One Step at a Time

[AnnSparks]

Got a new piece of exercise equipment for like, $6 so I'm pretty excited lol. It's just a step thing. Kinda like a cross between an exercise bike and treadmill. Like, you step up and down similar to peddling a bike, but you're standing more like a treadmill if that makes any sense. Either way, this thing is going to help me burn more calories and give a bigger workout. So I think I'll use the bike as a warmup and then move onto some stretches and squats, pushups and such, then finish with doing this step/walking exercise thing.

Also! Was super excited today cause one of my coworkers told me that she can tell I'm losing weight. Apparently she can see it in my face so that's pretty awesome

Did some more shopping today and while getting groceries, I also bought a small personal sized blender that mixes one serving at a time. I do have a blender, but it's so big I never use it but I'd like to make some smoothies and such so I decided to buy this thing today and can't wait to try it out.
I've also come to realize that while binge eating and eating unhealthy stuff in general for a lot of other people seems to be caused from past experiences or the people find it really hard to stop, I don't. It's kinda like I flip a switch. While the unhealthy food does still look good and I'd love to have some, it's not hard for me to turn and walk the other way. Kinda like my brain never fully registers it that it's something I could eat and how good it takes. Only does enough to know it's there and know what it's like, but that's it. So to walk past the candy isles or be faced with my grandma wanting to give me a pie, it's honestly not hard to say no and ignore it. I've heard a lot of people say they struggle to stay away from the unhealthy food, but I honestly don't. It's all 100% choice on my end as to what I eat, no addiction or such strong cravings I cave in to battle with. Like I said, it's a mental switch to just stop eating junk food and it's been very easy for me to flip and stick to.

Pics of some of the food I bought which is making my mouth drool and the blender.

 

[liza]

Was super excited today cause one of my coworkers told me that she can tell I'm losing weight.

That's always nice to hear positive feedback like that!

be faced with my grandma wanting to give me a pie, it's honestly not hard to say no and ignore it.

oh man i don't know if i could say no to Grandma's pie!! But that is great that you are feeling that ease with switching over to a new lifestyle and way with food. It's nice that you can embrace it with enthusiasm.

 

[Llama]

Yay on the stepper thing! Don´t overdo it at first as they can be a bit hard on the knees otherwise. Oh, and try to stand up straight and push down with your heels as well as the front part of your foot to engage your glutes as well as your quads.

It's kinda like I flip a switch. While the unhealthy food does still look good and I'd love to have some, it's not hard for me to turn and walk the other way. Kinda like my brain never fully registers it that it's something I could eat and how good it takes. Only does enough to know it's there and know what it's like, but that's it.

That´s great and should make this whole process a lot easier.

 

[alligatorob]

Hey Ann, it makes me feel good to see you doing so well, good for you!

So to walk past the candy isles or be faced with my grandma wanting to give me a pie, it's honestly not hard to say no and ignore it.

No small thing! Resisting grandma's pie was not something I was ever able to do. My grandmother's specialty was pecan pie, probably my all time favorite pie. That was long ago, probably best I no longer have that temptation.

 

[Trusylver]

Your doing well !

 

[AnnSparks]

Ya, saying no to pie is still a little hard, but thankfully the pies weren't fully made when I was around or even in the oven yet so I didn't have any smells or already baked pies to deal with lol.

Managed to get lots of work done today. I had about a 40 minute workout this morning with 12 mins on the bike, then about 5 push ups (definitely needs work) and they're a challenge to do cause as soon as I get into position, my cats are there and rubbing against me to the point it's hard to even do one push up lol. Also, I'm just not good at them so going to work on those for sure. Did 20 donkey kicks. Those aren't that hard. It was only once I reached about 15 that I really started to feel a bit of a burn so I could probably do more. Also used 3 lb weights to lift from my sides, to above my head, not too sure how to describe this exercise, but managed to do like, 30 and barely felt anything. So I'm probably going to have to figure out a different exercise for my arms. Did a few lunges and squats and finished with the stepper thing. That was hard! I only lasted a few minutes but it was so hard to do that after everything else. And I honestly could feel my legs having been worked the rest of the day.

So ya, I'm pretty happy with how today went. Tomorrow will mark the end of another week so I'll do a weigh in and possibly measurements too. Really excited to see what it has to say.

 

[alligatorob]

Really excited to see what it has to say

My fingers are crossed for you!

 

[Llama]

If push-ups are hard you may want to start by doing incline ones (hands on the kitchen table, feet on the floor for example). And for the donkey kicks make sure your spine stays in a neutral position and your pelvis doesn't move from left to right; most people subconsciously make evasive movements to make it easier (and less effective).

 

[Trusylver]

ExRx.net : Dumbbell Lateral Raise is this the exercise you are doing ? if so then this exercise ExRx.net : Angled Side Bridge with target the Lateral Delt along with a wide rage of other muscles and requires no weight other than your own bodyweight. However learning to engage your core correctly is essential for this and as LaMa just pointed out watch your spine position and correct core engagement for the Donkey Kicks, they should not feel easy.

 

[AnnSparks]

@LaMaria I am starting with knee pushups since they're a bit easier (also have no table. My space is too small to have one xP ), but the biggest reason they're difficult is mostly because my floor is seriously uneven. Like, I doubt any part of the floor is level anymore. And with the floor being old and uneven like that, and my sensitive knees to be knealing on it is rather painful. Generally, if I were to do these push ups somewhere else with a better floor, I could do 10 - 15.

@Trusylver nope, that's not the exercise I was doing. My hands start at my sides, then lift to my chin, and from the chin to straight up in the air. It's all directly upward, no moving out sideways. Though I'll look into those exercises too.

 

[AnnSparks]

Week 4 Update

Current Weight: 212 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 8.5 lbs

Inches:

Neck: 14 (-0.8)
Arm: 12.9 (-0.6)
Chest: 43.5 (-0.3)
Waist: 46.1 (0)
Hips: 45.1 (-0.4)
Thighs: 24.8 (0)

Alright, so basically I've lost decent weight. and loosing inches or just stagnant in that area. One thing that really made me realize I've been losing weight/getting slimmer is that when I was getting dressed, I accidentally grabbed the wrong pair of pants. It wasn't until I had them on and doing up the zipper that I realized these were a pair of pants I'd never really worn because they'd always been too small/tight around the waist/hips area. So it felt pretty awesome that these pants are starting to fit now! Still don't fit enough that I'd want to wear them all them all day, but they actually button and zip up now where is before they were a struggle to even get up to my waist.

So ya, I'm pretty happy with my progress. Especially considering most of my actual weight loss has been happening in the last week and a half - two weeks. Definitely going to keep at this. Actually, once it hits week 5, it'll be the longest I've ever done a "diet" or "life style change" which is cool.

As a little treat, I got myself some berries and I know they're generally high in carbs, so they're going to be cheat day food since they're still healthy and that's what I've been really wanting lately. But at least that's a healthier craving to give in to than a bag of chips or chocolate or cake. Plus they're easy enough to incorporate into the amount of calories I can have in a day as well. So it's all around a win minus the carb part.

 

[Llama]

One thing that really made me realize I've been losing weight/getting slimmer is that when I was getting dressed, I accidentally grabbed the wrong pair of pants. It wasn't until I had them on and doing up the zipper that I realized these were a pair of pants I'd never really worn because they'd always been too small/tight around the waist/hips area. So it felt pretty awesome that these pants are starting to fit now!

Congratulations, that's awesome! Maybe you could use the side of your bed/couch for pushups? Easier on the knees for sure.

 

[liza]

Great about the pants fitting better and the good weight loss! Nothing like successes like those to keep one motivated!

 

[Cate]

Well done, Anne on the weight and inches lost & being almost in those pants.

 

[alligatorob]

Week 4 Update

Current Weight: 212 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 8.5 lbs

Good for you! 8 1/2 pounds in a month is really good! And the pants story is even better. You are on a roll, I am looking forward to seeing you bust that 5 week barrier and just keep going!

Thought about you today, you are my horse person right now. I went on a mountain bike ride and found more horses on the trail than bikes. I saw only one other biker, but a couple of dozen horses. At first I thought riding with the horses would be cool, but then discovered that the footprints made the trail a tougher ride, and the dropping added unexpected interest. But it is a shared trail, so I can't complain... much. Not a great picture I had to blow it up a lot. You probably can't tell but those are buffalo in the background.

 

[AnnSparks]

@LaMaria I wish. But my living space is so tiny I don't have a couch. The cabin is basically just one room and is a little bigger than what a master bedroom would be. So in one small space, I have everything, minus proper bathroom or hot water lol. So no couch, and where the bed is, it won't allow for the help of pushups. I'll just keep doing them the normal way on the floor. Thanks for the suggestions though

@alligatorob that's pretty cool! Sounds like a lot of fun out there. And it's cool to see the riders and buffalo like that. And it's very flat where you are. Can't imagine living somewhere like that lol. I've grown up with the forests and mountains so wide open spaces like that are quite something.

 

[AnnSparks]

Mini Update


Spoke with my cousin today only to find out we have several goals in common. She's finally got herself a horse as well, plus we both have things we want to start doing but have to wait for another 7 - 8 weeks before we can start, as well as wanting to work out. So, we've decided that through the summer, we're going to keep in touch to check out each others progress since we're both pretty much in the same boat with the horses. And in the weeks before that, we're going to be workout buddies. She lives several hours away from so basically what this'll look like is that every Sunday is our rest day and the day to get in touch, see how the other is doing, and motivate each other to keep going the next week. She doesn't really need to lose weight, but wants to get in shape and toned up before her horse arrives. And I definitely want to get in shape before I apply for some of the horse jobs. So all in all, the timing has worked out perfectly for that.

Current workout plan: (very rough idea, may be tweaked a few times yet)

Monday = Mostly strength training/high intensity work
Tuesday = Cardio
Wednesday = Strength training/high intensity work
Thursday = cardio
Friday = Strength training/high intensity work
Saturday = light cardio such as going for a walk and bringing a horse along for that
Sunday = rest


I've done well when it comes to always buying good, healthy food so I feel like I'm ready to add in a workout properly. I tried working out before but it was very sporadic so I'm thinking now that I have my cousin to help me keep on track, it should be easier to stick to it.

I've also set myself a goal that sometime this winter, I will be able to hop onto one of my horses bareback without a stepping stool. This is going to be a huge challenge since I've never been able to do this before, but I'm hoping with the new exercises and weight loss that I'll be able to accomplish it this year.


Had a fun moment with the horses today too. Been working a lot with Sam since he needs some extra work from his time off and we're doing a decent amount of liberty work. Basically, I've got him following me at a walk and trot with no ropes or whips to keep him with me. I'm also now getting him to pivot around too and I'm sure it's not going to take much to teach him tricks as well.

Anyway, as for tonight, I gave the horses food like usual, but then figured I wanted to try to get some interesting pics with the way the sun was setting. Sadly my phone isn't that good at pictures. Anyhow, for one of the pictures, I crouched down to try a different angle. Well, as soon as Sam noticed I was down, he immediately stopped eating and walked over to stand next to me, basically taking up his spot as guard to keep an eye on me and make sure I'd be safe while on the ground. Horses often stand near or over their fellow herd members when they're laying on the ground since they're very vulnerable in when down like that. So I felt quite special that he sees me as part of the herd and cares about my well being enough that the instant I was down, he was at my side, ready to keep guard and make sure I'd be safe.

Sam standing over me, keeping watch

And for fun, here's a pic of the young horse my cousin is getting
This filly is the same age as Jack actually. So that's why our goals line up there. Both her and I want to have our youngsters under saddle and riding decently by the end of the summer.

 

[liza]

Well, as soon as Sam noticed I was down, he immediately stopped eating and walked over to stand next to me, basically taking up his spot as guard to keep an eye on me and make sure I'd be safe while on the ground. Horses often stand near or over their fellow herd members when they're laying on the ground since they're very vulnerable in when down like that. So I felt quite special that he sees me as part of the herd and cares about my well being enough that the instant I was down, he was at my side, ready to keep guard and make sure I'd be safe.

Love that story! So nice! Love your pictures too as always.
So great about finding a nice connection with your cousin to keep on track with your goals!
That workout plan sounds intense to me. Was that what the trainer worked out for you or did you create that plan yourself?

 

[Llama]

So, we've decided that through the summer, we're going to keep in touch to check out each others progress since we're both pretty much in the same boat with the horses. And in the weeks before that, we're going to be workout buddies.

That´s great! Having someone to support you irl, even if they´re far away, is so valuable.

Well, as soon as Sam noticed I was down, he immediately stopped eating and walked over to stand next to me, basically taking up his spot as guard to keep an eye on me and make sure I'd be safe while on the ground.

That genuinely made me tear up a little.

 

[alligatorob]

And it's very flat where you are.

Not really, that picture makes it look like that, but we have lots of mountains here, and forests. The picture below was taken today, just 4 miles east of our house, a very different terrain.

I like your workout plan, very impressive.

And keep the pictures coming, I like them. You do just fine with your cell phone.