This is what I am going for

I was thin. I let it slip away & I am going to get it back.

I was in my 20's in this picture. Easily maintaining my weight & not obsessing with food. That is until I let it slip away with less than healthy lifestyle habits.

Well, I am going to get back here. I am absolutely committed to my health & well being. Aging with health & vigour is my passion.

This picture is so inspiring because it is ME. Not some model I would like to be like, but my natural physique, before I let things get out of control.

And this is what I looked like before I discovered exercise. Imagine how much more refined I will look like now that I work out! Hot!

Personal Bests

I am someone who................
- eats clean
- trains hard

It really is that simple, and it is all about identity. Who am I? What do I stand for?

And.........I need to live these principles so that I am in kick ass shape for the 65th birthday of my youngest. I will be the small spritely one all the youngun's look at in wonder (and secretly want to emulate).

That's right. Kick ass shape at 95.

To that end, I have started a Personal Best Quest. Here is where I am today:

DATE (Aug '08):

With Dumbbells:

Squats
8 x 45 lbs

Chest Press
8 x 35 lbs

With Barbells:

Squats
12 x 90 lbs

Bench Press
12 x 70 lbs (need to get my shoulder rehabbed so I can improve this)

With Equipment:

Leg Press
12 x 270 lbs - pretty proud of this one!

Lat Pull Down
12 x 80 lbs

With Body Weight

Pull Ups
15 x 120 lbs
6 x 100 lbs
7 x 110 lbs

Push Ups (like the guys)
15

Relax & let it be

I had a bit of an epiphany the other day................that I was approaching this as a battle & a chore. It really stopped me up short when I realized that, and it made me wonder how much that is getting in my way.

Rather than thinking eating healthy & living fit is a privilege & a joy, I was sometimes thinking of my journey as "a battle". I don't think that can be good.

It really made me realize the importance of relaxing into my lifestyle & letting it be. I think I will get better results that way, at least I hope so.

Relax & let God

I need to learn to count!

I have been relying on Super Shakes for my morning meal, and feeling pretty good about it. But I have been a little disappointed with my progress, or more accurately lack there of.

So…………..today I decided to throw my Super Shake recipe into Calorie King & just check what was going on.

OMG – I have become so enamoured of all this healthy food that I didn’t stop to think what it equated to. 569 calories! 48% of calories from carbs. Definitely a post workout meal (and I was using it pretty well every morning, regardless of when my workout was).

It was full of good stuff (Brad King High Alpha Whey, Greens+, Ground Flax, 2 c spinach, 1 c blueberries, ½ frozen banana, a spoonful of PB, a sprinkling of steel cut oats & 4 glucommanan capsules. I added the oats at the last minute trying to make it a PW meal.) Hah! Good plan that was.

And that was without the extra (large) spoonful of peanut butter I had on the side because I had just worked hard!

No wonder my weight is stuck!

Today I need to develop a new breakfast option that is quick & compliant, and of a reasonable calorie count. I am not good with eggs every day (gives me a stinky stomach). Anyone have any great suggestions????

My brain is numb, I am in shock.

The only good thing to come of this is that it reminds me “you don’t get what you expect, you get what you inspect”

I don’t want to become obsessive with tracking & counting calories, that hasn’t worked well for me in the past. But a little healthy checking is clearly in order.

I think I understand cheat meals now!

OK - so I am a slow learner.

I have always heard:
- you don't have to be perfect, 90% will do (as long as you don't use the 10% for a total pig out)
- planning cheat meals can actually help compliance.

I think I must have thought I knew better:
- I didn't plan out cheat meals, and would get to the end of the week without using any. Then, I would feel "earned" a treat, would buy sugar, and there would go the weekend!
- I tried to be "perfect"
- what was I planning to do with 3 or 4 cheat meals over a 2 day period anyway????

Well this week I planned out cheat meals. I put one in on Monday, and ensured I used in a smart but definitely not over the top way. Now I feel good. I can stay the course until I have another planned cheat meal this Friday, and I have saved one for "emergencies". If I don't use it during the week I will use it on Sunday night.

I know this is a small step, but it feels really important to me because it yet another of countless healthy steps I am learning on the Lean Eating program that will enable me to be successful for life.

I can not recall feeling this focused & in control. Everything is on track. As I continue to pace myself I will continue to see results. I will definitely need a new wardrobe by Christmas!

Cheat Meals

I think one improvement opportunity for me is to plan my cheat meals better.

I tend to get focused on 100% nutrition, and just want to keep going. Then, “suddenly”, I feel the need of a break or reward, buy some candy as a “treat”, and it is over for a few days…………..until I crawl back on the wagon & repeat the cycle. I also tend to eat 100% all week, and then have the potential for 3 cheat meals during the weekend, which feels too much like a binge & not logical.

You would think I would have noticed the pattern earlier. Planned better. Well I have noticed it now.

This week, I am going to spread my 10% meals out. Not a blowout, but something a little looser than 100% compliance. Perhaps a bit of Healthy Pizza. Perhaps some fruit after dinner with light/lot fat Cool Whip.

This week, I will plan my three 10% meals for:
- Monday night
- Friday night
- One floater for emergencies

I know, I know, some planning! But it is a start, and every step helps. In fact knowing the floater is there could be a good safety valve. I will try it & perhaps adjust for next week.

Bikini!

This is the bikini I am going to look good in again.

Right now, not so much, but I am 100% confident that before next summer I will look hot in this! In fact I am quite sure I will need a new smaller bikini to really show off my lean, ultimately healthy body.

I am going to be the healthiest 54 year old north of the equator!

My goal is to healthy, vital, strong & agile at my youngest's 65th birthday. I can feel the pride already.

Part of my legacy will be how powerful a role model I will be for my great grandchildren. I will create an indelible impact of health, strength & resilience they will emulate for the rest of their lives.