I haven't been over on this forum in a while, but I wanted to give you two an update. I now am up to the 10 pound weight for a couple of upper body st but still using the 5 & 8. The treadmill and jogger are a breeze, have to mix it up a bit to get my resistance in on those. Have incorporated Yoga and resistance bands as well as core routine with the stability balls. I actually have a large (65) stability ball at work that I now use in place of my chair. I also broke 250, so that put me at only 99 more pounds to go and I'm just so pleased! I just did start measuring. My son measured my waist two days ago, at 49 and this morning it was 48.5! I'm so incredibly happy with this program I just don't have the words to express it! But I wanted to let you know where I'm at, esp considering how much you guys helped me in the very beginning! THANKS!!!

Hi jayney, Wow! Congratulations on your weight-loss! You should be so proud of all of your hard work, dedication and commitment!! You seem to have really challenged yourself to continue to progress with your exercise program! You have it right....mixing things up, adding new exercise tools, increasing resistance, etc. will definitely keep your mind and body motivated and consistently changing! I would encourage you to incorporate strength training exercise, as well as new and different cardio exercises! Try exercise DVD's like Taebo (kickboxing), The Firm (strength training & interval training), Yoga Booty Ballet, and Turbo Jam, as well as trying a Spin class and taking a swim!! You will see positive results! Thank you for the nice words and please keep me posted with your progress! Let us know if there's any other questions and/or concerns re: health and fitness! Best to you, Kelli

Hi Jayne,

Thanks so much for keeping us posted on your progress.  It's so great to hear how your hard work has paid off so far.  You should be so proud . . .not only is your physical fitness level increasing, but you are also losing weight and increasing strength.  Losing inches is a great indication that you are burning fat and adding lean muscle mass.  The combination of strength training and cardio is so critical and your routine sounds like a good one, so keep it up.

Now, with the last 99 to go, it's time to really start a new phase in your exercise.  You're doing the right thing by challenging yourself to use 10 pounds where you can, but really try to up that 5 pounds to 8 and continue to increase.  Make sure you are getting in two sessions per week of the strength training and aim for three sets of each exercise - 12 to 15 reps per set. 

Because the cardio has gotten easy, don't settle for easy workouts.  Make sure you continue to challenge yourself by adding hills, intervals, etc.

This is all you - you are doing great.  Keep it up and please keep us posted.

Good Luck,

Paul

Paul,

You got it! You're the boss man!

Did lower body yesterday. Today is upper. Shouldn't have a problem, I hope, increasing to the 8.

Have noticed a huge difference with using the stability ball in place of my chair at work for the last few days. I do a lot of exercises while I'm working, so it's great! I even brought one of my resistance bands to work, so that when I take a break, there's no reason why I can't do a couple of sets of something! That way I don't have near as much to do when I get home at night!

So all of that combined with the exercises that I do first thing when I get up @ 4:30, the stuff at work and in the pm, I'm getting in a lot! 

 Dear Jayney,

Congrats on your success!  

Peace,

Roey. 

Thanks! 

Hi Jayney,

Keep me posted as you increase the weight.  If you can handle eight, go for it.  Soon, 10 pounds will even be too easy!  I'm glad you are also seeing results using the stability ball. It's so good when you can keep changing things up and challenging yourself with new things. 

I love your positive attitude, and the commitment you are bringing to this program.  Working out at work - if you can fit it in - is a terrific idea and helps give you an important mid-day reminder that this is a new lifestyle you'll stick to. 

Keep up the great work!

Good Luck,

Paul

 Paul,

I did switch to the 8's. Surprisingly, they weren't as difficult as I thought they would be. Guess I was listening to my head and not my body! So the 3's and 5's are now collecting dust! I've found a great athletic store nearby and they carry all of the weights with the rubber type coating, making it much easier to grip. They have them in one pound incriments and sell them for $0.99/pound, so it's a good deal!

Since I've had the stability ball at work, I've noticed that I don't sit as much. I tend to get up more often and walk around and even work standing up. So doing much better!

Will keep you informed! 

Hi Jayne,

I'm so glad to hear it.  Often, it is the case that we place mental blocks on what we think we can and can't do and we can end up short-changing ourselves from making some major fitness gains that way.  That's a big part of why people love working with trainers because if you're told you can do something, you'll often do it. 

It's so important now to keep increasing your poundage when you are ready.  If by the last set, the last few reps are not challenging, you're ready to move up.  Keep challenging yourself to improve, I know you can do it!  You want to try to push yourself the same way with your cardio routines, too.  Be sure you are adding variety and pushing the envelope with your intensity level.

The stability ball is great . . . it's awesome that you've incorporated it into your daily life.   

Keep up the great work.

Good Luck,

Paul