imabiddy22’s BodyBlog

I DO! I made a big step, I actually wore shorts to the gym this week. Felt like everyone was staring at me, but it was probably just me being paranoid. Been very busy the past 2 weeks. Been working out strong and dieting well. A friend of mine is also dieting and began working out, so even though we dont work out together that is still added motivation for me…

Just a quick post to check in. I will be posting body measurements (yikes) and new progress pics within the next week… 

Week two went by really fast. I managed to get in 4 really good cardio days and 4 really good lifting days. Boy was I sore after a heavy legs day. My cardio included a kickboxing class, a workout on the stair mill, and two 45 minute treadmill workouts. Ive decided to split my workout a different way. I want to work each muscle group twice a week.

day 1: legs, back, abs
day 2: chest, arms, abs
day 3: legs, back, abs
day 4: chest, arms, back
Halloween= worst day of the year for dieters. I worked a kids halloween sleepover at my gym, and ate sooo much candy. I seemed to have forgotten my new motto that night… Nothing tastes better than being fit. I have to do more cardio for my goal session to make up for it. Week 3 slipped by without me setting any goals. So Im gonna skip and set goals for week 4.

My arms are progressing nicely. One of the trainers in my gym commented on how great he thinks they look. Made my whole day. Now if my legs and abs could catch up….

Im obsessed with my legs. I think they are horrible, fat, jiggly, and whatever else you wanna call them so I have been really trying to focus on them, lifting heavy and gettin in real cardio.

Breaking News, Major development… The other day while gettin dressed I was examining them in the mirror. I noticed something, almost gave me heart attack…. PROGRESS… I think I saw the beginning of some news lines of definition. Im not trying to get my hopes up just yet, though. I still have a really long way to go.

We’ll see after the next week if I really saw what I think I did!

Goals for Week 4 (Nov 8- Nov 14)
1. drink 3 liters of water each day
2. get 4 days of cardio
3. take 2 classes at the gym
4. jog 3-4 miles on treadmill for 1 of cardio workouts
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!

I read this quote in a magazine today…

Its my new favorite quote.

As we all continue to fight to eat clean and healthy…
Anytime you are tempted to eat something you are not supposed to…
Anytime you question yourself and why you are changing your lifestyle…
Anytime you still feel hungry after eating your chicken and broccoli, because your body is used to you over eating…
Anytime you feel like you have to have those fries, that burger, or drink that soda…
Just look in the mirror and remind yourself that…

NOTHING TASTES BETTER THAN BEING FIT!!!

One week down…

The first week setting smaller goals went pretty well. Ive determined what healthy proteins I like and tried some new recipes. A little spice goes a long way!!! Following my goals for last week. I was able to eat clean for 5 days minus one meal, it was my nieces birthday and she begged me to have a small piece of cake so I gave in. But other than that I did great! I even maintained a food log, I need it to be more detailed because I really wanna try to start counting calories.

I took 1 class at the gym this week, KICKBOXING. It was great, I was soaked in sweat within the first 15 minutes. I think I’ll go again this week. And try to get 2 cardio classes in!

I didnt get the 3 liters down everyday. Most days, the most I got down was 2, so I think i’ll make that another goal this week. I got some extra rest on several days, which is good.

Finally for my outdoor cardio day, I took an hour long walk outside. It was a beautiful day and I needed to get out. I need to do better though, i need more intensity than just walking. 

I am also excited because I recieved some workout advice. I went much heavier than usual and boy do my legs feel it, thank you soo much.

So here are my goals for this week…

Goals for Week 2 (Oct 25- Oct 31)
1. drink 3 liters of water each day
2. get 4 days of cardio
3. take 2 classes at the gym
4. count calories in detail for 3 days in a row 
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!

Ok…. So I joined this site back in June, expecting to make a long plan and follow it to the T and everything work out perfectly. Then in 3-4 months Id have the body Ive always wanted. Well things dont always work out as planned…

I’ve realized that this is much harder than I thought. Eating clean and working out on a daily basis for a long period of time is really really really hard. Well the working out part isnt my problem. I EAT ENTIRELY TOOO MUCH FOOD. Ive realized that my major problem is SELF CONTROL and DISCIPLINE (Im severely lacking in both categories)!!! Ive always worked out so Ive been in ok shape, but at the same time Ive always eaten anything and everything I wanted. (Pizza is my favorite food in the whole world, I could eat a whole large pizza by myself)

So Ive decided to change my whole approach. Instead of having one long term goal (ie in 4 months I want to have lost 15-20 pounds). Im going to make several weekly goals that are more manageable and more realistic. I want to set new goals for myself every week.

Based on how each week goes, I wll set a new one or if I didnt meet the goal that week try it again the next week. I feel like setting weekly goals will help me to be more accountable for keeping my food and exercise logs, sticking to a plan, and following a routine. I also think that it will better keep me from falling off the wagon.

My week always begins on a Monday and ends on Sunday…

Goals for Week 1 (Oct 19- Oct 24)
1) Eat a clean diet 5 days in a row
2)Record everything in a detailed food log (gotta learn how to count calories)
3) Make one cardio day an outdoor jog  regardless of the weather
4) Take a new class at the gym for one of my cardio days
5) Drink 3 liters of water a day (trying to get up to a full gallon)
6) Get some rest, try for 7 hours of sleep at least 4 days

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!

I wrote a few days ago, and Ive started. Im trying to get myself motivated, so Ive spent countless hours reading and scanning through profiles, workout programs, blogs, progress pictures, and articles on bodyspace. I really am addicted to this site. I know my problem is what I eat. And I really am battling to give up the junk and eat right.

Im back to drinking protein shakes and I have my gallon of water.
Ive got new food/exercise logs (Ive have to change them a lot b/c I get bored with them fast).
Ive got some new workout routines and advice for change.
Ive got some new healthy recipes to try.
Ive done my grocery shopping and thrown away all the garbage in my fridge.
Focused on really getting the legs that I want…. 

Im back on track, and ready to lose some more…. 
 

Why is it that whenever I tell someone that Im working out or that I have to get in the gym at least four days a week, they look at me and the first thing they say is "you’re not fat" or they ask me "Do you think you’re fat, because I dont".

This drives me absolutely crazy. First of all my opinion of fat is different from your opinion of fat. In my opinion, I carry too much body fat, at 23%. I want to get down to at least below 20% with my ultimate goal of about 15-16% body fat. While you may like the way I look, I dont and thats what matters.

It also drives me crazy because most people I know think that only people who are "fat" should exercise, workout, and eat healthy. Needless to say, none of the people Im referencing work out, eat healthy, or exercise regularly.

Just because I’m (in your opinion) "not fat" doesnt mean I shouldnt work out, exercise, or eat healthy.

Just because Im (in your opinion) "not fat" doesnt mean I should go with you to McDonald’s, Papa Johns, or eat the rest of the garbage that you’re consuming.

The most frustrating thing of all is the use of the word FAT. I HATE THAT WORD!! I think it should only be used when referencing body fat %. I find that word to be sooo negative, degrading, and very disrespectful. Don’t call people fat, its not nice, and it hurts their feelings whether you realize it or not. I prefer overweight or obese. Most people are sensitive about their weight and realize that they are overweight. You calling them fat doesn’t do them any good….

I just posted progress pics I took 2 weeks ago, lol. I will post more recent ones in another 2 weeks. I havent really done much working out (havent stepped foot in the weight room) in the past 10 days and I have only been eating healthy about 60% of the time. Ive spent most of the last 10 days shall I call it ‘on vacation’. I’ve been jump roping though, which is better than nothing. But that doesnt take much effort since I do teach jump rope classes and coach/train a team. Ive gotta become motivated again. Im sitting here right now planning my workouts and meals for the next 7 days, so that I can get myself on track…

By the way Im looking for some new workouts. My legs are terrible (notice I never take pictures of them) and they are looking worse and worse. Anyone have any ideas for workouts, I need all the help I can get! Im also looking for some new recipes for salmon and chicken breasts.  Until next time… 

____

I forgot to mention the fact that today is Sept 11, 2009. Eight years ago today I was in math class working on a project in my high school library. I remember the computers froze and we could see everything going on because they had the tvs on. Then the administrators at school panicked. I grew up in VA right outside of DC; a large number of kids at my school had parents working in the Pentagon that day. They had to keep our class in the library so that we didnt tell any students what was going on until they had all of the administrators and counselors into place and were ready to make a formal announcement…. I will never forget seeing the look on my classmates faces b/c they couldnt get a hold of their parents etc.

Ive been so happy with myself for the progress that I was starting to show… Then I went and ate french fries, chipotle, and cheesecake plus didnt work out for 3 days. So mad at myself right now, because Ive been doing so well. Im gonna call it a momentary lapse in judgement the past couple of days, and get right back on it though!!! 

Wooooohoooo…  I’m seeing some progress. According to my scale this morning I’m down to 163.0 lbs, but I’m not logging this yet. I want to see that number for a few days before I get too excited. I haven’t been this light in 4 or 5 years. I’m happy because if I’m able to maintain, this makes my loss at 10 pounds total. I feel good because, this is the first time I’ve ever tried to lose weight. And using this site and , I’ve been able to lose 7 pounds. Although I still have a lot of work to do, I want to be less than 150# with a body fat % in the teens. Whoever said progress is a slow process wasn’t lying!  I really think the changes I’ve seen are due to decreasing my portion sizes and increasing my water intake, because I honestly haven’t been eating very well. Before I used to eat just because and I would eat enough to feed 2 or 3 people, I would sit and eat a whole pizza by myself.  And I would continue to eat even if I was completely full, until the point that my stomach hurt. Now I’m controlling my diet. I’ve only been eating 4 smalls meals a day: I get up at 530am, eat a snack around 9-930 (usually a protein bar or shake), eat lunch at 1230, eat another small snack around 4 before I go coach (usually a piece of fruit or a Clif builders bar and a bottle of water), then finish out the day with dinner when I get home around 10pm (which is really late to eat). I’ve also been getting down between 6-8 bottles of water a day. I do give in 2 or 3 times a week and eat out. I haven’t gotten to the point where I can give up all the garbage I’ve been eating the past 25 years all at once. Its going to take some time, I’ve gotta wean myself off. It doesn’t help that my boss keeps the largest basket of candy ever in the office kitchen. It has every type of candy you can think of. But so far I’ve been able to avoid that temptation.   One of my biggest problems is eating breakfast. For some reason, I can’t eat anything within the first 3 hours of waking up or I get nauseous and my stomach feels queasy. I’ve had this problem since I was a teenager, and I still don’t know what causes it.   

I realize now that I can’t do anything and tend to eat crap when I’m really tired, so I’ve also been making a huge effort to get more sleep. I usually only get 5.5 hours of sleep. But I’ve been making it my point to get in bed earlier so that I can at least get as close to 6.5-7 hours as possible. Thank God for Saturdays!  My rant because I’m frustrated. I’m so tired of the protein powders that I have that I gag every time I try and drink, but I somehow force myself to get them down. Does anyone have any suggestion for a protein drink that is more like a beverage (fruit punch) and not a shake (i.e. not chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or some other kind of ice cream or dessert flavor). I’ve been eating a lot of fish, for the past couple of weeks, because I got tired of chicken. I learned that I really do not like tuna. It’s weird I love both salmon and tilapia; I can eat them everyday several times a day. If only salmon wasn’t so expensive in comparison to chicken. I know I’ve been eating more carbs (bread) than I should and need to up my protein intake. This morning I got up and made an egg white omelet with vegetables and couldn’t even get down half before I started feeling queasy, so I just stopped eating. I’ve been trying but all I can get down is a bottle of water. Obviously I’m still working on sticking to eating ’clean’; this is an everyday struggle for me.   Jump rope, jump rope, and more jump rope… I’ve been getting all of my cardio through jump roping. I haven’t touched the treadmill or elliptical in weeks. I’ve really been working on my jump rope skills; it’s so much more fun than running on a treadmill. I am seriously considering competing this year. I spend 4 days a week in the gym with a nationally competitive jump rope team on which I am one of the head coaches. I used to let one of the older girls lead most of the conditioning drills, but now I do them and jump along with the group. We practice about 8 hours a week and I also teach 3- 45 minute beginner jump rope classes.  Oh yea I forgot about kickboxing. I went to kickboxing again last week, and I’m going again tonight. It wasn’t as bad as last week; in fact I’m starting to love it. I learned a valuable lesson, DO NOT TRAIN HEAVY LEGS right before taking this class; you will not be able to walk without pain for several days.  

This is the most random blog ever… I need to write more than once every 2 weeks!    

I had a set back this week. I experienced the worst leg cramps/charlie horses in my calves, Ohh man did I think I was gonna die… lol I havent had a leg cramps since the days of high school basketball, that was not a feeling I wanted to remember. I sat around for 3 whole days doing absolutely nothing b/c my calves were soo tight and sore that I could barely walk. Needless to say, I am no longer taking water for granted. On top of not working out for three days, I had one day where I ate like crap. I took my nieces out to a pizza buffet (pizza is my favorite food) and I was doomed.

I definitely have to do a much better job of controlling my diet. I know for a fact that I would be seeing much more results than I am now if I could just cut out the garbage and eat clean all the time. I mean if my diet matched my workouts, Id be halfway to my goal of losing 20 pounds. =( Im really trying though, this is a long process. It really hard to undue 25 years of horrible eating in a few weeks, but Im taking it day by day! Ive been doing a lot of reading and research… Ive read Body for Life and the Eat Clean Diet by RENO, Ive also got new subscriptions to Fitness, Oxygen, Shape, and M&F. Im like a sponge soaking up all this new information.

In 3 days, I go out of town for another week. Im traveling with the kids I work with to the Junior Olympic games in Des Moines, Iowa. Anyone ever been to Iowa, whats there to do?  I’ve really planned ahead this time. I ordered the ON whey protein Assorted Pack that comes in a box of 16 packets. Each packet contains one scoop of whey protein. Ive also bought single serving packs of almonds. Ive even found a protein bar that makes my craving for chocolate disappear. WOOHOOO finally. Also my hotel has a huge workout facility as well as a lap pool. I will not let traveling or hotel life set me off track again!

Progress is a slow process… Im still motivated, and I really want to achieve my goals so Im pushing on…. Will post a new progress pick soon…