Baby Got Back...Fat

I found a shipping bag in my closet the other day while getting ready for work.  It was from the athleticwear company Fabletics.  I love Fabletics.  The company was started by Kate Hudson, and sells cute, quality, workout gear to their members for a lot less than say, Lululemon or Athleta.  I've been a member for over a year now, but haven't purchased anything for several months.

I was curious.  What had I ordered?  I'm famous for having scads of clothes hanging in my closet with the tags still on them, but this hadn't even made it out of the bag yet.  So, I opened it up to see what was inside of said mystery bag.  I found a cute pair of raspberry and wine colored compression workout pants and a sweat-wicking, racerback, yoga style tank top in the same colors.  Then it all came flooding back to me....they were way, waaaay too tight.  I had purchased them in January, but needed to return them because they were hopelessly too small.  Ergo, why they were still in the shipping bag.  

I clearly remember trying on that tank top when it first arrived.  It was disastrous.  Two words: back fat.  The drama is real.  The tank was advertised as slightly fitted.  However, I doubt by "fitted" they meant "so skin tight that the bottom rolls up and entire portions of the shirt disappear into fat rolls" kind of fitted.  I hardly think Kate Hudson would be happy with me wearing her clothes around town in that manner.  Not the greatest advertisement.  In fact, Kate would likely sue me for defamation of her good reputation.  And rightly so.  I'd certainly get tossed out of my gym, at the very least.

As I was about to throw the shirt back in the bag out of sheer disgust, and go all Scarlet "I'll worry about this tomorrow" O'Hara on the whole situation, something made me stop and hold the shirt up and look at it one more time.  It looked like it might sort of fit me. Hmmm...  So, I trepidatiously tried it on.  I was in shock!  It was fitted but not tight, just as advertised.  Had I actually lost some inches on this journey?!  No way!  C'mon...

I rushed to grab my trusty measuring tape, and quickly stripped down to my skivvies.  I was astounded!  I double and triple-checked my numbers to be sure.  Alas, I was actually down!  I had lost two whole inches in my chest/back fat area!  I needed to hurry up and get ready for work, but I couldn't resist taking another minute to measure my belly as well.  Lo and behold, I was down a solid inch in my belly fat area!  I was flabbergasted.  This whole journey might actually be working.   

I admit I noticed that lately my bras have been fitting more comfortably.  I have been tugging and pulling at them a lot less than usual.  Also, instead of my bras rolling up like a string and disappearing between the bulges of fat on my back, they have been laying a bit flatter and nicer as of late.  Not perfect, but definitely more normal fitting.   Of course, I assumed that my bras had just stretched out.  I never once thought it could be that I might be getting thinner.  It was completely more logical to me that every single bra I owned had somehow stretched out, than it was for me to think that I might've actually lost some inches.  Classic.

In case you are wondering, yes, I tried on the compression pants.  No dice.  Well, actually, I can get them on now, unlike before.  But I would seriously be mortified if anyone (including my dog) saw me wearing them at this stage of the game.  I hope to fit into them in time for my Zombie 5k run in 6 weeks.  Will keep you posted.   Either way, this baby may have too much "back" right now to wear those compression pants comfortably, but I also have less "back fat" and that's a win.  I'll take it.  YAY!!

Rock on.

Getting Some Traction

Yesterday, in my Zumba class, the instructor mentioned how we should wear shoes with less traction to help with the fast-paced dance steps and pivoting turns involved in Zumba.  She said it's not required, but it helps prevent knee injuries.  She explained that the traction on running shoes grips the floor too much, causing your foot to stay in place when the rest of your body is shimmying around...causing injured knees.  I've always worn running shoes to Zumba in the past, and over half the class had running shoes on, so I am not overly concerned.  But I did notice that those not wearing running shoes were also the ones who were doing the steps and turns like an old pro. Hmm...maybe the instructor was right.

Not sure if I am going to invest in special Zumba shoes, but I was more mindful of my knees for the remainder of the class.  Luckily, no injured knees, but I am so sore.  I feel a kind of sore today that I have never experienced with running or yoga.  A "good" kind of soreness, like I remember from workouts of yore.  My booty and hip flexors have that "day after a hard workout" kind of thing going on, and it feels really good.  It's nice to know those muscles are still there, despite the years of neglect.  Every time I feel my sore muscles, it is a reminder that I did something good for myself.  To quote John Cougar, it hurts so good.

As my instructor issued her "if you wear traction in class, you will end up in traction outside of class" warning (I'm paraphrasing, of course), I couldn't help but think of what a great metaphor all of her "traction" talk was for my current journey.  

There are times that life is a dance party and I can shimmy from one day to the next.  Other times, I may need some extra traction to make it up the hill.  Either way, it's all a part of the journey and I'm proud of myself for taking it.  It's the toughest thing I've ever done, but it hurts so good.  

  

The Venus Spectrum

As I am sure you have figured out by now, I am in no way an athlete.   I'm also not some slovenly, fat chick sitting on my couch all day, eating bonbons.  I'm overweight but I enjoy walking my dog, swimming, bike riding, etc.  Left to my own devices though, I would never choose to willingly participate in "sports."

When it comes to being athletic, I am more Venus of Willendorf than I am Venus Williams.  And I am okay with that...well, sorta.  I mean, I know I will never have a rock hard body like Venus Williams (mostly because I don't want to work quite as hard as she does).  However, I do need to be a lot fitter than my current state of fattitude. I'd be happy just to be somewhere in the middle of the "Venus Spectrum."  I'm thinking more like Venus de Milo...but with arms.

I am moving in the right direction though. I've been consistently working out, eating better, and losing weight...slowly but surely. I am plugging away on my C25k program, I do yoga several times a week, and I recently started trying to incorporate a few push-ups here and there (more on that last part at another time).   

As I've mentioned before, this journey is not just about weight loss, it's also about getting past my old hang-ups and becoming a better me.  Keeping that in mind, I think the better version of me should be more well-rounded in the working out/sports department.  Who knows, maybe I'm all "Sporty Spice" underneath of this fat-suit.  I've never tried to figure that out before.

Note to self: add Wannabe by the Spice Girls to my "Guilty Pleasures" playlist. 

I need to shake things up a bit - find out what would really be fun for me.  If I want to remain healthy long term, I need to find something that I will stick with long after I reach my goal weight.

Last week at the gym, while my friend and I were on the treadmill training for our Zombie 5k (read: sweating, crying, and gasping for air), we noticed what appeared to be a Zumba class in session on the first floor.  We briefly discussed how we should start taking Zumba classes again, how much fun it was, and the crazy amount of calories we could burn in a one-hour class. (Allegedly the average person burns roughly 500 calories (or more) per class.  Aw, yeah...)

It's been quite some time since we've been to a Zumba class. So, my friend/running mate/Zumba partner took charge!  A few days after our run, she stopped back in at the gym and checked out the class.  She said the teacher was great, and the routine was fun.  Perfect!   We start Saturday!  This is exactly what I needed to kick things up a notch!  I secretly would love to be all Sporty Spice....truth be told.

My friend and I used to love taking group exercise classes, and Zumba was always a favorite.  The funny thing is, I actually suck at Zumba.  I'm always grapevining left when the rest of the class is grapevining right.  I am facing the wrong direction most of the time, and I'm shaking my booty when I am supposed to be "popping" it.  It would be seriously embarrassing if it were not so comical.  

Either way, I always end up dancing my butt off to the Latin remixes of today's hits loudly pumping from the speakers...and that is what counts. Zumba is exhausting (even my eyelids sweat, I swear!), but spirits are always high. Every single person is having fun and getting in some great cardio at the same time.  Total win/win!  I may not be playing a sport, but it's something different, and definitely a fun step in the right direction.  Just what this Venus is looking for.    

Shop Local

I realized earlier today that other than the upcoming Zombie 5k, I don't really have any short-term goals set for myself.  I think that's an important part of the journey.  So, I started thinking about which short-term goals have motivated me in the past.  

I remember once having a "goal outfit" to inspire me.  I picked out an outfit that I really loved, but that was also way, waaaay too small for me.  I hung it on the back of my bathroom door so that I would see it every time I stepped out of the shower.  When I looked at it every day, I would visualize myself wearing it...down to the shoes.  The thing is, that outfit wasn't even really anything special.  It was just a simple new work outfit.  But it may as well have been haute couture, as far as I was concerned...I liked it that much.  

You know, having that goal really worked!  I met that goal, and I wore that outfit all the time.  I loved it every time I wore it.  It fit me exactly as I had visualized.  The pants were wide-legged and made of this beautiful navy blue, drapey kind of material.  They were gorgeous. The shirt was a delicate, short-sleeved, polka-dotted, girly blouse.  Totally classic. Whenever I wore that outfit, I felt like I was on the runway for Valentino, at Fashion Week.   I will never forget how good that felt.  That was a great goal to set for myself.  

So this Labor Day, while everyone else is off having their last fling with summer - swimming, boating, cooking out -  I will be spending my holiday "shopping" in my closet.  It's time to pick out a new goal outfit.  I have a lot of brandnew clothes I've never worn, so I am excited to look through everything.  It's going to be a fun day!

Who knows?  Maybe I'll choose those cute bellbottom jeans that still have the tags on them and the ivory boho top....or that cute black dress I've never been able to wear, but often look at and admire.  I may even find something I've completely forgotten about altogether!  It's going to be fun picking something out, and I'll be organizing my closet in the process!  Win/win!

I've learned from previous diets that it's critical to have short-term goals like this one.  It makes things fun and interesting, and it keeps your mind occupied while you're on the journey toward your bigger, ultimate goal. 

It's good to use the "mini-goals" as distractions along the way, because sometimes the end goal can seem so far off and insurmountable.  Plus, every single time you achieve one of the smaller, more easily attainable goals, it gives you more and more confidence. The classic snowball effect, you know?  The plan is to be so busy achieving small goals that you don't even think about the big goal...until you get there.  

It's decided then...a new goal outfit it is!  So, for now, I'm off to channel my inner "Anna Wintour" and find the perfect outfit...right here in my own closet!  

Have a great Labor Day, my friends.

**striking a pose in Florida**