Isn't This Better Than Dieting?

A quote from the old classic FIRM workout Volume 1.


Such an 80s workout classic. Yet so effective. Cardio and weights. You can do the whole 70 minutes or break it up into parts. I'm addicted to the high impact cardio, the push ups on the dumb bells, the killer legwork, the chest work, the abs....I don't often do the whole workout but have been doing parts since Wed of last week, every day, after I heard of the untimely death of the workout's creator.

The FIRM used to promise visible results in ten workouts. And it is kind of true. I've done six days of the FIRM Volume 1 in a row and people have already asked me if I have lost weight.



It is more fun than dieting..I find I need tough-ish workouts to help me lose weight, to keep that waist line in shape...And I need to watch what I eat...That is the tricky part right now!

I am reading the book I mentioned a few posts back - Finally Thin.

At first, I didn't feel the book was helpful for me. She lost a lot of weight, as I did, but she looks thin and gorgeous while I look...fat and ugly.

The author raves about never having to worry do I look fat in this? But I worry about that most days.

Amd she doesn't do a lot of talk about emotional eating. Eating to cover up emotions.

But then, I gave myself a mental shake up. A mental slap. Come on, girl!

I realised that maybe I was just being way too negative and that this negativity was attributing to my inability to lose a few more kilograms.

Now, I am reading the book with a positive frame of mind. I might be old. I might be fat. But I am not as fat as I was. I might never be as thin as the author. I might never rejoice at what I see in photos. But I can learn some more positive food habits .

Like - thinking, really thinking, before I eat.

And returning to my own, personalised sort of food plan..meals and calorie allowances that suit me. Not someone else.

Knowing there is never just one way.

And learning that it is okay to take care of myself, too.

Ouch!

Secrets of a Former Fat Girl

A book I am re-reading. And I posted a thought for this week over at my blog.

Am interested in hearing your thoughts - and your health and fitness related reading!

Running and Spinning

This past week I saw an old college friend who is a physical therapist. She told me I CAN run again.

I quite 8 years ago because every time I ran, I got this really bad pain in my left shoulder. She gave me several sports massages and 'released' the muscles that were tight and then showed me how to do it. We went to a running store where they watched my gait (I pronate) and I bought some good shoes. I realized I have been running on cheapies the past years, so duh, no wonder I hurt.

Anyway, I have done two short runs.. and no pain! I am so excited, as I miss running. I will have to get up early to do it in Houston as it is so hot and humid this time of year, but plan to a few days a week.

And... today I tried a spinning class! I have done it *once * before about 3 years ago. This time was great!

I had my padded bike shorts (lovely, just want I DON'T need in that area.. more padding!), but it was so fun! Here is what it was like:

The room lights were dimmed and about 10 of us were on our spinning bikes.
Martha (the cute, young, blonde, thin, vivacious) instructor led us.
She put on some great rock and other music and led us through our paces. This was an 'endurance' class, so she would tell us to work on our form how hard to work, etc.

I liked it in that I could set my own resistance. It was like running in that you could veg out into your own world. I like group excersice, but I miss this.

I wish my polar watch had been working, cuz I bet I burned a lot! Then after I stuck around for a 30 min pilates stretch class.

Good day. I have been putting on some weight lately, so am trying to track a bit bettter what I eat. But it is really fun to have a couple more workout options.

What I've Been Doing..

Thursday - Billy Blanks Bootcamp Basic Training

Friday - Taebo Fat Blasting Cardio ( thought I was doing Total Body Blast and kept wondering where the strength training intervals were. Then I realized I took the wrong workout off the shelf! lol!).

Saturday - today - FIRM Classic Volume 1. I am drenched in sweat - thats a tough cardio and weights workout. Aerobic weight training or AWT.

Yesterday in the post I received my copy of the old fitness book "FIRM For Life."

Read part last night. :-)

It talks about the importance of resolve and of how being fitter and stronger helps us in all our other aeas of life - it's not selfish, it's not exercise for exercse sake, it's a life care thing. As we reach fitness goals and are strong and healthy we can tackle other areas of our life. The will and spirit we build can bring us closer to God and build personal and spiritual strength. We can be happier people and pass this onto our families...

The book also has some great nutrition advice - no dieting, eating healthy, watching portions, food journalling.

And some weird arcane advice on grooming - only wear black underwear in winter???

So now, I am trying to read three fitness books at once and a novel passed onto me by a priest friend and one of the books in the Didache religion series! Spiritual and mental and physical fitness, all in one...

Workouts and books

Today I did Taebo Fat Blasting Cardio from this set. A good 45 minute cardio workout, which you can do with or without resistance bands or light weights.

I followed this workout with Billy Blanks Ab Bootcamp - some of those ab routines are killer!

I haven't posted all my workouts this week - I worry about being boring. lol!

Basically, I work out every day - I never miss a day unless I really have to for health reasons. I do this just because I love working out, its part of my daily routine and part of who I am. I know people talk about the importance of rest days but I just can't take a rest from something I love! If I am extra tired or feel like I am overtraining, I will do a lighter workout on that day... Plus, I have a genetic blood clotting disorder and it is important for me to move every day...

Right now, I am re-reading two fitness related books.

One is "The Taebo Way". This is OOP but you can still pick up a copy secondhand from here or there - I got mine from an Amazon seller Christmas 2005. It is very good for tips on proper form and also for motivation - you hear Billy's story and are reminded of the mind-body-spirit connection. ( Billy Blanks is a Christian, btw).

The other book is Body for Life for Women.

Now, this book has been criticized as being a watered down version of the original Body for Life book. And its true in one sense - the workouts and meal plans are not as stringent.

What I like about the book, however, is its emphasis on mind - why we may overeat - and strategies for dealing with this, from a female perspective and wrt a female's lifestyle. Not being sexist here, but there are often different demands on a woman's time.

BTW, I couldn't follow either diet system - diets per se are just not me anymore. But I do borrow the Body for Life recipe book from the library now and then ( when I have paid my fines, that is!). Eating for Life has some yummy low fat high protein and complex carb recipes. Thomas and I especially love the chocolate peanut butter oatmeal for breakfast!