The End...or is it?

I am coming very close to the last session at bootcamp. Another 2 classes to go and I am done with my course. What have I learnt? How much have I lost? What will I do now? and so many other questions are coming to my head...In the beginning I really did not imagine that I would be unhappy to be done with these classes.. but I am.. 

What have I learnt...

I expressed my disappointment with my instructor that I haven't lost as much weight as I hoped for in the beginning and yet I am a couple of sizes down. He laughed at me ( I don't see why it was funny though). He explained to me that there is a difference between being lean and weighing less.. Being lean does not essentially mean you have lost weight. It puzzles me as to how you have shrink in size and yet the scale wont budge!  He gave a long and gruesome explanation about muscle and fat, their differences and how converting your fat to muscle should be your ultimate goal. Build muscle and that burns more cals.. sounds great.. but I don't want to build muscle.. all I want is to loose weight.. I don't want to train to go win a body builder's title.. really.. I DON'T! (Apparently that's the part he found funny). It so happens that when you say "build muscle" it doesn't mean you become a giant ass body builder.. who would have thunk! He asked me to choose what I want.. to look leaner and toned or to weigh less! I still can't accept that they mean different things and I guess after this "enlightenment".. I am not sure what I want.. yet..

How much have I lost...

If you are expecting me to post numbers and claim how much I have lost.. well.. I am not! I guess its obvious at this point that I haven't lost much.. and so the frustration and confusion and disappointment etc etc.. but I did shrink sizes.. does that count? I dunno!

What will I do now..

Honestly, at this point..I really need to sit down and think what is it that I want really.. look lean or weigh less.. (How on earth can they be different!!!!!). I know one thing for sure... I am not going to stop what I started. I will workout just as religiously as I was.. except that I would balance out both weight training and cardio. End of the day.. I am human.. and I want both things.. why should I choose and settle for one ;)

As far as my diet is concerned.. I have such major plans for Christmas and New Year's that I can't afford to indulge now. So, am stocking my pantry with "healthy" food options.. 

Biggest realization: Loosing weight is not for the weak heart.. It requires a lot of patience and every single pound lost is an achievement.. If there are any of you.. who are struggling just as I am..then.. pls.. don't give up.. If I can manage to do it.. anyone can.. (yes..I am that lazy ;) )

Just Not Enough!

I was beginning to wonder my self when I would go to my next class. Because of the over-whelming response to bootcamp.. almost all classes last week were over booked and I got into only one.. :( I got wiser this week and made reservations for all my classes :)

6 classes later my weight loss is really not as remarkable as I had hoped for and honestly, I am to blame for that. I had an out of the world weekend, less than considerable workout last week and more than required cravings. Sometimes I wonder, why having control over your own self and your cravings is sooo difficult.. but I guess in theory that's just the sign of a weak mind.. and in reality.. thats just human.. My workout for the last two days was remarkable. I can see how much I changed (not in terms of lbs... though). I can run a little longer before am gasping for breath, I can enjoy the aching muscles without cribbing, I can walk by a place with Indian food aroma and not give in, I can buy donuts and cupcakes for work and not have any.. I'd like to think.. thats considerable.. 

Honestly, seeing the way I was sweating my way through bootcamp, I really thought weight loss was going to be much faster than it is now.. Its disappointing to see my body, being a total bum about it. I was watching this show "The biggest Loser" last night and was shocked to see how much people achieved. 100lbs lighter in 8 weeks.. thats unbelievable.. but true.. It was inspiring to see people who weighed beyond imagination.. and at a age of 43-45 to have that kind of a will power. I'd like to think that its easier for me and less strenuous for me to achieve a target.. but that just sounds like am going easy on myself. 

I happen to realize that... the amount of work I am putting in with bootcamp and the diet regulations I have made is just not enough. It took me 25yrs to get to where I am... and although I wish the results showed overnight.. its not going to happen. On that note, I went and flashed my credit card at the closest YMCA here. One hour workout at bootcamp.... at the end of which I walk out with a sweaty shirt and a feeling that it was an awesome workout.. is just not enough.. I need to do more to weigh less. Its been a disappointing week for me to know that whatever I thought was remarkable.. was just not enough. 

For all those of you, who are struggling with their weight.. hang in there.. picture abhi baaki hai :)

Here's an article I thought was interesting, if you are thinking the way I am.. 

http://www.crossroadsbootcamp.com/resistance-training-separating-fact-from-fiction/

Cheers :)

Three is a crowd

Third day at bootcamp :) I think with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up.. almost everyone in town has gotten health conscious.. Wasn't fun to watch a huge crowd panting and sweating.. kinda grose infact. Either ways, the session was a real good one.. I am getting a grip over my own body and how far I can push myself without an injury. I am loving it :) 

Piece of free advise to those who want to check-in for such workouts.. you'd rather want to prepare yourself a little before this jump start. A simple jog for 10 mins a day would also do the trick. If you are more an indoor person... try spot jogging/running in your room or even better walk up and down the stairs couple of times a day.  You end up being sore a little bit but atleast your body knows what to expect. For most people, I would assume the most difficult part is to get started.. and then things happen like a charm and so is the case with me.. I think this is where the whole determination part fits in.. you have to "want" to do it.. or you'll just end up quitting the next chance you get. 

So three sessions later, I went and bought a new pair of jeans :) Am down a size.. and god it feels good :) Although, I must admit..it wasn't all the bootcamp that did the magic, I had to and still am watching what I eat very carefully. Its important. Apparently, it takes 3500 burnt calories to lose one pound.. so it goes without saying that you want to.. have to.. get to the 3500 mark despite your usual diet. 

Well, end of the day.. I am a size down and am thrilled.. :) and that is all that matters.

Happy Diwali :)

After day 2 @ Bootcamp!

I made it to the second session.. yayyyy.. that being the only bright side to it.

If someone ever told you that all it takes to loose weight is disciple/commitment/diet changes/workout.. trust me.. they are just giving you the sweet version of it all.. It takes the ability to withstand a lotttt of freaking pain.. no one ever tells you that... and why should they?.. who would possibly want to sound like a sissy who can't handle pain...well, I really don't care what this sounds like.. but god!!!! it hurts... 

In my mind, there are pictures rolling by, of all the times I carelessly ate.. hogged rather.. samosas, dosas, panner, parathas, ice creams, milkshakes, pizzas, beer pongs, shots.. and what not.. coming to think of it.. no wonder I have to work so much to loose it all. 

I always felt shy (yes.. shy.. hard to believe huh?) going to a gym.. I kept telling myself that the "only" reason I wouldn't go to a gym is to save myself the embarrassment of working out with skinny sorority chicks.  Well, if you are telling yourself the same thing.. haha.. welcome to the club.. but sorry to burst your bubble, its just plain bullshit... and honestly, you'll have to grow a pair to admit that to yourself. 

So anyways, my second session was a huge reality check for me. It was shocking to see myself gasp for breath within seconds.. My fitness levels: ZERO! 

Fitness apparently has nothing to do with how much you weigh, coz the saving grace for me last night was to see so-called skinny chicks also gasping for breath :D 

I suddenly realized why the skinny ones work out so hard in a gym.. It has nothing to do with maintaining their weight, loosing it or gaining it.. Its all about trying to be fit (however cliche that might sound). You have to try it just once to understand it. 

My plight as of now,  is rather hilarious to the ears and eyes than it is to me.. Because my body suddenly had to wake up from its stagnant state and actually do something, its not really a happy camper. I can not begin to explain how it feels like. It takes a struggle for me to sit down and a bigger struggle to stand up. Every step i take, I can feel my muscles flex.. I came walking to work this morning, coz it was close to impossible for me to get into my car and drive. Funny part was when my boss (over 60yrs) offered to help me walk. Am I happy after day 2...No!! Am I going to Quit? HELL NOOO! 

Aside all the cribbing and pain, I am glad to have taken the first step. I can see it now.. its not going to be easy.. its true what everyone said about bootcamp.. its not for the weak  heart... but my desire to get better is stronger than my desire to make the pain go away (for now :) )..

Confessions of a lazy person working out

It's been a day since I joined the very talked about new thing in town - Bootcamp!

People told me its not something for me, its hard, there is no way I would survive it.. etc etc.. and given that I am human, ofcourse it got me curious.. what the hell is all the jazz about bootcamp.. why is everyone making such a big deal abt it...and why on earth would "I" not survive it??! So, yes... I went there, flashed my credit card, and got registered for the 12 sessions.

Tina, was real sweet. She told me that its a joke, as to how people are filled with all these opinions about bootcamp being hard and rough and not for ones like me (read as - fat and lazy and someone who loves pizzas).

So finally the D-Day was here (yesterday) and I made it to my first session :). I was proud of myself that after working all day, I was still committed enough to drive for 30mins just to get a workout (which according to Tina.. is no big deal really!)...

The class was about bootcamp with boxing training.. I laughed to myself and thought..boxing!!..haha that should be easy.. after all I am big/huge/fat/whatever..I will be able to punch the living crap out of anything..

One hour later.. I was literally on the floor, struggling to breathe, sweating like a pig and pink in the face (for someone with a tanned skin tone like me.. pink usually doesn't show.. "usually")..cramps in my stomach and tears in my eyes...It hit me then, as to why the name bootcamp sounded familiar! I heard it previously, in context to military and the basic training they make the candidates go through!! I looked for Tina.. hmm.. for a long time..

The instructor told me that since it was first intensive workout class, I "might" be a little sore later.. but "it's no big deal".. it happens all the time..

For some reason, the same 30 min drive back home seemed like it took forever..

Almost 24 hrs after my first session, here I am.. unable to lift a coffee cup or write without cribbing about how my muscles hurt and how much pain I am under..and yet I find myself looking forward to my next session tonight! I was pretty sure last night, that I would walk up to Tina, and ask her for my money back..This was not what I signed up for!.... but what the hell.. this is really the first time, that someone has pushed me to my limits (physically).. and somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember the saying - No pain, no gain.. Sounds great on paper and in my head.. I am only 1 session down.. 11 more to go...

So, heres to me.. and my sincere effort (so far) to make a difference for myself (Yes, am selfish.. who's not! ;) )..

Cheers!

Isnt too late!

To you my love,

Its been a while i agree, since i have looked at you in your eye,
Its been a while i agree, since i have talked so much that you doze by,
Its been a while i agree, since i have cuddled up in your arms and fell asleep,
Its been a while i agree, since i have walked along with you arm in arm,
Its been a while i agree, since i felt you just a breath away from me,
Its been a while i agree, since i laughed till tears came rolling down,
Its been a while i agree, since i sat and shared my most cherished dreams,
Its been a while i agree, since i played like a kid and fought over the fouls,
Its been a while i agree, since i begged you to cook and not compliment it,
Its been a while i agree, since i stood beside you and got teased about how short i am,
Its been a while i agree, since i blushed blankly into space remembering the kiss you left by,
Its been a while i agree, since i talked to myself assuming it was you,
Its been a while i agree, since i cried in your arms because i was scared i might loose you,
Its been a while i agree, since i ruined your long planned surprises for me,
Its been a while i agree, since i made you feel so special that you could cry,
Its been a while i agree, since i told you that nothing in this world matters to me,more than you,
Its been a while i agree, since i felt you kiss me so softly that i thought i might break,
Its been a while i agree, since i surrendered myself so much to you that i forget myself,
Its been a while i agree, since i made love to you and felt the whole world culminate into me,
Its been a while i agree, since i told you how much i miss you,

But today i realise no matter how far away you go, how impossible i get, how busy you are, its never too late for me to tell I LOVE YOU...

Me and Writing!?!

Its been a while I must admit, since I have penned what I want! Ofcourse Sid was behind my life at one point of time, asking to start.....I tell you..am way toooooo lazy to start something just like that. Its always a starting problem for me, need a kick start!
Sid, now that I have started, I'll try not to be too philosophical. There was small poet inside me at one point. Will have to search for her. So, its not a BANG start..But with me..I would always take it slow!!..

Anyways, about me...I am Niriha Kadambi(very unusual name but I've not loved anything more!), Tamil iyengar(If there are bachelor's around ;)), finished my Bachelors in Technology (did not bribe a soul!!), presently busy thinking what i should be doing! I am couple of kilos over weight and every morning tell myself that From Today am Dieting!!..and somehow end up telling myself the same next morning too! As of now pursuing my Masters in Technology at JNTU-Hyderabad in Geo-Informatics and surveying Technology and also waiting for some better options!

Now, that the "Professional" thing is done with, I am a girl with supposedly good eyes and a lively smile,loads of attitude and arrogance. Confused over small things in life, always live in the fear of loosing my very dear ones,go out of my way to do things for people i love,very particular that my guy should be treat me like a princess (as of now, my guy is not so sure he wants to!), superstitious about few things(evil eye, someone sneezing when am going somewhere, gifting of pens and kerchiefs etc etc),and most importantly am not such a bad girl :)

I love Swimming, gossiping at times ;), talking, watching movies and dreaming! I do not don many accessories except my mobile and watches(am crazy about them). I am a simple complicated girl and always have some issue or the other to deal with.

I am known for my love for home made dosas. In college, there is this big joke about it that i would probably write off my property to anyone who feeds me enough of these!
I guess that's a decent brief up on me!..Will keep blogging!