I was all set to hit Costco this weekend to buy a new scale, when it struck me that my poor, ignored Wii Fit setup downstairs has a very precise scale.
So I headed to the Wii first thing this morning, and found that I'm now down 42 from my original weight!
I don't know how long my scale has been off, but I suspect I've been mis-reporting my weights for more than the week-and-a-half since I noticed something was wrong.
At any rate, it feels good to kick a few extra "freebie" pounds to the curb!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Annie: Weigh-in week 13
I'm not sure what to tell you about my result this week - my scale has decided to become flaky. I must have weighed myself at least 10 times, and I don't think I ever got the same weight twice (consecutively, anyway). They ranged between having lost 1.8 and 5.8 -- the latter of which I'm pretty sure is impossible, given I haven't had anything amputated this week.
I tried changing the battery on the scale -- it was 8 years old, at least -- but that didn't seem to change anything.
At least I will be hitting a meeting on Wednesday night, so I'll be able to track my loss since the previous Wednesday (though of course the meeting weigh-ins don't happen in the nude or on an empty stomach!).
Otherwise, it's been a good week, the highlight of which was the after-meeting sushi I shared with Mae and another friend of ours after last Wednesday's meeting. :o)
On another note: week 13 marks the 25% mark in our year-long project. We're a quarter of the way there!
Lost this week: 1.8 (?)
Lost so far: 36
Still remaining: 64
Activity points earned this week: 20
Weeks to go: 39
I tried changing the battery on the scale -- it was 8 years old, at least -- but that didn't seem to change anything.
At least I will be hitting a meeting on Wednesday night, so I'll be able to track my loss since the previous Wednesday (though of course the meeting weigh-ins don't happen in the nude or on an empty stomach!).
Otherwise, it's been a good week, the highlight of which was the after-meeting sushi I shared with Mae and another friend of ours after last Wednesday's meeting. :o)
On another note: week 13 marks the 25% mark in our year-long project. We're a quarter of the way there!
Lost this week: 1.8 (?)
Lost so far: 36
Still remaining: 64
Activity points earned this week: 20
Weeks to go: 39
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Annie: Get a coach.
This week's exercise lesson: if you're trying something new, get a coach.
Mae and I are both trying to learn to run. We are both trying out programs recommended to us by others - similar, but not exactly the same.
Despite having prescribed programs used successfully by others, we've both been having trouble - because we didn't ask questions.
As you may have read in Mae's post this week, once she asked the person who'd recommended the program about what she was doing (which seemed to be too much, too soon), she realized she was following the wrong version of the program.
For my part, I thought I had it all figured out: the faithful Mo had built a reasonable-looking run/walk program to build me up to my 5K in May - she had even put dates to all the workouts for me, so I'd know exactly when to start, and what to do. She even gave me a logbook to track my progress.
So what else could I possibly need, right?
Well, it turns out we don't all have the same definition of "run." Since my first post a couple of weeks back about having run two minutes, I've incorporated two minutes of running into each treadmill session (45 minutes total).
But even though it was only two minutes, and not even consecutively, I was finding it pretty challenging, and was halfway secretly doubting I'd ever really be able to run more than a couple of minutes without stopping.
I talked to the faithful Mo about it one evening this week, and we got on the topic of how fast I was running for my two minutes (between 4.5 and 5.0 mph). She instantly said that was too fast - that I should be between 4.0 and 4.5 at this stage, no more.
This morning, I did my two minutes at 4.3 - and lo and behold, I can actually see how I might be able to build up to significantly more. Hallelujah!
Maybe someday I will be able to run at 5 mph - but not now, and not safely at my current weight.
So the moral of the story is: get a coach. And if (you're lucky like me and) you have one available to you, use her! Ask questions! Don't assume you know what you're doing! Because honestly, if I'd kept trying to run at 5 mph as I began my gradual conditioning program next month, I may very well have given up, thinking I simply couldn't do it.
If you don't have a friend like Mae's or a faithful Mo like I do, and you can't afford a personal trainer, there's a great range of online coach programs and apps available, like the Adidas miCoach system (check out a video about it here) and the Nike Training Club app.
Some advice has got to be better than none - you don't have to do it alone!
Mae and I are both trying to learn to run. We are both trying out programs recommended to us by others - similar, but not exactly the same.
Despite having prescribed programs used successfully by others, we've both been having trouble - because we didn't ask questions.
As you may have read in Mae's post this week, once she asked the person who'd recommended the program about what she was doing (which seemed to be too much, too soon), she realized she was following the wrong version of the program.
For my part, I thought I had it all figured out: the faithful Mo had built a reasonable-looking run/walk program to build me up to my 5K in May - she had even put dates to all the workouts for me, so I'd know exactly when to start, and what to do. She even gave me a logbook to track my progress.
So what else could I possibly need, right?
Well, it turns out we don't all have the same definition of "run." Since my first post a couple of weeks back about having run two minutes, I've incorporated two minutes of running into each treadmill session (45 minutes total).
But even though it was only two minutes, and not even consecutively, I was finding it pretty challenging, and was halfway secretly doubting I'd ever really be able to run more than a couple of minutes without stopping.
I talked to the faithful Mo about it one evening this week, and we got on the topic of how fast I was running for my two minutes (between 4.5 and 5.0 mph). She instantly said that was too fast - that I should be between 4.0 and 4.5 at this stage, no more.
This morning, I did my two minutes at 4.3 - and lo and behold, I can actually see how I might be able to build up to significantly more. Hallelujah!
Maybe someday I will be able to run at 5 mph - but not now, and not safely at my current weight.
So the moral of the story is: get a coach. And if (you're lucky like me and) you have one available to you, use her! Ask questions! Don't assume you know what you're doing! Because honestly, if I'd kept trying to run at 5 mph as I began my gradual conditioning program next month, I may very well have given up, thinking I simply couldn't do it.
If you don't have a friend like Mae's or a faithful Mo like I do, and you can't afford a personal trainer, there's a great range of online coach programs and apps available, like the Adidas miCoach system (check out a video about it here) and the Nike Training Club app.
Some advice has got to be better than none - you don't have to do it alone!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Annie: Have 4 points to spare?
A delicious discovery from yesterday: M&M Meats Shops' hot & spicy chicken wings!
ONE POINTSPLUS POINT EACH!
Mae: Running confusion
As I mentioned in my previous post, I have opted to start a 13 week walk/run program that I thought was pretty similar to what Annie would be doing. This book was recommended to me by a co-worker who picked it up last year and subsequently ran a 5K. After listening to her story and seeing Annie's running journal, I got my cranky arse on the treadmill. The last thing I wanted to do was overdo it and injure myself, and the book I chose specifically mentioned that the program was designed to prevent injury in new runners.
I was speaking to said co-worker yesterday about a completely unrelated matter and mentioned that I've completed the first two walk/runs in week 1, and that I've run (cumulatively) for 21 minutes. Her response: "WHAT???!?!?! Are you kidding me? THAT is not the program that I did!" I got a similar response from Annie based on her Running Room program. Hmmmmmm.
I came to the conclusion that I must have picked the maintenance program instead of the starter (there are several in this book). Turns out, I didn't. I was/am doing the recommended 13 week beginner walk/run, and yes, it does start with 1 minute of running followed by 2 minutes of walking. Co-worker said she started running for 30 seconds followed by something like 4 minutes of walking. That sounds more reasonable to me given my weight and complete lack of running experience. I have to admit that after those first two workouts I was feeling like I perhaps pushed a little too much, but I wanted to trust the "proven" method. What the hell?!
Amazon to the rescue! This comment explains everything. Turns out I was following the program in the newest edition of the book, which is completely different than the one published in 2001. Damn revised program, you're getting the heave-ho! Thanks for nothing, Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia!
I was speaking to said co-worker yesterday about a completely unrelated matter and mentioned that I've completed the first two walk/runs in week 1, and that I've run (cumulatively) for 21 minutes. Her response: "WHAT???!?!?! Are you kidding me? THAT is not the program that I did!" I got a similar response from Annie based on her Running Room program. Hmmmmmm.
I came to the conclusion that I must have picked the maintenance program instead of the starter (there are several in this book). Turns out, I didn't. I was/am doing the recommended 13 week beginner walk/run, and yes, it does start with 1 minute of running followed by 2 minutes of walking. Co-worker said she started running for 30 seconds followed by something like 4 minutes of walking. That sounds more reasonable to me given my weight and complete lack of running experience. I have to admit that after those first two workouts I was feeling like I perhaps pushed a little too much, but I wanted to trust the "proven" method. What the hell?!
Amazon to the rescue! This comment explains everything. Turns out I was following the program in the newest edition of the book, which is completely different than the one published in 2001. Damn revised program, you're getting the heave-ho! Thanks for nothing, Sport Medicine Council of British Columbia!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Mae: Week 12 weigh-in
No change. Still up 1 pound over the the two-week holiday, for which I am actually somewhat grateful. Given a couple of very major slips, I'm happy that that is all it is.
I'm starting the new PointsPlus program tomorrow and have already stocked the house with fruit. I need to shake things up, I think, and am using too many of my points towards things that are not particularly good for me.
The exercise continues, and the running/walking program is going well. I've run a combined total of 21 minutes in two days! I'm following a similar program as Annie, but using a different book: The Beginning Runner's Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program.
Weigh-in: no change
Loss to date: 15
I'm starting the new PointsPlus program tomorrow and have already stocked the house with fruit. I need to shake things up, I think, and am using too many of my points towards things that are not particularly good for me.
The exercise continues, and the running/walking program is going well. I've run a combined total of 21 minutes in two days! I'm following a similar program as Annie, but using a different book: The Beginning Runner's Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program.
Weigh-in: no change
Loss to date: 15
Monday, January 3, 2011
Annie: Weigh-in week 12
Wow - it's been three months, and we're both still going!
Mae and I had (I thought!) a great brunch yesterday with a girlfriend of ours who is also beginning a weight loss program today. We had Hungry Girl's "Ginormous Oven Baked Omelette" and turkey bacon - huge breakfast, 5 PointsPlus (well OK, mine was 7 because I had seconds of the omelette!). Yum!
This week wasn't as tough as last in terms of willpower, since we don't tend to do much for new year's (as it turns out, babysitters like to go out on new year's eve!). I was also able to hit the treadmill pretty much whenever I wanted, since I was off work, and got some good sleeps in too.
It's back to work tomorrow, though, so I will be sad to say goodbye to my couple of weeks of having fun and doing whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.
On the bright side, though, it will be easier to get through the day without eating, since I can bring my lunches and will otherwise not have time (or opportunity) to be snacking, really. While I've enjoyed being able to sleep in a bit and treadmill without too much worry, it'll be nice not to be face to face with my fridge all day long!
Lost this week: 2
Lost so far: 34.2
Still remaining: 65.8
Activity points earned this week: 24
Weeks to go: 40
Mae and I had (I thought!) a great brunch yesterday with a girlfriend of ours who is also beginning a weight loss program today. We had Hungry Girl's "Ginormous Oven Baked Omelette" and turkey bacon - huge breakfast, 5 PointsPlus (well OK, mine was 7 because I had seconds of the omelette!). Yum!
This week wasn't as tough as last in terms of willpower, since we don't tend to do much for new year's (as it turns out, babysitters like to go out on new year's eve!). I was also able to hit the treadmill pretty much whenever I wanted, since I was off work, and got some good sleeps in too.
It's back to work tomorrow, though, so I will be sad to say goodbye to my couple of weeks of having fun and doing whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.
On the bright side, though, it will be easier to get through the day without eating, since I can bring my lunches and will otherwise not have time (or opportunity) to be snacking, really. While I've enjoyed being able to sleep in a bit and treadmill without too much worry, it'll be nice not to be face to face with my fridge all day long!
Lost this week: 2
Lost so far: 34.2
Still remaining: 65.8
Activity points earned this week: 24
Weeks to go: 40
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