In my last post I talked about hitting the program bigtime because I'll be wearing a swimsuit in a short while (4 days from right now, that is). .... then I looked at my schedule and saw that last week was week 8, which is a 'recovery' week. This basically means I was scheduled to do all cardio or yoga or stretch - no strength training. Hmm. So that's the way things bounce - no big deal. Last week was also an adjustment in my schedule, as I'm no longer obligated to a second job for a minimum of an hour after my regular full-time job... . which leaves me with more time each evening for a workout etc. One would think this is a good thing, and I would tend to agree. But the drawback to having more time available is that I found myself 'dinking around' too much thinking I have all kinds of time (that I didn't before) and practically dinking myself into not being in the mood to work out - thus having to force it in order to get it done. Of course I'm always glad I've done it once I'm working out, but I let my mind get too distracted. Wierd feeling. Evidently until a new schedule is 'in place', I need to be focused about what I do when, and create a new 'habit' for when I work out each night (aka: immediately upon getting home). I'm just a creature of habit I guess!
Even though it wasn't on the schedule, I decided to do the legs and back workout and Ab Ripper X this past weekend, Saturday (because my lower body needs the most help if I'm preparing for swimsuit wearing!). It's a tough workout, though I'm really not so much a fan of all the pullups. (Seriously. Still climbing 'that mountain' on the chinups!! I'm just not built for them or something. ... . but moving on.) As an aside, I had gotten a different type of recovery drink Friday because I had run out of the previous kind I was using. ... . supposedly this one has a bunch of good stuff that the other one didn't, like unrefined sugars and cortisol-lowering agents and one of the cartinines (L, maybe?) in addition to glutamine and the right ratio of protein/carbs for postworkout muscle recovery. It's more expensive, I know that much - so ouch on the pocketbook, it had BETTER be superior to the one I was using before, right?! It doesn't come in orange flavor, which is my fave, but I guess watermelon is ok too. It was pretty good - I took it after my workout Saturday. And here's the thing. .. .. .I'm definitely feeling soreness more than I did before. Not that I don't want to feel ANY soreness, mind you, because feeling it means I'm definintely working and making progress. But... ... I am not sure I'm impressed with this other formulation as much so far, namely because the previous formulation seemed to stave off soreness a LOT better. Hmmm. I guess I'll give this one a shot for a while (certainly paid enough for it, dammit) or at least until it's gone and see how it performs long-term before I decide if I'll return to the previous kind.
One thing I'll admit is that my nutrition is definitely off during the weekends. At work during the week I'm on a pretty set schedule - so it's easier for me. (again, noticing I really do better with a schedule or 'routine') At home or on the go on the weekends is different - I just kind of eat when I'm hungry or when the munchies strike me. Still healthy and clean eating for the most part, but just not as regularly as during the week. For munchies I absolutely love these things called 'Nut Thins', which are actually a gluten free food (a good friend who has to eat gluten free turned me on to them a while ago, and then a few months ago I saw them at Wal-mart - hello easy, not having to go to a health food store to get them - and I got irrevocably hooked on them). They are made with almonds and nuts versus the usual wheat and preservatives/additives that all the regular cracker varieties are made with. They have the best 'crunch' to them - I go through them like water practically. They need to make the box bigger! or more crackers in the box maybe! :) And they aren't fattening and don't have any trans fats etc. The cheddar cheese kind are the bomb!! I have to reign myself in on these, or I'll sit down and eat a whole box practically!
As to overall progress.... . I can see the muscle coming through. Slowly but surely. VERY SLOWLY. Replacing fat with muscle is a slow, slow process. There is no magic pill - it takes time and dedication, I am learning this. AND it takes longer when you're not 18, too - big difference!! We're such an instant gratification society and I admit I can be the WORST about it - it's a struggle to be patient on this front. True, it took me a long time to get out of shape and put on the goo in places I definitely don't want it. ... so it is going to take a long time and a requisite amount of work to burn it off. I have to say that definitely I can see an improvement in the appearance of cellulite in places that I have always been loathe to even look at, let alone bare to the world! But it is definitely encouraging as hell to have a look and think, 'HEY! That's definitely not as awful-looking as I remember it being!!'
I think that definitely once I've finished up the lean 90 days I'm going to take a week or two off like you're supposed to, and then turn around and go right into the classic program. The classic has a lot more strength training, thus hitting the muscles a lot harder for faster muscle gain. ... . . maybe doing the lean program was my 'warm up', whipping me into shape for the rigors of the classic. I'm scared of plyo, to be quite honest with you - it looks way intense! I have to be careful with my knees so we'll see how that works out when it happens.
Just keep seeing that "5 pounds of fat versus 5 lbs of muscle" in my head, and remember that replacing fat with muscle is a slow process. .... . but sooooo worth it!!! We only get one life and one body, so taking care of it should be a priority. As an aside, I read Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About The Bike" in about a day and half's time (couldn't put it down once I got started - sooo good) and I have a major crush on the man - which is nothing new, he's always impressed me ..... . sure he's brash and a bit abrasive at times, but I admire that he knows who he is, accepts it, and doesn't apologize for it - once he sets his mind to achieving a goal there is no stopping him and I admire that drive and that focus. He was blessed with a major VO2 max advantage over the average person, but I'll tell you what... .. he lived through the life-altering, life-and-death struggle that is cancer, and he came back and kicked ass. ... . what's not to admire about that?! His story inspires me, though obviously not to be a cyclist but to work hard for what I want - it's important to find and draw from inspiration in our lives - it keeps us moving forward toward positive things.. .. . .
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