Ahem, Ahem,- Announcement- (Update)

I have finally done it and hired a personal trainer!  I am starting today and she has promised to kick my butt right into shape.  This is going to be all about weights and core and I am sore just thinking about it.  I thought this monumental decision deserved a separate post.  I am scared as hell but I am paying her upfront so that I will not chicken out.  Here goes nothing.....

Good for you! I know you have never been fond of working out, but with your determination I'll bet you do great

Thank you, that's what the trainer told me.  She said that the diet is always the hard part and that this will be cake in comparison.  I will see and report back.

Good for you!  I'd be scared too! 

I want to hide under that chair with you.  I don't even have anything to wear to this.  Oh well, I will figure something out.  Scared and nervous but determined to figure this out.

You will find some very stylish and cute fitness clothes that will look wonderful on you. It will open up your horizons for more shopping.

gail

Good for you!! It was the best thing that I ever did. I wouldn't be where I am at today, without the weight training and personal trainer. Good luck in this new adventure.

gail

Gail, she told me upfront that she is going to want me to drink a protein drink before and after the exercise and that I can expect to gain 5-10 lbs. over time.  This terrifies me in a way that is hard to describe.  I am really freaked out by this, but she promises me that I will still be able to wear my size 0P jeans and will look great in them.  I have to trust her, she knows what she is doing, but I am still scared.

I drink a protein drink, before and after training. If I do a Spin class on the weekend, I make it with skim milk (for the carbs) and about 1/4-1/2 cup of berries. During the week, I eat some Greek yogurt with 1/3 cup of fruit, before training. Afterwards, I have a protein drink made with unsweetened Almond milk, since the Almond milk has minimal carbs and tastes better than mixing the protein with water. It will be a trial and error thing to find something that works for you.

When I first started, I was about 4 months post-op and my trainer was aghast that I was only eating about 600 calories/day. It was during that time, that I started with my afternoon skinny lattes, which when I look back, probably helped to fuel my workouts, since skim milk has a good balance of carbs and protein. My calories gradually increased over time, but the afternoon latte was my saving grace early on. I would always have a protein dinner afterwards. Funny, I just started using the protein drinks during the past few months and have grown to like them.

Frozen berries, strawberries and raspberries work really well. Sometimes, I'll use a little frozen banana.

You will not bulk up, but it is important to develop your muscle for your metabolism and prevention of osteoporosis. My legs seems firmer and a bit larger, but my pants still fit. The weight training helped to get rid of my flat butt, and although my pants fit a bit differently through the hips, my pant size hasn't changed. My really small size 0's that I bought last year are a bit tight, but my dress pants fit the same.

Look forward to reading about this new adventure.

If you gain 5- 10 lbs and it is all muscle, it will be great for your metabolism and health, especially as you enter the pre-menopausal and menopausal years.


Gail

Yay, Elina!! If you like your trainer, as I like mine, and you keep your sense of humor about how awful exercise is , it will work out. I still do hate the pain part and the sweat part, but yesterday when I pulled myself into a pike handstand on the TRX, I realized HOW much stronger I am, and that really DOES make it worthwhile. Again, YAY YAY!!! And remember, you are doing your bones a huge favor!

Lizanne