Not much of a difference, but I'm still not allowed to do much, either. My physio is progressing, which is good. I still have a way to go in developing my stability muscles.
I keep considering dropping out, but even if I've only made a little progress, it's evidence that checking in here is a good thing. Besides, I rather like the idea that I could get my act together and see more significant changes this month. Part of why I look so grumpy in this month's pictures is because I didn't eat as well as I set out to this month, and taking pictures is a big reminder!
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!!!
Overall I gained in all categories, but by my pictures I see improvement (think most my gain was in my thighs). I am happy though cause I spent most the time in hypertrophy, was able to do an unassisted pullup and pushups. My plans are to finish hypertrophy (have about a month left), then will do a month of strength and then move on to fat loss. Also about mid May, I started doing interval cardio twice a week and really watching what I eat, so will hopefully keep this up.
Stats
age: 24
area - [jan] - june
weight - [131.1 lbs] - 139.0 lbs
waist - [29"] - 29.5"
navel - [34.25"] - 34.25"
hips - [36.6"] - 37.5"
r upper arm - [11.2"] -11.5"
r calf - [12.25"] - 12"
Forgive the funky picture sizes. I don't have the patience to figure out what is going on. I am overall pleased with this month, even though I slowed down after the summit--I had lost 4 pounds by the 20th and it kind of freaked me out.
I am going for broke this month. I want to shoot for 7 pounds, since I need to be below my final intended weight--135 to account for bouncing back after I go back to maintenance.
Wow, I can't believe so many people dropped out. I understand each individual case, but wow.
1. Complete NROL Fat Loss III then move on to OPT remix or other program. Will finish BFS Spring Phase II when I return from vacation. next up??? Maybe some NROL4W or NROL.
2. Get under 20% body fat and bring weight into the low 130's. I would like to see 135 or lower by the end of the challenge. 135 - done
3. Deadlift and Squat body weight. Deadlifting 135, Done. I set a mini goal of Front Squatting over 100 and reached it last month.
4. Do 10 chinups – ummm, nope. Still a fail.
5. Make NEAT a priority especially at work. Done.
Food:
1. Focus on eating more vegetables. Done.
2. Focus on clean eating - need to cut out some of the junk. Still have a few too many sweets. But for the most part food is clean.
3. The biggest one....clean up my act on the weekends. I tend to let myself go on the weekends, ruining my hard earned deficit from the week. Still finding room in my weekend for a more relaxed approach and higher cals. I know my loss would be bigger without 2 days at maintenance.
Jan./ June / Overall Change(last month change)
Still here by the skin of my teeth. Not one bit of exercise in over 3 weeks. Barely hanging on with food. Lots of stress. No goals met or even attempted. Ready to get back on track for the last month! My dog decided to get in on the act and walk through my picture, no time to redo.
Jane, remember that I changed my user name last month too. I'm still in!!
Pam, you are looking good, lady! Everybody is doing great... sorry about Miss Jane! MJ, you are a real inspiration to me.
My pictures/measurements don't show much of a difference. But I'm doing so much better than I was six months ago that I am happy.
Lots more improvement in my ability to hold planks, etc. I rarely have painful "pops" anymore. And to think that PT told me I'd always have a hypermobile back! Maybe I will, but if I keep my core muscles strong, it won't matter.
I'm building up my pushup strength again, and working on loosening the hip flexors and increasing flexibility in ankles so I can do squats with proper form.
And I had a CT scan which showed that there IS something amiss in my hip: two bone spurs in the right hip socket, rubbing against the hip joint. On the scan they look HUGE! Like two fingers!
I asked the radiologist how come those ostephytes didn't show up on the MRI or the x-rays; she just said CT scans are better. Ewkay. Whatever! Don't care... just glad I got something I can take back to the sports medicine doctor.
Photos from January
Photos Today
And goodness... you'd think I could've cleaned up that bench before I took the photos!
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
1. Food logging. I've missed some days here and there but overall still compliant. Also for the most part eating >100 grams of protein daily which is a big accomplishment for me.
2. Training--on hold for a little bit post toe fracture/foot injury three weeks ago. Happy mother's day to me. I plan to jump in again soon although will need to modify. Of course the fracture would be on my good leg....
3. The injury did mean I've been able to have some fun me time. Actually did some sewing, a little reading.
4. I was hoping for more weight loss this challenge. On paper my deficit should be giving me a weight loss of over 15 lbs by now. Oh well. It's not like things are stalled just slow so I guess I shouldn't complain. I just have to wrap my brain around the fact that even though I'm 250 lbs I'm going to have to drop my calories down below 1500 to see better results.
Next months plans:
1. Continue logging my food in Crosstrainer. Maybe aim for 1300 to 1500 calories instead of 1600. I should watch the calcium intake.
2. Training and general activity for June will be play it by ear as the foot heals.
3. If I'm limited activity wise somewhat will continue to catch up on logs, etc.
OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE JAN-JUN M5 PICS and STATS
Linear Mode
