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CHICAT63's Recent Blog Entries
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Monday, April 22, 2013
On March 14, 2013 I turned 50 and for the longest time I avoided something on Sparks to update my Ticker. You see I am coming clean for 2013...in 2010 before my wedding I was 252 pounds by July 2011 I was down to 187 pounds. In 2012 I coasted between 189 and 193 which I thought with the scale I had at home. Oddly, though at the gym my weight depended on the scale (there are 3) between 193 to 200. To be honest I didn't really want to pay attention to it.
Last summer I participated in my first "Tri-A-Tri", it when I saw my photos from the event I was so depressed. Then when the fall season came around when I took out my winter clothes, there were all too tight I knew there was a problem. Finally, purchased a new scale and I was devasted my weight was up to 212 ! Plus I noticed more and more I was having night sweats, dear pre-menopause had started....
Even though I worked out, wrote in a journal nothing was happy on the weight loss side. At the end of January, I started to go to a Athletic Perfomance Center for boot camp training. It's tough, I sweat buckets, I had to re-adjust my eating to eat more *gasp*. I am eating more high protein, low carbs.
So in March when I turned 50 I was down to 202 pounds, now I am back down to 197 - 100 pounds lost I swear I have lost and regained during the course of my life the same 125 pounds. Nonetheless, this time I am being true to Me ! A couple of weeks ago, I was able to do 9 chin-ups assisted of course but never in my wildest dream ever did I think I could achieve a chin-up ! Never stop believing in yourself.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Me – Very Bad Blogger it should have been posted a long time ago. However, if it can encourage someone to challenge themselves for 2013 even better !
My Tri-A-Triathlon – Saturday, August 4 2012
On Saturday August 4 2012, I participated in my first ever “Tri-A-Triathlon” which entailed the following: Swim – 200M, Bike – 20 Km and Run – 2 Km.
Had I trained? Yes, but not enough in one particular area – Swimming! In all honesty, the most difficult thing of the whole event was the weather; it was extremely hot & humid. The temperature registered between 98 and 104 degrees with 65% humidity. I had brought a little cooler filled with: Four 500 ml water bottles, frozen water/PowerAde zero mix bottle for bike portion, frozen PowerAde Gummies: Strawberries and Banana flavor, frozen 1L water bottle and two hard boiled eggs.
On the Friday night I had prepared everything, checked my bike when hubby decided to put some air in my tires. Well, he put in too much and one of my tires blew-out. I panicked going: “OMG, I have a flat” it was already 19:00, rush to store, get new tire, got that fixed.
Saturday morning I was up at 04:45 and I had to leave the house by 06:00 to be able to get some parking because I had no idea where the event was even if I live in the region. Luckily, I got there at 06:30 got some parking in the closest lot to the event. I walked around picked-up our event kits, my niece and twin sister arrived. My niece and I walked around, went and got our timing chips, we did our markings we were so excited it was our first Triathlon.
The start time for our event was 10:07, as indicated at the orientation session we headed to the beach to wade in the water for our bodies to be accustomed to the water temperature. Then next thing we knew we were off, my main fear was getting water in my left ear (**see note at end of blog) I struggled in the water because I had to wear the event issued bathing cap, which did not cover properly my ear, thus, I felt the cold water seeping in my ear. At one point, I did not think I would make it I was freaking out, there was a woman that kept hitting my legs but my niece and I would encourage one and another. Finally, out of the water we had to run 1.2 Km to the transition zone.
Do my thing, put on the socks, the running shoes, helmet, do not forget strap if not will be disqualified. Shoved 2 gummies in my mouth and some water, oops forgot to put on top, which cannot leave transition zone without top again would be disqualified. You know the saying “Pedal to the metal” well, I biked that 20 Km like the wind! I looked at my computer on my bike I was reading 4.9 K, then 10 K I am saying to myself OMG I am half way done. I had started my Polar in the water it could not be I would finish in less than 2 hours or less.
Got distracted by some volunteers as I was coming in from the bike part, I did a small loop I should not have. Got to the dismount zone, helmet off, tried to drink some water/PowerAde nope, I was too hot it was not going down. I started running while putting on my running cap. I swear it was the longest 2 Km of my life, the heat, the sun, no wind, no water and no music!
All along the way, I was being encouraged by all, athletes, friends and their families. There was two men in particular who were doing the Olympic Sprint Triathlon; they both encouraged me on the bike part and the run part.
A couple of lessons learned:
1 ) Swimming: Train more;
2 ) Swimming: Wear my own bathing cap under Event issued-one;
3) Wear a sleeveless tech shirt especially in hot weather;
4 ) Practice drinking from water bottle on bike;
5) Practice running without music *big sigh*
I usually do not promote products but I have to say Body Glide for Her works amazingly well. I was scared I would chafe underneath my arms, sides of sports bra and especially my thighs where the chamois was even though my bike shorts are equipped with a fast drying chamois. The one I purchased came in the form of a stick, I applied it everywhere I felt material *lol*. With the extreme heat and perspiration it worked AWESOME, no redness, no soreness, nothing !
My official time was 1:02:54 – I came in 3rd out of 55 women in my age category.
Will I do it ever again, really don’t know but never say never !
(** ear note: At the age of 19 I had major ear surgery a 18 hour one. My ear canal was made bigger which also means as soon as water or a gust of wind hits my ear canal I get vertigo so while in the water I can blackout, vomit and even drown, you know all the fun things you what to happen to you.)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Oh, my I haven't blogged in such a long time I know I am bad at blogging.
Yes, Sparkies in 25 days I will be participating along with my 18 yr old niece in our first "Tri-A-Triathlon" on August 4. The event is as follows: Swim - 200M, Bike: 20K and Run: 2K.
Am I scared of failing?  Yep !
Have you trained?  Well sorta of.
Running:  yeah no problem logging on average 12K a week;
Biking:  yeah no problem logging on average over 40K a week;
Swimming:  - Houston we have a problem ! Apart from doing laps in my sister-in-law's pool, no training.
Of course I have two excuses *lol* until now, the first one being our local pool was closed for maintenance and has just re-opened. So I can go & do lengths Mon., Wed. and Fri. from either 06:00-07:50 or 20:00-21:20. And the second excuse being I had not gone and buy the ear putty I need for my earplug.
You see I had major ear surgery in my left ear when I was 19 so yeah OMG 30 years ago (I admit it I am 49) and they made my ear canal bigger to allow to have surgeries via the canal instead of opening-up the back of my ear again. I need that earplug if not if water gets in, automatic major headspin, nausea, possible vomitting and drowning did I mention there was drama.
No more excuses I am going tonight with hubby and I am making a promise to myself and to all of Sparkland I will be hitting the pool starting Friday morning.
EDIT: I did go to the pool & swam 50 laps = 1000 Meters in 40 minutes !
Sunday, December 18, 2011
This happened to me last Friday, December 16, 2011:
Friday at the gym, a regular morning person Mrs. Ryan came to see me. She is a former gym teacher, the day before it seems she was at one of the local grocery stores and she encountered two morning regulars (older gentlemen). Anyhow, I don't know how I came about on the subject but they asked her if she knew " The short little lady with amazing hair/curls " both told her how they were in awe of me ! They find it awesome on how diligent, focused I am and strong *lol*( Incline Bench Press: up to 75 pounds and Leg Press: up to 300 pounds, Deadlifts with bar: up to 135 pounds). They have been watching me go at and were too shy to tell me themselves.
Now, Mrs. Ryan is quite the outspoken one. She knows that my husband is younger than me, that he works for city on shifts, I do all the work around the house including shovelling, snowblowing and cutting the grass. She told them that indeed, I knew what I was doing, I train hard and intensely. I was really focused and knowledgeable, I was always changing my routine, oh, plus I was a runner I had several 5Ks under my belt and I ran some 10Ks unofficially. She ended up the conversation by telling them I had lost more than a 100 pounds, that I was married to a younger man *lol*. In addition, I should become a personal trainer one day. Last thing, they should offer to spot me once in a while !
It was so funny and cute, she told me she was so very proud of me and was ecstatic that my efforts were recognised by the "Men" on the other side of the gym because she always train on the Women's side. It made my day, hell, it made my year. I blush profusely and thanked her very much for sharing that with me.
Even though, I am finishing off the year not being at my goal weight. I know I have accomplished lots this year and yeah, it's just a number. My measurement have gone down, my clothing size have gone down.
So for all of YOU struggling, you are not alone !
Photos courtesy of: believetoachieve.tumblr and other site I cannot remember.
Monday, August 29, 2011
A little background on this, physical I am a typical pear shape = lower body wider and heavier than upper body. In addition, I am not tall barely 5 feet. So at times some workouts can be challenging to say the least. I have never been one to say " I can't do it " physically I will try anything once, twice even three times before saying " I can't ". I am part of a fabulous fitness team on Facebook and here on Sparks. Yesterday, I had a challenge the " Giddeon Leg Assault " workout. At first, I freaked out because I just recently changed my training schedule Sundays are now a run day. Here I was pondering, " Oh, my...Walk the dog, then my run, then the Giddeon and yes I did freak-out just like the song goes...FREAK OUT.
I did walk the dog for 30 minutes, came back ingested some protein, waited a bit, went out and ran a 5K which I shaved off 2 minutes on my previous time (now 38 minutes). Then filled my huge water bottle and headed outside on my deck to start this:
The Giddeon Leg Assault:
- Jump Squat for 30 seconds - record number of your reps;
- Body weight Squat for 30 seconds - record number of your reps;
- Wall Squat until failure - record time;
Rest one or two minutes and START all over again for a total of 5 TIMES !
The first set was tough, second one got better, third set was better, fourth set was great and fifth & final no longer could feel the pain. No Pain, No Gain right ? I did notice with each set my reps and time was getting longer.
The pain you feel today, will be the strength you'll feel tomorrow " - Unknown.
Last night after a long hot shower, I was shuffling. Today, I am a touch sore but I am FRIGGING proud of myself. Hoo-Yah Don't tell me I can't do it.
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that must of been a great pick me up 
Totally Inspiring!! 
Member Comments About This Blog Post:
my butt 
You are 
