Month 6 Update for Jan-Jul 2009 Women's Challenge - FINAL UPDATE
June had some tough moments for me in spite of working with Eric due to work-related travel getting me off schedule the first week and then I tweaked my back (mid-right) during one of my favorite lifts, the Sumo Deadlift. The back tweak was a real impediment that took about 3 weeks to completely heal but I also struggled at times mentally and suffered on some of my energy workouts as a result.
In spite of the minor challenges, I gained noticeable strength and muscle definition in my back (sorry, no pic of that since the lighting and resulting pic didn't show what I wanted!!!
). Eric has amped up the stretching and mobility work for July and I'm pretty excited about the increased focus on resolving my flexibility deficits.
Lastly, I still struggle with carrying more fat than I want. I want it gone so I can better see and enjoy the fruits of my labors. Not much else to say here that I haven't said a million times already!
However, I didn't totally start this challenge as a fat loss effort but more as a get stronger effort and I've been successful on that front so I can be pleased with my achievements over the last 6 months.
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 7/4/09 - Didn't happen but not going to stress over it.
- 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 7/4/09 - Very happy here since I have increased my deadlifts into the 150-160 range and I'm now doing weighted chin-ups AND pull-ups. I'm very close on the squat (95 lbs) and bench press (105 lbs).
- Work with a coach to improve my lifting technique. PROGRESS UPDATE 7/4/09 - I've been working Eric Cressey as an online client since the first week of May and will work with him at least through the end of August.
Plans:
- Follow a strength focused program. PROGRESS UPDATE 7/4/09 - Followed custom strength and dynamic flexibility program from Eric Cressey.
- Be consistently 90% compliant with nutrition (Naked Nutrition/Precision Nutrition model). PROGRESS UPDATE 7/4/09 - About 85% compliant which isn't good enough for my body fat targets.
- Get serious about finding a coach PROGRESS UPDATE 7/4/09 - DONE.
Stats:
| Measurement | 1/3/2009 | 7/4/2009 |
| Height | 60 in | 60 in |
| Age | 38 | 39 |
| Weight | 112.2 lbs | 116.6 lbs |
Beginning Pics (1/3/09):
Current Pics (7/4/09):
I gained almost 4.5 pounds since the beginning of the challenge. Some of that weight is additional muscle but I think the majority of the added weight is fat so I'm not thrilled about that. However, I'm SUPER happy with the strength gains and my training regimen.