...Take Two

Greetings All!   My groin and calf muscles are finally cooperating and allowing me to exercise.  I'm happy to report that I braved the scale today and after months of not working out at all, I stayed the same.  It's not a loss but hell, it ain't a gain! 

Rick and I have been pretty good with our food intake, having big fat salads full of healthy stuff almost every night for dinner.  Lunch is not always a good choice although I'm easing into better lunch choices.  It's too easy while ordering out to err on the side of yum instead of healthy.  One thing at a time here..

I had planned to paddle a bit in the canoe but the waters were too rough at Lake Zoar on Saturday and I had the boys drop me off on shore before I hurled on them.  I wasn't even paddling yet.  I was in the center seat just going for the ride at that point.  I asked Rick to put his inflatable kayak in the pool for me though so I could tether it and paddle for exercise.  It's been too hot to do that though.

My cousin dropped a shitload of weight watching what he eats (he's pretty strict) and using the ab lounger.  Yes, he lost weight using the ab lounger without going out jogging or hanging at the gym.  Not possible you say?  He probably dropped about 100 lbs.  I think he said he was doing 2,000 crunches a day. That's pretty effing intense.  I thought to myself, why not me?  It's certainly an appealing exercise because you can do it any time and you are sitting while you do it.  I can watch The Office, Spongebob, Squidbillies and  Neighbors from Hell while working out.  That's freaking awesome!  Also, I figured I'd ease back into exercise doing things that didn't require a lot of groin and calf muscle. 

So I ordered the ab lounger and it arrived yesterday.  Rick put the frustrating thing together for me... thanks honey!  I helped my father put his together and it was a royal pain.  Come on, who reads directions?

I got on the thing last night while I was chatting on the phone with one of my peeps (Hey Deb!).  I wonder if she was curious as to why I was breathing heavy in her ear...but I digress.  I am not sure how many crunches I did but I'm going to guess about 20.  This morning I got on Blue ___ again and did 50 crunches.  I did well and then when I went to get up, I got a huge abdominal muscle spasm.  It's not the first time it happened to me.  I'm thinking I better start with 25 crunches and work my way up.  I used to be able to do a zillion of them when I was going to the gym on a regular basis but lets face it...that is a distant memory.  

My EXERCISE plan is to do the ab lounger periodically throughout the day/night (before work, after work, evening, etc) and then add in my Wii Fit again.  I'm thinking I'll start with Dance, Dance Revolution-I was getting pretty good with that thing (still looked uncoordinated and spazzy) before the whole calf/groin thing.  I also bought Just Dance for the Wii but never got a chance to use it.

Next FOOD plan is to continue to tweak my meals into better calorie control without feeling deprived and pissed off. 

So TAKE TWO begins...

me

 

Comments

[Rcschott]

Yup I read the directions... all of 'em. I think I'd still be sitting there if I didn't. I can't complain tho, the thing did go together as it should... the only part I felt was badly designed was the attachment between the leg support and the seat, but we got 'er done!

I don't see a problem using this machine as part of a weight-loss strategy. It's going to burn calories while you're doing it, rev up your metabolism a little, and increase muscle strength and density in your core. (Sue me if I'm using the wrong terms, I'm a dumb construction worker!) Strengthening your core will help with the other exercise you do... not the least of which.. paddling! Let's not forget also that your father uses these things every day, and hasn't gained a pound since retirement!

[Professor Val Get Fit or Continue to Moo Blog]

Yep, you are way better about reading directions than I am. I definitely felt like I was revving up the metabolism. I just need to build up. The nice thing is that you can do them in spurts throughout the day. I just read a study that says doing cardio in spurts is as effective as sustained cardio. I'm not sure all studies would agree but I am sure it is more effective to do cardio in spurts than to do nothing... I doubt it is as effective as sustained cardio although who knows? Maybe continuous winding of the metabolism is just as useful as one giant burst which does allow for some period of continued revving...

I'm sure that the ab lounger will help with core strength and hell yes, that will help with paddling! Speaking of... would you mind getting the inflatable ready for the pool? :)

Who has a better hubby than I do????????