This morning I had a fitness evaluation as part of my training at Fitness Together. I’ve been going twice a week, and more recently, three times a week, for strength training and cardio work with a personal trainer. Since you all helped me make this decision, I thought I owed you an update.
This morning’s assessment brought good news and bad. First, the bad–I haven’t lost much weight, at least not as much as I thought I would in three months. I’m down 20 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight, but I am now struggling to get much lower. I gained 20 the year I nursed Ava, so I guess I should count my blessings that hasn’t happened this time, too. Still, the computer generated report at FT sets my target weight at 114, a number that at this rate, I should see sometime around my 97th birthday.
On the bright side, though, my body-fat percentage has dropped 3.2 percentage points, and I’ve lost a couple of inches from my waist, hips and thighs. My arms, on the other hand, are up a full half inch. Considering my arms were the area I wanted to see results in the most, I’m slightly irritated. I understand that the increase is due to muscle, but I DO NOT CARE. I want SMALLER arms, not larger arms. My trainer assures me this will happen, and it will probably only take another $400,000 in sessions.
Back to the good, though. At my baseline assessment in March, I completed 16 push-ups. This morning, I managed 35, putting me into the “well above average” category. My sub-max bench press test shows that my maximum bench press would be about 100 pounds, up from 60 a few months ago. This puts me in the “well below average” category, despite the progress. I can’t understand why one is so much easier than the other.
Remember the “V-Sit and Reach” test from the Presidential Fitness Assessment? We do that here, too. I started by reaching 12.5 inches past my feet; now I can reach 16 inches, which I guess is freakishly good, or more techically, “well above average.” Pregnancy causes your ligaments to become more pliable, maybe I have that to thank.
I’m so focused on the appearance or strength indicators of this whole effort that I rarely think about how this is helping my overall heath. But, a three-minute step test shows that my heart is working a lot less harder under aerobic conditions. This means, I suppose, that cardio should be easier (and more beneficial) for me. I’m thrilled to note that I can run a mile without stopping, and while that won’t impress those of you that call a one-mile jog a warm-up, it’s meaningful to me.
Also, I no longer dread waking up at 4:45 three mornings a week, and I don’t fall back into bed once I get home anymore, either. I find my energy level has dramatically increased. So, while I often find myself thinking, “I can’t believe I am actually paying for this” during those workouts, overall I couldn’t be happier about the whole situation.
In fact, I’d love to go five days a week. We’d have to sell the house and live out of the Accord, but for smaller arms, it might be worth it.
I know a lot of you are working on your own and with trainers, too. How do you measure success? What keeps you going?
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by Doug Smith on June 19, 2008 at 10:15 am
My observations about a trainer. Most Americans don’t belong to a gym. Those that do, never go. Those that go, go rarely and don’t stay long. I see that at the gym I go to every day – 15 minutes of treadmill and then they leave.
Having a trainer forces you to join, to show up, and to put in a tough workout. I absolutely couldn’t do it otherwise. And I noticed when I was lazy over Memorial Day and didn’t do my on-the-road stuff – I paid the price on the first day back at the gym. Things start to go south in about 5 days!
I think a trainer is worth it.
Posted by Katie on June 19, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Wow! 20 pounds is impressive no matter how long it takes. I’m impressed that you are able to fit this in and be a wife, mother, sister to a relatively dependent sibling and be so good at your job at the same time. I’m envious, and you may have just convinced me to exercise.
Posted by Double L on June 19, 2008 at 1:02 pm
You’re fierce! As Katie said, too, a loss of 20 pounds is a huge success!!
As long as you want to go back to the next session, then you are meeting my criteria for success. Success means staying with the program and not feeling over-exerted, over-sore, or angry at the trainer.
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on June 19, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I’ve gained and lost this 20 pounds three times now. I’m a total pro. 😉
I would totally recommend it, Katie–I know there’s one close to your house. I hate it when I wake up in the morning, but I’m fine once I’m there. The dread is so much worse than the actual act.
I would like to think that I could go it on my own, but I know–at least at this point–I wouldn’t follow through, much like Doug points out.
Posted by Jessica S. on June 19, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I wish my trainer did a fitness assessment. The way I can tell is starting and only being able to do 10 pounds on certain exercises and now being able to do 40-50. With my new home gym though it’s hard to know my progress because all the weights are very different now. I like that I do not have to unzip ANY pair of pants and that I’m down 3 sizes. Pretty exciting. The other way I judge myself is buying clothes that are too small and having the satisfaction of being able to get into them. Rebecca don’t get discouraged! Since I started w/ the trainer the pounds are not coming off much but I sure can tell in the shape! Congrats Becca…you are so amazing!
And 114??? Are you kidding me? What a crock. I’ll be happy when my left leg weighs that.
Posted by karyl on June 20, 2008 at 6:50 am
I had been questioning my desire to continue with my trainer until yesterday, when I was forced to shop for a few new things for the wedding. I am very excited to report that I found some new clothes – and in a smaller size. I am also glad to report that I can fit into my stuff from Chico’s again. I do that lose/gain/lose/gain thing, too – hadn’t been able to fit into some very nice things I already had for some time. So, despite my hesitation, I will continue to work out – I know I would never have the discipline to do it on my own.