I don't need no "girlie" pushups

Seven weeks ago I was barely able to do a regular push up. Sure, I could assume the position, lower myself to the ground and then, kind of, sort of, maneuver back up. A push up it was not. I could, however, do approximately 25 "girly" or, more gender neutrally known- modified pushups in 60 seconds.

Mid-way through this Quest I was able to do 38 (I think) in a minute. The other day, while hanging out in my apartment and casually yet deliberately walking by my mirror and flexing my biceps, I decided I wanted to test out my newfound arm muscles and was able to crank out 20 regular pushups (albeit in sets of five) with no modification and with way less struggle than when I tried before.

While the weight has not been falling off of me like I originally hoped it would, my physique has certainly changed throughout the course of this program. My arms are less jiggly and more firm, I can actually feel the muscles in my thighs flex as I do my squats, my abs are starting to get little lines of definition in them and, most importantly, my neck is smaller (ha. ha).

I've always heard that you should never really keep tabs too closely on your weight through the scale, seeing as muscle obviously weighs more than fat and a change in your body can be more accurately determined through how your clothes are fitting and even just the way you feel. I know for sure that if I eat a huge piece of pizza (ok, who am I kidding, take out the word "piece" and just go with huge pizza) the night before a weigh in I will most certainly feel bloated and puffy and not at all like how I should.

I've come to terms with the fact that the number on the scale moving up instead of down doesn't necessarily mean I haven't made progress. Most of my clothes no longer fit to the point where I'm starting to feel kind of frumpy since everything is baggy-ish and bathing suits that I had and didn't fit when I was at my heaviest are now too big. Needless to say, I'm eagerly anticipating consistent tank top weather.

I have recently been taking Kettlebell with John of Body by John, and let me tell you, a combination of cardio pilates and kettlebell throughout a week would have anyone's ass kicked into shape in no time at all. Kettlebell is unique in that the gumball shaped weights we used are most certainly not light and airy, in fact, I thought my arms were going to fall off with a mere 15lbs. John takes us through a series of movements and repetitions, targeting all areas of our body, and especially our arms and glutes; 45 minutes later and I thank God for naps because I know I'll be needing one.

I've also noticed that Kettlebell has brought out my competitive side. I am not and never really have been a competitive person. It's just generally not in my nature to want to prove myself better than someone or something else. I don't ever really brag (except for right now?) and I get embarrassed if I'm complimented or thrown a few "good job's."

So, when, at our first Kettlebell class consisting of myself, Jon and Jeff, instructor John proposed a little fun competition, we were all game. We had to go through three minutes working with two positions, doing each for 30 second intervals (did that make sense? I hope so). One of the positions was holding the plank for that 30 seconds and, holy cow, I wanted to die. The competition came in to play when we were told our knees couldn't touch the ground for the entire time. Well, I am proud to say I made it through the three minutes with no slip ups, I was able to push myself through the planks and once I broke through the pain barrier it was most definitely mind over matter.

I'm hoping to use that technique through these final weeks of the Quest. My eating habits have surely slipped, much to my chagrin, and I know if I apply the same mind over matter technique that got me through three minutes of physical pain then there shouldn't be a reason to follow a healthy eating plan. Just gotta put the old noggin to it…