Challenge Update: Arms and Abs — Week One

These are Grant's Abs, he's my trainer - I will obey!

It’s been one week since I began my latest challenge — 90 days to Arms and Abs that I’m proud of — so we’re due a quick check-in. And the word is: I’m hurting! As I’ve been eating primal/paleo for the most part I’ve only had to make some tweaks there — more strict on the treats, trying to eliminate all dairy, and less alcohol consumption (wine sales just dropped dramatically in Virginia).

A million crunches wont give you six-pack abs. If you’re looking for that wash board belly, it’s all about your nutrition. You have to first convert the stored energy — the subcutaneous fat that lies on top of the muscle — in order for the muscles to show through. To do that your body has to be burning fat, not storing it, which is what happens in a high carb, conventional American diet. Therefore, carbs must be kept to a minimum: No more than 100 grams/day — all from vegetables and some low GI fruits — Grant Hill, The Trainer.

As for the physical, I’ve looped back in a weekly 3 mile run with the Shirlington Running Club, ensure I get to a Pilates or Yoga class, and meet with Grant once a week for a full-body workout with a focus on arms and abs. It’s a light beginning but I have a very good reason for that…one workout with Grant with this new goal in mind left me hurting! Although we are still incorporating full-body training there’s a heavy emphasis on arms and abs, which left me struggling for several days. I was advised to go out and get (2) 15-lb dumb bells for weekly at-home workouts but it’s now 5 days post workout and I could only just face lifting shopping bags for Christmas gifts TODAY! As with everything, my body will adjust….it’ll need to, this chick is on a new mission and she doesn’t do well with failure!