snail’s pace

I’m eating clean. But it seems my metabolism has slowed to a snail’s pace since my last transformation. In the past it would take me a week to see the fat melt away. Now…not so much.
I will start weighing my food to make sure I am not a victim of portion creep. That can happen, especially when you are guesstimating your portions of fat and protein.
I am also writing down all my meals that should make a difference.
This is my first week of physical activity. Energy seems to be down but I will continue to soldier thru.
I know I can do it and I will do it!

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.

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!

LATE BLOOMERS….

It seems there are a lot of people who are “Late Bloomers.”
I love flowers. Some are bright and showy right of the garden center flat. Others don’t bloom until they have a chance to set deep roots…had a winter or two to harden and then stand back and prepare to be dazzled!

I love the idea that people also bloom when they are supposed too.

Since entered this warm, and loving community called BFL I have had the chance to observe a large variety of blooms.

It’s really amazing what a little (or in my case a lot depending on the neglect) attention and proper nutrition can do to make people transform.

I bring this up because I just saw the slide show presentation for the Champions’ for Life Cruise. Jim Shelton has put a link up on the BFL Tracker for feedback. Great Job Jim!
The show represents some of the Champions and possibly future BFL Champions preparing to set sail on the 2006 cruise.
I never get tired of looking at before and after photos. I don’t think I ever will.

The change in those after pictures keep me going. That change is the reason I now get up early each day, try to write a few words on the blog, pack my six meals for the day and head to the gym before a full day at work.
While some may just see the physical change in those photos I see the blood, sweat and tears that took to transform. I see the flowers they’ve become to brighten a world that needs beauty and the promise of better things to come.
I also see the tremendous power of the ripple effect these “late bloomers” will have on the flowers surrounding them.

I just wish that I could be on that ship when it sails this year to hear their stories in person. But I will try with all of my might to do that next year….cause I know that when the 2006 ship drops anchor…those who sailed will be making plans and saving for 2007!