Do This, Not That

I had a pretty good week, once I started the DietBets and really focused on my food. I do have to say that this weekend I was a little bad, I had sushi twice - two rolls each time. I could have made better choices on what rolls I chose, but there was a limited selection at Publix unfortunately; so no sashimi and no brown rice. In hindsight, I had the sushi on Friday, I should have done something else on Sunday, but alas, I didn't -- and now I have to live with it. Oh well!

I still had a loss of 1.8 on the scale from Monday to Monday - noting that I actually started my Dietbet on Wednesday weighing more than I did last Monday... Eek! Good thing I got back on track.

I've been thinking about numerous things lately, one of which, I just want to write out some of the things that I've changed in my lifestyle that I thought I wouldn't like, but actually do.

First - waking up early in the morning to go workout. Waking up early is HARD. Does it get easier over time? Yes. Is it ever easy? No. Taking that first step of committing to a workout routine and setting the time for the mornings is very hard. There's so much more you want to do with that time (SLEEP FOR INSTANCE).

Did I start out waking up early at 430am to go to the gym 5 days a week? Absolutely not. I started out going 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and using Tuesday and Thursday to sleep in a little bit and take Brockton for a walk instead.

Technically I still apply this principle, although I don't get to sleep in nearly as much on Tuesday and Thursday as I did before, but I'm getting a much better workout.

In the end of it all, I never thought that I would be a morning person. I wasn't excited about becoming one and doubted that I would last as one. Once I was able to stick with it for a few weeks, I can't imagine my life any other way. Getting up early is the only way I will fit in my workouts, and going to bed early makes me happy and content. I don't hate it at all, surprisingly.

Second - My go-to-kill-hunger-on-the-spot snack is salted deluxe mixed nuts. They are delicious and filling and perfect. I can't think of anything else I would rather have. It's kind of like my replacement for cheese, because these nuts are a healthy fat, where as cheese is really just a fat! Haha.

So on with my story about salted deluxe mixed nuts - I always forget them at home. Doh! I even portion them out into 1/4 cups in baggies, and I still forget them. I started incorporating them as an afternoon snack; but how is that supposed to help when I don't have them with me?!

The story of my life now is that I have 3-4 containers of salted deluxe mixed nuts because I keep buying more because I keep forgetting them at home. I learned my lesson this morning though. I am keeping one container AT WORK. See, I can be smart sometimes.

And third - well I don't have a third. Those were the two random things I've been thinking about a lot lately and wanted to share. I have also been thinking about adding another page for Motivation, but I'm not motivated to do it yet. See what I did there? Yes, I am lazy sometimes.

Until next time...

XOXOXO

Testing the Theory and Starting the Challenge

I'm not a very good blogger, and I'm also not very good at handling my emotions.

Stress took over for me this past week, and I cheated on my food. Quite a bit.

Needless to say, this week's weigh in was not good, at all.

But, let's look at it as a testing period. Testing the theory.

I made it two weeks without any mishaps; and I was successful those two weeks in my endeavors. I felt full of energy, and happy to boot.

While I was off-plan this past weekend, I felt lethargic, antsy, and just wanted to sleep away the weekend. I watched too much TV and just wasn't very happy overall.

Could it really be from the food I ate?!

Yes. It definitely is. I know it for a fact. I even went to spin class on Sunday, so you can just add right in there that I kept up with my exercise routine too!

It's all about the food. What they say, is so, absolutely true.

The easy part is the 2 hours spent in the gym. The hard part is the other 22 hours, following the nutrition plan.

Why on earth is was so easy for me those first two weeks? I don't know. Maybe I lost focus. Maybe I need to add in meditation and yoga into my routine.

It takes 21 says to make or break a habit, and I have not mastered this one yet.

Yes, I could be sitting here writing a million excuses as to why I gave into my cravings of cheese and bread, but they're no use. It doesn't matter. What's done is done, and it is time to let it go and move forward.

Transformation Challenge

Today marks #Day1 of the Transformation Challenge. What a wonderful way to let go of the wrongs I have done.

The Prep

Friday the challenge documents were released. I found that what I have been eating (as part of the plan not the crap I ate this weekend!) is what was outlined that I should still be eating. So no changes on that front.

I had been discussing with my father that my workouts were getting a little too easy for me, and we had talked about increasing my weights. When the documents were released, I noticed that I was ready to start on the Intermediate Workouts. I set forth watching all of the exercise videos to learn what I would need to do at the gym in the upcoming weeks.

Enter Anxiety.

Most of the new moves meant that I would have to move from the exercise machines, to the free-weights part of the gym floor. These kind of things REALLY get my anxiety going (not that I'm saying it's an excuse but it might have contributed to the cheese and bread from the weekend!!!).

I looked at those documents all weekend, going through the exercises in my mind and where I would do each one, how many I really HAD to do on the free-weights floor section, and how many I could get away with in the group fitness room (unused at 5am).

Saturday I got up bright and early for my morning coffee and smoothie, and put together my grocery list. Since none of my plans had changed regarding nutrition, this was very easy for me. I go to two stores: Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I can get everything I need for one week at a time.

I left the house at 8am (trying to beat the Saturday crowds!) and I'm happy to say that I was back in my driveway by 9:30am. I was in each store for only 10 minutes, and it is a bit of a drive to get to them, so that's where all the other time went.

Total spent on food for the entire week: $80

Then as you know, I was lazy for the rest of the day because I wasn't eating right. I watched a copious amount of Once Upon a Time and read a good portion of the book series I've been reading.

Sunday I was up bright and early again - smoothie and coffee (organic mind you!). I also decided to cook my chicken thighs for the week; I already had some green beans made for my lunches so I was good to go on that. On the weekends I do the dishes in the mornings instead of the evenings, so I handled all of those so that they would be ready for when I made my smoothie that night.

I read my book and sat out on the lanai until I had to leave for spin class around 9am.

Spin class. This was my second one, but I actually really like it! I bought a small package of classes and have scheduled them out according to when I'll be in town to take them (Disney trips are coming soon!).

After spin class, Josh and I did some shopping as I wanted new Go Walks for my Disney trips.

Then we spent the afternoon watching some TV, and I eventually decided that I wanted to get all my things ready for Day 1 of the challenge.

Make smoothie, get snack and lunch ready to grab in the morning. Get together my clothes for work, clothes to workout in, and towels for the gym shower.

I was back in bed, reading my book by 8pm.

Starting the Challenge

I was up dark and early at 4:15am. I had to eat 1/4 of my smoothie at 4:30 in order to start my workout at 5. All went as planned.

I arrived at the gym a couple minutes before 5 and hyped myself up to workout on the free-weights floor section and... I did it! I didn't even go into the group fitness room.

What was awesome was that there was NOBODY on the floor when I started at 5:10 (5 minute elliptical warm-up was first!). This made it MUCH easier for me to get over my fear. Once I was set up, I wasn't worried about being in the way or being weak.

Once I was done with my final cardio session, I decided I had time to sweat out more in the sauna. It was very nice, and I hope that I have time to do it everyday.

I made it to work a couple minutes early, but decided to get in the doors and get working on my smoothie. I was hungry!!

Additional Focuses

Because I don't have anything to change with my food (other than following the plan!), I'm trying to add in a couple more aspects to help with following the plan.

First, I've set silent alarms on my FitBit. When they go off, it is time to drink a bottle of water. This has been working great thus far today, and should help when hunger strikes!

Second, I'm trying to incorporate yoga sessions everyday after work. I believe that this will help with clearing my mind, keeping my emotions in check, and maintaining my focus on my nutrition plan and overall health goals.



Cheers,
XOXOXO