Day 32 #12WBT - Overtraining saps the life out of you!

I did something dumb last week.

I worked 12 hours and didn't feel like doing the gym, so I did two sessions on Friday instead.

OMG I was SO drained.  My body just could not muster up an ounce of energy to attack the Super Saturday session.  I just could not set foot into the gym, so I took 2 days off and started again on Monday.

I tell you one thing, I really had to force myself to go.  And I forced myself back on Tuesday as well.  By today, Wednesday, I went happily and finally felt good about my work out again.

I took some time to read through the forums and some of the 12WBT messages and discovered that I had a few of the symptoms of overtraining.  So now I know not to do that.  Lesson learnt.

The good news is that I thought my two days off would not reflect favourably on the weigh in today.  I was surprised to see I had lost 900g since last week - finally - a bigger shift downwards!

I did stay on the nutrition, but I guess this whole process is a learning curve.

Yesterday, one of the personal trainers at the gym spotted me as I was leaving.  I hadn't seen her since week 1 of the 12WBT when they were showing me how to correctly do the exercises.  She was amazed at how much I've changed and said that I look so much better in the face and overall just look more vibrant.

So I'm going to post some photos of how I looked before and how I looked yesterday just to show the comparison.  I have definately lost my chin.

After Gym Training 11 June 2013

Before

I think I'm looking less...rotund??

Maybe not so 53ish too?

Day 23 #12WBT - Fitness Test Results

Let's face facts.  I haven't dropped as much weight yet as I would have liked.  But 2.6 kilos in 4 weeks is steady progress, so really, I'm adjusting to the slow and steady approach.

But I was totally shocked when I did my 4 week measuring up. 

I lost a total of 22.5cm!

The biggest change was in my waist.  I went from a 121 cm to a 108cm.  That's huge!

So not so much of a muffin top anymore.  I'm hoping that the next 4 weeks' will see more of a weight shift off my hips and legs.  That's always been the stubborn area!

On the fitness test - I cut 2 whole minutes off my 1km time trial.  TWO MINUTES!!  I can't say that I love running, but I do respect it and the results that I am getting from doing it.  I am learning to respect the cross trainer, but I'm not quite there yet in my embracing love for it.

Clothes are definately fitting better!





 

Day 22 #WBT The silence was deafening!

I haven't blogged for over a week!

I went away and was so busy, that I couldn't find the time or energy to post.  But to be honest - I was disappointed.  I thought I had it sussed with the hotel gym equipment but when I got there, half the equipment was broken and between you and me, I really didn't trust the mats or floors without knowledge of a good bleach treatment to kill all those germs.

I guess it didn't help that I read an article on the plane about hotels, and that a particular hotel, when tested, admitted that they hadn't washed the hotel carpet in 10 years!  Ugh.  So with that in mind, I stuck with the machines that were working and did double, sometimes triple the amount.

In the end, I was left feeling disappointed.  I don't think I pushed myself as hard as I could have.  However, I DID make it to the gym every day (except Sunday being a rest day), so at least I was consistent.

I returned last Tuesday night and headed straight to my regular gym.  I realise now that my gym has spoiled me.  I like watching tv while on the bike, or plugging in my iPhone while on the treadmill listening to my playlists. 

When I got back into the routine of things here and caught up on my work, I realised something profound that I didn't think I'd ever say or admit.  I realised that I was starting to get cranky if I didn't get to the gym by about 4pm.

Yes.  Moi.  Really.  Crazy.

I noticed something else about me too.  I'm looking younger.  Before I was looking tired and haggared and more 'my age', which is 53.  But looking at myself in the mirror tonight after my workout and shower, I think I could pass for someone in their 40's!  There was no tiredness in my face - or those grey looking wrinkles around my eyes.

So I guess the silence in my blogs this past week was worth the wait maybe?

And finally - I am FINALLY starting to get my personality back.  Yeah.  Who'd have guessed that!!

Perhaps my blogs will start getting more fun?  I hope so as I was really boring myself!

:))