vanillabn’s BodyBlog

Well, I haven’t posted on here in a LONG time so I thought I’d start updating it a little more.

Last week marked the end of my first 3 months of weight training - not very long, but a milestone nonetheless, as it represents a goal I have accomplished and a 12 week period (however short it was) where I can honestly say I tried my very best and ‘finished’ what I started…. in a way.  However, it’s not as if this is something that will end for me.  I have learned that I love this lifestyle. I can’t believe how much has changed over the past three months.

As I also wrote in my journal (in the forums), my original intentions have changed so much, along with my attitudes toward my body, my goals, and what I’m capable of doing.  Although I am happy with the progress I have achieved so far, I am excited for the road ahead, and looking forward to seeing he extent of what I can accomplish.

From November 5th to February 2nd, I will be doing a new split (5-6 days/week) and carb cycling, which will allow my progress to continue.  I will also start updating my bodyblog a little more often - right now I’ve just been recording in my journal, but it may be a good idea to post it on here and hopefully get some feedback on things I could improve, etc.

Looking forward to what lies ahead!

Well, I haven’t posted anything here in a while!  Although I haven’t been keeping up with my page much (other than adding measurements here and there), I haven’t fallen off track at all, which is always a good thing =)  Since I started a journal in the forums, I’ve mainly been posting there and it seems repetitive to put everything here as well.  This weekend (Sep 29) marks the 9th week I’ve been workout out consistently and eating clean (except for the occasional "cheat" meal on the odd weekend).  It feels like it’s been so much longer, which only illustrates my lack of patience!  So far I’ve lost almost 14 lbs, put on some muscle, and also gained a lot of strength I didn’t have before.  I’m pretty pleased so far, and it only makes me want to work even HARDER.  The support from this site is awesome too - I can’t even begin to explain how much I’ve learned from other people, and how much advice I’ve been able to apply in a positive way!!  Hopefully the upcoming weeks will be as fulfilling as the last 9!

Well, I’m off to BC as of tomorrow, to go camping for 9 days or so!  It should be a lot of fun…I literally haven’t taken any time off work in the past couple years–it’s sad

I’ve planned all my meals out so that I’m eating clean the whole time I’m gone, but I probably won’t be weight training much while I’m there.  I’m going to try not to stress about the time off, and just resume my workout schedule when I come back.

Off to bed now, and tomorrow I’m gone!

Well, I’ve been doing pretty good - I’ve stayed on track, and also managed to stay positive.  I checked the scale today, and it looks like I dropped another couple pounds this week. sweet!  Still not noticing much of a change to my abs though - I guess that will be one of the things to change last.  I decided to take my cheat day today rather than tomorrow, as I had a family bbq and TOMORROW IS MY MARATHON!!!  Ahhhh…. I’m nervous.  I’m trying not to think too much about it, or doubting myself.  I haven’t even set a specific time-goal for myself to finish in … I’m just going to do my best and whatever happens, well, that’s that!

I’m going to start weighing myself once a week, and taking measurements + progress pics every 2 weeks.  I think that will work the best for now.

Did my workouts as planned all week, but I didn’t work out today, and after running 42 km tomorrow morning, I DON’T think I’ll be hitting the weights until at least Monday…. lol.

Wish me luck!

I’m so mad at myself!  The grueling workout that I’d planned for myself yesterday evening ended up being a half-assed one where I went home feeling worse than before I went.  Because my boyfriend wasn’t able to get off work until after 8, and we’d planned to go together, we didn’t end up getting to the gym until 9.  The half an hour I’d planned to run on the treadmill turned into 15 difficult minutes, and my abs feel nothing this morning as a result of my so-called ab workout. 

My marathon is on Sunday, and I’m so nervous for it that I feel sick.  I’ve been keeping up with my runs, but I don’t feel very confident right now and doubt has been creeping into my mind, as much as I try to resist it.  The fear of not finishing, or even of finishing with a really bad time, has added to the already huge pressure I feel.  While the fact that my family and friends know I am running this marathon and are interested in my results has been encouraging, it has also been a source of pressure, which hasn’t been good for my emotions OR performance.  I need to re-evaluate my attitude and realize that I am running this for myself, not everyone else.  It’s hard sometimes.

Yay! Tomorrow’s my "free day" on Body for Life, but it’s weird how much my mindset has changed in the past couple weeks.  Although I’m suppose to be able to eat anything I want tomorrow (well, within reason) - I don’t even feel the desire to splurge!  I’m just beginning to really enjoy some of the healthy foods I’m eating, and having fun experimenting with cooking and creating new meals that are good.  This morning I was thinking "hmm… what should I eat tomorrow on my free day?" but nothing’s really coming to mind!  I just hope the motivation I have right now won’t slow down over the next while….

Well, I broke down today and weighed myself, even though I promised I wouldn’t do that for a couple weeks because it usually lowers my motivation if I don’t see any change on the scale.  Surprisingly, I have actually lost 5 lbs in the past two weeks…I was pretty excited about that since this is the first time EVER that I’ve gotten "results" fairly immediately.  I am also starting to notice some slight changes to my hips and abs, although my cynical nature tells me that I’m crazy and that’s all in my head.
On Monday I’ll be starting my third week following the Body for Life plan, and so far I can definitely say it’s working for me.  I’m more energetic than ever before, and I’m feeling so much better since I started going to the gym regularly.  I’m enjoying weight training more than I ever thought I would, too - the good feeling I get after a really hard workout is incredible, and definately worth following my diet plan for.

If this is any indication of how my next 10 weeks will be, I’m looking forward to more!

My motivation level is rock solid right now!  I have made plans like this before, but never followed through - something in me has changed this time and I am determined to succeed.  Since I started the plan on July 23rd, I have been eating clean and haven’t skipped any of my workouts.  I have really pushed myself in all of my weight training, and looking back it amazes me at how half-assed my workouts were in the past. 

My training is a little bit complicated since I run a marathon on August 12th, so I have to do all my weight training in addition to the high amount of kilometers I’m currently running in preparation for the race–although I’m nervous and excited for the marathon, it will be relief for it to be over with so I can focus on other things.

I am determined to succeed!!  The trip I am planning for April 2008 has been a surprisingly great source of motivation - even though it’s so far away, I realize how much potential there is in not only the next 3 months, but over the next 9 months–for changing my body!

The past 2 weeks have been great - although it’s been hard work, the sense of accomplishment I’ve felt after NOT cheating, and the burning of my muscles after an intense workout where I gave it 110% is unmatched by anything else right now. 

 I am staying away from the scale for a while, since I’ve found it only lowers my motivation when I’m stalled a certain weight - for the time being, I’m going to focus on the fat I’m losing and muscle I’m gaining rather than the number on the scale.  I have already noticed slight changes in my body and feel much more energized and positive than before.  I’m looking forward to the next few months.