Challenges and holidays

Ah, metaphors, how I do appreciate their coping spirit. Not altogether floating butterflies or stinging bees, but holidays are similar to a boxing match. I feel like I've received a "One, two, whammy" to my whole body...or an injection of cortisol. What would I be using as a flight or fight here? The preparations are coming together. The ring is being staged...the publicity is buzzing like hot electricity over a loud speaker. On the plus side, my home is getting an overhaul and the grand sweep is making life--or at least the rooms I live in less congested. On the other side, you guessed it, so much to do so little time before the big match.

I joined the GGX challenge through Gold's gym. I was so excited that my winning enthusiasm convinced my husband, my mom and my friend to join with me. Within the second week (of complete exhilaration on my part and waning motivation for the others) I hurt my knee. After my trainer at the gym told me that he wouldn't let me workout with him until I had it checked out with my doctor I was extremely discouraged. Then, I went to the doctor and was told all the things I thought I'd be told. There is a slip for an MRI hanging around at home somewhere but it is to be used as a last resort.

I can't believe it. A KO in the second round. Since then I have felt a hunger inside that is causing me to eat with wild abandon. There is no reason for this and I am disappointed in myself. After all I have accomplished! I mean...I'm down three pants sizes and two bra sizes...almost 3 cup sizes. This here is the incredible shrinking woman for real! Yet, I feel unmotivated to do anything active now because well...it hurts.

There is nothing funny about taking a trusted part of your body for granted. So I feel great in my smaller clothes. I feel sexy and stylish because fitted clothing looks sharp on me. I adore the remarks of my friends and family--particularly my husband and children who notice everything. I look younger in dress, but I feel older in appearance. There is something to say for being more filled out--it's a bit youthful to have full cheeks and supple limbs. Without the extra weight and inches my skin is looser and that my friends is not a friendly combination with gravity.

I keep reminding myself that I still have access to the gym until the end of the year. There are still 5 weeks left in the challenge. I can still pull this off! If I could stop using my knee so it would get better than I would be ready to burn up the floor with all the different classes available. I am desperate to get in and train on the equipment! I will get back in there...I want to make it through another round!

Another painful punch from the season is the rate of illnesses. My youngest son caught a cold in the first week of the challenge (first experience in a group daycare environment at the gym) and has been sick for three weeks. My older two have been in and out of illness but not at the same time so while my eldest is ill now, my middle is well...but she was ill two weeks ago whilst her older brother was full of energy. This makes it all the more difficult to get the necessary rest and I can say it's taking its toll on all of us.

Here's the powerful silver lining. My motivation and smelling salts if you will. I have gotten rid of all my bigger clothes (save dress clothes...that's too expensive to let go of right now) so my mind is in the loop. It knows what needs to be done and is yelling to my body...there is no going back, the shrinking must continue or be sustained but bigger is in the past.

The holiday season is just like the raging fans around the ring. They come, happy and shiny bringing anticipation and anxiety. They make us do things we would not do reasonably within a year...and there is no going back. People are waiting with expectations and judgment is heavy on the ropes. Fleeting in their nature, always on to bigger and better things before the final bell. I mean, really? Decorating for Christmas the day after Trick or Treating? Seriously?

But I'll make myself get through it. I'll instill the traditions in my own family that have been graced upon me over a lifetime--with a few modifications. Turkeys are dressed, houses are draped and the adoring fans sing with cheer for the victorious. Just like a tough workout, if I can get through the holiday season, I can get through anything.

My Review of Under Armour Stabilty D High Impact Bra Womens

Originally submitted at The Sports Authority

The Under Armour® Stability D High Impact women's bra provides the enhanced support you need to get through your toughest workouts. It's crafted using the moisture-wicking HeatGear® performance fabric that draws sweat away from your skin and provides optimal ventilation to keep yo...

Under Armour Stabilty D High Impact Bra Womens

Always the first sports bra I reach for

By Kim the Crossfit enthusiast from Frederick, MD on 10/7/2009

 

5out of 5

Cup Fit: Feels true to size

Band Size: Feels true to size

Pros: Good Support, Durable, No uniboob, Straps That Do Not Slide, Comfortable, Breathable

Cons: Wish I had more

Best Uses: Everyday Wear, Low Impact Exercise, High Impact Exercise, Jogging, Gym

Describe Yourself: Practical, Frugal, Sexy, Stylish, Conservative, Comfort-oriented

This is the first sports bra I have found to pass the dressing room jump test. All of the different brands I tried on before this bra allowed my breasts to either jiggle, bounce or slap together. This one minimizes the bust so there is no bounce. I feel attractive even when I am doing some unattractive things; it has a stylish cut that is flattering.

(legalese)

Fitness guru

Why is it that many people who have lost weight (and in the process of the trial, learned a great deal about themselves and life), want to become personal trainers? Why!? Yet, here I am, wanting to go get my graduate degree in nutrition and exercise science. Here I am feeling exuberant with each new day and wanting to MOVE around. I am to the point where I feel cranky if I haven't been as active as I want to be.

What's more, I find myself wanting to take on kids! I have a new job, which I am LOVING with Funfit. My classes are offered through a rec center, but there is an actual location with a gym set up for kids. What a fantastic concept. Since I have been teaching this class I feel so energized! It's just fun!

The conflict. While I am feeling energized and having fun and wanting to go further my education...I feel like I am not doing enough activity. All the things I have been doing over the past few months have been wonderful but now, they aren't enough. I am thirsty and looking for some adventure--frugal excitement.

It's time for new shoes so that I can get moving!

Elite Advice

My brother, an avid crossfit enthusiast, gave me this link as a comment to one of my other blog posts. I watched it and was both encouraged, inspired and deflated all at once. Bodies as machines. Ruthless and rigorous in the pursuit of fitness. Gotta say, there are many exercises included in a crossfit routine that are well worth their salt and completely free--box jumps on a park bench for example. Actually everything done in the video can be modified, which I'm sure is part of the appeal. I particularly like the theme that everything is about ideas. Life is ideas on overload. When we run out of ideas...well you get the picture. Enjoy!

halfway mark

7.30.09 Halfway to my goal! Down two dress sizes :)

long time no see

So much has been happening this July and I've been out of town. However, I have been diligently fitting in exercise as much and as often as possible. Today I am happy to report that after a few weeks using my real bike outside (I got a bike rack for my van!!!!) I happily used the recumbent tonight and broke my own record. 16 miles and 430 calories in one hour. Woot!

E-trekking

I've been wasting time online tonight because I am too exhausted to sleep. My eyes are heavy and strained and I know I should be striving for those 8 priceless hours of sleep...but I am reading.

Here are two golden nuggets I found on my exploration of the Internet and one lead to the other. Very insightful and useful information on both pages. I am now a follower of the second link because it offers many other interesting articles.

Today was a meeting day and weigh in. I have found that I need a new scale. I think I maintained my same weight from last week--neither gaining nor losing--but I can't tell because if I even vary my stance or lean in any direction I get a reading that can be as much as 20lbs off. Normally weighing 20lbs less would be rewarding, but it is just frustrating. Tomorrow is my physical and I should get a more accurate reading first thing in the morning. (Also, Zumba starts Tuesday and I am still UBER excited!)

I passed out the exercise log my walk jog class used for monitoring aerobic fitness and heart rate. We discussed set backs from the week and gave each other suggestions and encouragement for fighting our blahs. My mom-in-law brought back the bikes she had taken two weeks earlier, all fixed by my talented and capable dad-in-law. Del and I took out my bike with Arthur on the back and had an exhilarating 3.4 mile stint to celebrate.

Speaking of celebrating: Last night, because I wanted to fit in some cardio, I used the recumbent bike for my usual 30 minutes and I WAS ELATED when I hit 8 miles at level 10 in the 30 min, and maintained a strong hold in THR zone for the workout: 143! So very exciting I was giddy for hours--which I will be more cautious of in the future, because I did this at midnight and then was unable to fall asleep until 2.

Also yesterday I push mowed an acre and finished up what was too dark to cut last night this afternoon--with Arthur on my back. AND today I wrote down the actual calories of my food, instead of just the food items and coloring the square--which ensured I stayed under 1500. I feel a bit successful today. :)

This week will be a true challenge because each day has a lot of activity...riding to and fro in the car for different doctors' appointments. And my modified lifestyle will be going on the road for several days which will make fast food a temptation. Hopefully if it comes to such things I will remain disciplined and not sabotage this week's progress. I have my resistance bands and they are ready to travel!