I Want My Body!
 

So I titled my gym log "I Want My Body!" because one of my favorite workout videos is Tamilee Webb's "I Want That Body", and darn it, I want my own body, not somebody else's, and I want it to be strong and healthy and look good.

Is that too much to ask? :lol:

My other favorite workout is a kickboxing video called "Tai Fit".

My routine is as follows, rotating every day....

15" I Want That Body Abs or Hard Abs & 35" Tai Fit

And on the off days....

15" I Want That Body Abs or Hard Abs, 15" I Want That Body Arms with 2 8 lb weights & 35" Tai Fit.

I want this to be my daily base plus add other things for other times of the day. This is my wakeup routine... workout shortly after 6 am, then cook breakfast for the family, pack dh's lunch, get the kids dressed and off to school, and get back for work at 8:30 am.

Weekends dh and I have been taking dance lessons and sometimes I go swimming.

This is day 22 of my do-exercise-every-day personal challenge. I've also registered on the Presidential Physical Fitness site for their Active Lifestyles challenge. So far so good. Since March 15th I'm around the 93rd percentile compared to other folks my age, or even the entire roster of folks who participate, so I can't complain.

Day 23 - 15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit
 

Got in the rotation workout this morning, but seemed a little more tired than usual. My throat was a little sore, and I have a little congestion so I think I'm getting my son's cold. Took some "WalPhed" (best decongestant - pseudoephedrine + guaifinasen) and feel a little better. Need my hot coffee and eggs to get me going this am. I think I forgot to take my supplements last night :rolleyes: .

My Supplement Regimen:

MSM
Glucosamine/Chondritin
L-Carnitine
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Atkins Essential Oils
Vitamin C
CoQ10
Atkins Basic # 3

Keto OJ after workout (has L-glutamine).

Day 24 - 15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit
 

Got in my workout despite my brewing cold. Don't have as much energy as usual, but got through it. Keto OJ feels really good after the workout.

Measurements - 37 - 29 - 38.

Day 24 - 26" cross trainer + 35" swimming
 

Went to the gym tonight. Tried out a cross trainer... not sure if it is the same as an elliptical. Felt so good, even with the cold.

Way to go, Bea! You're doing great! :D :thup:

Day 25 - 15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit
 

I was tired this morning but made it through the workout! Had to take a nap today this afternoon. I wasn't very hungry today. Ate under 900 calories which is odd for me. For some reason my appetite has gone down almost in proportion to the upswing in exercise.

Still no net weight loss. Clocked in at 157 this morning. Ketones high.

Still battling that cold.

Day 26 - 15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit
 

Geez. Can't believe it is 26 days of exercise. I think I'm more irritable, however these days.

Clocked in at 156 this morning. Moderate ketones.

I am starting to see some nice arm definition, particularly triceps. I'm wondering how the bf shrinkage is going to work in those loose fatty skin areas, particularly under the arms, the inner thighs, and the abdomen. These are my trouble spots. I'm hoping that the weight loss and bf percentage going down will melt some of this away and that I am young enough to have elastic enough skin to have it shrink down.

Adding 30" on the elliptical.
 

Went to the gym at lunch and braved the crowds to do 30 minutes on the elliptical. That thing sure does give a workout.

I'm starting to really notice body definition. I wonder how long it will take to get buff?? :lol: It will be four weeks of all-over-body conditioning on Sunday, but I know I've got a lot further to go.

After people-watching at the gym (what else is there to do for 30 minutes on the elliptical but watch tv or read) I started not feeling as bad about my own body. There is some evil pleasure in seeing otherwise thin women with cellulite :lol: .

The problem I foresee are the darn crowds! Trying to capture a machine is a tough call.

Day 28 - 15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 90" Dancing
 

Day 28 - 4 weeks down!

Ketones moderate, weight = 155.2.

Got 15" abs, 15" arms, 35" tai fit, 90" dancing in today.

I'm missing that elliptical machine! I was hoping to make some time for swimming this week but didn't get to it. Too much going on with the kids.

I didn't log Day 27, but here it is:

15" hard abs, 35" tai fit.

Ketones moderate, weight = 154.8

Day 29 & 30
 

Day 29:

15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit + 25" elliptical (1.30 miles 2.9 mph, level 3 - walk in the park)

Day 30:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 30" elliptical (1.48 miles 3.0 mph, level 3 -random)

I've discovered that doing the elliptical during my late afternoon lunch break is heavenly. I've been craving more exercise... seems like I want to keep doing things.

I posted the following in Atlee's journal... thought I would add it here, too:

I find it curious that I am not exhausted or having any symptoms of glycogen burn out because I have stayed at pretty low OWL level carbs (20 - 30) for the past year with no energy defecit, no noticeable low blood sugar or blood pressure slump (maybe in the morning I have a little vertigo at worst), and recently put myself on an "exercise every day" plan since March 8th. I keep expecting to hit a bump, but instead for some reason my endurance keeps going up. Every day I start with 15" of abdominals (rotating with 15" really hard abdominals every other day) via a DVD do a 35" cardio kick-boxing DVD daily and alternate 15" of rapid 8 lb dumbells via DVD also in both hands every other day.

I've noticed definite muscle toning and development and recently my energy level has gone up to the point that I was scouting for something more to do later in the day, which has turned out to be about a 25 - 30" workout on ellipticals at my gym. Great stress reducer.

It feels so good to be able to do this.

I have noticed that naturally my body is craving more protein and usually less fat (it bounces around some), but not more carbs other than occasionally a veggie smorgasbord (we have been going to a Mongolian grill every Sunday after our dance class, and I load up on lc veggies to my heart's content).

Day 31, still moving along.
 

I'm not exactly sure how I'm still moving along, but I'm really getting into this exercise thing. It's a tremendous stress reducer and I crave it in the afternoon. What is funny is that before I was having hunger issues in the late afternoon, and the workout wipes those out. I would rather do the workout on the ellipticals than eat a piece of chocolate (wierd, no?). I suppose it is the endorphins.

Day 31:

6:45 am - 15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit

3:30 pm - 30" elliptical (1.66 miles - fat burn mode, pulse around 151 bpm (which is really more of a cardio workout)).

Day 32 - I want more!
 

I weighed in at 153.6 again this morning (and then lost a pound after exercising -- heheh). I am doing the 30" on the elliptical and starting to feel like I want to do it again. I think I'm nuts.

Day 32:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 30" elliptical (1.48 miles 3.0 mph, level 3 -random)

Day 33 - By golly it's working!
 

Clocked in at 152.6 this morning. Ketones high.

Day 33:

5:45 am - 15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit + 30" elliptical

Day 34 & 35 - The Swing
 

I had a bit of a weight swing over the weekend. Saturday's low was 151.2, Sunday weighed in at 152.8

Day 34:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 20" swimming.

Day 35:

15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit + 90" ballroom dancing.

Day 36 - the dreaded TOM
 

Okay, I know that TOM puts on the water weight. Ketones still high, but clocked in at 154 this morning. It's a Grin-And-Bear-It issue with the scale, particulary during TOM (I should stay off it, but I feel like I need to check every morning to keep me honest).

Day 36:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit

Day 37... balancing
 

The scale was more reasonable this morning. Clocked in at 152.8.

Day 37:

6:45 am - 15" Abs (hard) + 35" Tai Fit

4:30 pm - 30" elliptical (fat burn mode, pulse around 141 bpm - I noticed that it dropped. I lost track of time listening to music and the 30" had gone by and I wanted more... drove to Andre's school and found out it is about exactly one mile from my house, so it would be a good marker for running.

Day 38... the war of TOM
 

Ugh. Clocked in at 153.6 this am. Very heavy TOM, feel like crap but don't want to break my streak... was tempted to sleep in this am.

Afternoon workout was good.

Day 38:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical (1.75 mi)

Day 39 - getting back to normal
 

Clocked in at 151.8 this morning. Got over the worst of the TOM. Ketones high. That elliptical is simply amazing. I think that more than any other exercise routine for burning fat, it has to be up there at the top. I suspect there is something about running that makes it the single best exercise for weight loss... not sure why it is more effective than other stuff, unless it has to do with the larger leg muscles, but it really seems to be the key for me.

Yesterday I did 1.75 miles on the elliptical which for me is encouraging. I'm not a particularly fast person, but more of an endurance type. In fact a couple of years back when I was much heavier I did a 10k walk for charity and was the LAST person in my city to cross the finish line (kinda embarrassing... the county where I live has over 200,000 residents... but at least I made it).

I'm marking down the elliptical since I'm planning to do it again today... I love that darn thing. I've also mapped out a 2 mile route (via car) that I can use to do some "real" running/jogging outside. Not sure how I will do in that venue, harder on the knees, bladder, and my asthma, but I remember how I was able to do it back in '95 and I really loved it then.

Day 39:

15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical

Day 40 - if Noah could do it...
 

Clocked in at 152.2. Ketones high.

Upped the Arm workout to 10 lb dumbells. It was fierce.

Going to head to the gym after I get back from my trip to COHQ.

Yesterday I did 1.69 miles on the elliptical. Had a bit of an energy slump... a little sore throat is persisting.

Day 40:

15" Abs + 15" Arms + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical

Day 41 - milestone
 

Clocked in at 150 today. I kept staring at the scale. It's hard to believe that the weight is finally coming off after being stalled for so long. I have to credit the longer workouts (80 - 95 minutes per day) plus the serious drop in calories (some days under 1000, but not hungry) with motivating the metabolism. I've also noticed a dietary trend that involves more protein and less fat, but still keeping the carbs pretty low (I keep them in that 20-30 net gram stage, but allow plenty of veggies, strawberries, seeds, nuts, and some grains from lc bread).

The ketostrips are still showing high ketones and I literally am seeing the flabby parts of my body shrinking. I've noticed that the fat cells while shrinking are separating from the skin a bit so I can actually pinch the thin layer of skin where I could not before.

25 lbs more to go to get to a decently fit 125. I'm trying to see if it can be done by the middle of July... that may be a bit optimistic, but worth a try.

Day 41:

15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

Planning to take the kids running and swimming today. My 7-year old has signed up for a 1.2 mile kids marathon at the Boys and Girls club and needs to train for it for the next 3 weeks.

UPDATE to Day 41:

Approx 30" jogging/walking - 2 miles + 60" swimming

Day 42 - a little upswing
 

Had a little upswing today. Clocked in at 151.6. I wasn't totally surprised because we had a big dinner the night before, although I had a killer exercise plan yesterday. Today my quadriceps are killing me. I suppose real running/jogging puts more stress on the muscles than the ellipticals do.

Today in dance class I wore my leotard from high school which now fits very well. The dance instructor referred to me when talking to Andy as "your tiny wife." Of course he probably meant that Andy is so much taller than me that in comparison I am tiny, but still it made me feel good!

I also was doing better with some dance steps I had been having trouble with in earlier weeks.

Day 42:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 90" Dancing

Day 43 - just another Manic Monday
 

Day 43:

6:45 am - 5" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

3:45 pm - 30" ellipticals (1.73 mi, 330 cals)

My quads did just fine, no pain. I did take 500 mg of l-glutamine this morning, but I definitely think that the angle that the elliptical uses is different from street exercise.

Funny thing I had lots of energy on the machine today. I did indulge in a Russell Stover SF fudge egg left over from Easter. I wonder if the sugar alcohols boosted a little endurance. Now of course, I am gassy. Figures, right?

Day 44 - Route 44 Says Hello to Ruby Tuesday
 

Day 44:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 30" Elliptical

Ooooh those 10 lb dumbells are really tough. I am able to get through the workout (it's 3 sets of reps in all sorts of positions, rather quick and non-stop--the tricep workout is a beast), but it's a real killer. Almost have muscle give out, but not quite, so I do think I am adequately challenging myself.

I just keep wanting to get up and wander away from my work. I do so hate such a sedentary job.

Looking forward to my afternoon ellipticals. Hilight of my day. Wierd, no?

Day 45 - RPM's going up...
 

Day 45:

6:45 am - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

3:45 pm - 45" ellipticals (used the Reebok machine this time, 30" random level 4 and 15" walk in the park level 7, did about 3.1 mph)

8:30 pm - 30" jog/walk (coaching Alex, ran 1.2 miles and walked .8 miles)

I just felt like I needed an extra 15" on the elliptical and well, heck, I did it. It felt so good. It was cold and crummy outside so the gym filled up this afternoon and I couldn't get a turn on the nice LifeFitness ellipticals.

Got to get in shape for roughing it in the mountains in November.

Day 46 - Broke into the 140's
 

Clocked in at 149.6 this morning.

Hit 30% body fat last night. I was so thrilled.

Measurements are now 37 bust, 29 waist, 36 hips. (I can actually get the tape measure down to 28 on the waist, but too tight to really claim it!).

It'll probably bump up a little tomorrow, but all in all, it's been 46 days and 10.4 lbs down from where I started at 160, moreover a significant drop in BF percentage from about 34% down to 30%

Here's what's happening to break me through the barrier.

1) daily exercise.... intense aerobic exercise in combination with weights and toning. I started at between 50 and 65 minutes per day and have added 30 minutes + more lately. Key = every day do something. Ellipticals + running = extremely effective.

2) lower calories.... serious ketosis has kicked in probably due to the exercise, and it has killed my appetite, so I'm able to go between 800 and 1200 calories and feel just fine. It amazes me because previously I was a 2200 calorie girl.

3) different nutrition ratios... I have noticed that with the calorie downswing, the grams of protein ratio has gone up. My body is craving the extra protein with the workouts.

4) cutting out most of the lc junk food... trying to stick to more whole foods--I do regular dairy, nuts, seeds, veggies, strawberries, lc bread with no stalling. Rarely lc chocolate, because the maltitol kills me. Occasionally alcohol.

5) very small dinner, and no eating late in the evening.... dinner is the meal that I would choose to skip if I had a good snack around 5 pm or make extremely small. This has helped to keep the calories very low.

6) visualizing success + all the encouragement on this forum.... believe and it will happen.

Day 46:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 45" Elliptical

Day 47 - I am grateful
 

I am grateful for this WOL. I am grateful for my strong body that I have put through so much over the years. I am grateful for ths forum and all the encouragment that brings me back each day.

Clocked in at 148.6 this morning.

Day 47:

6:45 am - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

3:15 pm - 30" ellipticals (1.81 mi) + 30" jog/walk (1.2 mi)

Day 48 - passed the 50 lb barrier
 

Clocked in at 146.6 this morning.

Day 48:

15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit + 45" Elliptical

Day 49 - weekenders
 

Day 49:

4:30 pm - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit

6:00 pm - 90" dancing

Day 50 - Just another Manic Monday
 

Clocked in at 147.4 this morning. I figured that I would probably be up a couple pounds since weight had dropped so rapidly for a few days--plus I had a bit more sodium and a larger dinner last night.

I'm going to start logging my calories and breakdown here as well for the record.

Day 50:

6:45 am - 15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit
3:45 pm - 45" Elliptical (2.69 mi) + 20" Jogging (1.0 mi)

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 836
Fat: 45 409 50%
Sat: 13 121 15%
Poly: 13 120 15%
Mono: 14 122 15%
Carbs: 11 38 5%
Fiber: 1 0 0%
Protein: 91 365 45%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%


Calories Burned Today
source cals % total
Total: 2892
Basal: 1417 49%
Lifestyle: 587 20%
Activities: 888 31%

Day 51 & 52 - Getting behind here...
 

Jeesh... I totally forgot to log Tuesday. Here's the rundown. Tuesday weight = 147.4; Wednesday weight = 147.6. I seem to have hit a step here.

Day 51:

6:30 am - 15" (hard) Abs + 35" Tai Fit
3:15 pm - 30" elliptical (1.81 miles)

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1246
Fat: 80 720 60%
Sat: 28 256 21%
Poly: 7 61 5%
Mono: 18 166 14%
Carbs: 37 87 7%
Fiber: 16 0 0%
Protein: 97 388 32%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%

Calories Burned Today
source cals % total
Total: 2684
Basal: 1417 53%
Lifestyle: 602 22%
Activities: 664 25%

Day 52:

6:45 am - 15" Abs + 15" Arms (10 lb dumbells) + 35" Tai Fit
3:45 pm - 45" Elliptical (?)

Calories Eaten Today
source grams cals %total
Total: 1069
Fat: 57 513 50%
Sat: 24 213 21%
Poly: 3 31 3%
Mono: 16 148 15%
Carbs: 34 85 8%
Fiber: 13 0 0%
Protein: 105 419 41%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%

Calories Burned Today
source cals % total
Total: 2870
Basal: 1417 49%
Lifestyle: 589 21%
Activities: 864 30%