Day 21 and 7 Motivational Tips!

Today is Monday, which means phase 1 workout 3 is done. What is it about Monday's that makes it so hard to get motivated? I think the worst part is Sunday is my rest day, so getting back to the workout routine is tough. This got me to start thinking about what motivates me to keep going, when it's so easy to just throw in the towel.

So here are some of my thoughts on how to get motivated and stay motivated....

1. Surround yourself with at least a few people who are into health and fitness. You don't even have to know them in person. I have quite a few online friends on Facebook and myfitnesspal that are working hard towards their goals. This encourages me to get out there and get what I want done. This also gives me a sense of community, knowing that I'm not alone in this.

2. Join a website such as myfitnesspal, where you can track your food, calories, exercise, post questions in forums and keep track of your progress. There are other sites ive heard of too like spark people, weightwatchers, fit day, live strong, etc...

3. Start off small. If you haven't worked out in a long time than start of small. You quickly notice if you need to amp up your workout or slow it down. I know from experience it can be really discouraging trying to run that mile you used to run with ease and you can't even make it half way before you feel like throwing up. So start small and build up...aka try morning or evening walks :)

4. Find activities that you enjoy doing. If you once enjoyed bicycling as a teen or kid why not give it a try now? If you used to swim in your 20's, go ahead and check out some classes at the pool or free style it doing lengths. The possibilities are endless here people :) as for myself I found jogging/running.

5. Download some apps for your phone, some music to listen too, a podcast to enjoy...something that will encourage you to get out the door. This tip really helps me big time! If I didn't have my apps and podcast I doubt I'd run as much as I do.

6. If I start feeling down about myself or my progress I try to imagine what I will look like when I get to my goals. What will that bathing suit look like on me in 3 months? Or how confident will I feel tomorrow if I just work hard today :) it works for me every time.

7. Track calories burned! My favorite piece of workout equipment is my polar heart rate monitor. It motivates me to push harder to not only increase my heart rate, but to get a great calorie burn! It's so amazing to see how hard you've worked at the end of a workout.

Those are my top 7 that I use either daily or quite often to keep my head in the game. A lot of people use other things such as a reward system, setting small goals, entering some sort of event to train for, thinking about the future with their kids or grandkids, reading success stories, etc...

There are just so many ways to stay motivated, but to be honest you will know what works for you and you just have to stick to it!

Day 19!

I am feeling so much better today, in comparison to yesterday. I don't know why but after my blog post I came down with a horrible headache. The type of headache that just pounds in our head. I ended up laying down, but sure enough it just wouldn't leave. I had to skip the workout :( Makes me sad, but there was no way I was going to be able to increase my heart rate without my head feeling like it was going to burst. That workout would have made things much worse. Instead I decided that since today (Saturday) is a cardio day anyway, I could just add on workout 4 to it. Not a big deal :)

I saw this on facebook today and loved it! Especially the colors, but yah know the message too!

Day 18!

Found this awhile back and forgot about it! Isn't it an interesting tip, next time I workout I'm going to test this theory ;)

Day 18 already...I'm like shocked at how quickly this is going! I'm starting to freak out thinking that i'm almost out of phase 1!! How did I even get this far? It really didn't seem like that long. Technically 90 day really isn't that long, months go by so quickly. I guess once you commit to a workout program like this and your weeks or months into it..it doesn't seem as daunting as day one...

I do have to say I'm really proud of myself for sticking to this for program for this long. I have trouble staying motivated and interested in the same workouts over and over. I do believe Jillian's Body Revolution does keep you focused and interested, because the workouts change quite quickly. I would only suggest that she should have added more cardio workouts to the program. Doing the same one for each phase, kinda sucks! I know other people on this program have just swapped it for their own favorite cardio exercise. I sort have been doing the same in a sense, but i've been adding cardio to my workouts everyday. I still do Jillian's cardio workout because my 5 year old just LOVES it. He cheers me on and joins in.

I weighed in today and guess what I was down a 2.5lbs!! I believe im down a total of 5lbs since starting this workout. 5lbs in 18 days is healthy and I'm proud of that! Losing at that rate I'll have lost 25lbs at the end of 90 days. I'll take that!

Day 17

Well I'm back at it today! Again with Phase 1 workout 3. I am so impressed with myself that I am able to do the "plank walk outs" and the "Up-down plank"...I think i'm more impressed with the "up-down planks" because I remember trying to do that move in another workout video (could have been Jillians, but I don't remember) and I could not do it!

If you're not sure of the exercise I mean you can find more information about it here...Up-down plank!

These are so brutal and I almost can't do the last one in the workout....but hey they have to work!

Day 16!

Today was supposed to be my cardio day, but I hate to say it I needed a rest day! Badly :S My body was so sore, I could hardly move. I think I may have over done it a little.

Day 15

Today is workout 1 Phase 4! This workout gets me sweating like a crazy. Well to be honest all her workouts do ;) I'm still feeling yesterday's workout, i'm sore all over. This week is a big wake up call to the increased intensity as we progress through this workout. I don't even want to think about the final weeks workouts!

Here is me after one of Jillian's workouts..a mess!

There have been a few questions surrounding my diet and if i'm sticking to Jillian's meal plan. Originally I was sticking to it 100%..now I can honestly say I'm sticking to her diet probably 80% of the time. That doesn't mean the other 20% I'm eating junk food or anything like that. I'm sticking to my calorie goal with is 1210calories a day, but I may eat an apple with peanut butter when she suggest a low calorie muffin. Things like this I am taking liberty with. Here is a picture of some of my lettuce mix i've been growing in my garden! It's delicious, yum!

Day 14!

Yesterday was my rest day and my goodness that was not easy to do! I'm one of those people that once I start working out, I want to do it every day to stay motivated. I'm also one of those people that once I stop working out, I find it very hard to get back into the groove of it.

That about sums it up doesn't it! Well at least for myself it hasn't been 5 years, but you get what I'm trying to say.

Anyway, today is my first day on Phase 1 workout 3 of Body Revolution! I couldn't believe what a blur it all was...it went by so quickly. I LOVED this workout! I felt much more challenged than I was from the previous week. When I say challenged I mean in a way that keeps me pushing harder and motivates me to want to keep going.

It was also my weigh-in day today, and my weight didn't move this week. The funny part is I was sure it would because I've been feeling smaller and clothes have been fitting better. I'm not worried at all, I know I'm doing everything I can to improve my health and fitness :)

I did have a great non-scale victory today! While running on the trails along the river, I had a couple's sweet dog come running up ahead of them and then run back with me. As I pass the couple, they said "aww she loves running with joggers"..YAY I was called "a jogger!" Then minutes after that, an older gentleman said to me "I don't know how you can run in this heat, but it proves your a dedicated runner!" Now i'm a jogger and a dedicated runner :D It felt nice to have others acknowledge this :)

Happy health and fitness!
~Maggie

Day 12 and another workout app review!

I've realized that this completes 2 weeks worth of the program! Only 10 weeks left to go!

Thinking about the program in terms of weeks rather than days, makes it much more doable to me. Besides the weeks feel like the go by like days, especially in the summer. Speaking of summer, we've been so lucky to have some amazing weather recently! July has been hot, but bearable. I've been able to run in the late mornings/early afternoons on the shaded trails along the river, and it's been amazing!

Right now on my runs, I've been using 2 apps, listening to 1 podcast, and tracking my calories and heart rate with my Polar HRM. The first app of course is "Zombies, Run," which I've mentioned in a previous post that you can read here.

My newly acquired app is "C25k Free!" As it suggest in the title it is a free application you can just download. That is always a bonus! I believe that this app might only be available for Apple products and I'll include the link to iTunes at the end of this post. Now I've done C25k in the past and tracked it manually on my watch. It was okay, but this just makes it so much easier! I don't have to worry about anything, but focus on running and walking. To be honest I just completed Day 3 of the program and I'm already seeing improvements. Granted I was jogging the trails about a month before getting this app. I do believe it's helped improve my distance and stamina though.

I also wanted to mention that both of these apps work great with each other and I still listen to my pod cast :) Zombies run is amazing in the sense it pauses what i'm listening to, discusses the story line, then resumes what I was listening too. C25k Free, just tells me to start running or walking, in the middle of what im listening too. It also has a volume control so you can increase the woman's voice to hear it over what's already playing.

Here is the link to C25k Free as promised ;) C25k App click here!

Day 11!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Today I completed Phase 1 workout 2 for the last time! :) I'm excited to be moving on to Phase 1 workouts 3 & 4, but at the same time I'm expecting it to be challenging. The workouts today were tough, I typically go on a run for my cardio and then do Body Revolution. Today I ended up adding the cardio 1 workout instead of the run. It was tough, but I got through it. I am so tired now...so I'm going to end this post a short note. Must get to sleep!


Happy health and fitness!
~Maggie

Day 10

Today was my last Phase 1 workout 1, which seems like it went way to fast! It's become probably my favourite workout of the 2. I think it's because I know what comes next and I'm pretty confident at doing the routine. Maybe that's a sign though that it is time to move on to workout 3 and 4.

Now I say I'm confident in the routine, but that doesn't mean I didn't fall on my bum during towel runs! I must have been off balance because my ankle gave way underneath me and I heard it go "crrrruuunnncccchhh!" All I thought was "OH no..please let it be okay so I can keep up with these workouts" Low and behold I lucked out and was able to put weight on it and finish the workout out no problem. I also went for a run after, putting in some extra cardio and listening to Jillian's podcast. She actually had a question from a caller asking about doing extra strength training while doing body revolution. This is a "No no" I guess, and that the program is set up so that we can rest our muscles and let them repair. Extra cardio though is okay :) Phew...

Here is the link my friends to all the FREE episodes of Jillian and Janice's podcast. :)

Click here!

Day 9

Today was all about cardio, cardio and more cardio! Thank goodness to because my muscles are sore today! It is a pretty hot here though and we don't have AC. I knew I would get sweaty during workouts...but not this sweaty! My 5 year old said I looked like I dunked my head in water.

Speaking of my 5 year old, I had so much support from him during the workout. He was incredibly sweet, encouraging and told me to "do what the ladies are doing on the TV mama! You have to raise your arms higher." That was in reference to those "mummy kicks" she makes you do. My arms and legs always burn out on those. Anyway, my point being that sometimes the support and encouragement from someone really does help. It's just wonderful surprise when it comes from someone so young.

Plus right now he LOVES to run, exercise, jump, swim, and he has fun while doing all those thing. What little kid doesn't right?! :D I'm taking a lesson from him in that I shouldn't see working out or running as a chore to do. Making it fun for myself is what is going to make me stick to it in the long run.

To end the day off we went to the park and played Frisbee with our ultimate Frisbee disc. Those things can fly! It was so nice to be able to run around and play like a kid again, without feeling out of shape.

~Maggie

Day 8

Today was workout after workout, which is good right? Right now we have gorgeous sunny weather, so I've been taking advantage of it by running the park trails behind my house every morning. I love running those trails, it's so beautiful and peaceful. I'll share a pic so you can agree with me :)

Anyway, after that I did Week 2-workout 2. Does anyone else find that they work harder in workout 1, thus burning way more calories? I know I do..workout 2 for me burns like 100 less calories and I try to give it my all. I think there are more strength training positions maybe?

Finally in the evening when it had cooled off, but was still sunny out. My 5 year old and I walked to the park and played frisbee! We have this really awesome ultimate frisbee disc that flys through the air like you wouldn't believe. Had to do a lot of running around after that thing in the hour we played. Then it was off to the playground for a few games of hide and seek. See exercise can be fun!

Update on my weightloss: First week into the program and I lost 1.5lbs! I forgot to post this yesterday, since Monday's are my weigh-in days :)

New fitness purchases under $10

I bought a few things that have made me really excited to workout, so I thought I'd share!

1. Zombies, Run! App for my smartphone. I have an iphone, but this works on androids too! It's an awesome, fun app! It cost $7.99, which had me hesitant to purchase it at first. This app is really worth it though, they put a lot of hard work into it and it will last you quite a long time. It's basically an app you turn on that has you following a township that is trying to survive during a zombie apocalypse. You become one of the "runners" that picks up items and evades zombies for the township. You learn a huge story line that leaves you hanging after every run. After your run you get to apply the items you picked up to different areas of the town. This app is very detailed so you wont get bored, yet it's really simple and easy to work. It also syncs with your music or whatever else your listening too!

2. New weights! I needed a new weight set for my workouts with Jillian. I currently have 5lbs, 10lbs, and 20lbs. I typically use the 5 or 10lbs, but I found i'd burn out fast with the 10. Sooooo I went and bought myself some spiffy 7lbs weights, which im super excited to use today! Each weight was $7.00..which averages to a 1.00/lb :)

3. Candian Runners Magazine for $4.99! I never buy magazines because I typically find them full of advertisments and information i could find online. This purchase was different though, it made me feel like I was a runner! I felt like hey this is a specific magazine just for me :D It was motivating and inspiring to buy it and start reading it.

4. New workout t-shirts for $10. I found myself in the athletic section and couldn't help but buy myself a new workout tee. It's a dri-top..which supposedly helps with all the sweating during those tough workouts. With summer finally being here I hope this helps too!

All these purchases really help motivate me to stay in the game. I can't afford to treat myself every week like this, but this was just too jumpstart my game ;) Once in awhile it feels good to budget a few things like this into your workout routine!

And remember online is full of great resourse for free motivation...like this one, it makes me laugh every time ;)

Day 7 again...

Okay so i know this post is a few months late..whoops! No excuses..I got sick and the totally sidetracked, but no excuses! I'm back at it! I started body revolution last week and am now on Day 7 of the plan :D

After much thought I've realized that for in order for me to stay on track and motivated I need to make my food and exercise a HUGE focus in my life. I don't want to say I become obsessed with it, because that doesn't sound healthy. I do however need to make it a priority in my daily goals. I try to take each day as it comes and make the decisions I know will benefit me now and later down the road.

So as of now, i've completed week 1 of Body Revolution..I didn't track it week 1 because I already had late April, so I thought I'd start re-blogging my journey as of week 2. Here I am, it's in the middle of a heat wave (finally..took long enough for summer to reach us) and I'm about to hit play and do workout 1 for this week!

Side note: Went for a walk/jog today for an hour and burned 400cals. Couldn't run as much as I liked because of the heat. Must start running early morning or evenings.

xoxo ~Maggie