So it’s that time of the week where I get to share what has been happening with my nutrition and training. I think I actually forgot to mention the reason for such a large weight drop in a short period of time. In 11 days’ time I will be competing in my first ever weightlifting competition for Cougars Weightlifting club. My Coach told me not to worry about dropping and that I would sit well in the 75kg category, but, just because I like to challenge myself and I wanted to see what my own clients feel like when they have to drop weight rapidly, I have decided to drop to the 69kg category. It is and will be a good learning experience for me!!
So now you understand why I am doing what I am doing, I will give you an update about the last week. So I was sticking to my nutrition and training as in my first post very closely for about a week. I felt leaner and was seeing some crazy increases in my strength at the same time! I was feeling good! Then it came around to weigh in day, last Thursday morning and I had only lost half a kilo L and boy was I devastated with life! I had put in so much effort, hard work and dedication into seeing a good result that I only lost 500 lousy grams.
For most of my clients, I would be ecstatic with 500g and would be happy to continue on, but I am training harder, longer and eating less than what I normally would. So I was guttered and struggling to decide what to do next. Should I just not worry about dropping because I didn’t have too, but then fighting with myself that I set myself a goal to do in the next three weeks and I want to prove to myself I can do it. I did pretty much through a tantrum….well kind of to one of my good friends who is also training with me. We have both been helping each another lose the weight, motivate each other, or in this case, whine about why our bodies can’t work like the average person!
I do know why I did not lose much body weight though for that exact reason, it stopped functioning well, which happens regularly unfortunately, mainly because of trying to figure out what works and doesn’t work in regards to the Low FODMAP diet. On Thursday I was bloated, constipated (sorry for the details) I did not feel or look good, and I think that is the reason for the lack of loss. Also my strength went up in a number of lifts, and I felt like my legs where becoming bigger and stronger – so there could have been a little muscle mass gain.
But in saying that, weightlifting is still a body weight sport. I still need to lose weight on the scales. So after my little tantrum – I did something that I know I shouldn’t have, I ate carob chocolate – it is one of my favourite foods. I am an emotional eater and I know that and am working on my control. But I was still disappointed in myself for breaking, but at the same time, I did not allow it to unravel my self-control. I find with my clients, this is the point where they lose control, and go crazy. They think oh I have already ruined the day, I might as well keep going. It may make you feel better at the time, but in the long run, you will look at yourself in the mirror or at the scales the next day and feel worse. Then things go one of two ways. 1. You pick yourself back up and decide to truly make a change or 2. You become upset and then just eat more as a result. I chose to start again straight away. I prevent a blow out and I am happy about that.
The next morning everything both in my diet and training changed. I messaged my Crossfit coach and told him I had only lost 500g and he told me it is time to do more intense steady state work in jumpers and tights or tracksuit pants/jumpers. So the last 4 days have included one hour either running, rowing or on the ski ergo. Very mentally tough!
I also cut out the majority of carbohydrates out of my diet. WHICH I HATE and goes against what I promote, but for me to drop body weight – not body fat! I have to do it. I will be losing the glycogen stores In my muscles and liver rather than actual body fat. I will still lose body fat, but not that much in this short period of time.
So my breakfast has changed to a smoothie including protein powder a small banana and berries, for lunch I have taken out the slice of bread and added in pumpkin and then dinner has changed from sweet potato to pumpkin. I found out a couple days ago I have to moderate its intake!! I am a little devastated about that. No GF muesli bar and just fruit pre training. I still have the corn thins, but just plain. And lots and lots of fluid.
Now let me tell you I HATE IT haha. I am constantly hungry unless I am distracted or training. I find myself finding it harder to concentrate on work and am easily distracted. Plus I really don’t like cardio, that’s why I love weightlifting so much, unless I have to do 7 reps!! Eek. But it has worked!! Today I weighed in 2.7kgs lighter than when I started dropping 10 days ago. Which means I have to lose about 300g a day to reach my goal by next Saturday! It is a good goal to have in mind, and I think is achievable – well at this stage if I keep my mindset right.
Now I think this is where I need to say, this is not sustainable, there is no way I will continue to do an extra hour of steady state work every day after this competition. I will regain probably 1-2kgs afterwards because I have depleted my glycogen stores, and once I eat carbs again I will regain it. Carbohydrates are so important for recovery and mental function, there is no way I will ever keep them out of my diet. It is only a quick fix, definitely something that I will be able to maintain for the rest of my life!!
My challenge to you and what I want you to think about this week is, what do you do when you falter, or there are issues with family, work or relationships. Is your diet and training the first thing that goes? Why?? Most of these issues which happen are usually out of your control. But your actions as a result of these issues ARE in your control. You choose what to say, how to act, what you eat, how much you train. How you react in these situations will set your weight loss journey apart from everyone else. Control what you can control. My life was turned upside down over the last month, but I decided to take control of what I could…my training and diet, and I am seeing the results I want. You can make the decision to be better and to take charge of your own life. It may sound selfish, especially if you have a family to look after or bills to pay. But you will always be able to make or find time. There is always a solution, you just have to be willing and proactive in finding one.
You are in control of your own destiny, work towards it, but the rate at which you do it is completely up to you. Go after it ladies and gents!!