Every day I plan to work hard to get to my goals, in hopes that my hard work will pay off. I am definitely starting to notice the "pay off" of a healthy lifestyle. This week, my body feels a lot stronger. I took the weekend off this weekend because I went to the Eastern Shore, but I have to say that I can not wait to get back to my worxouts!! It almost feels weird taking these few days off. My body is starting to crave activity...it is so great! I love how much strength and confidence I have gained just in the last 3 weeks. I feel like I am getting back to the old me, which is so amazing!!
This week has taught me a lot about myself. I had a cheat day last Monday which really made me realize how true the "food for fuel" concept is. I ate horribly that day and the next workout I did was sooo much harder! It's crazy how much food really effects your workouts! I also have learned that in order to make this a life long journey, I need to allow myself a cheat meal once a week. I have been so hard on myself the last few weeks which resulted in a lot of cravings on Monday. I feel like I am a lot more satisfied knowing that I will have that one day a week where I can have a little treat!
My OH YEAH moment this week was last night. I was getting ready to go out with my friend to go see my other friend's band play. I was getting ready and I looked in the mirror and for the first time in a long time, I thought to myself, I look great today! I was so excited to see that change. I had another OH YEAH moment that same night when we were out at the bar for the show. We decided to have dinner there and instead of getting an unhealthy meal, I went with a salad. I also dipped my fork in the dressing. It feels great to go out and still be able to make healthy choices!
In this next week, my goal is to start doing the 60 day combat challenge along with Boot camp. I plan to get up early in the mornings so that I can get the extra workouts in. I realize that this is going to be a challenge, but NO EXCUSES! I know that I can do it! I also would like to start focusing more on working my arms and my abs, and make the most of every day! Last week my goal was to work on my balance. I feel like my balance is improving a lot after focusing more on it this week. I also did the yoga class at the Worx. I think I will continue coming to this class a few times a month to try to increase my balance and flexibility.
This week has been a great one. The Journey social this week was so much fun! Everyone on the team has made a huge difference in helping me keep pushing myself through this journey. Every time I come to class, I get inspired by all of you. You have made such a huge difference to me! Thank you all for being there!
On to week 4, and I expect great things. Even though we have to deal with the occasional challenge, I guarantee it will be worth the reward!
One day at a time...a great concept when it comes to weight loss! This week has been challenging, but also rewarding. My body is feeling stronger then last week, and less sore. The workouts are still tough but getting more comfortable every day. I also feel like I am getting smaller, and after measurements and losing 5.5 lbs at weigh in, I am seeing the rewards of how hard I have been pushing myself.
This week, I have learned a lot about what my trigger foods are and how important it is to remind myself of my why. I have done a lot of self talk this week to keep myself going, and remind myself why it is worth the work. Through my team, I have learned that we all have our ups and downs. Some days are better then others. Patricia made a good point this week of not focusing on the scale. It is just a number, and while we all want that number to go down, when you focus too much on it, you can become discouraged. I have been trying to focus less on the scale and more on the fact that I feel a lot healthier this week then I did 2 weeks ago.
My Oh Yeah moment this week was when I went to my friends house on Friday after work and decided that it wasn't worth it to have even that one beer that they offered me. I really want to get to my goal, and I feel like occasionally it would be ok to have a drink or two, but I also don't feel like it is worth spending my points on something that I didn't plan in. It will be a lot more tempting next week when I go to see my friends' band play on the eastern shore at a bar with friends I haven't seen in a long time. One of the things that has really helped me to stay on track with my weight loss is my planning ahead, so I think my best option is to plan to have 2 drinks that night, and make sure I save the points for it (luckily I am driving so any more then that won't be an option).
My goals for this next week are to cook all of my meals ahead, and plan my food for each day. I also want to avoid restaurants. This weekend, I have gone out to eat a lot. While it isn't hard to make good choices when I go out, I feel like it is easier to know what I am eating if I make it at home. I also feel healthier when I make the food myself. Last week I said I wanted to work on my balance. I have been really focused on that this week and at certain points I see improvements. I have also noticed that my balance is a lot worse after my workout then before. (Maybe because my legs are a little shaky lol). I was also able to pre-make most of my food this past week.
As for motivation, my team helps me every day to want to show up in class. Helina really helped motivate me during kickboxing on Saturday. I have to say, I think we have both come a long way! I am so proud of you Helina! I remember how much we were both struggling through the fit test. It is crazy how much stronger you can become when you really work at it! Tamika and Claudia, you both motivate me every class! We are getting really good at pushing each other through every class! My coaches, as always, are awesome! Sadaf, you are a great motivator during class! Whenever I want to give up, you look at me or say something to keep me going, and it really makes a difference. Sis, I have to shout out to you for pushing me for so long to come to the Worx. You finally got me there and I am so glad you did. I am so grateful every day for all of you and all of your help. Getting back to my goal would mean the world to me, and while I am doing the work to get there, I couldn't have gotten started, worked this hard, or come this far without all of your help!
I can't wait to see what another week will bring! We can do this...One day at a time!
"The beginning is always tough, but once I'm in it I become UNSTOPPABLE"
WOW! This has been a great first week! I am feeling completely positive about this Journey. When I first started, one thought that crossed my mind was "I don't know if I can make it through these classes every day!" After only the first week of the Journey and working out 5 days this week, I have to say that I love how much I have pushed myself through these classes. I said in my last blog that I felt like the classes were really intense and difficult for me to get through. This week, I feel 10 times stronger! I feel like, while each class is a challenge, I can make it...and it gets easier every time. I feel like my body is getting more muscular every day. The amount of strength that I feel after only a week is AMAZING!
My coaches have been great. It is so awesome to come to class and have two people standing next to you and pushing you the whole time. They even got me to go on stage and to the front of the group this week (I usually hide in the back). They have been so supportive and helpful through my Journey so far.
As for my team...I love my team! I have met so many new friends through this journey. Everyone is on the same page, going for the same goals. It's great! My team and my coaches are the reasons I keep coming back every day. Even if I don't feel like it. It is a great thing to be part of a team!
This morning I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting since before Christmas. When I pulled up outside of the meeting place (where originally I thought I had never been before), I realized that I remembered this center. I had been here before for my advanced Leader training when I worked for Weight Watchers. Last time I was at that center, during a conversation with my trainer (this was about 4 years ago), she looked at me in the middle of practicing a motivational exercise, and said "Honey, I feel like you have lost your motivation". She was right. This was at the point in my life when I was just starting to gain back the weight I lost before. Going back there today made me realize how much I really want this. I listened to motivational speakers, including a woman who had lost 75 lbs and was still on her way to her goal. Watching her, I said to myself "That used to be me...I want to be up there again".
Coming into Kickboxing today, I pushed harder then I have in a while. The meeting today definitely motivated me. I also have learned a lot from Maia. She said to me a couple weeks ago that I need to stop looking back at the past, and focus on getting back to my goal in the future. Ever since she said that I have used it to keep me going. I used to hold myself back with the negative thoughts that came along with gaining my weight back. This week has totally changed my outlook. I am done looking back on the past. I am working towards a happier and healthier future.
My OH YEAH moment: Every day this week on my way home from class. I was in the car this week driving home from boot camp at the Worx and all I could think about was how I never thought I would be able to push myself this hard again. I am so proud and grateful that I have been given the opportunity to realize how much my body is really capable of. I seriously had tears in my eyes on the way home every day this week, happy, proud and extremely grateful tears.
This week my goal is to go grocery shopping and pre-make all of my meals. I think this will make the food part of weight loss easier. As for exercise, my goal is to work on my balance. I have horrible balance, but I have already noticed it getting better through coming to these classes. I plan to focus on it a lot this week. As for this past weeks goals, I feel like I have done great! I have accomplished all that I planned and more this week.
Many of you on the Journey with me have been able to inspire me this week. Sadaf kept me going today when she told me she could tell I was working hard during class and she was proud. That kept me pushing hard through the rest of class. Dana told me he has noticed that I am working hard every class...and that also means a lot! When other people notice what you are doing, it really makes a difference! I went to Weight Watchers today with Vanessa and Nathalie, and I am glad to have other people to hold me accountable with that as well.
On to week 2 of the Journey, and I couldn't be happier with how I feel so far. To my team: I am so proud of all of you! We can do this!
