yswimfan’s BodyBlog

I feel great. its been a struggle but I’m finally starting to feel like i’m living the fitness lifestyle like i used to. i’ve been getting to the gym and controlling meals this week. I love when i have a set plan to follow - i’m either planning my meals down to the hour, or randomly consuming fast food and junk. kinda two extremes i guess. Got legs tonight and I’m excited!! looking forward to getting my bf back down and feeling good about my body. Ha, this was a random post!!

Whew… weeks two and three of my month long process of getting back into the swing of things are going ok. I’m still working on the meal planning, but have been getting to the gym, which I think is a big accomplishment. It’s crazy how much I’ve changed in the last two years. I feel like my life revolved around the gym and fitness - i planned my workouts and meals, knew exactly what I was going to do and when I was going to do it. I managed to work and go to class, some…ha. But now, the 45hr work weeks are getting me. Maybe I need to get a new gym - I workout at my place of employment - but I’m not really looking to do that. I just have to focus, remember what my goals are. I am almost embarassed…I want to post my goals and pictures that motivate me, but my significant other isn’t as passionate about fitness. She is a little overweight, and I feel guilty posting these things around our place, or talking about my lifts or nutrition. Screw that. I have to be selfish. If I can’t take care of and love myself, how can she or anyone else. How will I have confidence in our relationship and in the workplace? Just do it Abby, get to the gym. Make time.

Ha, this kinda turned into a mini-rant. Gym tonight.

Well, I started my first week of getting back on track today, and it went great. I made it to the gym and did a dumbbell complex that kicked my butt. I’ve never done complexes, but I really liked it - better than elliptical or the bike, and more intense. Tomorrow is an off day from the gym, but I’m looking forward to my long walk with the dog, and I’m sure she is too. Anyways, just wanted to post some stats for the start of this process.

Weight: 139lbs
BF %: 20.6%
**These were both taken in the morning after I got up, and after going to the bathroom. That will be my standard for measuring.

One month. Four weeks. Simple tasks. That’s my plan. Instead of jumping into a fitness lifestyle like I used to live, I’m taking it one step at a time. When I was in school, it was a lot more easy to dedicate my time to workouts and low carb diets. A full time job and a serious relationship has taken it’s toll, and the idea of jumping in is overwhelming. So, I’m going to break it down a bit. I challenge myself to accomplish these tasks each week, being sure to maintain the previous weeks accomplishments.

Week 1 - Physical Activity: get some sort of physical activity each day, either lifting weights, water fitness, or walking the dog. I’m not planning on being intense everyday, that would wear you down fast. So I’m simply committing to lifting 4-5days per week, and the days I don’t, I’ll take the dog for a 30min walk. Supplementation: whey shake post workout, and a multivitamin.

Week 2 - Pre-planning and cooking meals. Pretty simple. I plain what and when I will eat, and make sure I have it prepared. No more "oh I don’t have anything to eat, guess I can do Taco Bell." Just do it.

Week 3 - Water. A gallon a day. Veggies - at least one serving a day. Stretch and foam roll 3-4 times a week.

Week 4 - Cardio. Get in some HIIT or steady state, just something more intense than walking the dog, at least 3-4days per week.

I guess a lot of this seems simple, and I could do it all at once. But I’m more confident that this approach will make a long term effect, instead of eating/working out to look good for some occasion. Let’s see what happens, I’ll start week 1 on Saturday, going Sat - Friday for each set of tasks.

Well, here we go again. I have never been a consistent exerciser or clean eater. I let people and work and school get in the way. I let myself get busy and neglect my fitness and overall well being. Over the next few days, I’m going to start posting on here again, not because I think people will read these blogs, but because I need a place to write down my feelings. I don’t need a bunch of comments and all, but want to think that people might be reading - that will motivate me. I’m struggling right now with a few things.

First, I just started a new job. I’m an aquatics director, so I’m responsible for all aspects of aquatic programming and staffing at my Y. I really do enjoy doing this and being around a pool. Unfortunately, long days are part of the job. Swim lessons, guarding, dealing with equipment breakdowns, it really takes a toll. Sometimes I’m not able to eat every three hours like I would like. I let myself get too busy and not take care of myself. So I guess my goal with work is to really focus and get my work done in the most efficient manner. I don’t need to check Facebook or bb.com while I’m at work, it’s only a distraction. I’ve been very good about not playing on the internet at work, and hope I can continue that.

Secondly, and maybe the bigger problem, is my relationship with my significant other. My girlfriend is a great girl, but not the most in shape. She played softball in high school, and has stayed active, but is still on the large side. She works out, but not on a consistent basis. I’m allowed protein shakes, but fish oil is off limits. She eats overall a healthy diet, chicken and such, but still has weight issues. It’s hard to be consistent with workouts and clean eating when the person you spend the most time with doesn’t do the same. She will be joining my gym within the next monthor so, and we plan on going together, though not necessarily doing workouts together. Maybe that’ll help. I hope so. I wanted to do a short velocity diet cycle, but I’m scared to talk to her about it. She will say I look great and don’t need to lose weight. I almost feel guilty bringing up health and fitness issues, or talking nutrition. She is sensitive about her weight, and I don’t want to seem like I need her to be one way. How do you deal withhese people in your life?

Alright, lunch break is over. Feels good to get a few thoughts down on paper, well sort of.

Well, here we go again. I have never been a consistent exerciser or clean eater. I let people and work and school get in the way. I let myself get busy and neglect my fitness and overall well being. Over the next few days, I’m going to start posting on here again, not because I think people will read these blogs, but because I need a place to write down my feelings. I don’t need a bunch of comments and all, but want to think that people might be reading - that will motivate me. I’m struggling right now with a few things.

First, I just started a new job. I’m an aquatics director, so I’m responsible for all aspects of aquatic programming and staffing at my Y. I really do enjoy doing this and being around a pool. Unfortunately, long days are part of the job. Swim lessons, guarding, dealing with equipment breakdowns, it really takes a toll. Sometimes I’m not able to eat every three hours like I would like. I let myself get too busy and not take care of myself. So I guess my goal with work is to really focus and get my work done in the most efficient manner. I don’t need to check Facebook or bb.com while I’m at work, it’s only a distraction. I’ve been very good about not playing on the internet at work, and hope I can continue that.

Secondly, and maybe the bigger problem, is my relationship with my significant other. My girlfriend is a great girl, but not the most in shape. She played softball in high school, and has stayed active, but is still on the large side. She works out, but not on a consistent basis. I’m allowed protein shakes, but fish oil is off limits. She eats overall a healthy diet, chicken and such, but still has weight issues. It’s hard to be consistent with workouts and clean eating when the person you spend the most time with doesn’t do the same. She will be joining my gym within the next monthor so, and we plan on going together, though not necessarily doing workouts together. Maybe that’ll help. I hope so. I wanted to do a short velocity diet cycle, but I’m scared to talk to her about it. She will say I look great and don’t need to lose weight. I almost feel guilty bringing up health and fitness issues, or talking nutrition. She is sensitive about her weight, and I don’t want to seem like I need her to be one way. How do you deal withhese people in your life?

Alright, lunch break is over. Feels good to get a few thoughts down on paper, well sort of.

Hurricanes are soo not cool… came home to Texas yesterday to get away from the storm, and now they’ve ordered a mandatory evacuation for Beaumont! I’m going to be heading to Houston with the fam….I miss Baton Rouge!!! lol.. Had to board up the beach house today - it’s down in Crystal Beach, Tx, near Galvaston. Guess this means getting back on track with a clean diet and workouts isn’t going to happen.. we’ll seee….

Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted on here. I’m back in Baton Rouge working at the Y and about to start my last semester at LSU. Workouts have been up and down.. I just feel so drained! I’ve been on a fast food kick lately, and it’s really getting me down. I have zero energy, don’t want to get out of bed, and I don’t mind eating crap. I feel like depression is getting the best of me, although I’m not in a full blown episode. I don’t have will power to cook chicken instead of grab a burger…it’s like when you aren’t motivated to get out of bed in the morning, how do you eat right?

At least I realize what is happening… I just need to work on the mental aspect. I see the 5lbs I’ve gained and just see myself as fat and ugly, a worthless screw up. Ok, wait, that’s exactly the wrong kind of thinking I should be doing. I need to focus on the positives - that I realize what is going on and that I know how to fix it. I’m going to start writing more, just to get thoughts out. I’m going to plan ahead and read my goals every day. I need to surround myself with positive people who value health and fitness. I can get through this and get back on track.

Ha, sorry this was totally not training related.

Well, I guess I had a pretty good day at the gym today. Had an older guy, maybe 60’s, tell me I had great legs. Hah, I guess now that I think about it thats kinda gross, but hey, it’s a compliment and I’ll take it! I feel a lot better this week about getting serious about workouts and my diet. Actually ate clean today… I didn’t go grab one of those darn ice cream cones while I was watching tv tonight, so I’m proud of myself. One day down, many more to go!!

I’m hopefully going to join a different gym tomorrow. Now that I quit my job at the Y here in Texas, I don’t really feel comfortable working out there, even though my fam has a membership, and I’m on that membership. Time for a new gym, hopefully one with people who are actually excited about working out.

So, it’s been awhile since I’ve been on this site…I’ve been slacking!!! I finished off the semester on a positive note - consistent workouts and actually eating clean. I was really starting to see great results. Buttt… I went out after finals, had the worst hangover ever, then ended up sick for the next week and a half. My diet and workouts have sucked since then. I need to get myself back on track! It’s just hard to eat what I want when I’m living at home - my family is like omg you’re eating what? Lol… but I guess I need to realize my goals are different than theirs…I want to look good in a swim suit! I’ve been up all night, I know, not good! But I’ve started to find a little of that fire and drive that I had lost. I feel like crap when I eat crap! That’s stopping today - now!

I need to keep working on the mental aspect of things…. I’ve been going through a rough time at work lately, thinking about quitting and just basically thinking what’s the point? Well, I got down on myself and that led to me on the couch with a bag of Cheetos. I am better than that! I can’t let situations control me, can’t let bad things that may happen ruin my plans and throw me off track. Ha, I don’t know where this post is going…. I’m tired I guess. I’m working on getting the fire back.