Sort it out, find what works for you and make it happen...

 This caught my eye, because like the rest of the human race I am always trying to "find the time".  Chris has some viable, useful suggestions.  As for me, I made the decision to work out on my elliptical before I eat.  No workout... no eat. Keep in mind I work at home.  This could be a bit more challenging for those of you that do not. 

I am planning on adding Turbo Jam and or Hip Hop Abs back into my weekly routine. I had thought of pushing play in the evening.  Unfortunately that does not seem to work for me, I am an excellent procrastinator.  Both workouts are excellent; and I have wonderful results from them. But trying to get myself to do them in the evening is an exercise in futility at this point. 

Soooooo.... I will be more than likely adding them to my morning workout.  The workout before you eat... no workout no eat time of day for me...lol...  It's what's working for me now.

When I get into serious distance training for the marathon and/or century bike ride this will not be a viable technique.  I will need to eat before I  head out and take energy  and hydration with me.  Although I will probably keep up the workout before you eat for my morning workouts.  I must admit I feel sooooooo much better throughout the day when I've worked out in the mornings.

Sort it out, find what works for you and make it happen...

Life is a journey, how you travel is up to you.
Mary E. Robbins
307.788.0202
Robbins Run Ranch

Finding The Time To Be Active...

Posted by Chris Freytag at 4/28/2010 5:12 PM CDT

Time, time, time…where does it go?  Do you ever feel like you just don’t know how you are going to fit one more thing into your day, let alone a workout?  It is a common complaint!  People often ask me about time management and how I do it being the mother of three, working and staying fit. 
The answer is not only do I map out my days to include exercise breaks but I have also organized my life so I’m always ready to get up and get moving when the opportunity presents itself.  I try to manage my days and not let my day manage me (although there will always be those days where life just takes over)!
I thought I would share a few of my favorite time saving tips with you, or I should say time MAKING tips.
•    I like to teach my clients and friends to “bundle their busywork” into one convenient time of day, like the lunch hour. By doing your bills and miscellaneous paperwork at your desk while you eat lunch, you can free up 20 or 30 minutes at the end of the day for exercise.  I know that some experts have stated that you should focus on your food while eating, but if multitasking while you eat once in awhile allows you to fit in a workout that’s time well spent! 

•    Take advantage of time-saving technology like online banking, bill paying, and post office services.  A few less errands in the car is not only earth friendly but time friendly.

•    Limit your time on the internet!  How many times do you sit down to complete one email and a half hour later you are still on the computer looking at something completely off the subject?  Schedule internet and email time and limit yourself to 15 or 30 minutes.
•    Buy two pairs of workout shoes, one for the office and one for home, so you’re literally always good to go. I even keep a pair in my car, just in case I find time when I’m on the road.

•    Place a pile of clean workout clothes close to your bed so when that alarm goes off it is easy to get dressed and go.  Spending 15 minutes looking for some clean running pants and matching socks is a waste of precious time in the am and might set you back so that a workout will no longer fit in.
•    Piggyback a workout with your favorite never-miss activities like watching Dancing With The Stars or your mid-afternoon latte break.  Walk on the treadmill while you catch up on TV programs or ride your bike to the coffee store to meet a friend.

•    Have a standing appointment with a workout buddy. If it’s an always-there, can’t-miss appointment, you’ll just do it. Besides, you would never stand up a friend, but you would definitely stand up yourself.
•    Rather than sit for hours (and hours) at kids’ sports practices, fit in a workout while you wait.  I always do cardio walking during swim team practice in the summer. During my son’s hockey practices in the winter, I sneak over to the gym attached to the ice rink.

•    Save yourself from the laundry. Try to only do it 2-3 days a week.  Even with three kids…everyone in the family should have 5 shirts and 5 pairs of pants they like for the week. If there’s anything they need, they’d better throw it in the hamper realize is may be a day or two till it’s clean. This alone will save you hours.
Through such simple strategies, exercise becomes a part of the fabric of your life instead of something requiring a complete overhaul of your life plan. This is the “magic bullet” women are always asking me for!

Ellipticals and Land Mines

Wow… I didn’t realize I haven’t been on the elliptical for 5 days. No wonder I have been feeling like crap. I feel sooooooo much better when I work out; physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Hehehehe…. I did it… got the 6 kilometers in. Feels good. I would seriously like to get my rear down under 50 inches. Size 6/8 here I come. One day one workout at a time.

I finally got to see all of this week’s Biggest loser. They were working out really hard, counting calories and the whole bit…. And their weight loss is tapering off. They kept saying they couldn’t understand it. Even the trainers said they couldn’t understand it.

Geez people… can’t understand it. You’ve already lost massive amounts of fat very rapidly. You are working out like a hard labor camp and you can’t understand not losing so much weight this week… it’s called muscle folks. You are still losing fat but you are gaining muscle. This is actually a good thing.

I will still take a look at the scale. However my fitness goals are going to be tied to my measurements instead of the scale. Frankly I don’t care what I weigh if I’m in that size 6/8 trim, toned, and buff. I would estimate that by that time I will be in the neighborhood of 150 pounds lighter; but I really don’t know for sure. Size wise I could be much larger than a 6/8 and have lost 150 lbs.

It will take the conditioning to put me in the size I want to be in. There is no point in being slender and being weak and feeling like crud. So, it’s conditioning- conditioning- conditioning…

Actually that’s not totally true. Gotta give the body a good quality fuel as well. So it’s nutrition and conditioning. Lets not forget what put the extra fat on in the first place.

Yeah I know eating way too much.

But why-eating way too much.

Sorting out the emotional, mental, spiritual reasons that the weight was packed on. Ignore those issues and it’s yo-yo weight once again.

It’s a total package. Living healthy mind body and spirit.

Truth be told being over-fat is a symptom of other things going on in our lives. I’m not talking about a pound or two here and there. I am talking about self destructive patterns leading to obesity.

It’s a must. Dealing with the issues hiding in the fat. As the fat comes off the issues come up. Exposed like land mines in a wind swept field. Ready to explode and wreak havoc unless they are defused.

Yes I have some experience with this. Yes sometimes it’s messy. Yes it’s worth it.

As for me personally a nasty one blew up in my face about a month ago. I totally lost control, spun into self destructive binging behavior. I have been working my way through it; dealing with issues that have been plaguing my existence for many-many years. Not a pleasant process digging through that bit of mess to be sure. I can say on the positive side that I am no longer binging uncontrollably.

Maybe by going through this process I can help someone else along their way.

Life is a journey, sometimes there are land-mines in the road.
Mary E. Robbins
Robbins Run Ranch
307.788.0202

My Butt fit in the Salon chair!

Beauty Salon chairs, movie theatre seats, airplane seats, office chairs with arms, bucket seats in some cars, all were a; what do I say.

An absolute embarrassment, misery; truthfully the words that come to mind are considerably stronger! It was one of those, take a look at the chair, estimate whether my fat rear would fit in it, then ease myself down into the chair one butt cheek at a time. Then pop! The butt cheeks stick out on each side through the chair arm loop. When you get up be very careful to ease out of the chair, or you are standing with a chair stuck on your butt.

Frankly I avoided this situation whenever possible. Sometimes it was unavoidable. The last time I flew to a business conference for example. The flight from Denver to Los Angeles. Cheek to Cheek to Cheek all the way. Fortunately the guys sitting on either side of me were skinny. Had all three of us been rather large in the rear it would have been something out “Saturday Night Live”. I couldn’t get the plane seat arms down over my rear, so I rode with them up under my arms.

Frankly I doubt if it was any more pleasant for the two guys, but to their credit they didn’t say anything, at the time. It’s not that the seats, chairs, etc are too small. It’s that my butt is to frigging big!

Denying it doesn’t change it. The chair is not too small; the rear end trying to wedge itself into it is too lardy. No, that was not a misspelling. Lardy as in large filled with lard-FAT.

Yesterday one of the things on my list as I blasted my pickup truck into town for supplies was to get my hair cut. I printed out a picture of the hair cut I wanted, grabbed my supply lists, climbed into my trusty truck and headed down the gravel road preparing myself for the “infamous butt-chair wedge”.

I arrived at the salon, chatted a bit and we headed for the torture chair. I looked at it, got ready to squirm and twist to get into it, and WOW! I slid right in. I stood up. Turned around and looked at it again. Then slid right in. No pinching, no twisting, no chair stuck on my butt!

Then we went to the shampoo station, and slid right into the seat. My butt fit in the salon chair. My Butt fit in the salon chair. My Butt fit in the salon chair! Gee suppose I said that enough?

I am one happy camper, lol. I still have a long way to go to my healthiest size, but I am on my way. I am losing inches. Yes I know I can tell that by a tape measure, but sometimes that doesn’t really sink in. Now, my but not having to be wedged into a salon chair, that makes a major impression in my mind.

Good by Jabba the Hut butt! As in a butt as big as Jabba the Hut.

Day 8 in my 90 Day Action Plan.
My workouts for today are elliptical and Hip Hop Abs: fat blasting cardio.

Oh, by the way, my haircut came out great!


Life is a journey, enjoy the trip.
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

307.788.0202
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians

Independent Beachbody Coach: Helping to turn Flabby into Fabulous

New Year, from fat body to beach body

Ok, here is where I am starting. Measurements and pics.

Here’s the measurements:
Age: 48 (49 on feb 5th 2009)
Program: hip hop abs-but will be doing others after complete this one
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Weight: 289 (was at 299)
R Arm: 15.5
L Arm: 15.5
Chest: 50
Waist: 41.5
Hips: 58.5
R Thigh: 36
L Thigh: 36
Goal Weight: 149 -i'd actually like to go down to 145 but can't get my mind past losing 150 pounds just yet 299-150=149

I was 299 in December, 295 jan 1st, 293, jan 8th, 289 jan 15, 289 jan 22nd. That leaves me with 10 pounds down, 140 pounds to go.

I live on a ranch in south eastern Wyoming; about 200 miles northeast of Denver Co. it’s been pretty nice for a few weeks, then the weather turned cold again. It’s 7 degrees. Could be colder, thankfully it is not below zero right now. Frankly I had enough of that last year. So did my animals. The warm then cold is tough on them, they all have shelter but it’s still cold. My attitude is a bit cruddy today. I have a real case of spring fever this year. So want it to warm back up and stay warm for a while. Before it gets hot.

299 is the heaviest I’ve ever been. Time to get this stopped before it’s 399. I noticed I’ve been hiding in my fat. Took me quite a while to admit that to myself. I’ve spent the past several years dealing with illness-west nile virus, surgery that destroyed my abs and pelvic floor. The surgery was in September 2005. there’s been 3 surgeries over the past 10 years or so. The last one was a doozie. But I am still here. I’ve recovered some strength in my abs, but have a long way to go. My insides don’t feel like they are falling out if I lift moderately now. Before I got sick I could lift a railroad tie and walk of with it. I went from that to not being able to pick up my coffee pot. I freaked out and packed on the pounds, snarfing everything in sight.

Better now. Made a new years resolution that is making a difference: here it is:
The greatest year of my life.
Live life now, appreciate each moment as it happens.
Live in peace within myself.

I am living now, not waiting until I am at a certain weight. Eliminates the hiding in the fat bit. Wipes out excuses, and blaming myself for what should of could of or would have been if I was at such and such a weight and so on.

I made it, 30 minutes on my elliptical this morning. I've been working on hip hop abs. I am doing the moderated version at this point, because frankly that's all I have in me right now. I thought I’d add the elliptical then some time and do the hip hop abs too. My elliptical has the arm levers so I get the upper body, along with the ab and leg workout with it.



I can see the red bar on the WOWY timer from my elliptical, frankly last night and this morning that was a big part of what got me through it. Mentally and emotionally it really feels good to have started my day off with completing my first workout of the day.

I'm working on my first glass of water for the day. I know I’m not drinking enough h2o.

Here comes my starting photo. This is the same pic that is on my before pics on my beachbody profile.

Something I am really looking forward to is to be able to lie down on my bed. On my side, and not have my belly lie down beside me.

That and to have my thighs not rub when I walk. Although I wonder about that one. I rode horses a lot when I was a kid, bareback, and developed considerable muscle mass in my thighs. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see. At any rate it will be wonderful to not be carrying around that second person.

I remember looking in the mirror when I was I college and thinking I was obese. I weighed 145 pounds at the time. Well I made it happen; now I actually see myself. I’m not sure what to call the torture so many of us put ourselves through, rather than enjoying our lives. But that was then, this is now, what changed, my mindset is what changed.

A lot of binging, journaling, reading, and work later. I am 144 pounds heavier than I was then, 30 years older, and finally free.

Gee sounds like the fat should just float off, hmm anyone have a magic wand...no? Ok guess I'll have to work it off. I was a bit pissed when I got on the scale Thursday. It was irrational, but I was pissed that I stayed the same rather than losing weight. I know I’m building muscle, I know it was irrational, but I was still pissed.

It’s taken me a few days to get my attitude in check. Happily I did not binge after weighing. That is a major victory for me.

I started to do the 2day fast product team beachbody has yesterday. My attitude wasn't in the right place and that didn't workout out too well for me. Made it through 2 meals then had some celery and broth, ate supper with my husband last night. Steak and salad, and a slice of key lime pie.

Yes just a slice, not a whole pie.

Over the past 25 years I have yo-yoed up and down so many times. I just do not want to do it any more. I want to actually be able to enjoy moving around. Go to a dance and enjoy it rather than having my back and feet in constant pain from too much fat and not enough muscle support. Or just go to a movie without being worried that my butt won't fit in the seat. Or book a flight without cringing at the thought of people on both sides of me, flying cheek to cheek literally.

Getting rid of sleep apnea would be a good thing too. I was so excited to find a pair of insulated bib overalls big enough to go on over a pair of sweat pants. They are a size 52 in men’s. Thank God they had them. Makes it much less miserable to be out taking care of the animals in the cold. My thigh is bigger than what my waist was. On a high note, I don’t have a problem with my blood pressure being high. At least I didn’t as of my last checkup.

My dad is coming to visit in June this year if all goes well. I really want some pounds off and to be in much better condition before he gets here.

Guess I am a combination of hope, fear, and determination.

Take care of you

Life is a journey, One day one moment at a time… ok I rambled again.
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians

Team Beachbody

Buggered it: VS Decide, Commit, Succeed

Well I did it. I truly buggered it yesterday. I opened up my Hip Hop Abs dvd’s (yesterday morning) with the intent of checking each of them to make sure all the dvd’s worked. Well I did a lot more than just look at them. I know better but I did it anyway. I did the big OD. That’s right I over did it and as a result I had a very painful (not very productive) exhausted day yesterday. Knocked me out.

This morning is a raw hamburger day, as in I feel like a piece of live raw hamburger. No not like eating it. I feel like I’ve been run through a grinder. Hello lactic acid buildup. Ugh!

I took a couple of ibuprofen last night and crashed. Thanks to the ibuprofen , the pain dulled and I actually got some sleep. I didn’t even get up to stoke (reload) our wood stove. As a result it was a bit frosty in here when I got up this morning.

What’s the point, other than all this ow … ow … ow… whining? In the past when this happened, or rather when I did this to my self. I would crawl off in a corner (couch or bed) and hide under a blanket until the pain went away. Heads up folks! That doesn’t work, oh yes the pain will eventually go away. But you end up with less muscle tone. Usually pigging out on junk food while hiding under the blanket feeling sorry for yourself. So when you do emerge you have an extra fat roll or two hanging off your rear.

I am happy to say, well not overly happy still annoyed with myself for completely overdoing it. When I could have gradually worked into a full Hip Hop Ab workout without all this pain and swelling. Ok, it’s too late to get that off to a less painful start. I am where I am.

Back on point, I got up this morning. Gimped around my house letting the dogs out, got on the scale, (bounced up 2 pounds- yes I know it’s a result of the swelling but I still don’t like it) got dressed, and got on my elliptical. Yes I am still working out.

No I’m not binging on junk. Actually I’m not binging at all. That’s how I know the weight bounce is due to the swelling and not fat packing back on my body. In truth I was more than a bit concerned about my mindset after a weight bounce, but it’s good. It’s good because I know it’s just part of the process of my body’s transformation to a healthier sleeker physique, not a result of a pig out session.

Yes I did hip hop abs again today. Just not the full workout. I set the timer for 10 minutes and worked my way through 10 minutes of a dance routine. Yes I was ouching it all the way through. No I’m not so tough, nor am I a total whiner. What I am is determined. At the beginning of the workouts on hip hop abs it has this 3 word series scrolling across the screen. It describes exactly what it takes to reach you goals. Decide…Commit…Succeed.

I have Decided, I have Commited, I am Succeeding. Whoo Hoo… sore muscles will not stop me. A minor bounce will not derail my commitment. I am succeeding.

I am going for the $50,000 New Vision has put up for prize money. But you know it’s not just the money. Although it’s true, the money is a great inspiration. I am feeling so much better than I have in a very long time. Sore muscles aside. I feel better physically. I feel better mentally. I am more at peace with myself.

I had my Forte Shake for breakfast. Took my vitamins and minerals and am on to my day.

Life is a journey…enjoy the trip
Mary E. Robbins
307-788-0202
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians

Thursday Morning: Up Before the Butt Crack of Dawn!

Thursday morning… I’d say bright and early … but the only thing bright here right now are the embers in the wood stove. The stars are even hidden behind an early morning cloud cover… the moon is barely peeking through… It’s supposed to warm up today. I hope they are right. It’s still 4 degrees Fahrenheit here according to the weather channel on my computer. Happily my thermometer says it’s closer to 20 in this hollow. Much warmer than yesterday at this time.

My back feels better, Thank God! Literally! I used my abdominal/back band all day yesterday and I’m using it again today. I thought I could go without using it much and just build the strength in my abs and back. Unfortunately I was mistaken. I have built strength, but I’ve injured myself along the way. So, I’m taking a new tack. I’m using the back and abdominal supports. It will probably take a bit longer to build the strength as my body will rely on the supports. However in the long run I think I’ll come out better for it.

The kennel work has to be done, so does my house… in the process of this work I’ve been hurting myself. So I’m using the supports to protect myself and I’ll use oxycise, to help build the muscle strength.

It’s been miserable, absolutely crazy pain from the muscle spasms in my back pulling me over backwards after taking care of my kennels. That’s just nuts, and it’s damaging to my body as well. Bloody muscle spasm pulled my spine out of alignment to the point I could barely use my legs from the pinched nerves. I was losing control of my arms as well, then there was that nauseating pain. Ugh.
If I’m a wimp for using the supports, then so be it. But in the long run I’ll be stronger and healthier for it.

I should have used supports from the start of my recovery rather than listening to those that said I shouldn’t. I could have gotten a lot more done, with a lot less pain.

I’m not talking about being totally dependent on supports, I’m talking about using them to protect my body while I’m healing and strengthening my body. Frankly it’s amazing to me just how long it’s taking to regain even part of the strength and endurance I had before I was ill. But then I was ill for a long time. Long time to me anyway, over 5 years, and 2 major surgeries. With a nasty case of West Nile Virus tossed in the middle of it all. Ok, all things considered I’m doing pretty well. Maybe just maybe I can piece my superwoman cape back together… lol…

At least, get into good condition physically, mentally and spiritually as well… oh and lets not forget financially. Illness can certainly do a number on the finances… eeeewwww… Happily I’m starting to turn that around as well…

On to fitness:
I did the elliptical for 1 km yesterday… and again this morning
I wrote down everything I ate yesterday.
Had a tasty breakfast this morning of hot tea, Yoplait… the sugar free/fat free kind, and a toasted English muffin with a bit of butter and honey.

Nope no coffee first thing this morning, my tummy was a bit off and coffee just doesn’t appeal to me when I feel like that. Now a good spot of tea does just fine. Yes I’m still a coffee lover and I will more than likely have some later. Just didn’t want any this morning.

As for the rest of the day on the exercise front; I’m going after kennel feed, and supplies so I’ll be blasting around the store and unloading supplies at my mom’s before I come home to take care of the kennels. Dump that Ice wield that sledge hammer, unload those bags, scoop that feed, muck out the whelping house… and so on and so on… it’s get fit or croak…lol… soooo… I’m working for get fit. It will be so nice to feel a spring in my step, rather than trudging under the weight. Just the thought of that makes me smile all over.

Life is a journey… how you take the trip is up to you!
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Completed Week One!

Merry Christmas to me! I'm giving myself a wonderful Christmas Gift! Want to know what it is? Ok Ok...I'll tell you. It's a healther body. Yup that's what I want for Christmas. A Firmer smaller waist, firmer smaller hips, and an increased energy level.

Week one and still going. No I didn't measure or weigh this morning. I did work out on the elliptical 7 times, red exerciser 7 times, oxycise 3 times. Last week my elliptical goal was a half mile a day. which works out to right around .8 Kilometer. My elliptical's distance is in KMS.

I decided to just bounce it up to 1 KMS and go from there. So I will be adding 1 Kms per week through 1/2 marathon weekend. This week it's 2 Kms per day. I added another minute to The red exerciser too. Last week was 1 minute. This week it's 2 minutes.

I am still using the Oxycise commuter routine. I am staying with it this week, at 1 full routine per day. I may do a Level 1 routine in there but haven't decided as of yet. I can feel the difference in my back and abs already. happy dance happy dance...

I've been using the Forte Diet Shake for breakfast. I like the way it tastes and it get rid of my early morning hunger and gives me an energy boost.

I'm thankful for the elliptcal, it's snowing outside here today. I'll be working out in the snow taking care of the kennels. Frankly, I appreciate not having to train in it as well. The days are so short now I run out of daylight before I'm done as it is.

I really like the red exerciser. It's working really well for me. However if you are over 250 pounds. Upgrade go for the heavier duty one. You will be glad you did. I have the mid range one that goes up to 300 pounds. They have one that is even heavier duty- it goes to 375 lbs. Mine is a good solid piece of equipment. When I'm not using to work out I use it as a stool.

Oxycise is a phenominal fitness/health/weightloss tool. It is low to no impact and extremely effective. Frankly if you are going to pick just one thing to do, do Oxycise!

Gotta run... have a great weekend!

Life is a journey...enjoy the trip...

Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Lost 3.5 inches

Good morning: I got on the scale today. Weight is up to 282lbs.However I lost 3.5 inches since I measured the last time. I gained 2 pounds and lost 3.5 inches. Weight fluctuations can be a brain twister.

I set some inch loss goals. 4 inches off my hips and 4 inches off my waist by Christmas 2008. How am I going to accomplish this challenge: oxycise, red exciser, elliptical. Whoo Whoo Whoo… get this train a running… Whoo Whoo Whoo … get this train a running.

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I bounced up to 282 lbs from 280. That’s a 2 pound gain. Time to turn it around. I am not allowing my behavior to slip into a self destructive spiral around food.

I was very stressed over the Thanksgiving Holiday and reverted to some old behavior. Burying my feelings in food. You know that does not feel good to me any more. Makes me sick to my stomach and feel like a puff ball. Frankly I don’t like feeling that way.

I am excited about my Christmas Challenge. This challenge will help to condition my body to walk the half marathon Memorial Day Weekend.

Actually I set 3 goals:
1. 4 inches off hips & 4 inches off waist by Christmas (December 25 2007)
2. 4 additional inches of hips and 4 additional inches off waist by my birthday (February 5, 2008) that would make 8 inches off my waist and 8 inches off my hips total by my birthday.
3. be prepared to walk half marathon by Memorial Day Weekend 2008. (Actual race day is May 25th 2008)

My walking plan to accomplish this distance (13.1 miles/21.08 km) is to start at .5 mi/.8047 km and ad .5 miles to the distance each week up to race week. Through this winter I am using my elliptical to train. That way getting my walk in during daylight hours is not an issue. The cold won’t be an issue either. I will be walking outside of course, taking care of my dogs and working on the ranch, this will help to condition me to the uneven terrain of the race.

Ok I’m getting excited… lol… No Excuses!

Life is a journey...enjoy the trip...

Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs