Catching Up

With very active weather lately, I haven’t been as active with this blog. That’s changing!

My two month mark is quickly approaching and I’m excited! While in Monday’s training session, we worked shoulders and back. A mirror was next to the assisted pull-up machine and I could see muscle! Nothing crazy but it certainly wasn’t that defined before! It certainly is motivational to see progress, no matter how small.

On May 9th, Abe took my measurements for the first time since initially doing so at the beginning of this process. Ready for this? I lost ~2% body fat in ONE MONTH! Got a bit excited over that and why not! PROGRESS! Some measurements stayed the same but others increased….in a good way. Both my biceps and my backside grew 1/4″. Whaaat?? Yup! Second and third round measurements were taken just to be sure.

This week’s ‘Healthy Habit’ segment highlighted a quick and effective workout that takes 20 minutes tops. Watch the video for the kettle bell routine that is guaranteed to work your hamstrings, glutes, core, shoulders and triceps. WATCH HERE.

Because of the active and unfortunately severe weather pattern Texas has been experiencing for the last several week, my diet hasn’t quite been up to par. The amount of food in my fridge is negligible; cooking doesn’t happen too much now. Instead, I let my mouth do the ordering at fast food restaurants. This needs to STOP. There is no way I’m going to let the progress I’ve made thus far go to waste! “If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it”.

Making it a HABIT

I’ve read (probably on Pinterest) that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. Twenty-one days. I have been with Abe, my trainer, for three weeks now and while I wouldn’t quite say lifting heavy weights has become a habit, I certainly am seeing the benefits of my time spent in the gym. Not noticeable physical differences, but the way I feel and my energy level. The first week was the worst. Sore. Tired. Not enjoyable. As week two came about… pretty similar to week one. But week three? I actually found myself with the energy to not only workout…. but to clean my house! Maybe it’s because when I go to sleep now… I sleep, well. Even though my alarm goes off at 2 AM every morning Monday-Friday, I don’t find myself wanting to hit the snooze button as aggressively as before.

Many times it’s earlier than 2 AM if the radar is active

The workouts have not gotten easier. Abe makes sure of that by piling on the weight.
BUT the workouts have gotten easier. Woah, woah, woah. Wait. What? The intensity of the workout gets harder but my body continues to show off that it can do impressive feats.

An exhausting workout = a restful night’s sleep = more energy to conquer the day!

Putting on weight… in the best way possible!

A BIG change for me has been the diet. I’m so used to going out to eat my meals. Not only was it different because eating at home isn’t as social but also the presentation of food. Not that my meals haven’t been healthy and delicious but they were missing something, their appeal. As silly as it sounds, things that look better taste better. It’s all mental. So, to prevent myself from splurging on some high-calorie dish at a local restaurant, I decided to step up my cooking game.

The mismatched plates didn’t even deter how good this tasted!

A drizzle of Sriracha under my turkey meatballs. A sprinkle of cilantro over by tomatoes in balsamic vinegar. It’s not a lot but it was just enough of an added “wow” factor to make me enjoy a meal (one that I’ve had several times already) more than before.

In order to feel (or look) different you have to do something different. It’s a change. For me, that’s continuing my commitment in the gym and garnishing mismatched plates. 😉 “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

WATCH Healthy Habits: Episode 2 – No More Excuses here! –> http://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/story/d/story/healthy-habits-no-more-excuses/42044/ftRMFNYofUaL48Y8NXhGaQ