Thursday, January 24, 2008

Row, row, row (whitchaaaa) supposed to be a whip noise!

My erg looks just like this but there's no guy on it, which is perfect because that's where I sit!

As some of you know, I have been rowing on my ergometer a Lot lately. I go down into the basement in the morning. It's cold down there, and I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I have my little ipod with me, I dock the ipod, do a little stretching and plant my hiney for an hour long row. I get warmed up within the first 10 minutes or so, and I'm all sweaty and gross by the end.

I started on Thanksgiving day, taking on a "holiday challenge" issued each year by "Concept 2" the manufacturer of the erg. They challenge you to row 200,000 meters between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This represents quite a bit of time in the saddle. I took it on, thinking it would not only prevent gaining weight over the holidays, but also establish daily rowing as a routine for me, and it worked on both counts! I completed the challenge plus a few meters, and since then I've posted another 300,000 meters in my log. My blisters are callouses, and I can 't feel my butt, however others have told me that they can. I have now lost 24 pounds, and have dramatically increased my fitness level over the past 2 months. I feel not only thinner, but stronger, more energetic, and more confident. All good!

This is my shape before Thanksgiving:

I thought it would help to provide some visual aids of my process without actually putting pictures of me in here, so hmmm....bottles!

This is where I'm headed now....................................................................................

But too much of a good thing, and watch out, I don't want to end up like this.

So, as you can clearly see, my goal is to end up somewhere between a coke bottle and a can of red bull. I don't know when I'm going to get there, but I do intend to arrive.

15 comments:

Rachel Schell said...

yay!!! good for you.

I need to get more exercise, but its so cold outside and I've promised myself never to buy a machine because I know it would just sit there and collect dust.

Unknown said...

Totally. Those energy drinks are nasty. You don't want to be one of those.

Mmmm ... Aunt Jamima ... syrup ... pancakes ... Why am I so hungry?

tsduff said...

Ha ha - I have trouble imagining you as Mrs. Butterworth!

HEY! I've lost 5 lbs! Am now on my second 11 days (day 4 today) with good progress. I'm very encouraged. Only 45 more to go! :D Thank you so much :)

Anonymous said...

THAT'S GREAT Red Mojo! GULP you have just reminded me to lift my weights (completely forgotten for last week). I don't know if it was you who mentioned exercising but I also began on what was your Thanksgiving Day! Not really exercissng, but working those arms muscles in particular with weights. They looked like the Red Bull (not you, the drink) with REAL WINGS hanging underneath - it was SHOCKING, never experienced before. Now I have Finch arms instead of Heron ones and looking forward to each looking like Coca Cola again! It might not happen if I forget again ... *sigh* 'hiney' or bum would be my next worry ...

Anonymous said...

That's good, that is really good! *patting RM on her slim shoulder* When we see American people on television they are very obese or very slim. Did you understand my explanation of colours of the Dutch flag to an American tourist? (Post: vlag)

RED MOJO said...

rachel, I understand.

dorky dad, They are nasty, and I certainly don't want to become a nasty girl.

tsduff, How about Mr. Butterworth?!
Congrats on the weight loss, that's great.

Anon, yes, it's a good idea to keep those flaps away!


wieneke, Thanks for the encouragement. I'm coming over to read your flag post! (gulp)

Debra Kay said...

I love that machine! I want one. Actually I think there is a rowing feature on my weight machine-I need to check it out.

Since buying my new fancy schmancy road hybrid, the weather has been terrible and I've been riding my $4.00 Goodwill exercise bicycle...aint that life?

Charlotta-love said...

good for you! 24 lbs is great. I don't do rowing but I enjoy sailing. keep it up!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I would like to have an exercise machine that works my body while I'm sleeping. I could really get into such multi-tasking, but of course, I would need new clothes every few weeks.

It could work.

Ces Adorio said...

I asked for weight loss prescription last fall and my doctor gave me one but I am so afraid to take oills. He then challenged me to do it on my own and I have to see him in two months. I need to do something fast or else he may say "nah-nah- nah-nah boo-booh... I'm with Dorky Dad. Those energy drinks are nasty.

RED MOJO said...

debra kay, yes, that is life, but don't worry, soon you'll be sick of riding that expensive new bike!

Charlotta-love, I tried the sailing machine first, but I just couldn't lose any weight!

heartinsanfran, I love the idea of exercising while you sleep. You need to invent that!

ces, 2 months! You'd better get to work. Too bad drawing doesn't burn more calories!

Unknown said...

Heyyyyyyyyyy RM.....congrats on the changes...wooohooooo!! And thanks for the reminder about the rowing machine....I've been doing an hour a day on the treadmill but have quite enjoyed the rowing machine at the gym too!

Keep up the awesome trend....:)

Debra Kay said...

Went to the goodwill-they had a rowing machine but it didn't have a seat-that didn't seem like a very good idea...

CS said...

Nice work. Although maple syrup is so yummy.

CS said...

Congratulations! I have an awardfor you over at my place!