The Beginning ~ Jully

Friday, November 14, 2008
First Run with Nike+

I had some trouble getting the Nike+ gadget started (probably because I didn't read the instructions), but once I got it going, it was pretty cool. It was a nice surprise to find out that 4 laps around our high school track is WAY over 1 mile. I'm noticing that running is getting a little easier for me. My goal is to get to 3-4 miles, and run them comfortably. Virginia told us "You should be able to hold a conversation when you run because the body needs oxygen to burn the fat". I'm definitely not there yet. I have to admit, it was tough to get up this morning for the run, but I reminded myself that today was the only time I could get my run in for this week before tomorrow's session. Honestly... it's only my 3rd run since the beginning of this experience and I really hope I can keep this up. To me right now, moderation is the key. As long as I don't over do it...

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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Body Unconscious

Yesterday was my first session at the Tenafly Studio, which had more machines, such as the chair, the cadillac, some kind of semi circle wooden unit, and lots of other props. I didn't get to use them, but guess which one is used for what? The session flowed much smoother than the previous two, one exercise right into the next. We were more comfortable, understood the intructions, and we began to feel and move along with our breath. The full connection is still not there, but I can sense that I'm getting there.
After each of the sessions, I get in the car and feel tighter in the mid section of my stomach right away. Overall, I have started to notice my body in an unfamiliar way. This is going to be a bit tough to explain. What I mean is, I am now realizing how fat I am. Yes, I'm using the word fat, don't worry, I'm ok with it (now).
For the past week or so, I've been looking at my body a lot differently. First thing, I am "LOOKing" at it. I can see the size of my calf, my waist, my arms, my double chin, and so on. I have looked at myself in the mirror plenty of times before, but I've never noticed it quite this way. I found myself saying, "Wow, I am pretty big." Now, don't feel bad... because I really don't. I feel like I have opened my eyes and have finally seen what I really look like. Really, I do weigh 188 lbs!
In my mind, I think I stopped gaining the weight, and stopped getting bigger visibly even when the scale told me otherwise. What's that called? Body Dysmorphia? Ok, not THAT bad, but I really have been unconscious of how big I've become. I can now focus on a few parts of my body and feel the muscles. They've always been there, but now I feel them in ways I didn't before. I can only compare myself to the people on the "Biggest Loser". You wonder how people ever allowed themselves to get that big? Well, I get it...

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Monday, November 10, 2008
Running

I did my 2 mile run this morning and I feel great about it. For work today, I attended a conference and one of the presentations spoke of Nike+. I've actually got a pair of Nike ID Zoon Jasari+ last month. The first time I wore them was on 11/3, after my first introductory Pilates session. I was sort of saving it for a special occasion. I only have an ipod shuffle, so I was not able to activate the Nike+ functionality, BUT today during the presentation they talked about the SportsBand, which does not need an ipod. It shows distance, pace, calories, and much more. Of course, during lunch I went out and got it. Here, you'll be able to see if I meet my goal of 2 runs per week. As you can see, for now it's still empty (even though I've already had 2 runs). My next run will be after my Wed. session. I'm just excited for my next run to see how the nike+ tracking will get updated. Very excited!

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Sunday, November 09, 2008
My weight

Today I jumped on my friend's scale. I weigh 188 lbs. This is the number I have to associate with my body for now. Part of me felt a relief, and another was in disbelief. Relief because I am not 194 lbs or more. (This is the most I have EVER weighed, so of course to me it's the number to fear.) Disbelief because at some point during the past year I was 175 lbs and I had not realized how much weight I had gained. I kept telling myself that I was bloated, I was stressed, and really believed that at any point I would go miraculously stay at 175 lbs. BUT the scale doesn't lie. I am 188 lbs. Realistically, I can only imagine losing about 20 lbs, which would put me at 168 lbs. Ideally, I would love to be in the 150's, which I have not been in a VERY long time. I was probably 17 when I was in the 150's, and came back to that weight again in my mid 20's. After I had reached my max of 194 lbs, I dieted by taking medication. I started at 194 and ended at 154 lbs in a matter of 3 months. I stayed there for about 1 week, before I gained every pound I had lost before the diet. Eventually, I want to be 130 lbs. That would make me happy. Not 110 or 120... I don't want to be skinny, I just want to be normal, healthy, and outside of the "obese" category. Of course, this would mean I would have to lose 60 lbs. My actual weigh in for the program will be this weekend. I hope the numbers will look better by then. Activity: I didn't go running today, but had a light lunch and dinner. I plan to go for a run in the morning. Body: My body is still sore in a few areas. At this time, I'm not sure if it's from Canyon Ranch or from Saturday's work out. My ribs are sore (right below my chest), my triceps are tight, my lower abs hurts when I sneeze or when I try to get into the car, and the thighs. Learning: Just Pilates alone will not do it. I have to do cardio AND become more concious about the food I ingest. Yeah, it's that simple. Right?!?!

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Saturday, November 08, 2008
2nd Session - 8th Day

We didn't have our weigh in nor our measurements done today, but I had a FULL hour of pilates this morning. Twenty minutes into the work out, I was breaking a sweat. There were a few exercises I just couldn't do properly. It was difficult keeping my neck and shoulders stable in the right place. After the class, Shannon, my pilates buddy, and I caught up. This was the first meeting with each other after the first introduction session last Saturday. I asked if she was sore after the first session, and she pointed right to the middle of her stomach, this was where I was sore too. I felt a sense of comfort. I am still sore from Canyon Ranch, but I'm hoping I'll feel better soon. Ironically, of all the classes I participated on, the "Pilates with Props" was the one class I just could not keep up with. I'll try to go for a run tomorrow to keep up with the cardio portion of the work out. One week has passed, and I'm still going strong.

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Friday, November 07, 2008
Back from Canyon Ranch

On Wednesday, November 4th I got an amazing opportunity to go to Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachussetts. Unfortunately, I had to miss my second class, but in exchange I took tons of classes: 2 hiking trips, body muscle conditioning, mind and body (yoga position + body training), strip class, pilates with props, and 2 mile jog. Intitally I was worried about missing the 2nd class, but I believe I've made up for it. I did TONs of CARDIO. Tomorrow will be my 2nd class, and the day I will be measured and weighted. I am a bit nervous to find out my weight.

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Monday, November 03, 2008
Day 3: November 3rd, 2008

With the time change this weekend, I decided to take advantage of it and woke up at 6:30 for a run. Good thing my body thought it was 7:30 instead. My goal was to just get through 1 mile, but I surprised myself with doing 2 more laps around the track. I ran 1.5 miles, if you count the walking... about 2 miles. I intended to start slow and safe, so I can't believe I ran faster and longer than planned. So far, so good.

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Sunday, November 02, 2008
Day 1: November 1st, 2008

November 1st, 2008 is the day Pilates changed my life. Well, at least this is what I'm hoping for.I met my instructor, Virginia, and my new buddy on this journey, Shannon. During the first portion of the session we talked about Joe Pilates, the machines, the program, Virginia's background, and our goals. In addition to our 2 sessions per week, Virginia suggested we also add 2 days of cardio for our heart and lungs. With Pilates I focus more on whether I am doing the exercises correctly. Every exercise requires the right posture and breathing; with NO exception. Some of them were definitely more difficult than the others. Specifically, the ones that required muscles that were not awake: the shoulders, the back of my thighs, and the hips. We used both machines and did about 4-5 reps of each exercise. After a few exercises, I did get warm, but did not drip in sweat; which is common for me when I do any other type of exercise. Here's an image of one of the toughest exercise we did: Virginia explained to us that we would start feeling sore in 2 days, but I admit I feel a few sore spots already. When I sneezed this morning, the center of my stomach is a bit sore. So are the back of my legs when I move in a certain way. The first session has been educational, and productive. I didn't feel like I was straining my body during the exercises, and the sore spots feel great. Virginia mentioned that I will notice "something" different with time. I've noticed myself tucking my stomach in, maybe that's it? Or it could be that it's because I'm sore.

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Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Scale

My first session has been scheduled for this Saturday at the Fort Lee Studio. Of course I'm still very excited and eager to start. I haven't weighed myself in quite sometime, so that should be interesting. Last time I checked I was 194 lbs. I haven't weighed myself since then. There was a point in my life when I used to weigh myself at least 3x per day: morning, before/after meals, and right before bed. It was during this time that I understood the effects of water weight, salt, starvation, stress, and obsession. I can loose 5 pounds overnight, I can gain 5 pounds overnight. Yes, this is my super power.

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Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Official Post

Are you looking to make a change to your body? Whether its weight loss, pain reduction, athletic improvement, better alignment & posture or just overall health improvement, then this is the gig for you.
Jumping Frog Pilates, a Bergen County health & wellness company is looking to cast 5 regular people as their spokespersons. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. So if you or someone you know is interested in applying, follow the information below.

We're looking for the following characteristics:
1. Woman, 40-something, may or may not play golf or tennis, wants to lose a little bit of weight (10-20 lbs)
2. Teen (14-20 years old) wants to lose a little bit of weight (10-20 lbs)
3. Man, 40-60 years old, may or may not play golf, has back, hip and/or shoulder pain, may or may not want to lose a little bit of weight
4. Woman, 65+ looking to improve posture, flexibility and overall body aging
5. Post-Partum Woman 28-40 years old having had a baby within past 3 months looking to lose baby weight and regain core/pelvic floor strength

Application process includes written app (which can be faxed or emailed to interested parties) followed by an in-person interview for those who make it past the written application process. You will be compensated with four months of free health, wellness & fitness services. Candidates must live in Bergen County NJ and be willing to commit to a four month regimen for goal achievement.
If interested, please respond to the above email address and we will send you an application. Applications will be accepted after September 22nd and the start of the four month program will begin on October 20th. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
First Contact

Virginia, my pilates instructor, called me today. We have determined that we will meet on Wednesdays @ 7pm in Tenafly, and Saturdays @ 9am in Fort Lee. Each session will be 1 hour long, and she suggested I wear leggings and t-shirt, or long sleeve shirt (no sweatshirts, tanktops, and basketball shorts are preferred). She'll get back to me on the official start date. As she described her schedule, I really feared it would coincide with work. I work in the city and the earliest I leave work is 6pm. It takes me about 1.5 hours to get to Tenafly, so in a normal situation 7pm in Tenafly would be out of the question, BUT... how often do you "win the lotto"?, as my friend put it. I will have to let work know that once a week, I'll have to leave earlier. Fortunately, my boss knows how important this is for me, so I'm hoping it won't be a problem. I'm still very excited and somewhat anxious.

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
This is where it begins or where it ends.

Right now, I'm waiting for a call from Virginia, my future pilates instructor, my Future instructor. I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm a little nervous. One thought that has crossed my mind, is whether or not I am "fit" (physically) to follow this program. I really don't want to disappoint her, or myself. So many are involved in this effort, and all are dependent on my success. And my success will be defined by how good I look at the end of this journey, which I cannot even imagine. More important than the weight loss, success will probably defined by how great I feel and how healthy I become. Here's a bit more detail on what's been happening: Jumping Frog Pilates was looking for 5 spokespeople, and II am one of the chosen ones. The program will include Pilates, Accupuncture, and even a Nutritionist for 4 months. Need I ask for more?
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