Day 245 - Recovery needed

Today wasn’t as good of a day as I was hoping for.  I think my body needs some rest.  I sat down for a few minutes and actually fell asleep.  That hasn’t happened in a while.  I did get out for my yoga class, and it was wonderful.  But, that’s all I got in today.  I think I need to catch up a little on sleep and rest, and then get back into my program.  Never underestimate the need to recover.  I did, and this week hasn’t been nearly as good as I was hoping for.  Rest, recovery, and then rejuvenation!

Day 244 - Busy, but got a walk in

Today was a crazy busy day.  I had a full day of work, and then there was a TACA meeting in Loudoun  county.  There wasn’t a lot of down time to get my exercise in.  But, I decided to go for a brisk walk at lunch time.  It wasn’t as long as I would have liked, but it’s something.  Tomorrow, I will do intervals and yoga to make up for it.  On the plus side, it was great to hear Dr. Rossignol talk at the meeting, and see some friends I haven’t seen in a while.  That just made my heart happy.

Day 243 - Busy, Full Day

Today was another great day.  We had someone coming over right after work/school, so I spent my lunch break doing cardio cleaning.  I love it when the house is nice and orderly and clean.  It doesn’t happen all that often, so when it does, I savor it.  Now, if only I could my bedroom decluttered and cleaned.  That would be true heaven.

After our visitor left, I hopped on the elliptical and did a quick 30 minutes.  I was surprised to see that I was able to push a lot harder than before the resort. Where I was able to keep my calories/hour around 800-850 before, tonight I was able to keep it around 900.  It felt really good.  After dinner, I got on the bike for an hour.  My foot was cramping toward the end, but I finished.  I’ve really learned the value of just sticking it out and finishing.  I like that.

So, 90 minutes of hard cardio plus and hour of cardio cleaning.  Not a bad day!

Day 242 - Normal Rest Day

I'm trying to get back to my normal routine now that I'm home.  And, Tuesday is my normal rest day.  I have to say, I really needed it.  I think Cathie wanted to prove last night that her workouts are just as intense as at the resort.  I agree, they are!  If not, more intense!

But, I did take the time to go through my photos and post them all in an album on my facebook page.  If you want to see them, just look here.  It makes me smile just to look at the pictures and remember how much fun I had.  Now, I want to get down to 225 (or so) and go back.  It will be great to see how much more I can do when there is less of me.

Day 241 - Back to My Routine

Tired.  Exhausted.  Spent.  Those three words pretty much sum up how I feel right now.  I had a pretty good day today, but very busy.  Leaving work completely for a week is not something I ever do.  I didn’t check email or voicemail all week.  That meant work was super busy today.  Then, I had a meeting this afternoon, and things went downhill from there.

I was able to get home in time for my Monday night classes.  The first class, Muscle Challenge, was very similar to last week’s Total Tone class.  But this one is an hour, and she has no mercy when it comes to picking weights.  I haven’t felt this weak since I first started taking the class!  But, even though I cut back on some of my weights, I still did my rows with 20 pounds.  That felt good! 

The second class was yoga.  After the tease of all the stretch classes last week, it felt wonderful to be in a full yoga class.  I never thought I’d miss down dog or warrior.  But, it was a great class.  I was still not as strong as I’d like, but I held up pretty well.  After class was over, I showed off some of my pictures and answered a bunch of questions.  I think half my friends thought I was insane, and the other half wished they were there. 

But now, Michael wants company and I can barely see straight I’m so tired.  So, I am going to tuck him in and then get a hot shower and get to bed.  Tomorrow is an office day, so it’s an early day.  Sweet dreams!

Day 240 - Home from the Biggest Loser Niagara!

I’m home!  As much as I loved my time at the Biggest Loser Resort, I’m so happy to be home.  When I called downstairs for Michael, he came running up the stairs and gave me the biggest hug.  And, when he wanted me to carry him, I could!   That was nice!

I am a little disappointed with my results – I only lost two pounds for the week.  But, according to the trainers, some people see bigger results the week after they get home.  I’m hoping that’s what happens with me.  But, I did lose two inches off my waist, and one off my chest.  I’ll take it!  Since the scales are different, I’m not going to post a current weight.  Next weekend, I’m hoping for a really good weight.

It’s been pretty crazy since I’ve been home.  Michael’s wanted a lot of attention, and I wanted to tell Steve everything.  And then there is laundry, unpacking, and chores that need to be done here.  So, I haven’t had a chance to fully settle in yet.  I took a ton of pictures over the last few days, so I am hoping to do a photo tour one day this week.  It will just depend on how long it takes me to get settled in and caught up.  The nice thing is that Steve did a lot of little things around the house while I was gone.  That was really nice to come home to.

But, just for completeness, I wanted to tell a little about the check out process.  This morning we made appointments to weigh and measure.  Then, there was breakfast (cold cereal only) and one last stretch class, which was optional.  After stretch, I got in the car to drive home.  I missed home so badly!

Day 239 - Saturday at the Biggest Loser Resort Niagara

Saturday at the resort is pretty much half a day, but it’s the most intense half day possible.  There was no stretch class this morning, so I was supposed to be able to sleep in.  No such luck.  Right around 5 am, my eyes opened and I was up for the day.  Not a bad thing, considering.

After breakfast, we had our morning hike.  As much as I hate to admit it, I’m starting to like the hikes.  It’s nice to be able to get some fresh air and sunshine at the same time as the exercise.  Who knows, maybe when the weather gets nicer, I’ll see if we can go for a family hike somewhere.  That would definitely be different!

After the hike we had our last chance workout.  It was intense!  Basically, the trainers set up a circuit around the gym with all kinds of stations.  For example, there were planks, pushups, treadmill running, wall sits, ropes, etc.  We had 90 seconds at each station.  You never really think 90 seconds is that long until you are panting and out of breath.  After the first time around at 90 seconds each, we did a second circuit of 45 seconds each.  I thought I was going to die.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, it was over.  And I was so proud of myself!  I don’t think I have ever pushed myself this hard physically in my entire life.  I finally understand where they say so much of it is mental.  You think you can’t do something, so you fight anyone who says you can.  When you just say, ‘I’ll try it’, you can really surprise yourself.  I never thought I could run at all, but I did.  I was a short distance, but I did it.  I never thought I could do the ropes so long, but I did.  Every day I tried something new and I was surprised.  I want to keep surprising myself.

After the last chance workout, we had snack and one last class – ‘Be Your Own Personal Trainer’.  It was in the gym, but basically, it was a chance to ask the personal trainers questions so we would be ready to go home and have a plan.  I was able to write down a pretty good full body workout that I can do at home with a set of weights.  There were a bunch of questions, and then it was over.

We had most of the afternoon off, and I was really sore, so I decided to have one last massage before going back home.  It was pure heaven.  I think I definitely need more massage in my life.  After that, I came back to the room and did most of my packing.  I still have a little to do in the morning, but it’s not that bad.

Graduation was really nice.  We sat around a fire pit and talked about (and threw into the fire on paper) things we wanted to leave behind, and things we wanted to take with us.  It was really emotional.  Everyone came to the resort for a different reason, but we all had a common cause.  And, the camaraderie in the group was phenomenal.  I have never bonded with so many people, so quickly.  I really do expect to have these new friends for life. 

After graduation, one couple had made arrangements to renew their wedding vows.  It was so sweet.  I loved their vows to each other, and the commitments they made.  Of course, it reminded me of Steve, and of home.  I really am ready to go home.  I miss my family so much.  And now, I feel like my family is a little bit bigger with the friends I made this week.

Tomorrow morning will be busy.  I have my weigh-in at 8:30, then breakfast, and then one last stretch class.  After that, I will drive home.  It will be a pretty long drive, but I promise, I’ll at least update you with my results.  I will probably have at least one other post with a ton of pictures, and maybe some ideas if you decide to come to Niagara.  It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing to do for yourself!

I did have one big revelation today.  In the past, I have always viewed exercise as a punishment for being fat.  Now, I have learned that exercise is something my body needs to be healthy.  I finally see exercise as treating my body with the love and respect that it deserves.  That mental shift might seem tiny, but to me, it’s really, really huge.