THE CATALYSTYou know you've been out of the gym for too long when you get a call from your trainer like the one I got last week... it went a little something like this:
Him: Hey! Dudette! Did you get my email?
Me: Email? What email? You don't have email?
Him: The one with the directions to the gym....
Me: I'll be there tomorrow...
And so, I went in after a three-week hiatus and realised that the break did me good but I lost a little bit of strength in my chest (warmed up with 17.5lbs instead of 20 and finished with 25 instead of 27.5) and my shoulders (started with 8 instead of 10 and finished with 15 instead of 17.5) but my back, my biceps and triceps were stronger than ever. I was able to pound out my triceps without any of the usual pain in my elbows. It felt good to be back.
A TIME FOR RENEWALAfter so many years in school, September always feels like the start of a New Year to me. So today I am renewing my commitment to take care of myself, eat well and stay active. I've lost some weight over the summer by eating healthy and staying active outside of the gym. I'm hoping to continue on this path.
THE PLANI've decided to cut down my weight training for the next few months and workout at the gym only two or three times a week. I've signed up for dance and soccer classes and will throw a yoga class in the mix. I want to stay active but no longer want to live in the gym. I'm going to test this new way of life and see how it works for me.
In terms of eating, I'm trying to transition to eating as close to a 100% macrobiotic and vegan diet. I gave up dairy four months ago with absolutely no regrets!! Since I started my transition to macrobiotics I've lost 3.4 kg. That might not seem like much but it came off slowly and has stayed off.
GOALSMy first short term goal is to stop eating in restaurants. I will allow myself one bought lunch and one dinner out in the entire week. If I want to share a meal with friends, it will have to be one we cook together. I am starting a new job tomorrow that's much closer to home. It will be so easy for me to come home for lunch if I want to.
I've decided to use my birthday (Oct 10) as goal marker. I'm devoting the next 40 days to eating healthy and staying active. I am going to try to lose between 6 and 10 lbs between now and then.
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONSI find it useful at work to anticipate risks and mitigate them early on. I'm going to try to do that with this program.
Here are some challenges I might encounter:
Potential Challenge: Up coming travel might make it hard to prepare own meals.
Solution: Make the travel days the one lunch/one dinner exception. Bring food where possible.
Potential Challenge: Lack of time.
Solution: Invest time up front to prepare each week. Make this project a high priority.
Potential Challenge: Eventual lack of motivation.
Solution: Identify one person every week from whom I find inspiration. Look at what they're accomplishing and see what I can learn.
KEY COMPONENTSIf this is going to work I have to ensure that I make the following a priority:
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FUN: If I'm not enjoying it, I won't stick with it. I'm going to make a point of remembering how good it feels to wake up early and walk to the gym while the streets are quiet and the sun is coming up. I'm going to remember how much fun I have with the morning crew at the gym and how good it always is to see them... etc.
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SLEEP: I have to make sleep a priority which means getting to bed on time. I also have to acknowledge that if I wake up with the sun, I might not be tired. I might not always need 8 hours and if I've woken up after only being asleep for 6 that might be enough for that day.
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JOURNAL: Writing it down keeps me honest.
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REWARD: Celebrating all my accomplishments in all aspects of my life and feeling good about what I'm doing.
DAY 1Today's goals:
- Go to a yoga class
- Meal plan for week
- Grocery shop
- Prep food for today and part of tomorrow
- Get to bed early
- Prepare for weight training tomorrow
Thanks for reading!
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