Habit forming.
It doesn't take long to fall out of a habit -- as long as it was a good one...which I consider blogging to be. Let's just jump right back in, shall we?
The Monday after we got back from our cruise (SIX weeks ago! How did that happen???), I started boot-camp style training with a personal trainer. I haven't worked with Jen in a couple of years, but I knew it was time to shake things up. Jen trains out of her home, and is a Pilates instructor from way back. I always felt good when I was doing Pilates regularly, so that had appeal. She also does weight training, and we talked about a crossfit-style approach (maybe), and setting me up to do other sessions on my own. I made her agree to one very important ground rule once we settled on three times a week: I don't get makeup sessions. In the past, she's been generous if you had to cancel a session. For me, it gave me an excuse (cramps, headache, tired...) and I needed to suck it up. Money talks, and I wasn't going to waste it.
We set up an eight-week plan, three times a week with her, one or two sessions of either cardio (running or elliptical) or stretching/weights on my own. My weight has been stuck in the same 5-pound range for almost six months and I'm getting annoyed. Those last 30 pounds (or 35, depending on where I am in the 5-pound range!) need to leave. So my goals were weight loss, of course, but toning and strength were a big part of it as well.
During our sessions, I've done Pilates (until death, cuz that's how she rolls), Reformer (the machine that uses cables and body weight), Barre (kinda love this one), various push up/pull up routines using bands and different counters in the house (so freaking sore I couldn't move), Chi ball and stability ball, and probably a few I've blocked out of my mind. Other than one Saturday I had to miss because of a college visit, I've consistently seen her three times a week for either individual sessions or a small group class. On my own, after the first three weeks I haven't done as well getting another two in - sort of hit or miss there.
The result?
Yeah, that's not me. Just making sure you're paying attention.
Stupid scale will not move, so the pounds are still on. But...two pair of jeans and two dress pants I was wearing in January don't fit well anymore - too loose. I kept telling myself to take my measurements when I started, but I hate doing it. I'll do it at the end of the eight weeks and report back then.
___________________________
I know that the next step is changing some of the food choices -- staying Paleo, but cuttingout down on the good fats that make up more of my diet than they should in order to lose weight -- avocados, nuts, bacon. *sob
It's onto the next phase of meal planning -- I've continued to use the chart, and still love it. But now I have to branch out into some new recipes, more make ahead/freeze type, so I will quit taking the easy route of cooking only what I know.
This was a fun one a couple of weeks ago - one of the prettiest side dishes I've made lately.
I'm going to try to take pictures and force myself to do at least one new recipe a week for the next month. It'll be a chance to get me back in the blogging habit, too.
There you have it, folks. My life the last month as I've made muscles hurt that I didn't know I had.
Have you tried anything lately that got you out of your comfort zone?
The Monday after we got back from our cruise (SIX weeks ago! How did that happen???), I started boot-camp style training with a personal trainer. I haven't worked with Jen in a couple of years, but I knew it was time to shake things up. Jen trains out of her home, and is a Pilates instructor from way back. I always felt good when I was doing Pilates regularly, so that had appeal. She also does weight training, and we talked about a crossfit-style approach (maybe), and setting me up to do other sessions on my own. I made her agree to one very important ground rule once we settled on three times a week: I don't get makeup sessions. In the past, she's been generous if you had to cancel a session. For me, it gave me an excuse (cramps, headache, tired...) and I needed to suck it up. Money talks, and I wasn't going to waste it.
We set up an eight-week plan, three times a week with her, one or two sessions of either cardio (running or elliptical) or stretching/weights on my own. My weight has been stuck in the same 5-pound range for almost six months and I'm getting annoyed. Those last 30 pounds (or 35, depending on where I am in the 5-pound range!) need to leave. So my goals were weight loss, of course, but toning and strength were a big part of it as well.
During our sessions, I've done Pilates (until death, cuz that's how she rolls), Reformer (the machine that uses cables and body weight), Barre (kinda love this one), various push up/pull up routines using bands and different counters in the house (so freaking sore I couldn't move), Chi ball and stability ball, and probably a few I've blocked out of my mind. Other than one Saturday I had to miss because of a college visit, I've consistently seen her three times a week for either individual sessions or a small group class. On my own, after the first three weeks I haven't done as well getting another two in - sort of hit or miss there.
The result?
Stupid scale will not move, so the pounds are still on. But...two pair of jeans and two dress pants I was wearing in January don't fit well anymore - too loose. I kept telling myself to take my measurements when I started, but I hate doing it. I'll do it at the end of the eight weeks and report back then.
___________________________
I know that the next step is changing some of the food choices -- staying Paleo, but cutting
It's onto the next phase of meal planning -- I've continued to use the chart, and still love it. But now I have to branch out into some new recipes, more make ahead/freeze type, so I will quit taking the easy route of cooking only what I know.
This was a fun one a couple of weeks ago - one of the prettiest side dishes I've made lately.
 |
| Roasted butternut squash and sweet potatoes, tossed with kale and pecans. The steak was pretty awesome, too. |
I'm going to try to take pictures and force myself to do at least one new recipe a week for the next month. It'll be a chance to get me back in the blogging habit, too.
There you have it, folks. My life the last month as I've made muscles hurt that I didn't know I had.
Have you tried anything lately that got you out of your comfort zone?
Yeah, can Jen just move in with me? I won't make her babysit or anything. Because, I haven't been motivated to do much of anything that didn't include wine drinking or creating spreadhseets.
ReplyDeleteI do my share of wine drinking. And spreadsheets. And honestly, I think I'd kill her in the throes of pain if she actually lived here. I've considered driving over there to do it, but realized I was in no condition to actually lift a weapon. Or my head.
DeleteI feel so guilty reading your blog because I recently saw a Groupon for laser liposuction and totally considered just going for it. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great, Traci! So proud of you and all your hard work!
I love those Groupons. I just have to keep hoping they show up every year.
ReplyDeleteThey're not Terra brand, but...not sure if you knew this, Kroger and HEB both carry their own store brands and they are EXACTLY the same. Kroger's are the Simple Truth and HEB is the Central Market brand (but you have Central Market there so I guess you could just go there, ha!). And, the Central Market ones also come in black pepper flavor.
ReplyDelete