Fat to Fit Journal

[MuscularMary]

I started my plan on Wednesday, and already I'm noticing a difference!

Meal Plan:
Everyday since then, I've been eating everything on the "Go Hard" column of my plan, except the shrimp, which I plan on getting in starting tomorrow. Lately I haven't been getting up early enough to get in 6 meals, but I made a schedule (sort of a check list) to follow. I've been getting hungry every 2- 2 1/2 hrs, and I mean stomach growling hungry.

Today I did have a free meal - Chili's grilled shrimp and pasta - no sauce and bread. Now I'm back on my plan. I found I got full after 3 shrimp - guess the stomach shrunk!

Workouts:
I did half the kickboxing circuit twice so far. I'm working up to doing the full thing - hard workout that I'm not used to yet. But each time I'm getting faster and stronger. I'm doing my weight training tomorrow.

Competition:
I'm competing July 19th in Figure. I decided that I won't be ready to do Fitness by then, since I don't know how to do anything, and I mean anything - splits, holds, cartwheel, etc. But I will be training for those things as if I'm competing in July. I want to make people cry with my routine, so I will not get on stage until I can win, at least in my eyes, which will probably be in November! I know my limits and do not want to risk injury or overtraining. But Figure is nothing to skoff at - there's still A LOT of work to be done!!

Starting Stats:
Age: 40
Weight: 161
Height: 5'6"
BF%: 31.3%
Goals: Compete July 19th in Figure; Nov in Fitness
- Remove bodyfat down to <15% by July
- Be consistent with workouts & nutrition - not only for the competitions, but for the rest of my life

[MuscularMary]

I gained a little fat (.295) and lost a little muscle (.895) over the week. I don't think I'm eating enough, and I need to be more consistent with workouts.

Now I have to travel for business, which makes it hard to stay with the nutrition and exercise. I just have to figure out a way to get to the gym, and which one to go to, since I belong to 24 hour fitness. Perhaps the company I will be working for, or the hotel I will be staying at has a gym. I really need to get on the ball, since I'm going to compete in July!

[Italianangel]

I will look at this and we may need to look at macro breakdown a bit more, protein amounts, have to watch cals, muscle loss or not, I mean we don't want much muscle loss but are on a time sensitive schedule with contest date so cals need to be under 2000 and over 1200...........what is your sweet spot is what we need to figure out.
I will adjust the diet for the next 7 days or so and lets see if we can't get the same response as week 1!
I cannot wait to see your routine, you speak with such passion its so inspiring!!!
Linda

[Italianangel]

food for travel, how limited are you, can you still cook or are we talking tuna cans?
Linda

[Italianangel]

oh btw, are you going to need any adjustments to the training....especially being on travel?
Let me know, this way I can tweak whatever is needed, I am working on the diet now. we can go weekly on it with the way your body is fast to get used to things. It seemed to take the first 5 days or so then drop off so weekly is best on this plan you got. thoughts?
Linda

[Italianangel]

hey girl, its done and I emailed the diet portion, keep me posted!
Linda

[MuscularMary]

I received the meal plan - thank you!

For the traveling, I brought my protein powder, and I will be able to buy the rest and cook this weekend for the week.

I also found a 24 Hr Fitness near work, and I will be hitting it tomorrow.

I'm ready to go!! I love knowing that I will be sticking with my plan while I'm traveling and while I'm with family, who does not eat clean! I can't wait to feel that natural high at the end of the week!

[MuscularMary]

Today, I'm doing really well. Got up this morning and cooked my meals to bring with me - brown rice, yams, asparagus & chicken. So far, since I work downtown Houston, I've walked about 12 blocks and walked up to Level 7 in the parking garage - nice and sweaty by the time I got back.

I've been having a hard time getting to the gym, since I have an hour to an hour and a half of a commute in heavy traffic. I'm beat by the time I get to my mom's house. I am working here for a month. But next week, I'm staying at a hotel that's only 6 miles away, so I will be able to make it to the gym easier, since it's 3 miles from the hotel! Can't wait!! In the meantime, I'm making do with walking around downtown. I know it's not going to get it done, but it's better than nothing until Sunday!

[Italianangel]

so how about we set you up with a home circuit so you are doing something this week, even if its only 30 mins?

[MuscularMary]

That would be great - thank you!!

[Italianangel]

Hi mary,
I sent you an email a couple days ago, not sure it got to you but here are my questions incase you see this first, I wanted to get this to you Saturday.......
do you have any thing where you are staying, bands, db's, ball, cardio equip?
not a biggie if not, we can still kick your butt for the time you are there but if so it will help and I can cater to what you have.....lmk
Linda

[MuscularMary]

24 Hour Fitness is less than 3 miles away, so I was going to follow the training program you laid out for me.

I've been walking a lot - especially downtown and I was able to climb stairs 7 floors twice in one day, but I was not able to do anything formal until today. There's a fabulous park I'd like to take a run/walk on as well.

This traveling bit is not very easy - and it doesn't help that I have a somewhat unsupportive family. I've talked to them about it over the w/e and I think they understand better, but they still don't get what it is I'm working for, and what it takes.

My mom thinks I'm hypoglycemic because of the way I get so hungry - LOL! That particular day (Sun) I didn't have my food with me when I went to a convention with her. By the time I got to eat, I was extremely hungry and grouchy. She doesn't understand because she only eats once a day. Very frustrating!

But now I'm on my own and I went grocery shopping yesterday to cook at the hotel. And I'm going back to Whole Foods to get the rest on my list. Goji berries are not very easy to find.

I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances, although I could do better and I am. I just have to work through it and establish some sort of routine, especially since I will be here for a month off and on.

This w/e I have to drive to Austin (200 miles) on Fri, then continue on to Dallas (another 200) to celebrate my dad's 60th b-day. Then I fly back to Houston and start over again. Tired just thinking about it. But after working out this week, I should have enough energy to keep up!

I'm not going to be able to send my stats until this w/e because I don't have my scales here. I feel I haven't changed - go figure! My fault!

[Italianangel]

Yaaay, I found you!!! I wrote a few emails then when I came to find your journal I could not.............man, pms brain!
Well I am relieved to find this post and have some feedback on how its going.
Do you travel often?
If you had any inconsitency then don't worry, make up for it by keeping on it for another week or so.......lets see how it goes.

Linda

[MuscularMary]

I was just about to return your email to let you know I responded to your question immediately.

Last week, I did really well and it's carrying over to this week. I worked out 5 times, and only once so far this week, but I'm heading to the gym after work.

I weighed in last week and weighed 159 at 30.025%BF - down from above!! Yea!!

I found a healthy place to eat and figured out a way to eat oatmeal. This week I started taking L-Arginine and L-Carnitine, which I've been reading about.

I think with me, it has to be about CONSISTENCY!! If I'm consistent, I remove the BF!!

Any suggestions you have is greatly appreciated!

[pamgid]

Hi Mary...stopping by to let u know I'm peeking at ur journal Like Linda said don't worry about what has gone...think about being consistent today and everyday after both in the gym and in ur eating that's the key...u stick with it u'll get the results ur after

[MuscularMary]

Thanks for stopping by pamgid!! I need all the encouragement I can get - I'll repay you soon! STICKING TO IT!!!

[MuscularMary]

Yea!! I'm heading home today!! No more traveling for a while!!

Although I have to say I'm quite impressed with Houston. I've found a couple of healthy places to eat that have turkey burgers, wheat tortillas and baked fries. Also, when I went to the gym last night at almost 10pm, there were quite a few people there! I couldn't believe the gym was that full that late!! Speaking of full gyms, there have been tons of people at the 4 gyms I checked out while I was here - so much so, that it was hard to get in on some equipment!

Maybe the healthy revolution is on!! I LIKE IT!!! Now if I can only get the family on board!!

[Italianangel]

great to hear that things are leveling out and normalizing. Its great when you get the whole eating clean thing down pat, with the occasional cheats. balance is so key.
Keep at it so you can make up for the weeks you lost, keep trudging!! I am keeping an eye out on your journal here and so far so good!
Linda

[Italianangel]

Hey girl, just wondering how things have been going with your training?
Linda