OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Weekly Whatever Thread ... week 22 of 26
I can't believe we are entering into our last month of the challege! I don't know about you guys, but the time has flown. I feel so great this year as I pull out my shorts and tanks and that hasn't happened in a long time.
Question of the week: We can see the obvious physical changes that all of us in the challenge have made. How about some of the not so obvious mental changes. How have you changed? Our bodies are getting so fit, how about everything else? How does your increased fitness affect you in general?
For me, knowing that I will achieve my goals by the challenge end date has made me so very happy. I am full of energy and I think all of this rubs off on others, as well. I feel more confident (ie maybe ready to date again), and just more satisfied all-around. I am actually excited to set new goals for myself for the 2nd challenge and now I know I can attain anything I set my mind to.
the mental changes are what are particularly wonderful for me at this time. I posted some of this in ginger's log already, but one of the main things I have gained from this challenge is CONFIDENCE. I did this challenge without a trainer. in the past, I have looked to others to give me the secret to a lean, fit, healthy body, and I always believed that other people had the power to change me. I believed that as soon as I found the perfect trainer, diet, sport, ________(fill in blank), I would be lean, fit and happy.
this challenge has taught me that the power to change is WITHIN me, not external to me. trainers are professionals with specialized knowledge-they can guide me, but the power to live differently and look differently is within ME.
Because of this challenge, I was inspired to step up weight training from twice a week to three times a week. the improvment in my physical strength, and the growth of my muscles has resulted in an unbelievable sense of comfort in my body as it is today. I no longer judge my body harshly in the way that I have my entire life. as I watch myself lift in the gym, I don't focus on the extra skin around my abdomen, or the extra body fat that I still carry. I see strong, broad shoulders, I see the cuts of my delts. I see the outlines of my quads. I see the power of my hamstrings and calves. I see the roundness of my glutes for the first time ever ( I have never had much of a bum, lol) so at 44 years old, I actually am truly the happiest that I have ever been in my body. I appreciate my body and all of the cool things that I get to do everyday (like running full speed into concrete benches lol)
so, I know that I am not setting any speed records for fat loss. I agree with what many on this board have shown and believe: nutrition is key. and I eat very very well 80 percent of the time. but you can read about the activities of saturday night in my log to learn why I might never change my current scale weight, lol!!!!
but I am slowly returning to that person I used to be before I became obese. I am down around 70 pounds from my highest, and even though the scale weight has changed only minimally during this challenge, and the physical changes are modest at best, the mental changes have been extraordinary.
and for the first time since this journey to health began for me in june of 1999 weighing 228 pounds, I can say one thing loud and clear now that I couldn't say before this challenge:
I know FOR SURE that I am not going to return to an obese body. I am truly an obesity survivor. and learning that I can lift free weights confidently, heavily, and ON MY OWN has been the key to realizing that I have all of the tools I need to be a successful obesity survivor for a lifetime.
Wendy, you and your attitude are so stinking cool, I can't even begin to tell you!
Me, I've learned/am learning still moderation and balance. Those are my biggest take-home lessons from all of this. Doesn't sound like much but, believe me, it's freaking huge to me.
Question of the week: We can see the obvious physical changes that all of us in the challenge have made. How about some of the not so obvious mental changes. How have you changed? Our bodies are getting so fit, how about everything else? How does your increased fitness affect you in general?
For me none of the physical changes would take place without mental adjustments. New levels of fitness require new levels of self-discipline. And it's a gradual process rooted in knowledge for me personally.
Well, I definitely carry myself differently than I did. I have some self confidence going on.
I also felt very uncomfortable in the free weight area of my gym, but that doesn't exist anymore.
And I look forward to my workouts.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
Shedding weight is shedding layers of protection. Emotional eaters like me become obese to stop emotional pain. Of course it doesn't work. But shedding those layers sheds that protection so truthfully I've felt at times more vulnerable, and less self confident...but since the new program in January with weight lifting I've refound my strength and have been gradually rebuilding my confidence too. No more need for fat for false protection, now I have muscles for real health!!
Shedding weight is shedding layers of protection. Emotional eaters like me become obese to stop emotional pain. Of course it doesn't work. But shedding those layers sheds that protection so truthfully I've felt at times more vulnerable, and less self confident...but since the new program in January with weight lifting I've refound my strength and have been gradually rebuilding my confidence too. No more need for fat for false protection, now I have muscles for real health!!
I love this Susan! I wish everyone could be this insightful and honest... and make such great progress!
I hold my head a little higher in the gym. I'm less focused on the eyes upon me and more on the task at hand.
I finally "get" body recomposition vs. weight loss.
Long term fitness goals seem more obtainable and less of a "wish/dream/hope"
Overall confidence: it follows me out of the gym and into my day.
I'm not the only one learning this and I applaud the women making the same discovery. On that note, I met a woman at the gym who had just been in her first figure competition. She mentioned how liberating it was. And I totally understood.
OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Weekly Whatever Thread ... week 22 of 26
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