Fitness Goals

Yesterday I had my third fitness assessment and I am so so happy with the results. Some things haven't changed much - my arm size went from 11 inches to 10. Yup, still got those jiggly Oprah arms. However, some things have changed...

My body fat percentage went from 39.1 to 27.5. My resting heart rate went from 80 to 60. My water percentage went from 43.4 to 50.9. These are massive amazing changes that you can't see when you look at the exterior. Setting fitness goals has taught me that it's really not about the number on the scale or even the centimeters lost. It's about getting fitter, faster, stronger, and loving how it makes you feel.

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At my very first session 8 months ago, my trainer Daniella told me to set goals to work towards - goals that have absolutely nothing to do with the scale. Perhaps you want to fit into that dress you bought three years ago and never wore again. Perhaps you want to run a half marathon. Find something to work towards that doesn't involve you hopping on the scale every morning praying the numbers go down.

Fitness goals are about slow and steady progress. Getting stronger one day at a time.

Annoying things people say #2

A few months ago I had a Modern Family moment when I triumphantly strut into hospice to release my jeans into the wild. My jeans (and even the jeggings) started getting really saggy at the thighs giving me the attractive silhouette of a dumpy middle-aged woman. Excited about getting rid of these monstrosities, I phoned my parents to share the good news.

Me: Dad, I got rid of all my jeans. They don't fit anymore and look ridiculous! I took a whole bunch of clothes down to hospice today.

Dad: You shouldn't have given away your clothing.

Me: Why?

Dad: You'll need it when you put the weight back on again.

I love my dad, but that sort of demeaning honesty is so uncalled for.

In these situations you need to stand up for yourself and explain why you need support rather than judgement. In Modern Family, Cam told Mitchell that he needed to throw out his jeans because if he still had them they would always be a crutch - a back up plan if he put on weight again. It's also somewhat of a cathartic experience - a way of letting go of your fat pants memories and embracing your new lifestyle.

I am now the proud owner of size 12 jeans - a size I haven't fit into since my teens :)