Week Two, Day One

I lost no weight last week, and no, my clothes aren't fitting me better (or at all). I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'm still waiting on the results of my thyroid function test. I don't really feel better physically. In fact, I have a cold on top of terrible allergies and I'm feeling more tired than I have since the first few weeks.
I'm just going to keep trying my best. I got my run and some abs work done today despite crappy weather, and while I've over indulged in some yummy dark chocolate almonds today, I'm doing great on protein intake. I'm also getting out of the house to socialize: a women's bible study this morning and a Scentsy party tonight.
Daily fitness goal: add an abs workout at the end of my 5K training
Nutrition goal: add a ton of protein
Wellness goal: get out of the house and talk to people!

Reflection on Week One

I forgot to blog yesterday. I did set goals though, and I managed to accomplish two out of three. Today, I am going to take a rest from goals and just reflect on the week behind me and the week ahead of me. I ran three times, and did two out of three strength training workouts. The running is a joy. The strength training is tough, even when I'm only doing half of the P90X workout. I've been sore every day, but I actually feel better about my body when I can literally feel my muscles. I missed one day of training on Thursday due to allergies, and I am not making it up today, which was my planned rest day. I could, but I'm actually really mentally and physically tired, and I think a break will help me do better for the week coming up. I came close to fulfilling my nutrition goals each day, but I need to start thinking of them ahead of time, so I don't get caught halfway through the day playing catchup on adding protein to every meal or trying to fit in five servings of vegetables. Tomorrow I will weigh myself and see if I lost anything. The real goal, which I hope I will accomplish in a few weeks, is to get into all of my size 12 clothes that I pulled out of the basement from before I lost the weight from my last pregnancy. I think I would be okay with taking a full nine months to get back into my pre-pregnancy size, which is a 10. Much better than the two years it took me to lose all the weight last time! The weekly goals I'd like to focus on for the upcoming week are these: Fitness: Incorporating core workouts into my running days. Nutrition: Focusing on doing more "clean eating." I would like to get my daughter involved in this too, since I realized she's pretty addicted to packaged food, and there's no one to blame for that except me! (and my husband, but he's not as educated about this stuff). Wellness: I feel like I need to work on my happiness. I've been feeling "fine," but I'd really like to get some joy back into my life, and that is going to take a conscious effort until it becomes a habit. I am going to recycle some daily nutrition goals, and stick with getting my workouts done as my daily fitness goals. Wellness goals will be more interesting as I try to work on the weekly goal of becoming more happy. I might set some goals like "make a new workout mix," or "laugh out loud at least once." I'll have to spend some time thinking of some other strategies for this one, because it takes some creativity to be happy on purpose!

Week One, Day Five

I missed my workout yesterday. I had an allergy attack so severe that I had to take Benadryl, which completely knocked me out for the evening. One more reason to get workouts done in the morning. I did yesterday's workout today, and I will give up my rest day on Sunday for an extra run. I cheated a bit today and weighed myself. I'm not counting the measurement since I know day-to-day fluctuations happen, but I am somewhat encouraged that I'm two pounds down. We'll see the official results on Monday. I'm thinking I need to have some non-food rewards incorporated into this plan. I really could use a few workout shirts that accommodate my bigger body (i.e. not skin tight), that I will also be able to use once I lose the weight. I also desperately need some more supportive sports bras. So for my first five pound weight loss, I'm going to reward myself with $50 in new workout clothes! Daily fitness goal: makeup yesterday's workout Daily nutrition goal: add protein to every meal and snack Daily wellness goal: Finish my to-do list

Week One Day Four

Fitness goal: P90x legs and back
Nutrition goal: no alcohol (3 days)
Wellness goal: play outside

Week One, Day Three

Fitness Goal: Walk 4 minutes, run 2 minutes, x5
Nutrition Goal: 5 servings of vegetables.
Wellness Goal: Go to bed early.

Strategies: I did the run without a jogging stroller today, and took the path rather than the more hilly sidewalk along the street. It was a beautiful sunny day and I felt great. The training plan has me switching to four minute runs and two minute walks next week, which seems like a big jump, but on relatively flat ground running without the stroller, I may have actually been able to do that today.
The best way to get five servings of vegetables is to start early. I wasn't able to do that because I was rushing out the door this morning, but I did manage a late morning omelet with spinach and avocado (counts as two in my book!). I'm having red peppers with hummus for a snack, and I'll sauté some green beans and steam some carrots for dinner. Yay! That wasn't so hard.
As for going to bed early tonight, I guess that's just a matter of turning off the television and getting the baby tanked up on enough milk to get her through a few hours.

Week One, Day Two

I meant to start this blog yesterday, or even the day before, to explain everything before I began. Quick summary: I just had a baby and I have about twenty pounds to lose. I am a former athlete, and being in great shape is when I feel most at peace with my body. I have some challenges ahead of me: I'm breastfeeding, I have two children, and as of now I am completely addicted to sugar. The breastfeeding makes me hungry all the time. My baby is too young for the gym's childcare, and tends to cry if she is not being held for more than twenty minutes. This is definitely not going to be easy.
My approach is going to be to set goals. I'd like to set overall, long-term goals, weekly goals,and daily goals. One of my goals is to write something every day on this blog, since writing is what makes things seem real and concrete for me.
I would like to get an initial photograph of me in my overweight, post-baby state, as well as my weight and some measurements. I will do that by the end of the week.
Here are my daily and weekly goals:

Weekly goals:
Fitness goal: start 5k and strength training plans. The 5K plan comes from a book I have called "Train Like a Mother." The strength training is a modified version of P90X, where I only do the strength workouts such as "Chest and Back,"Shoulders and Arms," and Legs and Back..
Nutrition goal: Find alternatives to junk food. That is, the food I crave that's has no positive nutritional value for me as a breastfeeding mom.
Wellness goal: Write on this blog every day this week.



Daily goals
Fitness goal: Get through about 30 minutes of the P90X Chest and Back Workout.
Nutrition goal: Drink 12 glasses of water (84 ounces)
Wellness goal: To not visibly lose my temper with my older daughter. If you knew her, you would know how difficult this is.