Update

It's been almost 3 weeks since my last update. Even though I've been a bad blogger I have continued to train with Troy regularly. Each session has been more and more intense, but at the same time it's been easier. As Troy told me at the beginning, "it would get easier and at the same time harder". We've stepped up the difficulty of the various exercises but I'm getting in better shape so I can do them with less effort. But as soon as it gets too easy Troy recognizes it and takes it up a notch.

The best thing about it is that even though after each session I'm practically dead, I don't experience the dizzy spells and exhaustion I experienced at the beginning. My body seems to recover a lot more quickly. I climbed the stairs again carrying 20 lbs and I could do it without stopping. Last thursday Troy kicked it up a notch and made me carry 50lbs up the stairs and I still managed to make it up to the 14th floor without passing out. I had to stop for a short breather half way up, but it's a huge improvement over the first time when I had to stop a couple of times due to almost passing out. 

I notice the difference in my daily life too. At my weekly yoga session I feel my core has strengthened and I can get into poses easier and hold them for a longer time. At home it's easier to lift Noel, who's only getting bigger. I also noticed it was easier to take out the garbage cans to the curb. Previously I'd have to rely on carrying a can with my whole body, supporting it partially on my legs as I carried it. The last time I was surprised that I could basically pick it up using just my arms and carry it to the curb without any trouble. My energy level has continued to improve, and I've been more alert at work, which I'm sure is also partly due to the better diet.

On the subject of diet, I've been cheating a bit once in a while. Bogna and I have gone out a couple of times in the past couple of weeks and on those days it's harder to eat as nutritiously. We also got some extra calories from alcoholic drinks. While our dinners at home have been mostly on track we did have some carbs a few times which we are once again limiting. Breakfast has generally been consistently good, consisting of a sandwich and a couple of soft boiled eggs. The biggest change I think has been the number of times I've snacked after dinner while watching TV. And it hasn't been a case of snacking on bad things. It's mostly been just almonds, or fruits, so I don't feel as guilty, but still the extra calories do add up, and I have to be mindful of that.

I haven't been on a scale in a while. The last time I weighed myself (when the below photos were taken 2 weeks ago), I gained some weight back. Not a whole lot. Maybe a couple pounds. But it was a bit of a downer I must say. But Troy encouraged me that I shouldn't really pay too much attention to the scale right now because I'm building muscle and muscle is twice as dense as fat. I should judge by how my body feels and how my clothes are fitting. I must say that my jeans are fitting looser and Bogna keeps complimenting me on my improved physique. It feels great :)

This past week I've been feeling sick, but I continued to train. I probably should have taken some time off as it's gotten worse over the weekend. I'm typing this from my bed, and I've cancelled tomorrow's training. Strangely I feel bad about it. I'm starting to crave the workouts. :)