OK. So, you probably thought I had completely abandoned my Barre3 fitness challenge and understandably so. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted an update, so here’s the explanation part.
I went on a 9-day vacation. Then when I got back I got measured, but forgot to have my photo taken. Then this week I got my photo taken, but lost the slip with all my measurements written out. Total FAIL.
Ugh.
OK. So, for those of you keeping track this is week 7 of the challenge and here is my progress update:
Here are this week’s stats: (all comparisons are based off of the previous week’s stats)
Date: 8/16/13 – I lost the sheet with my stats from 8/28/13, but they were basically the same.
I kind of wanted to lie about these numbers, because they’ve all increased, but here’s why…
After my sucky PMS week where I was feeling all discouraged about this challenge, I left for vacation to a lovely little island in Canada (more on this in a future post). Going on vacation after feeling discouraged was pretty much a recipe for disaster, but I brought along my Barre3 ball so that I could work out using the Barre3 online workouts while I was away. But once we were there, the internet was terrible and I couldn’t get any websites to load, much less run video, so online workouts were a no go and this basically propelled me off a cliff into a massive shame spiral.
Here’s the thing about me…I’m a routines kind of girl and I’m not really very good at moderation or doing things halfway. It’s kind of all or nothing. Either I’m working out 4-5 times a week, or I’m not working out at all. I’m eating smoothies and salads, or I’m eating ice cream and french fries. So, getting out of my workout routine was pretty much the worst and really set me off track. When I’m not working out regularly, I’m not mindful of what I’m eating and things just compound.
While we were on vacation on this lovely, internet-less island – I ended up eating my weight in delicious food as well, so that definitely didn’t help matters. Then we came back to my birthday and Craig’s birthday and the food fest just continued. I also had a hard time getting back into my workout routine once I was home, because I’d gone so long without it and because I got so behind on work and couldn’t really leave my computer for the first week after we got back, so I didn’t work out for like two-and-a-half weeks. So bad.
The scale doesn’t lie my friends – all my gluttony and sloth led to a huge spike in the numbers on the scale. I got home weighing 156.8 lbs, which means I gained just over 7 lbs. and that is a lot. But, I’ve gotten back in the habit. I went to the Barre3 studio three times each week for the past two weeks and have curbed my eating a bit and am back down to 151.8 lbs (a 5 lb. loss).
After speaking with one of the Barre3 instructors this week, I will be journaling all of the food I eat this week and have already signed up to take five classes this week. Having a plan to stay committed to is key for me, so that’s what I’m doing – writing my workouts into my calendar just as I would with any other important commitment. Also, I will be starting Barre3’s “28 To Great” plan on September 1st, but in the mean time I will be trying out some of the recipes and making better food choices.
If any of you are interested in trying out the “28 to Great” program with me I would love to be in it together. Barre3 online is only $15 per month – cheaper than the gym and super convenient to do at home for busy mamas. Check it out!
Love and fitness,
Lauren
Lauren, I commend you for your honesty. It’s so tough to be honest about touchy subjects like this, I know that all too well. You could’ve lied about your numbers but you instead accepted them and moved on. Which is really all you can do- try again the next day. As mom’s it’s tough to find the time to work out. We juggle a thousand things every day so sometimes working out falls by the way side. I say as long as you do something, even a 10 minute workout, everyday is better than nothing.
By the way, I loved 28 to great! SO much easier than going to the actual gym!
You go, mama!
Thank you friend :). I’m working on it. It’s just so hard to stay motivated and on top of things when you’re a busy mama being pulled in a million directions as I’m sure you know. I remember losing weight in college was SO much easier. Only myself to cook for and my own schedule to worry about! But, hopefully I’ll just keep figuring out how to make it work for me and it’ll just keep getting better. PS – your wedding is this weekend, right?! So exciting!!
Oh girl I get it completely! It was not only so much easier to lose weight then, but I remember at the beginning of high school I thought that I was just SO fat, and now…I would kill for that body. And to tell that girl that she is not fat in the slightest! And my wedding is next weekend! The 7th! 11 days! I am so excited!
Ahhh! I thought it was this weekend because I saw bachelorette party pics last weekend :). 11 days is so soon! And seriously…let’s go back and tell our younger selves to appreciate those awesome bods!
I’ve done 28 to great a few times and really liked it!! The recipes are great and I started to create my own recipes really easily. After about 14 days of the good food and claases you will feel really awesome too. By the way- I totally relate with the eating you described- I’m usually a super clean eater, but can take down French fries and ice cream like nobody’s business!
That makes me excited to do it! I really need to curb my eating. I’m totally carb addicted, so I’m hoping that the plan will end up helping me to like whole foods more. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hey Lauren!
I just started the 28 to great program this week. I love it. It’s my first experience with Barre3 after my chiropractor recommended it to me. I wasn’t making it to the gym…EVER… so the online workouts are perfect. I already feel like I’m walking taller and feeling stronger. The recipes that go along with the program are pretty good too, quick preparation, and food that baby and husband will eat. 🙂
Yay! That makes me excited. Glad you’re loving it! Can’t wait to get started!
It’s so encouraging to read such an honest post, Lauren! Good for you. I’m totally the same way, its all or nothing for me, which can go really south if you let it. I’ve been doing Barre3 online for 2 months now, we should get together and do it sometime!
<3 Mary-Anne
Mary-Anne – Let’s do it! Would love to team up on it. And thanks for letting me know I’m not the only “all of nothing” girl out there :).