These are the numbers we want to be BIG

Body weight, body fat percentage, body part measurements...those numbers we want to get smaller. Equipment weights, timed exercises, reps (and my bowling average)...we want those numbers to get bigger.

My trainer said I should blog this, cause it's a big deal:

This morning I did barbell squats - 145 pounds - ten reps.

Not that I don't think it's a big deal, but I don't pay close attention to those numbers. He keeps track of it, and I just do what he tells me to do (as much as I can). If I looked at the weights on the machines too closely I might freak out. Like when he put the leg press at 200+ and told me to do one leg at a time. I knew he was nuts, but I tried it anyway.

Because some days, I discover I can do even more than he thinks I can. And those are the days we both smile.

So there you are, Mr. Trainer. Hey...we never settled on a nickname for you...I have some ideas.

One pound from the lead

I've lost 13 pounds in the first four weeks of the gym contest. The leader (at our location) has lost 14 pounds. They won't tell us who it is, but I know it's another woman. I'm in the running!

Last week I sort of got burned out. Not sure but I might have actually been fighting off some kind of bug. I was completely drained (and a little nauseous) on Saturday, and for the first time I cancelled a training session at the last minute (which I still feel bad about...but it was the right call). By Monday I was feeling better and found myself full of energy which is still with me. In fact, today I even worked out TWICE - once in the morning and again tonight after my other plans fell through. And I did a personal best on the rowing machine - 1000 meters in 4:34!

I've never been a very competitive person, and I don't think it is really the money that is driving me (although it would be nice). I JUST WANT TO WIN THIS THING!!!

Seven and a half weeks to go.