I just realized that I haven't updated my blog in a while!! Man, every time I try to keep a log of something I always fall down on keeping it updated regularly. So,...let me catch you up...
The competition at my work ended, and I finished in 2nd place with a total of 17.37% body loss and a total of 60 pounds gone. WAH-HOO!! :D I worked really hard over that 3 month span and my hard work paid off. Now I have a 6 month free membership to the Health and Wellness Center at my disposal!! I feel good about what I was able to do!
But, just because the competition is over, doesn't mean I'm done! I still have goals to reach and I'm still working hard to reach them.
It's been kind of weird because since the end of the competition a few weeks ago, I haven't really lost anymore weight. I haven't gained anything either...so I'm maintaining what I've already accomplished which is really great!!! No boom-a-rang pounds for this girl!! But I have noticed more definition and toning in certain parts of my body...like my arms, my sides, and my legs. I've been going to the gym like crazy...running on the elipticle, using the weight machines, and I've started going to some water aerobic classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday's. I've been doing some research on what exercises done in a period of about an hour help you burn the most calories. Usually I run on the elipticle for anywhere from 20-30 minutes at a time...doing that I burn anywhere from 250-350 calories. The weight machines I spend probably half an hour to 45 minutes on doing arms, core, back, legs, and stomach...not really sure how many calories I burn doing that, but I can definitely say I know I've been gaining a lot of muscle which may be why I've not seen a decrease in my overall pounds. But these water aerobic classes, they last an hour long and I'm telling you, we work so hard in those classes! Running underwater!!!! Oh my gosh!!! Try it! It's hard, but so worth it!! In the water classes that I spend an hour in, I burn anywhere from 600-800 calories. It's hard for me to justify spending those hours doing anything else if there a water aerobics class being offered.
I can see changes in my body, I can feel the changes too. I've always felt solid and strong, but now I feel really strong, and really solid. I've never thought of myself as a 'skinny mini'...I don't really even want that. I like the athletic, muscular look...and that's where I've always envisioned myself getting to. I just wish I could get my mind to catch up with the changes I've made in my body so far. I'd be lying to you if I said I don't still struggle some days with my self image. I think I will probably always battle that, though I'm thinking positively that I will get some relief from it as time goes on.
It's funny too, cause when I'm at the gym working out, I LOVE it!! Like, I really love how it makes me feel...strong and accomplished...and usually when I know I'm really working hard and my heart rate is up and I know I'm getting a good workout in, I also get really angry for some reason. Maybe it's the endorphins? or adrenaline?...I'm not sure...but I do get angry...then I get mad that I'm even having to work this hard now...I get mad that I've allowed myself to get to where I am...I try to spin a positive thought in it and think about how far I've already come...but then immediately think how much farther I have to go. I'm also pretty impatient with it too I guess...and I think maybe that's why I get mad sometimes. I'm working so hard everyday and I'm just ready to be where I want to be. I want it to happen and just be done. But that's unrealistic. The best things in life are worth waiting for and working for...this will be a highlight of my life...so long as I just stick with it! And as long as I'm being realistic with myself, I have to also force myself to remember that I can't just get to where I want to get and 'be done'...these are forever committments I'm making to myself.
When I started this journey this past February 28th, I committed myself to a year of really working hard,...really getting dirty with myself and pushing my body to it's limits and making some changes. I have lost 60 pounds so far. And of that, I'm really proud.
I have a goal to lose a total of 80 pounds by my birthday this year (November 26th) and a total of 100 pounds by my one year anniversary of starting this journey this coming February 28th, 2013.
It's not easy. Seriously. It's probably the hardest thing I've ever done. But it's also the thing I've wanted for the longest and that makes it really worth it to me. Funny how you just wake up one day and realize that if you're ever gonna get what you want that YOU have to be the one to just do it!!! Basic truth here people...nothing's gonna just happen FOR you if you don't get off your butt and help it happen!! Love you,...but that's a TRUTH!!! OWN IT!!
There's no telling what the next few months will bring to me. I can't imagine what changes there will be in my body...I'm just going to keep my nose down and work hard to get the best results I can possibly manage.
As far as diet, I'm not juicing anymore of course. But I have maintained a healthy diet of mostly fruits and vegetables and smoothies. I have shrimp occasionally in a wrap or something with lots of spinach leaves, homemade humus, carrots, beans, etc. I also do peanut butter wraps if I'm needing something really quick for on the go. I also have splurged a couple of times on sushi (LOVE sushi!!!). And I'm adding other things into my diet like unsalted, roasted nuts or whole grains (the Kashi brand shredded wheat cereal is AWESOME as a dry snack during the day! Very filling and not very many calories). And I'm really just drinking water all the time. The more water I drink the less water my body retains...funny how that works, huh? :D
I'm also reading a lot. About nutrition and strength training. I'm trying to really educate myself about all the things I should probably already know. EDUCATION IS THE KEY!!! LEARN STUFF PEOPLE!!! :D
Anyway, this entry has already gotten much longer than I expected it would! LOL! I promise to try an update a little more regularly...hopefully...maybe... ;P
Till next time...
-M-
No comments:
Post a Comment