Progress Update...

End of Week 5! Only 2 more weeks to the completion of the Body Transformation Challenge. But I don't plan on stopping there! This has been such a wonderful experience, learning a lot about myself both physically and mentally. I have pushed myself harder physically in recent weeks and  realizing how strong I have become and need to continue to push myself. I have definitely gained a much more productive attitude about food during the Challenge, I am much more in tune to the difference between emotional and physical hunger and this is key when attempting to conquer mindless snacking.
This week's check in may have revealed only small changes from the previous week but all numbers still headed in a positive direction. I am only 1 pound and less then 1/4% body fat% from reaching the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the Challenge. So empowering to set a goal and reach it with nothing more than good, honest dedication and hard work!

Progress update- End of Week 4

Hard to believe, past the half way point of the Transformation Challenge already! Pleased with Week 4 Stats with all numbers going in the right direction. Would like to see more gains in LBM but at least I have gained the last 2 weeks and still losing fat! Scale weight down one pound but body fat % down to 17.47%. My Challenge goals are definitely within reach!

 Looking forward to the Holiday festivities but present a definite challenge of will to not eat all the sweets. I actually received 3 boxes of chocolates and gifts earlier this week and did not eat 1! I did open the box for a whiff (smelled gooood!) but no harm in a little olfactory indulgence! Real test as I have all sorts of fun baking, candy making and gingerbread house constructing projects planned with the boys! Looking forward to being Mom for the Holidays but need to keep my fingers out of the frosting!  :)
Happy Holidays!

Baby, it's cold outside

Find the delights winter has to offer!

Getting hard to get out of a warm bed on these cold winter mornings! Then the thought of going outside to head to the gym....but here I am at the gym! What keeps me going? I've worked to hard to get where I am to have to start all over again in the spring if I allow myself to hibernate for the winter! I will never fight to GET in shape again...I will STAY in shape!
Think about this...many people are 'surprised' when they take out their spring wardrobe to find things fitting a little tighter and are not at all excited about getting out of their warm, and very forgiving, winter clothes. Consider this, more appealing surprise..to find spring clothes a delight with a little extra room and a new leaner figure to show off as the summer months approach. Stop the seasonal desire to be fit and stay fit year round! Now get up and get out, don't allow the cold mornings to derail your plan, make it a mission to have start the New Year with healthier habits already in place and not dread peeling off the camouflaging layers when long awaited spring arrives!

Progress update...

Week 3 completed, only 4 more weeks to go! Lesson learned this week....the scale really doesn't tell you much about progress particularly if your transformation plan includes changes in nutrition and exercise/strength training. There is a big difference between just dieting to lose weight and working to improve your body composition. Dieting alone by just reducing calories will result in a 'skinny fat' situation....the resistance training and being sure to eat enough clean and nutrient dense foods including lean proteins is the only way to sculpt a new body and improve body composition and health. So take a look at the QUALITY of your nutrition plan and go lift something heavy!

Progress update...

Results are in....completed week 2 of the transformation challenge! Down another 4 pounds and body fat percentage dropped 1.2%. Lost a lot more fat mass this week compared to muscle, working on increasing the protein intake and increasing the pounds lifted at the gym in hopes of actually gaining lean body mass this week! Energy levels are so much better after eliminating sugary sweet treats...gonna get harder to avoid temptation as the holiday treats surround me....the key is keeping myself accountable with journaling food, weekly weigh-ins and body fat assessments~

Progress Update-End of Week 1

Just completed Week 1 of the 49 Day Transformation Challenge. The Challenge came at a great time to get me back on track! I had gotten a little careless with sweet snacks with Halloween and my birthday.  I did really well this week...complete sugar detox and feeling good! The cravings for sweets now is minimal after fighting for the 1st few days but now feeling much better with improved energy levels and no more crashing. The other challenge was trying to be more aware of actual hunger versus habit with what/when I am eating. Keeping a journal was a great tool to keep myself accountable! (You'll think twice about eating it if you have to admit to yourself later that you ate it.)

Official Challenge check-in: 2 pounds down but unfortunately lost more lean body mass than I had hoped, no change in Body fat %.
Goals for week 2: increase intake of lean protein and re-assess macronutrients in general to hopefully maintain more LBM this week.
Overall feeling really good, motivated and ready to tackle another week. Will update end of week 2.

How are you doing with your New You Resolution? It is hard work and a constant struggle to stay on track, some days more than others...but remember the long term goal of living a healthier lifestyle! It does get easier! Stick with it!