Wednesday, August 07, 2019

The ups and downs of changing my life

Whew!    I have lots to report on my fitness levels this week! It seems as if each week is a revelation of how bad this really is along with some random moments (few and far between) of seeing progression.   But this journey of weight loss and toward fitness is not a race (however much I would like it to be) and I will increase my fitness levels and lose weight even it is seems as if it is at a snails pace!!


Weight Loss
So typical of the way my body has been working of late, my weight popped up at the beginning of the week....grrrr!   I’m trying to not think about it...I’m within that three pound ‘fluctuation’ that I’m ok with (barely...but that is normal also).  I know this happens. I also know that I had a really big week of loss last week so this week might not be spectacular!  It’s just frustrating!  But I’m eating right so I am trying to not stress about it!!

Mountain Biking
We only went out once this past week.   We typically park at the lower lot when we go to this area, which means that we have to ride about a mile or two on a fire road until we get to a trail head.   Sounds like a perfect warm up right?   Well, right out of the gate there is an incline!   It has kicked both of us every time we go!  But...this past weekend I was just rolling up the hill and I was thinking, “Dare I say out loud that this is kind of easy?”   I did start breathing a bit more heavily for the last bit of the hill...but it was not too bad...nowhere near the typical freight train breathing that I have displayed every other time.  I was quiet about my revelation until Jason remarked that he handled the hill much better than before, he didn’t even get out of breath!   Progress for both of us!  

Running
I ran a few times last week.  I also ran on Tuesday evening after work!   Just getting out to run is a huge victory.   I did it...it was hard...but I put the time in!!!  It was real hard...but I know why....which is because of my next two sections!!!

Yoga
I decided to start doing yoga.   Or maybe I should say I am attempting to do yoga at this point!  Finding the time to do it requires that I wake up at 4:45.   But, so far this week I’m on a roll!!!

It is HARD!   The first day I was feeling good for about 10 minutes and then BAM...it was hard!   The second day was titled gentle and soothing....there was nothing gentle and soothing!   If that was gentle then I am scared!  

I can’t do some of the moves. Some of the moves make my legs quiver.  I sweat like crazy.  But I’m doing it...it can only get better right???  I know that my excess weight makes it so much harder!   But I’m really going to give this a full 30 day try.  While part of me dreads it...another part kind of relishes the muscle aches that I’m feeling and an even bigger part of me is super excited to see how I feel, look and move after 30 days!!!  

Squats
So I used to sit beside a team and a bunch of the gals on that team got up and did squats every hour.  Eventually their team disbanded (as did mine) and we all ended up on a new team together.  We started to do the squats back in February, but with the launch and the craziness that ensued, we stopped.  So yesterday I was minding my own business and I heard a ‘hey Maryfran’.  I turned and a cowoker said ‘we are starting squats again...wanna do them with us?’  (The guys do push ups)

Uh yeah!  I know that squats are good for me!  I also know that squats will REALLY help me on the bike as I learn to get my behind off the seat on my descents!   So starting at 9:30 I did 25 squats every hour.   7 times...(even though we start work at 8 it doesn’t start until 9:30).   So that was about 175 squats yesterday.  I say about because there were a few times I didn’t count and I KNOW I did more than my 25!  Plus...activity at my desk job is a good thing!  Which is ironic that it started yesterday because I had a video to upload last night...a video about staying active at a desk job!!!  (Feel free to watch it if you feel inclined...no biggie if you don’t though!!!  I’m happy to have you reading!)




So there you have it.  It is ugly the shape that I have allows my self to fall into!   But I AM making strides toward a better life!   I am taking the steps needed in this weight loss journey to lose weight and regain my fitness levels!   Seriously...I’m going to be kick add if I keep this stuff up!!!!

16 comments:

jen said...


You are making great strides, actually they are leaps, towards being a healthier you.

Well done.

Amy said...

The thing I love about the yoga series you are doing is that Adriene is so easy-going, she shows a lot of modifications so you can do it how it works for you and you don't have to be a master in every pose. You will be amazed at some of the things you can do that you thought you wouldn't be able to, and when you revisit them later in the series, you will be better because of the strength you've gained.
That being said, I would be a pancake if I did all of those active things all at once. More power to you if you can keep up with all that and stay feuled enough to maintain that level of activity. I bow to you for the magnitudes of effort you are putting forth! I hope the rainbow at the end of the journey is as brilliant and beautiful as you are hoping it to be!

peppylady (Dora) said...

It been hot. I try to get out in the morning and take a walk.
Coffee is on

Sarah said...

You are doing great!

I've been doing squats too. Boy do I feel it lol.

Shelley said...

Uh, that's a lot of squats!! If you can walk today then you are in better shape than you think because holy cats that is a lot of squats.

Mary said...

I'd do pushups with the guys, but that's just because I'm not that convinced of the benefits of squats. I could be wrong.

MaryFran said...

Thanks! I am slowly and steadily moving in the right direction toward a healthy life!

MaryFran said...

Thanks! I am really looking forward to see how I handle some of these poses at the end of 30 days! In the meantime my friends are being amused at the yoga reports they get every day!!! Stuff like ‘yeah today was called gentle and soothing....but it was lies...all lies....there was nothing gentle and soothing about that crap!’ Lol

MaryFran said...

When it’s so hot that’s the only thing we can do...try to get out before it becomes unbearable! Good for you for getting out there early!!!

MaryFran said...

Yay to the squats!!!! Such a simple move but oh boy does it ever pack a punch!!!

MaryFran said...

We started them yesterday (Tuesday) and while I was a bit achy...but I was fine. A couple of the gals talked about how they could barely move...one a thin little slip of a girl that talks about going to the gym all the time.

MaryFran said...

I have thought about doing the pushups with the guys one at least one of my once an hour stint....but I can’t do push-ups quite yet! The squats are good for me because when I am on the mountain bike and we are going downhill I have to get to the point that I’m off the saddle...knees bent...riding down a trail...pretty much in a squat position...so right now when I try it my thighs SCREAM....so I know the squats will help the thighs!

Anonymous said...

Go girl!!!

Midwest Cowgirl

MaryFran said...

Thanks!!!

mxtodis123 said...

You are doing great. I can't do yoga. Tried, but it didn't agree with my body. Too much back pain. Now I am doing Tai Chi twice a week.

Mrs Swan said...

These small changes your starting now are going to have such a tremendously positive outcome! Of course, you know that but I have to chime in on it as well. LOL