I decided to take some time to go through my clothes ... wow. I emptied out more than half my closet. There were some items of clothing that I bought in August (still had tags on them) that are already too big for me. I was really surprised.
Body image is such a strange thing. I mean, I see the numbers going down on the scale (am at my lightest weight in about 7 or 8 years I think at the moment) and I feel my clothes getting looser ... but when I look in the mirror, I don't see it. I mean, occasionally I'll notice that my arms are getting thinner (like yesterday when doing tricep extensions) and my legs are getting a bit more shapely ... but I don't see the significance of 26 kg loss (57 lbs) over the past 3 years [8 kg/almost 18 lbs of which is just in the past 8 weeks]
Isn't that sad? Will I ever get over that hesitation to accept that my body is changing? Surely that is a form of confidence that will be good for me to develop.
I am thinking more positively. I am definitely more focused on my goals, more driven, and also more confident (even if scared and intimidated sometimes) about my fitness level and workouts ...
I guess the bottom line is that there's more work to be done. A lot more work.
That's ok though. I'm ready for the challenge. I know that I've done really well over the past 2 months. I am eager to continue with this progress.
People keep asking me how I'm going to reward myself after the Whole Life Challenge. They're all thinking about food - pizza, brownies, wine -- A food reward is actually the last thing on my mind. There's nothing that I'm craving - how awesome is that?
After today's closet clear out, however, I will be rewarding myself with a shopping spree in a few weeks. I am a size that I've never been before, or at least it's been so long that I can't remember. However, I know dropping another few pounds will help me fit into that size more comfortably. Let's see how it goes.
In other news, today I went to my first cardio kickboxing class at my friend's gym - Club Fit Kuwait.
It was really good. We practiced a lot of different punches/techniques. I have no doubt my shoulders will be on fire tomorrow.
With CrossFit, my other gym training, boxing, and now this, my schedule is getting a bit overcrowded. This is on top of my job and my research ... I really don't have enough hours in the day. I guess it's a good thing I only average about 4 hours of sleep a night, hahahaha. Actually, I shouldn't joke. I need more sleep!!!
Anyway. As the end of the Whole Life Challenge approaches, I'm trying to find a way to organize my time, figure out my training schedule, my life schedule, and my eating plan.
There are a lot of decisions to be made in terms of eating. I could just stick to what I'm doing now. I'm wondering if I should add a bit of dairy back into my diet ... I don't know. It'll be a bit of trial and error. No matter what I do decide, I know that there will be certain things that will never be a part of my diet - fried, fatty, preservative-packed, sugar-stuffed foods are not entering my mouth ever again. I think with that resolution alone I'll be alight -- but I know myself & I think more specific guidelines will be helpful for me.
That's it from here -- I leave you with a picture from today's kickboxing session.
I was holding the pads at this point. Let me tell you, holding your arms up in that position for 5-10 minutes while someone is punching at them is not easy!!
Body image is such a strange thing. I mean, I see the numbers going down on the scale (am at my lightest weight in about 7 or 8 years I think at the moment) and I feel my clothes getting looser ... but when I look in the mirror, I don't see it. I mean, occasionally I'll notice that my arms are getting thinner (like yesterday when doing tricep extensions) and my legs are getting a bit more shapely ... but I don't see the significance of 26 kg loss (57 lbs) over the past 3 years [8 kg/almost 18 lbs of which is just in the past 8 weeks]
Isn't that sad? Will I ever get over that hesitation to accept that my body is changing? Surely that is a form of confidence that will be good for me to develop.
I am thinking more positively. I am definitely more focused on my goals, more driven, and also more confident (even if scared and intimidated sometimes) about my fitness level and workouts ...
I guess the bottom line is that there's more work to be done. A lot more work.
That's ok though. I'm ready for the challenge. I know that I've done really well over the past 2 months. I am eager to continue with this progress.
People keep asking me how I'm going to reward myself after the Whole Life Challenge. They're all thinking about food - pizza, brownies, wine -- A food reward is actually the last thing on my mind. There's nothing that I'm craving - how awesome is that?
After today's closet clear out, however, I will be rewarding myself with a shopping spree in a few weeks. I am a size that I've never been before, or at least it's been so long that I can't remember. However, I know dropping another few pounds will help me fit into that size more comfortably. Let's see how it goes.
In other news, today I went to my first cardio kickboxing class at my friend's gym - Club Fit Kuwait.
It was really good. We practiced a lot of different punches/techniques. I have no doubt my shoulders will be on fire tomorrow.
With CrossFit, my other gym training, boxing, and now this, my schedule is getting a bit overcrowded. This is on top of my job and my research ... I really don't have enough hours in the day. I guess it's a good thing I only average about 4 hours of sleep a night, hahahaha. Actually, I shouldn't joke. I need more sleep!!!
Anyway. As the end of the Whole Life Challenge approaches, I'm trying to find a way to organize my time, figure out my training schedule, my life schedule, and my eating plan.
There are a lot of decisions to be made in terms of eating. I could just stick to what I'm doing now. I'm wondering if I should add a bit of dairy back into my diet ... I don't know. It'll be a bit of trial and error. No matter what I do decide, I know that there will be certain things that will never be a part of my diet - fried, fatty, preservative-packed, sugar-stuffed foods are not entering my mouth ever again. I think with that resolution alone I'll be alight -- but I know myself & I think more specific guidelines will be helpful for me.
That's it from here -- I leave you with a picture from today's kickboxing session.
I was holding the pads at this point. Let me tell you, holding your arms up in that position for 5-10 minutes while someone is punching at them is not easy!!
Being a good pad-holder is quite a talent, one which I happen to have. :) My Muay Thai coaches always pointed me out as one of the best pad-holders at the school and the pro fighters were happy to get partnered with me 'cause they knew I wasn't going to blank on them. It IS hard work, only slightly less so than throwing punches!
ReplyDelete4+ years into this for me, PP, and I still almost invariably choose a too-large size when I go clothes shopping. :)
Holding the pad was tough! I admit I messed up a few times today forgetting which punch would go next, but hopefully it won't happen the next time! :)
DeleteWow your schedule is constant movement and action. Sometimes I get exhausted just reading all the things you accomplish with so little sleep. You are ENERGY WOMAN!
ReplyDeleteLOL Marc. It is tiring sometimes, but each day I usually going to bed satisfied and feeling fulfilled. Plus even though I don't get much sleep, the sleep I've been getting is much better quality, even if it's only 3 hours! It does make a difference. :)
DeleteYou look great and should definitely reward yourself with a shopping trip when you feel ready! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ria! I'm looking forward to it for sure :)
DeletePositive mental body image comes with time. I've been at goal for almost 3 years, and I finally accept (most) of the positive changes - I'm much happier with myself than I've ever been before. I still struggle with food though! I need to commit to cutting out the fried, sugary junk too - when I fall off the wagon, it's too hard to climb back on!
ReplyDeleteWow we both posted about our clothes today!!! P.s. you TOTALLY deserve a shopping spree. Don't forget to take pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteDANI
It takes a bit for the mental image and the image in the mirror to catch up. I've been more or less maintaining for four years and there are still times I see myself at 223 or 180 lbs.
ReplyDeleteI've had fun the past few months figuring out my style. Celebrating your new size with a shopping spree is perfect!
You've worked hard to lose that weight, and the shopping spree will be a nice reward. I can't wait to see what you get!
ReplyDelete