Today I did something I don't think I've ever done. I spent 2 hours at the gym. Yes, let that sink in. 2.hours.at.the.gym. I did an hour on the treadmill, though I was only asked to do 40 minutes of cardio, I did a full hour because I took yesterday off instead of today, as my trainer had originally planned it. Then I did a circuit of resistance exercises that my trainer assigned me. This circuit consisted of small crunches, (3 sets of 15 reps), leg lifts with a stability ball (3 sets of 6 reps), plank position (modified with me on my elbows) 4 times for 5-6 seconds each time, ball slams with a 12 pound medicine ball (3 sets of 10 reps), and finishing up with box squats (3 sets of 12 reps).
The cardio was mostly walking, varying speeds and inclines. I wanted to test my endurance and jogging/running ability, so towards the end, I jogged at a 4.5 mph pace and was able to maintain it for 2 minutes straight the first time. I adjusted the speed back down to a fast walk to keep my heart rate in target range and to catch my breath, then tried it again and was able to stretch it for 3 minutes at that speed (flat incline for the jogs both times). So I ran for a total of 5 minutes. Not great shakes, but for me to be able to run for 3 minutes continuously, that is an achievement for me. It's kind of a big deal. I think I will do C25K as my cardio training and do the exercises the trainer gave me for resistance/strenght trining. This way I can kill 2 birds with one stone. My trainer was there working, and she popped over to see how I was doing. She seemed pleased with my workout. I left there a red faced, sweaty mess.
Having finished the workout, I'm feeling pretty good. It kicked my butt, and I feel like I really did something. The challenge is still to come though. I've lucked into a long weekend. I was put on standby yesterday, and was on call today but not needed, so I've been off for 4 days. It's back to work tomorrow. Will I have the energy to go to the gym after work? That is the question. I guess I will find out tomorrow. I will direct all of my positive energy and drive towards going and getting it done. It has to happen. Change has to start with me, and it has to be now.
Eating and being vegan is going ok too. I have been able to stick to a mostly vegan diet (as I said in the previous entry some animal products have shown up a few times in pre-prepared foods, but for the most part, I've been able to stay true to a vegan diet. I finally made some juices. I made a bit of carrot juice, and a green juice of kale/spinach/cucumber/green apple. They were tasty and they were nutritious. Today I got a Jamba Juice Amazing greens smoothie. I need to make up a shopping list to get me through the week, as I am starting to run through my current stock. I have no salads left, My fruits are dwindling. I need to start looking at making some foods and storing them to heat and eat. I want to keep up with the good eating I've been doing. I want to follow a proper vegan diet, balanced and all. Eating is a fine balance though. I want to keep eating enough to lose weight... I don't want to eat too much and cancel out the calories I've burned, and right now I am craving a savory filling meal. I will try some peanut butter on toast and an apple and see if that fills me up. The eating is going to be the tricky part. I know that the more active I become, the more calories I will need, but figuring out how much to eat, when to eat, and when it's appropriate, that will be my struggle, along with the usual struggles of motivation and energy. I would love a big ol' plate of mashed potatoes right about now. :p
Ok, now to munch of some peanut butter toast and watch The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, and relax.
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