Finding My Direction

Whew! It's been three weeks since I updated. Sorry! I forgot just how brain-dead I became at the end of my first fitness challenge. I didn't have two brain cells to rub together over the last few weeks! I shall strive to be better, to more thoroughly document what has become one of the most rewarding journeys of my life.

Well, to get caught up, let's begin with the end of the (truly) last fitness challenge. I spent the last few days leading up to the weigh in mostly at the gym when I wasn't at work. I wasn't eating a whole lot besides protein, fruit, and veggies. I'm very sure I was a crankopotamus. I was also quite tired! I took naps on my desk during my lunch. :c)

The final weigh in was on the 15th of September. I worked out that afternoon. My trainer pretty much pushed me until I couldn't lift another weight, then said, "Go weigh in. You're done!" I felt pretty toasted! I showered and headed over to the gym, ready to go! In I came, and the numbers looked pretty good! I was down 15 pounds, and 6.2% body fat. The body fat was the important number, because that's what determined the winner. In the fitness challenge at Thunderbird, the results were a bit more subjective, because it wasn't just body fat that determined the winner (if it was, I would have won that too). I crossed my fingers and hoped it would be enough for the win!

The results party was the following night on Thursday. I came in with my hair fixed and wearing regular clothes. I doubt some people recognized me! They're all used to seeing me with sweat dripping and hair all in a ponytail and just gross in general. Anyway, we gathered our little group together, and Jose decided it would be a good time to ramble on and on and on about sticking with exercise and diet and all that. It took forever! He finally went through and announced everyone's final results. I was surprised to discover that my friend Debbie was in the challenge too, and that she was really my closest competition! I had no idea. Anyway, the final results were that I won! Yay! My prize this time was $250. Looking back from where I am now, I'm not sure it was worth it. I put my family, friends, and body through a lot to get there. It just further cements my resolve to retire from competitive weight loss. So glad to be done with that part of my weight loss and fitness career.

The party was pretty entertaining. One of the trainers, Mitch, said when people were complimenting me, "She's like my Mom!" It was so random and funny. Right now, I think most of the trainers at the gym feel like they own a bit of my weight loss, and for the most part, it's true! They are all very supportive, and I feel like I'm a part of their little group. I can picture myself perhaps becoming a trainer someday as a part-time job. I think I'd be pretty good at it. I don't think I'd want to do it full time. That would be so hard! I don't like the whole sales and commission part of it. No thank you!

So I spent the rest of that week partying it up! I ate pretty much whatever the heck I wanted, including an ill-fated trip to The Heart Attack Grill (so not worth it), and a candy store named Sweeties (so VERY worth it). I also tried for the first time a cupcake from a little store in the mall named Sugardaddy's. IT WAS AWESOME! I had the Pink Cadillac cupcake, which was a strawberry cupcake filled with vanilla buttercream, topped with strawberry buttercream and glitter. So very delicious! I have decided that once a month, I am going to go there and have a treat. Looking forward to my next trip there!

I now find myself in need of direction. I need to set my sights on a new set of goals. I've been living and breathing the fitness challenges for so long, that I don't know where to go from here. One short-term goal is to complete one unassisted pull-up. I am so close! That goal I expect to hit by the end of the month. I need something to aim for in the next couple of months. Not sure yet what that is. Maybe 20 more pounds by Christmas, but I'm not warmed up to that idea. It's not very interesting to me. I mean, I have more weight to lose, but I want to be more fitness-oriented, rather than the whole numbers thing. Perhaps I should aim to be a certain clothing size, like an 8 by the end of the year. Hmmm. Don't know yet!

One of my long-term goals is to complete an Iron-distance triathlon. I think I may have found my race! There is an Ironman in St. George next May that has my name all over it! It's even on a Saturday. I really think that it is something I'd like to train and aim for. Of course, that means I need a grown-up bike to train with. There is also the little hurdle of the entry fee, $575. The whole money thing will be harder for me to overcome than the training! I'm sure if it's meant to be, it will all work out. My head is spinning with anticipation! I am greatly inspired by this video.

Tomorrow I am going to retry beating my mile time. SO VERY EXCITED! Can't wait to see how much better I'll be. *does a little nerdy dance* I hope my gym-mates are bringing their ear-plugs. :c)

A Rough Week

It's been a rough week for me. I've really been lacking in the motivation department. I gave in to temptation nearly every time I was faced with it, specifically this weekend. (I really struggle at Nell's house! I love her and her family, but I give myself free reign pretty much every time!)

I know I need a break. I just need to finish out the last bit of the Arrowhead Challenge, then I'm really (truly, I promise), going to take a step back. I've been pushing myself really hard for quite a while now. I think I need a week of down time. I'm sure at least some of you reading this are rolling your eyes, but I really do plan on taking a week and relaxing. I think it'll help me get back in to the swing of things.

Part of my struggle has been the "bounceback" from the end of the Thunderbird Challenge. It's hard to lose all that weight (even though I know the stuff at the end was water weight), and then almost immediately gain a large chunk back. I managed to work most of it off again, but it's still really frustrating.

Speaking of the Thunderbird Challenge (aka Westside Fitness Challenge), I found out that I got 2nd place overall! Not too shabby. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed. Not really that I got second place, but that I didn't win the money! :c) Second place won 3 free personal training sessions. I wish I could just cash that out! Blah. Oh well, second is nothing to sneeze at!

On Monday, Brian helped me run my mile in 7 minutes and 45 seconds! It was great! I am glad that he is willing to help me do stuff like that. He's been a good supporter of my desire to run. He has a weakness for brownies, so his help is easily bought. :c) I'm going to be coaching him on his swimming coming up here soon. He's going to be in a triathlon in three weeks, and needs a bit of direction in that department. I'm just the girl for the job!

Someone I really don't ever talk about is my main trainer, Caleb. He has trained me since I started at Pure Fitness. He started up his own training business, and left Pure Fitness back in February. He is much, much more affordable. Part of the reason I've not talked about him is that I don't want people to think I'm crazy with all the different people I work with. Anyway, he has been so patient with me lately! Drunk Zombie and Overly Emotional Sarah take a lot out on him. Especially last week! I need to find a way to give him some love. I would really like to find a new client for him, so if anyone out there knows someone who might be interested, let me know!

Not a very organized post this week, I know, but you'll get more coherent posts in the future, I promise! 10 more days to go...