Two Steps forward ... Three Steps Back

Dear Emmie,

Friend I'm sad. :-(

About 5 days ago, I felt some tightness in my left knee. Because of this inconvenience I was not able to work out as much. I can't believe it ONLY took two weeks for me to hurt myself working out. I honestly didn't know what to do, until I spoke to a Physical Therapist at the gym.

He stated that I could just be overworking my body; that my body/knees aren't used to the force being applyed to them. He also suggested that I not do rigorous exercise for a few days (meaning the eliptical machine, zumba, any high impact cardio), and ice my knees. I was told that if the tightness goes away, or reduces, then I should be fine. I would just need to alter my day to day work outs. However, if my knees still bother me, then it could possibly be something worth going to a doctor.

Emmie, I would be lying if I told you I was NOT worried. I was concerned that I might become lazy again and that the time I spent working out and eating healthier, would've been a waste. I almost felt defeated in a way. But after I went through my moment of dispair I realized that I am stronger than that. I had and an epiphany ... I am SO tired of being stuck in my old ways that I OWE it to my body to become healthier.

"I iced my knees until they were numb!!" AND ... after a few days of constant icing, and proper stretching, the pain reduced. So I celebrated by buying some new work out sneakers. Nothing fancy of course, but I needed some shoes with more support. When I finally went back to the gym to work out (2 days ago), I fell in love with my sneakers. They were O SO comfortable ... like I was walking on a cloud. Amazing!!

Well Emmie, this is it for my update today, but until next time ...

L.Y.M.E.D

~*MJ*~

Dear Emmie,

As you know I am on a personal Quest to become a healthier, leaner version of myself (MJ 2.0). So I made the decision to change my eating habits and also create a daily work out regimen. Now you of all people know how difficult this is for me!

I am going to work out at least 5 days a week. [Crazy, Huh ?] And each day has to be fun and worth the sweat. SO yesterday I went to a Zumba class, and I actually enjoyed the work out. One main reason why I enjoyed working out, my friend Dej was also able to come with me. Now is it just me, or is it easier to endure exercise when you have someone else to work out with?

I enjoyed the music and I had a ball dancing and laughing w/ Dej :-) SO MUCH FUN!!! Some of the moves were a little tricky, especially the footwork, but I eventually caught on. (I'm definitely going back again!) I attached some pictures of my experience at Zumba class. Don't laugh because some of these picture are NOT flattering.

Well This Is Me Signing Off, Until Next Time That Is!!!

L.Y.M.E.D

~*MJ*~






Me & Dej Actin' Foolish after Zumba



Emmie

As I continue to write these entrys ... I mean Updates on my progress, I feel that I am not connecting wholeheartedly. Now I am definitely exposing a side of myself that I would never have in the past BUT still something is missing. Maybe its the fact that I feel like I'm talking to nobody. SO ... from here on out I'm am going to take a que from Anne Frank.

Just like her famous diary, I am going to name my blog AND each entry/update on my life will be like a personal letter that I am writing to a friend. Just catching up on my life! From here on out I will refer to my entries as ... EMMIE!!

Today Was A Good Day ...

Today was a Good ... NO a Great ... WAIT ... a Progressive day at the gym.

NOW before I go into detail about my day/work out, I first want to recap with you ... Even though I started writing down my experiences two days ago, I've actually begun "Being A Better Me" (AGAIN!) for about two weeks now. And on days when I don't have a work out class, I usually work out on the machines. TODAY was one of those days ...

Today I decided I was going to work on my cardio ... SOOO ... I got on the Elliptical. I was completely Shocked! at the progress I've made in less than 2 weeks. Muscles that I never knew existed started to feel the burn. And even though I was physically tired, I was also excited that in 28mins I was able to jog/run some serious distance. Almost 4 miles to be exact!!

Check It Out for yourself!! STILL a Work & PROGRESS!!

 

 

*Sorry If A Little Blurry*

 

 



The Beginning...

After months and months and months of telling myself that I need to be healthier, I finally listened. I was tired of looking in the mirror and not being happy with what was staring back at me. So I decided to make a change.

Not one of those lose 10 pounds so I can fit into this dress fades, but a "Lifestyle Change!" I am determined to be healthy so I can continue to live my life to the fullest and not be hindered in any way by my weight. It's NOT gonna be easy, by any means, and I will probably have days where I question if its all worth the sacrifices. However, this blog is a way for me to accurately document my success and my downfalls, and encourage me to keep going until I reach my goal.

SOOOO ....  To get started the first thing I did was weigh myself. AND... that was a little depressing!! After I stepped on the scale and adjusted the weights, I had a reality check. I WEIGH ............ dun dun duuuunnnnnn ..... 237lbs!!!! I have some serious work to do ...