After reading YOAD, I explored the www.realage.com website. I joined the site on May 17th, 2007. I "lurked" around for about a month and decided to post on the message board. I had been reading numerous threads and decided I had found the group for me. On June 27th, I posted in the "Find an Exercise Buddy" section. That was truly a fateful day!
Since that day, I have made a group of wonderful friends on that message board. Each of them traveling through their own YOAD and life journey. Some of them are almost at their YOAD finish line, some are somewhere in the middle and a handful of them are near the beginning. I can honestly tell you that their support, encouragement, friendship and compassion has been a huge motivator for me. It's wonderful to know that they are always there to give advice, share laughs and to help each other "YOU turn" when needed.
It is crucial to have support along the YOAD journey. Don't "go it alone". I know that I am more successful because of my wonderful YOAD friends. I am also supported by my children, my husband and other family members. It really helps to have the fellow YOAD'ers though. They really understand what you are going through. It's hard to explain some things, to relatives. The folks on the message board though, can completely relate to me and I can to them. Whether it's the weight, stress, eating, frustration with family support, fear, happiness or just plain being there for each other---there just isn't anything better.
Thank you Jim, Diana, Janice, Rosemarie, Siri, Chris, Connie, Linda and all the folks on our message board! I really appreciate you for being on my journey with me!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Gotta Exercise!!
Oh, yes! You've gotta exercise!
When we joined the gym (the one our girls begged us to join because "all the hot guys are there", we made a "deal" with our three teenage daughters. We'd join this gym if everyone in the family would commit to coming to it at least 3 times per week every week. Everyone agreed. (The commitment purpose was two-fold; everyone needed to get healthier and the gym membership/dues are pretty pricey).
Since then, the girls go between 3-5 times a week. My husband goes 5-6 times a week and I usually go everyday.
Hubby and I are quite competitive with each other (in a positive way) and this has really helped us to push one another in the gym. We have recently "mixed" things up a bit to avoid stagnation and prevent plateauing. As of last Monday, I also made the commitment to walk for a minimum of 30 minutes EVERY day, no matter how much other exercise I was already doing. So I've added that to my already busy daily program. Here is an example of a "typical exercise week" for me. (I always drink 1-2 bottles of water during & after I exercise).
Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday-30-40 minutes on the treadmill (manual setting of speed 2.5-3.0 and elevation between 4-15) and 30 minutes on the Cybex Gazelle (I used to do 30 minutes on the elliptical).
Tuesday & Thursday-30 minutes on the treadmill (same settings) & 45 minutes of step aerobics class (prior to the treadmill I was doing a 60 minute water aerobics class, after the step class).
Saturday-60 minute strength training class or 30 minutes of weight lifting and 30 minutes on the treadmill .
Sometimes we will sit in the hot tub for about 10 minutes too, it just depends on the day. We also will occasionally do some laps in the pool.
I'm about ready to go to a more advanced step aerobics class. On Tuesday, I added a riser to my step to make it more challenging. It was good. I work with the "red" band, the 4 lb. medicine ball (which I will be increasing to 6 lb this week) and a 6 inch step.
I am feeling GOOD!!
When we joined the gym (the one our girls begged us to join because "all the hot guys are there", we made a "deal" with our three teenage daughters. We'd join this gym if everyone in the family would commit to coming to it at least 3 times per week every week. Everyone agreed. (The commitment purpose was two-fold; everyone needed to get healthier and the gym membership/dues are pretty pricey).
Since then, the girls go between 3-5 times a week. My husband goes 5-6 times a week and I usually go everyday.
Hubby and I are quite competitive with each other (in a positive way) and this has really helped us to push one another in the gym. We have recently "mixed" things up a bit to avoid stagnation and prevent plateauing. As of last Monday, I also made the commitment to walk for a minimum of 30 minutes EVERY day, no matter how much other exercise I was already doing. So I've added that to my already busy daily program. Here is an example of a "typical exercise week" for me. (I always drink 1-2 bottles of water during & after I exercise).
Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday-30-40 minutes on the treadmill (manual setting of speed 2.5-3.0 and elevation between 4-15) and 30 minutes on the Cybex Gazelle (I used to do 30 minutes on the elliptical).
Tuesday & Thursday-30 minutes on the treadmill (same settings) & 45 minutes of step aerobics class (prior to the treadmill I was doing a 60 minute water aerobics class, after the step class).
Saturday-60 minute strength training class or 30 minutes of weight lifting and 30 minutes on the treadmill .
Sometimes we will sit in the hot tub for about 10 minutes too, it just depends on the day. We also will occasionally do some laps in the pool.
I'm about ready to go to a more advanced step aerobics class. On Tuesday, I added a riser to my step to make it more challenging. It was good. I work with the "red" band, the 4 lb. medicine ball (which I will be increasing to 6 lb this week) and a 6 inch step.
I am feeling GOOD!!
Full Measurements
On July 12th I decided it was time to take a full set of body measurements, so that I'd have some kind of baseline, a way to keep track of my progress that wasn't completely attached to the scale. These are not measurements I am happy about or proud of, however, I refused to be ashamed of them. I am working to make them better. I think by facing them, keeping track and writing them down, I will be more successful.
These are my measurements as of 7/12/07 (I had been on YOAD for approx. 10 weeks)
Weight-235 pounds (down 20 pounds from 4/29/07)
Abdomen-44.5 inches
Panniculus (Abdominal "Apron)-50.75 inches
Chest-48.3 inches
R arm-17.5 inches L arm-17.75 inches
Neck-17.5 inches
R thigh-27.5 inches L thigh-27 inches
I am planning to measure myself weekly (every Thursday). This morning, I took an entire set of new measurements, as it's been 1 week since my initial round of measuring.
These are my measurements as of this morning 7/19/07 (I have been on YOAD for approx. 11 weeks).
Weight-227.5 pounds (down 7.5 pounds from last week-27.5 pounds lost total so far)
Abdomen-42.5 inches (down 2 inches from last week)
Panniculus-50.75 inches (no change from last week)
Chest-46 inches (down 2.5 inches from last week)
R Arm-16 inches (down 1.5 inches from last week)
L Arm-15.5 inches (down 2.25 inches from last week)
Neck-16.5 (down 1 inch from last week)
R thigh-26.75 (down 3/4 inch from last week)
L thigh-26 .9 (down 1/8 inch from last week)
YIPEE!!! Great news, great news!! I am really encouraged by these measurements. My initial goal was to lose 30 pounds in the first 13 weeks. I am 2.5 pounds from that goal!!!
I want to make it clear, I am not the YOAD poster child. Not even close, I know that I'm not on a 100% YOAD diet. I do really great in the morning and at lunch. Dinners are sometimes wacky because I hate to cook and I never know what to make. All the foods we (my family) eats though are YOAD approved. We do not eat: enriched anything, sugars or "ose" ingredients in the first 5 ingredients of a product or hydrogenated oils. We also do not eat pork or red meat.
We have come to love our 100% whole grain bread & noodles, our no sugar Yogurts (Blue Bunny is my favorite brand), our Kashi bars and Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal.
My family is on this journey with me, although their levels of participating vary. As of the last weigh in for everyone--hubby has lost 12 pounds (but mulitple inches off his waist), oldest daughter has lost 15 pounds, middle daughter has lost 24 pounds and youngest daughter is getting more fit every week.
On to the exercise "routine"................
These are my measurements as of 7/12/07 (I had been on YOAD for approx. 10 weeks)
Weight-235 pounds (down 20 pounds from 4/29/07)
Abdomen-44.5 inches
Panniculus (Abdominal "Apron)-50.75 inches
Chest-48.3 inches
R arm-17.5 inches L arm-17.75 inches
Neck-17.5 inches
R thigh-27.5 inches L thigh-27 inches
I am planning to measure myself weekly (every Thursday). This morning, I took an entire set of new measurements, as it's been 1 week since my initial round of measuring.
These are my measurements as of this morning 7/19/07 (I have been on YOAD for approx. 11 weeks).
Weight-227.5 pounds (down 7.5 pounds from last week-27.5 pounds lost total so far)
Abdomen-42.5 inches (down 2 inches from last week)
Panniculus-50.75 inches (no change from last week)
Chest-46 inches (down 2.5 inches from last week)
R Arm-16 inches (down 1.5 inches from last week)
L Arm-15.5 inches (down 2.25 inches from last week)
Neck-16.5 (down 1 inch from last week)
R thigh-26.75 (down 3/4 inch from last week)
L thigh-26 .9 (down 1/8 inch from last week)
YIPEE!!! Great news, great news!! I am really encouraged by these measurements. My initial goal was to lose 30 pounds in the first 13 weeks. I am 2.5 pounds from that goal!!!
I want to make it clear, I am not the YOAD poster child. Not even close, I know that I'm not on a 100% YOAD diet. I do really great in the morning and at lunch. Dinners are sometimes wacky because I hate to cook and I never know what to make. All the foods we (my family) eats though are YOAD approved. We do not eat: enriched anything, sugars or "ose" ingredients in the first 5 ingredients of a product or hydrogenated oils. We also do not eat pork or red meat.
We have come to love our 100% whole grain bread & noodles, our no sugar Yogurts (Blue Bunny is my favorite brand), our Kashi bars and Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal.
My family is on this journey with me, although their levels of participating vary. As of the last weigh in for everyone--hubby has lost 12 pounds (but mulitple inches off his waist), oldest daughter has lost 15 pounds, middle daughter has lost 24 pounds and youngest daughter is getting more fit every week.
On to the exercise "routine"................
The Journey Begins
I am starting this blog for myself and anyone that would like to read it. My hope is to inspire both of us on my weight loss journey. I "met" an individual on the YOAD message boards name Rich. He has a blog and is keeping a photo journal of himself (The Incredible Shrinking Man). I have decided to do both. It will help me record my thoughts and the changes to my body as I travel on my weight loss journey.
I began taking steps towards health in the end of April 2007. My family & I joined a local gym to get in better shape. A side benefit of that plan was to also lose some weight. On April 29th, my husband and I took a "fit test" as part of the orientation to the gym. They weighed us, had us walk on the treadmill for a specific time, took a few measurements and did some flexibility testing. Needless to say, the results were NOT impressive. They were actually really sad and a hell of a wake up call.
Here are my results from 4/29/07:
Weight 255 pounds
Height 5'4
Body Mass 43.8 (considered Obese Class III)
Max VO2 26.3 (considered Low)
Bicep Strength 68 pounds (considered Good)
Sit & Reach 9.4 inches (considered Poor)
Body Composition 41.8% (considered Very High)
Overall Fitness 29.6% (considered Fair)
Actual Age 37
Body Age 46
About 1 or 2 weeks later, I saw a special on the Discover Channel called "You On A Diet". Doctors Oz & Roizen followed four people in New York for 12 weeks and put them on the YOAD plan. I was amazed. The following day I went to the book store and purchased the book. The journey began........
I began taking steps towards health in the end of April 2007. My family & I joined a local gym to get in better shape. A side benefit of that plan was to also lose some weight. On April 29th, my husband and I took a "fit test" as part of the orientation to the gym. They weighed us, had us walk on the treadmill for a specific time, took a few measurements and did some flexibility testing. Needless to say, the results were NOT impressive. They were actually really sad and a hell of a wake up call.
Here are my results from 4/29/07:
Weight 255 pounds
Height 5'4
Body Mass 43.8 (considered Obese Class III)
Max VO2 26.3 (considered Low)
Bicep Strength 68 pounds (considered Good)
Sit & Reach 9.4 inches (considered Poor)
Body Composition 41.8% (considered Very High)
Overall Fitness 29.6% (considered Fair)
Actual Age 37
Body Age 46
About 1 or 2 weeks later, I saw a special on the Discover Channel called "You On A Diet". Doctors Oz & Roizen followed four people in New York for 12 weeks and put them on the YOAD plan. I was amazed. The following day I went to the book store and purchased the book. The journey began........
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