interesting fact

Yesterday I actually went and did some number crunching on my weight, body fat, and body fat percentage from the beginning to the end of P90X2.  As I think I've mentioned, I haven't lost any weight.  That's usually the first question people ask, and they are surprised when I say I haven't lost any.  But, I hadn't really looked at the numbers to see what that meant.

January 12 --> April 19
Weight: 134.1 --> 135.7 (+1.6 pounds)
Body Fat: 32.2 --> 32.3 (+0.1 pounds)
Body Fat Percentage: 24.1 --> 23.9 (-0.2%)

So, yes, I gained weight, but the majority of it was muscle weight.  And, my body fat percentage still dropped, even though I technically gained a bit of body fat.  FASCINATING.

This reminds me that I should stop worrying about the scale every week.  It's constantly up and down.  I know that, and I still feel compelled to check it compulsively each week.  Since I'm going to be in Maui next week, and not checking it, it will be the perfect time to go to an every other week checking situation.

This morning I got up and did Balance & Power.  I like this workout a lot.  The moves are all really different -- with three rounds of 6 exercises.  I've been working on using the Stability Ball to do Sphinx to Plank Roll Ups and Plyo Bounces -- they aren't pretty, but they are getting done.  My core is SO MUCH stronger!  I'm not very good at the Forearm Alternating Side Plank on the stability ball.  I can do this with med balls, but the stability ball is just still unpredictable.

Calories Burned = 529
Time in Zone = 40:52 (83%)
Average Heart Rate = 137
Peak Heart Rate = 171

zen

When I looked at the scale today, I didn't worry about the numbers.

P.S. I'm craving carbs. {11:27 AM}

P.P.S.  When I practiced yoga at the YMCA, I was frequently distracted by the kids playing in the courtyard.  When I practice at home, I'm distracted by Falkor.  I let him out on the balcony to enjoy the beautiful weather after being cooped up in the house all day, and he just whines whenever someone walks by on the back walkway.  So I spend several minutes saying, "Falkor, stop it!" and I am distracted.  At least until I make him come back into the apartment and he gets into his bed to chew on his antler and his rope.

Calories Burned = 343
Average Heart Rate = 99
Peak Heart Rate =  146

Fat Shredder? Part 2

Maybe I didn't have enough fat to lose.  I said that the last time, right?  Anyway, I've noticed a pattern with my body fat percentage over the four weeks of the Fat Shredder plan plus the Recovery Week: 

Week 1 = 23.9

Week 2 = 23.8

Week 3 = 24.4

Week 4 = 23.6

Week 5 = 23.8

Don't get me wrong, I am super excited about my results so far -- I have more energy, I'm stronger, and I can see the difference in how my body looks.  BUT, I was expecting something different.  And perhaps trying to drop my body fat percentage down to 20% was as ambitious as not having more than 5 diet cheats in 90 days.  Plus, this body fat percentage is in range with where I'm supposed to be as a 31 year old woman (between 19 and 29%).      

And here's the thing.  I'm starting to realize that the weight I'm at might be the weight I'm at.

So I'll stop complaining and continue to look forward to Phase 2. ;)    

Fat Shredder?

So much for that.  I GAINED 1.8 pounds this week, 1.3 of that being body fat! How is that possible?

Let's think back.  I ate some bread on Sunday morning after the race, which I have basically cut out otherwise. I've been closer to 1800 calories per day this week than previously -- so perhaps the previous results were because I had fewer calories than I actually needed?  Add that to the fact that I'm burning less calories in the workouts??  For the rest of this week, I'm working out harder.

UGH.  I've been exhausted by 8:30 PM as well, which kind of puts a damper on date nights with John, which we usually start at 8:00.  Maybe this is a sign that I need to move on from Fat Shredder sooner?  I guess I need to read up on that.

Today is a rest day, but yesterday I did Plyocide -- and I think I got better at the exercises in general:
Calories Burned =  589
Average Heart Rate = 137
Peak Heart Rate = 179

By the Numbers

Scale numbers can be deceiving and frustrating.  A strange eating day the day before a weigh-in can make me feel like I'm off track.  I've read all sorts of articles and blogs about how to deal with your weight -- mostly around how to see it differently.  John constantly reminds me that if I am gaining muscle from working out, I might not lose weight, and that I need to look at more numbers than just the weight number to understand what's going on.

This is why one of my goals is about body fat percentage, rather than about weight loss.

Every Thursday is weigh-in day.  Sometimes I check my weight through the week, just to have a sense of what's going on, but I only write it down on Thursday.  And if I am somewhere that I can't weigh in on my scale at home -- at Leadership Academy, in Hawaii, at my parents' house -- then I don't weigh in and I don't worry about.

Today is Thursday, which I was approaching with a mixture of dread and excitement.  This week has been a little odd in terms of the nutrition because of two lunches out and not feeling I nailed this week right in terms of food distributions.  But, still, it's 5:50 AM and I stepped on the scale.

I gained a pound.  BUT, my body fat weight went up only by 0.1 pound.  My body fat percentage decreased by 1.1%.  My body water was up 0.1%.  Interesting.  So after another week of P90X2, I have gained some muscle (hard to tell how much really, since my body water also increased).  (We have a Weight Watchers Scale from Target that shows all these numbers -- it was one of the best investments! )

So John was right.  And besides that, I feel excellent, which is more than just a nice bonus.  

In the beginning...

I'm not out of shape by any means -- I lift weights, run half and full marathons (as well as run around the neighborhood with Falkor, the dog), take yoga and spin classes, hike occasionally... you get the idea.  But, I was unsatisfied with my results.  I would go a few weeks or months eating right and exercising, but then one crazy weekend and my nutrition was out the window ("Yes, I will have those french fries," "That beer sounds delicious").  Plus, I was getting bored at the gym lifting weights.  I always had a goal to do a particular workout routine for 12 weeks, but I would stop after 8 or 9 weeks.  There's only so many bicep curls a woman can do before she wants to throw the weight at the gym mirror.

I needed a change -- in exercise and nutrition.  Although I love to cook, it wasn't a high priority between PhD classes, dissertation writing and researching, hanging out with John (my fantastic and fun husband), seeing friends, working out, etc.  I cooked well for guests.  I did the bare minimum for me. 

So, our friend, Jess, works for BeachBody and told us that a new P90X was coming out.  We pre-ordered it as a joint Christmas present.  We cancelled our gym membership.  I figured I'd do the program with all the nutrition and the workouts as they were intended.  I've decided to give up sweets, alcohol, and caffeine -- ALL AT ONCE (Good idea or not?  Time will tell).

Knowing me, and knowing that life is sometimes unpredictable, I gave myself 5 cheats.  If something comes up, and I have to/need to/want to cheat, so be it... but only 5 times (I mean, really, sometimes you can't say no to that chocolate chip cookie or exquisite glass of Pinot Noir).   It means I have to choose wisely.

I have the following goals for this program

1. Follow nutrition plan as described in the P90X2 materials (minus the 5 cheats)
2. Be able to do 1 pull-up by the end of the program 
3. Get a 4 pack before summer 2012 
4. Reduce my body fat to 20%

All that said, and in the spirit of full disclosure, here are some of my before photos (taken 1/12/12).

There I am, in a sports bra.  

See, not totally out of shape, but goodness, I'd like to be firmer! 

And here are my stats from 1/12/12:
Weight: 134.1
Body Fat Percentage: 24.1
BMI: 21.8
Chest: 34"
Bicep: (r) 10.75", (l) 10.5"
Waist: 27"
Hips: 35"
Thigh: (r) 22.5, (l) 22.75

Here we go.