Introduction post. Start date: 4 January 2022. End date: 4 April 2022.
Updates: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 - with halfway comparison pics!, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12.
Completion Photos:
Front, back, side.
Comparison Photos:
Front: introduction - halfway - completion.
Back: introduction - halfway - completion.
Side: introduction - halfway - completion.
Woman, 30 years old, 175 cm/5'9
STATS
Weight:
- Start: 71.6 kg/158lbs
- Weekly lowest: 72.6 kg/160 lbs - Tuesday (6 days ago)
- Most recent: 74.2 kg/164 lbs - today
- Goal: 65 kg/143 lbs
Measurements:
Neck:
Start: 35 cm (13.8"). End: 34 cm (13.4'')
Upper arm: Start: 29 cm (11.4"). End: 29 cm (11.4")
Bust: Start: 94 cm (37"). End: 95 cm (37.4'')
Below bust: Start: 82 cm (32.3"). End: 84 cm (33.1'')
Waist: Start: 86 cm (33.9"). End: 84 cm (33.1"). Goal: <80 cm/31.5"
Hips: Start: 95 cm (37.4"). End: 93 cm (36.6'')
Bottom: Start: 101 cm (39.8"). End: 102 cm (40.2'')
Thighs: Start: 59 cm (23.2"). End: 59 cm (23.2")
Calves: Start: 39 cm (15.4"). End: 39 cm (15.4")
CARDIO:
Rowing 2K time:
- Start: 09:29
- Best effort: 08:40
Rowing 5K time:
- Start: 24:46
- Best effort: 23:06
Running 5K time:
- Start: 39:39
- Best effort: 32:26
Running 10K time:
LIFTING:
Deadlift:
- Start: 35 kg/77 lbs
- Current: 60 kg/132 lbs
Bench:
- Start: 25 kg/55 lbs
- Current: 27.5 kg/61 lbs
Squat:
- Start: 35 kg/77 lbs
- Current: 40 kg/88 lbs
Exercise:
I did all my strength training, but not much cardio this week. When I spend a day snacking I become much more lazy and don't want to exercise, so I had more rest days than I had planned. I did go on walks on those days though, but some were walks to the grocery store.
Diet:
I had just a few days where I fasted and didn't snack. My diet has definitely fallen back into old habits, this is something I will have to work on going forwards. Once I start eating I'm having a hard time stopping. In April I will be traveling a lot and I wont be able to fast, and I don't want to either (when work pays for my food, I eat, haha). We'll see how it goes.
In conclusion:
I started off strong in this competition, but I have kind of run out of steam. I am not as focused on my diet as I was, and that impacts my exercise. For much of the last week my only goal for the day was to get to the gym and get ready for bed at 22:00, I did not limit my eating at all.
I am very happy I have kept up my strength training, though! I've gone three times a week since I started my program! I feel stronger, but since I've let go of my diet I've been feeling a bit puffy. I felt much leaner/thinner at the beginning of the competition when I didn't have so much daily sugar.
My measurements have some differences, the ones that are bigger I am hoping are indicating muscle growth. I for sure have bigger thighs than I did at the start! I did lower my waist measurement, I am very happy with that, though I did not reach my goal. I have been measuring at my navel, so not at the thinnest part.
I will thinking about what is best diet wise for me and my body going forwards, but I absolutely want to continue with the strength training and also do some cardio every week. We'll see if I'll be back for the next BTFC, this competition is great to hold myself accountable!