Stripping the Fat

Yesterday was a big gym day.  I felt like I was going to give myself an aneurysm or something…my cardio workout was intense.  I guess things have changed a bit, I am obviously a lot more fit than I was two 1/2 months ago because working out for 45 minutes to an hour on the Cross-Trainer does not make me winded or tired.  I had to really push things to break a sweat.  So it may be time to start running.  I do feel as if I can run at least 2 miles without really feeling anything but I guess part of me still thinks the "twins" will be in the way.  They have shrunk a bit though, so I’ll have to see if running will bother them.

Yesterday I worked on my arms and abs.  My arms have gotten a little smaller but what is strange is they don’t feel like they have MORE muscle.  I plan to concentrate on them a lot in October…as well as my glutes (just under the ass cheeks).  Those areas seem soft to me.  (my ass does not though - it’s hard) 

My legs are coming along but I need to figure out how to reach the inner thigh a bit more.  I can’t seem to strengthen the muscle there.  I hope running will help me tone that area a bit, I feel as if my inner thighs have a chunk of fat on them. *yuck*

Ironically though, I feel pretty sexy these days so I guess that is a plus.  At least I know that all of my efforts have at least given me a better feeling about my physical self. 

I can’t wait until November when I have a lot more time to dedicate to the gym.  I think I can get a lot accomplished during the months of November through January.

"We can’t become what we need by remaining what we are." - Max Dupree

“It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.”-  Charles Darwin   (I LOVE THIS QUOTE)

Non-Scale Signs of Progress

1.     Check out your closet -  I’m sure many women save an old pair of jeans or an old outfit that they loved, hoping to one day fit into them again.  For me, it’s actually several brand new things that I purposely bought in hopes of fitting into and most of them fit now.  I love that ish!!

2.     Aside from weight, use other numerical signs of progress. When you first start your program, take measurements of your waist, arms, neck and hips. Even if you are NOT losing pounds, you ARE probably losing inches. Measuring your body is more reliable than the scale alone. Other numerical indicators include a reduction of blood pressure or cholesterol, heart rate, and body fat percentage.  I am amazed that my blood pressure has been normal.  Another factor not mentioned  is stress…I’m really never stressed anymore.

3.     Can’t have sex every day?  EXERCISE!!!  LOL!  Okay, this one is NOT a no-brainer, but it does work.   I have not been getting as much sex as I crave, but that is cool…and I can surely catch up later right?  But I have been getting a lot of physical activity which is making up for the areas I’m lacking in and it’s getting me in shape for "other" activities in the future!  The Bodybugg has been helpful in keeping me in a high range activity level, but I am planning to push those levels to the limit in October.

4.     Happiness Factor.  I’ve been a lot more laid back than I usually am and have not been so easily stressed.  I actually can’t believe this. I’m starting to think STRESS was the main thing making me fat because I haven’t worked out much this month and my weight is still dropping (or I should say the fat is still dropping).

5.   DIET.  I have not been drinking much shakes or taking many supplements.  I have simply been eating when I’m hungry and not eating when I’m not without restrictions of fat, carbs or protein - just food.  This started out as an experiment because I was trying to go off the No-Xplode while I was not working out.  That led to my not taking shakes and then my fat started to fall off.  INNERESTING right??  LOL!  (I know it’s a typo - thanks)

6.  Compliments.  Well those have been coming quite fast and furious this week.  I think in the last 5 days I’ve had at least 12 people ask me if I am losing weight.  Cool, that they noticed, but I do remember telling my personal trainer that I would not show weight loss until the 25 pound mark…and I  am assuming I’m there or have surpassed it.  (I need to weigh in).

With all that said, sometimes the scale is not everything.  I am getting smaller and it’s strange.  The pants and jeans I was happy to fit into 3 weeks ago are too big in the waist already.  NOW…the BOOTY does not seem to be budging so I plan to hit all glute exercises hard core for the next 5 weeks.  Along with the concentration on the glutes, I want to concentrate a bit on the chest, abs and arms. ALL OF THOSE BODY PARTS ARE WEAK AREAS FOR ME.

I also plan to take some new pics since I can’t tell any real difference when i look at myself in the mirror.  My daughter just turned 21 today and is partying, but when she gets a moment I’ll have her take some new photos.  I was trying to hit the 180 mark by the first of the month - we’ll see if I can.  I have not been under 180 since 2001.

“Happy Birthday to Amy Winehouse. She turned 25 years old yesterday. 

It’s amazing. She doesn’t look a day over 50.” – Jay Leno

The deadline has come and gone…but we have one more next month and then I can concentrate once again on me.  This week should be a slow work week so I’ll be in the gym tomorrow.

I have noticed a few things with time away from my workouts.  First of all this morning I weighed 187 pounds…meaning I lost two pounds since last week. I think its due to all the walking I’ve been doing.  Secondly, I haven’t had a protein shake since I was last at the gym…nor have I had 6 meals a day, I am seriously wondering if all that protein was stalling me.  I feel "soft" even though I’m clearly smaller than I was two months ago - I really have to work on my abs more (I hate sit ups).  My favorite jeans fit but I still have not done anything more than try them on in the house.  I guess I’m waiting until they have a little bagginess in them first.

People are noticing the weight loss.  That sort of cracks me up because I have not been working out. Backwards I tell ya!  At any rate, I have a lot of work to do in the next two weeks…and I plan to get a daily workout in before the overtime starts back up.

I am still alive and well although it has been a hectic two weeks.  I work in the tax department and have been working a bit of overtime for the upcoming tax deadline. Although I have not been to the gym in 10 days…I have managed to get in a some cardio outdoors…not to mention we are running around the office non-stop. My weight has gone up ONE pound!  LOL!  Pretty cool I think…for some reason I was expecting some huge jump in weight from my lack of gym time. The deadline ends on the 15th and I can resume my workout schedule until the October deadline rolls around.  For now, I am getting in as much exercise as I can without my precious gym.  C

I think body composition is a better indicator of the condition of your physical being than body weight. Since muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue, and exercise develops muscle to a certain degree, your bathroom scale doesn’t necessarily tell you whether or not you are “fat.”  Right now the best indicator for me has been how my clothes fit.  I seem to be losing weight steadily but pretty slow for the most part.  But I feel a lot smaller in places that have been feeling fat and sluggish for more than a few years. I am especially loving the feeling of “lightness” I experience EVERYDAY during this phase.

 With that said, I can’t wait to have my bodyfat tested next week in the water/tank.  I am just not sure that the caliper testing is doing me justice, I feel as if I have a lot more lean body mass than what my trainer says I have.

I went to a comedy show this weekend, got dressed up and did the VIP thing.  Met a few of the comedians but was especially happy to meet two of my favorites, Joe Claire and RodMan - they both had me in tears during their performances.  I felt cute and sexy while out this weekend, not feeling self conscience at all about fat or bulges because it is gone!   (well I have a little on my back still, but it looked really good in the outfit).

I thought my weigh in and fat testing was due this past weekend but it’s actually not going to be done with the trainer again until the 13th, so I have 11 days to lose as much fat as possible!