I've Put the Scale Away

So, I still have work to do.  A lot of work.  Working out is going well, and although my daily class has ended, I have found some other classes to fit the bill, including Body Pump, which kicks my butt!

The diet is now the issue that needs work, and rather than be frustrated by the scale, I have decided to put it away for a month, continue working out and upping my cardio and strength, while challenging myself to eat as many fresh veggies and fruits that I can handle for the remainder of the summer.  It's the ideal time of year for this challenge, and I also need to up my water intake, as it is HOT, and looks to be for some time to come.

Absence makes the heart grow...?

Well, it's been two months since I posted!  oops!  Here's the skinny (In a "I'm still a Fat Chick with the Former in the Future, but not quite as fat as the chick who started this blog")...

I am almost done with that class I signed up for, and although I have not really lost weight (I do need to get a consistent diet going), I have definitely lost inches and done some reshaping.  I feel GOOD, and I don't want to give up strength training once this class ends.  My gym offers some good alternatives, and I am going to take advantage of them.  I am also upping my cardio, and my goal for the end of the summer is to shed weight as well as add muscle (which I definitely have).  So read on if you want some more detail!

When I first noticed changes: Probably a little over a week into the program.  I have a bit of a commute to work, so sometimes I drive with my right hand on the wheel, and my left hand hanging onto my right bicep (think "I'm having a heart attack" arm grab, but more relaxed :)  I was driving home one day, and did this absent-mindedly, when I felt a lump.  My actual thought process: "Oh my God!  What is this lump?  I have a tumor!?!  Cancer!?! Wait, it's rather big.  Oh man, how did I not notice this before?  Huh, actually, it doesn't feel like a lump.  It's....my....bicep....I'm an idiot....but I'm not even flexing....wow....cool!  I'm an idiot....calm down...." You know you have issues when your first thought upon feeling a newly strengthened muscle is "I have cancer"!

Well, I'm happy to say all other muscle transformations have been met with a little less hysteria!

My legs are definitely getting more toned, along with my arms, and my back/shoulders are also getting stronger.  I love seeing the definition without having to flex.  And again, I LOVE the way I feel.

I'm not going to say there aren't some days I don't want to work out.  And, like I said, the diet still needs to improve, but I can't imagine going back to the body I had before this journey began.  Although the scale may say "Lady, not much has changed", I feel it.  In fact, the scale is going to be put away shortly, and will stay there until the end of the summer.  I am not going to let it dictate how I feel about my body any more.  I am learning to actually consult the source.

I PROMISE to be more consistent with blogging.  I also have to figure out what happened to all the blogs I had in my reader...?

Ouch!!!

Day 3 of a ten week program, and I hurt! I am really looking forward to the changes, though. I think I will truly learn the meaning of blood, sweat, and tears!

Well, I did it

Midway through April I will start a 10 week program at my gym designed to really make a dent in my weight-loss process.  I'm going to try to up my days and workouts in preparation!

Farrell's Body Training?

So, I am close to another threshold. Slow, I know, but this spring has actually been a victory in that I have not quit trying nor allowed my workouts to be sacrifices to a crazy and stressful schedule.

The gym I go to offers a class similar to the 10 week sessions at the gums like Farrel's, and I was wondering if anyone had experience with something like that? I am really considering it!

Body Attack!?!

The gym I belong to offers several classes, including the Les Mills series. Although many are beyond my reach, I decided to take a break today to attend Attack. Let's just say I will have to spend some time explaining to my body there is such a thing as a good attack! If you can't get a good workout in this class, you are not trying!

Officially coming in with 10 lbs lost in two months. Definitely wanted more when I started, but now realize it could certainly be worse, so I will take it and move forward.

And finally, I made some taco meat yesterday with black beans, 96% lean meat, tomatoes, chilis, onions, and peppers. I went with a packaged taco seasoning. BIG MISTAKE! So much sodium, and I feel it! Anyone gave a good homemade substitute?

When the world turns upside down...

So, shortly after my last post, my mom began feeling pretty sick. After tests and surgery, it's now a cancer battle. I am in a state of limbo as we await the plan of attack.

This is not the first time for these events in my life. I was in this exact position at this exact time four years ago, but with my father. I lost him that December.

We are staying positive, but I can't help but feel the stress and fear. I also know that I put on a lot of weight four years ago, and with all this, grad classes, and a full-time job sometimes requiring 14-hour days, plus taking care of my mom, I could easily pack it on this year...

I know I need to remain committed and strong. As of this morning, I am below my second threshold. I am going to keep looking at those small thresholds. There is precious little in my life I can control or change right now, but this is something I can.

So, I hope all of you have had a great start to 2012. Sorry for my absence, and I hope to catch up on posts I have missed soon!