Struggling Self Image
Well, I had done another 12 week cut. Lost only 8lbs, but lost 6% bodyfat. So I was able to put on muscle at the same time. Which felt good. During it I was a little frustrated with the scale, but I was able to see my changes. This week I have taken it very easy. I got a new tattoo on my back so letting it heal and not doing much at the gym. I can tell that my self image is a struggle when I’m not working at the gym. I have not gained a single pound but I feel like I’m all bloated, fat and ugly. Some of that is just viewing myself as I was many many lbs ago. Changing somewhat quickly doesn’t allow for the brain to catch up I guess. Hopefully the self image will improve with time and get better as well when I start back up full force next week.
I’ve done a few days of the Insanity workout. Just the 12 minute warm-up though. Going along with taking it a little bit easy. Though I have to say even that warm-up really gets my heart rate up. It is comparable to when I do 20 minutes of HIIT. I am just as out of breath if not more. I can say that I pour more sweat! 
This I like. So with some of that and some P90X added into what I already do maybe I can get this fat off sooner. Through most of this I was working extremely hard to keep my muscle. I think I’ve moved past that for now. I think I want to just lose this fat and do it ASAP. Then worry about adding muscle once I am lean. That should help my self image. Hoping that will make things a bit easier for me mentally.
I owe my success of the past 12 weeks to SteveP78,Team Poynter, and www.fitnesspoynters.com. The Psychotic Fat Burning plan from Steve gave me a great meal plan and constantly changing workouts. Then all the moral support and encouragement from the Team pushed me to new limits. As I said only lost 8lbs, but 6% bodyfat. Thanks a bunch!
September 10, 2009 at 10:57 am
You’ve done a great job! Losing 6% bodyfat is awesome!
I think a lot of us struggle with thinking we have gone back to square one when we aren’t working out with the same intensity. I also got a tattoo that I had to let heal and life got busy for a few months and I felt like I was going to be back to where I started. I took progress pictures and compared them to where I had left off a few months ago and that really, really helped to show me that I didn’t look that different. You might want to do that. I know it made a huge difference for me.
September 10, 2009 at 11:03 am
Serious progress!!! Congats!! You should be so lucky to have that nice solid frame your working with. I’m having a serious self image problem too. Changes just can’t come fast enough but i KNOW in my heart someday i will be at a place where i’m happy with it all. Many blessings to you and exceeding your goals!
September 10, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Pack, how’s the eating? Now, really, how’s the eating? I ask like that because it’s soo easy for us to "skip over" little things like marinades, or a few extra almonds here and there, to an extra spoonful of peanut butter. Watch it like a hawk, bro.
Your fat’s coming off, that’s a certainty. I wish I could say that at X weight you’ll be happy, but I’m still unhappy with my gut. I just don’t mind my arms, chest, shoulders, face and legs any more. We’re too similar for you not to feel the same.
Just keep fighting. Never give up, never surrender to your "fat monster." You’ve got the resilience, just hold on past the down parts of this roller coaster ride, it’ll swing back up for you. But never stop. Others can stop, give in, call it quits. You aren’t like that.
Put another way, you’ve been fighting the war for some time. Battles have been won, a few lost. Your sword arm may be tired, and aches at the thought of more fighting - but victory will be ours. This is a battle, a test of wills the fat monster is attacking you with - have no doubt about that. Fight it, win this battle and continue on with the war. I’m with you.