My Challenge raps up this weekend.
Boy, LWL, this has been some journey. An emotional one at that.
I don't know the end of the week tally, but last looked I was 12-15lbs down and 3+% bodyfat down. For then 7 weeks, I'm happy with my progress. My skills increased dramatically as I got competitive to be faster and now run a sprint at 7-7.3mph and do other sprints, like on the arc, that are well tolerated. I am also stronger.
Loads stronger.
Yesterday I was training with my new trainer and as she realized the cable row weight she selected was light for me, we kept searching for the challenge. Drum Roll--I can do the whole stack for 8 reps.
LWL, she's great. She doesn't take umbrage that I'm this strong (stronger than her she's told me), but has FUN with it.
But the journey hasn't been without it's hurts. The team I gathered...well does the movie Mean Girls mean anything to anyone? I never thought women 35-53 could be such biatches. Their issue with me? You're so serious. No fun. Obsessed with weights. Things came to a head this week as I was sure I was being excluded from future plans and they confirmed it. I was hurt but stuck the session out and realized that the reason I was no fun is that I strive to do all the reps set before me. The reason I'm obsessed with weights is that I try to find a weight that is a challenge for me. I watched them today quit when the going got tough and my former 1-1 trainer who always pushed me didn't push them the same way.
The worst part of course was that my training relationship deteriorated with him beyond repair. But I chalk it up to I had him when I needed him and he was up to the challenge and I'm now going to the person right for me at this stage.
So, what are my lessons learned?
-muscle is key to bodyfat loss
-challenge is necessary
-perseverence will take you far
-dignity is everything
-only do what you can be proud of
-trust your gut about people
-some people find hard work, focus, and a work ethic intimidating, not to mention ability
-you need a trainer right for where you are and that can change
-gyms have their own drama and some can suck you into it
-don't buy into the gossip
-group train only with those at the same level and whom you have established a relationship
-if people aren't your friends, they're not worth your hurt
-challenges are promotional by nature
-be careful how close you get to a trainer
-surround yourself with only those who support you, not drag you down
-rely on yourself first and foremost
-I'm wicked fast for a big girl
-I'm freakishly strong (and need to learn to not be weirded it out by it but instead proud)
-And lastly, my first trainer was right, I am capable of more than I ever thought
You can read on my blog about the drama if you're so inclined, but you get the gist, I'm sure.
I won't have won a prize, I don't think. Add to the list that a body new to working out has what I call "shock and drop". 2 others lost 15 and 17lbs as of last week. But they also restricted themselves and overworked (gym 2x a day) and created an unsustainable lifestyle which...well yo-yo is on the way I'm sure as lately all they talk about is beer and pizza and cutting back on working out to just 3x/week.
So, unless my body has a sudden b/f drop, I might get a day at the spa as a prize. If you pray, pray for a miracle win of at least 2nd place? Would hate to have gone through so much loss and hurt for nothing.
Ah, but I know, it's not nothing--I learned a lot.