Commit to be Fit results and insights

kgoeller
on 10/7/10 12:43 pm - Doylestown, PA
Last "commit to be fit" class is over... it was GREAT and significant progress made in only 4 weeks. 

First, the mechanics: Held a plank tonight for 2:25 (wow! never did more than a minute before), decreased my rowing time on the 500m to 2:11, upped my pullups to 25, pushups to 28 and squats to 45 (all timed minutes).  Body fat % dropped by 4.5%, and body fat dropped by 4 pounds (weight dropped 1 pound, so that's mostly conversion of fat to muscle).  My mile stayed pretty much the same (11:39), but I had energy left over at the end and was also not wearing my Vibrams, so i think I could have pushed that more. 

Some insights:
- I went into the class intimidated and scared, believing that I'd be the "anchor" of the group (the slowest, clumsiest, weakest link).  I wasn't.  Not only did I keep up, there were things that I excelled at. 
- I assume always that I'm struggling the most and/or the most out of shape in any group.  I wasn't.  Had an interesting conversation with one of my workout partners one night... she's about my age, looks like she's in FANTASTIC shape (with arms I'd kill for) and has never struggled with weight... I said to her that she makes this all look easy .. her response was that she was really struggling with it and that it was hard, but she has a good "poker face."  Hmm.I have NO poker face with exercise...
- Night before last, it was just her and me (the other 2 were absent) so we were partners in all the exercises.  She commented at one point about how strong I am.  strong? me?  ??  But the funny thing was that I could feel it because we were pretty evenly matched in the strength exercises we were doing (tug of war, pull-back runs, etc.).   And I was faster than her - beat her in the suicides EVERY time!
- I realized tonight when we were comparing our results with our previous fitness tests that she and I weigh pretty much the same and are just about the same height.  Wow.  Talk about a body dysmorphia wakeup call!  yes, I've got more loose skin, but dang.

Just goes to show that our distorted views of ourselves really DON'T reflect reality... and at a time that I'm struggling a lot with body image this was an intriguing wakeup call.  Much food for thought for the coming days.

We've committed, by the way, to continue working out together in some way... possibly doing weekly group training sessions and/or all going to the same class (spinning, zumba, whatever) on a regularly scheduled basis.  I think that will help all of us maintain momentum and progress over time.

Thanks for listening!

Karen
Sansobel
on 10/7/10 9:00 pm - Coatesville, PA
What a great post Karen!  Thank you for sharing it.  I think you are amazing.  Great job on your accomplishment.

Sandra           
kgoeller
on 10/8/10 1:59 am - Doylestown, PA
Thanks, Sandra!  It feels good (AND i can move today!).  

K.
krislyall
on 10/7/10 9:01 pm - Newark, DE
Karen,

Congrats on such great results.  You should be truly happy with all of the work you put into the program and all the insights that came out of it.

You are truly an inspiration to many of us.

Kris
kgoeller
on 10/8/10 1:58 am - Doylestown, PA
Kris,

Thanks so much - and yes, I've VERY happy with the outcome and with the work!

K.
(deactivated member)
on 10/8/10 12:04 am
Congrats Karen!  You are an inspiration to all of us! 
kgoeller
on 10/8/10 1:58 am - Doylestown, PA
Thanks, Beth!
Maura M.
on 10/8/10 12:20 am - Yardley, PA

I find myself reading this and thinking, why can't I commit to a program like this??  I want to, but the trigger finger never works - I keep myself moving, but rarely dig deep and challenge myself physically...  I see you,  Lisa and Sandra and all of you have committed to rigorous workout routines and I admire your sticktoitiveness (is that a real word??  wikipedia says so...). 

Congrats on the course, congrats on exceeding your goals, congrats on kicking butt and being better, faster and stronger than the opponent that you admired.

You're good enough, You're smart enough and doggonit, people like you  
                                                                                                       -Stuart Smalley

xoxo,

Maura

 

Maura

        

kgoeller
on 10/8/10 1:41 am - Doylestown, PA
Maura,

I freely admit that it took me a LONG time to get up the courage to sign up for this program.  My insurance reimbursement for my gym membership (you get $150 back of gym fees annually if you log at least 120 gym visits in the year) was the final impetus to do it.  Even then I almost backed out and was intimidated like crazy before going to the first class.  Had flashbacks of  all those gym-class humiliations from the past.

All I can say is that it's like ziplining.  There's a point where you just have to trust and leap.  And after that, it's all "easy" (well, not EASY, but manageable - you've already shown you can do it, now you just have to do it.).

The feeling of satisfaction, the endorphin rush, and the literal purging of stress and anxiety have been enormous and surprising.

So go ahead.... surprise YOURSELF!!!  (you know you can... you already have pushed your limits in so many ways in this past year!)

K.
Lisa H.
on 10/8/10 12:34 am - Whitehall, PA
Karen, I'm so glad you were able to do this.  You are freakin' awesome.

Mostly, I'm glad you were able to see yourself in someone else. 

Body dysmorphia can be a real *****  I still see myself as the fat girl when I look down at myself.  But, when I look in the mirror, I can almost see the new me. 

I had a similar experience last night at pilates.  The regular instructor was not there and the crazy Vietnamese lady, Sue, was there.  I call her that because every class I have ever taken of hers has been intense and crazy.  Last night was no different.  As a matter of fact, a girl who I would think can do anything, actually walked out when she found out she was teaching it because she didn't think she could handle it.  I also saw the look of fear in a few other girls' faces. 

I took it as a challenge and as something different than what we are used to.  She had us using 2 different resistance type bands while we worked out.  I got a hell of a workout and although it was tough, I was able to do everything she asked us to do.  I may not have done it exactly the way she did it, but I DID IT!  oh and I feel it today for sure.  My abs are actually sore for a change, as are my arms.  Hurts so good!

My tracker

hers 

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