Seeking clarity
I’m not so excited about the fact that anyone who sees my profile gets to see me standing in my skivies. But initially I really wanted to see exactly how I looked. I didn’t want anything to be covered or hidden by clothing. The next round of photos I think I’ll do what most of the guys do on this site, which is to focus on the upper body and wear shorts. The women always show it all, and the men show it from the waist up. What’s up with that?
Today, I ran 3 miles during the warmer part of the day. Man, the heat makes a big difference in how well I run. The other night I ran long after sunset, and I was making good time and felt like I could run even 5 miles. Weight lifting has been going well, too. I am on Week Five of my program, and I haven’t missed many workouts at all. This is the best I’ve ever done.
I’m using Strength for Life as a guide. I do my upper body push exercises on Sunday, upper body pull on Tuesday, and a circuit on Friday. I am not doing legs right now, because I am running four days a week. The last time I lifted legs, my legs were cement the following Saturday, and it was a painful long run. If I wasn’t training for a half-marathon, then I would lift legs.
I wonder if I will gain any muscle with all the cardio I am doing. I have a lot of fat to burn around my middle, so I don’t plan on focusing on bulking up anytime soon. But I do want to build muscle and lean mass — is that possible to do while running four days a week?
I have been debating a lot about my diet, too. I would like to lose fat, however I don’t think it makes sense to avoid carbs when I’m running regularly. How much should I limit my carbs? How much protein should I aim for? I’ve been reading other people’s blogs, trying to get some ideas about what to eat. Today, I bought sliced bread, cottage cheese, sliced turkey, sliced roast beef, and cheese. I also got a 3 lb brisket which is currently simmering on the stove with a lot of vegetables. I am planning on making a low carb lasagna with broccoli and mushrooms next.
I think I might try to cycle my carbs. Maybe I could eat medium carbs on the days I run, and low carb / high protein on the days I lift.
Here’s another debate I’ve been having. A couple of years ago I went to see a nutritionist. I asked for help with losing weight. She taught me to focus on loving myself just as I am, which I think is a really important lesson, and one I am grateful for as I continue to strive for consistent self-acceptance. So how do you love yourself as you are and yet strive to change your body? It seems like a paradox. My nutritionist was not at all interested in food restriction. She helped me recall that every time I restrict, I end up feeling deprived and want to binge. Restriction does not work for me. Instead, I have to think about replacement. Replace nutrient-poor food choices with nutrient-rich food choices. And of course, leave some room for dessert.
Writing about this has helped me gain some clarity. I love my body the way it is, and that’s part of the reason I go to the gym, because I want to give my body the attention it deserves, so that it gets stronger and stays strong my whole life. And I don’t restrict my diet, I re-design it, replacing certain food with other foods depending on what I think my body needs most.
Hhm. That’s good. Writing is such an amazing process. I often get the answers I need. Hey, it’s easy to fall into negative thoughts when I’m so focused on how I’d like my body to look. I have to remind myself every day to think positively and to thank God for the marvelous body I already have. I love this body just the way it is, and I’m going to keep giving it the attention it deserves.
October 23, 2008 at 1:22 am
hi. Just like you, I used to jog daily, well you run, I was big and jogging is all I can do…then I see alot of weight dropped. I think you are on the right track. As for foods intake, I am still working on that …you are not alone =)