Measurements & My New Tools

What a week! I started out well riding to and from work on Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon I was exhausted. I had an early night and woke up Wednesday feeling fatigued and my legs and back were slightly sore. The exercise kind of sore, not 'What is that, do I need to worry?' sore. So decided to drive to work that day. I'm glad I did because the tummy bug my kids so generously shared with me decided to hit late that afternoon. Which meant Stay close to this:

But I was excited on Wed night because I thought the bug would pass. I mean, I never get sick. Ever! I might be as unfit as a couch but I never get sick. But I do get exhausted a lot so perhaps that's why it hit. But anyway, on Wednesday my heart rate monitor arrived. Excellent!

As per my last post, I've decided to do a lot of measuring. These are my tools:

The Scales.. dreaded by many

 

Don't be afraid of the scales if you can use them as a tool. In exercise, that's all they are. In the past, when all I cared about was being skinny, these things were my most loved and hated household appliance. But I'm excited about using them now! I view them in a whole new light. If I gain weight, and lose centimetres, then that's wonderful. I need to gain muscle. Currently my body is weak, it has a long way to go.

The Tape Measure

 

Centimetres are just a small part of my new measuring routine but they're vital. When I did P90X I was amazed at how my waist shrank and so did a few other areas. Everything tightened up and I was disappointed with myself that I didn't get measurements. Fortunately all of those previously tightened areas have relaxed again and are nice and jiggly flabby so I'll get measurements this time dammit!

Calipers!

 

Not an expensive investment. I bought these on advice from The Four Hour Body by Tim Ferris. I really like that book but it can be contradictory and there's no way I'll ever eat that much meat! Ew. Just not my thang you know?

Heart Rate Monitor

 

This is to see how strong my lil beating heart goes. I've downloaded the Strava app (find me in Jen Does Fitness) and will use the HRM along with that. I was so hoping I'd get to use it yesterday and today, but the tummy bug put that idea to rest. 

So yesterday I got some, but not all, of my measurements for you. Here we go, are you ready? 

Weight:

68kg. The heaviest I've weighed in years. (after visiting loo yesterday morning) Am I panicking? You bet your sweet ass I'm not! I knew that my old scales were out by a few kg but I kept them because even though I knew it was a lil white lie, I felt good when they told me I was under 60kg. 

Tape Measurements: 

Bicep: L - 28cm R - 27.5cm

Chest: 87cm

Waist: 79cm

Hips: A generarse 97.5cm

Thighs: L - 48 R - 47.5

Caliper Measurements:

Back of right arm: 20

Front of right arm: 19.5

Back, right: 20.5

Waist right: 25

According to the algorithm I used that makes me 38% body fat. Told ya I was a skinny fat. I love being right!

Unfortunately the heart rate monitor is as yet unused. But my toilet has been overused the last couple of days so too bad. I'm hoping to go for a ride tomorrow. Happy!

So that's my measurements. Next post, before pics. Be warned, you may need post traumatic eye drops if you choose to read that post. You may also need to call in sick the next day or visit your shrink. Your eyes will hate you until Christmas. 2020, At least. 

But I will love you. 

And you'll have seen my worst (but not explicit) bits. And then you can look at yourself and go "feck I'm awesome!". That's the goal.