Noomin'

I started using Noom this week, and I think I can see how things work.

I've already started to learn things I've never known before.  I've been tracking my calories/meals in My Fitness Pal since January, and have had zero weight change, even though I regularly don't reach my calorie allotment for the day, to the point that I've been getting notifications from MFP that I'm not eating enough calories.  Turns out, while I'm not reaching my calorie goal, Noom breaks down foods into Green foods (low calorie density) yellow foods and red foods.  This week, I've yet to eat any green foods, so even though I'm below my calories each day, the calories I'm getting aren't quality calories!

I am supposed to be finishing my 8 week challenge with my Peloton this week, but I've missed enough rides (including rides I thought were optional, but actually weren't.) so it's going to take me until 5/22/20, and re-taking my FTP test on 5/23/20.

We'll call these my “before” pictures because while I’ve been exercising, I haven’t been eating well, nor did I take pictures at the beginning of this quarantine because, honestly, who would have thought that 2 months later we’d still be quarantined at home.

So, the deal is, I am finishing this 8 week challenge next week, starting some Yoga and Strength/core training and working on my diet. I’m going to do measurements tomorrow so I’ll have pictures, measurements, the scale, and my FTP test as measurable ways to look at how much I’ve improved. The next challenge is also 8 weeks and starts on June 1 and will end on July 26. I’ll post my results and pictures on July 27.....Stay tuned!!


I'm doing all of this while starting my MSA (Master of School Administration) on Saturday, teaching home full time and making sure my own children are doing what they are supposed to.


Nah--I don't have much on my plate these days!  LOLOL

Quarantine Day 60

Today is Quarantine Day 60!

In those 60 days, I have become far more active.  I have already ridden over 2,000 minutes I have now completed 65 Peloton rides (I had 11 at the beginning of this year).  I haven't lost any weight (I still need to address my diet) but I am still feeling far more healthy. 

My exercise routine has become far more regular than it's ever been! 

I found the most amazing this on the Peloton page, which is Power Zone Training.  Power Zone Training is based on your current fitness level.  You start out by taking an FTP test (Functional Threshold power) to determine your average output in 20 minutes.  You enter your results into the settings on your touchscreen/profile and then you can see your current "zones" at the bottom of the screen while you are riding.  As opposed to using Heart Rates, you use your "power zones" which focus on your output (a combination of your cadence--how fast you are pedaling--and your resistance--how hard it is for you to pedal).  So everyone is working in the same zone, even though for me, zone 3 is like 65-80 output and for Matt Wilpers (the Baby-Faced Assassin) is in the 190-205 range, it is the same difficulty for both of us.  In other words, we are training at our own fitness levels while riding together.  To me, this feels like the Peloton version of CrossFit, but instead of figuring out what I need to do to modify the workout for my abilities, the zones have already done that for me.

I jumped into an 8 week challenge at the beginning of this insanity and this is the last week of my first ever Power Zone Challenge.  I've learned a lot, and found out what NOT to do in the challenge.  While this is week 8, there are some rides that I missed that I thought were optional....so I will be going back to complete those.  Once I finish all of the rides and have completed all prescribed rides in the challenge, I will re-do my FTP test.  As it stands, I've done the FTP test three times.  The first two times, my fitness levels were in the negatives (not surprising for me) but the third FTP showed a HUGE improvement! 

I didn't ride much last year, due to my shoulder injury, and laziness, but between my first and second FTP tests, (February 19, 2019 and March 23, 2020) I saw an improvement in my FTP of 4%; my FTP went from 67 to 70,  not surprising, since I'd only ridden a handful of times between these tests.  But, from March 23, 2020 to April 17, 2020, I saw an improvement of 27%  and my FTP went from 70-89!  It looks like I'm going to re-take my FTP test on 5/22/2020, and my hope, is that this will show an improvement to an FTP of over 100!  If I reach an FTP of 100 that would be an improvement of 12%, but I'm hoping by not only completing all of the rides from the beginning of the challenge that I missed out on, plus some "extra credit" rides, I'll see an improvement of another 27% or more, which would give me an FTP of about 113.  I'll take either one, but I'm really hoping for that 113. 

Now that I've got my Cardio game going strong, it's time to add in some strength training and consistent stretching/core work.  There are, of course Peloton programs for these as well, so I'll ge starting those next Monday as I finish up this challenge next week. 

The next challenge starts 6/1, for another 8 weeks. 

In order to address the whole food issue, I decided to try out Noom.  The "I want a quick fix" part of me keeps seeing posts on Social media about this supplement or that Supplement and promising "quick and easy weight loss with no requirement to workout or change anything".  I know logically and intellectually that these quick fixes aren't going to work long-term, but the idea of seeing the number on the scale drop drastically and quickly is tempting.  So, I decided instead to choose something that will help me address these issues long-term and give me tools to keep the weight off that don't include buying a million really expensive supplements every month. 

So, my fitness journey now includes 3 main aspects..
1.  Peloton!  I love it, and I'll keep doing it.
2.  Noom--I'm hoping for some recipes and ideas on how to eat to get to and maintain a healthy weight. 
3.  Thrive!  I've been using this for a while because since my weight loss surgery in 2013, my body doesn't process nutrition, and specifically vitamins/nutrients the way that it should.  Thrive has helped me get my bloodwork back within normal ranges with the exception of D3, so I need more time in the sun! 

The fun kind of pain

So today, I did another 1 hour ride with my current favorite Peloton Instructor, Matt Wilpers.  I got another personal best for output today. 

The fun thing is learning new ways to push my body.  I think one of the reasons I enjoy riding with Matt so much is that he explains things in a way that make sense to me.  Do they hurt?  YES!  Do they make me uncomfortable?  ABSOLUTELY!  Am I seeing and feeling changes in my body as a result?  Yes, Yes I am! 

I have exercised 20 of the last 30 days using the Peloton, (an increase of 10 days over the prior 30 days) and have done at least 1 Peloton workout every week for the last 9 weeks. 

Today, Matt talked about feeling the entire pedal stroke, and not just using your quads to push the pedals down (we all know how to do that) but using your hamstrings and glutes to pull the pedals up on the back side of the pedal stroke.  I wasn't understanding what he said at first, and I wasn't feeling anything in my glutes or hamstrings, so I decided to try a different approach.  I sat back on my SITS bones (not fun) and rather than pushing the pedals, I only allowed my legs to pull. 

We were riding at a really slow cadence (under 65 rpm) but high resistance so I was in zone 4 of 7 in my power zones.  All of a sudden it felt like someone tied knots in my glutes and hamstrings and the burn in my quads was completely gone.  I had to consciously think about not letting my feet touch the bottom of my shoes, or pushing down on the pedals.  We did this for 4 minutes, which doesn't sound like much, but good gravy, did I feel it. 

I can tell my core strength is improving because when I started I had a very difficult time sitting up, 'heart forward, lengthening the spine, stacking my muscles above my hips and then hinging forward from there" with a slight bend in my elbows and not putting all the pressure on my hands.  Now I get it, and being able to sit up this way takes the stress off my hands, my quads, my knees and gives me more power. 

I also glanced at myself sideways in the mirror and was shocked.  While I'm not losing my belly just yet (yes, I know, abs are made in the kitchen), I'm starting to notice that my booty is lifting.  I've always had a big butt, so that isn't going to change, but I'd rather it sit higher than be saggy, and that appears to be happening. 

This quarantine has definitely taken a toll on our family mentally, but at least I'm finding some healthy ways to deal with it. 

Quarantine Fitness

So, just over a month ago, the state of NC shut down the schools and said we will not return to school until at least May 15.  I've spent the better part of the last month teaching myself how to become an online teacher for my students, since I'm not the best online learner myself, I want to be the best possible online teacher.  This internal drive to be the best causes me large amounts of anxiety and stress.

There are many ways to deal with that level of stress an anxiety.  In the past I have dealt with it by stress/binge eating, and sometimes having a drink or two.  I made a conscious decision that since I was going to be home the better part of the next two months, it was time to dedicate myself to my workouts and do better physically rather than giving myself a crutch that wasn't healthy or productive.

At the beginning of this quarantine, I had a total of 25 rides in on my Peloton bike, which I had owned for 13 months.  Since March 15 I have ridden an additional 24, and today, I will do my 50th Peloton Ride.  In this time I have discovered Power Zone Training, and put aside the fear of it and just jumped in head first to an 8-week Power Zone challenge.  I committed to riding 3 times per week over that 8 week period to get in my cardio and workout more consistently.

I have found three additional instructors that I love, so that list is now up to 4.  Cody Rigsby and Robin Arzon do "regular" rides and now Power Zone rides.  I adore them both, and in fact they are my go-to instructors for "fun" rides.  Cody has done Lady Gaga and Madonna Rides.  Robin did a Lizzo ride, a Hamilton Ride and a Greatest Showman ride.  Christine D'Ercole, Matt Wilpers and Denis Morton (who completely unfairly has way better than I do) all teach Power Zone Rides along with the "regular" rides.  Matt is a smiling demon who kicks my ass every time I get on the bike.  Denis is my Musical Spirit Animal and chooses awesome stuff like Janis Joplin, INXS, Toto.  Christine's tag-line is "I am, I can, I will, I do".  She tells you in every ride to drop your shoulders and drop your baggage.  She says that being on the leaderboard every ride is more important than where you are on the leaderboard.  I love them all for different reasons. 

When my doctor told me I shouldn't be running anymore, stopping running caused me to gain weight, approximately 25 pounds in 3 months.  While my Peloton journey doesn't have me losing weight because honestly, I can't outride my fork, and I need to be working hard on nutrition, it has helped me find a new activity that my aging/damaged knees can handle without massive pain, swelling and inflammation that lasts for days.  I'm falling in love with Peloton the way I did with CrossFit and running, when I could do those things.

I am not halfway to my century ride, and my free century t-shirt after I finish it.  I really think I want to go to NYC and ride with all of my favorite teachers in one weekend.  Maybe the stars will align and this damn virus will go away.  Maybe Barney will take me to NYC for my birthday next spring, and I'll get to meet them all.  In the meantime, I'm going to keep on pedaling.  I have also altered Christine's phrase slightly, "I am a badass, I can do anything I put my mind to, I will love myself through the process, I do deserve this!" 

Week 4...In the books

So, I just finished the 4th week, my Saturday workout and got weighed in.  I feel compelled to share some information about why this particular week carries a lot of emotion for me, so bear with me, if you would.

When I made the decision to have Weight loss surgery 5-1/2 years ago, not everyone in my immediate family was supportive or excited about that decision.  My Nana, though, told me she just wanted me to be as healthy as possible for me, my future and to be here as long as possible for my children.

Once the surgery was over and I start losing weight, she was very supportive, and then, when I got to about 195 pounds or so, she told me that "enough is enough" and that I didn't need to keep losing weight.  I was going to get too small (I have no idea how nearly 200 pounds could be too small, but I guess it's the perspective of what I was coming from).

Fast Forward 2 years, my knees were jacked up, I couldn't run, and the weigh was creeping back on.  The very last words I remember my Nana saying to me were, "I'm worried about you, you're gaining your weigh back and I don't want you to have done all of this for nothing."

Now here I am, 3 years later, again knocking on the door of 195 pounds.  Looking like I may be the size I was when she passed in the next week to 10 days.  What is interesting is, that 195 pounds was not a fit and toned 195, it was just a number on a scale.

I've spent the last 4 weeks totally changing my diet.  No fast food, no coffee creamer, no sugar.  No process crap.  My entire diet and everything I'm putting in my mouth is much healthier than I have ever eaten, even right after my weight loss surgery.

I feel healthier than I can ever remember feeling, and I am proud of how I'm doing this.  I have 2 more weeks left in the challenge, at which point, I will be allowed to go to a different meal plan that is not so restrictive, but I don't see the draw to doing so.  There is NOTHING unhealthy about what I am eating.  The other plan would maybe let me have some bacon once in a while or things like that, but I am seriously thinking about keeping this meal plan going with an infrequent "splurge" toward some of the items allowed on the other meal plan.

I want to continue to lose weight, get healthier, and find the best possible version of me!  There are 2 more weeks in the challenge officially, but my challenge will continue long after that.

I have 6 weeks until I board a cruise ship and I want to feel comfortable on that ship, in my bathing suit, etc.  It seems I'm averaging around 2.5 pounds per week so far in this challenge.  If I continue on that pace, I would be around 183 on that day, maybe a bit more, or maybe a bit less.  That isn't really the most important part about this.  What is important is how I'm building habits of going to work out.  I'm building habits of eating healthy food, even in the face of Super Bowl snacks tomorrow.

Anyone want to join me??

I feel liberated....

There is something liberating, and quite frankly, beautiful, about falling in love with yourself.  It would almost be funny if it weren't so sad that it took me nearly 44 years to get here.  I'm allowing my heart to guide me this year, and saying yes and no to things that I determine either do or don't fit into my future.

I started the body transformation challenge with high hopes of getting healthy, and as a bonus side effect, maybe dropping some of the extra pounds I've been carrying around, specifically the 38 I had regained from my lowest weight post weight loss surgery.

As with any goal, it is not a success only journey, but the question is, when faced with adversity, how do you handle it?  How do you respond?

Last week was difficult.  I hurt my knee during Tuesday's workout, nothing major just really inflamed since I have no cartilage in there, and can't take anti-inflammatory medications to help my body handle the swelling after that.  I was in pain, my knee was tight with swelling, so I wasn't able to work out the rest of the week.  I could barely walk, quite frankly.  So I did what I could, and stuck to the meal plan for the most-part, but then when I started to get down, I gave myself permission to fail....but only for a little while.  I knew I wasn't going to lose as much weight as week 1 (5.4 pounds), but I also knew I had no reason/excuse to GAIN weight.  So I did what I could.

One of the interesting side effects of eating whole foods instead of fast food and processed crap is that my body is processing foods the way it should be.  I hadn't made the connection before, and while this is TMI its part of my reality, so I thought I'd share.  I have been taking medication for 2-1/2 years to allow my intestines to process food probably and have some kind of output from my body other than urgent trips to the bathroom with loose bowels.  I haven't taken that medication, nor do I need it, for the last 2 weeks.  I feel good, my body is processing food the way it should, because I'm giving my body what it needs to do so.  I'm down to 1 pill per day which has to do with my clinical depression, and that will likely never go away!

So when I got on the scale last night, I wasn't totally shocked to see I had gained .6 pounds.  I would be lying if I said I was surprised, because how could I be?  I didn't work out and I didn't stick to the meal plan 100%.  My coaches are amazing and super supportive and informed me that week 2 of these type of lifestyle changes is often the hardest.  Rather than throwing in the towel because, "It obviously isn't going to work" I've doubled down and continued to pursue and chase the healthy lifestyle I know I need.  I have all my meals for the week planned and prepped but 1, and I'm pushing myself to do everything by the book.

As for workouts, last night I did my CrossFit workout at CrossFit Brave, then when I got home, I finished setting up my Peloton bike that got delivered yesterday and took it for a bit of a spin.  It was fabulous, and fun, and oh so hard!  It's a different kind of hard than CrossFit which is good.  I was sweating my butt off in the first 10 minutes, and had to convince myself to stay in the ride for the whole 30 minutes.  No CrossFit for me tonight, but I'm going to find this Dirty Dancing Peloton ride I keep hearing about and give it a whirl.

I've found that the longer I stay on this plan, the better I feel, the less I hurt, and people have actually approached me to tell me that I look good and I appear happy.  I hope that's a sign of how well I am adjusting to this new lifestyle.

I am NOT on a diet, I'm changing my life.  I'm hoping these changes lead to a bit more weightloss over the next 7-1/2 weeks until I board that cruise ship and I get on the boat around 185 pounds....As of yesterday, I was at 205.6, but I'll be back to my Saturday morning weigh in this Saturday.  Hopefully my cycling workouts on CrossFit off days will help me continue to see a smaller number on the scale.

Why is this time different?

I keep asking myself this.  What is going to make this time different?  I came to a huge conclusion about this answer on Saturday and wanted to share with you all. 

I have, for many years, made resolutions that required me to lose a certain number of pounds.  I had weight loss surgery 5 years ago, and still wasn't able to stick to the very strict diet required.  Once I got comfortable, I went back to my old habits, so the million dollar question is:

 "Why do I think this time is going to be different?"

Here's the answer I have come to, with some background as to what led me to said answer. 

So, on Friday morning last week, 1/11/19, I walked out of the house without my prepared breakfast, and had to figure out what to eat.  Skipping breakfast is NOT an option on this meal plan, nor is it ever healthy.  For a split second I gave myself permission to indulge in my guilty pleasures, drive through and get sugar laden coffee with a danish or something like I would before I started this process (AGAIN).  Then I snapped back to reality and asked why I was willing to allow myself to fail?  Yes, I admit, I am the queen of self-sabotage, but why?  So instead, I stopped at Starbucks, ordered Sous Vide Egg-white bites with red peppers and a plain oatmeal.  Both things are definitely on my meal plan, and while not necessarily in the correct proportions, it was better than a donut or whatever else I may have caved and eaten. 

Then on Friday night, the CrossFit Brave coach posted the workout I had signed up for on Saturday and it scared me to death!  It was going to be a partner WOD, but we would be doing 3 different CrossFit Games workouts from previous years.  CrossFit Games workouts are BRUTAL!!!  I almost cancelled the class and decided to sleep in, but decided instead I needed to stay in, and not cherry-pick the workouts I was willing to go to. 

On the way home from my workout, I realized something that seems like semantics, but so isn't.  In the past, my resolutions, my weight loss efforts, my weight loss surgery I always explained the same way....."I'm tired of being fat!"  While that is a good motivation to get started, it doesn't keep you honest once you lose the certain number of pounds you had thought of, or decided you had lost enough weight.  This, I believe, is why diets don't work!  Instead, this time, my motivation came from a totally different place, "I want to be healthy!"

Why the change?  I have found 2 lumps in my breasts in the last year.  My doctor was testing me for Auto-Immune disorders last fall because I was exhausted, constantly fatigued, having headaches daily and couldn't fight off a simple cold for 3-1/2 weeks. I cared for my dying mother-in-law last February.  I watch my father suffer with dementia, COPD, and A-fib every day, and I watch my mother struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.  High Blood pressure and High Cholesterol run down both sides of my family, as to heart issues and Strokes.  I cannot continue to shove unhealthy crap in my mouth and expect my body to resemble anything healthy. 

This time, it's about health.  It's about putting good food into my body so it can function at its best.  It's about moving my body and challenging myself so that I don't end up with osteoperosis or other degenerative diseases that run in my family because I made unhealthy decisions for too long.  The difference is that instead of a # on the scale, I'm working toward healthy living, and as we all know, health is NOT determined by the lowest number on the scale.  Weight loss will likely be an exciting side-effect of the healthy eating and working out, but it isn't the focus of my journey! 

So, this year, I started this journey to health at 210.6 according to the scale at the gym last Monday. 
On Saturday at the gym, I was at 205.2.  Down 5.4 # in 6 days. 

This week, I'm definitely working out 3x, maybe 4.  I have all my meals for the week prepped and packed through Friday, so I just have to grab them and go.