This week has been a crazy week, at times I seem overwhelmed with everything I have to keep up with. I have to count calories, I have to make sure I eat what I'm supposed to eat before and after the gym, I have to make it to the gym and be there 'x' hours/minutes, measure food, drink 64 oz. of water, yadda, yadda, yadda! When I think I'm getting the hang of things it's like I have something else I have to pile on top of it, something else to adjust... last week was the amount of calories I was taking in, now that I'm taking in enough calories I need to figure out my weights and maybe do more reps instead of doing fewer reps with more weight... this came to my attention when I was doing 100 lb. presses and a guy with major muscles was using the same machine with the same weight, same number of reps. My Dad was a coach for a portion of his life and he has always been physically fit, still works out at 69 years old and he voiced some concern - while I was bragging about my ability to do all this heavy lifting, he asked what I was trying to do. I told him I wanted to lose weight through muscle building, he said I need to use lower weights and do more reps and that will get the "tone" I am looking for. We argued about this until we were blue in the face, but my numbers don't lie - my method is working. You see, muscle burns more calories than your fat does, about 5x as much actually - strength training combined with cardio will help you get that ultimate "burn" people that want to lose weight are looking for. My next thought was "So what if I get bulky?" That is not what I'm going for, but I fully believe that if you get to a point where you are more muscular than you want to be, you can adjust your routine accordingly and lower your weights! Honestly, the form I most want is likened to Jillian Michaels (see below).
I realize no two body types are the same, but I'd like to be this toned with her arm muscles and partially well-defined abs - to me, she looks awesomely fit and extremely healthy. New subject!
My friend, Jamie at
http://beyondthefat.blogspot.com/, has made a list of her motivations to lose weight, I only have a little black dress hanging on the wall that I aspire to fit in eventually, but I love her idea of having a list! Something to look at on those days when you're ready to throw in the towel for the day or when you just want to take a day off. I challenge everyone to do this - I think it is something positive to add and can help you mentally prepare for the weight loss "journey." So... I will be back Sunday or Monday with my list! Feel free to respond with your own, maybe I'll modify mine as time goes by and I get more responses! :) Hope you've all had a good day, sorry my entries haven't been daily, it will get better as I adjust to my new school/study schedule.
We can do this Megan. I won't lie, I had a bit of an off weekend. Like you said, just when you think you are starting to get the hang of things and fall into a routine, something comes along and kinda throws a curve ball. But, we will adapt and we WILL do this! Just keep looking at that dress & I'll keep reading my ever evolving list of goals and we will accomplish our goals! We can do it! <3
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