Caitlin who was up during the night ill, I was exhausted the next morning.  Tuesday my exhaustion continued into the evening and I couldn’t force myself to go to the gym.  Disappointing really, as I hadn’t been from Friday.

Last night I forced myself out to the gym.  I managed 20 mins treadmill, 15 mins bike and 5 mins arm cycle.  I pushed myself on the levels of resistance etc. and definitely broke a sweat!  I had hoped to go into the spa afterwards, even packing my costume but I just couldn’t pluck up the courage.  A lot of the younger (read thinner/fitter/healthier) girls had just come out of the kickboxing class and were floating about.  I would have felt really uncomfortable sitting in the Jacuzzi or steam room with them!

My Body Is (Starting To Be) My Temple

Monday when I weighed myself I discovered that I maintained my weight, which I think was excellent progress considering the absence of any real exercise last week, the increase in alcohol at the weekend and the appearance of AF on Sunday.

I went to the gym Monday night. Puffed my way though:
15 mins treadmill, 15 mins bike, 10 mins wave machine, 5 mins arm-cycle thing, 15 mins treadmill again

I went to the gym Tuesday night. Puffed my way though:
20 mins treadmill, 15 mins bike, 5 mins arm-cycle thing

My objective in the gym is to see how long I can last without my face going purple! I am building up slowly. Compared to my first visit, I can see a little improvement.

That Was The Week That Was ….

Covered in a blanket of snow, rendering me unable to get out to the gym!

Now, I know that sounds like a typical excuse but it’s true. I went to the gym on Monday evening, enjoyed it and promised to return 2/3 times during the week.

However the Snow Gods threw down buckets of the stuff; along with rain, sleet and freezing temperatures turning the roads around where I live into a beautiful ice track! I am now more appreciative of the ‘Ice Road Truckers’.

I didn’t make it to the gym the rest of the week but I’m going to try and make up for it this week.

It was also my mum’s birthday at the weekend. She came down for a ‘sleepover’. The girls and I had a little birthday cake and sweet treats for her, then Ivan babysat and I took her out for dinner & drinks. Good adult company! We both needed it and have promised to do it again, soon.

Lastly, I was "smoke-free" for over 5 weeks at the weekend !!!!!

Oh my! I Stood On The Scales This Morning

And got the fright of my life. Down 5 lb. Yay me!

Now, I'm sensible enough to know that it wasn't all achieved last week. That my trip to the gym alone didn't result in this loss. Or that swapping to herbal tea and running to the loo every 5 minutes hasn't meant that I'm peeing away my body weight!

No, I believe it's a combination of all of the above, along with my healthy choices regarding food.

Just think what I could achieve if I tried harder.

Can I try harder? Do I have what it takes? The million dollar question.

I honestly don't know the answer but I'm going to keep trying.

One Month Down

I've been at it nearly a month now and I'm pleased with my efforts to date.

I've been off the cigarettes 4 weeks now

I've joined a gym

I've actually attended said gym

I've had my hair done

Ive bought new clothes

I've made it through a Workout DVD, more than once!

I've discovered Herbal Teas

I've tried a few new recipes this month

Next month will be better.  I predict that I'll have seen some lbs lost and will have found it easier in the gym.  I'll have had a night out with husband and I'll have had some fun times with the girls.