Re: nonsensical blah self pitying rant

[Guest guest]

:

You're not alone in feeling this way! Every time I change my routine

(around 4-6 weeks), I get a " down " feeling. I think it's because I

kind of " get into a groove " and that gets upset when I change up the

exercises. Also, I usually have to drop the weights a bit, too,

because the exercises are different. So, that's a bit of a mental

let down as well. The good thing is that after another workout or

two, you'll feel good about it again.

Tom Venuto talks about one's " comfort zone " and how you can't stay

in it to make progress. That's what I think happens here-- we get

into a comfort zone and when we change it, it's uncomfortable. Just

remember that by making yourself uncomfortable, you're going to make

progress.

And... speaking of that, I've been meaning to post this for a while

for all you ladies in the 6 week range of C1. I've begun studying to

become a personal trainer (it's going to take me a while) and in one

of my textbooks it says:

" After 6 to 8 weeks, muscle fiber hypertrophy [growth of muscle

fibers] becomes obvious and clearly contributes to increased

strength. "

This means that very soon you (and others) will start seeing your

muscles. Just hang in there.

You might ask, " so what was happening before now " ? Apparently, your

body was going through neural adaptations, which resulted in

actually using _fewer_ muscle fibers to lift heavier loads. Once

your neurons figure out which muscle fibers to use, it calls on them

consistently and _that_ causes muscle growth...pretty cool, actually.

Don't blame your free day (or the extra plum!) for your (perceived)

lack of results. Just keep doing the plan and you'll see progress. I

didn't see much of any change for 8 weeks, then near the end of C1,

good stuff started happening.

Keep going. You're doing great!

Marie

> I don't really know why I'm posting this, but I guess putting it

in

> writing and posting it somewhere might help.

>

> Well, I'm in week 6 now. So far so good. No major slip-ups,

> workouts going well, haven't missed one. But I feel like I've

lost

> the passion for it. The gloss has worn off, and I need a way to

stay

> motivated. I haven't seen any changes in myself for almost 2

weeks.

> And since there is only 6 weeks to go I really want to see

changes!

> I'm blaming everything, free-day, that sauce I ate, even my

partner

> for not watching my form when he's helping me.

>

> I DO remind myself of all my reasons for doing it, and they are

all

> very valid. It's just motivation. I'm NOT motivated by negative

> things like my before photos, I AM motivated by positive things

like

> praise from my S.O. & compliments from work-mates. I think I need

a

> new angle to focus on. What do you do when you're feeling a bit

lost?

>

> I think part of the problem is that I've changed to a new workout,

> mostly using exercises I've never done before. It's frustrating

for

> me, and I feel like I haven't had a decent workout with some

things.

> I know changing workouts is important, but it's kinda bringing me

> down.

>

> Well that's my rant. I had an extra plum for lunch today, so

maybe

> that's making me feel guilty.. lol

>

> in NZ

> C1W6D3

[Guest guest]

I'm only in week two and I think it's great that you've made it to week 6. Give

yourself

props for what you've accomplished. I'm a real skeptic about affirmations, but

I'm

trying them all the same. I change the reasons I wrote when I started into

present

statements. So " I want to be proud of myself " becomes " I am proud of myself. " It

took

me about 5 minutes of silent repetition before I felt any change in my

confidence

level.

Anyway, good luck. From what you wrote, I think you're working hard and deserve

to

let pride be your motivation for a while.

> I don't really know why I'm posting this, but I guess putting it in

> writing and posting it somewhere might help.

>

> Well, I'm in week 6 now. So far so good. No major slip-ups,

> workouts going well, haven't missed one. But I feel like I've lost

> the passion for it. The gloss has worn off, and I need a way to stay

> motivated. I haven't seen any changes in myself for almost 2 weeks.

> And since there is only 6 weeks to go I really want to see changes!

> I'm blaming everything, free-day, that sauce I ate, even my partner

> for not watching my form when he's helping me.

>

> I DO remind myself of all my reasons for doing it, and they are all

> very valid. It's just motivation. I'm NOT motivated by negative

> things like my before photos, I AM motivated by positive things like

> praise from my S.O. & compliments from work-mates. I think I need a

> new angle to focus on. What do you do when you're feeling a bit lost?

>

> I think part of the problem is that I've changed to a new workout,

> mostly using exercises I've never done before. It's frustrating for

> me, and I feel like I haven't had a decent workout with some things.

> I know changing workouts is important, but it's kinda bringing me

> down.

>

> Well that's my rant. I had an extra plum for lunch today, so maybe

> that's making me feel guilty.. lol

>

> in NZ

> C1W6D3

[Guest guest]

hi rachel,

as you already know, you and i started on the same day and i'm having

the same half-way point feelings that you are. in fact, my eating is

kind of cleanish, but not completely strict. not so much that i'm

eating unauthorized foods (well... some..), but that i'm not tracking

my food as well as i could/should be.

one thing that helps me keep on track is a promise that i made to

myself early on to complete three challenges and nothing else before

even considering anything other than bfl. this decision is supported

by the fact that i already know beyond a shadow of a doubt that bfl

works for anyone committed enough to follow it consistently. all that

i need to do is make a commitment to myself (daily, often with lots

of whining)-- and i'll get to where i want to be.

i wish the same for you. that you will continue to make yourself a

priority and commit to following through, regardless of the negative

thoughts and feelings you encounter.

focus, darling. we're right here with you.

xo,

lia

[Guest guest]

*snip*

> works for anyone committed enough to follow it consistently. all

that

> i need to do is make a commitment to myself (daily, often with lots

> of whining)-- and i'll get to where i want to be.

*snip*

I LOVE this comment! I guess we all end up having to accept that

sometimes we're going to whine and b*tch and moan, and then just do

it anyway!

Phoenix

[Guest guest]

,

I haven't seen any changes either. I'm in week 7 I believe, maybe 8.

My measurements appear to be the same, BUT I just tell myself that

even if I don't see changes the next 4-5 weeks, I hvbe made some

great progress this challenge. I'm sure you have too. Plus I know I

feel so much better physically and mentally when I stick to plan.

Usually what happens is that when you don't see changes for a few

weeks and then suddenly WHAM you see all kinds of changes. I remember

my first challenge feeling this way right now and then again at week

10...but by week 12 I had great results.

Colleen

>

>

> > I don't really know why I'm posting this, but I guess putting it

> in

> > writing and posting it somewhere might help.

> >

> > Well, I'm in week 6 now. So far so good. No major slip-ups,

> > workouts going well, haven't missed one. But I feel like I've

> lost

> > the passion for it. The gloss has worn off, and I need a way to

> stay

> > motivated. I haven't seen any changes in myself for almost 2

> weeks.

> > And since there is only 6 weeks to go I really want to see

> changes!

> > I'm blaming everything, free-day, that sauce I ate, even my

> partner

> > for not watching my form when he's helping me.

> >

> > I DO remind myself of all my reasons for doing it, and they are

> all

> > very valid. It's just motivation. I'm NOT motivated by negative

> > things like my before photos, I AM motivated by positive things

> like

> > praise from my S.O. & compliments from work-mates. I think I

need

> a

> > new angle to focus on. What do you do when you're feeling a bit

> lost?

> >

> > I think part of the problem is that I've changed to a new

workout,

> > mostly using exercises I've never done before. It's frustrating

> for

> > me, and I feel like I haven't had a decent workout with some

> things.

> > I know changing workouts is important, but it's kinda bringing me

> > down.

> >

> > Well that's my rant. I had an extra plum for lunch today, so

> maybe

> > that's making me feel guilty.. lol

> >

> > in NZ

> > C1W6D3