Days 7-9 A Fish (Oil) Tale

Ok, so day 7 I went to the gym...day 8...I didn't...and day 9 (today) I did. Boy, do I have a story for you today, dear reader. And it's all about the effects of fish oil. I was instructed in May to start taking fish oil because of my cholesterol levels...I did take it for awhile, but there was one side effect that I just didn't care for....flatulence! Everyone knows that a lady NEVER toots. So, I stopped taking it.

Along with changing my eating habits and exercising, I decided that I would also do the things that I am supposed to do: take my vitamins, a digestive enzyme (thanks John!) and take my fish oil. Anyone who has ever taken (or is taking) fish oils knows that there are a few undesirable side effects. The only one I feel somewhat comfortable talking about is the flatulence. Over the past few days I've noticed that my backside has a mind of it's own....and at some of the most inconvenient times it tries to have a discussion with me: conference calls, team meetings, walking in the grocery store.....and lately, working out at the gym!

This morning began like any other morning....I got to the gym, stepped upon the treadmill and set it to go. About ten minutes into my walk...my butt starts trying to talk to me again. I was not alone in the women's room this morning...so imagine me walking on the treadmill, clenching my cheeks (and not the ones on my face), walking at a brisk pace. (Bright side, I bet my glutes got a good workout!) This maneuver only lasted about a minute when my butt revolted! With each step, air leaked out. All I could envision was a skit that Larry the Cable Guy did on his grandmother with her walking farts! Luckily, the fans were on and the equipment that we were using were loud. I'm not sure if there was a stench associated with the noise (in my experience the last few days, there was) and thankfully there was no one behind me!

Still, images of passed out people in workout attire (circa Olivia Newton John's "Physical" video) ran rampant through my mind. I had the biggest grin while continuing my treadmill routine. The poor older woman sharing space with me must have wondered. Or maybe, the machines and fans weren't as loud as I thought they were and she knew?

My "noisy" backside continued during my weight workout...my butt firmly pressed into the seats to avoid any notification that my body was revolting on me. Until......the last machine......the ab cruncher machine......last set of 15. The room has grown to three other people besides me. My backside seemed to have calmed down a bit. I got up, got the disinfectant, sprayed the machined and as I wiped it down...without warning......the loudest fart I have EVER made came out of my body! I swear ALL of the machines stopped, even the fans! The three older women turned, simultaneously, and looked at me. And I sheepishly said "Excuse me.....fish oil." With knowing nods, the activity in the room continued! And I laughed my proverbial ass off in the shower!!!

Bottle of Fish Oil....$9.95. Gym Membership....$29.95 Farting Loudly in an echoy room....PRICELESS!

Day 6....Not Weighing In

Today was Day 6, and last night was a very horrible night for sleeping. It was hot, muggy, and miserable. I was riddled with bad, horribly bad, dreams. I kept feeling like someone was in my room watching me. My alarm went off at 6am and I was equal parts relieved and devastated. I wanted to sleep...just sleep. But, I got up anyway. I stumbled into the bathroom to brush my teeth and get ready. And off I went, work bag, gym bag and lunch bag in hand.

I had the Women's room all to myself this morning. My thighs are still aching from my workout on Saturday...but I did it. I was a bit slower on my treadmill walk than I had wanted to be, but I got a good workout nonetheless. The weights didn't get easier and there are a few I'd like to burn in effigy. But alas, I've survived...it was a week ago this evening that I joined this gym and got that 260lb shock!

Out of curiosity, I stepped on that same scale today and it said that I gained almost 3 pounds!! Now, I was wearing my sneakers this morning, so I'm going to account for some of that weight being my sneakers...but moral of the story..I am NOT weighing myself again until the date circled on my calendar.

Tonight I will measure myself and track inches lost as well.

Slips Ups and Make Ups

So, I didn't blog about Day 4 yesterday...I had an early morning appointment for my foot, a sort of follow up to my ankle surgery in November. The good news is that my ankle has healed very nicely...the bad news is that I'm getting tendonitis on the inside of my foot now...so, ibuprofen regiment for the next two weeks and if that doesn't help...I might have to get orthotics.

Now, I'm a fairly patient woman...although some may disagree with that statement. But when driving in traffic...I've always been the "go to" person because of my cool disposition...not lately however. I'm stuck in Portland traffic leaving the office to head home. But yesterday, I said that I was going to work out at the gym on my way home...and I did. The workout was great. I was feeling good...had calmed down from my aggravating ride from the office to the gym.

The gym is less than two miles from my home...it took me almost half an hour to get home! By the time I got home I was so aggravated and I slipped into an old habit. (Rather, a habit I'm hoping to make old.) I got a glass of wine. Doesn't sound bad, right? The bad part comes in that I truly, truly like wine. And I have no self-control when it comes to wine. Once I open a bottle...I will finish it and open another. It's not something I'm entirely proud of...and it's something I've been consciously trying to change...last night...I drank a bottle of wine.

Today, I went for Day 5 at the gym. I didn't fail last night. This isn't about failing...this is about changing myself for the better. So, dear reader...today is a new day. And I'm feeling good about myself.

Day 3 Tiredness

So, I did make it to the gym this morning. Last night, I got my weight training orientation, did one circuit on those fancy machines and went home. This morning, the usual routine, made it to the gym...a little earlier this morning because I really wanted to do one more circuit. That work out is pretty intense...this morning I inadvertantly choose "hills" on the treadmill...but once I noticed it, I stayed committed...I actually liked it better than endurance, I might switch them off each day.

I took my morning shower in the cramped shower stall...dried off, and when I went to get dresse, I noticed that I left my "good" bra home! Resigned to my fate, I put the old sweaty bra on (there was just no time to go home, get the good bra AND make it to work on time.) Yes folks, I'm at work with an old sweaty bra. However, I'm grateful that it was the bra that I forgot and not the panties...NOW that would have been GROSS!

I'm thinking about taking tomorrow off...I'm a bit sluggish today and I'm feeling some muscle fatigue. I do have an early morning doctor's appointment so going to the gym in the morning will be a bit difficult. My current plan is to pack my bag with my gym clothes (instead of work clothes) and if I'm feeling good after work tomorrow, I'll stop in at the gym.

So, dear reader...day 3 and I'm still committed...now, if I could just come up with a better eating plan!

Endurance....

So, the alarm goes off at 6am again this morning...my mom calls around 6:25am to remind me to go to the gym. I really did not want to get out of bed....I have very restless nights and sleep is a commodity that I have little of...but, I got out of bed. Brushed my hair, brushed my teeth and put on my work out close...out the door by 6:50am...at the gym by 6:55am and on the treadmill at 7:00am.

Today, I choose the Endurance Level 1, 30 minute excursion. I read the Today show...thanks to closed captioning. And just went for my walk. This time, it was just challenging enough for me to have to work, but not show challenging that I hated it! I think I'll stick with this program for at least the next week...a good way to re-introduce myself to the land of the moving. Tonight, I get to meet my trainer and get my weight training orientation. I'm thinking that I want to focus on my core muscles...this may help with some back pain that I've been experiencing and then I might begin to sleep a little better.

Endurance....I'm not sure if that's a good adjective for my morning treadmill program....or my morning wake up call. Maybe both...but not too sound too much like a cliche...this time just FEELS different to me.

Day 1----No turning back now

My alarm promptly goes off at 6am this morning, alerting me to the task that I've assigned for myself....my first trip to the gym. Now, I'm not sure how many of you reading this REALLY know me...but you'll know that I'm neither a night OR a morning person. That being said, I'd rather suffer through waking up early than staying up late...I can't handle many late nights...I hit my wall, as my husband refers to it, and will sleep where standing! So, 6am...my mom says she's going to call too....6:05, 6:10 (alarm goes off again), mind you I'm awake, I'm just not moving.

6:20 my alarm goes off...a way to deflect the task ahead is to ask my husband "Wanna do it?" Of course, he struggles with that answer. But knowing that I'm having issues with my self-esteem, body image, etc...he politely refuses and tells me to go to the gym.

I get to the gym around 6:45. I'm dressed and ready to work out. I have my "shower equipment" and work clothes neatly packed in a bag...almost like an overnight visit with a new friend. There are no more than a dozen cars in the parking lot. In the "main workout room" there are four older gentlemen (60-70's) working on the cardio equipment. Downstairs in the "Women's Only" workout room, there are 3 women...I can do this...I can handle this.

I set the treadmill for 25 minutes thinking it's going to kill me...but the end result will be worth it. That first 25 minutes went by so quickly, I wanted to do more....alas, I had to shower my sweaty ass and get to work....

The shower is a whole other story of cramped spaces, and forgotten flip flops!

But, I did it! I went and survived Day 1....tomorrow...Day 2 and more time on the treadmill...then tomorrow night, my first appointment with my trainer.

A new journey

My bathing suit is dying...the threads are coming loose and you can pull pieces of elastic out of it in various places. It's a cute skirted, black bathing suit that has gotten me a lot of compliments in the last 8 years that I've had it. But as with most things....it's time is waning. So, I trekked off to a few places to "bathing suit shop."

Now, most women....no matter their size...do NOT like to bathing suit shop. The reasons are very clear...dressing room mirrors are made to make you appear unflattering. Your legs bulge, your stomach sticks out, your boobs sag...it's just a horrible, horrible experience for most women! For me, it's worse than most...I found a cute bathing suit on sale for $20. I take two different sizes a 2X and a 3X, knowing that there's no way the 3X is going to fit, it's going to be too big. Boy was I wrong!!! Not only was it not too big, but it was very, very snug. My legs looked like 50 pounds of flabby, cottage cheese. My thighs didn't separate. I was absolutely mortified at myself. How? When? Why?

And finally...NO MORE!!! I cannot live the rest of my life this size. I cannot be that old woman with the huge ass sticking out, with calf's the size of normal thighs...I can't do it. I won't do it. I HAVE to change it. And, I'm the only one that can!

Introducing 21st Century Family Fitness. $49 sign up fee....$29.95/month...if in the first four months I lose 30 pounds....my membership is free....for LIFE. Talk about double motivation...lose weight AND save money!! This place is not only talking to my vanity but my wallet!

So, folks....here's the transparency of my journey...today, I'm 260lbs. My current goal is to be 230lbs by November 20, 2009! Wish me luck!