Getting Inspiration
I've been sitting my butt on the couch this morning. Though that is not particularly productive, I'm doing it for a good reason. I'm watching a marathon of The Biggest Loser to try to get inspiration, something I've been sorely lacking.
I have to say it's working. I'm especially inspired by the trainer Jillian, just because I really want to BE her. I don't want to just be a normal size; I want to be truly fit and able to run up a mountain without passing out. I have such a long way to go.
I started my new training routine yesterday at my gym. I signed up for a four-week program with three other women. We meet twice a week for 90 minutes to do weight training and cardio. Then we have a half hour discussion about what we're eating and our menu plan for the week. We have two trainers working with us--one weights expert and one who helps us with stretching, abs, and nutrition.
Both these women are really knowledgeable about clean eating and how to work out the right way to get maximum benefit. Plus, it seems almost everyone in the group has a similar situation as me having just returned from out of town and overindulging.
The first day I thought the workout was light, but today I'm really feeling it, especially in my quads. The hardest part for me was, suprisingly, the treadmill. I never do high-impact cardio like running, so my body just couldn't keep up with a new form of exercise. My stamina was pitiful.
I realized that I really take it easy on myself when I work out, resting whenever things get difficult and not pushing myself beyond what is comfortable. I tend to think, "Hey, any exercise is good." But I am starting to realize that if I want to look like Jillian I have to start working beyond my comfort level.
I really need to just put in my cardio because since I'm not working right now, I'm just not burning the amount of calories I normally do. I need to work out twice as much as recommended to just maintain.
I'm trying to not pay too much attention to the scale right now because of TOM. I'm up to 162 today, but that's most likely because of that and the workout yesterday. I've noticed that when I have sore muscles I tend to be up a pound or so due to swollen muscles. That's not bothering me. I just hope that in a week or so I'll be back down in the 150s.
I've started back on Ultrametabolism, and I've bought and prepared my meals this week in an organized fashion. I'm not doing so hot on changing my vacation mindset, however. Once I let down my food "guard", it's so hard to get it back. The last two nights I've found myself in social situations and have indulged in things I shouldn't have--beer one night and cake the next. Though I stayed on plan for my meals, I still couldn't stop myself from throwing it all away in the later hours.
I really hope that as I get back into the swing, my Jedi diet powers will return.