A personal training & food journal. Read about our weight loss progress at Train With Ron in Chicago, our nutritional habits and the life changes we're making to get in shape and stay healthy!
January 12thI love competition. When I was younger I participated in several organized team sports – a lot of hockey (both roller and ice), lacrosse, soccer, basketball, flag football, baseball, and softball. I sought out good leagues with good teams and players and I loved competing. In hockey I played a decent quality game for an amateur, I was better at hockey than any of the other sports I played. There’s something special about hockey as a player – the game requires so much concentration and draws you in so much, that you simply cannot think about anything but the moment you are in. I loved competing so much, especially in hockey, that I forgot about the amazing workout I was getting while practicing and playing.
Me, turning it up-ice, circa 2001
Then I stopped with all the team sports. I got hit right in the mouth with a slap shot, which is by far the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced – then I moved to Chicago and, not knowing anyone here, lapsed into inactivity. Now, I’ve been working out very hard at Train With Ron for a year and a quarter, and lately I’ve been getting the itch to play a team sport again. I think I’m just about ready. I am going to try hockey, and see how my hips, knees, and especially ankles hold up. Hockey is a sport that really beats on you physically and I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize my ability to continue with my workout routine at TWR, but I’m going to give it a go and see what happens. I signed up for a local roller league (coincidentally roller hockey is more physically difficult to play than ice). (more…)
April 17thFeeling pretty sore after my first week back. Just worked out 3 times this week and my muscles are sore! It feels good though because I know I am getting back into the routine. I know that the 2nd part of my weight loss journey has begun and I am on my way to getting back in shape. To reach my goal and enter maintenance phase. So I’ll take the soreness this week and do a lot of stretching and walking with Brady. The weather is really beautiful in Chicago now so more outside time.
It was also great seeing my friends this week and supporting each other through the workouts. It makes all the difference! I love it that they are such a positive group of people that have the same goal in mind, workout hard. We chat and laugh, of course, but our main goal is to workout as hard as we can and help each other achieve that and offer support. Ron, DB and Matt top that off with guidance, motivation and regimen. Boy did I miss them! In my last post I talked about the activities we did in Hawaii and I really didn’t think that we were being too lazy or anything but it just goes to show you, after getting back to TWR, what a real workout is. Nothing compares.
I’m thinking of doing the unlimited workout package for the next 2 months. TWR is running a special and it’s a great deal. I think I could do a lot of good with that and just pound it out hard for the next 2 months. I was thinking about doing just the 4 times a week like I did before we left for vacation but a couple of my friends are doing the unlimited and getting some awesome results. I am all about seeing results. Dan and I talked about doing it but haven’t decided yet, he’ll read this and find out, I have decided. As with my other decisions, somehow they all occur while I’m writing this blog. Maybe because I feel more accountable or I just get in the mood while writing this? I don’t know but it helps me and that’s the most important.
Can’t wait for summer! More updates to come ….
March 16thThe little things like stepping on the scale yesterday and noticing another pound disappear. Good riddance I say, I hope I never get to see you again … ahem, pound. That officially puts me at 30lbs lost since October!!! That just makes me oh so happy!! I tried so many things to lose weight prior to joining Train with Ron and I was at a point where I thought nothing would take it off and something was wrong with me. 5 months with TWR and I am 30lbs lighter. (This makes me tear up a little.) Before, I would’ve yo yo-ed 10 pounds a couple of times within that time. So, this journal entry was going to be just that, my excitement over this extra pound, but then I got to thinking. I thought about all of the other ‘little’ things that have made me happy lately.
My overall attitude has certainly changed towards a more positive, open and happy one. I have tons of energy during the day and my mood is good the entire day. The latter benefits those around me as well 
Don’t get me wrong, things still do frustrate me sometimes. I am human after all. How I handle it and how I recover matters here.
When I went clothes shopping the other day I didn’t feel some of the anxieties I used to. The feeling of inevitability that I will ultimately walk out of the store depressed, upset and in-adequate were nowhere to be found. I actually had to leave the fitting room and get a smaller pair of pants than those I tried on. Thrilling!
I am happy that I am eating healthier foods and hardly even crave junk. I’m a night owl and snacking at night was always the norm. No mas!
There are so many other little things that go on throughout the day that I feel better about today than I did even just a month ago. I can’t wait to feel what it will be like after my next 30lbs. I believe that will reach my optimal weight. I’m working out harder now so I think these pounds will move along faster. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Regardless, I am savoring all of the little things within this process and making sure I retain it so that I can keep the weight off and not have to go through this huge process again. We’re talking life changing stuff here people!! …. OK, I have to share this. A facebook friend said something brilliant the other day. The first part I’m quite certain has been uttered numerous times in the past. it’s the twist at the end that sets this apart. Here it is: “When one door closes another door opens, but the hallway’s a bitch.” Anyway, I thought it was good.
I’m so happy that we found TWR. Such a great team of personal trainers. To give you an example, throughout this process I’ve been continually wanting to and have been thanking them for helping me with my goal. After one of my many thank yous the response was “Of Course, that’s what we’re there for!” I thought that was so fantastic, because lately, I see a lot of people be ‘there’ for things but not actually show up for it. These guys show up 110% for us, push us, motivate us and it’s just the normal thing. I’ve belonged to quite a few gyms from LA to Chicago and trust me it’s not the norm everywhere. TWR is a fun, productive and encouraging environment with a team a guys that know their stuff, love what they do and genuinely want to see you succeed.
A final note in this journal entry that was intended to be really short but then got out of control …. Got my new shoes, I had to go out right after my last entry and get a pair. They’re a cute blue pair of Nike’s. Worked out in them last night and they felt pretty good too.
Back in the gym Wednesday morning, update you after and let you know how I do in my week two of March Madness.
And oh yes, Ouch! My legs are sore
March 14thI learned a few things this week and one of those is that I am sorely in need of some new workout shoes. But, we’ll come back to that later. I want to update you on my progress this week.
My last entry was on Wednesday and I’ve had 2 workouts since then. Thursday was rockin’, I was feeling good and able to push myself. Saturday my calves were really sore. They tightened up Friday afternoon and I spent most of Friday afternoon massaging them and stretching them. They were a little better by Saturday’s workout but still sore. My personal trainer Saturday was DB and he showed me a few ways to ease the pain and he also adjusted my workout so that it would help loosen my calves up. The rest of my body was in good shape, I felt. Upper body went well and in general I felt good throughout the entire workout and felt that I had good energy the whole time.
Again I have to emphasize that going into each workout, as well as this whole process, with a positive attitude makes the night and day difference that lets me push myself to my max. I could spin this into a whole other topic but having all of this extra weight on me for the past few years has really put a toll on my emotional self. I don’t even think I noticed how bad it was until I began to change it. As of late I’ve been feeling like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly who’s just cracked its shell. I know I have such a ways to go in this process but I am certainly very happy that my emotional self has caught up with me and will now help me take it to the finish with a great attitude. If your brain works similar to how mine did, and you are constantly being negative to yourself about yourself, you can turn it around. You have the power to say anything you want to yourself. Choose to be positive and encouraging rather than self deprecating. It’s really as simple as that to start and by overcoming the hurdle of discouraging yourself, you will begin to do great things because you KNOW you deserve it!
After my workout Saturday I was feeling good, happy that I made it through my 4th workout of the week and accomplished that part of my goal. I still had enough energy in me to play a little Shaun White Snowboarding followed by a little Wii Fit Yoga. Both of those help me with my balance which I struggled with a little bit yesterday. I think that it was because of not enough sleep though because usually, I’m not that bad. I was leaning all over the place.
Now the nutrition: My diet this week consisted of a small portion of oatmeal, fruits or egg whites with tea for breakfast, for lunch I had either a salad or some plain chicken broth. Fruit and nuts sprinkled throughout the day for snacks, plenty of water and then steamed veggies and chicken, a salad or light whole wheat pasta for dinner. I only had a couple of cravings and I thought about what I would stand to lose if I indulged it and it quickly went away. If only everything were this easy. I also got busy with something else to take my mind off of it.
I lost 2.5lbs this week which is 1 lb more than my average weekly weight loss for the past 5 months. I’ll take that! I would like it to have been a little more but I’m happy about it and I do not want it to be out of control. (I think we have a long way to go before it gets ‘out of control’ ) I will just have to see how I can push myself harder next week.
I have today off and it feels so good to relax the muscles!
Going back to the state of my sad little workout shoes, I have to just go out and get another pair. Now, I will say something pretty shocking here and that is…. I do not like to shop for shoes…. I know!!! What kind of woman am I? Well, the type that doesn’t like to buy a shoe to match each and every one of her emotions. (If you sense a little aggravation there then you are very perceptive.) Regardless, I have to go and buy some new ones and I think the sooner the better. The ones I’ve been wearing now are more for running only. I don’t know how they decide that but that’s what it says on the shoe and I need some more cushioning, support and balance. And I want them to be cute. Hey, I’m still a girl! So I’ll walk in, take a look around the ‘wall o’ shoes’ and let the battle of sensible vs. cute and supportive vs. sexy begin.
I think we all know who wins this game, right? Look for pictures this week to find out how I did with the shoes and my March Madness!!
February 19thOnce in a while I take the leap and grill salmon for dinner knowing full well that Dan will most likely have a sarcastic comment, turn his nose or flat out refuse to eat it. He just refuses to eat fish at home. I realize I am no Julia Child but COME ON I cook well (you’ve told me this) and it’s good for you! Argh… whatever …. All of this means more nutrition for me, right? Yes, I eventually cave and make him something else and put the salmon in the fridge for me to eat later. continue reading under the picture ….
Salmon Citrus Salad : Boston Lettuce, Grilled Salmon (when your husband just won't eat it), a couple of sqeezes of lemon and a tiny bit of olive oil. I threw on some tomatoes as well for sweetness.
Today I decided to make a quick salad with it. I’ve never done that before. I’ve made it with chicken and other various fowl but not with Salmon. I put the ingredients above, under the picture, so you’ll see it’s not a big ordeal. Even making the salmon is not that painful.
FACTS: Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and selenium. It is also a very good source of protein, niacin and vitamin B12 and a good source of phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B6.
So that’s one way I get creative eating at my home office. While some of the temptations are not within reach working from home, some of the old habits are still around and they still have to be battled. For the pros, I would say I can eat smaller portions more frequently and I can have a variety of healthy foods available in the fridge to choose from. The con for that is that it’s easy to over eat if not careful. I work on the computer all day and it would be easy to sit and munch. Too much is too much, bad or good. Another pro is that I don’t get peer pressure from coworkers or extra cravings from going out to lunches everyday. The times when I do go to a business lunch I make it a point to choose a place that will offer something healthy to eat. Luckly, most of the time the company I’m with is flexible.
Yes, everyday I make all of the meals for Dan and myself. Yes, it take some planning and effort but well worth it in the end. When we go to our personal trainers having eaten healthy all week we have a much better workout.
Older Entries
