The Whole28.5: How You Like Me Now?!

The Whole 28 and a Half: How You Like Me Now?!

Tell It Like It Is, Girl.

Okay, it's Results Day. And YES, there are results! Results in my body, my brain, and m'heart, everyone! But before we get to the news, let's just reach back to those original goals:

Bust/Chest: 40"

Waist: 31"

"Waist above Hip": 35"

Hip: 38"

Bicep: 12.5"

Thigh: 23.5"

Weight: 159.6 

Initial High Hope Goals

1) Maybe dropping 2-3 pounds

2) Keep track of the effects on my skin and energy levels

3) Stick to our planned weekly workout schedule

4) Learn to enjoy a hell of a lot of water!

5) At least retain one new, lasting, healthy habit from this!

And here we are now,  after the foodie fun of The Whole28.5 Challenge:

Bust/Chest: 39"

Waist: 29.5"

"Waist ^ Hip:" 33.5"

Hip: 36.5"

Bicep: 13"

Thigh: 21"

Weight: 157.2

High Hope Goals ACHIEVED!

1) Dropped 2 pounds. BOOM!

 However, over the course of The Whole28.5 Challenge I realize that this became FAR LESS important.

2) Energy and Skin.

Through this challenge I've been very aware of my energy levels when it comes to my Eating/Working/Gym schedules. And HOLY SMOKES, I learned a lot about what I force my body to handle in a day. Outside stressors are out of my control (sadly...) so it was empowering to learn that taking control of what I eat, how I sleep, and working out helped me find equilibrium.

*Skin: this has been an interesting bit of research. Back in the day, I had awesome baby doll skin, and then I became an adult and that all went to sh*t. RUDE. But I learned that kicking the crap has helped to keep dumb acne at bay.. In particular, I found that getting in a butt-load of water helps tremendously! Also: I learned the second I let myself have a big helping of cheese and/or fried foods (ooh, French Fries, you dirty devils!), I can expect a breakout.

3) Water, Water, Everywhere...

See above. I did it! And really, this is no longer a chore. I have a bottle of water with me no matter where I go. Two if I know I'll be out of the house for a while. And now, I can tell immediately when I'm dehydrated, when before I would blame headaches, cramping, and fatigue on a million different things. 

4) HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE WIN!

I couldn't be more thankful for this whole process because of the habits I'm walking away with! Water intake, macro-tracking, "Seeing the bigger picture," and learning what it means to actually need to eat for fuel...not to "feel better" or soothe myself.

Seriously: Mind Blown.

I have to let you all in on a little secret: I'm in NO WAY above the aesthetic benefits of a Clean Eating Challenge. The Whole28.5 Challenge has brought so many good things into my life, but I was hoping--with all my fingers and toes crossed--that there would be some kind of body composition change. I want to feel good, but let's face it, I want to look good, too.  Especially, because the number on the scale is going to continue to rock both down and up. That's just the nature of my life. I'm not looking to for it to elevate dramatically, but it's inevitable that I will have heavier days as well as lighter ones. So seeing that my MEASUREMENTS changed was a big plus!! I'm a naturally busty gal, will some hips on me, so it's always been a struggle pulling weight"visually" off my body. But I do think this helped to jump start some goodness!

There are TWO big things that I can actually see and "feel" these days and I have clean eating to thank for it.

#1. The bloat and fluffiness that I've always had to deal with around my hips and low belly have been the bane of my existence for...well, LIFE. But it seems pulling out some of those more inflammatory foods helped tremendously, as these areas have smoothed out significantly!
#2. My gams. I didn't really change up my workout schedule dramatically (I did make sure I was consistent, but I've been working out religiously for quite some time), but for some reason, the muscle tone in my legs (Quads and Hammy-Town, to be specific!) has finally become easily recognizable. And it wasn't until I finally broke down and started examining photos of myself that I let myself see it. And these days, legs and buns are my jam! As I like to say with my head coach Lesha at CrossFit Novem: "Every season is Glutes season!"

Even just in comparison of these two photos, I can finally see myself getting "tighter" and "smoother." I can't help the fact that I only seem to be getting more translucent, though....
SPF 50 FOR LIFE!!

So my beautiful little butterflies: congratulate yourself on making it through an arduous adventure of food and fitness! Check in with your initial goals and pat yourself on the back for those achieved, while setting your sights on getting to those that are still in the works. Take another photo of yourself and see what you've done! And seriously remember:

Guys, we are awesome.

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- Be cool, Soda Pop -