Here is a little recap for you all. A challenge update if you will.
One week down, here is where I stand 9 days in.
I am currently participating in Spring Reset 21 Day Challenge where my biggest goal is to make it 21 days with no artificial sweeteners/sugar (fruit is okay). For a woman who lives for dessert 3 weeks without it – well it could be torture, or it could be life changes.
In addition to that I also joined the Orange Theory Weight Loss Challenge at my gym which is an 8 week challenge involving before and after measurements, photos, and of course recording your weight. However, what I am most excited about is that everyone is assigned to a team and each team is paired with a trainer/coach and an assistant. The trainer I was assigned to seems really enthusiastic and motivating, which I need. I am pretty sure I have gotten about 7 separate emails from him about everything from nutrition tips, to grocery lists, to team fitness events he wants to schedule. I am actually pretty excited about the team stuff he is putting together because it could be a great way to meet more people at my Orange Theory studio.
After 9 days how goes it?
– Last week was state testing week. Monday – Wednesday the teachers lounge was filled with mini candy bars to encourage the teachers. I usually,accidently, graze all day and I didn’t touch a single one. Woohoo!
– Thursday and Friday I was offered free lunch from delicious, but really unhealthy carry out restaurants. I said no thanks both days and stuck to the boring sandwich, veggies, and apple I packed instead.
– This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and there is junk everywhere and I have yet to touch any of it. I am feeling strong and motivated.
– I am listening to my body and really trying to push myself during my workouts in order to improve as much as possible.
– I have added in a 3rd Orange Theory Fitness class every week and boy I love it. It really pushes me to work hard and forces me to add in strength training, plus you cannot beat that calorie burn. (That was from the class tonight.)
Overall:
– I have yet to touch a piece of dessert, huge victory.
– I find I am making much smarter, healthier, food choices.
– I stepped on the scale tonight and I am down 2.4 pounds in just 9 days.
– I am feeling much better about myself and the decisions I am making.
I am feeling really motivated and proud of myself. I want to continue really focusing on eating right for the next 6 weeks and 5 days of the challenge and hopefully by the end I will have built some healthier new habits.
*I actually kicked my bottom into gear about 2 weeks before the challenge, after I posted Time to Be Honest with Myself. I did well and lost 3 pounds in the 2 weeks before I joined these two challenges. So grand total I am down 3 + 2.4 = 5.4 pounds in about 3 and a half weeks. This is huge for me. Usually I only lose about a half pound a week. It is amazing to see the changes I get when I really focus on healthy eating. My pants are close to fitting again!
If I hit my weight loss goal for this OTF challenge I want to get myself a small reward as motivation/congratulations.
Nothing too expensive (teacher budget) and not food related as I am trying to get away from always rewarding myself with food.
You all have any awesome ideas? Please share!