Gym episode 14/03: More, more, more

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Started out the day with a healthy smoothie.

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Exercise today was going to be with Bambi at work. I had already decided that I was going to do more so had packed the skipping rope and my weights. Turns out that Bambi was unable to come. I was extremely grateful to two of my colleagues who decided to lead a session. I am sure I would not have exercised without that start.

After their session was done, I continued with my skipping and other exercises. I was dripping wet after, and feeling very pleased with myself for doing more.

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Gym episode 13/03: I want to make magic

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The heat was being turned up. We were coming into the final stretch of the 40 day weight loss challenge. One week from today, to be exact. Normally my Sunday workouts consist of calming yoga and tai chi. But when the Trainer is available for a rare Sunday session, you ditch those, but in favour of what? Continue reading →

Gym episode 12/03: Early bird

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Got to the gym early enough Saturday to be able to use the foam roller for a good enough period before going on the elliptical. I only did 6 minutes I think, because I had Pilates at 9 and wanted to get in a good weight session.

That I did, inspite of having a sore throat and sniffles.

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The Trainer was not so concerned. I just had to get on with it.

Pilates saved me from cardio at the end. Sunday, I would pay, surely.
I stocked up on Steelcut Oats in preparation. Looking forward to a long session with Damion Daniel on Sunday since I wouldn’t have to rush off anywhere.

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Gym episode 11/03: Skipping

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I had kept forgetting that I had a skipping rope. So Thursday night I made sure to take it out and message Damion Daniel that I would be bringing it in Friday.

After my warm up, we did exercises inside. Can’t recall what we did (second note to self….do blog posts immediately after). He then took up a bar and told me to come outside. There is gym equipment out in the car park. No AC. Sun did hottttt. We did lat pull downs and the hated squats.

Next there were sprints, then skipping. I used to see my mother skip during training when she used to play netball internationally. Her knees went higher than mine. I also always remember my dearly departed friend Nelisa, who would always mention skipping as a good workout when she was motivating me to exercise even though I couldn’t afford to go to the gym back then. Her mom also played netball. Maybe that’s where she picked it up.

I was so engrossed in the training that it wasn’t until Damion looked at his watch and said he had to go, that I realized the time. I too had a meeting.

The time during the training sessions with Damion goes by without me realizing how long we are working out for. Well, that’s except if he is making me do the hated squats or lunges and I ask him “yuh doh have somewhere to go??”

Gym episode 09/03: No excuses

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Wednesdays during the 40 day challenge is usually when we go walking in the business park. That did not happen. If I didn’t exercise on Wednesday, I would only be doing 3 days for the week and my minimum is 4 days. Decision made….I would go to the gym.

But instead of leaving pronto and going straight, I idled at work then went to the bank. The result? I only had 15 minutes to exercise before I had to meet a friend for dinner. Yes….I carried clothes to bathe and change at the gym.

Busted my tail on the elliptical. Proud buck! Why? In the old days, I would have said since I only had 15 minutes, it didn’t make sense. Since I discovered High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), even 5 minutes is enough. Continue reading →

Gym episode 08/03: The opposite of the drop set is the pyramid! Eegad!

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It was with glee that I packed my gym bag Monday after getting the go ahead from my physiotherapist, Garvin Taylor from Grenada Physiotherapy and Pain Relief Centre.

Four p.m. was the gym time as my trainer Damion Daniel had to train at 5. Did my 10 minute warm up on the bicycle.

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My thigh was still a bit sore and I also had to pay attention to my back. But I managed to finish.

I can’t recall the first part of the session. Must have been upper body. The sprints outside consisted of one called “suicide” where you ran to a near marker, then back to the start then to a farther marker and back to the start etc. etc. It was for a very short time but I was breathless when I was done!

To finish up was pyramid exercises on the lrg extension and leg curl machines. I didn’t think too much of what a pyramid looks like and how that is related to gym exercises. I soon found out.
Continue reading →

My 4 day lay off

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I looked on with envy last Friday as Bambi took my colleagues through a Zumba class. :|😭😭 But it served me right…..don’t?

On Saturday, I enjoyed being able to sleep in a little bit later, since I didn’t have to rush to the 9 a.m. Pilates class. When I finally got out of the house, I headed straight to a fundraising fair which was featuring food from various countries……with an empty stomach. Why? Continue reading →

Gym episode 03/03: Grounded!

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Isn’t that what happens when you misbehave? You’re grounded? Pleasure activities are taken away from you? Here’s the story of Thursday and how it turned out.

Yet another late night Wednesday, this time because I had work deadlines to meet. In this job, the concept of ‘homework’ is real. So I went to bed upset….and got up in the same mood. In my mind, I steupsed all the way on the drive to the gym. But sometimes along the way, positive thoughts crept in. ‘Miss Foot, what you complaining for? You have a job. You can get around with ease. You have a great Trainer. You know how many people got up this morning, wondering how they’re going to make it?” Ok mind. Be quiet!

Aye. Arrived late, so did 5 mins warm up. Upper body work today with some new exercises. Yay! I like that Damion mixes things up. Mi get bored very easily. 😐

In between the weights, he took me into the exercise room. The task? Run up and down the length of the room 5 times while he timed me. The first time was 45 seconds. The second was 43. After both times I was out of breath! Happily too. Heart working. Fat loss happening. And most importantly, I did not crash into the mirrors!

Completed the weight training then quite unusually, we had a long chat. His discipline is incredibly inspiring. Between now and his first show next month, I will be able to witness first hand, how he trains and how he eats. We spent a lot of time talking about the latter. I was again urged to read labels and had to send this to him for vetting. It passed the test.

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Thursday afternoon is where things took a turn for the worse. Continue reading →

Gym episode 02/03: We’re going non-stop

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The second half of the challenge will be more vigorous….if my body allows. I am going to give it a serious talking to! Doh let mi dung! We haffi go non-stop.

Wednesday morning started later than planned because Tuesday night had pain fuh so! And it wasn’t pain from Monday’s cardio class at work with Bambi. My upper body throbbed. Couldn’t find a comfortable position.

Last week when I had steelcut oats before the session, I felt very lethargic so this morning I decided to have 1 tin of sardines… yes….straight outta di tin with nutten on it :o. Had half a carambola and coffee with it.

The Trainer was waiting for me when I got there. Did my 10 minutes warm up on the elliptical, increasing the level every 30 seconds or 1 minute. It felt easier today.

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Continue reading →

Gym episode 29/02: I AM the Biggest Loser!

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Monday was the 20-day weigh in. The half way mark. How had I done? By the way my clothes were fitting, I knew I had lost some weight. Remember the Trainer’s advice when we first started?

He: How much you weigh?
Me: 225
He: Ok. You going to stay away from the scale for awhile.
Me: Ok

I was accustomed to weighing once per week! Hmmmmm…..I hear my Physiotherapist saying “I told you so” as he had often told me not to weigh so often.

It was time. I gladly stepped on the scale. This was the reading.

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I quickly did the calculation. 9 pounds !!!!!

I LOST 9 POUNDS IN 20 DAYS!!! Holy moly!

What changes did I make?
1. Hired an awesome, inspiring trainer
2. Followed his instructions! These included no carb in the evening, no late night noshing, use protein powder to help curb cravings, not much rest between sets, use my mind to tell myself that I can lift more weights….do more reps.
3. Hired an awesome, inspiring trainer!

Here is what I did for exercise for January and February.

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G = gym (includes Saturday Pilates)
H = exercised at home
S = swimming
W = walking
E = exercised at work (45 mins cardio)

Damion and I were talking about goals for the next 20 days and I said “I am prepared to do as much as my physical body will allow me to do…guaranteed.”

Looking forward to discovering what my machine aka body can do.

Hoorayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy