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As I sit here on the couch, the laundry softly tumbling in the dryer, I hang my head in shame. SHAAAAAAMMMMMEEEEE!
Today, I have completed the trifecta:
GTL… Gym, Tan, Laundry. I can’t help it, I’m trying to look fresh to death on the big day!
I’m going to skip over the whole tan situation because I’ve mentioned several times before that I’m Irish but what I haven’t mentioned is that I have a very strong history of skin cancers in my family. So… we’re just going to move on ahead and never mention this again. I figure all the good I’ve been doing at the G will off-set the bad I’m doing at the T. Denial is indeed a river in Egypt.
I’m going to spare you the self congratulatory pictures of my progress at the gym but I can’t help but be excited at the progress I’m starting to see. In November, Zeb knew I was getting pretty down on myself for being a lazy snatch. He asked for some suggestions from a friend on what I could do at the gym and badda bing badda boom, I had myself a trainer. We’ll call him Granite. Granite has been absolutely amazing in teaching me the proper way to lift weights. He’s always pretty patient with me and in turn I try not to complain as much as I want to.
I try to go four days a week and I spend roughly an hour and a half at the gym. Granite says in order to maximize results, rest approximately a minute and a half between sets. He started me out with 12 rep sets and I have worked up to 16 rep sets. We do four sets of each exercise. I think we do about 5 different exercises each day.
I start off on the treadmill switching each minute between walking and running. RUNNING, squee! I do this for 10 minutes to warm up.
Day 1: Shoulders & Abs
Day 2: Chest
Day 3: Back & Abs
Day 4: Legs
I end my workout doing cardio. There’s a bitch of a stair machine (actual stairs rolling) that Granite tortures me with or I do the elliptical, treadmill, or that machine that’s like all three rolled into one for 10-20 minutes.
I feel good (da nu nah nu nah nu nah) but damn, it takes a huge chunk of prime time out of my day. Going to the gym has actually been a tiny spot of stress recently only because I’m not eating as well as I used to. I’m always hungry now and Zeb doesn’t think to cook dinner because men don’t get hungry, so we usually cook some unhealthy crap quickly. (Seriously, do you find that your hubs doesn’t get hungry enough to propel him to cook dinner?) It’s also interfering with the time I have to complete wedding projects.
I haven’t noticed a weight loss, rather, a slight weight gain. Most people tell you it is a good thing, as muscle weighs more than fat but I think that whole mess is a bunch of hullabaloo. It makes me kind of nervous for my final dress fitting next week, I’m not gonna lie. I did take my measurements the day I started in January and I haven’t lost or added any inches, so that’s good. I want my dress to fit right!
In the end I enjoy investing in my body. I hope to be able to continue exercising well after the wedding (She’s got high hopes, she’s got hiiiiigh hopes, she’s got high in the sky…). And the laundry? Well, that shit always needs to be done…
How’s your bridal workout going?
I usually work out 2-3 times a week but since I lost about 7lbs in one week without trying after not going to the gym for 2 weeks I realized I probably need to slow down a bit and relax because clearly I am stressed.
Bridal workout? What workout? I’m sad to say I’ve only managed to watch what I stick in my face. But my eating habits are improving… does that count for anything…?
I workout twice a day. Bar Method, Pole Fitness (sexy, fun!), and running. I’d say this is for the wedding but I’ve had this regime a year and a half before my engagement.
Most people tell you it is a good thing, as muscle weighs more than fat but I think that whole mess is a bunch of hullabaloo.
It’s true. Really. You’re also adding bone density–and that’s weight, too. (But it means you won’t break your hips when you fall when you’re 70.) Bone density is a BIG PROBLEM for women — and weight training is the best thing you can do to prevent it. (Remember, if you plan to have kids, pregnancy can be very damaging to bone density, especially if you have problems absorbing calcium.)
I’m 5′7″ (170cm) and when I was lifting 3 days a week and doing martial arts 3 times a week, I weighed 195 lbs. I *still* don’t float, even five years later.
It’s a great investment in your future health.
Wow girl! That is an intense workout schedule! Good for you for keeping up with it even though it takes up some serious time. You’ve inspired me to get my butt in the gym tonight!
1) You’re hilarious! 2) Very impressive!! 
Seriously, do you find that your hubs doesn’t get hungry enough to propel him to cook dinner?
YES and I don’t understand it at all.
I dragged my lazy but to the gym at 6 AM (yeah, it was EARLY) this morning and want to continue doing that…indefinitely (or at least 3x a week). Ha, we’ll see how it goes.
I was an avid fitness/health enthusiast before I got engaged and became obsessed with wedding planning, so I know I have the magic in me!!
No bridal workouts, but I’ve got my pregnancy workout on.
Wow, Fergie and Jersey Shore references in the same post? I’m happily amazed at your pop culture prowess :).
I have to start doing this! I need to tighten all my muscles back up again. Good for you for kick some major workout butt!
Awesome job about going to the gym. My goal is 5 times a week for an hour each time.
I found the food I eat has made the biggest difference. I thought if I went to the gym I could eat what I want (within reason). I’m not 21 anymore so I had to cut my calorie intake big time. I’m down to about 1200 calories a day and I accomplish this by planning! Plan your meals and snacks. Go shopping on Sunday to buy what you need so you aren’t tempted by the Wendy’s sea salt fries when you went there for a healthy mandarin chicken salad. I found the best way to cut calories was to load up on veggies. I don’t love them as much as I do pasta but they fill me up. I’ll do this at least until the wedding.
Good Luck!!
i started p90x yesterday, and my arms are SORE! looking forward to showing off my new beach body when we are relaxing on out honeymoon. it helps me to think of the end game!
Guys don’t get hungry! I hear you on this!! But, if mine skips dinner he has a killer migraine the next morning. He doesn’t see the connection.
Thanks for writing about the gym stuff. I’m a little obsessive about working out right now - but I count it as good stress relief rather than bridal craziness.
YES! My fiance doesnt get hungry either. Food is an after thought. Glad its not just me.
Hooray for going to the gym! I just started going this week! I’m trying to work out in a slow, but consistent way. Its not just about getting fit for the wedding, its about getting fit for life! And for babies!
This was just what I needed today. I used to be huge into working out and spinning, then with the wedding and a house remodel I have lost all motivation. So as I sit here and finish off a box of mac and cheese I am thinking I might need to get back to the gym before my first dress fitting in a few weeks!
@Mollio: YES! Same thing with my FI! What is with that?! I’ve helpfully pointed out the connection, and still….
Great job Zebra! I’m counting on morning runs with our new furbaby to whip me into shape in the next 2 months…
I guess 1.5 hours of non-sweaty yoga a week isn’t much of a workout. I agree, it is a big time commitment. Mr. P will snack when he’s hungry. On nights I have yoga or didn’t eat much for lunch, I let him know before I get home and amazingly dinner is done dude 90% of the time. (I get cranky when I’m not fed. Rawr.)
Yes it’s also so annoying for me that if I don’t cook, all Mr. C can come up with is “I’ll make myself a sandwich”.
As Courtnee said, a good way to eat healthy is to plan your meals in advance and, when you go to the supermarket, only buy what you need.
Sounds like you’re on the right track and congrats on the progress made so far, your workout plan sounds great!
If it makes you feel any better (which I’m sure it won’t), I’ve been working my ass off at the G and not losing any LBs either. It’s totally obnoxious.
Also, I’m sure you already know this, but BE CAREFUL WITH YO’ FACE while tanning! I have sunspots all over mine (ostensibly from the two solid years I spent in a tanning salon in college), and I really wish I had just worn some sunscreen on my face and then used makeup to make it match my body. Seriously. =( Not worth it. They won’t go awayyyy.
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Mrs. Zebra, Providence, RI Age and Occupation: 24 Marketing/Costume Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26 Management/Firefighter Engagement Date: December 12, 2008 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: The Providence Biltmore About Me: I'm a small town New England girl with an affinity for procrastination, crossing the proverbial line, and putting her foot in her mouth. I'm a lover of history, all seasons, sewing and Incubus. I design costumes on the side for my old high school's theatre department, which is where I met my sexy man. Our motto for our Big Fat Lebanese/Portuguese/Irish near-300 person wedding is "the more the merrier"! We are marrying in a Catholic ceremony and are hammering out the details of our Victorian-inspired reception.
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