Get Moving! Day 8, 9 & 10

This week has been quiet difficult. I feel like I'm coming down with a cold. I have been having this headache for a few days now, and this lump at the tip of my throat that I feel I'm going to start coughing soon.

I have been keeping up with the exercise and getting into the gym on time though, except today because I'm off work. Will do my run on the tread at home, I promise.

I have been doing pretty good at the gym, sticking faithful to the plan. I still don't see any difference in weight though. I'm suppose to be feeling better, hubby is saying I'm sleeping better at night, not tossing around as much. But because of the cold I'm not feeling 100% at all. Thankfully it has been a busy week at work so the week went by pretty quickly, although, with pain and stressful moments.

I have been really conscientious about what I eat too. I notice that I am usually under in my calories intake, but with too much carb, too little fat. I really like that website I'm using to keep track of stuff coz it gives you charts to easily show you where you are lacking / having too much. Of course, I'm not using it *everyday* ... I'm not that crazy yet, but whenever I get a chance to use it, it's an eye opener everytime. Those food labels on packages really does mean something. One thing that really shock me is how easy each of us can be 'over' in our sodium intake even if we are really careful! HA! Let's see why mom will accept that idea! If she buys into it, maybe she won't eat so much salty stuff and her bp would be under better control!! But, I know it's hard...

Get Moving! Day 4

It's a normal day. The snowstorm is gone (for now), the buses are running fine as usual and the subway stops for "delays" as usual. I got to the gym the usual time and did my routine. The same 4-5 others were there...we are starting to nod and say 'good morning' to each other. I guess I'm getting used to it now. I really do hope that this can be part of the routine that I don't feel I'm doing anything special.. I guess this is the only way it can be sustainable. I am still not used to getting off work later though..the day seems to be so long...I guess it's especially true on Thursday since I also have choir at night....Thursdays seems to be soooo long. Ha, I guess that justifies a coffee! =)

Today I did my 15 minutes on the tread, 6% incline, 3.2 speed = .8 mile. I also did my complete weight routine as Gillian has on the plan. The shoulder press is the most difficult...it really hurts!

There are about 10 showers in the changeroom. I had been trying out a different 'stall' each day..and today, I found 'the one'... the one that has the best shower head so far (in terms of water pressure and *direction*)... Haha...of course, today is only my 4th day....so maybe, it's not the **best** of the **best**..but it sure did gave me a refreshing start. (Don't laugh at me...it does makes a different eh! Ever tried a shower that only gives you some dripping drops in a direction that you have to twist your body against the wall to get to the water? I'm sure you know what I mean!)

I also came across an interesting website today: http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/ . It can be used to keep track of both what you eat & exercise...with alot of interesting graphs....I will try to play around with it more when I have time.

Mom's reporting a bp of 135 today...a very good improvement. Thank God! But her comments are making me worry. She keeps on telling us not to worry, she is fine. I hope she won't be hiding anything from us because she doesn't want to us to worry.. .Maybe we shouldn't ask her too much so she doesn't feel any pressure. Keep praying.

Tired tired.... time for bed. Praying for a peaceful & quality sleep.

Get Moving! Day 2, the hum

Today is probably my first hum. Not from the exercise, but from mom's situation. There's so much unknown and my emotions are taking its own toll. Mo sum gei in anything. I managed to get into the gym on time and did my weights exercises...can't really count how many sets or how many reps I did...I just did some mindlessly ... Then went on the tread for 15 minutes mindlessly...brought a book to read but can't really read....

Had my Starbucks tall mild around 10:30am...feel so weak, life is so fragile, I know HE is in control but my mind can't stop thinking of the worst....Life is so fragile, so much has happened to b/s around us this past month.

Having a simple life and a boring daily routine is actually quite an amazing blessing. A simple life if not simple at all, it's with alot of GRACE that one's life can be normal.

我要向高山舉目，我的幫助從何而來？

我的幫助從造天地的耶和華而來！

祂必不叫你的腳搖動，保護你的必不打盹，

保護以色列的也不打盹，也不睡覺！

保護你的是耶和華，耶和華在你右邊蔭庇你。

白日太陽必不傷你，夜間月亮必不害你。

耶和華要保護你，免受一切的災害。

祂要保護你的性命，你出你入，

耶和華要保護你， 從今時直到永遠！

I need peace & serenity from above.

Get Moving! Day 1, the official start

I actually moved during the weekend too. Me & sC went to yH's apartment and had a girls workout session. Felt quite good especially after all the lau-sai-bau and go-lik-dou-sa we had!!

Today is my official day 1 at the gym. Did my 30 minutes on the tread at 6% incline, 2.8 speed. I'm going to start counting my achievement! Today I walked 1.59 mile, & 259 vertical feet!

At lunch I also tried out the Pilates class. A 45-minutes class is kinda rush for my 1 hour lunch, given I gotta walk over and get change before/after. But it was kinda relaxing to slot something like this in the middle of the workday. I enjoyed it.

Ha! Also worth noting: I didn't have a coffee this morning! Hubby made toast w/jam and hot Ovaltine for me!

Get Moving! Fitness Program Demo

Popped into the gym at 8:15 today for my Fitness Program Demo.

Gillian first went over the results from my assessment with me:

My BMI is way over for my height, although she says BMI is not an ideal index to use...well, it's an index and it's showing me over! Doesn't bother me much, I knew I need to knock some ponds off anyways, no surprise....I guess it's even a good thing to know, reinforces the motivation. Other % and indexes are fine. Muscle strength and endurance (from those push-ups and mini-curls)? I'm way below average for my gender & age...HA! No surprise there neither la! She insist I'm TINY. Looking around the gym~yea, but I know better la. =p

Onto the program demo. Gooshh, she is expecting me to be there 4 times a week! Now that's ambitious eh! But let's see how it goes. Here's a summary of the plan:

1. Begin with a 5-7 mins warm up, to get heart rate at 60%

2. Stretch large muscle group (hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds)

3. The Routine:

Day 1 -- 30 minutes walking with incline 6

Day 2 -- 15 minutes walking with incline 6 + weight routine

Day 3 -- 30 minutes walking with incline 6

Day 4 -- 15 minutes walking with incline 6 + weight routine

4. Cool down for 7-10 mins, then stretch

The weight routine? It's 8 exercise with: 2 sets each of 12 reps: Lat.pull down, Seated row, Shoulder Press, Triceps Extension, Bicep Curl, 2 sets each of 15 reps: Squats, Lunges and 2 sets each of 30 seconds: Front Plank.

She went through each exercise with me for 1 set..and gooshh, I'm tired enough! Am I really going to last 2 sets? I know I'm going to hurt tomorrow!

She also taught me how to take my heart rate: During exercise, count for 10 seconds, then multiply by 6. When resting, count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. (okie-dokie, whatever this means....)

The goal of the program is to increase strength and decrease weight. We are now 223 days away from Egypt and 70 days from daBall's wedding. Let's see how it goes!

btw, hubby & pL have signed up as sponsors of incentive awards for every 1 month increments! (with a very fair 可加可減制) hahaha...anyone else wanna offer me anything?

Get Moving! Fitness Assessment

I'm back at the gym. This would be my second try. The last time was maybe 3 years ago...didn't last very long before I gave up.

After my two ski trips this month, and as we officially confirm our Grand Trip...I have to admit, some training is REQUIRED if I were to last the 16 backpacking days at the desert & mountains of Great Egypt. And of course, some work is NECESSARY if I want to fit into that dress I brought for Ada's wedding, which, is only 71 days away.

Getting on the tread at home would be zero hassle and zero cost, but..it's not working! It has been my new year resolution but by the time I get home each day I'm soooo tired and I just get "magnet ed" to the bed for an afternoon nap. We are at the end of Feb and I've been on the tread....ONCE. So, I've decided to spend the $100 from my extra pay this month on the 6-months membership (which is a great deal with all the facilities, the trainer and classes, etc!)

And so, I'm at the gym again. Gillian was most helpful and went through a fitness assessment for me. Of course, in the eyes of Canadian I'm considered TINY and FIT (HA!). Heart rate and blood pressure are perfect to the T, I could do 7 push ups and 17 semi-crunches in a roll, plus walked 1.1 miles in 17 minutes. That's considered "excellent". Well, very generous and encouraging of her.

But I know very well how much I've gained since October (when I brought that dress that I don't fit in anymore...what am I going to wear for her wedding?) and how un-fit I am when I'm at the ski hill. I know very well how often I'm getting sick, how cold I always feel and how I'm always tired...

Anyways, enough rationale, I'm doing it!

Now, I'm looking for sponsors to keep me motivated! What would be that carrot in front of the horse?