This has been a busy but good week. I had a friend get married on Friday evening, and last night we went out to Funky Town for another friend's birthday last night.
I have never been to Funky Town and I was incredibly hesitant to go! It looks super sketchy from the outside. But it was actually really really fun. A lot of people were dressed up and there were people from every single age group and walk of life. The people watching was fantastic! We had a table in the room to the side of the dance floor. It was nice because in that area the music wasn't so loud you couldn't talk, but you could still go in the other room and dance. The décor is hilarious. But we had a great time!
I did a good job of getting to the gym this week. I've been actually getting up early and going in the morning! I did go one evening when a friend met me, I absolutely love being able to take someone in with me. It just motivates you that much more. I have been frustrated for so long now with not seeing any results, so my goals are to increase the intensity of my workouts, and really concentrate on what I'm eating and making sure that I track my calories. Those are the things that I was doing when I was most successful.
Going to work on a grocery list tonight and shop tomorrow!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
New Gym
So I made the very tough decision to switch gyms. I know it doesn't seem like a very big deal, but it is for me.
I never, ever, ever thought I was someone who would join a gym in the first place. I mean that was where fit people went, lol. I was always way too embarrassed. So when I did join last year, I was thrilled to find that I didn't feel uncomfortable. There were people of all body shapes and physical abilities. The owner of the gym was great and always friendly. As we know, I had problems with the personal trainer and he went above and beyond to set me with a new trainer.
So why did I switch?
My gym membership itself wasn't crazy expensive, but when you add in a trainer weekly for almost a year, I have spent a LOT of money at the gym. What irritates me about this, is that some of that money still goes back to my old trainer.
When I used to work out with my trainer, he never had a plan, we just walked around the gym and used machines. He didn't personalize anything for me, and he was always distracted. When I work out with my new trainer, she always has a plan before I get there. She spends time outside of the gym texting me, working on a plan for me, and she always has unique things for us to do that she has seriously put thought into. So it really irritates me that she works so hard, and my old trainer makes money off it. The entire reason I work with her is because he couldn't do his job in the first place.
Sooooo, when Planet Fitness opened in Blue Springs awhile back, I had a hard time even thinking about them with their pizza nights and bagel mornings. But the more I struggle financially, I decided to look into them with their $10 a month membership. You can't beat that price. Everything is nice and new and taken care of. I know this may be petty, but I felt gross at my old gym when they would have the doors open and it was all muggy and sweaty. I don't mind sweating while I work out, but I don't want to walk in feeling gross. Underneath the machines was always really filthy, etc... So, I enjoy the air conditioning and cleanliness of Planet Fitness.
I do miss having a track, and having the free space of the aerobics room at my old gym. But you have to give up some things for the others I suppose. They do have some circuits which I like, because you don't really have to plan your workout. Today I did the total body circuit which takes 30 minutes. It was tough!
I ended up doing the $20 a month membership which comes with some extras, you can go to any location, you can use the massage beds and tanning (which I will never use), but the biggest thing was that you can bring in a guest as many times as you want. So far, it is really helping me because I have been taking a friend almost every day. Since I have someone I've committed to meet, I definitely get up and get to the gym where most days I would talk myself out of going and put it off. It also makes the workout go by much faster when you have someone with you.
So, that for me is the biggest plus. I am excited and I think it will be really good for me and hopefully I can start seeing some real results!
If anyone wants to come with me, just let me know!!!
I never, ever, ever thought I was someone who would join a gym in the first place. I mean that was where fit people went, lol. I was always way too embarrassed. So when I did join last year, I was thrilled to find that I didn't feel uncomfortable. There were people of all body shapes and physical abilities. The owner of the gym was great and always friendly. As we know, I had problems with the personal trainer and he went above and beyond to set me with a new trainer.
So why did I switch?
My gym membership itself wasn't crazy expensive, but when you add in a trainer weekly for almost a year, I have spent a LOT of money at the gym. What irritates me about this, is that some of that money still goes back to my old trainer.
When I used to work out with my trainer, he never had a plan, we just walked around the gym and used machines. He didn't personalize anything for me, and he was always distracted. When I work out with my new trainer, she always has a plan before I get there. She spends time outside of the gym texting me, working on a plan for me, and she always has unique things for us to do that she has seriously put thought into. So it really irritates me that she works so hard, and my old trainer makes money off it. The entire reason I work with her is because he couldn't do his job in the first place.
Sooooo, when Planet Fitness opened in Blue Springs awhile back, I had a hard time even thinking about them with their pizza nights and bagel mornings. But the more I struggle financially, I decided to look into them with their $10 a month membership. You can't beat that price. Everything is nice and new and taken care of. I know this may be petty, but I felt gross at my old gym when they would have the doors open and it was all muggy and sweaty. I don't mind sweating while I work out, but I don't want to walk in feeling gross. Underneath the machines was always really filthy, etc... So, I enjoy the air conditioning and cleanliness of Planet Fitness.
I do miss having a track, and having the free space of the aerobics room at my old gym. But you have to give up some things for the others I suppose. They do have some circuits which I like, because you don't really have to plan your workout. Today I did the total body circuit which takes 30 minutes. It was tough!
I ended up doing the $20 a month membership which comes with some extras, you can go to any location, you can use the massage beds and tanning (which I will never use), but the biggest thing was that you can bring in a guest as many times as you want. So far, it is really helping me because I have been taking a friend almost every day. Since I have someone I've committed to meet, I definitely get up and get to the gym where most days I would talk myself out of going and put it off. It also makes the workout go by much faster when you have someone with you.
So, that for me is the biggest plus. I am excited and I think it will be really good for me and hopefully I can start seeing some real results!
If anyone wants to come with me, just let me know!!!
Monday, April 22, 2013
Post Vacation!
I am seriously terrible at updating my blog! Lots has been going on since the New Year!
As I was approaching my one year anniversary of my heart attack, I was really getting a lot of anxiety. I think doing the news stories and talking about it so much just really got me freaked out again. I started having a lot of anxiety attacks and was feeling like something was wrong again.
So, I've been working on different methods of managing my anxiety. I actually did a stress test at the hospital and got positive results, and that helped a lot!
A stress test is not the most fun thing to do! It took about four hours. I arrived at the hospital (fasting) and put an IV in your arm and inject you with some fluid. You have to sit for about 30 minutes and wait for it to go through, then they do a scan of your chest. You lay in this machine (not totally closed in, thank goodness) for 14 minutes without moving. FUN! So my anxiety was really high then! Then they took me over to the cardiac area and they hook you up to all the heart monitors and you run on the treadmill. You have to get your heart rate super high (and they aren't used to people so young, so it was harder to get mine up) and you run on the treadmill. Every 3 minutes the treadmill speed increases and it inclines. So by the time I got my heart rate high enough I was like climbing a mountain. Then while you are running, they inject you with fluid and then you have to do two more scans so they can check for any blockages.
But all of the results were good! So that was a HUGE relief to my anxiety. We also switched my anxiety medication and I think that helped.
I went on vacation this past week and that was nice and relaxing as well! However, I have been pigging out and now I have to get back into a healthy eating routine!
I did switch gyms... I will write more about that tomorrow!
As I was approaching my one year anniversary of my heart attack, I was really getting a lot of anxiety. I think doing the news stories and talking about it so much just really got me freaked out again. I started having a lot of anxiety attacks and was feeling like something was wrong again.
So, I've been working on different methods of managing my anxiety. I actually did a stress test at the hospital and got positive results, and that helped a lot!
A stress test is not the most fun thing to do! It took about four hours. I arrived at the hospital (fasting) and put an IV in your arm and inject you with some fluid. You have to sit for about 30 minutes and wait for it to go through, then they do a scan of your chest. You lay in this machine (not totally closed in, thank goodness) for 14 minutes without moving. FUN! So my anxiety was really high then! Then they took me over to the cardiac area and they hook you up to all the heart monitors and you run on the treadmill. You have to get your heart rate super high (and they aren't used to people so young, so it was harder to get mine up) and you run on the treadmill. Every 3 minutes the treadmill speed increases and it inclines. So by the time I got my heart rate high enough I was like climbing a mountain. Then while you are running, they inject you with fluid and then you have to do two more scans so they can check for any blockages.
But all of the results were good! So that was a HUGE relief to my anxiety. We also switched my anxiety medication and I think that helped.
I went on vacation this past week and that was nice and relaxing as well! However, I have been pigging out and now I have to get back into a healthy eating routine!
I did switch gyms... I will write more about that tomorrow!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Good Check-Up!
I had my one year check up last Monday. They did an ECG and everything was good! I don't have to go back for a year, and I got to quit taking another medication. So that was all good.
It's been very snowy here in the Midwest. I'm tucked in under my blankets awaiting the second storm. I still made it to the gym this afternoon, I didn't do anything more than cardio though because the snow was starting. And of course it stopped as soon as I got home. But at least I got that in.
I downloaded this great new app on my phone. It's called Way of Life and it helps you track habits that you want to change. On the free version you can track 3 different ones. So I'm tracking exercise, not eating candy, and being on time to work. So far I'm doing good on the exercise, and candy. I am not a big candy eater at all, but there is always sweets and candy at work and it is hard to resist. So my goal is to stay away from all of that. I don't buy it at home so it isn't a temptation there. But I like the app because it keeps me motivated and helps me track how many days. They say that it takes 21 days to change a habit, so that is how I am tracking it.
Speaking of tracking, I left my fitbit on my work pants and it went through the washer and dryer. :( But, they are sending me a new one so that is awesome!
I'm not very interesting at the moment, so that's all I've got for now!
It's been very snowy here in the Midwest. I'm tucked in under my blankets awaiting the second storm. I still made it to the gym this afternoon, I didn't do anything more than cardio though because the snow was starting. And of course it stopped as soon as I got home. But at least I got that in.
I downloaded this great new app on my phone. It's called Way of Life and it helps you track habits that you want to change. On the free version you can track 3 different ones. So I'm tracking exercise, not eating candy, and being on time to work. So far I'm doing good on the exercise, and candy. I am not a big candy eater at all, but there is always sweets and candy at work and it is hard to resist. So my goal is to stay away from all of that. I don't buy it at home so it isn't a temptation there. But I like the app because it keeps me motivated and helps me track how many days. They say that it takes 21 days to change a habit, so that is how I am tracking it.
Speaking of tracking, I left my fitbit on my work pants and it went through the washer and dryer. :( But, they are sending me a new one so that is awesome!
I'm not very interesting at the moment, so that's all I've got for now!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! This week has been really busy at work! Hard to imagine in the jewelry industry, I know. :)
More temptations sitting around with the chocolate holiday! I've been trying to avoid all the sweets, but it is so hard!
I have a few trips to look forward to, so that definitely helps keep me motivated at the gym. My hardest struggle with the gym is getting there in the mornings. It's easy for me to go after work, but I always feel so much better when I go in the mornings. If I wait, I feel like it is hanging over my head all day and then my evenings are so crowded! It's easy if I have someone to meet, like my trainer, but on the other days it is so easy to talk myself out of it.
I had several news stories this past month. It was an emotional week thinking of everything that happened a year ago. But overall, I think things are good. I have my one year check up with the cardiologist this Monday, so hopefully he says the same thing! The news stories turned out okay, I liked one better than the other. ST. Mary's hospital is also doing an article on me in one of their health magazines. If I can, I will post it on here.
Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
More temptations sitting around with the chocolate holiday! I've been trying to avoid all the sweets, but it is so hard!
I have a few trips to look forward to, so that definitely helps keep me motivated at the gym. My hardest struggle with the gym is getting there in the mornings. It's easy for me to go after work, but I always feel so much better when I go in the mornings. If I wait, I feel like it is hanging over my head all day and then my evenings are so crowded! It's easy if I have someone to meet, like my trainer, but on the other days it is so easy to talk myself out of it.
I had several news stories this past month. It was an emotional week thinking of everything that happened a year ago. But overall, I think things are good. I have my one year check up with the cardiologist this Monday, so hopefully he says the same thing! The news stories turned out okay, I liked one better than the other. ST. Mary's hospital is also doing an article on me in one of their health magazines. If I can, I will post it on here.
Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
National Go Red Day!
Tomorrow is National Go Red for Women Day! Break out your red and show your support for women who battle heart disease.
Last year on Go Red Friday, I had a heart attack. This year I think I'll just stick with wearing red.
It's so crazy to think that it has been a year. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, and other times it feels like years ago.
As I reflect on the past year, it's important to keep myself motivated. I thought I would have been further along with my goals by now, but I just have to look at the positive changes that I've made and continue to make more of them.
Fox 4 did a story on me yesterday. I had no notice, so I did not look my best. A portion aired tonight at 5 and the main story will air Wednesday morning on the 9 am show. The interviewed the doctor that performed my surgery and saved my life. I stayed around and watched him show the video of my heart during my heart attack and then after. It was kind of emotional to see, but definitely interesting. There was kind of this gray mass and that was where my plaque was bursting, causing the heart attack. Then immediately after, you could see the heart beating and the blood just flowing through as normal. Crazy stuff.
Sometimes people look at me with pity, and I've had my moments where I have felt it on myself too. But really, if everything can continue to go the way it is now, and I can just continue getting healthier and hopefully not have anymore problems, then everything will be just fine. There are so many worse things that could happen and so many more debilitating diseases.
Going through this past year, I think I have passed through all the stages of grief. But I'm alive and I'm happy. I have a great support system. And this year is going to be so much better than the last!!!
Last year on Go Red Friday, I had a heart attack. This year I think I'll just stick with wearing red.
It's so crazy to think that it has been a year. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, and other times it feels like years ago.
As I reflect on the past year, it's important to keep myself motivated. I thought I would have been further along with my goals by now, but I just have to look at the positive changes that I've made and continue to make more of them.
Fox 4 did a story on me yesterday. I had no notice, so I did not look my best. A portion aired tonight at 5 and the main story will air Wednesday morning on the 9 am show. The interviewed the doctor that performed my surgery and saved my life. I stayed around and watched him show the video of my heart during my heart attack and then after. It was kind of emotional to see, but definitely interesting. There was kind of this gray mass and that was where my plaque was bursting, causing the heart attack. Then immediately after, you could see the heart beating and the blood just flowing through as normal. Crazy stuff.
Sometimes people look at me with pity, and I've had my moments where I have felt it on myself too. But really, if everything can continue to go the way it is now, and I can just continue getting healthier and hopefully not have anymore problems, then everything will be just fine. There are so many worse things that could happen and so many more debilitating diseases.
Going through this past year, I think I have passed through all the stages of grief. But I'm alive and I'm happy. I have a great support system. And this year is going to be so much better than the last!!!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Approaching One Year....
It is so crazy to think that it has almost been a year since I had my heart attack. At times it feels like yesterday, and at others it feels like years ago.
Since I wrote my last post, I have been working hard to get back on track and I am feeling better about the direction I'm headed in. I've been planning more meals and making better choices. And I've actually been getting to the gym more frequently!
Last week was a stressful week. My boyfriend found a stray puppy at his office and I took on trying to find it a home. Jason's secretary took it the first night. She was awesome and took it to the vet, got it supplies, and got it shots. Then I took it the next night and Sandi Jane was NOT happy. She isn't used to that puppy energy and it kept biting her little rolls. lol. So I was in a huge rush to try and find it a home. After some family members passed on her, I took to the internet. I posted it on Fox 4's facebook page and it was amazing. Over 200 people shared her. Out of all the comments I got, there were only a few that were real. And I didn't just want to give her to someone who wanted a free puppy, I wanted to be sure it was a good home. And I found one! I felt so good about how it turned out. My heart was happy.
WHEW. Glad I got this year's good deed out of the way in January. :) Kidding!
I can't stand the way people treat animals. I am pretty sure somebody dumped her and it makes me so sad. How could someone do that to these innocent animals. I know it happens all the time, it's terrible. If Jason and I ever do decide to get a second dog, I definitely want to adopt from the shelter. It was a crazy experience. But it also made me realize I am not ready for a puppy right now. Although, I do kind of miss her now that she is gone. lol
My trainer weighed and took measurements this morning. We are going to do it again in 6 weeks and there WILL be POSITIVE changes! I have been working with her for 6 months now, and I have not seen the changes I should. And it's not because of her lack of effort, it's because of mine. No more excuses.
On Saturday I did a photo shoot for the American Heart Association. I will be a part of their "survivor" gallery. The picture and my story will be featured with some others when you walk into their office, and it's also part of a traveling exhibit.
February is Heart Month. Make sure you get your red ready for Feb. 1st!
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women, it kills more people than ALL cancers combined. Take care of yourselves and spread the word!
Since I wrote my last post, I have been working hard to get back on track and I am feeling better about the direction I'm headed in. I've been planning more meals and making better choices. And I've actually been getting to the gym more frequently!
Last week was a stressful week. My boyfriend found a stray puppy at his office and I took on trying to find it a home. Jason's secretary took it the first night. She was awesome and took it to the vet, got it supplies, and got it shots. Then I took it the next night and Sandi Jane was NOT happy. She isn't used to that puppy energy and it kept biting her little rolls. lol. So I was in a huge rush to try and find it a home. After some family members passed on her, I took to the internet. I posted it on Fox 4's facebook page and it was amazing. Over 200 people shared her. Out of all the comments I got, there were only a few that were real. And I didn't just want to give her to someone who wanted a free puppy, I wanted to be sure it was a good home. And I found one! I felt so good about how it turned out. My heart was happy.
WHEW. Glad I got this year's good deed out of the way in January. :) Kidding!
I can't stand the way people treat animals. I am pretty sure somebody dumped her and it makes me so sad. How could someone do that to these innocent animals. I know it happens all the time, it's terrible. If Jason and I ever do decide to get a second dog, I definitely want to adopt from the shelter. It was a crazy experience. But it also made me realize I am not ready for a puppy right now. Although, I do kind of miss her now that she is gone. lol
My trainer weighed and took measurements this morning. We are going to do it again in 6 weeks and there WILL be POSITIVE changes! I have been working with her for 6 months now, and I have not seen the changes I should. And it's not because of her lack of effort, it's because of mine. No more excuses.
On Saturday I did a photo shoot for the American Heart Association. I will be a part of their "survivor" gallery. The picture and my story will be featured with some others when you walk into their office, and it's also part of a traveling exhibit.
February is Heart Month. Make sure you get your red ready for Feb. 1st!
Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women, it kills more people than ALL cancers combined. Take care of yourselves and spread the word!
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