Proof of the Training Update

Wow, have been commuting by bike for a few days now and I'm SOO glad I did all the training earlier this term to build up to it! I can make the ride, even the hills (thanks for making me increase the resistance, Andrew!), and I have enough upper body strength to lift my bike when I need to now, something I couldn't do at the beginning of the year. The new place I'm living also has a weight room so I'll be able to continue working out and not let my training slide over the summer. I know the program is winding to a close but I'm committed to keeping up the good habits I've built this semester, and I appreciate the support.

JacqueG

Well I competed in the Tillman 4.2. Saturday.
Completed it in 1hr 3 min. My goal was 1 hr.
I am proud because last year I walked.
This year I jogged and brisk walked.

This has set  me up for next year. I am going to continue with the training and my goal for next year is anything under 1 hr.
The weekly workouts have truly helped me. My cardio has imporved.
I hate to see the class end.

JacqueG 

Free weights...what?

Ok...i've been working out on "machines" for several weeks, increased the weight, became comfortable, and felt stronger and stronger each week.  Today, Andrew said, "Oh yeah, we are doing the olympic weights today", it was now time for my workout on "free weights".  Holy moly, what a difference!  It was harder, more challenging, but I pulled through.  Working out with free weights really requires you to focus on form.  One thing I have learned is that it is good to switch things up (muscle confusion), so this switch was a GOOD one (muscles were confused). I had to focused on form, posture, and of course, had to have a spotter.  I am ready to finish out the semester strong, and I am continuing to look for opportunities to learn as much as I can before this program ends.  Back to work....

Proof of the Training

Well, my move is finished and on Monday (which is, by the way, Bike to Work Day), I will start commuting by bicycle! My goal for this semester was to be fit enough to stop driving to work and start commuting by bike every day, so I'm looking forward to experiencing the results of the training so far this semester. Wish me luck!

How Do We Keep You In the Program?

Hello again everyone,

I want all of you to tell me what can be done in the future to keep people in the Ready, Set, Goal Program.  I want you to be as honest as possible.  I will take some credit for the less then stellar assessment results, because some of you were already in pretty good shape and I didn't have you start doing higher intensity workouts until later, so for that I do apologize.  I know that many of the people have had really good reasons for dropping out of the program, but I want to know what questions we could ask to pick candidates that are not going to drop out unless something unforeseen occurs.  This isn't a knock on any of you that have dropped out this is simply asking you how we could improve the program and or the selection process.  Obviously life happens and things take us by surprise that we need to address.  It has been a pleasure to train all of you, and the ones that are not with us anymore your fellow Ready, Set, Goalers and I miss you and it is definitely not the same without you.  I wouldn't say it if it weren't true.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Food Diaries

I want all of you to write down everything you eat for the next 3 days.  I'm talking about sauces and dressings EVERYTHING.  I also want you to include how much your eating of each thing, is it a cup, tablespoon, ounce, etc.....  This will help me determine what foods are killing your progress and allow me to make suggestions.  When you write down what you eat I think it will definitely open your eyes to what may be causing the weight loss problem.  We should have done this sooner, but hopefully it will get you on track for the rest of your life.  Exercising and eating right does not stop when this program is over, but continues because it is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE not a 14 week change.  As always stay encouraged and I'll see you soon. 

Stepping up to the end of semester

Wow, the semester is really getting crazy as we push to the end; I'm sure everyone is feeling it. My boss called me this morning and said she had signed me up for a noontime seminar series (starting today) that would run for the next couple of months; I looked at the schedule, saw that it conflicted with Ready Set Goal, and asked her if I could either sign up for the next time the series is offered or do self-study instead, since I didn't want to bail on everyone. She said yes, so I'm still in the game. :) Keep up the good work on trying to change eating habits, everyone -- it really is the key to almost anything you want to accomplish in improving your body. I checked in with my endocrinologist yesterday and my insulin and sugar levels are better, so I'm going off diabetes meds, hurray! Next three months will tell whether exercise and diet alone will help me keep my health the way I want it to be. If I can do it, you all can do it too. :)