A food addict's travels on the road to recovery.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I Bit The Bullet

Well, my friends, I did it. Billie and I joined the gym together today. We spent about 2 hours there this morning taking the tour, getting educated, signing up, etc. We left and went and did our errands for the day and met up tonight for our first workout session. We got there at 6:45 and worked out til 8pm. They have 3 or 4 different circuits of machines to use. Naturally, we chose the newest, most state-of-the-art machines. Very easy to use, very efficient, and very painful, lol. I felt great while I was there, but it's not even an hour and a half later and I just cannot believe how sore I am already. I didn't expect the soreness until tomorrow morning. Wrong!

We spent half of our time getting familiar with all of the machines, finding out how they work, and doing 1 rep of 15 on all of them. There's about 12 machines I think. There were only 2 of them that I didn't get on....they were to work out the calves. I've already got the calf muscles of a man, so I seriously don't need anymore work in that department. I'll take a picture of them for you sometime to show you what I mean.

We spent the last half of our time on the treadmill. I burned 400 calories on that baby tonight and it felt damn good. I've had an easy week due to the knee and I've hated it. I was on it for 30 mins, part of it jogging, and park of it with a 5% incline. The trail I walk at the park is flat, so even a 5% incline on the treadmill was work for me. I walked just over 2 miles. I'll be going back in the morning by myself.

I talked to Billie about her schedule and it looks like we'll probably be able to go 4 nights a week together. That's when I plan on doing my weights. When I go by myself in the mornings, it will probably just be to do the treadmill. I worked with a personal trainer lifting free weights about 6 years ago when I lost 83 lbs., and I remember muscle fatigue all too well. So I will NOT be doing free weights or weight machines 2x a day. Ain't happenin', lol.

I ate 1400 calories today, but that was accidental. I was supposed to eat 1600 like I've done all week, but I put 200 in my calorie counter this morning to account for 1/4 c of almonds I was going to have as a snack this afternoon. When I was closing out the website a few minutes ago and looking over my calories for the day, I realized I forgot to eat them! I cannot believe I forgot to eat something, lol, that is just a trip. Too tired to eat now....sounds like too much work and my whole body hurts right now.

I'm glad I stopped waivering over this decision and just did it. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. I'm not overly excited or too pumped up....I just feel a resolve deep-down telling me that this is just the next step in my travels. I'm on the right path and I'm doing what I need to be doing. I feel good. I feel like I'm progressing nicely. I no longer fear that I won't make it. I no longer feel like maybe I can't do this. I know that I can now. How long it's going to take is becoming less important. Just the knowledge that I WILL make it is comforting. I'm not doing everything perfect...but I'm letting go of the quest for perfect. I wasn't hitting that unrealistic goal anyway. What I'm looking for is nice and steady progress.

No idea how the weigh-in is going to turn out this week, but surprisingly, I don't feel too worried about it. I've been told by several people this week that raising my calories may cause a gain at first until my body adjusts to it. I went to 1600 this week, and with getting back to my normal cardio next week, I plan on raising it on up to 1700. Of course, after I have my appt with the nutritionist at the gym in a day or two, that could all change. I'm sure he knows tons more about what I should be doing than I do. We'll see. I've also been told by 3 or 4 people at the gym today that adding in the weight machines will also cause an initial gain....we've all heard it before...muscle weighs more than fat..blah, blah, lol. So I'm trying to take it all in stride. Just going to keep doing what feels right and take it as it comes. This all totally goes against my personality, but sometimes change can be a good thing. :)

Quote For the Day:

The first and the best victory is to conquer self." -Plato

15 comments:

  1. You go, girl! When I read that you were considering joining, I could tell just in your tone that you had pretty much decided to go for it, and it sounds like it has paid off already! You are unstoppable! Well, that is, if DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) doesn't get in the way!! :P

    Proud o' you, girlie!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I first joined the gym I lost 5 lbs 2 weeks in a row so you never know. Sounds like you worked really hard. Glad to hear you feel so good about it even with the soreness.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How nice to have a friend to work out with! I think you'd be a hoot to work out with. I hope your knee is doing better sweet Southern Tammy! I'd love to hear that Southern drawl of yours. Could you do an audio clip and post it...and use the word "girl" because I can just imagine how it sounds and I LOVE IT!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. wOwwOwWOWOW!!!!
    tHAT IS fabULOUS, i AM So ExiTed aNd Pleased i HavE lOsT ContRol!!!!

    I asked for some motivation yesterday, you girl have given me it!!

    Well Done You, you will see big changes now.
    I can see you following in Kari's footsteps!!!

    love and hugs

    Sheilagh

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great news Tammy that you joined the gym...
    YOu are going to love it...workout a nice cardio program for yourself...try not get off one machine before you been on it for 20 minutes...and build up to 30..( sorry that comment is the qualified trainer part of me ) forget its there!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well done Girl! I knew you would join too. NOTHING stopping you now! You are on fire.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations! You have "gym rat" written all over you! Just take it easy in the beginning so you don't hurt something that will stall your workouts. I'm so glad you did this for yourself, Tammy.

    Hugs - Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Tammy. Great to have joined the gym! I'm sure you'll get some good results from it.

    Best wishes,
    Bearfriend xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so happy for you Tammy!!! This will be good for you in SO many ways. Hope you can manage through the soreness. It's not easy sometimes but you know it's a good pain. Way to go girl. Good things are in store for you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is just sooooo cool, I think there's more motivation to keep moving when you have someone to do it with. We will do it...together.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yahoo!! You did it! I think it will be just the little shake up your body needs :)
    I didn't write down my daily intake this week, so I'm kinda sweating the weigh-in tomorrow. I don't think I'm ready to not write down what I eat yet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is an awesome step, Tammy. I'm so proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yay Tammy,
    I wish I were there to go with you!
    Keep it up.
    xo
    a

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just read on Billie's blog how you two joined the gym. How exciting! Can't wait to hear all about it, and I will of course be looking forward to those pictures you promised!:-)
    Can't wait to hear what the nutritionist has to say too. Keep us posted!
    hugs-
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, fun, I really look fwd to hearing your future reports. Pls don't overdo, esp at the beginning here. I know it will be interesting at the beginning and all, but *pace yourself* ! So you don't get shutdown altogether! ChrissyS

    ReplyDelete



Given by 266

Given by 266 and Bearfriend

Given by Jen

Given by Bearfriend

Given by Sheilagh & Kathleen

Given by Brittany, Michelle, Irene, Melanie, Sean, Amy, Sheilagh, Francesca & Christa

Given by Kristina, Amy & Auburn

Given by Sarah, Brittany, VRaz60, 266, Rebecca & Auburn

Given by Brittany

Given by Kelly

Given by Dawne & ETL

Given by 266, Sweettooth, Kelly & Brittany

Progress Photos

Progress Photos
232 lbs. ~ Size 18/20 outfit

232 lbs.

242.0 lbs. ~ Size 22/24 outfit

242.0 lbs.

Start Weight 06-12-09

Start Weight  06-12-09
272 lbs. ~ Size 26/28 outfit