Kira’s Blog

So last Thursday I went for my nurse assessment test…this is my third one since joining the gym in May of this year–this is also the first one that I dreaded going to! Why you ask? Because I felt that I worked super hard before the other two visits and well for the last month of so..I lost motivation, hit a plateau and decided to take some time off from weight training. Originally I was just going to stop the gym all together for 2 weeks to re-focus but I figured something was better than nothing so I did classes sporadically…not as much as I liked.

And for some reason also, I felt that the boredom at work and the lack of motivation caused me to eat not so healthy more than enough times to warrant the "I shouldn’t have" so needless to say when I went for my assessment I was fully prepared for the worst. So, there I am, nurse asks me to take off my sneakers and I step on the scale..last two asssessments..that number did not budge I was 167lbs…and to be honest, I’m ok with that..hell..I’ll be 185 or more as long as its muscle gain and not fat…so when I got on that scale..I knew the number wouldn’t be the same but I never expected what I saw…164lbs…is that right…plus i drank so much water….actually my hydration level was 58% which the nurse said was excellent…and then it was on to the next thing…bodyfat time….so here it is…here I am…did I lose muscle because I took a break…and then she told me..my bf was 22.7%…..WHAT?? Are you sure is what I wanted to say….really…I dropped from 25% last check in September and I gained 2lbs muscle.

So I’m still making progress and this should be motivation enough to keep working hard…want to get down to 20%..of course more, but all of this in baby steps!! And since I’m studying to be a fitness instructor, I now know it takes at least 2-3 months off of muscle training to see a decrease in results while cardio only takes 2 to 3 weeks..GOD I love lifting weights.

 So hopefully with all of the holidays among us, I’ll still eat well..hell, I’m normal, increase my cardio and just keep up at it…starting last week back to the weights with a new program so we’ll see how this goes.

Wish me well!

Well I took Zumba last week…been practicing in my basement. One of the instructors at my gym is really cool and offered to help me in my spare time at the gym…that’s good because it can be overwhelming. So after another week at a job I can not stand..with the exception of the pay..and though I am paid well..some days that pay isn’t enough compensation for the aggravation and frustration of a behind the desk job all day driven by deadlines and pointless meetings. So I always find some excuse to procrastinate but today after just being pissed off and tired of complaining about the situation, I ordered my study materials for AFAA Primary Group Certification. Next steps is to study, enroll in a Practical Skills & Choreography course and enroll in the February certification workshop. Hopefully, I’ll be prepared by then…they have a special where it typically costs $299 for a workshop but during this weekend its $99 so I might as well save money..right. Well, I’ll see how study goes. I do have knowledge in anatomy since I am a Certified Massage Therapist. Can’t wait to get my books..on my downtime, I can study at work.

Uh..other than that…I am excited about my trip to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana baby!!) next month. I have a nurse assessment next week to see my training progress and next week, I’m back on track with resistance training–waiting for this great guy named Rick whom I met on here through chat to put together my program. He’s really been a great mentor. He keeps telling me to be patienct and that it took him about a year or so to see what worked for his body. I guess if there is one up side to my body is that looking at it, its not bad…I just know it can be better…especially when I’m out of my clothes.

Alright, will keep you posted on my progress!

So I’ve taken time off of my resistance training…to be honest, it feels like forever. Sill taking cardio classes and yeah, some muscle definition classes at the gym. Boy….can’t wait to find out my progress with my nurse assessment next week….will keep you updated. So this past Saturday, I attended a Zumba Instructor Training Workshop. For those of you who don’t know or haven’t experienced Zumba..it’a a dance, fitness program inspired by international rhythms like latin beats, reggaetone and hip hop. You literally can burn about 500 or more calories doing it within an hour. Not sure how much I burned this Saturday but the course was from 9 AM-6PM teaching us salsa, merengue, cumbia and much more. I was drenched and thank God I paid attention to the course e-mail and bought a second change of clothes.

Ok, have to admit, the course was overwhelming…a lot to learn in one day especially if you don’t have a fitness background. But I survived and as I left, I hate to admit it but FEAR and DOUBT crippled me. I started thinking "Can I really do this?" "Is a career in health and fitnes really for me?’" Can I really make a career out of it? And then I noticed something, I was crippling myself..because this was something different, new to me…unlike the last *gulp* 10 years of my life in advertising/marketing..did I mention I hate it??

So Zumba was only the beginning..a baby step for me. My next steps is to get my certification in Group Exercise through AFAA. It will help to as I have to take a practical skills and choreography class…I guess I never thought about having to memorize music and all the small facets involved in teaching a class. Anyway, if there are any fitness professionals out there…please feel free to post any aspiring words of encouragement. I know this all won’t happen overnight and I have to learn patience..not good at that. But this was a step..while I am officially a Zumba Instructor…I’m not planning to teach until I have my AFAA certification..for now, it’s practice, practice, practice in the basement with the music blasting

So I’ve been sticking to this program for about 4 or 5 weeks now and I need to revamp my training. I’m starting to get frustrated..not seeing any changes..feel I’ve hit a plateau. My nurse assessment is in a couple of weeks…sure my weight will be the same..if you look on my bodyspace..my weight has been constant but my bodyfat and muscle have changed which is good. When I hit the gym, I feel like I’m giving it my all, I’m working hard but when I look in the mirror..I’m not seeing anything different. So here’s the deal…I need to regroup, refocus and revamp! I’ve decided to take off two weeks..what do you think, am I doing the right thing? Don’t worry, I won’t fall off the wagon..I’ll be back but right now I’m just a little discouraged. Sometimes I feel if I was heavier, it would be easier for me to see the progress and see small changes. This body isn’t moving to me….and yes, I know I’m impatient also but I need to see something. Need to also work on my eating…no it isn’t bad but I think in the last couple of weeks due to discouragement, I’ve been slacking.

Taking time off to regroup..hopefully it will make me stronger..wish me luck!

Ok, so I decided to finally write a blog on bodybuilding.com. Why? Well for a couple of reasons. My main reason is that I’ve been in advertising/marketing for the last 10 years since I graduated college and I HATE IT….I decided to pursue a career in fitness. About two years ago, I went to school for Masage Therapy but never used it. Guess it was the fear of the unknown. Now I am currently awaiting my paperwork to become licensed in the state of New Jersey.

My journey to health & fitness…well, I’ve been hitting the gym consistently for about 2 yrs….I especially got into fitness when I had the BEST PERSONAL TRAINER, Maria Roelle, formely of an LA Fitness. She not only trained me hard but educated me and I guess I got hooked. Then it hit me..maybe I should be doing this as a career..the whole health and fitness thing..but I know it won’t be easy.

I train hard…but I need to get better with my eating habits. While most would say (as they often do) I have great bone mass, solid build, athletic build, I also have this little "pouch" which is my enemy!! I’m trying to be consistent with eating at least 5-6 meals a day but bad carbs are my down fall..I love bread and pasta

But I know I have to stay focused to continue on this journey and after seeing tons of women my age or older on this site would these awesome bodies it’s just inspired me more to stay focused. I’m excited as I am taking small steps to reach my bigger goal of taking over the fitness world..next month, I’m going to a one day workshop to be a Certified ZUMBA Instructor will let you all know how that goes…figure i can work out, make some more money on the side and gain some practical experience doing that part time.

Also looking into Personal Training….I figured if I start this blog…it holds me accountable to let you all know of my progress and I’m sure my setbacks. (Just keeping it real) I’ve met some great people on this site who have been more than willing to pass along information..I’ve even been to my first BB amateur comp…considering joining NPC.

Anyway, will keep you posted. My biggest hurdle is trying to figure what works right for me as I feel that i’ve reached a plateau. But I won’t let it discourage me…plus, I have a trip in December to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana baby).

I am workng toward my goals..my last nurse assessment, I lost 3% bodyfat and gained 4lbs muscle..I have no where to go but up from here…my next assessment is next month..will let you know how that goals. Right now, I’m trying to get my bodyfat down to 20%…currently at 25%…any bodyfat lost will be an improvement…I dont’ have to reach it all at once…just the fact that this number is slowly going down is encouragement enough.

Well, I’ll keep ya posted….help keep me motivated!!

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