Day Two: Frustration

Here goes day 2 everyone! This morning my alarm startled me awake at 5:10 am, reminding me that I made this 85-day commitment. I would love to report that I jumped out of bed full of enthusiasm and excitement to get going on another workout...but that would be a bold-faced lie. I sluggishly slumped out of bed and found my workout clothes in the dark while desperately trying to wake up.

After a short conversation with Quinn (he calls on his way to work in the morning) for some much needed motivation, I found myself sifting through some body weight workouts to try. I decided to attempt an at-home workout instead of taking the 20 minutes to drive to and from the gym. I don't know about your gym, but mine doesn't really have an acceptable place to do body weight workouts without being stared at like a circus performer.

Hopefully my little neighbors downstairs didn't mind the jumping jacks at 5:30 am.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Wake up 5:10 am
WORKOUT
I call this the 50 Workout. My goal is to do this every other day or so, along with another body weight or free weight workout to make the flab on my arms disappear.



I also added this bit! It's a bit confusing being on Day 2 of the challenge and Day 1 of this circuit, but that's okay. I'll have time to do this circuit 4 times by the time the end of the 85 day challenge is up!




DIET

I forgot to mention something extremely important yesterday. Water! If you're looking to lose a bit of weight, this is the key. Water, water, water. Forget all that sugary water business, it's time to get serious and do your body a favor. Here is the break down on how much water is needed for your body weight: 0.5 ounces X body weight in lbs = daily water requirement in ounces (8 oz = 1 cup)

For me, I need to be drinking about 9 cups per day. This used to be simple because I worked as a nanny for a series of years and picking up babies, cleaning up houses, watching out for curious toddlers trying to jump off of dangerously high surfaces...all of that was exhausting work. Getting my daily water intake was no problem back then, but now I work at a desk job and the challenge is on! Take heart, we're in this together.

Breakfast:
2 eggs (scrambled)
1 cup spinach
1/2 avacado (healthy fats!)
1 pinch salt & pepper for taste
1 cup of coffee w/quarter cup milk & 3 tbsp honey

Lunch:
4 turkey & cheese roll-ups (just turkey and cheese alone)
4 carrots large sticks (cut and dipped, about 1 tbsp ranch)
1 banana
2 orange cuties

Dinner:
Chicken Stir-fry
Here is my recipe for two, plus leftovers
2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups carrot (sliced)
1 cup cauliflower florets

Sauce:
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp shredded ginger root
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sriracha (optional)

I learned most of this from DamnDelicious.net which is full of wonderful recipes to add to your collection!

It's pretty simple: sauce ingredients in one pan, chicken and veggies in another. Once everything is cooked through I marry the two mixtures and top it with some sesame seeds.

Bedtime 8:30pm


Have some motivation to add? Comment below!

Day One: Motivation

Today, there are 87 days until I marry my best friend, Quinn. Along with all of the excitement and joys on the road ahead, there's plenty of pressure to look and feel my very best for this special day. You brides know what I'm talking about! Whether you're single, engaged, or married, I'm sure you know what it's like to look forward to a special event and want to impress the socks off of everyone, especially that handsome man you plan to say or have said your vows to.

And so! That being said, today marks day 1 of an 85 day journey to fitness! Why 85? Rest is important and leg cramps while walking down an isle doesn't sound like a good time.

I hope to encourage anyone who wants to be a better version of themselves - any bride who plans to look and feel like a princess on her special day - anyone and everyone who will accept the challenge and fight the doubt.

Be motivated! You're beautiful. You're one of a kind.

Day one is tough. I'm about to find out just how far I can push this body. There are a lot of little comments floating in my head saying, "Heather, you can't really keep this up for 85 days," and "There's too much to do, you know you probably won't stick with it," and even the slightly sweet, yet terribly non-motivational statement "Heather, he loves you no matter what your body looks like, you don't need to change a thing!"

I'm choosing to combat these comments with the truth. I can do this. I can succeed and stick with it for 85 days - and even the days there after! Furthermore, although my body looks fine right now, I know there is room for improvement - toning, strengthening, and overall health. See below for my daily intake and workout plan!

Today, March 30, 2016

Wake up 5:30am
WORKOUT
HIIT 30-Minute Elliptical

This may look simple, but I was dripping with sweat by the end. The best part is that since I started this workout so early in the morning, I had plenty of time to get ready for the day before work without racing around my apartment! I know not everyone likes getting up early, but for me it's important for meeting goals. If you're a night person, that would be the time for you to fit in a workout. All I know is that it works!

DIET

As we all know, this is the most important piece for overall health. If we're doing this, we're going all the way. No bread, no refined/artificial sugars, no unnecessary starches or oils, etc. Clean eating is yummy, and opens the kitchen to so many more options!

Thankfully, I'm not doing this alone, Quinn has decided to join me and be fit right along side me! Although we run at completely different paces, he'll still join me in eating healthy every day. We've been doing that for quite some time now and it definitely makes a big difference.

Breakfast:
3 Eggs (sunny side up)
1 cup Spinach
1 pinch Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder
1 cup of Coffee w/half cup milk and 3 tbsp honey

Lunch:
Spinach & Egg Salad (Egg salad on a bed of spinach)
2 Orange Cuties
4 Carrot Large Sticks (cut and dipped in ranch...I know, I know, but carrots make me gag otherwise)
1 Pink Lady Apple

Dinner:
Taco Salad
1 Romaine Head sliced
1/2 cup ground turkey
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup re fried beans
1 sprinkle of cheese blend on top

Bedtime 8:30pm

We all have to start somewhere, here is my Day One photo. I'm so excited to see the difference that 85 days of dedication and hard work can make!!

Have some motivation to add? Comment below!