One Christmas the gift giving theme on one side of my family was pajama pants. Mine were blue with fluffy white sheep on them, so when I tried them on and modeled them for the family, I did a little jig I called the "sheep dance." This started a trend in that everyone who got a pair of pjs had to create an interpretive dance for the family based on the theme of their pants. It was awesome. We said we needed to take our show on the road and call it "Lord of the Pants". We're all silly, but we have a good time together.
Last night I stood in front of my closet, contemplating what I was going to wear to work. Back towards the very end of my closet I spied a glimpse of bubble gum pink- my favorite capri pants from several years ago when I lost weight with Weight Watchers! I'd forgotten about them! See, for several years after I gained the Weight Watchers pounds back, I tried over and over to get back into those pants, even though at the time I hadn't done anything to warrant weight loss. Then I just stopped attempting to wear them and hung them up in the back of the closet in defeat. Then I gave up altogether.
Holding the pink pants in my hand, I asked myself if I had the guts to try them on. What if they still didn't fit after all of this blood, sweat and tears? I think I'd want to fling myself into the nearest ditch.
Curiosity won out over fear, and lo and behold - they fit! I did a happy dance around the bedroom in them. The jack russells even got into the frenzy. Next I rushed over to the closet and started plundering, finding all of my capris in pretty spring colors and patterns....from a time when I felt confident not just to hide in black pants. They fit too! A victorious impromptu fashion show for my husband and the terriers was then necessary. They probably all think I'm crazy but who cares? I'm Lord of the Pants!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Snakes!
Yesterday the usual crew was changing clothes in the locker room when someone said, "I heard there were snakes down here...like someone saw them under the treadmills." Snakes! Seriously, snakes?! My heart stopped for a moment and my jaw literally dropped. I hate snakes and fear them almost as much as I do the stairs. Like working out isn't a challenge enough, now you have to throw reptiles into the mix? The rumor was quickly squashed though. Turns out that it was a rumor and there weren't any snakes at all. I've spent a zillion hours down in the gym and haven't ever seen the first slither, so I calmed down went on to my next fear inducing event, pull ups.
You know, as heinous as snakes are, there could be some uses for them in a workout:
You know, as heinous as snakes are, there could be some uses for them in a workout:
- Want to get more speed on the treadmill? Have a snake chase you.
- Use them as resistance bands.
- Jump rope with them.
- A snake pit obstacle course a la Indiana Jones to increase balance.
- Have your trainer throw them at you....if you can dodge a snake you can dodge a ball.
- Set them under your step at step class...that will motivate you up those risers.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Pre-Summer Buzz
It was a beautiful Easter weekend on the coast of North Carolina! Our family gathered together to open up our beach house at Topsail Island, and to do the big Spring Clean. It was also our first time driving our new car to the beach, and what a thrill it was to put the top down!
After a long day of cleaning, we decided to join my dad and his fiance for dinner. I had a glass of chardonnay before we left for the restaurant and I must say it hit me quick (guess having 72 pounds off will lower your tolerance). As we cruised along the beach road (the husband was driving) with the top down, the ocean over my shoulder, some great tunes bumping out of the speakers, and a slight buzz from the wine, I realized how amazingly free I felt. I closed my eyes and felt the wind on my face and thought, it doesn't get much better than this.
See, I love summer, but for the past few years I have dreaded it. I have been a person who didn't feel healthy enough to be active on the beach, who sat on the sidelines while everyone else was riding jet skis, who didn't have the stamina to walk a couple of blocks down to the water at the lake, who hid inside and looked out at the life she desperately wished she had back...but no longer. I didn't start out in life that way and I sure as heck am not going to end my life over it either. I can't wait for this summer! I am going to be back to the active me who has the ability to enjoy anything she wants! Pass the SPF.
After a long day of cleaning, we decided to join my dad and his fiance for dinner. I had a glass of chardonnay before we left for the restaurant and I must say it hit me quick (guess having 72 pounds off will lower your tolerance). As we cruised along the beach road (the husband was driving) with the top down, the ocean over my shoulder, some great tunes bumping out of the speakers, and a slight buzz from the wine, I realized how amazingly free I felt. I closed my eyes and felt the wind on my face and thought, it doesn't get much better than this.
See, I love summer, but for the past few years I have dreaded it. I have been a person who didn't feel healthy enough to be active on the beach, who sat on the sidelines while everyone else was riding jet skis, who didn't have the stamina to walk a couple of blocks down to the water at the lake, who hid inside and looked out at the life she desperately wished she had back...but no longer. I didn't start out in life that way and I sure as heck am not going to end my life over it either. I can't wait for this summer! I am going to be back to the active me who has the ability to enjoy anything she wants! Pass the SPF.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Get up Jennifer
This is hard folks, I'm here to tell you. Not every day is sunshine and puppies and rainbows. I have to tell myself this constantly because I am a Type A personality who automatically thinks things are going to go her way. This week I've been good with my food and worked so hard that walking up to the scale I anticipated a 10 pound loss. No sir. 3 pound loss. And that's good and everything but it took the wind out of my sails. 2 weeks the scale doesn't move and then it only moves down three pounds? Really?
So, I had an attitude when we began the workout because I felt defeated by a three pound loss. Jeff started us out on the floor doing push-up rotations. I stopped a couple of times and had to audibly say to myself, "Get up. Get up, Jennifer. Get your *&^ up!" I made it through the workout, had a slight drama queen moment in the locker room over my disappointment, and now feel better about it.
This is hard....and my heart goes out to anyone who is struggling with any aspect of a weight loss journey. Whether you have a little or a lot to lose, it's daunting. But remember, even if you have to talk out loud to yourself, even if people think you're slightly crazy for talking to yourself, even if you've lost over 100 pounds twice before and gained it back (like I did), even if it's been months since you've worked out and you've resorted to wearing your "buffet pants" to work every day....get up. Get back up.
So, I had an attitude when we began the workout because I felt defeated by a three pound loss. Jeff started us out on the floor doing push-up rotations. I stopped a couple of times and had to audibly say to myself, "Get up. Get up, Jennifer. Get your *&^ up!" I made it through the workout, had a slight drama queen moment in the locker room over my disappointment, and now feel better about it.
This is hard....and my heart goes out to anyone who is struggling with any aspect of a weight loss journey. Whether you have a little or a lot to lose, it's daunting. But remember, even if you have to talk out loud to yourself, even if people think you're slightly crazy for talking to yourself, even if you've lost over 100 pounds twice before and gained it back (like I did), even if it's been months since you've worked out and you've resorted to wearing your "buffet pants" to work every day....get up. Get back up.
Come On Ride The Train
I've been trying to get more lean protein in my diet because it is good for you - especially when you're working out as much as I do - and it takes longer for your body to break it down, therefore you stay full longer. I think I've developed a good combination of my body running more efficiently (better gas, better engine) and me being more in tune with it, because I feel almost the immediate results of my food choices.
Yesterday I stuck to my lean proteins and veggies and felt amazing. We had a killer step class, but I felt strong and empowered. The soundtrack was old school stuff like Quad City DJ's ("come on ride the train"), Young MC ("just bust a move"), and other tracks from way back, that are just infectious and get you moving. Immediately after was abs class...10 minutes of non-stop crunches. Whew! I staggered out of there. Since I'd basically been going up and down steps for an hour in class, I felt justified in taking the elevator back up. Just when I thought I was in the clear, out popped Jeff telling me to take the three flights of stairs up. I was too tired for fight or flight, so I said a bad word and complied.
The day ended with dinner with my awesome Girls Night Out group. My good friend Debbie, who I haven't seen in several months, actually did a double take when she saw me. She's eating right as well, so it was nice to have a buddy who was avoiding the tempting cornbread too. I also found a healthy option on the menu in the steak kabobs and steamed veggies.
Now if I can manage to avoid all of the Easter candy floating around here, I'll be golden.
Yesterday I stuck to my lean proteins and veggies and felt amazing. We had a killer step class, but I felt strong and empowered. The soundtrack was old school stuff like Quad City DJ's ("come on ride the train"), Young MC ("just bust a move"), and other tracks from way back, that are just infectious and get you moving. Immediately after was abs class...10 minutes of non-stop crunches. Whew! I staggered out of there. Since I'd basically been going up and down steps for an hour in class, I felt justified in taking the elevator back up. Just when I thought I was in the clear, out popped Jeff telling me to take the three flights of stairs up. I was too tired for fight or flight, so I said a bad word and complied.
The day ended with dinner with my awesome Girls Night Out group. My good friend Debbie, who I haven't seen in several months, actually did a double take when she saw me. She's eating right as well, so it was nice to have a buddy who was avoiding the tempting cornbread too. I also found a healthy option on the menu in the steak kabobs and steamed veggies.
Now if I can manage to avoid all of the Easter candy floating around here, I'll be golden.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Gauntlet
Walking in to the gym yesterday I saw two of the guys on my Transformation team who were just finishing their workout with Jeff. They were trying to catch their breathe and looked as if someone had upended a water bucket over their heads.
"What happened to y'all?!" I asked. Ha ha....apparently the same thing that was about to happen to me.
George on my team referred to it as the gauntlet and it turned out to be the hardest workout I've had yet. Sylvia and I ran multiple sprints (I still marvel every time my feet leave the ground), lifted more weight than ever before, slugged it out on the elliptical, and went back to repeat all of it all over again.
The very last thing we did was get on the elliptical and try to hit the speeds Jeff would call out. And I'll note that he turned the setting to the hardest level, 25. Here I was drenched with sweat, exhausted, and my legs felt like Jello. I really didn't think I had anything left in me and Jeff wanted us to hit a speed of 185. I looked at him like he'd lost his mind, but he was dead serious. "We're not stopping till you get 185."
I dug down and gave it all I had and couldn't reach it. 170, 174, still not even close to 180. One big burst of energy and I got it to 184. Seriously? I wanted to fall in the floor and admit defeat, but I looked over at Sylvia on the elliptical next to me (she'd already hit 185) and she said, "You can do it." I looked at Jeff. He agreed. So I went all out. I bet I looked crazy, all gritted teeth and arms and legs flying all about, but I did it - 186!!! I may have looked like I was about to vomit, with crazy hair and a drenched shirt. I may not have been able to walk a straight line momentarily...but I did it! I survived the gauntlet.
"What happened to y'all?!" I asked. Ha ha....apparently the same thing that was about to happen to me.
George on my team referred to it as the gauntlet and it turned out to be the hardest workout I've had yet. Sylvia and I ran multiple sprints (I still marvel every time my feet leave the ground), lifted more weight than ever before, slugged it out on the elliptical, and went back to repeat all of it all over again.
The very last thing we did was get on the elliptical and try to hit the speeds Jeff would call out. And I'll note that he turned the setting to the hardest level, 25. Here I was drenched with sweat, exhausted, and my legs felt like Jello. I really didn't think I had anything left in me and Jeff wanted us to hit a speed of 185. I looked at him like he'd lost his mind, but he was dead serious. "We're not stopping till you get 185."
I dug down and gave it all I had and couldn't reach it. 170, 174, still not even close to 180. One big burst of energy and I got it to 184. Seriously? I wanted to fall in the floor and admit defeat, but I looked over at Sylvia on the elliptical next to me (she'd already hit 185) and she said, "You can do it." I looked at Jeff. He agreed. So I went all out. I bet I looked crazy, all gritted teeth and arms and legs flying all about, but I did it - 186!!! I may have looked like I was about to vomit, with crazy hair and a drenched shirt. I may not have been able to walk a straight line momentarily...but I did it! I survived the gauntlet.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Taking It Back
Sunday was a beautiful day in Southeastern North Carolina after the scary and devastating weather Saturday brought with it. Thank goodness all of my family and friends (especially those in Sanford) made it through unscathed. Relief for safe passage made the sunny weather all that much more wonderful! Eric and I headed out to the air show at ILM with a group of friends. We had a great time and I'm proud to say that I avoided the fattening but oh-so-tempting fair food that called my name as I walked by.
And speaking of walking, I got my workout in for the day! I bet we walked three or four miles, something I never could have done this time last year. This time last year, I would have had to make excuses to our friends on why we couldn't attend. Sad but true. What "average" or "normal" folks would think nothing of (ie: walking around at an air show) used to enslave me. This fact really drove home to me that I am taking my life back, one day, one experience at a time! My goodness is it worth it!
And speaking of walking, I got my workout in for the day! I bet we walked three or four miles, something I never could have done this time last year. This time last year, I would have had to make excuses to our friends on why we couldn't attend. Sad but true. What "average" or "normal" folks would think nothing of (ie: walking around at an air show) used to enslave me. This fact really drove home to me that I am taking my life back, one day, one experience at a time! My goodness is it worth it!
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| The parachute that kicked off the air show. |
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| What's this....he's sitting down and I'm on my feet? That's a switch! |
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