All Muscled 2’s BodyBlog

Just had to report this to my fellow challenge members:  I went to the store this week to buy a dress.  When I started this challenge, I was in a size 12 (I know the dbl digits, was a 6 before I got married) but anyhoo, I bought this size 10 but didn’t try it on b/c I was in a hurry to get back to work.  Got home, tried it on and IT WAS TOO BIG!!!!  Let me tell you, I rushed back to the store the next day, tried on a size 8, and  it fit like a glove.  I am loving this new body.  It ain’t showing on the scale, but dammit it’s showing in my clothes.  As Jul says, Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!  I think I’ll be in comp shape way before April ~ just means I’ll have to find another show to do.  I ain’t mad at me!

"I hated every minute of training, but I said Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'’ -Muhammad Ali

Has anyone on the boards used Beverly International’s Up Lift Formula?

My trainer’s wife passed away this morning. She was such a beautiful person, a natural body builder, and a great role model. I feel more determined now than ever to get on that stage, because I know that’s what she wanted for me, and I know that she’ll be watching me.

She was only 40 something years old. Damn……..

Well, it’s time for me to lay it all out again.  So much has been going on, so in order not to lose your attention, I’m going to keep it factual.

 Fact #1 - I have been working with a wonderful nutritionist, JT (bodyspace JaruebaT) for the past 5 weeks, who has me on a very clean diet.  He is doing an awesome job, but I am not.  For whatever reason, I just cannot stick to the plan. I’m eating clean, but I’m not eating enough, and I’m not eating my foods in the right order.  I know that he gets frustrated with me, but he continues to encourage me, and I’ve finally made a commitment to either do it right or not at all.  I’m just not a big eater.  Breakfast for me usually doesn’t start until 9AM.  Well, with his plan I should be ready to start my second meal by 10AM.  I could not for the life of me figure out why I was not dropping my weight like I thought I should be.  Well, he told me twice that my protein intake was too high (I’ve got all the answers, right?  I figured more protein, more muscle.  I failed to take into account that excessive protein is just stored as body fat).  So to counter that, I decided to cut my carb intake.  Wrong move.  I guess you’re wondering if I had all the answers why hire a nutritionist, right?  Couldn’t understand why I was sooooooo tired in the gym.  Well, no carbs, no energy.  Boy, this has been a learning experience for me.  Hey I’m a personal trainer, not a nutritionist. Good thing I don’t councel my clients on how to eat.  Anyway, I’m now sticking to the plan and the weight is once again coming off.  Woo Hoo!

 Fact # 2 - Decided that I could work out at home on my own, and just start working out with my trainer say 10-12 weeks out.  Huge mistake!  I’ve been getting a day here and a day there, and hardly any beneficial amount of cardio.  So with tail tucked, I met with him last week.  He took one look at me and said "you’re ready, aren’t you?"  He knew that I’d come crawling in eventually, and am I glad that I did.  I’ve lost inches and when I started my weight was 186.  It’s now 174, but the body fat analyzer that I’m using keeps saying that my bf is between 30-31%  WTF?  How is my body fat staying the same?

Fact #3 - I’ve never had a skin calipar test performed, so that was the first thing that he did, after weighing me.  I’m almost hysterical, crying, frustrated, telling him about the weight loss and going down a dress size (from 12 to 10, and now I’m beginning to fit into size 8, albeit tightly.  Anyway, out come the skin calipars, and guess what?  My body fat is not 30% - it’s 20.63%!!! Happy day!!!  I feel like I have a new lease on life!  I only have 8-10% bf to lose!  So I know that I’ll be ready for my show before April!  And guess what!  My trainer has agreed (I guess he did this to keep me motivated)  to show with me in April at the NANBF show in Kankakee, Illinois, as a Master’s couple!  How cool is that!  With more motivation than ever, I know that I can get this done.  This is a tough road, but I am determined to complete it.  Hey nothing worth having is ever easy, but it is doable.  I uploaded one progress pic, tell me if you see a difference.

 Thanks, J.  I’ll make you proud.  Just don’t give up on me and keep encouraging me, because that means a lot to me.  And thank all of you guys for your support.  It means a lot as well.

“All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail.”

My coach/nutritionist/trainer is such a character.  He’s very proud of my accomplishments and suggested that I share, so here goes.  I’ve lost another pound, lost a half inch on the old thighs, and another inch on the hips.  My abs aren’t popping like I want, but I know why.  The dreaded cardio.  But I’m back, and in full effect.  So watch out Jul, I’m on your tail!  Btw, what’s the next challenge?  Please tell!