awareness | Project Bulk

Weight: 131.6 lbs.
Workout A: 17 minutes, 20 seconds; next: Workout B on Nov. 27
Total inches: 121.1
Protein: 125 g (0 g over target)
Calories: 1,994

I ran into the Piggly Wiggly the other day to replenish my milk. This is one of my many trips to get either more bananas or more milk for protein shakes.

In the checkout line, my pal David saw me and said hello. Or more specifically, “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Bulk.”

Ha! (I’ve been called far worse things in my life.)

I am known for a lot of wildly different reasons: my haiku, my love of Birmingham, my snark, my blogging and social media wizardry and so on. But with minor effort in a short period of time (fewer than 40 posts in about 10 weeks), I changed how some people perceive me.

Surprising, to me at least. But fun and flattering, too.

I really set out to change my perception of me. Build muscle and at the same time build self-confidence.

David probably hasn’t read every single post. But he did see some of my daily updates on Facebook. And took a peek at least a couple of posts or photos. That was enough to “rebrand” my image in his mind.

My results haven’t been dramatic, especially considering the other bloggers I know who have lost significant pounds over the years. But my consistency in posting and promotion gave me an edge.

It’s not important that others know exactly where I am in my project, but I’m pleased to know they’re aware of it. The foot in the door is getting harder to place with so many distractions for people.

My perception of me is evolving. And apparently, people are paying attention.

Day 70 - front

Weight: 132.4 lbs.
Workout A: 17 minutes, 7 seconds; next: Workout B on Nov. 15
Total inches: 121.8
Protein: 128 g (2 g over target)
Calories: 2,034

The 75 minutes of exercise had a number of important effects on Fleur’s physique that went beyond fat loss and ass building.

Most important, it fixed her kyphosis (from the Greek kyphos, meaning “hump”), a postural problem common to millions of computer users. From desk work and muscular imbalance, she had a shoulders-forward, concave-chest slouch before beginning the program. Five weeks later, she stood and walked with shoulders back, which created the perception of both a smaller rib cage and larger breasts.

Good posture is hot.

— page 167, “The 4-Hour Body” [Amazon |iTunes aff. links]

Those last four words have somehow stuck in my brain during the past 2-plus months.

So much of my time is spent in front of my laptop and at desk jobs over the years that slouching is part of my natural state. Once I realized that my posture was terrible, I kept sitting up straight.

I catch myself often in slouch position when working, and I immediately correct it, almost subconsciously.

My friend Biff, who hadn’t seen me in months, noticed it Saturday. I stand taller. Certainly, I hadn’t practiced on my feet, but I think it’s my small way of pushing myself to be a little better.

This harmonizes well with my overall determination to be more “in the moment,” to be aware of my environment, my breathing and my body. I have always been easily lost in my work or with distractions, but to live purposefully means to practice focus on the now.

No point in building up my upper body if no one can see it when I’m scrunched up. Chest out, head up.

Day 70 - side