I’m trying so hard not to weigh myself!  It’s hard!

I know that the scale does not define how skinny or how fit I am.

In the past, when I was trying to lose weight, I would weigh myself every day, or even multiple times a day!  So you can bet that every time it went up, even a little, I would get upset!  And usually, that discouragement led to me quitting.

Well, this time, since I’m really building muscle, and lots of it, I have to be careful about how much I emotionally invest in what the scale says.  My girlfriends online are right.  They remind each other constantly to take pictures and measurements and throw out the scale.  Go by how your clothes fit!

So I haven’t weighed myself in several days.  It’s hard, but I’m not weighing myself!  I know I may actually gain weight in the next 14 days or so.  BUT…. I also know that it will be muscle, and that my figure will actually be improving!

I have a couple pants that are just a big snug right now.  Hopefully, in a couple weeks, they will feel looser.  THAT’S how I will measure success.  Good bye, scale!

And, yes, I need to take some pictures.  I really have no desire to take before pictures.

It seems so small, but I’m setting small goals.  So this is a success!  I’ve done all my planned weightlifting sessions this week!

I went for the third time tonight at 8:00.  It was great!  There were a handful of men there, but none needed the gear I was using, so I didn’t have to share!

I didn’t feel as out of place this time.  Still is awkward, but getting better.  Soon, the faces and gear will all be familiar, I’m sure.

Tonight’s workout:

Squats 45 lb 5×5

Bench Press 50 lb 5×5

Barbell Row 65 lb 5×5

The barbell row was hard at the end.  I’ll increase weight next time, but I may fail.  Ah, well…  that’s what it’s all about!

The squats burn my legs bad, but I recover quickly.  Still, it’s my legs that hurt all day.  And I don’t even think I’m squatting that deeply.  I’ll add a bit more next time, but I’ll move slowly with squats.

I’m out of shape!  LOl  But not for long!

I do like the weightlifting so far!  I’ve never done this kind of strength training.  I like it.  It’s a short routine.  Tonight I was done in 30 minutes!  Now, as I need more rest time, that will increase, but still, I like it!

Two days ago I did my second weightlifting session at the YMCA.  AS a new member I get two free sessions with a trainer, so I used one of them that night.  His name was Mundo, and he was Huge-O!  LOL  Major muscle man!  Cracked me up!  But he’s in good shape!

So, I told him my plan, and of course, he tried really hard to steer me to his plan, for beginners.  But I’m stubborn, and made him show me the moves I wanted, too.  Once I get an idea in my head, and get excited about it, I just don’t want to change.  The weightlifting moves I’m doing are not usually what beginners do.  **Shrug.**  I’m an “all in or all out” kind of girl.  So I’m all in.

So for an hour I did a lot!  And I’m sore!

• 5 sets of 5 reps of squats holding an Olympic bar which weighs 45 pounds.
• 5 sets of 5 reps of overhead press holding the bar.
• 5 sets of 1 reps of deadlifting the bar plus 20 pounds, so 65 pounds.
• 5 sets of 5 reps of barbell row.

We spent a lot of time trying to get my form really good.  I asked tons of stupid questions, but he never laughed at me!  It was during the busy time, and I was nervous, but I did it!

So tonight I’m due to go back.  I’ll do weightlifting three times a week.  I must take a day off in between sessions.  The days off are called recovery days.  That’s when the muscle actually grows.

I’ve been eating tons of protein.  Egg sandwiches are my new favorite.   But today I’m back to tracking my calories on myfitnesspal.com, so I may change my mind about the egg sandwiches!

I’m also having a protein shake each day.  I’ve been studying up on the benefits of greatly reducing sugar.  So today I made my shake with almond milk instead of 2% milk and chocolate milk.  It wasn’t too bad!

But for the most part, I’m not depriving myself or even getting too hungry.  Strength training requires fuel.  If I eat too few calories, I won’t actually gain muscle or lose fat.  I must eat plenty!

Onward and forward.  One day at a time!

Oh, and I just have to say that my husband is the best.  He told me last night that I’m obsessing a bit too much and I shouldn’t care so much.  He said I’m beautiful and already in pretty decent shape and I don’t have to go all out.  He’s a dear, sweet man, isn’t he?

Okay, I took two huge steps two days ago.

1.  I joined the YMCA!  They are running a summer special, so it’s $50 for me and my kids.  The beauty is that they have free child care if my kids are members.  So if I make my kids members for $13 for all of them, and use the child care a handful of times, that’s cheaper than a babysitter! Plus, my kids love the Y! So, that was a big step.  I hate to spend money, of course, but the weightlifting program I want to do requires their gym equipment.  IF I stick with it, it will be money well spent!

2.  I went to the YMCA!  So, later that night, I went to the Y and used the weight room! I was scared of being intimidated by looking stupid, but I have to get over that. I want to be skinny MORE than I want to look cool.

Here’s what I did:

• 5 sets of 5 reps of squats holding an olympic bar which weighs 45 pounds.
• 5 sets of 5 reps of bench press holding the bar.
• 5 sets of 1 reps of deadlifting the bar plus 20 pounds, so 65 pounds.

Doesn’t sound like a lot, but my legs are SO sore!  Yesterday was killer!  I think I can do it again today, though.  I want to raise my weight, but maybe I’ll stick with just the bar today, too.

Form will be super important so I don’t get hurt. I need to take my time.  That’s hard for me.  But I must.

So, my plan is to lift heavy like this 3 times a week.  On the other days, I should start running or doing HIIT.

I’m registered for the Warrior Dash on July 27, 2013.  I can’t stall any longer if I want to actually finish that race!  Time to go!

60 Days.  That’s my goal.  To do the right things for 60 days.

And to not be myself up when I fail. Rather, keep going.

My plan?

1.  Eat cleaner.

2.  Run a little.

3.  Lift weights a lot.

Not so hard.  But it will make a BIG difference.  Wait and see!