Crawling back to Strength

heathercayman · November 8th, 2008, 01:31 PM

Hi Everyone! I've been off the forum for three months due to some health issues..severe headaches that did not let up for 9 weeks straight.They are finally easing up and I'm able to rally for a new workout regime. I lost about 5 lbs total (at one point it was 10lbs of weight lost) and now am about 127 at 5 ft 6.5 inches. I look better around 132-135 when I am muscled up, now I feel "skinny fat", less muscle and a bit squishy. I look fine in clothes, but I know my body and all size fours are not created equal..I feel scrawny and yet pouchy.. I did work out sporadically, about 2-3 times a week but had very little stamina or strength. I am committing to getting back on track here in "public" and it will help me to post workouts and read everyone else's posts too. Today is the first day of my journey back to being strong and fit!

I really, really REALLY need this forum right now for inspiration! It's great to be back among my strong ladies! I will bravely post my measurements next week and see how fast I can get my legs, rump and biceps back! Right now everything looks deflated. At age 46 I am used to looking 10 yrs younger but now I feel I look more like an older gal. Time to FIGHT BACK!

**wil** · November 8th, 2008, 02:14 PM

While I am not one of the ladies, I just want to wish you all the best as you get back into it.

**vanessa40** · November 8th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Hello and Welcome back..
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. I know how you feel..it's a little tougher keeping your body in shape in your 40's..you really have to fight for it.
Good Luck..i look foward to following along

Vanessa

**tooncesthecat** · November 8th, 2008, 04:25 PM

As someone turning 41 in a couple of weeks, I hear ya! I am glad your headaches are not bothering you as much. Now get out there and kick come butt!

**lizzyb** · November 8th, 2008, 04:56 PM

Aww... c'mon toonces, 41's not so bad, lol!!

Hey Heather, welcome back!! I 've read your past journal here when I came on board this site....you are quite an inspiration. It'll be nice to have another 40-something on board in the ladies section, let alone having another lady in this section.....YaY!! For a while Vanessa and I were considering requesting a name change to this section to " Vanessa and Lizzyb's pit stop".....looking forward to following you along!!

heathercayman · November 9th, 2008, 10:49 AM

Thanks so much for the kind words! I feel better already.

First serious day back at the gym today (I know, I know, I won't overdo it) and here is the 4 day split I'm starting with (plus cardio)

Chest/ Biceps (day 1)
Shoulders/ Calves (day 2)
Back/Triceps (day 3)
Hams/glutes (day 4)

Diet has been really erratic while I was sick, I had no appetite and very little activity so I was in the slow metabolic lane and lost weight and muscle. Some days were anything I could manager like soup and Halloween candy. LizzyB and anyone else who read my posts before remember that I'm normally a super gung-ho clean eater and kickboxing/5k running maniac...so I was humbled to see that illness can affect anyone.

Enough whining and back to positive stuff! Today I am cooking up all the basics like lean chicken, sweet potatoes, fresh veggie salads and brown rice.

I will post later with results of "first day of the rest of my fit life!"

and by the way I gave away the Tootsie Rolls and DOTS candy from Halloween!

**vanessa40** · November 9th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Hi Heather,
Love your avi. You are very pretty.
I'm a runner also. Mostly 5-10k's..i have run in 2 half-marathons but now i want to focus more on lifting.
Looks like a great plan. Girl i'm sooooo glad Halloween is over. I love candy way to much...

**lizzyb** · November 9th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Hey there Heather, sounds like you are off to a great start....And I know you'll be where you want to be in no time at all!! Like walking....you just put one foot in front of the other, and away you go!!