I'm not sure what it is that keeps me from getting started with weight training. I've written about it before, describing some of my old hangups, but really, I thought I was past that stuff.
I've been properly tutored on the weights. The plan is a combination of weight machines and free weights. It's a simple plan to start. Small weights, dip the toes in type deal--and still, I didn't start tonight. I almost did. I arrived at the row of machines, even had them all to myself, and I just looked at it for 2 minutes. My bottle of water was in the holder with my towel draped around. I was ready. Then I wasn't. What in the world am I allowing to hold me back?
After my extended pause, I grabbed my water and towel and made my way to the familiar elliptical. I climbed aboard, started the program set to level 14 and I was on my way to a nice cardio workout. As I walked away from the weights, my thought was, I'll start tomorrow. Geez. How much longer can I say "I'll start tomorrow?" It was getting old four years ago. It's now become almost laughable. Instead of the popular phrase "when pigs fly," it's changed to "yeah right, when Sean starts weight training."
Okay, so it isn't that bad. But still. I'm getting tired of this craziness. So here it is, A declaration for accountability: I will start my Day 1 of weight training tomorrow, Tuesday January 13th, 2015. Maybe a little pressure is what I need. If I try to skim over it tomorrow night, please call me out!!! Okay--enough of this. Tomorrow. It's on.
I had another great food day. I really like my calorie budget where it is because it gives me plenty. Although, I would be wise to perhaps cut down the calories a little, early-or eat smaller, later, then have a small meal in-between lunch and dinner. It was a full 8 hours between lunch and dinner today. I'm not an expert, but I've listened to many who are and they say going that long between food isn't the best thing.
And honestly, if you've followed this blog--then you know, I don't strive for perfection--just consistency...but I must recognize simple and beneficial maneuvers, if I agree. And I do agree, the metabolism needs fuel every three or four hours--something, and it doesn't need to be big. Just a good chunk of wood to keep the fire burning hot. Makes sense, absolutely.
Man, I love me some commas, dashes and dot, dot, dots. What can I say? I write the way I talk.
I'm feeling really good tonight, despite the tone of this post. The psychology of it all is interesting to me.
Both of these pictures are old. The one on the right is when I was right about where I am now, weight wise, during my initial weight loss. I rarely post "before and after" side by sides, but hey--why not? Actually, there's a good reason. I'm trying to figure out why my blog randomly chooses the photo it displays when I post a link to social media sites. If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits one point twenty one gigawatts...oh wait... I mean, if my calculations are correct, this photo will be the one it grabs.
It was a big water day around here! 13 cups! I know for some, this would be a so-so water day, but for me, it's HUGE. I'm proud!
I hope your day was wonderful! I'm looking forward to another good one tomorrow.
My Tweets Today:
Good Monday morning! I hope you had a nice weekend! Sugar free hazelnut creamer. 30 cal X 2= 60 cal. pic.twitter.com/VkYw1JySwN
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 12, 2015
2 cups. #wateraccountability #earlystart pic.twitter.com/1CNZ3ehoAA
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 12, 2015
Three whole egg omelet with one slice mozzarella, fresh strawberries (157g), medium Bartlett pear. 406 cal. pic.twitter.com/Q9tIDPJ1uL
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 12, 2015
3 more cups! #wateraccountability pic.twitter.com/fR53HDMQ4X
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 12, 2015
5.6oz chicken breast, guac tostada with 101g avocado+15g light sour cream, 1/2 golden delicious apple. 458 cal. pic.twitter.com/pu8Bm2tDhk
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 12, 2015
Water first, then this delicious cup of dark roast with sugar free hazelnut chemicals, I mean creamer. 30 cal. pic.twitter.com/8bR8uYk7k5
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 12, 2015
32oz, no ice. It's like a challenge. 4 cups in one. Can I do it? I think so. This will make 11 cups for the day! pic.twitter.com/K7bqDyjiqQ
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
12 chips and salsa. 176 cal. pic.twitter.com/JyVhgc06bl
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
Steak fajita crispy tacos. 6oz fajita steak, sour cream (1.5 srv) & lettuce. 475 cal. pic.twitter.com/oUnvIfxw6N
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
So much easier to do without the ice. I'll need to let this settle before my workout! pic.twitter.com/HouACOsiwX
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
I'll get this workout done if I can stay out of the restroom long enough! This bottle makes 13 cups today! Yay me! pic.twitter.com/N2row3mbzR
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
Made it. Wow. Level 14 doesn't show an increased calorie burn, but I can sure tell the difference! #feelsgood pic.twitter.com/DIO9e09qMJ
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
Golden delicious apple. 80 cal. #lastfoodofday pic.twitter.com/zRQMD01vrN
— Sean Anderson (@SeanAAnderson) January 13, 2015
Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
Awesome Sean! Water intake is great and I look forward to how weight training goes in tomorrows night blog. You got this! Look for an email from me I send out later today.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jon! The weight training was fantastic! Thank you for the email! Look for my reply in the morning. Isn't it amazing, the journey we're on?
DeleteGood for you on the water. You have motivated me to start drinking more water.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, that's a wonderful thing! It will help everything! Thank you!
DeleteI think the weight training is something you just have to stop thinking about and worrying about and actually do. I was terrified before I started (as a petite woman I had visions of the men in the weight room laughing at how weak I am) but once I did it was fine. Great, actually. Amazing. I love what it's done for my body, not just in terms of appearance, but in the ease with which I do day-to-day things that I didn't even realise were difficult before, and it's made my cardio workouts a lot easier too.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, M.! I'm looking forward to all of the advantages. I know they'll go beyond what I can imagine at the moment!
DeleteI have an issue with weight training. I think all of us guys want to be the guy using the big dumb bells or with all the big plates on the bar. Yeah you may have started with the weights to yourself, but what if you grab the 20's and started doing some curls then Mr. Gym rat walks in and grabs the 60's? In my mind, it shows I'm a weenie. But I came to grips a long time ago with the fact that most people are going to form an initial opinion of me, but if I stick with it, then I can impress them with my determination and grit.
ReplyDeleteThing is, Mr. Gym Rat probably started at 20 too. Pretty much nobody starts out lifting 100kg, it takes consistent hard work to get there. My experience with people in the gym is that either they totally ignore me and get on with their own workout or they're helpful and generous because many people who go to the gym regularly are enthusiastic about fitness and like to see newbies share their passion.
DeleteThank you for sharing this, Shane! I think I made a big breakthrough tonight. My lack of strength is what it is--but it will improve dramatically from this point forward. I'll be picking up those bigger weights one day. Right now, it's small! If someone thinks I'm a weenie--so be it. It's none of my business what they think. But like you, I'll love it when I show 'em what this guy can do with some determination and consistency!
DeleteExcellent points, M.! A friend of mine started body building when he was a teenager. His pinky finger could likely bench my best. When I get 15-20 years in, I bet I'll be just as strong!!
DeleteBTW, don't forget -- you were an obese kid, too. Chances are the reason you couldn't lift those weights in school was because you were ALREADY carrying around lots more than some of the other kids. I'm not saying this to be nasty, just to remind you that you have spent your WHOLE LIFE in what amounts to weight training.
DeleteFor a slim little kid, a 20lb weight meant they were carrying only that 20lbs. For you ... that 20lb weight was added to what you were already carrying around.
Think about it. Dude, you were hauling around 500lbs at one point! That's an Olympic clean and jerk gold medal weight! Trust me, you'll learn to manage strength training just fine.
Hey, glad to be back and I have to catch up on your posts. If money is the issue, how about trade a little publicity on your show for some actual one on one training with a trainer to punch through this block. Working with a trainer for me has been fun , scary at times, and pushed me to conquer my fears and gain confidence. I know nothing of the radio world so that might be impossible. I hear radio announcers in my area spouting off about the weight they lost with 'quick weight loss', so I'm guessing they received some free memberships in trade.
ReplyDeletePJ, Thank you for this suggestion. It's an idea. Certainly not impossible. It's something common in the broadcasting business. I'm really comfortable starting without a trainer, but with guidance from staff at Y, internet resources, and advice from friends who have been where I am, starting out--and then possibly adding a trainer later as I progress and need challenged further.
DeleteGlad you're back! I need to do the same over at your blog!
Awesome job on the water! Your calculations were right with the pic btw. Looking forward to reading about the weights tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alati! Yeah--it's strange--the photo thing.... I'm looking forward to writing about it! It's coming soon!
DeleteI don't like weight training. Flat out that is what holds me back. I start, I stop, I start, I stop. Then I realized I hate it and I'm not afraid to say so. Last fall I discovered the Neila Rey body weight strength training programs that can be done in the privacy of my own home. I LOVE them. Find what you love and you'll do it.
ReplyDeleteHelen, so VERY true. "Find what you love and you'll do it." That's the key for all of us along this road. Thank you for the recommend!
DeleteFirst of all, when I walk into the gym, I know what I'm gonna do and the other gym rats don't bother me in the least! I do my cardio at home, not the gym. I go light weight high reps, puts lots of blood in the muscle and it doesn't aggravate my arthritis which I'm riddled with. I do machines and some free weights, depends on my mood, that being said, I also need to get back in there. All depends on what you wanna achieve from the weight, size or tone? I di what 'I' can do, regardless of what other people think.............
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude, Matt! Just looking around today, I was amazed at some of the power lifters and what they were putting above their heads. It boggles my brain. Light weight/high reps--I've heard it's an excellent combination for weight loss/toning. Thank you, Matt!
DeleteOkay, you have a plan, you have a date, and you have plenty of accountability! This is obviously still a very big deal in your mind, for whatever reason. Is there some (non-food) kidness or reqrd you can give yourself after you lift weights? Call it a reward, call it a bribe, sometimes you just need a bit of a treat to help get you to take that first step! And hopefully you will enjoy it and lifting weights will become its own reward! :-) Take care!
ReplyDeleteA plan, a date, accountability in place!!! How could I lose, here? I didn't! :) I didn't reward myself. necessarily--unless you count that incredible feeling of doing it, instead of writing about it! Thank you Neca!! It felt amazing.
DeleteI think personally, we all do things when we are ready... you can't beat yourself up for not weight trainig. You do exercise and that says a lot. Take it from Ms. Slacker McGee here! I commend you for what you are doing and how yoy are getting it done! You are really, truly one of the most "go get em" people I've read about. You put your all into it and for that you have to be ONE PROUD man!
ReplyDeletethe pics are just the icing on the cake.... you really do look like a wonderful, HEALTHY , handsome man!
And now you've motivated me enough to turn off the computer and go get my weights and do some squats... ... ..
Rosie ... oh and water intake...awesome...
Work it, Rosie! Go Rosie, Go Rosie, Go Rosie!!! Thank you! I am very proud of myself. It was a fabulous day.
DeleteYes--the water--was needed and good!
I keep tellin ya, yoga, yoga, yoga... :)
ReplyDeleteTrust me, you'll get strength training in there. (side note: don't call it weights, call it strength training, it offers you a lot more diverse set of exercises, many that don't require that you pick up a dumbbell). At our size, downward dog alone will challenge a lot of your upper body.
Lance, I'm happy to report I have a meeting at 2:30pm tomorrow afternoon with a Yoga instructor at the Yoga Studio down the street from the studios where I work! "Downward dog?" I bet I learn what that is real soon. Thank you for your encouragement, Lance!
DeleteI second Lance's suggestion of yoga. It's amazing how sore that will make you. And great job on the water!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie. I'm adding Yoga within days. Meeting for an initial consult tomorrow!
DeleteYou once commented on my blog that you had a hard time getting your water in, but look at you now. It's no different with the weights my friend, you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteFogDog, thank you! I believe you're right, sir. Absolutely right.
DeleteBelow is some light reading about weights :) Maybe instead of talking yourself into something that your are reticent to begin, you could focus on finding something fun to do that will add loads (weight training) during the activity. Follow your heart, it has served you well!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.katysays.com/its-the-great-load-lesson-charlie-brown/
Vail, thank you for the link! I truly believe I might like strength training now that I've dived in. Following my heart has served well, that's true. I'm interested in all kinds of strength training. I want strength! :) I appreciate your support, Vail!
Delete