My plan is to update this blog every Thursday (my 'weigh in day'). I'm a little late this week, but since I just started the blog, I'm working on getting into a groove!
First thing's first - I wanted to post about my success this week!! Despite going on vacation for a long weekend to visit a dear friend in Texas (and eating a few too many of my favorite foods), I managed to lose 2.4 pounds this week (total: 31)! I am very excited about this loss since I know after coming home on Monday I was definitely 'up' a little bit. I actually strategically planned the "3 Day Refresh" for when I returned knowing it would help to pull off some of the fake weight I gained on vacation (I call any quick weight gain 'fake' because in my experience I am able to pull it off just as quickly if I get back on track promptly!). This was my second time doing the Refresh so I knew I liked it, I knew it was effective and I knew it was extremely manageable. It consists of ONLY three days and includes lots of fruits, veggies and essential oils as well as specifically formulated shakes to accompany your foods that help with satisfaction (protein) as well as digestion, detoxification and nutrition. My first round of the Refresh was last month and I maintained a loss of 6.3 pounds!
Next up, I wanted to talk about why I titled this post "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much". This is so important to me and has really taken a lot of meaning over the past few weeks and months for me.
There are a reason many sports consist of Teams - they allow people to play off of each other's strengths and achieve great things together. For me, I was floundering after having my son with my fitness because I was unable to find time to go to a gym - something that over the years has brought me so much joy and sense of accomplishment. I thrive in the gym environment, helping motivate others and be motivated by others is what keeps me going. Without the gym, I had no drive.
I'm so grateful that through the help of friends and some 'nudges', I have been able to find community and support without going to a gym, but instead by bring the gym with me and pulling in those who are with me at any given point in time. Some days this is literally just through my Facebook group "Fit & Healthy', other days it is by working out with friends or family. From doing T25 videos with my sister on vacation in NC, to working out with the 10 minute trainer with my friend Barabara and her 4 year old daughter (below), I have found a way to bring the community of fitness with me wherever I go.
Two weeks ago, I started meeting with a few moms each week to practice a series I've tagged "Pilates in the Park." It's a casual work out where we can all bring our toddlers and not have to worry about child care, or being embarrassed if someone needs to run off to grab a speedy child. It's also a way for me to get back into something I love, teaching. For those of you that know me, I was an education degree in college, and I bring teaching with me wherever I go. The areas in my corporate job where I succeed always revolve around education of others. I'm motivated to help others succeed and to share my experiences in any way I can. Prior to having my son, I was also a fitness instructor for 7 years, specializing in Pilates. My Pilates in the Park series was something that a few friends 'nudged' me into doing, and I couldn't be happier!
If you enjoy my blog, I'd love to have you in my private (women only) Facebook Group dedicated to health, fitness and nutrition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyPrivateGroup/
Another highlight of this week, was attending "Super Sunday" which is an event put on by the local Beachbody Coaches. I am so happy I decided to attend, as this was an event at which I literally knew no one going. As much as I'm motivated by others, I'm also much of an introvert, and I get anxious around large groups of people I don't know. But in order to succeed in my journey back to fit, I made a commitment to myself to do everything it takes. I decided to attend this event despite my anxieties and could not have imagined how great it would be. The speakers were so motivating and inspiring and reminded me that we are our own biggest hurdle. We all have struggles, we all have insecurities and we all have opportunities to grow.
This photo was taken at the end of the event after a 60 minute "Cardio Combat" class. Working out with 250 other people was truly amazing. This was the longest work out I had completed in over a year, and my months of night time workouts in my office at home are clearly paying off. I kept up with everyone even with my extra 70 pounds and could have kept on going! Being a part of something so big and energized is exactly what my journey is all about.
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
One of the take aways from the Super Sunday event, was to determine what our individual WHY is. Why are we motivated? What makes our journey special? For me, I was motivated that day in the water when I couldn't get up on my skis, but what motivated me more than that was the thought that I was no longer living a healthy and fit lifestyle for my son to learn from. Every night, I wish for my son to live a healthy and happy life, yet I was not setting this example for him. My WHY is my son.
Teaser for next week: Week 1 back on the 21 Day Fix! The key to success is planning. It doesn't have to take hours, it doesn't have to be stressful. Here is my 'plan' for the week. All my lunches are pre-packed and my breakfasts will be made every night in advance. I don't have fancy containers or a fancy lunch box, I use tupperware and re-used grocery bags, but what's in those containers is thought out and planned and keeps me from hitting the vending machine. For breakfast, I have a mocha Shakeology Shake and banana, then I have a variety of balanced foods packed (veggie burger, veggie 'lasagna', brussel sprouts, zucchini casserole, berries) and for dinner I do a no nonsense spinach & egg omelet.
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