Weight Watchers & Tai Cheng Journey - Phase 1 Complete

Two months of Weight Watchers and three weeks of Tai Cheng down.  Many more months of Weight Watchers and 10 weeks of Tai Cheng to go!

As of this week's weigh in I'm down 14.4 lbs since beginning this journey.  More than 5% of my weight is gone!  I started out losing over 2 lbs a week.  Both weeks involving the start of my TOM I had a .8 lb gain.  That first week I noticed that I ate a lot of pasta.  The second week I ate under my daily points every day.  Neither was intentional yet yielded the same results.  So I think I need to expect this gain every month.  There was a shockingly unexpected loss of 4 lbs the end of April.  No clue what made that week so special but wish I knew so I could repeat it! LOL

For someone who never really exercised, never dieted, and never thought she could be on diet (because I'm a picky eater) this is a big deal!  The Weight Watchers program works because it just makes sense!  If someone like me can get this to work for them then anyone should be able to do it.

Workout Weeks 1-3

Neural Reboot 1 is complete now.  Next week starts #2...I wonder what all is involved.  It says the next 3 weeks help increase your energy, burn calories, and builds greater stability, strength, and balance.  Boy, could I use that!  I'm hoping this will stimulate my weight loss to significantly increase as my losses have slowed down.

DVDs 1-3

I struggled with Sequence 1 in the beginning.  Since I'm facing the opposite direction I was trying to use the right side when they were on the right side and left side when they were on the left side.  Somehow I kept ending up on the wrong side.  So I switched to doing the sequence as a mirror image.  I thought I was still ending up on the wrong side but then I finally realized I would be on the opposite leg in the mirror!  So by the end of the week I was more confident with the flow of these six moves in sequence.  Since it took so long to figure things out I almost want to repeat this week but I know that could set me back.  Perhaps I'll pop in the DVD on Saturdays (the day I don't Tai Cheng) as a refresher.

Challenges are a great way to help during a weight loss journey.  See how close you can reach the group's goal or your own personal goal.  Support systems when you're struggling or need a push.  Get tips on what you could change to maximize your weight loss.  I could go on forever!  Below is information on one such challenge.  If you can't get in the June challenge stay tuned for future challenges.

Our Pure Results Challenge on June 3 is a challenge for people who are ready to see results with their health and fitness. It's a 30 day challenge to give you the tools you need to be successful.

You'll get:
- One-on-one support from a personal coach

- A support group

- A workout buddy

- A workout that you love

- Shakeology daily

- A free 30 day meal planner

- A team of coaches supporting you.

 

Most people lose between 3-11 pounds during this challenge.

 

Tai Cheng Week 2 - COMPLETE

I've survived 2 weeks and haven't felt like quitting even once!

The Neural Reboot is still giving me issues with the foam rolling.  At least the pain's decreasing.  The other move (plank & pike?) I think I've figured out but I'd need someone who's done it before to verify.

It definitely was a lot better with the Tai Chi moves in pairs.  The flow just seemed to click...no real trouble transitioning from one move to the next. Week 3 will be all 6 moves in sequence. I hope the flow continues!

Tai Cheng Week 1 - COMPLETE

Well, I survived a week of exercise!

The hardest part for me is the daily Neural Reboot.  My wrists and elbows cramp up during the foam roller portion.  Some days are better than others in terms of how many times I have to pause the DVD to shake them out.  I still can't seem to get myself in the right position for planking (I think that's what it's called).  I have to do the modified version (on my knees) but never feel that it's what the woman's doing.  Of course I'm still wobbly when I have to balance but I'm moving faster.

The Tai Chi portion I get confused sometimes with doing the static moves.  Trying to figure out which arm is up and which is down I get lost.  Otherwise it's not so bad.  Because I can't remember the moves from day to day Benny wants me to redo the week.  What do you expect only doing the move a few times for 15 minutes or so and not going back!  Week 2 says it's combining the moves so I don't think it's necessary to repeat.

And now for the scary part...my before pictures.  Double stomach and chin.  Flabby arms.  Back fat.  Big jiggly butt.  Thunder thighs.  (Not sure why Benny didn't get my legs in any picture.)  There's a lot to work on...literally.  I'm not expecting there to be much of a visible difference since Tai Cheng is low intensity but I may be surprised.

In the Beginning...was Tai Cheng

I checked out a couple of the Beachbody programs from the library that I thought were possiblities for me.  To start off I can't do anything high impact; I'd keel over for sure in the middle of doing the exercises.  Benny and I both agreed that I need something to make me more flexible and balanced before I can try anything else.  Tai Cheng appears to be the best route to take.

Since I got the DVDs from the library I don't have anything else that normally comes with the program.  We went and bought one of the foam rollers.  I already had a tape measure.

This morning I watched the whole Master Scroll DVD alone.  By the time this was done Austin was awake.  So I set up for the Function Test.  Here's how I scored:

• Squat:  0.  This hurt in many places.
• Single Leg Stand:  2.  I was too wobbly.
• Shoulder Mobility:  0.  No problem with my left hand but when I tried to reach the bottom of my shoulder blade with right hand...here came the pain.
• Chair Touch:  2.  As I sat back down I didn't completely lose the grip on the back fat but it slipped.
• In Line Lunge:  1.  Again, way too wobbly.
• Rotary Stability:  1.  Still too wobbly.
• Standing Toe Touch:  2.  I could almost reach my ankles.

So my overall score was 8/20.  There's much work to do in the next 90 days!

Benny had awakened before I was done with the test.  He was what I leaned on for some of the wobbles.

Afterwards Benny set up my calibration grid.  He didn't want the tape on the carpet or to have to retape it daily.  So he used a couple of grandma's rugs and duct tape instead.

I struggled a bit with some parts on the first workout but that's what makes it challenging and builds up your strength.

Join me on my journey.