Eight Months of Project Max Out!

Today commemorates eight months of Project Max Out! Things changed a bit in April as life threw me a few curveballs. This is where the rubber met the road. My choices played a big part in whether I would stall or have enough momentum to keep going under extremely stressful circumstances with long days and sleepless nights. I wish I could say I was compliant with my program, but I wasn't.

In the nutrition part of the journey, I did well. My choices for meal options are so simple, I am set up for success. I used that to my advantage, to stick with the food plan. My natural ways of being are a bit regimented and routine, which supports timely eating and getting it done within twelve consecutive hours. In a 1500-calorie day, there isn't a variety. This cut down on my time in the kitchen significantly. Food no longer occupies my mind space. I am thankful that I am not a stress eater. I am grateful I've never grabbed a tub of ice cream, peanut butter, a bag of cookies, or peanut butter brittle to gorge on. B-O-R-I-N-G! Yes, I know. I consider that a big blessing.

Staying consistent with exercising in the gym was where I fell off the wagon. There were days when I exercised at home instead of going to the gym. Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, I was stretched. This was taking a toll on me physically. My sleep cycle was completely off. There was one week in particular when I struggled to keep it together. My three accountability partners each told me to take a couple of days off. I did, and I kept my commitment of walking for a minimum of 30 minutes a day to keep the exercise momentum going. From past experiences, it's been easy to lose this momentum and difficult to get it going again.

So, how did this affect me in creating results for Project Max Out? When maxed out in stress, grace was needed. When I gave myself the grace of taking a couple of days off, it was easier to keep my commitment. I wanted to keep my exercise commitment and not chicken out or hide. That was different for me. I also noticed that I can no longer sit for long periods, and my body wants me to exercise, as if it's asking me to do it. I get that "Girl, get moving!" feeling.

I listened to my accountability partners, and that was life-saving. The decision I made at the beginning of this journey to choose three fit people in different countries to check in with daily and be accountable to them keeps adding value. I found it fascinating that all three told me the same thing on that day, when I was at my lowest, to take a short time off. They reassured me, it's not the end of the world, and I will feel better afterwards. They were right. It was necessary to help me rest, gain perspective, and get going again.

I've learned that 80 percent, but I'd say 90 percent of the fat loss journey is based on nutrition. Even though I was not compliant with exercising, I continued to shrink, and my clothing got looser. I even took my two favourite belts to the shoe repair shop to have them shortened and more holes added, as my waist is smaller. As of Monday, I've released 6 1/4 inches from my waist and 5 3/4 inches from my hips. Over the weekend, I donated most of my clothing. I'm looking forward to having a more minimalist wardrobe to simplify my life even further.

I don't feel guilty about eating better quality foods because I see what I've gained from it. I count my fat release, my health gain. I enjoy reading the posts from the Facebook group, FIT Church United. One of my favourite articles from them made one thing clearer, which I'm also learning in the coaching I receive from Martell Fitness. In the Bible, God always took the fat portion of the sacrifice. He never gave it to the people. The evening/night 12-hour fast burns fat. That's where God goes to work on me. One food item I discovered I am liking now, whereas I was never fond of it before, is peanut butter. I don't have alot of it, but when I do, it's such a delightful flavour. I couldn't stand French Toast before this program. Everything about it was gross to me. Yes....I'm from another planet. The French Toast recipe I was given on the program is amazing!

Finally, I am amazed when I see what I can do in the gym. Weights I couldn't lift before, I'm able to lift, or working through them. My first time using the elliptical machine was hilarious! I was so tense, I felt as if I was pushing concrete with my legs and arms. I needed the opposite energy and momentum to get it going. That's been the journey - learning how to do this with grace and less resistance in my mind, while I tense and flex my muscles in the gym to help them to get stronger and release more fat. I began hiking and enjoyed it.

At the starting point of this journey I wore American size 14. I'm heading towards size 4. My current size 6 is slack. Cheers to eight months of Project Max Out!