I’m half way through my weight training and nutrition plan, and honestly the time has flown past. If you’re interested read up on my Week 2 Review, First Sharing Of the Plan & Training, my Thoughts Around Eating More or WIAW: Nutrition Plan Edition.

Training

Let’s start with the training because that’ll most likely be short and sweet. First of all, I love walking into the weights room with a clear plan of what exercises I’ll be doing including how many sets and reps. It really helps build your confidence and I feel like I really belong there now- since I (or Tara) knows what I’m doing haha.

Recording my weights allows me to really see my progress and make sure I’m continually upping the anti and not becoming complacent. Sometimes I feel a bit let down if every move hasn’t improved (but then again that’s just me and my issues) but then I remember that I don’t have to better myself on every move, every week- some just take longer than others. I also find other ways of improving- not just increasing weight but adjusting reps (if Tara has given me a range).

I’m not as sore today as I was last week thankfully- that full body just seemed to take it out of me last week. But I’m still feeling leg day for several days afterwards- but I’m guessing that’s the norm

(Source)

Moves I’m Loving:

• deadlifts- because I feel awesome doing them
• leg extensions- because I’m actually feeling the improvements it’s made to my strength and weaknesses
• squats- cuz’ I can go heavy
• barbell hip thrust- because I get the oddest looks and continually get comments- ooo what does that work? Yup I’m the only one doing that move. Not to mention I’m feeling the difference and seeing the progress!

Moves I’m Hating:

• Good Mornings- hate them.
• Pull Ups- Oh die.
• Lunges & wall sit- worst hand grip ever.
• I’m undecided as to whether to include my Push Ups here but I’m not nearly hating on them as much as I was because I’m actually getting better at doing them, therefore I feel a sense of accomplishment once they’re done.

Nutrition

Foooood. Strap yourself in, anything food related will always be lengthy with me

I’ll start by saying that I don’t know how I ever ate less than this (and I am glad I won’t be for whatever reason either!). I can’t believe how much my body has adapted to this new way of eating, not so much in terms of ‘what’ but ‘how much’.

Unlike some, I’m not one of those girls who is like oh no I never feel hungry and I have so much to eat. No sir-ee. I’m a girl that’s like just ate plenty, wait a bit, ready for next meal. I still feel hungry, and every now and again I still feel like slipping in those extra few mindless snacks- but I don’t because it ain’t on the plan Ha.

I’m actually pretty proud of myself that I haven’t gone the (usual) obsessive route, yes I admit in the beginning I was worried about being perfect and doing the right or wrong thing- but I think I’ve just invested a little trust in myself and manipulating my macros (if need be).

WPI and water is also going down so much easier. I think I get use to it every time and the trick is to add less water so there’s less to drink. Oh and block your nose as you skull it And not to be a freak, but ughh it may have even tasted okay the other day…what have I become?

My Body

I guess the big question (possibly) on most people’s minds is- am I getting results, and how is it affecting my body?

Honestly, if you want to know if I’ve lost or gained weight- well I can’t tell you because I don’t (and will not) weigh myself. What I do know is that I’ve lost centimetres (I measure every 2 weeks) and the progress photos (weekly) look somewhat better. Tara apparently sees quite a difference, however I’m a tad skeptical (then again it could be a bit of body dysmorphia- ya know more food = bigger in my brain).

At first I felt quite heavy but I think that was my body adjusting, I think it’s thankful for the extra fuel and eventually will learn to let go of whatever it’s holding on to for survival- it knows I’ve got its’ back All I know is I’m happy with the direction everything is going and I’m so glad I made the first (and scary) step.

However, I would have thought though with all the extra food that my body would feel less achy. Ahhh quite the opposite actually. It’s not like excruciating but it’s definitely there. I like to think of it as a sign of an effective weight training session (and plan! I never felt things like this on my own). In saying that, having something small before an early am class has made a difference to how my body feels and performs. I’m never going empty again.

And that’s a wrap!

• Is there anything you’d like to hear about with my Nutrition & Weight Training Plan?
  
• Do you exercise on ‘empty’?