Weight Watchers

I'm thinking about joining weight watchers.  Probably just the online stuff.  Heavens knows I keep up well with online communities and I also have friends that are doing it too.
Thoughts?

Input...?

Ok I need input. Something strange has happened....I haven't worked out in 4 days due to feeling a little under the weather this weekend and frankly, when I wasn't catching up on sleep trying to feel better I was a chicken with my head cut off running around. As a result I also didn't have time to cook or grocery shop so the only snacks I ate were sugary stuff I already had. booo....

But needless to say, when I got to work today and weighed myself (yes, I don't own a scale so I'm forced to weigh myself at work with clothing on. It's more realistic since the Dr.'s office always weighs you with clothes on too...right?) I had lost yet another pound. My theory is that I've lost a slight bit of the muscle mass I have gained due to regularly working out. So I will test my theory by getting back on the horse this week and see if I gain back. Mind you, I am back to my healthy eating once again. What do you think caused this strange phenomenon? Has this happened to you before? I tell ya what though....It almost makes one not want to work out. ALMOST. But I know it's good for me and it makes me feel good so I won't be fooled by the little devil on my shoulder just yet.

Why do you workout?

So, what's up with working out?  Why do you do it?
I don't get skinny doing it, perhaps I'm more toned, but I don't really even lose inches...
For me it's this:
1.  Less likely to get sick, and when I do get sick I am better faster, and I don't get as sick (currently in the "less sick" category right now).
2.  I think my face looks more "glow-y" when I work out.
3.  By taking the time to do something entirely for myself I'm usually happier and more energetic.

But, being sick  -- I was in a quandry last night.  Do I wake-up early to work out or not. I had a wake-up call that I don't ALWAYS have to get up at 5:30 to work out.  I could use some precious naptime to do a bit (and I usually keep it to 15 minutes when I'm not feeling well, just light stuff).  I just did some "just dance" on the wii.  I rocked it, as usual.

Ok, time to respond ladies.  Show me you're out there!

Triumph!

Slowly but surely the weight is coming off....now, of course, that I have been watching my sugar and carb intake more carefully. I am back down in the 150's finally!!! (159 to be exact) *Gasp*, I know...I just told you my weight! But, this is in part for my own good because it will make me accountable and see my progress looking back.

I am also slowly noticing firming in my legs and my stomach (via 50 crunches after every treadmill session). This is awesome since my stomach was probably the thing that bugged me most, and second was the cottage cheese I was starting to see in my calves. I used to always pride myself in having pretty nice legs, but haven't felt that way for a few years now. I am now getting to the point where when I look down at them I see an actual calf muscle again! Yay! It's the little things really...

Oh, and my "pooch" is no longer hanging over my pants as much. Hence my enthusiasm for the crunches...because I really hate them. I do. But... *sigh*... they work.

Workout

After my last post I've thought about my favorite workout videos.  I have a lot, I have never had a gym membership but I  like to workout and find many benefits to it besides weight loss (which, frankly has never been a benefit, thanks so much for wondering).

Today, while feeding P I was watching the Marth Stewart Show, and she had a variety of exercises on, including one that you use a giant sword to do.  I was inspired by a lot of it, and noticed the different things you can "get" from each type.  I especially liked S factor -- now, I know a lot of you are going to be SHOCKED that I think this might be something for me, but since my pelvic floor was so out of balance I was doing a lot of stuff like this anyway.  The movements she was doing just looked freeing.  It looks like she has a book, so that might be a little more my style, and obviously something I'd do during naptime.  ;)  Go ahead, gasp away at me. 

Physique 57 also looked interesting.  I like how they REALLY worked certain parts of your body and then immediately stretched it out.  I think that'd feel good. Sadly, the woman with the giant sword doesn't have a workout video (I was thinking of getting it for Drew while she was doing it).

Anyway, I really want reviews of good DVD's, and I'd like to hear about stuff you're thinking of trying.  I'm gonna try and get some reviews done of the ones that I liked, and didn't end-up liking.

Current Workout

Some of you know that I got "Your Shape" with Jenny McArthy free with a House Party that I did.  I'm not required in any way to do a review on any of my blogs, but I am really getting into it.  It's hard to describe...

It comes with a USB camera that tracks you. It's a blessing, and a curse.  You need to have the exact lighting and the right clothes on for the camera to really get you.  I've been doing it about 8 workouts so far and I'm slowly figuring out what I need.  My main thing is the kitchen light on behind me.  I always forget it.  I also do better if I either have pants with a pattern or lighter pants on. 

Then, Jenny does exercises and you copy them, and then you receive a score.  I love the competative nature of this.  Today I hit 67% and I was SO happy.  You can't plan that the wii will find your every move, much like any of the other wii games you're going to have to give some room for error.  The joy is increasing your score.  I will admit that when you're totally doing it right and Jenny keeps telling me I'm doing it wrong that I do have some choice words for her in my head...

I also like you how can add a step bench, stability ball or hand weights to it. 

At the beginning Jenny asks you "how you're doing" and it seems like she really bases the workouts off this.  Today I was "nothing can stop me" and it was a HARD workout.  Of course, I was also working out at 7:40 instead of 5:40... of course, nothing could stop me. :)

Honestly, I am working out harder than I ever have.  I'm selecting the 30 minute workout, but it turns into a 40 minute workout because she stops your clock all the time to put down the hand weights or bench.  That's moderately annoying.  If I really need to be done in 30 minutes, I need to select the 15 minute workout (you can also do 45, 60 and 75 minute workouts).  I am working out hard because I want a good score and sadly, I like the little icons that Jenny places aroudn my photo when I'm doing a good job.  I think I need some more self-love.

I like how each time she adds a few exercises, and as I get better at some things, she increases the exertion required.  I like how she's feelin' me out just like a personal trainer would.

I think I can find a coupon code for anyone who's interested in getting one, bringing the Amazon price to 39.99.  There is also a PC product, but I heard you need to have serious gaming requirements on your computer to hook it up.  The price is also more expensive at 69.99 (but my 10$ off coupon works on that also).

Anyway, I am really happy with it.  I'm excited to workout with it still.  Going on week 3.  I heard that every 10 workout she allows you to re-post your weight and gives you  a "fitness level" and allows you to make a new goal area (mine is currently abs, I doubt that will change).

Anyway, I'm liking that I am loving the workouts as of late.  When Drew and I lose 20 points (based on a delicate equation) we're gonna get a wii fit.  Then, I plan to do video workouts once, wii fit once and Your Shape.  Let's not forget  my walking and turning the compost (it gives me the will to do it if I know I can get out of a workout -- it's hard work!).

The main thing I learned from this is that workouts should be enjoyable.  Also, find things that you like, and turn them into a workout (I don't really like composting, but because it's something I need to do I really get into and break a swet, it's a total body workout).  I also got Just Dance with my party pack (it was a pretty sweet party) and I LOVE that game.  I am also amazing at it, who knew?  Rarely does anyone beat me.  I challenge you all.  I hope with all my heart they come out with Just Dance 2 because I want to play it all day.  Also, I try and play it a bit in the afternoon, it helps lift my spirits, keeps me from eating and helps burn off some calories.  Big fun, big, big, fun.

How are your workouts coming?  Are you still enjoying what you're doing?

Stupid scale

So, I've sort of hit that huge wall that I think every woman hits where you are really good at working out every day but the scale doesn't budge....WTH?! How can that be possible when I am consuming the same amount of calories as normal but burning about 400/day now where I wasn't before.

The only thing keeping me motivated right now is the fact that I am majorly building up my endurance which is huge for me with my asthma. I am now up to running a full 8 minutes on the treadmill straight. I do 40 minutes total or about 2 1/2 miles at a rigorous walk on an incline but jogging that long after only 3 weeks is huge for me.

And to think....I used to jog 2 miles/day back about 5 years ago before I broke limbs that prevented me from continuing on this wonderful road of health and I regressed and have never been back up that far since...

I guess it's time to swallow my pride and actually change my diet too... oy....stupid insulin resistance. Why can't you just let me enjoy CARBS?! WhY?!.... Ok, that is all...