Week 16-- Progress Pictures & Update

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want."  --Jim Rohn

I have 17 days left and boy am I ready for the day to come.  As you can see I haven’t been as diligent with my blog posts as I would like mostly because I have been unsure of what I wanted to share.  The past six weeks has been hard mentally, physically and emotionally.  I moved to two a day work outs along with my full time job, school four nights a week and balancing family, friends and some what of a personal life.  Thing is I look at people like Jennifer Hennessey, a full time Mom of two that is married and works as an Emergency Vet three days a week on little to no sleep and still produces amazing results so I have to keep reminding myself that if others can do it so can I.  I have found myself being guilty at times of unintentionally being what I like to call a “Debbie Downer” because of what I am doing and that is unfair.  It gives the lifestyle a bad wrap and unfair to others around me.  Waking up for cardio in the mornings and go back in the evenings really isn’t appealing at this point if I am being honest!  I miss the random Happy Hours with my girl friends and the social aspect of my life.  Not to say that I am not social right now but there is a difference in having the choice to drink or eat something rather than just totally not able to indulge.  I don’t anticipate I will ever be the same after all of this is over, I have just learned too much about myself to go back to my old ways but finding a good balance is my goal.
If you are reading this and competing use this time to really prepare yourself of what your goals are after the show and how you’ll maintain the BEST you.  Being three weeks out right now this is the hardest time for you as you’re just anxious to show your hard work and balance back out.  Also, I have been guilty of this and it refers to the quote above but don’t compare yourself to others.  Be happy with what your body has produced and be confident in that…I am working on that myself.  You’ll probably freak out like I did and worry you’re not ready but just stay focused and trust those around you of your progress.  I just want you to know that this is where it gets hard and where doubt sets in so be prepared for it and surround yourself with people who will support you and encourage you.  I have been lucky to have this which is a blessing.  Just hang in there and stay focused.
 I am now at 13.5% body fat as of 9/26/2011 and so that means in 3 months I have lost a total of 16.8% body fat….which is totally crazy and honestly still shocks me.  My skin hasn’t quite caught up and tightened up but it’s going to take some time to get there.  I have met and surpassed my personal goal totally so for that I am extremely happy.  My focus now is to embrace my results thus far and build on them for the rest of my life.  The competition has been the fire under my booty to get me here but the biggest challenge is to find my realistic body fat to maintain and a balance in my social life as well.

Results....
9/26/2011-
Body Fat:  13.5%
Body Weight:  108 lbs
Fat Pounds: 14.58
Lean Body Mass: 93.42

Love,
Diane

Front at 13.5% body fat, 108 lbs

Side at 13.5% body fat, 108 lbs

Back at 13.5% body fat, 108 lbs