Lifestyle

It's about three weeks post 6FIT and for the first time I feel like I haven't completely fallen off the healthy lifestyle wagon.  Yay! I have broken out (if only by a pound) of my plateau, continue to take lots of classes and my eating habits have been good for the most part...aside from Sunday when I ate potato salad like I have never had a carb before in my life. 

One of the biggest reasons (I think) for my success the past 3 weeks is that I have been logging all of my food and exercise with My Fitness Pal via the Iphone app.  Not only am I logging, but a number of my 6FIT friends are doing it as well...and we all have public diaries so I feel very accountable for the foods I put in my body and motivated by seeing the exercise everyone is logging.  

I have learned through My Fitness Pal that 1260 calories is just not enough to keep my stomach from growling throughout the day.  BUT, in order to eat more I need to compensate with exercise...DUH.  I do know this...I have known basically forever, but seeing it right in front of you helps to bring the point home.  If I want to eat something extra, I need to find a way to burn those calories.  For instance, this morning I was craving a bagel with cream cheese from Dunks.  I know that I am taking a double header with Virtual DanceFIT studio tonight, one class being cardio based, so I allowed myself the bagel.  It's all about the 80/20, friends. I know that on days where I am burning a lot of calories, I need make sure I eat those calories back in order to keep my metabolism on track.  There are some days where I look at my log at night and I still have 600 calories left to eat in order to make up for the exerted energy from that day.  Obviously, I am not going to eat an entire meal right before bed so I have a handful of pretzels or some peanut butter and go to bed.  I was worried about having so many extra calories left, but a friend said she looks at her weekly average and goes off that...good idea, and that's what I have been doing.  I love being held accountable for my food and exercise.  I am sorry, MFP friends, but I think you are all going to have to log for life in order for me to stay on track!  

Things I am having trouble with: working out BESIDES classes.  For instance...running, walking or outdoor cardio of any kind.  I cannot get motivated despite that fact that I see my fitness friends running miles upon miles every day.  I logged cleaning the other day in My Fitness Pal...LAME. 

I am going to record all of my excuses here so you guys can tell me to get over and get off my butt...

1. I am too tired in the morning to get up at 5 and go for a run.  My (9 month old!) baby slept through the night (until 530am) for the 3rd time last night and frankly, I am zonked.  
2. My knee hurts.  This is a half-assed excuse.  Jumping and squatting legitimately hurt my knee but now I think I am just scared to run to damage it further (don't worry, I have ortho and PT appointments set up for this month).
3. By the time I get home from work I don't have time.  Dinner, bedtime routine, classes, bed. Can I get another hour in the day? 
4. I turn lazy on the weekends...this is not an excuse, it is a fact.  I need someone to come to my house, put on my sneakers for me and drag me to the pavement.  Please.  Anyone! 

Another thing I am still struggling with is meal planning.  I have been terrible and bringing breakfast and lunch to work and I usually have an iced coffee and a lara bar for breakfast.  Clean, but not satisfying.  For lunch, I will bring leftovers on occasion, but still I find that I'm eating an apple or carrots and hummus too much.  Speaking of apples, I am not eating enough fruit.  I used to have two servings a day at least and lately, I have been looking at my apples on my desk wishing they were a giant piece of cake.  How sick am I? Then, I just don't eat them because let's face it...cake is just better.  

On Friday, June 21, I will be participating in a 40 day challenge with DanceFIT Studio called SummerFIT!  It is basically a contest to see who can take the most classes in 40 days.  Us DanceFITTERS love a good challenge! I am excited for it, even if my class schedule won't change too much because of my work hours.  I just love being in constant contact with my fitness friends.  

One last thing...remember Burpees?  Of course you do.  I found this challenge and I plan on doing it...who wants to join me?  It might sound crazy, but I have a weird love/hate relationship with these puppies.  I know how great they are for you and I feel totally accomplished when I complete a set, but c'mon, they are burpees so I can't fully love them. 

http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Burpee-Madness-Fitness-Blender-100-Burpees-Workout-Challenge/eu/

Team "I Am Fit"

6 weeks
6 days a week of fitness
6 fruits & veggies a day
6 team members
6FIT

My 4th 6FIT has come to a close.  This session was really great- I pushed myself harder than I have in past 6FITs and truly made a lifestyle change.  I averaged 8-10 classes per week, got active with my family on the weekends, tried new recipes and new foods that I wouldn't have before and overall can tell that my body has changed and I am a lot stronger and leaner.  I have not taken official weight and measurements yet, but weight loss was not an ultimate goal for me this session.  Getting stronger was.

Going into this 6FIT, I had some goals for myself.  You can read about them here.

How did I do?

• Well, I stretched A LOT.  I also learned about an amazing product called a foam roller.  I am obsessed with it.  It's like having a massage therapist in your home at all times.  I highly suggest you get one and use it all the time!  
• Disconnecting was another major goal.  I wanted to turn my phone/computer/ipad/tv off an hour before I went to bed.  I didn't accomplish this, but I did learn to disconnect when I got home from work in order to spend quality timer with my kids (read more about that here). 
• Get out and run! I love Spring time 6FITs.  The weather is just starting to get nice, the temperatures are perfect for running, the flowers are blooming and everyone is gearing up for an active spring and summer.  This is New England, however, and we basically went from winter to summer in a matter of 2 weeks.  Still, it wasn't too bad and I was able to get some quality runs, hikes and beach exercise in with my family.  
• Did I get organized?  No, not at all.  My big plan was to take the time on Sunday and prepare for the week.  I failed miserably at this.  Starting back at work, keeping up with the family and having busy weekend took over life and I had to give in on something.  So, lunches weren't packed and my laundry sits unfolded for days.  Such is life.  

I wanted to share a few things with you that I have found helpful after past 6FIT's to keep me on track.  

Support:  Having support from fellow 6FITTERs, family and friends who love fitness as much as you do is crucial to keeping up with the 6FIT lifestyle.  I wish I could do it by myself, but I can't- I always fall off the wagon.  I am going to rely on you guys to keep me in check and I hope you rely on me too.  I would encourage you to become friends with other 6FIT members on facebook if you haven't done so already.  Surround yourselves with friends and family who like to be active on the weekends or after work.  Go for a walk, run, bike ride together.  Take the kids out in the stroller before bed (it will help them sleep better which is a plus)! Whatever you do...keep moving! 

Apps:  MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper, MapMyRun, DanceFIT Studio App are my favorites.  

With MyFitnessPal, you can track your meals, strength exercises, cardio, water intake and weight loss progress.  You can connect with friends who have it and send/receive encouragement along the way.  

RunKeeper and MapMyRun are similar.  They track miles, calories burned, distance, speed, etc.  You can also connect with friends who have the app and offer words of encouragement.  

Check what classes are being offered at DanceFIT Studio both virtually and in the studio daily with the DanceFIT app!  There is one available for both Iphone and Android.  It is awesome! 

If you're a yogi, Lululemon developed a new app for Iphone (not sure about Android though) called the OM Finder.  Plug in your zip code and it will bring up all the yoga classes that day in your area.  It's great for on the go and travelling.  

Blogs. In our wrap up seminar last night we talked about following blogs for inspiration! I love fitness blogs! A lot have Facebook pages and if you like the page, you can get daily fitness routines, recipes, etc.  

Here are some of my favorites: 

FitSugar - This is probably my favorite blog.  Everything from great ab workouts, cardio workouts, trouble area workouts, recipes and fitness inspiration and motivation.  Love this blog.  I follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest too! 

100 Days of Real Food:  This blog is dedicated to eating clean and also to feeding your kids clean.  There are great recipes and really good ideas for kids lunches. 

Sarah Fit - Boston based Youtuber turned fitness expert.  She has great fitness tips, workouts on Youtube and advice on new fitness products.  

Shape and Fitness Magazine on Facebook and Twitter.  Get daily workouts and recipes by "liking" their pages.  I get a lot of recipes from them and also great fitness tips.  

Move Sweat Love with Ali - Like Ali's Facebook Page for motivational tips and fitness advice.  She teaches pilates, piloxing, zumba and many other classes around Boston including at DanceFIT Studio! 

Social Media is a great took for staying inspired to be fit and healthy.  I recommend following blogs, and following fitness loving friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  Speaking of Pinterest, DanceFIT Studio has and AMAZING Pinterest page that you should definitely check out! 

Going into the summer, I have some personal goals that I want to achieve.

1.  Keep up my water intake.  At least 70oz per day. 
2. Eat clean 80% of the time.  I am a huge 80/20 advocate and believe that not depriving yourself is important in achieving your healthy lifestyle goals.  
3. Cardio 4 times per week and strength 3 times per week.  I will do this with a combination of DanceFIT Studio virtual classes (there are really great classes coming up in June at perfect times for busy people like all of us!) and outdoor activity - Swimming, stairs, hills and running.  I am signed up for my classes for the month of June and will continue my 6-8 classes per week routine throughout the summer! 
4. Commit to charting via MyFitnessPal for a month (short term goal).  

I need to give a huge, giant thank you to Gina Fay who is the creator of this amazing 6FIT experience.  I have said it so many times before, but her dream and creation have put me on the path to a healthy life again and I am just so grateful.  It is because of Gina and DanceFIT that I have made friends who inspire me every day.  They help to motivate me and lift me up after a hard day.  They commiserate with my after a sleepless night, or challenging day at work.  I am so thankful that I am able to share this experience with my sister who live in NYC.  Even though we live in different states, having a common goal we are able to push each other to make the right choices when it comes to living a healthy life.  I am so happy I had the opportunity to blog for DanceFIT Studio.  Turns out that I really enjoy blogging and will continue to do so even though 6FIT is over.  

The other virtual instructors (Alissa, Maeve, Kari, Laura and Nicole )at DanceFIT worked insanely hard during this (and every other one) 6FIT and added a lot of classes to their schedules to meet the demands of us Virtual FITTERs!  You guys are amazing and so are your classes! 

The entire team of 6FIT were so amazing this session.  There was SO MUCH motivation from everyone, which to me is the key to 6FIT success.  I know we were broken up into teams, but I felt connected to all of you and felt that we did this together.  Team Orange, Purple, Green, Yellow and Red - We are Team I Am Fit!  

This is hanging in my office at work and I thought it was appropriate.  You should all be so proud of everything you've accomplished!  

There will be another 6FIT in the fall!  I encourage all of you to join in the amazing 6FIT adventure and try out a class or two at DanceFIT in the meantime!