18 Days in.

Okay. Updates. 
Last this week Brielle had hand foot and mouth disease, I lost my weight lifting gloves and deleted all of the Father Daughter Dance pictures... so life got a bit more complicated.  My workouts were not as consistent or as demanding because I literally had to squeeze what I could when I could in.  A couple times I went crazy early or late at night just to get something in.  Unfortunately, my results showed the lack of consistency.  Basically, we are back to square one.  I tried not to cry about it, but a few tears were shed.  Over 2 weeks of working my tail off all for naught.  But Brielle is not contagious anymore and I ordered new gloves.  (Seriously, my hands have been raw w/out them)

With all that was going on I also was unable to be as strict with my eating plan and that also contributed to my downfall this week.  Back to it!

2% Down.

Just a quick update.  I'll post more details later:

I had my heath check lab testing today at lifetime.  Which meant that today had to be my day off this week due to required fasting/resting pre test.  The good news- My body fat is down from 25.1% to 23.3% and my weight is down from 144.6lbs to 142.2lbs.  My blood work that included cholesterol levels, glucose, blood pressure, etc. also came back 100% in the very healthy range.  My only goal in that area is to up my strength training and fish oil supplements in order to get my good cholesterol even higher since it's only on the low end of healthy.  It's always nice to have a cushion when it comes to health.  I am so excited and to see results after my first hard week of dedication is very motivating.  I'm back at it tomorrow with my trainer (who is sure to make me cry again;)) at 9am so I am off to bed!

PS
We took week 2 progress photos and it would have been discouraging had the numbers not been so awesome as I couldn't really see a difference yet.  But I'm down 2in on my hips and 1.5in on my waist.  So BOOM to that!

This is hard.

This week has been hard.  5:30am spin class when it's -17 out isn't my idea of a ton of fun.  Being sore everywhere, all the time isn't super awesome either.  I want to eat cheese.  Cheese on crackers.  And sourdough bread with my morning tea (which I haven't even had time for).  Yeah, life around here has been....ummm...different.  But.
I have been steadily improving on my strength, endurance and nutrition already and we aren't even past the 1 week mark.  This morning I had a major butt-kicking session with my trainer Cord.  He actually made me want to cry.  A few times.  But it felt good to be strong again and to push myself beyond what my mental capacity for myself has been.  He expects me to BE strong.  And to PUSH hard.  So, this is what my week has looked like so far:

Monday: 5:50am spin class
9:00 leg day (in hindsight I will never pair spin and leg day again)
2 eggs/banana
Huge salad w/veggies & chicken breast
Quinoa/kidney beans
2sm feta/cilantro burger patties on top of raw spinach and tomato slices

Tuesday: I missed my workout due to very crabby kids. So I'll count this as my off day this week.
2 eggs 1/2avocado
Leftover 2 burger patties, raw carrots 1/2avocado
1 bowl chicken chili soup w beans & kale

Wednesday: 5:30 spin class
@home ab workout w/kids
9:00am shoulders
9:30 dry sauna for 10min

1/2 banana & choc protein shake pre cycle
1/2 banana & choc protein shake post cycle
egg whites, 1/2 sm tomato & green onions
protein shake + PB2
Chicken breast, small green apple 1/2 tomato 1/2 avocado
Taco salad: ground beef, veggies/ balsamic dressing

Thursday: 8:45am Workout w trainer
choc protein shake pre workout
turkey, avocado, tom sandwich on Udi's bread
green smoothie w/ avocado, kale, pineapple, almond milk, protein powder, and powdered veggiemix, arugula salad w carrots and lemon dressing


Creating new habits, forming new disciplines aren't easy.  Otherwise, everyone would do it.  Greatness is in doing all of the little things no one else is willing to do.  That's what sets you apart from "normal"

90 day challenge weigh in.

Today I embarked on a new fitness journey.  Lifetime Fitness' 90 day transformation challenge.  We calculated my body fat percentage and sat down to make a plan.  I was in the "normal" range for females my age and height with 25.1% body fat.  But, you know what?!  I don't ever want to be just "normal".  So, my goal is now to train my booty off for the next 3 months and get down to around 17%.  It's going to take a lot of consistency and commitment but I'm excited.  And a little nervous.  Right now I am planning on meeting with my trainer, Cord, every other week starting this Thursday and go from there.  Ideally, I would love to meet with him 1x per week but it gets pretty pricey.  My goal is to achieve a look like a fitness bikini model.  I like the overall look and shape they go for and they aren't big and bulky like body building models.  Here's an ideal picture for me.  Strong yet feminine:

My food today:
  
No breakfast (had to fast for the test)
10:20am- Mediterranean egg wrap w/ pico and a small herbal tea
1:20pm- Green smoothie w/ Kale, avocado, mango, protein powder, veggie powder, almond milk
4:20pm- Salad w/ 1 head romaine & lg  handful sugar snap peas, med bowl quinoa and kidney beans
6:30pm- large salad w/ grilled chicken, sugar snap peas, balsamic dressing (2Tbl), carrots

No workout today due to testing.

Tomorrow's plan:

Spin class 5:30-6:30am
Breakfast- oatmeal, egg whites, fruit
Heavy legs day 8:30-9:30am
protein shake/veggies
lunch- Chicken & salad
4pm protein snack
Dinner- mini burger patties, rice and veggies

I will also be posting progress photos but we have yet to take today's yet.