16 March 2009

My Routine

This is not a diet blog. I don't want to make this blog only about what I am eating and how much I am exercising...


But, with that said, I am going to use this week to reach out to the bloggy world for advice, encouragement, and a little extra push to get me off and out of this plateau!


As I mentioned before, I have been playing with the same 2 pounds since Christmas. On Friday I got several comments with lots of great advice and some questions about the methods to my weight loss madness so I will be answering those and bracing myself for some constructive criticism. I want to hear from ALL OF YOU...everyone will have something to contribute. I mean, we all have at least one thing that has worked or hasn't worked when it comes to weight and being healthy.


Today, I will be revealing my exercise routine.


All of the classes that I take are Les Mills classes. I take group fitness classes for several reasons:
  • the social aspect keeps me accountable because I have made friends that expect me to be there and will send text messages to me if I am running late to see if I need my bench set up, etc.

  • I love the instructors and know for sure that they push me much harder than I would EVER push myself

  • I have no idea how to use any of the equipment in the gym. (Former fat girl here...I have NEVER before exercised and can't afford a trainer right now!)

Okay, now for my routine:


Sunday: Body Pump (1 hour full body weight lifting class). In the past couple of months, I have been increasing the weight that I am lifting in at least one muscle group every Sunday. I am SHOCKED at how strong I am getting.


Monday: Body Attack (1 hour cardio class) Also, about once per month I get up really early and go to a Body Step (1 hour choreographed step class) that my WW buddy teaches.


Tuesday: Body Pump and sometimes I take an additional Body Attack class for a two hour workout. This usually depends on David's schedule so only happens about once a month.


Wednesday: Body Step and Body Combat (kick boxing class that works my shoulders and arms in addition to my legs. And I should mention that this class also makes my back fat sore!)


Thursday: Body Pump


Friday: Body Step and Body Flow (1/2 hour of yoga and 1/2 hour of Pilate's)


Saturday: off (well, as "off" as you can be when playing full time with a pre-schooler and toddler)

Okay, there you have it...my gym schedule. The best part is that I actually ENJOY going to these classes and in spite of the fact that I am not losing pounds I can see a difference in my muscles and shape.

Tomorrow we will start talking food.




sign

16 comments:

yadikiswoyo said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

ok woman.
Im ready.

BRING ON THE FOOOOD MUZINGS :)

Kati said...

Are the classes different each time you going.. meaning it doesn't follow the same routine of exercise?

That could be your problem.. your body needs suprises to avoid plateau.

Also know that cardio is for weight loss and strnghth training is for muscle and does not burn hardly any calories.

I'm sure you know that muscle weighs more than fat.. and you may be losing fat and gaining muscle.

It is also important to look at diet.. a huge portion of success comes from what you are and are not eating. Your body NEEDS calories as well all the other good stuff. It has to be balanced but low in sodium, fats, and simple carbs.

Christina said...

Wow. That's all I got - wow. More exercise in your week than in my month!

Natalie said...

for those that are wondering. yes, the classes are different every. single. time. that is what i love about it...i enjoy the changes.

i pretty much stay sore somewhere all of the time so my body stays surprised i think.

Cynthia said...

I gotta think with that schedule...your time is coming. Keep it up, I know it's hard. Keep it up!

workout mommy said...

i think you have a great mix of everything! love that you also get Yoga and pilates in there, good for you.

I'll check back tomorrow for the food part.

LuckyOnce said...

I'm very interested in tomorrow's post to see if you're eating enough food to keep your body from going into starvation mode (and trying to hold onto more calories.) That's a whole lot of exercise! Good for you!

Unknown said...

seriously you rock.

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Dude, that is kicking my sorry butt with activity! I think you are doing all the right things so far, I was curious if the classes were always different and you answered that. That said, maybe you need to change it up a little and one day instead of class, go for a run/walk outside.

Personally, I have found that the running has sped up my metabolism quite a bit and as a result I have lost a bit of excess (and yes, I have some excess too!). Just a thought....

Keep it up because it will come off, you can bet on it!

EmilytheCreative said...

I agree with some of the others who said that maybe you aren't getting enough calories in. In this day of counting calories a lot of people think that less is better.. but when you do that for an extended amount of time your body will go into starvation mode and actually store more fat. Also.. long steady exercise is better at burning fact. Here is a link to better explain that (http://www.ayushveda.com/dietfitness/aerobic-versus-anaerobic-exercises/). When you do high impact exercise all the time your body, over a long period, will not burn fat. But if you stick to a longer steady exercise you will, in the end, burn more fat. I hope that makes sense. I hope you are able to figure something out that gets you through this weight loss slump. The important thing is to not give up.

Anonymous said...

foooody food food :)

yeah Im teasing you as I know most people would NOT call this tomorrow yet.
but Im up and working...

Ill check back.

Alicia said...

First off- I'd just like to say WOW- you go girl! All that exercise?! Wow! I'm going to guess that your cardio classes are just as effective- I've never tried any, but, good ol' fashion running has been my best friend on my weight-loss 'quest'... I lost 40lb and running was the main reason. Also, before I do any weight-lifting, I always run first... but that's just me. Have you ever tried a Spinning class? The trainer at my gym said you burn like 800 calories (don't remember for sure what he said) in just one class. And then, (and I haven't seen your whole meal plan for a day yet, but I try to pay attention to when I eat my carbs. I try to make sure I consume a majority of them earlier in the day and have something simple for dinner (chicken/fish and veggies most nights). Sorry about the novel, but I do hope you get over your plateau. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Natalie. . I would try to start every day you are at the gym to do weights with 30 minutes of cardio before. .running works best for me, but the eliptical is great too. If you run, run in spurts. Warm up with a mile at a steady pace and then in your second mile amp up the speed every quarter mile. Drop back to initial speed at the start of every new mile. It is a great cardio workout and by pushing at the end, you will burn more calories in your weights time too. hope that helps. . I know it has for me!
Pauline

Christie O. said...

ugh, sister, when i read this post i felt your pain.

that same two pounds? yeah. me too. i really don't know what to do either. i lost all this weight and now i'm stuck. i've switched up the workouts a little, but honestly? i think there needs to be some hardcore going on. a massive overhaul on the workouts and diet. some sort of major switch. because routine (any routine) is the enemy. our bodies are smart. whatever your lifting in body pump class, maybe up that. maybe do a few less carbs and a little more protein? maybe talk to a trainer to see if the food matches up with how much you're working out? Because sometimes when you don't eat enough, your body goes into starvation mode and holds onto it...

I don't know, but i gotta find me an answer too and these are all the suggestions i've been reading cause i'm currently on the hunt myself. if you find the answer though, let me know!!

movementmedia said...

Hi there,

Like you, we're passionate about health and fitness, not dieting, so much we went out and created a short entertainment series around our adventures encouraging our friend Kim to the gym.

If you’re interested, you can watch our videos and learn more about us on our social networking site http://www.lesmillsandme.com

Hope you get a laugh out of the videos. We’d love you to post an episode on your blog if you think your readers would gain something from them or share the videos with the ‘Kims’ they know!

Kind regards

Les Mills and Me
http://www.lesmillsandme.com