Change Is A Comin'

Oh yes. I feel it. I crave it. I'm finding a new focus and today for the first time in awhile I felt really like things are moving.

Nothing too overly profound. I stepped on the scale today, it's been probably a month, maybe three weeks. I don't know. I don't get on often anymore because the damn thing is either broken or I literally have gained and lost the same 5 pounds since July 2010. I've have never gotten below this certain number that ends in a 5. And this time span included training and completing a half marathon, training for and teaching a butt load of BodyPump. I've gotten leaner, sure. Built muscle, of course. But lost any weight? NOPE. Gone down even one pant size? NOOOOOOOO.

Amanda, my 26 year old niece and I have set some new goals to work on our health. Now she is a former Marine, and in great shape even after having two kids. She wears booty shorts to my BodyPump classes, so you get the picture. She recognizes, however, that as she eats pretty much whatever she wants, that she needs to start making better choices so that when she gets older (yes, my age!) she won't be struggling.

Coupled with Alex's recommendations for me with pushups and other upper body work, Amanda and I are both not eating any carbs after 6pm. This is day three. The first night we were texting between 10-11:00 pm cause we were both hungry! We had done BP and then came home and ate some salad and steak. Not enough! Last night was easier and tonight alright. I ate my carbs this morning at breakfast and then a bit at lunch.

I am also cutting back on Starbucks. I know. It breaks my heart. I go every morning, several times a week I'll go twice a day, on my off days from teaching, or like yesterday, after a massage. It was really hard not to get one after my massage yesterday. I also am cutting out the artificial sweeteners, slowly, but my skinny vanilla latte has been my drink for years. Today I got a regular vanilla latte with fewer pumps. It was just fine. Sigh. One day at a time. Amanda is limiting her string cheese habit to one a day. We are both increasing our water consumption.

So when I decided to get on the scale this morning, it was to take a baseline from. To my surprise, I'm down two pounds from my lowest ever in the last 15 months, and down four pounds from the last time I weighed. That last number is now a 3.

So I feel a change is in the air. A breakthrough on the scale, a new found focus, a partner to do this with, and the fact that AIM is coming up in a month and I want to be leaner. Stronger.

Class tonight was packed, not as much as Tuesday but I got to talk to two new participants. They shared with me how much they liked my class but were so upset on Tuesday because they got there right at 6:30 and there were no weights or steps left. They went on the elliptical for 20 minutes, got disgusted and left! They need to talk to the manager but I let them know that they need to get to there 15 minutes early and then storm the room and grab a spot and equipment. It reminds me of Gold's gym and how we had to get there early and do the same thing in Alex's class.

I was in pain a good part of the day. Sore after my massage, maybe. Had lower and upper back pain and a tweaky knee. I was a bit concerned about class but I know from past experience that once I get started it all feels better. Well, BP79 is leaving it's mark. I felt a bit off tonight, made a couple of timing errors. Squats? I went down by just a bit and still almost wasn't able to complete the track. Biceps? Felt SO hard. Lunges? Disastrous. The floor was so slippery, I kept sliding, had to put the bar down and use my own body weight just to attempt to stay upright, and it was still damn hard. An off night I suppose, but I'm just glad it didn't happen while I was being observed! At least I'm not teaching Saturday so I have two days off from the gym and then three days in a row, as I'm covering one last class in Daly City for Madds. Eek. Bp79 three days in a row.

Tomorrow morning I am being observed in my classroom AGAIN. Sigh. I'm used to it but it still sucks. An outside facilitator plus the administration and several teachers will be watching. UGH. I just want Friday to be over.

After school Amanda and I will go to Fleet Feet and pick up our race day packets for the 5k we are doing in RWC with our girls on Saturday. We'll be pushing Alexis in her stroller and Jasmine and Cassie will walk or jog with us. Should be a beautiful day.

Off to ice my shoulders and back. Yes, BP 79 is leaving it's mark ;-)