One Woman's Journey To Fitness - NEW POST 7/9

[serendipity]

Summary:

My name is Katherine (Kat for short) and I am a couch potato. For years of my life each day after work I have gone out to dinner (what’s a stove?), come home, made myself a martini, and watched countless hours of reality TV, sex and the city marathons, or (a more recent addiction) 90210. For a long while I was happy with this existence, but around one year ago I started gaining weight. 12 pounds in one year to be precise. This extra weight has taken me from a “normal” BMI, to slightly “overweight”. What once used to be cute mini skirt and halter outfits really aren’t that cute anymore. The leggings I’d pair with killer stiletto heels now make my legs look like stuffed sausages. Don’t even mention the word bikini in front of me unless you want to be subject to a crazy, growling, snarling woman.

In addition to my newfound portliness, I’m also becoming more akin to my own mortality. Perhaps alcohol each night needs to be put where it belongs – back in college. Let’s face it. I’m not 21 anymore. The good news is, I’m not old either, and it’s not too late to turn this all around. As Barak O’bama campaigned “the time for change is NOW!”.

Goal: Exercise at least four times per week. Cook at least five times per week. Limit drinking to two days per week and only have two drinks per outing.

Week 1:

Saturday: After research and deliberation Saturday morning I joined a local woman’s gym. The gym is small, but well equipped. Most importantly it offers several evening and weekend classes which I am interested in. For me, running on a tread mill is about as exciting as shooting myself in the foot. In fact, I would seriously consider shooting myself in the foot if it meant I could avoid running on a treadmill for the rest of my life and stay thin and fit. Classes on the other hand seem more fun, and something I can motivate myself for.

After joining the gym, I decided to take their Saturday morning Zumba class. I’ve seen the infomercials and any workout that claims to be a “party” is (though slightly suspicious) somewhat appealing to me. Of course, “somewhat appealing” being the key phrase, as I agree with Jennifer Aniston that “exercise is a cruel and unusual form of torture”.

Once the class started it included a combination of high energy/impact songs, and slower routines to catch your breath. The dances applied included combinations of Latin ballroom (meringue, salsa, cha cha) and reggae/hip hop. I was surprised to find that during my first day of exercise, I actually enjoyed myself. Sure, I was about ten steps behind the instructors and looked as graceful as a hippo in roller skates but, honestly who the hell cares? I survived day 1!

Aftermath: Unbelievably, I wasn’t that sore after the class….that is, until Sunday.
Weight: 144.5
Cook Dinner? No. Come on, it was Saturday!
Alcoholic Units: 2

Sunday:
Sunday morning my husband and I decided to go to Bushkill Falls in PA. We took the drive out, and took a small, short hike to the falls. It was beautiful, and a great exercise for a day off from the gym. No sarcastic comments here.

Aftermath: None
Weight: 143.5
Cook Dinner: Check
Alcoholic Units: 0

Monday: Monday evening after work , I took a kickboxing class. I was a little nervous for this. I’d never tried kickboxing. The claims that it burned 500 calories in a session secretly frightened me. Something that effective doesn’t come easy. The instructor looked tough – Jillian Michaels tough. Can I really do this, I thought to myself? Am I ready? The music started up and Ms. Jilianator started screaming: Punch, JUMP, Side Kick, Jump, High Kick, JUMP:: HIGHER! She yelled. Oh boy! The fun begins! I remember looking at the clock thinking, this has to be over right? 55 minutes later the class ended. During my sentence I endured: punching and kicking sequences (punch, side kick, punch, high kick, punch, punch, side kick, punch, punch side kick JUMP, punch, side kick, high kick JUMP), jumping routines, lunges/squats, pushups, sit-ups, running in place and sprints. Did I mention jumping routines?
Aftermath: I left the gym drenched. The next day I woke unable to move. But after it all, you know what? I felt pretty damn good.
Weight: 145.5
Alcoholic Units: 0

 

[serendipity]

Tuesday: Tuesday, I receive a call notifying me that the gym I have signed up for is cancelling all of the classes I am interested in taking, as a result of their main instructor being pregnant. They apologize, and agree to give me a refund. Lesson learned: Small gyms may not be the best fit for a person interested in an abundance of classes. I do a search of gyms in the area and find out the LA Fitness is running an online special that seems reasonable. I wonder to myself, am I really a big gym kind of person? Tomorrow, we’ll find out!

Weight: 144.5
Alcoholic Units: 2
Cook: Nope! Though I did have a salad with grilled chicken and dressing on the side at dinner.

Wednesday: My husband agrees to take the tour of LA Fitness with me. After work, we’re on our way. As we pull into the parking lot I notice it’s practically full. I’ve never seen so many people eager to suffer. Upon entering the gym I am greeted by an alarmingly large number of stick thin women, and buffed out guys. So this is where the big boys play, I think to myself. During a tour of the facility we are brought around a sea of cardio and strengthening machines, an Olympic size swimming pool, a basketball court, volleyball court, racquetball court, spinning room, class cardio room, yoga area and sauna. Jesus…I feel like I’ve been dropped in the center of LA. All that’s needed is a juice bar, and you’d swear I’d be in an episode of 90210. Upon completion of our tour, I gear myself up for yet another kickboxing class. As I enter the room where the class is being taught, I notice there are already a few dozen women stretching or jogging in place. Most of them are very thin. A few of them even have etched abs. Yet, I’ve made it through a kickboxing class before, and think it couldn’t possibly be more difficult, could it? WRONG.

A young woman enters the classroom with a headset/microphone attached to her head and starts playing Benny Benassi “Satisfaction”. She instructs everyone to get a platform for stepping and bam! The class starts! Run, step, kick, jump. FASTER! Run, step, punch, jump, Step, jump, FASTER! Squat, Jump, Run, High Kick, Side Kick, Jump! Over and over again for an hour. No stopping. No water breaks. Nothing. This trainer made the Jillianator look like a Care Bear. Without exaggeration, this was the hardest cardio session of my life. Every time I thought about stopping, Il Duce was in my face “FASTER! HARDER! WHY ARE YOU HERE?”. Sure, I wanted to crawl into a ball on the floor and softly wimper and cry to myself. But, I didn’t. I made it, and I even have an appointment with El Duce next Wednesday.

Weight: 145.5
Alcoholic Units: 0
Cook: Check

Thursday: Motivated by my killer workout from the night before, I decide to take a class called “Boot Camp” tonight. I meet a timid girl named Amber outside of the class. She looks as nervous as I feel. We’re joking around with each other, when a trainer with platinum blonde hair and bright blue eyes pulls up and says “Hi! Ready for some fun? F-U-N fun!”. Amber and I look at each other wide eyed, and follow Barbie into the cardio room. She plugs her iPod into the speaker system, and immediately I am transported back to a different time where cheerleaders rule the world, and “hey Mickey you’re so fine” is chanted by girls hanging out of their boyfriend’s Pontiac Trans Ams. The exercises chosen were an appropriate choice for our time travel adventure: push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, running and skipping (yes, skipping) in circles. By the end of the class I was honestly surprised we weren’t holding hands playing “Red Roses”. She did use some weights for our arms which we rocked to the beat, and applied some ab exercises that were challenging. Was it a workout like the one from Il Duce? No, not even close. Did it get my heart rate up and muscles working? Yes.

Weight: 143.5
Alcoholic Units: 0
Cook: Check

 

[serendipity]

Friday:

Friday is my sister in law's graduation. I do not have time for the gym, and end up eating a sandwich for dinner (so much for low carbs). I do however manage to avoid alcohol and sweets.

Weight: 145
Alcoholic Units: 0
Cook: No

Saturday:

Saturday morning I surprise myself by actually waking up to the alarm, and going to the gym. This morning's adventure is another boot camp class, though taught by another trainer. She is lean and mean, as are most of the other women in the class. The class consists of running around the gym, squats, lunges, push ups, jumping jacks, and ab exercises. I leave the gym drained, which I am grateful for.

Weight: 145
Alcoholic Units: 3
Cook: No

Sunday - The Challenge

Sunday is my sister in law's graudation party. There will be food. So much food in fact, that it would make fat camps across America rejoice. My father in law is a chef, and when it comes to entertaining, there is no limit to what he will do. Being proactive I wake up early to take a spinning class. I've taken spinning classes in the past, and have never been too fond of them, but the class selection is limited on Sundays, and I know if I go to the tred mill instead I'll only last 20 minutes, whereas in the class I'll get 60 minutes of cardio. Per my suspicion, I end up hating the class. Am I the only one who is legitimately in pain sitting on those bikes? . I just don't get it.

After the class and a much needed shower, we head over to the party. As anticipated there is dish after dish served - there is Ziti, lasagna, wings, brisket, eggplant parm, shrimp, chips, candy, cake, meatballs, beer, sangria...the list goes on forever.

Four hours later we roll ourselves out of the house. I escape having had one plate of food, half a sangria and a desert serving. All in all probably 800 calories in damage. The next day I wake up the heaviest I've been in ten years at 146. This is extremely discouraging. I realize I had a day of cheating, but to see no results with such extreme changes is upsetting regardless. I end the week 1 and a half pounds heavier than when I started.

Weight: 145.5
Cook: No
Alcoholic Units: 1/2

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Kat you are doing great do not get discouraged.The weight gain one sees at the beginning of working out has to do with water retention the muscles have when they are first broken down and start to repair themselves.Got this from Jillian Michaels.

You may also have some water retention from the types of food you ate at the party.Keep it up and I bet next week you will see a more dramatic drop.

Reading your journal is pretty entertaining- you have a way of writing that keeps the reader hooked to see what you did next- funny I mean.

Linda

 

[serendipity]

Hi Kat you are doing great do not get discouraged.The weight gain one sees at the beginning of working out has to do with water retention the muscles have when they are first broken down and start to repair themselves.Got this from Jillian Michaels.

You may also have some water retention from the types of food you ate at the party.Keep it up and I bet next week you will see a more dramatic drop.

Reading your journal is pretty entertaining- you have a way of writing that keeps the reader hooked to see what you did next- funny I mean.

Linda

Thank you Linda. I really appreciate the positive feedback, and the point you made about water retention is encouraging.

 

[serendipity]

Week 2:

Monday:

Monday, I end up working from home, so have the ability to take an earlier class than on most work days. Based upon the high intensity workout I received in my last kickboxing class, I decide to take the class again, with a sense of dread of the upcoming torture I will be subjected to. Once I enter the class I am surprised to find a different instructor who bears a striking resemblance to Harriet Winslow from Family matters. Ms. Winslow is wearing a 90’s style thong leotard, with black leggings and a head band. Well this should be interesting, I think to myself. “Whomp There It Is” begins pounding through the stereo system, and just like that we’re off to LA of the early 90’s. During our cardio jam, we do the Beyonce butt shake (who said white girls can’t shake it), we do the tootsie roll, the dip, hell we even do the lassoing cowboy. Every so often there’s a kick, but mostly it’s pure shakin’ it. There’s even an older man in the back of the class who periodically yells out “shake it girl! Yeaaaahhhhh!”. When Ms. Winslow tells everyone to “slap the pony”, I do it. Why? I’m too damn tired to object to my public humiliation.

After my cameo as a hip hop dancer, I feel pretty good, so surprise myself by hitting the tread mill. I do intervals (one minute at speed 6, one at speed 4, one at speed 6, one at speed 4, etc) until I hit a mile. For the first time in a few years I finish a mile in under 12 minutes. Am I the next Michael Johnson? No. But for me, I’m doing pretty damn good.

Weight: 146
Cook: Yes
Alcoholic Units: 0

 

[momof2minnies]

OMG Kat I am dying here- I can picture Harriet Winslow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are hilarious!

All kidding aside you are doing great

Linda

 

[serendipity]

OMG Kat I am dying here- I can picture Harriet Winslow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are hilarious!

All kidding aside you are doing great

Linda

Thanks Linda! She was certainly a character.

I don't have time to post today (work always gets in the way of the fun stuff), but I will put another install tomorrow. Tonight's guilty pleasure - dinner and Eclipse! I can't pass melodramatic vampire goodness up (much to my husband's chagrin).

 

[serendipity]

Tuesday:

Tuesday evening after work I find myself eager to go to the gym. Why, you may ask. Tonight is my easy night. I’m taking Latin Heat, which sounds like a pleasant meringue and cha cha class where I can get a little burn in, but not kill myself. I’m looking forward to this night “off”. I’m a bit burnt out, and this should loosen me up – rejuvenate me even.

As I enter the class I notice most of the woman have boxes set up for stepping. Hm…that’s odd I think to myself. I look to the front of the class and notice the instructor is the same woman who killed me in spinning on Saturday. She is an elder woman who resembles Blythe Danner (Gwenyth Paltrow’s mother, or more popularly known as the mother from “Meet the Parents”). However, don’t let her age deceive you. This woman is in better shape than I’ve ever been in. Well, she must be taking it easy tonight too I think. I’m told to get a stepping box. As I figure most of the class will be easy dance moves I decide to challenge myself by doubling the height of the box. The instructor looks at me raising an eyebrow. So she’s questioning my endurance...we’ll see about that. I look her straight in the eye and smile. I’m confident. A bit cocky even. How hard could the cha cha be? That’s when she says “Welcome to Advanced Step Class, tonight’s Latin Heat has been cancelled, now let’s get started”. An hour of knee repeaters, A steps, lunging to the box, and jumping jacks later I leave the class. I managed to survive the double height, though barely, and I almost throw up in the middle of the class.

I decide tomorrow’s an off day, and call it a night.

Weight: 145
Cook: Check
Alcoholic Units: 0

Wednesday:

Wednesday night is my day off. I bask in it. We go out for dinner (sashimi), I even order a martini and spiked coffee. Sure, it’s a Wednesday, but tonight is special. Tonight is the night I drag my husband to see the latest Cullen flick. Me, my husband, and 500 teenage girls storm the theatre. I feel sorry for the man checking tickets. I can imagine what the frenzied group of females must look like to him. Probably a very similar experience to that of being one of the people monitoring the rope during the opening ceremony at Disneyworld. When the movie plays I laugh, I cry. My husband cries too, though for different reasons. I remind him of the Star Wars opening night midnight showing he dragged me to, and he shuts up. I leave the theatre on my A game, and am ready to hit the gym tomorrow.

Weight: 145
Cook: Check
Alcoholic Units: 3 (time to switch to wine – a martini counts as a double).

 

[redlight]

Hi Kat! I'm enjoying your journal. It reminds me of Bridget Jones.

 

[momof2minnies]

Great job on the class- that is a bummer they don't post it when a class was cancelled- but you pulled it out.

Was Blythe Danner looking at you funny after you mastered that huge step???

Linda

 

[serendipity]

Hi Kat! I'm enjoying your journal. It reminds me of Bridget Jones.

Thank you!

 

[serendipity]

Great job on the class- that is a bummer they don't post it when a class was cancelled- but you pulled it out.

Was Blythe Danner looking at you funny after you mastered that huge step???

Linda

Thanks Linda! It is a bummer and happens quite frequently, but it does challenge me to do things I wouldn't normally sign up for.

Ms. Danner did certainly seem surprised, which I took as motivation

 

[serendipity]

Thursday:

Thursday night I opt to take a spinning class, as my only other options are Belly Dancing and Yoga. I’m looking for heavy cardio, so neither of these options work well for me. I end up hitting a huge amount of traffic coming home from work, and have just enough time to throw on a gym outfit, fill up a water bottle and run out the door. I’m a little frenzied when I get to the class, but end up making it in time. I properly adjust my bike, and find it’s not nearly as painful when it is configured properly. Today’s instructor is the thinnest person I’ve seen outside of Kate Moss, and I’m honestly surprised she has enough energy to stand, let alone teach a spinning class. Ms. Moss is all about the 70’s and I am taken from one classic rock song to the next. I find out she’s tougher than she looks when she instructs the class to start doing pushups while bicycling on a heavy incline. Had someone told me this was possible I probably would have laughed in their face, however, I can assure you, this is within the realm of possibility if you are a masochist. 60 minutes later I wobble off my bike and make my way home. I’m starting to realize I’ve really created a pattern that I’m sticking with. Smiling I draw a hot bath, and bask in pride.

Weight: 144
Cook: Check
Alcoholic Units: 0

Fourth of July Weekend Challenge:

Two barbeques, and a festival. A night spent at my parents who are junk food junkies and where martinis are an hourly affair

1. Do not eat like a cow
2. Exercise Friday, Saturday and Monday
3. Do not eat like a cow
4. Do not drink alcohol like a college student
5. Do not eat like a cow

Did I mention do not eat like a cow? How do people survive these holiday weekends?!?

 

[goldcupmom]

Kat, I LOVE your posts! Always brings a smile to my face! I can SO relate to some of them!!

Have a great weekend and don't eat like a cow!

 

[toystoryduo]

Welcome to WISH, Kat!

I love your posts! You are off to a great start with your workouts!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

 

[SKWDW]

You make me laugh Kat! I can also relate to many of your posts. Now I've subbed to your journey.

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend, but remember to NOT eat like a cow!

 

[momof2minnies]

Kat,Have a great weekend !!!

I am a spinner (?) as well and have done many 1.5 hr nutso classes with my butt dragging after me but cannot figure out the push ups? How?

Have a good one,
Linda

 

[serendipity]

Thanks Julie! It makes it a bit more fun to be able to complain to an audience.

 

[serendipity]

Welcome to WISH, Kat!

I love your posts! You are off to a great start with your workouts!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Thank you for joining! Happy 4th!