tIt's no secret that my weight has ballooned since falling in love. Not something I am happy about (the weight, not the love!), it is something I have been working really hard at addressing for nearly a year. I have tried to respect my fiances wishes and not skip meals to achieve the desired look. It's not working!
I've read stories from all sorts of fitness models along the lines of "I eat more than I ever have and I am still losing weight" and I want to laugh in their face.
I also want to scream - WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING WRONG?! I train hard. I lift heavy. I drink plenty of water. I (mostly) steer clear of sugar. I don't eat refined carbs.
I have spent a fortune over the last few years on various training programs from personal trainers, I have had a nutritionist devised diet (which resulted in another 3kg of chub rather than a loss of anything).
About five weeks ago I purchased Zoe Daly's fitness program and nutrition guide. A goddess of the fitness world (and an Aussie to boot), Zoe is the first person that has been simultaneously motivating while understanding that I have the most ridiculous diet. Allergic to onion and garlic and vegetarian, I am also fussy (I don't eat eggplant, capsicum, celery, beans, tofu.... the list goes on). As one friend has been known to tout - it is easier to list the things I DO eat, than the list of things I don't as that list is too long.
However, Zoe has patiently worked with me to get devise a diet that is actually really delicious. As a person who's always hungry (or thinking about food), this diet is fantastic!
I was daunted at the prospect of fortnightly photos but they have proven a valuable tool in shaping the program to get to my desired form. Sculpting the body is hard work. Anyone that tells you otherwise is lying or selling something.
As an emotional eater, I really have to be conscious about work stress interfering with my diet plan. Being organised and having my meals prepared the night before (and the astronomical cost associated with eating clean) helps me stick to it. While I am human and I have had a few small deviations, this is the first time that I have been able to get through week on week without cracking the shits and eating a peanut butter wholemeal roll. I can honestly say I have not had to cheat on the diet at all which is always my biggest battle.
The training program is grueling but achievable. My everything hurts. All the time. I have spent a fortune on massages to ease muscle soreness lately! While I love massages, this whole thing is costing me a fortune. However, it seems that whenever I am waning, a picture of @zozofit will appear on my Instagram feed and spur me on to channel my inner Dory and "just keep swimming".
While I have always been active, and I have been lifting weights for over fifteen years (and picked up some pretty intense regimes over the years), this is the first that I have been able to get through the actual training session without too much drama (the last few reps of each set is a challenge) but I feel it in my body the next day. DOMS are my new best friend! I can honestly say that I love that sore muscle feeling. I liken it to a wobbly tooth - where it hurts to wiggle it but it still feels so good.
I am yet to see the results personally but Zoe assures me she can see that my body is stronger and my fiance's behaviour changes recently would suggest he can too (a major motivating factor for me; as the last thing I want is for him to be engaged to someone he does not find sexually attractive). The real benefit is how I feel. Sure, I am tired, but my skin is clear and I feel calmer. I am lifting heavier each week which shows me that what I am doing is working. Because of my commitment to the program, I am working less hours and exercising more. I can't justify missing a gym session (there's no room to make up a session within a week and skipping it is not an option because I really want this to work) so I make time to fit them in around work. For the first time in three years I am going to head out at lunch time to attend a Barre session - something I have been meaning to do since they were introduced at the gym over a year ago. My sincere and heartfelt thanks to Ms Daly for bringing some perspective to my ludicrously hectic, work filled life.
To anyone out there contemplating making a change to their fitness regime, I implore you to go for it!
No comments:
Post a Comment