Week 7

The body is a funny thing.  After an entire week of working out harder than I have in years (or ever), I somehow managed to put on three pounds.  My official weight on Monday morning was 145.6.  I could sit and analyze what happened or speculate about reasons why it went up rather than down, but ultimately all that matters to me is that I feel great.  I feel stronger already.  I don't have any knee pain, which surprises me.  And I'm starting to be able to do the pushups unmodified, although my wrist still hurts a little bit at times.  I don't push it too much.

Another reason I'm not agonizing over my weight too much is the fact that I dropped 2.5 inches in my waist in one week.  A quarter inch in my hips.  Overall that's 4.5 inches lost in the waist and 1.5 inches in the hips. 

Insanity is different this time.  The first few times I tried it, it was a constant inner struggle to start the dvd, let alone finish it.  This time I look forward to the workout, and I have more mental stamina to push through the difficult parts.  It feels very empowering. 

I've been trying to get my workout started by 6, but it poses a dilemma where breakfast is concerned.  I don't like to eat too much right before working out, but it's not recommended to try to do this workout on an empty stomach either.  My solution?  I need to get up even earlier.  I'm going to be setting my alarm for 5.  That way I can eat breakfast and start the workout about 30 minutes later.  I would like to start by 5:45 daily because in a few weeks we'll be hitting the hour long workouts and I'll need to get up earlier anyway.

One of the biggest things I'm learning is that a support group is vital to sticking to this program.  I am meeting a lot of new people who are starting out with this program for the first time and a few that have completed it before but are doing it again.  We network with each other and help to keep each other accountable.  We share tips and motivations, and congratulate each other on progress made.  It has made a world of difference for me this time.

Now: diet.  Couple of things.  First, for the rest of this program I'm going to give up coffee.  I've already quit drinking anything but water and coffee, but now it's time that coffee gets the boot.  I need to get my water intake up and coffee is hindering that. 

Second: Shakeology.  I bought a 30 day supply of chocolate shakeology.  The instructions say to mix one scoop with 8 oz of liquid, but that is way too chocolatey to be palatable.  I use half a scoop for 10-12 oz of liquid.  I have to say I do enjoy it that way.  I use it as a snack every day and it tides me over for a very long time.  I kind of wonder if it has acted as a recovery drink as well, because I haven't had any soreness or stiffness to contend with. 

Third: meal planning.  There is a nutrition guide with the program.  I am reviewing the recipes and compiling my grocery list so I can start after I get groceries on Thursday.  I was also given a copy of the "Slim in 6" diet plan.  It's very clean eating, lots of lean protein and veggies, very few carbs.  It's only recommended for 6 days but I want to see if I can modify it a bit so it's more balanced.  I don't like to "diet", meaning I don't like to try eating plans if I don't think it's something I can do forever.  If I can only do a plan for a few days or a week, it must not be healthy in the long term.

I have a lot on my plate right now.  I'm very anxious to give the nutrition guide a try and see how it reflects on the scale and in measurements next week.  In the meantime, I'm just going to keep pushing play.