Part II locked, and here is where our fitness guru PurpleJedi left it:

Before this thread locks itself, a quick update;

True-to-form and as most of you who know me suspected...my "push" was short-lived.

Going on vacation then the kids' back-to-school provided just enough chaos and excuses for me to stop going.

Tuesday the 20th I have an appointment with the trainer again. That worked really well as a firm motivational tool to get me to stick with the gym (albeit an expensive one!).

Stay tuned for Part III...

So here is Part III. Can't wait to hear how the trainer meeting went, PurpleJedi!

.

[Edited 10/20/15 12:43pm]

My updates:

I did a benchpress test Saturday. I did the "How many times can you benchpress your weight?" test. I loaded the bar with 186 pounds and put up a world-record-for-me set of 30 reps! Felt pretty good about THAT!

I have shunned aerobics for most of my life but I have started taking the stairs once a day up to the office. Since we office on the 16th floor, this has been quite a challenge!

The first time I tried it (last Thursday, 10/15), I made it 8 floors, then rested. Then I made it 4 more floors, and rested. And then I made it to the 16th floor.

Yesterday, I made it to the 10th floor and rested, then went to the 16th floor. I timed it and it took me 5 minutes 35 seconds, including the rest stop.

Today I made it all the way up without stopping! But I screwed up my timer so I don't know how long it took. Probably 4 1/2 minutes or so.

I'll tell you this - it's a heckuva lot harder for me to climb real stairs than it ever was doing the stair-stepper at the gym! BTW, not sure if this is good or bad or meaningless, but I don't use the handrails at all when I climb our stairs. Seems like that would be harder, but I don't know for sure.

Yeah, Part II self locked

I could not motivate myself any more.

Then I remembered that I love ice skating and that the Marathon of Marathons, Elfstedentocht, was on my bucketlist since ever.

So, I maxed out my credit card (I know that was not the best idea), and I'm the proud owner of a pair of Salomon skates. And a protective cap, ice skate marathon suit and what more.


I will start training this coming Sunday, it's 2 trainings a week on the ice.

Then I will have to train in the gym, supercore and RPM.

Eventhough I don't have the money for it, I somehow will arrange it that I can go to Austria, to the Weissensee in January 2016 and skate the Elfstedentocht overthere.

So, in stead of forcing myself in a strict, horrible diet and attend the gym, eventhough I hate it, I will do something that I love and enjoy and I expect to lose some weight along the way.


It's a pretty ambitious goal, but if I manage, I will be so extremely proud of myself

RodeoSchro said:

So here is Part III. Can't wait to hear how the trainer meeting went, PurpleJedi!

no comment.

PurpleJedi said:

RodeoSchro said:

So here is Part III. Can't wait to hear how the trainer meeting went, PurpleJedi!

no comment.

How can we help?

dJJ said:

PurpleJedi said:

no comment.

How can we help?

I wish I knew.

It's like...I get all amped-up and rev'ing to go...and as you witnessed, I was going to the gym regularly and eating right and everything.

Then...the balloon popped.

All the air emptied out.

I am empty.

In the past 2 months I've been to the gym a whopping 3 times.



Paintedlady suggested maybe I cut back on the other crap in my life that is draing me of time & energy (such as the school PTA involvement). My therapist suggested I stop trying to seek unrealistic & shallow goals. My buddy suggested I get off of Facebook and just DO IT.

On a side note (don't really want to use it as an "excuse" but it is a valid one): I messed up my budget and couldn't pay the October session fee. That's why I couldn't meet with the trainer.

PurpleJedi said:

dJJ said:

How can we help?

I wish I knew.

It's like...I get all amped-up and rev'ing to go...and as you witnessed, I was going to the gym regularly and eating right and everything.

Then...the balloon popped.

All the air emptied out.

I am empty.

In the past 2 months I've been to the gym a whopping 3 times.



Paintedlady suggested maybe I cut back on the other crap in my life that is draing me of time & energy (such as the school PTA involvement). My therapist suggested I stop trying to seek unrealistic & shallow goals. My buddy suggested I get off of Facebook and just DO IT.

On a side note (don't really want to use it as an "excuse" but it is a valid one): I messed up my budget and couldn't pay the October session fee. That's why I couldn't meet with the trainer.

No worries, progress comes in waves, it's not a straight skew line upwards.


I had the same, some months going steady, then something changed in my life, and lost all the motivation.

At this moment I'm on top of the world. Yesterday I went to the gym again (after months of absense), and today my body feels great. The only reason I could motivate myself to get off my couch is because I was thinking about the goal; skating the Elfstedentocht in Austria, Weissensee.


It's a goal that I love. So, where vanity and healt did not work for me at all, now it seems that working towards a goal that I really love, does the trick.

I also love the skating practice. It did hurt my back a lot, but just being outside, skating and being together with folks who share that passion, lifted up my spirits.

It's extremely hard to find the discipline to go to the gym, even with a personal trainer. However, when you find something you actually love to do, it becomes a source of joy.

Was there anything you liked, as a kid? Hockey, base ball, ballet, swimming, tennis or what more?

I think the trick is to start doing that. Save up for a membership to a sport that you actually like.


I have to say, that I went overboard when I bought my gear. So, I have a bit of a credit card debt now. However, I still think it was a good choice, I need good gear because of my goal. If it was just about skating now and then, I would not have needed expensive auality ice skates.

I just hope you can find a sport that you actually enjoy doing. Then it's not so hard to get fit in order to be able to do that kind of sport.

PurpleJedi said:

dJJ said:

How can we help?

I wish I knew.

It's like...I get all amped-up and rev'ing to go...and as you witnessed, I was going to the gym regularly and eating right and everything.

Then...the balloon popped.

All the air emptied out.

I am empty.

In the past 2 months I've been to the gym a whopping 3 times.



Paintedlady suggested maybe I cut back on the other crap in my life that is draing me of time & energy (such as the school PTA involvement). My therapist suggested I stop trying to seek unrealistic & shallow goals. My buddy suggested I get off of Facebook and just DO IT.

On a side note (don't really want to use it as an "excuse" but it is a valid one): I messed up my budget and couldn't pay the October session fee. That's why I couldn't meet with the trainer.

So, what changed foodwise?

Because I can't go back anymore. I feel so bad when I eat anything with Gluten, dairy or non-biological food. So, when I have a relapse, I start to feel depressed, tired and in general negative. That's why I want to change my eating habit again, knowing that the lethargy will fade after a few days of healthy food.


What kind of things did you eat before and what changed?

dJJ said:

I could not motivate myself any more.

Then I remembered that I love ice skating and that the Marathon of Marathons, Elfstedentocht, was on my bucketlist since ever.

So, I maxed out my credit card (I know that was not the best idea), and I'm the proud owner of a pair of Salomon skates. And a protective cap, ice skate marathon suit and what more.


I will start training this coming Sunday, it's 2 trainings a week on the ice.

Then I will have to train in the gym, supercore and RPM.

Eventhough I don't have the money for it, I somehow will arrange it that I can go to Austria, to the Weissensee in January 2016 and skate the Elfstedentocht overthere.

So, in stead of forcing myself in a strict, horrible diet and attend the gym, eventhough I hate it, I will do something that I love and enjoy and I expect to lose some weight along the way.


It's a pretty ambitious goal, but if I manage, I will be so extremely proud of myself

You've already done it!

My physical fitness role model, Arnold Schwarzenegger, says that determing your goal and setting up the steps to reach it is the hard part. Now, all you have to do is go through the motions contained in your plan. Which you will do!

I can't wait to hear about how much fun you have!

PurpleJedi said:

RodeoSchro said:

So here is Part III. Can't wait to hear how the trainer meeting went, PurpleJedi!

no comment.

No sweat! I know you will get back in the swing of things in no time at all!

I did the 16 flights (really 16 1/2 because there's a landing on the bottom floor) and DIDN'T mess up my timer. Made it in 4:35, with no stops.

I'm wondering if I should do the stair-stepper at the gym and see how many flights I make in 4:35, just to compare. Or, figure out what resistance setting I'd need to do 16 flights in 4:35. Then I would have a real-life setting.

RodeoSchro said:

dJJ said:

I could not motivate myself any more.

Then I remembered that I love ice skating and that the Marathon of Marathons, Elfstedentocht, was on my bucketlist since ever.

So, I maxed out my credit card (I know that was not the best idea), and I'm the proud owner of a pair of Salomon skates. And a protective cap, ice skate marathon suit and what more.


I will start training this coming Sunday, it's 2 trainings a week on the ice.

Then I will have to train in the gym, supercore and RPM.

Eventhough I don't have the money for it, I somehow will arrange it that I can go to Austria, to the Weissensee in January 2016 and skate the Elfstedentocht overthere.

So, in stead of forcing myself in a strict, horrible diet and attend the gym, eventhough I hate it, I will do something that I love and enjoy and I expect to lose some weight along the way.


It's a pretty ambitious goal, but if I manage, I will be so extremely proud of myself

You've already done it!

My physical fitness role model, Arnold Schwarzenegger, says that determing your goal and setting up the steps to reach it is the hard part. Now, all you have to do is go through the motions contained in your plan. Which you will do!

I can't wait to hear about how much fun you have!

Thank you.

I really loved my first lesson. I always thought I was a good ice skater. However, now I have to learn how to do it well and it feels like having to learn how to walk

Eventhough it wasn't easy, I did love it.

The goal is set, the only little problem is that I may not have the money to go the Weissensee in Austria and stay there. But, that does not stop me from training for it. I think if I work hard, and set my mind to it, somehow I can make it happen.


Went to the gym yesterday since a long time. And it really makes a difference. I felt really good today.

dJJ said:

PurpleJedi said:

I wish I knew.

It's like...I get all amped-up and rev'ing to go...and as you witnessed, I was going to the gym regularly and eating right and everything.

Then...the balloon popped.

All the air emptied out.

I am empty.

In the past 2 months I've been to the gym a whopping 3 times.



Paintedlady suggested maybe I cut back on the other crap in my life that is draing me of time & energy (such as the school PTA involvement). My therapist suggested I stop trying to seek unrealistic & shallow goals. My buddy suggested I get off of Facebook and just DO IT.

On a side note (don't really want to use it as an "excuse" but it is a valid one): I messed up my budget and couldn't pay the October session fee. That's why I couldn't meet with the trainer.

So, what changed foodwise?

Because I can't go back anymore. I feel so bad when I eat anything with Gluten, dairy or non-biological food. So, when I have a relapse, I start to feel depressed, tired and in general negative. That's why I want to change my eating habit again, knowing that the lethargy will fade after a few days of healthy food.


What kind of things did you eat before and what changed?

I had drastically cut down my sugar consumption (the trainer said NO sugar, but that's impossible for me)...I had dramatically increased my water intake, cut out all snacks, and 90% of the protein that I ate was grilled chicken.

I cheated while on vacation, and can't get back on track with the diet...and since the gym time is non-existant then the diet is no longer that much of a priority.

I'm ashamed to even TYPE all that, let alone acknowledge it...but hey, it is what it is.

PurpleJedi said:

dJJ said:

So, what changed foodwise?

Because I can't go back anymore. I feel so bad when I eat anything with Gluten, dairy or non-biological food. So, when I have a relapse, I start to feel depressed, tired and in general negative. That's why I want to change my eating habit again, knowing that the lethargy will fade after a few days of healthy food.


What kind of things did you eat before and what changed?

I had drastically cut down my sugar consumption (the trainer said NO sugar, but that's impossible for me)...I had dramatically increased my water intake, cut out all snacks, and 90% of the protein that I ate was grilled chicken.

I cheated while on vacation, and can't get back on track with the diet...and since the gym time is non-existant then the diet is no longer that much of a priority.

I'm ashamed to even TYPE all that, let alone acknowledge it...but hey, it is what it is.

Don't be ashamed, I think it's a pretty normal way of how it works.

Most folks indulge during holiday season and it's hard to get back on track. I had exactly the same thing. My holiday belly is still reminding me of my great summer


It takes at least 3 weeks before something becomes a habit. So, if you can manage to keep it up for three weeks, it will go automatically from then on.

iZsaZsa said:

djj, that is a great way, for me too. I hate to exercise, but I'll walk around the stores for hours.

Exactly, make it fun.

If it is hard to motivate yourself, there's something wrong.

It should be easy and fun. A source of joy in stead of a strain.

So, I missed one work out this week; I was baby sitting for a friend.

And I missed one ice-skate lesson, I had a bad unmotivated day.

However, I do feel very good about the work out that I did attend and I really did not want to go to sthe skate lesson today, but I went anyway.

I thought I was an okay skater, but now that I'm learning the technique, it feels like I have to learn it all over again.

I got tired and frustrated and didn't concentrate and fell. I hit the ice with my chin and cheek and those are thick and bleu right now.

So, I ordered in. I treat myself on a nice Indian menu and Saag and I know it's not good for my weight, but, hey, I have a head ache and I want to spoil myself.


Anyhoe, it's clear that I will need to do a little extra yoga, on top of the super core and RPM trainings.

Ice skating is a pretty intensive sport it appears.


I'm looking forward to day that my muscles aren't stiff and painful anymore. I just want to feel fit and enjoy that gliding over the ice. Right now, I just feel clumsy, fat, stiff and old.


Well, I guess that I just should not give up and keep on excercising untill I feel fit again.

I hate to exercise... but I can now have sex for an hour and a half straight ... like 3x's week without farting!

*studies show that laughter helps burns calories. You're welcome.

PurpleJedi said:

dJJ said:

How can we help?

I wish I knew.

It's like...I get all amped-up and rev'ing to go...and as you witnessed, I was going to the gym regularly and eating right and everything.

Then...the balloon popped.

All the air emptied out.

I am empty.

In the past 2 months I've been to the gym a whopping 3 times.



Paintedlady suggested maybe I cut back on the other crap in my life that is draing me of time & energy (such as the school PTA involvement). My therapist suggested I stop trying to seek unrealistic & shallow goals. My buddy suggested I get off of Facebook and just DO IT.

On a side note (don't really want to use it as an "excuse" but it is a valid one): I messed up my budget and couldn't pay the October session fee. That's why I couldn't meet with the trainer.

And drink more water.

paintedlady said:

I hate to exercise... but I can now have sex for an hour and a half straight ... like 3x's week without farting!

*studies show that laughter helps burns calories. You're welcome.

Pretty high standard your trowing out there.

Wil have to go to the gym tonight, by lack of boytoy.

My best advice for those who are having a hard time getting motivated is to set an ultimate goal, and then work backward from it. That way, you create reachable milestones.

For instance, say you want to lose 25 pounds by May so that you will feel good in a bathing suit. That's your ultimate goal. Working backwards from that, here is how you set the milestones:

1. You want to lose 25 pounds in 7 months
2. That works out to about 4 pounds a month
3. It can even be broken down to 1 pound a week

Now, knowing that you want to lose a pound a week, you know that the only way to reach that milestone is to follow your fitness and diet plan. I have found that when I actually have real milestones set out in front of me, I work harder to reach them. I don't miss workouts or whatever. And I bet you won't, either.

Final note: I've found that the single most effective thing you can do is write down your goal and your timeline. And I mean put it in actual writing, with a pen and paper. My experience is that when you actually write something down on paper, versus typing it or putting it in an electronic device, it becomes a "contract" that you've made with yourself. And you are less likely to break what you perceive to be an obligation like that.

I hope this helps! Good luck to all!

RodeoSchro said:

My best advice for those who are having a hard time getting motivated is to set an ultimate goal, and then work backward from it. That way, you create reachable milestones.

For instance, say you want to lose 25 pounds by May so that you will feel good in a bathing suit. That's your ultimate goal. Working backwards from that, here is how you set the milestones:

1. You want to lose 25 pounds in 7 months
2. That works out to about 4 pounds a month
3. It can even be broken down to 1 pound a week

Now, knowing that you want to lose a pound a week, you know that the only way to reach that milestone is to follow your fitness and diet plan. I have found that when I actually have real milestones set out in front of me, I work harder to reach them. I don't miss workouts or whatever. And I bet you won't, either.

Final note: I've found that the single most effective thing you can do is write down your goal and your timeline. And I mean put it in actual writing, with a pen and paper. My experience is that when you actually write something down on paper, versus typing it or putting it in an electronic device, it becomes a "contract" that you've made with yourself. And you are less likely to break what you perceive to be an obligation like that.

I hope this helps! Good luck to all!

Thank you for posting.

It makes a difference to know that there is somebody who is supporting. Albeit on the org '-)


Yesterday I planned to go to the supercore training, but I didn't go. Telling myself I would go tommorrow.

So, today I had to go, but did not feel like it at all.


Then I remembered that I really felt good last week, after the training. And I realized that if I want to reach my goal, I better train regularly, otherwise I will never make it.


I mean, the Elfstedentocht (ice-skate-marathon) is 200 km long. So, in order to skate it within 24 hours, I at least have to be able to skate around 17 km per hour.

At the moment I can skate 3 laps and then my back hurts and I feel my legs.

One lapse is 400 meter. So, 3 laps is just over 1 kilometer.

Therefore, my goal of skating 200 km in a day, is pretty ambitious.

I did have a good training in the gym today and will go to the ice-skate training tommorrow.

PJ, where are thou?


I miss you over here.


Did you at least do a walk or another atainable goal that makes you feel good?

dJJ said:

RodeoSchro said:

My best advice for those who are having a hard time getting motivated is to set an ultimate goal, and then work backward from it. That way, you create reachable milestones.

For instance, say you want to lose 25 pounds by May so that you will feel good in a bathing suit. That's your ultimate goal. Working backwards from that, here is how you set the milestones:

1. You want to lose 25 pounds in 7 months
2. That works out to about 4 pounds a month
3. It can even be broken down to 1 pound a week

Now, knowing that you want to lose a pound a week, you know that the only way to reach that milestone is to follow your fitness and diet plan. I have found that when I actually have real milestones set out in front of me, I work harder to reach them. I don't miss workouts or whatever. And I bet you won't, either.

Final note: I've found that the single most effective thing you can do is write down your goal and your timeline. And I mean put it in actual writing, with a pen and paper. My experience is that when you actually write something down on paper, versus typing it or putting it in an electronic device, it becomes a "contract" that you've made with yourself. And you are less likely to break what you perceive to be an obligation like that.

I hope this helps! Good luck to all!

Thank you for posting.

It makes a difference to know that there is somebody who is supporting. Albeit on the org '-)


Yesterday I planned to go to the supercore training, but I didn't go. Telling myself I would go tommorrow.

So, today I had to go, but did not feel like it at all.


Then I remembered that I really felt good last week, after the training. And I realized that if I want to reach my goal, I better train regularly, otherwise I will never make it.


I mean, the Elfstedentocht (ice-skate-marathon) is 200 km long. So, in order to skate it within 24 hours, I at least have to be able to skate around 17 km per hour.

At the moment I can skate 3 laps and then my back hurts and I feel my legs.

One lapse is 400 meter. So, 3 laps is just over 1 kilometer.

Therefore, my goal of skating 200 km in a day, is pretty ambitious.

I did have a good training in the gym today and will go to the ice-skate training tommorrow.

You're gonna do it, no doubt! I can't wait to see the video of you tearing it up on the ice!

dJJ said:

PJ, where are thou?


I miss you over here.


Did you at least do a walk or another atainable goal that makes you feel good?

Update:

I had my first new session with the trainer on Tuesday.

He kicked my @ss. In the 2 months that I was MIA, I lost most of the gains that I had made in the strength & endurance department. It's like we're starting from scratch again.


I was sore for 2 days.

Tonight I will go back for some cardio, I have another session w/ the trainer tomorrow morning.

Pray for me.

PurpleJedi said:

dJJ said:

PJ, where are thou?


I miss you over here.


Did you at least do a walk or another atainable goal that makes you feel good?

Update:

I had my first new session with the trainer on Tuesday.

He kicked my @ss. In the 2 months that I was MIA, I lost most of the gains that I had made in the strength & endurance department. It's like we're starting from scratch again.


I was sore for 2 days.

Tonight I will go back for some cardio, I have another session w/ the trainer tomorrow morning.

Pray for me.

Don't overdo it! Aftere a long layoff, you should NOT get sore from working out. Your body isn't ready for it, and all that will do is de-motivate you from going back to the gym. Because you ARE starting from scratch. You wouldn't take a brand-new Ferrari out and push the engine to its RPM limits the first time out of the box, would you?

Tell your trainer that. Heck, have him call me if he needs some education.

I'm not a personal trainer but I've got close to 40 years' lifting experience. And I am here to tell you that getting sore is self-defeating. You should be working up to full lifts over a period of time. You should walk out of the gym tomorrow feeling great, and you should NOT wake up sore on Sunday morning.

.

[Edited 11/6/15 14:27pm]

PurpleJedi said:

dJJ said:

PJ, where are thou?


I miss you over here.


Did you at least do a walk or another atainable goal that makes you feel good?

Update:

I had my first new session with the trainer on Tuesday.

He kicked my @ss. In the 2 months that I was MIA, I lost most of the gains that I had made in the strength & endurance department. It's like we're starting from scratch again.


I was sore for 2 days.

Tonight I will go back for some cardio, I have another session w/ the trainer tomorrow morning.

Pray for me.

I did only one training this week. My excuse is that I haven't found my workout trousers for RPM yet.

I did go to the ice-skate lesson and that was great.

It was the first lesson with the whole Weissensee group. It are 10 guys and 2 ladies.

The most guys are typical Dutch; very tall with long legs, made for marathon skating.

I was the worst skater of the whole group. I couldn't join the excercise that was about skating in a train. I was too slow

They were very cool about it though. It's really about improving yourself, not to compare yourself to the rest of the group. The trainer noticed that my skates weren't sharp enough, so I got them sharpened.

Tonight I will attend the class again, I hope I will do better now that my skates are sharper.

Admittedly, I haven't made any extra hours on the ice track. That is what I should do, it's all about making the hours on the ice. So, I will have to get up early and start my day with ice skating.







I adopted the view that I focus on what I did and not focus on the things I planned, but didn't do.

This way I feel good about the whole thing and I'm not beating myself up about the RPM lessons I didn't go to.

[Edited 11/8/15 3:30am]