November 26, 2010-present weight loss




2012 weight loss



Monday, January 23, 2012

Another First

In case the new gym and new Body Pump haven't been enough for my system, I tried out Spin yesterday.  My girlfriend invited me to her gym to try the class, and I enjoyed it much more than I had expected to.  I really didn't think I would be able to complete the class in the beginning-- it was SO intense-- but I got into a good grove and was very proud of how well I did!  I was able to keep going the entire time and didn't take the breathers that some of the other spinners took.  I was sweating like a pig, but most of us looked like we had fallen into the pool by the time the class was over.  So... I am going to try a class at my gym tomorrow.  I went back to Body Pump today (even though I have a cold) and think that Spin could be a good cardio addition to my routine.  My one issue with Spin is the smaller than small and harder than hard seat.  There is a very little piece of my tush that is in no way looking forward to the prospect of another encounter with said seat.  So for you spinners out there, do you just deal with the seat (and build a very unfortunate callus perhaps)?  I know some people use the gel seat covers or the gel bike shorts, but is this overkill?  My bum and I welcome any suggestions.  As a side note, the girlfriend I worked out with is not the girlfriend who got me to join my new gym.  I have had two girlfriends invite me to two gyms for gym dates.  How cool is that?  This would have never happened last year.  It is especially gratifying that even though I remain big, my friends are comfortable inviting me for pretty intense gym sessions!
  
I have been working out like a mad woman, but my weight is all over the place.  I made it down to 203.6 at the end of the week but was up to 208 this morning.  I KNOW that is not all 'real' weight gain, but it is still VERY annoying.  I am eating well with the exception of a few indulgences during the dinner parties we host.  Even these indulgences are small- a little piece of key lime pie and maybe 6 corn chips- not the gigantic quantities I would have eaten in prior years.  Given that I am working out for 2 hours a day, 5 day a week, I should be losing.  For now I am thinking that some of this fluctuation might be due to Body Pump.  Rather than just burning calories on the Vario, I am attempting to build muscle.  I have read that this can slow weight loss temporarily.  Maybe my body is protesting and I will have to hang out around this weight for a couple of weeks (much to my dismay) until my body and my muscles catch up with my new workouts, sigh.  If I don't start losing by the first week in February, I will consider a slight fill during my next trip home.  I hope it doesn't come to that.  I don't like relying on fills.  I am so NOT a fill junkie and am happy that I haven't had a fill since September.  Still, the fill is a tool that I might have to utilize again down the road.  I am probably overreacting to my recent weight fluctuations, but they are terribly disappointing considering the effort I am putting into my training.        

9 comments:

Lap Band Gal said...

You are ROCKING that exercise.

Pssst...did you know that exercise is one of the super duper secrets to being successful with your band? But it seems that you probably know that already.

I'm still firming up the schedule for my London trip. I'll let you know soon :)

Jacquie said...

Spinning is my #1 favorite cardio exercise! Good for you trying it. I invested in a pair of bike shorts and they help with the pain immensely! You will be in onederland before you know it! You are amazing!

chloes_countdown said...

I do a spin & body pump combo - its great!!! keep it up.

Get some bike shorts. There is no way around it & your girl bits will thank you. Check out the team estrogen website.

Shorts with chamois can be pricey - $80 to $120 - but it makes a HUGE difference. Personally, I like Shebeest brand but any of the staff picks will be good.

You probably don't need any of the high-end compression shorts just for a spin class. I have a pair that have a yoga-style waistband by Sheila Moon that are great in class and don't aggravate my port. Super soft fabric, too.

Taylor said...

Nora, I've been spinning for a month now, and after the first class, I was in serious pain from the small, hard seat. I've found that now I'm used to it, and if my bottom starts to hurt, I go "out of saddle" a little more than the instructor tells us to. It's my new favorite workout, and Spark People estimates 690 calories burned for a 60 minute class!

october 11 said...

The seats are so painful! Why do they have to make them so uncomfortable!

MandaPanda said...

I agree with others...if you're going to continue with the class, suck it up and buy the bike shorts. There's a reason they're made the way they are. It is totally frustrating when the scale isn't reflecting our efforts. Just keep on keeping on...it'll catch up :)

vickyd said...

Go Nora!!! I've never taken a spin class but I know lots of people who absolutely love it!!

Catherine55 said...

Awesome about spin!! You know it's my favorite! Your underside will get used to the bike after about a week. Unfortunately, you'll have to tough it out until then...

Also, your weight loss is bound to stall as you build muscle.. but it's so worth it because the more muscle you have.. the more calories you burn.

Rhonda said...

Sounds like you are just building muscle, as long as you're tracking and staying within calories, you can be sure that's all it is!

Proud of you for trying all these new things lately, it's very impressive what a gym queen you've become. I, for one, am jealous. ;)