I'm starting this log to coincide with the 2009 Women's Fall Challenge.
I started getting serious about taming my body fat level in Feb. of this year. I have made fair to good progress, in my own opinion. My photos don't look like the quintessential "before: obese, after: fitness model," but to my eye, there is less jiggly goo and more meaty muscle.
I know I went from somewhere around 30% BF to just over 25% BF in the first 6 months of the year. I think I am around 23% now. My goal is to reach 18% BF, but honestly, I'd be happy with about 20%. Part of my goal is based on vanity, but health is my main concern.
I started NROLFW sometime in May. I have taken a week off here and there, but I must say it is the first program I have ever tried that seemed to make a noticeable difference in my body composition. I've tried a LOT of programs. I'm sure I would have even better success if I weren't such a foodie! I sort of alternate between moderate overeating and moderate under-eating. Seems to balance out, and I am able to hold on to my sanity that way.
I'm just starting Stage 4 of NROLFW today. Will post stats and photos soon.
I admit that I'm all about the food a great deal of the time. It's a blessing as I've become much better at making healthier fare, however, it can also be a curse.
So, the irony is that I just started another personal challenge with my husband. We are trying to cook our way through our 87 cookbooks, preparing at least one recipe from each, in a year. I don't think this will adversely affect my fitness goals. I plan to choose the recipes wisely and practice strict portion control and calorie counting. I believe it can be done!
Yesterday, I did NROLFW stage 4, workout A. I was a lot stronger than I thought I would be after taking a couple weeks off the program with only a few days of random lifting.
Front squat/push press 30x8, 40x8 OK
Step-up 15x8, 20x8 OK/Heavy
Dumbell one point row 15x8, 15x8 OK
Static lunge, rear foot elevated 15x8, 15x8 OK to Heavy
Push up 8x, 8x Easy
Plank 90 sec., 75 sec. HARD
Cable horizontal wood chop 15x8, 17.5x8 OK
Doing OK with nutrition--yesterday 1794 calories, PCF 126g, 165g, 62g
I am trying to create a slight deficit during most days of the week, and hit maintenance level on one or two days a week. For me, calorie intake based on the book's recommendation is:
Maintenance
No workout 1684.136364
Active workout 1924.727273
Strenuous work and workout 2165.318182
Deficit of 300 calories
No workout 1384.136364
Active workout 1624.727273
Strenuous work and workout 1865.318182
You can definitely see some great changes in those photos!
I love the idea of your cookbook challenge. I have far too many cookbooks myself that I have probably never cooked a single thing from. Seeing Julie & Julia made me want to run out and buy Mastering the Art of French Cooking (and eat a vat of beef stew), but that would probably NOT be the best idea since I'm trying to lose fat and large quantities of butter would not aid me in that goal.
You should join us on our cookbook challenge! I started a blog on that topic, too.
Julie and Julia (the movie) was pretty good, but the book was better . I had been wanting to do the cookbook challenge for a while and seeing that movie motivated me to start. We don't have "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," but we do have "Baking with Julia!"
I believe that with diligence, one can incorporate "normal" recipes into a healthy diet. You just have to pay very close attention to what you're doing.
Thanks, everyone, for the positive comments on my photos. It's nice to hear from people who can actually see a difference. No one in my real life has said much--including hubby . Oh well. What matters most to me is what I see and how I feel.
Peanut butter cookies.... I had an aunt growing up who used to always tackle me declaring herself as the Cookie Monster. Hmm. I guess that made me the cookies? I'm okay with that. She was fun. IS fun, though I rarely see her anymore.
Love your photos. Definitely see improvement! Awesome job!!
Your cookbook challange sounds fun. I'm doing something similar trying to cook one new recipe a week, its the only new years resolution I've ever kept so far.
Dadgum, that heavy weight lifting can really tire me out! It doesn't seem terribly exhausting to me (usually) while I am doing it the way that long-distance bicycling does. However, the next day or two I am just soooo tired! I know it's partly b/c I am in a caloric deficit, so I am trying to live with it.
Anyway, I have done well the past few days with diet. I plan on a mini-refeed at a local cheap Mexican food institution tomorrow! OMG, I am ashamed at how excited I am over this .
As for the cookbook challenge, it is an idea I came up with to force myself to utilize ALL of our cookbooks (87 in total). I learn so much by experimenting. It has allowed me to figure out how to make things I like that fit with my diet plan without using a recipe. So, see? I am not ONLY doing it to indulge my love of interesting food.
Today is another rest day. Tomorrow Stage 4 workout B from NROLFW. Will also be going on a driving tour of mid-century modern homes in our city. Looking forward to my weekend off. Haven't had a full weekend off in weeks.
P.S. Check out my avatar now. Thought I should change it in case anyone doesn't like p.b. cookies.
I doubt I'd ever make those, Angie. I'm not a huge fan of white chocolate, cuz why would anyone eat white "chocolate" when there is perfectly good dark chocolate to be had? Maybe, just for you I will make some soon... You can enjoy them vicariously. I make cookies, eat one or two then let my coworkers eat the rest.
I doubt I'd ever make those, Angie. I'm not a huge fan of white chocolate, cuz why would anyone eat white "chocolate" when there is perfectly good dark chocolate to be had? Maybe, just for you I will make some soon... You can enjoy them vicariously. I make cookies, eat one or two then let my coworkers eat the rest.
OMG - you made those???? I thought they were pics off the net!! What do you do with them? Give them away? EAT THEM???
Yeah, I get a little obsessed with cookies or cake or whatever from time to time. I start making them and keep going until I have reached my ideal product! I always take them to work or give them to somebody. I keep a few at home, but not the whole recipe. My latest thing has been white cake!
Let's see... Yesterday was NROLFW stage 4, workout B. I only did 2 sets of each exercise, but it went well. I recently tried to figure out how to do deadlifts better. Someone here linked a video on YouTube of Mark Rippetoe giving a demonstration on proper deadlift form. It really helped me figure out how to do it right. My back does not hurt today!!!
I had a big eating day yesterday. I think it was around 2100 calories. Brunch was a homemade blueberry muffin (made by hubby), turkey bacon, egg whites and fruit salad. For lunch, I had a great green chile chicken burrito, guacamole, tortilla chips, and some groovy microbrew beer. Dessert was homemade cherry ice cream and a piece of See's dark chocolate. That was my re-feed and it made me very happy . When I'm happy, it's easier for me to stick to my deficit on all the other days of the week! I am right back on track today with my oatmeal, whey protein and berries for brekky.
My point is that I think I have somewhat identified a psychological key to a successful diet for myself. I do a lot better in the long run if I have some normal foods and a day to eat a normal amount every now and then.
It does make my progress slower than if I could hit an 800 cal. deficit day after day for 3 months. But, as they say, slow and steady wins the race. I start getting so pissed off being hungry and eating gross food all the time that I rebel-- against myself. My inner child is a real brat sometimes.
Hi! Your pics look great-- you've definitely made a lot of progress in a relatively short period already.
And your green chile chicken burrito makes my mouth water. Yum! No problems w/ "normal foods" from time to time. As my boyfriend likes to say, everything in moderation including moderation.
Hey, everyone! You gotta try this: 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes halved, 2 sticks of string cheese-chopped, about 2 T. of some good balsamic vinegar and fresh or dried basil. Don't even need oil to make it delicious! It made my inner child think she was getting a real treat.
Hey, everyone! You gotta try this: 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes halved, 2 sticks of string cheese-chopped, about 2 T. of some good balsamic vinegar and fresh or dried basil. Don't even need oil to make it delicious! It made my inner child think she was getting a real treat.
OK, I am trying putting up the photos using the instructions provided by RealCDN. They're the same photos I linked to above, just wanted to see if I could make this work.
Front Squat/push press 40x8, 40x8, 50x8
Step-up 20x8, 20x8
DB one pt. row 20x8, 20x8
Static lunge, rear foot elevated 20x8, 20x8
Push up 10, 10
Plank 100 sec., 85 sec. OMG THAT IS HARD
Cable Horizontal wood chop 20x8, 20x8
I went to the gym a little earlier today and beat the rush. Walked on the treadmill a little longer than usual to make up for sitting on my ass all morning. It's a bad habit!
Tomorrow, I will make a list of things to do so I don't lose the whole day to vegging. I am thinking about making profiteroles (cream puffs) and taking them to a client I would like to work for more. Gee, it's tough! I guess I will have to sample one to make sure they are fit for public consumption.
While I was on the treadmill, I watched part of Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods. It's interesting to see how different countries have different tolerance levels for certain foods. Apparently, goat testicles and coagulated cow's blood is yummy to some people. Those same people would probably hurl if they were served a big dinner of mac n cheese, Doritos and circus peanuts (I was going for the orange theme).
I hope to God it cools off here soon. I walk my two dogs every morning at about 6 a.m. or so. It is already around 83 degrees at that time. It wouldn't be so bad, but when the desert sun beats down on you, it is downright unpleasant. My doggies have to wear space suits sometimes:
Thanks for the nice things you said on my log. Your pics are great, your doggies are cute (:jealous, just one thing - I'm getting a bit tired of chocolate chip....could we have some oatmeal raisin?
BTW, going back a bit - balsamic vinegar. It's ridiculous how much the good stuff costs, but it is so worth it. It's like syrup. I rarely use anything else to dress a salad, no oil required.
A Foodie's Fight Against Flab-09 Fall Challenge
. Oh well. What matters most to me is what I see and how I feel.
Totally platonic, of course. Your cookies inspire me!
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