Week Two Begins

I love Mondays. Starting fresh and using what worked from the week before always kickstarts a great day.
The rain has passed and the sun is out on a beautiful day in northern Minnesota, the kind of day that makes you want to do something, anything but what needs to be done. Can’t fall into that trap. Every day counts, every decision affects the next.
Mindset is critical in reaching my goals. Today I begin my workouts and my cardio. Pretty exciting stuff.

F is for Fat Pants

Let’s talk about those fat pants. You know what I’m talking about.  The ones that are always called to duty when we decide to leave our post?

One of the best things I did when I started to  lose weight and keep it off for good is to throw mine out.  It’s amazing how those darn pants can act like a safety net when we are trying to transform.  We may miss a workout or two or three…we may treat ourselves to a cookie or two and soon the weight begins to return. Sound familiar?

Hey when we know those old fat pants are in the closet or in a drawer they become a dangerous security blanket that can and do  sabotage our progress.   We are basically telling ourselves it’s ok to gain a little weight because I have my fat pants to fall back on until I can get my act together…again.  The problem is…you may have an even bigger size pair of fat pants in the house just in case. And so it goes.

As we begin to lose weight eliminating our fat clothes brings freedom from the dieting merry-go-round past.

When I first began lose my weight I went to the mall and tried on clothing every week or two. It was an empowering thing for me to move into smaller sizes and look better as the weeks and months went by.  Trying on new things  became one of my favorite treats during my physical transformation.  I didn’t buy a lot…because I knew that my body was transforming. This ritual was positive feedback that my time at the gym and eating balanced, nutrition meals was paying off with a healthier and fit body.

I also remember the day when my husband peering into my closet said…”THROW out those  fat clothes.”  After I really heard what he was saying to me I never had the need to hide a pair of six 16 fat pants in the back of my closet just in case. What a relief it was.

Today all my pants are “fit” pants.

Work out day

I have my meals packed for the day and will be leaving in a few minute to work out at Phy Ed Health Club in Superior. Today I focus on my back and legs.  Super Crunches and the crunch machine will also be on the list.  I managed to hit my water quota yesterday, now I will repeat that today. My weight hasn’t budged in a while, but I feel my body transforming.  These next few weeks will bring big changes. My goal is improve the package I brought to the stage last year in Elk River, Minnesota at the NANBF event.

Maud and Michelle

Here is a picture from that show. I had so much fun with Maud. She is a super woman and works out like a dynamo.  Working out can be a hassle, especially fitting gym time into your life but the payoff is worth every minute of sweat.   If you are interested in taking a tour of my gym follow this link http://www.phyedhealthclub.com    Have a great day and find a program that works and work the program.

Late night cardio

Last night at midnight I jumped on my treadmill and finally got my cardio in for Monday.  My husband gave me a pat on the back for getting it done. Even when things seem to suck the time away in a blink of an eye…that’s when you have to make time to get your exercise in.  I slept very well last night…I’m sure it was the late night cardio session.  Today I will have to be creative to get my workout in.  Between appointments and work…it will be tight.

Today I will raise my carbs a little bit. Also I need to focus on my water intake.  Yesterday was sub-par in that effort.  The thing about having goals and reaching them is that you have to stay focused. Keep the eye on the prize and keep moving forward.  Transformation is within everyone’s reach. We have to learn to be selfish. That is not a bad thing.  When we take care of ourselves we have more energy to care and love others.

This is a photo of me in October 2003 when I got serious about my Transformation.  I was so happy because I knew that I could make a difference in my life.  Regular exercise, balanced nutrition and goals are the answer to the question “how can I change my life?” Today in April of 2010 I am still answering that question most days of my new and improved life.

My countdown continues.

Monday is all about carbs

I am starting my carb rotation program today.  I will be limiting them to 100 grams.  I will increase my water intake and focus on good fats and lean protein and veggies.

It is also a cardio day.  I am feeling strong and inspired and those are good feelings to have.  I always say its not about how you look it is about how you feel under your skin.  Today is a great day.

This was the way I looked in 2003

This is how I looked in 2003 when I first began my weight loss and fitness journey. I may be smiling but there was a lot of pain under my skin.

I look at this picture now and wonder who that woman is.  My wish for everyone is to have the positive transformation I had and to feel really good about themselves.  It starts with the first step.  Start walking, drink water, read labels on foods…cut back a little on fast foods, eat breakfast and of course follow up with small nutrition meals through out the day to keep your blood sugar steady.  I weighed  190 pounds in this picture. I was in my fifties. My very first step was to visit my doctor and have a discussion on my heart disease risks. It was very motivating.  I also set goals for myself. This was something I had never done before. The power of goals and visualization are amazing.

Body fat testing

Today I had my body fat tested. It was just over 19%  I have lost 2% over the past two weeks.  Nice progress, but will it be enough between now and May 21? That is the question.  I will start carb cycling tomorrow and increasing my cardio. This is always a real scientific dance. The goal of course is to drop fat and maintain muscle.

My workout went well. I focused on my abs, gluts, and quads.  Did some bicep work.

There are several suits I am considering for the show.  I love my fuchsia with crystals.  I also have a very deep purple suit with crystals….and there is the old standby the dark blue with crystals.  The blue was my first ever suit and it still looks good.  I have begun posing practice and am tanning.

There are just about five weeks left to go.  And I always start thinking at this point that I should have done a lot more…months ago.

Training for NANBF Oct. 2009 show

I am busy in the gym most days….I am focusing in on legs, abs, glutes…can you say weighted walking lunges? 

My body fat saturday was 16%. My goal is 12% for the show.  At 57 any lower and it just isn’t worth it to me.  My goal is to be the best I can be. It is that simple. 

Tanning is underway, diet is extremely clean.  Protein is up, and I am carb cycling on a 3:1 formula.  Drinking lots of water….and fighting my hatred of cardio.

Nanbf show in the Twin Cities

Well, I am back training hard and looking forward to my next NANBF figure competition.  I will turn 57 just a few days before the big show.  Some people think I am crazy…but frankly I don’t care what they think.  I am working out at night this time around. After I finish my shift at work I head to the gym.  I am really focusing on my legs/glutes as these are the weakest of the weak areas.  I will be using a suit I used last year in Elk River.  It is pretty foil hot pink with lots of bling.  I will be trying Jan Tana coloring this year. Past show have been pro-tan.  I wanted to try spray tan at the show…but I have to watch my budget.  Hey there is a recession!  

What is so exciting is that there will be several ladies competiting from the Duluth, Minnesota area. It is wonderful to see the idea of  figure competitions are starting to take off locally. Our winters are long…and they go a bit faster when you go to the gym and work on your program. The show is about six weeks out.  I wil need to drop ten pounds. I am still working on the muscle building side.  

Soon I will be carb cycling.

Life couldn’t be better!

Body builders stew/hot dish!

Here is one of my favorite foods as I prepare for my figure show.

 

BODY BUILDERS STEW (Hotdish!)

Adapted by Michelle Lee

1 large grilled skinless chicken breast cubed

1 small packet of Herb Ox Chicken bullion (low sodium)

¼ cup water.

Simmer on low for two minutes until bullion dissolves.

Add

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup frozen broccoli

Simmer on low until broccoli is thawed.

Add ¼ to ½ cup of original Egg Beaters to the mixture and cook on low

until eggs are cooked.

 

Eat hot or put in storage containers and keep refrigerated

until you are ready to serve. I eat it hot or cold.

 

 

This recipe makes two big servings.

You can add your own favorite veggies.  Add or subtract the amounts

of ingredients to the consistency you prefer.

 

It provides me with great clean protein, complex carbohydrates

and my veggies.