"In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference,
in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body!"
in 30 sessions you will have a whole new body!"
-Joseph Pilates
FINAL BLOG ENTRY
#6:
Monday, August 16, 2010
..................................................................................................................
V-I- C-T-O-R-Y!!! That is a wonderful word and I’m claiming VICTORY today. I lost 7.5 lbs. and 9 inches over the past 10 weeks. That is 7.5lbs. and 9 inches during my family reunion, my Miami vacation, family and friends visiting, my cooking (I still can’t believe I cooked a chocolate cake and mini cheesecakes), my traveling all summer, my highs and lows (do you remember that week I just didn’t
know if I could continue), my "this is crazy, just eat it" moments and my "what's wrong with your size anyway" discussions with myself. Through ALL of that, I removed 26,250 calories from my body. I actually picked up a ruler to visualize 9 inches. THAT IS A LOT. I was 9 inches wider 10 weeks ago. That is pretty crazy to me. I lost 2.25 inches from my waist alone. I definitely think that smaller pants size is coming.
Yes, it is true that I didn't reach my overall weigh loss goal of 15 lbs. but honestly I'm 100% okay with that. This WAP isn’t over for me. I’m still going to keep pushing and the other 7.5lbs. better watch out. Because I am coming!!!
What did I truly learn throughout this? Joseph Pilates had it
completely right. Thirty workouts can give you a completely different body. I have never looked like this in my entire life. Every part of my body is different. My arms or “my guns” are looking great. I actually have an identifiable waist now. I have never had that before. That gorgeous back I have always dreamed of is now becoming a reality. I have a different relationship with my body. I’m amazed at what it can do and am really excited about seeing what it and I can
accomplish, together, in the future. What’s next for us? Hip Hop – watch out! Pole Dancing – beware! More Pilates – can’t live without it!
Thank you thank you thank you Liv for organizing this for me. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me or asked me how things were progressing. Thank you to everyone who complimented me (even the numerous construction workers) – those words truly helped. And thank you Joseph Pilates – you jumped my a** but every bit paid off!! Bring
it on….I’m ready for more.
Until the next update…..
Blog Entry #5: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
..................................................................................................................
I turned a corner today....and I'm pretty proud of the turn I made!!
On Monday, I went for a private lesson with Liv. That was probably a mistake. I was exhausted after working all weekend but I showed up anyway hoping the workout would make me feel better. And it did but I definitely wasn't Joseph Pilates impressive I can honestly say that. I became frustrated with my lackluster performance and Liv commented, "...you are too hard on yourself..."
I bet she has no idea but that statement stuck with me all week.
But wait! I do have a little something to celebrate - I LOST 2 POUNDS LAST WEEK (please give me a moment for a little victory dance).
After weighing in 2 pounds lighter, I celebrated the departure of my plateau. But in my mind, the pressure was ON!!! And I have been feeling this tremendous amount of pressure all week. Pressure to lose 2lbs. this week. Pressure to exercise as much, if not more than I did last week. Pressure to make sure I get stronger in my Pilates and faster when I run. If I have gained any weight this week, it is from all the pressure I put on myself.
Sunday as I sat on my couch feeling even more pressure because I could not work out on Saturday, I couldn't take it any longer. And then it all clicked to me. What happened to the fun I was having? What happened to the joy I felt simply because my pants are fitting quite loose? What happened to the mere elation I felt from a great workout or a near perfect jackknife?
So here is the corner I have turned. Yes I do have about 3 weeks left on this program. If I don't reach my goal, I'm okay with it because this working out and eating right thing is a way of life now. I actually enjoy sweating and challenging myself. I feel horrible if a day goes by and I don't partake in some type of movement.
Last night, instead of stressing about going for a long hard walk, or hitting the stair climber for 45 minutes, I did an African dance DVD. Not only was it 75 minutes long, I loved every drum beating minute of it.
That is what I want the remainder of this journey to be for me....challenging AND fun. I plan to try every dance class possible...pole dancing, Hip Hop and yes definitely more African. Maybe I'll sprinkle in some Bikram Yoga, spinning and anything else I can get my hands (or feet) on.
All this stress and pressure is totally counterproductive to my efforts. What is my lesson for the week? If I lighten the hell up, I'll most likely literally lighten up on the scale - pound by pound!!!
Blog Entry #4: Wednesday, July 14, 2010
..................................................................................................................
Recognize I'M BACK!!! And I'm back with a vengeance!
I admit I needed a moment - a moment to reevaluate and re-commit to this entire project. I thought about all the times I normally make some progress and then stop. I didn't want to follow that same pattern again. I know the results I get following that pattern.
The old saying came to my mind, "If you want something different, you have to do something you have never done before."
I'm going to do something I have never done before - stick with it.
So with my new found re-commitment, I worked out like a maniac last week. I had 4 Pilates sessions. One night I completed 90 minutes of cardio. On my day off, I cooked 3 healthy dishes to eat the remainder of the week. I wrote everything in my food diary. So basically....I WAS ON FIRE!!!!!
I stepped on the scale Monday. I knew I was finally going to get my version of double digit weight loss like on "the Biggest Loser". I stepped up on the scale. I looked down. What? Wait a minute. That must be a mistake. What did I see? I saw the same number I saw last week. I lost no weight this past week.
Then I remembered that box of "Cinnamon Toast Crunch" that I lost a couple rounds of battle to last week. :-). Come on, no one is perfect.
Seriously, the zero weight loss didn't bother me. I thought about everything I have gained these past 5 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I still have some pounds to go but I'm looking pretty good right now. I can see the difference in my clothes and my face. I'm seeing muscles and curves I didn't even know I had. My skin is looking wonderful. I have challenged myself physically in ways I never thought I could achieve. I'm getting healthy and stronger. Above all, I feel great!!! I mean amazing!! My energy is completely through the roof. People thought I was hyper before.
I don't mind trading a week of no weight loss for those things. I've come so far.
Who knows what can happen in the 5 weeks remaining? Liv and I discussed some ways to shake up my workout routine and shake that scale down some l b s. next week. With my head back in the game, I am ready to crush these last pounds. Stay tuned. I know I am!!!
Blog Entry #3: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
....................................................................................................................
I'm afraid I'm losing it!! It is 1:12am in the morning. I know how important sleep is to weight loss; however, I also know how important telling the truth is to life. That prompts me to say that I'm afraid I've lost my fire to do this.
Originally I was going to write this week's blog about my vacation and how frightened I was to weigh in today. The moment I stepped on the scale felt like receiving a final grade in law school. Your entire grade in a class depended on a single 2-3 hour exam. The number on the scale was my law school grade. That number shows how well I'm doing. That number shows how committed I am. That number is evidence that the program is working. So I stepped on that scale today. Despite being at my family reunion, vacationing in Miami for 5 days, and missing cardio 2 sessions last week, I lost 1.5 lbs!!! I was completely surprised and elated......for a minute.
At first I beat myself up and thought if I had only pushed myself and got to the gym those 2 days or if I didn't have that one drink when I went out Saturday night or if I didn't have that sushi roll AND a dark chocolate graham cracker and Oreo cookie but I realized that wasn't truly what was bothering me.
I thought about me and my behavior. I actually found my Diet and Exercise Diary half way through my vacation in Miami (yes I'm that great of a packer - haha) but I never bothered to write in it. My nephew is visiting me this week in Chicago. When we went to the movies, I did suggest that we stop at Walgreen's for snacks (sorry AMC theatre). I did purchase trail mix but I also ate 600 calories of the mix at the movies. And today who was the person who suggested Cheesecake Factory for dinner? I told my nephew I wanted to go there for the variety. I really wanted to go there because I was hell bent on getting a piece of cheesecake.
What happened to me? I'm not going to blame the vacation. I'm not going to blame it on my nephew's visit. I'm not going to blame it on the summer. Or on the fact that after working and attending school full-time this past academic year I deserve to cut loose.
There is nothing to blame. I have a sign on my refrigerator that says, "What do you want more?". Whenever I go to the fridge and see that sign, it makes me think of my goals - losing 16 lbs., getting healthier, feeling better, looking better on camera and in my clothes, having more energy, and simply knowing I can do it. That sign makes me weigh what I'm about to reach for in that fridge against those goals. Normally the goals win but right now I honestly couldn't answer the question.
I know some might say I'm still being hard on myself but it isn't true. I feel like I'm standing on a slippery slope. I've got to get this under control before I look up and it is completely out of control.
Please don't get me wrong I want this. I want this badly. Not for Liv, Body Endeavors or Joseph Pilates, I want this for me.
I got to get it back. I have to get that fire back. Where did I lose it? How can I regain it?
I wanted to write something this week inspiration and fun but all I got right now is honesty....pure honesty. And now that I have shared the truth, does anyone know how many calories I just burned off? Because I feel like a ton of weight has been lifted from me!
Lesson for this week: Being real, especially with yourself, tastes better than cheesecake!
Blog Entry #2: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
..............................................................................................................
I don’t like this at all. I feel like I can't control anything and it is driving me CRAZY!!!
It is day 15 of "My WAP" and I finally thought I had hit my sweet spot. You know your sweet spot when everything comes together. You are feeling great. Your workouts are becoming the part of your day that excites you. And your eating has finally calmed down. The cravings are gone. Visions of cookies and birthday cake (even when it isn't your birthday) are no longer dancing in your head. Exactly...the sweet spot.
I have learned several lessons during my journey. A quite valuable one is PLANNING IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. After my episode at the airport, I always have fruit or nuts in my purse. I carry my Diet and Exercise Journal with me in my bag everyday and everywhere. I know EXACTLY what I'm going to consume at every meal. I know when and where I'm going to workout.
When Liv and I sat down to discuss this workout plan, she asked me if I was really ready for this. I emphatically said yes but mentioned to her that I had a family reunion and a trip to Miami scheduled back to back from June 19th until June 27th. She gave me a look...this look of "Okay, can you seriously do this?". To which I responded without hesitation, "This is life. This is my life. There is no way to avoid this. This will be a wonderful test of my commitment and of the program." And then I shot her my winning (and convincing) smile.
I HAVE TO LEARN TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT. This traveling and hanging out with family is dangerous business!!!! Without question, I can say my family loves and supports me but I will also admit that sometimes they
just don't get me.
Some don't get why I'm doing this - remember I'm an African American woman from the Athens, GA. Bigger is better in some circles. Other family members don't understand why I would do this now - during family reunion.
Knowing all of this, Liv and I hit it. We planned. I have scheduled 3 Pilates appointments here in Atlanta. I have scheduled my cardio sessions in Atlanta and Miami. I made sure the hotels had fitness centers. I even went to the grocery store as soon as I landed in Atlanta to ensure that I would not be hungry and without great options.
But despite all of that, things have not gone as planned. I tried everything in the book but still didn't get much cardio over the weekend. I left my diet and exercise diary in Chicago (come on, Tara). I have been doing really well on my diet but there are temptations everywhere. My sister actually asked to visit candy store with her. I had to snap pictures of the food I couldn't eat. They even had some type of pastry that was a 1.5 inch thick Snickers bar!! REALLY? The fried chicken at the Family Reunion banquet on Saturday night looked like something straight out of a commercial. It was perfectly golden brown and crispy. My Goodness...someone please pray for me.
But I survived…only to face my next challenge. I'm working out the local ATL office of my company for a few days. I'm not familiar with the area and when I did a Google search, there is nothing but fast
food joints surrounding me. I spent 20 minutes looking up nutritional information in order to plan a "good lunch".
My sweet spot has been tainted. I'm nervous. I'm cautious. I hesitate with every bite.
But please please please don't get it twisted. Despite all I have said, this is SOOOOOO worth it. I think about the last 12 lbs. and I CAN’T WAIT!!! Size 6 – know this - I am right on your heels!!!!
I learned that I can have fun...great fun with my family without eating everything in sight. I also learned that saying "No, thank you" or "No, I have actually had enough" is not going to send someone into shock and convulsions despite what I was taught while growing up.
I passed the Family Reunion test. In a few days, I will meet my Miami vacation test.
Regardless of the twists and turns my WAP has thrown me, I'm so in it to win it!!! KNOW THAT!!
Stay tuned!!!
Blog Entry #1: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
............................................................................................................
THIS SUCKS!!! Life is so funny. You can
go from being on cloud 9 one minute to
feeling completely lost the next. Monday, August 16, 2010
..................................................................................................................
V-I- C-T-O-R-Y!!! That is a wonderful word and I’m claiming VICTORY today. I lost 7.5 lbs. and 9 inches over the past 10 weeks. That is 7.5lbs. and 9 inches during my family reunion, my Miami vacation, family and friends visiting, my cooking (I still can’t believe I cooked a chocolate cake and mini cheesecakes), my traveling all summer, my highs and lows (do you remember that week I just didn’t
know if I could continue), my "this is crazy, just eat it" moments and my "what's wrong with your size anyway" discussions with myself. Through ALL of that, I removed 26,250 calories from my body. I actually picked up a ruler to visualize 9 inches. THAT IS A LOT. I was 9 inches wider 10 weeks ago. That is pretty crazy to me. I lost 2.25 inches from my waist alone. I definitely think that smaller pants size is coming.
Yes, it is true that I didn't reach my overall weigh loss goal of 15 lbs. but honestly I'm 100% okay with that. This WAP isn’t over for me. I’m still going to keep pushing and the other 7.5lbs. better watch out. Because I am coming!!!
What did I truly learn throughout this? Joseph Pilates had it
completely right. Thirty workouts can give you a completely different body. I have never looked like this in my entire life. Every part of my body is different. My arms or “my guns” are looking great. I actually have an identifiable waist now. I have never had that before. That gorgeous back I have always dreamed of is now becoming a reality. I have a different relationship with my body. I’m amazed at what it can do and am really excited about seeing what it and I can
accomplish, together, in the future. What’s next for us? Hip Hop – watch out! Pole Dancing – beware! More Pilates – can’t live without it!
Thank you thank you thank you Liv for organizing this for me. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me or asked me how things were progressing. Thank you to everyone who complimented me (even the numerous construction workers) – those words truly helped. And thank you Joseph Pilates – you jumped my a** but every bit paid off!! Bring
it on….I’m ready for more.
Until the next update…..
Blog Entry #5: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
..................................................................................................................
I turned a corner today....and I'm pretty proud of the turn I made!!
On Monday, I went for a private lesson with Liv. That was probably a mistake. I was exhausted after working all weekend but I showed up anyway hoping the workout would make me feel better. And it did but I definitely wasn't Joseph Pilates impressive I can honestly say that. I became frustrated with my lackluster performance and Liv commented, "...you are too hard on yourself..."
I bet she has no idea but that statement stuck with me all week.
But wait! I do have a little something to celebrate - I LOST 2 POUNDS LAST WEEK (please give me a moment for a little victory dance).
After weighing in 2 pounds lighter, I celebrated the departure of my plateau. But in my mind, the pressure was ON!!! And I have been feeling this tremendous amount of pressure all week. Pressure to lose 2lbs. this week. Pressure to exercise as much, if not more than I did last week. Pressure to make sure I get stronger in my Pilates and faster when I run. If I have gained any weight this week, it is from all the pressure I put on myself.
Sunday as I sat on my couch feeling even more pressure because I could not work out on Saturday, I couldn't take it any longer. And then it all clicked to me. What happened to the fun I was having? What happened to the joy I felt simply because my pants are fitting quite loose? What happened to the mere elation I felt from a great workout or a near perfect jackknife?
So here is the corner I have turned. Yes I do have about 3 weeks left on this program. If I don't reach my goal, I'm okay with it because this working out and eating right thing is a way of life now. I actually enjoy sweating and challenging myself. I feel horrible if a day goes by and I don't partake in some type of movement.
Last night, instead of stressing about going for a long hard walk, or hitting the stair climber for 45 minutes, I did an African dance DVD. Not only was it 75 minutes long, I loved every drum beating minute of it.
That is what I want the remainder of this journey to be for me....challenging AND fun. I plan to try every dance class possible...pole dancing, Hip Hop and yes definitely more African. Maybe I'll sprinkle in some Bikram Yoga, spinning and anything else I can get my hands (or feet) on.
All this stress and pressure is totally counterproductive to my efforts. What is my lesson for the week? If I lighten the hell up, I'll most likely literally lighten up on the scale - pound by pound!!!
Blog Entry #4: Wednesday, July 14, 2010
..................................................................................................................
Recognize I'M BACK!!! And I'm back with a vengeance!
I admit I needed a moment - a moment to reevaluate and re-commit to this entire project. I thought about all the times I normally make some progress and then stop. I didn't want to follow that same pattern again. I know the results I get following that pattern.
The old saying came to my mind, "If you want something different, you have to do something you have never done before."
I'm going to do something I have never done before - stick with it.
So with my new found re-commitment, I worked out like a maniac last week. I had 4 Pilates sessions. One night I completed 90 minutes of cardio. On my day off, I cooked 3 healthy dishes to eat the remainder of the week. I wrote everything in my food diary. So basically....I WAS ON FIRE!!!!!
I stepped on the scale Monday. I knew I was finally going to get my version of double digit weight loss like on "the Biggest Loser". I stepped up on the scale. I looked down. What? Wait a minute. That must be a mistake. What did I see? I saw the same number I saw last week. I lost no weight this past week.
Then I remembered that box of "Cinnamon Toast Crunch" that I lost a couple rounds of battle to last week. :-). Come on, no one is perfect.
Seriously, the zero weight loss didn't bother me. I thought about everything I have gained these past 5 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I still have some pounds to go but I'm looking pretty good right now. I can see the difference in my clothes and my face. I'm seeing muscles and curves I didn't even know I had. My skin is looking wonderful. I have challenged myself physically in ways I never thought I could achieve. I'm getting healthy and stronger. Above all, I feel great!!! I mean amazing!! My energy is completely through the roof. People thought I was hyper before.
I don't mind trading a week of no weight loss for those things. I've come so far.
Who knows what can happen in the 5 weeks remaining? Liv and I discussed some ways to shake up my workout routine and shake that scale down some l b s. next week. With my head back in the game, I am ready to crush these last pounds. Stay tuned. I know I am!!!
Blog Entry #3: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
....................................................................................................................
I'm afraid I'm losing it!! It is 1:12am in the morning. I know how important sleep is to weight loss; however, I also know how important telling the truth is to life. That prompts me to say that I'm afraid I've lost my fire to do this.
Originally I was going to write this week's blog about my vacation and how frightened I was to weigh in today. The moment I stepped on the scale felt like receiving a final grade in law school. Your entire grade in a class depended on a single 2-3 hour exam. The number on the scale was my law school grade. That number shows how well I'm doing. That number shows how committed I am. That number is evidence that the program is working. So I stepped on that scale today. Despite being at my family reunion, vacationing in Miami for 5 days, and missing cardio 2 sessions last week, I lost 1.5 lbs!!! I was completely surprised and elated......for a minute.
At first I beat myself up and thought if I had only pushed myself and got to the gym those 2 days or if I didn't have that one drink when I went out Saturday night or if I didn't have that sushi roll AND a dark chocolate graham cracker and Oreo cookie but I realized that wasn't truly what was bothering me.
I thought about me and my behavior. I actually found my Diet and Exercise Diary half way through my vacation in Miami (yes I'm that great of a packer - haha) but I never bothered to write in it. My nephew is visiting me this week in Chicago. When we went to the movies, I did suggest that we stop at Walgreen's for snacks (sorry AMC theatre). I did purchase trail mix but I also ate 600 calories of the mix at the movies. And today who was the person who suggested Cheesecake Factory for dinner? I told my nephew I wanted to go there for the variety. I really wanted to go there because I was hell bent on getting a piece of cheesecake.
What happened to me? I'm not going to blame the vacation. I'm not going to blame it on my nephew's visit. I'm not going to blame it on the summer. Or on the fact that after working and attending school full-time this past academic year I deserve to cut loose.
There is nothing to blame. I have a sign on my refrigerator that says, "What do you want more?". Whenever I go to the fridge and see that sign, it makes me think of my goals - losing 16 lbs., getting healthier, feeling better, looking better on camera and in my clothes, having more energy, and simply knowing I can do it. That sign makes me weigh what I'm about to reach for in that fridge against those goals. Normally the goals win but right now I honestly couldn't answer the question.
I know some might say I'm still being hard on myself but it isn't true. I feel like I'm standing on a slippery slope. I've got to get this under control before I look up and it is completely out of control.
Please don't get me wrong I want this. I want this badly. Not for Liv, Body Endeavors or Joseph Pilates, I want this for me.
I got to get it back. I have to get that fire back. Where did I lose it? How can I regain it?
I wanted to write something this week inspiration and fun but all I got right now is honesty....pure honesty. And now that I have shared the truth, does anyone know how many calories I just burned off? Because I feel like a ton of weight has been lifted from me!
Lesson for this week: Being real, especially with yourself, tastes better than cheesecake!
Blog Entry #2: Tuesday, June 22, 2010
..............................................................................................................
I don’t like this at all. I feel like I can't control anything and it is driving me CRAZY!!!
It is day 15 of "My WAP" and I finally thought I had hit my sweet spot. You know your sweet spot when everything comes together. You are feeling great. Your workouts are becoming the part of your day that excites you. And your eating has finally calmed down. The cravings are gone. Visions of cookies and birthday cake (even when it isn't your birthday) are no longer dancing in your head. Exactly...the sweet spot.
I have learned several lessons during my journey. A quite valuable one is PLANNING IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. After my episode at the airport, I always have fruit or nuts in my purse. I carry my Diet and Exercise Journal with me in my bag everyday and everywhere. I know EXACTLY what I'm going to consume at every meal. I know when and where I'm going to workout.
When Liv and I sat down to discuss this workout plan, she asked me if I was really ready for this. I emphatically said yes but mentioned to her that I had a family reunion and a trip to Miami scheduled back to back from June 19th until June 27th. She gave me a look...this look of "Okay, can you seriously do this?". To which I responded without hesitation, "This is life. This is my life. There is no way to avoid this. This will be a wonderful test of my commitment and of the program." And then I shot her my winning (and convincing) smile.
I HAVE TO LEARN TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT. This traveling and hanging out with family is dangerous business!!!! Without question, I can say my family loves and supports me but I will also admit that sometimes they
just don't get me.
Some don't get why I'm doing this - remember I'm an African American woman from the Athens, GA. Bigger is better in some circles. Other family members don't understand why I would do this now - during family reunion.
Knowing all of this, Liv and I hit it. We planned. I have scheduled 3 Pilates appointments here in Atlanta. I have scheduled my cardio sessions in Atlanta and Miami. I made sure the hotels had fitness centers. I even went to the grocery store as soon as I landed in Atlanta to ensure that I would not be hungry and without great options.
But despite all of that, things have not gone as planned. I tried everything in the book but still didn't get much cardio over the weekend. I left my diet and exercise diary in Chicago (come on, Tara). I have been doing really well on my diet but there are temptations everywhere. My sister actually asked to visit candy store with her. I had to snap pictures of the food I couldn't eat. They even had some type of pastry that was a 1.5 inch thick Snickers bar!! REALLY? The fried chicken at the Family Reunion banquet on Saturday night looked like something straight out of a commercial. It was perfectly golden brown and crispy. My Goodness...someone please pray for me.
But I survived…only to face my next challenge. I'm working out the local ATL office of my company for a few days. I'm not familiar with the area and when I did a Google search, there is nothing but fast
food joints surrounding me. I spent 20 minutes looking up nutritional information in order to plan a "good lunch".
My sweet spot has been tainted. I'm nervous. I'm cautious. I hesitate with every bite.
But please please please don't get it twisted. Despite all I have said, this is SOOOOOO worth it. I think about the last 12 lbs. and I CAN’T WAIT!!! Size 6 – know this - I am right on your heels!!!!
I learned that I can have fun...great fun with my family without eating everything in sight. I also learned that saying "No, thank you" or "No, I have actually had enough" is not going to send someone into shock and convulsions despite what I was taught while growing up.
I passed the Family Reunion test. In a few days, I will meet my Miami vacation test.
Regardless of the twists and turns my WAP has thrown me, I'm so in it to win it!!! KNOW THAT!!
Stay tuned!!!
Blog Entry #1: Tuesday, June 15, 2010
............................................................................................................
Today is Day 8 of "My WAP - My Workout Adventure with Pilates". I have signed on to test the motto of Joseph Pilates - A New Body in 30 workouts!! And I couldn't be more excited.
Please understand I am no stranger to working out or watching my diet but in all honesty I have never done both simultaneously. I know. I know. It requires both. Hence the reason why after years and years of trying to get the last 15-20 lbs off me, I am diving into this - 3 Pilates workouts per week, 5 days of cardio, 1350 calories per day. Sounds easy enough, right?
Really?!?! Last week in order to fit everything in I was up in the morning walking and on the treadmill at midnight' if necessary. And to be completely honest, I missed a day of cardio. As much as I wanted Chinese food and french fries last week and I definitely did want them, I chose differently. And it was hard. The memories of my "last" meal" still linger in my head - fried fish, chicken wings, french fries, hush puppies and cole slaw (of course I had some vegetables - LOL!!). And for dessert you ask? Haggen Diaz Dark Chocolate Mint ice cream. Silence. Because words simply can not describe how wonderful, and amazing it was. Oh please don't get it twisted. I am an African American woman from Athens, Ga. I know how to eat!!!
I learned my first lesson very early last week. This whole thing is about choices. I don't want to define them as good or bad. Let's just call them effective or non-effective but nevertheless choices have to be made everyday. That is what this is all about.
So what happened last week? I lost 3lbs.!! 3lbs.!! I could have kissed Liv. I was ecstatic. And then it happened.
I arrived at O'Hare Airport. I arrived hungry and unfortunately unprepared (an ineffective choice). I had a little trail mix in my purse but that isn't dinner. I walked all over that place looking for something besides McDonald's, pizza, Chinese food or huge pretzels with processed cheddar cheese. Can I get anything here that will not set me back 2000 calories? AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!! HELP!
Lesson 2: Never leave your house unarmed. The WAP Saboteurs are EVERYWHERE!
Track Tara's Progress:
Before After
June 7th August 15th
Before After
Before After
June 7th August 15th
June 7th August 15thAbout The
30
Session Challenge:
Joe Pilates said that if people would come and do his work 3 times a week
for 30 sessions, they would enjoy the benefits of a new and improved
body. As Tara and I spoke just prior to the summer, she mentioned that
she would have time this summer to dedicate to this goal. We created a
plan for her that included 3 times a week of Pilates sessions (Private,
Semi, Mat and sometimes ActivCore FEX) plus healthy eating and
cardiovascular exercise. Just plain and simple healthy-living! We
started her program June 7th and will commence on August 15th. Her goal
is to lose 15 pounds, and get lean and strong. This page including her
blog and photos will document this journey.
At Body Endeavors we
are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals through fitness
and wellness. If you or anyone you know could benefit from a program
and direction like Tara's please contact me, Liv Berger at
lberger31@cs.com to discuss your needs. We can truly customize a plan
for your specific goals.
-Liv Michele Berger,
Studio Owner
