Week 4 Check-In: MyPT Transformation RESULTS

Eleven strength training sessions in a month, and it's time for the results of the MyPT Transformation Challenge!

Last week was mentally quite hard - resisting the urge to turn to chocolate after a bad day and craving sugar as a pick-me-up for tiredness was tough. I also struggled with a three-day headache which affected me from Thursday morning right through to Saturday. Whether down to lack of hydration, too much staring at a computer screen or stress related I don't know, but it had gone by the end of my final workout session on Saturday morning! That constant pain can definitely make you irritable and liable to look for a quick fix to make you feel better though.

I did my final measurements after Saturday's circuit class and was pretty delighted with the results. It was hard to know when I started the challenge what to expect - I wouldn't say I was particularly unhealthy beforehand, and have been exercising regularly for a while, although there were absolutely areas for improvement! And the majority of the training that I was doing previously was steady-state cardio - long distance running and cycling, which doesn't necessarily build muscle (which burns more calories) and has a much smaller after-burn.

Tightening up my diet and increasing the number of high intensity and strength focused training sessions has definitely had an impact. A 4% Body Fat reduction, over 1kg of muscle gained and 2.6kg weight loss - Ryan who took my measurements told me that decreasing weight/body fat and increasing muscle is pretty challenging, normally it's one or the other, so I'm quite happy with that!

The tape measure tells me that I've lost 3.5cm off my waist and hips as well, and when I took my photos on Sunday morning (apologies for the terrible quality) I could actually see a visible difference. Everyone knows that it is easy to manipulate images taken barely a few minutes apart to show "weight loss" but I promise that these are real! After all the numbers don't lie...

While it definitely hasn't been easy I've loved pushing myself the last couple of weeks, and the fact that the hard-work has paid off is incredibly satisfying! I may have eaten a pie and some chocolate cookies on Saturday as my "Cheat Meal", but I'm intending to continue following a similar nutritional plan to that recommended on the Transformation Challenge up until Christmas and see what changes I can make in the next couple of months. Obviously there will be some tweaks to allow me to participate in the Christmas parties and social events taking place - I'm keen to develop a lifestyle that is sustainable and not overly restrictive, therefore allowing me to enjoy coffee and cake when I visit my sister for her birthday, but continuing to eat healthily the majority of the time.

And of course, continuing with the Kettlebells and Circuit sessions, whilst adding back in the odd run and bike ride as I do enjoy them! MyPT Studio do a "Benchmarking Week" every so often, and the next one is in December - it would be great to show that Body Fat and muscle changes have a real impact on ability and improving physical results. I'm definitely feeling stronger and more energised during workouts already, so here's hoping I can maybe get a Purple* band come the next round of tests!

*different coloured bands are issued for the different levels of achievement and to guide you on which weights to use during circuit sessions

Have you found that changing your diet and training regime has affected your energy levels or appearance?

Check out my previous posts here:

MyPT Studio Transformation Challenge

Week 1 Check-In

Week 2 Check-In

Week 3 Check-In

Beki x

NB: Thanks to MyPT Studio for allowing me to continue to work with their fantastic Personal Trainers on achieving my fitness goals. They are building an amazing community and I highly recommend you check them out!