Yes, this is my before nutrition photo.  Taken 5 weeks ago. And the top is after.  After being on a meal plan for 5 weeks.  Finally I am seeing the results I want… 

In April of 2009 I began what would quickly become my new addiction (translation…I love it!): strength training!!!  From the beginning I have committed to 5 days a week of really good workouts.  Went right to the ‘man zone’ and never left!  A year into it I was still not seeing these amazing results I desired, so I changed gyms.  Went from big box gym to smaller gym, personal training program, and continued to hit it hard. And still the scale would not budge, and my body fat was relentless.  There were changes in my body, I was building muscle, I could feel it.  But not enough for the training I was doing. 

5 weeks ago I met my nutritionist.  We started a dialogue, he was a fountain of information, and before I knew it I was on a meal plan.  It included eating 6 times a day and a variation of high carb days, medium carb days, and low carb days to correlate with my workouts.  So, I followed it.  He insisted I take before pics and weekly progress pics.  So I did.

The pictures tell the story.  Every week I take pics and every week I am blown away by what I see.  When I started working out people said “Nutrition is 75% of the equation.” I wasn’t ready to hear it. 

Now I know it is true.  I have lost 5 pounds, I have dropped body fat, and I have lost inches in 5 weeks that I didn’t lose in over a year. I know if I am looking forward to taking pics of myself we are in a good place!! A very good place.

So off to the gym I go!!  I have a back to build and triceps to work over!! :)

Workout today was back and biceps…2 1/2 hours of HEAVY weightlifting!!! :)  5th exercise was partial deadlifts, knees up!  Okay so my LAST set was 225 pounds and I pulled that weight up 10 times before I lost my grip from my left hand!!!! 

AND I am still NOT bulky!! But I am strong and getting stronger EVERY DAY!!!!!

Random thought of the day: A dream CAN be a wish your heart makes OR it can be an action plan for your life.  You decide.

SQUAT!!!!  It does a booty good! :)

Core.  Which means the mid section of my body will get worked like a mofo!! :)  And triceps/biceps thrown in.  :)  Then the dreaded cardio…….. 

I will be wearing one of my favorite workout shirts…..Nobody Trains To Bench The Bar!!!  :)

Cliche of the day…Just Do It!

Changed the workouts.  After 9 weeks of strength training I am now doing hypertrophy training.  What the heck is that you say????  Key word:VOLUME! 

Leg training last night consisted of:

5X15 Leg Ext

5X15 Curls’

Calf Raises

3X25 leg Press

5X12 squats

8X4 DB Squats

3X15 Ins and Outs each

And I could feel it!!!

Day two of new eating regimine!  I did well.  No cheats even with all the stress of everything happening with my dad.  Still had a hard time finishing all of my eggs this morning, but I am really anxious to see what the results are soo I will be dedicated for the next 5 weeks.  This week is the VERY LOW carb week.  I am trying to rev up my fat burning…a 40 year old me needs a little help and hardcore workouts alone are not cutting it.

After a planned week off from the gym I am definitely ready to get back at it!!  It had been 9 weeks since I had taken a down time, so my body was calling for it.  It felt good.  But I am ready for my workouts again!!!  C’mon Sunday……

Long day of sitting, sitting, sitting….union negotiations all day long.  Ugh.  Workout after that felt GREAT!!  Training for the 5K continues!!  Is it summer yet????

Can I just say….ladies, please, LIFT WEIGHTS!  Cardio is fine and all but weight lifting is what you need to be doing.  I started last April and I am no where near BULKY and I do HEAVY weight lifting.  I have not gained a pound.  Seriously.  I can bench press 100 pounds 9 times for 3 sets.  In April I struggled with the 45 pound bar. 

Just Do It!!!