Well, I have to confess; I'm not sure I'm pushing myself as hard as I should be. I know for a fact that lasting and meaningful results will take time, but I didn't realize that patience meant more than just "staying the course" in a steady fashion; I'm learning that the body needs time to recover, and that pushing myself to the limits needs to come in fits and phases.
The first four months of my transformation were hot and heavy - everything was a challenge or a goal to meet. But then it got to the point where challenging myself any further, would result in injury. I have felt abnormal fatigue, hunger spells, an increase in PVCs and then recently, a horrible breakthrough period despite being only 8 days into my new pill pack.
I listen to my body eagerly. I know it well, and I know when things are wrong. I usually inherently know what I need to do (or not do) to address the situation, remedy it, and get back on course. This time around, it has been allowing a few hundred more calories per day (all in the form of fruits or protein). I also took an alternative approach to my workouts by taking a week off of weights (to rest an elbow injury) and switching up my cardio. I backed off of doing the stairs in favor of beach sand runs… and for that matter, I stopped doing HIIT entirely. But my energy is back up, my appetite is back in control, my muscles feel fresh, my insomnia is gone, and my mystery period will be addressed by a new pill prescription next month.
So with all of that said, June is going to be a month of big pushes! I was recently inspired to make monthly goals to keep myself motivated during these dreaded middle months where plateaus abound and struggles increase in my efforts to really squeeze in those finishing touches - losing those last 5-10lbs of fat & increasing my muscle mass by 5-10lbs. My diet is clean, but I really need to commit to my meal plans. There is no point in making a specific calorie and macronutrient meal plan if I'm going to not eat some of the things I pack (usually veggies) and replace them with other things (fruit, and sometimes a whole additional protein bar.) I've also been drinking a glass of wine a couple nights a week which absolutely WILL stop this month, and I've been eating at the Whole Foods food bar to avoid dinner boredom, which also needs to stop. The reason I've backed off of vegetables is because my IBS has been on overtime - there is something I am eating that is really irritating my system. I fear to say it's quinoa, so I'm going to switch that out this month and try a half cup of brown rice instead, and see what happens.
Aside from all of that, it all boils down to me needing to understand that the next month will be miserable (if that's the way I choose to experience it) in the realm of diet - I will need to pass up on almost all of those amazing fruit sales at the store, continue to eat my plain boneless skinless chicken breast with lemon and salt with steamed broccoli for lunch and egg whites with pepper and green beans for dinner. Chew it, swallow it, and find satisfaction in how much better my clothes will fit tomorrow.
Summer time is the worst to be on a strict diet, when margaritas after a day of volleyball are SO inviting, and grilled short ribs at parties lure you with the promise of lasting nourishment. Satisfaction must be found in other places. When hunger strikes, water must be chugged, tennis shoes must be put on, and a grateful walk thru the streets of Santa Monica must be had. The dissatisfaction will wane when the amazement that dreams CAN be exacted, is meditated on and accepted as an alternative to food-based pleasure.
So with that said, here are the "updates d'jour":
1. My First Volleyball Tournament of the Season!
My volleyball partner Missy and I competed in our first CBVA of the season. We lost in the semi-finals, and I have to admit I feel responsible for the loss; I was exhausted and had over-exerted myself earlier in the day, and had no energy to finish strong when it really mattered. But these are the lessons we need to learn, just as any athlete must - how to pace oneself, how to keep mental focus and clarity…. the right mixture of stoic competitiveness and amicable friendliness. We know what we need to work on, and I'm excited about our future in the sport this season! Pictures to be posted soon.
2. June challenges!!
My first monthly challenge! And it's two-fold. The first part is that I vow to ride my bike to work Monday-Thursday of each week this month. This is major, considering as how I have so much shit to cart around, and it will mean having to wake up 20 minutes earlier each day. But I am committed! Plus I need to save money on gas haha :) The second part of my challenge is to take an update photo every day for the month of June, and then I will compile it into a video to the tune of my fave inspirational song. The past couple days have been rough cuz I've been bloated with my mystery extra period, but whatever. Hopefully with increased diligence on my diet, really pushing myself in my workouts and drinking plenty of water, I'll be good.
3. PROGRESS PHOTOOOOSSS!
So, here are the updates:
My weight is down to 138.5, which technically is only 3.5lbs away from my goal! But I still have SO much subcutaneous fat in my midsection. But I also have a lot of muscle weight to gain so I'm not sure what my final number really will be. Who cares :) This photo was taken the 3rd day of Week 17.
WEEK 16 - EXHIBIT A: I am officially too skinny for my skinniest skinny jeans :D Which, for the record, is a damn shame, since they are neon green and fabulous. Yet another casualty to the eat-clean diet ;)
WEEK 17 - In my stupid un-matching outfit…
WEEK 18 - Exhibit B: New bikini -- bottoms are a size EXTRA SMALL! :-O Obviously they run little, and this may be an unfortunate testament to the fact that my booty may have shrunk a little, but who cares :)
WEEK 19 - EXHIBIT C: Swedish colors. Vi alskar sverige :)
(Still week 19) - Exhibit D: Nothing to really report here, just a snap shot of my daily photo shoot from yesterday (day 2 of my June challenge).
So those are my updates this time around. I plan on re-inventing my workout schedule soon, and so I'll post that when I do. I'll also sart posting pics of my volleyball tournaments and such, woo-hoo!
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