Week 2 workouts

Y'all. This week has FLOWN BY! 

Thursday was a blur but I remember I stayed on track with nutrition, fell a little short with water and loved loved LOVED my chest and back workout. I got in an extra half-workout when we took the kids to skate night. Talk about a time warp! Smells like it did 20 years ago, which was the last time I was in there. It was the first time for the kids so they both struggles but it was so fun to try! 

When we got home there was leftover pizza on the stove and I'm happy to report I resisted the urge to snack on it, and instead just put it away. I watched a little basketball and just drank water. Late night or post dinner snacking is my biggest challenge. I ate that bowl of cereal every night for years and it's an easy one to fall back into. 

Friday I had an unprecedented full day in my office and at my desk planned. It's easy to be overwhelmed this time of year, which makes me stress eat, so I was grateful for the time to catch up. I found that I didn't drink enough water during the day today either, so I'm gonna have to make a point to do it this weekend. I'm terrible on the weekends about staying hydrated so I really have to think about it. 

I loved and hated my arm workout because I lack upper body strength so it's a big challenge. But I can see some huge progress in leaning out in my shoulders and arms and can actually see some muscle developing! I wore a tank top on purpose so I could watch my muscles and see the progress for myself. I'm already sore! 

I've found a few new exercises I really love this week that are quickly becoming my fa rotor. Last time I loved the hybrid workouts but this challenge I really like the body part specific workouts. I'm excited to make it to week 3!

Pizza night!

Hayden loves pizza. He could eat it every day. I love finding healthier options and this is what I had while they ate pepperoni. 

10 Wednesday Cleanse Day

So normally it's Thursday. And I hate change. But love that this program can be flexible with me. Wednesday was a long busy day with no access to the gym so it seemed like a good idea. 

I will say this was my most successful cleanse yet. I felt confident and empowered and stayed right on track. A three hour interview helped me forget I was hungry. Overall I feel good about my progress and def my confidence. 

Day 9, Tuesday week 2

So cardio. 30-45 minutes of steady state or HIIT. Woof. Up on the elliptical I go. Feeling good. Pressing through that second mile. Onto the third with relative ease. As I approached 45, I was too close to  4 miles to give up. So I pushed it out to 50 minutes and get me to 4 miles. I'm not a runner. But this was amazing for me. If I can do this, I can basically do anything. 

Weekend edition

Saturday was pretty easy. Shakes for breakfast and lunch, 2x HIIT workout in the morning, good hydration. We had a plan for moms night out with wine club and daddy daycare. They got takeout and I drove to Asheboro! 

Taking into account budget, physical limitations and three of us doing a challenge that limits sugar, dairy, white carbs, wine and coffee. Our fearless leader Emily was undaunted and put together a fun night! We had a chair yoga session, which was unique. Great stretch and relaxation. After that we had a ten minute massage of our choice. I opted for the back and hips, with a lot of strength and stretch and alignment. It. Was. Super. 

We had tea and snacks and fellowship and left feeling more relaxed. We headed to dinner at SomethingDifferent where we found great and prompt service. Emily knows the owner well and be brought over a delicious dessert. Well I couldn't be rude yeah? So I had a few bites. Nbd. We sat around chatting a bit and it's so fun to have people on this team with me.  

Day 8: Monday, week 2

There's something about a Monday, right? Fresh start. New chance to succeed. This Monday was really different than last, because I felt so much more prepared. I spent a ton of time in the kitchen this weekend so it was no accident! 

Monday was leg day, week 2 so a different set of workouts. Watched my videos, made my notes, got to work! Again frustrated by the limits of our work out space and machines, just steady making notes to give feedback. It's another area of campus that really needs the upgrade but there is a long, long list. 

Monday's workout focused a lot on hamstrings, which maybe I've neglected altogether ever? That's what it felt like. WOW. But great workout. Exhausting and empowering. 

Making strides in my midday snacking and have been a beast at skipping the post dinner snack. That's def my biggest hurdle. Mind over matter! 

Wins and losses

Remember how I told y'all I'm an over sharer? 

Two wins today. Over the years I have developed these terrible body image issues and terrible relationship with food. When I tell you that my first 30 day challenge gave me my life back last spring, I'm not kidding. I didn't just need to lose weight, I needed a healthier lifestyle both mentally and physically. 

I am really adverse to buying clothes that are tight, because of my body image issues. But I have also realized over the past few months the clothes that are too big for me only make me look bigger than I actually am. So today I found a pair of pants that are slim fit, but that I love and I can feel good in so I bought them! 

My second is a "fail" win. Remember how I really wanted a sandwich last week? Well today I went to Panera for lunch instead of drinking my shake. Ten months ago I would have thrown the baby out with the bath water and just indulged. And then felt horrible physically and like a failure. 

Today I decided my healthy choices were a mental win. This program is about creating healthy habits and loving yourself in the process. I love my shakes and a challenge; I love myself when I don't hit all the targets.