OMG Mel! If I'd have seen you in the first pic I'd think you weren't bad at all, but the comparison is just unreal. Awesome job-- you should be so proud of yourself and all of the hard work you've put into it. Amazing! I don't think there's anything wrong with your thighs, but I'm a woman so I understand the "need" to fine one thing to consider "off." Your legs seem longer, if anything -- how'd you do that?
I hear you on the eating thing. My trainer raised my calories and I feel better physically, but mentally/emotionally it's really trying.
What program are you doing now? I lost track of everyone while things were crazy.
Nice restraint on the GS cookies too. I'm a Brownie leader and we have cookies at our house. Amazingly, my new diet has me feeling so full most of the time that they haven't even tempted me. Something must be wrong or I'm dying. I don't know how else to explain that. LOL
Mel, Mel, Mel! It won't due any good for all of us to give you the props you deserve...'cause you struggle so hard to give any to yourself. Girlfriend, you rock and not just because you have an awesome body. You are kind, encouraging, determined, strong (emotionally and physically), and beautiful (that pic of you holding up the fish radiated beauty inside and out). So, give yourself a break and love yourself...just for today.
Be the master of your inner voice and tell it to shut the f@#! up!
p.s. Maybe it's all the adrenaline after stage 2-B, but I'm cursing up a storm today...sorry!
The changes are fantastic.... Keep it up, you're a role model for the rest of us who just need to be reminded that genetics are everything, hard work and a "never say die" attitude are.
Your before pic looks kind of like me.... which I guess is a good thing because seeing pics of you now shows me that I CAN change it even if it's not a bad starting point at all. You've done an amazing job so far, keep it up!!!
Mel, you were beautiful before and you are beautiful now. I hate to see you have a problem with your self-image. I truly wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You had a figure to die for before. Now? Well......it's just amazing.
p.s. Maybe it's all the adrenaline after stage 2-B, but I'm cursing up a storm today...sorry!
LOL So it's not just me that's affected like that after 2b?
Mel, not to sound like some internet creep, but your body is beautiful and STRONG. It is hard to hear yourself beat yourself up.
I can relate: A year ago I was at a "happy weight" for me, even though I didn't realize it at the time. I always moaned about the tiny bit of flab on my belly and my thighs. Now, looking back at pictures and the clothes I was wearing, I realize 100% that there was nothing wrong with me at all. In fact, I looked good and was buff and fit. Maybe not ready to model for Shape magazine, but I think I need to gain about 6 inches in height for that, anyway.
Now I'm 10 lbs chunkier (sigh) and struggling to get back to where I was--even though at the time I always thought I should be smaller.
The moral of my sad little tale is that I do think it is important that you see yourself as you are right now--which is gorgeous. Not just because our bodies are constantly changing and we must learn to give them a little breathing room sometimes (part of the reason I have pudged a bit is because of health issues) but also because our bodies work hard for us and deserve our love. These are issues I deal with every single day myself. It drives my husband to distraction that I don't love my body and am constantly fighting it (and I don't tell him the half of it), and it creates so much mental junk in my head it wears me out. Those daily battles add up. I don't have an answer for you as to the how, of course--that's different for everyone, and I'm still battling it. You might get even leaner, stronger, fitter than you are now--I suppose that might be possible, somehow, even though I have a hard time seeing how that could happen-- but your body is already perfect as it is now.
Mel, you were beautiful before and you are beautiful now. I hate to see you have a problem with your self-image. I truly wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You had a figure to die for before. Now? Well......it's just amazing.
I agree with this and everything else that has been said, too. I like RedWifey's idea of mastering your inner voice, too, and redirecting your thoughts (and I need to take this advice myself, so I know whereof I speak ).
Amen ... give yourself a big pat on the back ... and a question ... why are you so tan in the middle of winter? (Just in case our resident pimple-popper doesn't pop in and ask!!)
__________________
Life's a Journey ... Enjoy the Ride!
I can totally relate to what you're saying. I was always chubby growing up and people picked on me and I turned to food for comfort and there are always going to be lots of issues in my head about all of it. I keep asking myself - what is so important about having perfect legs? The worst is, even if they were "perfect", whatever that means, I could probably still find some flaw.
I have always heard and read the advice to focus on what my body can do rather than what it looks like. And I do feel my best and happiest when I focus on a physical accomplishment like my lifting goals, etc.
Mel, you were beautiful before and you are beautiful now. I hate to see you have a problem with your self-image. I truly wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You had a figure to die for before. Now? Well......it's just amazing.
I can't say it any better than Jane did, so I'll just "cheat" and quote her!!!
You look great! To put it in context, you look so much better than you think. It's kind of like someone who is overweight and gaining and one day sees themself and goes, "OMG how did I get this fat!" One day, hopefully, you will look in a mirror and realize, "Hey, I've got a rockin' body."
If you doubt this, put on a short skirt and go to a truck stop restaurant. Every guy in the place will give you a thumbs up!
but also because our bodies work hard for us and deserve our love.
Ding ding ding ding~!!~
This was a lesson I finally experienced last summer on fire duty in Idaho. I was pushed to my utmost limit and my body made it, it carried me through and I remember, probably for the first time ever feeling love and appreciation for it, lumps, bumps, fat, fire duty filth and all.
Love your body as it loves you and works it's 'ass off' to do everything you throw at it!
You look great... now just realize it and feed that gorgeous body of yours appropriately!
(am jealous of you having access to great Mexican food, we don't have any of it.. and all burritos are old & wheat-based )
Wow, life has so happened to me......crazy busy. Let me just say how much I appreciate all of you.
I promise I am not as nuts as I sound, but I still appreciate all of you. I am progressing in my struggle. As I read your comments, I went through a lot of emotions. First, I felt bad because I feel like I was whining. Then, I felt good for sharing because some of you could identify or were inspired by the pics. That's part of the reason I even talked about it or put the pics up....as perspective and inspiration for all of us.
I'm sorry I don't have time to reply individually, but I will try to do that soon. I missed my workout last night because our boys basketball team is on the road to state--one more win to go and we make it to the final four. I worked out tonight, but don't have time to post the numbers. Hopefully tomorrow. I'll be back to backin it tomorrow.
Thanks again, all of you, for your time and thoughts.
Wow, I'm so sorry I did not get a chance to reply individually to every one. I tried, honest. I got about 75% done, and then hit the back button with my elbow. Sigh. I just can't redo it.
A few thoughts, though. First, I am so very, very appreciative of the time each of you took to read my thoughts and then respond so carefully.
I was so happy to see how many of you identify with these thoughts. That makes me feel less weird.
Also, thanks for all the great advice. I am using it and working on making that little nagging voice a lot less loud.
You guys are the best.
Well, I'm two workouts behind, so I'll post those, and I have a fun gym story from today.
On Thursday, one day late, I did my Stage 2 Workout B #1. Here are the numbers:
2 sets of 10 reps, 75 second rest, all alternating supersets except for deadlifts and ab work
A) Wide grip deadlift off box
100
110
B1)Bulgarian Split Squat
25 plate
35 lb dumbbell
B2)Underhand lat pulldown
14 plate
14 plate
C1)Reverse lunge off box with forward reach
10s
10s
Thoughts:
-I've had to dl off a box before, and when I did, it was so awkward. I hated it.
This time was so different. I can't even express how much better it felt this time. A real sign of how my body has progressed in strength and flexibility. yay.
-the prone cuban snatches were really awkward and a great challenge. I look forward to getting better at these.
-I really like the incline reverse crunch option. Using the weight really made it a challenge
-The prone cobras were odd....I'm not a big fan of these kinds of moves, generally, although I know they have benefit. A guy asked me if I was trying to fly. ROFL.
HIIT
1 @ 3
2 @5
1 @10
2 @ 3
1 @ 11
2 @ 3
1 @ 10
2 @ 3
1 @ 11
2@3
ran for 15 minutes and about 1.37 miles.
I was going to workout Friday too, but I was mega sore, mostly from the reverse lunges. They didn't seem that hard when I did them, but WOW, just wow.
So, I worked out this morning instead. Stage 2 Workout A #2. Here are the numbers.
2 sets of 10 with 75 secs rest. Alternating supersets except for Squats.
A) Front Squat Push Press
70
75
B1) Step Ups
20s
20s
B2) Dumbbell One point row
20s
35s
C1) Static lunge, rear foot elevated
15s
15s
C2) Push Up
T push ups with 10 lb dbs
T push ups with 10 lb dbs
Thoughts:
-step ups are feeling so much better. I found the key to keeping that second food from helping. Slow the motion down. REally felt it in the hip.
-Didn't feel great on my form for the wood chops. Going to have to work out that next week.
Okay, now for the gym story.
I was getting ready to leave, and this guy I had talked to once before, a HUGE guy just getting back into working out, came up to me and said, are you the deadlift girl? I laughed, and the manager laughed. I asked him what he meant, and he said he saw me deadlifting and hadn't seen any other girl doing that there. I told him, yeah, that was me. He wanted me to help him with his squat form. (we had talked about squats the week before I think) So he goes back to the smith machine. Sigh. no cage there. At any rate, we worked on his form and even had him squat with a straight bar that he cleaned, overhead pressed, and set on his shoulders. When i got ready to leave again, the manager said, "Bye deadlift girl." So I guess that's my new superhero name. It was funny and made me feel good. And it was cool to know what I was talking about and feel confident in giving him tips.
I was getting ready to leave, and this guy I had talked to once before, a HUGE guy just getting back into working out, came up to me and said, are you the deadlift girl? I laughed, and the manager laughed. I asked him what he meant, and he said he saw me deadlifting and hadn't seen any other girl doing that there. I told him, yeah, that was me. He wanted me to help him with his squat form. (we had talked about squats the week before I think) So he goes back to the smith machine. Sigh. no cage there. At any rate, we worked on his form and even had him squat with a straight bar that he cleaned, overhead pressed, and set on his shoulders. When i got ready to leave again, the manager said, "Bye deadlift girl." So I guess that's my new superhero name. It was funny and made me feel good. And it was cool to know what I was talking about and feel confident in giving him tips.
I detect a new trainer at the gym. The "deadlift" trainer. Nice workouts Mel. Your experience in these stage 2 workouts is interesting. It is cool that you are getting sore from them after all the working out that you are doing.
Congrats on the new title! I think you've left a good impression!
__________________ The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same. -- Carlos Castaneda
If anyone has earned the title of Deadlift Girl, it's you, DE!
I think we're at nearly the same spot in our workouts--my next one (tomorrow) is Stage 2, Workout B, #3. I say this why? I'm not sure.
I wish I could be more objective about myself. I'm trying. It frustrates me that I can't see exactly what others see when they look.
I guess it is a combination of factors:
1) a poor self image stemming from always being the "weird kid"
2) an illogical problem with eating at maintenance (I'm getting there with this)
3) a natural tendency to nit pick and see only the negatives.
4) the feeling that I am stagnant since I'm staying steady in my weight and size.
What worries me now is I will wake up in 20 years never realizing what I had and what I was at this time in my life.
Today I made myself go look at some pictures from last year. Even I can see what has changed, so that was good. I'm going to post a pic from a year ago, just to remind myself of the good things I've accomplished.
I have to say, though, my brain is still a jumble. I LOVE how I feel eating at maint. and I don't think I can do this program with less food. At the same time, all that keeps haunting me are my thighs...I know this sounds stupid. I know they aren't huge, but they have fat on them. HOw sick is my brain???? Virtually daily I have to talk myself down about this. It's so stupid. I have nothing to complain about, yet I cant get past them. Bah!
Sorry for this stupid ramble. At any rate, let me post a pic from December 06 and one from yesterday. Indulge me. At least every time I come in here, I'll have to be faced with the fact that I AM in a good place!
mel
Wow Mel, all I can say is you look great! The other thing that struck me is that everything you said is ME! I swear to you, when I read your stuff I kept nodding in agreement, right down to the thighs!
I know how you feel in every way. It's hard for me to even believe it when others say I look good, or better or whatever. I often feel I should jump up and down shouting yeah, good for me!! But instead I look for a negative (i.e., thighs, fat here, legs suck).
Reading this gave me hope and insight. You're obviously doing great. But I understand your *whining* completely! It's in there, how you feel. But smile girl, you know down deep that you've done some awesome work to yourself, and it continues.
Thanks for sharing, it helped me!
Deb
ps a friend took pics of me for the first time Saturday. It's still hard for me to look at pictures of myself, nevermind of my 'physique', I will post one or two sometime.
Ah, I can only dream of being "Deadlift Girl"....... How cool is that? I am also a big, big Mel fan. You are really amazing, you know? I look at your "before" and you now and all I can say is "wow". I find it very motivating. Thank you for that.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
is that I do think it is important that you see yourself as you are right now--which is gorgeous. Not just because our bodies are constantly changing and we must learn to give them a little breathing room sometimes (part of the reason I have pudged a bit is because of health issues) but also because our bodies work hard for us and deserve our love. These are issues I deal with every single day myself. It drives my husband to distraction that I don't love my body and am constantly fighting it (and I don't tell him the half of it), and it creates so much mental junk in my head it wears me out. Those daily battles add up. I don't have an answer for you as to the how, of course--that's different for everyone, and I'm still battling it. You might get even leaner, stronger, fitter than you are now--I suppose that might be possible, somehow, even though I have a hard time seeing how that could happen-- but your body is already perfect as it is now.
)
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