Seven weeks in

So, since I did two extra days at the beginning of level 1, and two extra at the end of level 3, I'm now seven weeks into my fifth time through this program, And I have not missed one day. I'm pretty proud of that. I'm taking a mini recovery (still gonna get on the bike) while my grandma is here the second half of the week, so I'll start workout 7/8 on Monday. 

So, what are my results so far? Not what I expected, and frankly, not what I hoped. I have no idea what I've lost in the scale, because, well, I didn't have one at the start. I'm almost but not quite in my size 8 jeans (regular not skinny) and I weigh 181 lbs as of yesterday morning. Not horrible, except I weighed 182 at 3 weeks pp-over a year ago. buuuut that was on another scale, and who knows how far off that was...yada yada. Doesn't matter. I would like to get to 150 or less at some point, but the scale is, for now, going to be a tool for calorie intake regulation, not a measure of progress. 

And I don't even know if my jean size is a great measure right now- will my hips fit in a size four again after two babies? Maybe, but it may take more time and not be related to how hard I work. I realized yesterday that at fourteen months pp with Lexi I was at about the same point in JMBR (though not nearly as fit) and weighed about the same, but was a size bigger. I wasn't in a size four till Lexi was 21-24 mos. soooo... My goal of size four shorts at the beach may be a bit lofty. (Declan will be 17.5 mos then.i had been in an 8 comfortably for about 6w at that time post Lexi.) I'm still hoping to buy size four jeans in October (when my capris will probably cease to make sense...) but we shall see. 

So, am I seeing any results? I am! Other than being a bit smaller, i'm amazed at my performance. I have always struggled with this level of the program, particularly workout 5, but I have done great this time through, and using heavier weights than the folks in the video on pretty much every exercise. I've done the super mans with weights every time-never been able to do any like that before! Yesterday I started out by doing 2 sets of 20 push ups before hitting play, and when I stated this round, I couldn't do 5 in one set. So that's awesome, and I'm well on my way back to sets of 25. 

Um also seeing my upper body muscles come back, which is really cool, because other than abs for the first time, im really passionate about getting my arms back. Shoulders always pop first, then triceps, but I've started to see my biceps too. That's really exciting. I'm curious what will happen over the next few weeks as I work  spinning into my routine! 

Oh, and if anyone wants to get me some 12 and 15 lb weights, that'd be great, cuz I'm using 10's for pretty much all the back and Bicep work now... Yay! 

That awkward phase...

Where you've been working out for almost 2 weeks, and you're getting stronger, and that's so cool, but you're also OH so tired. And sore. And your plantar fasciitis is acting up, probably cuz you're not doing all the care things, AND you're walking 3.5 miles a day pushing almost 100lbs of stroller and kids. And you're all swollen cuz that's how your body reacts to exercise. 

But you're not gonna quit, because on the other side of this is energy, and strength, and feeling good mentally and physically, and clothes that fit and look good, and really tough spin classes and advanced yoga. Some of these things sooner than others, but they are all coming with hard work and dedication. 

One day at a time. One workout at a time. One meal at a time. You're becoming your best for yourself and your family. You are worth it. 

Fitness stuff.

I just finished my first full week of JMBR for this round (my 5th!!) and I'm feeling good! We've been going for long walks too, and I'm definitely gaining strength and improving conditioning that way too. My foot does bug me a bit first thing in the morning though, and I think I need to start babying it again a bit. I'm not stopping my workouts though. No can do. 

With D still in our bed, (blogs about the transition will be many) it's a bit tricky to find time to work out, but it's got me starting my workout between 6:30-6:45 in the morning, and that's pretty awesome. I'm also introducing a new type of low impact cardio to my life, and I'll share more about that later. 

I really love and miss yoga, and am hoping to work at least a short yoga session back into most days, and have a whole yoga "recovery" period planned after JMBR is done. 

I just wanna be ripped, y'all. Shredded. Like really bad. Ropes n Guns n Abs. I saw a picture of myself two years ago this week, and it lit a fire under me. The tricky thing is I'm nursing D a ton still, and I won't be weaning him, so once again, I've gotta make this happen while nursing. 

We are back on track with eating real food, for the most part, anyway. Pirate's booty has its claws in me. Blargh. Need to work back into daily green smoothies to keep my belly full so I don't get super hungry at 4 pm. 

We threw out the scale, which is a wonderful thing. It will allow me to focus more on what my body can do, and let the measure of progress be performance and how my clothes fit. 

Goals: 

Long term: I want to buy size 4 jeans in September. I think it's doable. I went down 4 sizes between when Lexi was 14 mos and 18 mos, and I'm trying to do 3 sizes between 13 and 18 mos (or even close to 19-just by the end of September!) this time.

 

Slightly shorter: I want to wear my size 4 capris (or even my shorts!) on vacation in August. We leave 19 weeks from

tomorrow. 

Size 8 jeans: 5/2

Size 8 skinnies: 5/16

Size 6 jeans: 6/27

Size 4 capris or shorts: 8/15

Six weeks per size seems very doable to me if I can stay consistent. Honestly, once I find my groove, it should be smooth sailing. The key is to just keep swimming! 

I see so many people doing detoxes, cleanses, taking supplements, and shakes, looking for a quick fix, and I just wish for them that they could find the peace and patience to do it the right way, with moving their bodies and plenty of real food. You have to do what works for you, obviously, but I've tried all those things and the results don't last, and you just end up less healthy and more unhappy.  It took me years to find my inner badass and fall in love with fitness and real food, but I'm here now and I want to bring my friends!

Inspiration from Siri

So maybe you've seen the suggestion to "ask Siri to beatbox". Maybe you've tried it. If you haven't, go ahead, I'll wait. 

(If you aren't an Apple user, she says "here's what I've been working on: catsandbootsandcatsandbootsandcatsandboots. I could do this all day. Catsandbootsandcatsandbootsandcats..") 

This morning I was texting Scott my feelings about my body, about wanting to be and look less chubby and more strong,and how I wanted my guns back. And my abs. Then I heard the chant in my head: 

Gunsandabsandgunsandabsandgunsandabsandgunsandabsandguns.

Funny, silly, and strangely motivating. Obviously I can't spot reduce, and I'm working up to three cycle classes a week by next month to get more cardio, especially while it's too cold to walk outside regularly, but those are my external goals, the Guns will emerge first, but eventually I will see my abs, and hopefully sooner than later. 

I might even make a few signs to keep me motivated. 

I do have some more concrete goals for progress. I'd like to be wearing:

Size 8 jeans by 2/15 (4.5 weeks) 

Size 8 skinny jeans by 3/1 (7 weeks) 

Size 6 jeans by 4/1 (11.5 weeks)

Size 4 crops/shorts by my birthday (24.5 weeks) 

Update: I'm loving PiYo. It's kicking my butt, and I really struggle with keeping up, but I do think I'm already improving. I can see myself returning to it for years to come, as a break for my joints for a couple months, as a way to switch up and keep my body guessing, I love it. I really hope to see some results soon, now that the holiday food is gone. 

Also- I'm transitioning to drinking my coffee bulletproof-blending it with vanilla, stevia, coconut oil, and soon ghee, to give my body some healthy fats to fuel and start the day with! So far I love it, and I have more energy. I'll keep updating with other changes! 

What's your Reason?

So, if you're my friend on Facebook you probably know that when the "what's your excuse?" Mom went viral, I went ballistic. I was so angry I could spit, and here's why: 

No two people or two stories are alike. Some of us are never going to look like that woman, even without children, some prioritize other things over having a perfect body, and implying that because we don't look like she does means we are making excuses is disrespectful, ignorant, shaming, and just plain rude. Reading the blog posts she wrote in reaction to the backlash further infuriated me. She doesn't know my or anyone else's story, and is frankly, clueless.

Here is my "excuse." I have PCOS. This makes weight loss harder than average for me because my metabolism is screwed up to begin with. I was also exclusively breastfeeding my daughter for the first year of her life (that means we didn't give her solid foods-only breast milk. That's right I was sustaining a life using only my body not just for nine months while I carried her but another year as well!) I continued breastfeeding her until the day she turned nineteen months old. Now, they say breastfeeding helps you lose weight because it burns extra calories. Not true for everyone, including me. For half of us it makes our bodies resistant to weight loss to protect the baby from famine. I chose her over the possibility of a better body for as long as she needed me. And last bit not least, it would require far more time on a daily basis to achieve that level of fitness than I am willing to take from my daughter. I want her to see fitness as a part of life, but a balanced, full, not aesthetically obsessed life. So if that makes me lazy in your eyes...you're bonkers.

Now, I accept (after listening to Jillian Michaels' take on the debacle) that maybe she meant it as a piece of inspiration, and we should try to take that from it...maybe. However, I'd like to propose a different question might be more productive, uplifting, and across the board, applicable. Jillian Michaels (who you all know is one of my heroes in life) often encourages people to find their "why" because "when you know your 'why' you can tolerate any 'how'" , meaning, if you know why you are doing something, why you are pushing put of your comfort zone, you can endure what it takes to get there! It doesn't involve you comparing yourself to anyone else as a measure of success, only pushing toward what you want for yourself, and I find this SO powerful, not just for fitness but for any pursuit. It's much more productive to motivate ourselves to look hopefully at the future by giving ourselves a reason TO do something than to shame ourselves for all the excuses we make not to. So, instead of "what's your excuse?" I want to ask this: 

What's your Reason?