Update #1: Intermittent Fasting is Working?

Of course it is working!

This morning I weighed in at 146.2.  My measurements as of September 12, 2015 around my waist were:

30"   upper
30"   waist
33.5" lower

As of this morning, September 24, 2015

29.5"    upper
29.5" waist
33"    lower

So that is a total of a half inch apiece off each!  So yeah, I'm doing the happy dance.

Intermittent fasting is a bear!  The hunger pangs are getting easier to bear.  It hasn't even been two weeks yet...if they are still around at four weeks, then I'll get concerned.  

So, long and short of it...it works!

My freshman year in college my waist was 27-28 inches.  My hips were 38 inches...They are 41 inches now and I'd rather keep them that way.  I would love to have my waist back down to 28.  

The downside to this losing weight is the deflated wrinkly look my abs are getting.  This developed after my last pregnancy...I thought gaining a bit in the stomach would "fill out" the look and look better.  This was true BUT the filling out involves gaining unpleasant, unhealthy fat.  With the added diastasis recti, I was just in dire straits.  I'll live/deal with it.  Flat abs are flat abs...I can always do exercises to help with the excess skin, right?  Hopefully I'm still young enough for the bounce back.

I'll probably update in a week...as you can see a lot can change in just one week or so.  Looking forward to it.

Back on the Horn and Intermittent Fasting

On my last update, my fitness endeavors had taken a turn for the better.  My arm was healed so to speak and I was looking forward to exercising again.  Well the second week of May is when I began at a frumpy 161 pounds, 5'3".  I only did exercises from the book that will continue to be unnamed for the time being.  I went a month and a half of doing those exercises.  The results?

I lost 2 inches off my waist, an inch off my upper abs, two inches off my lower abs, an inch off my left arm, an inch off my hips and a half inch off my left thigh as well as 12 pounds.  This also came with clean eating and intermittent fasting of course.  I was ecstatic.  Around mid July, I began incorporating weights starting with five pounds on my recovering arm and ten on my good arm.  I couldn't do squats because I had not developed the range of motion to hold the weight on my shoulders yet.

Fast forward two months.  I weigh 147 pounds solid.  I finally developed the range of motion to do squats and began doing them towards the end of August.  I think I have caught up with my previous numbers!  Here are my counts from April 30, 2014 (total 56 squats).

Wednesday, April 30th lifts in SQUATS:

1 set of 12 @ 45
1 set of 10 @ 45
1 set of 10 @ 55
2 sets of 10 @ 75
1 set of 4 @ 95

Here are my counts now:

Lifts in SQUATS as of September 16, 2015:

1 set of 20 @ 45
2 sets of 15 @ 55
1 set of 15 @ 65
1 set of 10 @ 75
Then I pyramid it back to 45 like so:
1 set of 10 @ 65
1 sets of 15 @ 55
1 set of 20 @ 45

This is a total of 120 squats!  I think I can still get away with 95, BUT I don't have a spotter so I'm not going to take a chance.  The weight isn't half as heavy as it felt back in 2014.  I'm much stronger even though I had a 7 month injury hiatus.

I'm back to benching as well.  I'm up to 15 pounds for curls/hammers now and the 40 pound barbell which is where I was before I got injured.  I'm benching sets of 65 pounds.  I bounced back in three months!

 

I reached my goal weight several weeks ago and initially (despite still having some belly fat) did not want to go any smaller.  I have found I would prefer the aesthetic of a flatter tummy rather than merely an illusion of one.  So after several weeks of omitting intermittent fasting with the intent of maintaining my goal weight (it worked), I am back on the horn.  I want to lose 10-15 pounds.  My goal weight is 148.  I'm 147 pounds.  I still have a good half inch of fat (about 1 inch on my lower abs) covering my stomach that I am no longer content with.  My stomach "appears" flat but is not.  The fat must die!  I want to get down to 135 and then gain 10 pounds back in muscle mass, a difficult feat for women but doable with the right amount of discipline and work ethic.

When I went off of intermittent fasting, I also upped my calorie intake to match my revved up metabolism.  Then I started getting sloppy and eating badly.  My boss bought apple fritters to work one day, and it was over for me.  I had one (sometimes two) every day for the next week before finally putting my foot down and jumping back on the intermittent fasting wagon.

Intermittent fasting is one of those things that always gets people talking, usually about erroneous facts and such.  Everyone becomes a medical professional when it comes to the issue of fasting for any period of time.

After doing intermittent fasting consistently from January 2014 to present here are some things I know for sure:

You are not starving yourself.

This is a biggie.  Apparently your body will begin to eat on your muscle mass because you are depriving it of the nutrients it needs to survive.  Most people "fast" overnight...that's why breakfast consists of "break" and "fast," you are breaking your nightly fast.  This generally makes folks pause and think a little.  That's usually at least a 12 hour fast sometimes for folks depending on how late they eat and intermittent fasting is on 16 hour intervals.  C'est la vie.

You WILL lose weight.

Apparently your body will store fat if you don't eat.  This is not a myth but a fact. The thing is you will have to not eat for quite awhile before  your body begins this process of thinking that it is starving.  16 hours is not long enough to make your body think it isn't going to ever get food again and needs to start reserving fat pockets.  On the contrary, short term (up to three days even) fasting can actually boost your metabolism by forcing your body to use its own energy reserves (your fat) for energy while fasting.  Burning calories this way instead of just from food throughout the day will obviously contribute to weight loss.

Your body will also release key fat burning hormones in your body during the fasting period.  One of the number one hormones is the human growth hormone which plays a vital role in turning your body's fat into energy you need to get through your day.  Having issues with insulin?  Intermittent fasting can help regulate your insulin levels and keep them low and steady.  Diet also plays a key role.  Whether you choose to do an intermittent fasting routine or a regular nutritional change, eliminating processed carbs (bread, rice, pasta) and simple sugars (cookies, pastries, candy, soda, etc.) can only help you in your weight loss endeavors.

Skipping breakfast is okay.

Facebook doctor:  Skipping breakfast is unhealthy and a diet sabotager.
Me:  Erhm...uh...hmm...no.

I say do whatever works for you.  I lost weight (and continue to lose) weight, and I haven't eaten breakfast in years.  I HATE, I mean absolutely HATE waking up hungry.  I HATE being hungry in the mornings.  I HATE IT!  Seriously.  So, my eating window is between 11 am and 7 pm.  In the beginning this was rough.  I suffered hunger headaches (my blood sugar was all out of wack) and dizzy spells for a few days as I got used to this, but it was all worth it.  I rarely feel hungry these days and NEVER feel hungry in the mornings.  I work out in the mornings and the only thing I crave is water.  I know some folks like to harp on pre workout and post workout meals.  Not I.  I eat nothing before because I get nauseous during the workout, and I eat nothing afterwards as I get nauseous then as well.  Again, I say do whatever works for you.

I have found that I feel hunger pangs and sweet cravings less and less, actually very rarely these days and I contribute that to intermittent fasting.  Probably something about those fat-reducing hormones.

I've been back to intermittent fasting for 6 days now and have already noticed a difference.  My ab area has shrunk, probably due to the fact that I'm not retaining water presently by eating all those unhealthy processed carbs and junk food (Utz potato chips are the devil!).  I feel better (after I got over the initial headaches from stopping most of my carb intake cold turkey).  I also reduced my overall calorie intake...not necessary (I stopped intermittent fasting initially because I was gorging on junk and STILL losing weight lol) but I figured I would get results faster.  I am avoiding the scale and measuring tape until next Saturday, September 26th.  My fingers are crossed.

Happy Belated New Year

So here it is.  April.  The end of April to be more exact.  New Year's resolutions were made.  Progress logged and yet no updates here.  

So here was my last update:

*     My weight has stayed stable.  I've given up my powerlifting aspirations for now due to laziness and injury...mostly injury.  I recently dislocated/jolted my left shoulder/arm so that has to heal before I even think about whether or not I'll pursue powerlifting seriously again.
*     I am going to be in the Rosewood Arts Festival (yay!).  I'm still prepping my work.  Stay tuned for updates.
*     Dark Soul's Flight finally got framed!  I'm entering it into the SC State Fair this year (professional division).  She's beautiful too :-).
*     I am now teaching acrylic painting classes locally.  Here are pictures from my very first class:

Here is my most recent update:

*     I gained 10 pounds.  Well, 6 pounds water weight, 4 pounds actual weight to be more exact.  My arm really took the wind out of my sails.  I didn't actually "dislocate" my shoulder, I "subluxed" it apparently.  I attempted physical therapy...after my sister talked me into going to the doctor for it in late October because the swelling wouldn't subside.  Got an MRI.  No major damage.  Just limited range of motion and a constant dull ache and many uncomfortable nights.

So last Friday I pick up a book which shall remain unnamed for the time being and decided to start doing some exercises out of it.  It was specifically for the stomach but the first exercise was an underarm tightener.  It hurt like the devil to do it.  I made it through 3 out of the 25 reps I was supposed to do before the excruciating pain emanating from my shoulder reduced me to breathless tears.  I didn't even bother with the other exercises.  On my way to work later, I realized my shoulder wasn't hurting.  I called my husband to let him know.  It was the FIRST TIME since September 6th I didn't feel any pain (without the help of painkillers).  So he's like, maybe that exercise put it back in place.  Try moving it up.  Now when I said I had NO range of motion....zero, zilch, nada.  Nothing.  I could raise my arm almost to shoulder level.  Past that and it felt like gravity had turned palpable and was punishing me for being caught in its pressurized clutches.  Forcing the issue only lead to stabbing pain and swelling.  Imagine my surprise when I lifted my arm and it went all the way up with no resistance!  I was all like (see below):

Image via Sean Cunningham 

I started bouncing around and cheering...almost ran off the road to boot so had to calm myself down until I got to work to test it for sure.  I have about 90% of my range of motion back and I couldn't be happier.  The best part of all is there's NO PAIN.  None!  I don't wake up with a terrible stiff, uncomfortable pain any more.  Life is wonderful.

So now that my arm was back in order, I realized something.  Seven months of being unable to use it had taken its toll.  Fat deposits were clearly visible when compared to my still strong right arm and all muscle definition was lost.  My husband is working on a fitness plan to help me strengthen and trim it down.  Obviously I have to wait at least two weeks before being able to truly make a determination about my arm but so far so good.

*     The Rosewood Arts Festival was a success.  Nothing more to really add to that I suppose.  Oh yeah, I participated in an auction event called "Postcard Art for Africa" back in February.  A lady had seen me at the Festival and wanted to know if I wanted to donate some pieces for this event.  Naturally, of course I did.

Village Girl, Oil on Canvas, 5 x 7 inches

Untitled, Oil on Canvas, 4 x 6 inches

I donated these two pieces.  According to the organizer, they flew off the walls within the first five minutes.

I published artwork.  Yes, Dark Soul's Flight was published in Pocketful Illustration Magazine Issue 11 in January 2015.  Unfortunately she did not place at all in the state fair.  What was interesting is when I was coming to get her, everyone had assumed I did place in the fair and were all surprised that I hadn't.  No one was more surprised than me but I didn't feel bad.  The guy who won multiple prizes last year, including tops in my category didn't place with anything this year so, I suppose it is just the luck of the draw.  One person was judging over 3000 entries.  I really didn't feel bad when I learned that.

*     I am now managing a mobile art studio, The Moya Art Studio, and doing acrylic painting parties on the go!

 Bachelorette/Bridal Parties are by far the most eventful (and fun).

I go to the location and set up everything from table coverings to easels/paints/canvases.








Kids parties are the absolute best!  It is great for birthdays and so far is the most popular option.  I love working with kids.  They absolutely love playing with paint.









I love it to say the very least.  Here are some pictures from a recent party I did at a local racquet club.

The Beach Entrance is what we were painting...this was the goal.

The setup...and yest we provide the aprons too!

Great job!

Everyone's painting always looks so different!

Awesome!

 That concludes the update of my last update.  Now what's brewing?

I am participating in an art show that opens tomorrow called Selfies, Real or Imagined:  An Exhibition of Visual and Literary Art.  I entered for both.  All five of my pieces were accepted for art and all five were rejected for the literary portion so I guess not everyone appreciates my writing (lol).  The reception is tomorrow and I am definitely going to be there.

Here are the pieces I entered:

Two are 5x5 inches, oil on board and three are 6x6 inches, oil on canvas.  Mini beauties.


On the working out front, I've been slack.  My hubby's been so busy in the mornings it has cut into workout time, and I haven't made any additional efforts otherwise.   My arm being indisposed had a lot to do with it but that's no excuse for my diet.  My diet went straight to hay and while I have been loving all the sweet stuff, my gut and butt are crying for a reprieve.  Like I said I only gained four real pounds but I still have to work it off now.  I began intermittent fasting again last Friday.  I'm down three pounds of water weight so far (starting weight 159, now 156).  I went to the gym on Saturday morning (see I can make time)...no idea when I'm going to get there again.

So this is a crafting/fiber arts blog.  I have updates coming soon!

That's all for now, so until next time:

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