First personal training visit

I met with my personal trainer, J., for the first time today. We hit it off well and I think that he'll be good at keeping me motivated and on a good workout routine. Today we spent the first part of the session going over my background and he followed up on any questions that he had before getting me started with the exercise part of things. We spent the last 40 minutes on the elliptical machine and I tracked my heartrate with my new handy-dandy heart rate monitor. The kind that I have actually transmits to the machines, so I can see my rate at all times and my monitor beeps if I go over my high point. J. talked me through the workout and it went by amazingly quickly. I finished up by bicycling while watching a program video about getting started with the program.

I'll meet with J. again on Friday, and this time we'll add the weights into the mix, since we're through with the intro stuff. I meet with my nutritionist for the first time tomorrow. Tonight, I had a couple of pieces of toast with butter and jam. It will be my last grain serving for some time - until phase 7 if I remember correctly. I also had an orange. I won't get oranges back for a few phases either. They say that once you get balanced on this, a lot of your cravings go away, so I'm counting on that. I'll probably be a bit crabby for the first week while adjusting, so I've warned L. and he's prepared for things to be a bit touchy in the beginning. But, I'm optimistic that it will be worth it and at each phase, it will be a treat to add small things back into my diet.

Initial 20/20 Lifestyles Doc visit

I had my first appointment with my 20/20 Lifestyles doctor today. He spent a lot of time answering my questions and went over all of the test results from my lab tests and initial fitness appointment.

First the good:
I do not have sleep apnea.
My blood pressure is normal.
My cholesterol is awesome.
I do not have diabetes or early stages of diabetes.
My strength and flexibility are normalish for women of my age group (20-29).

Now the not so good:
My body fat percentage is 40%.
My cardiovascular health/endurance is very poor.
And of course, my BMI is too high (33).

All of these factors add up to why I'm there in the first place, which is to get back in shape, lose weight, and fend off any obesity-related diseases. My actual chronological age is 29, but based on these factors, they say that my actual body ages is 35. With the plan that they have set out for me, I can get to a body age of 21! Of course, this isn't guaranteed. I'd be happy to just have my body age be the same as my chronological age for a start.

Tonight, L. and I went to the grocery store and I stocked up on bottled water (I'm very picky about water), frozen berries, and lean proteins (chicken and turkey breasts). For phase one of this program, I'll be on a diet of high-protein shakes mixed with frozen berries, lean proteins, lots of water, and some supplements (multi-vitamin, calcium, omega-3 supplement, and fiber). Then in each phase (of which there are seven), I'll add back in various other food groups until I stabilize on each one and see what I react to. I actually think this will help me find some other food allergies that I'm not aware of. I already know about dairy and strawberries. So, we'll see what else there is. I basically cleared out my pantry, fridge, and freezer of anything and everything that might be remotely tempting. L. took most of it to his place so that it won't be wasted.

Last night I went to the first women's group session. Because of the snow, it was a slightly smaller group than our counselor expected. But that made it cozy and we all bonded pretty quickly. A few of the women are a couple of weeks into the program, so they all offered up some good advice for those of us just starting.

Tomorrow evening I meet with my personal trainer for the first time, and we'll go over the basics of my exercise program. I got a new gym bag and awesome workout shoes as a sort of incentive. I wore the shoes to my initial fitness appointment, and they were great. At any time, and especially at this weight, it's important to have good, supportive footwear. I got a good heart-rate monitor and pedometer to keep track of things as I go along. I've been wearing the pedometer for the last several days, and I've ranged from between around 4500 steps to 7500 steps a day. They want me to hit at least 5000 steps a day, so I'll need to work on the days where I fall short. This, of course, does not include steps in a workout which don't count toward the regular daily activity that is tracked by the pedometer.

More updates to come :)

Bill's last day

This is pretty funny :)

Thoughts about working out

This week I had my first counseling session and my initial fitness assessment for the 20/20 Lifestyles program. So far, I'm really impressed with all of the people I've met and with how efficient everything is so far. It seems to be very well run.

In my initial fitness assessment, they did the following:

• Took my blood pressure - normal, which is good


• Took my measurements


• Tested my upper body strength


• Tested my flexibility


• Tested my body fat percentage - yuck, but that's why I'm there


• Tested my cardio level on the treadmill


• Took my "before" picture


• Got my pedometer


• Borrowed a device to test whether I have sleep apnea

Next week, I go to my first group session, my first personal training session, and my first nutrition session. I talked to my trainer on the phone yesterday to setup our first meeting for next week. He seems really nice, and I hope that we hit it off well. I've done personal training in the past, and it's important to get along well with your trainer and get the kind of support that you need to be successful.

I can honestly say that I'm not big on exercise. In the past, when I've made a point of getting to the gym, I always came home wiped out. And when I tried to exercise in the mornings, I just slumped along all day. A lot of people talk about the rush they get from exercise, but I seem to have the opposite effect. That's why I've scheduled my workouts for the evenings. I can go to work, then head off to my workouts in the evening, come home and eat something healthy, and then pass out for the night.

I'm really not excited about having to work out at a gym. I find gyms kind of overwhelming. There are all kinds of machines that look like torture devices, and I look like a complete idiot trying to figure them out. Occasionally, a nice person will offer some help so that I can go on with pulling my muscles and reminding myself of how out of shape I am. I'm always thankful when I don't have to exercise next to a smug exercise addict - you know, the people who clearly live at the gym and they look at you like they can't imagine that anyone would exist on this earth who doesn't share their sense of excitement about working out? Those people baffle me just as much as I baffle them.

In truth, I'd love to just work out in my own little box and not really have to deal with anyone at the gym. But, then I'd never get anything done. The nice thing about having a trainer is that I'll finally learn how to use some of the new machines at our gym and figure out at what level I should be working out. That will help me to stop trying to pace with people I'm working out next to. It never fails that I get on a treadmill or elliptical trainer in a relatively empty section of the gym, and then a marathon runner comes and grabs the one right next to me and whirs away. It's really hard not to subconsciously speed up and then I wonder why I have no endurance a few minutes into it. As they explained to me today, the duration is more important right now than the intensity. The light bulb went on in my head.

Oh well. At least I'm going through this with a lot of other people who have similar or worse issues. It's kind of hard to go in thinking, "gosh, I'm overweight and I should do something about it" and then find out that you're actually obese. Yikes. I have to say that I don't think I look obese, but I've always carried my weight pretty well and I dress for my body type, so I think that helps. And they define obese as someone who is 30 pounds or more overweight, so I think a lot of people are actually obese that I would have previously characterized as overweight. It's all relative. But, I'm not too far over that line, so I'll be back in the overweight category soon enough and then in the healthy range in some time.

More about why I don't support Ron Paul

Disclaimer: For those who don't already know, web dev girl and I have been having an interesting blog conversation about Ron Paul. For the record, web dev girl and I are very good friends and I appreciate her desire and willingness to converse with me about Ron Paul and our upcoming presidential election. We do, in fact, differ wildly on our views in this and several other things from religion to politics, but I am happy to have a friend who, in addition to being one of the most helpful and giving people I know, constantly challenges my perspectives. I just wanted to put that out there, lest anyone should read back through the last several entries and comments and think that anything untoward was going on.

Ok, now this entry is part in response to my last entry and web dev girl's subsequent comment, and in part just a breakdown of my views of some of Ron Paul's proposed solutions to issues. All of my analysis is in response to the information Paul has posted on his site, http://www.ronpaul2008.com.

Web dev girl wrote:

It's a shame so many of the people who write articles, such as the one on Slog, rely on sound bites for their information rather than doing their research. Congressman Paul's position on both of the issues mentioned - earmarks and immigration - is far different from the picture painted by the sound bytes put out by the mainstream media and many others - and is one I think most Americans would agree with if they were given all of the data.

For example, Ron Paul is not against LEGAL immigration. He's all for immigration as long as people do so LEGALLY. He knows that the rampant influx of ILLEGAL immigrants not only threatens our national security, it threatens our way of life -- the very way of life immigrants seek to avail themselves of -- by putting an incredible strain on our infrastructure and our resources.

As for earmarks, Ron Paul believes voters should get to use their taxes. He simply wants to get federal funds back to his home state as a way for Texans to get something in return for their tax investments. He has openly criticized many of the earmark requests made over the years by many lawmakers, and claims the difference is the money benefits the people of Texas and not a limited number of supporters.

For the facts go to: www.ronpaul2008.com

Actually, the reason I agreed with the article on the Slog is particularly because of what I found on Ron Paul’s own web site and from interviews I have seen with him. The Slog entry and original article just summarized my own opinion about his views on the issues. It's really just a difference in framing.

For example, I think Paul is an alarmist about immigration. I find that a lot of people overstress the issue of illegal immigration as some huge threat and drain on society. Before I started my career in the technology field, I worked with immigrants for several years-trying to help them learn English, find work, and become citizens of the US. It is easy for those of us born in the US to take for granted how good we have it-even US citizens who are in the lower class. People who come here often cannot wait or may not have the resources to do so legally- at first. In addition, our economy relies, in part, on people filling the jobs that citizens do not want to do. And unfortunately, we do rely heavily on low-skilled and low-paid labor, especially in the agricultural sector.

Ron Paul’s six-point immigration plan won’t reduce governmental interference in our lives – it will increase it. Who else will be working on physically securing borders and coastlines (a stupid solution, I might add), enforcing visa rules, removing amnesty for illegal immigrants, ending birthright citizenship, and limiting the amount of immigrants that would be allowed with current reform proposals. Keeping people out is not the answer.

In addition, Ron Paul is against organizations that I support, such as ICC, WTO, NAFTA, and the UN. In an increasingly globalized world, Paul wants to remove the US from organizations that help partner countries from coming to agreements and enforcing those agreements. I don't think that a more nationalistic approach is in order in our life and times.

As far as his plan on taxes and debt, of course people like lower taxes. But I don’t want lower taxes to mean cuts in important social programs, which Paul wants to cut. And the fact that he's supported pork that benefits his home state of Texas rather than other states doesn't make him any different in that regard than other politicians. But, I do agree with Paul about the war – I’ve never supported the war, and that is what has caused us to go so far into debt. I just don't think that cutting social programs is the way to balance the budget - don't hurt people who need help the most. Of course there are people who take advantage of the system, and we need to figure out better ways of weeding those people out. But that doesn't mean that we should get rid of these programs altogether.

Also, Paul is very much against the Department of Education and suggests, “Returning control of education to parents…” while using his “authority to prevent the Department of Education from regulating home school activities.” While I disagree with the No Child Left Behind law, I don’t agree with undermining the Department of Education. There does need to be some standard of learning in the country so that we ensure all students get a minimum of education across the country. I just don’t agree with penalizing programs in poorer areas, and producing laws that give schools incentives to cheat when they don’t pass. And, I personally think that kids miss out when they are home schooled and never experience going to school. I think home schooling can be good, but it does cause a problem for socializing kids. I’m also not sure whether all parents are equally intelligent and open enough to provide a well-rounded education to their own children.

I’m also vehemently opposed to his defining women’s reproductive rights as his “life and liberty” issue. If anything, Row v Wade should be upheld so that the government (both federal, state, and local) do not interfere with a woman choosing her own destiny with respect to pregnancy and birth control. His following statement is completely ridiculous: “I am also the prime sponsor of HR 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn.” Ending the federal court tyranny and causing the deaths of 45 million of the unborn? I’m sorry, but no man is going to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body and any pregnancy. Until that embryo can live outside of my womb, it’s my decision, not the decision of the government. Period. He lumps abortion in with his issues of violence, crime, and murder. This is an anomaly and is not the job of the government-state or federal-to dictate women's reproductive rights.

His stance on the second amendment is typical republican mumbo-jumbo slamming those who support the right to bear arms along with safety and common sense legislation. He supports and works toward the repeal of many important protections we’ve gained, such as those protections under the Brady Bill, and opposes legislation which would keep dangerous individuals, such as those with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, from owning a gun. As I’ve written before in past entries, I think that we can uphold the second amendment without it being a blanket statement that everyone and anyone can own any kind of gun.

Exactly why I wouldn't support Ron Paul

I love the Slog. Since L. and I were gone for almost a week, I just finished catching up on some of the back entries. This one was particularly interesting from a libertarian commenting on Ron Paul, and the final comment (from liberal, Erica C. Barnett) is perfect:

"An inconsistent right-winger who, as I [Erica C. Barnett] wrote before, 'believes in slashing government where it actually helps people, and dramatically increasing the size of government to restrict rights he doesn’t agree with.'"

Barnett's original entry about Ron Paul was pretty good, too. That list pretty much represents why I can't possibly support Ron Paul. I really hope that he doesn't continue to grow in popularity, because I know that people want a change, but I'm not sure turning to a looney like Paul is the answer. But, that's just my opinion.

January 14, here I come!

I officially start the 20/20 Lifestyles program on Monday, January 14. For the 16-week program, I'll be doing the following:

Working out with a personal trainer in the evening on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Meeting with my nutritionist once a week after one of my personal training appointments

Meeting with a counselor on Thursday evenings

Meeting with a women's support group on Monday evenings

Working out on my own at least two other days a week besides my personal training sessions on M/W/F

After the 16 week program, I'll go into the 12-week maintenance phase, where I'll still work out with my trainer, and meet up with my nutritionist and my counselor, but on a slightly less frequent basis.

I'm so excited to get started, but I know that I'll go through moments where I wonder what the heck I've signed up for. It will be the most intense exercise and nutrition program I've ever done in my life, and I already lead a pretty busy life. But, in the end it will be worth it when I see and feel the results. And it will certainly get me out of work at a decent hour, which is always hard during a ship year, but I just can't wait any longer. After we ship one thing, there's always another thing right behind it. So, I just decided to bite the bullet and do it now. I realize that will change some of my habits as far as work goes, and will probably slow me down a little bit as far as promotions or things go because I won't be taking on so many extra things. But, maybe that's a good thing. We work in this really busy, fragmented, always-something-else-to-get-done kind of place and it takes its toll on a person.

I think this program will make a world of difference in my immune system, back problems, asthma, acid reflux, and migraines. Once I get all of the food allergies and such figured out, and get my body moving, I know that I'll feel better just by doing that. The weight loss will be just that extra benefit to help with my back problems and asthma. And I sincerely think that my immune system will finally start to improve when I take better care of myself. Looking back on this year, I've been sick once a month every month since August. And that doesn't count the flu and cold that I had at the beginning of the year. That's just awful, and I don't want to feel that way anymore.

I am hoping that I find some kinds of activities that I really enjoy so that I stick with them. I always hear about people who kind of get addicted to exercise, and I just can't fathom it. I hate working out with a passion. Anything I can do to make my life less active, I'm all for. So, the cool thing about this program is that your trainer helps you to find activities that you're interested in so that you stay with them. I want to do some swimming, because I've always really enjoyed swimming. And I have a friend who wants to try some group classes with me, such as step aerobics (which I like, because I like dancing) and pilates, so that will be good. I feel more motivated when I have a friend because it doesn't seem as much like work. I might also pick up a fun activity, like badminton or something where I meet people who like to play. My friend really likes squash, so I might try that with her. It seems a little bit less painful than raquetball.

Anyway, I want to go into my 30s a much healthier person than I've been in my 20s and make that something that I can maintain for my lifetime. Wish me luck!

Christmas recap

L. and I had a very nice Christmas celebration with family and friends this year. On Saturday night, we got together with Kati, S., and K. for dinner at Beppo's and games at Jillian's in downtown Seattle. I hadn't seen any of them for at least a few months, so it was good for us to all get together and catch up. I actually did well at pool this time, but sucked at air hockey. I'm amazed at how sore my arm was the day after air hockey. I can definitely say that I really get into the game.

On Sunday, L. and I took it easy because he was getting over a cold and I was just getting into one. We went to a couple of places to finish up some last minute shopping, and stopped by my cousin's house to drop off some presents for them to take over to my family in Eastern Washington. Little T. opened his presents while we were there so that I could see his reaction. I got him a couple of tee-shirts from my various trips this year, and he thought they were cute. But clothes never get as big a reaction as toys when it comes to little kids; clothes tend to thrill the parents, though.

On Christmas Eve, L. and I made our way down to Federal Way to spend the evening with my dad and step mom's family. We had the traditional prime rib dinner, complete with everything you'd love to gorge yourself on. I had a great time, despite the fact that my cold continued to worsen and I didn't feel so great after stuffing myself that night. I got to thinking about it, and I hardly ever eat red meat anymore, so I wonder if that had something to do with it, too. I love a good steak, but only eat one on rare occasions, and I never feel that great afterward. I'm not vegetarian or anything, but I gave up eating hamburgers and such a long time ago.

Yesterday, we went to my mom and step dad's house for Christmas Day celebration with my sisters. My sister L. brought her new boyfriend, R. My sister P. brought over my niece and nephew, and her husband ended up showing up after all. It was a good day, overall, and I'm still hopeful that she and her husband will work things out. It's still very iffy, but I'm praying for them.

As usual, I was totally spoiled. Tonight I sat down and wrote out my thank you cards as I was putting things away. I always have a hard time finding places for everything, and of course you always end up with one thing that you're just not sure what to do with. But, it's the thought that counts, so I'll try to figure out how to use it or give it to someone who can use it.

L. gave me a set of beautiful earrings and a necklace from Something Silver. And he got me a Lorac makeup set and the Jean Paul Gaultier Classique perfume that I had my eye on. He also went out and got me all of the Smashing Pumpkins albums and singles from their last release (since they released several different versions with varying bonus songs and I had only gotten the one from iTunes). He was really cute about the CDs, too. He wrapped each one individually, and then wrapped them altogether so that I was thrown off the scent.

I stayed home from work today because I was still fairly sick. Yesterday was fun with the family, but I slept a lot in between the festivities because I wasn't feeling well. I slept until after 3:00 PM today, but felt a bit better after waking up, so I must have needed the rest. Hopefully I'll feel even better in the morning because I am going back to work for Thursday and Friday before we leave for Montana.

Hope that everyone else had happy holiday celebrations as well!