Week 5: Team T & E: When You’re Losing Inches But No Weight

Coach: Tammy Strome

So here we are at the exciting four-week update. E’s hanging in like a trooper…all the more impressive because she’s had a rough week.

The Scale Monster was taunting her. “You haven’t lost any weight…na na na naaa na.”

We all fear the Scale Monster, don’t we? Even though I know better, even I feel frustrated when I’ve lost inches but still weigh the same.

However, I know–and I want you to know–that as long as you’re losing inches and body fat the scale is not something to worry about…at least not at first. If there’s no movement over a two-week period, then make some changes.

In E’s case, she’s looking good. I can see the fat loss. Her glutes and hams are tighter and there’s better flow between her lats and waist. We can even see arm definition. Woo hoo! Why does that matter? Because it means the rest is soon to follow.

Here are her measurements to date:

Weight: 137 lbs: down 5lbs from start = 1.25 lbs per week

Body Fat: 18.5%: down 4.3% from start.

Circumferences:

Waist: 28: down 3 inches from start

Hips: 37: down 1.2 inch from start

Thigh: 21.5: right and left:  down ½ inch from start

Bicep: 12.75 inches: right and left: down ¼ inch from start

Calf: 15: right and left: 0 change

Chest: with Lats: 36.5 inches: down ½ inch from start.

Last week we added evening cardio—yep, that’s in addition to her morning cardio. This week will be full low-carb mode to elicit more fat burning. There’s no question this is where the going gets tough. Fortunately, E has done it before so she knows the drill–maximize fat loss and minimize muscle loss.

I know she’s itching for a treat meal, but no can do. First, she’ll have to lose another 5 lbs.

Be sure to check out my Thursday blog post. I’ll be discussing the importance of well-timed treat meals within the diet cycle.

Yours in health,

Tammy

Client: Eftihia (E)

ARGH! SO FRUSTRATED TODAY!

I wake up this morning to do my cardio and what does the scale tell me?

Nothing. Nada. It hasn’t budged. And that’s with the addition of 4 extra cardio sessions this week!

So, why bother? I think, still half-asleep, my mind spinning with thoughts like “maybe I’m not working hard enough?” But that’s ridiculous because I KNOW I’m working hard.

So, uhh, long story short…I skipped my cardio and went back to bed.

Maybe not the best solution, but at least I got some more sleep, which allowed me to feel more together and rational when I finally did get up.

I know the scale doesn’t mean everything. Of course it doesn’t, because I can clearly see the definition in my upper body, so I know the fat’s coming off.

The interesting part is where I see the fat coming off this time around. At the last show I entered I was the most proud of my new shapely legs and, yes, MY BUTT!

This show it’s my new arms, shoulders and lats. No more Baby Lats!

Tammy and I have worked hard on lat development and I see the results. I never would have thought that my body could change so much in just one short year.

And here I am thinking I’m not working hard enough. Pfft! Silly, isn’t it?

I think the strict regime may just be getting to me. This past week I found myself feeling sad, although I couldn’t pinpoint why. I think it’s a combination of things: diet, exercise, extra cardio (sigh) and, well, yes…the fact that there was no change on the scale.

But I’m gonna tell you something. I think the real roots of the sadness I felt this week could well be that, when the scale doesn’t budge, it can only mean one thing: DIET CHANGES. While I’m the first to say I LOVE eating clean, I’m also the first to say NOOO, please don’t take away my yummy avocado!

Then I move on to my mantra… “I think I can, I know I can…it will all be worth it on show day.”

It should be said this week, for sure, that this is the first contest prep where I’ve been getting regular sleep…at LEAST 8 hours! I think it may be the natural supplements Tammy gave me—I’m taking Precision Six Pack 2 for night-time plus the AM fat-burning formula. The day one gives me no jitters or anxiety like other fat burners I’ve tried.  I just have energy and feel good!  Except today.  Hey…I am allowed bad days too!

As this next week approaches, I’m excited to hopefully see my suit fabrics from Celeste. Hey, what can I say? It’s a small pleasure, but definitely something I look forward to! I also bought myself not one but TWO new pairs of show shoes. It seemed appropriate given the gravity of the show I’m entering in June.   http://www.torontoprosupershow.com/ontariochampionships

Hope you enjoy the pictures, the measurements and following along with us. I’m in this for the long haul, which means you may have to put up with me griping sometimes! But I really am loving the whole process, even when it’s hard. As Tom Hanks says in the movie, A League of Their Own, “It’s the hard that makes it good.”