The Dream Shall Never Die

Back in March 2010, I began an exercise regimen and nutrition plan to lose weight, reduce body fat, build muscle and eat healthy.  I planned also to get in shape to prepare for a much-needed knee replacement.  

My initial results were good.  I lost 8" in circumference from various body parts, i.e. upper forearms, waist, bust, upper thighs, calves plus 3 lbs. I was thrilled and motivated to continue.  By the end of five months, I'd found my waist.   I'd lost a remarkable 16.5",  8 lbs and lowered my body fat.  But I was facing the holidays...

After the second post I may have become a bit cocky.  I stopped documenting my progress.  My physical therapist wanted me to seriously diet and cut out alcohol to lose another 10 lbs.  The holidays loomed...always a challenge.  I continued to exercise and weight train but I doubt I was even following the nutrition plan.

Fast forward to March 2011, I meet with the orthopedic specialist about my knee.  I'm mentally and physically prepared for the operation.

He asks me, "Why are you having surgery?"

My jaw drops.  I've needed surgery for at least six years and it's taken that long to work up to it.  I return home, contemplate the question, cancel the surgery.

Another year passes, I continue to work out but no longer try to diet or avoid alcohol.  My routine gets stagnant even though I still see the physical trainer occasionally. My knee continues to hurt so I schedule another dr's appointment in January.  This time he agrees to move ahead with the surgery scheduled for March 2012.  It's a great success!  And it hurts like holy hell.  I am laid up a bit, returning to work after 2 weeks but on pain meds; no driving.  I rehab as soon as possible and I get those legs into shape toot suite (I have no idea how to spell that).

But, I don't diet.  I don't curb my drinking.  I continue to prepare gourmet meals for my family and eat them. I love to cook.  I love to eat.

By Thanksgiving 2012, I'm looking pudgy again.  I work for a television station and sometimes have to stand in as a character in a locally produced ad.  Photographs and TV don't lie.

I have now convinced myself I am a fat pig.  I am discouraged but not defeated.  I sign up for a new program, EZ Coach.  In February this year, I am weighed, measured and my body fat is checked.  That, the body fat part, the moment I dread, is an eye opener.  Despite my regaining all but 5 lbs of my weight loss of 12 lbs, despite my flabby gut called "core" in fitness circles, I have reduced my overall body fat by 10.4% from the original measurement in 2010.    I am stunned.  And, I am re-motivated.

By continuing to weight train and maintain my cardio exercise, I have developed a great deal more muscle and my fat cells have shrunk.  I am no longer in the "obese" category of 36.3% which I could not admit in 2010.  It's now 26%.  All I can think is,  "what would it be had I been watching what I eat."

To misquote the immortal words of Ted Kennedy,

"...the work goes on, the cause endures, the

hope still lives and the dream shall never die."

I Found My Waist

Uh, no, that's not me.  But I do have great news to report since my last post about the state of my body vis a vis the exercise plan to which I am committed last March.

I have lost a total 16 1/2 inches and 6 lbs!  As of May, I had lost 8 inches and 3 lbs.   As of yesterday, I had lost another 8 1/2 inches and 3 lbs and my BMI was lower and I am getting back my figure.  Four days a week, 45 minutes to an hour per workout, sweating like a pig, limbs shaking after the session...I am on a serious roll.

My trainer, whom I do not see as frequently as in the beginning, wants me to diet now in order to lose 10 more lbs and lower the BMI to a respectable level.  Her point is,  I can exercise to lose weight but cutting out most carbs and sticking to nutrition high in protein, fruits and veggies will lower the fat %  I'm still carrying.  The next 3 months, leading into the Bacchanalian fest of Thanksgiving, will be devoted to lowering the carb intake. 

That means little or no wine.  Wish me luck!

Working Out

Quite a few years ago, I fell into that zone where so many middle-aged people go...the sedentary sluggo zone.  Although I had always taken care of myself, exercised regularly, competed aggressively on the tennis court, become a faithful yoga practitioner and generally watched what I ate, I entered another dimension when my weight bearing joints began to hurt beyond endurance.

Degenerative Osteoarthritis was the diagnosis and it describes the degeneration of the weight bearing joints of the body.  I had my first total hip replacement in 2001 and the other in 2005.  By the second hip replacement, I needed a knee replacement too but was unwilling to go through more surgery, recovery and loss of body parts.  Instead, I stopped playing tennis.  After I stopped, the insidious yet subtle deterioration that had been creeping along seemed to exponentially take off at hyper speed and I added another 20 lbs to the 10 I had gained after the first hip replacement.

So here I was, thirty pounds and twelve years later, disgusted, disappointed and embarrassed by my lack of control. After a number of aborted attempts to diet and exercise on my own, I joined a really nice, really serious fitness center.  I'd been going to a drafty old gym, wearing old tees & baggy pants, working out on old machines that would often break and using the same equipment as the thick necked loud mouthed guys that frequented the place.  My husband referred to me as a "gym rat" because I didn't care what I looked like.  Unfortunately, this had extended to my work out ethic too.  I didn't much seem to care.

It sounds trite, but joining the new place gave me a new attitude.  It's a brand new, sunny, state of the art fitness center. I began working with several of the physical trainers, all women.  I was asked my goals and, instead of saying I wanted to "lose weight", I said I wanted to "lose inches".  Instead of asking to be put on a diet, I said I wanted to "eat better and gain strength".  A total needs assessment was done, including  measurements, top to bottom, a BMI (body mass index), an overview of my existing diet and exercise regimen.  I was then given a full hour's training  followed by a massage and facilitated stretching.  It was exhilarating.  Before I left the first day, my trainer had drawn up a simple nutrition plan with suggested portions and types of food:  protein, complex carbs, lots of veggies, little or no alcohol, simple sugars, simple carbs, no bad fats.  Good fats, like avocado, Omega 3 fish, olive oil, were okay.

That was March 2nd.  On that day, I committed to going to that gym four days per week with a 30 minute regimen, two days of weight training and two days of cardio.  I committed to the nutrition plan and keeping a diary of both the food intake and exercise.

I've kept my commitment.  I have been going 4 days per week.  I have been exercising 45 minutes to an hour or more each time.  I have altered my diet to more closely approximate the nutrition plan although I did not cut out alcohol or mayo and I occasionally binge on french fries and pastrami sandwiches.  While the visual progress is slow, the feeling I have about myself is not.  I see the improvement; it's happening slowly but it's happening.  I can see the change in my body even though it doesn't register on the scale.  Today I was weighed and measured and while I had lost only 3lbs, I have lost 8 inches!  EIGHT INCHES!  That's so incredible to me!  My strength is coming back.  My PT says I am truly losing the weight and burning fat and the weight is redistributing as muscle which speeds up my metabolism and allows me to burn more calories.  She was so encouraging, so complimentary.  I am truly overjoyed by the success.

It ain't easy, the work is hard, my body aches after every workout, and I take a lot of acetaminophen.  But, I'm moving more easily, I'm getting stronger, I'm extending my endurance and I may actually enjoy buying a new bathing suit in June.  My goal is to get back to a size 10, then an 8 and then buy all new clothes.

I'll keep you posted.

Positive Energy

Apple Blossoms by Joelle

I have been sick with a virus since Tuesday night. My husband has been ill since Sunday night. We have been utterly miserable...but miserable together, which is comforting in its way.

Time to get some positive energy back before we wither away or he de-hydrates! So here goes:

My girlfriend painted this last year. I've been holding my breath for Spring so I could post it. I love it; it's fresh and happy. Makes me feel great.

The weather is warm and sunny today. I believe it will hit 50. That is huge! The snow is receding and we have most of our lawn back. So pleased with that.

I've lost 8 lbs this week. I cannot eat and am drinking clear liquids. It's not unlike when you come out of the hospital. This is the upside of the flu. My body looks better and that is a major plus!

Also, I've had more sleep than I can remember this week. That is also a biggie. I don't sleep well and am usually sleep-deprived. Can't quarrel with that.

I figure, when I'm back to normal, I'll be in better shape: slimmer, more rested and figuring out how to maintain both.