Working Out - 24 Weeks Into My Fitness Journey

You Guyyyyyssss.

Here we are, having completed 24 weeks of this "journey" I'm on. 

Let's go back and recap:

Week 21 is off to a strong start.

I was able to get up early and do a workout with the sunrise. Again.

With Steve feeling better and better each day, life is going back to normal. Whatever "normal" means nowadays.

I went to a friends house for our Halloween Party and he owns a trucking company. He goes through huge tires pretty frequently and I saw he had quite the pile. I asked what he did with them when he was done with them. He told he he has to pay someone to take them away.

I asked if I could get one.

You know, to flip flop across my lawn. 

I never thought I'd want to do anything like this, but after I got my slam ball, I liked the activity of picking it up and throwing it over my shoulder. And, more recently, using it as an actual slam ball and slamming it into the floor.

Anyway, if there's a goal - like flip this bad boy across the entire lawn - I will do it. I will WANT to do it. And I also cannot leave a gigantic tire in the middle of my lawn, so I'll HAVE to move it to one side or the other. 

We're heading into Week 22 strong. (November 11, 2020)

I've increased my weights during my shoulder workouts - and have been consistently been able to use them. I'm a lot more sore the next day, that's for sure! But it's a "good sore" hahaha. I hate that term. 

I haven't been as conscious about my nutrition the last week or so. And I can feel it! I actually feel bloated and gross. The immediate satisfaction of the food is slowly becoming not enough to make it worth it for me. The way I feel after crushing a workout far outweighs the feeling I get from eating a bunch of cream puffs.

#bootygainz But for reals. In 20 weeks and 6 days I feel like I have grown a lot in my legs and glutes. I do some sort of squats every single day (except on rest days). I do legs/glutes probably 4-5 times a week. 

Sorry for the terrible pics. BUT, even with the shitty images, I can see a difference! My thighs look thicc (LOL) and my butt is rounder for sure. Left pic is from July. Right pic is from today (Tuesday, 11/10). The whole "body recomposition" is real. I can feel that my body is changing. 

Now that Steve is recovering well and able to handle the morning routine with the girls, I am able to get up early and do my workouts, shower and get ready before my work day starts at 8am. 

Also, with the weather being so amazing this week, I've taken that opportunity to GET OUTSIDE. And get my steps in.

My typical lunchtime walk is just around our property. I haven't mapped it yet but I go around 4-5 times around my "yard" which is pretty big. I *think* we have about 5 acres of lawn that is mowed. Usually about a 20 - 25 minute walk. 

My walking partner

Gotta get back on track here with my food and nutrition. 

I'm continuing with my walks as long as the weather is cooperating. 

One thing I added to week 22 is doing pushups until failure after my workout. I didn't count how many that was for me, I'll do that next time. All I know is that my arms were shaking when I was done! 

The scale is fluctuating between 109-111 this week. 

Waking up EARLY to get my workouts in. I was up at 5:50 this morning to work out (Monday, 11/16)

Excuse the filthiness of this window. It's a basement window so I don't really care. 

I am finishing up Week 22 in good shape and heading into Week 23 strong. 

So I had this little black t-shirt I got back in September. Early September.

It was too small.

So it's been sitting in a bag, with the tags and receipt with it, for the last 2 months while I "got over to that part of town."

I never got there. 

So I thought - what the hey? Let me try it on!

And lo and behold.

That fucker fit.

While trying it on, I figured I'd try to get some leg shots. It's hard! So awkward 😂

this pic is from 11/20/2020

Weigh in this week? Still holding strong at 110 pounds. 

I will say that taking selfies isn't getting any easier. It's incredibly awkward and uncomfortable for me, even if it doesn't appear so. 

And posting them online? OMG. I do it for accountability reasons. I don't want to keep any secrets and I want to be super transparent about my journey. 

BUT. 

Not only is it for accountability reasons, it's AMAZING to see the transformation for myself. I obviously can't see the change as it happens each day or month. 

So these really help keep me motivated:

These pics are 5 months apart. Photo on the left is from June, 2020. The pic on the right is from November 21, 2020. There is a 16 pound difference in these photos. I'm not flexing or sucking in - just standing there. (You can also tell how "white" my mid section is because I never wore a two-piece. Ever.)

I cannot believe it. I mean, I can because I've been working my ass off almost every single day, but seeing these pics side by side are just...insane. My body is changing and I'm really excited. I feel so good. I feel strong and healthy. 

So here were are having completed 23 weeks! We are heading into week 24 strong.

The sunrises are incredible. 

I thoroughly enjoy waking up early and getting a workout in before anyone wakes up. I can't believe the person I've turned into! I am showered and ready for the day before 8am most days and it feels good to get a good start on the day. I mean, I start work at 8am so it's not like I have a choice, but even so. On days I don't have to be anywhere, getting up and going really sets me up for the day.

Even after the Thanksgiving holiday and eating a LOT, I don't feel guilty. I didn't over do it by any means.

I only had a tiny amount of seconds. And my portions were very reasonable. The foods themselves were rich and caloric, but I'm not concerned. I thought maybe I would be...or feel some sort of guilt, but I really don't! I'm glad I don't. I read a lot of memes on FB and IG and it makes total sense. I don't need to "earn" my food. I don't need to work out extra because I ate a donut. I don't need to burn that donut off ASAP after eating it. 

It's OK to enjoy it! 

But here's the deal. I eat WAY less of the stuff I shouldn't have.

Ice cream? Easily one LARGE bowl.

Now? Legit 3-4 bites from a small spoon. 

Not kidding.

Drinking calories? No thanks.

I used to drink juice (not even 100% juice) but justified it because I cut it in half with water. 

But I still drank a lot of it.

So I stopped. I drink water with Mio in it. Maybe not the best, but a good way for me get my water in, with no sugar and no calories added. I get the "energy" or "sport" versions for the B vitamins and caffeine (sometimes). 

Also coffee (and let's be real, CREAMER?)

I used to easily drink 3-4 cups of coffee per day. And when I was in the office working? Maybe more because those cups at work are so dang small.

But it's the creamer and sugar for me. 

I LOVE ME SOME CREAMER PEOPLE.

I limit myself to one travel mug now. I still use the same amount of creamer, but like that's LIFE DUDE. 

IMMA LIVE MY LIFE STILL. 

And so far, it's working. 

So...

I'm still surprised at myself for doing this thing. I never thought I'd be this person.

I'm loving it. I love that I'm doing something for ME. 

And to see results and FEEL results is amazing. 

Onward!

Only 212 days until vacation. 😂