Mary Dikeman
40 year old Mom of two, Sierra 15 and Hayley 9, Montrose, CO
NYTC End Stats:
Before………………………After………………Difference
Size: 10/12.........................10.................... 1 size
Height: 5'6"
Chest: 36" (under armpit)....34”.................2”
Arm: 11.5"...........................11”................. 0.5”
Waist: 33".........................31”....................2”
Mom Belly: 37"...................35”....................2”
Hips: 40"............................39”....................1”
Thigh: 23"..........................22”....................1”
Calf: 13.5".........................13”....................0.5”
Weight: 180 lbs. ..............174 lbs. ..............6 lbs.
BF %: 32.7% ...................31.9% ...............0.8%
Another challenge down, and I keep learning new things! The NYTC marks the 4th challenge I have had the privilege of taking part in. I celebrated my 1 year FYM anniversary March 1st in the midst of the challenge, which spurred me on to a great finish!
As I reflect on the end of another 12 weeks of this awesome lifestyle, I am reminded that this is a journey, not a destination! Sometimes you have to relax a little physically, so you don’t burn out mentally. I started the challenge out very slow, but geared up great at the end!
I joined the NYTC only a week after my favorite aunt passed away from complications of Emphysema. I knew I needed this challenge to regain some focus lost over the holidays, but her death really sent me into a depression. I really struggled the first week to kick my sugar habit. Once I did, it was much easier to focus on healthy habits.
I also learned that I needed to find better ways to deal with stress. I was put in charge of the decorations for my sophomore daughter’s high school winter formal! Yikes! This was a lot of work, but so much fun! Yet, it was stressful at the same time! I hadn’t done anything like that before! It turned out great, but I didn’t stay focused on my healthy eating habits during that time. So, stress management is something I am learning to really implement. I love breathing exercises!
I also learned that I tend to be somewhat of a hibernator during January and February! LOL! It was such a struggle to put a ton of intensity into my workouts. But, accepting that this is what was going on, made it easier to push through anyway and make progress that way. Knowledge is power!!
I have to say, that making use of the online meal planner has made a huge difference in logging my calories! I bought myself a Dell Mini 9” computer to keep in my kitchen for planning and logging my meals! It has made planning in general much easier! I do my shopping lists on it, as well as looking up clean eating recipes!
Making better choices to keep my macronutrients in line with my goals, as well as seeing the nutritional breakdown was very helpful! I cut out sugar, wheat and dairy for the last 2 weeks of the challenge and cannot believe how much clearer my thoughts and energy have been! I have had ups and downs with sticking with this, but all in all, done much better! This is an area I will keep up with!
I have gained SO much strength these past 12 weeks! I am now able to do 3 sets of 8 full close-grip pushups! In September of last year, I could only do 3 in each set! WOW!! I can do the renegade rows with 10 lb dumbbells now! When I started I couldn’t use any weight! HA! I need to buy additional weights again, because 30 lb dumbbells aren’t enough for some of the exercises! I am now completing 10 sets of intervals on the treadmill, fully inclined (12% I think), at 4 mph. I am running for a couple of them! Amazing for a former asthmatic with deformed feet! LOL! I am seeing all kinds of definition in my abs, arms and legs!
I bought lots of tank tops to wear this summer because I LOVE my arms and shoulders!
I haven’t lost much weight, but I am firmer and more defined! I am comfortably in my size 10 jeans now! I bought all of those tops from Victoria Secret in mediums! Yay!!
Spring always brings a new beginning for me! I now feel confident and energized about my future this year! My husband and I are looking for a few good 14,000 ft. elevation mountains to climb (Colorado is home to 58 of them!). I am thrilled for the challenge! We have lots of jeep trips planned, as well as camping! I plan to get a garden going to grow my own organic produce. Who knows what else I will come up with!
I am going to work hard the next four weeks on my nutrition, so that I can really kick it up several notches during the next TC in May! I can’t wait!
~ Mary Dikeman, 40 year old Mom of two, Sierra 15 and Hayley 9, Montrose, CO
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