I'm all shook up-

What I workout! It's almost like the first time. I got to work. Told Robert I was just going to rest in my car but he insisted on unlocking the shop and then waited for me to get in the building.

I was shaking so bad I thought I was going to drop everything.

A few minutes later, I turned off the lights an layed down on the coach in the customer lounge. I needed that.

Weekend Warrior Princess

Brain Power 5k? Sure, why not!

3.5 weeks later...

I have to say if it were not for the following events, I don't think this accomplishment would have not happened so soon.

1) Resisting the pull of water at the large wave pool at Schlitterbahn so Darlisa & I could experience as many big waves as possible.

2) Workout with Timothy Parravano at Kelly Personal Fitness

3) Interval training with Dawn Davies & Brian Lippincott

4) Rollerskating on quads

Brian coached me through the 5k on Sunday. I didn't learn until later that Dawn was in the stands cheering us on at the start of the race!

We completed the 5k in 40 min.

I did manage to start off with running past the half mile mark so that was good.

My ultimate goal is to finish a 5k in 25 min. I did want a lower time at this event but I only had a flash of disappointment.

Why? 

Because, I completed a 5k! I didn't quit! Best of all, I did it with my husband!

I love you, Brian!

9 Hours later

      So far, I have had 18 workouts with Tim as my coach. That means that I have worked out for only 9 hours and have gone from my size 12/14 jeans to 10/12 jeans without really losing weight.

     Yes, I'm aware that muscle weighs mor than fat and it also takes up less room. You also might think that since I do other activities that I work out more than that. I have always skated on Tuesdays, walked on some of my lunches and jumped in water at any opportunity as well as working out occasionally to some VHS/DVD at the house. Those things helped me lose 20 lbs in 2 yrs. but I was just maintaining. The fear of getting bigger kept me on  struggle. This time, I'm losing inches!

      Tomorrow I will go walking/jogging with Dawn. Like my trainer, she will not let me know how much further I have to go. I tell Tim that I don't want to know the time and I'm going to try and get him to not tell me how many left either.

     

Well this is the result of my run. 

An average of 12'23" per mile.

Lets see if I can't get that 2'23" shaved off my time on Monday.

Preparing to be killed tomorrow.

     Well, I need to go make my smoothies for tomorrow and tonight's metabolic accelerator smoothie.

     I drink an energy smoothie before I go workout plus 12-16 oz of water before I go to Kelly Personal Fitness with Tim Parravano. He'll probably bump my weights up again and last week I was sore the same day instead of the soreness hitting me the next day. I was also sore until Friday afternoon.

    I did go ahead and run for .5 miles on Sunday. We of course went to Schlitterbahn on Sunday and I did get a good overall workout.

Now off to the kitchen.

Having a workout and visiting with friends too!

I like to do activities I like and if I get to socialize along the way, even better.

Tuesday evenings I usually go rollerskating for 2 hours and I talk with probably around 20-50 people on a given night. When I first get on the to the rink, I try to do 25 full laps to equal approximately 1 mile. Then a chat for a few laps and take it easy then I try to beat a 5 lap minimum of taking my legs in and out continuously.

    What you try to do is tuck your rear end under a clinch those the glute muscles while tightening your abs as you go. Breathing long intense deep diaphragm breaths is necessary to get the max workout of your abs.

Don't slump.

Use those inner and outer thigh muscles to move your legs by squeezing in and pushing out and pressing your skates

Hard into the floor. Your legs don't have to go way out but this way, YouTube fast and keep your stride short and efficient.

Today, I met up with Dawn at town

Lake/Zilker park and walked for almost an hour for about 3 miles. We got to chat. Along the way. Next time she will have me at a faster pace as she knows my gaol is to do a 5K in 25 minutes.

Looking forward to going kayaking with Brian and maybe we will get to take the dogs and my sisters out hiking at McKinney Falls this year when the weather is cooler.

Of course going to the

Waterpark is also more exercise than you think until you get home

And collapse early in the evening.

Where are my Zumba DVDs?

Groan!

Well, last week, my workout was rescheduled for Fri.

So I still had enough days to recover before I worked out today.

Today, Tim worked me out hard.

He is taking a 2 week motorcycle trip, so he wanted to make sure I had a good lasting workout.

Mission accomplished.

I feel like every last drop was squeezed out of me.

I'll definitely feel sore next week.

I'm going roller skating tonight and that will be my reward for my workout.

I have been thinking about packing a bathing suit and towel and going to Zilker after work at least once a week to swim in Barton Springs.

Sleep?

So 8 hrs of sleep. 

Hmmm.

Over 3 months ago I needed over 8 hrs and still felt tired.

Lately, I am going to bed at midnight and waking up at 4:30-5am. I just lay there until it is time to get up.

Maybe I should go ahead and get up and start on some of my projects.

I've only worked out how much?

Tim told me I have only worked out the equivalent of 6.5 hrs.!

Most people spend that much time per week in a gym and don't get the results I'm getting!

14 weeks in

I can't believe how bad my right hand was quivering on the last machine today.

I didn't gain full motor control of my body until about 10am.

After 2 weeks on my own while Tim Parravano had a vacation, last week, was a short workout as I reached muscle failure really quickly. This week, I went my full 2 min. and on a few I made it either barely past a minute up to minute forty-five.

I still have not decided if I am going skating tonight or not.

Can't wait until next week!

Update for the 4th

Looks like I have lost another 2 1/8 inches from various parts of my body.

I lost 1/2" off each thigh!

I'm sore in my shoulders, flutes and hips and I can feel the burn in my abductor muscles every time I sit up.

10 weeks in

I think my pic speaks for itself.

One more button to go!

8 weeks in

Well, I have done 8 sessions so far.
No weight change, but that is no surprise.
The only reason I weigh myself is because I have Hashimoto's Hypothryroidism, meaning My thyroid underperforms. If I gain or lose 10 lbs in a few days, I am to go and see the Doc immediately.
October 2011, I had my right thyroid removed by Dr. Bittar. I had basically a big fibrous growth the size of a large gumball in the thyroid. Luckily it was not cancerous or I would have had to get the entire Thyroid removed. Dr. Bittar also performed rhinoplasty on the right passage of my nose. He said that I had almost 100% blackage on that side and it was more fr om a birth defect rather than having my nose bloody a few times, though that probably didn't help.
But back to the present results from first week to now:
   Bust was 44" and is currently 42.75"
   Chest was 35.5" and is currently 33.75
   Left Bicep was 12" and is currently 12"
   Right Bicep 12.25 was and is currently 12"
   Kneck was 14.25" and is currently 14.5"
   Waist was 36" and is currently 35.5"
   Left Thigh was 24.5" and is currently 24.25"
   Right Thigh was 24.5" and is currently 24.5"
   *Hips was and is currently 43.75"
   *Weight was 168lbs. and is currently 173lbs.

       *Proof that women do have fluid retention during monthly cycles.

So, I have not been walking that much this week. I have been trying to work in the garden in the morning and evening. I also have been making my lunch at work instead of prepping the majority at home. That nedds to change, Or I need to go o the gym in the evening and go on the treadmill or put in an aerobic tape and go for it. I really do like the "Sweating to the Oldies" and I don't care if you make fun of me. :D

Torso machine

The last machine today was for the Torso.
Using one side you push with the shoulder and rotate the torso as much as possible and then come back the other way. Once you go through the number of reps, you are switched to the other side to push with that shoulder.
When I was switched to the left side, I had trouble starting and so on the second one I expected the resistance and actually went faster than I was supposed to go.
On the following reps I did better.

Triumph shirt comparison

Lean muscle weighs more than fat.
I really believe that and I am using one of my Triumph work shirts as part of my documentation.
1.). 5 weeks in, I could button 1 button.
2.). 2 weeks in, I can button 2 buttons.

I will consider the next proof would be that the belly roll will not be as visible as I think that my triple DDD's will not for awhile yet.

So currently I am close to being a 34 DDD which means it will me even harder to find bras that size that are pretty and that don't cost 40-120 smackeroos!

I have a small pile of clothes by the front door of clothes that are either to big and won't stay up or just need to go to Goodwill.

New week, smaller me & more energy!

Well except for my thighs & neck, I am approx. 1/4" smaller (biceps, waist, chest/pec, hips)
Tim Parravano increased my weight this week and also tried out a new machine for the upper back. I definitely tried to squeezed to "hold the pencil" in the middle of my back. As I sit in my car typing this entry, I can feel the burn across my shoulder blades. I am very happy with the burn.
I did throw out a bra last week but I am going to wait a few weeks before I go and get fitted for new ones. The sport bras will have to do for now.

Walking at lunch

So far, I have been walking for 20 min on my lunch.
I went from 1 mile in 20 min to 15.45min!
I am very pleased.

Temptation

I keep a bag of smarties hidden at my desk. Just the knowledge that I have sweets, often keeps me from eating other sweets.
I do have cinnamon drops and peppermint candy a in jars on my desk for customers but I have absolutely no interest in them. Unless my breath is atrocious, I don't eat them. On really cold days I might put one in my coffee/cocoa but avoiding them is not remotely hard.
Wish I could say the same for other candies.
I am just going to put this back in my stash and drink my fruit smoothly instead.

Being prepared

Oh, how I need better planning.
It's a learning process.
I didn't get to bed as early as I planned because I waited to late to prep my clothes & food for the next day.

I got up at 5am in order to make my 7am workout.
I made good time and had all my food for the day & I remembered to pack my roller skates this time!

Failure Reached!

So the goal is to actually reach Full Muscle Failure. Meaning, that you can't push, pull, resist or move the weight anymore. I have to say that I defiantly reached that goal on all but 2 of the machines this morning.
Tim said that by the 5th-6th workout is when woman start to actually notice changes in their body.
In week 4, I noticed that I have barely any of a roll on my back and have lost a 1/2" from my waist and chest.
I wonder what change I will notice?

Just when you think you are recovered...

Just when I thought, "Hey, my muscles weren't so sore this time", I pressed on my abs and sternum and the muscle are sore.
Then last night my calves where sore.
It is almost as if like a deep bruise that doesn't show up on the surface until days later.
I now understand how people would think they are fine and then do another hard workout and actually land up hurting the muscle(s).
So I will just have to keep on in my recovery period.
But I think I will go swimming at Barton Springs on Sunday or Monday.
Maybe I can talk Brian into going.

Head shot comparison

So with the theme of comparison, here are 3 pics of me, one taken at christmas, one taken a few months ago and the other taken yesterday.

I see a difference in my cheeks.

Those Before & After pictures

Ever notice that sometimes with before and after pictures usually have some type of clothing that it is hard to see a difference in the details?
Over time, progressional photos are more likely to show the changes.
I need instant gratification progress reports, so here is my evil plan.

Triumph Motorcycles are notorious for producing clothing that is of smaller size than labeled. A few years ago, it was so bad that I had to buy a 2L shirt when in fact I wore a large in all the other brands.

Now up to 4 weeks ago, I couldn't even button one button.

So, here is my first photo to use to judge my progress.

I am saying no to tortilla chips today.
If I want them, I have to wait for my free day.

A little about me, I was born with what is termed as flexible flat feet.
I did not start walking until I was 1 yrs. old and even then, Dr. Basore was concerend because I was walking on my toes. My mom, instead of putting me in the shoe/leg braces to keep my feet straight, instead had us girls play a game that had us try and walk down our hallway, feet straight with a book on top of the head. The goal of course was to make it all the way down the hall as fast as we could without dropping the book.
I also wore the old baby shoes until I was 6 to prevent me from walking on my toes. Shoes at that time had arches in them and hurt my feet.
At 8 yrs. old, we started going to a chiroprator who proceeded not only with adjustments but with making custom inserts to help strengthen/creat an arch.
I still have to concentrate sometimes on rolling my feet up and not let them roll flat, I have more of an arch on my left foot than I do my right. I also do not have as pronounced sway back as I did before the inserts.
In 2001, I severly hurt my back by lifting a bag of wet mulch incorrectly and a few days later was in the emergency room with back spasm.
In 2012, I told the PA that I was tired of just taking pills, I want to know what is wrong and do something about it.
Note: I don't take pain pills or muscle relaxers often, mainly b/c of the sleepiness and I worry that I could hurt someone while I am driving. Also, my mom always stressed that it was scary to be out of control while on pills. My former spouse was addicted to pain pills so I have a certain paranoia all around that issue. I tend to take the pills when I can't take the pain or am about to black out or can't move.
A typical bottle of 30 pills cut in half would last me over a year.
So after 3 MRI's later, I have a degenerating spine (which being only 41 at the time, definately genetic, duh.) arthritis in my lower back, 2 inflammed disc in mid and lower spine, the mid one being torn also. To top it all off, my hip had started seizing up 2 months prioir at random times with excrutiating pain and here it is I actually have burcitis in the right hip. But there were still no explanation of why the 2nd toe on each foot where numb to overly sensative, along with back spasms and a numb section on the right side. No, not sciatic nerve related.
As I lay down for the Doc to look at my back, he had my roll to my side to get up, no go, at home I don't lay on hard surfaces because I no longer can get up with out screaming & crying. Which is unusual for me as far as pain is involved, I usually just make a hissing zush sound when I am trying to get through the pain.
He pulled up my shirt and was shocked as he watched the ripple of spasms travel up the right side of my back. He located a hard lump of muscle on the upper right buttocks near the spine. He used a trigger point injection and had to force the  needle into the muscle. I actually have a permanent bruise on my back from the injection.
I currently get trigger point massages once a month now.
I do have the mojority of feeling back in my toes and my back as a result. Definately worth the bruise.
FOr the torn disc, I did get an injection into the spine and surprising to everyone, I am one of those rare people that it has ehlped for almost a year at this point.
But, now what to do about exercising? I'm to worried about working out at home on a bench, I may not be able to get up, then that means a set back. Using the ball helps out but my back starts aching by the end of the workout and I am worried.
Still rollerskating once a week but I am now worried about my muscle loss.

On April 3, 2013, I finally took up Timothy Parravanno's offer to 2 free workouts at Kelly Personal Training here in Austin, TX.
http://kellypersonaltraining.com/
A few things that had me willing to try this approach of an intense workout that is 20-30 minutes long and you only go once a week.
1)  Well, obviously, it is only once a week.
2)  Tim has problems with his back so He knew about my concerns
3)  Tim told me that with the MedEx Equipement, He can help me strengthen my core and help heal  in the process.

So a workout that is going to be a short amount of time, and you are on machines designed to not get you hurt and you have a trainer with you all the way. The point is to get to the point of muscle failure. DId I mention that the workout is really slow? And don't forget to breath, open mouth and forcably.

So, got off work on Tues, worked out, and then went skating. Big mistake. FOr the first 60 min, my legs shook so bad, I didn't think I would make it. but I skated for 2 hrs.

April 10, same routine, but I did not have as much trouble skating afterwards.

April 17, Had to reschedule for Tim had a last minute place he had to be. NP.
Rescheduled for Thurs at 7:30 am!
Great Workout! and I had to eat a 2nd breakfast, starving! Ate heavily for 2 days.
Tim says that is normal.
Went ahead and paid for 6 sessions. GIving up eating out for lunch during the week to pay for it.

April 23, back on Tues but I thought my time was &;30 am but it was 7 so I had to pick up the next slot at 8.
WOW! I can press out 510lbs. guess Tim is going to shorten my pushing area and raise the weight on my next session.
I will have to set the alarm for 5am to make it to North Austin on time.

After a workout, I am totally exhausted. I usually don't hurt until 2 days later.
You truly do need 5-7 days to recover from the workout.
Drink lots of water! and Eat lots and lots of Fruit and vegetables.
Eat 6X a day no more than 4 hrs apart and have protein with at least 4 of those meals.
After about 2 days of eating voraciously, I tend to have a small meal day for the next 2 days and then regular meals after that.
Stay off the scale, lean muscle weighs more than fat.
Use your clothes or a belt to judge results.
I use a tape measure and so far I have lost .5" in my waiste & Chest/bust/pecs.

Happy Camper here.