Day 21
Here I am. Halfway through my challenge. I feel proud of what I have accomplished but also anxious about what is left to be done. I would call my abs right now a two pack. That's only one third of the six I am aiming for, meaning mathematically I am a bit behind. Physically, however, I don't think a three pack would be too attractive so I'm content.
I thought I would take this opportunity to provide some more details of my plan. A few people have asked me what kind of things I eat and what exercises I do so the answers are coming up.
I eat approximately five times per day (the schedule varies depending on my classes.) My favourite snacks are: peanut butter on whole grain toast; yogurt with Mini Wheats (crushed up), banana and walnuts; and oatmeal with various toppings. Smoothies are another favourtie.
My meals really depend on what I have in the house and how much time I want to spend cooking. Staple foods are: lean ground beef, chicken, eggs, whole wheat pasta and veggies.
As for working out, I have to admit I do not have an extremely solid plan because I don't want to get bored. I usually start with an hour on the track, sometimes intervals, sometimes steady jogging. I'm also a fan of the stair master. In the gym I basically use whatever machine is free.
My one constant is a video called "How To Get Six Pack Abs in Six Minutes On Your Couch" (I'll post the link at the bottom.) I do this routine at least once per day. There are some great moves, but mostly I think I like it because it makes me feel like my six week time frame is somewhat realistic.
Now that I am halfway through though I'm looking to kick it up a notch, Emeril style. Any tips?
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/925256/how_to_get_six_pack_abs_in_6_minutes_on_your_couch_this_works/
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time Flies When You're At The Gym?
Day 16
Something magical happened today. I had to convince myself to leave the gym. I had been running and working out for an hour and 40 minutes and I didn't want to stop! The time flew by and I felt like I could have stayed twice as long.
Unfortunately, fitness is not my full time job and I had to get some other things done so I forced myself to change out of my running shorts and go home.
Walking out of the gym I was on a natural high. I felt like nothing could get me down. And nothing tried. My bus came only 5 minutes after I got to the stop and I got a seat. To myself! A near miracle considering the bus I ride to and from school usually makes me jealous of the way animals are transported.
Yep, it was a very good day indeed. And while the convenience of the bus may have been luck, the amazing workout was all me. It was a new approach I decided to test out and the results are better than I predicted.
I have always been a skeptic of miracle solutions but my trick was free, quick and easy - and it worked! Here's how I did it: this morning when I woke up (very early I might add) instead of thinking "Oh man, I have to go to the gym today, there are so many other things I could do with that time!" I told myself, "Wow, today I am going to have 2 whole hours of me time, doing something I love!"
So there you have it folks, the secret is out. Now watch obesity vanish before your eyes.
Something magical happened today. I had to convince myself to leave the gym. I had been running and working out for an hour and 40 minutes and I didn't want to stop! The time flew by and I felt like I could have stayed twice as long.
Unfortunately, fitness is not my full time job and I had to get some other things done so I forced myself to change out of my running shorts and go home.
Walking out of the gym I was on a natural high. I felt like nothing could get me down. And nothing tried. My bus came only 5 minutes after I got to the stop and I got a seat. To myself! A near miracle considering the bus I ride to and from school usually makes me jealous of the way animals are transported.
Yep, it was a very good day indeed. And while the convenience of the bus may have been luck, the amazing workout was all me. It was a new approach I decided to test out and the results are better than I predicted.
I have always been a skeptic of miracle solutions but my trick was free, quick and easy - and it worked! Here's how I did it: this morning when I woke up (very early I might add) instead of thinking "Oh man, I have to go to the gym today, there are so many other things I could do with that time!" I told myself, "Wow, today I am going to have 2 whole hours of me time, doing something I love!"
So there you have it folks, the secret is out. Now watch obesity vanish before your eyes.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Confessions
Day 14
My stomach is punishing me right now. My crime? Eating a piece of gingerbread. A tree top to be specific. And it may have had some icing on it. And perhaps a few pieces of candy. But who could make an entire gingerbread house without eating even a teensy bit?!
I can only see two reasons a little sweet treat would upset my stomach so much: either my body has gotten so used to me eating only fruit for dessert that it's in shock trying to process the sugar, or two-month-old gingerbread is not the best thing for the digestion system. I am really hoping it's the first one!
My boyfriend and I were supposed to make the gingerbread house before we went home for Christmas break. Unfortuantely we got too caught up in decorating our mini tree and sewing our stockings and forgot. Oh and of course all that time wisely spent studying for exams got in the way.
I figured I would lose Christmas spirit points if I didn't even have a bite so there was really no option. And while I'm making this confession I might as well admit I have cheated two other times.
In the name of journalistic integrity I will disclose my other indulgences below, each accompanied by a very good excuse:
* Tuesday, January 12 - One (maybe one and a half) handful(s) of chocolate chips on top of my yogourt. I was out of bananas and this seemed the only acceptable substitute.
* Saturday, January 16 - Half a bottle of red wine (it was a small bottle!) My boyfriend and I were celebrating 11 months together.
Now, before you go questioning my committment to the project, a little progress report. After two weeks of following my plan (for the most part)... I have lost approximately 6 pounds and tightened my belt two notches. Not bad, eh?
My stomach is punishing me right now. My crime? Eating a piece of gingerbread. A tree top to be specific. And it may have had some icing on it. And perhaps a few pieces of candy. But who could make an entire gingerbread house without eating even a teensy bit?!
I can only see two reasons a little sweet treat would upset my stomach so much: either my body has gotten so used to me eating only fruit for dessert that it's in shock trying to process the sugar, or two-month-old gingerbread is not the best thing for the digestion system. I am really hoping it's the first one!
My boyfriend and I were supposed to make the gingerbread house before we went home for Christmas break. Unfortuantely we got too caught up in decorating our mini tree and sewing our stockings and forgot. Oh and of course all that time wisely spent studying for exams got in the way.
I figured I would lose Christmas spirit points if I didn't even have a bite so there was really no option. And while I'm making this confession I might as well admit I have cheated two other times.
In the name of journalistic integrity I will disclose my other indulgences below, each accompanied by a very good excuse:
* Tuesday, January 12 - One (maybe one and a half) handful(s) of chocolate chips on top of my yogourt. I was out of bananas and this seemed the only acceptable substitute.
* Saturday, January 16 - Half a bottle of red wine (it was a small bottle!) My boyfriend and I were celebrating 11 months together.
Now, before you go questioning my committment to the project, a little progress report. After two weeks of following my plan (for the most part)... I have lost approximately 6 pounds and tightened my belt two notches. Not bad, eh?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Late Night Workout
Day 11
I got home from the gym at 10PM tonight. I was planning on writing a post about the differences between working out in the afternoon compared to night but I could only find one: the gym smells way worse at 9PM than it does at 2PM. It smelled so bad, in fact, that I ended my workout early to avoid passing out.
I suppose it makes sense that after 15 hours of people working out, the collective body odour would begin to accumulate, but this was a late night gym hazard I was completely unprepared for. I stuck it out as long as I could. I really did. Eventually, though, the stench became so unbearable that I excused myself ten minutes early for safety reasons.
I did learn something tonight and I would like it to be a warning to all: if you are going to work out after dinner, bring Febreeze. Or a nose plug.
I got home from the gym at 10PM tonight. I was planning on writing a post about the differences between working out in the afternoon compared to night but I could only find one: the gym smells way worse at 9PM than it does at 2PM. It smelled so bad, in fact, that I ended my workout early to avoid passing out.
I suppose it makes sense that after 15 hours of people working out, the collective body odour would begin to accumulate, but this was a late night gym hazard I was completely unprepared for. I stuck it out as long as I could. I really did. Eventually, though, the stench became so unbearable that I excused myself ten minutes early for safety reasons.
I did learn something tonight and I would like it to be a warning to all: if you are going to work out after dinner, bring Febreeze. Or a nose plug.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My Worst Enemy
Day 10
Grade 12 was probably my peak year for personal fitness. I was eating well, running 5k every week day with my school's cross country team, and rock climbing twice per week. Not to mention playing football on the beach or snowboarding with friends on weekends.
By the time I arrived at residence for my first day of university I had gained a few pounds from too much ice cream and more tanning than running, but I was still in very good shape. During the months that followed I continued to run and make relatively good choices when it came to food.
The only problem was that the cafeteria I ate in was all-you-can-eat style. Turns out I can eat alot. Enjoying my meals with guys twice my size probably didn't help. By Christmas some of my tighter jeans didn't fit and I started to notice the change in my body.
Second semester is where it all went downhill. I became bored with the flavorless food and tried to spice it up, mainly with ranch dressing and bacon. Before I knew it there were only a few pairs of pants in my closet I could still wear.
Don't get me wrong, I was still perfectly happy with the way I looked. Alot of people had teasd me for being too skinny in highschool. But I knew the way I was eating was not healthy for me, and it certainly was not a recipe for a six pack.
Since I started this project, I have been successful in avoiding junk food so I was a little nervous when I returned to the cafeteria yesterday to join my boyfriend for dinner. At first, I was tempted to give myself a free pass and indulge in all the pizza, fried food and ice cream the kitchen could offer. But once I thought about all my hours of hard work in the gym it was easy to resist.
I decided on a whole wheat wrap with tuna and lots of veggies and even had dessert: a piece of toast with honey and some cantaloupe. Take that big bad caf!
Grade 12 was probably my peak year for personal fitness. I was eating well, running 5k every week day with my school's cross country team, and rock climbing twice per week. Not to mention playing football on the beach or snowboarding with friends on weekends.
By the time I arrived at residence for my first day of university I had gained a few pounds from too much ice cream and more tanning than running, but I was still in very good shape. During the months that followed I continued to run and make relatively good choices when it came to food.
The only problem was that the cafeteria I ate in was all-you-can-eat style. Turns out I can eat alot. Enjoying my meals with guys twice my size probably didn't help. By Christmas some of my tighter jeans didn't fit and I started to notice the change in my body.
Second semester is where it all went downhill. I became bored with the flavorless food and tried to spice it up, mainly with ranch dressing and bacon. Before I knew it there were only a few pairs of pants in my closet I could still wear.
Don't get me wrong, I was still perfectly happy with the way I looked. Alot of people had teasd me for being too skinny in highschool. But I knew the way I was eating was not healthy for me, and it certainly was not a recipe for a six pack.
Since I started this project, I have been successful in avoiding junk food so I was a little nervous when I returned to the cafeteria yesterday to join my boyfriend for dinner. At first, I was tempted to give myself a free pass and indulge in all the pizza, fried food and ice cream the kitchen could offer. But once I thought about all my hours of hard work in the gym it was easy to resist.
I decided on a whole wheat wrap with tuna and lots of veggies and even had dessert: a piece of toast with honey and some cantaloupe. Take that big bad caf!
Monday, January 11, 2010
The S Word
Day 8
Yesterday was my first day off from working out since I started this project. No gym time. No homework yet. What was I going to do with an entire Sunday of free time? I was going to get all my laundry done, clean my room, get ahead on some reading... Unfortunately this did not pan out so well.
Here is how I actually spent my day: Went to church. Slept. Ate. Watched Gossip Girl. Slept. Watched Gossip Girl. Sneezed a few thousand times. Slept. Ate. Went to meet my boyfriend at the bus station. Watched the football game (Sorry about the Packers, Dad!) Went to bed at ten.
What happened to my plans of productivity? I hate to say this out loud (or in writing) but I think I am getting s-i-c-k.
It started Saturday and let's just say it's not getting better. Try as I might to destroy the lethargic feeling, sniffly nose and weird taste in my mouth, my powerful ammunition (Purell, water and sleep) seems to be failing me.
The question is, will this little cold foil my plans? Not if I can help it! It didn't stop me from going to the track today. Although it did slow me down significantly.
But not to worry, I am just going to have to make up for my less efficient than usual morning run with some extra crunches. Right now!
Yesterday was my first day off from working out since I started this project. No gym time. No homework yet. What was I going to do with an entire Sunday of free time? I was going to get all my laundry done, clean my room, get ahead on some reading... Unfortunately this did not pan out so well.
Here is how I actually spent my day: Went to church. Slept. Ate. Watched Gossip Girl. Slept. Watched Gossip Girl. Sneezed a few thousand times. Slept. Ate. Went to meet my boyfriend at the bus station. Watched the football game (Sorry about the Packers, Dad!) Went to bed at ten.
What happened to my plans of productivity? I hate to say this out loud (or in writing) but I think I am getting s-i-c-k.
It started Saturday and let's just say it's not getting better. Try as I might to destroy the lethargic feeling, sniffly nose and weird taste in my mouth, my powerful ammunition (Purell, water and sleep) seems to be failing me.
The question is, will this little cold foil my plans? Not if I can help it! It didn't stop me from going to the track today. Although it did slow me down significantly.
But not to worry, I am just going to have to make up for my less efficient than usual morning run with some extra crunches. Right now!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Motivation
Day 5
I once read an article about different ways to motivate yourself to get to the gym. One of the suggestions was to write down how great you feel after a workout. Then, next time you don't feel like exercising you are supposed to read those encouraging words and be inspired!
There's a reason I haven't tried this strategy and that is because if I did I don't think I would ever engage in physical activity again. How do I feel after a 2 hour workout? Let's see... hungry, overheated, exhausted, sore and sweaty.
And those are only the physical things. Emotionally, I'm a complete wreck. I can't understand why a long gym session puts me so on edge, but if one little thing goes wrong (my bus is a minute late, I push the door instead of pull) I will actually start to cry.
Every day I tell myself that when I get home and shower and have something to eat, my world will be right again. And it always is. But every day I still feel like nothing is okay when I walk out of the gym.
So instead of thinking of those feelings when I need a little push to get me going, I'm going to make an effort to remember how I feel during my workout: strong, empowered, confident.
I once read an article about different ways to motivate yourself to get to the gym. One of the suggestions was to write down how great you feel after a workout. Then, next time you don't feel like exercising you are supposed to read those encouraging words and be inspired!
There's a reason I haven't tried this strategy and that is because if I did I don't think I would ever engage in physical activity again. How do I feel after a 2 hour workout? Let's see... hungry, overheated, exhausted, sore and sweaty.
And those are only the physical things. Emotionally, I'm a complete wreck. I can't understand why a long gym session puts me so on edge, but if one little thing goes wrong (my bus is a minute late, I push the door instead of pull) I will actually start to cry.
Every day I tell myself that when I get home and shower and have something to eat, my world will be right again. And it always is. But every day I still feel like nothing is okay when I walk out of the gym.
So instead of thinking of those feelings when I need a little push to get me going, I'm going to make an effort to remember how I feel during my workout: strong, empowered, confident.
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