Since I went to the gym today and I had to go well out of my way (I missed one bus by like 3 minutes so I had to wait another half hour for the next one, plus travel, plus workout time = about 2.5-3 hours total) to go to the gym, I decided to give myself a treat today. ^-^ I went weight lifting even though my knee is bruised and it's hard to go up and down stairs, I used 14!!! different machines, and was working out for about an hour, I figured I deserved it. What I really wanted was noodles from an Asian restaurant, but all the Asian food places in the plaza at the university were closed for the whole weekend (it's a long weekend here in Canada...), which is really surprising because there are like, 10 of them. o.O So instead of noodles, I had a latte from Second Cup. Dark Chocolate flavour...mmmm...♥ (non-fat, of course.) It was delicious.
I also had a chance to check out a place in University Plaza that sells all kinds of supplements. There's a few there that I'm going to do some more research for online before I make any decisions but the two I have in mind are a energy boosting weight loss supplement (natural product) and a veggie supplement which helps with digestion and especially digesting acids which supposedly can hold onto fats?? We'll see. I'll keep you informed! :)
I'm in really high spirits lately. I REALLY like what I'm doing and how it's making me feel. :) YAY!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Just Another Day ^-^
I didn't go to the gym yesterday (weight-lifting day) for two reasons. #1 I was still sore (a bit) from Tuesday and #2 I went out last night and didn't think it would be worth being sore all night! I'm going to go tomorrow (Saturday) to make up for it.
I did go to the gym today though, my friend was already on her way home for Thanksgiving so it was just me...and I didn't remember to bring my mp3 player :( so I was just watching the calories I lost tick upwards :). I also didn't bring an energy drink today (I was in a bit of a rush to get out the door this morning). I didn't bring a towel either... I really must start bringing a gym bag with all of the things I need! hahaha. I found out though that the gym has a towel rental deal that's free for students - you just have to swipe your student card as you take one out and return it. I ALWAYS have my student card on me, because it's my ticket to the bus! So that shouldn't be a problem, and it's one less thing I have to carry around with me.
I'm really starting to enjoy my time at the gym. It gives me a chance to be completely cut off from the outside world and gives me some "me time", where I don't have the computer or my phone to be distracting me from wherever my mind wants to wander. It's a good 40-50 minutes to myself (by the time I change, work out, cool down, change back). It's really nice actually. BIG PLUS! that I actually want to go on my own now.
That's the kind of reason that I call this a lifestyle change rather than a diet. I feel so much better about myself, where I'm going, and I'm getting alot of benefits. I'm more active, need less sleep, eat healthier... I'm craving certain foods less, and if I do crave something, I'm learning how to curb those cravings.
I love life. :)
I did go to the gym today though, my friend was already on her way home for Thanksgiving so it was just me...and I didn't remember to bring my mp3 player :( so I was just watching the calories I lost tick upwards :). I also didn't bring an energy drink today (I was in a bit of a rush to get out the door this morning). I didn't bring a towel either... I really must start bringing a gym bag with all of the things I need! hahaha. I found out though that the gym has a towel rental deal that's free for students - you just have to swipe your student card as you take one out and return it. I ALWAYS have my student card on me, because it's my ticket to the bus! So that shouldn't be a problem, and it's one less thing I have to carry around with me.
I'm really starting to enjoy my time at the gym. It gives me a chance to be completely cut off from the outside world and gives me some "me time", where I don't have the computer or my phone to be distracting me from wherever my mind wants to wander. It's a good 40-50 minutes to myself (by the time I change, work out, cool down, change back). It's really nice actually. BIG PLUS! that I actually want to go on my own now.
That's the kind of reason that I call this a lifestyle change rather than a diet. I feel so much better about myself, where I'm going, and I'm getting alot of benefits. I'm more active, need less sleep, eat healthier... I'm craving certain foods less, and if I do crave something, I'm learning how to curb those cravings.
I love life. :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
It's Been a Good Day!
Today I:
I'm really pleased with the way things are going (even though I'm still stiff and sore from yesterday :P).
- burnt 250 calories
- played with resistance levels: I started at level 1 for about 5 minutes, walked at level 5 for 3 mins, walked at 3 for 3 mins, then back to level 1 for 5 minutes
- had better endurance (walked for about 40 minutes vs. 34)
- kept my heart rate at a healthier level - between 165-170 most of the time
I'm really pleased with the way things are going (even though I'm still stiff and sore from yesterday :P).
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
My First Day at the Gym....AGAIN!
Today was my second day at the gym... but, it was my first day on this routine. Something I didn't have time to explain yesterday is that my exercise routine changes every other day. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I will be using the stair stepping machine (with my friend, as long as she sticks to the plan with me), while Tuesday and Thursday are weight lifting days. The reason that I am doing this is to work out different areas of my body (weight lifting is actually a total body workout!) and to get the lean muscle mass in my body to be burning calories rather than just sitting dormant while the bottom half of my body does most of the work.
I'M SO SORE!!!!
I tried a bunch of different types of machines on the lowest weight setting for today (which is about 20 pounds). On each machine I did 3 reps of 20, giving a minute or so in between reps. I tried machines that worked the calves, inner and outer thighs, (virtually) all of the arm, shoulders, lower back, and chest muscles. Some machines are harder than others... like for example, I found that lifting only 20 pounds with my legs was very easy. Some of the machines which required you to lift with your arms straight up and down were very difficult for me. Others that required to lift with your arms in other forms (pulling, side to front, front to side, or where you only move the part of your arm attached to your hand) weren't so difficult, but still gave a workout.
There are still a few machines that I didn't try either because they were unavailable, I didn't know how to use them properly, or I know that at this point I do not have the strength to use them. there were probably 12-15 different types of machines, and I used 8-9. There's always room for improvement, and I know I'll be sticking to the lightest weight for a while until I am not quite this sore when I finish. Even though I'm sore all over, it feels really good to know that I'm improving myself and working parts of my body which I don't use regularly, which could be (more like "are" rather than "could be") storing fat.
One thing I noticed is that I was the only female using the weight lifting machines. There were men of all ages and sizes using them, but I was the only girl..... oh well :)
I'm getting more used to the idea of going to the gym. It feels like a lot of work at times, but it's completely worth it. It feels good to know that I'm starting a routine that I can stick to which isn't too intensive. As I become more familiar with the machines and my capabilities, I'm planning on doing more research on a weight lifting program that works best for me.
...did I mention that I'm sore?! :P
Wish me luck tomorrow! Back to the stair steppers!
Tip: A common misconception about weight lifting is that you'll start to gain lots of muscles no matter what. This really only happens when you're lifting so much weight that you're pushing yourself to your limit, gradually increasing the weight you're lifting as your muscles become more capable. Although I'll be gradually increasing, it will not get to the point that I'm all muscle, because I'm lifting a low amount of weight a high number of times. In doing so, I'm working my muscles only to burn calories.
I'M SO SORE!!!!
I tried a bunch of different types of machines on the lowest weight setting for today (which is about 20 pounds). On each machine I did 3 reps of 20, giving a minute or so in between reps. I tried machines that worked the calves, inner and outer thighs, (virtually) all of the arm, shoulders, lower back, and chest muscles. Some machines are harder than others... like for example, I found that lifting only 20 pounds with my legs was very easy. Some of the machines which required you to lift with your arms straight up and down were very difficult for me. Others that required to lift with your arms in other forms (pulling, side to front, front to side, or where you only move the part of your arm attached to your hand) weren't so difficult, but still gave a workout.
There are still a few machines that I didn't try either because they were unavailable, I didn't know how to use them properly, or I know that at this point I do not have the strength to use them. there were probably 12-15 different types of machines, and I used 8-9. There's always room for improvement, and I know I'll be sticking to the lightest weight for a while until I am not quite this sore when I finish. Even though I'm sore all over, it feels really good to know that I'm improving myself and working parts of my body which I don't use regularly, which could be (more like "are" rather than "could be") storing fat.
One thing I noticed is that I was the only female using the weight lifting machines. There were men of all ages and sizes using them, but I was the only girl..... oh well :)
I'm getting more used to the idea of going to the gym. It feels like a lot of work at times, but it's completely worth it. It feels good to know that I'm starting a routine that I can stick to which isn't too intensive. As I become more familiar with the machines and my capabilities, I'm planning on doing more research on a weight lifting program that works best for me.
...did I mention that I'm sore?! :P
Wish me luck tomorrow! Back to the stair steppers!
Tip: A common misconception about weight lifting is that you'll start to gain lots of muscles no matter what. This really only happens when you're lifting so much weight that you're pushing yourself to your limit, gradually increasing the weight you're lifting as your muscles become more capable. Although I'll be gradually increasing, it will not get to the point that I'm all muscle, because I'm lifting a low amount of weight a high number of times. In doing so, I'm working my muscles only to burn calories.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Exercise...at...THE GYM!
Today was my first day going to the gym! I had a friend go with me and it was good to have someone with me that I knew. I thought I might feel uncomfortable in front of others, but everyone there is a person... a lot of the people there were skinny or athletic, but there were people my size there as well. I'll explain what my planned routine is later, but for today, I went on the stair stepping machine. It had built in programs of all sorts, but was easy to figure out. It kept track of your heart rate, the number of steps you took, and the number of calories you burned. The only thing that was difficult was keeping my pace low - I find that I keep wanting to push myself to go further, and I ended up having my heart rate above the cardio level for most of the time (my average throughout was 173bpm). It's do-able! I'm really happy that I took this step... I'm used to walking and running (a bit) on flat ground so it will take a bit of getting used to, but it's definitely something that I feel I can keep up. ^-^
I don't really have more time to talk or else I'd go into further detail tonight because I've got a test at 10am tomorrow! Wish me luck ;)
I don't really have more time to talk or else I'd go into further detail tonight because I've got a test at 10am tomorrow! Wish me luck ;)
Friday, October 2, 2009
Trees are Turning Colour...
My goodness, it's only the start of October and the trees are already changing colour. The rain was so cold today, I almost didn't walk home because by the time I got to the north end of campus, my arms and face were already stinging from the rain. Buuuut I pulled out my jacket and kept going :). Thankfully, I'm going to start going to the gym next week with a friend of mine, so I won't have to deal with the rain/cold/whatever else mother nature decides to throw at us here in Ontario...So last night I went to the mall and got some exercise clothes. Zellers currently has a sale on their activewear. I got 2 pairs of pants, one is sportek platinum (it has wicking, to remove moisture through the fabric of the clothes and keep it away from your body, is stretchy and breathable), and the other is a yoga pant (which is 95% cotton, 5% spandex - will help keep me warm on cooler days.) I also got a shirt which is sportek platinum as well. I'll let you know how I feel with them next week when I start at the gym :).
I also had to buy a belt, because my pants are coming more loose (giggle). :) :)
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Today's Walk Home
Today's walk home was good. I ran 3 times! (The last one was kind of pathetic, but every bit counts!) Since Tuesday and Thursday are the days that I have a shorter walk home, I wanted to push myself harder, especially since I've eaten pretty poorly the last few days. I'm finding that having caffeine of some sort (unfortunately for me lately, it's been double-double coffees :X) really helps in energy levels when I'm walking home. I've been drinking more fluids lately and this also helps subside my hunger. :)
I'm now off to the mall to look for amp. It's an energy drink that doesn't taste disgusting (unlike red bull), which is available in a low calorie, no sugar, high energy variety. More info at: http://www.ampenergy.com/.
I'm now off to the mall to look for amp. It's an energy drink that doesn't taste disgusting (unlike red bull), which is available in a low calorie, no sugar, high energy variety. More info at: http://www.ampenergy.com/.
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