The first week with my fitness coach went GREAT! I was working then and I was able to stay on schedule and on track all week. The 2nd week was Christmas and we were going out of town, so that was a little more difficult. So, here goes:
The GOOD:
I have lost 5 1/2 inches off my bust, thighs, hips, and waist since starting just 2 short weeks ago. I measured on Tuesday, so who knows? I probably lost more by now. I will measure again this week.
I feel better. The foods I eat give me TONS of energy and I feel energized ALMOST all the time. Christmas day when I ate off plan, I was so freakin tired. So, I know the food is helping me feel lots better.
I get to eat 5 times a day.
Coffee is my new BFF and MY BFF bought me a Keuirg for Christmas so yay! I am allowed to have it with a splash of almond milk and this new stuff I found- I will share below :)
My workouts are not nearly as long, but are intense and I love that!
The BAD:
I eat the SAME things every day. Yep, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are ALL the same every day and it can get old.
The scale has been somewhat of a biatch! I lost 5 lbs, gained a few back after Christmas, but I am seeing the scale go back down again and I am hoping this week I will see the 150s, something I haven't seen in FOREVER!
It's not always easy being the one to go out and order healthy, stick to no alcohol, no cheese, no bread.... while everyone else indulges.
I can't eat out anymore right now. My coach told me that could have been the cause of some of my weight gain. It was the holidays and we ate out several times while out with family, running errands, etc. Restaurants can put anything (butter, seasonings, etc) on your food and she said for NOW while I am trying to gain some momentum with this whole plan to stay home, prep food, bring it with me, whatever I need to do to make it happen. I love eating out but this week I am focusing on NOT doing that. I have goals, people!
Here are some of the things I have found to help me along the way:
I can take this stuff with me to sweeten things if I need to. Stevia is approved by my coach and not as tough on your body as artificial sweeteners like sweet n low.
This stuff is amazing! I can put it in my coffee or on food if you need to. It is approved and comes in a variety of flavors. I found the vanilla at my local Krogers, but I am sure if you live close to a healthy grocery store (Whole Foods or something like that) they probably have tons!
This stuff is calorie free, sugar free, gluten free, etc. It is approved and although some of it is not THAT great (Don't try the peanut butter-YUCKY), the salad dressings are pretty good and approved for my plan. My fav so far is the Thousand Island. :) I'll eat almost anything to help me reach my goal! Again, I found at Krogers.
I was planning on starting my journey with Wendy from www.cyberbodyshop.com after the holiday on New Year's day, but she convinced me to start sooner. She said I "would thank her later". I am glad I listened! I don't know how much weight I usually gain over the holidays, but I would bet somewhere between 5-10 lbs. So, I started on Monday. I sent her pictures to start and weighed in. I was 167.4 and not happy, but not completly devestated by it either. I have been between 165-170 for so LONG! I am not going to lie. I was scared. I didn't know what she was going to tell me to do or eat. She sent me my plan and I was really surprised. It didn't seem too hard and I was eager and ready to start! I wanted this time to be it!
This week:
- I ate a diet that consists of protein, complex carbs, and vegetables. I eat 5 times a day.
- I gave up my obsession with protein bars and shakes.
- I haven't ran once this week.
- I have done fasted cardio 5 times a week at 5 am! HIIT is where it's at!
- I have had shorter, but more intense workouts. I even looked at one workout and told Wendy- I think I can do more...hahaha after 3 rounds of what she told me, I was DONE. Somehow the combination she puts together BURNS and works SO MUCH better than anything I have ever done,.
- I have lifted weights 4 days- a few high intensity days and some low intensity ones.
- I drank a gallon of water a day.
- I ordered supplements and just got them today- can't wait to see my results. Did a lot of research and I trust Wendy.
- I went to happy hour and drank WATER and ordered a salad.
- I got on the scale this morning and I am 4 lbs done! ALREADY! That's a number I haven't seen in a long time.
- I feel more energized, sleep better, and feel like I am doing my body a world of good!
I cannot tell you how long I have struggled and researched to find a combination that would work for me. It has been hard. I finally feel like I am getting somewhere. Sometimes we need a professional opinion. Sometimes we need someone who has experience and has been there. I am not viewing this as a diet, but a lifestyle change. I have reached that point. I want to be in the best shape of my life, I want to exercise, eat healthy foods, and feel good.
Are you tired of struggling? I was! Look around...find a trainer, nutritionist, someone to help. You won't regret it! I sure am not! There are lots of options out there. Can't afford cyberbodyshop? Try www.ericanicolefitness.com or look at your gym where you live. Do a quick internet search. Make the change. Don't spin your wheels like I did for FAR TOO LONG! :) Have a great weekend ladies!
If you are new to reading my blog, here is a little background info:
I was kinda a big kid growing up, but I never knew it. I was never teased, I never felt bad and when I got into middle school, I outgrew it. I was pretty thin throughout high school and even when I started college. I ate more fast food, I drank more, I did all the things you shouldn't do and the weight piled on.
I would guess to say I hit around the 190-200 mark at some point and I am only 5'7". I did not look good. I went through some hard things in life- breakups, moves, losing friends, a hurricane hitting my hometown, and much more. None of it is an excuse, but food and drinks became my crutch. I was unhealthy.
Finally about 4 years ago I took control. I started doing TaeBo with my roomie at the time and I kinda became addicted to it...well until the next weekend party came along. I still managed to lose weight. I kept losing. I felt great when I put on a pair of size 8 jeans one day. I dated someone who was healthy and he encouraged me. Even though we aren't together now, I say that was the one good thing I got from it- the desire to be healthier. I moved back home to my hometown about 2 1/2 years ago and I knew living by myself would be the key to getting to where I want to FINALLY be. I have gone up and done, I have struggled, I have binged, I have drank too much, I have lost and gained, I have completed Insanity, I lost 15 lbs, gained it all back, I bought smaller jeans, went back to my bigger ones, ran a 6K (on the treadmill)... it has been a journey. BUT I am still not where I WANT to be. Something inside me tells me there is more.
After reading about Mama Laughlin's decision to go further, to take on a new challenge, I started thinking- was I going to be stuck in this rut FOREVER??? Was I going to keep trying and failing??? What could I do? I started researching fitness coaches, workout programs, nutrition plans... I have thought about it over and over... I have contemplated the money I would spend, I have said NO, I can do it alone... I will try harder... But the truth is- I know myself. I have to go BIG or I won't SUCCEED! So, I have made a BIG decision. I am hiring a fitness coach from www.cyberbodyshop.com . I have been in contact with Wendy and I really feel good about this. Yes, it is $750.... BUT I did just buy a new iPad and that was $800 so what the heck??? It's for ME, my HEALTH, a better version of ME, the person I know I can become and the changes I know I CAN make.. It is worth every cent and I can't wait to begin! I am planning to start around New Year's. I know, cliche as it is- but I really want this to be a new beginning for me.
What changes are you making today for your future?? Doesn't have to be an expensive change, but everything you do counts! :) I look forward to sharing this journey.
I don't know if you guys have checked out Melissa Bender at Bender fitness, but you SHOULD! I mentioned her in my last post and since then I have decided to take it further. I am somewhat tired of trying to decide between Insanity, TurboFire, Jillian, etc. I think I need a break from those videos. So, the month of December is it! Here is my plan:
December 1- I did http://www.benderfitness.com/2013/11/burpee-burn-weekend-workout-challenge.html and then I ran 3.3 miles on the treadmill in intervals and a back and shoulder workout with weights.
December 2- I did http://www.benderfitness.com/2013/12/challenge-day-1-15-minute-hiit-core-fat.html and http://www.benderfitness.com/2012/03/12-minute-ab-fat-burn-fitness-bender.html then did 2.5 miles on the bike and a leg workout with weights.
I plan to continue to follow her 30 day challenge and do as many of the workouts as possible. I am still going to get in some weight work every day and alternate the bike and running as well. Most of her workouts are quick-- 10-20 minutes.I love that she changes everything up and you don't get bored with it. The workouts burn too! I am always a hot, sweaty mess when I am done and they definitely BURN. Everything is at home, you can do it with body weight or weights. Some workouts do not require them. She has everything grouped by body area. It's really awesome! I think this is going to be a great change for this time of the year for me. I am excited to see the results.
Starting with the New Year, I am planning to follow her 3 month plan for bikini competition. Am I doing a bikini competition- HECK NO! But I figure I will commit to the 3 month plan and see what happens. I will also be attempting to do WAY BETTER with my diet during those 3 months as well.
So, go check it out if you haven't! www.benderfitness.com You won't regret it! :)
P.S. As I start lifting weights, I think I need to learn to let the number on the scale go! It is really starting to make me mad and I can't go by that anymore, because I hope I am gaining muscle (I know I am just by looking) and I am not going to let that number control me! NOOOOOO!!!!
I don't get to blog as much as I used to... It's not that I don't think about it.. it's finding time!
I have been busy with work this year and also opening my own business with a friend! If you haven't checked it out, make sure you do- www.facebook.com/southernstateofmindboutique
So, on the fitness front:
I have still been fluctuating between 165-170. I know the reason is that I splurge on weekends and I know that needs to come to an end. It's hard with the holidays, but soon it will have to happen.
I am currently rotating lots of different workouts and running. I try and do some type of cardio every day, whether it be the treadmill or bike and then I add in Insanity, TurboFire, a crossfit workout stolen from Pinterest, Bob Harper's Kettlebell workouts, etc. I change it up often. I also like to follow Melissa at www.benderfitness.com Maybe it's that we share the same name, but mostly it's because she kicks ass and has some GREAT workouts! I am going to do her most recent burpee workout today and run. http://www.benderfitness.com/2013/11/burpee-burn-weekend-workout-challenge.html
For me, it is all about changing it up a LOT so I don't stay bored. I also bought a new barbell this Friday (my best Black Friday purchase, in my opinion!) and I am starting to use it to start lifting more and try and take my fitness to the next level. I am learning not to care what the scale says, but to focus on how my body looks and I know that the weights are going to get me where I need to be. I will, however, try to do better with my diet. My fridge is stocked and ready to go. I vow not to let the holidays give me 10 lbs. Even if I maintain, it will be better than before. So, my advice- change it up-- do workouts that you LOVE to do... feel the burn... don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! You will be shocked what you can do and the changes you will see! :)
