My T25 Experience So Far

Here I am, 4 days in to this T25 challenge.

And, I'm feeling good!

I'm a pretty open book.

(But you don't get before pictures though until I have rockin' after pictures to show as well.)

I started this challenge at 166lbs, a size 10, I'm 5'2" and a 38D (the picture above is from day 1).

Today, after 4 days of working hard and eating clean (including Shakeology for breakfast), I put on a pair of size 8 shorts and they fit great!

My energy is up.  I don't feel any crazy energy dips during the day.  I find that I'm happier and don't get stressed or discouraged as easily.  I have gotten completely ready the last two days (hair and makeup done, and dressed like a human instead of a frump).

I have been really sore.  Especially my thighs (no joke, they completely gave out on my yesterday and I fell on my bum while I was trying to do a squat).  But I'm doing my best to push through and do as much of the workout as I can - even if I have to do it "modified" or slower.

But, I know that this weekend and this next week will be really difficult for me.

Weekends are when I tend to cheat or slip up.  And tomorrow night we have a family birthday dinner celebration, so I'm a little nervous because I won't be the one cooking.  D and I have already decided to add an extra something on Saturday - a yoga class or a long walk.  And Sunday we'll stretch.

Next week, though, I'm afraid I'll start to make excuses.  I'm afraid that I'll say things like, "I'm too sore to workout" or "I'll do it later."  

I know I can do difficult things.

I know that I want and need to complete this program.

I want to be the best version of myself for J and for D.  And for me.

And J and D have been so supportive (this picture was taken after my workout today).

I guess I'm just afraid of my natural tendencies. 

What do you do to stay motivated?

It's True

For those of you who follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you got a sneak peak in to what's happening around here starting Monday, Aug 5.

I'm starting T25 and Shakeology.

 

(Yes, I'm starting this the day after D's birthday.  And you can bet your sweet patooty that I will be going allllll out to celebrate, which may leave me crying like a little girl on Monday, but whatever.)

Since having J and my body recovering from HG, it's taken me longer than what I expected to feel good.  And after J was born, I kind of ballooned into a bigger version of myself.  I've been holding steady at the same weight for months now.  And I'm feeling consistently good.  So, it's time.  Time to make myself and my health a priority.  I'm the only wife D has and the only mom J has, so I need to take care of myself for them.

(Quick shout out to my friend Katey who really has been so encouraging and kind to me - her consistent support has really helped me make this decision to commit to being healthy.)

I'm really excited about T25 - 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 10 weeks.  I can totally do that.  It might be 25 minutes of getting my butt kicked, but I can do it.  There's even a chart to mark off your work outs every day!  My OCD brain is geeking out over that!  And I've heard such great things about Shakeology that I'm excited to get on that train, too.  Not to mention my order came with recipes and meal plans and so many things to really help me stay on track.  I really feel like if I follow the instructions I can't fail.

There may be some posts in the next week about me missing Coca-Cola.  Or peanut-butter M&M's.  But help me push through!  Help keep me strong!  

D and I are creating a grocery shopping list tomorrow and stocking up the house with healthy food.  He's also going to be doing T25 along with me (although we'll be working out at different times and I'm not going to share my Shakeology).  My ultimate goal is to lose 30-40 lbs.  I've created a series of rewards so I can focus on smaller increments instead of being overwhelmed by a daunting 40 lb goal.  My incentives are: 10 lbs - Foam Roller Bar; 15 lbs - Princess Perfume (sample size - I don't wear perfume that often); 20 lbs - Facial or "Makeover"; 25 lbs - Massage; 30 lbs - Tickets to a theatre show or a Red Wings game; 35 lbs - New Dress; 40 - Vegas Weekend!  I have chosen to bribe myself with things I wouldn't buy for myself under normal circumstances so that they really are incentives.  For example, I have never bought myself a massage (with the exception of on our cruise back in 2011).  Incentives might seem silly to some, but I'm not above bribing myself. 

So here's to a healthier tomorrow and a healthier me.

Tired of Being Tired

Back in summer 2008 (also known as the worst summer of my life), D* and I went to therapy for my depression and anxiety.  

*He went because he was my "primary care giver" and because I had no idea how to really communicate my needs to him yet.

While the therapy was less than helpful (because I didn't want to be there and I was a really good liar/faker), I did learn one thing.

Whenever the therapist would ask me how I was doing, I would say that I was tired.

Tired is the dominant expression of my d/a.

It's not like a "I need to go to sleep" tired.

It's more like I am burned-out, broken-down, drained, beat, weary, depleted.

It doesn't matter how much I sleep, how many caffeinated beverages I drink, how much I exercise or eat energy-rich foods I eat, I'm still tired.

But, I think I might've found something to help wake me up.

Yoga.

I took a yoga class in college and loved it.

I tried to keep doing yoga at home on my own.

But then, I kind of fell out of the habit.

I started doing it again this past week and holy amazing, Batman.

I've done at least 15 minutes every morning.  Usually more.  

And then another 15-30 minutes at night.

I have felt so much more awake and connected to my body.

And the awake-ness has lasted all day!

Maybe my days of being tired are over?

Juicing Update

{via}

  I have now been juicing for one whole week.

That is one 16 oz. juice every two hours.

And then I eat a normal dinner.

I wish that I could say "I've had so much more energy!" or "The pounds are just dropping off my body!" or "Every juice tastes better than the last!"

Not so much.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not giving up.

I am trying to come to terms with the fact that my body has a lot to recover from and it may take some more time before I see or feel the results that I'm looking for.  (Husband has seen results right away - jealous.)

My body has changed a little.  Pants that fit me great a week ago are now a little big, although the scale hasn't budged.  And my stomach actually tells me when I'm hungry now (before, I would just guess - I haven't always been very good about eating and I think my stomach just gave up on giving me hunger cues).

I feel a lot better mentally about my eating (or drinking) choices this week, too.  I haven't had a Coke until Friday when I shared one with D.  My dinners have been healthy.  I haven't snacked on junk food.  So even if my energy level hasn't really changed and the scale hasn't changed, I don't feel any "guilt" over my crappy eating choices.

One of my students took a sip of one of my juices this week and she exclaimed, "Ew! How do you drink that?!"  (She's 9.  And it was actually one of the yummier juices.)

 Here are some of the things I have learned though:

• Wash your juicer right away (Duh, right?  Sometimes I'm lazy, though).
• Leafy veggies are easier to juice when you juice them at the same time as an apple or an orange or something.
• Broccoli may not give you a ton of juice, but you can taste it for sure!
• Cucumber makes any juice taste really fresh.
• A ripe pear makes any juice taste super yummy, even one with lots of veggies.
• Drink the juice right away - if it sits for too long, it'll separate.
• Use Granny Smith apples - it's better to use tart apples than sweet apples.

And, for any of you out there who are also juicing, here are some of my favorite juice combinations:

• 2 Oranges, 2 Apples, 4 Carrots, handful of Kale, handful of Broccoli
• 4 Carrots, handful of Kale, 2 handfuls of Spinach, 2 Apples, 2 Kiwi, 1 Pear
• Half a Cantaloupe, 1 Pear, 1 Apple, handful of Kale, handful of Broccoli, 4 Carrots
• Half a Pineapple, 4 Carrots, 2 Apples, 2 handfuls of Kale, 2 handfuls of Spinach
• Half a Cantaloupe, 1 Zucchini, 1 Cucumber, 2 handfuls of Spinach, 1 Apple, handful of Kale, 2 Carrots

 Usually, my "base" is the same - 1 Apple, 2 Carrots, handful of Kale, 1-2 handfuls of spinach. 1/2 a cucumber.  Then I add and subtract from there.

 

What recipes do you have to share with me?!

{via}

Happy juicing!  

And don't give up.

Why Juicing

While pregnant, I spent 8 months throwing up anything and everything.

I was on bed rest.

I did absolutely nothing to take care of my body.

All I could focus on was not dying.

(Sounds a little dramatic, but still true.)

J is now 9 months old.

Drinking Coca-Cola and eating chocolate and ice cream hasn't done much to help my body recover from pregnancy.

My lack of physical activity hasn't done much either.

I tried to get into running, and really enjoyed it, but my diet didn't really support my activity.

I was just exhausted all the time.

All. The. Time.

Rather than try do everything at once (fix my diet, be more active, count calories), which is my usual approach, I decided to start at square one - diet.

My thought process is that if I improve my diet, I'll have more energy to function.

If I have more energy, I'll be able to exercise regularly.

If I exercise regularly, I'll be happier, I'll lose weight, I'll be healthier, I'll live longer, I'll have more energy to play with J, etc.

So,

I bought a juicer.

It got here yesterday.

(Happy Valentines Day to me!)

This is our juicer - Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor

 D is juicing with me.

Our first juice was: 2 carrots, 2 apples, 2 oranges, and spinach.

 Our second juice was: 4 carrots, 2 pears, 2 kiwi, kale and spinach.

Holy yummy, Batman!

(I liked the second one better, but the first one was still good.)

My plan is to juice for breakfast and lunch and eat a normal dinner.

I also am going to keep healthy snacks on hand (low fat string cheese, almonds, pistachios).

I would love to hear your favorite juice recipes!

I'd also love to hear your favorite, healthy "go-to" snacks to have on hand!

Cheers to better health!