Acclimating to life...

What better day to truly commit to a diet of deprivation than Ash Wednesday?! For the past couple weeks I had been slacking, not to the point that I had gained weight, but enough that I was not seeing the changes continue that I had seen up to this point. I decided to forego the lunchtime cardio session to attend a noon church service instead. Yes, I chose church over working out. Usually it's the other way around, I hate to admit.

Something about the physical symbol of smearing the ash on my face helped inspire me. Today was the first day since the first week or so of the diet that I followed the plan to the tee including drinking my protein shake during class tonight (I did get some looks). What's even better was that I managed to force myself to go run AFTER I got home from class (8pm-ish) then come home to crash.

So here's to Ash Wednesday: 40 days of self-deprivation and reflection. Day 1 = success!

Progress

So I'm starting to feel really good about my training thus far. I have figured out why my sports bras fit a little tighter these days: I'm getting some serious hypertrophy in my lats! I noticed it this morning in my running tank shirt that I wore for the Air Force Marathon in September. It was still snug then, but this is a different feeling entirely. I can't believe I let myself get away with not lifting hard for so long. Shame on me.... not practicing what I preach.

That is definitely changing now. I said I wouldn't vow to do another marathon, but after the progress I've seen so far, I'm not sure I can make myself train every Saturday or Sunday for 3-4 hours knowing what it is doing to my muscles... especially since I can apparently have better body fat composition while NOT training for a marathon. I may do it one more time in the future, just to give Boston one last shot, but in the back of my mind, I am thinking "yeah right"....

I will try and take some pictures at the end of this week to "document" my progress. I am really excited with how things are going so far!

Goal achieved!

So after a week or two of setbacks... physical ailments, some side effects from the diet, yadda yadda yadda.... I got 10 reps of 90lbs!!!!!! Two weeks ago, I could barely do 6 reps.Today, I did 10 without a spotter. I am 90% sure it was the lack of carbs in my diet later in the day that was being more of a detriment to my strength than I may have realized. SO, I have made the mental note that in order to perform at my highest level, I simply have to keep the carbs high. Successful day!