So number 42 on my Daisy List is to spend 3 months getting my body in shape. Well the 3 months kinda got pushed to 4 months (what’s 31 days between friends eh?).
The main focus of Part 1 of Mission: Get Sami Into Shape was hiring my personal trainer Captain Agony. Part 2, which was the 3 month mark, I recapped my goals (create a motivating exercise plan, eat organic and introduce regular meditation) and reviewed my results.
Well my friends, this is part 3 and the final instalment because I can officially put my hand on my very healthy heart and say I can tick this monumental goal off the list.
Whilst this goal has been mostly achieved over the last 4 months, it has actually been a much longer process than that. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in a Desert Storm type battle with fat and all its alliances; cellulite, sugar, tiredness and lard arse. Heading up fat’s assault was Colonel Carrot Cake and his evil sidekick Sargent Sweet Tooth From Hell. It’s been a long mission and the last 4 months required the use of weapons of mass destruction but it’s paid off.
The Final Results
Apart from consolidating and maintaining the results I outlined in Part 2, I’ve lost a further 18 centimetres (so a grand total of 23.5cm or 9.3 inches) from parts of my body that shall still remain nameless, am at a very respectable dress size and feel the healthiest and fittest I ever have. On top of this, I now have an exercise program and food habits that work for me, are part of my lifestyle and easy to maintain. I’ve upped my water intake to approximately 7 glasses of water a day and whilst I am yet to have a consistent daily meditation practise established, I am meditating more often than I used to (I plan to keep tweaking this).
Am I proud of my achievements and feel like bragging just a little bit? Damn straight! If you’d just come back from being bunkered down in Desert Storm against Colonel Carrot Cake for the last 30 odd years, you’d want to brag too! 
Shifts and Insights
Over the time there’s been a few major shifts made and insights gained. Here are the biggies;
- Because I’d never previously used a personal trainer, I didn’t really know how high an intensity I was supposed to work at. It’s safe to say, I now know. I had no idea how much punishment my body can take. It can take a lot.
- I’m fairly motivated when it comes to exercise. It’s nothing compared to the motivation of Captain Agony yelling, “IF YOU STOP NOW I’LL MAKE YOU DO THEM ALL OVER AGAIN” or “COME ON SAMI, YOU’RE MAKING THE OLDIES LOOK GOOD” or “HOW’S THAT CHOCOLATE GRAB YOU NOW SAMI!”Truly, if my arms didn’t operate like a pair of unruly toddlers due to extreme fatigue, I’d snot him one in the nose.
- I’ve made changes that still fit with my personality and lifestyle and have become habits. With exercise, I stopped doing what I thought I should be doing (ie gym, running) and started doing what worked for me (ie touch, boot camp and personal training).
- I shifted my thinking from it being all about weight loss to all about health, fitness and well being.
- I discovered that even though I was eating well I wasn’t eating enough veggies or protein and I was eating too many carbs and dairy (in particular, cheese). I was surprised at how just tweaking my food had a major impact on weight loss and how I felt (combined with exercise of course).
- I shifted my focus from deprivation and hunger to everything in moderation and feeling satisfied.
- In the last 4 months especially, I brought it all back to basics and kept it simple. Here’s my formula; Food in < energy expended + 8hrs sleep + 8 glasses of water = happy as larry Sami.
- I’ve learnt to listen to my body. I eat when I’m hungry, rest when I’m tired (if possible), stop eating at the very first inkling I’m full and stretch when I’m sore or have tight muscles. A great book I’ve read that helped with the eating side of this was Intuitive Eating
by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
- I look at my body differently. I don’t obsess over its imperfections and instead am grateful for it. It’s fit and healthy, gotten me through some tough times and allowed me to do and see amazing things.
As I said, the battle was worth it.
Right, I’m off to celebrate with a 5kg piece of carrot cake and a glass of wine (yes at the same time). OK, Captain Agony, put the boxing gloves down, I’m just kidding. What I meant to say was, “Right, I’m off to celebrate with a 5kg head of lettuce and a couple of push ups!”
The Daisy List: #42. Get My Body In Shape – done! Note: This is an ongoing, maintenance project now but I’m stoked with where I’m currently at so let’s just call it done shall we?
Related posts:
- The Daisy List: #42. Get My Body In Shape (Part 2) Photo by michal hadassah Yes we can! Number 42 on...
- The Daisy List: #42. Get My Body In Shape (Part 1) Photo by midiman So I’ve officially started #42 on...
- Going Organic Photo by thebittenword.com 2009 is the year I’m determined...
- How I Built a Daisy List & Why – Part 1 Photo by Michel Filion I often get comments about my...
- How I Built a Daisy List & Why – Part 2 Photo by audreyjm529 In my first article (aptly named How...
Awesome work, Sami!! And doesn’t it feel great, when you’ve earned that body you’re in now!
I’m off to have that piece of carrot cake and a glass of wine – to celebrate your success!
Hey, did you just take a swing at me?????
Sami, PUH-LEEZ tell me that’s not you in the photo! But congratulations on this huge achievement — sounds like you have a whole new familiarity with the phrase “no pain, no gain”, eh?
You surely deserve whatever celebration you can concoct. Mr. Spock told me to tell you Live Long and Prosper.
By the way, your Daisy List is a book in the making, you know!
Well done Sam!!!!!!!!
Well done Sami. Next you’ll be taking up Zumba, god i’m sick of seeing those infomercials. Can you do a post on how to put ON weight for me, that would be great. Thanks
P.S Thanks for the edit button, you do listen to me after all
P.P.S Hang on, this didn’t go to SPAM moderation first, ooooooo ahhhhhhhh
Well done Sami!! As someone who is going through the same kind of process (minus meditation), this is very inspiring! If a hick from the ‘Berg can do it – I can too!!! hahaha jj.
I believe knowledge is the power for people who want to shape up. The more you know about food, nutrition, exercise and crash diets – the easier (and more interesting) the whole process becomes. That way, not only do you achieve your goals but you’re empowered by the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
PS – use a little less tanning spray next time you take a pic! hehe.
Well done Sami!!! But I wanted to see before and after photos like a true “loser”!!!
It is amazing how getting much your body will tolerate under the right circumstances and it sounds like getting a pro in was a great idea!
Best wishes, K
Congratulations Sam! Very inspiring indeed. I’m trying to make some changes to my lifestyle at the moment too (moreso when I finally get home in a couple of months though). It can be tough initially, but once your form the habit – so much easier. I may just take you lead and call on a personal trainer too… we’ll see!
Keep in up, you should be damned proud.
“I shifted my thinking from it being all about weight loss to all about health, fitness and well being.”
Congratulations for your achievements and keep doing what works for you.
Oscar
@Lance
Thanks Lance. Yes, it does feel great and yes, I did just take a swing at you!
@Jeanne
Haha! No, that’s not me. Captain Agony assured me at the beginning I wouldn’t end up looking like that!
Thank you Jeanne, maybe some new clothes would be more fitting than the carrot cake and more appealing than the lettuce & push ups!
I’d totally LOVE to turn the Daisy List into a book some day. You just never know.
@Mum May
Thanks Ma!
@MartYn
Hey Martini, yep no problem. Here’s my tip; eat something other than chicken nuggets.
You’re welcome re the edit function and no SPAM moderation (so long as I’ve approved 2 comments that is) – ask and ye shall receive!
@Katie
Thanks Katie. How about a little less of the “hick from the Berg” and a little more of the “immensely sophisticated and intelligent bombshell from the beach” eh?
Re the knowledge, I do agree that knowledge can help but what I found in my experience is that it’s more about knowledge about yourself more than anything. What works for someone else may not work for you and vice versa. It’s helpful to source the info, take the bits that sit well for you and experiment with them.
Yep, point taken with the tanning spray, although, how am I supposed to define my muscles without the orange hue?
@Kirsty
LOL! You know, I didn’t even think of before and after pics. Probably a good thing – imagine if you all couldn’t actually notice a difference. Wouldn’t be good advertising for Captain Agony. Although, I do need to go get new jeans because mine now don’t fit very well.
I was totally floored by how much my body could take. I’d never really been pushed so far physically before. There’s no way I would ever have pushed myself that hard without Captain Agony.
@Valeska
Thanks Vee! It’s hard to make the changes when you’re traveling, mostly because it’s difficult to have any sort of routine. Often it’s not too much of an issue though because you tend to do a lot of walking which can counteract the food and grog situation! And you’re so right, once you form the habit it becomes far easier. Thank you!
@Oscar
Hi Oscar, thanks very much. Yep, I definitely found it was a case of working out what suited my personality and circumstances the best. That’s when it all came together and I started seeing results. Thanks for stopping by.
This is great, Sami!
As a former personal trainer – I applaud you seeking out professional assistance! Yay!
I’ve been out of the “field” for about five years, and I actually connected with an awesome personal trainer recently for some tips. I learned a lot and realized how beneficial having a trainer can be. Two thumbs up!
And big congrats for nicking another activity off your Daisy List. (Do you resemble the photo now – even at your ripe old age??)
@Lori
Thanks Lori! Wow, you were a personal trainer? You learn something new every day. Yep, I can recommend a personal trainer for sure, especially if you need a kick start to fitness/weight loss/etc.
It is very cool to tick something else off the list and thank the lord, no, I don’t resemble the picture!
Hi Sami,
I have no real comment for the post but just wanted to say I love the title of your post. I was glancing through the comments over on Zen Habits and your blog title was the only one that stood out.
Thought you would like to know. All the best with your blogging.
@Jonny
Hi Jonny, thanks for that – appreciate the feedback. Thanks for stopping by.