[mybell]

I'm new here and joined in on the 2009 six month challenge. I thought I would start a journal here to track my progress.

I"m still trying to come up with concrete goals but right now they are loosely based on losing 20lbs and then sticking with maintaining for awhile. The sad realization I had is that I have NEVER maintained. I am always losing (trying to ) or gaining weight. This really really makes me sad, but it is going to stop.

I have decided to use Leigh's OPT program to lose the 20lbs and then I'll use the Maintenance program after that.

A little about myself. I'm 38 (holy crap, when did that happen?), married with 2 kids. I started working out at 14, always to fight the weight.
I competed in my first bodybuilding competition in Oct 2007. After that I rebounded and was ok with it at first. Knowing that I needed to add size and to do that I needed to eat and workout. I have gained 20lbs + (a little more cause of the holidays) since then. I do know that it's not all fat, I'm stronger and have a totally different shape then I use to have. But I'm not comfortable at all. I don't like the extra weight.

I competed at 132 and would like to get to 140 as a normal everyday weight. I thought I would like to compete again this oct. But I don't know if that is something that is going to happen. I feel that I need to get my mind and body stable for a while before I do that again, if I do it again.

I like having muscle, so having a good amount of visable muscle is my long term goal.

I started the OPT yesterday. I just didn't feel like waiting for Jan 5. But I will post pics, goals and measurements for the start of the Challenge.
That's it for now.

Michelle