How I started to get some guns

In the recents months I have finally started to get the arms I have always dreamt of having.  I honestly NEVER EVER thought I could achieve them.  I have always had flabby fat arms.  Just plain awful.  Even after I lost 115 pounds, my arms were still an issue.  So I would lift weights and try and get them to firm up.  Well this did firm them some, but they still weren't lean.  I did 2 rounds of P90x and one round of P90x2.  I thought for sure THIS would get me those "guns".  NOPE!  Just made my already big arms, tighter but still big.  UGH!!!!!!!!!!!  The above picture (top) is from my Fitness article and my arms were tight, but hello, they are BIG! Same thing goes for my thighs, but we will cover legs another day.  The one of me in the pink dress is a few years prior to that.  I tell you what, I really had no idea how much I had let myself go, until I started to find old pics. 

The other pic is from 3 summers ago.  I had ZERO definition!  I was eating ok, but all I was doing for workouts was walking/running.  Obviously, this just isn't enough.
I had really reached a point where I was giving up on getting the arms I always wanted.  I remember crying to my husband, telling him I had tried everything, nothing was working.  He encouraged me not to give up.  So I decided I would start doing some kickboxing.  HOLY SHIT...I started to see results!!!!!!  My arms were leaning out.  And they felt nice and tight.  I mentioned in an earlier blog that I do Jill Coleman workouts.  She is awesome!  Her workouts are fun and I have yet to get bored.  AND...I am still sore after doing them for 2 months.  I think I am just getting better with my form and pushing myself a bit more.  I also got out my old Tae Bo dvd and started hanging with Billy Blanks again.  Not only did this help with my arms, it REALLY tightened the core.  Now remember I have lost 115 pounds and birthed 2 babies in 18 months.  There was some loose skin, lots of it!  Is it still a but loose, yes, but man it has changed. I will now walk around in my sports bra and not worry about sucking it in. 

 

So.....since I started to finally lean out the old arms, I decided it was time to get some definition.  This is when I decided to call upon my old friend Jillian.  She and I have a love hate relationship.  I LOVE to cuss at her and hate that she makes me want to barf, when she talks to much.  OMG shup up please!  I am now on week 3 of Ripped in 30 and 30-day shred.  Today is the last day and then I move on to week 4!!  The results speak for themselves.  She knows what she is doing.  My arms no longer continue to wave, when my arm is at rest.  I now have a pretty decent bicep, a noticeable tricep AND my delts are starting to shine.  I ONLY use 3-5 pounds.  For me, this is what keeps me lean and tight.  I tried heavier weights with p90x and all it did was build upon the fat.  I prefer low weights, high reps.  BUT..that is just me.  I also stick to eating clean.  Don't get me wrong, I am not a 100% clean eater.  I doubt that day will ever come!  But I am eating a lot less processed foods.  Just recently I stopped eating my lean cuisines and smart ones.  I am not giving them up forever, they are just too convenient to do that.  I just want to see what results I get by cuttting them out for a bit. After my 30 days are over, I think I will start back up but start with weeks 2 and level 2.  I will do 2 weeks of level 2 week 2 and then incorporate weeks 3 & 4 with level 3.  I will continue to take progress pics and go from there!