This is POST 7 of my “fitness journeyâ” blogging. For backstory, see Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 4, Post 5 and Post 6.]
Those of you who have been following my fitness journey, and my progress over the last four months, know that I have lost 18 pounds and 9.3% bodyfat.
I have been working with personal trainer Steve Bechtel, of Elemental Gym, since March 27.
I have not only lost weight and fat, but very importantly, have increased my energy and feel much better. I can (almost) keep up with my three young sons now.
I also went on some 18- to 21-mile high altitude day hikes in our Wind River Mountains, and more recently summited the Grand Teton.
Many close to me are now asking, “What’s next?”
Steve and I talked today during my training sessions, in between sandbag heaving, what my goals are for this next stretch.
For one thing, my husband, Jerry, has back surgeries and rehab in the near future. He just had a 4-level fusion on his neck (c4-t1). And before the end of this year, he’ll undergo lumbar fusion. He has a future of back problems due to much congenital narrowing, etc. The Hawaii Ironman remains at the top of his life list and we have to get him in a condition where he can train and do it. Fortunately, he’s done many ultras and marathons and is tougher than normal.
So, one thing I’ll be focusing on is continuing to get stronger so I can handle all the lifting that running a household and raising three young sons involves during these next several weeks and months. Jerry is a fantastic husband who does most of the heavy lifting, so to speak, at our home and for our family, so it’s beyond my turn. 🙂
But in addition, I do want some specific fitness-related goals to ensure I keep making progress. I haven’t worked this hard and come this far to let it go or to retreat into my pre-March ways. So, I told Steve I’d like to lose another 3-5 pounds and another 1-2% bodyfat. I want to continue shedding my midsection. Heck, I’d also like to be able to do 20 pull-ups. That would be cool. (Roh-roh, this is a postscript to that last statement. I just learned the women’s pullup record at ETC is 18 pullups. Well, maybe I can take 12 months to do the 20.)
Steve reminds me my weight/body fat goals will get harder to accomplish now. I don’t have the surplus of fat and weight that I had four months ago, or even two months ago. So I’ll have to stay extra focused on my nutrition and up my training levels even more.
I can’t improve my nutrition/diet much more than I already have. (I guess this can only mean I must stop plucking the peanut M&Ms from the trail mix?) I trust Steve will be pushing me extra hard. (I received from Steve today my new 3xweek workouts that I do on my own, and they’re looking pretty interesting. We’re definitely changing things up and taking it up another notch.)
As for down the line a little, Jerry and I would like to considering doing the Wasatch 100 together. And, there are many 25- and 30-mile Wind River Range area day hikes I plan to do, yet this year before the snow flies, and next year. In fact, these long day hikes in our area are top of my list, as they take little time to do, and the country I can see in our backyard in a long, physical effort is unmatched.
And probably some more 50k trail runs are in my near future, as are some supported, long biking events.
Maybe I will clean the house. Or enroll in a wind surfing camp. Or how about a Denali expedition? Maybe? Who knows?
Readers: Please give me ideas for events or adventures you can think of, or have done, that involve lots of uphill hiking, mountains, endurance and stunning scenery. I’m all ears!
The point is I have options, thanks to my improved fitness. And besides, figuring out what mountains to climb next, metaphorically speaking, is half the fun.
It will be an interesting and challenging next phase. Follow me and I’ll let you in on everything. (And BTW, thanks to all of you for your support!)
I can’t recommend Elemental Gym enough. Yes, hiring a personal trainer or joining a gym costs money and time, but if you’re looking to improve your life and extend it, it’s a no brainer. It’s a far better investment than eating fast food or watching too many hours of television, or doing whatever it is that is taking your time and money that is not as healthy as improving your health. Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness, and some great personal trainers, including Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, and Sophie Moseman.