Weight in the News

The biggest story this week? Dr. Oz.

Dr. Oz just announced his "Transformation Nation" program. He is giving away 1 million dollars to one lucky loser all you have to do to be considers is weigh in this week for free at Weight Watchers, ending October 3rd. Then try to lose 10% of your body weight by April 2nd, then weigh in for free again between the 2nd and the 9th. Then you are entered in the contest.

The million dollar winner will be announced in May. I decided that since I was already trying to lose weight I might as well sign up and try to win. But do you think this will motivate people to Lose? For more info just click below.

On a personal note I am taking a part-time position just to keep the wolf at bay until a find a new job. But I am nervous that working will sabotage my weight loss; I started this diet expecting to be unemployed for a while. So let's consider this PT job a test run.

I will be a companion to very independent 98 year old lady. She still lives on her own but had a fall recently. Fortunately she wasn't injured, but being alone all day every day is making her family(who lives next door) worried. During the day I will be there to listen to her stories, do the heavy housework, and maybe learn a thing or two from her.

I am looking forward to the stories most of all. I used to teach a seniors fitness class in Boston years ago. I got a listen to stories from woman who actually was a stewardess during the cold war and she had actual run-ins with spies. I met a woman who wore heels every day of her life until at the age of 97 she had a fall and injured her hip. After that the doctor told her to wear flats and she could keep on doing everything she was doing. I met a woman who went back to college at the age of 72, she attended Boston University and became an artist.

It is stories like that I hope to hear. Wish me luck on losing weight and working at the same time.

My workout routine

"Start by doing what is necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - St. Francis of Assisi

For me what is necessary is my daily workout. It seems to give me a sense of calm, and focus, something I lacked when I wasn't working out. I have to say it showed in my work.

I have been working out religiously now for 3 weeks and it feels good to get back in the swing of a regular workout, I find I have more energy to look for a job, and maintain my diet. Without exercise I think I would have already failed at trying to lose weight again.

So here is my beginner's routine. Now I should note that I had some level of fitness despite my obesity because I did workout sporadically and make an effort to walk everywhere I possibly can.

Monday - 30-45 minutes of walking, and lower body strength training.

Tuesday - 30 - 45 minutes of Swimming laps, 5 minutes of Abs(from my Ab Workout App)

Wednesday -20-30 minutes of Elliptical, and Upper body strength training

Thursday -30-45 minutes of Swimming laps, 5 minutes of Abs

Friday - 20-30 of elliptical and Core strength training

Saturday - 20-30 minutes of a leisurely swimming or water exercise

Sunday - 30 - 60 minutes Leisurely walk around town - window shopping - or in a local park

If you notice Saturday and Sunday aren't hard core exercise just something to get my body moving in the AM. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my strength training days and Tuesday/Thursday offers some hardcore swimming which gives my knees a rest, but also burns major calories. Swimming 1 mile is like running 4 miles.

This may seem like a lot, but if all I can do it 10 minutes I would do that and call it a day, just as long as I get something in. Fortunately I get to burn extra calories while I am unemployed. Of course it is important to change your routine so your body doesn't adjust. So at the end of 4 weeks this routine will change. I am thinking I might like to add in some Zumba.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Hopefully with a new workout routine will come the possible and then the impossible.