My abs, a weight update, and… I’m in danger of becoming a Cardio Queen…

Nah, not really. I weight-train far too hard for that, thank goodness. But I have been doing more than the usual amount of cardio in an effort to shed some of this… fluff… around my middle.

It’s been necessary, because even though I have been being a very good girl for a while now, I have not been anywhere near as strict with my diet as I was a year ago. I’ve had to learn to be a little more adaptable – sometimes, there really are more important considerations in life than just how quickly I can get my abs shredded. Like birthday cake, for instance – the one I made for Mom’s Saturday night celebration at my brother David’s. Which will be a pizza celebration.

See what I mean?

But though the progress is slow, it is progress nonetheless, and I am only 6 pounds out from my goal weight of 103. This is what 103 looked like last year:

The image I use on my gravatar.

And another view (pics courtesy of my husband.)

And this is where I am right now, at 109 pounds (photo taken in the locker room @ Ultimate Fitness).

And this is where I am right now. Definition is just starting - Amazing the difference 6 pounds makes, isn't it?

I am only 5′ 2″ tall, so six pounds makes a significant amount of difference on my frame. And with the exception of my belly, hips and upper thighs, my body is already pretty much ripped – all of those six pounds are right in this area.

My back and arms, currently.

Middle-age has contributed to the problem – up until a few years ago, I never carried an ounce of fat on my belly, no matter how much my weight fluctuated – and so getting to the ripped stage of last summer is much more of an effort these days. But get there, I will, however slow the journey may be. (And how many birthday cake detours!)

In the gym, Cardio/Core Queen:

Elliptical Trainer: 30 minutes, ramp elevation intervals. Total: 10 minutes @ level 8, 2 minutes @ level 7, 4 minutes @ level 6, 10 minutes @ level 5, 4 minutes @ level 3 (mixed up, of course). 4718 total revs.

Treadmill: 15 minutes, 4 mph, incline 4. One mile.

Core: Hanging Tucks, 3 sets of 12

setted with Planks. 45 seconds arms on stability all, feet on medicine ball. 3 minutes regular plank. 2 minutes side planks (flipped half way through).

setted with Static Leg Lift, feet just off the floor, 2 minutes. Ouch.

setted with Upward Dog; Child’s Pose and Cobras.

Flexibility: Leg Drop with hold and stretch. 2 minutes total

setted with Lying Hamstring & Hip stretches.

setted with Seated Twists, 45 seconds per side.

setted with Butterflies.

setted with Downward Dog. ouch, ouch, ouch.

setted with Standing Forward Bend, head to knees.

And Done!