Weight Training with a Cold

As I've mentioned, I've had a cold for the last couple of weeks.  I'm starting to feel a bit more energetic, so today, while K did gymnastics, I sneaked away to the weight room for 15 minutes.  For the last couple of weeks, I've just helped out in her class instead of getting in any exercise.  Her teacher has appreciated the help with spotting the kids, but today, I felt a little selfish, and that's ok.

Even though I only sneak away for 10 - 15 minutes, I figure that it's 15 more minutes of exercise than I would have gotten in.  I took it a little easy today, but I'm glad that I made myself do it.

I've been trying to find a low-impact cardio class to do at the gym once a week for when I actually have the time to exercise and not just sneaking out for a bit during my daughter's class.  I've done a couple of water aerobics classes and enjoy them.  I plan on continuing trying out the different water aerobics class until I find one that is the right fit for me.  For now, I don't want to get anyone sick, so I'm staying out of the water, which I'm sure the elderly people in the class appreciate.

This cold and the 15 minutes of weight training wore me out, though!  I took a long nap after I got my daughter off to school.  Life's about compromises, I suppose.  I guess that 15 minutes of lifting weights was worth a 2 hour nap.  I'll see how motivated I feel once my kids go to bed and I might try to get a second round of Yogalates in this week.

Thanks for reading!

 - Hot-Mommy

Extra Customer Service

First of all, let me say that I've had a cold for the last 2 weeks, so I am a little sensitive and cranky.  If I sound extra neurotic, please chalk it up to this lingering cold.

I've noticed lately that many stores are trying to improve their customer service and be more personable.  I'm all for more associates being knowledgeable and available, but I'm not much with being too personal with strangers.  My goal in shopping is to get in and get out quickly.

I have worked retail for many years.  I worked in a deli where customers really did want to be known and get to know the employees.  It was a little odd at times, but I actually really enjoyed sharing the experience of my first pregnancy while working in that deli.  I had one customer, though, Mr. F., who really seemed to develop more and more of a crush on me as my pregnancy developed.  I wouldn't be surprised if he had some sort of a fetish.

Today, I stopped by a take-and-bake pizza place to pick up a pizza for the hubby and I to share.  Like I said, I'm a little under the weather, so I'm a little sensitive/cranky.  I think they're just trying to improve their customer service, but I don't really want to be on a first-name basis with the employees there.  As I've previously said, I'm not feeling well, and them greeting me by name made me question if the few times a year that I go there is too much.

That's my slightly neurotic rant for the day.  I'm going to try to get some rest.

Thanks for reading!

 - Hot-Mommy

Aqua Motion Review

Class:  Aqua Motion

What the class is:  water aerobics and stretching.  There are also water dumbbells that are used for extra resistance and stability.

Population of the Class:  mostly later middle-age-to-elderly women.  There were a few men of the same age group.  I was the youngest person in the class (beside the instructor) by at least 15 years.

Hardest Part of Class:  "Taco Sit-Ups."  They consist of floating and laying down in the water with the arms out with the water dumbbells and doing sit-ups by folding yourself in half with the torso and legs up.  These are intense crunches, not to mention trying to remain anchored and not drift aimlessly around the pool and bumping into everyone.

Sorest Body Part During Class:  the balls of my feet and my toes, in general.  I don't normally walk on my tiptoes, and despite being in water, my feet were about as sore as they were when I used to do ballet as a kid.  Specifically, the outer part of my left ball of my foot and pinky toe were the most sore.  The pool slopes slightly to become deeper, and I was over-correcting my footing by leaning on that side of my foot.

Sorest Part the Day After:  my lower back.  There were a lot of stretches that were done that were pretty strenuous, like the "cheerleader jump" (jumping and spreading legs/feet outward and touching the toes to the hands) and "forward jump" (the same thing, except stretching the legs straight forward to touch the feet to the hands).

Intensity:  7/10.  It was pretty gentle, but it is a surprisingly tough workout to work against water.

Rating:  9/10.  The class was fun.  It is a gentle, but effective workout.  I felt a bit out-of-place at first.

Would I Recommend the Class:  Yes, I would recommend this class to anyone that would benefit from a gentler workout.  Working out in the water is much easier on the joints.

Would I Take the Class Again:  Yes, I would like to try other water aerobics classes, as well.

Granny Swimsuit

For the last couple of years, I have used the same tankini and swim shorts.  I have lost just a little bit of weight so far, but it's been enough to make my tankini too baggy to wear anymore.  I found out about OneStopPlus.com a couple of years ago and have bought my (plus-size and hard to find) bras exclusively through them.  I decided to buy my swimsuit through them, too.  Ordering through them is cheaper, especially as I am shopping in the plus-size section.

My trouble areas are mostly my tummy and boobs.  I had my kids pretty much back-to-back and breastfed both of them as babies.  My youngest child is now 4 years old, and I still look like I'm nursing.  No offense to anyone that does breastfeed this long, but she's been weaned for quite a while now, and I hope to go back down really soon.  I was always told that boobs eventually go back to normal after weaning.  I'm not so sure about that.  I still have the same cup size that I did when I was nursing.

I chose a swimsuit that is a bright, tropical print.  It fits me fine through the tummy and even is roomy enough through the chest.  I'm pretty conservative, so I wish the top was a bit higher, but it is adequate.  I do need to take the swim suit in a little in the straps, though.  It's also a little loose in the hips, but I'd rather have too loose than too tight.

However, the swimsuit is a little granny-ish.  I immediately thought so when it came in the mail.  Of course, the model in the online calendar did not have my shape, and it did not appear granny-ish at all on her.  From what I can tell, OneStopPlus caters more towards middle-age-plus women.  But, when you're unemployed and overweight, paying lots of money for clothes (especially when you're trying to lose weight), isn't a fun option.

My opinion of my granny swimsuit was confirmed today when I swam at my local YMCA.  I had several older ladies ask where I shop.  I didn't really intend to me a trend-setter for the elderly, lol.  I do love the colors and print, though.  When I lose weight, and go down in size, I will buy a new swimsuit.

Here is my new swimsuit.  What do you think?  When I take it in a bit, I might take a pic of me actually in it.

Thanks for reading!

 - Hot-Mommy

Re-Motivated

I don't know about anyone else, but I like to have a concrete goal that I am working for, rather than a vague one, or I tend to slack off a little.  I was trying to lose weight before my friend, S's wedding that was supposed to take place in June.  A couple of months ago, S and her fiancee broke up amicably and called off the wedding.  Although I'd love to lose weight by swim suit season, that is still a little too vague of a goal date.

I found out last week that my family is invited to my hubby's cousin's high school graduation.  They live on the other side of the state, so we don't see his aunt and her family much.  Plus, some of his other aunts and cousins that I have never met will also attend the graduation.  My hubby and I have been together for 8 1/2 years and I have never met a couple of his aunts and their families.  I really wish I could have met my husband's extended family 8 1/2 years ago when I was thinner.  I know that they won't care what I look like, but who wants to have someone's first impression of you to be that you're fat?

This has definitely re-motivated me to up my weight loss commitment.  Of course, I would love fast results, but I am also trying to figure out what is the right program/class for me at my current fitness level.  I am going to be trying out various classes at my local YMCA to figure out what I enjoy and to mix up my routine, which is always a good thing.

Please check back here while I continue my weight loss journey and step out of my comfort zone by trying new fitness routines.

Thanks for reading!

 - Hot-Mommy