I am not sure why I call it ‘weigh-in’ as the weight is only a small part of the equation. At least, I am telling myself that after a fairly disappointing result this week. Current weight now 251 pounds (114 kg) down only 1.1 pounds (0.5kg). At least it is still weight loss. However, there is a brighter side of the weekly measurements. Although over the four weeks I have only lost 13.2 pounds (6 kg), the better result is my body fat percentage. When I started four weeks ago, it was 35.3% – yes, over 1/3rd of me was jubbly fat! That percentage is now sitting at 18.67%, so I have nearly halved my jubbliness in four weeks. In the last week alone, it went from 20.49% to 18.67%, so it isn’t as if I am sitting around doing nothing – in fact, I worked pretty hard last week. I am pretty rapt with the body fat percentages, although I do want to see faster weight loss, being as impatient as I am.

Weigh ins are never fun!

Over the last four weeks, my stomach has gone from 46.5″ (118cm) to 43.7″ (111cm). So I am getting smaller. And although I am now in week five, I believe I will get to my target by the end of the 12 week transformation challenge. I decided to change my routine a little and make Friday my weigh in day (so no weigh in until next Friday now) and Monday my 60 minute personal training session. I will do my training session this Friday as well as next Monday, so if I don’t see some better weight loss by the end of it, ARGH! I have also decided to cut back on my meals a little, by reducing the size about 10-15%. Although I have been eating to plan, I want to see if this will have an impact.

My comments to Steve, personal trainer, after my workout with him last Friday, was that it didn’t hurt too much.  WRONG THING TO  SAY!  He made sure this week I would feel the burn!  And feel the burn I did.  I could barely lift my arms over my head by the time he was finished with me.  I thought my arms had turned to jelly.  I have to say it was a great workout.  I recommend people get a personal trainer to help them on their weight loss journey, as you will really get pushed beyond where you think you can manage.  The zone where you make ‘real’ progress is not the warm up, but the last few reps that you are struggling to get out.

This is how I felt after my workout

Steve was funny today – my workout started with me having to piggy back him THEN do steps – he weighs 68kgs, and I had to do three reps of 10 per leg steps!  It must have looked totally hilarious to anyone looking on.  Later in the workout, he forgot how to count.  ONly 4 more..3 more.. 2 more..ok… 2 more..now 2 more.. 1 more.. good.  Hmm.  Hold it for 5 seconds… 5….4…3…2…..2….2….2…..1  or 5…..4…..3…..2….long pause of 10 seconds…..2…..  All in all, a fun workout, but one I am still feeling tonight.  As he said, no workout over the weekend, so my muscles have a couple of days to recover.

I won’t bore you with the whole routine today, suffice to sya, there was a lot of focus on the upper body strength.  Hence the arms of jelly.  Also noticed my right knee has a bit of a twinge, will have to be careful on this.

I have found the last few days pretty tough going.  My motivation had waned, and I was struggling just to get the basics done.  I guess there are going to be good times and bad times!  I am not sure what was causing the decline in motivation – was I bored with the routine?  Was it the disruptions to my routine that caused me to feel like this?  Perhaps it was the change in weather, with Autumn now in full swing, gale force winds and loads of rain.  I do not know the answer, but thankfully, I woke up today feeling much more on top of things.

I went for a walk through Victoria Park this morning.  And later was SPIN class.  I actually enjoy this particular form of exercise torture.  And I must say today I pushed harder than any other SPIN class I have been to.   The instructor, Sean, really went hard.  He had us on level 9 (thats one off maximum resistance, I accidentally dialled 10 anyway) and kept us there for what seemed an eternity.  My legs were burning!  I heard grunting noises and wondered who it was (10 people in the class) before realising it was probably me!  It was an intense workout.  I really thought I was going to have to stop early, but just in the nick of time, he finally gave us the standing climb, which took some pressure off the legs.  We held that for a few minutes as well.  By the end of the class, I was totally spent.  Walking home was an effort, my legs felt rubbery!  If I wanted to know what it felt like to be a Rubber Chicken, today I found out.

So I did not do any crazy acts of self sabotage when the motivation dropped.  I even went to the gym, although it was an effort.  I ate properly (maybe a few too many raisins hehe).  So if that is the downside, then I am going to pull through with flying colours every time.  What was great today – people telling me I had lost loads of weight.  And sure enough, when I looked at an old photo, I was surprised at the fat face staring back!  Change is happening.  7 1/2 more weeks to go for the challenge and for me to hit my goal weight.  Onwards!

Have had a busy couple of days and as such have not updated my blog!  Still on track though, and getting into week four.

Tuesday Gym = 45 minutes of cardio (20 x trainer + 25 treadmill)

Wednesday gym = 45 minute work out – could have done more but ran out of time.

Will update more tomorrow when I have some more time!

Wow, here I am starting week four of the 12 week transformation challenge. Although I was hoping to lose weight faster, the weight loss I have had is considered very good according to my trainer. However, I am going to try eliminating protein shakes from my diet this week, on his advice. I have been fairly rigid in my food intake, but will reduce the portion sizes down a little this week as well.

It is all about portion control

Obviously I need to get the right amount of good calories, so I will not be starving myself, as any weight loss that comes from inadequate food intake is reversed the minute one starts eating normally again. I have not felt hungry that often during the challenge thus far, so maybe my portion sizes have been a little big. Or just maybe, my expectations for weight loss are a little high! Either way, week four, I have made it 22 days now!!! That is longer than any ‘diet’ or exercise regime I tried in the past. Finally, finally, I have found the way back to health!

Food Monday:

• Breakfast = Porridge
• Morning Tea = SKIP
• Lunch = corn + pineapple sandwich (whole grain bread x 2) + orange
• Afternoon Tea = SKIP (got a little busy)
• Dinner = Tuna + boiled frozen vege + brown rice (yay for rice cookers) – lazy man dinner tonight!
• Supper = Raisins (small handful)

I pushed myself very hard from Monday through to Friday last week, including an hour with my personal trainer.  However, Saturday I just walked, and Sunday, I walked even less, only 35 minutes with a jaunt up the stairs.  So not sure if this affects my weekly monday weigh ins but I really need to find a good non-gym cardio workout for Sundays.  If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments!

working out is starting to show results!

The results today were positive, although not as dramatic as they have been.  My body fat percentage, which started out at a crazy 35.3% (I was a flabby fatbird!) is now 20.49%.  Not bad for three weeks.  Weight loss for the week was only 3.3 pounds (1.5kg) bringing my new weight down to 252.4 pounds (114.5kg).  So progress is being made.

I wore a red t-shirt today (not a flattering color on fatbird) and it is not a size or two too big.  When I saw my reflection, I realised I still have a long way to go. For a moment, I experienced the old feeling of “oh no, the goal is too far away!) but then I reminded myself of where I was three weeks ago (heck, it has only been 3 weeks!) and that I felt great and was enjoying life a whole lot more.  The feeling quickly passed and I headed off back to the gym of r a workout where I decided to push a little harder.

So I worked out on the weights for about 50 minutes, with a variety of exercises.  Then I finished it off with 20 minutes on the exercycle.  And I rode hard.  The funny thing is, I am much fitter than I was , and although I am pushing myself harder than I could have even beared three weeks ago, I do not end up as puffed out as I used to.  For example, my heart rate on the bike went from 150 down to 110 in just 3 minutes.  Quick recovery.  But yes, my gym clothes still ended up covered in sweat!  I have to say, I do an awful lot of washing now!!  Thankfully, I am downsizing into some cothes I have not been able to wear for a couple of years.  Beats shopping for more clothes!