View Full Version : curvature's journal of success


curvature
Thu, July 2nd, 2009, 11:04 AM
Well, I'm back. After several years of slacking off, I finally reached the point where my pants no longer fit, and now I'm back on a plan. Sad that that's what it takes for me to get back in the gym and back eating right, but there's the truth.

It has finally hit me upside the head that I'm quickly nearing 30 and can no longer eat like I did when I was a teenager. I need to focus on making a life change this time around.

To start out, I'm doing a 12-week program following the Body for Life exercise and eating plans. Currently on week two. Starting weight was around 140. I do not have measurements (can't find the tape measure) but plan on getting some soon. I've lost weight, but I'm not sure how much at this point because I had to put away the scale - weighing every day is not condusive to good mental health, in my case anyway.

The first week of the program, I didn't really do that well. I was finding the diet hard to follow and basically slacking off in the gym. I actually gained two pounds the first week, and as much as I'd like, I'm sure all of that can't be attributed to muscle gain.

This week has been much, much better. Eating is spot on, for me. I do have to allow myself small cheats now and then during the week or I go insane. I'm not sure I'll be doing a full cheat day, instead picking a couple of cheat meals. From past experience, my cheat days tend to get out of control. My workouts have been great as well. I re-read the BFL book, paying special attention to the weights section, and I'm following the suggested cadence and lifting as hard and heavy as I can. Yesterday was probably my best upper body workout ever, not in terms of weight lifted, but in effort.

I really think I can do this. No, scratch that - I KNOW I can do this. I'm going to get through this 12 weeks and see amazing changes in my body. I'm excited about what's to come, but I know I'll need encouragement from others along the way ... so please comment on this journal!

Pictures will be coming at the four-week mark. I do have "before" pictures now, but I don't want to put them up until there's something to compare. ;)

guava
Thu, July 2nd, 2009, 10:28 PM
Hi curvature. :wave: Glad you started a journal. :) Excited to see your progress pics once you've made some progress. :spaz:

curvature
Mon, July 6th, 2009, 01:37 PM
Thanks for the comment, Guava!

The remainder of week 2 went well, even with the three-day weekend. I'll admit my diet didn't fully hold up over the days off; it's amazing how easy it is to revert to three larger meals rather than six small ones. However, I did manage to have only two cheat meals and kept to healthy eating other than that. Workouts were good; I still hate cardio.

In other words, still going strong. About two more weeks and I'll have some progress pics to post.

Tonight is Shrimp Scampi from the EFL book. I'm excited :)

phillydude
Mon, July 6th, 2009, 01:41 PM
Hi Curvy! :wave:

curvature
Mon, July 6th, 2009, 01:43 PM
Hey PhillyDude!!! Long time no talk!

phillydude
Mon, July 6th, 2009, 01:44 PM
Hey PhillyDude!!! Long time no talk!

Sure has been... I imagine the little one is not so little anymore!

curvature
Wed, July 8th, 2009, 09:49 AM
You're right, PhillyDude - she's 9 now. Keeps getting better every year!

Last night, I had my first big food screwup. For some reason, I'm having a tough time with the diet this week. I wasn't satisfied with what I ate yesterday, so I had some peanut butter and honey on whole wheat toast. This is where I need to remind myself that I can't eat peanut butter when I'm cutting, because it triggers me to then move on to chips and ice cream. The good news is I'm feeling better about everything this morning and back on track today.

Had a great upper body workout on Monday, knocked out my cardio yesterday. Today is lower body and I'm going to move away from machines and focus my efforts on weighted squats and lunges. Soreness, here I come!

curvature
Thu, July 9th, 2009, 04:48 PM
Alright, this week is kicking my @$$. Major stress at work and I am just plain exhausted. I left work yesterday with the intention of going straight to the gym and then somehow found myself in my neighborhood. Decided that meant I was tired, turned around, picked my kid up from daycare, went back home and went to bed. Proceeded to sleep for two hours, get up and eat dinner, and then went back to bed and got up this morning.

I am so tired.

So, I missed my lower body workout, but it sounds like I needed a rest anyway. I haven't been hitting all of my meals because of my currently hectic work schedule. And I'm sure I need to up my veggies.

Here's to hoping things start going better.