A New Year, a New You?

Wow, what an accomplished 2011 I had, when it came to health and fitness!  Last year was the first year in my life in which I set out to accomplish some fitness goals, and I stuck to prioritizing some form of a physical fitness regimen for a solid year.  In the past, I've never gone more than a few months at a time.  Now, granted, I have slacked off a bit in the past couple of months, but I haven't completely fallen off the wagon!  It is EASY for me to see how quickly I CAN fall off the wagon, though, if I'm not careful.  It is so easy to just fall right out of the habit, if you don't intentionally choose to schedule and incorporate some form of exercise into your day.

In 2011, I ran 3 5K races.  The first two were in the spring, after completing the Couch to 5K program.  My first race was about a 33(ish) minute finish, and my second race, a month later, was a 30 minute finish.  The last race was my Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, which I finished in about 34 minutes.  And, yet, I felt the most accomplished after that one, because it came on the heels of very minimal running in the month prior to the race!  It felt great to be in good enough physical condition to be able to complete a 5K race without rigorous training prior to the race.  THAT's where I've wanted to be.  Of course, since then I haven't run ONE bit.  Part of my slacking is due to some medical issues with dystonia and possible seizures that have reared their ugly heads again after a nearly 6-year remission from symptoms.  So, I've been reluctant to hit the trail.  However, I'm getting back to it in the New Year, no ifs ands or buts about it.

The other awesome accomplishment is that I can look back at where I was at this time last year, and see that diligent, consistent effort, over the long haul, pays off.  I have dropped about 15+ lbs since this time last year, and it has come without obsession/compulsion over the scales!  It has just come off gradually, and I'm now at my pre-baby weight (133-135 lbs).  I'd still like to lose a little more (10-15 lbs), but I am currently at a healthy weight, and I know continued weight loss will happen in due time with due effort.  It's awesome to be at this mental place, with regards to my body.

My HEALTH goals for 2012 are:

• Run more races in 2012 than 2011 (>3)
• Run a 10K
• Possibly train for a half-marathon
• Get back into the gym at least 3 days per week (supplemented by running)
• Minimize my intake of grains
• Increase my intake of water

Here's to a NEW YEAR and a NEW ME!!!!

6-Week BFL Progress

Weight = 150
BF% = 36%

Of course, my weight fluctuates between 148-150.  But, in general, I've had the following results:

Fat Loss:  5.87 lbs
Lean Mass Gained:  2.37 lbs

I can fit into some of my smaller clothes, too.

I just started changing my diet 2 weeks ago, and the results have definitely been more consistently on the fat loss/muscle gain side!  I still have 10-weeks of my Transformation Challenge at the gym.  I'll weigh/measure again in 4 weeks.  As of now, here are my stats for the challenge:

Beginning:
Weight = 152.2
BF = 36.1%

After Week 1:
Weight = 148.4
BF = 35.5%

After Week 2:
Weight = 149.6
BF = 35.3%

Also, I'm up to 25 minutes of continuous running on Couch to 5K.  It's still not easy, but I feel SO accomplished!  I definitely get an endorphin rush after lifting weights and after running, so that in itself is rewarding to me!!

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%)

Two Weeks Down....

I did pretty great last week, considering it was the week of Christmas.  I exercised 5 days, and felt guilty about the fact that I didn't exercise 6 days.  So, that's a good sign!

I've fallen behind a little bit on my Couch to 5K because
A) I got sick with strep throat a couple of weeks ago
B) I only ran 2 days last week, instead of 3.

However, I ran again yesterday.  I ARROGANTLY started C25K on "Week 3" in early November, only to run 1.36 miles.  Well, last week, I made my way back to a Week 3 run (having worked my way UP to that point this time), and I went 1.49 miles.  Then, yesterday, on the same run/walk pattern, I went 1.58 miles.  So, I'm getting back where I need to be.  But OH it is PAINFUL!  I am SO NOT A RUNNER!!!!

I ate terribly last week, with the holidays, and the scale showed it this week.  I just have to be patient and trust that I'll eventually see the fruits of my labor, as I always do.  Gold's Gym is doing a Biggest Loser Competition beginning on January 8, so I'm going to enroll in the contest again.....not with any anticipation of winning, but simply as a means to have someone track my progress with pictures, measurements, and stats :)

This week's stats:
Weight = 150.5
BF % = 39%

One Week Down.....

Well, I started my program last Monday, and woke up with a sore throat on Wednesday, but decided to push through and workout that day, as I was DETERMINED not to let a little cold keep me from getting into my workout routine AGAIN!  One of my biggest obstacles is that, for whatever reason, I always turn up sick within a few days of starting a new exercise program.  Well, so much for "pushing through!"  I woke up with a HORRIBLE case of strep throat Thursday morning, and absolutely could not get out of bed for 2 solid days.  I am still not up to par, but I decided I am finally well enough to get back on the proverbial horse, lest I lose any momentum I was able to gain in my 3 days of exercise :)

So, I started back on my Couch to 5K yesterday.  Surprisingly, I only lost .03 miles off the same run/walk pattern I'd done 6 days prior, and that's with still being a little under the weather!  I packed my gym bag last night, and will hit the gym for legs this afternoon.  I don't know how on earth my brain can shift SO QUICKLY from a REGULAR EXERCISE HABIT to NO EXERCISE AT ALL to straight back into feeling like I'm in THE HABIT again, without having to even TRY.  But, whatever the reason, I'm thankful, and I'm enjoying it :)

I've FINALLY gotten below 150, which has been the INPENETRABLE WALL of weight I haven't been able to get below in months!  I've been SO CLOSE, but no cigar (whatever that expression means!).  Well, the past couple of days I've weighed in at 149.....could have something to do with how little I was able to eat while I was sick, but whatever the reason, I'm glad!!

My current stats, 1 week in:
Weight = 149
BF = 38%

Second Verse, Same as the First

Well, we were blessed by sweet Baby Alexia on May 22, 2010.  I gained about 60 lbs during the pregnancy, and was determined to take it off again.  However, if I thought it was hard to get into a consistent exercise routine with one, BOY was I in for a surprise with #2!!  Ha!  All that being said, Lexi is nearly 7-months-old, and I weigh about the same as I weighed when Jonah was nearly 5-months old.  However, I.AM.MOTIVATED again!  I mean, SOOOO motivated!  I started the Couch to 5K running program last week, and I registered to run in a 5K on March 12.  It's nearly impossible for me to get to BodyPump consistently, so I'm starting back on Body-for-Life for at least the next 12-weeks.  I'm super stoked!  If Gold's does another Biggest Loser competition in January, I may sign up again, since I'll only be 3-weeks into my program by then!  Woohoo!  I'm stoked!

Beginning weight: 153.5
Beginning Body Fat (on my Tanita Scale at home) 39%

I have a long way to go, but I can DO IT!!!

Week 31

Today, at my prenatal appointment I weighed 1/2 lb. less than I did at my last appointment. Shew! And, might I add WOOHOOO! Of course, I had a terrible stomach virus this week, but you gotta look at the bright side of these things :)

I was a little worried that I was really going to gain much more weight with this pregnancy, since I weighed the same thing at 26 weeks as I did in my first pregnancy (even though I started out 15 lbs lighter), but it does seem like my weight gain has slowed down significantly. Whereas, in my first pregnancy, I put on quite a bit of weight in the last 10 weeks. I'm hoping I don't gain much more throughout this pregnancy. The baby's growing well, as I'm continuing to measure on-target (or even a little big today), so I think it'll be okay if my weight stays stable.