Donna The Gym Rat, Day 2

Ok, I just wanna whine for a minute.

Another gym rat was using the ab machine I wanted. So I got on the one that gives me a mini-mammogram (you push down on a bar and unless you're sitting back, you pinch your breasts - it's definitely designed for a flat-chested person!). I used that machine until my preferred machine was free.

Then the water in the shower was ice-cold and it took a long time to warm up. (Ok, it was like a minute. But I stood there naked and shivering for that minute.)

Ok, I'm done whining now. Was that a full minute? No? Just 20 seconds? Good, I'll save the remaining 40 seconds and use them tomorrow.
No I won't (hopefully)!

So anyway, I did an hour again at the gym... 30 minutes aerobics, 30 minutes strength training and body sculpting. Man, that strength training is tough. I had to set all the machines I used on the lowest weight possible... 10 lbs... and even then, they were tough. I guess my arms are weak and wimpy! Got to change that. Hopefully that will be one of the results of doing the strength training.

New today! I am beginning a food diary. Since the weight isn't coming off and I haven't really changed anything except to begin working out, I have to assume the devil is in the diet. I am tracking type of food group, time of day eaten, what I ate, # calories total, and # calories each of protein, carbs and fat. Then I'm running a cumulative total of my calories for the day. Hopefully some big glaring problems will stare me in the face within a week and I can make some changes to my diet.

Ok, got to get to work. Have a great day!

Here We Go, Again!

 I'm back!

Um, yeaaaaaahhhh.

Where ya been, Donna?

Ok (ahem), yes, it HAS been awhile since I've written. May 18, to be specific. The last month or so has been crazy. The end of May is always very busy at work and at home. Enter June. First I had a camping trip planned and had lots to do before leaving. Then I had a nearly 2 week vacation ....and had lots to do before leaving. And while on vacation, I had very limited Internet access. But now I'm back. And haven't been to the gym in, oh, coughcoughamonthcoughcough...

But here's some good news! Yesterday I was planning to start working out again, but due to a fall (I injured my leg, not badly, but enough to make my leg uncomfortable for a day) and a poor night's sleep (largely due to the aforementioned fall), I opted not to go. But today I did go back and... (drum roll) I doubled my workout time! 30 minutes on the elliptical (2.75 miles), and 10 minutes each on 3 ab-crunching machines. Whew! (channeling James Dean) "I feel good! (na-na-na-na-na-na-na!) Like I knew that I would now! (na-na-na-na-na-na-na!) I feeeeeel good..."

I had a big salad for lunch with some cottage cheese on the side. I took several flights of stairs to get those and return to the office afterwards. Whew again!

Oh, and I've finally transitioned to drinking water all day (and the rare iced venti caramel macchiato... so, sue me).

I feel great, I feel energized, and I feel like I can do this! Wish me well!

Commencement Weekend

It's Commencement Weekend!

In two days, approximately 200 engineering and computer science students will be crossing the stage to receive their diplomas from the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences at the University of Rochester. The students, and we staff, have worked very hard to get to this point. And here we are. It's been a whirlwind.

And I can't shake this cold.

I caught this cold on Wednesday, April 25. It totally shut down my workout routine. I thought I had kicked it by Thursday, May 3, and began working out again. I switched from the treadmill to the elliptical machine and got the same workout in half the time. For two days.

Then on Saturday, the cold kicked me in the butt yet again. Slightly different symptoms, but still a cold.... low energy, foggy head, etc. Plus this time, a nasty cough. So, I haven't worked out since then. I HAVE been a good girl with the diet, but I've basically just maintained where I'm at, not really lost any weight.

So here I am, heading into Commencement Weekend, hoping to God I can keep my energy up. I have to be in several places over the course of the weekend, most of the time dressed up. I'm sweating just thinking about it.

So, no exciting news to report. Sometimes the only thing you can do it just slog through days and look forward to coming out on the other side and catching a break. Here's hoping that I do.

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights...

Ok, so I haven't blogged since May 2. And it's now May 9.

On May 2 I felt like a cold or something was coming on. So that night I took some nighttime cold medication and went to bed. I woke up Thursday morning feeling like do-do. I went to work because (a) it was to be the day our college seniors displayed and demo'd their senior design projects, and (b) I had a 2:30 pm appointment near work with my oncologist.

It was an incredibly difficult 6 hours. I couldn't focus on anything. I just wanted to put my head down on the desk. Needless to say, I (a) did not work out that morning, and (b) did not go to Senior Design Day, not wanting to infect the masses. After my oncologist appointment (which went well), I went home and went straight to bed.

Friday I called in sick and stayed in bed for the entire weekend, even missing church and only venturing out to (a) return my old cell phone, lest I get dinged to the tune of $500.00 and (b) buy more cold medicine.

Monday, the body felt somewhat better but the head was still in a bit of a fog. I returned to work and muddled through the best I could, getting a surprising amount of work done. Tuesday was better; I had a burst of energy and greatly reduced the "to-do" pile. That brings me to today.

It's May 9, and I haven't worked out since April 30. But I am still fighting the last vestiges of a cold. Mostly what lingers is the cough and low energy, in spite of what I wrote in the previous paragraph. I think it's gonna take the better part of the week to kick this thing, maybe this weekend too. All I know is I've got to kick it before NEXT weekend because that will be Commencement weekend and I'll need every bit of energy I can muster to work it. I hope to be able to pick up the workouts by next Monday at the latest. I will keep you posted.

Two Days Without A Workout.... And I Am Feeling It!

So, Tuesday I had plans to see my friend off at the airport. I knew I'd be losing two hours of work time so I skipped the workout and came in early to get things done. I did manage to get in a 30-minute walk, but it wasn't at the pace I am used to doing on the treadmill. And today, I have to leave work early for a check-up with my oncologist, so again, I skipped the workout and came in early to get things done. And today I am feeling it.

Even though I only had 4 days of going to the gym, there's a definite difference in how I feel. The workout leaves me a bit tired, but refreshed and happy. I feel like I am more productive and energetic afterwards. Yesterday and today I've felt a bit sluggish. So, thank God there's no reason for me to leave work early tomorrow. Because I am NOT missing my workout again!

Oh, I meant to publish my measurements. (I know what you're thinking... quiet, you!) I took them on Sunday, as a baseline:

Hips 53"
Waist 47"
Bustline 52"
L (& R) upper arms: both 16"
L (& R) upper thighs: both 24.5"
Weight: 192.6 lb. (Ugh.)

Those are all coming DOWN. I promise myself!

 Ok, since I am leaving early, this will be the end of today's post. I wish everyone a productive and "fit" day!

Hello... uh... (taps mic) is this thing on?

It's been an awful long time, I know. I've been bad... I gave up on the whole "get in shape, feel great" thing and just lived my life. It was ok for awhile, it worked for awhile, but now... not so much.

Last summer I had a full hysterectomy. Cancer was suspected, and cancer was indeed found. TWO kinds, ovarian and uterine, growing side-by-side. I was blessed to have had it caught early enough in the process that it all was totally contained in the uterus and the doctors were able to remove it all so successfully that I didn't need chemotherapy or radiation. So, recovery was a snap. Right?

Ehhhh.... not so much. The first 5 weeks went very smoothly. I had some pain, but did as the doctors told me and I managed very well. Then in the 5th week, I was hit with VERY intense pain, as the muscles began to knit back together in earnest. And the fat. The ever-present belly fat. It complicated things... sorry, doc  :-(  ... It doubled my recovery time. And it continues to slow me down. I can't run. I can't hike at a good clip. I can't easily bend at the waist. And finding pants that fit? Yeah, right.

So, I'm ba-ack..... 

This time, in addition to doing the "Eat Well, Live Well" challenge at work, I also joined the campus gym. For now, I'm doing the treadmill for 30 minutes, with plans to get an orientation on the other equipment and eventually incorporate other equipment. I have been going faithfully every morning (except Sunday) since last Thursday. So, 4 days in a row. Woo-hoo! I'm on a roll!
 

Ok, it's admittedly not much of a track record - yet. But it's a start. I haven't lost any weight yet, but I am determined to see this through. My ultimate goal is to lose 50 pounds and firm up my breasts, belly and upper arms.  Along the way, I hope to get into running and weight-lifting (for firming up, NOT bulking up. I have NO plans to compete as Miss Body-Builder USA or whatever they call that competition. Yecch. Not for me. I just want to look and feel my best).

So, if you haven't totally given up, feel free to follow my progress as I begin to peel off the pounds. Because, well, I'm thick and tired of it.

Hey Donna, where ya been?

Danke schön, denizens of dinner, dessert, drink, diet, and detox!

I am back after a lengthy absence. A friend and classmate who is also a doctor saw me at my 30th class reunion and asked me, “Donna, where is your blog?” I was sorely tempted to respond, “It blew into bloggerspace!” Grooaannn…

I haven’t written for a couple of reasons. First, work has been crazy busy these last several months. Heck, I haven’t played with my Facebook apps in months. Now, I know what you’re thinking. What does Farmville have to do with diet and exercise? Well, lots, actually. My unofficial and totally unbiased survey of friends indicates that the more Facebook activity, the less exercise.

Number two: I, uh,… haven’t been dieting and exercising… much. So, what’s to write about?

WHAAAA….? Whaddaya MEAN, you ain’t exercising?

We-ell…. It’s like this. We had this great competition going at work; I had my pedometer on, and was walking every day; it was beautiful weather to be outside; summer and salad go hand in hand; I was drinking lots of water; yada, yada, yada.

Then…. er, I, uh, accidentally dropped my pedometer in the toilet, uh, TWO of them, actually. I worked through lunch most days and ate at my desk. My number came up in the lottery and I got a closer parking space. It got colder. I got lazy. You name the excuse, I got it.

Sooo…. Here I go again, right on top of the dreaded holiday season. I’m attempting to get the ol’ metabolism going once again. Right after today’s going-away party for a co-worker, replete with goodies. (I would've posted this yesterday, but there was another going away party then, too. Any excuse for cake seems to be the theme.)

I pledge to find something healthy to discuss at least twice a week. Yeah, yeah, I know, I’ve said that before. Well, I’m trying again.

Today’s healthy thought (to paraphrase a favorite song): "GET UP OFFA DAT BUTT! And stretch till you feel better! GET UP OFFA DAT BUTT! And walk around the block!" I promise to do both.