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~Assessing Progress~And, other contemplations~
One thing I have definitely noticed this week (despite the post splurge day bloat) is that I feel less heavy.
What does feeling less heavy mean?
1. It's less challenging to put my underwear on in the morning. It doesn't feel like I'm trying to do it with ankle weights anymore. LOL
2. It's less challenging to get up the stairs and not as hard to carry things like a laundry basket full of clothes.
3. I was actually able to do a little jog to the bus stop this afternoon in order to make the bus on time and wasn't in excruciating pain.
4. I'm still steadily increasing the intensity level of my workouts, but the DOMs isn't as intense
One article I read on the recumbent bike offered suggestions by a trainer on how to use it effectively with the ever popular HIIT approach. I have to confess, her suggestions are wonderful! They really helped me to work smarter, not harder. I know that sounds crazy when we think HIIT. But, on the bike it's actually not that easy to slow down, especially when the program goes from high resistance to low resistance; my feet are inclined to pedal faster. But, she advocates doing the opposite - pedal as hard as you can during high resistance and slow down when the resistance is easy. I wondered if this might compromise how many calories I burn in a session, but it didn't and it was nice to enjoy a genuine "warm up" and "cool down". It was also a little less strenuous on my muscles.
My weekly weigh in is on Sunday. Both my Mom and me decided if I show a gain, we're going to become rebels and celebrate it!
Celebrate a gain? How can I celebrate a gain?!
I say why not?!
Listen, if I was falling off the wagon and my average caloric intake seemed unreasonable compared to the RDI provided me, and I found myself at an all you can eat buffet, rushing towards my third helping, then celebrating a gain might be uncalled for unless I was trying to increase fat.
But, I've done okay and even when I haven't, I've made sure to bank those calories in order to accommodate. I've remained committed to my workouts, my mental health, and what feels reasonable to me at this time to maintain a healthy diet without compromising variety and love of culinary cultural diversity.
Since, it's become obvious through my clothes alone, I've lost inches (Heck, even my underwear are loose); if the scale shows a gain or a steady number, maybe it's time to adopt radical acceptance and enjoy being a healthy, toned, muscular, in shape 200 something pound woman. Maybe, I'll break records and be the first woman to go down a size in panties and up a size in weight!! ROFL
Instead of fat serenity, I'll embrace muscle serenity!!!
Either way, this girl's perception of the scale isn't going to change unless I hop on another branch and take a different perspective. I suppose this applies most to folks that do some form of strength and resistance training 4-5 times a week, but the bottom line is I realize I have a choice here. I can languish in disappointment over the cultural definition of what the number on the scale is "supposed" to do when approaching health in the form of diet and exercise OR I can take a deep breath, let go of that malarkey, and genuinely enjoy the fruits of my labor!
And, right now the fruits of my labor actually outweigh the number on the scale! Not only that, but it inspires me to continue just to see what else will transform. Heck, I have a BUTT I never had before!!! LOL. I can pick up the beer Growler with one arm on beer Thursday at work! I even walk in my shoes differently and my posture is less crooked, thus making me look tall. And, at 5'2, ANYTHING that makes me look tall is a MAJOR PLUS!!!
So, come Sunday, if I see the numbers on the scale go up, screw it I'm celebrating! And, if they're down, I'll do my best to remember the wisdom of zen; try not to acknowledge it as either good or bad, but simply an event or "happening", no more permanent than my age.
Have a wonderful and Happy Friday, everyone!
Diet Calendar Entries for 28 April 2017:
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1443 kcal
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Fat: 46.93g | Prot: 45.42g | Carb: 121.57g.
Breakfast: Subway 6" Steak, Egg & Cheese Flatbread, Subway Chipotle Southwest Sauce, Coffee with Cream and Sugar. Dinner: Frieda's Swiss Chard, Cooked Asparagus (Fat Added in Cooking), The Fresh Market Lentil Soup. Snacks/Other: Red Table Wine. more...
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2922 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Weight Training (moderate) - 30 minutes, Walking (moderate) - 3/mph - 28 minutes, Bicycle - 30 minutes, Resting - 14 hours and 32 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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