Last Visit: Sep 26, 2008 11:24am Last Forum Post: May 16, 2008 9:31am Last Photo Upload:Never Last Profile Update: Sep 26, 2008 11:14am Last Blog Post: Sep 26, 2008 10:23am
"I want people to make their jokes about me being able to beat them up when they see my arms, not just when they find out I'm a martial artist."
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Josephine
Sex:
Female
Age:
25
Location:
Seattle, Washington, United States
Occupation:
Event & Meeting Planner
Personal Website:
Gym:
All Star Fitness
Gym Location:
Queen Anne
When I Started:
Jan, 2006
How I Started:
After finishing my degree in January 2006, I realized just how much weight I'd gained over my senior semmester. I'd always hovered between 145 - 150 lbs regardless of what I ate or did. But it suddenly dawned on me that NONE of my pants fit, and I could only find one pair of jeans at Target that fit; a dismal size 16. I tried taking pictures of myself when I was bored to indulge my ego, only to realize that my face and body were much more chubby than I'd realized. I got a membership at a gym, and stepped on the scale to realize I'd balooned all the way up to 167 lbs. I was horrified, but at least I had the additional motivation now that if I didn't go to the gym and use my membership, I had just wasted $600.
Why I Love It:
Because I feel better about myself with every step and every set. Because I always felt like I was supposed to be strong, and always dreamed of being strong, and now I feel like I can actually BE strong.
There's nothing quite as satisfying to me as being the only girl in the freeweight room, the only one who actually goes low on my squats, and the only one who's smiling after every set.
How I Stay Motivated:
I stay motivated by continuing to learn more. With every article I read or question I ask, I feel that much more prepared to suceed and get to where I want to be. It's also really helpful for me to know that even if I completely let myself go for a day, or even a week, the gym and the healthy diet will still be there waiting for me when I'm ready to come back. It's not the end of the world when I fall off the wagon.
BB Accomplishments:
I'm really thrilled right now that I can rep more than I weigh on calf raises, and that when I flex my arms I can see and feel my triceps for the first time in my life.
Forum Signature:
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2007 5:06pm
Progress Pictures
Jun 25, 2006
Jul 31, 2007
This is me, on the far left, looking like a horrible lump of fat. I loathe this picture of me, and it's been one of my inspirations to get to the gym and get this excess fat gone.
Definitely looking more cut, at least when I flex. In some ways, my arms are really coming along nicely.
I want people to make their jokes about me being able to beat them up when they see my arms, not just when they find out I'm a martial artist.
Goal (Long):
I want to be visibly strong and defined, especially in my arms. I've always struggled with a weak upper body as a martial artist, and I want fix it.
I want to be able to rep 135 lbs or more on bench and squat. I read an article once about a woman who can powerclean twice her weight, so I figure I should be able to do my body weight on these core reps.
I want to be able to do a full, unassisted pull up.
I want to be able to see my abdominal muscles.
I want to find our what my body fat % is, and then drop it below 20%.
I'm not sure I necesarily want to enter a contest, but I do want to look like I could.
Two surgeries and about 9 months of recovery later, here I am trying to ease back into lifting. It's sooooooo depressing to be benchpressing, every so carefully, with two 15 lb dumbells instead of with 90lbs of barbell. But, it's something, and I'm sore today, so that counts.
It's ever evolving. The only constants are my rides to and from work (my gym is one block away), and a few core lifts: squat, stiff-leg deadlift, and bench.
You definately have the structure to be in a fitness or bodybuilding competition. Just a little cardio in the mix and protein and you'll get there. Flex them guns and try them local Washington competition. Oh yeah! You kinda cute
Great to see your progress, Josephine. What kind of martial art do you study? I've looked around your Bodyspace but I can't find any reference to it. Probably somewhere obvious, I know. Be interesting to know though. Keep hitting the weights hard!
