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!!!)

Two Month Anniversary Pics

Hi everyone,

It's been TWO MONTHS!!!! Two Months and 25 POUNDS less!!! That's more than 10 pounds per month AND I'm doing it the right way with proper nutrition and exercise - no quick tricks, just hard work and dedication. There is NO turning back now. I am so pleased and proud that I have been able to last this long and I have no doubt I will make it to the end!! This is the longest I've ever TRULY and HONESTLY committed to losing weight and getting healthy!!! I really feel like I am on my way to making this a permanent lifestyle change. The longer I do this, the harder it will be for me to go back to my old ways and I'm thrilled about that because I DO NOT want to go back!!

I feel amazing, full of energy!! I'm feeling so much stronger especially during and after my workouts! It's awesome!

To be totally honest, I don't see a huge difference like in the last pics but I do feel smaller and stronger and for now that's important to me.

What I've Noticed...

The Front Shots: My stomach, hips and legs are a bit smaller, less fat on my chest, under my neck area

The Side Shots: My stomach (especially the lower abs area), less rolls, butt's smaller, thighs just a bit smaller

The Back Shots: My waist and hips are a bit smaller, things feel different, I feel like everything is falling down wards! My legs appear bigger this month - I dunno!!

The Fun Shots: My arms seem smaller and shoulders more defined, thigh is smaller and starting to get some definition, my butt is definitely getting smaller.

Anyway, really anxious to hear what you guys think. I'm hoping that next month's pics will show much Bigger changes!

Anyway, here are the pics. I've posted last month's to compare to this month's!

FRONT (Top: Jan 10/09 - 242 lbs, Bottom: Feb 13/09 - 233 lbs)

SIDE: (Top: Jan 10/09 - 242 lbs, Bottom: Feb 13/09 - 233 lbs)

BACK (Top: Jan 10/09 - 242 lbs, Bottom: Feb 13/09 - 233 lbs)

FUN (Top: Jan 10/09 - 242 lbs, Bottom: Feb 13/09 - 233 lbs)

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Training Program - Phase 2

Hi all,

Well it's been 6 weeks and it's now time to change

up my training routine. This is all part of the progressive workout plan. I met with Rob this morning at his workout studio so that we could run through my new, more difficult training routine and WOW!! It's awesome. I FELT so STRONG and just great doing this routine. This routine incorporates a few more exercises using weights and they're killer (but good)!! I have also increased the amount of weight I'm lifting based on Rob's suggestions...it was amazing to me how he just watched me do the exercise and could determine that I needed to increase the weight...he's a true professional. I tried to pull one over on him with one of the exercises because I was a bit nervous about increasing the weight...he just looked at me and said, "you're moving up to 12's on the next set!!" BUSTED!! I just had to laugh. And of course, he was right...much more effective...too funny! I am now doing supersets (2 sets of 2 different exercises with no rest period in between), then rest and do the next two and continue until the end. My heart was pumping...It was awesome. I find that I am really enjoying the weight lifting part of the workout. It just makes me feel so strong. I really like it...

Rob also gave me some new suggestions, options with my meal plan so that I don't get bored! So far so good. The food suggestions look amazing - can't "weight" to try them.

It was a great session today, thanks Rob....and that's not all that happened at Rob's Workout Studio today.......See next post, it's part of MY BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joania (2000 MINE!!!)

The Pics Are Out - Here's What I Noticed...

I'm so relieved that the pics are out AND that the results were visible. Personally, I am truly amazed at the results. I never thought that dropping 16 pounds would be so significant (especially visually). I realized that I shed a lot more inches than pounds and in the bigger picture I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER!! I am breathing easier, sleeping better and not as breathless when I RUN up and down my stairs, my feet aren't always sore, my knees no longer crack with each step and they don't hurt anymore!! Trust me, I like the weight loss part, I love seeing that number get smaller and smaller, BUT I also truly love the way I'm feeling right now - just STRONG! It's awesome. I will post my "inches lost" soon - you guys will be amazed; I was STUNNED!!

I received such awesome feedback/comments from everyone - Thank you all!! I've also had a few questions, but here is the answer to what was my favourite question thus far:

"Joania, you look so awesome, it looks like you've lost so much weight in these pix, be honest, are you wearing a gurdle or you know, spanx???"

"NO!! I'm NOT wearing a gurdle or spanx in this picture! I'm wearing the exact same outfit I wore on Dec 10/08, including same underwear and bra!!!!" I literally take it off, WASH it and put it away for a month!!

Anyway, here are 10 differences (physical that is) I noticed in this month's pictures:

1. My butt is getting smaller and more shapely (whoohoo..on my way to being even more bootylicious than I thought I was!)
2. My boobs are smaller (my husband's getting worried)
3. I HAVE A WAIST AGAIN!! WHOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!! (Well it's on its way back)
4. I've lost not one, BUT TWO sets of rolls on my back!! Oh Yeah!!
5. My face is smaller
6. A little space is slowly starting to reappear between my legs!
7. My shoulders and arms are shrinking.
8. My "Backboobs" are shrinking and I TOTALLY hope they DISAPPEAR!!!
9. My legs look longer (that's because my gut is shrinking, hence my shorts can be properly pulled up, exposing more of my hot legs!!) ;))
10. I LOOK taller! :)

The one thing that stayed just as big is my heart and I hope it never loses any weight!! My heart is truly filled with joy right now at my progress, the fact that I've remained committed and determined to succeed. I am also very happy and grateful to have such supportive people behind me, in my corner, beside me, having my back on a regular basis. Thank you all so much for all the support, kind words, words of encouragement and offers to kick my butt when I need it!! THANK YOU!!

I am even more committed to see this through and just can't wait for next month's pics...Feb 10 is closer than it seems!!!!

Joania (2000 MINE!!!)

Two-Thousand-MINE!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Hi guys,

2009 will be MINE, in fact from now on, I'm calling it "Two-thousand-MINE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've just returned from meeting and working out with my trainer today and I feel AWESOME!! I feel so strong and just good. I almost can't put it into words. I'm so excited and happy, it's almost like I'm on some sort of high - my trainer says it's endorphins (don't know if I spelled that right)!! Whatever it is, this is just such a good feeling. I've been humming and singing R.Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" all day - I know, it's corny but it's true..that's what's on my mind!! It's wonderful! I'm such a cornball!!:)

Rob (trainer) was pleased with my progress thus far but he killed my arms/shoulders today by adding a few extra boxing moves to the routine...My arms were just burning and shaking..it was crazy. What's really cool, is that I'm starting to notice some definition in my arms, legs, neck...I can't wait to see my pics..I'm really hoping the changes will be visible. I can't believe the differences I'm feeling in such a short period of time. I'm breathing so much easier than before and you should see me run up and down these stairs in my house! Even my sleep has improved, I hardly toss and turn anymore, I'm out as soon as my head hits that pillow.

I'm a different woman. It's only been 3 weeks. Wednesday will be my 4th weigh-in (one month already) and a few days later on the 10th, I will take my first anniversary progress pic. I'm getting excited and nervous!

I gotta tell you guys that when I first started the workout program, with certain exercises (squats)my knees were cracking worse than my grandma's (I love her so much)...the cracking was so loud and my legs/knees were so weak that I couldn't stop shaking or even balance on one leg. Today, I did those same exercises and you wouldn't believe how much stronger I was AND, NO CRACKING IN THE KNEES, my balance was incredible - it was nuts!!!I'm truly amazed at how well and how quickly the body adapts itself. I guess it's true - I take care of my body and my body in turn takes care of me!!

So that's it, just wanted to drop by give a little update..things are going well. Actually, it's fabulous - I really feel that this is my year!! TWO-THOUSAND MINE, BABY!!!!! I'm still pushing through!! Thanks for all the support guys, I hope you all realize just how much it helps me!!!Thanks again!

Joania