Make Me Strong Like Bull

So after signing up for my new online personal trainer yesterday, I got my full plan for April in my email box today. Let me say how happy I am with my plan!

In the initial questionnaire, I gave a lot of information about what I have done and my body type. Also she asked what I want to look like. I don't know what it's called...but I want to look like my body idol, Laila Ali:


That in my opinion, is a killer body. And that body requires some major work to achieve.

So when I looked at the program that was created for me, I was really happy to see that the stuff I like and the stuff she thinks will work for me are one in the same, woot! What is that you ask....lifting HEAVY weights. Sorry, but I can't do the bodypump situation...lifting 10 lbs 100 times. I like to lift 100 lbs 10 times. That makes me feel strong and I get muscle definition pretty fast that way. And since I would like to look like miss diva herself...well I need to lift heavy. And yes ladies, you can lift heavy. As long as you aren't on steroids, you will not end up looking like this:

Anyway, the mix of cardio and weights is fun and interesting and I'm really excited for workout #1, which will be tonight!

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!!