I know what you are asking, dear readers: how's the ol' Professor doing so far on her quest for 40x40? Is she still sticking with the challenges that she assigns to the rest of us? And *gasp* what's the next challenge? Darlings, I am very proud to say that I am making very noticeable progress on my quest for 40x40. I'm down 15 pounds and slowly moving towards the 20 pound mark. I say slowly because my workouts are getting more intense and I have a feeling that I'm gaining muscle mass, meaning I'm hitting weight equilibrium. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat and that means the more muscle I define and shape the slower I'm going to lose weight. This isn't a bad thing. I'm fitting into my clothes much, much better and the muscle definition is extremely obvious. A few days ago, I was stretching in front of the mirror before I jumped in the shower and was completely surprised to see that my abs are starting to become extremely defined. It must be the 40+ sit ups that I've been doing! WAHOO!
I'm still dancing around the apartment, but I'm only doing so four times a week. However, I've increased the dance time to 40 minutes alternating between super stompy EBM/industrial music like Project Pitchfork, Wumpscut and Rotersand and more traditional Goth like Rosetta Stone or The Merry Thoughts. Hell, I've even spun around the living room to Death in June and Ikon, making sure that my arms got the majority of the workout which wasn't very difficult to do. I have to admit, I LOVE this part of my work out. Dancing inevitably puts me into an awesome mood and I'm finding it extremely meditative ... even better than yoga. I always use my iPod because I don't want distractive noises from the outside world; besides the iPod allows me to mimic the volume of a typical club. I close my eyes and dance, losing myself completely to the music as I always do on the dance floor. Sometimes I try new moves and I always find myself smiling to myself as my mood transforms. Yep, no matter how grumpy I am when I start, I am ALWAYS in an awesome mood after.
I follow my 40 minute dance workout with weights: high reps with low weights following a workout that I've used throughout my life for the swim team. I focus my efforts on my arms, back and chest and target areas that I know aren't getting much work. I also do sit ups and leg lifts ... no, I don't crunches. I prefer a good, solid sit up that is slowly and thoughtfully done. When I was in high school I remember being able to do 100 sit ups or more in one go! I was strong and my abs showed it. I want that back and I'm working diligently to achieve it.
As for my eating habits, I'm really watching how much goes on my plate and what kind of food I eat. I'm making thoughtful choices, opting for complex nutritional meals with loads of taste. I'm limiting my calories specifically in the morning and the afternoon, and keeping an eyeball on them in the evenings ... yet, I don't feel deprived. Poached eggs are a Goddess-send and have found themselves on everything from an English muffin to spinach salad! I half my portions (or more!) and eat slowly, allowing my body to register that it's getting food. I am also allowing myself treats once a day, like the Skinny Cow chocolate and caramel clusters or a Skinny Cow ice cream cup before bed. Snacks are my downfall and I've been militant on what I eat and when I eat my snack. I have had some heavy calories days, but I also have had some very good calorie days or days that I'm working out and running all over the place. What I'm doing is good for me and it's working.
I still journal, but that's not really hard for me. I've had a paper journal for a long time and it's really easy for me to write in it every day. Some days it's just a health and food log, other days I make longer entries discussing triumphs, challenges, and noted happenings. I don't really decorate it as I was in the beginning -- I don't time and I'm not really interested enough to do so.
As for the last challenge of being good to myself: MAJOR FAIL. I'm my own worst critic and let's face it, I'm a perfectionist. I haven't been able to crack my schedule to allow myself the time to do fun, creative stuff and this bothers me. However, my advisor gave me some important tools to tackle my schedule and the dissertation process. So maybe I just need a little more time with this challenge? Maybe I will eventually learn how to lighten up and stop being so incredibly stressed out and twisted? I have actually carved out time to polish my nails, do a pedicure, trim my bangs and color my hair ... so maybe I haven't failed so badly.
Dear readers, I'm quite pleased with my results and I'm excited that I'm well on my way to accomplish my goal. What happens after I reach my goal weight? Well, honestly I will have 10 more pounds to go after that and I will loss that gradually throughout the rest of the year. Right now let's get to my 40th birthday 40 pound lighter than when I began 2012!
Dear readers, do you have a good idea for future Bat Fit Challenges? I have three more and then I'm a bit stumped, so any suggestions would be awesome!
I have an idea!
ReplyDeleteMy mum and I are trying to be week vegetarians. The idea is that from Monday till Friday lunch we eat vegetarian and weekends we eat meat. It's healthier and it saves the planet while still letting us enjoy a good steak.
What a good idea! Thanks! Hmmm ... this actually goes with an idea I had for introducing new veggies to the table. hmmm ... you have my brains moving and shaking!
Deleteno idea, sorry :-(
ReplyDeletei also 'kind of failed' on the last challenge because i just dont have enough time to read or do other things i would enjoy but i dont care because atm i'm still really happy so maybe i already do enough :-D
we're all proud of you for that great progress, i'm sure!
I hear you on the no time thing! Sheeze, it's like trying to get blood from a stone! I'm so happy to hear that you're happy with you schedule -- good for you!!! That's half the battle darling!
DeleteAw, thanks!
I JUST joined this morning and luckily, this year so far I am already up to date on all the challenges! We started a gym membership about three weeks ago that offers free classes to members that REALLY kick your butt, two of these classes are dance themed and I have already dropped the bad habit of eating and drink and pretty much INHALING sugary items!
ReplyDeleteMy idea for a batfit challenge is the complete opposite of the above; I donate blood plasma twice a week and I need to keep my iron up in order to do it. My idea is to eat MORE meat, for the health benefits it gives you. I was recently reading in a book that many people say that starchy foods makes you gain weight, but it is the dairy that is fatty. It said not to blame the meat/bread/potatoes etc, but the cheese/yogurt/sour cream etc that you eat WITH them. At the same time, it says to consume both honey and vinegar to help keep your body healthy with the bad stuff that the good stuff gives you.
A more simpler idea is to have honey OR vinegar in a glass of water with dinner. The health benefits of these are almost endless!
Welcome aboard! Unfortunately eating more meat for SOME people is a huge problem, especially in consider heart disease (particularly problematic here in America). I honestly believe that everything should be eaten in moderation unless you are on a specific diet given to you by your doctor. You need the meat for a specific reason, others might be told by their doctor to eat it in moderation.
DeleteThis whole concept that one group of food makes you fat and another doesn't is complete bull, in my opinion. Food is the fuel that makes your body go. Food is a necessary tool for life and therefore is exempt from "blame." What makes a person fat and unhealthy is his or herself. Not the food. It's the amount that they eat. The portion size. And what kinds of food they eat. Over processed, chemical laden, fast foods and package foods are a major contributor to health problems. Put the "blame" where it belongs.
As for honey, it's super good for you but makes sure you eat honey that is local. Why? Research has proven that locally harvested honey consumed by the people in the area actually helps with allergies and other aliments because it triggers our environmental coping mechanisms. The vinegar is usually Apple Cider Vinegar and not a random white vinegar. Hard apple cider and in turn the vinegar has been claimed as a cure all as far back as the Colonial days in the US, Adams being the biggest proponent of its health benefits. These benefits haven't been technically proven as of yet.