Perceptions

It has been 1 week. 1 week since I started at my kick-ass gym (well, other than the orientation) I've never done this sort of exercise program before, but am a bit surprised. I am not sore all the time (actually since struggling walking for 4 days after orientation ~ 2 weeks ago I haven't been more than a bit achy), I expected quite the opposite. Huh. Maybe I'm not pushing it enough? Everyone else in my classes are moving up in weights & things...I'm still doing all modified moves (1/2 situps to strengthen my silly 1 side that is weaker than the other & making it verrrry difficult to do a proper sit up)

(lunges holding onto a stabilizing rope so I don't fall down because I was not making it low enough to the ground)

(modified squats holding a bar over my shoulders to help balance me I think? Funny, I thought my massive midsection & rear would balance each other out!)

etc. Anyway, I'm able to do more each time, but still think I'm holding back. I was doing a held-pushup (basically you hold it in the middle, not completely up & certainly not down!) & holding it for a minute (hah, working towards that), & I consciously had the thought "I think I should drop now, I can't hold it longer." I didn't drop because my body gave out...I did it because my mind did. I'm going to have to learn to turn off my brain, it's sending all the wrong "Let's fail now" signals to my body!

Regardless, I LOVE THIS WORKOUT!! It may very well be my imagination, but I think I'm already seeing results! At least I'm more confident & happy than I've been in years. I wore a shirt I was scared to wear before because I thought it looked better on me. It may just be my perception is much less negative, but regardless I'm wearing pretty clothes again :)

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Now onto the FOOD aspect of this blog (really the main reason I started here):

1. I'm supposed to eat more protein (ick)

2. I AM eating more protein! Who knew that protein didn't have to be meat & eggs?! At a local shop they sell protein 'packs' of mini bagels, apples, grapes, almonds & pb (yum!) I've been getting one after each morning I work out (3 mornings a week)

3. On the nights when I work out I treat myself to Subway melts, heavy on the green peppers. I like this option because it include carbs (wheat bread), veggies (tomatoes & lots of peppers), & protein (turkey & roast beast), with a bit of melty cheese (my treat to me) & dressing on the side

4. I'm trying to stay away from cereal, yogurts, & yummy Strawberry eggos. Instead I've been making myself oatmeal as many mornings as I can get awake early enough. Plus I add just a dash of brown sugar & dried fruit that is yummy in oatmeal!

Today was NOT a workout day (6am tomorrow is though...), & I did not do as well as I've been doing this past week:

Morning: eggos (really late start, almost late for work!)

Midmorn snack: Special K protein shake (even with the added protein I've been eating I'm still way behind on how much I should have, so I'm supplementing for now)

Lunch: Healthy Choice panini (again, late morning so no time to make a healthy alternative)

Dinner: chicken sandwich on wheat (sadly it was fast food & breaded) with a huge helping of steamed broccoli

Dessert: an icky apple (normally I love apples, this one was gross) with some natural pb (also icky, only should be used for pbj sandwiches)

Secrets of the day: I had a slice of banana bread at work (darn coworkers bringing in too much food :( ), fries with dinner, & a handful or more of white choc chips and 2.5 chocolates for dessert. Oh, and a Coke with lunch & a sweetened lemonade with dinner.

Boo this ending. I'm going to feel it tomorrow at the gym! I feel icky...