The Worst Blogger In The World

That would be me.  So much for my promise to blog every day or even once a week!  I'm supposed to blog once a week about my fitness journey as part of my job as a TMR Ambassador and I can't even do that!

I feel overwhelmed by absolutely everything in my life.  All of the time.  How do people do it?!  I don't think I'm necessary busier than anyone else in this world but I just can't get my shit together.  I also want to redesign the whole blog but have no idea how.

Maybe I'll post something worthwhile tomorrow...

Introducing...Fitness Fridays!

WARNING!  This blog post contains images that may render you temporarily (or permanently) blind.  Continue at your own risk.

A hoy hoy!  This is my first blog post as an Ambassador for The Motion Room .  Part of my responsibility as an ambassador is to blog about my experience, my progress, my successes and my failures.  Yes, along the way there are sure to be some failures.  That's life :)

Check out that SMILE!  Yes, I do love to work out and have fun even when I'm dying :)

Today I had my a body composition re-test in order for Joseph & James to create the fitness goals that I must meet in the next 6 months.  I was previously tested at the end of November and I was not so happy with the RESULTS
There are three areas that are tested during a body composition test: Weight, Measurements and Fat Thickness which includes a muscle : fat ratio.  The results of these tests will determine your body fat percentage as well as your weight composition.  All done with ultrasound and a good old measuring tape.

Okay! Okay! Enough with the technical gym talk.  You want the results.  I get it.

Weight - 141 lbs (up 3lbs).  Not too bad bc I am gaining muscle right?  Or so I thought...  Once all the results were in, it was 3lbs of FAT.  Damn you holidays!

Measurements:
Neck - 13" (down .25")
Chest - 37.5" (down 1")
Bicep - 12" (same)
Waist - 30" (same)
Hips - 38" (down 1")
Thigh - 23.5" (down .5')
Calf  - 14" (same)

Not too bad.  I'd like to see the waist go down but overall, I'm happy with my measurement results.

My body fat percentage is 34.2%.  Not good.  It's up 1.2% but based on my weight results, I'm not surprised.  I really didn't take any care over the holidays.  I ate whatever I wanted and it shows :(  I need to get my lean muscle up and my fat down as well as my hydration up.

Not a great re-test but not horrible either.  Getting these results snapped me back into reality.  I'm not 21 years old anymore.  I can't eat whatever I want and expect to burn it off, just by working out.  I have to monitor my caloric intake while I work out to get real, visible results.  That being said:

Seeing is believing.  Please, if you have small children, ask them to leave the room.  If you have a weak stomach, you may also want to avert your gaze.  I apologize in advance. Deep Breath...

Here I am in all my pale, flabby glory.  

Did you hear that?  That was the sound of many a fantasy bubble being popped; kinda like my bikini top (Bazinga!).  But fear not!  This is an official goodbye to the body above.  In 6 months from now I will have shed this body to reveal the fit, toned and healthy body that I know lies beneath.  I had that body for a good long time, I know I can get it back.  And you'll all be along for the ride.  Stay tuned for a blog update every Friday and wish me luck.  I'm gonna need it! 

Btw my sweet, supportive little girl Leni did not want me to feel alone so she also took a before picture.  I'd say she's looking pretty good :)

xo M

It's been a Long December

"and there's reason to believe, maybe this year will be better than the last."  Counting Crows, Long December

The Eve of a new year is upon us and I'm feeling pretty good about 2012.  You know, 2011 was supposed to be my year!  I was turning 30, moving up in my career, I had all these grand plans.  However, like most good intentions, they kinda petered out by late February.  2011 brought a lot of changes to my life; both good and not-so-good but all enlightening.

I have been reading The Happiness Project and follow Gretchen Rubin's Blog: http://www.happiness-project.com  She has a great post about creating effective resolutions and keeping them.  Check out the tips below:


1. Ask: “What would make me happier?” It might having more of something good – more fun with friends, more time for a hobby. It might be less of something bad – less yelling at your kids, less nagging of your spouse. It might be fixing something that doesn’t feel right – more time spent volunteering, more time doing something to make someone else happier.

2. Ask: “What is a concrete action that would bring about change?” One common problem is that people make abstract resolutions, which are hard to keep. “Be more optimistic,” “Find more joy in life,” “Enjoy now,” are resolutions that are hard to measure and therefore difficult to keep. Instead, look for a specific, measurable action. “Distract myself with fun music when I’m feeling gloomy,” “Watch at least one movie each week,” “Buy a lovely plant for my desk” are resolutions that will carry you toward those abstract goals.

3. Ask: “Am I a ‘yes’ resolver or a ‘no’ resolver?” Some people resent negative resolutions. They dislike hearing “don’t” or “stop” or adding to their list of chores. If this describes you, try to find positive resolutions: “Take that dance class,” “Have lunch with a friend once a week.” Or maybe you respond well to “no.” 

4. Ask: “Am I starting small enough?” Many people make super-ambitious resolutions and then drop them, feeling defeated, before January is over. Start small! We tend to over-estimate what we can do over a short time and under-estimate what we can do over a long time, if we make consistent, small steps. If you’re going to resolve to start exercising (one of the most popular resolutions), don’t resolve to go to the gym for an hour every day before work. Start by going for a ten-minute walk at lunch or marching in place once a day during the commercial breaks in your favorite TV show. Little accomplishments provide energy for bigger challenges. Push yourself too hard and you may screech to a halt.

5. Ask: “How am I going to hold myself accountable?” Accountability is the secret to sticking to resolutions. That’s why groups like AA and Weight Watchers are effective, and there are many ways to hold yourself accountable. Accountability is why #2 is so important. If your resolution is too vague, it’s hard to measure whether you’ve been keeping it. A resolution to “Eat healthier” is harder to track than “Eat salad for lunch three times a week.”  Track your accountability on a chart or ask a close friend or relative to be your Accountability Partner. 

I tried to employ these tips while creating my resolutions which I outlined in a recent POST .  I was also presented with an interesting challenge last night.  My best friend, Aaemie said that she would like me to create a resolution for her.  This would help her to be more accountable to the resolution as she wouldn't just be letting herself down (which is sometimes not that hard to do) but also myself, if she didn't keep her resolution.  I think that's a great idea and had discussed that very thing earlier with Terry.  I asked her to create one for me too.

In order to try and keep myself accountable, I will be tracking my resolution progress on the blog.  I haven't yet figured out exactly how I'm going to do this but will keep you posted.

On that note, back to work I go.  I wish everyone a Happy New Year!  Be smart, stay safe and for the love of God (or whomever you bow your head to) DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

xo M