I thought I would go to the gym on Saturday since I had the whole day. Sounds like a good idea, right? Wrong. I was feeling so knocked out from the week (it was a long one!) that I needed a day to rest. I thought “no problem, I’ll go to the gym on Sunday, when I can’t procrastinate.” I tried planning my workout at a time when I wouldn’t have the chance to “wiggle” out of the workout and that back fired on me!

I had plans on Sunday afternoon, which was perfect to fit in a workout in the morning. However, I realized that my computer had been acting up so the last time I charged my iTouch, the computer didn’t back anything up and also emptied my iTouch. Not sure how or why that happened but it did. And it took so long for me to fix the problem that it was too late to fit in a workout at the gym.

Now it’s time for plan C. It wasn’t ideal but I decided that since I couldn’t fit in a workout at the gym, I should do some kind of activity. I turned on the Wii and practiced some yoga, balancing and aerobics. I know I didn’t get the same level of activity as if I were at the gym, but it was still good to get moving. The Wii Fit can be a great way to work in some activity in your day! (I promise, I’m not endorsed by Nintendo). Have you tried the Wii Fit? What’s your favourite activity?

Devin did another fitness assessment of me and in four months I have:

• lost 8 pounds
• lost about 2.19% body fat
• lost centimeters around my arms, waist, hips and legs

This is the reason I like tracking. I get to see the results. Can I tell I’ve lost weight and body fat? Yes. I have a pair of work pants that drag on the ground when I walk because I’ve lost so much around my waist and hips, but to see the actual numbers is very satisfying. I can see where I’ve made progress and specifically how much progress I’ve made.

Now in the few weeks left before the wedding I have to find a way to eat healthy and keep up with at least a few workouts a week.  I gained 10 pounds in a month in the past, and if I’m not careful I could do it again and lose all the work I’ve put in for the big day.

Any other brides out there? How are you doing with being healthy before the big day?

I made it back to the gym today. It’s amazing but even after being away for only a week I noticed a difference. It was as though my muscles went into a snooze mode. Lifting some of the weights again felt good and it felt like I was getting active again. It served as a good reminder about building momentum with activites. No matter what activities you are doing, if you break that routine, it can easily break the flow and enertia you have going. And for those who may be reading and thinking about becoming more active, just think that getting started is he hardest part. Once you get going, you’ll build you own momentum too!

We warmed up together first which was a really nice time to catch up and talk about what we were about to endure. Then Devin walked us through our routine. I was amazed that we were doing pretty much the same exercises (thank goodness for Stacey’s memory, she listed them in her post), but Stacey had an extra variation to make it harder. Lunges, for example, Stacey did lunges with heavier weights than me and she did them on the bosu ball! She is amazing!

After getting a little more comfortable with the exercises I managed to finish faster than Stacey and she started giving me the evil eye for getting through so quickly. I assured her that it was a situation of the tortoise and the hare. You know, the tortoise and the hare are in a race and the hare thinks for sure he’ll be faster than the tortoise so he goofs off and makes stops along the way and as it turns out the tortoise wins the race! I may have been the hare in our “race” at the gym but I know Stacey will win the final race in health and fitness!

It was a lot of fun to cheer Stacey on and to have her push me through the workout. We really fed off each other and it was great energy. I know they say that having a “buddy” to do activities with can be very motivating and it really was with Stacey! I look forward to working out with her more.

If you’re trying to push yourself forward or try something new, I highly recommend finding a partner. You may find one in unexpected places!

Well, now I do have time. To be fair, it wasn’t that I didn’t have time to work out as much or the way I wanted, it was that I had new responsibilities including a toddler who needs dinner, a bath and bed every night after work and then someone to look after her while I went to work out.

My dilemma was this – the way I used to work out didn’t fit into my new schedule because I have a toddler and I have a husband who works an opposite schedule to me, but I had lots of time to work out.

So instead of swimming at lunch (which meant I got to leave my office sooner and see my husband for 45 minutes instead of 15 minutes each night) or stopping by the gym after work, I had a two and half a hour window after 7:00 when I had a sleeping toddler.

But I couldn’t justify the cost of a sitter so I could go to the gym or a class (umm…$8-10 an hour…yeah…) and I didn’t feel like I could impose on the aunties/friends who offer to babysit because I’m pretty darn sure that “I’d love to baby sit for you” means every once in a while not every Tuesday and Thursday night so that mommy can go workout.

So I got a yoga video. I enjoy it. But it’s not the same. I could easily talk myself out of doing it and because there was no set time, well, what can I say, I had a million excuses.

And then someone changed something and things shifted so my opposite schedule husband now works a similar schedule to mine. Which means he doesn’t bolt out the door at 6:30 every night, he hangs out with us instead. It also means that twice this week I’ve been able to go to deep water Aquafit. It’s awesome. I love it. I tried to go at work, but Aquafit on campus is at 10:30 in the morning…who can take an hour and a half out of their working day that early…not me! And I get to go with a friend which makes the motivation factor even higher!

So, provided the work schedule doesn’t change, I’ll be able to go to Aquafit twice a week. Yay! That makes me happy!

I’ve been working Devin at Kalev training for two years now and I consider myself extremely lucky to have found a trainer that I work so well with. The right trainer takes the time to find out what motivates you and then pushes that button to KEEP you motivated and going strong. They also know your strengths and your weaknesses and exactly how hard they can and should push you so that you achive your goals, stay motivated and don’t hurt yourself in the process!

A good trainer also becomes your biggest cheerleader. This is one of my favourite things about working with Devin – knowing that whatever crazy race I decide I want to do he’ll be there to support me and to prepare me for it. I also like knowing that whenever I throw out the “hey – do you think I can do this?” question in relation to a race I’ll get a “yeah you can!” in response. Followed by a training plan that ensures that I do.

Looking back over the past 2 years I know that I would not have accomplished what I have without Devin’s advice, support and kick-butt workouts along the way. So if you’re looking to achieve some fitness and/or weight loss goals consider consulting with a trainer. Check out the tips at the link above and find someone that you connect with and enjoy working with. It’s well worth the effort!

I started my workout and as I was going through it, it felt long. You know how some moments in life fly by and others happen at a snail’s pace? Well, this workout was the snail’s pace. It felt like it took forever to complete four rounds! Somehow I found the energy and pushed through. I tried to focus on the progress I’ve made so far and the result I want from working out. I blasted my music and pushed on through.

Once the workout was over, it wasn’t so bad.

I worked really hard and was breathing heavily through the whole thing. I was on my third round (of 4 total rounds) when another gentleman at the gym started talking to me. He was an older gentleman working out on his own which I admire, but he said to me “You are doing a tough routine, good for you!” I thought that was really sweet and it was nice to hear some encouragement. It gave me a little push of energy to get through to the last round.

Warm Up: Row 200m, 1 leg get ups x6/leg (sit on bench push through heel and squeeze glute to standing balance),  plank walksx6/side (push up position down onto forearms then back up),  butt lifts x12

Run, Really fast, 8mph    1min

Stability Ball Push Ups, BW      6

Lunges w/ dumbbells    15lbs    12

Plank Row 15lbs    6/side

Straight Leg Deadlift     15lbs    12

Jack Knife Sit Up    15lb     12

Side Plank Dips  BW      6/side

*Do 4 Rounds of the Above Exercises*

Four rounds using 15 lbs is hard for me! What I haven’t mentioned yet is that for Christmas Day I was limping around because my legs were screaming they had been worked so hard. I have to admit it was really good to feel that good kind of pain. It’s evidence that I am pushing myself and I’m working hard it’s like a gift from the workout gods complimenting me on a job well done. Ha! Thanks workout gods So I’ve used this program since and seriously, it’s a gift just keeps on giving for two straight days!

I’m doing level 8 on the treadmill now for one minute. It’s hard and I’m out of breath after but it’s a good push. I’m working with 15 lbs weights now and that is a lot harder for me. It’s funny too because my mom has been going to WeightWatchers and she’s lost just over 15 lbs in about 8 or 9 weeks. It’s incredible to pick up one of those weights and think she carried that around everyday!

There’s nothing like a deadline to push you and I knew the year was quickly coming to an end so I’m really happy Shanny and I could see each other one more time in 2009. So seriously, can I eat more on Christmas Day since I worked so hard on Christmas Eve?