Day 25 in the Gym

Yesterday around 4:30pm my husband called and told me that Salem Radiology called and wanted to talk to me. I had had my mammagram this week so I knew something was wrong. When i called they said they wanted me to come in for more scans and an Ultra Sound. I started crying immediately. The radiologist saw something in both of my breasts. I cried so much and when I left work I knew I needed to go and do cardio so I cried all the way to Londonderry. I showed up with a red and puffy face and I got on the treadmill. My intention was to do 30 minutes of running. When 30 minutes came I said I can do 10 more minutes and I kept saying this until I reached 1 hour of running on the treadmill (20 seconds high speed, 20 seconds rest etc.) I was completely SWEATY. In that hour I forgot about what might be something about to change my life forever.

I didn't sleep well and got up at 4 and got the gym. I had tears in my eyes on the way there but I didn't cry during the workout. We worked arms today and it took my mind off of it.

At work I started crying again and some of my co-workers were really supportive in talking to me. I was so upset I couldn't even go in and tell my boss. I left and went and had the tests done. The mammagram hurt this time and in the ultrasound she found several cysts. Scott showed up and we waited in the waiting room together which seemed forever and all that kept going through my mind was I might not be able to see my boys grow up. The radiologist reviewed the mammagram and the ultrasound and everything for now is fine - whew!!! I started balling when she told me I was okay because I was so scared. I will need to get more frequent mammagrams and ultrasounds to keep an eye on them but I am so thankful that everything turned out. I am completely drained right now and in one hour the little "goblins" will be knocking on my door.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Day 24 at the gym...

Today is cardio on our own. My plan is to go straight to TE right after work. I have my workout gear right beside me.

Sometimes when I need motivation I read weight loss stories on-line and I look at before and after photos and read people's personal stories. It really pumps me up. I wanted to share something I found today on believing in yourself:

Believe In Yourself & Attain Your Fitness Goals

Weight loss is 90% mental and all it needs is commitment, planning, & goal setting. Once you start believing in your self and loving your body you will be over with all hurdles and you goal will appear as near and as easy to achieve as it was never ever before.

Remember these things and boost your confidence:

* One thing that you cannot recycle is wasted time.

* Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.

* Do not try to lose weight/achieve your goals too fast.

* Make a lifelong commitment to yourself to change your lifestyle habits for the better.

* Always think positive and stay focused.

* Respect your body and treat it well.

It is not failure itself that holds you back but the fear of failure that paralyzes you, so knock off your fears and buck up with your strong will and go get your desired goals.

All of us are the proud owners of the wonder machines i.e. our bodies. In addition, we are lucky to live in an era when great progress is being made and we are now able to understand and know our bodies in a better way.

So love and enjoy your priced possession and take care of it always. In the end, hoping that this will boost you up and start a new beginning in your lives and for the betterment of course.

Day 23 in the Gym...

Yesterday was a fantastic day! I was in "The Zone" running earlier and was happy all day and the DVD presentation went GREAT! Everyone loved it and the kids went crazy. It was really cool to see my work on the big screen and everyone really appreciated the hard work I put into it. I was still in a good mood when i got to the gym this morning. Today was LEGS - (my least favorite) i made it through, i did my lunges with weights and squats and olympic squats. Tomorrow I will be doing cardio on my own.

Well, gotta go - off to the football banquet :-)

Day 22 in the Gym....

Today Andy told us to do cardio on our own for 30 minutes. Normally I would choose to go at night but tonight we have plans to show the musical DVD I did for Brandon's football team at Chunky's! I am so excited to see my work on "The Big Screen" That being said I slept in until 5:15AM and went to my gym. I was surprised to see as many people that early in the morning. I did my running routine for 30 minutes on the treadmill and I felt GREAT! I actually got a "high" from it today. I kept my heartrate where it should be to burn fat and I could have ran longer but I needed to get home so Scott could go to work. Tomorrow will be legs with Andy - yuk! - no lunges - no lunges (please no lunges!)

Day 21 in the Gym

Today was triceps and arms. I can already feel myself getting stronger. The push ups are getting easier along with other weight exercises.

I went to the Dr. today and my foot is still broken. I am 85% healed and she said i have healed since last month. She also said that working out is good for my foot as long as I am not in any pain and that I should be completely healed by January. I guess I am just going to have to deal with the pain a little longer but at least I can exercise and do cardio - whew!

Tomorrow we have to do cardio on our own and then on Wednesday we will work legs. oh Yay! yes that is sarcastic!

Weekend

October 25 & 26

What a nice weekend. Two hockey games, a movie at The Loop and Spooky World! We saw the movie Express about Ernie Davis the football player - what an inspirational movie.

Sunday, I got my butt to the gym and did 30 minutes (20 seconds running, 20 seconds resting) keeping my heartrate up for 30 minutes. I was completely drenched in sweat. I did some situps after and headed home for a much needed shower. I wanted to go to bed early but a bunch of the hockey parents and kids met us at Spooky World. What a perfect night to walk about and get scared. Everyone got treats and it killed to watch them all eating carmel apples - yum! I did go and ate before I went because i knew I would be tempted and at the movies I had no snacks during the movie. Again I made sure I will full.

Day 19 in the Gym....

Last night after running a few errands I was so TIRED that when i got home I said to my husband I am too tired to eat, I am going to bed (that was at 7:30PM!~) I slept until 4 and felt good when I got up. We weighed in today and i was happy to be down around 7 pounds for the month. I think my body is figuring out what I am trying to do and is starting to cooperate.

Today was the DREADED legs - i made it through them even those horrible lunges! Ya know I never thought of myself as a "whinner" but I think when I am pushed and in pain working out (pain in a good way) the inner "whinner" totally comes out and I make my whinny comments. Billy picked up on that this AM. Who'd ever known that Martha was a "whinner" hmmmm - need to work on that.

Looking forward to a restful weekend. Going to try to get some cardio in at least one of the days.

Day 18 in the Gym

Okay a little Halloween humor - I love this time of year and Halloween is one of my favorite nights of the year. Hope this dosn't offend anyone.

ahhhh today felt really good - i was very happy today and in a good mood. I ate my oatmeal :-) We worked arms today - those dang pushups are starting to get a little easier on the balls. Andy had us do "Throw-Ups" with the weighted balls. Tomorrow is LEGS - not my favorite at all!

Also, today i wore a tee-shirt that I haven't been able to wear in a few years because it was too tight and didn't feel comfortable - it fits perfect now :-)

Day 17 in the Gym....

So I took Andy's advice and ate oatmeal at 4:15AM before my workout and i did have more energy today- yipeeeee! He worked us hard today - no rest for the weary! we kept going and going and going (I better stop before I get dizzy). I really felt like I accomplished something today.

When I went home my husband told me that when he was playing hockey last night (mens league) one of his coaches for our NE Predators team asked him if I was losing weight - he noticed! yay! that totally made my day! He is the first person who has said something (except for my hubby of course) he dosn't count though. Starting in November we will be going to 3 days training and 3 days cardio on our own. That will be challenging but I think it will be good.

well back to work -sigh....

Day 16 in the Gym

okay today SUCKED! When I got to TE Andy says we are doing legs - I think to myself - oh no problem - I always thought my legs were pretty strong - WRONG! I had a really hard time with balance today and the lunges killed my legs - i was NOT happy. I made it through about 40 minutes and Andy said go to the Treadmill so I went and ran for 20 seconds, rested for 20 seconds for 20 minutes. I haven't sweated so much since I started. My foot is really bothering me now and i go next week to the Dr. to see if it is still broke.

I was pretty down on myself when I left and Andy recommended eating oatmeal before I come so I will try that tomorrow. I hope tomorrow will be easier/better.

Day 15 in the Gym

This morning wasn't so bad getting up. I wasn't as tired as I normally am. When I got to Training Effects I jumped on the treadmill and warmed up. My foot felt good today and I ran a little on the treadmill. Felt good. Today we worked on our arms and boy did it BURN!!!! I also felt like I was going to be sick. After he kicked our A!^%# I felt better when I left. My arms are fine unless i try to lift them up.

The Weekend

October 18 & 19th

Friday at work I was exhausted! The boys went to the UNH game and I got the house to myself. After work, I walked around Lowell and ate a 6 inch turkey sub on wheat bread - yum! I was so tired i went home, watched a little TV, read and passed out by 9AM - i didn't wake up until 10AM. We had a hockey game in the afternoon and I find my food is thrown off on the weekends with all the traveling, I am finding it hard to eat every 2 to 3 hours. I had 3 big meals on both days.

Sunday was filled with early football and hockey games. I went to the grocery store and bought some healthy food for the week. Of course I had to go to bed early and didn't watch the Red Sox - i need my beauty rest so I can get up at 4AM

Day 14 in the gym....

I encourage all women to to self examinations and to have your yearly mammagram.

So Wednesday I was whinning and crying about not losing more weight and then last night I went into Boston and photographed an event for Ann Taylor for Breast Cancer Survivors. There were 11 beautiful women of all ages (even a hockey mom) and boy did their stories touch my heart. These women have been through so much and I am whinning about losing weight. It really put things into perspective.

The event went really well and Ann Taylor gave each of the girls the outfit they wore for the show. I photographed the fashion and show and afterwards. It was allot of fun and these woman rock! I got home late last night and woke up at the time I normally leave the house so I ran around the house like a mad woman getting ready this AM. Andy worked us hard today - legs and shoulders and of course abs. I was dying and I have never been so happy to see 6AM come!

Day 13 in the Gym...

October 16, 2008

I have really been craving sweets lately - I WILL NOT GIVE IN I WILL NOT GIVE IN........

Today was arms - yikes! total jello! My hands wouldn't stop shaking. It is 1:00PM and I can still feel it from this morning.

I am really excited I got asked to photograph an Ann Taylor "Survivor" event in Boston at The Loft. It should be allot of fun and inspirational. This means a long night so tomorrow at 4AM is going to be really hard to get up and get to Training Effects. Andy take it easy on me!

Day 12 in the Gym

Here are some photos of that show all of our muscles - thought I would post this so I could study it and learn what and where everything is. I feel like I am in Health class (ha ha ha)

October 15, 2008

Todays workout was back. Great workout. Everyone was good until we had to get weighed at the end of the session. I was really nervous and I was very disappointed when I stepped on the scale and had only lost 3 pounds in 3 weeks. I actually cried in the car. My husband told me don't worry about the numbers just focus on how your body is changing and he said he has noticed i look different. I just want so hard for all this hard work and eating right to pay off. I finally cried and got it out of my system. Now I am feeling better. I am going to have to step it up outside of the gym with cardio I think. I am giving Andy my food log tomorrow, maybe he will find something I am doing wrong with my diet. I just hate getting on the scales.

Okay enough whining focus focus focus!

Day 11 in the Gym

October 14th

Yesterday was a holiday so this week will be a short week. Andy lost electricity last night and was a little late so today was a short workout. He worked us out on our legs (lots of squats and lots of ab work) I think tonight I will hit the gym and do some cardio.

I weighed myself yesterday and it showed I am down almost 5 pounds since I started the challenge. It is kind of disappointing, I guess I expect more out of my body than i should. I am hoping that with all the hardwork and clean eating i will start to notice a difference in my body soon. I do feel better that I am eating better and I actually don't feel as flabby. I will continue to hang in there and not give up.

Long Weekend

October 11 - 12

Let the weekend begin! I was so excited to get to sleep in on Saturday. I can't believe how tired I am from this past week.

We had 2 hockey games today and was on the go. I tried the Duncan Donuts veggie egg white flatbread and it wasn't bad - the website says it is under 300 calories. I am so glad Duncan has some healthy options now. Also, Saturday night we went out to dinner with another couple and they all got the Prime Rib was looked yummy. I ordered baked swordfish with beets and a plain sweet potato on the side. It was pretty good. I am happy I am trying fish now.

Day 10...

October 10, 2008

Here is a lovely photo that shows what I worked today and boy do i feel it right now! I can only imagine what my "noodle" arms are going to feel like tomorrow. Whew - I have made it through week 2. Last night after work I went to the gym and did 25 minutes on the Elliptical and then headed home for a hot shower. I ate turkey burger and a sweet potato with cinnamon - yum! then i fixed my family pasta with meat sauce. I was so tired last night - I watched the first part of The Biggest Loser from Tuesday night. That show is so motivating.

This morning was biceps and triceps. First off my the backs of my legs were hurting when i got up this morning. As I left Andy this morning my arms felt like wet noodles - yikes! This work out stuff is so hard and some of the most simple looking exercises are the hardest.

I am so excited it is the weekend! I get to sleep until 7AM tomorrow morning -3 more hours than all this week - woo hoo!

Day 9....

This has NOTHING to do with working out but I received it as a joke this morning and it just made me smile - Happy Thursday everyone!

Today was legs - oh how painful - i am still shaky from the workout. I am going to try to go and do some cardio at my gym tonight. My foot still really hurts so i will have to do the bike or elipitcal (sp).

Late yesterday afternoon we went apple picking and pumpking picking and had a really good time. Afterwards our family went to Chili's for dinner. I got the Tilipia backed fish with steamed veggies. It was very good. I will say when we got there a beer sounded really good and chips and queso dip but i kept strong and ate healthy.

Until tomorrow....

Day 8 Workout

Okay girls here is a little eye candy for you! All I can say is (mouth open) WOW! Working out is a GOOD THING! Here are some of thos words Andy was using today :-)

I figure I will post this so I can keep looking at this to try to remember all of these muscles
Today was shoulders. We worked 3 different muscles today. Andy explained them all. He is very smart and knows his stuff. My foot is still bothering me which is bumming me out. I hope it is healed when I got back to the Dr. I really want to start doing some heavy cardio.

I am also bummed a little that I have lost only 2.5 - 3 pounds (depending on what time of the day I step on the scale) - Andy reassured me not to look at that and he said my body is in shock right now and is still trying to store fat because it is not use to me eating good and working out. The good news is I feel stronger and healthier.

October 7, 2008

Day 7 Workout

Today was "lower back" day. Not too bad. I am so excited that my body isn't in allot of pain anymore. I am definately sore after each workout but I am walking better and the pain isn't as bad as last week. Last week was pretty dang bad. I actually didn't know your body could hurt like that.

My foot was really bothering me today so I did the bike instead of the treadmill. It was a good workout and the time went by really fast.

Tomorrows workout is shoulders - woo hoo!

Hi Andy! (waving)

Monday, October 6th

Day 6 - workout

Today was day 6 with Andy. He had Deena and I do chest exercises and cardio today. There were some tough ones and my arms were very shaky. The last 20 minutes we did cardio on the treadmill 20 seconds running, 20 seconds rest and so on. I was so excited to make it to 20 minutes and I felt really good afterwards. My foot is still broken and hopefully will ge the "green light" at the end of the month that is 100% healed. I can't wait to start running (did I say that!) I have always wanted to run a 5K but I have never enjoyed running. I am hoping that this experience will change that.

I am not as sore today and i can tell a difference in the way I feel inside from eating "clean" I have a feeling my arms will be sore tonight and tomorrow.

Tomorrow's workout will be focused on our backs.

Sunday, October 5th

After a LATE night we met up with the team at the football field at 7:00AM - it was freezing and very foggy. We won the game and I got some good photos. I had some black coffee and a protein bar before the game - after the game i was so hungry! We stopped off for breakfast. Brandon and Scott got the buffett which was loaded with eggs, bacon, sasauge, hashbrowns, pancakes - etc. For the first time in years I didn't get the buffett - i ordered an eggwhite omletee with veggies and some sliced tomatoes on the side. I felt really good after and glad I didn't cave in.

We went to my oldest sons hockey game after football and we got home late afternoon.

Oh yeah one more thing - my "behind" and the back of my legs are still really sore from Friday's workout - thanks Andy!

Saturday, October 4

Ahhhhh the weekend! Yay! I slept to 8:00AM - woo hoo! All week I have been getting up at 4:00AM to get to Training Effects. It felt sooooooo good to sleep. We had a really busy day. First off was Brandon's hockey game. He played up a level and did really well. After our hockey game we headed to Laconia for a "football" fun filled weekend. Our new friends from football had a big bash and they have a gorgeous home with an awesome view of the lake. The kids had a blast. There were lots and lots of temptations for me. First off, there was allot of alchol and the food - oh my gosh there was so much food! I did really good and ate chili, some fruit and lots of raw veggies. I skipped over the desserts and the chocolate fondue fountain. It was Christine's b-day and her husband had a cake and firecrackers to end the night.

It is hard being away from home and I didn't prepare well at all. I did bring protein bars but i should have planned more meals.

Everyone on the football team is real supportive and excited for me.

A Little Friday Humor

Happy Friday everyone!

Day 5...

October 3, 2008

It was a little harder to roll out of bed at 4AM today. I had a small protein bar before I left and threw in some laundry. That is the nice part about getting up early. I can get some stuff done around the house.

Andy introduced me to Deena who is another contestant and she will be working out with me at 5AM. She was really nice and I think she looks great already. We didnt' get to know each other well because Mr. Andy had the "whip" out and kept making us do exercises. The nerve! No rest for the weary.

Today was the hardest day for me since we started. I HATE HATE lunges and I stink at them. I had a really hard time with those and I had a hard time stepping up on the workout bench and putting my other leg up. He also tortured us with weights. I couldn't wait to go home and get in the hot shower after it was all over.

I am so excited that I have survived a week of training. I am proud of myself and I can't wait to sleep late tomorrow! So glad it is the weekend!

Day 4...

October 2, 2008

It was pouring down rain at 4:30AM when I left my house to go to Training Effects this morning. It was one of those mornings you just don't want to get up and go anywhere but I did. The gym was filled this morning. Lots of laughs and lots of grunts. Today Andy had me do lower back and more arm exercises. I was a little bummed that I couldn't complete some of the exercises. I needed to do 15 and had a hard time on a few. I hope to get allot stronger soon.

I feel better today. My legs aren't aching quite as bad but my upper body is pretty sore.

I hand in my food log tomororw and will get comments back on my previous one. I am curious to see what I need to change and here Andy's suggestions/comments.

Day 3 with Andy....

October 1, 2008

All I can say is OUCH!!!!!! How can ones body be so dang sore? Why is it so painful? It didn't hurt when I was eating all that Micky D's and restaurant food for years. If I only knew this years ago. I feel like I have been hurting my body a long time and I hope I can repair the damage.

I am still eating clean and feeling good and full after each meal. I am also down to only 1 diet soda a day. I use to drink 3-6 a day! I have also given up sweet-n-low in my coffee.

Okay so day 3 - let's see oh yes Andy made me work and work hard. We did arms today. They are still shaky. I enjoyed using the weights but it is hard work. I can't wait to get stronger. We also worked my worst spot - my abs. After I left I felt really good mentally my body on the other hand - um SORE

Also, waving to the 5:00AM gals! You guys look great. I hope someday I can do some of the exercises you do. Love your dedication!

Thanks again Andy, Billy (Training Effects) and 106.3 for this amazing opportunity!

Martha