Moving On

So today, one day after ending my relationship with my trainer, I decided to get another one.

But I bet it's different than what you think!

I'm going to do on-line personal training. I have researched this a lot, even before signing on with the trainer at the gym, and I think it's the way to go for me. The reason I vetoed this before was that I wasn't in a gym groove. I was trying to get back into the gym and wasn't feeling it. So I knew the motivation of an in-person trainer would be better, even if the cost was high. Now that I'm back into the gym groove and feeling good, I know I can handle an on-line trainer.

I'm sure you're asking what an on-line trainer is, right? They basically create a personalized program for you to do. After checking in on a regular basis (frequency depends on the program, but ranges from every other week to every month) the program is modified to give you the best results. You have to be self motivated - because there is nobody going to the gym with you, nobody yelling/cheering for you, and nobody to make sure you are there. But it does give you a great program to follow once you motivate your own self to get to the gym. This is why I think it's good for me now - my mindset is ready for it.

The pros to me for online training are fantastic. It's way less expensive ($30-50 a MONTH vs. $45-60 an HOUR) and you still get a great workout plan. Each program I examined asked for a pretty detailed client profile (actually more detailed than anything I was asked at the gym for in-person training) and most ask for pictures/measurements as well (eek!). I love the cost - because at $30-50 a month, I can afford to do this for a long time. It won't be a huge financial burden at all (less than $2 a day). I've heard other pros from my research online, but I'm reserving my judgment on those until I actually start the program.

The cons, well I don't know all the cons yet. I know that the big one is that you are not training with them in person. Nobody to correct your form, nobody to push you to one last rep, nobody to help you get through the workout. You have to be motivated from within for every workout.

Another big pro for me was that I could really research the people I was thinking about hiring. There were reviews online on the trainer's website as well as non-affiliated other sites. This was awesome. Reading blogs about how a trainer helped someone made me very aware of their skills and programs. This is something that is unique to this online world we live in.

So that's the whole thing for me going forward. I'm going to give this a try and see how it goes. I just signed up for one month and I'm getting my client sheets done today and submitted. Here goes nothing!

The Last Training Session

So this Monday was my last personal training session with Trainer Amy. I did 20 sessions spread out from Jan 18 through March 29th. This was spread out so much due to travel (both of us) and snowpocalypse 2010. So what was the final verdict?

Meh.

I mean at first, I was really excited about the training. But over time, I became underwhelmed. She started throwing more cardio in - which isn't all bad I guess. BUT - when I pay per hr and I spend the first 10, 20 and at one session, 28 minutes doing cardio on machines while she is no where to be seen - well I feel like I'm wasting money. I can do cardio on my own for free...I don't want to waste 1/3 of my session doing just a regular workout on a machine. And she was doing something else. I knew she was having some stuff going on..but you shouldn't be talking to your boyfriend in the gym office while I'm doing cardio during the hour I pay you for. Sorry but you should be standing right next to me. To the last session, she didn't know how fast I walked on the treadmill...because she was rarely around. I think I would have seen much bigger gains if she stuck around, pushed me to a higher level when I needed it, and was better able to assess my abilities.

Some of the other issues - she talked about money too much. About needing more clients, needing to make more money, how upset she was when ppl didn't show up because she lost money, clients that didn't pay, ect. It made me feel weird and I didn't like it. Combined with how I felt I was getting played for my own dollars during the sessions - well it just seemed like a bad deal I was getting. I don't mind paying for a good product...but this one seemed a little like a raw deal over time.

There was a lot of good though - don't let me make it sound all bad. When she was attentive and around, I got my butt kicked GOOD. I sweated it out, burned it off, and felt the pain the next day. I definitely think she knows her stuff - but I think she gets way too distracted, which affects my outcomes.

In general - I'm glad I did it. The benefits were that I have lost body fat, slimmed down, gotten back into a gym routine, and am on my road back to being in shape. I think trainers are excellent for anyone who needs motivation and a regular schedule at the gym, especially beginners. They can help you figure out where to start. Even a 10 session package is awesome. I think I will train again, but probably with a different trainer. Unfortunately, you can't really try ppl out...some of the issues I had with my trainer would never come up in a trial session. But I think that next time, I will ask to speak to some of their clients or try to figure out when they train so I can watch them.

2 weeks + 2 states = 5 lbs

So after a week in TX for work, I went on vacation for 5 days to Boston.

I know, sounds like a bad recipe for weight loss. And it was for half the time.

Texas was a disaster. I didn't gain a lot of weight, maybe 2 or 3 lbs. But I didn't work out most of the time, ate way too much Mexican food, and slept horrible hours. I also had the breakfast buffet. Oops. I had good intentions...I brought protein powders and bars, exercise clothes, and gym shoes. But it just never happened.

Then the Sunday after I got back I met with Nutritionist Dustin. My body fat was good, but the scale wasn't looking too good. We talked about more travel strategies and I went on my way, ready for another trip the following week. I was disappointed that my progress has been so slow...but I know that me + travel has been a bad situation lately.

This time for Boston, I had a mission. I again packed my protein powder, bars, and exercise gear. This time, I had massive follow through. I packed my bag daily with snacks, tried to follow the food plan to a T, and exercised 3 of 5 days. On top of the exercise, I did major walking, as me and the man are all about public transportation for $$ saving and really experiencing the city. I was really proud of my work, but nervous that I didn't do it "right."

Well yesterday I got back from Boston and this morning I checked the scale - down 5 lbs! Now granted..this makes my total loss from the two weeks only about 2 lbs...but it def means I traveled "right" this time. I know I did the best I could and am really proud of myself. The biggest challenge will be to keep this going for a while. It's hard to maintain momentum..but it must be done!

ugh

I've been doing ok, but I haven't lost any weight. I had planned to do two a days (morning and evening) for the next 3 weeks, but got sick on day 2. Need to figure out a method to this madness.

think like a man...

so i read an article sometime last week online (if i find it, i'll post here) about how men lose weight differently from women (duh!) and what women can learn apply from men. i don't remember all the elements, but a few things stood out to me:

1. lifting weights actually boosts metabolism: the article recommended that instead of the low weight, lots of reps, to do more weight and less reps. i'm not suggesting that you become a bodybuilder by any means, but it seems worth a shot.

2. its ok to cheat: i think this speaks precisely to what my blog partner is referring to here. not to beat yourself up when you fall off the wagon (or indulge in that delicious pizza - or in my case, girl scout cookies (damn samoas!)). the article said that men don't eliminate the good stuff from their diet, they simply eat less. i'm not sure if i agree that's what men do, but i think its a good approach. instead of saying no ice cream, know that you are going to eat ice cream, but make yourself half a cup instead of that giant bowl you usually make.

3. become a meat monster: the article didn't say it like this AT ALL, but i thought it was a clever phrase. the idea is that while women indulge on carbs (desserts, pizzas, cookies, etc.), men indulge on steak and manly meats. i am not sure i agree with this (i know at least 2 significant others that LOVE desserts), but i think this is a good idea. because proteins are more likely to fill you up and keep you satisfied, its better to have a second helping of chicken than more rice or potatoes. and you may eat enough to not want dessert at all.

i am, however, probably most surprised by the fact that the article said i could learn something from a man.

just kidding. maybe.

so i've been doing fantastic with my water and have been doing good with eating until (how do you make that suspenseful music sound in writing?) -- GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SEASON. i ate a little more than i should. and by a little, i mean 2 boxes in 2 days between me and my daughter (and she ate her fair share). but i'm going to put the 3rd box in the freezer, and am working out like hell and simply trying to offset with less carbs for the rest of the week, and more protein. beans, meats, and veggies are my friend.

also i've been working out and doing well! this weekend is my chance to push it and up to the next resistance level.

yay for progress! let's just hope i see SOMETHING on the scale this saturday.

My Cheating Ways

This weekend is where the inevitable wall hits. That place where eating right just seems stupid when there is delicious PIZZA to be had. See I don't know if ya'll know - I have a major issue when it comes to pizza. I love it. True story - I asked my fiance if we could have pizza delivered to the wedding reception . Or have caterers make a pizza buffet.

So you see - I'm a true fan of a delicious perfectly topped pizza.

And I totally gave in yesterday. Ugh. It's okay, as I'm allowed a cheat meal occasionally (and you don't get more cheat then Kim + PIZZA). But it's also hard because I'm the kind of person that usually takes a few days to get over a cheat meal. I'm trying to change that. And get back on the wagon ASAP. With my lunch I brought to work and my protein shakes and snacks. But it's hard, because having PIZZA reminds me of all the goodness I do *not* have in my very organic meals. Cooking with out all the processed sauces and salt (you don't realize how awesome salt is until you can't use it) is really bland. And having all that flavor is making me realize that because my lunch was just not hitting the spot today.

So I'm going to do some research - and treat myself to a food book on how to season food better. It's not easy seasoning food w/ no salt and marinade and I'm just getting bored - which is making that wall really hard to get over. I found a book called the Flavor Bible and I think I may have to snatch it up. If I'm going to eat clean for life - Ms. Dash isn't going to permanently cut the bill for my chicken and potato and rice flavoring. And definitely for fish - I'm about lemon peppered out.

Instead of beating myself up about my cheating ways, I'm going to instead learn from them. The fact of the matter is that I need to figure out how to add more flavor profiles to my food so I'm not so bored. And I need to kick some major behind at the gym. I'm on my own this week - my trainer is out of town. So she's sending me workouts via electrons so I can stay on track. My next scheduled workout is a DOOZY, but I'm excited to get it in. I actually think I *may* take tonight off though (I know, talk about talking out of both sides of my mouth) because I have my most awesome aunt in town from the D and this is really the only night I can meet up with her before she heads back home. And I have to go to pick up some crafty goodness from the other side of the county. She did say she was interested in working out though - so if she is still up for a butt kicking workout, I'll drag her with me. If not, then we'll just catch up as I haven't been home or seen her since AUGUST!!

The good, bad, and the ugly

Only two days in and I've already stopped writing in my food diary. What's worse, is today somebody brought a deep fryer to work and made fried chicken and fries for everyone (yes, i'm for real).

The good news is, I've been diligently sticking to my 2000mL of water per day. I've actually been doing more most days...

(gets back on the wagon)

If at first you don't succeed...

I apologize for my hiatus on here. It hasn't been intentional or due to the fact that I haven't lost any weight yet (more on that in a minute). I truly have been busy, and haven't gotten a chance to get on here...but part of this process is to make time for yourself and what is important, so I'm back and committed to staying back.

Now - back to my progress, or lack of progress would be more accurate. My plan was to eat right FIRST and then add the workouts. Unfortunately, I weighed myself my first day back at the gym and had not lost a single pound (well maybe one, but I attributed that to clothes weight variation and/or precision of the scale -- that's the engineer in me, sorry...). So as I sat for a minute within my frustration, I realized that it didn't mean it was the end, or that I couldn't do it. I am not a fat person by nature (nor am I a skinny person, for that matter), and that alone lets me know that I can lose this weight. I probably hadn't been eating as well as I should (there was a party in my tummy! - i have a 2 year old who loves Yo Gabba Gabba so don't judge me!)

So my new approach is as follows:

I have a large water bottle (32oz) that I am committing to drinking at least 2 - 3 full bottles a day. My premise is that you fill up on liquids, you don't eat as much food.

Removing all non-water beverages from my diet (with the exception of juice for breakfast on the weekends)

Substituting white rices, pastas, potatoes, for their "diverse" counterparts!

Eliminating red meat and increasing weekly fish intake

Weigh myself every week

Workout at least 3 times per week

Keep a food diary

While this list is not inclusive, it represents the CHANGES I am making.

I am a little jealous by my blog partner's weight loss, but also motivated and proud of her! You're the best!

Next week I'll check in with my progress on those things I've listed above.

Toodles!

Two Week Check In

Hola folks! I had my 2 week check in with the nutritionist this past Sunday. Drum roll please......I lost 8 lbs. Wow! I was super happy with that (obviously) and at the same time kind of sad b/c i know that won't continue forever. It'll just be a short term fast lost before I settle into the program more and start losing at a more normal/reasonable rate of .5-2 lbs/week. I still have hopes of losing at least 5 more lbs before I go to Boston - putting me at around 20 lbs lost in 2010.

I like the eating program, but obviously, I'm getting annoyed with some of the foods. Mainly the granola snack. I really don't like granola, LOL. Luckily after my 2 weeks, I get to play with the food plan a little. I'm going to keep it mainly the same, but I will start subbing out the granola with one of the cracker alternates. I heart crackers :)

It's been REALLY hard to stick with the diet though. I have to eat when I don't want to and I have to eat more/less than I want to when I do. Relinquishing my desires when it comes to food is really hard. But I guess the point is that I really don't know how to eat on my own, so I need to learn. So I'm learning. And I'll have to suck it up until I do. But yeah...I've definitely wanted pizza a few times over the last few weeks. I did talk to Dustin about travel and eating different stuff. He said cheat meals are occasionally okay, but not often. So I'm trying to figure out what that means for me. I know I'm going to Texas for work again in a few weeks and Boston at the end of the month. Both of those will probably have a cheat meal, simply b/c I'm traveling and you all know how life is at airports and on the road when you are not traveling by yourself (or having your own rental car in Texas!). It's hard for other people to understand what you are doing and why and since I won't have control over where I eat for every meal (in Texas company is bringing lunch in daily, don't have my own rental so kind of at the mercy of the woman who has the car), I'm very nervous about being able to stick to the program at all. I'm just going to play it by ear I guess, bring my protein powder, and try to maintain the status quo.

What say you - what are some ideas for when you don't have control over your diet to stick to the program and maintain the status quo?