Work life balance is often underestimated, especially in such a fast paced environment such as the DC area. Unfortunately I don't have much of this these days. During the first Journey I was able to at least get to the 7:30 classes on those late work nights. During the first portion of this second Journey I was able to make it to the 6:15 classes which was a great feeling. It's nice to get off of work like "normal" people and get a workout in before the sun goes down! But my work situation drastically changed last week and I have barely even walked in the door anytime before 8. My poor dog probably doesn't like me anymore and I wouldn't blame him. This has negatively impacted my WorXouts, my sleep, my mood, and my eating habits. Last week was pretty terrible all around.
With that said, although I am coming out of a pretty rotten week, I've made some decisions to start this week that will hopefully get me back on track and jump start the results I would love to see. I don't have much control right now in my work environment but I am working on making some arrangements with my counterpart who works just as many hours as me. She is also on her own personal journey and we are trying to alternate our schedules a bit so we both can gain some of our lives back and get to our respective workout schedules. I've also decided to try Paleo for the remainder of the Journey. Today was day 1 and already I feel a difference. I am still trying to ensure I get in enough calories and getting my hands around the 'do's and don'ts' but looking forward to the additional challenge. It has also helped greatly that I've seen so many recipe ideas and posts. I had a good handle on starting out and I'm looking forward to growing my food choices even more.
I would hate to say I didn't have an 'Oh Yea' this week but they were rather minimal. But as a person who loves carbs and dairy, deciding to switch to Paleo and stick to it was a big accomplishment. I wasn't able to get to the WorX today but I am determined to make my 4 classes this week. I'm not looking at last week as a set-back but more like a reset.....hitting Rewind! :)
Monday, April 15, 2013
Those 3 Little Numbers....
We all hear many times over that the scale is not the deciding factor on meeting goals and judging weight loss. But let's be honest....no one wants to see lack of movement when it comes to those 3 little numbers....ESPECIALLY females. So yes, I am quite disappointed that my numbers aren't moving as consistently and as fast as they did during the first journey. I have lost inches and I know those are just as valuable. By no means am I discounting the fact that I have made progress but disappointment is a powerful thing. After a full week of WorXouts, double workouts some days, and eating fairly clean, I feel confident that I did nothing wrong. So I will not continue to beat myself up and move forward with a new plan!
After having a great conversation with my coach Nikki, she helped me to remember that I probably need to intake more calories....she was right. I am starting the new week on a new foot and being mindful of those numbers. My Fitness Pal means well but sometimes good ol' calculations are necessary! I'm back on Shakeology as my initial meal and going to continue making the effort to incorporate more veggies into my diet.
My oh yea for this week was consistency, especially for those 5AM wake ups! My workout buddy Latysha is the only reason why I don't hit snooze those days like every other normal morning. I also got a thoughtful compliment from Jackie which reminds me that my progress is noticeable. Just have to keep going, one day at a time!
After having a great conversation with my coach Nikki, she helped me to remember that I probably need to intake more calories....she was right. I am starting the new week on a new foot and being mindful of those numbers. My Fitness Pal means well but sometimes good ol' calculations are necessary! I'm back on Shakeology as my initial meal and going to continue making the effort to incorporate more veggies into my diet.
My oh yea for this week was consistency, especially for those 5AM wake ups! My workout buddy Latysha is the only reason why I don't hit snooze those days like every other normal morning. I also got a thoughtful compliment from Jackie which reminds me that my progress is noticeable. Just have to keep going, one day at a time!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Gotta keep going!
Overall last week was a pretty good week. I was able to make good food choices and doubled my workouts twice last week..even tripled it one day. It was a bit tough to get all my calories in for those days since it required more but I would rather it that way than to exceed my daily goals. The weeks prior weren't that great so I was dedicated to continue forward and not undo the progress I've made thus far. I have to remind myself that this is a lifestyle change and I just have to keep going. This past weekend I spent with my family for Easter. Before hitting the road, I made it a point to get to the WorX. I knew Easter dinner would consist of heavy food choices but I watched my portions and tried to stay on track for the rest of the weekend. Just the fact that I got to the WorX and didn't throw away all of my discipline is a step forward.
My body isn't nearly as sore as it used to be. The Recovery drink makes a huge difference and I know my body is most definitely getting used to the high intensity. As a matter of fact, I make it a priority to workout at least 6 days a week. Hitting the gym for 30 minutes before meeting with friends or getting to the WorX before going elsewhere have been priorities and have become part of my day to day routine.
My "Oh Yea" moment last week had to be the changes I notice in my form and my strength. Week to week I can push a little more and go a little further or faster as I work towards my goals. I remember the day when the 5 pound weights felt like air to me when doing strength work. I don't have guns of steel quite yet (ahem...Maia, Jackie...LOL), but I do feel the 10 pound weights slowly getting easier to press as well.
I am continually motivated by Danielle. It's amazing to see how many of us she actually motivates on a weekly basis. I have joined the early morning double work out club and while I had all intentions of putting double workouts in the rotation, knowing that Danielle has made this a part of her routine helps me to follow suit. Sarah and Nina are also motivators and as I have the urge to roll back over and go to bed, I remember my fellow coaches and journeymen that are up as well.
I honestly love the positivity and support that the WorX provides. Everyone is pushing towards their own goals and each of the coaches has their own stories to share and challenges they have overcome. Hard to believe it's almost the halfway point of this Journey, even more of a reason to push myself harder to see the right results.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Reminder...It IS Possible
In a conversation with Lani last week, I was talking about my past experiences as a lifeguard and swim instructor...back when I was in shape! I had a lot of great experiences working teaching children how to swim and listening to stories from the older adults as they wade through the shallow end or float around in the hot tub but one situation in particular has stuck with me for over 10 years and reminds me that anything is possible.
As a swim instructor the hardest classes to teach in my opinion are adult lessons. For one, as adults, we have already developed a pre-disposed fear of something...fear of trying something new, fear of disappointment, fear of something bad happening...and of course the list goes on. I was the only one on a staff of about 10 that taught these classes because of the patience it involved. The other instructors wanted to be able to show drastic progress among students in just 6 weeks, with the exception of a few that needed to repeat the class. Sure, that's great but not always realistic. I know that not everyone will be on the same pace nor will everyone be able to advance to the next level after such a short period of time.
One day I enrolled a new student...a 65 year old woman who was checking off items on her bucket list. The day she walked into our gym she told me that she was a widow, her children were well into adulthood, and her grandchildren were now self-sufficient. Feeling that she was not needed as much by those who loved her, she decided it was time to live for herself. She went back to school to attain not only her Bachelor's but also her Master's and once that was complete, it was on to swimming. I explained to her that we would start with water acclimation. Adjusting and getting comfortable being in and around water would be the first step or you will sink like a brick. She found it funny but as soon as it happened, she laughed and realized I was serious. She completed multiple sessions with me over the next several months. While I would provide her with instruction, she would share life stories, ask about my family, and give me great advice. If she never learned how to swim, those hour sessions were some of the best I had in the 10+ years I taught. One day not long after our sessions ended, she came in to swim. I was working the front desk and looked through our glassed in area to see her swimming...not just wading or doggie paddling but full out swimming laps in Freestyle. I stood there watching and cried. I felt so overwhelmed with emotion not only because I did that but because she was able to check off her bucket list.
I feel more comfortable in the water that is the Worx. My form is improving and I push harder through the pain and discomfort. Fear of failure left me after my first few sessions due to the constant sense of support by those around me, especially my coaches. I learned to let go, relax, and take each class as best I can, inching further out of my comfort zone each week. I can do this and it will take some time. I may have to go through 5 Journey's to get to my goal but patience is a virtue. The patience I exude with others I have to exude with myself as I can be my toughest critic. Sure, I've had some inconsistencies this time around but it is not going to bring me to an all stop.
Remembering the OH YEA moments, like retiring a pair of workout pants to pajamas because they became too big, continued motivation by fellow journeyers (especially Danielle with her multiple workouts a day), and feeling better about myself are constant reminders that it is possible to reach my goal.
As a swim instructor the hardest classes to teach in my opinion are adult lessons. For one, as adults, we have already developed a pre-disposed fear of something...fear of trying something new, fear of disappointment, fear of something bad happening...and of course the list goes on. I was the only one on a staff of about 10 that taught these classes because of the patience it involved. The other instructors wanted to be able to show drastic progress among students in just 6 weeks, with the exception of a few that needed to repeat the class. Sure, that's great but not always realistic. I know that not everyone will be on the same pace nor will everyone be able to advance to the next level after such a short period of time.
One day I enrolled a new student...a 65 year old woman who was checking off items on her bucket list. The day she walked into our gym she told me that she was a widow, her children were well into adulthood, and her grandchildren were now self-sufficient. Feeling that she was not needed as much by those who loved her, she decided it was time to live for herself. She went back to school to attain not only her Bachelor's but also her Master's and once that was complete, it was on to swimming. I explained to her that we would start with water acclimation. Adjusting and getting comfortable being in and around water would be the first step or you will sink like a brick. She found it funny but as soon as it happened, she laughed and realized I was serious. She completed multiple sessions with me over the next several months. While I would provide her with instruction, she would share life stories, ask about my family, and give me great advice. If she never learned how to swim, those hour sessions were some of the best I had in the 10+ years I taught. One day not long after our sessions ended, she came in to swim. I was working the front desk and looked through our glassed in area to see her swimming...not just wading or doggie paddling but full out swimming laps in Freestyle. I stood there watching and cried. I felt so overwhelmed with emotion not only because I did that but because she was able to check off her bucket list.
I feel more comfortable in the water that is the Worx. My form is improving and I push harder through the pain and discomfort. Fear of failure left me after my first few sessions due to the constant sense of support by those around me, especially my coaches. I learned to let go, relax, and take each class as best I can, inching further out of my comfort zone each week. I can do this and it will take some time. I may have to go through 5 Journey's to get to my goal but patience is a virtue. The patience I exude with others I have to exude with myself as I can be my toughest critic. Sure, I've had some inconsistencies this time around but it is not going to bring me to an all stop.
Remembering the OH YEA moments, like retiring a pair of workout pants to pajamas because they became too big, continued motivation by fellow journeyers (especially Danielle with her multiple workouts a day), and feeling better about myself are constant reminders that it is possible to reach my goal.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The WorX Makes a Difference...
Week one of this Journey has been far from exemplary for me. Only making it to a few classes and not making the best nutritional choices started to catch up to me. Sometimes life is just life and hard to workaround the obstacles. Family visits, unexpected bad news, and strenuous circumstances will never be avoided. The important thing is not only to get back on track but to also lean on your support system. Not only do I have amazing family and friends but my extended support system is found at the WorX as well. It's nice to be missed and the extra 'gentle push' our coaches provide is really what makes the WorX very different from other places. I feel valued as a person, as an individual, and not just one among many identified by a card number.
This week Flo and Nikki were great supporters. Flo made sure she checked in with me knowing I was up for a tough week and Nikki worked the circuits with me today, pushing me along and supporting me through it. When my legs feel like they want to stop moving, sometimes a quick "come on, you can do it" from anyone in the group or from Maia can make the difference between me stopping and ruining my stride or pushing through until the clock runs down. This week my body is a bit sore and stiff, more so than it has been in a while. I attribute that to my inconsistency from this week. Now that my body is changing and I have made WorXing out a part of my routine, having more than 2 rest days does more harm than good. I have gotten used to being active as I strive towards my goals and really liking it! After working out, I wake up feeling good and I sleep like a baby LOL. :)
My 'oh yea' moment this week would be my form. I pay attention to form more often than not, I feel a difference when I do each exercise, and I can do push-ups off of my knees...well a few anyway! :) One day I will be able to do more and push lower like our coaches but seeing as though I couldn't even do one when we started, I'm quite proud of my progress.
My goals for this week are two-fold. First to make it to all 4 WorX classes and the second will be to get in a double work out day, even if it's just once this week. Danielle has made this a challenge for herself and I'm following suit. I will eventually get up to multiple times a week but for now, I'm starting small and realistic in terms of my schedule. I learned not to set myself up for failure but to take this lifestyle change one step at a time. It's great seeing familiar faces day in and day out. I've said it once before and I'll say it again...no matter what kind of mood I am in when I walk into the WorX, I always feel much better on the way out! :)
This week Flo and Nikki were great supporters. Flo made sure she checked in with me knowing I was up for a tough week and Nikki worked the circuits with me today, pushing me along and supporting me through it. When my legs feel like they want to stop moving, sometimes a quick "come on, you can do it" from anyone in the group or from Maia can make the difference between me stopping and ruining my stride or pushing through until the clock runs down. This week my body is a bit sore and stiff, more so than it has been in a while. I attribute that to my inconsistency from this week. Now that my body is changing and I have made WorXing out a part of my routine, having more than 2 rest days does more harm than good. I have gotten used to being active as I strive towards my goals and really liking it! After working out, I wake up feeling good and I sleep like a baby LOL. :)
My 'oh yea' moment this week would be my form. I pay attention to form more often than not, I feel a difference when I do each exercise, and I can do push-ups off of my knees...well a few anyway! :) One day I will be able to do more and push lower like our coaches but seeing as though I couldn't even do one when we started, I'm quite proud of my progress.
My goals for this week are two-fold. First to make it to all 4 WorX classes and the second will be to get in a double work out day, even if it's just once this week. Danielle has made this a challenge for herself and I'm following suit. I will eventually get up to multiple times a week but for now, I'm starting small and realistic in terms of my schedule. I learned not to set myself up for failure but to take this lifestyle change one step at a time. It's great seeing familiar faces day in and day out. I've said it once before and I'll say it again...no matter what kind of mood I am in when I walk into the WorX, I always feel much better on the way out! :)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
...Second Time Around
This Journey brings about a whole new set of challenges and goals for me being the second time around. I am self-motivating to exceed my milestones, not just in the numbers but also in my non-scale victories. For example, planning meals is the easy part but the actual prep of those meals on the other hand....I have a love hate relationship with. Long days and busy weekends can sometimes throw me off track moving into the work week but re-focusing is important to continue in the right direction. I also have to keep my food choices in mind. Continuing to track for accountability and being attentive to my sodium, carb, and sugar intakes just as much as caloric intake, are also important for me. WorXing out is great but it is a mute point if the nutrition does not follow. I will still have cheats now and again and I am still working to build out my own personal menus, but it is a work in progress and getting easier to gravitate for the almonds and fruit versus bread and cheese.
Consistency is key and it has also been the pain in my side over the years. Falling off track is something that happens to me all too often. The past few weeks have been rather rocky but instead of allowing life to take control, I am keeping control of my routine for the most part which is indeed my 'Oh YEA' as we start a new week. Granted I have not prepped my meals as well as I would have liked the past few days, I am still tracking and back to the WorX which feels great.
So although this is the second time around, I plan to treat it like the first. To increase and maintain my energy, excitement for my potential, and motivation to continue moving the scale in the right direction.
Consistency is key and it has also been the pain in my side over the years. Falling off track is something that happens to me all too often. The past few weeks have been rather rocky but instead of allowing life to take control, I am keeping control of my routine for the most part which is indeed my 'Oh YEA' as we start a new week. Granted I have not prepped my meals as well as I would have liked the past few days, I am still tracking and back to the WorX which feels great.
So although this is the second time around, I plan to treat it like the first. To increase and maintain my energy, excitement for my potential, and motivation to continue moving the scale in the right direction.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The First 60 Days
It may seem strange to address this as 'The First 60 Days' but that is truly how I feel. I am proud of myself for my progress. I feel good when I get up in the mornings and even better that I make it a point to work out no less than 5 days a week. We all know it's not easy to lose weight and get healthy. But it's even harder to STAY the course. I've done many different programs in the past but the motivation, support, and friendships the WorX has offered has been like none other.
I cannot put into words how appreciative I am of Flo and Maia for just being them and helping me along. I have always been intimidated by boot camp type workouts and while I have done WorX classes before, the thought of going 60 days straight was scary to me. While I could struggle through them, I just never felt good enough and dreaded the "after math" of walking like an old woman LOL. I quickly got over that apprehension after the first few workouts when I realized the support we have and that all my fellow journeymen were in the same place. Now, I look forward to our WorXouts and I welcome that discomfort in my muscles because it reminds me that I worked hard and I did it for me. I push myself harder not only in classes but at the gym and in life as I work on exiting comfort zones and achieving the new me.
I also am thankful for my best friend Latysha. I'm sure many of you see us together all the time but if it weren't for her I wouldn't have had the courage to even try the Journey. We have been friends for 13 years and been through a lot together, but the fact that we are both working side by side on our lifestyle changes is priceless. We hold each other accountable and provide support for one another when we are feeling defeated and that to me is irreplaceable.
The list could go on and on with all the names of my fellow journey men because in some way, even if you didn't know, you helped me at one point in time or gave me a renewed sense of motivation when I felt I could not go on. So THANK YOU!
I will be continuing with the next Journey and looking forward to see what the next 60 days hold. While I have done many things to achieve health before, this Journey was indeed the first 60 days of a new me! I am happy with my 11.5 pounds lost and will be trying to beat that number in round two!
I cannot put into words how appreciative I am of Flo and Maia for just being them and helping me along. I have always been intimidated by boot camp type workouts and while I have done WorX classes before, the thought of going 60 days straight was scary to me. While I could struggle through them, I just never felt good enough and dreaded the "after math" of walking like an old woman LOL. I quickly got over that apprehension after the first few workouts when I realized the support we have and that all my fellow journeymen were in the same place. Now, I look forward to our WorXouts and I welcome that discomfort in my muscles because it reminds me that I worked hard and I did it for me. I push myself harder not only in classes but at the gym and in life as I work on exiting comfort zones and achieving the new me.
I also am thankful for my best friend Latysha. I'm sure many of you see us together all the time but if it weren't for her I wouldn't have had the courage to even try the Journey. We have been friends for 13 years and been through a lot together, but the fact that we are both working side by side on our lifestyle changes is priceless. We hold each other accountable and provide support for one another when we are feeling defeated and that to me is irreplaceable.
The list could go on and on with all the names of my fellow journey men because in some way, even if you didn't know, you helped me at one point in time or gave me a renewed sense of motivation when I felt I could not go on. So THANK YOU!
I will be continuing with the next Journey and looking forward to see what the next 60 days hold. While I have done many things to achieve health before, this Journey was indeed the first 60 days of a new me! I am happy with my 11.5 pounds lost and will be trying to beat that number in round two!
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