Complacency Has No Room

I went to the gym today not to workout as I cannot (and don't want since it's the time of the month) but to while away the time waiting for my appointment in the nearby office. I thought of weighing in. Great! 1 lb less versus last week - a pound or 2 a week. :) But my fat free mass was retained.

Honestly I was getting conscious of my eating the past days because I have not disciplined myself from eating chips and a few spoonfuls of white rice with corned beef and lean pork. I also had white pasta in creamy sauce during the get together with my high school friends.

I tend to have a huge appetite whenever my monthly visitor is nearing. I even had my longganisa and half cup of garlic rice one morning at one of those fast food chains. I haven't done this in a looong while. I have to say I can't consume a plateful of rice now. I don't know if it's psychological or my body has adapted to the a-few spoons-of-rice-only habit. But still I know I am eating a little more than I used to the past months.

Muscle and Fat

I weighed in last week to find out that I retained my weight from three weeks ago. Hmmmm...I didn't quite like it. But my fat mass decreased by 1.4 lbs. That should be good. According to the trainers and from reading a lot of health and fitness articles, I know that I should be watching my fat mass and not just my total weight. It could be that one is losing weight but retaining fat. Muscles are not formed/maintained or the muscles are lost for some reasons I'm going to post in succeeding entries. This defeats the purpose of keeping a lean figure and a healthier body.

On the other hand, one could increase or retain weight compared to a couple of weeks but with a lower fat mass which means muscles are being formed and the fats are going away. Muscles are heavier but occupies smaller space hence one looks lean and firm but could be heavier. Whereas one looks flabby if fats are retained.

One clear indication that you are going in the right direction in terms of weight management is your measurement. Just check if your skirt or pants are getting all lose in spite of having the same weight. If they feel like they got bigger and you're shrinking wearing them, right on. Muscles are forming and the fats melted, to oblivion hopefully.

Body Balance

It's a good thing I attended body balance yesterday. I had second thoughts because the room was quite full already when I came in. The only vacant space was in the front row near the left side of the stage. I have to say I get conscious when I am in front especially in this kind of class because I am not confident with my moves.

Surprisingly I was not as conscious. I was confident of what I was doing. I just went for it. Like my motto for the past weeks now, JUST DO IT. I want to believe my self-confidence comes from the way my body is now. I have the right weight. It was easier for me to do the moves. I feel so light.

BODYBALANCE™ is the Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates workout that builds flexibility and strength and leaves you feeling centered and calm. Controlled breathing, concentration and a carefully structured series of stretches, moves and poses to music create a holistic workout that brings the body into a state of harmony and balance.

Increase Your Metabolism

One of my concerns, specially when I was starting with my weight management, is how to increase my metabolism. I have no scientific basis but I just knew then I have a very slow metabolism. I work five days a week but mostly my time is spent at the office, sitting on my chair or sitting on a meeting for hours on end. Not much physical activity, right? But my officemates are able to manage their weight even if we have almost the same activities. I don't know what they do at home but I sure gain weight faster than they do.

Since I got serious with my weight management I've been checking how to increase my metabolism. I need about 1,250 calories a day and anything beyond that I should burn. So far I have a constant weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs a week which should indicate my metabolism is working well compared before. Thanks to regular exercise and consistent managing of my food intake.

Gym Fatigue? I Just Do It.

I guess this happens to everyone, even to those we call gym rats. Too much of anything will tire us. Boredom strikes when some activities are part of our routine.

I still go to the gym regularly, like five times a week. I just noticed I give some effort to do all the work outs I need to do unlike the past weeks and months that merely thinking about them excites me. They make me want to go to the gym right away.

Is this boredom or complacency? I am so close to my weight goal that a little voice tells me to take it easy now. I can pass some of the exercises I do or decrease the number of repetitions. I followed the voice twice already. But today I went back to my regular treadmill time and running time. I stick to the number of reps for my weights.