jcorbett’s BodyBlog

While I was away in Ohio I went to the YMCA. It was a great gym with new equipment and it was very clean. Almost all the equipment worked and I was able to get in a lot of training. Today after 2 weeks I was able to return to my neighborhood gym and I think I smiled the entire time I was there. I love the leaky roof, the smell of funky socks, old equipment, and most of all I was excited to see my trainer. I wanted to run & jump in his arms like a little kid, but instead I just worked really hard. I didn’t whimper, complain, or cry today. I just smiled at the extra weight and additional sets. Today was leg day and I haven’t even started limping yet.

There’s no place like home:)

I have lost 1/2 inch of my thighs and 1/2 inch off my waist  since I began the MuscleTech contest. While the transformation is in process, I am encouraged by some progress. I see more muscle definition in the quads and believe the fat will be burned off within the next two months. My knee hasn’t hurt since I began taking Glucosamine two weeks ago–may be placebo affect, doesn’t matter if it’s real or imagined, just glad it’s not aching anymore. I’m not sure I’ll do any jump squats anytime soon. Maybe I need to buy new sneakers first? 

My mom had a stroke 2 weeks ago so the kids and I had to go to Ohio for 1 1/2 weeks. In the previous blog I wrote eating clean was somewhat of a challenge, but once I went food shopping I had more control of my daily food intake.  I cheated a couple of times and enjoyed some fried fish, coleslaw, potato salad, and chocolate covered strawberries. I was able to train at the YMCA 6 days (much more training than I can do in NYC due to kids’ schedule). The extra training helped a little with the overwhelming stress.

My mother is in acute rehab and unable to use her left side, but she is determined to get moving again. She is working hard in occupational and physical therapy. I teased her and said that maybe she’ll be a 78 year old body builder if she keeps working hard. She is a woman of faith and I can’t wait to see her walk again. Her life is a testimony about never giving up, so don’t count me out yet. I’m in it (the contest) to win it!

My mom had a stroke Mon. evening so I’ve been in Ohio for the past couple of days. First I had to get situated, but found myself in the middle of the family crisis worrying about my diet. Eating clean here seems like a foreign concept. The first night was rough b/c someone bought food for the family–how can you mess up baked tilapia–by adding butter and some type of seasoning that hurt my stomach.

I had a chance to grocery shop yesterday and have to prepare meals for my dad and my kids. I have much more control on my diet when I fix my own meals. I also bought all my suppliments w/ hopes that my immune system won’t be compromised due to limited rest and too much hospital exposure. I had the opportunity to do light training today with some cardio–I felt a ton of stress leave my body with the sweat.

This is a very difficult time for me and my family, but I am grateful for extended family, friends, and a few helpful medical professionals. My mom is unable to move her left side, but she is able to talk and she is good spirits. She entered a rehab center this evening. With continued prayer and much work she is determined to "beat this thing". She’ll be 78 years old on 4/27/08. With this in mind, I can’t give up now and realize that training and good diet is a life saver. I have had a few slips diet wise, but nothing major and hope to stay on track. I plan to work out as much as possible so that I can minimize the stress.

Please remember my family in prayer. Thanks.

I got the ole body fat measured today and was told by my trainer that it is @ 17.5%–I was shocked since it was supposedly 14.5% last month, but he made a mistake and was looking at the tables for males. I’ve been strutting my stuff around the gym like a proud peacock (and still will strut). I have also been spending way too much time in the buff in front of the mirror—miss too sexy for herself (lol) and miss I can now wear shorts to the gym w/o grossing myself out now. I was a little bummed at first, and definitely humbled.  However, I am proud of the progress made this far and am glad I have reclaimed my body.