Level 3, days 9 & 10 and measurements.

So I finished level 3 in 28 days - I think that's the longest it's ever taken me, but I do have to factor in a week or two's worth of mental breakdown. Blech. As much as I liked level 3, I feel like it was one of the hardest ones to get through after the first half, because I got hit with a total lack of motivation and so much overwhelming anxiety in my personal life, I don't think I did a single day of cardio, and the past two weeks I ate pretty much nothing but crap.

However, level 3 somehow also managed to still sculpt my body in little ways, like seeing my little arm muscles, and feeling my butt lift and tighten, and starting to see, when I sit or stand a certain way, a line of muscle along my outer thigh (!!!).

Measurements, day 30:

weight: 199.4 lbs (-1 lbs)

bust (cup): 40" (-1")

bust (band):  33" (no change)

arm (L): 12" (no change)

arm (R): 12.5" (no change)

waist (smallest part): 31" (no change)

stomach (belly button): 38" (-2")

hips: 43" (-1")

thigh (L): 23" (no change)

thigh (R): 23" (no change)

bikini (L):  27.5" (-.5")

bikini (R):  28.5" (-.5")

calf (L): 15" (-.5")

calf (R): 15" (-.5")

I'm a little anxious about level 4, since I've heard it's a rough one - I haven't previewed it yet, but I also haven't ruled out the possibility of redoing level 3 for another 5 or 10 days, since it did take me so long. We'll see how I feel when I watch level 4, I guess.

I also really want to commit to doing 30 minutes of cardio at least 5-6 times a week, and I know I need to clean up my act where food is concerned - the past two weeks have been nothing but a long binge, and it just feels gross. I'm nowhere near where I thought I would be when I started level 1; I haven't made any significant progress, and I want to change that.

It turns out my mental state is the hardest thing to change, but I feel confident that once I get myself on the right track there, all the physical stuff will follow.

Level 2, day 10 and measurements!

So I finally did day 10 of level 2 yesterday - and it only took me 22 days (ewww!). Today's my rest day on my three days on, one day off schedule, so we'll see how that goes, but I'm definitely aiming to finish level 3 in a timely manner.

Measurements, day 20:
weight: 200.4 (+1.2 lbs)

bust (cup): 41" (no change)

bust (band):  33" (+1")

arm (L): 12" (no change)

arm (R): 12.5" (-.5")

waist (smallest part): 31" (-1")

stomach (belly button): 40" (-1.5")

hips: 44" (-.5")

thigh (L): 23" (no change)

thigh (R): 23" (no change)

bikini (L): 28" (+2")

bikini (R): 29 (+2.5")

calf (L): 15.5

calf (R): 15.5

(I don't know if I'm measuring left bikini and right bikini correctly, I think I measured in a different place today because I couldn't remember what underwear I wore last time to follow the elastic line (haha) and I'm kinda considering doing away with those measurements entirely because I don't know if they're accurate...)

Level 2 was, in some ways, a colossal disaster numbers-wise; it took me way too long to finish, and I gained weight instead of losing, but that's totally my fault - the lack of cardio and my week of shitty eating surely made a huge difference there. However, I did lose a couple of inches in some unexpected places, and I don't think I'm imagining the changes level 2 made to my butt - one of my markers is to work my way through a drawer of jeans that don't fit; I organized them from the ones that almost fit to the ones that I couldn't even get up past my knees, and I actually dug the first pair out halfway through level 2 and have been wearing them ever since. Ah-mazing!

I'm going to start setting short-term goals for each level, not related to numbers, but just things that I think I need to focus on for the next 10 days. So, goals for level 3 are:
- to stick to my three days on, one day off schedule and actually finish level 3 in the estimated 13 days it should take
- to do at least 30 minutes of some kind of cardio every day, even if it's just walking my dog
- to work on making healthy food choices
- to continue to focus on self-esteem-building activities and exercises

I'm feeling more inspired and motivated today, but maybe that's just because I haven't previewed level 3 yet... ;) off to do that now!

Metamorphosis, day 10!!!!

I made it to day 10!!!! And it only took me 18 days, hahahaha. But still, I'm proud of myself, especially because I almost didn't do my day 10 workout today - I didn't sleep very much or very well last night, because one of the boys I was babysitting for the slumber party kept talking/yelling in his sleep and waking me up, and I was so exhausted today. I ended up taking a three-hour nap and got my workout in this evening, which was different for me, since I usually work out in the morning or late afternoon. But I'm glad I did it.

I don't know if I'll be able to start level 2 tomorrow, since I'm working an 8-hour shift instead of my usual 4 - but we'll see if I feel up to working out when I get home. I do have Tuesday - Friday off, though, so I think that'll give me a great start on level 2, with no interruptions. I haven't previewed level 2 yet, I'm kind of nervous but excited as well.

And speaking of excitement, let me share my new measurements with you! I added some new ones (taking both thighs and arms instead of just on the left side, and the ever-confusing left bikini, right bikini).

Measurements, day 10:

weight: 199.2 (-1.8 lbs)

bust (cup): 41" (no change)

bust (band): 32" (-.75")

arm (L): 12 (-1")

arm (R): 13"

waist (smallest part): 32" (no change)

stomach (belly button) 41.5" (+.5")

hips: 44.5" (-.5")

thigh (L): 23" (no change)

thigh (R): 23"

bikini (L): 26"

bikini (R) 26.5"

Considering how long it took me to get through level 1, and the fact that I'm not following a food plan, and that I took so many rest days, I'm pretty pleased with those results! Of course, I want to beat them for level 2, so I'll have to push myself harder and make it happen, but we're off to a good start, I think.

Metamorphosis, day 1, and an introduction.

So I finally decided to move my blog over here from Tumblr (http://hourglasspersonality.tumblr.com) , mainly because on Tumblr, I felt like I had to keep posting constantly to keep my followers, so I ended up posting and reblogging a lot of "fitspiration" pictures, which is fine, except that I wasn't focusing on my own fitness journey.

I ordered Tracy's Metamorphosis program for Christmas, but it's taken me about a month to finally get up the courage to start - and I have to admit that thinking about the next 90 days (and onward!) is a little stressful and panic-causing. But I keep reminding myself to just take it one day at a time. I'm not an athletic person AT ALL, so I don't find joy in working out (yet). I'm kind of looking at my workouts kind of like brushing my teeth - I don't have to like it, I just have to do it. That said, it did feel pretty good to work out this morning, and I'm kind of loving the ache in my arms and legs and butt (oh, how I missed you, Tracy ache).

I wanted to use this blog as a place to track my measurements and progress, and to try and hold myself accountable. So, we'll start with measurements, which I'll take every time I start a new level, so every 10 days.

Measurements, day 1:
weight: 201 lbs
bust (cup): 41"
bust (band): 32.75"
arm (L): 13"
waist (smallest part): 32"
stomach (belly button): 41"
hips: 45"
thigh (L): 23"

I feel pretty gross sharing those numbers, but I'm trying to use it as motivation to move forward! And speaking of motivation, I also wanted to share some of my goals.

My long-term fitness goal is to get down to 120-140 lbs, and a size 4-8, depending on how I look and feel when I get there. Short-term, I'm aiming to lose 10 lbs/month, but I won't beat myself up if it goes slower than that, as long as I'm doing my workouts and really pushing myself.

By the end of my first 90 days, I'd like to fit comfortably into a pair of black jeans that I have - I don't know what size they are, but I'm also trying to measure by how my clothes feel, so that will be one indication.

My birthday is at the end of August (the 24th!), and I'd really like to be at the top of my goal weight by then, so that gives me seven months to lose 60 lbs - which fits into my 10 lbs/month goal, with a little leeway.

I really want to watch myself grow stronger (especially in the arms!), not just physically but emotionally as well. I want to feel good about myself, I want to be able to take pride in taking care of myself and building a better body. I don't want to be super-skinny, just fit and toned and healthy and strong - but still curvy and with a well-defined waist - somewhere between Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry and Vanessa Ferlito in Death-Proof.

Now, with all of that said, let me finish on this note: I barely managed to scrape through the MS portion of today's workout. Arms were amazing, I could feel it almost right away (and I didn't even use weights at all today!), standing abs were amazingly HARD because I have no idea how to move my abs that way for some of the moves she does, but I'm learning - and legs, as usual, were the hardest for me. I could hardly get through them all, and I definitely didn't get 40 reps in on either side, more like 15 or 20 for some of those moves. But I won't give up, and I'll keep working my way up to 40 every day. As for cardio, I did 15 minutes on my rebounder and that ended in near-tears, haha. But I'm determined that even if I have to start small, my focus is just to keep building. As long as I don't quit, I can only go up from here.