Beginner- I mean, really

MamaJazz · 21-Jan-04, 10:58 AM

OK, so I am pretty much totally new to this- but I have made some significant healthy lifestyle changes, so I think I'm ready!

About me- well, I'm 25, 5'10" tall and weigh in close to 150 pounds. That is the heaviest I have ever been. I don't necessarily think I'm fat- but I am 25 pounds heavier than I was at this time last year.

I quit smoking in May of 2003, and am proud to report that I feel totally and 100% clean of that nasty habit. Now that I actually HAVE some lung capacity, I'm ready to use it.

I've been checking out local gyms, and have decided to give World Gym a try. I have 4 day-passes, and I'm going to start tonight by going to a back/abs class, trying out some of the cardio machines and possibly getting in some weights. I have an acquaintance who works there, so I feel confident that I'll be able to get help if I need it.

I have never had a fitness routine before. I used to hit the student rec center from time to time when I was a the University, but it was sporadic and I'm sure it didn't do me much good.

But I don't feel good about how I look anymore, and so it's time to do something about it!

So, here goes!

MamaJazz · 21-Jan-04, 01:46 PM

Went to the gym quick at lunch. Rude awakening.

Spent 10 minutes at about 60-70 rpm on the elliptical... my legs felt like spaghetti when I was done. So I stretched.

Did lateral raises (2 sets of 10 reps at 15 lbs) and then another one that I can't remember what it's called (same muscles as for lateral raises, plus triceps), 2 sets at 12 reps at 20 pounds.

I was winded. I'll admit it. Felt a tad dizzy- wanted water right away.

Wow, why didn't I do this sooner? I'm sure this is much harder at 25 than it would have been at 18. Oh well- at least I'm doing something about it now.

Still determined to go back for the abs class this afternoon.

**JawD** · 21-Jan-04, 03:39 PM

Firstly a big well done for quitting smoking :thumbup: then just as big a well done for stepping into the gym. I`d probably spend a week or so getting comfortable there, knowing your way around and getting to know their kit. Then maybe start to think about your aims and a routine.

Good luck :thumbup:

Lee J B · 21-Jan-04, 04:46 PM

Great stuff... love to hear about stories like this, keep it up bro you'll love the results I can promise you that. If you get into it more in a few months and need a solid routine cutting out - just give me a shout and I'll drop in here again...

MamaJazz · 21-Jan-04, 04:55 PM

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone- and yes, I am terribly terribly proud to have quit smoking! I figure if I was able to train myself off an addiction like nicotine, I can train myself into a regular fitness routine.

(And get this- my $40/month gym membership is less than HALF what I used to spend on sickarettes in a month!- not to mention better for me!)

CJNY · 21-Jan-04, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaJazz

And get this- my $40/month gym membership is less than HALF what I used to spend on sickarettes in a month!- not to mention better for me!

Wow! A person can't afford to be unhealthy at those prices.

Congrats on a good start.

Jackal · 21-Jan-04, 05:52 PM

Damn 80 bucks a month on cigs??????? Think of all the other things you could have bought with that.........

MamaJazz · 22-Jan-04, 05:01 PM

OK. Went to the gym after work last night.

Sat in and observed the abs/back class. Seemed pretty intensive for someone of my level of authority (= NIL), but they were very welcoming and the instructor stressed that you should only do what you feel comfortable doing. There was a guy in there that was having some trouble- and everyone was really nice to him (didn't make fun of him), so I take that as a good sign.

So I think I'm going to go back tonight and actually DO the class.

I got on the bike last night for cardio- did about 20 minutes at optimum cardio and decided to quit- because I knew if I did much more, then my legs would really hurt today and I would be discouraged from going back. I think I timed it just right, because I have a little burn in my thighs today, but it's bearable. They are a little tight, but I know they will feel better if I just go back and get on that bike again and loosen them up.

Then I went home and did 25 minutes of Pilates- mostly the ab stuff, some hip stuff. Felt pretty good.

So tonight I'm going to go try the abs/back class, and do another 20 minutes or so on the bike. Tomorrow night, I think I'll do weights again at lunch, and then they have this aerobics class that's supposed to be really fun- so I think I'll go observe, maybe join tomorrow night.

I feel pretty good about the fact that I want to go back today. That tells me that I didn't overdo it yesterday, at least not to the point where I didn't want to go back. I think that's where I've had problems before, is when I'll hit it hard one day and hurt so bad for the next couple that I don't want to do it again. I'm determined not to discouarge myself. In fact, I was questioning myself as to whether I should really go back tonight... didn't want to overdo it. But I figure that as long as I WANT to go, I should go, and keep up the momentum.

All in all, I do feel like this is a good beginning to something I can really sustain- and I deserve to do this for myself. I punished my body by smoking for too long, and now that I quit that, I want to reward my body. Do something good for me!

MamaJazz · 23-Jan-04, 10:02 AM

Kick a$$!

I went to the gym after work and participated in the abs/back class. It was a little tough at times (esp the back stuff- I had a pretty bad back injury about 7 months ago), but I made it all the way through- and I'm not really sore today at all, just a little tired in the middle.

Then I did the full half hour of cardio on the bike- and felt so amazingly GREAT when I was done! I was so thrilled, so high, I had to call someone- ended up being my mom and she just laughed at me being so giddy. I guess that's what runner's high is? Anyway, I still feel really good today and I stretched out good last night and took a good soak in the tub, so I am not sore in the legs today either.

I could see myself getting addicted to that high really easily- I mean, come on! Who DOESN'T want to feel that good, and all the better if you can do it naturally. I get a really good sense of accomplishment right now, knowing that I'm doing this nice thing for myself, for my body, for my health.

I sure hope that lasts! I'll have to save these early journal entries so that I can look back on it later and re-motivate myself, if need be. Because right now I'm still at the stage where I'm pretty disgusted with my body- I am the heaviest that I have ever been, wearing the largest jeans I have ever worn (Lerner size EIGHT, stretch!), can't get into my favorite jeans at all (size 5 Wranglers) and have a hard time getting into what USED to be my "fat" jeans (Lerner size 6). (To those who are reading this, I put the brands in there because the sizes always run different) Not to mention the look of soft, pudgy skin... not sexy at all. I owe it to myself to think of myself as sexy...

So anyway!

Feeling great about my progress already, and look forward to really getting after it. My goal right now is to be back down to my pre-quit size by the time I reach my one-year anniversary for quitting, May 14th. That's almost 4 months, roughly 20-25 pounds. I think that's an attainable goal. How great it will feel to throw on those low-rise jeans I bought to reward myself for quitting, at my ONE YEAR PARTY!

MamaJazz · 23-Jan-04, 01:57 PM

Tee hee... runner's high! Runner's high!

Just got back from the gym- another 30 minutes on the bike, all I had time for...

Wowee!

It hurt for about 6 minutes, then the burn went away. I guess my muscles were tighter than I thought, but they loosened up pretty good so I feel OK.

I can see something cool happening- I remember when I was a smoker, I was in awe of people who had quit. They amazed me. Then I quit and became one of those people.

Then, I stood in awe of people who worked out regularly and had really nice bodies.

Now I can become one of those people. Hey, if I can quit smoking, I can do this too!

MamaJazz · 27-Jan-04, 02:24 PM

Ugh- I am decidedly melancholy!

I made it to the gym Saturday, but we have had super-nasty weather the last couple of days and I haven't made it to the gym since then. Thank GOD I am going tonight, I have an appt with a trainer to figure out a routine for my shoulders. I cannot believe how much I MISS it and am just DYING to go back! Amazing, considering I used to avoid exercise like the plague.

I guess I just miss how good I feel when I do it!

MamaJazz · 28-Jan-04, 09:46 AM

I felt 100% better after I left the gym yesterday.

Had an appt with a trainer, and we started by talking about my general fitness goals, the amount of time I can dedicate to working out, etc. I go back tonight and we'll start the machines, figuring out what weight is right for me to start, what exercises I can do to hit all my muscle groups, etc. I'm looking forward to it! My shoulders are my primary area that I want to square up and improve tone right now, and I've been doing lateral raises and shoulder presses- he also had me try the seated row last night, which was cool.

I'm a little worried about my back, so I'm going to go ahead and set up an appt with a doc to get clearance to start a workout routine. I was a little sore from shoveling snow, but it's better today- still, I don't want to take any chances.

Looking forward to hitting the gym again today!

:thumbup:

MamaJazz · 29-Jan-04, 09:57 AM

Appt with the trainer went well- we're splitting my weight machine routine out among three days- day 1 will be chest/shoulders, day 2 will be arms and day 3 will be legs. Also, all three days will involve abs and back, the goal being to firm my abs and strengthen my back. I feel pretty comfortable with the routine, and I"m glad he went around and showed me the machines and had me use them- I feel more comfortable. Some of those machines, I had never seen before!

I'll probably do a Monday-Wednesday-Friday rotation, that's about easiest for me, so I'll start tomorrow with the lower body stuff. I've had plenty of upper-body this week, as I did my shoulder stuff I'd been doing on Tuesday, then went through all the machines last night, plus shoveling snow... I think my arms and shoulders deserve a little rest.

The trainer also advised me I should take a day off completely every week- which I guess I admit I didn't want to hear. I really really like the enjoyment I get out of doing cardio, but he knows his stuff so I better listen to him!

I can't say that I'm seeing any really obvious results yet, as in how my clothes fit or anything like that, but I definitely feel stronger, have more energy, more in tune with my body... which is cool. I sleep better, seem to me more mentally alert. All around, good things! I am definitely, of course, looking forward to seeing the results!

**Lady C** · 29-Jan-04, 10:43 AM

Don't forget to weight train those legs! I love what squats have done for my derriere!

MamaJazz · 04-Feb-04, 03:53 PM

Well, I've lost some momentum (as in been kinda whiney about going to the gym), but I seriously think it was because of the weather over the weekend, (we had lotsa nasty snow again) and the fact that I didn't make it for a couple days due to that and other obligations. However, I got back on track right away Monday and feel better about it.

Been doing the weights this week, this being the first full week of weights. Did chest/shoulders Monday and did shoulders/arms yesterday just in case I don't make it today (MORE snow forecast). Will do legs on the next possible visit.

Had some minor setbacks with the "diet", having had my brother-in-law's birthday party over the weekend... of course there was nothing to eat but heavy foods, and I really felt it would be rude to NOT indulge. So I've been kind of kicking myself, because I've allowed a couple small "slips" since then, but then I just have to remind myself that it is OK every ONCE IN AWHILE to eat those foods- I just need to not obsess about it.

Anyway, still noticing the difference from working out, and still loving it! My clothes just keep fitting better and better. I haven't made it back into the first goal pair of jeans, but I'm much closer! Maybe by this time next week.