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...
- 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.
- 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).
- 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?
- 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.
