Time for Change for "The Chubby Girl"

So I got up this morning and headed off to the college gym to try out an elliptical trainer.  I keep hearing that they are a great workout and plus, they just look kinda fun.  Although it took me nearly 5 minutes just to figure out how to turn it on (turns out you don’t turn it on, you just go… who knew) I did enjoy it and worked up a nice sweat. The stupid calorie counter thing said I turned 25 calories, so I am assuming that wasn’t working because I didn’t have a heart rate monitor on.

But, I have a general question that I would appreciate some input on!  I will start by making the blanket statement that I am quite out of shape.  However, I am making efforts and finished my first week of doing some sort of cardio every day.  All of this cardio, though, has consisted primarily of lower body work (walking, cycling, elliptical, etc).  I also did a little bit (read: one time) of  doing the basic dumbbell weight lifting with 5 pound weights.  At this stage in the game, how often should I be incorporating upper-body work, such as weights?  Or do I focus on cardio until I get a bit more fit?  I just have this awful vision of having really strong legs and weak, flabby arms at the rate I am going!

Workout:

• Type: General Cardio
• Date: 08/30/2008
• Time: 08:00:00
• Total Time: 00:00:30.00

However, I should state, that walking your dog on the morning of garbage pickup does not allow for the best aerobic exercise. We stopped every 6 feet, as Marty was intent on inspecting the contents of each neighbors bin!

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 08/29/2008
• Time: 07:45:00
• Total Time: 00:00:30.00

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 08/29/2008
• Time: 06:30:00
• Total Time: 00:01:00.00

Hurray for 2.2 pounds! Granted, I am spoiled by watching the double-digit losses characteristic of the Biggest Loser, but I am very happy to no longer say that I have 50 pounds to lose! That’s 48.4, thank you very much!

Health:

• Date: 08/28/2008
• Weight: 178.4
• Mood: Happier than Normal
• Sleep Pattern: Normal

Today was a second attempt at a spin class.  Different instructor, very different style.  While the first was certainly high energy, this woman today had more enthusiasm and character than any person I have ever met…ever.  It was crazy, but it certainly made the class go faster and be more “enjoyable” (in a masochistic sort of way!).  I didn’t hook up to a HR monitor, though, so I didn’t get that enjoyable calories-burned-count at the end…bummer.  However, I left the class feeling a bit discouraged.  The problem with attending these classes at a college gym is that I was pretty much the only one there who didnt play on one collegiate sports team or another.  And no matter how hard I tried, I just could not get my butt off that stinkin’ seat for more than about 30 seconds.  I’m sure this is just a matter of my current fitness level (which is getting better every day!) but is still makes me feel like it is a club that I just don’t belong to.  However, I realize that this is the feeling that has stopped me from following through on work-out plans in the past, so I am pushing through.  Any stories of similar feelings/experiences would be oh-so helpful.

(Oh, and tomorrow is “weigh-day”…wish me luck!)

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 08/27/2008
• Time: 18:30:00
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00
• Distance: 22 miles
• Average Speed: 22 mph

Today was my very first spinning class.  Although I was clearly the most out of shape one in the class, I am pretty proud of myself!  Particularly when the little calorie meter on the bike said 443!  Hurrah!  I was able to manage the difficultly by changing the resistance when I needed to and sitting during the standing bits (I tried, I really did, but I’m just not there yet!).  I unfortunately didn’t figure out how to work the resistance-knob-thing until about halfway through (didn’t realize you had to turn it THAT much), so it was so low that it was difficult for the first 20 minutes or so (and lets not mention the embarrassing mishap of not knowing how to take the heart rate monitor off).  I guess that is just more motivation to try it again!  However, I do have a recommendation to fitness instructors:  While your welcoming enthusiasm is appreciated to fitness new-comers, please try to avoid pointing out the fact that one individual is having difficulty keeping up or has a slightly higher heart rate than the others.  There is a distinction between motivation and mockery, and while the former is greatly appreciated, the latter makes me feel like I shouldn’t be there - a feeling with is neither fair nor productive to my goals.

-T.C.G.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 08/25/2008
• Time: 06:30:00
• Total Time: 00:00:45.00
• Calories: 443

Health:

• Date: 08/20/2008
• Weight: 180.6
• Mood: Normal
• Sleep Pattern: Normal

Starting things off with a nice morning walk sounded like a good way to ease myself in to this new world of fitness that I am dedicated to becoming a part of.  I did not take in to account, however, that nice three mile walk would be done with my dear friend who also happens to run marathons in her spare time!  However, thanks to her pacing, my easy walk became a good aerobic workout, leaving me sweating just enough to feel like I had accomplished something!  Although slightly sore the next day, I am attributing this to a lack of stretching (beginner’s mistake!).  Next on the schedule is a morning spin class……… why do I feel like I am getting in over my head on this one?  Wish me luck!

-T.C.G.

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 08/14/2008
• Time: 09:30:00
• Total Time: 00:01:00.00
• Distance: 3 miles
• Average Pace: 0:20/mile