The Skinny

"It's the shape you're in, not the shape you are" - Sporty Spice/ Melanie C

(extreme writing post... What can I say? When I start to post again, I have lots to say.)

Well, you know what they say right? 7th time's the charm right?

Hi Friends, 

Just wanted to warn you about my obnoxious post about trying to lose weight. I will try my best to update you (or really me, this isn't really a post that would interest others honestly) on my fitness and health goals and accomplishments weekly.

How many times have I said I was going to do it, tried for 2 weeks and then given up? Many...Many...Many times throughout the past 5 years. Guess what? I have motivation right now to do this, not just from me but the fact that I'm doing this for someone else now. I need to be the best me I can be before my musical. That's a pretty tight schedule and you know what? I won't be ready by May 8. But do you know what else I know? The difference between now and then will be significant if I keep going.

I am now on my 3rd week of my extremely-low-to-no-excess sugar "diet." (Written March 13, 2015). My turn around day was February 24, 2015. I have been wearing yoga pants for three months...My new dress that was getting fixed at my grandma's house for two weeks, wouldn't zip up. I watched the videos from the musical rehearsals so we could practice the dances in horror. This has got to stop, so....I stopped.

Since my decision, I have only had a bite of sugar my mom is eating (like a cookie or something), or a sip of her milkshake...and I'll admit to tasting the frosting every time I go to cake decorating class. My will power is strong, but when you're tired and hungry in a cake decorating class...what is a girl to do? I have actually eaten a "whole sugar" only a couple times. My cousin's birthday was last weekend (you've seen her cake I made in my post with the Spice Girls) and the day I was decorating, I had half a cupcake and the next day at the party, I had a full cupcake...And I remember regretting it. I also have had fast food twice. This is a huge improvement to my eating habits before...like extremely drastic.

An added bonus to not eating sugar is that my appetite has decreased significantly. I do not eat a lot to begin with. Before, I couldn't deal with being "hungry". By "hungry" I'm still not even sure if I was actually hungry, or if I wanted to eat because I was bored...I still don't like the feeling, but there's nothing I can really snack on like before. Now, when I'm hungry or "hungry" I eat a yogurt and it satisfies me until my next meal...and I eat even less at meals than I did before. I'm not (literally) hungry very often any more. I get hungry before a meal, I eat a small portion and I'm full for a long time. I began wondering if sugar and appetite have a relation, and after a quick Google search I found out...It does. Big time! That explains it...

Last Sunday, one of my musical theatre teachers began talking about how we have a lack of core strength and just strength in general. She went on to talk about how important it is for us to build up this strength regardless of what we do be it acting, singing, or dancing. And I knew it...I've always known it...But hearing someone who I admire so much (that isn't my mother...) ask us to do pilates and work on our strength, other than once a week at rehearsal, the motivation to workout hit me like a ton of bricks. That and looking around the room during our physical warm up and realizing I was the fattest one there and I couldn't even hold a plank for 30 seconds without shaking so much that I have to put my knees down.

I have since been practising my dolphin planks (with hands together), regular planks, half teasers, and push ups every. Single. Day. (It's been 5 days by the way...) It's hell. I hate every dang second. But I have a goal and I don't want to disappoint anyone.

It's finally been "warm" in Toronto (THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEGATIVE DEGREES THIS WEEK PEOPLE!!) So, I've been walking when I can and I bounced on my trampoline this week as well. It's no Pilates... but it's something! I am starting Pilates this week for sure. Mark my words. It's in writing, I will do it. I hate pilates more than I hate planking but I'll do it.

I think it was this past weekend, I had my hair in a ponytail and was putting on my eye makeup. I looked in the mirror and was taken aback for a second while I examined my new face. It was noticeably thinner, longer. Like it should be. I could barely recognize myself for a second. The next day, at rehearsal, I looked at myself in the mirror. My legs were thinner, my waist was smaller, my stomach flatter. Good work, Erica!

On my great adventure this week I got dressed up really nicely and my mom and I both were shocked at how thin I was looking (please, don't think I'm thin right now...I have a LONG way to go. But, compared to three weeks ago...the difference is incredible). My elbows need to work to touch my waist now. And, when I was trying on lots of outfits that day, I tried on that dress that didn't zip up from just two weeks ago. Guess what? It fits me.

Here is my plank(s)/push-ups/teasers log for the past 5 days: 
March 9:
Full Plank (proper) - 30 Seconds
Dolphin plank (with hands together)- 30 seconds
Half Teaser - 45 Seconds
March 10:
Full Plank - 40 seconds
Dolphin Plank- 44 seconds
Half teaser - 50 seconds
March 11:
Full plank (Not proper) - 50 Seconds
Dolphin Plank - 44 seconds
Half Teaser- 55 seconds
March 12:
Full Plank (not proper) 1 minute, 5 seconds.
Full Plank (proper, morning) 41 seconds
Half teaser - 1 minute
Dolphin Plank - 40 seconds
Full Plank (proper, night) 51 seconds
6 push-ups ("lady push-up" not fully down)
March 13:
Dolphin Plank- 52 seconds
Full Plank (proper) 1 MINUTE!!!  (this was my goal)
Half-teaser - 1 minute 2 seconds
8 push-ups ("lady push-up", almost fully down)

Have I shaken while doing every single plank? Big time. Does my heart rate speed up? Absolutely. But it's been 5 days and I can hold a plank for 60 seconds (what we do in class) can you imagine where I'll be in 16 days?

I've also been working on my posture. I have a noticeably different posture than everyone else in my class. Happy to say, I am aware of my posture most of the time now. As well, my shoulders have opened up big time. 

Fitness/Health Accomplishments of the week:
1. I have done some form of exercise every single day
2. I have accomplished my goal of holding a plank for 60 seconds. 
3. My arms are not as sore any more after doing the above routine
4. I went a couple days this week without even a bite of a sugar
5. My work pants fit me again!
6. I can wear my jeans again!! (granted, still a little tight on the waist, but I can at least wear them now)
7. My bras are fitting better again (but my shirts are still gaping at the buttons, they didn't before.)
8. The green dress zipped up and fit me.

New Goals:
1. Be able to consistently hold a plank for 60 seconds or more. 
2. Be able to hold a Dolphin plank for 60 seconds
3. Do Pilates at least twice next week
4. Do 10 push-ups
5. Drink at least 1L of water a day
6. Continue to work on my posture

I'm still not ready to weigh myself. No point in ruining this high I've gotten from seeing my body get back into a shape that I like to see.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll have a before and after eventually. 

Wish it. Dream it. Do it.