Yesterday, I finally rewarded myself for my 80 pound loss. I set this goal for a while now and I was determined to reward myself with a tattoo and I did. The tattoo I got is not just about losing 80 pounds. It symbolizes quite a few things: the memory of my deceased friend. I've know her for 7 years and she passed away last summer. She loved wolves an dream catchers so what better way to honor her memory? The wolf represents perseverance, strength, and success. The dream catcher represents achieving my dreams and maintaining a positive attitude. This was a weight loss goal from me and I'm not stopping any time soon. And when I get some more muscle in my leg, it's gonna look even better. Best part? It was only 80 dollars.
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This will probably be a short post but I need to get this out. Today I weighed myself this morning. I gained .6lbs since Sunday putting me at 190.4 pounds. Now I know this isn't a major deal or anything but when you taste the sweet, sweet taste of getting out of a place you were stuck in for over a year, it's sad. There are many factors as to why, though, which is why I won't let it get me too upset. In times likes these, you have to keep your head up and your mind focused. I know this is only a temporary wall in my way and sometimes you just have to wait until it's time to tear it down.
Well I just broke a major milestone today. In my "Plateau" blog, I was explaining how I didn't lose anything. Today, I did. I FINALLY broke out of the 190s. After a year and a half, I hit 189. I'm likely to gain some this upcoming week due to water retention but this is just the beginning for me. I was overzealous and weighed myself last night. I'll admit I went in expecting the worst. I was expecting to be at 195 which is usually how it goes. I sucked in my breath, bit my lip and looked down and saw 190. I was overjoyed! However, I went into the mindset of "well, people weigh less in the morning" and went to bed. Hopped on the scale this morning and BAM 189. I'm so, so proud. From here on out, it will (hopefully) be even lower. Just taking it day by day. Below is a collage documenting parts of my journey. Also just a fun fact, the jeans I'm wearing in the second and third picture are the same O: They aren't so "skinny" anymore but I definitely am getting there!
So I've blogged a lot about my experiences and I've mentioned few things I've done but I've not actually broken down my work out for you guys! Here's a sample of what I do during the week, though with the new job I have to modify it slightly:
MONDAY 3x5 Squat 3x5 Bench Press 1x5 Deadlift **Don't be fooled by how short it is. Each work out, you increase by 5+ pounds** Isolation work: Tricep Kickbacks/Tricep Push Downs/Dips Calf Raises Barbell Curls/21s Optional: Ab Work (Depends on how I'm feeling) Optional: Steady State cardio for an hour or less TUESDAY Rugby Practice (Off Season- 7s; During Season- 15s) or Shadow Boxing WEDNESDAY 3x5 Squat 3x5 Press 5x3 Power cleans (or barbell rows) Pull Ups Push Ups Optional: Ab Work Optional: Steady State Cardio **Rugby Practice- In Season-15s** THURSDAY Rugby Practice (Off Season- 7s; During Season- 15s) or Shadow Boxing FRIDAY 3x5 Squat 3x5 Bench Press 1x5 Deadlift Isolation work: Tricep Kickbacks/Tricep Push Downs/Dips Calf Raises Barbell Curls/21s Optional: Ab Work (Depends on how I'm feeling) Optional: Steady State cardio **Note: You would do the work out on Wednesday on the upcoming Monday. These exercises alternate** SATURDAY/SUNDAY Rest and Relax. Possibly do low-intensity cardio Well I weighed in today and unfortunately, there was no change. I did not gain, however. I've been stuck in the 190s for over a year now and I admit that it is extremely frustrating. I don't know why or what has stalled me but I know I really want to see the 180s before the summer ends. I went to MyFitnessPal to see if they could shed some light and naturally I got the "you're eating more than you think" result. I did also receive some information on reevaluating my caloric intake limit because I have been eating below my BMR. Next week I expect to bloat so I'll try and weigh in on Monday instead of Wednesday and I'll update you all. Keep me (and yourselves) motivated <3
Today is the 5th week of the weight loss challenge. Last week was kind of rough for me in the ways of working out. I'm not sure if it was because I was tired or what but I wasn't as "on it" as I wanted to be. I DID take a boxing class which was pretty awesome. I think I love that sport as much as rugby and hopefully during the school year I can pursue both sports. I managed to get in a work out today and I learned something important: I don't function well if I lift in a fasted state. I was hungry, grumpy and my lifts suffered. With my new job, I have to go in the morning if I want to work out (which I do) but now I know I must have something in my belly. I weigh myself in two days so hopefully I'll weigh less than I ever have before **fingers crossed**
Wish me luck! This week I've been super lazy about working out. I've been a little nauseous but I have been eating well. I got my body fat tested and I'm kind of thrown off by the results. I used a caliper test and it was taken at the YMCA. Now when I got tested at school, I took it at my college and the method used at school versus the Y are completely different. They differed so much that there is a 10% body fat difference from between the two. So I averaged it out and assume I'm 34% body fat, which wouldn't really be a surprise. Initially, I was upset and concerned about the results I received from the Y because I'd been doing everything right and I'm smaller than I was at school. However, I've turned it into motivation instead and I will hit my goal. I am down to 193 pounds (yay) and today I have my first boxing class! I'm so excited and I'll let you all know how that went.
Well, today marks 4 weeks into the weight lifting challenge and as such, I have to have photo pictures. I'm trying to make this a monthly thing. I am getting my body fat checked tomorrow so I'll update that. Hopefully there is a progress, though I'm nervous about it. Anywhoozies, I have pictures! Here is the comparison from 4 weeks ago to today: My side view has greatly improved, though I feel like my "after" picture of my back is worse? I dunno. My sports bra is a bit looser now so that could be a factor. And the lighting. But I have some visible abs..I think. I don't remember flexing in this picture, haha so I might not. I have no idea! But anyway, here you go. I'll come back tomorrow with the body fat measurements.
Well, I took a short, yet enjoyable break. I didn't work out Tuesday and I relaxed Monday, staying under my intake. Today is "weigh in" day and I've lost 3 pounds, placing me at 197. Now, it's not as great as I want (especially when I had a dream I weighed 192) but at least I'm out of the 200s. Slow weight loss is better than no weight loss and it's been proven that when weight loss is slow, it is easier to keep off. Less loose skin and all that jazz. I feel mentally ready to dive back into working out, which I'm doing later this morning.
And guess what guys? Picture updates will be loaded next week, most likely on Monday and I'll probably get my body fat checked before the end of the weight loss challenge. So..yeah. That's exciting. I'm dreading it, actually. All those people who say it takes "4 weeks for you to see a difference" don't know me. It takes like 4 months. But it's always easier to see a difference when you compare photos so it's not so bad. Stay motivated guys. Well I didn't burn 2000+ calories this past week but I haven't been on it as much. I got my work outs in and ate right but I don't feel like my head and heart was in it as much as it should have been. Hopefully I can do better this week. I wish I could see the results I want because at this rate, I'm not winning a damn thing. I went to the gym this morning and got the "major" (compound) lifts done but I kind of just sat fuck it after that. I don't know what's going on with my drive lately but I'm just not in it. But from what I've learned over my past few years of losing weight, you cannot just give up. You can however, take a break and honestly, I'm thinking that would be the most beneficial thing for me to do right now. Picking up a new job while trying to balance working out is difficult but not impossible. And the fact that I have to do the same thing with school means that it has to be done. But sometimes, one must just take a step back and relax in order to move forward. There is no way in holy hell that I'm going to win this competition but I know I can try to after I take this brief break. During that time, I will continue to post things and keep you all updated and continue to persevere no matter what.
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