Day Ten
Yesterday was my last day of circuit one and it felt great. I wore my patriot socks and the new sneakers I bought myself for motivation when I signed up for the challenge. For the first few days I wasn’t wearing sneakers and my calves killed. The added support really make it a lot more comfortable. The moves were a lot easier than when I started and I really gave it my all. I’ve overcome any obstacles that kept me from exercising in the past, and I feel unstoppable.
My job, however, has proven to be my biggest diet sabotage, and now that I’ve got this workout routine down and am really looking for results and trying to live healthy, I’m even harder on myself than in the past. I had a mini-binge at work last night and felt awful about it. There’s just too much finger food around for picking at, and I can only go so long dishing out deliciously terrible italian food and smelling all that cheesy goodness before I give in to my cravings. It’s not even like I can just eat a little bit of something and be okay, even the mint candies have 35 calories in them, and I eat about 5 a shift! One lasagna fritta has 171 calories in it and I had three last night! And god help me if there is a dead chicken alfredo in the window for the taking! Honestly, I think since I’ve been focusing on it so much I’ve gotten worst, but I can’t help it.
I’ve got to figure something out, though, because it’s not even worth it. Every time I order food there it’s instantly regrettable and I feel like complete crap after. I work up this morning feeling bloated and disgusting, even fatigued, just from one meal. Doing this workout consistently and getting stronger proves that I CAN do anything I set my mind to, and that if something is worth it, you work for it. So I know I can resist those unhealthy choices if I just try a little harder, and maybe come up with some kind of strategy. Gotta start packing food for work, I guess.
Day Nine
I was eager to workout this morning since I skipped yesterday, and got it out of the way as soon as Chris, Kyle, and I got back from our walk downtown. It is definitely getting easier, although more tedious since I’ve been doing the same thing every day, but I start level two after tomorrow so I’m excited about that. I ate pretty good today, as well. Had a half of a peanut butter and jelly on multigrain after my workout, and then a small parfait before leaving for work. Still can’t stay away from the breadsticks and croutons at work though, and I really do need to work on that. Didn’t have any alfredo sauce or anything awful though (besides the breadstick), just a small bowl of pasta e fagioli at the end of my shift. Also noticed that my arms are getting stronger because it was much easier for me to lift trays and maneuver things around at work. Feeling great!
Day Eight
Unfortunately I didn’t make the time to workout today. It’s totally my own fault and I couldn’t stop thinking about it all night at work. I tried to talk myself into doing it when I got out, but I didn’t get in until 12:30ish and I was just too tired after running around for six hours. At least I have a very active job, and burn a ton of calories running from table to table and carrying trays, etc. Also, I ate really good today so I wasn’t a total failure. Gotta get re-motivated I suppose, since this is the second day I’ve skipped! C’mon, Sam! You can do it!
Day Seven
So far I have already seen a dramatic difference in my energy level since starting this workout and trying to eat “cleaner” and healthier. Case and point: I woke up yesterday morning at 7:30 and had class from 9:30 - 2:00. When I got home I made a delicious smoothie, inspired by the many green smoothies I have been seeing people blog about, which I’m going to share with you all soon! I did some homework and relaxed for a little while and then went to my night class at Smith from 6:30 -9:30. I walked halfway home, and then at quarter to ten at night, after two long and busy days, when all I wanted to do was relax and read, I did the workout. I didn’t make excuses, I didn’t decide I had something better to do, I wasn’t lazy, I wasn’t a quitter. I did it anyway, and it felt amazing. Now, I just wonder if I’ll have the energy to do the same thing tonight at 11:30 after working all night, since I haven’t done it yet and no longer have time for a shower.
Reflecting on this, I wonder if my energy level has really changed, or just my discipline and determination?
Day Six
I had the day off and had a full schedule of things I had to do so I made sure to get my workout out of the way early so I wouldn’t neglect it later. One thing about doing such a vigorous, sweaty work out is that I can always count on having to shower after, so that kind of forces me to get it out of the way on most days so I don’t have to shower twice. After working out I had a busy day of shopping, getting a flat tire, running errands, and helping my boyfriend with trivia at Friday’s. Ugh, Friday’s. Talk about diet sabotage. At least I wasn’t terrible, and Kyle and I just split a couple of appetizers and called it good. Still, it was fried and greasy, and so many dipping sauces were involved I don’t even want to know the calorie count.
Days Four & Five
On day one I thought I would have given up by day four, and I almost did. But something has surely changed inside of me and a little voice kept saying: “You can do it, it’s only 20 minutes, just get it over with and you’ll feel great”. I listed to that voice and it was right. :-)
Yesterday however was a bit of a different story and I did end up skipping my workout. It was my first day of the semester and I had to wake up extra early to make sure I wasn’t late for my 9:30 class (9:30 is early for me and I am notoriously late for everything). I didn’t get out of school until 4:30 and then I spent the evening visiting with Chris’ brother and sister-in-law who drove all the way here from their vacation in NYC before flying back to Michigan today. At the end of the night I was so tired and just wanted to relax. Now, I’m not trying to make excuses because I’m a firm believer in JUST DOING IT. The way I see it, you will always have some kind of excuse for not doing the things you know you should do, but you JUST HAVE TO DO IT. There is no such thing as a good excuse.
We did go out to dinner and I ordered the Turkey Burger on an English Muffin with a side salad, which allowed me room for a small scoop of ice cream at Herrell’s afterwards! It’s all about making small changes and swaps. You really don’t have to deprive yourself to have the body you want, and I am finally realizing that.
I do need to start counting calories again though, because I want to make the most of this 30 days (and beyond). No half-assing this thing, go big or go home!
P.S. Doing the workout NOW while I watch for Matt and Alli on Kathie Lee and Hoda!
Day Three
Not much to update on. Today Kyle joined me during my workout and was sweating and struggling just as much as I was (made me feel pretty good, not gonna lie). I feel it the most in my calves today - every time I sit down for awhile they are SO stiff when I get back up. Didn’t even know how I was going to do my job when I first woke up this morning, but it got better after walking around for awhile. Eating wise, today was good. I didn’t really pay too much attention to my intake, but I felt like I was making healthy choices and I drank a lot of water. Just gotta work on staying away from the food at my work, and remember to bring healthy snacks there instead of munching on croutons, mints, and breadsticks all night.
Day Two
It’s true that one good decision leads to another, because after starting the 30 Day Shred Challenge yesterday, I have had the most fantastic and productive day today. I woke up early (before 8 a.m.) and for the first time all summer decided I was finally going to go to the Farmer’s Market downtown (I have been talking to my housemates about going since it started in May but never managed to get my butt moving early enough!), so I woke up Kyle and we took the bike path and walked there (3.6 mile walk there and back), stopping for coffee and a spinach, roasted tomato, and feta cheese egg wrap from Starbucks which we split. We got $15 worth of fresh produce, including a big bag of fresh salad mix, bok choy, cucumber, peaches, cantaloup, green beans, garlic, and a couple of zucchini flowers which I had no idea was a thing. I am super excited to start cooking and have a few recipes I will be trying and sharing later this week.
I completed my second day of the Shred workout as well, and surprisingly I wasn’t even very sore from yesterday. It seemed easier even from one day, but I was definitely sweating, and I can’t wait for tomorrow. For my post workout lunch I mixed up a giant salad using the mix I got at the Farmer’s Market and other veggies we had lying around, as well as half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the protein.
Honestly people, I feel like a new person. You have no idea how long and hard this battle to health has been for me, and I feel like I have finally mastered my will power and determination, and have all the tools I need to make this healthy lifestyle change. The tumblr community has played such a huge part in keeping me inspired and motivated and I thank you all for that, even if you never see this. I don’t know what happened, but I am finally making the positive changes in my life necessary to becoming the person I strive to me.
Day One
Just finished my first day of the 30 Day Shred Challenge (I was sick yesterday and took the day to rest and get better) and let me tell you, it kicked my ass! I have honestly never sweat so hard from any other video workout before. I’m really impressed with myself because I’m usually one to take breaks and drop out in the middle of a set when I work out at home, but I stuck it out until the end and gave it my all. And for anyone who thinks they’re too out of shape, or doesn’t have the motivation to get up and go, believe me when I say if I can do it, ANYONE can do it!
Now I’m feeling great and I’m going to sit down, go through some recipes and coupons and decide on a meal plan and grocery list for my next trip. I’ll share when I’m done!
No shame.
So, I signed up for the 30 Day Shred challenge that now-watch-me-work organized and I wanted to post my before pictures on here as well. It’s September first, I’m starting a new semester at school, got a new haircut, and I’m ready to make positive changes in my life. …Unfortunately I’m a little sick with a cold that I got from my boyfriend, but I’m still gonna cough and sniffle my way through the first day of the challenge! I’m not counting calories or anything though until I get better because I think I just need the nutrients to get my body back to normal. Anyway, here are the photos. Goal lists and other motivating stuff for the month to come later today while I’m lounging around on my sick day!
