My body changes: strength +weight gain

So in November 2019, I decided it’s high time to move my exercise game to the next level.

Because I am a type-A stressed take no nonsense from myself kind of person, it had to be executed right away, preferably before 31/12/19 because, well, just because.

I have an exhausting need to be different. that’s why.

Plus I get an inner rash (+rush) when delaying anything.

I have a real issue with procrastinating- and I believe dilly-dallying on decisions is not a sign of profound deep thought, but of mere laziness.

I know this isn’t necessarily true, because sometimes major and crucial decisions need contemplating, plus- I have found out that many times, delaying an answer when I was a boss at work, resulted in the problem solving itself. (…….)

But- nonetheless- if I decide something- it needs to be executed right away- because the chances are that delaying will result in canceling the project /idea.

Anyway-

I decided I needed to up my workouts, and get stronger, maybe even get my floppy abs in shape.

Yes, I am that shallow. well sometimes anyway.

Ok, most of the time.

I care about the way I look, and since it is super hot here in the summer, and I run in my sports bra, taking over my floppy abs situation was kind of a priority I would say.

Yes I know I’m supposed to dance like nobody is looking and run like I am alone in this world and not give a damn about what anyone will say and all that.

And to some degree I do that- I mean despite my floppy abs I did run all last summer in my sports bra, but I was definitely aware.

Not anxious-but aware.

Now that I’m retired, I definitely have the time to invest in upping my game, and, perhaps, getting a firmer stomach situation.

And those shaky arms, too.

So I enhanced my swim routine, my running mileage, and my dumbbell workouts.

And started counting my macros: I started checking my macros-fact based information on my diet!

The results after 3 months are definitely visible, I can say.

I gained about 6 pounds, and since I returned my smart scale to Amazon when I decided it was only guessing my muscle and fat percentage, I am relying on 3 parameters to monitor the change:

#My workout quality:

This is my personal opinion- and may I please remind that I am no registered dietitian or anything of the sort- my workout quality has been the most important parameter to see the changes, again-in my experience.

I can now swim longer, run longer, and do my dumbbell exercises without feeling totally exhausted, and I am looking forward to exercising. this is huge for me. it is not a burden, it is actually fun.

#my clothes:

This is a tricky one, since I stopped wearing formal attire as soon as I retired, and I wander around either in my yoga pants or in my workout apparel. and I guess you know that these clothes tend to be very forgiving (……….)

The only clothing item I wear that has less of a stretch on it- is my Levi’s, which I wear to ride my motorcycle to the gym. (the reason being that jeans are considerably more sturdy and durable than workout apparel-just in case anything happens while I ride).

My jeans definitely fit tighter on my hips, thighs, and butt now.

The truth is, the first time I noticed this I panicked and started worrying that perimenopause is showing its ugly side – meaning packing pounds and making it super difficult to shed them off.

I want to make it clear, mainly to myself by the way, that I am aware I am 51.5, and my maturity will take its toll-like it does on everybody.

The thing is, I believe that my vegan lifestyle has helped me dodge many unpleasant side effects of perimenopause up until now, and I believe it will help mitigate those symptoms further along the way.

I haven’t experienced any of the disasters described online, such as hot flushes, panic attacks, mood swings ( I am generally not the most pleasant person around, no point in blaming hormonal change..), etc.

I firmly believe that not consuming meat or dairy, and instead of eating plant-based mostly from scratch protein-packed food for the past 6.5 years is now making a difference from the hormonal point.

So the sudden change in the way my jeans fit me was, I can honestly say, startling.

But after a few seconds, my self-preservation mechanism kicked in.

I decided that my new workout regimen is the cause for the new tightness, and therefore it is a good sign of progress, instead of the other possible explanations:

1.I am eating more than before, meaning I might be in a caloric surplus, therefore the weight gain

2.(might co-exist with #1) I am not immune to hormonal changes.

3.Emmmm…the jeans shrunk in the laundry???

4. Wow #3 was a stretch. pun intended.

Now the truth is a bit of everything probably.

Since starting the new workout regimen, I am definitely eating more.

Mainly because I am more hungry, but also because, well, I felt I could.

I mean, if I work out more, I can eat more, right?

I think this is a good place to pause, leaving you in suspense. plus I owe you the third parameter I rely on to measure my progress.

To be continued.

Enjoy, the cooliflower.

I am not a medical/health/emotional/financial /nutrition or any other kind of expert as far as it concerns the contents of this blog,  therefore anything written on the blog is not to be taken as any kind of advice, and should you choose to rely on anything  I write on this blog- you are doing it at your own risk and at your own responsibility.