Slow progress and back on routine

I spent the majority of my rest week last week eating too much junk – and too much in general! This is definitely helping me come back around to this “eating well” with a little perspective. I’m looking at shooting for an 80/20 split on my food choices. 80% “clean”, and 20% “whatever I feel like”. With my TDEG (Total Daily Eating Goal) estimated around 2200, this means I can either eat up to 450 calories daily of my “whatever” food, or save those up for the weekends to splurge on eating out or drinks or what-have-you. Eating a bunch of processing junk all the time makes me feel like crap. I’m pretty excited about doing some grocery shopping this weekend for lots of fresh fruits and veggies to keep cut up and stored in my fridge for snacking.

In other food news: I sort of inadvertently ate intuitively all day Tuesday… and I stayed within my calorie goal range for the first time in nearly a month. I did, however, eat more carbs/sugar than I would have preferred… and not nearly the amount of protein I normally get, but at least I didn’t feel like I was starving all damn day and didn’t go to bed hungry and didn’t wake up ravenous. Something to think on a little bit.

Now, a confession: I didn’t do my first Stage 2 NROLFW workout until last night…

Monday was my birthday (I should have known better than to make this my “start” day lol), and Tuesday, honestly, I was just being lazy. The last few days of my rest week I started to feel the emotional effects of being out of “routine”. I was still somewhat active during my rest week, but definitely not putting in the effort that I normally would while lifting. I had serious junk-food bloat happening in my belly, like, to the point where some of pants weren’t fitting so well. Plus I felt like I had gotten super flabby (I didn’t. I haven’t. Body dysmorphia, anyone?).

Well, I got my workout in last night even amongst the craziness that was my children and oh.my.god. What a difference! Not only in my emotional state, but I seriously felt like my body went from mushy to muscles after just one 45 minute workout. I’m sure some of that is completely psychosomatic, but I don’t care. Bonus: my pants fit normally today. So glad to be back at it. So far not feeling too sore… but I’m sure it’s coming. Some of the stuff in Stage 2 is pretty crucial. Fact: One-point dumbbell row, MUCH HARDER THAN IT LOOKS. Also – planks are owie.

I know I need to post strength gains from Stage 1, I keep forgetting and I apologize for that. I also never took any official “after” pictures, except the “sexy belly” shots I put up last week… so that’s all I’ve got to go off of. I’ll do pictures for beginning of Stage 2 soon. However, I do have some measurements for you guys:

Measurements @ 4/13/2013 (changes in blue - previous measurements taken 3/10/13)

Estimated Body Fat: 33.28% / 31.6%

Chest (across bust in sports bra): 38" / 38.5”

Bicep: 12" / 13”

Waist: 33.5" / 32.75”

Waist at naval: 36” / 35.5”

Hips: 44.5" / 44.25”

Thigh: 26” - no change

Change is happening slowly but surely! 1” GAIN on my bicep – that’s pretty freaking incredible. Would also explain the nearly 2 point drop in BF%! Finally seeing a little bit coming off the hips, and I'm still impressed with my consistent losses in my waist. I'll take it! :)