Working It Out

So, I had another less than pleasant trip to the nutritionist where ONCE AGAIN I hadn't lost any weight. She tried to silver lining it for me by saying it was good I hadn't gained weight, but it was still beyond frustrating to know that since JANUARY I haven't really maintained a weight loss of more than 2 pounds.

I got depressed and when I get depressed, the only way for me to get out of it is to control my life in some way. So I sat and looked at my options and decided the best thing for me was to join a gym.

I've been working out largely to On Demand Comcast workout videos and walking with the pup. In the past, I've had good luck with gyms. I just haven't belonged to one in awhile because a) they're expensive and b) they require time commitments longer than my marriage.

My neighbor and former daycare lady (yeah, remind me to tell you the story of the new daycare dilemma) works out at one of those 24-hour gyms down the street. Most importantly, she sees a person trainer there she loves. I decided this was the way to go. A personal trainer would NOT let me cheat, and while it would be an expense, it would be worth it to get these last 10 pounds out of the way.

I downloaded a two-week pass. I knew exactly how this would go. And I was right on.

You bring in the pass. A very aggressive, very jacked dude asks you about how committed you REALLY are to fitness. He shows you around the club, he highlights the awesomeness of the facility, and then he tells you he has this awesome deal for you if you will only trade in your two-week pass for a membership.

You guys? I told everyone near me that I was NOT going to fall for it. I was going to use my two-week pass and take my time to make the right decision.

But then the guy told me it's only $30 a month for this gym and I get a free personal training session. And I also get 10% off with a company discount.

I figured I couldn't beat that, until I signed the contract and realized it was for 18 months. I balked. The monthly cost would go up significantly if I did anything less than 18 months. But suddenly I became the 16-year-old dude who needs space.

I mean, I like you. I just don't know if I like you that way.

But I felt pressured and signed. And immediately regretted it.

Have you guys experienced this kind of buyer's remorse? Where you're frantically looking through the loophole in the contract?

In my case, the loophole was I had three days to cancel.

I went back to my research and did another calculation and realized that if I bought a membership to the Community Center, it would be about half the cost. In fact, if I bought a family membership, it was still $100 less than this would be.

So I decided I'd do a test workout at the Community Center and do a pro/con list when I was done.

I present to you, my pro/con list. Also known as "Did I seriously choose the more expensive gym because it has ESPN?"

So I talked it over with Scott and he broke it down for me. Where would I actually go? Which gym would really motivate me to show up? Because even if it's cheaper for a year, if I have trouble parking and get frustrated and can't do the workout I want to because of the crowds, is it worth it?

So I didn't exercise (pun intended) my three-day out option and have been working out quite a bit at the new gym. I'm going to pull the trigger on the personal trainer soon and see if that's something I want to add on for a bit.

Have you experienced buyer's remorse? Do you belong to a gym? Do you actually go? Do you make pro/con lists for things?

Workout Wednesday: 10 Pound Slimdown Part Deux

First of all, thanks to everyone who commented on and off the blog about my downward mental spiral. I've never felt so bad about being normal! And those of you who commented/asked about coupons, how my love affair started and where our relationship is now, I shall dedicate a post to them specifically so that you all may learn the way of the coupon.

So the week isn't going any better, unfortunately. I have more to complain about, and really isn't that what blogs are for? Sure, there are miners being pulled from the earth after months underground, but I have problems, PEOPLE! Problem #1 and the topic of this post is the fact that I would tooootally never get out if I were trapped in a mine. Because after a week of INTENSE workouts as part of the 10 Lb Slimdown, Spark People told me I burned 1800 calories. Guess what I lost? HALF A FREAKING POUND. Half a pound!!

I'd so be the person in the mine they accuse of sneaking food and water. "Stephanie, you're not living off a lemon and granola bar like the rest of us, you CAN'T be because you've gained 12 pounds." They'd all end up eating me at the end of month 1.

All joking aside, I'm pretty devastated about this because I really put my heart and soul into this. I've never been this dedicated to a workout plan, and I was also STILL walking Cous Cous and we did a 4-mile walk at the zoo.

I'm struggling to get motivated this week because of the sheer time and energy it took out of me last week. I need more of  a showing to keep me on track! I am still pushing through, even despite the fact that I got a flu shot this week and my arm is painin'!

Workout Wednesday: 10 Pound Slimdown

I found a new workout plan for October. I moved on from my walking program for two reasons:

1) October is so unpredictable weather-wise in Minnesota that I need a good indoor program as a back-up.

2) Cous Cous loves the fall. I’ll discuss her dislike of winter and accompanying embarrassing accoutrement she needs in another post, but let’s leave it at this: that puppy loves piles of leaves. LOVES! Which makes our walks verrrry time consuming. We lovingly call her a “frolicking lollygagger.” Sometimes we call her less than loving things. The point is, it’s challenging to get a good stable cardio workout with her right now.

So I’ve moved on to Chris Freytag’s 10 Pound Slimdown which is on free with my Comcast On-Demand Exercise TV.

The Pros: I really like Chris’ attitude and moves. She is positive without being annoying and perky, and she doesn’t spend a lot of time doing deep breaths or other things to burn up time. You will get maximum cardio time from these workouts. I also like the Circuit Training because just as your muscles burn out from weights, you move on to cardio, and on and on. Also? This bad boy HURTS! In a good way. You definitely feel like you’re doing something. Lastly, I love that you have the weekends off in the beginning, it gives you a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Cons: The days where you have to do two workouts are KILLER! Especially when Cous Cous still needs her walk. Yesterday I walked her for 20 minutes and then did two workouts, which was over 40 minutes. An hour of cardio is a challenge, and it’s also sometimes difficult to do without getting up early. And I am not looking forward to moving up to the 6 days a week, that feels overwhelming, even if the workouts are only 20 minutes.

Like the last plan, I’m not necessarily focused on the 10 pound loss, although I would love to lose that before Wee ‘Burb’s first birthday, which is coming up next month. Since I’ve officially LOST THE BABY WEIGHT (YAY!) this is more for firming and toning and getting to a better weight than I have been previously. So the bottom line is, I’d be happy with 5 pounds.

So there it is! It’s a free workout so if you want to join me, I’d love to have some support. Or share your favorite workout program with me! What do you do when your workouts have to go indoors?

Workout Wednesday

So while the walking workout isn’t over, the two-week period is, and I have to say the 2nd week went better than the first. I stuck much closer to the 1600 calorie mark recommended and did 15-minute Jackie Warner videos instead of their recommended weights. Overall I lost 4 pounds in a week! Which means if I had two weeks doing it right I probably would have lost the promised 10 pounds.


Today was rainy so I decided to take advantage of my Comcast On-Demand and did a new workout video. With Nicole Eggert! I had to watch it, it was just too much to ignore. Let me just say this: girlfriend has not cut down on her tacos and wine since Celebrity Fit Club.

She works with trainer Steve Marasca, who I have to say I am not a fan of. I’ve done one of his other videos and I find him really boring. And all he ever says is “good stuff.” He also takes about 20 minutes between moves.

So, yeah, anyway, Nicole isn’t looking so hot. Although on the cover of her video,  she looks like she’s back in Baywatch shape. Or, you know, a power user of PhotoShop. I’m thinking the 2nd one, but who am I to judge?

I mostly noticed beyond her horrible outfit, she had some huge thighs. Not fat…because let’s be honest, Nicole Eggert being “fat” is like me on a very good dream day. But she clearly had insanely muscular thighs. And I found out why! Apparently, Steve only knows how to do lower body moves. Or he likes to watch Nicole’s butt while SHE works out her lower body. Either way, there was hardly any upper body workout.

So while my thighs are killing me, I was unimpressed with the workout as a whole. It won’t be a repeat saved program on my On-Demand.

Do any of you use On-Demand for your workouts? Who’s your favorite trainer?

These Shoes Were Made for Walking

I mentioned in this earlier post that I was doing a walking weight loss program. Here's the plan!


The Challenge: Lose 5 Pounds in Two Weeks

The Plan: Walking for Weight Loss by Prevention. Note: this plan is designed to lose 10 pounds in two weeks, but it requires a 1600 calorie diet. While that’s not impossible for me, I am working toward sustainable weight loss and in the past when I’ve restricted this way, it’s backfired and I’ve gained weight back and been frustrated. So the 5 pounds is my amendment to this goal.

My (Not So Willing) Accomplice: Since I walk Cous Cous every morning to avoid any further dresser destruction, I figured I would just incorporate this routine into our existing routine. Here’s how she feels about it.

What I Like: This fits into my schedule because I was already walking Cous Cous every morning for a half hour, and then spending my lunch hour doing an exercise video. So by making my walks more aerobic, I’m not taking any more time. And in fact, with the weights only taking about 10-15 minutes, so I’m saving time by getting it all complete before my work day starts. This has resulted in a lot more energy during my work day, and a lot more relaxation at lunch.

What I Dislike: The weights don’t feel as if they’re doing much for me. I don’t think that particular part of the program is enough for more weight loss. Although it may be just that I have difficulties following pictures of exercises, I usually need to see them done in front of me.
Week 1 Results: Um, not so great. I didn’t lose any weight. BUT, in fairness, I didn’t gain any weight and since we went to the state fair and ate this:

Curliy Fries with Bacon and Cheese

Gator Sausage on a Stick

Deep Fried Gator

Bacon on a Stick

Maybe the fact that I didn’t gain is a good sign.

Changes for Week 2: I am going to do some heavier weight programs after my walk, using a Jackie Warner video I already have. Hopefully this will add some needed intensity to reach my goal. And of course, no more deep fried alligator!

Do you use any programs like this to spur your weight loss? Do you tend to follow programs exactly, or adapt them to your needs?