No scale change, but definite improvement

[Rainessa]

My husband and I went for a ~7 mile hike on Wednesday with 2 friends (both guys) and our two boston terriers.

We took this same trail about 2 years ago and I was completely wiped out before we even got to the half way point and only finished it with the bostons pulling me down the trail as I could barely shuffle my feet.

This time. All our breaks were called for by the guys. I made it there and back with no problems at all, sure my calves were super tight and sore for the next 3 days with yesterday being the first day I was able to get out of bed without doing the initial old lady shuffle until my calves loosened up. But, I actively did the entire hike and made it back to the truck just being pleasantly tired. I think I actually finished the trip in better condition then the guys did.

I have been following the new rules of lifting for women program. I remember reading in there about erm...functional fitness? where the exercises were movements done in real life. All those squats, lunges, and step ups definitely made a difference on this hike. Even in things you wouldnt necessarily think of, (this would fall under the tmi section) like when it was time to visit the little girl's tree. Before it was awkward and extremely clumsy/off balanced, this time I was able to squat down like it was nothing. Plus I have been doing walking dvds by Leslie Sansone, usually a couple miles a day and if I am feeling frisky attempting a 5 mile dvd about once a week. It all made such a difference.

I have not seen much change in the scale or my clothes, so it was really nice seeing such a major difference. I cannot wait to try it again if the weather is nice enough.

[Generalissima]

isn't that an awesome feeling The changes in physical appearance are nice but somehow the functional changes are how I really measure progress. I'm no longer afraid to do difficult things like hiking or rock climbing, carrying a boyfriend's heavy luggage Before I started lifting I never tried new things because I was weak and afraid of frustration and embarassment. It feels good to be stronger than the average bear huh?