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

Monday, December 28, 2009

Fat Tammy vs. The Elliptical

Calories are at 1560 today....second decent day in a row.  I gotta' tell ya'....once you've been eating like an idiot for a whole month, it's really hard to get back on the wagon.  But the first day is the hardest one, and that was yesterday.  Each day after that gets a little easier...so if you fell off the wagon, too, put your blinders on and get through that first day.  You'll be so glad you did.  :)

Billie wasn't able to go to the gym with me tonight so I went alone.  That's another hard thing to do once you're used to going with a partner, but I've got a goal to reach, so I went.  I hit the elliptical for the 2nd day in a row.  Let's back up to yesterday's battle with the beast so you can fully appreciate today's experience.

Yesterday, it hurt just to stand on it.  Your quads tighten up immediately.  If you've been on one, then you know what I'm talking about.  I had to stop 3 times for a few seconds within the first 10 minutes because of the burn.  I didn't stop at all the last 15 minutes, and had a total of 25 mins on it.  I was amazed I made it that far.  And my speed totally sucked.  I had it between a 2.6 and a 3.0 and that was the absolute best I could do.  And there was no fluid motion like you see the experts doing...gliding like gazelles.  I looked more like an epileptic having a seizure.

I got on it again today, as I will every day I'm at the gym, until I master it like I've done with the treadmill.  I got on it and got started and felt surprisingly good at it....almost graceful.  I glanced down at my speed and I was at a 4.4!!!  It was so weird...like I went to bed last night and woke up magically knowing how to work the elliptical.  Very cool.  I was gliding along, keeping my speed between a 4.0 and a 4.4, and didn't have to stop at all.  I got to about 15 minutes and this guy got on the one beside me.  He had at least 50 lbs more belly fat than I did and I noticed out of the corner of my eye that he seemed to be going WAY faster than I was.  I peeked at his machine and his speed was 8.6!  I was like "Pffft!!  Give it 5 mins and you'll be crawling."  So 5 minutes later I glanced over and his speed was at 9.1!!

Suddenly I lost all my steam.  I was at 20 minutes and wanted to get off so bad.  I couldn't get my speed higher than a 3.2.  It was like that jerk took out a big ol' needle and popped my big balloon, lol.  I couldn't stop though....I did 25 minutes yesterday and I couldn't let myself go backwards, no matter how much I hated the guy beside me.  So I plugged along for 5 more minutes and made it 25 mins for the 2nd day in a row.  Then I went downstairs and did 3 reps on all of the weight machines.  It was a good workout...one I'm proud of. 

When I weighed in last Friday, I changed my goal weight on my little ticker thingy on my sidebar.  I originally started this blog at 272 lbs and said I wanted to get down to 180 lbs.  I changed my mind.  I'm shooting for 170 lbs now.  And there's nothing saying I won't change it again later, lol.  Who knows.  But with the goal weight change, and the 13 lbs I gained....I now have 63 lbs to lose instead of the 40 lbs I had to lose.  Yeah, it's a bit of a bummer...but nothing major.  I started with 92 lbs to lose, so I've still made some progress.  I've also been in the gym for over 2 months, so I'm a lot more fit than I was when I started and I can tell.

I mentioned in a previous post that I'm bringing back my 10 lb/mo goal.  I have every intention of keeping that goal until I hit my goal weight.  The proof is in the pudding, as they say.  When I had this goal at the beginning of my blog, I lost 39 lbs in 4 months.  Those are the kinds of results I want to see.  Not this floundering around crap and the GAINING that's been going on.  It feels good to have a goal again...something to reach for and dangle in front of myself.  It makes a big difference for me.

I've spent the last few hours putting away my Christmas decorations and I'm still only about 70% done.  Once I get everything done and my house back in order with the normal decor back in place, I'll get back to regular commenting on everyone's blogs.  Sorry that I've been out of it for so long.  I can't say that my circumstances are a whole lot better....but my attitude is improving, and that's really the key to everything in life.

It's good to be back.  Thank you to everyone who hung in there with me and didn't write me off.  A special thank you to those of you who sent me private emails and have checked on me all through this hard period.  And a VERY special thank you to my beautiful friend Andrea at Beauty and Old Things, listed on my blogroll.  She just changed her blogname to Fit To Be Seen recently.  She's into photography and she finds such beauty in the simplest of God's creations and shares it with the world.  She sent me the most gorgeous Christmas card with a hand-written message....the only Christmas card I received this year.  Big hugs to you Andrea.  'Nite friends.  :)

14 comments:

  1. Yes, bring back the 10 lb/mo goal! You can do it. Best wishes this year!

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  2. Hi Sweetie,
    I am so happy you got your card!
    I've been out of the blog world lately too. Dealing with some issues too! I'll email you soon to say hello and more...
    Good work at the gym. I am so uncoordinated I jerk to pieces on that thing! :)
    xo
    Andrea

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  3. Go Tammy! Who cares if you're slow on the elliptical? What counts is that even though it's really hard for you right now, you're sticking to it and set on improving. So many people get used to one machine and then like to just stay on that because it's easy for them. But you're smart and you're changing it up and your body is going to show greater results for you doing that.

    I think 170 will look really good on you. Can't wait to see you reach your goal. Try to do something every day that makes you happy, too, in order to keep your attitude up. :)

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  4. Wow, great workout on the elliptical - who cares what speed the guy next to you did - your speed and time was excellent!

    Glad to see you are back on track with firm goals in place - somehow, I KNOW you are going to do it!

    (struggling to blog properly too)

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  5. Hi hon, glad to see you're on your way back! (Not like you ever really left).

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  6. I'm glad you are back and I am so proud and happy for you! I think setting a goal is great because it obviously worked well for you. Some people will say, "Oh, don't set specific goals." but if that works, then I say go for it!

    Wonderful on getting after that machine - great job!!

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  7. Hey Tammy. Glad you're hanging in there. I think of you often and your struggles and know that things will work out for you. With your great attitude, they have to. Great job on the elliptical, and if it makes you feel any better, all I can manage right now is about 30 minutes walking on the treadmill. You may have inspired me to try the elliptical!

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  8. Welcome back!! I love the elliptical once you get used to it ;-)

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  9. Keep those blinders on including looking at Mr. Jones on the next machine. I can go 60 minutes on the elliptical, but my settings may make it easier for me than for someone else. I also don't cycle backwards on it either. And as another commenter indicates, this is my go-to machine because I can do 60 minutes on it whereas I am a treadmill dope. Hopefully not forever as I'd like to be a runner in the future.

    There are just too many variables in how these machines can be used and in the user themselves to bother comparing your progress to theirs.

    Be a fitness rebel!

    kgershman.blogspot.com

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  10. I know you're going to make it!!!! I believe in you.

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  11. Good to see you got your power back Tammy Girl, we are going to see great things from you in 2010 I know it for sure!!!

    I am dreading my weigh in tomorrow, but what ever it brings I am read to do battle and you are a Major Inspiration to win that battle.

    I am so proud of your spirit.

    Love and Hugs

    Sheilagh

    xxx

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  12. Way to show that elliptical just who is the boss! And you are so right, after falling off the calorie wagon, it's that first day back on that can be so brutal. Glad you did it, I knew you could! Keep it up, I'm rooting for you as always!:-)
    hugs-
    Amy

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  13. I love the enthusiasm of a fresh turn in this post. I love it! You've made incredible strides, had dramatic success, and now you're gearing up to head for a new goal. And I have zero doubt in my mind. I know you'll make it, and I know you know you'll make it!!!
    I try to never compare my performance at the gym with anyone elses...I know, it's hard to do...because they're right there! But---if you can, try to ignore those people. Your story reminded me of me in the weight room. I'm lifting these tiny amounts and some kid comes in and puts me to shame. It's embarrassing a little, but then I remember---it's all in my head. We all start where we are....we all develop how we develop. Someday you'll be the one doing 9.0 mph on the elliptical and someone else will be looking over at you and feeling the same emotion.
    So true.

    My best always friend,
    Sean

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  14. I'm glad you are showing that elliptical machine who is boss. Some days I get on it and can rock out 40 mintues at 5+ and other days I can barely make it 30 minutes at 4.0. Keep getting on it and you will find it gets easier and easier.

    I'm happy you are feeling better and hope you have a wonderful New Year!

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Progress Photos

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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