It wont happen overnight....

I have to keep reminding myself of this very inconvienient fact. I had a great walk on the treadmill today (side note...for some reason the treadmill at the Y is much more fun (?) to walk on than the one at home...could be lack of children trying to climb on the back and having to stop every 5 minutes to end a fight, calm an angry baby etc) and got to thinking. I happened to look down and see my leg jiggling and got a little angry. I have been working hard for 3 weeks solid...they should NOT be jiggly anymore! Ha!

Then I thought back and realized that it took me over a year to accumulate the weight I have gained. I started gaining weight before I got pregnant as the stress of trying to get pregnant led me to my old friend...food. So a year of weight gain...30 pounds of it being pregnancy related of which I didn't lose a lot. Something about still eating like I was pregnant after I had the baby. Hmmmm. Anyway, how can I expect that much weight to just fly off in a few weeks? I can't, and I shouldn't. I need to look back to make sure, but I believe I started back on the wagon in May. Started at 223, and am now at 207. 16 pounds down in about 2 months. That isn't too bad. And 10 of that has been since we joined the Y three weeks ago or so. Sometimes the hardest part about losing weight AND getting into shape is accepting that it doesn't happen overnight...it takes time. And it's worth the wait. Get it? Wait...weight. I digress.

So, today was my most successful workout so far. I rocked Bodypump, and proceeded to walk for 25 minutes at a speed of 4 on the treadmill, which last week was almost impossible for me to do. I am considering signing up for a Couch to 5k program, and am spending more time looking for things to do to keep active, and less time gazing at the computer. Instead of goofing around all day, I WALK AWAY do a bunch of stuff, then come back for a short break.

I feel more empowered now than I have in a long time. My self image is improving...perhaps faster than my actual appearance. I feel pretty again...until I look in a mirror. I am tempted to drape all the mirrors with sheets. But I love seeing the progress as it happens. I notice that my face looks slimmer, and my legs are getting more muscular. The arms and belly always lag behind, but they'll catch up eventually. Oh, and of course my boobs are shrinking. Blah. The one area I wouldn't mind staying how it is, seems the first to whither. Ha!

Anyway, I am thrilled to be down 16 pounds, and look forward to hitting my next 15 pound marker in much less than two months! Goal weight is 150...but more importantly goal SIZE is 9/10. I am 57 pounds, and 6ish (the 16s are a little big on me now) sizes away from my goal. Here goes!!!

Rest

I worked out every day for the last 6 days for between one and two hours each day. Today is my rest day. I have to remind myself that those are important as well. My body is tired, and sore. I am beginning to notice some differences in myself already. The most obvious is the weight loss...WI this morning was 209! Woo hoo! After three months (of actually trying to lose the weight) I am just one pound away from my first 15 pound marker. :) Other differences include increased energy, though I am so sore it's tough to do a whole lot, and a higher body temp. I always feel warm lately. Must be the increased blood flow or some such thing.

One step forward, two steps back

That seems to be my weight loss pattern of late. I lose a few pounds, then gain them back. Over all though I am down 12 pounds from when I started, and that's worth documenting. :)
I have been to the Y every day this week, and feel sore but good. It's the good sore that reminds me that there are muscles hiding out in there and they are coming out of hibernation! I am really getting into the classes again, I know myself well enough to know that I won't push myself as hard as a class will. At least not yet. I usually make it through the step classes, but have had to leave a couple early. I am not beating myself up over it. I make up for it with laps on the track, or on one of the cardio machines and try again the next day. And, of course keep reminding myself that soon I will be able to make it through any class, and maybe even become that person that can bounce around the step too, rather than barely getting onto and off of it again. I was almost there when I got pregnant with James.
I plan to go tomorrow and Sunday as well, even if it's just for an hour of cardio ( I try to log about 2 hours a day during the week). We're in town, there is no reason I can't go in and get a workout.
That's all for now, appologies for being a lazy blogger! Life is pretty hectic lately what with all the gym time! :D

Back fat

So I'm going to start this off with a postive note...I am down to 210! Oh yeah! It feels so good to be on my way...7 more pounds and I'll have hit the first 20 pound marker. We rejoined the YMCA last night and I immediately went and logged 8 miles on the stationary bike. This morning I went back and went to a step/strength training class and did some walking on the track for a total of 1 hour 38 minute workout. Oh man! I forgot how great it feels to get a good workout in! That is, a workout where the kids are taken care of and not constantly underfoot, crying, fighting, or just "trying to help". 2 workouts in and I already feel more confident, and happy in general.

We are leaving town Saturday for a week in Rice Lake, so I am trying to get as much time in the gym as possible to give me a good head start for our vacation. While in Rice Lake I plan to walk every day, use the paddle boat and swim at the cabin, and of course watch closely what I eat. The eating, overindulging and eating the wrong foods is what typically kills me when we aren't home. It's really easy to just grab some fast food, or indulge in pizza with the parents. I have to be careful not to do this!

Regarding the title of this post...back fat. It is my mortal enemy. I can't see it, but know it's there. It is unsightly, annoying and trying to get rid of it can be so frustrating...I hate it. Of course there is fat everwhere...arms, legs, and especially the belly. But the back is the worst...it hides out and then out of nowhere I am compeletely aware of it and feel self concious about it. Anyway...just my little growl for the day.

This is still the beginning of my journey. I would assume that much of the weight I lose now will not be noticed easily simply because there is so far to go. Selfishly, I must admit that I can't wait until people start to notice unasked. It is it's own little prize for all of the hard work that goes into losing weight.