My 6-Week Fitness Check-Up: My Progress So Far... (Plus, a giveaway)
I'm switching things up a bit here. I usually post on Tuesdays about my weight loss/fitness journey and here it is Monday night. I'm getting crazy!! The thing is, something that I was supposed to post today got moved to tomorrow, so I'm flip-flopping things around. (You'll definitely want to check back tomorrow to see what I'm talking about...). It all worked out for the best because I'm excited to give you an update on my fitness journey so far.
It's been 6 weeks.
Six weeks ago, I brought myself to the Northwest Personal Training Center gym under the encouragement of Sean Millhouse, my personal trainer with Fitness 101. If you have been following this little series, you already know that Sean's son and my 5-year-old son play baseball together. We have gotten to know Sean, his wife and his two boys through that. (His boys are ADORABLE.) Sean was nice to ask, "Do you work out?" back then when it was very clear that I did not. So, for the last 6 weeks, he has helped me get out of the eat-ice-cream-and-French-fries-without-exercising-ever rut while I blog about the experience.
The posts I have written about so far are below. I encourage you to check them out, especially the last one. I laugh just thinking about that one!
What has changed about my routine? Well, I went from never working out ever and eating what I thought to be relatively healthy to actually wanting to work out and eating better. I can now see that I was eating a lot of calories a lot of the time before. I think the number one reason it has gotten easier for me to eat right is that the kids are in school and I am working part-time. I hardly take a lunch break at all. I eat only what I take with me. My lunch most of the time is either a wrap from My Fit Foods or tuna, light mayonnaise, a few slices of pickles and Triscuits Minis. I also snack on an apple, carrot sticks and nuts/dried fruit throughout the day. Many times for breakfast I will either eat some Shredded Wheat and skim milk or I will go through McDonald's and get an Egg White Delight and a Diet Coke. (I know that last one is something I need to change. I keep indulging!) For dinner, it will just vary. We eat out way too much. We are a football practice or a game most days of the week. Tonight, for example, I had a Subway sandwich for dinner.
Sean often says that I should eat more for breakfast than I do. He pushes the protein. I used to just eat a container of Chobani yogurt for breakfast after I dropped off the kids at school and headed to work. He said that just wasn't enough food and that I should combine more with it. Protein. Protein. Protein. My husband said the other day that he once heard we should "eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper" and Sean's advice is in line with that.
Though I eat well most of the time, I definitely cave at times. It's okay to have a cheat meal during the week. Sean says that. Weight Watchers says that. I just sometimes cheat more than I should. One of my guilty pleasures lately has been about a half a cup of red velvet ice cream by Blue Bell. I didn't buy it. A friend bought it for a party and left it over here. I know I should toss the whole container in the trash, but it's so gooooood. A little taste of it is okay, right?
As far as working out goes, I meet with Sean twice a week most weeks. I follow the routine he sets out for me, which is always actually sort of fun while being challenging, and then I get on the elliptical for 15ish minutes. My kids are with me at the gym. I set them up at the front and they do their homework or play on my iPhone while I am following Sean's lead for approximately 30 minutes. After that, I get on the elliptical. They'll usually come over and stand by me while I do that. I check their homework, listen to their stories and tell them to quit fighting while trudging along on the elliptical. Sean keeps upping the resistance level on it, so that it is pretty easy for one minute and then for the next minute, I want to lift up the elliptical in two hands and toss it out in the parking lot.
All of these changes in my routine have resulted in some changes in me. I think I have said "I just want to lose 10-15 pounds" for the last 5 years at least. If it weren't for Sean, and I can say that without a shadow of a doubt, I wouldn't have made the progress I have made thus far. It's not easy to make it up to the gym. I have a ton of things to do at home- dinner to prepare, homework to help with, housework stuff, sports stuff for the kids and on and on. If I knew that there was no one there at the gym waiting on me, I would totally skip it. I mean, I actually like to exercise now. I might not really want to skip it, but I might end up skipping it just because of all of the other things going on.
So, here is the run down for anyone who gives a rat's rear. I really can't believe I'm giving you these numbers, but if it helps encourage you to either work out and eat better yourself or to give Sean a call, if you live in the area, then it is worth it!
I started on August 12, 2013 and was measured again today, September 23, 2013.
Inches:
SHOULDERS: -1 inch
CHEST: -3/4 inch (both)
ARMS: -1/4 inch (both)
STOMACH: -2.75 inches
HIPS: -2.75 inches
THIGHS: -1/2 inch (both sides)
Body fat:
TRICEP: From 23 to 20%
ABS: From 28 to 17%
THIGH: From 29 to 25%
Total Body Fat: 31.1% to 25.1%
Pounds lost: 6 1/2
I know that if I stopped all of this tomorrow, I would creep back up there. It's true that it takes work and that you have to "earn your body" like a big poster says at Sean's gym. That sign sort of stays in my mind. Some people have the genes to be naturally thin without doing anything, but most people have to work, work and work at it.
I also realize that some of you may not care about exercising or eating right. That was me and that could be me again if I don't make this a habit. I think Sean is helping me make this a habit. I am so grateful for all that he has done for me and for my husband.
He says that I am ready to try the boot camp class this weekend. I don't know about that. I believe him, but I just know that I have never been able to make it through an entire boot camp class in the past. We'll see. If it works out that I can make the class (it starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday), I am definitely going to see if I can get some of YOU up there with me!
That's it for now! I know this post was more factual and less laugh-tual, but sometimes it just has to come to that, youknowwhati'msayin?
One commenter on this post and liker of Sean's Fitness 101 Facebook page will receive a $25 Target gift card so she or he can buy themselves some cute work-out clothes, socks, fruit or a very large bag of Kit Kats (I can't fault you there. Kit Kats are my FAVORITE), plus a copy of Sean's co-authored book above.
Four other commenters on this post and likers of Sean's Fitness 101 Facebook page will receive a copy of "The Fad Free Fitness Formula" that Sean co-authored, which is a really great book. It has a lot of practical information in it and is easy to read. My mother-in-law came across it the other day and couldn't put it down!
Also, if you have won one of these books and haven't gotten it yet, it is coming!
About Sean, the Personal Trainer Man:
Sean has been an ACE certified Personal Trainer for 14 years and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston- Downtown. Through ACE, he is also an Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist.
Through his multiple Personal Fitness Programs…Sean has worked with several local celebrities and successful business owners in the Northwest Houston area. His focus is on helping people who have lost control of their lives. Sean teaches that if we start practicing moderation, we can achieve balance and live a healthy lifestyle.
To help change lives through fitness…Sean offers his knowledge for lunch and learn opportunities, health and fitness seminars, and various charity functions.
Sean also publishes a Blog at www.fitness-101.com and weekly e-newsletter “Fit For Life” that help readers stay current with health and fitness topics. Archived articles are available on the blog.