jcorbett’s BodyBlog

Well it’s been almost a month since I posted my "after" photos. Two peanut butter jars later, I’ve gained about 6 lbs and my face has filled out again. Cheat meals have included pizza (one slice), bbq chicken, potato salad, chicken & dumplings, & fried fish [all 4th of July weekend goodies]. Suprisingly I turned down peach cobbler, which used to be one of my favorite desserts. The cheating was limited b/c the sodium content made me feel bloated & uncomfortable–not really worth overeating:)

I’m training more frequently (4 days vs. 2 days) b/c my children are in camp during the day–it feels great. I’m starting to see separation in the quad region–noted by my trainer–and I’m working on the ab muscles.

A funny thing happened today after church, a former boyfriend came up to me and "ooh & awhed" me (note: he’s 7 years my junior and looks my age or older–ha ha). We’ve known each other for 19 years. His comment was, "wow you look really different". Then the question, "how did you do it" was next.

Almost daily someone comments on my new figure. I’m honored and deeply humbled by this experience. I learned a lot about my body and contest prep as a result of participating MT Contest. I’m not sure what’s next, perhaps a fall competiton or not. It’s great to once again feel energetic and unashamed of my physique.

Typically I workout without talking to anyone mainly because I don’t have much time and also because I don’t want the guys to think I’m trying to “make a move”. I genuinely enjoy listening to my music and training hard and am annoyed by a lot of talking (especially by those who talk on the phone during their entire workout)—I cherish each moment I have without children or students. In the past I thought of the gym as a sacred space where networking or mating (for me) didn’t happen. However today was somewhat unusual, I chatted up a storm with a young woman and was able to get great ideas about an ab routine and great insight into how to begin in the personal training field. Since I am no longer working with my trainer—he kind of force me to graduate and suggested that I pursue a part-time career in personal training—I seized the networking opportunity which yielded good information and an added bonus of gym gossipJ. Additionally, I’m getting tips on how to prepare for this fall’s competition.

I’m curious about others; do you like to talk while at the gym? If so, is it for camaraderie, networking, good ole fellowship or a combination?