When Maintaining is Not Enough

I shouldn't be writing this. I am frustrated and severely lacking motivation. But I work hard to make this blog real- all of my ups and downs in striving to be "healthy ashley." So I write tonight to represent women who are frustrated when their hard work just doesn't pay off.

Tonight I used the LifeCenter at my gym (a small booth that measures and tracks weight, cholesterol, heart rate, body fat, etc.) before my appointment with my personal trainer. End result: the numbers are the same as two months ago. All the numbers are the same. Even body fat- so it's not like I've just "gained muscle."
I feel great. I'm happy and strong and feel tight all over (woohoo!). But I am over the weight I should be. I don't fit into my normal jeans-- and I really don't fit into my skinny jeans.

So I get new workouts from a personal trainer every week, exercise as much as I can, limit my calories and eat mostly whole foods. Yet I maintain. It pisses me off.

Really I know I need to hit the calorie range 1400-1500 each day and I will lose, but right now I'm really upset that the things I'm doing already should be working... yet nothing changes at all.

So tonight I cut my workout short, ate a bowl of cereal and am going to bed without cleaning the house.

So when you're fed up and need to quit for the day, it's okay. You're not alone. Tomorrow I will think of my half marathon in January, how strong I am from my new workouts and the nutrients I consciously put into my body each day. But tonight I am pissed that every stupid number stayed the same. And my jeans still won't fit.

Like I Won An Oscar

After church Sunday morning I was browsing the internet to find something to do when.. wowsa! Health and Fitness Show?!?!?!?!?! That's for me!! Needless to say, I quickly assured David of how he too was incredibly excited and just must attend this wonderful event.

"The show will feature over 150 exhibitors in the health and fitness industry, aligned down three tracks entitled: Family Fitness, The Active Adult, and The Serious Athlete."This show will feature several tracks that will appeal to a wide range of individuals," said Todd Johnson, the show's director. "Our goal is to bring motivated health-centric people together with top-of the-line providers, so everyone wins, especially the residents of Orlando."

We basically walked to all of the tables that were giving away something free! It was $10 to get in- we were going to get our money's worth! I'll post some product reviews later, but I have to tell you about my favorite part!

There was a table of personal trainers who were giving free body fat tests. I was curious, so I signed up. She asked my height, weight and age. Stand there a minute holding a contraption...

17.1% !!!!!!!!

Lady: "Wow! Wow. Well, I guess we don't have to tell you anything. What do you do?!?! That is so impressive!"

I felt like a rock star!

She proceeded to show all of the other trainers my great results as I told them all about my exercise routine and diet.

Here's a guideline on body fat percentages:

Yes, 17.1% is A-T-H-L-E-T-E! Not even Fitness- Athlete! I was so super excited after hearing that. It's a nice treat to see my healthy efforts are paying off within my body even if I am unhappy with my weight. On the other hand, I now have to live up to this! I want to keep this 17.1%! That will be on my mind next time I want to skip a run or eat another bowl of ice cream! Whatever it takes, right? =)

I couldn't wait to get home and tell all of you. Seriously.. 17.9%! Yay!