day 19: zumba – dancing calories away, and dancing away negative thoughts!

LBS TO GOAL: 93.4

WHAT I ATE: I ingested 1514 calories  and burned 999 calories according to Myfitnesspal app.  I started the day with a Zeal Fitness Shake, which kept me feeling full until lunch time.  My pre and post workout snacks were bananas. The bananas were delicious and good blood sugar boosters! My mom and I went to a Korean restaurant for lunch; I had Yaki-Mandu, Pajun Korean Pancake, and Daeji Bulgolgi.  Korean food, when ordered correctly, is quite healthy.  Usually my mom and I eat way too much, but I was able to keep my portions under control.  It was a late lunch, so that carried my through the day.   I was still feeling full at dinner, so I skipped dinner.  Probably not the best idea, but I technically ate four times today, and this kept me fueled and feeling good.

 

HOW I FELT: Throughout the day I felt “full” and really didn’t have any gross cravings.  I think I should have drank more water, but overall I stayed feeling good. I felt fairly proud of myself until Zumba.  The Zumba class is in a dance room that has mirrored walls.  I started out smiling while I was sweating!  I felt reckless abandon and enjoyed the activity UNTIL I LOOKED AT MYSELF IN THE MIRROR. It has been said that comparison is the thief of joy, and when I looked in the mirror, I started to mentally compare myself to other people around me, and I felt sad. I kept taking glances at my doughy tummy, my calves and kept thinking of the word “cankles”. Then suddenly it hit me what the hell am I thinking? Seriously, I was having fun! I quit watching myself and just focused on dancing.  I went back to having fun, but I decided I will never again go to an aerobic class wearing all one color. Ever.

I’m feeling a bit sore now, and a bit tired, but it’s the good version of these feelings.  I feel like I did good things for my body that will make me a bit sore tomorrow, but I REGRET NOTHING. Well, I regret wearing all black to the Zumba class; aside from that – I REGRET NOTHING.

REFLECTION: I usually don’t have the negative thoughts I have today. Mostly, when I reflect on my body, I think of the unhealthy part or the away from goal part.  I can’t remember when I just looked in a mirror and felt the way I did today.  I’m going to use this feeling to inspire me to continue this journey rather than dissuade myself from it.  I feel stronger today for my workouts, but there is still that seed of loathing that I am going to work at destroying.  My Zumba instructor complimented me for my work today and said I did well.  She was quite amiable and really made it easier to learn and have fun.  My self-consciousness was definitely eased by her teaching style!  I plan to keep up with the Zumba as long as my teaching/coaching schedule allows.  I really loved it and hope to keep working at this. 

 

GOALS FOR THE WEEK: Since I didn’t make it to the gym yesterday (EFF you insomnia), I hit the treadmill/dreadmill today to get my minutes/miles today. I spent 30 minutes of my 2 hour goal on the machine! I went to a Zumba class today per my goal yesterday, and plan to go again Thursday (day 21).  I need to get another hour and a half on the treadmill/dreadmill, and I plan to go to a yoga class tomorrow or swim to help stretch out my body.  VICTORY SHALL SOON BE MINE! 

Also – I think staying away from processed foods and eating more fruit has been the key to success this past week or so.

day 18

LBS TO GOAL: 93

What I ate:  I was at 1796 calories.  Did good with food choices, but stayed away from caffeine due to yesterday/last night’s debacle.

How I felt: F&*KING MISERABLE. I hate caffeine late the night before and was plagued by insomnia. I’d write more, but the day was abysmal failure and I want to sleep.

 

Reflection: NO MORE CAFFEINE AFTER 7PM. EVER. NEVER EVER. 😦

 

GOAL FOR TOMORROW: GO TO ZUMBA.

day 17: cheat day, but not sweet day.

LBS TO GOAL: 93.4

WHAT I ATE:  I ate 1567 calories, and didn’t burn any.  I didn’t eat as many vegetables as I usually do, but I did keep under the calorie count.  I ate three solid meals today and didn’t really snack like I do when I workout or coach.  I think the sweetest thing I ingested today was a Diet Dr. Pepper.

HOW I FELT:  I still did not feel the “hunger” throughout the day.  However, I am not feeling my stomach getting any smaller, so I am concerned about that.  I think in the coming weeks I need to be mindful of not only the processed foods, but also the sodium intake.  One of my relatives ended up having congestive heart failure, and sodium was a huge partner in that.  Another relative became a Type 2 diabetic, and must monitor everything. That is on my mind as I make these lifestyle changes.

Reflection:  I am not saying I deserved a “cheat day”, but I will say that I deserved a break away from people.  I am an introvert, and honestly even being around people in a gym can irritate me if I don’t take sometime to be alone.  Although I didn’t workout today, I kept my eye on what I ate and how much of it I ate.  My version of a “cheat day” is to have a day off from working out or being around people.  I don’t want to be bad about my diet, because in the past when I cheat, I get in this vicious VORTEX OF BAD CHOICES that send me completely off my diet.  I plan to keep it this way.  I CAN DO IT.

Goals for the weekend:
I didn’t workout today.  I spent the day researching in preparation for the week ahead, and just gave myself a day off.  I was pretty spent from yesterday, and watching my calories helped keep me in check.  Tomorrow I am back to the grind!

GOALS FOR THE COMING WEEK: Go to the gym everyday this week.  I want at least two hours on the treadmill/dreadmill if not 2.5hours. With my schedule changing in the coming weeks, it is very important that I get on a fitness routine that I can maintain.  Strongly thinking about putting it on my GoogleCalendar to ensure that I do this!

day 16: swimming the calories away

LBS TO GOAL: 93.4

WHAT I ATE:  I ingested 1693 calories and burned 797.  I had a simple breakfast of a lean hamburger patty.  Lunch was heavy with carbs by eating a soft pretzel with cheese and I split a jumbo hot dog.   Dinner was a mixed salad of spinach, grape tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and crumbled hamburger meat.   My treat after dinner was strawberries with cool whip.  I really like that low calorie treat!

HOW I FELT:  I never felt “hunger” throughout the day.  I don’t know if it was because I chose foods with more fiber, or if it was that I stayed active all day – but it was a good day fitness and food choices wise.

Reflection:  I had the 1800 calorie goal, and I totally kept that and then some.  I made healthy choices and stayed active – good fuel meant good fun.

Goals for the weekend: WORKOUT BOTH DAYS. Today, I burned 797 by spending so much time and energy in the water. I am utterly spent from the day. 

day 15: or something

LBS TO GOAL: 93.4

WHAT I ATE: I ingested 2087 calories and burned 292 calories.  I drank a ton of cucumber water.  I think I ate more carbs than necessary, but made sure to get plenty of vegetables and fruit. 

HOW I FELT: My day went started slower, and sleeping in definitely did not help me feel goal oriented towards fitness!  By choosing healthier foods I felt much better and capable of working out. I am enjoying the heck out of

Reflection:  1800 calories per day is tough, but choosing the right foods makes it easier. I obviously did not meet goal today, but I felt good throughout the day and made healthy choices.  There is always tomorrow!

Goals for the week: two hours and five minutes completed on the treadmill for the week!  woo-hoo!

day 14: lost three more pounds!

LBS TO GOAL: 93.4

WHAT I ATE:  I ingested 1925 calories and burned 618 calories. I started the day with cucumber water (a new favorite), a single box size of Frosted Mini Wheat, and a Fresca.  Lunch was pretty simple with a homemade spinach and cheese pizza.  Dinner was when I made it a bit fancy; I made seafood pasta with white sauce, had 4oz of champagne, and strawberries and cream for dessert. Having a plan throughout the day made a huge different is caloric intake control and making sure I ate healthy.

HOW I FELT:  I stayed away from caffeine today, and suffered a nasty headache at the end of the day, but holy Hell, I slept like a baby!  My workout was pretty good, and my coaching session went well. I was at a relative’s house around lunch time and didn’t really care for the food choices there, so I left and made my healthy personal pizza.  I didn’t feel guilty when I ate throughout the day. I drank around a gallon of water, and it helped me feel “cleaner”.  I know that is a strange word to use, but it’s the best I have to use at this time. 

Reflection: Water is awesome. Sleep is awesome.  When I got enough of both I found myself hitting a whole other sort of energy cycle!
Based on how I have felt sticking around 1800 calories I have lowered my caloric intake goal to 1800 per day. It’s enough to make me feel fueled without giving me the starving sensation that could put me into binge mode.   I think in another week I will start eliminating/limiting some processed foods.

Goals for the week: 95min out of 2 hours complete from the treadmill! Want to hit the weights, get a massage, and hit the pool this weekend.

day 13: Lower caloric intake and I’m still feeling good.

LBS TO GOAL: 96.4

WHAT I ATE:  I ingested 1804 calories and burned 268.  My breakfast was a Oatmeal bar and banana. Snack was another oatmeal bar, and a Fresca.  Lunch was a steak – dry, and a spinach salad.  Dinner was a homemade mini-pizza, fresca, and an easy mac. I drank cucumber water during the day which was quite refreshing and a good alternative to any sugary substitutes.

HOW I FELT:  I’m SORE. Between the new workout regime and the coaching – which is far more physically demanding than I gave it credit – my body is going through some physically changes and I like it.  The soreness means something is changing!

Reflection: Water is awesome. Sleep is awesome.  I need to make certain I’m getting enough of both.

Goals for the week: 60min out of 2 hours complete from the treadmill! Tomorrow it is absolutely necessary that I hit the weights and not just do the typical sweat and stretch.

day 12: I got 99 problems, and fitness is 1.

LBS TO GOAL: 96.4

WHAT I ATE:  I ingested 1774 calories, and burned 295/305 (depends on the machine) doing a treadmill/dreadmill workout.  I stayed away from  (heavy) processed foods until dinner time (where I made Shepherd Pie for a family gathering). Breakfast consisted of a banana, full glass of water, two sausage balls, and Peace Tea.  Lunch was a Turkey sandwich, dry, with spinach.  I snacked on a banana between lunch and dinner to keep the blood sugar up {not diabetic, but blood sugar is connected to cravings) and drank three Frescas (zero calories!).   Dinner was a simple, homemade Shepherd Pie.  I felt full most of the day and kept below my caloric intake goal.

HOW I FELT:  Getting a full night of sleep genuinely helped my energy level.  I woke up feeling grouchy and generally hating anything to do with fitness, but by the time I left sports practice (for school) I was somewhat enthusiastic of a workout.  I started out on the eliptical – and that was a bit faster paced and swingy (not a word, I know, but work with me!) for my first workout back to the gym.  I settled on the treadmill and found a 5k training program.  So, I started on that and after the first ten minutes, and some great tunes* to get my mood elevated, I was feeling pretty good.  I didn’t complete a 5k, but I did complete a little over two miles with solid effort and incline.  My legs definitely felt it!  I got home and drank more water, then took a nap.  A nap isn’t a luxury  I will have once school starts in full swing – but considering all the changes and my crankiness, this felt like a good plan. 

Reflection: After my workout I craved cold foods and veggies.  I sincerely believe this is my body telling my brain what it needs to function properly.  There is a burger place next to the gym…and when I walked out to that odor I felt gross!  When I workout it makes picking healthier foods easier, or so it seems thus far. 

Goals for the week: 40min out of 2 hours complete from the treadmill!  I started a 5k training program on the treadmill/dreadmill.  I’m sore today, but really felt the endorphin rush after the workout. My long term plan is to start the week of training off with a distance walk/hike/jog, then the rest of the week do cross-training style cardio and weight lifting routines.  I loved lifting weights in the past, and feel this will be a good way to get healthy and do something to make myself stronger. 

 

*tunes listing:

• Points of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer – Linkin Park and Jay Z
• Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore
• My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy
• Bon, Bon – Pitbull
• Time is Running Out – Muse
• Remember the Name – Fort Minor
• Single Ladies – Beyonce
• Good Vibrations – Marky Mark
• Titanium – David Guetta Ft. Sia
• Sweet Nothing – Florence and the Machine
• Feel So Close to You – Calvin Harris
• Rock Superstar – Cypress Hill
• Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
• Everybody – Backstreet Boys
• Feel It in My Bones – Tiesto
• One Step Closer – Linkin Park

 

 The above list is a sampling – and by the songs I know I give away my age group, if nothing else.  

Keep fighting the fitness fight folks. [I love alliteration]

 

oh, and here is my workout summary – training day 1!

day 11: I listened to Marky Mark and it helped me stay funky

LBS TO GOAL: 96.4

WHAT I ATE:  I ate 1923 calories today.  Ate a lot of processed food today even though I tried to plan my meals to the contrary.  These calories seemed to be heavier than usual calories, I put it on the processed crap.

HOW I FELT:  I only slept 5 hours last night – and I attribute to a sleep schedule changing since I am back to work.  Having vacation for two and a half months will throw patterns to Hell. I’m tired, and it is hard to tell if it is due to a) change of schedule, b) change of diet, or c) PMS.  Or, surprise option d) all of the aforementioned items.

Reflection: I’m tired and bitchy.  No other way to say it.  No matter how many times I watched Marky Mark’s video (and jam to his song), I was unable to join the Funky bunch. I have tomorrow, and I shall channel my hungry bitchiness into tomorrow.

Goals for the week: I want to be on an elliptical or treadmill for a combine 2hours this week, and go to three classes.

Grocery Shopping Expedition

I went late night grocery shopping (less crowded, quicker shopping), and this is the result of my attempt to buy healthier foods.