First, I can't believe two weeks has gone by already. It has flown by, and I already feel so much different. My blood pressure and resting heart rate have improved! I have a lot more energy in the afternoon! I am sleeping more deeply! And, I have stopped mindlessly eating crap.
It was easier to give up white flour and white sugar this time around than I thought (I have given up refined carbohydrates in the past with other diets and was dreading having to do it again it quite frankly).
Why was it easier to give up all the junk? I really believe that has something to do with the Advocare Meal Replacement Shakes I am drinking EVERY morning. They provide excellent nutrition for my body - nutrition that it has probably been missing - and it sets the tone for my day. They're quick, easy, healthy, and the best part is that I don't have to think about it. Giving my body something first thing in the morning that is comprehensive and filling has made it easier for me to walk away from empty calories throughout the day.
The other thing that is really working is getting up and working out first thing in the morning - I am basically "paying myself first," before giving my energy to other things like family, work, and school. I KNOW my cardiovascular health has improved - blood pressure last night was 101/73, and I have not had a blood pressure pill in several days! My resting heart rate has also improved - it was 65 bpm last night (as opposed to 85 bpm a few weeks go).
I am amazed at how quickly my body is transforming itself!
Do I look a lot different? To others, probably not. But, I my clothes are definitely looser (I have lost at least 1 in off most of my measurements - waist, hips, arms, legs!). And, my skin is a lot less oily and looks a lot clearer/brighter. I've gotten a few unsolicited compliments from others as well. :)
When I picked up the phone and called GYIS, I didn't believe that I could make this type of progress in such a short period of time. Actually, I didn't think I had the motivation/energy to make progress at all...little did I know that GYIS was going to provide a lot of support and motivation and that in turn has spurred me into action! And, now that I've had a taste of success, I really want to keep going! I really can do this!
So, the things I'm doing well? Choosing to eat more nutritionally dense foods, eating regular meals including breakfast, tracking ALL my food (using the MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone), not skipping workouts, and generally being accountable.
Things to improve...
Okay, in the spirit of accountability.
On Friday morning, after GYIS took all my measurements and weighed me, I slacked off a little and had one flour tortilla with lunch and allowed myself one tortilla chip. My GYIS trainer took note of it, however, and pointed out (nicely) these were probably not the best choices.
Then, on Saturday, we checked into a hotel in Fort Worth with friends, and I allowed myself to have one cocktail when we were all sitting around in the room gabbing and laughing, which then turned into about eight cocktails (if I'm honest) over the course of the afternoon and evening (I did stop myself before the end of the night, switching to sparkling water with lime, but overall this was not good)! We are allowed "one bad meal" within proportions each week - I decided to have my "bad meal" out on the town in Fort Worth on Saturday night; I had fried chicken (one piece), french fries (a small amount), and one gourmet "tableside s'more" - all proportions were reasonable! But, then, I continued on Sunday morning with the hotel breakfast (I had a cinnamon roll and one (small) biscuit with cream gravy) and for lunch I had a Gyro sandwich - not horrible, but not great.
By dinner on Sunday, my husband and I were back home and on track with a healthy salad, but I allowed myself a few meals this week that were "what I wanted" versus just one. And, the alcohol kills my ability to burn fat - so that is a big no-no. I will have to make a better plan for the next "social" situation.
I am not going to dwell on the slip too much. I still "tracked" all of it and know exactly what it cost me, but I also know if I do this every week, I will sabotage my progress...so this week, I have to be on the straight and narrow path.
Just as a side note, this type of "slip" often happens to me when I start to have a taste of success; I celebrate the progress by rewarding myself with food and drink...but I know this is dangerous territory, as in past similar scenarios, this is the fatal moment where I give up on my diet and exercise program completely before ever getting close to my goals!
AND, let me just say: "I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP!" I don't want to fail! So, I am dusting myself off now and just continuing on rather than feeling defeated and throwing my hands in the air. This continuance in itself seems like a win to me.
I am not in this for the short-term gain...these are life-long changes I am seeking to make! And, I have a goal in mind. Life happens, but this journey is not about perfection...it's about persistence! I will persist - only maybe I need to limit my weekend social engagements for a bit to ensure I am not derailed again anytime soon!?!
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