Friday, July 31, 2009

Excuses....

I thought I would make a list of my most frequent excuses not to workout :-( because I actually caught myself yesterday doing that exact thing........

*I don't have the time! (My Curves workout is only 30 minutes, that's bull* )

*My cars not working (which it isn't at the moment, but I have a bike and a moped to get there)

*I'm too tired (this is a popular one, but working out gives me more energy)

*I really don't have the time to get there ( I have a treadmill at home... another bull*)

*I have no one to workout with (I found that relying on someone has not helped so much in the past, the person loses drive and then causes me to lose my drive.. you can only depend on yourself)

These are just a few of the lame excuses I have used. Now every time I want to make another one, I will look on here and it will probably be on my list...

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Curves Workout

I promised I would post some information about Curves Health Clubs for Women. In my city we have at least 4 locations and more are coming all the time. There is pretty much a location in any part of the city. I do know that when you are a Curves member you can get travel passes to workout at any other curves so this helps if you do a lot of traveling or want to work out with a friend that lives farther away. Curves is a circuit training workout with machines placed in a circle. You are on a machine for 30 seconds, then switch to the next so you are constantly moving. Each machine works specific parts of your body. In between each machine there are recovery stations where you keep your heart rate up by either jogging in place on them or whatever you want (some women decide to dance, its hilarious). I go around the circuit two times each time I go, but you can go however many times you want. Once I start losing more weight I will be going around 3 times. The other members there are very encouraging, and the employees are as well. You pick days each month to get weighed and measured which definitely does help you keep track of your success. Every curves is different so each place has there own fun style. Our Curves has games we play each day to win awesome prizes, books to borrow, Raffles...something everyday. I absolutely love it there! And the best part is that I feel comfortable being around only women because I do not have to worry about feeling self conscious when I work out, which has definitely stopped me in the past from completing affective workouts. Tge website is www.curves.com. Check it out! Right now they are having a special for the rest of the summer free if you sign up now. (That may not be at every Curves..but most Ive seen are having this promotion). Majority of the locations usually let you try the workout out for a week or two just to see if its something you want to pursue. The fees are minimal and its worth it to take control of your life back.

How I plan to do it.....

I have spent a little time thinking about how I am going to take the weight off. As many of you know, its very hard to continue on with healthy eating practices with a partner that can eat whatever they want. My boyfriend is that way, and all though he means well- he does not do a good job of keeping that yucky food away from me. Last night he offered me pizza :-(. I resisted but it gets hard when he does that more than once throughout a day. He is not by any means fat but he does have a little belly but you could never tell under his clothes and hes comfortable that way. I am not about to force my wanting to change my lifestyle on him. That wouldn't be fair. But I did however, ask him to help me out and not bring me home a soda, and not offer me fast food. He said he would do anything to help so that's where we are at. I believe that your spouse or just the people you live with is one of the most important aspects in being successful in anything. All though no one can make you do something, its ultimately your decision- I know how big of an impact they can have. Other resources I have is a Curves Membership. I have been going to one of the local Curves since January of this year. I have lost 14 lbs but no more than that. Its a great place to go workout and the people there are great. Many people have the idea that Curves is for older women, yes it is! ITS FOR ANY WOMEN!!! Our Curves has women of all age groups from 18-75 believe it or not. I love it there and I just recently got back in my routine of going each morning. Its a 30 minute workout, but trust me- if you put in something there, you will definitely get it back. The people that go there and hardly try or push themselves, they are the ones that do not lose. I managed to lose a little bit of weight just by going there 3x a week for I believe it was a month straight. I would say that's pretty good. Anyone that is interested in Curves I will post a blog with more information on what it is but I highly suggest just going to the website or even visiting one in your area. They are very friendly people and its very easy to join... As far as more resources, I also have a new Trek Bike that my boyfriend got for me. Its pink, my favorite color (which you will continue to learn throughout my blogs I'm sure).

I have used it probably 3 times. This saddens me:-( There is no reason why I cant take a half hour ride each morning for some additional excercise. Better yet, I could always ride my bike to Curves which for me is about 2 miles away, not far. Good Ideas. I also have a Nordic Trac Treadmill which is collecting dust at the moment. All these "tools" I have had that I haven't used, but I will be....

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Why I want to lose this weight.....

I am pretty much sick of being utterly, ridiculously, sickly critical of myself. I am sick of starting a diet and somehow failing again and again and again. I am sick of complaining about how chubby I have gotten. I am sick of missing out on fun summer activities because I do not want people to see me in a swim suit. I am sick of finding outfits to cover up the "problem areas" I have. I am sick of not being able to find my size in a shirt I want, or having to look in the back of the rack for my size. I am sick of wearing black. I am sick of looking this way and its finally time I do something about it. A little more information on me... I am 24 years old, as you already know and I am about 5'10". SO, I am not a petite gal. Growing up I was always very slender, and had no problems with my weight. I have grown into an emotional eater. I get bored a lot, and that is probably my biggest excuse (feels good to admit that finally:-) ). I was a decent size through high school (all though I thought I was huge) looking back, Id kill to be that size again. I graduated high school and BAM!!!! Packed on the lbs. Most of it was when I met my boyfriend of currently 4 years. We spent every second together, mostly watching movies and eating out (THE ENEMY-FAST FOOD). From there I put on around 80 lbs. I was around 200 lbs when I met him, which was not skinny but better than I am now. For my body type, at 180lbs, I look decent. I am confident at that weight, and I am not about to lose too much and have my bones stick out. I don't find that attractive and my boyfriend certainly doesn't. If I get back down to that weight, and I feel I need to lose more, than I will certainly try but I am not going for a unrealistic goal. Back to my life.. :-) I am the type of person who has begun to avoid friends or family functions for fear that people will be shocked at how big Ive become. I have always been the girl with the pretty face and skinny legs. Well my face may be still awesome but my legs sure as hell arn't skinny anymore. Neither is my mid section. So I have lost quite a few friends over the last few years, and have estranged relationships with many of my close cousins that were some of my closest friends because of it. Sad huh? While all my friends are out going to bars, parties or camping, boating ect.. I am home doing mostly nothing making countless excuses why I can't be at these places. I have NEVER been the person to stay at home every weekend. I was always the life of the party, and had the best times! I want that again. Don't get me wrong, I am content being at home with Andrew, but I wanna have time with my girlfriends again. Not only that but I want to be able to go to the lake with my boyfriend and go swimming without having to wear shorts, tank top and a shirt :-). I want to accept the invitation when our friends ask us to go boating, and not say no because I am afraid of being the biggest one there. Many of my friends have given up on getting me out and before I would act like I didn't care but now, I am realizing what I have done. I am 24 and these are suppose to be the best years of my life and I am wasting them away on these extra lbs. Well not anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO WAY!!!!