Working Out - 56 Weeks Into My Fitness Journey

I'm still a bit surprised at myself for changing my entire life in the last year.

I mean, don't get me wrong. 

I was unemployed for a while there and let's be real.

I could not just get up and do....nothing.

So I got up and did a workout before going online to look for a job.

ANYWAY.

It's changed me.

I feel strong and healthy.

I'm confident with my body for the first time in my LIFE.

June 21, 2021

I'm looking at that vein in my arm lol

I have increased my weights in the last week consistently and am using my 20lb for almost all shoulder and back exercises. It FEELS GOOD I TELL YA.

It's so crazy...because I've NEVER felt this confidence in my body before. And I feel like the confidence isn't just about the appearance, but how I feel. There will always be room for improvement, duh and I'm nowhere near where I think I can be. But I'm happy with my progress and I'm pumped that hard work really does pay off.

What I'm excited about too, is that I didn't have to stop doing my favorite things. I just added in more beneficial things to my life and adjusted some other things.

I still eat ice cream.

I even ate half a pint of Ben and Jerry's the other night after saying I'd only eat a couple of bites.

But you know what? It didn't ruin me.

Just like ONE DAY OF WORKING OUT WON'T MAKE ME.

So it's ok. I just won't do it every night. 

I haven't worn a two-piece bathing suit since I went on my spring break in college. 15 years ago.

I was not in good shape at the time and definitely didn't work out. I was what you called "skinny-fat" (excellent term BTW).

I have completed 54 weeks of working out! This is the week we go on vacation, so I'm trying to do my best with maintaining healthy eating habits and working out while being really freaking busy. 

I'm really starting to see the definition in my arms and shoulders. I starting rotating in some ab workouts a couple weeks ago...and I am starting to see the difference.

I'm shocked at how my body has been able to perform for me and I'm seriously so excited about how I'm feeling these days. Plus, the fact that physically I look better than I ever have....that's just the bonus. 

It's not that I want attention. That's not me (not in that sense anyway! I usually get attention because I'm just plain loud). 

BUT, the confidence I feel in myself is immeasurable. 

I was contemplating bringing my weights on vacation with me. But I think I'm going to pass.

Realistically, we're back Monday so I'll only be missing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I think I deserve a little break! 

I want to maintain this lifestyle - so I want to make sure that I don't burn myself out. Although, I don't usually feel burnt out. It's just a stress relief for me and I love that I'm loving it.

The trainer I follow on YouTube is like "mad at your husband? Pick up some weights! Mad at your kids? Pick up some weights! lol TRUTH. 

Most of the 55th week was spent on vacation mode, so not much to report on.

I will say that I felt so confident with myself this year. For the first time in 20 years, I've felt comfortable being in a bikini. Around people. Even though they are MY people and love me anyway, I felt good. It's not about them, you know? 

With all the hills and walking we did, I was able to rack up over 22,000 steps on Saturday, July 3. We did the castle tours and whatnot so LOTS of walking. I definitely kept my activity level UP during vacation and managed to close my rings on my watch several days without having to work out. 

My friend took this pic of me and for the first time, like ever, I'm not mad at it. 

<pic taken July 9, unusually low for me>

I'm excited that while I was on vacation, I missed my workouts. We did a lot of walking and the island was very hilly, so I did get in some physical activity. 

I was a little afraid that I'd get complacent and be like "nah, I don't need to go back to the same intensity as before" and I'm SO glad I'm not feeling that way. If anything, being on vacation and feeling so good about myself just gave me more motivation to continue with what I'm doing.

I want to be shredded next year for vacation lol. 

I mean, I can just barely see my abs now so I'm excited to see what another year can do for me, also realizing that "abs start in the kitchen" so understanding nutrition more will also help me achieve my goal.

I want to grow my legs and glutes (I have such a flat ass it's so depressing) and also my back. 

I know I have lofty goals, but I've seen over this past year that I CAN do it. I am doing things I never in a million years thought I'd do. 

Get up before everyone else does and get a workout session in before 7:30am. 

Working out 5+ times a week - still learning to rest my body in order for maximum recovery. 

Learning nutrition.

I just need to focus, put forth the effort and do it. It's entirely possible. 

I'm so freaking proud of myself for maintaining this lifestyle for over a year. It 100% feels like normal now. It feels completely abnormal if I'm not active in some way, shape, or form. 

Here's to another 4 weeks, folks!