Body Image and Advertising.

A dear friend of mine who is making a documentary about pornography addiction and our society is always posting some of the most INTERESTING articles, videos and advertisements. So if you have something like 40 minutes and care about how advertising shapes our culture (eating disorders, body image, sexualizing food)...   you should probably watch these youtube videos.

I'd love to hear your reactions. Feel free to leave an essay. I'm so passionate about this topic. I love hearing how different people interpret it.

Big Fat LOVE YOURSELF Love,
Nanette

Midweek Check In.

I have refrained from weighing myself at all this week. Which I'm pretty much a scale addict. I check it every time I change my clothes. Anyway... 3 days of none of that. I got on the scale and I'm up a freaking pound. I'm cycling through a lot of thoughts and emotions like anger and disappointment and what if you're just gaining muscle?! and have I been eating things that I haven't been logging? I'm drinking enough water. I'm definitely getting enough exercise. I'm on my period... is that it? I WANT TO SEE A LOSS THIS WEEK, not just a different number. I've got to... I want to lose another 10-20lbs before I move. It's my fresh start and I don't want to do it above 300lbs.

Today the two a day work outs stop. I'm a bit too sore for life today. Heh. But really, I'm having some awesome muscle fatigue. So I'm taking this morning off. Trainer cancelled. She's having a hard time moving and needs to be able to teach her class tomorrow. As much as she pushes me, I push her right back. I will revel in this rest day - for tomorrow I run.

I'm kind of excited about the running. I want to build up to be something I really enjoy... You know, 30 minutes of just going. No marathons or 5Ks or whatever. Just going on a run. It could be great me time. I'd also love to be in the kind of relationship where you both go on a morning run to start the day... It might be silly. But it's something I'd want. Plus it would be such a motivator for staying active.

I've been thinking a lot about this move and how I'm going to stay active. I'm going to keep losing weight. Someone asked yesterday if I'm going to keep blogging. You bet your nethers I will be! Writing is a cathartic activity for me. I'd much rather go for the laptop than go for the fridge.

Which I must admit I did last night. Now I didn't go over my caloric limit of 1700. And I was hungry but I was having such an emotional night, that I was definitely eating for comfort instead of hunger. And I didn't make terrible choices, some cottage cheese, a handful of baby carrots and some peanut butter. It was one of those weird days when you get home, sit down and mysteriously start crying. I didn't know over what, or why. Yesterday wasn't particularly bad. Maybe the stress of the NY thing was sort of raining down around me (rain from my face). I was awash with all those feelings of inadequacy... I talk to myself a lot... and even saying some of it out loud just made me cry harder. It was ridiculous. I'm not a terribly emotional person - or, I am, but I don't cry very often. So when I do, I make it worth it.

But mid-everything, before I could reach for another food to eat, I ran a hot bath and laid in it for a while reading some magazines about beginning running. I got ready for bed and slept like a dead thing. Maybe just exhaustion? Tears from exhaustion? Something. Well, I'm taking today off to recuperate... And I'll just have to eat extra smart today.

Big Fat Tears of Love,
Nanette

Not Sold...

Trainer needed to learn a work out so she could sub for her fellow teacher. So we did the R.I.P.P.E.D instructor training work out dvd. Ummm.... If you're considering taking a class, or buying the dvds or spending money on that franchise at all. Just don't.

I mean... yeah. I got my heart rate up. I was sweating. I also spent about 75% of the time pissed off. They give the crappiest cues at the fastest pace that it's near impossible for someone of my weight and physical making. It's a whole lot of bouncing and jumping (which if you have a lot of belly fat, uhhhh... no go). I mean, I'm not opposed to doing a set of jumping jacks, interval running, mountain climbers, boxing... but when everything is like a giant high speed game of hopscotch, I honestly can't keep up.

Even better, their modifications.

For example... Holding plank position. If you can't do a regular plank go to your knees. Great. Now bring your knee up to your chest (one at a time). They modified mountain climbers to your knees. DUMB. A modified mountain climber is just done slower... with, you guessed it, LESS BOUNCING. I happen to like my lower back and like to treat it nicely. I also like the modification to work.

Another favorite. Wide feet stance, bend your knees to half squat. Jump forward, Jump backward. Another jumping work out that I need to modify. Their modification is to keep legs closer together and jump forward and backward. Okay...   What about actually targeting and strengthening the muscles being used?!?! I may be completely out of line here. But if you can't do the jumps, do some weighted deep squats. Hit those hamstrings, butt and calves. Come out of the squat and roll up onto the balls of your feet if you feel like it's just not enough.

I guess I should just say that the video was really counter-intuitive. It may be great for someone floating around the overweight/normal area. But there are a whole lot of work outs that are better for us obese folks, and by better I mean more effective, efficient and enjoyable. I'd call it face-paced, cheesy and aimed at those that are already somewhat athletic.

So I suppose I'll be sticking to Bodyrock, Zuzana Light, Couch to 5k, PiYo and Swimming. I don't consider this morning a waste. I got cardio and some weight stuff in. I accomplished being "active." I also learned what I won't do again. I try to be positive. Especially when I'm working out and in a lot of ways that work out just made me feel fatter and incapable. But I refuse to let those feelings defeat me.

Big question, Has anyone out there done the Jillian Michael's Yoga DVD? I'm wondering if I should buy it and try it.

Today I'm scheduled for an interval run with my friend at 2. I'm not sure if I'm going to make it to the running bit. But we may just go on a 30 min walk.

I'm also buying my flight tickets to NYC!!! The move is really approaching! I've got to hurry and finish my piano scales and piece and get my freaking diploma.

Big Fat Don't Buy Ripped Love,
Nanette

Determined... to lose my pants.

This is what I think when I have to modify 

Welcome to day 2 of the death by work out week!!!

Yesterday I got in my warm up in the morning and then ran to my first office job. I stayed on menu 95%!
(Dark chocolate at work). But my second job... I usually work 5-10. I got off at 9:15!!! We get to go home early if the classes we work get done early (distance learning/class broadcasts). I walked home. Dropped by purse by the door. Plugged my ipod into the speakers. Got rid of the jeans and hit my yoga mat. 15 minutes later I was panting and sweaty on the mat and thinking "you know what? I'd STILL be at work right now!"

But the thing is... This morning, I could have done it again. I can push my body to do 2 work outs a day. I'm more sore when I sit at my desk for 5 hours than when I move around.



I AM MORE SORE WHEN I SIT AT MY DESK FOR 5 HOURS THAN WHEN I DO TWO WORK OUTS IN ONE DAY. 

I consider that the non-scale victory for yesterday.

Today is great... I woke up 3 minutes before my alarm. Had a bit of yogurt. Walked up the hill to the University Gym. 50 minutes of aquacise arms... (think resistance bands and swim jogging in the deep end). Trainer and I went to her house and we got a full 32 minutes of HIIT. I modified some of it, but I did NOT GIVE UP or FAKE anything. I will not be like those whiners on "Heavy" (that A&E show I watched earlier this week).

I can tell already that it's going to be really tough for the rest of the week to keep moving and not giving into the soreness. Tomorrow is HIIT again... we're doing a workout from the Ripped program. And I've promised an afternoon interval run to my friend. I can do anything. I will not complain. I will bust my ass. I will lose some FREAKING WEIGHT this week. Or some inches. I'd settle for either, really.

Today's non-scale victory...

We were jogging in place for 50 seconds... Jogging with high knees and before I knew it, my pants were around my thighs. Knees up! Abs in! Asses out? My elastic, stretchy, yoga capris...   the kind that are supposed to hug you... Guess it's time to give them up. Down to the next size!

Big Fat Pants Yourself Love,
Nanette

Ready For Summer Challenge Update

Goals in review... 

Weight: 313 (-0) Though the goal was to lose -2.

Non-scale victory: Tried on all my clothing and tossed/donated the stuff that doesn't fit. I stretched every day but two. But I still can't touch my toes while sitting with my legs stretched out in front of me. Gotta keep trying.


Work out: I did very well! I did all my exercises as planned and even got a run in yesterday. I posted about it here and on facebook. And I found a couple Friday running buddies... which will totally make me accountable for the rest of the semester! :) I'm kind of excited.

Nutrition: Dairy free week... I made it about 4 days. And it was 4 days of steady weight gain.

Weekly Mini-Challenge: I made an omelette with tomatillos. They look like tomatoes but they are green and are protected by a papery husk. The skin is kinda tacky/sticky so they need to be washed. I cut it open expecting the same texture as a tomato... but it's less gooey and slimy. It has tiny seeds (edible) and after it was sauteed in a touch of oil along with onions, tomatoes and broccoli, it added a bit of zing. Tart, citrus tasting almost. Like lemon or lime, but a different flavor. I ate some raw and I didn't like it at all, but cooking it a bit sweetened things up.

This week...

Weight: -3! Gotta catch up! 

NSV: See a .5" waist measurement difference. Massage highly cottage cheese areas to increase circulation and reduce cellulite and stretch marks. 

Fitness: Follow your weekly plan... You can see it HERE for this week. 

Nutrition: I will take my multi every day... in addition to vitamin E (for my skin). I will follow my weekly menu. I will also use my vitamin E stick on some stretch marks to see if it helps. (If you can't tell my skin is bothering me a little as of late). 

Mini Challenge: Do a work out you don't normally do! PERFECT TIMING!!!   I'm starting interval running this week. I've got a two new Friday running buddies! 

Let's DO THIS! 

Big Fat Run For Your Life Love, 

Nanette

All Talk

NOT!   So I was watching the A&E channel show "Heavy" on netflix last night. It got me thinking, nothing bad happened to these people by working out every day. There are fat people (same size as me) running. Stop making stupid excuses and DO SOMETHING EVERY DAY THIS WEEK. I have to drop some weight this week in order to satiate my own expectations... I have to end this challenge with a bang. I will be free of this area on the scale.

So I started today. It took me 2 hours to get my ass out of the house (easily distracted). But I got a 5k hike/walk (very hilly, but paved trail). The end of the trail spits you out by a grave yard. I had my ipod with me and I just decided that yeah... I was going to run. So I pulled up the running app thingy and did my first interval run in MONTHS. 5k + 8x(1min run, 1.5 min walk).

I have some post its on the back of my door with times and work outs. This week. I resolve to do the daily warm up every morning, regardless of whether or not I'm going directly into a work out. Just get the body up and moving.  Then off to start the day. If anything it reminds me of all the moving parts. I don't usually think about things like warming up my hip flexors or shoulder rotators... It just seems like a smart thing to start integrating ON MY OWN... (trying to be independent here, can't afford a trainer when I move).

My ideas for this week's fitness keep morphing... so just roll with me here. :)


The post-its look like this...

Monday
9am - Full Body Warm up
9:30 3x through 50/10 w/post stretching.
pushups
squats
bicep curls
plank.

Tuesday
8am - Full Body Warm Up
9am - 50 minute swim class
10am - 30 minute HIIT w/ stretching.

Wednesday
9am - Full Body Warm Up
10pm - Interval Run (1min run, 1.5 min walk)8x
Stretching vid.

Thursday

8am - Full Body Warm Up
9am - Swim Class
10am - 30 minute HIIT w/ stretching

Friday
9am - Full Body Warm up
9:30 3x through 50/10 w/stretching after
Burpees (ugh)
Bridge with leg lifts.
Side lunges + kick
Competition Sit ups
Side abs (right)
Side abs (left)
1pm - Interval Run (1.5 min run, 2 min walk)6x

Saturday
9am - Full Body Warm Up.

Sunday
9am - Full Body Warm Up
Midday - Interval Run (1.5 run, 2 min walk) 6x

Above is my favorite lady, Zuzana Light, doing the daily warm up and the stretch routine. They're kind of long. There are abbreviated ones... but if I'm going to get down on the floor and do something, I may as well get comfortable.

Big Fat FITNESS MINDED Love,
Nanette

E2E

This week...    dum-da-da-dum!

Weight:  313 (-0) 

Waist: 47" (same) 

Water: 4/7 

Workout: 4/5 (It'd be 5/5 but yesterday was more of an active rest day than a work out). 

Monday - HIIT

Tuesday - HIIT

Wednesday - Rest

Thursday - HIIT

Friday - Hike with Holly. 

Saturday - Small rep work out at home

                      bicep curls, resistance band arm work outs, squats, competition situps. 

Book: I'm reading Life is Hard, Food is Easy (same lady who did 100 days of dieting). It's where I got the rules before eating idea from earlier in the week. 

Partner: I haven't seen a post from Eaba this week. But I did shoot her an email and asked if she'd be posting her update. If she doesn't by 2pm, I'll be posting a place holder for her. 

Calories: 

Monday - 1400

Tuesday - 1418

Wednesday - 1667

Thursday - 1480

Friday - 1380

Saturday - 1393

Goals 

- Work out with Trainer 3x
- Work out on my own 2x. - DRINK MY FREAKING WATER! 
- Box up the book shelf. 
- Return library books and borrowed books. 
- NOT SPEND MONEY. - Work out days = 1700 calories (not under, but AT 1700). 
- Non work out days = 1300 calories (not under, but AT). - Post one new video.

This week started out so rough with the food stuff because I tried to do the no dairy for a week mini challenge for myself. I made it up until Wednesday... Here's what I noticed about myself. I am a cheese addict. When I can't eat the cheese that I want to, I try to fill up with carbs. If I could replace cheese with veg, I would be more successful. But that's not how it happened. 

My body doesn't like high carb. I puffed up until Thursday when I went back off grains and starches. I tried to drink my water and stuff earlier in the week, but it's hard to convince myself to drink when I'm feeling like a Macy's Day Parade balloon. However, It improved as the week went on (the drink 3 8oz glasses of water before eating thing helped out a LOT). When I stopped eating the carbs (and gave in to some cheese cravings) I saw the scale go down!!! Now, I know better than to say it's cheese that CAUSED it... but if cheese is my mini crutch for now. I'm okay with that. It's high in protein. And I don't think there's anything wrong with eating fats as it's an efficient body fuel source. I keep a close eye on the sodium. And it's not like I sit down and eat a BLOCK of cheese in one sitting. It's more like I eat a couple things of string cheese, or a cup of cottage cheese after a work out (SO MUCH PROTEIN). That protein is so filling. 

I'm glad I could get back down to the 313. But I feel like I'm constantly fighting the same numbers on the scale. 

So here's the game plan for this week... 

• I have planned a menu. 
• I have grocery shopped. 
• There are many different types of fresh veg in my house! 
• I have washed all the dishes in my house including all of my waterbottles so there is no reason to not have one with me. 
• I have borrowed an idea from a fellow blogger to make a work out schedule for an entire month. 
• I will be working out six days this week, sometimes twice a day with one rest day midweek. 
• I will switch up my work outs by getting 2 more cardio sessions in a week (walk/jogs) in addition to the HIIT. 
• Trainer and I have talked about upping the ante this week. We are switching up the types of HIIT we're doing. 

I WILL END THIS CHALLENGE WITH A GOOD LOSS! I WILL END IN STYLE. 

Big Fat Last Week Love, 

Nanette

P.s. And I will pass one off one more piano test (black key harmonic minors).