I’m five days into P90X. So far, so good! I was oh-so-very-sore after Day 1, which was astounding. It was a good workout, but I didn’t expect to feel it quite so much in the days that followed. By Day 3, when I had to do a 15-minute ab workout, it hurt just to get on the floor.
I stuck with it though, and even though it’s only been a few more days, I think my body is getting used to the more rigorous routine. My muscles are still achy, but it’s far more manageable. In fact, it’s kind of nice, actually – reminds me that I’m doing something. Pushing myself. I like it.
Here’s the thing though: I know it’s only been 5 days, and I typically recommend to folks (and myself) not to weigh yourself every day, but each day this week I’ve weighed exactly the same thing. I feel like it should have changed, at least a tiny bit, after doing an intense workout for roughly 60 minutes each day… on top of Kung Fu.
But no. Of course that’s not going to happen… Not with the way I’ve been eating.
I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t put much thought into how I’ve been eating over the last few months. I haven’t thrown everything out the window or anything – even my ‘reckless’ eating is far better than it was a few years ago – but I haven’t been eating in such a way that will cause me to lose weight.
In fact, you may have noticed that I haven’t posted my weight here in quite some time. That’s because I haven’t actively been working to lower it, and therefore, it has instead risen.
My current weight is 177.
*sigh*
At my lowest, I got down to 169 at the end of March. I guess I’ve slowly but surely tacked on 8 pounds. How ridiculous is that?! Clearly I don’t quite have the intuitive eating/maintenance thing down yet, and still need to pay some attention to what I’m putting in my mouth.
I know that doing P90X in addition to Kung Fu and occasional running will be a huge help. But I also need to focus more on what – and how much – I’m eating.
I need a goal. I’m very goal-oriented. And it’s been a long time since I’ve set a goal that had to do with the scale. (In some ways, I think that’s healthy, but clearly I’m not quite there yet as I’ve gained 8 pounds in 3 months…)
So: I started P90X on July 1. That will take me to the end of September, and my birthday is just a few days later on October 5. That got me to thinking that my birthday would be a great target date for this short-term goal.
After crunching the numbers and thinking realistically about what I can do if I really try, I’ve decided to set my goal for October 5 at 164 pounds. That’s 13 pounds in 3 months – more than doable. It seems so doable that I’m almost afraid I’m not challenging myself enough, but I don’t want to set myself up for failure, either.
Besides that, 164 is a significant number for me. When I was young – 14 maybe? – I remember going on a diet with this as my start weight. At 14, 164 is a lot. At 29, it’s a lot more reasonable!
Incidentally, who goes on a diet and then puts on nearly 100 pounds?! Crazy.
So wish me luck, people! I’m going to really put in the effort again. I know what works: Counting calories and exercising. I’ve got the exercise on track, so now it’s time to focus on the food and I know I can do it.
Anyone want to put it into high gear with me for the next 3 months? We can call it the Third Quarter Melt Down… or something :)
