The photo says it all!

This message is for many of YOU out there (as well as myself)! In January I participated in I AM CROSSFIT with my team. I always food log, always workout, but not always with intention. So for the challenge I did the benchmark workout, tightened up my nutrition, my training was more focused (Sectionals were in March), and got a body assessment, etc.

After March - end of I AM CROSSFIT and now training for Regionals - I kept up the focused training, continued to food log, but didn't run as much and added a few more margaritas and wine nights in my schedule. I started doing more heavy WODS and added 2 more blocks of protein to my daily intake. I am stronger now than 2 months ago - I am feeling fitter than I've ever felt - my energy and nutrition is good (sans the ritas and pinot). I have been training with intention and adding Advocare performance supplements with the goal of becoming more powerful.

AND THEN IT HAPPENED.....All of a sudden my female brain started telling me I was fat. My clothes fit differently (tighter.....shorter.....) I could 'see' a difference, or so I thought - I could 'feel' a difference and it wasn't good. I got on the scale and it was 6 lbs heavier than in Jan and 4 lbs heavier than in April.

Maybe I should run more - maybe I should cut the protein back down - maybe I should have skipped the "best night ever" with my sister and some wine...YIKES - of course my poor husband has been hearing my 'dilema' for weeks now. He can only say "Lisa, you're crazy. It's in your head. You've just put on muscle" so many times.

First of all, if you're female - you know we don't hear that when it's said! Second of all, if you're male - you know (or should know) not to say that too many times or we'll turn it around. All of a sudden we hear that you're agreeing that we ARE FAT. Otherwise, the right answer is "You're crazy - you look thinner than ever - Just put on this dress (so you can't feel how tight your jeans are...)"
RIGHT???

This past weekend I made a decision. I decided to stick with my jeans instead of a dress choice for Nicole's dinner party. Every time I felt the difference in the way they fit I let it be a reminder of how strong I am, how much hard work I've put in, and how prepared I am for Regionals this weekend! I also decided, on Monday I would march into CrossFit Central - ask Carey to help me with another body assessment. I had the food log and the training log staring at me with proof that I was fit - strong - and by no means should be feeling badly. But I wanted the numbers.
January: weight 142lbs, body fat 15.3%
Today: weight 148lbs, body fat 14%
That means I lost less than 1/2 lb of fat but added 6 solid pounds of muscle and less than 2" overall.

I spent hours of my time frustrated with tight jeans - short shorts - etc. In reality, I should be celebrating my strength and hard work. Often our heads get the best of us. We forget where we came from - what we are really working toward - how other priorities in our life affect our physical state - that our bodies naturally fluctuate a few pounds with season, etc. For these reasons, I keep a food log and workout journal all the time - even on vacation! I understand that might not work for everyone. However, I encourage you to take a real look at the circumstances and situation before you choose to belittle yourself rather than celebrate what you are and what you have.