Crazy as it sounds- I am missing Body Combat- I knew that I wanted a day of not hearing the 10 songs that comprise Body Combat 56, I knew that my body wanted nothing to do with jabs, hooks, kicks for at least a day--but now I think I'm ready to get back at it and work on what needs to be worked on so that I can submit a passing video assessment.
Sunday night I was just numb- in a good way. My body was so exhausted, my brain was running on empty- I did nothing but become one with the couch and my laptop for "fun"- did not attempt to bring any work to the couch- it could wait. It was a wonderfully relaxing evening and I still stayed up too late- you'd think that I would have melted into bed early- but I was still so wound up. I was overwhelmed by the number of people with "likes" and "congrat" messages on Facebook and many telling me how proud they were of me for having completed the training and passing. It felt really good. I was also blown away by the number of Les Mills instructor friends who very quickly volunteered to be part of my video assessment class. I'm really feeling the Tribe Vibe big time....and it's very cool.
When I was first certified in Body Pump- which at the time it was Les Mills/Body Training Systems- the Maori culture was really not a part of the program, it was not emphasized, the "tribe" mentality did not exist. Sure, you had other instructors there to help and mentor you- but it was just different. Then over the years when Les Mills and Body Training Systems split and Les Mills moved forward with all of the programs- they really started to develop the Tribe mentality, the family of Les Mills instructors worldwide- but I was not teaching at any facility that offered these programs, so I was not really part of the tribe, so to speak. The past year or so with more contacts on Facebook, with the face to face meetings with other instructors at Quarterlies, Mega Quarterlies, AIM and now this Body Combat training- I am just really feeling the Tribe Vibe (love that phrase that I just put together). When I decided to take the Body Combat training, I had reached out to several instructors that I knew had been teaching the format for years and they were all so gracious with their advice and helping with feedback, opening up their classes for me to attend. It was very cool and like I say now to have so many wanting to help me with my video. It's very heart-warming. I remember when Gold's in Redwood City brought in Body Pump, the club required any instructors who had not taught in a few years to re-assess with a video and it was like pulling teeth to get bodies at a mock class to film. Very stressful.
I had the best massage yesterday- I actually went to see the Chiropractor first and that was fabulous but boy my body was sore. The massage though- seriously the best one I think I have ever had. about 30 minutes of Shiatsu with lots of stretching and then serious massaging of all my aching body parts..she did wonders- I was like mush when I left and I can honestly say that I woke up today feeling pretty darn good...only body part that still hurts a bit is my right elbow and that is from that stupid Crab Crawl that I could not do in a coordinated fashion...but it is feeling better today- I still went light on my bicep weight in class tonight because that seems to be the one move that irritates the injury.
Had a great birthday dinner for my brother last night- always nice to spring mom from "the institution" as she calls it. Just felt like a normal family night around the dining table talking and laughing. REally happy that my mom is doing well and living close by now. I feel as though we are finally getting to enjoy things.
Today I taught a line dancing class at the JCC for a 70th birthday party. It was a really fun time with about 20 ladies in attendance for the party- and they caught on very quickly. In an hour, they learned Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, The Hustle and Alley Cat and we danced a few of them more than once. Afterwards, I had several ladies ask me if they could get a regular class at the JCC..so I am hopeful that this will come to fruition...it was a beautiful day and I taught outside on the 4th floor of the Cultural Center- an area that I didn't even know existed. Before I left, one of the ladies came up to me and said "So cute talented girl with the smooth dance moves, how can we get you to teach a class regularly?"...so sweet. Watch out Fancy Feet (Bill Horst)- your wife now has "smooth dance moves" :) It was a great fitness day and finished with a fabulous Body Pump class tonight.
All in all a great day...behind in travel work- so need to focus big time on this tomorrow...need to catch up and end the month with a bang!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Passed!
Passed!
What a weekend! It was tough, it was grueling, it was long, it was filled with moments of needing to dig deep down within and moments of pushing beyond your limits. It was AMAZING. I am so very exhausted as I write this, I hope my thoughts come out the way they should.
I woke up Saturday, ready to take on the world, despite my road rash knee/leg. What I didn't know then is the pain I was feeling in my leg/knee was nothing compared to how my body is feeling NOW after hours and hours of crazy fitness fun. After introductions, we got right into the master class.....we started with some lecture/educational information and shortly after that we did our first of two presentations. I was nervous, but felt confident that I knew my stuff with regards to choreography and that coaching would or should come relatively easy with my Body Pump experience. My biggest concern was getting the left/right cues correct since you have to talk in opposites. I had track 8 for my first presentation and it's a fairly long track- almost 8 minutes and it's right after a tough Muay Thai track that is high intensity, breathe-sucking, six rounds of combat. I stepped up and got right into it...I felt good. I felt confident. The coaching kicked in, the cueing was right on...I know we talk about moments in class, moments that we want our participants to feel- the fitness magic, the chills, the goosebumps. There is one part of track 8 where you jog in place before you go for the last round of jabs (endless jabs) and I seriously got the chills and goosebumps...it was truly magical, I almost cried....but smiled instead and kept encouraging everyone to make it through the end of the battle. Afterwards, we received our feedback for the first presentation- I was given very good feedback and two things to focus on regarding technique (no surprise here since this is relatively new to me)- extend my punches more and always come back to my guard. Hmmmmm, the very same two things that my friend Donna told me a few weeks ago and I thought I was doing it, but not. The rest of the day was focused on technique drills and more education. Came home, showered, had dinner, did some "homework", received a lovely foot massage from hubby and then crashed!
Today was an early morning and we kicked the day off pretty quickly with presentation number 2 on the same track as yesterday- hopefully showing that we did our homework and show improvement. Fortunately, we all did. I flubbed one part of the choreography- ironically it was the same flub that our trainer Rebecca did the day before in the Master class, so I didn't feel so bad. The key with any choreography flub it to recover from it and hopefully the error is only between "Me, myself & I"...I didn't get the chills like the day prior, but still felt like I nailed the track overall and did show improvement. The feedback concurred, so I was given the next level of things to work on. After some more education, we then had the Body Combat Challenge...and I'm not going to go into detail because this was what freaked me out the most - the not knowing what challenge we'd be put up to...but let's just say that the 2 minute stations were killer and challenging and at one point I was "this" close to having a breakdown because one section was SO.F'N. HARD for me. But I "sucked it up buttercup" and kept pushing to do it. How rewarding to be done and to have passed the challenge and worked it, and worked it hard. After lunch, more education and then we finished the day with our third presentation on a different track. I was struggling with the track all afternoon- I could not get coordinated with my roundhouse kick and back fist punch- my arm just would not cooperate and do what it was supposed to do, when it was supposed to do it. But I think I nailed about 6 of the 10 reps of this combo. I can only use fatigue as my rationalizing for that because I was doing it correctly all week. Once we were done, the day was a wrap and we were given our final assessment for the weekend and YAY- 3/3 = PASS! I was thrilled to get 3/3...I had thought I might get 2/3 given some technique areas- but I nailed enough of the technique and showed improvement over the two days to receive the 3/3. Yay me. Super excited and happy to have this weekend behind me. However, after a couple down days, it's back at it to perfect everything else so that I can get ready to tape class for my video assessment.
We had such a great group of instructors in this training and it was nice to get to know new friends and we all shared a phenomenal experience together. I made it a point to high five everyone after their presentation and prior to one person's presentation I could see on her face the nerves and I just went up to her patted her on the back and told her "you got this...you can do it"...after her presentation she came up to me and thanked me for giving her that comment before her track. Felt so good to help someone else out. I was super excited to see Laurie who used to be a corporate employee for 24 hour a long time ago..she was always such a nice director who I'd run into at the Expos and really remembered her energy and spirit- we partnered a few times over the weekend and it was just really nice to reconnect with her.
Overall, great weekend. Rewarding experience in so many ways. When I signed up for this training, it was a leap of faith- can I do this? Will I get through? Will my troubled injuries let me? I'm happy to report that my degenerative toe is not hurting me - my feet were overall sore..but that's to be expected. My boss at Gold's, Robin was very supportive when I told her I was signing up and she had faith in me, even when I wasn't sure I had faith in myself. I could not have done this without the support of other tribe members and friends and family.
Well, I am POOPED and must get to bed...sadly, I need to teach Body Pump at 7am and sure hope I can lift my arms and legs! HA! First step, getting off the couch and walking up the 14 stairs to my bed!
What a weekend! It was tough, it was grueling, it was long, it was filled with moments of needing to dig deep down within and moments of pushing beyond your limits. It was AMAZING. I am so very exhausted as I write this, I hope my thoughts come out the way they should.
I woke up Saturday, ready to take on the world, despite my road rash knee/leg. What I didn't know then is the pain I was feeling in my leg/knee was nothing compared to how my body is feeling NOW after hours and hours of crazy fitness fun. After introductions, we got right into the master class.....we started with some lecture/educational information and shortly after that we did our first of two presentations. I was nervous, but felt confident that I knew my stuff with regards to choreography and that coaching would or should come relatively easy with my Body Pump experience. My biggest concern was getting the left/right cues correct since you have to talk in opposites. I had track 8 for my first presentation and it's a fairly long track- almost 8 minutes and it's right after a tough Muay Thai track that is high intensity, breathe-sucking, six rounds of combat. I stepped up and got right into it...I felt good. I felt confident. The coaching kicked in, the cueing was right on...I know we talk about moments in class, moments that we want our participants to feel- the fitness magic, the chills, the goosebumps. There is one part of track 8 where you jog in place before you go for the last round of jabs (endless jabs) and I seriously got the chills and goosebumps...it was truly magical, I almost cried....but smiled instead and kept encouraging everyone to make it through the end of the battle. Afterwards, we received our feedback for the first presentation- I was given very good feedback and two things to focus on regarding technique (no surprise here since this is relatively new to me)- extend my punches more and always come back to my guard. Hmmmmm, the very same two things that my friend Donna told me a few weeks ago and I thought I was doing it, but not. The rest of the day was focused on technique drills and more education. Came home, showered, had dinner, did some "homework", received a lovely foot massage from hubby and then crashed!
Today was an early morning and we kicked the day off pretty quickly with presentation number 2 on the same track as yesterday- hopefully showing that we did our homework and show improvement. Fortunately, we all did. I flubbed one part of the choreography- ironically it was the same flub that our trainer Rebecca did the day before in the Master class, so I didn't feel so bad. The key with any choreography flub it to recover from it and hopefully the error is only between "Me, myself & I"...I didn't get the chills like the day prior, but still felt like I nailed the track overall and did show improvement. The feedback concurred, so I was given the next level of things to work on. After some more education, we then had the Body Combat Challenge...and I'm not going to go into detail because this was what freaked me out the most - the not knowing what challenge we'd be put up to...but let's just say that the 2 minute stations were killer and challenging and at one point I was "this" close to having a breakdown because one section was SO.F'N. HARD for me. But I "sucked it up buttercup" and kept pushing to do it. How rewarding to be done and to have passed the challenge and worked it, and worked it hard. After lunch, more education and then we finished the day with our third presentation on a different track. I was struggling with the track all afternoon- I could not get coordinated with my roundhouse kick and back fist punch- my arm just would not cooperate and do what it was supposed to do, when it was supposed to do it. But I think I nailed about 6 of the 10 reps of this combo. I can only use fatigue as my rationalizing for that because I was doing it correctly all week. Once we were done, the day was a wrap and we were given our final assessment for the weekend and YAY- 3/3 = PASS! I was thrilled to get 3/3...I had thought I might get 2/3 given some technique areas- but I nailed enough of the technique and showed improvement over the two days to receive the 3/3. Yay me. Super excited and happy to have this weekend behind me. However, after a couple down days, it's back at it to perfect everything else so that I can get ready to tape class for my video assessment.
We had such a great group of instructors in this training and it was nice to get to know new friends and we all shared a phenomenal experience together. I made it a point to high five everyone after their presentation and prior to one person's presentation I could see on her face the nerves and I just went up to her patted her on the back and told her "you got this...you can do it"...after her presentation she came up to me and thanked me for giving her that comment before her track. Felt so good to help someone else out. I was super excited to see Laurie who used to be a corporate employee for 24 hour a long time ago..she was always such a nice director who I'd run into at the Expos and really remembered her energy and spirit- we partnered a few times over the weekend and it was just really nice to reconnect with her.
Overall, great weekend. Rewarding experience in so many ways. When I signed up for this training, it was a leap of faith- can I do this? Will I get through? Will my troubled injuries let me? I'm happy to report that my degenerative toe is not hurting me - my feet were overall sore..but that's to be expected. My boss at Gold's, Robin was very supportive when I told her I was signing up and she had faith in me, even when I wasn't sure I had faith in myself. I could not have done this without the support of other tribe members and friends and family.
Well, I am POOPED and must get to bed...sadly, I need to teach Body Pump at 7am and sure hope I can lift my arms and legs! HA! First step, getting off the couch and walking up the 14 stairs to my bed!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Twas the night before....
Body Combat training...and all through the house...I sit here with my leg elevated and an ice pack.
Had a great day at the drag races with my Brother, Hubby and nephews...weather was great (until the sun went down = new jacket purchased), races were fun to watch and to photograph - all in all a great day. However, walking back to the car when everything was over, it was dark, walking on a gravel surface with some rocks here and there- of course I step on a rock wrong, ankle starts to roll- I was able to get out of that situation but in my effort to do so tripped over another rock and went flying. Down onto my knee first and two hands. Of course, because I have the shortest legs in the family- 3 of my family members were ahead of me and had no clue that I had fallen, the 4th member walked right past me and claims that he didn't see me - that it was dark. But of course, from my point of view (the fallen) to see my nephew walk past me- HURT. I've got to believe that he didn't see me or didn't realize that it was me that had fallen, lost in his own little world at the end of a long and tiring day. I had still quite a ways to walk to the car and my leg was hurting and my knee kept "clicking" with each step up the last hill. Of course, I'm in tears because all I can think about is Combat training this weekend and all of the time and hard work I've put in to get ready for this weekend. I just hope my knee isn't F*#$@d up! I've fallen on this same very knee before a few years ago tripping over uneven pavement during a walk - so I am very careful to look where I step, but tonight was just too many bullets to dodge in the dark and uneven surface.
So other than a messed up knee/leg- I am ready for this weekend - or will be once I get a good night of sleep- which is where I'm headed to next. I had a great week of training and am so very grateful to my friend Lisa who has supported me through all of this and has welcomed me and my DVD to her living room everyday this past week to "do the workout" and for me to get the choreography into my noggin. Yesterday, I was trying to cue the moves with the teachers on the DVD- I think I'm OK. I feel pretty good about my tracks- I really love this entire release, but I think that just happens with whatever release you train on, it becomes a special place in your heart and soul. A few comically moments during training this week. Of course, Keegan was watching his mom & I do this workout and he actually did stick around and watch with us almost everyday- which is pretty darn good for a 5 year old! On the second day, he pipes up: "Mom, do you feel the burn?" (I think he's watched his mom & Jonathan do too many Jillian Michael's DVDs)- but it cracked me up...then yesterday Keegs was SINGING one of the songs and I just about died laughing...and he pipes up "I can't get this song out of my head"-- really at 5, he says that? He's just such a sweetie pie. Any kid who has been wearing cowboy boots since he could wear shoes is a pretty fantastic kid in my book!
Ok- I could write on for days..but I am off to bed...thankfully training begins at 10am tomorrow and I am going to get there a bit early to help greet the trainer and help her to get set up since the Director won't be there until later. Sort of excited to be the "liaison" or "club rep" for this. I really do feel like Mountain View is my club- we are a great family together and so very excited to be embarking on a second Les Mills format! Only took me 13 years (but that is actually a lucky number for me)..and I'm training on the last weekend of July- just like 13 years ago with Body Pump! Not going to let a little (or big) bruised knee get in my way.
Body Combat training...and all through the house...I sit here with my leg elevated and an ice pack.
Had a great day at the drag races with my Brother, Hubby and nephews...weather was great (until the sun went down = new jacket purchased), races were fun to watch and to photograph - all in all a great day. However, walking back to the car when everything was over, it was dark, walking on a gravel surface with some rocks here and there- of course I step on a rock wrong, ankle starts to roll- I was able to get out of that situation but in my effort to do so tripped over another rock and went flying. Down onto my knee first and two hands. Of course, because I have the shortest legs in the family- 3 of my family members were ahead of me and had no clue that I had fallen, the 4th member walked right past me and claims that he didn't see me - that it was dark. But of course, from my point of view (the fallen) to see my nephew walk past me- HURT. I've got to believe that he didn't see me or didn't realize that it was me that had fallen, lost in his own little world at the end of a long and tiring day. I had still quite a ways to walk to the car and my leg was hurting and my knee kept "clicking" with each step up the last hill. Of course, I'm in tears because all I can think about is Combat training this weekend and all of the time and hard work I've put in to get ready for this weekend. I just hope my knee isn't F*#$@d up! I've fallen on this same very knee before a few years ago tripping over uneven pavement during a walk - so I am very careful to look where I step, but tonight was just too many bullets to dodge in the dark and uneven surface.
So other than a messed up knee/leg- I am ready for this weekend - or will be once I get a good night of sleep- which is where I'm headed to next. I had a great week of training and am so very grateful to my friend Lisa who has supported me through all of this and has welcomed me and my DVD to her living room everyday this past week to "do the workout" and for me to get the choreography into my noggin. Yesterday, I was trying to cue the moves with the teachers on the DVD- I think I'm OK. I feel pretty good about my tracks- I really love this entire release, but I think that just happens with whatever release you train on, it becomes a special place in your heart and soul. A few comically moments during training this week. Of course, Keegan was watching his mom & I do this workout and he actually did stick around and watch with us almost everyday- which is pretty darn good for a 5 year old! On the second day, he pipes up: "Mom, do you feel the burn?" (I think he's watched his mom & Jonathan do too many Jillian Michael's DVDs)- but it cracked me up...then yesterday Keegs was SINGING one of the songs and I just about died laughing...and he pipes up "I can't get this song out of my head"-- really at 5, he says that? He's just such a sweetie pie. Any kid who has been wearing cowboy boots since he could wear shoes is a pretty fantastic kid in my book!
Ok- I could write on for days..but I am off to bed...thankfully training begins at 10am tomorrow and I am going to get there a bit early to help greet the trainer and help her to get set up since the Director won't be there until later. Sort of excited to be the "liaison" or "club rep" for this. I really do feel like Mountain View is my club- we are a great family together and so very excited to be embarking on a second Les Mills format! Only took me 13 years (but that is actually a lucky number for me)..and I'm training on the last weekend of July- just like 13 years ago with Body Pump! Not going to let a little (or big) bruised knee get in my way.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Ready, Set...GO!
As I sit and write this, tonight is THE latest that I am allowing myself to stay up this week. I need to focus and get ready for my big Body Combat training weekend. I am beyond excited, nervous & anxious. It's going to be a TOUGH weekend, but I'm sure also a lot of fun and I'm just going to go in as best prepared as I can be and give it my all. I have plans with Lisa to get together several times this week and "practice" with her. Best way to get and keep that choreography in my head is to do it over and over and over again. I was happy with my track assignments - truth be told I would have been happy with anything but track 6 with the Matrix Kicks and I have heard that nobody was assigned that track since it's a new move and quite challenging for advanced instructors. Sigh.
Sleep is going to be key for me this week so that my body can get the recovery that it needs. I went to Body Combat yesterday and then taught my Body Pump class and after dancing friday night and going to bed at 2am, then up at 8am...well not enough rest and too much wear and tear in a short period of time. I'm not the spring chicken I was 9 years ago when I taught 18 classes per week and danced 3 nights in a row...I also used to get naps- daily.
I am a bit bummed in that my ActiveLink decided to fail this past week, so I have not had any accurate input to my Activity points since Tuesday. After doing the troubleshooting and contacting customer support- they determined that my device has malfunctioned and they are shipping me a new one. I hope it comes tomorrow. As of Friday's weigh in- I have lost close to 7 pounds since getting back on track and I'm super stoked about that. I am really being good with my food intake and trying to be diligent with portion control and trying to eat better. Now that I've tried the Shakeology samples- I'm anxiously waiting for my shipment so that I can do the meal replacement nutritional shake once per day.
Other than this huge focus on fitness right now...work has been busy and I have been feeling accomplished. Still having a steady stream of new business trickling in and quite a few last minute trip requests, which always adds a bit of stress to the mix. Mom is doing well with her health, but suspect the mental game is shifting and I need to really start to find things to do with her to keep her busy or encourage her to do somethings herself- with fewer Doctor appointments, she's not getting out that much and the excitement of bingo can only go so far.
Ready, set, GO....Go to BED early!!
Ready, set, GO...kick some butt in training this weekend!!
Ready, set, GO...and be focused all week!!
That is the agenda for this week! Off I GO!
As I sit and write this, tonight is THE latest that I am allowing myself to stay up this week. I need to focus and get ready for my big Body Combat training weekend. I am beyond excited, nervous & anxious. It's going to be a TOUGH weekend, but I'm sure also a lot of fun and I'm just going to go in as best prepared as I can be and give it my all. I have plans with Lisa to get together several times this week and "practice" with her. Best way to get and keep that choreography in my head is to do it over and over and over again. I was happy with my track assignments - truth be told I would have been happy with anything but track 6 with the Matrix Kicks and I have heard that nobody was assigned that track since it's a new move and quite challenging for advanced instructors. Sigh.
Sleep is going to be key for me this week so that my body can get the recovery that it needs. I went to Body Combat yesterday and then taught my Body Pump class and after dancing friday night and going to bed at 2am, then up at 8am...well not enough rest and too much wear and tear in a short period of time. I'm not the spring chicken I was 9 years ago when I taught 18 classes per week and danced 3 nights in a row...I also used to get naps- daily.
I am a bit bummed in that my ActiveLink decided to fail this past week, so I have not had any accurate input to my Activity points since Tuesday. After doing the troubleshooting and contacting customer support- they determined that my device has malfunctioned and they are shipping me a new one. I hope it comes tomorrow. As of Friday's weigh in- I have lost close to 7 pounds since getting back on track and I'm super stoked about that. I am really being good with my food intake and trying to be diligent with portion control and trying to eat better. Now that I've tried the Shakeology samples- I'm anxiously waiting for my shipment so that I can do the meal replacement nutritional shake once per day.
Other than this huge focus on fitness right now...work has been busy and I have been feeling accomplished. Still having a steady stream of new business trickling in and quite a few last minute trip requests, which always adds a bit of stress to the mix. Mom is doing well with her health, but suspect the mental game is shifting and I need to really start to find things to do with her to keep her busy or encourage her to do somethings herself- with fewer Doctor appointments, she's not getting out that much and the excitement of bingo can only go so far.
Ready, set, GO....Go to BED early!!
Ready, set, GO...kick some butt in training this weekend!!
Ready, set, GO...and be focused all week!!
That is the agenda for this week! Off I GO!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Feeling GREAT!
It's been an awesome weekend filled with fitness fun and great times out with fantastic friends. Sometimes I forget just how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life. As I sit here and type this, I am SORE! And it FEELS WONDERFUL! I am sore in so many places that I have not been sore for a very long time. In the last 4 days, I have completed 3 Body Combat classes, I've taught 3 Body Pump Classes, 1 spinning class and did some dancing Saturday night with the hubs. It feels good to be active again, it feels good to be doing "my" workouts again.
Body Combat this weekend was with two different instructors, one relatively new Combat instructor at my gym and he was really good, I would never have known that he was just certified on the last release. Today I was a guest at another club to take class from my friend Donna and she's just impeccable. She team taught with another instructor and they really were fabulous and I tried to soak it all in. I know my body was definitely fatigued going in today but it was fun! Donna gave me some great feedback afterwards...I need to work on extension in my punches and also need to remember to keep my guard up. I know the punch extension is a definite- I can see and feel the difference between doing it right and wrong after going over it with her. The guard issue, I am aware and do try to keep it up- I may have just been out of it today. Going to check with Saturday's instructor to see if he noticed anything...but in any case, I am aware now and will be paying close attention. One thing about me, I am a perfectionist and want to succeed well at the training in two weeks.
Two weeks, actually less than that. Hopefully, this time in two weeks I am blogging about what a wonderful weekend of training I've had with tribe members and that I have left with a Pass. There are three options, Pass, Pass Withheld or Fail. The third option is not even an option. However, still no DVD/notes/track assignment in the mail yet. I hope, hope, hope that it comes tomorrow- I'm dying to know which tracks I've been assigned. I'm scared to death that I'll get the Matrix track, it's going to be hard enough to master the move without having to teach it - although it's a shorter track to teach. Oh well, I'm going to get whatever I'm going to get and can't freak out about it until I get it!
The three eating out occassions went well. I actually made conscious decisions and did not overeat- in fact I left part of my lunch on the plate yesterday and then both last night and tonight I ended up taking 1/2 my meal home. Major progress for me. I will have some great leftovers this week for lunch! So onto the next week and hopefully another successful one!
Friday, July 12, 2013
APPLIED Knowledge IS Power...
Once again focused on ME and trying to lose the weight that I've been trying to lose for two years now..of course I did lose some of back in 2011 and then 2012 happened- the year of taking care of others and paying very little attention to myself. Although, indirectly my lack of activity did help my foot recover and there is no way I would have voluntarily took a backseat to being active if I could have helped it in any way...so foot feels good, but at what cost- extra weight that does not feel good. Ok, enough of the history lesson.
I have read every darn weight loss article I could find, compared options, and it still comes back to Weight Watchers for me. It has worked in the past and worked quite well for me, I just needed to jump start it and see what I could do differently, while still following the program. I started to peruse over the WW website and noticed a new device they were selling- the Active Link...it's a little thing that can attach to the waist of your pants, you can wear it in your pocket, on a chain or attach to your bra or workout shirt..so lots of options and it will tell you how many activity points you are earning. Figured this may be the perfect thing for me because let's face it- I've "followed" the program and logged my points and been active and used some activity points (not all of them) and still did not see the results that I should have. Now some would say it is "what" I'm putting in my body and yes, I agree with that to some degree. But I wanted to see what input this device would give to me.
You have to wear it for a week and it evaluates how active you are. Now I may have picked a week that basically "screws" me, because this is how they determine your baseline of activity. What week did I evaluate? Last week, the 4th of July holiday week where I taught 9 classes as opposed to my normal 4. But in reality, I SHOULD be getting the activity of 9 classes per week just for my own "feel good" and my own workouts. I need to add in at least 5 workouts that are MINE, not teaching. Granted teaching you are active, you are working out- but you're not focused on YOUR workout, you are focusing on the CLASS's workout. So maybe my evaluation week screwed me, maybe it didn't. We'll see.
I do think 9/10 of this equation is mental and the games that get played on ones mind. I was very irritated the first day that I worked out this week and didn't have any activity points. In fact, for all of last week the darn thing credited me with only 4 activity points for the week!!! Now prior to this device, according to the Activity Log, a 45 minute weight lifting workout with vigorous effort would warrant 4 points- just one class - I teach 4 of these per week. A 50 minute spinning class would give 8-9 points- just one class. I won't even get into a night of line dancing. But this is a HUGE difference in "extra points" that one could conceivably eat. So clearly there are some discrepancies and what to believe. Well since I was not losing weight when I was earning all of those activity points (and using a good portion of them)- I'm going to assume that the device is accurate and that less is more, more accurate that is.
Today is day one of my 3rd week with the device and it has credited me with 4 activity points today- but that is after teaching one Spin class and one Body Pump class with a little extra practice of Body Pump afterwards. If I were using the previous point systems I would have logged about 12-14 points today- BIG difference!
So what has the scale said- well I started this new journey on June 21st, 3 weeks ago and I am almost down 5 pounds. I am paying attention to eating when I am hungry, paying attention to when I am bored and might wander towards food. I am taking my late night "work" to my office because if I sit on the couch, I will wander to the very close kitchen at the hint of hunger or supposed hunger. I am trying to not eat after 9pm. I am trying to limit the alcohol intake to no more than 3 days per week and am really looking ahead at my calendar to plan accordingly. Enjoying wine almost every night is just not worth the extra weight anymore. Thanks to a Beachbody Coach who sent me samples, I have tried 3 flavors of Shakeology and they are pretty OK- they aren't to die for, but I can live with them and I think that doing one meal replacement shake is a good option for me. To get the nutrients that I am missing and have a very low point meal. I am still going to try different veggies, but may go back to just starting with salads- I did pretty good 13 years ago with my Caesar Salads with light dressing, it did get me to eat the green leafy crap! At a recent cruise line seminar, they had a pre-planned menu and it was a Cobb Salad- well that was not so bad actually- but then again it had hard boiled eggs, bacon bits and chicken breast that was warm (I hate cold chicken on a salad)...but I did eat a fair amount of the romaine as well.
I have started taking Body Combat classes in an effort to prepare for the training in two weeks. TWO WEEKS!! Starting to freak out a bit, especially since I have not received my DVD/CD & notes yet- hopefully tomorrow. Although, probably better that I have not received it yet- with Body Pump launch tomorrow, my head is already focused on the one class. Class last night was good- it felt good to be doing some cardio and my foot held up which was good news. I am sore today in places that I have not been sore in a long time. The teacher is a new Combat instructor, it was her first class actually and she did very good- but it also made me feel like "I could do this". In talking with her and a few members after class, I was telling her that the Gold's members were great and very forgiving and then one member piped up "We don't have to forgive you for anything, you're perfect everytime." Boy, that sure made my day and I know that I'm not perfect- I make mistakes, I just know how to cover them up. :) I'm definitely getting anxious for the training and very nervous of the unknown. I know that Les Mills is famous for having "the challenge" during their trainings and with Body Pump 13 years ago the challenge was to run x miles- I can't remember it may have been 1 mile or 3, it didn't matter at the time I was not a runner (still am not) and I was petrified that I was not going to be able to do it. But I did. So freaking out a bit not knowing what the challenge with Combat training will be. As I am typing this, I just realized something coincidental- my Body Pump training 13 years ago was a two weekend deal but it finished up the last weekend of July. My Combat training is the last week of July- how weird is that? I'm thinking that is a good sign.
Alright, guess it's time to start this weekend. I still have some work to finish up, must review Body Pump a few more times before 815am launch and try to plan my weekend meals to be point friendly. We have 3 eating out functions this weekend- it will be challenging for sure...but hopefully I will counteract the effects with lots of activity. This weekend calls for Body Pump x 2 and Body Combat x 2 and hopefully some dancing tomorrow night. I am reconnecting with another fitness instructor next week for a walk at the Dish, so I am really looking forward to that also. It's ME time, no excuses- the time has come and I'm doing it!
Once again focused on ME and trying to lose the weight that I've been trying to lose for two years now..of course I did lose some of back in 2011 and then 2012 happened- the year of taking care of others and paying very little attention to myself. Although, indirectly my lack of activity did help my foot recover and there is no way I would have voluntarily took a backseat to being active if I could have helped it in any way...so foot feels good, but at what cost- extra weight that does not feel good. Ok, enough of the history lesson.
I have read every darn weight loss article I could find, compared options, and it still comes back to Weight Watchers for me. It has worked in the past and worked quite well for me, I just needed to jump start it and see what I could do differently, while still following the program. I started to peruse over the WW website and noticed a new device they were selling- the Active Link...it's a little thing that can attach to the waist of your pants, you can wear it in your pocket, on a chain or attach to your bra or workout shirt..so lots of options and it will tell you how many activity points you are earning. Figured this may be the perfect thing for me because let's face it- I've "followed" the program and logged my points and been active and used some activity points (not all of them) and still did not see the results that I should have. Now some would say it is "what" I'm putting in my body and yes, I agree with that to some degree. But I wanted to see what input this device would give to me.
You have to wear it for a week and it evaluates how active you are. Now I may have picked a week that basically "screws" me, because this is how they determine your baseline of activity. What week did I evaluate? Last week, the 4th of July holiday week where I taught 9 classes as opposed to my normal 4. But in reality, I SHOULD be getting the activity of 9 classes per week just for my own "feel good" and my own workouts. I need to add in at least 5 workouts that are MINE, not teaching. Granted teaching you are active, you are working out- but you're not focused on YOUR workout, you are focusing on the CLASS's workout. So maybe my evaluation week screwed me, maybe it didn't. We'll see.
I do think 9/10 of this equation is mental and the games that get played on ones mind. I was very irritated the first day that I worked out this week and didn't have any activity points. In fact, for all of last week the darn thing credited me with only 4 activity points for the week!!! Now prior to this device, according to the Activity Log, a 45 minute weight lifting workout with vigorous effort would warrant 4 points- just one class - I teach 4 of these per week. A 50 minute spinning class would give 8-9 points- just one class. I won't even get into a night of line dancing. But this is a HUGE difference in "extra points" that one could conceivably eat. So clearly there are some discrepancies and what to believe. Well since I was not losing weight when I was earning all of those activity points (and using a good portion of them)- I'm going to assume that the device is accurate and that less is more, more accurate that is.
Today is day one of my 3rd week with the device and it has credited me with 4 activity points today- but that is after teaching one Spin class and one Body Pump class with a little extra practice of Body Pump afterwards. If I were using the previous point systems I would have logged about 12-14 points today- BIG difference!
So what has the scale said- well I started this new journey on June 21st, 3 weeks ago and I am almost down 5 pounds. I am paying attention to eating when I am hungry, paying attention to when I am bored and might wander towards food. I am taking my late night "work" to my office because if I sit on the couch, I will wander to the very close kitchen at the hint of hunger or supposed hunger. I am trying to not eat after 9pm. I am trying to limit the alcohol intake to no more than 3 days per week and am really looking ahead at my calendar to plan accordingly. Enjoying wine almost every night is just not worth the extra weight anymore. Thanks to a Beachbody Coach who sent me samples, I have tried 3 flavors of Shakeology and they are pretty OK- they aren't to die for, but I can live with them and I think that doing one meal replacement shake is a good option for me. To get the nutrients that I am missing and have a very low point meal. I am still going to try different veggies, but may go back to just starting with salads- I did pretty good 13 years ago with my Caesar Salads with light dressing, it did get me to eat the green leafy crap! At a recent cruise line seminar, they had a pre-planned menu and it was a Cobb Salad- well that was not so bad actually- but then again it had hard boiled eggs, bacon bits and chicken breast that was warm (I hate cold chicken on a salad)...but I did eat a fair amount of the romaine as well.
I have started taking Body Combat classes in an effort to prepare for the training in two weeks. TWO WEEKS!! Starting to freak out a bit, especially since I have not received my DVD/CD & notes yet- hopefully tomorrow. Although, probably better that I have not received it yet- with Body Pump launch tomorrow, my head is already focused on the one class. Class last night was good- it felt good to be doing some cardio and my foot held up which was good news. I am sore today in places that I have not been sore in a long time. The teacher is a new Combat instructor, it was her first class actually and she did very good- but it also made me feel like "I could do this". In talking with her and a few members after class, I was telling her that the Gold's members were great and very forgiving and then one member piped up "We don't have to forgive you for anything, you're perfect everytime." Boy, that sure made my day and I know that I'm not perfect- I make mistakes, I just know how to cover them up. :) I'm definitely getting anxious for the training and very nervous of the unknown. I know that Les Mills is famous for having "the challenge" during their trainings and with Body Pump 13 years ago the challenge was to run x miles- I can't remember it may have been 1 mile or 3, it didn't matter at the time I was not a runner (still am not) and I was petrified that I was not going to be able to do it. But I did. So freaking out a bit not knowing what the challenge with Combat training will be. As I am typing this, I just realized something coincidental- my Body Pump training 13 years ago was a two weekend deal but it finished up the last weekend of July. My Combat training is the last week of July- how weird is that? I'm thinking that is a good sign.
Alright, guess it's time to start this weekend. I still have some work to finish up, must review Body Pump a few more times before 815am launch and try to plan my weekend meals to be point friendly. We have 3 eating out functions this weekend- it will be challenging for sure...but hopefully I will counteract the effects with lots of activity. This weekend calls for Body Pump x 2 and Body Combat x 2 and hopefully some dancing tomorrow night. I am reconnecting with another fitness instructor next week for a walk at the Dish, so I am really looking forward to that also. It's ME time, no excuses- the time has come and I'm doing it!
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