tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43412104417652767652024-03-13T07:00:21.263-07:00Anything you can lose, I can lose better.Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.comBlogger531125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-91661480725181664842011-05-04T18:36:00.000-07:002011-05-04T18:39:44.437-07:00It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Over There!Faithful Blog Friends!<br /><br />It has happened. I need to make some physical closure to my weight loss journey. I set a goal, I reached it. It's been two years. I'm putting a bow on it, I'm sticking a fork in it--it's done.<br /><br />I need to separate myself from "Need to Lose Weight" Erin and "Living Healthily" Erin. <br /><br />A tangible way of doing that is wrapping up this blog and starting a new one. So I did! It's not goodbye, it's see you over there! And by "there," I mean <a href="http://carry-on-with-life.blogspot.com/">here</a>. :)<br /><br />So long! And thanks for all the fish! :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-30124385490129333232011-05-03T17:07:00.000-07:002011-05-03T17:35:12.301-07:00Lifted For the 1st Time in 8 Weeks!!!<span style="font-size:130%;">Administrative Note</span><br /><br />I am considering ending my blog writing days. I was actually very close to doing it--didn't even post my cardio yesterday. I feel like it has run its course; I lost the weight, I struggled with maintenance, I debated the surgeries, I got the surgeries, I recovered from the surgeries, I still struggle with maintenance... But Liz today said I should "do it for me and no one else." So, I am going to keep posting. But no promises it will be funny, or even interesting! I do like having a log accessible from anywhere the internet is. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday's cardio</span><br /><br />I did the gradual build workout again. I think I may make it my standard Monday workout. I like routine. :) Last week I started at 3.0 mph but had to reduce it down to 2.5 mph at the 10.% incline. This week...I made it 3.0 mph the whole time!!! It kicked my hiney--but I did it! Recall that I was doing 3.5 mph before, but I am still building back up. :)<br /><br />My Stats:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>Calories Burned: 413 (Treadmill)<br />Time: 42:00 (with 2 minute cool down)<br />Distance: 2.07 miles<br /></blockquote></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Today: My First Session with HCL!</span><br /><br />So, first things first: I wore my arm compression garment while lifting. Yes, I *did* look that cool. :) We started by weighing in and taking body fat and lots of tape measure inch measurements. Liz's tape measure is just as hard core as she is--it's retractable! She offered to print out my number. Um, YES PLEASE! I LOVE STATS! But then I never got them from her. :( I will say that I am down SIX POUNDS from last Monday. Woot. Woot. It's probably mostly water weight--but I'll take it. :) <br /><br />Now, the lifting. Liz wanted to do a full body thing to evaluate my current post-surgery state. It was hard. I will be in a WORLD of pain tomorrow. And am in some right now. But overall, I feel good about the session:<br /><blockquote><br />Lat Pulldowns: 60 lbs, 12 reps; 65 lbs, 10 reps; 55 lbs, 10 reps (worked on form the last set)<br />SA Low Row: 30 lbs, 12 reps; 35 lbs, 12 reps; 40 lbs, 12 reps<br />Incline DB Press: 17.5 lb DBs, 15 reps; 25 lb DBs, 12 reps; 30 lb DBs, 12 reps<br />Hammer Strength Shoulder Press: 25 lbs 15 reps; 25 lbs, 12 reps; 25 lbs, 12 reps<br />BB Squats: 85 lbs, 15 reps; 95 lbs 10 reps; 95 lbs, 5 reps<br />Lying Leg Curls: 50 lbs, 15 reps; 60 lbs, 15 reps; 70 lbs 15 reps<br />Seated Leg Extensions: 40 lbs, 15 reps; 50 lbs, 15 reps</blockquote><br /><br />It's hard to say what was the hardest. We started with back because the leg stuff was all being used. Doing the two back exercises definitely fatigued my arms (probably because I use my arms too much--at least that's what Liz says). By then time we got to shoulder press, my arms were done. :) The BB squats were easy at first. I thought I could wow and impress Liz with my form (this is something I've worked very hard on). I got really low. She wanted lower. She got a box. when a trainer gets a box, it forces you to go lower. This is because your butt should kiss the box and then you should push your body back up. Boxes are pure hell to me. Liz got THE SMALLEST BOX AT LIFETIME. I swear it's only a foot high. She must have seen my face so she got a weight plate and threw it on top. Thanks for the extra 2" Liz... She spotted me and I was actually quite surprised that I was capable of doing it. The first one was shaky--had to get the right neurons firing--then I was very pleased with my success!!! Until I started getting dizzy and feeling slightly nauseous. I had to wait for several seconds until I no longer felt dizzy or like I was going to vomit in between reps. That is why the last set only had 5 reps. Even given this apparent failure, I still see the whole session as a success! I am easing back in and I feel really good about it.<br /><br />Now, will I be able to walk tomorrow? Certainly not. :)<br /><br />Next workout: cardio tomorrow.Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-15184191166975401672011-04-27T19:12:00.000-07:002011-04-27T19:15:36.182-07:00Not Much To ReportDid 30 minutes on the cross-trainer today. Stats:<br /><br /><blockquote>Calories Burned: 305 (Cross-Trainer)<br />Time: 30:00<br />Distance: 3.28 miles</blockquote><br /><br />Also, my Aunt Rachel joined me! That was fun! I always love working out with someone and getting to show them around my (and hopefully soon-to-be her) gym!<br /><br />And I should probably note that I have been eating well ever since Liz's email on Monday. It's been two days. Soon to be three. :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-49925959051051063472011-04-25T17:16:00.000-07:002011-04-25T17:29:31.133-07:00I Want To Magically Be in Good Shape Again!!!Man, "easing" back in stinks. I hate feeling out of shape. I hate huffing and puffing on easier cardio than I was handling fine before. But I need to just get over it. It'll take some time. And I'll get back there. I hope. Not everyone can be like Amanda J. who claims after her 6 weeks off, she's running faster than ever. ...<br /><br />Today I decided to do the gradual build workout. I thought it would be a nice way to push myself in a not horrible way. Recall that gradual build is when I do 5 minute intervals for 40 minutes on the treadmill, starting at 2.0% and increasing by 2.0% each time up to 14.0%. The last interval is the "cool down" at 9.0%. I was doing 3.5 mph walking because as Liz told my "legs are strong" but since I am coming back I tried it out at 3.0 mph. Somewhere in the 10.% interval, I was dying and lowered the speed to 2.5 mph. Also, I shamefully must admit that I held onto the treadmill for about 30 seconds and then a little bit later for 10 seconds before I downed the speed. Shameful!!! <br /><br />My Stats:<br /><br /><blockquote>Calories Burned: 403 (Treadmill)<br />Distance: 1.96 miles<br />Time: 43:09 (I cooled down at a reasonable incline after the 40 minutes was up as well)</blockquote><br /><br />I am glad to feel my muscles again. I really missed the feeling of having had a good workout while walking out of the car to go get my mail. It's hard to explain but there is something about freshly worked muscles that feels good. It's not painful (yet), but just affirms that you overcame the lazy couch potato inside of you and won the fitness battle that day. I missed it and am glad to have it back. :)<br /><br />On an unrelated note, Liz emailed me today. So, she told me to keep a food log and email it to her once a week. I asked if it had to be *good* food choices, she must not have heard me because she answered, "Just write it all down for now." So I did. I wrote down every donut, every slice of pizza, every candy bar...and emailed it to her on Saturday night. She wrote back today. Oh. My. TERRIFYING. She let me have it. She also made some excellent points between the curse words and threat to break my fingers. I'm glad she did it--petrified to see her next to be sure, but glad. You'd better believe my butt will be getting back into gear for the near future...<br /><br />Next workout: tomorrow or Thursday, cardio. :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-86981820421046662172011-04-21T17:55:00.000-07:002011-04-21T18:22:36.330-07:00Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's EndIt's been a deep-in-thought-decisiony-type week. You all read my post from Monday about the changes and information I have been processing now that I am back at the gym. From Monday to Tuesday I thought long and hard about what I want/need to be successful. I came to the conclusion that the sun was setting on my professional training relationship with Devon. For the sake of full disclosure on the blog, here were the key factors in the decision:<br /><br />Reasons to Stay Training With Devon:<br /><blockquote>1) Devon is an excellent trainer.<br />2) Devon is excellent at training me.<br />3) Devon knows me--the good, the bad and the ugly.<br />4) I have had 16 months of more or less success with Devon.<br />5) I like Devon as a person and enjoy spending time training with him.</blockquote><br /><br />Reasons to Get a New Trainer:<br /><blockquote>1) I am the type of person who needs to change things up periodically.<br />2) I am comfortable with Devon and so do not always heed his advice/respect him. (Read: I can be so whiny and complainy.)<br />3) I feel that going from the challenge of friend lifting weekly to bi-weekly regular trainer sessions is a step backward for *me*. The reason we started friend lifting in the first place was because I needed to change things up (See reason #1) and this was a great way to do it.<br />4) The diet support from Devon, although sound and well thought out, is not working for me regularly.</blockquote><br /><br />So, I thought about who, if anyone else, I would like to train with. Out of all the lifetime trainers that I know something about there is only one other person I feel has the same knowledge and expertise that Devon does: The One. The Only. Hard Core Liz.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemWjDMV8JD4qjVh83yvoXWyT02T-8dHWVsRHmtQ41_dS-RKvHk8dq_QGzUc6tc7LKcg1MFIIxxFAYGLrfdRolS2xw7i_vh0XpC6-poEPnmqnkj0C91Mq3SWCeGij4Zeq-6t0SL3DLrcY/s1600/HCL_mugshot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemWjDMV8JD4qjVh83yvoXWyT02T-8dHWVsRHmtQ41_dS-RKvHk8dq_QGzUc6tc7LKcg1MFIIxxFAYGLrfdRolS2xw7i_vh0XpC6-poEPnmqnkj0C91Mq3SWCeGij4Zeq-6t0SL3DLrcY/s320/HCL_mugshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598208855667962482" border="0" /></a><br />Check out those shoulder muscles...Wowsas!!!<br /><br />So, some of you may recall that HCL once told me (and several of my friends at various other times) that she would (and I quote) never train me. So, when I called her on Tuesday to broach the subject I informed her that I did, in fact, know what that meant, but also wanted to know if she would consider changing her mind. I truly believe that if I try to pull any monkey business by way of not giving it my all or having a bad attitude, she WILL drop me as a client. I have no doubt about that. I feel that fear will motivate me to bring it the same way friend lifting did with Devon. I knew I had to step up on those days because I wasn't paying him and so if I was not bringing it, he could end the fun at any moment. And I brought it. Every time.<br /><br />On Wednesday, I called Devon and discussed my thought process with him. He was very supportive. He said that my needs are changing and he likened it to me saying: Devon, I want to be trained in Pilates. Devon doesn't do Pilates so of course I would go to someone else. He says this is the same thing. I told him "It's not you, it's me" and (unlike times I have used this line in the past) I meant it. Devon agreed that HCL was the best choice for me and told me I can still come to him with questions and stuff. How sweet. He even said he was going to have a meeting with HCL to fill her in on his lessons learned with me. :)<br /><br />That brings me to today. I met with HCL to discuss my needs/wants and her stance on my attitude. We talked about goals and my emotional eating. We planned our way ahead. I'm VERY excited for this new beginning. My first session with HCL will be the first week I can lift again, on Tuesday, May 3rd. Mark your calendars, friends. I think this will be a good post. :) I am growing up and becoming a big girl and writing my own workouts!!!! No more daily workouts from Devon. In the beginning I will send them to Liz when I am done and she will tell me if I am not working hard enough or whatever. Also, Liz is making me write down EVERYTHING I eat starting today, this morning actually. Not fair making me go back in time to when I ate a whole container of chocolates for breakfast. But I did it. Because she told me to. :)<br /><br />After signing paperwork to ensure Liz will get paid for our sessions, I did my cardio. Today I did 30 minutes on the treadmill with 3 minute intervals at inclines from 3 to 6 to 9 to 6 to 3 to 6 etc... The uphill battle cardio (shortened version) from before. I went the whole time at a speed of 3.5 mph. It was challenging but doable--the way every workout should be. :) <br /><br />Next workout: Saturday? Sunday? Whatevs. :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-91443189932280226892011-04-18T16:55:00.001-07:002011-04-18T17:27:11.949-07:00You Love My Honesty--Even in Posts Like This OneI went back to the gym today. And it went horribly. Not the actual exercising part. That was uneventful and fine. The pre-exercising part. Let me list the ways in narrative form.<br /><br />But first, an explanation. I list this not to be whiny or complainy or vent (which I certainly need to/like to do) but also to continue to give you an unfiltered look into what makes me tick in this struggle.<br /><br />1) Other Trainer Judgement<br /><br />I got to the gym (early of course) and waited to meet with Devon (knowing he would be late--because he always is. When he is not having a paid session with me. He's on time for the paid ones--reasonable.) Devon was meeting with me to take First-Day-Back Measurements for comparison. Lynn was there finishing up a session with her new trainer. So I said hello. Lynn mentioned it was my first day back, so I got excited and told her all about my weight loss and my tummy tuck/arms procedures. I even showed her my before picture (which I had printed out to show Devon the comparison). I was not pleased with how the conversation went. Lynn told her I lost 90 lbs. She told me she lost 115 lbs and her skin shrank back over time--I was just impatient. I told her that 3 doctors told me it wouldn't. She gave me some line about genetics. I felt judged. I then shared with Lynn that I felt like my arms are not any smaller. This frustrates me--not because I hate my body and my arms, but rather--because I paid a large sum of money and if my arms don't change, I feel like it was wasted. Lynn's trainer interrupted me and asked me if I knew that I was beautiful. I understand where she was coming from, but felt so judged. What I heard was: you didn't need a tummy tuck, you're just impatient and you clearly feel so bad about yourself all you can do is spend obscene amounts of money to try to fix it. This is so frustrating because the surgeries TO ME were a celebration of the hard work I'd done--not some desperate attempt to "fix myself". Lynn mentioned the blog and I said that it has really inspired some people. She told me that not everyone can do it because they aren't determined so I should be careful what I say to people. Really? Ok--so what she is saying is that not everyone can work hard and diet and exercise, but apparently EVERYONE'S skin is super elastic and will stretch back over time. I was really put off--but it didn't get me down because I was SOOOO excited to see Devon and get back into the swing of things!!!<br /><br />2) Bad Body Measurements<br /><br />Devon finally showed and I gave him the appropriate excited greeting! The we went off to do measurements. They suck. I was upset. I asked Devon to put a positive spin on it for the blog, so he did. <br /><br />My trainer says: of course the numbers are going to be up--you couldn't work out for 6 weeks. I expect this. Plus, you are still swollen. Once you get back into it, the numbers are going to go down fast. As for the calipers measurements, now my fat is detached from my muscles and so can be pulled farther which explains higher numbers.<br /><br />So, there's the upbeat take on these:<br /><blockquote><br />Before (2 Mar 2011)/After (18 Apr 2011)<br />Weight: 193 lbs/195 lbs<br />Calipers, Arm: 24/28<br />Calipers, Stomach: 24/26<br />Calipers, Leg: 32/32<br />Body Fat %: 29.0%/30.7%<br />Inches, Waist: 39.75"/35.75"<br />Inches, Hips: 42.75"/41.75"<br />Inches, Bicep: 13.25"/12.5"<br /><br />Summary: Gained 8 lbs (looks like 2, but they removed 6 lbs of loose skin, remember???). Gained 1.7% body fat (maybe, or the surgery affected the way it is measured). Lost inches all around. :)</blockquote><br /><br />3) Bad News from Devon<br /><br />Devon no longer will be friend lifting with me. This made me *very* disappointed. I tried to explain to him why without sounding like a crazy stalker client. Sure, I enjoy hanging out with Devon for free (::grin::) but the disappointment is not about that. Friend lifting was the HIGHLIGHT of my week. I tried harder. Pushed harder. Was inspired by Devon. Felt like I contributed to help push Devon. Went for 2 1/2 to 3 hours and went hard the whole time. Challenged myself in ways that aren't possible while lifting alone. I could go on. Lifting on my own had turned into a means to do better and go harder while lifting with Devon. I'll have to try to find the passion for lifting alone again, but it will be hard.<br /><br />And what sucks is that I can't be mad about it. He was doing me a favor. Favor's over. Super bad news...<br /><br />4) Erin's Diet Plan Meets Devon's Negativity<br /><br />As if all of this weren't enough, and I wasn't already on the verge of an Erin-cannot-handle-bad-news-or-change-well-at-all-and-might-cry-in-the-middle-of-the-gym breakdown, I told Devon that my friend and I were considering Weight Watchers. I am an All or Nothing Diet girl and this just *isn't* working for me. I need to learn how to eat flexibly within parameters--Weight Watchers is the clear choice for this. Devon is so opposed to this it's not even funny. He thinks it would be terrible for me. He says that he knows me and that I am the type of person who finds the loop holes in things and Weight Watchers has too many (he is correct about that attribute of my personality--I consider it an asset. ::grin::). I was actually able to list one on the spot (unlimited fruits--don't give me unlimited anything...). He tells me I should meet with the Lifetime Dietitian. I feel like he is trying to sell me on Lifetime crap. He could tell (perhaps by my not subtle eye rolling). We debated this a lot. We left saying that I would ease back into cardio and he thinks I should "talk to" the dietitian. I am going to do what *I* want when I decide what that is. Devon has had 16 months to help me with my eating. His time is up.<br /><br />Anyways, I then went to ease back into cardio, quite dejected. I did the elliptical for 30 minutes. My stats:<br /><br /><blockquote>Time: 30:00<br />Strides: 4497<br />Calories Burned: 348.3 (Elliptical)<br />Distance: 2.42 miles<br />Resistance: 5<br />Crossramp: 10</blockquote><br /><br />Next workout: Wednesday or Thursday. Doing 3 cardio this week. Will begin lifting again on Monday, May 2nd.<br /><br />Blah. Where's Sean to take me to ice cream??? :(Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-32026761498420692372011-04-11T18:04:00.000-07:002011-04-11T18:06:06.339-07:00I Missed You Too, DOMS.I saw the Sauconys today. They aren't glittering. There's no heavenly music. Nope. They are just mean, dull shoes laughing at me and my inability to walk due to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOMS">DOMS</a>. Thanks a lot, Sauconys.<br /><br />But <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOMS">DOMS</a> is a good step back to recovery! At least that is what I told myself every time I stood up today and hobbled. :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-85956832897370947802011-04-10T10:40:00.000-07:002011-04-10T11:02:58.418-07:00The Sauconys Made Me Do ItToday I decided to go for a walk. It's been over one week since the arm procedure and so I am able to workout again. I am still 4 days shy of the 6 week "No Workout" policy after the tummy tuck, so a walk it was. But...<br /><br />While getting dressed, I saw them. There, sitting on my floor. All alone. So sad. My running shoes. The silver and teal detailing actually sparkled against the white sneaker backdrop. I even heard a audible *ding*. I thought, "I'll just try them on--make sure they still fit." You know, it's important for my feet to remember what they feel like.<br /><br />Then, I went to comb my hair and thought that I should *maybe* put it back in pig tails--you know, in case my walk gets vigorous and I want my hair off of my neck. I haven't put it in pigtails since before the surgery. Once they were in and I saw the gleam in my eye and the cute pig tail poofs peeking out from the side of my head it was all over. My decisions were no longer my own: I was going to run. It may not be far. It may not be for long periods of time. But it was happening.<br /><br />I warmed up with a walk for 5 minutes, then set off running. I ended up going for 30 minutes alternating walking and running in 5 minute intervals. I went 2.37 miles! That's a pace of 12:39 minutes/mile. For walking half of the time, I am SO pleased with that time!!! I went au naturale with no iPod or book to read--just me, my thoughts and a lovely 56° day with a light wind. A little slice of Heaven.<br /><br />I know it may sound silly to you all, but I had this sort of quiet fear in the back of my head for the last 5 weeks and 3 days that I would lose all stamina, my muscles would all atrophy and I would forget how to exercise, forcing myself to start at square one when I returned. I know, I know, it sounds silly--but it was a real concern of mine!!! 6 weeks is a LONG time. Today's foray into fitness has shown me that my fear was completely unfounded! I am confident that it will take some time, but I *will* get back to where I was sooner than I feared!!! YAY!<br /><br />You can feel free to yell at me for breaking the 6 week "No Workout" policy, but there's really no point. It already happened. And you know me well enough to know that I'm gonna do what I want regardless.<br /><br />Also, I couldn't help myself--my running shoes and pig tails made me do it. :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-30014747206718481332011-04-08T19:19:00.000-07:002011-04-08T20:21:13.513-07:00Past Due UpdatesMy sincerest apologies. My blog silence must have been killing all of you! On Saturday (April 2nd), I got my arms <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaser">vaser liposuctioned</a>, also known as "had the fat sucked out." This has turned me into a lazy recoverer and so I have not blog posted anything about recovery for my tummy tuck, the arm procedure or its recovery. Well, friends: it's time to catch up.<br /><br />Tummy Tuck Update: Not much to report really. Still healing. The scar doesn't seem to be changing at all--at least not noticeably. I have not been eating well and so am not interested in taking measurements. :) I have an appointment with Devon to take measurements when I get back to the gym on April 18th. I will post those here. Still wearing the spanx-like garment daily but not overnight. I asked Dr. Alonso today if I needed to wear it while working out and he said no, but I should probably wear it as I ease back in the first week.<br /><br />Vaser Lipo on my Arms: This is the same type of lipo I had done on my midsection/back during the tummy tuck. This time I did not need to go off of my blood thinners and also I was awake for the entire procedure!!! Also, it was at the med spa rather than the outpatient surgery center like last time as it is a very minor procedure. I arrived at <a href="http://monarchmedspa.com/">Monarch Med Spa</a> at 12pm for my appointment. They brought me into my room and let me pick out a movie to watch--I chose <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/">Elf</a>, naturally. I then took 2 Vicodin, 2 Ativan and 1 Promethazine (for nausea)--a most excellent combination in my opinion. I then laid back and watched Elf--sleeping on and off--for about 2 hours. At some point, the nurse came in and gave me a Benadryl shot because I told her I wasn't sleeping. In hindsight, I was. Either way, I'm good with that decision. Around 2pm, they walked me to the operation location across the hall. I was "awake" for the whole thing, but not very "with it". I do remember telling Dr. Alonso that "I like a surgeon with a competitive attitude," when he was chatting with the nurse about how he was sure he could get a full 400 ccs out of my left arm. He also got 400 ccs out of my right arms. Yes, that is 800 cubic centimeters of arm fat, folks. Roughly 3/4 of a liter combined. There are 4 holes--two on each arm, right around the elbow, one of the inside and one on the outside. That's it. Dr. Alonso stitched them up, covered them in gauze and I put a compression garment on which will be worn 24/7 for the next 2 weeks.<br /><br />After the procedure, I met Ryan and Meagan in the waiting room, patiently waiting to drive me home. I think I remember Meagan saying out loud something about how I looked fine and alert and I could almost drive myself home.--she would soon learn this was not the case. I scheduled a follow up appointment and Monarch gave me a present!!! It's a goody bag filled with bath-related treats (loofah, poof, wooden massager, etc...), all branded with the Monarch logo, of course! I was *SO* excited for my present!!! They put the post-op paperwork, my appointment card and my present in a bag and I was off!<br /><br />I insisted we stop at Panera Bread as I was hungry. I skipped lunch that day and wanted food. I also insisted on going in with Meagan to get it. It was at that point that I realized I could not walk straight. I ordered (apparently quite coherently even though the woman did not understand me and I had to repeat it several times) and as we were waiting for my food someone commented that my elbow was covered in blood/pink ooze. It was true. Meagan assured them I was fine. Meagan and Ryan saw to it that I made it home okay and ate everything fine. They offered (apparently numerous times) to help me clean up my compression garment as my left elbow region was covered in blood/pink ooze. I quite forcefully told them NO and that I was NOT taking off the garment until at least the next day. They then left. About 5 minutes later I apparently called them and asked where my prescriptions were and if we left them at the med center!!!! Meagan calmly told me they were right in front of me on my coffee table. I found them. :) I also quickly took off my compression garment, spot cleaned the arm and rebandaged my wounds. I then used my hair dryer to dry the arm of the garment. I promptly took a nap.<br /><br />At this point, Amy came by with dinner and when I woke up to let her in, my left elbow was AGAIN covered in ooze. We ate and then Amy helped me wash the arm...again...and blow dry it and rebandage the wounds. This time, we got wise. We used gauze and as an added back up: maxi pads. Yup. My left arm was wrapped in 3 over night maxi pads and a lot of tape. And it worked. Like. A. Charm. ;) (Note: my right arm did not leak at all.) I also was very concerned about the appointment I made for later in the week. I had no memory of when it was. I asked Meagan--she didn't see me make it. She told me to call them. It was late Saturday night, they were closed. Amy said I could call them too. I told her I already knew that meanly (apparently, loopy Erin = blunt and harsh Erin--but still lovably so). The next day I found my bag with the present, the post op instructions and my appt card. Since I forgot about its existence, it was like getting a present ALL OVER AGAIN and I knew when my appt was!!!! Double win.<br /><br />Since the initial fun, here are some notes about week 1 of recovery:<br /><br />Pain: Not too bad, but any pain stinks. My arms from elbow to shoulders are basically two large bruises. On Monday, my arms literally were 5 out of the 6 colors of the rainbow (red, yellow, green, blue and purple). By Tuesday, they had faded to mostly yellow and green with deep red spots throughout. I've taken a total of 6 tylenol and 0 vicodin since leaving the med spa on Saturday.<br /><br />Antibiotic: I hated it. It tasted gross and made me sick. It was Keflex. Luckily it was only for 5 days, but BOY! am I glad that's over.<br /><br />Compression Garment:<a href="http://www.contemporarydesigninc.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=42"> This is the compression garment I got</a> based off of Darby's (med spa employee/my bud) recommendation. I like it, but it was pricey when you include shipping (they only have overnight shipping!--expensive!), and so I only got one. Combine this with the fact that I have to wear it 24/7 for 2 weeks and it makes for a big pain in the you-know-where. I have to hand-wash it, then blow dry it dry so I can put it right back on. The process takes between 45 minutes and an hour and when I am done, the garment isn't fully dry. I am just usually over it and it is dry "enough" to wear. :) Having said that, is this inconvenience worth an extra ~$70 for another garment? Nope! I'll hand-wash and blow dry. :) Having anything tight on your body for 24/7 gets irritating, but after 6 days it isn't so bad. And hey, only 8 days left! At that point, I will wear it to bed only. The velcro strap across the front is visible in most shirts I wear, so I just don't fasten it during the business day. It doesn't do much anyways.<br /><br />Lotion/Massage: Just like with the midsection/back lipo, I need to apply lotion and massage my arms. I just started that today as the pain is getting much better. For some reason, SEVERAL strangers felt the need to touch my arms this week not knowing it hurt so bad!!! Now it's just annoying not intense pain like it was. I did my best to wince internally to not make them feel bad.<br /><br />6 day check-up: Today I went to see Dr. Alonso. He removed the stitches and checked out the first week's progress. He is *very* pleased with the results so far. I am super skeptical about this whole arms thing--and he knows this. I told him that I feel like my arms look exactly the same. I understand they are swollen still and the skin has to tighten up and these things take time, but NOW they look the same to me. He made me hold up a mirror and hold out my arm and he held my before picture behind it. I still don't see what he sees, but I do trust that he does this a lot and knows what to look for. Oh! This reminds me: I posted before "arms" pictures to <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/erin.e.corman/TummyTuck?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWVsafy7d2-Xg&feat=directlink">the tummy tuck album</a>. I will post afters when I am good and ready to. :) Maybe at 2 weeks? My arms have been itchy inside the garment and so I usually itch them. After the stitches were removed today, the wounds were itchy. I didn't even think about it but noticed big red blood marks on the right arm of my sweater. Yup, I scratched them open accidentally and they bled through my garment and my sweater. Sigh. They are bandaged up and my garment and sweater have been spot cleaned. My left arm is fine *this* time. I just cannot win with these wounds!!!<br /><br />Alright. I think that's all I got. If anyone has any questions about the procedure or recovery that is unanswered, please ask!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-21080326923183547452011-04-01T17:07:00.000-07:002011-04-01T17:15:40.956-07:00One Month and One DayHello!<br /><br />I got home super late last night and so did not do a "One Month Down" post. For this, I apologize. I am not taking pictures because I am tired and don't feel like it and don't think it looks different at all.<br /><br />As for pain, it's pretty low. It no longer hurts to cough, sneeze and laugh. I feel it, but not pain--more of an awareness that healing is still happening. Also, the sides and back still feel like a bruise. (I think the lipo is more painful than the tummy tuck!) My clothes still fit the same. I don't think I am actually getting any smaller, but I must be. Or maybe not. I have not been eating on the diet this week (another reason I am not interested in taking a photo of my bare midsection). I really hope to get back on track. I have felt pretty bad all week. Not surgery-related. Not sick. I truly believe the rainy, blah weather is messing with my head pressure. Anyways, I am optimistic I will bounce back soon. :)<br /><br />Also, in other news, I was scheduled to have my arms vaser lipo-ed on Saturday, April 9th but they have an opening tomorrow and so I am going to do it then!!! This has several benefits:<br /><br /><blockquote>1) I am impatient--any time I do not have to wait is good;<br />2) I feel much better post-tummy tuck than expected and so feel up to it; and<br />3) I have to wait 1 month after the procedure to lift weights again, this allows me to do this one week sooner!!!!!</blockquote><br /><br />I will have before and after pictures!!!! I am SO excited! But not excited that if it is anything like the lipo I had on my back and sides, after one month it will still hurt like a bruise. :( Alas, the pain is temporary. :)<br /><br />Wish me luck tomorrow!!!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-91600593999364637122011-03-26T11:05:00.001-07:002011-03-26T11:14:16.073-07:00Day 23: Exercising Again!Today I went for a walk! Yes, walking is all I am permitted to do before 6 weeks is up. I have been feeling pretty good and so I decided that I would try to walk anywhere from 30-60 minutes today. Before anyone gets all yell-y at me, I brought a book and read while walking--this should give you an idea of my pace!<br /><br />I went for 57 minutes and 51 seconds, also known as 5 chapters in my book. It was fairly brisk outside, but not too cold!<br /><br />Around 15 minutes, I felt a very light soreness in that weird spot to the right of my belly button up just a little. It went away quickly. Around 20 minutes, my leg muscles started to feel a little sore. YES, I am so out of shape that WALKING for a mere TWENTY fatigues my leg muscles. But I kept walking and feel fine now that I am done.<br /><br />According to mapmyrun, I went 2.83 miles, giving me a pace of 20:26 per mile. Yup, think I took it easy enough. :)<br /><br />I was contemplating walking tomorrow too, but decided that if I am truly "easing" back into things, I should probably let me body rest tomorrow. I will shoot for another walk early next week.Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-68897666255414903832011-03-24T07:25:00.001-07:002011-03-24T07:34:59.506-07:003 Weeks Later--Halfway Done Recovery!!!It's time for the 3 week update! I posted a new picture to <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/erin.e.corman/TummyTuck?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWVsafy7d2-Xg&feat=directlink">the album</a>. I only posted one picture because I feel like the profile view and back view really haven't changed that much. But the scar is healing a lot and looks a lot less red! So I posted a picture of that. Also, the swelling is beginning to go down a little and my hips are making the funniest shapes! The picture doesn't totally do it justice but you can tell a little. I am not sure if that is just how swelling goes down in general or if the lipo messes with it (i.e. the areas that were lipo-ed act a bit differently), but I have weird-shaped hips. :) I assume that when all the swelling goes down this will change, but who knows!!!<br /><br />Also, I took measurements. Waist: 35"; Hips: 41". From last week, the waist stayed the same and the hips shrank a 1/2". This is odd to me because I am in jeans that I did not choose to wear last week because I thought they would put pressure on the wound and today there is no pressure--so obviously the waist is slimming. Maybe I don't measure right??? Or maybe it is accurate and there are other factors for the fitting of the jeans? In any case, I am very pleased with the progress!!!<br /><br />The wound is still swollen and sore, but less so daily. It hurts fairly bad for a second or two when I cough or sneeze. I am working VERY hard to preemptively shut these bodily functions down before they occur! Also, laughing *really* hard makes the wound sore. More so the right side than the left. My speculation is that either the swelling is worse on one side or the nerves have not healed as well on the left. But again, I am no medical expert!!!<br /><br />Another odd pain (which has already passed--but in the first few weeks) is when I "overdid it" I would have a pain in my abdomen to the right of my belly button up a little higher. There was no work down there (or so I think) and so I was confused. I was talking to Amanda F. about this and she was telling me something HCL told her once. When you fatigue your primary muscles, your secondary muscles kick in to pick up some of the slack. It may be the case that using that muscle triggers something that hurts because of the surgery but I just don't use it often because it is a secondary muscle. Again, complete non-expert speculation--but I like it and it seems to may some sense.<br /><br />On an unrelated note, I am getting antsy to buy new clothes--but I shall keep waiting. :)<br /><br />Ok. Back to recovering! I should have another update next Thursday!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-42277450432705673442011-03-17T14:06:00.000-07:002011-03-17T14:22:58.695-07:00I've Made It a Whole Two Weeks!!!Wow. It has been two weeks since my surgery. By way of updates:<br /><br />1) Photographic: for people who are visual-thinkers<br /><br />New photos have been uploaded to the album. Bear in mind, I am still super swollen. But, like I have been saying to EVERYONE I talk to, if I stay like this (which I won't) I'd be super happy!!!! The change--even swollen--is just amazing! <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/erin.e.corman/TummyTuck?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWVsafy7d2-Xg#">Here is the link to the album.<br /></a><br />2) Statistics: for the math nerd in all of us<br /><br />Devon took measurements the night before my surgery. I measured today. My waist went from 39 3/4" down to 35" today. My hips went from 42 3/4" to 41 1/2". And I am still very swollen (I know I keep saying that), so I am interested to see how this trends. I plan on taking these measurements weekly on Thursdays--if I remember. :) Total changes should be completed 6 months from the surgery, so...September 3rd-ish.<br /><br />3) Emotional: for the touchy-feely-gushy and non-dead-inside people<br /><br />I'm feeling good! I have worked "short days" all week--between 6 and 7 hours. I come home and am definitely tired and need to just sit for the remainder of the evening (after chores like dishes, laundry, etc...). <br /><br />I have a new nightly routine for those curious. Around 7:30 or 8pm I put lotion on my mid-section (front and back) and massage it. This is supposed to stop scar-tissue from forming on the lipo areas and the lotion helps hydrate because my surgeon says lipo can mess up your sweat glands. I also spend some quality lotion time on my scars themselves (my surgeon says this helps them heal less ugly--meh, it's worth a try). Then I leave my compression garment off for the night. I like to do it approximately one hour before bed because when I take it off the blood begins to rush back into that area and laying on it can be painful. Having said that, this morning I was able to toss and turn and roll in my bed like I usually do without serious pain!!!!! It was just sore like a light bruise. This whole week it had been more like a bad bruise when I changed my rolling position in bed. This is GREAT for my sleeping!!!! YAY for healing!!!!<br /><br />I am *really* enjoying wearing clothes now. Especially clothes that I used to be self-conscious in. I have basically worn outfits that I felt awkward in pre-surgery all week to work. I walk around with more pep in my step, naturally. Every day it feels like I am walking around with a new haircut--you all know what I mean, right?--I feel like I finally look how I worked so hard to be by losing nearly 100 pounds. And THAT is a great feeling!!!<br /><br />4) Summary<br /><br />I look good, lost inches and feel great! Also, the support I continue to receive from my family and friends is overwhelming!!!! I am so loved and I definitely know and appreciate it!!!!<br /><br />Next update in one week for sure, if not sooner!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-54365890428166334932011-03-11T12:24:00.000-08:002011-03-11T12:33:15.637-08:00Day 9 UpdateToday I went back to the surgeon to have the final stitches removed! I feel like recovery is mostly done now...which is silly because I have like 5 weeks left, but it is simple-take-it-easy recovery. I am "out of the weeds" so to speak.<br /><br />Here is what is new that I DON'T have to do anymore:<br /><br /><blockquote>1) No stitches!!!!<br />2) No more gauze at all!<br />3) No more need to wash the wound with povidone-iodine! (YAY!!!!!)<br />4) No spanx at night! </blockquote><br /><br />Here is what I DO need to do:<br /><br /><blockquote>1) Wear spanx during the day for 4 months (to end on July 3rd--oh yes, it is on my calendar!). <br />2) Apply lotion to my abdomen and back daily.<br />3) Take fluid pills every Monday/Wednesday/Friday until they are gone--I have a prescription of 50 pills.<br />4) Finish out the antibiotics.</blockquote><br /><br />I feel like I am in easy-land. :) I go back to check in with the surgeon again in 6 weeks, but since I am getting my arms done on April 9th, we'll check in then!!!! I think my official after pictures will be taken then--but I will not be posting them as the surgeon and I have different ideas of what "covering my delicates" means!!!!!!<br /><br />I drove today and was out and about for a couple hours and feel fine. This make me optimistic about going back to work on Monday. Also, I wore "real people clothes today" (jeans and a tshirt). I intentionally wore baggy jeans so there is no pressure on my wound and I wore a tshirt that I used to be self-conscious in. Not any more!!!!! :) I would post a picture, but every time I try to photograph what I see in person, it does not do my new body justice! Oh! Also, I weighed myself at the surgeon's office and (without shoes on) I was 13 pounds lighter than March 3rd!!! CRAZY! :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-88958391490648765592011-03-08T15:50:00.001-08:002011-03-08T16:06:27.585-08:00Day 6 Update and a New PhotoBlog Readers!!! I am *very* happy to report that I met with my surgeon for the second time and that everything is going SUPER WELL!!!! I am so so so so so so so so so so so very happy with my recovery so far!<br /><br />My surgical drains were removed!!!! Also, he removed alternating stitches. The remainder of the stitches will be removed on Friday.<br /><br />Another surgery/recovery update is that I did not take any pain medication until just before my 4:20 pm appointment today. I only took it then in case the aforementioned drain and stitch removal was painful. It was definitely uncomfortable. I guess it maybe hurt--but not too bad. He had me take in a deep breath and exhale hard while he removed the drains--a technique I am quite pleased with!<br /><br />Things that have changed since the appointment today:<br /><br /><blockquote>1) I am allowed to shower!!! (But am a bit worried about it still...may wait another day or two...)<br />2) I am restarting blood thinning medication today. Shall we all rejoice together?!?!? YAY!!!!!!!!<br />3) I have to take a fluid pill 3x/week for a while. Apparently this will make me have an insane need to use the restroom within 30 minutes of ingestion. Awesome. :)<br />4) I can officially switch from the binder (the binder is a tight, white velcro thing that sucks my abdomen in to reduce swelling) to a pair of <a href="http://www.spanx.com/home/index.jsp?clickid=topnav_logo_img">Spanx</a> (or something similar). Meghan will go purchase me some tomorrow.</blockquote><br /><br />Well, that's my update! Oh! Also, Meghan took a photo of my new back while we were at the doctor's office. <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/erin.e.corman/TummyTuck?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWVsafy7d2-Xg#">I added it to the picasa album located here.</a>Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-15914456190499415262011-03-05T16:54:00.000-08:002011-03-05T17:08:27.513-08:00Day 3 Update...with Photos...Gulp...Hello blog fans. I have to say, writing this post has been a struggle for me. Who wants to show the before pictures? Who wants to show the body they were so unhappy with they took out a used car loan to fix it and get a "do-over" to start again and this time, live healthier?<br /><br />Yes, I am ashamed that I lived 27 years without fitness as any bit of a priority in my life. I am ashamed that I weighed 251 pounds. I am ashamed that I had that amount of loose skin.<br /><br />HOWEVER...<br /><br />I am very proud of the work that I have put in to get to this point. I am very proud of my determination. I am very proud of my healthier lifestyle. I am also blown away by not only the amount of support I have been given, but also by the stories I have heard from so many of you about how my journey has inspired you. It is for *these* reasons that I have decided to post my pictures. And I will post as I go. Part of me wanted to wait until the swelling was gone and make sure I was happy with the results before I posted the dreaded "before" pictures, but then I remembered that this blog is to inspire others and to share MY story--whatever that story may be. So, I am posting... I am posting for the friends who have followed me and cheered me on. I am posting for the friends who are considering this at some point in their life as well. I am posting for the stranger who happened upon this page and just wants to know what it's like and what it looks like! I. Am. Posting. GULP.<br /><br />I have decided to link to a picasa web album because I don't feel it appropriate to post the post-surgery pictures to a public blog. However, anyone who is reading this can choose to view them. Currently, there are 5 pictures: Before (front, back and each side) and one after picture from today. FAIR WARNING: the pictures from today are swollen stitches and include my surgical drain (with goop in it). View at your own risk. There are no after photos of the back because we didn't take any, but my surgeon did say that Beyonce herself would be jealous of my new curves!!! ;) <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/erin.e.corman/TummyTuck?authkey=Gv1sRgCOWVsafy7d2-Xg&feat=directlink">THE LINK TO THE PHOTOS!!!! </a><br /><br />Remember, the difference is 6 pounds of skin removed and 1500 ccs of fat (mainly from the back, I believe) which equates to about 3/4 of a 2-liter soda bottle!!! YOWSAS!<br /><br />As for my first post-surgery appointment today--it went great! My surgeon said I was healing above average and with my attitude it should go fine! What a compliment!!! Also, you may notice in my gross photo that I have zero goop seeping from any of my wounds! I have NO idea why this is going so well, but I am NOT complaining! <br /><br />My next surgeon check-up is Tuesday. Will probably take more photos then, but no promises!<br /><br />If you do view the photos, be nice!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-65460112041062655442011-03-04T17:17:00.000-08:002011-03-04T17:23:38.502-08:00Day 2 UpdateWow, blog fans! This is waaaaaay better than I expected! I am not going to say it' "easy" but from all I had researched on the topic, I was quite worried about the pain!!!<br /><br />Yesterday was my surgery--it was all pretty uneventful. They gave my some IV painkillers before I was sent home. I took the stairs to the basement one at a time, slowly, and made it to my awesome medical recliner to get cozy and comfy.<br /><br />My strategy was to immediately get some food in my stomach so that I could take a Percocet without getting sick. Well, my mouth was all messed up from the anesthesia and eating was not going well so I did not eat much. I immediately got sick. My surgeon was very interested in me not getting sick as he had sewn my stomach muscles together and that risks tearing the internal stitches. I got sick again about 6 hours later. My mom thinks it was my body getting rid of the effects of anesthesia. I got scared enough to not take more than just the one Percocet. I slept the night last night pain medicine free. <br /><br />I called the surgeon today and we agreed that Tylenol was an acceptable alternative because--shockingly--the pain is not horrible and he really doesn't want me getting sick.<br /><br />I am so so so happy that Tylenol only seems to be managing this!!!! Let's just hope it continues getting better and better!!!<br /><br />I go see my surgeon tomorrow! I am a bit nervous because I like not messing with the binder/gauze/wounds at all. They are in there all snug as a bug in a rug and I like it that way, but I suppose it must be done!!!<br /><br />Thanks for all the support! I may just make it through this...Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-18099650360352022812011-03-02T19:19:00.001-08:002011-03-02T19:22:15.440-08:00Tummy Tuck Eve...Tomorrow is the big day. I am as prepared as I can be. I only cried once and luckily it was in front of Devon. ::sarcasm:: He handled it well...<br /><br />The surgery is at 8am tomorrow morning. I hope to post periodically, but am making no promises! There are a LOT of factors at play in my recovery!<br /><br />I've worked so hard and waited so long--I cannot believe it is actually happening!!!<br /><br />Off to go wash with povidone-iodine (GROSS!)!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-28697165536875055302011-02-25T21:03:00.000-08:002011-02-25T21:19:33.772-08:00Last Friend Lifting for At Least 9 Weeks!!!Sigh. Tonight Devon "let me lift" with him (he corrected me when I referred to it as 'lifting together') for the last time for a bit. I will be off working out at all for 6 weeks and then cardio only for an additional 3 weeks. I don't want to talk about it. But I will be strong for you, the blog reader...<br /><br />Today was a "pull" day (plus calves and trapezius):<br /><br /><blockquote>HAMSTRINGS (Superset--done together):<br />Seated Leg Curls: 3 sets x 15 reps @ 60 lbs, 70 lbs, 70 lbs<br />BB Deadlifts: 3 sets x 10 reps @ 155 lbs (I am a beast.)<br /><br />CALVES:<br />45° Leg Press Calf Raises: 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs<br />Seated Calf Raises: 3 sets x 25 reps(!) @ 90 lbs<br /><br />RHOMBOIDS/REAR DELTS:<br />Seated Cable Row: 4 sets x 8 reps @ 70 lbs<br /><br />LATS:<br />Behind-the-Neck Lat Pulldowns: 4 sets x 15 reps @ 27.5 lbs each side<br /><br />TRAPEZIUS:<br />DB Shrugs: 4 sets x 12 reps @ 10 lb DBs, 25 lb DBs, 35 lb DBs, 10 lb DBs<br /><br />BICEPS:<br />BB Preacher Curls: 4 sets x 12 reps @ 45 lbs<br />Concentration Curls: 3 set x 10 reps @ 25 lbs</blockquote><br /><br />There are some notes that must be made.<br /><br />1. Did you see the 155 lbs on the BB Deadlifts? If not, look again. If so, look again!!! :)<br />2. 25 reps on the seated calf raises machine killed my calves. Devon went to use the little trainer's room during my second set. I couldn't raises my calves high enough to re-rack the weight. I thought about my options for awhile and just let it fall to the floor. Devon thought it was hilarious when he returned. He helped me re-rack after set 3. :)<br />3. Behind-the-Neck Lat Pulldowns are BAD! Do not do them! We simulated the motion by using a bi-angular lat pulldown. This way there is no bar involved and so you are less likely to jack up your shoulders. (Side note: I told Devon EVERY time his imaginary bar hit him in the head. Every time.)<br />4. I kept increasing the weights on the DB Shrugs because I could. 10 pounds was super easy. After the third set I talked smack to Devon about how easy it was and asked why he started me so low. He said most girls don't want to work that muscle and make it big. Gasp! He was right. I went back to 10s for the final set. :) Nice of him to let me keep working it to feel big bad and tough. Thanks for having my back, Devon...<br /><br />Next workout: unsure. Have surgery Thursday so am "taking it easy". I may cardio tomorrow. I may not. We'll see.Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-73481992710007064092011-02-23T17:34:00.000-08:002011-02-23T17:41:21.292-08:00Devon's Version of "Easy Lifting"On Monday, Devon and I discussed me taking it a bit easier up til my surgery. It was my idea. I thought it was a *great* idea. Devon agreed. Today was his first chance to write me an "easy" workout.<br /><br />Here it is, blog readers!!!! (Are you excited???? I certainly was!):<br /><br /><blockquote>BB Back Squat to Calf Raise x 3s x 15r @ 105-115 lbs (115 lbs)<br /> Side Lunge x 3s x 15r @ 25 - 35lbs (hold a weight plate) (35 lbs)<br /> Alternating Arm Standing Cable Row x 3s x 15r @ 25 - 35lbs (32.5 lbs)<br /> Medicine Ball Push-ups x 3s x 15r @ BW (one medicine ball under each hand; make sure the ball is hard)<br /> Chin-ups x 3s x 15r @ 100lbs or less (palms facing you) (100 lbs)<br /> Single Arm Standing DB Shoulder Press x 3s x 15r @ 15 - 20lbs (hold both up and then move one) (20 lb DBs)<br /> Alternating Arm Standing DB Biceps Curls x 3s x 15r @ 12.5 - 17.5lbs (15 lb DBs)<br /> Cable DB Kickbacks x 3s x 15r @ 12.5 - 17.5lbs (did not do these--ran out of time)</blockquote><br /><br />Wow. Thanks, Devon. What *exactly* did YOU think was easy about this, sir? The unspotted barbell back squats with over a hundred pounds on my back or the 45 push-ups done whilst balancing the majority of my body weight on two very round balls???<br /><br />Also, let's all laugh at Devon together: Cable Dumbbell Kickbacks??? How exactly does one use both dumbbells AND a cable at the same time? Silly, too-busy-to-pay-attention-to-details, Devon...<br /><br />Next workout: running with Amanda B. :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-11614313970974009872011-02-22T18:56:00.000-08:002011-02-22T19:02:54.650-08:00Some Good Old Fashioned B-BallToday was a cardio day, but I got a quite unnecessary snow day from work so I most certainly did not work out. I slept. I shoveled (that's work out-ish). I had lunch with a friend. I got my hair cut. It was wonderful.<br /><br />Tonight was my girls last basketball practice. For those who do not know, I coached a 5th and 6th grade girls basketball team this year for the <a href="http://www.upward.org/Site-Upwardorg/sport-Basketball.aspx?id=10031">Upwards</a> program at my church. My wonderful assistant coaches are Amanda F. and Amy (whom you all know well from working out with me). We are not the most informed coaches, but hey! there's a handbook AND we have heart. :) Our girls won their first game this past Saturday, bringing our record to 1-5-1. Yes, that is correct: 1 win, 5 losses and a good ole tie.<br /><br />As tonight was the very last practice, we decided to have fun. There was Knockout played. There were games of H-O-R-S-E. There were dribble race relays (involving break-dancing in the middle...naturally). And, there was a parent & coaches vs. the girls basketball game for the last 20 minutes or so. I participated in all of this. I declare THAT my cardio. :)<br /><br />Next workout: lifting tomorrow.Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-61351499245321186242011-02-21T15:57:00.000-08:002011-02-21T16:12:41.558-08:00Pushed It Hard During My "Push" Workout!Today was friend lifting with Devon. It's a push day (so that means Quads, Chest, Shoulders and Triceps). I really pushed some of the weights today and am quite proud of my numbers. :)<br /><br />The Lifting:<br /><br /><blockquote>QUADS:<br />Hack Squats: 3 sets x 15 reps @ 270 lbs, 320 lbs, 360 lbs<br />45° Leg Press: 3 sets x 15 reps @ 360 lbs, 450 lbs, 540 lbs (I kicked this exercise's butt. I'm just saying.)<br />Seated Leg Extensions: 3 sets x 15 reps @ 105 lbs, 110 lbs, 115 lbs<br />CHEST:<br />Incline BB Bench Press: 3 sets x 8 reps @ 95 lbs<br />Flat DB Press: 3 sets x 12 reps @ 30 lb DBs, 35 lbs DBs, 40 lb DBs (RAWR!)<br />Cable Cross Overs: 3 sets x 20 reps @ 12.5 lbs, 17.5 lbs, 22.5 lbs each side (Big Beefy Devon did all his sets at 22.5 lbs--which I did on my last set. No big deal.)<br />SHOULDERS:<br />Tri-Set (i.e. for the shoulders each set was all three exercises in succession, then a rest), all 3 sets x 12 reps:<br />*DB Side Raises: 7.5 lb DBs<br />*Standing BB Shoulder Press: 45 lbs<br />*Bent Over DB Flyes: 7.5 lb DBs<br />TRICEPS:<br />Cable Tricep Pushdowns: 4 sets x 12 reps @ 32.5 lbs, 37.5 lbs, 42.5 lbs. 47.5 lbs (<--that is a LOT for my little triceps!!!)<br />Bench Dips: 4 sets x 15 reps @ BW</blockquote><br /><br />What I am most pleased with is that the heavy weights were all my doing--i.e. I suggested it every time and/or negotiated with Devon who maybe thought I shouldn't do that much. I definitely had a winning attitude today which I feel like I haven't had for awhile. To be clear, I didn't feel GREAT the whole workout, but certainly pushed myself in spite of that fact. Specifically, I asked Devon if I could go up by 45 (vice 25) lbs each set for the leg press and it was my idea to try the 40 lb dumbbells on the DB Chest Press. Also, the triceps pushdowns increases were my idea as well!!!! :)<br /><br />On the first exercise, the hack squats, there was a man using it who apparently Devon knows. We "worked in" which means did our reps alternating with him. We were all loading the weights on and off and spotting/encouraging each other. Devon got to his last set which was an INCREDIBLE 720 lbs!!!! When we were loading the EIGHT 45-lb weight plates on each side, the man said: "That's why you'll never reach 6 feet, Devon!" Which cracked me up!!!!! Devon responded that he is "All thrill-a, no fill-a." Concentrated awesomeness, if you will. I was almost on the ground laughing. BTW, my big strong trainer did all 15 reps at 720 lbs (he claimed he may only do 8, but me and the guy cheered him on and he did it!!!!)!!!! I am super impressed. Along that same topic, on the DB chest press I was impressed with my last set being 40s. Devon did all 3 sets with EIGHTY pound dumbbells!!! Yes, ONE of his dumbbells was the sum total of both of mine on my heavy set. He's such a BEAST.<br /><br />I anticipate a lot of pain tomorrow, but the hard workout was worth it. :)<br /><br />Next workout: some sort of cardio tomorrow!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-79695020603104411502011-02-19T20:02:00.001-08:002011-02-19T20:18:02.045-08:00Cardio Kickboxing with Meagan!This morning I had a session with Devon--my LAST session before my surgery and so my last session for about two months!!!!--and Meagan joined me! Recall that Meagan is frequently referred to in the blog as DFAM (Down For Anything Meagan). She brought it today...as expected.<br /><br />Devon chose to have us do cardio kickboxing again. The first time was last July 2010, I did boxing only with Amanda F. Next it was kickboxing with Amy a month ago. Both times I was in incredible pain afterward. Today was more focused on the kicking, I thought, but since no one has been to more than one except for me, I have no one to help me compare them.<br /><br />Let's see if my memory can recall what we did at 0800 this morning... I remember a lot, but not all of it. Here is what I got.<br /><br /><blockquote>Sprints (across the room and back 5x)<br />8 lb Medicine Ball salm it to the ground to your side and then raise it over your head and do the other side (for 1 minute)<br />Supermans with the 8 lb Medicine Ball in our hands<br />Shuffling across the room and back<br />Prisoner squat position and travel across the room and back (super painful!!!)<br />Across the room and back switching from conventional stance to southpaw<br />Same as above but with jabbing<br />Jabbing across the room and back<br />Jab then crossing across the room and back<br />Jab/Cross/Kicking across the room and back<br />Retreat jabbing across the room<br />Roundhouse kicks leaning against the wall (20 each side, 2 sets)<br />Roundhouse kicks to Devon holding a pad (10 each side)<br />Bicycles (while the other kicked Devon)<br />Side kicks leaning against the wall (20 each side, 2 sets)<br />Side kicks to Devon holding a pad (10 each side)<br />Triple Crunches (while the other kicked Devon)<br />Hook/Uppercut/Roundhouse kick combos (10 each side)<br />Hook kicks leaning against the wall (20 each side, 2 sets)<br /></blockquote><br />Wowsas...that's a lot. And I *know* I missed some... :) It was kind of rough and I fully expect to be in pain tomorrow!<br /><br />During every kick set, my hamstrings were on FIRE! I reminded Devon that WE did the pull set last night and my hamstrings were in PAIN. He let me know that his hamstring didn't hurt to bad. Nice, Devon...YOU aren't kicking repeatedly, Jerkface. :)<br /><br />I am super impressed with Meagan keeping up. Way to go, DFAM! Devon kept telling her that she need to [kick|punch|etc] in front of her because that is where the opponent will be (she liked to fight an imaginary person to her side). I told her I knew her secret and if we ever went at it, I knew to hide DIRECTLY in front of her. I'm so mean... ;)<br /><br />Tomorrow is a rest day!!! Yes.... Then I lift with Devon on Monday...can I survive????Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-60218004587555411342011-02-18T20:09:00.001-08:002011-02-18T20:17:41.164-08:00Late Night Friend LiftingSince Devon bailed on Monday, we had friend lifting tonight. We agreed to meet at 7pm. I pushed it back to 7:15pm. Devon sowed up at 7:20pm. And ate dinner. Then he needed some time for it to digest. Then he needed to change into his workout clothes. At 8pm we began lifting. I left at 10:30pm. Awesome. I will be back at 8am for a training session with Devon. I am fairly certain this will not go well... :)<br /><br />The lifting (it was a 'pull' day with calves thrown in):<br /><br /><blockquote>Lying Leg Curls: 5 sets--12 reps @ 90 lbs, 10 reps @ 95 lbs (3 sets), 8 reps @ 100 lbs<br />BB Deadlifts: 10 reps @ 135 lbs, 8 reps @ 145 lbs, 6 reps @ 155 lbs, 4 reps @ 165 lbs, 2 reps @ 185 lbs (I AM A BEAST!!!!!)<br />Leg Press Calf Raises: 3 sets, 12 reps @ 270 lbs<br />Seated Calf Raises: 3 sets, 12 reps @ 90 lbs<br />Assisted Pull-ups: 4 sets, 12 reps @ 100 lbs assistance<br />Standing T-Bar Rows: 4 sets, 10 reps @ 50 lbs<br />BB Bicep Curls: 4 sets, 10 reps @ 45 lb BB</blockquote><br /><br />It was a tough workout today but no undoable. I am very proud of the deadlifting. Please, go back and check it out--I'll wait. :) You may notice that I upped the weight by 10 lbs each set until the end when I upped it by 20. I told Devon I could do it. He wasn't sure. I said, 'Fine. I'll do your pansy 175.' He told me to do it. AND I DID. Boom. THAT happened.<br /><br />Also, I mocked Devon's "psych himself up" routine as he began walking away from the machine and then back before every set. He told me not to mock his methods. I began doing random things before I lifted to mock him. He threatened to walk away, but never did. As I told him, he *always* come back. :)<br /><br />Next workout is sadly in 9 hours. Sigh. But Meagan will be joining me!!!! :)Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341210441765276765.post-64396274084769396022011-02-17T19:05:00.000-08:002011-02-17T19:08:17.862-08:00Ran Outside...Again!!!Yesterday I did not lift. I went to the gym but was not feeling well at all and Devon told me to go home. Well, he told me to eat something and then go home. I was looking rather "clammy" in his words. I'm not sure how to take that...<br /><br />Today, Amanda B. (<--a NEW Amanda!) ran with me. It was SO beautiful out, it was GREAT! We met up at the track with some good runners and we just ran/walked for 30 minutes while they did some tough guy workouts. Good for them!<br /><br />Amanda and I had some good chit chat time and got some good exercise!!!<br /><br />Next workout: lifting with Devon tomorrow night!Erin Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00860222138610280932noreply@blogger.com2