I found out a few weeks ago that my cholesterol is high (LDL's and triglycerides, HDL is good--total cholesterol is 201 so not too terribly bad). Given my family history (thanx, Mom! lol) they suggested I get this under control NOW rather than wait. They said diet, exercise, lose weight and come back in 6 months. THEN last week I find out I'm testing for my Senior III Brown Belt next month. YIKES! He's pushing me through so I'll be able to test for my Black Belt next year. So I joined a local gym last week. I'm taking a metabolism makeover class and I'm going to as many classes as I can (they gym membership covers most of the classes--Body Bar, Balls and Bands, Yoga, etc). I gotta say, Yoga kicked my butt! lol I had a fitness analysis Saturday as part of the metabolism makeover class and my body fat % is really high. The owner/personal trainer thinks I can take this weight off pretty easily, though. He said the karate is doing nothing for weight anymore (it is helping flexibility, strength and endurance, though). He said you really have to change your workout up at least every 12 weeks because your body adapts. I did a Cardio Bar class last night (with a weighted body bar) and am going to a Balls and Bands class tonight. Right now I have two writing classes left on Thursday nights and then I'm going to take the dance class. They're doing belly dancing! lol Should be fun. Of course I know the weight didn't happen overnight and it won't go away overnight. That's okay. It is kind of depressing that I'm the heaviest I've been since Randy was a baby, though. I can do this, though!!! I've been sticking to my new "eating plan" (not really a diet because I'm eating every 3 hours!) for over a week now. My jean/shorts are getting looser and my bra is fitting better (that's where I gain/lose first) so I know it's working. We are NOT to step on a scale until the last metabolism makeover class (6 weeks--July 29th) per our instructor's instructions so I haven't been on a scale since last Tuesday night. We'll see what that brings! I certainly won't be at my long term goal by then, but hopefully there'll be a good sized dent.

Anyone still here???

By Debbie on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 01:08 pm:

Cat, good to see you back.

I haven't been on in awhile.

Good for you on getting back on track. The metabolism makeover class sounds great!

I finally started exercising a month ago. I walk with my neighbor 3 days a week, and I do my strength training video the other 2. It has been almost a year since I have been in a good exercise routine. Between my plantar fasciitis, and then getting 5th disease, it has not been a good year for me health wise. I am determined, that 40 is going to be my year. I am loosing this weight by the time I am 41(that gives me until October)

I am not posting as much with the kids home, but I will try and check in more!

By Cat on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 05:54 pm:

It's great you're getting back into a routine. The health problems stink, don't they? They finally put me on medication for allergies and guess what? I don't have sinus problems anymore! lol My nose bleeds easily (side effect of the nasal sprays) but at least my sinuses aren't killing me. We didn't test for anything--we just did the "let's try this and see what happens" approach. Seems to be working.

I'm giving myself at least 6 months to lose the weight, if not longer. I have about 35-40lbs to lose. We'll see...

By Debbie on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 07:54 pm:

Cat, I now have 16 lbs to loose!!! I lost 4 lbs last month. I am trying to do it at a slow and steady pace, so it actually stays off this time.

We can do it together!!!

I'm glad you are feeling better. I remember all the problems you've had with allergies.