Well, I'm officially stalled out. My period started this week and the scale started climbing. I'm pissed because usually this is my lowest week, but with hormonal insanity who knows what's up. I'm also pissed because I have not been eating a bunch of crap, the calories have been low and usually I can predict how the scale will go. This means that I am going to have to log and tweak. I did log last week and was shocked at how my macros have changed--I tried to up my fats some time ago and succeeded, to the detriment of my protein intake--so that may have something to do with it. I was hemming and hawing on which program to use which gave me an excuse to not use anything, so here we are again. I hate logging but it must be done.
I've decided to go with NROL fat loss. I've never done the "men's" book and I can't bear the idea of doing the whole NROL4W again, for some reason. THis boot camp has really fouled me up. I thought it would be ok to mix and match workouts but the net result has been very poor.
I took another spinning class last week and I will definitely keep taking them since I'm finding them so enjoyable. I just need to remember to bring my gel seat thingie, ouch. Hopefully I will be able to incorporate it into one of my off days on NROL. Maybe not. I think I need to make a commitment to one program and stick with it for now.
I'm feeling very pissy because of the scale. All my small pants fit fine, so I am trying not to panic. I just can't imagine holding this much water for this long. Could my muscle mass be that much down?
Well, it's not worth agonizing. I just have to figure out how I can keep myself from freaking out and control the things I can.
Well, I'm officially stalled out. My period started this week and the scale started climbing. I'm pissed because usually this is my lowest week, but with hormonal insanity who knows what's up. I'm also pissed because I have not been eating a bunch of crap, the calories have been low and usually I can predict how the scale will go. This means that I am going to have to log and tweak. I did log last week and was shocked at how my macros have changed--I tried to up my fats some time ago and succeeded, to the detriment of my protein intake--so that may have something to do with it. I was hemming and hawing on which program to use which gave me an excuse to not use anything, so here we are again. I hate logging but it must be done.
I've decided to go with NROL fat loss. I've never done the "men's" book and I can't bear the idea of doing the whole NROL4W again, for some reason. THis boot camp has really fouled me up. I thought it would be ok to mix and match workouts but the net result has been very poor.
I took another spinning class last week and I will definitely keep taking them since I'm finding them so enjoyable. I just need to remember to bring my gel seat thingie, ouch. Hopefully I will be able to incorporate it into one of my off days on NROL. Maybe not. I think I need to make a commitment to one program and stick with it for now.
I'm feeling very pissy because of the scale. All my small pants fit fine, so I am trying not to panic. I just can't imagine holding this much water for this long. Could my muscle mass be that much down?
Well, it's not worth agonizing. I just have to figure out how I can keep myself from freaking out and control the things I can.
I can relate to pretty much all of the above. I'm riding a roller coaster as far as the scale and I just am at my wits end. Actually, I'm about to give up on my bikini goal and just enjoy what I'm doing. I think you will like NROL better than NROL4W. I started with the NROL fat loss programs, doing the three back to back. They are definitely tough. I am getting toward the end of NROL4W and I already know I will never go back to it. There are too many other choices and I feel like I would be going backward. Truthfully, I am bored with it and just want to get it done.
If your muscle mass is down, wouldn't the scale be down? I'm voting for water for both of us.
I used to do spinning classes pretty regularly at a local spin studio and I bought a gel seat after the first class--won't ride without it. I like the classes, too, if the instructor is good and the atmosphere and music is right. The wrong instructor or having to spin to hip hop or techno for an hour long class bores the crap out of me.
I took another spinning class last week and I will definitely keep taking them since I'm finding them so enjoyable. I just need to remember to bring my gel seat thingie, ouch.
Definately a necessity for the spin bike! Glad you are enjoying the classes!
I think you will like NROL better than NROL4W. I started with the NROL fat loss programs, doing the three back to back. They are definitely tough. I am getting toward the end of NROL4W and I already know I will never go back to it. There are too many other choices and I feel like I would be going backward. Truthfully, I am bored with it and just want to get it done.
If your muscle mass is down, wouldn't the scale be down? I'm voting for water for both of us.
I used to do spinning classes pretty regularly at a local spin studio and I bought a gel seat after the first class--won't ride without it. I like the classes, too, if the instructor is good and the atmosphere and music is right. The wrong instructor or having to spin to hip hop or techno for an hour long class bores the crap out of me.
Yeah, I don't know how to do the quote thingie yet.
Thanks for the encouragement with NROL. I did Fat Loss 1 today and enjoyed it, except for my hamstring going nutz with the supine hip ext.
What I meant about muscle mass is that maybe I'm not burning as many calories--I was mixing ideas in the paragraph. : ) However, I am voting for water as well. (pants loose, scale same, water, repeat as necessary)
The spin class instructor is great. He's in his 40's or prematurely gray, really fun, does tough intervals, plays good music. He's very motivational--he really pushes himself during the class and it is fascinating to watch the little puddles, then the big puddle of sweat grow under his bike. And he's in great shape.
I'll put in the workout later--I have to get back to my spring cleaning. The kids are on spring break and their dad took them to the mountains for snowboarding. If I stay too long on here I will lose momentum...
Here are my nutrition totals for yesterday. Interesting--I used to have issues with carbs, all that Atkins made me shy away from them. Clearly I don't have that issue any more.
I was ravenous all day, what with heavy cleaning and NROL fat loss-- and the spinning the night before. Anyway, I have to figure out how to make it a little more understandable.
Weird formatting--I'll do a separate post on NROL after I get some breakfast for my DD.
Squat 3/15 65#
Seated Row 3/15 75#
Supine Hip 3/15 harder than they look
DB push press 3/15 25#x2
Rotational Lunge 2/15 8# MB
Swiss Ball crunch 3/15
Overall, I enjoyed it although I am not big on those 15 rep sets. I started with 65 on the squats and I thought I would go up, but didn't--my legs were fried from the spinning. Maybe not such a good idea to do it the night before lifting, for now anyway. I was also really focusing on going parallel--and I feel it in my glutes and hams today--I didn't think I was that shallow on my squats but my legs say different. : )
The rotational lunge was very tough for me--the supine hip thing really got my left hamstring freaked out, so I was having major balance issues on that leg. I was originally holding the med. ball out in front, but my arms got really tired. I think I need to practice it a lot without weight. I only did 2 sets as I was feeling really thrashed. I have a slight cold but I am pretending it is allergies--I was coughing yesterday, but I went to bed at 9:30 so I feel better today. I will just do a lot of stretching and foam rolling and probably get into the hot tub later, let NEAT be my exercise today.
Anyway, more spring cleaning today. After looking at my nutrition totals, I might have to rethink my favorite breakfast for now--2 slices ezekiel bread, 10 grams butter, 2 of my chickens' fabulous eggs--but I'm going to front load my calories and see how it goes, since historically my biggest problem is early evening noshing. Maybe I won't be as hungry. I hope.
Anyway, the scale came down a bit....I had actually gained 9 pounds from my lowest weight the week before. Yes, I know it is water.....but it freaked me out. I usually take 4 "off" meals per week but I may cut it to 2--95% compliance--to get some motion. I am hosting a baby shower on Sunday so I do need to budget calories for some homemade cake--I can resist storebought no problem, but my son (12) wants to make a cake. He wants to be a chef, so how can I refuse to help? : )
Yes, I have chickens. 6 of them. I live in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles county, up next to the foothills, and we have chickens, goats, ducks, you name it around here. The eggs are great, the chickens are pretty low maintenance.
Well, I'm not sure what my results are going to end up this weekend. I have lost a grand total of one pound this month. The progress on the scale is so excruciating, and it sent me into a tailspin this weekend and I made some not-so-great choices. My mom is in town and we have had event after event. I have just gotten tired of watching every little morsel and ate a bit oddly. Not all that much, just not that great in terms of nutrition. On the good side, both my mom and someone else who saw me two weeks ago said that I look much thinner. So I'm not hallucinating--there are visual changes, just not scale.
I did the third workout of NROL fat loss yesterday, did spinning the night before. I'm enjoying the NROL and I'm glad I switched out--now that I"m back on a program I think I'll get some progress on the scale, need to give it a chance to work.
Here's yesterday's workout
Deadlift 55/8 85/12 85/12 85/12
DB incline BP 25x2/12 x3
BSS w/10# plate 12x3 (I'm concentrating on my form, not wobbling and getting full ROM, thus the light weight)
Mixed grip lat pulldown 80/12x3
romanian DL 90/12x3 (someone took the 85, so I went up--I was kind of worried it was too much, felt some twinges on my left side, but I'm fine today)
Sw Ball lat roll--I find this incomprehensible. I may be able to find the time to figure it out, but not yet so I subbed a weighted swiss ball crunchx15x3.
Yesterday I had a blood test and the tech was distracted when drawing my blood--a bird had gotten into the lab and we were chatting about it--and she pulled up while she was talking--I think she ripped my vein a little. It was hurting, and she had trouble with the last two vials--and I came away with a huge bruise. I look like a drug addict. It was actually a lump (ugh) and my whole arm hurt. I kind of forgot about it until after my workout --my arm was hurting and I remembered. It was throbbing last night, but it hasn't fallen off so I think I will survive. It looks really gross though--a giant bruise all around my vein. Bleh. Probably wasn't a great idea to lift given the circumstances, but I really wanted to get in three lifting sessions this week for sure.
Anyway, I haven't been on much because of my mom visiting and the kids being on spring break--this is the last week of fighting to get on the computer. With three kids and only two computers, it's a losing battle if they are out of school.
Well, I'll take my challenge pics this weekend, and we''l see if there is the visual change I'm hoping for. It did help to get the comments, and both of the people had seen me pretty recently, so I'm hoping....
Whew! The scale finally budged this AM. Down to 145.5. Now I am getting into territory I haven't seen in 20 years.
That is not the reason I haven't posted. My kids were on spring break for TWO WEEKS so I was distracted, and we "only" (their words) have two computers--guess who does't get the 'puter time? Plus, my kids always scream in derision if I happen to have the boards up with semi nekkid people's pictures showing.
I had another bad episode with counting calories--I did it for a few days and the usual thing happened--I slashed calories and went into a frenzy. I have got to figure out a way to track without it unleashing all sorts of bizarre behaviors.
As I wrote last, I got a blood test. The bad news:
I have had my blood drawn hundreds of times--not an exaggeration, I have had some sort of illness or another since I was 9 years old, starting with Mono, progressing to an ulcer at 11, then hepatitis for 25 years--and I have never had a bruise like that. I don't know if it was worse because I lifted after, but ugh.
The good news is that my cholesterol, which was "very high" is now optimal. My good cholesterol has gone from "good" to "excellent". My liver enzymes (high for 25+ years) are now normal. I'm very happy with my weight progress, but these tests just confirm that I have done a great job over the last two years, getting my health back. And my doctor, who is a pilates nut, complimented me extravagantly on my "core" and said I was an inspiration. Snif. OK, I will stop feeling sorry for myself.
I was also looking over my pictures and found a few from a couple of weeks ago where I was trying to show that I have some abs peeking through. The abs look lousy in the shot, but looook at my arm!!! I didn't notice it at the time, was just pissed about the lousy ab shot, but I am finally getting definition near my bicep--whoopee!!!
Yesterday I did NROL fat loss 1--
Squat 3x12@85
Seated Row 3x12@85
Supine hip ext 3x12 with 5-20 sec. holds
db push press @27.5x2--12, then 10, then 6--lost strength and then realized I had tweaked something
Rotational lunge holding 10#plate 12x3
Swiss ball crunch with 10# plate--15, 20, 20
I feel I am making a lot of progress with these workouts. I'm looking forward to the next two months, going through all of the fat loss--maybe then I'll move onto strength, maybe not. I guess it depends where I am.
Today I'm taking a total rest day--I did Fat Loss 3 times last week, spinning once, intervals another day and some low intensity cardio another day--I was very tired yesterday and realized that I hadn't taken a break in a week. So I"m laying low today, nursing my shoulder. Probably I hurt it because I was too tired. Anyway, I'm just glad to have alot of energy.
I did start taking vitamin d last week and I am feeling very energetic. I can't help thinking that it made a difference. I did read some stuff over at Precision Nutrition on blood chemistry, so next time I get a blood test I will ask for some specific levels.
Well, that's it for catchup...looking forward to a spectacular April. I'm down nearly 8 pounds since January. Only 10.5 pounds to my original goal, and I think I will be very close to where I want to be at that point. It's so exciting to be at the end of this little journey. Now I just have to make it past the finish line!
Whew! The scale finally budged this AM. Down to 145.5. Now I am getting into territory I haven't seen in 20 years.
That is not the reason I haven't posted. My kids were on spring break for TWO WEEKS so I was distracted, and we "only" (their words) have two computers--guess who does't get the 'puter time? Plus, my kids always scream in derision if I happen to have the boards up with semi nekkid people's pictures showing.
I had another bad episode with counting calories--I did it for a few days and the usual thing happened--I slashed calories and went into a frenzy. I have got to figure out a way to track without it unleashing all sorts of bizarre behaviors.
As I wrote last, I got a blood test. The bad news:
I have had my blood drawn hundreds of times--not an exaggeration, I have had some sort of illness or another since I was 9 years old, starting with Mono, progressing to an ulcer at 11, then hepatitis for 25 years--and I have never had a bruise like that. I don't know if it was worse because I lifted after, but ugh.
The good news is that my cholesterol, which was "very high" is now optimal. My good cholesterol has gone from "good" to "excellent". My liver enzymes (high for 25+ years) are now normal. I'm very happy with my weight progress, but these tests just confirm that I have done a great job over the last two years, getting my health back. And my doctor, who is a pilates nut, complimented me extravagantly on my "core" and said I was an inspiration. Snif. OK, I will stop feeling sorry for myself.
I was also looking over my pictures and found a few from a couple of weeks ago where I was trying to show that I have some abs peeking through. The abs look lousy in the shot, but looook at my arm!!! I didn't notice it at the time, was just pissed about the lousy ab shot, but I am finally getting definition near my bicep--whoopee!!!
Yesterday I did NROL fat loss 1--
Squat 3x12@85
Seated Row 3x12@85
Supine hip ext 3x12 with 5-20 sec. holds
db push press @27.5x2--12, then 10, then 6--lost strength and then realized I had tweaked something
Rotational lunge holding 10#plate 12x3
Swiss ball crunch with 10# plate--15, 20, 20
I feel I am making a lot of progress with these workouts. I'm looking forward to the next two months, going through all of the fat loss--maybe then I'll move onto strength, maybe not. I guess it depends where I am.
Today I'm taking a total rest day--I did Fat Loss 3 times last week, spinning once, intervals another day and some low intensity cardio another day--I was very tired yesterday and realized that I hadn't taken a break in a week. So I"m laying low today, nursing my shoulder. Probably I hurt it because I was too tired. Anyway, I'm just glad to have alot of energy.
I did start taking vitamin d last week and I am feeling very energetic. I can't help thinking that it made a difference. I did read some stuff over at Precision Nutrition on blood chemistry, so next time I get a blood test I will ask for some specific levels.
Well, that's it for catchup...looking forward to a spectacular April. I'm down nearly 8 pounds since January. Only 10.5 pounds to my original goal, and I think I will be very close to where I want to be at that point. It's so exciting to be at the end of this little journey. Now I just have to make it past the finish line!
Congrats on the moving scale! I hear you on the abs. Just this morning my bf grabbed my squishy belly as I was getting out of bed and I chided him for grabbing my fat. He pointed out that it isn't that bad now compared to before when I had tons and tons of fat there. Really. He said tons and tons. So, we always have worse to look back on. And you've got some serious definition in your arms...wow, they look great!
And the best news is your test results! It makes you realize how much your health is really in your control. I mean, I think we know that, but it is wonderful to watch it happen. I learned I had high cholesterol about 4 years ago, although my good cholesterol was also high, so I wasn't too bad off. But it was not long after working out with heavy weights and really cleaning up my nutrition that I turned it around. I love telling people about that and how much lifting weights played a role. And how cool to have your doctor tell you you're an inspiration. How motivating!
NICE definition there in the arms! Keep up the great work, Elisabeth! Congrats on the test results, too.... definitely shows that you're doing something right!
"As far as (healthy) eating, either do it, or don't. Same issues repeated over and over is just insanity. We either commit to the endeavor or pay lip-service to it. This is the hardest part of the whole process, and it needs to be practiced more than the actual physical training. It's mind training." ~ Matt Thorne
"The reason that most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment."
Congrats on the moving scale! I hear you on the abs. Just this morning my bf grabbed my squishy belly as I was getting out of bed and I chided him for grabbing my fat. He pointed out that it isn't that bad now compared to before when I had tons and tons of fat there. Really. He said tons and tons.
And the best news is your test results! It makes you realize how much your health is really in your control. I mean, I think we know that, but it is wonderful to watch it happen. I learned I had high cholesterol about 4 years ago, although my good cholesterol was also high, so I wasn't too bad off. But it was not long after working out with heavy weights and really cleaning up my nutrition that I turned it around. I love telling people about that and how much lifting weights played a role. And how cool to have your doctor tell you you're an inspiration. How motivating!
My daughter tells me regularly how much she misses my squishy belly. "But momma it was so soft!" What is it with guys grabbing belly fat? My hubby did it the other day and I was irritated--he said just the same thing as your bf! I suppose we should be happy, but still, those kinds of compliments I can do without...
On the cholesterol, my doc was never all that worried about mine because my "good" was always high...but she was thrilled with these recent results. I really do feel great that a medical professional, who sees a bajillion torsos, complimented me on mine, however squishy it may still be!
NICE definition there in the arms! Keep up the great work, Elisabeth! Congrats on the test results, too.... definitely shows that you're doing something right!
Thanks Lori. I'm going to do another picture this week since I've lost a little since then.
Well, I've been sick as a dog since my last post. Feeling a little demoralized--every time I get a little momentum I get sick. I am now 20 lbs under my "set point"--the weight I stayed at for about 15 years--and I'm feeling like my body is fighting for every pound. THis weekend, I was on a chocolate boat to hell. It was really unusual for me--usually I eat some in the evenings if I"m indulging, but I ate chocolate all day long on Sunday. Not much else. I felt like crap and just laid around, too. My poor daughter was so disappointed I was such a bore. Good thing we celebrate Orthodox Easter on Sunday (hubby's family) so I have a chance to redeem myself.
The plan is to get back to NROL as soon as I am well, maybe tomorrow, and concentrate on getting in 3 workouts a week. Period. Spinning and all else has to be put secondary to the lifting.
I did get in 3 workouts last week, though, before I realized that the tweak was body aches from the flu! So I will focus on that and not waste energy on the spinning until I really get back into lifting regularly, 3 x a week.
Well, I've been sick as a dog since my last post. Feeling a little demoralized--every time I get a little momentum I get sick. I am now 20 lbs under my "set point"--the weight I stayed at for about 15 years--and I'm feeling like my body is fighting for every pound. THis weekend, I was on a chocolate boat to hell. It was really unusual for me--usually I eat some in the evenings if I"m indulging, but I ate chocolate all day long on Sunday. Not much else. I felt like crap and just laid around, too. My poor daughter was so disappointed I was such a bore. Good thing we celebrate Orthodox Easter on Sunday (hubby's family) so I have a chance to redeem myself.
The plan is to get back to NROL as soon as I am well, maybe tomorrow, and concentrate on getting in 3 workouts a week. Period. Spinning and all else has to be put secondary to the lifting.
I did get in 3 workouts last week, though, before I realized that the tweak was body aches from the flu! So I will focus on that and not waste energy on the spinning until I really get back into lifting regularly, 3 x a week.
This is soooo slow. Sigh.
Sorry to hear that you've been so sick, Elizabeth.... that's no fun at all! I, like you, took the chocolate boat to hell this weekend... which totally f'd up my workout yesterday.... which hopefully will prevent me from doing that stupid crap again.
Sounds like you've got a good plan in place.... and even though it seems like slow going, at least you're moving forward. I'd say you've come quite a long way from your set point!
"As far as (healthy) eating, either do it, or don't. Same issues repeated over and over is just insanity. We either commit to the endeavor or pay lip-service to it. This is the hardest part of the whole process, and it needs to be practiced more than the actual physical training. It's mind training." ~ Matt Thorne
"The reason that most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment."
[quote=lorigaud;702232]Sorry to hear that you've been so sick, Elizabeth.... that's no fun at all! I, like you, took the chocolate boat to hell this weekend... which totally f'd up my workout yesterday.... which hopefully will prevent me from doing that stupid crap again.
Sounds like you've got a good plan in place.... and even though it seems like slow going, at least you're moving forward. I'd say you've come quite a long way from your set point! [/quote]
Aw, thanks Lori. I'm down a half a pound today--to 145. I am dying to get into the 130's. That will be a 20 year low. I figured that I would just go as low as I could with the calories since I'm sick, while still eating really well. The eating well part is key--if I fool around with food choices at low cals it's just setting me up for disaster.
My husband has been really admiring me a lot these days, but this weekend he said I could lose another 20 pounds....sigh....I don't know how I feel about that. 125 seems very low to me, especially with all this muscle mass I have...I guess I'll just judge it after I get to 135. Very soon. Yes, it will be. : )
I've just been very careful with my eating...which is easy when I'm sick, since I have very little appetite, the main problem is eating enough so I don't trigger a binge....I'm determined not to allow getting sick to get in my way. Unfortunately, I got this from my DH and he's about 3 days ahead of me and still sick. So I'm hoping I heal faster than he is...anyway, my waist is starting to carve out, which I haven't seen, um, ever. Or not since I was in my early 20's. Critical hubby says I am much thinner (visually) than I was previously at this weight. I don't even recognize my body at this point.
Maybe I can get into the 130's in April. We'll see. : )
"As far as (healthy) eating, either do it, or don't. Same issues repeated over and over is just insanity. We either commit to the endeavor or pay lip-service to it. This is the hardest part of the whole process, and it needs to be practiced more than the actual physical training. It's mind training." ~ Matt Thorne
"The reason that most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment."
That is AWESOME! What's up with hubby telling you that you could lose another 20 pounds?? Men... sometimes they don't know when to shut the hell up.
No kidding. I was floored by it because he has been sooo supportive and encouraging...I think he may be having some sort of fantasy about his old girlfriend the tennis pro or something. What's funny is that he has been dieting for the last couple of weeks and is now showing off his midsection the way I've been doing for the last couple of months. I know he's teasing me, but he's actually looking pretty dang good...now if I could just get him to do some lifting. Don't get me wrong, he's always been athletic and never ever fat, but looking at those cut dudes makes me wish...: )
And yes that was a sucky comment for your DH to make. Mine is generally supportive but if I skip a workout or a meal he is really on me, which is a double edged sword. I need the nagging, but I don't want it. I think he is afraid that I will let everything go. If that happens, *I* will be unhappy with myself and that will rub off on everybody which I'm sure is what he is trying to avoid. Could that be your hubby's motivation for the 20lb comment?
OTOH, I *really* like the "Skinny Minnie" comments I have been getting from him. He would not say it if he didn't see it, and it's really hard for me to see the changes in myself so it gives me some clue that I am headed in the right direction.
My MIL and another old acquaintance told me recently that I have lost enough weight, that I should stop, that my face is getting too thin. At first, I figured they were just being controlling (MIL) or defensive (acquaintance is fat).
I think I agree with them now.
I just downloaded new pictures of me and put them on Facebook, if you want to take a look. I look really, really old. Well, probably I look my age.
I'm not sure what to do. I've been looking forward to losing more weight--I"ve been bouncing between 143.5 and 145, a good small bounce for me, indicating I am going down even more, and I was really shooting for 135, seriously considering 125.
I would probably look 50 if I did that.
Wow, I am upset. The thought that I shouldn't lose more is upsetting, oddly. I don't think my body looks that good, although I have been getting a LOT of attention, even from pretty young guys, but I do not like my stomach at all. And to be a personal trainer, I think I need to look a little better.
I wonder if I could make major improvements in body comp, enough to keep myself happy without losing more weight?
OK, I went and looked at the pictures... and I think you look great! I mean that. I think that we're always harder on ourselves than others are (well, except for maybe MIL ) and I don't think that your face looks too thin or that you look old at all! I do think that 125 would be too low (most likely), but I think that 135 is totally reasonable. Thing is... you really have to go with what YOU think... but remember that we're all our own worst critics, so don't listen to yourself too much LOL!
Hang in there! This whole body image thing really sucks sometimes!
"As far as (healthy) eating, either do it, or don't. Same issues repeated over and over is just insanity. We either commit to the endeavor or pay lip-service to it. This is the hardest part of the whole process, and it needs to be practiced more than the actual physical training. It's mind training." ~ Matt Thorne
"The reason that most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment."
Yep, I looked, too and I agree. You look great. But I haven't seen a lot of before pictures to compare. You certainly don't look old! You look good, period. Also, since the belly fat is the last thing to go, you may not notice much more change elsewhere as you finally start to see your belly melt away. You know what I mean? Plus, your skin DOES recover after weight loss, it just takes a while. In any case, I don't see that you look older in the face at all than any of the other pics you've posted.
Wow can I relate to this log!!! I got all the comments and the "old face" comments too at about 14% bf last cut. I am sure it will happen again soon. Sigh... Personally I think you can go for more BF loss if you want to. Just continue to do it in the same safe manner. The thing you have to be wary of at lower bf% is that you cut too fast. Alan has a really good article in one of his AARRs about culking and it explains how much you should aim to lose at the various levels of bf%. I think it is a great article.
__________________
The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
I'm still at about 36% body fat (bioimpedance last month) and yet I got hit with some comments like that a month or two back. They came unexpectedly and from two friends so I was reeling for awhile. Just remember that even though it's not about them, other people can't help reacting to your weight loss like it was about them, and they can be completely unaware of what is driving their reactions.
Also it's not like you're getting surgery or doing something irreversible. It's not hard to regain if you decide to do that down the road.
__________________
"Time and patience are the 2 elements that most people don't include in their plans."
-Alan Aragon
"The scale simply tells you how much the earth loves you on a particular day."
-Ogedei (Keith)
OK, I went and looked at the pictures... and I think you look great!
Hang in there! This whole body image thing really sucks sometimes!
You're sweet, and you're right about the body image thing. Plus, I am getting older and I need to get used to my face, which I think I would have to do weight loss or no.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustineCognito
Y'all have the Facebook? I'll PM you for the hookup.
Ooh! More friends! My son will be jealous. ; )
Quote:
Originally Posted by msmogreen
Yep, I looked, too and I agree. You look great. But I haven't seen a lot of before pictures to compare. You certainly don't look old! You look good, period. Also, since the belly fat is the last thing to go, you may not notice much more change elsewhere as you finally start to see your belly melt away. You know what I mean? Plus, your skin DOES recover after weight loss, it just takes a while. In any case, I don't see that you look older in the face at all than any of the other pics you've posted.
I hope you're right. This saggy baggy elephant look is not attractive. My daughter was telling me how weird my belly looks yesterday. It looks like a deflated balloon. : ( Guess it's better than an inflated balloon!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfisherx
Wow can I relate to this log!!! I got all the comments and the "old face" comments too at about 14% bf last cut. I am sure it will happen again soon. Sigh... Personally I think you can go for more BF loss if you want to. Just continue to do it in the same safe manner. The thing you have to be wary of at lower bf% is that you cut too fast. Alan has a really good article in one of his AARRs about culking and it explains how much you should aim to lose at the various levels of bf%. I think it is a great article.
Yes, I remember when you were going through that! We're about the same age, too...where can I find that article? I was actually going to PM you about this 'cause I remember that time...: )
Quote:
Originally Posted by CloveApple
I'm still at about 36% body fat (bioimpedance last month) and yet I got hit with some comments like that a month or two back. They came unexpectedly and from two friends so I was reeling for awhile. Just remember that even though it's not about them, other people can't help reacting to your weight loss like it was about them, and they can be completely unaware of what is driving their reactions.
Also it's not like you're getting surgery or doing something irreversible. It's not hard to regain if you decide to do that down the road.
I'm somewhere in the mid-twenties...you are absolutely right about the friends. It's the really overweight ones that have been giving me the hardest time--correction--the overweight ones who don't want to do anything about it. At that Easter party, some of the SILs I have been closest with were really avoiding me. I feel sorry for them, 'cause I remember that feeling of helplessness when I was 40+ pounds heavier than this....but I did have some really nice conversations with a couple of women who really want to do something and were encouraging me to become a personal trainer.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the comments. It helps a lot. I've decided I will go for 135 and sit there for a while to see how my body reacts. I don't really need any more muscle but I know that my fitness can definitely improve, and it will be good for me to only focus on performance instead of fat loss.
BTW, I am sick still...I got a cold at the tail end of the flu. Ridiculous.
You look amazing. You have great, great arms going on and it needed to be said.
Thanks, Ginger. I really appreciate it.
I am feeling kind of foolish about my freakout last week. I really appreciate the support from all of you. My husband was so sweet about it...he is usually very undemonstrative, but he took my hand, and said, "honey, you look great. My mom is just an old peasant, and they equate fat with wealth. Your face is fine." Pretty sweet for him. : ) My niece posted a picture of me on her Facebook and wrote, "Damn, look at the arms on my aunt aka Jillian Michaels". I have gotten all kinds of comments on my weight loss from my aquaintances at my kids' school. And, Karla complimented my arms. So I have got to stop beating myself up. It's idiotic. Honestly, I think I am reacting to being the lowest weight I've been in 20 years. I never liked the attention when I was younger, and I am trying to allow my self to enjoy it now. It's hard. I really do feel like an idiot for complaining. But I expect it will get worse as I get closer to 135. Please feel free to kick me in the butt if I start freaking out again.
I met Karla on Saturday and after hearing how hard she works for every ounce of muscle, I will never complain about being too muscular again. I will just count my blessings. I am so fortunate to be able to build muscle the way I do--and as my white friends have said, I am very fortunate to have skin that is aging well. ; ) My face has definitely changed and I do have more wrinkles, but fergawdsakes I am 46 years old and that is what happens without major intervention. I know I would be noticing changes and wrinkles weight loss or no, and it's better to be thin and wrinkly, I guess.
Well, I need to be done with illness for the year. After that flu, I got a cold literally the day that I was feeling better. It wasn't too bad a cold, but I didn't feel I should be doing vigorous workouts given my crappy immune system. I really need to figure out if there is some supplement or something that would help get it revved up. I have always gotten every bug that comes around, probably because of my liver problems, but it seems like now that I am hepatitis-negative and my general health is so much better, I shouldn't get sick as much. I am regretting not looking at Berardi's site and asking my doc to do the blood levels before my last physical-actually my doctor is pretty cooperative about that sort of thing so maybe I will go back and do all of the recommended tests. I was fascinated by the article he wrote recently about how "normal" blood values are based on a sick population.
I did NROL fat loss I yesterday--I lowered my weights initially but felt pretty strong, so the net result was not much below, I did not backslide:
DL:
w.u. 8@60#,
10@90, 2x10@95
Incline BP
3x10@25 (my shoulders are making weird popping noises and I don't like the definitition I'm getting in my upper chest, so I am not going to up the weights on this. )
BSS
3x10x25#plate
(a bunch of bodybuilders were doing BSS's as I did my workout--their ROM was pathetic. I hope I embarrassed them. )
Mixed grip lat pulldown
10@75, 2x10@85
Rom. DL
3x10@90
Swiss ball lateral roll
3x15 (finally have the hang of this. Still seems a little silly, but I was so tired I took it as a kind of a rest)
I felt nauseated at the end, so I am not totally recovered. There's a spin class at noon today, and I have to somehow prevent myself from going. I would really really like to, but I was so tired I went to bed at 9:30 last night, and I am really tired today--I need to save my stregnth for another NROL session tomorrow. Oh, and see-somehow I pressed something on my keyboard, and the font agrees. What the heck?
Yesterday, the scale was at 142.5. It didn't register in my brain at first--I kept staring at it, got off and got back on....What is funny about this challenge is that my workouts have been crap because of getting sick so much, but I have lost over 10 pounds despite it--I think it is actually easier for me to lose when I am not working out. Now, don't get me wrong--it's all my hard work over 2 years which has put my body in such a muscular state that it works this way. I am just so hungry when I work out that it is really hard to lose. I finally have a handle on weight loss, took me long enough. It's still excruciatingly slow--2.5 pounds a month, but whatever. I am very confident that once I get to goal, maintenance will be easy--I have really gotten the lifestyle change down.
Well, that's the catchup. The other outcome of meeting with Karla and her gorgeous daughter Gwen is that I've decided to go ahead with ACE certification. It's cheap, and the point is that I will learn the most after I start training people.
I'm off to get in the hot tub and do some foam rolling. I want to lift again tomorrow so my priority has to be recovery today. Hear that! No spinning!!! NO! BAD!
I didn't notice it at the time, was just pissed about the lousy ab shot, but I am finally getting definition near my bicep--whoopee!!!
) and I don't think that your face looks too thin or that you look old at all! I do think that 125 would be too low (most likely), but I think that 135 is totally reasonable. Thing is... you really have to go with what YOU think... but remember that we're all our own worst critics, so don't listen to yourself too much LOL! 
Linear Mode
