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| November 20th... |
This morning I woke up to my lightest weight since I was training for the Around the Bay in 2013. I've lost 18 pounds since September 1st. I've been consistent and I've got an awesome on line coach (Mac Fitness). I figured out a way to show my abs. I just need to pull my extra skin away from my body and there they are. The comparison before pics (left) are from 2012 (nicked them off my old blog), just before I reached my goal weight. I wore size 12 and my exercise was long distance running. There's a 2 pound difference here. I'm lighter in the pics from this morning and I'm currently fitting into a size 8.
Seeing my weight go down like it hasn't in years is exciting and motivating, and keeps me focused and driven to move forward. Today is an exciting one. It's my heavy macro day and I've already indulged in my coffee and rice cakes with peanut butter, banana and chocolate chips. Just going to down some water and head to the gym to lift some heavy things. I've already planned most of my food for today so I can have a glass or two of wine with my cousin this afternoon. Ain't life grand? Have an awesome Sunday!
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| November 21st... |
Today was not my favourite day. I spent my work day in an all day training. It took place in the auditorium of my office building. The temperature in there can only be described as similar to a meat locker. I swear that my coldness is the only thing that kept me awake. I've had a headache all day. Which is odd because I don't get headaches too often. And they normally go away with water. But I drank water like a fish all day and I've still got my headache. I almost cancelled on Brodie tonight but decided I couldn't do that because today is the only day I can see him this week. He's off the rest of the week because he's moving homes. It's lights out right now. I'm up at 4am to train. Exciting times. Shaun sent me new workouts. I'm gonna do my first in the morning. Lots of cardio so I'll need 1.5 hours at the gym from now on. Good night 😫
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| November 22nd... |
It's #TransformationTuesday. On days where I'm being hard on myself, it's important for me to remember where I started. And it's important for me to give myself props for working as hard as I have to get where I am today. Lots of sweat and tears has gone into my transformation so far. And I'm sure there's more to come because I'm not done yet. There are no short cuts. There's no magic shake, pill, wrap, or 30 minute exercise video that got me these results. It all has to do with what I do at the gym and what I eat. That's the bottom line.
The absolute best decisions I made during this fitness journey (besides walking into Dr. Poon's clinic in September 2011) is hiring a personal trainer (Tony), an on line trainer/macro specialist (Shaun), and walking into Brodie's boxing gym. My trifecta of coaches are responsible for my strength and my changing body shape. I do what they tell me to do (without MUCH complaint) and learn so much from each of them. I learn important tools I can use for the rest of my life so that I will never go back to my before picture.
Yes I work hard at the gym and planning meals, and yes it's time consuming. But it's 100% worth it to me because I can't ever return to the woman on the left. Although she also taught me a lot about myself, that chapter of my life is closed. And I never re-read books no matter how good they were...
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| November 22nd... |
Everyone keeps telling me I'm sick. Remember when I had a cough and cold a few weeks ago? Well it never went away. That's not completely true. The tired, run down way I felt went away. The cough is lingering. I have sexy lounge singer voice and I kinda like it. The cough can get annoying and it's not like I feel sick. I don't at all. I'm just coughing and talking all sexy like.
It's just after 8:30pm and I'm ready for bed. I was up before 4am to get to the gym bright and early before I had to drive to Toronto for day 2 of my training. All day training is brutal. The commute home today was so so slow. After I picked Julien up from the sitter, I made us dinner. I'm done eating for the day so bed is naturally next.
During work training, everyone looks at me with pity in their eyes. There were tons of snacks. All carbs. Don't cry for me. I'm good, and I still get exciting food. The first thing I put into My Fitness Pal everyday is my peanut butter and rice cakes as my evening snack. Then I build my macros around that. I look forward to it everyday. It's replaced my wine. See? Good junk food.
Today a coworker asked me what my ultimate fitness goal was. I didn't know how to answer that, but I guess it's to be as strong as I can. Ohhhh! And do pull-ups. Women doing wide grip pull-ups is no easy task. That's the long term goal. My short term goal is to look good naked. I'm going to have to start dating at some point in time. Lights out for me. I've got a date with Tony in the morning...
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| Novermber 23rd... |
I might be smiling all smugly but this also sucks in a way. Remember a couple months ago when I'm all like, "I just bought my first Levis 501 jeans and they're awesome" blah, blah, blah? Well, I can take them off now without unbuttoning them. They cost me $60 which I know goes against my clothing rule, but I wanted them because I've never had Levis before. Note to self. No more purchasing of new clothing for a few more months. It's back to Value Village for me.
Today I went to my mechanic in Scarborough to get an oil change. I've not been there for 3 months. Chris said, "Hi Leigh. You've lost weight again. Like a lot of weight". He didn't even ask how I was. I honestly didn't think it was that noticeable. Tony always tells me that he can't tell because he sees me all the time. Brodie noticed though. And between me and you, Brodie is officially my favourite coach (that I see in person Mondays and Wednesdays), and only second to Shaun who is tied for first with Tony.
I can't pick. All my coaches are awesome in their own way. I'm blessed to have a trifecta of coaches looking out for me and pushing me to my best potential. Back to my photo and my unfortunate giant man hand that's resting on my hip. I swear it doesn't look like that in real life. In other news I finally learned how to make My Story on Instagram. It only took 6 months or however long it's been on Instagram. Macros were close enough today and I've gotta get to sleep. Alarm is set for 4am and it's snowing. I'll need extra time to clean my car off in the morning.
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| November 25th... |
I'm dead. Dead and appetiteless. But I do want to drink all the water. Had to force feed myself dinner. I'm not sure why. I had a pretty gruelling training session with Tony this morning. I did my first dead lifts. My form's not great, but it got better by the 4th set. They'll take a bit of time. Just like everything else I learn to do.
I spent the day in my car. And I was brilliant enough to drive near 2 major malls. Not sure what was going on in my head. The Black Friday crowds were ridiculous. I dressed for comfort and warmth today. I wore leggings and for the first time (probably) ever, I admired my own ass in my reflection of the windows at the King City ONroute. Is it the squats? Back extensions? Donkey kicks? All of the above? I don't care. I just keep doing what my trainers tell me to. They know best.
Last night my girlfriend, Mary came with me to watch Tony's band play in Toronto. It was a fun night and Flash Johnson sounded real good. Something I've noticed over the past couple of months is a difference in my hair. It's growing quickly and feels fuller. It also feels silky. I'm not sure of that has to do with biotin, hair products or macros. Or maybe all three. This post is all over the place. Probably because I keep falling asleep while I'm writing this. Good night. Gotta get up to go to the gym in the morning and then off with Julien to visit my papa.
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| November 27th... |
Wanna know what makes today magical? It's my heavy carb day. First it's coffee time. Then I'm going to eat my rice cakes, peanut butter, banana and chocolate chips. Then I'm going to lift some heavy things. I need to eat something first because I slept in and I'm starving. I think I'm going to go to Harvey's and have a grilled chicken sandwich on a multi-grain bun for lunch. Yesterday was spent in Scarborough with my daddy and the boy. Today the boy and I are going shopping and to see Moana. Exciting times for sure. Good thing I like kids movies. Can't remember the last time I saw a movie I chose. It's been many, many years. Have a wonderful Sunday😊
Until next week...
