[rtwilson]

Month 5 Update for Jan-Jul 2009 Women's Challenge

May was a more exciting month for me than April mainly because I started working with Eric Cressey via his online consulting service. I have made minor but noticeable improvements in my flexibility due to focused mobility exercises and I have definitely made improvements in my strength (weighted chin-ups and pull-ups!!!). I haven't improved on the weight/fat front but I haven't been trying very hard either (eating good foods for the most part but too much). Since my clothes aren't totally out of whack fit-wise, I would like to think some of my weight gain is muscle.....if I keep telling myself that, does it make it true???

Goals:

• Lower my body fat to about 15-17%, whatever ends up looking good. Hard to say exactly until I get there. Goal is to look lean and athletic, not just thin. PROGRESS UPDATE 5/31/09 - No improvements here at all this month.
• Get stronger in 2009. I would like to be using the 45lbs plates on my oly bar on a regular basis. I would like to squat my body weight. I would like to be able to perform chin-ups in a workout (say 4 sets of 6) without using a jump stretch band for assistance. PROGRESS UPDATE 5/31/09 - Good improvements here since I have increased my deadlifts into the 150-160 range and I'm now not only doing my chin-ups without the jump stretch band I'm now doing weighted chin-ups AND pull-ups. Working on the squat (via the box squat) and bench press.....goal is to get both of these above 100 lbs before the end of June.
• Work with a coach to improve my lifting technique. PROGRESS UPDATE 5/31/09 - I've been working Eric Cressey as an online client for virtually all of May and will work with him for at least the next 2 months.

Plans:

• Follow a strength focused program. PROGRESS UPDATE 5/31/09 - Followed custom strength and dynamic flexibility program from Eric Cressey. At least 2 more months with Eric's instruction/guidance.
• Be consistently 90% compliant with nutrition (Naked Nutrition/Precision Nutrition model). PROGRESS UPDATE 5/31/09 - 3rd identical update in a row.....failed on this front due to crappy eating on the weekends. Reminder to self: No excuses, time to play like a champion here.
• Get serious about finding a coach PROGRESS UPDATE 5/31/09 - Very excited to be working with Eric Cressey right now. I've changed my focus on this front as well since right now I really want to get as strong and as flexible as I can (healthy, in other words). I initially thought I would find a coach to learn the olympic lifts but that desire has faded in favor of improving my basic technique and results.

Stats:

Measurement	1/3/2009	5/30/2009
Height	60 in	60 in
Age	38	39
Weight	112.2 lbs	115.6 lbs

Beginning Pics (1/3/09):


Current Pics (5/30/09):



I gained weight and I am not happy about that because, in spite of my wishful thinking, I believe the bulk of the new weight is fat (see above pics for proof, particularly the lower belly in the side pics and the butt/hip area in the back pics). But I am really happy with the strength gains and my training regimen and results. Going to try in June to see if I can watch the food like a hawk (ask myself what Jane would do! ) without compromising my energy level for my strength/flexibility efforts. One more month to go!!!