January 2010Progress Report

I went to see my surgeon yesterday for a follow-up. 8 more pounds gone!! That makes a total of 24 pounds in just over 2 months. . .I'm pretty excited. I'm eager to see how much more I will have lost by the time I go see him for my February visit. I'm hoping it'll be an even more drastic change, and it probably will be cuz I started my brother's workout routine this past Sunday. It's so nice to have a brother that's a Certified (not certifiable tho' he's that too) Personal Trainer. He spent lotsa time researching the surgery and MS to put together a program for me. This is what it consists of:

"Tomorrow I would like you to begin on the exercise bike. 30 minutes and if you have any weights or bands I want you to do 4 sets of 12 to 15 curls, 4 sets of 12 to 15 shoulder presses, 4 sets of 12 to 15 tricep extensions, 4 sets of ab planks."

Biceps curls - //www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAq_ocpRh_I (12 to 15 per arm)
Triceps extensions - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf_UATtNspc
shoulder presses- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z_lOPJQ6Zk
ab plank- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ar2iRusnnc (two modified versions in this video as well) I HATE THESE TOO CUZ THEY LOOKED ALL EASY, THEN I WENT TO ACTUALLY DO THEM. I THINK THE PHRASE "NO PAIN, NO GAIN" WAS COINED CUZZA THESE BLASTED AB PLANKS!

(Oh crap! Just realized I've been doing 3 sets of 15 instead of 4. . .but really, 3 sets of 15 is not a whole lot less than 4 sets of 12 so it shouldn't be that bigga deal, right?)

Oh and so as to "shock my body", I've also been instructed to interject yoga which looks easy & relaxing, but is SO NOT!! (SEE MY EARLIER SENTIMENTS RE: AB PLANKS.) I think that was a harder workout than anything else. . .at least that's what my hamstrings are tellin' me. I always prided myself on being "bendy", but I have been humbled by Namaste Yoga. Downward facing dog my (__!__)!! FYI, the dog is facing downward cuz it passed out from exhaustion. Don't ever wonder why the final cool down pose is called "corpse pose". It's cuz the instructor tried to kill you! (No, really. . .I like it.)

So that's the latest, folks--for those of you who are actually following. Unless anything major happens, you'll be hearing from me again in February.

p.s. Random, Unrelated Comment: Isn't this picture of me from 1989 when I was 12 funny? I look exactly the same still!! Only my hair has changed. Or maybe not so random. I think I wanna be this size again. Whatcha think?