"Eight Weeks Till Race Day..." by Kari Crowell, Gold's Gym Member

I’d say recently I’ve discovered just how goal oriented I am. Before the Challenge, it was easy to say or think that I’d like to lose weight, eat healthy or get in better shape. The problem was, not being able see the path to my motivation to reach those goals. I learned during the 12 weeks how to set smaller goals to bounce forward to the next goal, till I got where I wanted to be. It’s hard to imagine myself back in October when we joined Gold’s, I’m simply not the same person, it feel’s fantastic knowing I’m taking better care of myself for my future years and goals.

But, to see where I’m at today and where I need to be on July 18th for the “Tri,” seems like a tremendous task at this point. It’s where the OH MY’s set in, “what have I gotten myself into.” I feel as if I’m at a disadvantage at this point with my poor cardio abilities. Whenever I start pushing myself too much, I feel like a fish out of water, sucking in for air, winded and out of breath. It’s going to be a hard eight weeks for me but I’ve set some small goals in place for now in order to cross that finish line on July 18th.

I get asked a lot “what do you eat” or “what did you do” to loose the weight. While I think my metabolism and diet played a huge part and maybe a bit of luck thrown in, I did rely heavily on my work-outs with my trainer Coby and Tracie. In which I’m extremely grateful for, I could not have done it with out them! From day one cardio was placed as my priority “45 minutes a day.” It’s getting much better, just at a snails speed, patience! If this can help I‘d like to answer and without going backwards, to what I did, show what those smaller goals are for reaching this next big goal- This week they are; Swim 2 hours, Strength Train 2 hours, 1- Spin Class, ride the loop on Saturday, ride an additional 30-40 miles in the gym, Walk 10 miles and Yoga classes as time permits! It averages out to 1 ½ hour’s a day with a break on Sunday, not too bad yet!

As for diet, my husband and I have learned to keep things fairly simple most nights with a really great salad, we eat a mostly vegetarian diet with a bit of chicken or extra lean ground turkey now and then. Our daughter has her own menu which I admit I give into! I use sparkpeople.com to track everything I eat and all my workouts. I found their free web-site very user friendly for a novice like myself. With a great assortment of reports, you can track anything from sodium intake to how many miles you rode or walked each day and it’ll show how many calories you burned doing so. I love it! Here’s what I did last week;

Week #1:

My daily average caloric intake was 1418, it’ll be more when I’m working out harder.

Average calories burned during 5 days at the gym 250 (I don’t enter everything I do in a day, just exercise time AND this is extremely low due to lack of abilities)

Walk- 5.25 miles Bike- 35 miles Swim- 12 laps with the use of assorted swim aids.  Strength Training- 2 hours

I’ve always enjoyed giving or helping others, so with this opportunity I’m so grateful to be sharing my new goal with others and hopefully inspiring someone to maybe “tri” something new! If I can do it, anybody can do it! If you have any questions please ask me, I’ll do my best to answer them.

“Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.”  Bear Bryant

Comments

[Darcy]

Karim,

I work out on a very regular basis, but I have to tell you that reading your post tonight inspired me to get on my bike, and 'get my time in'. I'm rehabbing a knee, so slacking is not an option, but finding the time on any given day can be a challenge.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Happy Training,

Darcy
Gold's Gym of Wenatchee Personal Trainer

[Darcy]

Kari,

I work out on a very regular basis, but I have to tell you that reading your post tonight inspired me to get on my bike, and 'get my time in'. I'm rehabbing a knee, so slacking is not an option, but finding the time on any given day can be a challenge.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Happy Training,

Darcy
Gold's Gym of Wenatchee Personal Trainer