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Mythbuster: Food doesn’t make things better
JENNIFER
Friday November 7th It has been another stress full week. Work had to be top priority and everything else had to fall into place after that. I do feel guilty when I have to choose, but realize that sometimes that’s just the way it is. I didn’t get to work out but once this week. I did make it for a few minutes to weigh in and for a pep talk from Angela late on Thursday. I still maintained the same weight but I still think I am loosing inches and toning muscles. I really want to see the scales move next week. It’s now time to change up some of my classes to increase the cardio workout.
The more I am involved with this program, the more I realized how much I had depended on food to reduce my stress. Every direction I went in this past week there was food. Doughnuts, bagels, cheese biscuits, candy. It was everywhere. I realized that in the past I would just eat because it was there. For some strange reason I thought it would make me feel better. This time was different. I stuck with my diet! When I got stressed, I pulled out my apple slices and pretended they were a huge bag of chips! If that didn’t help, I would take a short walk and get a little fresh air. I may not have made it to the gym every night but I think I managed to fight a much bigger enemy - myself! I realized that food has nothing to do with how I feel - I have that control. That’s a pretty good feeling!
Tuesday November 11th I am so sore! I made it to the gym last night for my first Kettle Bell class. Angela teaches this class and she asked the class before it started if we were scared. I guess she could see it ALL over my face. At least I wasn’t the only “newbie” and I managed to make it through - but it was tough! It is amazing to me how a 10 pound weight shaped like a bell could work so many muscles. I found more muscles that I didn’t know I had. They are now screaming at me. I can tell I didn’t work out last week and now my muscles are re-adjusting again. My husband has been a great motivator through this entire process, but he does get a good laugh when he has to help me out of the car because I can’t move.
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The dreaded cheeseburger, part II
JAQUINA
Mon, Nov. 3rd Uhhh, its Monday already back to the swing of things well it will be a little different this week because the class schedules have changed at the Y. So I didn’t have time this morning to do all 20 mins on an empty stomach, but I did walk in place for like 10 mins this morning. Today we have circuit class. I really like this class but sometimes I don’t like to be bothered with people and I think today is one of them, so I am heading to the elliptical (my friend now!) and “get my cardio on”. I hope all this elliptical and treadmill are going to pay off, because I can’t stand another week like last week. I am adding different things in my diet this week too, I am finding out that now that I am eating I am not as grumpy as before either.
Tues, Nov. 4th Today is exciting for me, I am so high on energy, I think it does have to do with exercising but also the fact that today we have an historic presidential election going on! I can’t wait for the results. I am at the Y no complaints from me, I am getting in 1 hour of cardio today and did it with a smile! I need this adrenaline rush everyday. I have been tempted to go to a few election parties that my friends are having, but I have way too much to do at home to do that. So lucky for me, I want have to fight off the urge to sample all of the treats they serve at these get to-gathers! I am up late tonight, I got to watch all the results..I hope I am not too tired tomorrow to work out!
Wed, Nov. 5th OH WOW, I am up before time this morning. Today is a great day, our country elected its first African American president! This is so inspirational! I have a whole new outlook on things there is nothing that I can’t accomplish if I put my mind to it, so I am in the gym with Angela doing my one on one and I am not about to complain (I will save that for another day, when I am not feeling as pumped!) and I am doing my exercises like this doesn’t hurt! Dinner time I don’t even think about having one of the cookies my girls are eating don’t even want it. I guess I am finally realizing that eating healthy is not so bad!
Thurs, Nov. 6th It’s here weigh in day! All I am thinking is please no, no more gain, if not a lost just maintain or something. So we meet during lunch and we work out with Angela 1 on 1, however we have to come back to weigh in this afternoon as a group. I am really enjoying this new class schedule because the more time I have working with Angela the better I feel about my working out. It just seems like with her their pushing me I can’t slack off! Angela and I get our signals crossed and I didn’t get to meet back up with her. I did a few of the weight machines and I headed home. I am so nervous about weighing in, although finally this week, my clothes are starting to feel loose. That is a great feeling!
Fri, Nov. 7th Today we have to meet at 11, I will weigh then and let Angela look over my food journal. I really hope that all of my cardio this week paid off and my increase of calories did too. Well I am too anxious to know and I weigh myself in the locker room at the gym and I didn’t think that it was a lost so I report it to Angela and when she records it, it’s a 2 pound weight lost! (Go Jaquina, Go Jaquina!) that’s what I was saying in my head! I know it doesn’t seem like much, but as hard as I been working, that’s is great for me! I am like the turtle in the race with the rabbit…slow and steady..I am going to reach the finish line!
Sat, Nov. 8th Today I am up early as usual heading to the 9:30 funk class, now I arrive at the gym early trying to get in a good spot in the class and there is no use by the time I get there my friend and I squeeze into the back of the class. I mean the room is filled to capacity (well it looked that way!). We try the class for about 15 minutes and after nearly bumping the man in front of me and the person on the side of me, with my twisting and spinning, I decide I have had enough “funk” for today. So I head to the treadmill, elliptical and weights like Angela showed us the day before. I got very sweaty, my friend and I ended up working out for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. I am proud of myself! Well I did it, today was the first day since we started our “Get Fit Challenge” that I had a cheeseburger! Yes I said it, I had a cheeseburger and a fry. It was so good, but I noticed I got full quicker than normal and I felt so guilty after eating it. I really hope it doesn’t mess me up too bad for the upcoming week.
Sun, Nov. 9th Today is suppose to be my rest day, but I eaten a few things that were not so healthy this weekend, so I have to find something to do. You know once I got up on Sunday, after eating my cheeseburger I didn’t have the energy and spunk I normally have. So we grill out today, this time, I have beef that is 93% fat free, I use a whole wheat bun, and I put the same toppings as yesterday lettuce, tomatoes and onions and guess what, it tasted even better! Guess what else? It was half the calories…On Sundays one of the local radio stations play what they call “junk joint Sundays” well, (don’t tell anyone, but I love that kind of music, the kind you hear playing in the movie Color purple when Sugg Avery sung)_so I put on some sweats and the girls and I started going, I tried to remember every aerobic step I had done in the classes I have been taken and after the hour we (well I, my girls had laid down and said that they were exhausted after 15 mins) were done, I was soaking with sweat. I hope that helped with the cheeseburger just a little bit! So I concluding that the next time I want a burger, its better to make it at home…Let’s just hope my brief moment of bad judgment didn’t cause me to throw my progress all off track…Keep your fingers crossed for me, because I may need it!
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That’s right, I said I was going to get a cheeseburger
SHAWN
Oct 28th- I went to the gym last night after work and again tonight. I have a friend from work who has joined the Y ( I hope I had some influence on that) so I met her there. I still do my own routine. I did a lot of cardio. I actually worked out for about an hour and a half. I felt good but I was tired. I still had to go home, go over homework, fix dinner and give my daughter her bath. By the time all that was accomplished, I was down for the count.
Oct 29- I went to circuit training today and then I went back to the gym after work. I have been working extra hard. I still feel better but I want to see a real difference in my weight.
Oct 30- Okay…Tonight we had to meet with Angela to work out and weigh. I just knew that I was going to have a weight loss. Well, I did but it was only a pound. I thought it would have been more. I think Angela thought we all would have lost and when all the results were in, we were all frustrated. So, she had us doing more cardio and encouraged us to start doing cardio for 20 minutes when we first get up in the mornings. That’s going to be tough.
Oct 31- Jaquina and I had to meet with Angela this morning. We did the treadmill, the elliptical and the bike. We did that for 40 minutes. My legs were killing me. We talked while we worked so it made the time go by faster. I have found that is better when you have a partner. We tried to give each other pep talks.
Nov 1- I had plans with my daughter today so it was hard to try and fit in some exercise. I feel guilty on the weekends if I take time away from her to exercise because I do it so much during the week.
Nov 2- Today was my rest day. We had a birthday party to go to and of course I took my camera and took tons of pictures. When I was looking through them, I could tell that my face was thinner. Woo Hoo! That was an awesome feeling. I am my worst critic so for me to notice it was a good thing.
Nov 3- I missed circuit today but I went to the gym after work and went to it. I ran, did the treadmill, elliptical and some weights.
Nov 4- I went back to cycling today against my better judgment. I know that class is a great workout but I still don’t like it. I can tell I am getting stronger because this time I was able to stand up and pedal when we were instructed to. I didn’t stay up the whole time but it was an improvement and it made me feel like I was making progress. I have to say that I was supposed to meet with someone from The Telegram right before class so I got there a few minutes early and she wasn’t there, but guess who was the first person I saw when I got to the top of the stairs….Angela. See, I was having a bad day. A very bad day. I was hoping that after I talked to the reporter that the cycling class would have already started and I would conveniently just leave and make a run to the Cookout. That’s right. I was going to get a big fat cheeseburger. I was having an I don’t care day. But, Angela saved the day because she was right there when I came up the stairs so not going to cycling was not an option. After I left the class I felt so happy that I didn’t eat that cheeseburger.
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Slower weight-loss dampens enthusiasm
JENNIFER
Thursday, October 30th
It was another tough week. We had a weigh-in with Angela today. I didn’t lose any this week. Although I know I have lost inches, it was still hard not to see the numbers change on the scales. It makes all of the pain and aggravation goes away when you see major results. I was able to fit into a pair of jeans and dress paints that were in my “I’ll lose weight and be able to wear them again box”! That did make me feel really good! People are starting to see the results too. We had to RUN again today and work with the kettle bell in between laps. I managed to get through it even though my shins were screaming at me. My endurance (or pain tolerance) has increased so I can get through exercises a little faster now. Because I finished with still time left on our 45 minute workout, off to the elliptical machine we went. I tried the reverse psychology hoping that if I pretend to like it, we wouldn’t have to do it again. I doubt that will happen - but I did manage to stay on it for 15 minutes!
I did well again with my diet but Angela said we needed to take our workouts up a level. We needed to add 20 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning before eating breakfast. This would help jump start our metabolism. That has truly been tough for me. My girls get on the bus at 7am and I am at work by 7:30 - so I already get up at the crack of dawn. I’ve managed to get in between 10 and 15 minutes - but it has truly been hard. I hope it will make a difference next week.
Nov. 2
It’s been a tough weekend. If Halloween was hard to get through, I can only imagine what Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be like. There are too many temptations which make making wise and health choices even harder to do. I managed to get through trick or treating with only a handful of candy corn and a few jelly beans. I knew if I had tried anything else, even in moderation, then I would want more. I have also found that staying on a normal routine as far as times of meals is hard to do on the weekends. Our schedules stay so busy and it’s very easy to realize that you have missed lunch. Hopefully things will still get easier.
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Jaquina’s bumpy week ends on high spot
JAQUINA
Mon., Oct. 27th I am well rested from Sunday, well its time to get back to it. In the morning I get my usual a whole wheat bagel and some fat free cream cheese. Today I am feeling a little nauseated and a little dizzy. I wonder what’s going on. Cycling today with Angela went well. I think I am so nervous about not losing the weight that I am making myself sick! I have got to realize that this is not a contest; this is a life change for me!
Tues., Oct. 28th Cycling today, I have it in my mind to try this class again today. (I have only been once). So off to the gym and I got my pants this time and I am at the door of the class and there it sits. The infamous “bike” hard seat and all! I look at it and quickly run to Angela’s office…can I please do something else. She agrees that I can do 40 mins of cardio. So elliptical/treadmill each one intervals of 5 mins each for a total of 40 mins. I am nervous about the elliptical either, but I am going to try, I figure it’s got to be better than “the bike” LOL. So I am back and forth from the elliptical to the treadmill and I can’t repeating to myself, “I can do this, I can do this” I guess it work because before I knew it, an hour had passed and my shirt was wet. I believe people now when they say “It’s all in your mind.”
Wed. Oct. 29th I am getting really nervous and almost to the point of being stressed, trying to see some results on my body since this is the 3rd week (I believe) that I have been working out. (Remember, I told you that I am not a patient person) I am off to circuit class today, I am really starting to get the hang of this class, just don’t care much for running the laps. It went well. I am trying to eat a few more calories because I think that’s where my nausea and dizzy is coming from. It’s hard though because in my mind, I have told myself that the less I eat the more weight I will lose and I really want to lose weight this time around and keep it off. But I am nervous that when I weigh in on Thursday that I might not show a weight loss. This is really getting to me, but I am trying to remain focused!
Thurs. Oct. 30th I get up this morning kind of feeling “blah”. I have been exercising like I should and I don’t know about the eating part because I can’t seem to shake the scared feeling that every time I eat starting to feel guilty like I am not suppose to be eating. I really have to work on that. So we meet and I am the first one there, so I weigh in and not a pound lost but actually a gain!! I am in total awe!! I mean I have been exercising for the last 6 days and I have been watching what I eat and I can’t believe that there is no weight lost. I am sick to my stomach for real now. I am so disgusted and discouraged! I can’t even really remember the exercises we went thru, because my mind is so totally out of sync now!
Fri. Oct. 31st
I am still out of sync a little bit, but I prayed a little bit and talk to my mother and I am not going to be discouraged! No one said this would be easy, so I am not going to give up. I start off the morning by increasing what I eat for breakfast, I normally just do a small bagel and peanut butter, I add to this fresh fruit and I am packing my lunch bag full of healthy goodies to ensure I am going to get enough calories for the day. I sent Angela an apology email because I was really upset and I let them interfere with my workout yesterday, but I just have to keep going. So at today’s workout, I have to give it my all.
When we work out today, I make a promise to myself that I will not complain, that’s Angela’s special treat for today since I was such a baby yesterday! I did it I made it thru the workout without a complaint!! I am more determined than ever now!
Sat. Nov. 1st A weekend day and I am not dreading to get up and get started with working out. I read last night a lot of others have experienced the same thing I did this week, working out and “dieting” and not seeing a weight loss but a weight gain. They were doing the same things that I had been doing, not getting in enough calories. So I am really on my “A” game with food and the calories. I am counting them like crazy trying to make sure things are right. So Saturday morning, I met my friend at the gym, the girls are excited to go rock climbing at the Y. So I follow Angela’s advice and decide on focusing on cardio because I believe that will help me more in my weight loss process. So I hope on the elliptical..and wouldn’t you know it.. “This chick (me!!) did 25 continuous minutes on the elliptical”, then I rotated from the bike to the treadmill for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I surprised myself! I was so proud of me. I had to pat myself on my back and say to myself “YOU GO GIRL”!
So this afternoon we are going to eat and I am out voted 3 to 1 about going to a buffet, at first I am like, NO! Then I think, my family sacrifices a lot for me, I can handle this. So I get a plate of veggies and a side of grill shrimp and for desert pineapples and grapes…I decided walking up to the buffet on a phrase that I had heard a long time ago somewhere that “Nothing taste as good as looking good feels!” I am sticking to that too!
Sun., Oct. 2nd I am still “hyped” about my accomplishment in the gym on yesterday that I get up and clean the house, since Sunday is the only day I really have to truly be at home. Then after breakfast we all go for a long walk. I can tell a difference in my attitude and my energy level since I am exercising and eating right. I know that this is all going to pay off soon! I am going to turn up my patience because now I realize that being anxious sometimes sets me up for disappointment and I don’t want that to happen again..so for now I am going to “chill out” and let everything just happen!
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Best workout is one with Angela
From Shawn
Oct 21-Today, I wasn’t able to make it to the gym or exercise any at home This was my first time missing and I feel horrible about it. I had something to do for my child and that comes first so I made the choice and I’ll just deal with it.
Oct 22- I had circuit training again today. I feel so good when I leave from this class. It is a great workout. I encourage everyone to try it. People are starting to notice changes with my weight. That’s a great feeling.
Oct 23- Today we had one-on-one with Angela. When she told us we were going to be using the elliptical, I thought “wonderful” and I mean that very sarcastically. I hate that machine. I think I may have used it once before and I despised it. Well, today wasn’t any different, except for this time, I pushed myself to keep it at the pace that Angela wanted. It was hard. It burned. She had us to that for several minutes and then go to the aerobics room for weight training and abs alternated about 4 times between the elliptical and the aerobics room. Afterwards we were weighed and I was disappointed to find that I hadn’t lost any weight this week. After reviewing my food journal with Angela, she concluded I was getting in too many carbs. That is something I will have to work on.
Oct 24-Jaquina and I had training with Angela today. We did the treadmill for 5 minutes and then 3 weight stations and then back to the treadmill, and so on. It didn’t take long at all to work up a sweat. I wish I could work out with her one-on-one everyday. I push myself hard when I know she’s watching. I don’t want her to call me down for not giving it my all. I adjusted my diet and I am confident that next weeks weigh in will be better.
Oct 25-Today I went to cardio funk class, which I really like but my partner came in a little late and it would have been hard for her to catch up with the steps. So, we went and did the treadmill and the weights like Angela makes us do. I surprised myself since Angela wasn’t there. My legs were killing me from the previous days and I pushed myself hard and all on my own. The sweat was rolling and it felt good. Jaquina and I did a great job if I do say so myself. I ended up getting about an hour and a half workout.
Oct 26-Today was our REST day and that’s exactly what I did.
Oct 27-I had circuit training today but I only lasted about 20-25 minutes. My asthma started bothering me and I left early. I am going to make myself go back tonight to get in my cardio. I swear that I am going to make those scales move on Thursday.
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A difficult week
FROM JENNIFER
Oct. 23
Today was another good workout. I have lost another 2 pounds! I was very pleased with these results because it had been a very difficult week. My work and home schedules both made it difficult to make it to the Y to workout this week. I continued with my calorie counting and walked each day. Although this was a good substitute, I felt guilty that I was letting other things get in the way of meeting my healthy goals. Today’s workout was as intense as the others have been. Angela is still pushing us hard. I got to the Y a little early today and was watching some of the other men and women working out. I notice a woman on one of the machines. She was taking what looked like a very quick walk and it was working the “problem zone” of thighs, butt and hip area. I thought “that looked like fun and a fairly easy workout”. Then our workout started…looks are VERY deceiving! We were on the Elliptical machine today along with a floor routine with weights and the step. I had a hard time on this machine. I truly used muscles in my legs I didn’t know I had! 5 minutes on this machine seemed like an eternity. It is very easy to tell yourself between gasping for breath and the pain, that you can’t do it. I said it many times today. Angela taught us to talk ourselves through the workouts. She suggested that we encourage ourselves to keep going and to visualize the end results. I can do it will get you a lot further, than I can’t. On my third, 5 minute rotation on this machine I tried that. I closed my eyes stopped looking at the clock and managed to talk myself through the pain, frustration and control my breathing to get through it. I was extremely sore when I finished, but very proud that I made it!
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Be patient Quina!
From Jaquina:
Tuesday Oct. 21 - Day 16 Today I am debating should I do the cycling class…hmmm I might give it a shot..so I head to the gym and get in the locker room take my clothes out and guess what no pants! I am not too sad(LOL) I really didn’t want to do cycling so I head out and do something that I haven’t done in 2 weeks on lunch…go shopping around for sales!! This is the little “something” that I needed to pick my spirits up and get me back in focus. I am in stores and I see they putting out all their new winter fashion, and I would really love it if I could have some of it in a smaller size, that would be so great! So I buy a pair of sweats and head back to work, because my focus is back and I will have to attend an afternoon class. Its Latin Dance party, sounds fun. Ok I know now why I have never seen an overweight latin dancer…OMG..this class will work muscles you didn’t even know you had…I was sweating and yet I was suppose to be dancing and get this I like to dance! WoW..Latin Dance party was a good workout!
Wed Oct. 22 - Day 17 This morning, I am making sure I have all my gym clothes packed and ready, because I don’t think I want another dance party of any type today! I am going to circuit with Kym today, he is good! I like circuit class now (I like a class that involves running) I am actually able to get all the way around the track jogging(slowly, but still jogging) without stopping! Wow..that is an accomplishment for me!! I stop to a fast food joint for lunch and I can’t believe how good their salad is, they even let me remove things and add more of other things. I never knew that, because before I would get a burger and just keep going. I am really learning a lot with my new life changes.
Thurs Oct. 23- Day 18 I am worried today! Today we have to weigh, the other girls talk about how their clothes fit differently, well I don’t feel anything any different on me yet. I do have more energy then normal but I don’t feel any smaller. Although my mother and fiancé say, they can tell I am wondering if they are just trying to keep me inspired and focused! Well I know I am going to ask my girls..they keep it real( 7 years old(twins) and they will tell you the truth even if sometimes they shouldn’t!, We are still working on that..they learning, but it hasn’t all quite skunk in yet-LOL). So before we leave for our busy day I ask, girl’s does it look like I have lost weight? They both get up from the table and come and walk around me and look and say mommy…your butt its getting a little bit less big..just keep trying mommy, you gone get it down, let’s walk this afternoon okay mommy one of them said! LOL..I couldn’t be mad, I just had to laugh! I really hope it is getting a little less big(what ever that means!) LOL..
Fri Oct. 24 - Day 19 Well yesterday I weighed and I had lost but I was looking for more, even though I am happy with any pounds lost. I got a little discourage because I am absolutely trying my best, but I guess I need to push myself more! I am getting a little frustrated too, because it seems as though I am going in circles everyday, work, gym, home, work, gym, home! I keep visualizing the slimmer and healthier me and try to regain my focus.
Sat Oct. 25 - Day 20 I am up early today and I have renewed my optimism! I thought long and hard and I know that me not seeing results soon enough has always been the reasons, why I give up on something. I remember that anything worth having is worth working had for. So I am off to the gym with a whole wheat bagel in my hand. Shawn and I start out doing Cardio Funk, and determine, we want to try things on our own..we both surprise ourselves at the workout we put ourselves thru and we sweat hard for an hour or so..I am not giving up!
Sun Oct. 26 - Day 21 Yes a rest day! Today, I am mommy, I don’t have to go to the gym today and luckily I don’t have any homework!! So I take this day to help out around the house. I manage to get some laundry done, and I cook for the first time in about a week. (My fiancé is the cook of the house!) I try to prepare as much as possible for the week ahead, because with everything I have going on doing the week, there is no place for disorganization. I am learing that the hard way. I think about the week ahead and I scringe a little bit, but then I see a commercial on t.v. for Macy and I see the cutest jeans and I quickly realize that this is all worth it..I just wish I could get a sneak peek of what I will look like…but I know like my mother always tells me..be patient Quina! Easier said then done ma!
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Soldiering on through the soreness
SHAWN BAILEY
Tuesday Oct 14-Today I have the cycling class again. I really don’t like this class. This is the one time during the week I have to push myself to go. Its a great workout but its just not comfortable. I made it through, barely. I also went to Yoga tonight. It was relaxing and the stretching felt really good because I am so sore. It’s really hard to try and fit everything in on nights when I go to the Y. Thank goodness I have a supportive family.
Wednesday Oct 15- Today I had circuit training again. It went okay. I still am unable to run because of my shins. My diet is going okay too. This process is really hard. I feel much better though so that is enough of a reason for me to keep pushing.
Thursday Oct 16-we had 1 on 1 training with Angela tonight. I was psyched about it. When we started working out, my asthma started acting up. I was able to make it through the workout but it was hard. We had to weigh in tonight. I lost a whole pound. I was hoping for more. I have been measuring myself so when I got home I measured to see if anything had changed and I have lost 2 inches in my hips along with the 1 inch in my waist. That makes me feel great.
Thursday Oct 17-I was off of work today so I went to a body sculpting class. It was a great class. I just felt really out of shape in there. It was a lot of women older than me but I seemed to be in the worst shape. That didn’t make me feel good at all. My family and I went to the state fair and I knew I was going to want to pig out. Surprisingly, I didn’t. I did have a sausage dog and it wasn’t really that good. I shared a piece of corn and that was so good but it I didn’t feel guilty about eating that.
Saturday Oct 18-I was on the go out of town with my daughter all day. She had a photo shoot and that took a lot longer than it was supposed to so I wasn’t able to eat like I should have. I didn’t feel that great either. I think it was the sausage dog I ate the day before. I didn’t do 45 minute walking to day either. I feel so bad for that.
Monday Oct 20-I had circuit training again today. I really do like going to the gym. That is the one hour of the day I can let everything else go and not worry about anything. I was also able to run again. By the end of the class my shins were sore but I’m sure they’ll be fine.
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Riding a bike not as fun as I remembered
JENNIFER PINYAN
Oct. 17 We had another hard work out with Angela last evening. She pushed us hard and I rode a bike! It’s not as much fun as I remembered as a kid! The seat and I didn’t agree at first, but somehow through the workout we came to an understanding! Or maybe it was because my legs were hurting worse.
Each day I realize that without Angela pushing and holding me accountable I would have given up already. It’s way to easy to let everyday life get in your way. It’s SO much easier to make excuses as to why I deserve to eat that or why I don’t need to go to the gym. Why is that anyway? Why is doing the right thing and making healthy choices so much harder? I’m not certain, but I’m trying to work through it.
Thursdays are tough - it’s weigh-in time! I lost another 2 pounds! At first I was a little discouraged thinking that there should have been more weight loss, but Angela encouraged me and reminded all of us that we put the weight on over a period of time and that it would have to come off over a period of time. She also said that if we loose it slowly and changing our lifestyle to reflect healthy choices we WILL be able to keep it off.
She may have to remind me of that a few more times.
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Just say no to the hotdog
JAQUINA TAYLOR
Oh my I can’t believe its already Monday. Well I did have one day vacation! Today is a work holiday; yeah! But I am nervous because I can do so well when I am at work, and I only have to think about myself eating. At home, it’s a different story, so I get in the morning I begin off with my whole wheat bagel and a little all natural peanut butter for taste. I start my water. Then I realized that I am suppose to work out at 12:15 today and I am suppose to also go to my church and help get things together for a program there, what am I to do.. Ok I guess I can miss this one time and just walk extra hard tonight, I hope this doesn’t affect my weight loss..gosh I think I sometimes stress myself out with just worrying about what to eat or if I am working out hard enough, because I really want this to work for me!
So lunch time and I am about to leave the church because they are talking about fixing hot dogs with homemade chilli, ok, I didn’t go to the gym, I better not go for the hot dog..(I guess its all about making good choices) and I think this is one!
So I do end up walking today and because I feel bad for missing my class, I even jog a bit(I can’t even believe I did that). But now it seems as though if I don’t sweat I am not really getting a good work out. As Angela says “you got to push yourself.”
Tuesday, Oct, 14 - Day 9
Ok back to work, so back on track! In the morning I am full of energy and I think I did good yesterday with my walk/jog! So get in the office and I forgot I have a meeting from 11:30 to 12:30. My work out class today is schedule to be at 12:15, and even worst it’s the cycle class that hurt me so bad last time! Well I decided to take the evening class belly dancing..
Wow that class was not challenging enough, I didn’t even sweat, it sure was fun.
I am really nervous about weighing in on Thursday, I guess I am thinking not enough exercise..
Wednesday, Oct. 15th - Day 10
Do I have a challenge in the head of me, today is my mother’s birthday and our family celebrates everything with food! Gosh and at work we have a picnic at the park and they are serving fried chicken and barbecue! (go figure). Well I go to my circuit class and get a good workout and decide to get me a salad and take to the picnic, I am so proud of myself, I made it pass hurdle 1, so now this afternoon at home, the family is going to dinner, off we go to of course buffet.(help!)
I don’t think I did too bad, I had green beans, broccoli with no cheese, squash and onions. For desert I get a plate of grapes, with pineapples. Not too bad I hope any way!
Thursday, Oct. 16th - Day 11
Wow day 11 and I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my fiance; and my mother, they are helping me so much. He is measuring and cooking for me and making sure I am eating the way I should! I am so nervous about weighing in today. My weigh in wasn’t so good, I am so upset because I haven’t been eating bad, and I have honestly been working and exercising hard. But I am not giving up because maybe mother nature had a little to do with it! We will see!
Friday, Oct. 17th - Day 12 Ok I am dreading today because Angela is not available for our session and I really need the workout..what do I do. So I go over to the gym on lunch and walk and jog a little I really hope it helps me this week. Finally Friday I can now do some house work. Eating is easy today because I started to not have such an appetite lately. Today is not one of my best days!
Saturday, Oct. 18th - Day 13 Up early and the girls and I are off to the Y. I am doing a cardio funk class today. This class is really high impact and fun! Full of dance moves that I do not now, and here I am thinking I am a pretty good dancer! (LOL)..oh wow this is going to burn a lot of calories! So eating is ok today, I decided not to use my “free” meal today, I am sticking to it. Homework today and a little more housework, to try and prepare myself for the upcoming week.
Sunday, Oct. 19th - Day 14 I can finally sleep in today, no gym! Ok breakfast, I did well..and more homework and house work. This is getting to be a routine now, maybe I can really make this lifestyle change!
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Shawn’s first week
SHAWN BAILEY Oct. 3-13
Friday Oct 3- Last night was my first night meeting with Angela at the Y. We went over our new diet or “lifestyle” as she called it. I can tell that she is going to be a great motivator. I am so excited about this challenge. I started drinking water today and I have changed my eating habits. We’ll see how this thing goes…..
Sunday Oct 5-I have had a very busy weekend but I have tried my best to stick to what Angela told me. I think I can deal with eating chicken all of the time. I’m still drinking water which isn’t so bad except for the headaches, I really miss my Diet Mt. Dew. I start working out tomorrow. I am anxious to get going.
Monday Oct 6-I had my first class today which was Circuit Training. I was nervous at first. All of the equipment intimidated me. There were a few times when I thought I was going to pass out or throw up, but somehow I managed. Once it was over, I wasn’t sure how I’d make it back to the car but I did. Having Angela there pushing me was exactly what I needed. It stinks being so out of shape.
Tuesday Oct 7-Today was my cycling class and all I can say is “OH MY.” Lets just say that my rear and the little bitty seat did not get along to well. The class was good even though my legs felt like Jell-O when I was done. Angela is great. I know I wouldn’t be able to do this without her. I also went to Yoga tonight. I wasn’t able to concentrate and relax like I should have. I am sore all over which is good but I just ache. The stretching felt nice but I felt like a cow surrounded by some girls from Wesleyan, I think it was the soccer team. It was depressing . Once I snapped out of it, I was able to focus more. I took my measurements tonight so I could keep track of my progress. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Wednesday Oct 8-My headaches aren’t as bad as they were. Water is my friend. I didn’t realize that I liked spinach so much. Even though its only been a few days of healthier eating and exercising, I already feel much better. When I woke up this morning, I felt energized and not sluggish. YAY.The circuit training class today seemed a little easier for me. The running is taking a toll on my shins. I just keep telling myself, “No pain, no gain.”
Thursday Oct 9-Tonight we had personal training with Angela. I find myself pushing to do the things she asks of us. I want this weight off. As bad as it burns, hurts, and stings, I am focused. We went over our food journals and she gave us some more tips and suggestions. Have I mentioned how great Angela is?
Friday Oct 10-Today we trained with Angela again. She told us we had to run a mile before we left. I thought, “Oh no.” We had to run 10 laps around the track but in between each lap, we did weight training. It was a great workout. I felt so proud of myself for having ran all 10 laps. I didn’t think I would be able to do it. It felt very rewarding. Angela always tells us that she is proud of us and that we should be proud of ourselves. It is hard and she understands that.
Sunday Oct 12-This weekend has just not been good. I haven’t been eating like I am supposed to and I feel horribly guilty for it. I haven’t been binge eating or anything like that, I just don’t feel like eating. I am telling you this whole process is a mental thing. Saturday was definitely not a good mental day. I have to learn to not let my emotions get in the way of what I want to accomplish here. I am just ready for tomorrow to go back to the gym. I did measure myself again today and I have lost an inch from my waist.
Monday Oct 13-Not a good day…I started out back on track with my diet this morning and all the world was right. That is until I went to Circuit Training. I absolutely love this class. My shins on the other had, have a mind of their own. I have asthma and running has always been an issue for me. I have finally learned how to breathe when I run and my asthma has been fine. My shins are really shot. I didn’t realize how bad they were until about my second lap. I can handle soreness but this was pure pain. It felt like torture every time my foot hit the floor. By the time the class was over, it hurt to even walk. This is very discouraging for me. I don’t want any set backs.
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RUN!
JENNIFER PINYAN - OCT. 11
Today is Friday and I can say that I have made it to the YMCA every day to work out! I made it through every class while still managing to get homework finished, lunches packed, laundry somewhat under control, worked all day and coordinated dinner ( I don’t cook - my husband is the cook in the family.)
I didn’t know what to expect on our first one-on-one with Angela on Thursday. I found out really quick! We walked on the treadmill and did several different exercises. When you break each one down they were pretty easy. BUT when you put them all together and do 3 sets, things changed very quickly! I can tell you it was tough. I didn’t think I would be able to make it through but from some place way down deep I managed to pull some extra energy to finish. I can also say I had muscles that hurt that I didn’t know I had!
Now today’s workout with Angela was different. I came psyched that I was going to probably do the same routine from Thursday so I knew what to expect. Oh no - it doesn’t work that way. I never realized a little 3 letter word could have so much impact and cause so much anxiety. RUN. Yes, I said run! We ran 1 mile. Now, for some that probably doesn’t sound like a lot. But you have to understand, I don’t run. Not for anything. It’s just not something that I do. Inbetween those long, painful 10 laps Angela added repetitions on 6 different machines targeting different areas. One was crunches, several worked different upper arm muscles, and several worked lower abdomen and hips. At first I thought, “well at least I can sit down inbetween each lap,” but then I realized that it was only going to allow me to catch my breath just a little bit before it was time to run again. About lap 6 I think I saw my life pass in front of my eyes. On laps 8, 9 and 10, I got mad and angry at myself because I realized how truly out of shape I had allowed myself to become. From that point I was determined I was going to finish. I may not be able to make it out of the Y, but I am going to finish! Emotionally it felt great to know that I could do it. Physically I hurt all over. But it wasn’t the kind of hurt that you want to drown out with medication; it’s the kind that makes you think and realize that you are doing something right. I do have to tell you, when I got home (slowly) I told my girls and my husband that I had run a mile. They all looked at me as if I was joking. They had me repeat it several times. My 7 year old looked at me with a very puzzled look and asked very seriously, “Mommy, what were you running from?” They know me so well!
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Got through first week
JENNIFER PINYAN entry: Thursday October 9th
I have now watched and tracked everything that I eat as well as exercised everyday for 1 entire week. I truly believe it has been the longest week of my life! It has been hard yet fulfilling; it has been painful yet rewarding. I have cried and I have laughed. I keep telling myself that if I can make it through this first week while working full time and still trying to maintain some sense of normalcy at home then I CAN make it! Although I have to say after my first cardio-funk aerobic class I wasn’t sure I was going to make it out of the car, definitely not for an entire week.
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Real women, real pain
Carolina Charm and the Harrison Family YMCA have teamed up to help three lucky women get healthy and fit. The “prize” included a 6-month membership to the YMCA and a personal trainer. We asked for women to email us entries that included a brief essay about why they needed help to get healthy. Angela Barnhill, who is the YMCA personal trainer involved in the project and I went through the entries and picked Shawn Bailey, Jaquina Taylor and Jennifer Pinyan to take on the challenge. The three women started working out last week, (Oct. 6) and have been doing great. Here’s a look at their original entries:
SHAWN BAILEY I was just browsing through the articles in the Carolina Charm when I “stumbled” across the Get Fit article. This seems like the perfect opportunity. I am 30 years old and am the mother of a six year old daughter named Rayna. Of course, like most mothers would say, she is the apple of my eye. Above anything else, being a mother is the most rewarding feeling. Most of my time is devoted to her and all of her extra curricular activities. I have struggled with my weight since she was born. I guess you could say that I haven’t exactly had all the resources or time to commit to loosing the weight. I am about 5’4” and I weigh 186 pounds. I used to have a lot of self esteem but that, along with my figure has dwindled away. I continuously make promises to myself regarding diet and exercise and I always come up short. As a matter of fact, this week was supposed to be the week that I started going to the Y on my lunch hour to at least start getting in some cardio but now it is Wednesday and I haven’t been at all. I know that I can not do this on my own. I know that I need someone to push me. I want to be a healthy, fit person. Not just for me but for my daughter as well. For these reasons, when I stumbled across the article, I felt like it was directed to me. This was my sign. I need something to lift me up out of the funk that I have succumbed to. I would love to have a personal trainer but of course I can’t afford one. This opportunity would be perfect for me. I would be more than willing to give 110% to this program. Please select me for this chance. It would give me a new beginning that I desperately need. I would be forever grateful.
JENNIFER PINYAN I am writing to be considered for the Get Fit Program and I thank you for the opportunity to apply. My story is like most women. I am the mother of two beautiful, very active girls. I am a wife of 13 years and I work full time at Nash Health Care Systems. When my husband and I meet I was 24 years old and a very comfortable size 7 and I was very active. I took dance lessons for 18 years. Now at age 38 I’m much larger. Of course I have many reasons as to why this has happened to me. Of course it’s because I have gone through 2 pregnancies. Of course it’s because I sit at a desk all day. Of course it’s because we have homework and afterschool activities that we eat our meals together late in the evening. Of course it’s the cost of joining a gym. I’m now to a point in my life that I’m tired of the excuses. I’m tired of what I see in the mirror each day.
My girls are 7 and 11. They still need me but are not totally dependant on me. My husband is very supportive and encourages me to find a workout that I will stick with. I’ve tried the in home dancing tapes. I have tried walking in my neighborhood and walking during lunch time, but there are always another million reasons to wait until tomorrow. I want to find a way to improve my life so that I’m here for my family. I want to show them that you can have a busy lifestyle but still make healthy choices and stay fit. I want to have the knowledge to help and encourage my girls to be healthy now and as they grow older and their bodies change. I want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs and not be out of breath!
Although my family will always be first in my life I would love an opportunity to be able to be there for them in a much healthier and happier body. I would love to be a part of the Get Fit Program. I will be committed and will work hard. This is not just a 6 month investment - it’s a life investment.
JAQUINA TAYLOR I believe you have found one of your 3 ideal candidates! I am a 30 year old African American woman. I am and have been trying to lose weight for all of my life(well after college LOL). I am a single parent of 6 year old twin girls, a full time QA Analyst at RBC bank and a full time online student at East Carolina University. As you can see I am busy, busy. However, I have met my soul mate and he wants to get married and I did accept but I am putting my wedding date on hold contingent to me dropping 2-3 pant sizes! This opportunity would be so great for me, because I have been saying that I will save up for a personal trainer but then my girls want to take Ballet classes, so its been hard to say no to them and yes to myself, as a mother that just doesn’t seem right. If you pick me as one of your contestant, I promise I will take the time necessary to cook nutritiously and make time for my personal trainer! You would not just be doing me a huge favor but you would also be making my girls happy as I would have more energy to keep up with them and most importantly I can send them to their ballet classes with the money I have been saving for a personal trainer. Please consider me!
I’ll be posting journal entries for each woman weekly, so follow long. Please send us your responses and how you’re doing on YOUR quest to get healthy and fit.
Latest comments
BFF, I am so proud of you. What ever you set your mind to doing you do. It inspires me to want to get out and fight my weight problems. What kind of BFF would I be if I let you get fit and slim all by yourself….lol. I love you and keep up the good
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You go girl! Keep up the go work. My best friend and I lost a lot of weight by working out at the Y. After all the weight loss decided to get a personal trainer to maintain our weight loss. We decided on Tammy Hawkins and she is wonderful!! We see abig
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Quina you are going to do good and make it happen. You started off with no weight loss, but I know you can do it. Keep up the hard work and dedication.
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Jaquina… don’t be discouraged. I know that understanding of weight/size of fat compared to muscle is confusing but here is what I think is happening. You are building muscle…, which will add weight. You are burning fat… therefore,
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