12-Week Body Transformation Challenge Week 1

I've been doing pretty awesome on my program, although I haven't been seeing great results.  I went ahead and purchased the book "Body-for-LIFE" by Bill Phillips, as I'd lent it out to someone a few years ago, and I have no idea who I gave it to.  I needed to revisit some of the weight training/diet philosophy.  I'm SO GLAD I bought the book!  It has refreshed me on so many principles I'd forgotten or become lax on.

One MAJOR piece I've been missing is the diet.  So, I started that part today.  I'll admit, at the end of the day today, it was nice to look in my trash can and see only 2 Myoplex Light cartons, instead of junk food wrappers.

Even though I've been working out consistently for 4-weeks, I just registered for the 12-Week Body Transformation Challenge at Gold's Gym on Saturday, so my 12-week clock is starting over this week.  This is good because I'm already in a good routine, and this is the good opportunity for me to apply the new (er - REFRESHED) information I've gained by re-reading the book!

Two things, in particular, that stick out in my mind, based on the Bill Phillips book are:

1) I need to think more in terms of a GOAL, rather than a DREAM. Instead of saying, “I hope to be smaller someday,” I will say, “I WILL LOSE 20 lbs in 12 weeks” and “I WILL lose 12% body fat in 12 weeks.”

2) I haven’t been pushing myself hard enough in my weight training. The 10 HIGH POINT exertion is so that you feel like there is no way you can finish it unless you reach WITHIN yourself. I’ve been pushing myself, but I don’t think I’ve been pushing myself QUITE hard enough because my muscles haven’t been sore the next day. That tells me I could go with more weight. Of course, re-vamping my workout to do it CORRECTLY may help with all of that!

I had originally planned to compete against MYSELF on this challenge....as in BEAT my results from last time, but come to find out, it cost $50 to enter, so that ups my level of commitment.  Plus, my brother has entered the Challenge, and nothing motivates me more than some healthy FAMILY competition :)

I will continue to track my progress weekly on my home scale, although those stats differ slightly from Gold's Gym's records:

Gold's Stats:
Weight = 152.2 lbs (- 2 lbs for clothes) = 150.2 lbs.
BF % = 36.1%

Home Stats:
Weight = 150.5 (fluctuate between 149-150.5)
BF% = 38% (fluctuate between 37%-38%)