Brat's Fall 2005 Commitment

[CF-OC_gal]

NEW JOB ... NEW GYM ... SAME GOALS ....

Just going to take it according to Plan B. Since my career has shifted a bit I definately won't be doing the running thing so fast this fall. (not bad. I started on my own again in the spring, get noticed, offered and bought out all in one season!) I need to get my follow-up done before I'll able to not worry about the iron thing creeping up. So I'll be aiming for the 5K in March (Plan B) and getting back to the weights. More later as I plan it out.

[CF-OC_gal]

Just finished first week of new job. Ha! It's a lot more physical than it's supposed to be, but I was prefpared for that. I get totally exhaused by the end of the day. Thank god I have paid attention to keeping up with functional fitness stuff. I may not have been flipping or pulling tractor tires but I had my own version of tire manoeuvers having to relocate a stack of 4 ATV wheels w/tires in order to claim my workspace. They look like toy tires but they are heavy!

Got my blood results. Yah!
The iron is good again, right up there!
Thyroid is ticking along nicely.
My cholesterol levels are still better than normal for an under 30 y.o. even though I am not. (Total= 164, HDL=73 , LDL= 77.4 , Trig. = 29.4)

The bottom line is that I'm not cutting back on the fats in my diet yet! As a matter of fact I've been eating more marbled beef in order to boost my iron intake and it seems to be working. I'm also able to keep my weight between 130-132 lbs and I'm liking the mirror image! I found one website that recommended I eat 4000+ calories a day if I want to gain weight with my level of activity stats and lifestyle!

[CF-OC_gal]

Well I have new milestones to report but they didn't happen in the gym or on the road. I guess this is what functional fitness is all about! I'm not going to run down my daily activities but it's the stamina and effort I was able to put into breaking down and rebuilding my workshop in the new location in just 3 days that is worthy of mention. The worst part is they built steps to the mezzanine for me (my space) and no phone or desk there yet. My butt (glute) aches at the end of the day from running stairs.

This weekend I put away all the outdoor stuff and tore up the flower beds. The most notable thing was that I managed to easily put away the patio umbrella myself. Big deal you think? It's 8.5 feet tall, top heavy (about 60+lbs) and has to be lifted 18" straight up in the air to remove it from the base. (It's a 10x10 commercial side pole Arquati design) Not only did it remove it but I also laid it down without crashing and then carried it around to storage. I would rather be able to do that then do a chin up. It was a first and I've had the thing for 8 years!

I'm now 132-134 lbs, still wearing the same size pants. My arms legs and upper chest still are stringy thin although I'm packing it in the right places (my face and thighs).

At this point I have no reason to go back to my former routine yet. I'm now seeing the need for stretching out regularly though. Life is good!

[ajarvis]

Those are the kind of gains, and proof of strength I like to see. It feels more real :

[CF-OC_gal]

Thanks. I feel older and younger both at the same time!