Nimm's Journal, 03 May 2012

Not offened....and you're looking great! Can really see a differnce in your shoulders, better definition. And your abs are much flatter and you can tell toner too. You do look bigger all over, and since I know that is what you're going for you won't be offended. Compared to your Jan 2008 photo I would not of thought they were of the same person. Great job! LOL..Plus I can tell by your thighs that you're actually working your whole body and not just your upper body. We call those guys "Turtle Boys" because if they were in a stiff wind they'd blow over and not be able to get back up with their massive upper bodies on those skinny little legs. ;O) 

Thanks Rubie-sue, that's very kind of you. Looking back at my own "waaaay before" photos too, it still surprises me too - you just don't see the changes day to day. Taking the photos really drives the point home. I think of health like compound interest - small, consistent changes over time, that add up. We just have to find enough motivation to make the small daily investments, and be patient enough for the rewards. ...and I laughed at Turtle Boys. That's a new one for me - definitely know the type though!  

Looking really great, Nimm. WTG!!!  

Thanks a lot, Helewis. And keep up your own great work with those deadlifts - those are some impressive numbers you have going! 

Wow, from the master. Thanks much! 

ha! Turtle Boys. I'm must picturing the teenage mutant ninja turtles now. Seriously though, looks good. Taking pictures to document progress is the best. I agree, shoulders are looking great. 

I can't believe that the before pic is you! Looking good, put me on the 'not offended' list! Keep doing work, Nimm.. 

@Jess, erika2633, MillaLite - thanks for the kind words (even though you were being generous!) Now if I can convince just one person to start lifting while dieting, instead of doing cardio.... 

LOL....does holding up my own body weight in a Plank, or trying to do a full push-up(& not on my knees) count as lifting weights?  

Nimm you've got a world of doctors, Biggest Loser show viewers, and health coaches that'll keep saying the opposite. Good luck. A friend of mine from college lost her 100# with mostly circuit training & diet. Just one 60min cardio session a week she did, aside from fun classes. 

@Rubie-Sue: Bodyweight exercises are a start, absolutely - you're applying resistance to a contracting muscle. A study just came out, in fact, showing that in untrained beginners, the use of light weights can be just as effective as heavier weights for growing muscle - as long as enough repetitions are done "to failure," meaning you simply cannot do another one.  

Nimm - great progress! love the pics!! It's kind of funny..my youngest son looks like you in July 2011. Muscular, but too skinny! My hubby looks like your earlier pic in 2008! But I must say, I think you look your best in the most recent of shots from May 2012! Keep up the great work! 

@Jess: I probably should have said that weight training should at least be done -in addition to- cardio. Cardio does have health benefits, so for that reason alone it can be worthwhile, but...without lifting, it's encouraging a lot of muscle loss. I mean, my pictures tell the story. From 218 lbs down to 145 was all cardio. I didn't know any better and lost a ton of muscle. Not only does lifting help prevent that, but for most people, it's just a lot more fun than jogging or spinning. This idea that you must sweat and suffer to lose weight is totally counterproductive. It doesn't help that a lot of women reflexively avoid the weight room because of the stigma that it's for men, or that they'll end up looking like female bodybuilders. And that's not gonna happen without "supplemental" testosterone. 

@jsfantome - Thanks! I'll have to dream up some third transformation for next year. Maybe I'll grow another arm. Or some hair. That'd be a neat trick :)  

I think you should shave your chest hair into a "chestache" - hahaha, saw that one on Pinterest... gross... 

@erika - I think I'll let Nike pay me to shave it into a Swoosh. May as well monetize the horrible, horrible itching. 

Hahahahahaha... that's an awesome plan. And then tattoo "Just do it" right above your belly button. 

i wanna see a chestasche!!!!