a beginner - ThinnerTimes

janine · 11-04-2007, 01:20 PM

I began my journey a year ago. I was practically forced to join the ymca by my dietician. It was part of the plan to get approved for RY. I hated it. it took 3 weeks to just get up the nerve to sign up. I had to walk in there amongst all those fit people and sign up. So, In I went with my head hanging low, only to my surprise when I looked up. I saw a large man on a stationary bike. I thought, "oh man! I will look like that!". then I saw a large woman (still smaller than me) walking on the treadmill. "oh.... gosh! will that be me?". So, I continue to sign up and have to ask the dreaded question, "Do you have someone to show me how things work?". The dreaded deed was done. after another 2 days I drag myself in there. I was embarrassed, not because I'm obese but because the guy tells me. "you should start off with 10 min of bike" then shows me how to peddle and get it started, how to set the settings and heart rate. 10 min. I thought,
<you've got to be kidding?> "and then 10 min. of walking on the treadmill" walking at turtle pace. ok.. so this is where I started. 3 x week. At first one week I went 2x but then I picked it up since I knew I had to get approved, not because I wanted to. after 2 months I added weights... After my 3 months were up I didn't go anymore. I decided to stop the freak show and start some walking around my neiborhood. My dh joined me a few times and said, "hey! your walking has really done you good, you haven't stoped to rest! It's working". My hips still hurt to walk but I was doing better. My husband only fueled the fire so, I organized a hike with some co-workers. I told them I was slow... so they didn't need to keep up with me, to go ahead and let me walk at my pace. We went to one of the local mountains, I didn't make it all the way up and was mad at myself. I went far enough but didn't make it half way. The rest of the group were disappointed and my dh said we all had to turn back. So, a week later we tried again. I went 3/4 of the way up that time and still didn't make it. DH didn't come that time, he was still upset about the first trip. One of the others in the group made it to the top but told the rest to turn back because it was "crazy!". 4 weeks later we all went to another mountain and 2 in our group made it to the saddle but not to the top. I only made it 3/4 of the way up.

So, now 4 months later I'm 12 days post-op and walking around my neighborhood today thinking about mount Picacho Peak (1780 ft <lift>) a three mile hike and this lead me to think about the Tortolita Mountain (1100' ft <lift>) that I tried 2 times and failed. Picacho peak was a shorter hike but straight up. the torolita hike was long and escalating. I'm going back in december to try again. Everyone that attempted it the first 2 times are going back with me. I'm so excited... I have alot of work to do to get to that point so I've decided to add a block every week to my walking to achieve this goal. I've got to be able to keep up with my buddies. They've continued hiking without me and have said, "no offense, janine, but you are really slow". So, while I understand... It has given me a goal. I'm really slow now but "Look out world I'm going to catch up!"

Gina in NY · 11-04-2007, 06:12 PM

You are going to be dropping weight, you're going to feel better and better and you are going to leave your friends in the dust. You just have to really believe that you can. I mean, I know you can. You'll have let go of that person who was so slow - that was an old you that won't exist any more. You'll have to push like never before, but it will feel great.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't - especially yourself!!

Go get em tiger!

porshh951 · 11-04-2007, 06:23 PM

Seriously one of the best posts i've read in here in a long time. You absolutely have the attitude. It takes amazing strength to fail and get back up. Once you've done it you'll learn you can do it again. You will make it if you keep your same drive and attitude I have no doubt.

What a wonderful joy for you to conquor something that had previously beaten you several times. You CAN DO IT!.

Its like gina said. Don't let anyone ever tell you, you can't do something. That most certainly includes yourself.

porshh951 · 11-04-2007, 06:24 PM

Also wanted to add. Don't worry about the pace of things right now. You will improve as the weight comes off and you gain more strength.

I'd be honored if you'd join our TT Gym Ratt club. I'd love to have someone like yourself part of the group.

janine · 11-04-2007, 11:24 PM

John,
I guess I feel I don't qualify to be a gym rat when I don't go to the gym. I have a ways to go before I'll ever feel comfortable in a gym. The gym experience for me was... well... I should say like a caged animal on display. I hated every waking min. of it. The only reason I went was because it was a requirement. I even fealt annoyed at other gym people. One lady actually put on her head phones while she jogged next to me on a treadmill and began to sing, dang she sang for 30 min. she didn't sound good, just thinking about it upsets me. Anyway, I've found something I do like to do. It's called Geocaching. I found it at geocaching.com I have a hand held gps locater and can go hiking to find and sign a logbook and trade small items. It's hide and seek for adults. What fun!

My challenge also involved geocaching since there is a log book at the top of both mountain climbs and I've got to do it to sign the book. I have so many other hikes I'd like to do. I just can't do them right now. So, the walk will eventually get longer every week. I walk every day 2x a day now for 20 min. each time. I get winded and have some pain in my hips and still in my left side but it's bearable.

I did find an exercize that is good for obese people having hip pain. It's easy enough to do.

http://www.privatephotoalbums.com/im...oM6SH&f_id=971

There are more but I'm not ready for them yet.

janine · 11-04-2007, 11:31 PM

Gina,
Thanks, I needed the boost! I was very discouraged at the first try and my husband was so worried that I'd get hurt. The 2nd try he didn't even come with us because he thought I was pushing myself too hard and I went anyway. He didn't talk to me right for 3 weeks... Now, I know he was right.. but I had to try again and I will be going back. He even went toward the hiking spot and looked at the tortalitta's again and said he thinks we should approach the mountain from another angle. He's coming around now that he knows I will be returning hopefully in december.

I will hold on to what you have said, "Don't let anyone tell you you can't - especially yourself!!". I was pretty upset the last time when I tried it for a 2nd time and still did not make it.

porshh951 · 11-05-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janine

John,
I guess I feel I don't qualify to be a gym rat when I don't go to the gym. I have a ways to go before I'll ever feel comfortable in a gym. The gym experience for me was... well... I should say like a caged animal on display. I hated every waking min. of it. The only reason I went was because it was a requirement. I even fealt annoyed at other gym people. One lady actually put on her head phones while she jogged next to me on a treadmill and began to sing, dang she sang for 30 min. she didn't sound good, just thinking about it upsets me. Anyway, I've found something I do like to do. It's called Geocaching. I found it at geocaching.com I have a hand held gps locater and can go hiking to find and sign a logbook and trade small items. It's hide and seek for adults. What fun!

My challenge also involved geocaching since there is a log book at the top of both mountain climbs and I've got to do it to sign the book. I have so many other hikes I'd like to do. I just can't do them right now. So, the walk will eventually get longer every week. I walk every day 2x a day now for 20 min. each time. I get winded and have some pain in my hips and still in my left side but it's bearable.

I did find an exercize that is good for obese people having hip pain. It's easy enough to do.

http://www.privatephotoalbums.com/im...oM6SH&f_id=971

There are more but I'm not ready for them yet.

Bring a gym ratt has nothing to do with being in a gym. Maybe I need to make a thread containing our mission statement or something. Our group is about bettering yourself through exercise whatever that may be.

Im sorry you don't feel like you qualify. I think you represent exactly the kind of person i'd want around.

You know how much of my workout is done in a actual gym? Maybe 5% if that.

Nyn · 11-05-2007, 10:32 AM

Wow, this is very inspiring! I think you are just fantastic. It takes a lot of courage to fail...and keep trying anyway. I love that attitude. And because of that attitude I am not even worried that you will make your goal. You totally will. And I can't wait until you do and then you post here all about it.

janine · 11-05-2007, 12:03 PM

well, I guess when I think of a gym rat I think of someone who is not a beginner. I find you and Gina to be awe inspiring! You two have really gone above and beyond. Not only loosing the weight but buffing up geez! I read alot of the posts and Gina has really .... I can't even put it into words. So, it sounds like to be a member of the Gym Rat Club all I have to have is an goal that includes exercising and work toward that goal. Whether it be walking to the mail box and graduating to the block. or walking the block and graduating to the mile, ect... If this is the Case then yes! I'm getting a bit nervous here and I don't know why. I guess I can be a Gym Rat! This in itself is a big decision and a big leap of faith. I've fought the weight for so long I still think I can fail, but try I will and if the pain goes aside I know I can reach my goal. I got to thinking about the december date though and it might be snowing up there on the mountain during that time. I'll just have to waite and see.