Ladders

So my lovely (and somewhat douche-y, but I say that in the best way possible) trainer, Joe, has a penchant for forcing me to do "ladder" cardio exercises. What this means is you start out on either Level 0 or Level 1 on a machine, and after five or ten minutes (depending on the machine), you increase the level of resistance one increment every minute until the machine maxes out, and then you go back down.

What this means is A TON of calories are burned, and usually your thighs, calves, knees, arms, and, OH YEAH YOUR WHOLE BODY, are also on fire. It also equates to what feels like a very quick work out because it's changing the whole time and a very satisfied feeling when you see how many calories you burned, how many miles your workout equals, and knowing you actually kept the stupid elliptical going on LEVEL 24- the elliptical's max resistance level.

So despite the fact that whenever Joe tells me to do a ladder, I bitch and moan about it, I relish them. They make me feel so good - which means I'm making my self feel so good. And I really do feel great post-gym. I'm enjoying the soreness and the increased flexibility and lung capacity. It seems it all goes hand in hand.

Sometimes I even do ladders when Joe's not on my ass to do them - and I recommend them to anyone who wants to get their ass kicked cardio-wise.

It's been a few weeks...

And I'm feeling pretty weak to be honest. I was at the gym tonight, but not for as long as the standards I want to hold myself to, and also for the first time since LAST Thursday. I've eaten a lot of junk this week, which is not the worst thing in the world, and I do enjoy indulging but I need to limit the junk. Especially if I want the next measurements to show success and not a lack thereof. I typed "failure" at first, but I don't think getting into that mindset is good either.

What I need right now is a good, healthy kick in the ass. I need a better coping mechanism than eating and wanting attention from someone in particular. Or someone in general. I hate it when I get this way, but I just realized that I normally don't identify this as outside of the norm, so the fact that I haven't been like this all the time lately is a damn good sign.

Some encouragement and positive reinforcement would be greatly appreciated. And I need to do those things for myself too, along with being a little harder on myself and learning some discipline. I feel better, a little, after writing this, and after having gone to the gym tonight.

Goal for the week: To take it day by day and get back on track.

Measurements

I had my first set of measurements since I started on Tuesday. This was not all I had hoped for. I've gotta watch the nutrition better, and commit to more time at the gym. I'm really in need of some encouragement right now, so thanks in advance for that. :)

Feels like Summer

June is starting off to be a beautiful month. I hadn't been to the gym since Wednesday or Thursday of last week but we've been moving the whole time so I feel like I still got some exercise. I went last night and it felt so good to be back. I got to touch my toes doing that sitting stretchy thing and that was pretty exciting, because quality toe touches are one of my goals. Now I just gotta do the good ones (standing) and I'll be pretty excited.

Measurements next Tuesday at 6pm...