Weigh-in Saturday ~ Week 50

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 177 lbs (Nov 21/09)
Current Weight: 175 lbs (Nov 28/09)
This Week: 2 FABULOUS POUNDS GONE!!!!
Total Loss: 83 pounds!!

Wow!! Week 50!! Only 2 official weigh-ins left!! Incredible! This week, I lost another 2 pounds and I'm thrilled!!! It's just awesome. I weigh 175!! I don't remember ever weighing 175. I feel amazing. I'm at about a size 14 right now, even 12 in certain clothes. I think I look really good. I'm not super thin or anything....just healthy which is all that matters to me at this point.

With only 2 official weigh-ins left, I know that I will not hit the "101 pounds" mark and I don't care. I remember at the start of the journey, I was doing some research to find out what I "should" weigh for my height - my ideal weight. I found out that for my 5'5 frame, being female, I should weigh 136 pounds!! 136 pounds!! I remember thinking to myself, "yeah right, 136 pounds!!" So I then just decided I would try to lose 101 pounds - why 101? I have no clue....there was no logic or strategy - it was literally the first number that popped in my head. Losing 101 would take me to 157 pounds.

Now that I can look at my body after losing 83 pounds, and assess how I feel, strength and health wise, I think I would be fine with maintaining a weight ranging between 145 and 155 pounds. This will be my lifelong goal. To be consistent with my training and nutrition in order to keep me at a healthy 145 to 155. That would give me 10 pounds to play with. I will be turning 36 on February 27, 2010 and I am now setting a new goal of weighing 150 by that date. That's 25 pounds away - I CAN DO IT! This will give me the incentive I need to stay motivated and focused. After that, I will be setting new goals, different goals that do not center so much on weight, rather on fitness and health. I think my first non-weight related goal will be to start training for a triathalon (a mini one - i think they're called "Try-a-Tri") and then possibly a 10K run - who knows?? The sky's the limit! :)

I was in the mirror flexing my arm muscles today and laughing at how silly I looked.LOL! But I've gotta tell you - I feel SO STRONG!! I have some loose skin on my arms (and tummy and legs) BUT, that strong rock hard arm (and abs and legs) is under there and you can see it!! Pictures in 2 weeks...

My journey will not stop after the next two weigh-ins. I have totally changed my life and lifestyle for the better and have done so many wonderful things because of it...AND WILL CONTINUE to be able to do even more wonderful things!! Can't wait for tomorrow, and the day after!! :)

Have a great weekend!!

Until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

My New Challenge.....PULL-UPS!!!

PULL-UPS!!! arrgggh, and I'm not talking about the potty training diaper!! I'm talking about the most dreaded excercise I've ever come across!!!!!!!!! This is the push-up's BIGGER and MEANER BROTHER!!!!!!! I never thought there was an exercise worse than push-ups! Well there is...

What is a pull-up (other than hell on earth)?

A pull-up is an upper body compound pulling exercise where the body is suspended by extended arms, gripping a fixed bar, then pulled up until the elbows are bent and the head is higher than the hands, utilizing an overhand grip (see pic below).

There are quite a few variations of this exercise; I'm just working on doing the standard pull-up. This thing is a frigging killer!! I have it listed as one of the things I want to be able to do after this journey (my health goals) but Holy Mother of Pearl, is it ever difficult!!

As part of my new training program, I'm required to do 3 sets of 8 of these suckers!! "ROB (my trainer), what the crap were you smoking when you built this program?? Are you nuts?" I could see you smiling right now, but could also hear you cheering me on!

So far, I've managed to do the required 3 sets of 8 reps.....hahahahahaha, NOT!!!! I can barely do one pull-up!!!! My arms (upper, lower), shoulders, abs, chest, back, nostrils...EVERYTHING shakes and burns when I try to do this...WOW!!! I'm able to bend my knees at a 90 degree angle and hang on the bar. I can "pull" myself up for only one repitition, and that's using everything I got!! So what I've been doing is hanging and pulling myself up as far as I can go, then hold for a second or two. I figure I will get stronger and should be able to eventually do at least 5 of these babies!!

I'm not going to give up on these...I WILL BE DOING 3 sets of 8 reps in 6-8 weeks time!!! I know I have it in me...I just got to find it..LOL!!! When I am finally able to do this, I will have it video taped and post it!!! LOL!! I'm serious, I will!! It may be next year, but I'll get it done! :)

Anyway, wish me luck with this one...

Overall, the new program rocks!! I feel like I just started working out again, except I'm stronger. It's HARD, don't get me wrong, but I can almost feel each exercise sculpting that respective muscle - it's pretty cool. It's super challenging and totally kick-ass, thanks Rob!!

I will once again be on business travel the next couple of weeks. I'll be out west and hoping that the hotel gyms are equipped to handle some of the exercises of the new program. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

My NEW Strength Training Program.....Holy Crap!!!!

Hi guys,

A couple of days ago, I got an email from my trainer with my new, more difficult, kick-ass training plan for the next few weeks. OMG!!!

I will be weight training 4 times a week. I have 2 new programs - one day upper body, the other lower body with core and balance training incorporated in both programs. I have a choice of doing the program 2 days on,one day off (so Mon, Tues - workout, off Wednesday, Thurs, Fri -workout and have the weekend off) or do it on alternating days. So far, I've done 2 days on 1 day off! It is killer hard.

Lots of supesetting (when two exercises are performed in a row without stopping/resting). It's quite vigorous but really shows me how much my strength has increased. It's awesome. I think after this 6 week period with this new program, the definition in my muscles will really be noticeable - I can't wait!

I've never seen some of these exercises before; like one where I'm working my triceps as I'm balancing on an exercise ball!! Insane!! There's another one that I'm calling the "Lagana Lunge-a-palooza"!! I'm doing all sorts of lunges (side, back, front) and balance moves all in ONE exercise!! It's crazy and really gets your heart going!! Mother of pearl!!

MrLagana (my trainer) wasn't playing around when he put this program together! I'm really going to give it my all and will be really excited to see the results. Thanks Rob!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)