Sarah's got her groove back!

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Greetings all!!


Today, I was feeling really energized and did 50 min walking on the treadmill at 10 incline and then 15 min running at 2 incline at 8.8km/hr...then 35 min elliptical and 5 min rowing..felt so good to just have a nice liesurely Saturday workout! Wouldn't ya know it that after starting on the treadmill, I remembered I hadn't done the pushups...this is the big final day of 20 x 3 reps...so gotta admit after 1 hour on the treadmill and running included couldn't knock 'em out too well..did manage to get my 20 (with some breaks), then instead of a 1 min break in between, I waited until after the rowing for 3 min to knockout the next 20, then after 35 on the elliptical to get my last 20..I was really struggling to get them done, but just couldn't give up!

Here's the months results on Pushups...I'm pretty pleased with this progress (I just love charts...I have a visual learning style and it reinforces me and gives me motivation for the next step (not sure what that is yet for next month...any suggestions?)


To explain this well...I didn't do 60 pushups at 1 time. I started with 5 pushup (repetitions) x 2 sets, waiting 1 min between sets, then I worked my way up to 5 reps x 3 sets, again waiting 1 minute between sets and continued up the scale to where I could do 20 pushups x 3 sets = 60 total. When I got to 10 pushups at the same time, I had to increase my wait time to be 2 minutes or even 3 min by the 3rd set I was gutting it out...but felt so much stronger during the day! I would highly recommend a personal challenge like this!







Tomorrow I'm going to do a fitness test..the US Army fitness test...this will really be a test for me to do max pushups in 2 min; max setups in 2 min, then a 2 mile run. My goal is to "max" the test (of course I woudn't have any other goal...logic would say, just aim to pass it...but those of you who have been reading for awhile know I'm just not that way! I aim to "max" it!! I'll let you know! There is an iphone app for it and part of the app is also entering measurements for % bodyfat...now if I could just pass that...and I know I don't yet...my % body fat is still quite high (40% according to the measurements method) and that is my next focus! I also have decided to get a % bodyfat scale...I have resisted changing scales forever...but to focus on the % body fat, I think I would like to know. If I have to recalibrate my weight, then I'm trying to get mentally prepared to do that...trying!


Hey Munch, good to see you back, and congratulations on the new job! :seeya: I'm sure they are getting a great (and fit!) employee! If I were you I wouldn't stress out about weight and exercise etc right now...you have alot on your plate..I would, however, make sure you have alot of fresh fruit in the house to snack on...sometimes stress causes me to eat and if I don't have materials for good choices, I'll go for bad everytime!


Cate, you are so sweet and glad you are feeling better in fridgid Austrailia!...:santa:and you are so right...the flabby skin is much better than the fat skin...it is what it is and we've earned every ounce of it! I'd recommend the pushups by the way...it was a good motivator for the month! Hummm...now what?!


That's about it for today,


Great choices to all!


Sarah
 
Happy July everyone!

So, it's 1 July, and that means weigh-in day for me...178.5...I'm finally in the 170's (81kg)! Big deal for me! It is coming off, but seems ever so slow these days...but I'll take all I can get!

Here's the graph.



Now, going down to exercise and work on getting to the 160's...at this rate, that will take about 3-4 months...arghh...and my timing goal to be at 143 by Dec 2012 may not be quite so realisitic...so I'll just keep going into 2013...not the end of the world! I will keep at it!

Good choices to all!


Sarah
 
So, back from my exercise...I did the US Army Physical Fitness (APFT) test today and while I didn't "max" it..I did OK!:gnorsi:


Pushups: Max in 2 minutes: 33 (max for my age is 34)...going to have to work on that! The pushups routine will continue this month..I ran out of strength before I ran out of time! (Thanks Munch for giving the inspiration to do pushups again!)

Setups: Max in 2 minutes: 63 (max for my age is 66)..I hadn't done setups much since I had some lower back pain awhile back...so I'm pleased with that..actually ran out of time before I ran out of strength!

Run: 2 miles: 21:14 (max for my age is 16:54)...I did this on the treadmill at 2 incline (to simulate running flat on the road) and didn't pace myself well..I started at what I've been running (8.8km/hr) and cranked it up to 10km/hr at the end...I think I could have done this faster, but it's a good 1st start I think!). (Thanks Kate for giving me the inspiration to run again!) Not to mention that I'm going to have to do the math to convert from km/hr to mile/min pace to know the pace I must do...really miss having a 2 mile course mapped out in a nice park...no traffic, no pollution...ahh...one of these days in the US soon!


So, total score was 272 out of a max of 300 points...considering where I started, I'm pleased with this. :blush5: I'm setting a goal to do this APFT each 1st of the month as a way to track my progress in fitness. It's a good motivator!


After the run on the treadmill, I cranked back the speed to 5.9 km/hr and cranked up the incline to 10 and and just kept walking for another 45 minutes...now, gotta admit, I'm a little stiff. Why is it that a fitness test makes me just a little sore...always did when I was in the Army Reserves too!


Overall, with a little weightloss from last month and a good physical fitness test results...I'm pretty pleased with me today!


Good choices to all..let's make July a great, successful month for all of us!


Sarah
 
Grrreat results, scbibhouse!!! and here is a picture of you, in Army Physical Fitness Gear, dashing off on the two mile run! :gnorsi:


Seriously -- terrific results! very well done!


(I've put the whole post in purple in tribute!)
 
Coming back to say ... love the photo "17 hours ago" -- just gorgeous!
smile.gif
(you and the setting both.)
 
Oh my goodness,


I have just spent the last little while reading through your diary. What a spectacular and inspiring experience! I say this honestly that even in the short time I spent clicking through here, I have seen the picture of determination and a positive outlook to boot. Keeping with it has been part of my problem recently, so it is so good to know that I can just come revisit your journey here to get re-motivated. Thank you so much for sharing all of this and I cannot wait to see where your journey takes you.


~Ava
 
WOOHOO! COngrats on entering the 170s!! Another barrier broken!


Am well impressed with your Army Fitness Test - inspiring me to get back to doing press ups (do you do full ones or "ladies" knee press ups? If full...then mucho respecto!! The knee ones are hard enough!).


You and Cate are completely right about skin - its a problem I'd rather have...i.e. to have lost weight successfully...than to be fat and not have the issue!
 
Thanks everyone for the great encouragement! Today was a tough day at work...started out being really tired to exercise...I think the APFT I did yesterday took more out o fme than I thought! I'm not as young as I used to be obviously!!

I should have taken a rest day from exercise today, but I didn't..I did the 45 min on the elliptical and was really drug out feeling all the rest of the day. I ate a big breakfast and good lunch and some fruits and tuna for dinner (I'm not sure why but I'm really craving canned tuna in spring water right now...really not sure why, but it's all that will satisfy me!) Good news is, it's easy to prepare...just open the can and dump it in bowl...not mayo, no desire for tuna salad...just straight tuna! for 130 cal, can't beat it! Enough about Tuna!

Tomorrow I'm taking an exercise break...I'll probably do the pushups but not cardio to try to get my body and brain back to good functioning. On top of a tired exercise, I had back to back strenuous meetings at work today...and I didn't get back in the apartment until 8:00pm...makes for a long day..not looking for sympathy here...it's just life right now!


Noparsnips! yep..I hit 178.5...I'd have liked to hit a lower number (wouldn't we all?!)...but I'll take what I can get at this point! "I'm becoming a fitter, thinner person" That's my mantra as I run!

jjjay: I do the "real" pushups...I started doing the knee ones a few months back to get ready to do the real ones...they are a bi)(*ch

Avatea: I hope that my story can help you and motivate you...there are so many good sources for motivation on this forum...I feel much more like a "taker" than a "giver"...so please by all means, take what you like of my experience and use it to help yourself! Everyone who I write to is helping me too!



Good choices to all!

Sarah
 
AHeya Sarah :)

:hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: Yay!!!! 170's :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:
That is totally awesome :) I reckon you will definitely reach your target before me (especially how totally motivated you are and how crap i am! Please don't shout at me, i'm saying it in a jokey way :) )

So so pround of your push up goals being reached.....That is totally awesome!!!!! You are just motivation personified (check out my big word there :) ) I am going to aim doing crunches and up the amount to 200 a day, only did 100 today but i will slowly increas the number.

And...OMG check you out on your fitness test, that's great and you have something to aim for too :)

Love and hugs always :grouphug:
 
Well congrats on getting into the 170s! You are amazing and a fantastic source of inspiration for me so far so I will take you up on that offer and take take take :)


P.S. - I wish I loved tuna. I only like it raw and in sushi. It is weird, I used to love canned tuna when I was about 5 years old but now I cannot stand it for some reason, which actually makes me a bit sad. I envy your palate!
 
Oh Sarah, congrats on being in the 170's!!!!! You inspired me to have a go at doing push-ups, after getting my US nephew to show me the best technique & I am now totally in awe of what you're doing. I really don't like floor work, ie getting down on the floor to exercise, for some reason. My wrist hurt after 3!!! Our YS has got our DVD player connected properly & I have an exercise DVD that I'm going to try. It looks like a cross between old aerobics & Zumba. I'm about to re-start my exercise regime in earnest again. You, Kate & Jess have spurred me on! Thank you! I love your attitude Sarah & it's wonderful to see you inspiring others, xoxo Cate.
 
AWow, Kate, Cate and Avatea...all commenting on my diary since yesterday!! Am I special or what!??! Love it!

Thanks so much for your encouragement! It's so much fun to see your comments and continually gives me motivation!

Kate, so glad you are back and ready to go at it! I'm not so sure I'll meet my goal before you...mine is coming off ever so slowly these days... Arghh!! I just have to remember it's not a race, and that the good news is, because I'm losing it slowly, it's now my lifestyle and I' ok with it!

Avatea, you are making some great progress youself girl! So glad I can help in a small way...at leaf to share my experience and hope!

Cate, so glad you are back, and feeling better! Don't be discouraged with the pushups if you can't do very many at the beginning...slow and gradual increases are the key...I'm not going to lie...they are a bitch!! Excuse my language...it's just how they are!

Today, I took a much needed day off of exercising...as I said yesterday, I should have taken it yesterday, but didn't...so today, I slept in, didn't do the pushups or any cardio, and I've just did my normal work all day...I just needs a break, and I'll get back to it tomorrow. One thing about this exercise program I'm doing I have leaned to listen to m body (well most of the time) and when it says, take a break, it means it!

I did well for food today, ending up at somewhere near 1600 cal...over my BMR and under my maintenance weight T my goal weight, so I guess I'm OK...I still may not be eating enough calories...I know that sounds strange, but after 13 months of steady dieting , my body may be dealing with the stress of losing weight by going into starvation mode to hang onto this remaining fat. I've heard that to get off of a plateau, you should eat at the maintenance weight for the goal weight, the reduce the cals's again after that and this spurs the weightloss again...anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks -and good choices to all!

Sarah
 
AHi Sarah. First of all, yes, you are special. :) I get inspiration and motivation whenever I look at your diary. And I understand how important supporting each other is. It means the world to know that I am not in this battle alone!

Totally understand your needing to take a break. I have not worked out this hard in a long time and my body woke up today begging for a break too. They can be just what we need to keep up our hardwork for the long haul.

I've heard something similar about eating at your maintenance calories when plateauing, though truthfully I have no hard facts/source for that. Sorry!

Anyways, hope you are feeling refreshed after your day off. :) Sending positive thoughts all the way to China for you!

Ava
 
Sarah- I def. have had that experience. Eat at maintenance for a week or so & then drop your calories again. The worst that can happen is you maintain & it's well worth a shot! xo Cate
 
Interesting idea, re eating at maintenance level -- either way, I definitely agree with taking a break every now and then. And also with just seeing how a maintenance diet / "normal eating" affects things (mostly the body, but moods etc as well.)
 
Hey there Ava, Noparsnips and Cate and thanks for your input on the maintenance level eating...I actually didn't plan on it, but last night, let's just say I plain old over ate...I'm pretty sure it was above maintenance! My chinese friends invited us over to their apartment for dinner, knowing it was the 4th of July for us (American's National day) and they wanted to celebrate with us...so they put on a feast...homemade dumplings, sweet and sour pork, peking duck...you get the idea! Sorry if I'm making anyone hungry reading this! Good thing is, I exercised yesterday morning and I went to the construction site later in the day and hiked around it for a couple of hours...(but it still was not enough to overcome all of that food last night!) and I exercised again this morning on the elliptical. Not beating myself up over the over indulgence..actually it's kind of funny to me after reading your posts about maintenace level eating!

Feeling good in my own skin and ready to tackle a Thursday!


Good choices to all!


Sarah
 
ATruthfully, sometimes you just have to forget everything else and enjoy a great evening with wonderful friends. That was such a kind gesture for them to celebrate with you. So what if you ate a little more than you otherwise would have. :) glad to hear that you got to celebrate! Tomorrow we can all get back on track!

Happy 4th!

~Ava
 
Definitely making me feel HUNGRY...and its 7.30am!! heheh mmmm chinese for breakfast!


I too have heard that when people plateau, upping the calories and then lowering disrupts whatever the body's metabolism has got itself into however I don't know much about it - there must be someone on the board, perhaps on one of the other sub forums that is experienced in nutrition and all this stuff?! Heck, there's probably 10 threads on it somewhere!


You ARE SPECIAL!!!! That's the nicest thing about these boards, when you get to know people, you are special to them. Strange to think we are all so far away from each other and yet having quite an impact in supporting and helping with stuff that changes each others lives....


I too am in awe of the push ups. Inspired by your fitness test, I did 10 (knee) push ups yesterday and a couple of rounds of situps and squats. Its a start!!!


Have a HAPPY THURSDAY!!
 
Hey Avatea and Jjjay and anyone else reading this diary! So good to see you back here in my diary! It's Friday and I'm excited...finally Friday...tough week. Seems like I've had a hard time getting back into a groove after that Fitness test last weekend...and then my husband decides he needs to take the test yesterday (without preparation) and he didn't do so well, so now he is deciding he needs to be on a crash diet...not good, but does no good to tell him! He's very supportive of my progress, but whenever he gets on a wild hair, his way is best and he can become critical of any other plan...so we'll see how long this lasts! I'm content with my progress and I'll keep on my way...I'm pretty sure that "this too shall pass", and within a couple of weeks, all will be back to normal! Not complaining mind you, just sharing some life events!

Today I went to the fitness center, did 45 min on the elliptical...I just couldn't get on the treadmill..I felt like I needed the support of holding onto the elliptical arms today...sad but true!

Had a good breakfast and really looking forward to a relaxing weekend!


Good choices to all!

Sarah
 
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