Level One Rogue/Assassin, Pleased to meet you

[Heidi]

Good morning from Virginia!

I'm one week into my plan and looking forward to it. Already I feel more energetic and sleep better!

I'm 43, a mother of three fellow-nerds (boys 12 and 14 and a girl, 20 months), and a software quality analyst. So far my workout plan consists of riding a stationary bike 3 times a week at the local Planet Fitness gym and one hour of Pilates on Sunday (a local studio used to have this as a class option, but not enough people showed up, so I crafted a custom class). A couple friends are joining me for the Pilates and one at the gym. We have heard that it is ill-advised to walk into Mordor, so we are biking there. So far we are just beyond Stock Road, SE of Bag End in Hobbiton.

How are you and what are your quests?

[Hiraedd]

We have heard that it is ill-advised to walk into Mordor, so we are biking there.

LOL, Heidi! It seems like you're going to fit right in! Welcome to the rebellion!!

I'm anxiously waiting for the next 6 week challenge to start (eek! It starts tomorrow!!), and my quest is to become whole and healthy, inside and out. (check out the link in my sig if you want more details -- I won't clog your intro with them all!)

Look forward to seeing you around!

[Heidi]

Thanks for the welcome, Hiraedd. It's good to find like-minded folk, and so soon at that.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming challenge, and in addition to that, I signed up for the seven week Level Up Club. [Really, I know it sounds as though I'm going a little ballistic, but when you can't climb stairs without nearly making your heart explode, you have to start getting serious.]

My plan for the Level Up Club is below, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the challenge brings in the way of finances and other, non-workout areas. I am making my goals and writing them on a chalkboard by the computer, so maybe this time it will stick. And by the way, just because we are THAT nerdly, my sons are looking into joining the six week challenge as well.

I'm looking forward to making fitness, nutrition and exercise a regular part of my life, something I really haven't ever done before.

My goal:

Cardio and stamina are tops on my list. I simply have to improve my heart. I would also like to tone up my arms and legs, and reduce and tone my core. I would like to drop 20-35 pounds, but I realize all that might not happen in a mere seven weeks. I am looking to create better habits instead of berating myself for bad ones. Eventually, the better I live, the better I'll feel, and the bonus is that I'll look better too.

My exercise plan:

Ride a stationary bike 3-5 days during the week (at 6:30 in the morning)

60 Minutes of Yoga-Pilates on Sunday.

My nutrition plan:

Increase the good carbs while minimizing the junk food. This is pretty easy, as long as I have the good food around. When I get into starvation mode, I will eat anything I can get my hands on. So I'm trying to make certain I have plenty of pumpkin seeds and tea and water at my cubicle. If I skip, I'll be pounding potato chips on the ride home. Also limit the wine to five or fewer glasses a week. I know this sounds crazy, but the truth is that I love wine, and after a long day of work and kids and house chores, I love watching crime drama, knitting, and having a glass of wine. Unfortunately, that can so easily become two glasses, and then I'm going to bed with alcohol in my system, which has to be a terrible thing nutritionally. So I have bottles of water all over the house. I mean, everywhere. I even have a carafe of water next to my bed, since I frequently have to get up in the middle of the night with my toddler.

An additional wellness goal:

Keep track of how much I smoke.

Ultimately, I would like to quit altogether, and I think that just having to be accountable for each and every cigarette during the day will go a long way toward that. So please feel free to check in and ask how I am doing!

Current Measurements:

Waist: 35"

Abdomen: 38"

Hips: 40"

Weight: 155

Yep, sports fans, I need some help in my lower core in a big, big way.

[Hiraedd]

Eh, so you're a pear. Lots of us are pears. Heck, Spezzy is a pear (or was? that transformation was something!). That just means our hearts are safer, right? Looks like a good start you have lined out...and you joined the LUC? Awesome! They'll get you on the right track for sure!! I probably would suggest some bodyweight or other strength exercises for your consideration -- it doesn't take the heart as long to "get healthy" as it does the body, and I think you'll find you outstrip your cardio ability pretty fast once you get into it, but maybe that's just me. I love that your wellness goal includes being aware of how much you smoke. I have definately found awareness of what I'm doing the key to changing some longstanding bad habits in my life. As for the wine....maybe you could pour yourself a glass and the leave the bottle in another room? Then you would have to stand up, put down your knitting, etc. in order to go get another glass and it just might make you think twice...

Good luck with all your goals, Heidi. They look amazing. And I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how much change can happen in just 6 or 7 weeks when you put yourself to it.

[Heidi]

Thanks for the advice.

I added three arm machines to the biking this morning -- nothing crazy, just real-life (or less? we are talking ten and fifteen pounds, here) weight level with 3 sets of 15 reps. I'm hoping to make a circuit of it through the week -- arms, legs, abs on Mon, Wed, Fri, just a little extra after the bike.