Your Weight Loss Diary – Get Started
Recently a group of ladies signed up for the Home Burn system – led by my Aunt. Below you will find her day-by-day account of their battle to take control of their heath – her weight loss diary. This humorous, first-hand account will make for a laugh and the realization that we are all working hard to take charge of our health! Enjoy!
Weight Loss Diary: Here we go
“Shorts Season” is just around the corner!
I’ve grown past the swimsuit season stage – in SO many ways…. It’s usually this time of year that I started checking out the latest shocking discovery in weight loss.
I just tossed about $150 worth of “Dr. Oz recommended, latest discoveries” that were expired and taking up space in my medicine cabinet… I’ve tried WeightWatchers, South Beach, Medifast, Slimfast, Intermittent Fast, and just about every other kind of fast program.
If you’re seeing a pattern here of someone who doesn’t want to work too strenuously for big results, you have me pegged. I did try Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred for 5 days. She was going to increase the intensity on me and my body wasn’t ready for that so I bailed!
After lamenting with a couple of my co-workers (we will call them Fitness Buddy 1 [FB1] and Fitness Buddy 2 [FB2]) about the upcoming ‘Shorts Season’, we have decided that it’s time to take control! We are joining together to challenge ourselves to complete the program designed by strength training coach, Josh. We were sold on the fact that it’s an online program that we can do anytime which is IMPORTANT for us because all three of us lead hectic lives.
The program is set up with a daily fitness lab (which usually takes about 15 minutes, start to finish) and a daily nutrition lab. Each day builds on the previous day.
The information included along with the labs is REALLY interesting. There are little tidbits of information everywhere on the dashboard for each day and a checklist of things that you need to do for the day – like drink ½ your body weight in water. That one is a tough one for me… I’m not a water fan. But it’s only 30 days…. I can do it…. I think.
FB1, who is our very organized team member, printed out the start-up handouts included with the program and made each of us a folder. There is a contract to yourself that seemed a little goofy and overkill but FB1 included this in our folder and insisted we each sign them.
OK, it’s a team thing – don’t complain, just sign it. Next, we completed the baseline measurements sheet.
Using the laptop, we performed the fitness test (which really isn’t a test at all). After the test, we did two sets of exercises. It took about 10 minutes for the paperwork and 15 minutes for the fitness test/workout. Since I’ve been doing strength training, the exercises weren’t too tough on me.
My team members felt they weren’t in very good shape after the workout and questioned whether or not they would be able to move tomorrow but I convinced them that being sore is a good sign…. I think….at this point I’m saying whatever I need to say to keep them motivated! One day at a time… 1 down… 29 more to go…
Day 2
All three of us make it out of bed and to work after Day #1 which is a good sign. FB1 and FB2 are sore today. I wish I could say that I am sore, but I’m not. Since I’ve been doing a little strength training over the past 10 months, I think my muscles are accustomed to the exercises. I am going to have to push myself harder and use heavier weights.
FB1 and FB2 did great today! They made it through the entire workout and complained maybe once or twice. 🙂 It’s definitely a doable plan. It’s the DO part I always seem to have a hard time with but Day #2 is done!
Day 3
Today the workout was the hardest it’s been for us, but that’s ok. No pain, no gain, right? We are all keeping a log of our calories and are using the My Fitness Pal App on our cellphones. We are lucky enough to have an exercise room at work. During breaks, my teammates walk on treadmills and I use the elliptical.
Even if I just burn 80 or 90 calories on break it’s enough to cover the two miniature Snickers bars that I DIDN’T have on my way to the exercise room. GO CONNIE!!!
I have my weekly hour-long workout with Josh tonight so I’m pulling double duty. I’m trying not to complain because I feel so much stronger after I really push myself that it’s worth it to get that feeling of strength. Today was a good day.
Day 4
OH MAN…. I had a hard time getting in and out of my car. We did the most of the same exercises at workout class last night that I did for the Day #3 fitness lab. My butt and quads are screaming at me!!!
That’s ok though because those two are my problem areas so they can scream all they want. I think FB1 and FB2 got a little satisfaction out of seeing me slowly lift myself up to the elliptical at the break. Today is the first day that I’ve been really sore.
Day 5
Weigh-in day – we selected Friday because it’s easier to behave during the week. If we are successful on Friday, maybe it will be an incentive to keep things in check on the weekends? Whatever mental game works, we will try. We are all pleasantly surprised! FB1 is down 1.6 pounds, FB2 is down 2 pounds and I am down 2.4 pounds! Our goal is 5 pounds each by the end of 30 days so this is a GREAT start!
On day 5, the program also covers how many calories we should be eating for our size, age, desired goal weight, etc. I like the fact that it also provides the amount of protein, fiber, carbs, etc. that you are supposed to have every day.
The My Fitness Pal app comes in really handy to keep track of all that without much effort on my part… which is right down my alley. Another pleasant surprise for today… IT’S A REST DAY – no fitness lab today!! Gotta give our muscles a break.
Happy birthday to FB1! She brought snacks for her birthday. Since I knew the temptation would be there, I ate my protein bar so that I wouldn’t be hungry at the break. It worked… plus I avoided the break room like the plague. Out of sight, out of mind.
My water consumption is going ok… better than I expected – the Crystal Light caffeine packs are doing the trick. I haven’t had a Diet Mt. Dew in 5 days and I’m still standing!
I started wearing a UP band (similar to FITBIT) today and I’m only at 5500 of the 10000 steps I’m supposed to be getting. FB1 & FB2 both texted me asking me how I was doing and what I thought of the workout which is good because I’ve been a serious couch potato today.
That’s the beauty of having a good support system…. They can convince you to get your butt moving. I didn’t have my weights so I had to get inventive as you can see by the picture. Whatever works… right? I felt better after I worked out.
DAY 7
It’s 3 p.m. and I haven’t heard from FB1 or FB2 yet… I guess that means I need to step it up and contact them. Better do my workout first so that I can say I have it done and out-of-the-way. We must have mental telepathy because we were all doing the workout at the same time.
Surprisingly, after the workout, I felt very energetic. Energetic enough that I got my kitchen cleaned and laundry put away. That’s a nice perk of exercising, more energy…. definitely in need of that!!
DAY 8
Monday…. Good news!! We all weighed and we didn’t do too much damage over the weekend. We all agreed that weekends are our downfall. Today’s Fitness Lab concentrated on arms and shoulders again. One of our co-workers expressed interest in joining our group. She might weigh 100 pounds soaking wet but feels that her arms are too flabby.
The more the merrier…. strength in numbers…. Right? Attitude is EVERYTHING in this challenge and this little gal is so nice, sweet, and positive we can’t even be jealous of her.
Wrap-Up
One thing I noticed today is my energy level… I don’t feel the typical Monday afternoon slump. Diet Mt. Dew sales could decline if this keeps up!
“Your Weight Loss Diary” to be continued…
- Post-Workout Meal: Getting the Most from Your Workout - January 22, 2024
- 6 Ab Exercises To Blast Your Core - December 17, 2023
- 10 Office Exercises You Can Do To Burn Calories - November 19, 2023
