When I was over at Patti’s yesterday, (playin’ with her pup) the trainer from the YMCA called. We talked for a minute and now Patti and I are signed up for 3 training sessions! We are doing 1 on each Thursday and Friday and then another 1 next week. Then we are meeting with her once every 2 months. I am soooo excited. Apparently she will work with us and get to know our body, then give us a training routine to use for 2 months. When we meet up again later, she’ll upgrade the workout and it will go on like that. I’m so glad to have someone just say, “Do this…..ok, now do this” I plan on working my ass off and taking in as much knowledge as I can. I can’t wait to start toning up a little and having those inches fall off.

This next week is going to be a good test for me. Heather is going on vacation and that leaves me alone to eat whatever I decide and workout as much as I decide. It will be like on the biggest loser when your partner gets sent home. I think I’ll be ok. I’m planning my meals and making sure I workout to be as prepared as I can be for what Paula (our trainer) will make us do.

My 2nd mini goal was to hit 266. This morning I weighed in at 265.5!!! That means I have a total loss of 61.5 since 9/8/08! I am extremely excited about the scale continuing to move down. Now I am focusing on 240…my 3rd mini goal. (Another 10% of my weight) Only 25.5lbs to get there.

I had a really good last chance workout yesterday. Patti and I did 35 on the treadmill again, preparing for the c25k that we start on Tues. I did a 5min walk and then ran 60sec/walked 90sec for about 12min and then had to walk and extra 2mins and then went back to 60/90 untill the end. I usually jog at a 4.8 - 5.2 speed but for the last 20sec before my cooldown started, I threw it up to 7.0 and sprinted to the end. It actually felt great! I also did 30mins on an elliptical and pushed myself pretty hard. I’m getting excited about our training session too. The trainer, Paula, and I have been playing phone tag for a couple days but as soon as we connect…. it’s on!

Heather and I are getting pizza tonight… yum yum yummmm! We are going to try Pizza Hut’s All Natural pizzas. They are only 4pts a slice and I haven’t had a piece of pizza since before we started WW!

I’m really not feeling the gym today.  Heather and I are getting ready to go but I’m thinking I would rather just go home and watch tv.  Ohh wait…. sit and watch tv? Seriously?  That’s part of the reason I’m a blimp!  I have had a great week so far and am going to go, even though I REALLY don’t want to.   Maybe I will try something new.  I sure wish Patti and I had our training session already so I could work on some weights. 

*Update: I didn’t go to the gym. I decided 1 day off isn’t going to make me gain any weight. I have worked out everyday since Friday and plan to go tomorrow too!

I woke up this morning and my achilles (sp?) tendon was soooo tight. I couldn’t even put any weight on my foot. I sat in bed and tried to stretch it out. I got it to loosen up enough to hobble to the bathroom and then the hot shower helped a little more. I’m at work now and it’s still tight especially after I am sitting for a few minutes and then have to stand up for a customer. I guess I really need to make sure I stretch out before AND after my workouts.

Yesterday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 on the treadmill. I decided the days I am not doing the 5k training I am going to walk on the cross country setting of the treadmill. It changes the incline as if you were hiking but I get to pick the speed. I have done it twice now and find it challenging (9% incline!) but fun.

Food was on track yesterday too. I actually have been having a great week! I’m interested in Friday’s weigh-in, I hope it reflects the hard work I feel like I’m doing….

Another Monday morning and I’m ready for the weekend. I think I just had one of my best weekends with food/exercise. I ate very well, Subway for dinner on Saturday and Taco Burgers (WWM Recipe) on Sunday with very little snacking and 2-hour long workouts. Pretty damn good, if I do say so myself! The Taco Burgers, by the way, were delicious….and fast and easy! I have plans to go to the gym the rest of the wek as well so I am hoping to hit my 2nd mini goal on Friday. (actually, I’m hoping to pass my goal and get a nice start on the next one!)

Patti and I went to sign up for our Buddy Training Session on Saturday. We had to fill out a paper with height, weight(yuck) and what we are looking for in a trainer. We both wrote down FEMALE. There is a SUPER hot guy trainer who I would feel completely uncomfortable with. He’s great to look at for motivation while I’m on the other side of the gym but to have him train me…… yikes! Anyway, they are going to call us after they match us with a trainer to set an actual time up. Nervous….but excited!!

Taco Burgers-
3/4lb 90% lean ground beef
1/2 cup black beans - drained and rinsed
1 and 1/2 tbsp low sodium Taco seasoning

mix together and form 4 - 1/2in thick patties,
spray pan with non-stick spray and cook about 4 min on both sides or until no longer pink in the middle.

Use whole-wheat buns and form burger in the following order:

bottom bun
1 burger
2 tbsp shredded 2% sharp cheddar cheese
1 tomato slice
shredded lettuce
2 tbsp Salsa
top bun

7 Pts for 1 burger! Very Yummy!

My hip/back hurts this morning….. Yesterday I decided that I would get on the treadmill and see how long I could jog. Kind of test out my stamina before Patti and I start the c25k challenge. I walked for 5 mins to warm up and then jogged for 2:10!!!! At about 2mins I thought I might DIE, but I didn’t… woohoo! It felt good to be able to go for longer than I expected, which was about 1:20. We are going to slowly prepare ourselves this week and then start 2/3. We are planning to do the training Tues, Thurs and Sat or Sun, so we always have a day of rest in between. Those days seem to work into both our schedules and that’s hard to do! Right now, our long term goal is to run the Irish Jig 5k on March 17, 2010! (yes, 2010) My short term goal is to actually build up my jogging ability to be able to jog 5 mins. We’ll see!

I’ve noticed lately that I have been snacking less at night. I’m hoping my stomach is shrinking and need to remember not to over stuff myself and stretch it out again.

This morning I weighed in at 267! That’s 4lbs for the week and 60lbs total!! I’m really quite impressed with myself (pat, pat - on my back) I have started diets and lost 10-30lbs more times than I can count but I have NEVER lost 60lbs. (in 4 1/2 months) It feels amazing…..unbelievable….incredible…… I can’t wait for the next 10, 20, and 100lbs to drop off my body! I have 1 more pound to lose for my 2nd mini goal to be achieved and that should happen next week.

I have decided that I am going to start the C25K (for real this time) in February. Again, changing the training from 9 weeks to 9 months. So, if I stick to the program I should (should being the key word) be able to run a 5k in November. We’ll see!! I’m hoping this helps make my workouts more interesting and gives me a goal to work for.

On to the next week of my new AWESOME life…..

I got up this morning and headed to the gym with Heather. I did 30 mins on both the eliptical and treadmill. It feel really good to be sweating and working out today! I’m hoping I have a nice number on the scale tomorrow. Anything less than last week and I’ll be thrilled! I love to play around with numbers like if I lose 10lbs a month, I’ll be this weight by April and such. Well, 1 of my goals is to be 199 for my birthday next year (January 12) so that this was the last birthday I celebrate over 200lbs. I figured out that I only need to average about 7lbs a month for that goal to happen! How exciting would it be to FINALLY be under 200lbs?! I just have to remain excited about eating right and working out and I KNOW the weight will come off and I’ll feel amazing!

I made the best new dinner last night! I got it out of WW Magazine and it turned out awesome! It was a Turkey and Potatoe Bake. It was turkey, onions and eggplant with pasta sauce, topped with potatoes and a milk, cottage cheese, feta and parsley mixture. It’s 7pts for 2 cups!

I had a pretty good workout too. I did 31mins on the eliptical (my knee started to hurt so I ended a little early) and 29mins on the treadmill. I wish I could figure out how to push myself to a new limit. I watch The Biggest Loser and see them gasping, crying and throwing up and although I understand they have Bob and Jillian yelling, “Shut the F*** up and DO IT!” I still want my workout to be more extreme and I’m not sure how to do that. I’m not looking for 8lbs a week either, I just want to know I sweat my b*lls off and feel great about my workout.

At the gym last night I decided that it was time to pump up my game! I need to learn more about HOW to workout, so I can achieve the weight loss that I want. Patti (my BFF) and I stopped by the desk on the way out and asked about prices for personal training. I think we are going to do a joint training session (1 hour) for $75. We both have the same goals, to lose weight. (mainly in our boobs and bellies) I’m hoping to learn many things I can use and then in another 6 or so months, have another session to learn where to go then. I definitaly can’t afford a weekly or even monthly trainer but I heard having just 1 session can really help. I want to learn about using free weights too…. very intimidating to step onto that side of the gym!

I am excited for dinner tonight too! Heather and I are trying a new recipe….. Portebello Mushroom wrap w/ Chili Bean spread… MmmmmMmmmm….. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

UPDATE: We made the wraps and I was not very impressed.  We won’t be making them again.  Always nice to try new things though…