LOCK IT UP: Week 1

Hi Everyone!

For those who did not follow my arduous Jillian Michaels quest last spring, I’m Madeline! I am a third-year law student living in North Carolina. Before she abandoned me and moved to Portland, Beth was my next-door neighbor. I miss working out with her more than I can explain…but I guess I’m glad she’s happy.

Anyway, as you all saw in my e-mail plea to Beth, I need some help! Three years ago I lost almost 40 pounds dieting and exercising. Since then, I have been able to maintain my weight of 130. This summer threw me. I got married and immediately began a high stress job that required me to work extremely hard. My workouts suffered, and I gained a few pounds. It is not noticeable, but you know when you can just feel it? That’s where I am.

Also, over the last few years, I’ve wanted to shed a few extra pounds. Sometimes, those last few pounds are the absolute HARDEST to get rid of. That’s why I turned to Beth for help!

It can sometimes be overwhelming to make a lot of huge changes all at once, so I decided using Beth’s advice, I would make myself mini-goals for each week.

This week my mini goals were:

1.  No more cheese on salad at lunch and try to limit dairy! I eat a spinach salad every day at lunch, and I have ALWAYS put cheese on it. This week, I substituted cheese for chicken.

2. Bigger breakfast! I usually eat 1 egg and 1 apple in the morning. This last week, I ate two eggs, usually with some high quality bacon and spinach. I did not get hungry before lunch, which was the goal!

3. Add strength workouts. I have mostly been doing cardio, and it’s important to incorporate strength.

Here’s what my workouts looked like this week:

Saturday: 40 minute total body workout with weights (I LOVE Chris Freytag’s 10 pound slimdown extreme program)

Sunday: 3.4 mile run/sprint/walk with Running for Weight Loss app on my phone (Week 4 Day 1)

Monday: 20 minute lower body workout + 10 minute bonus buns

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 3.5 mile run/sprint/walk with Running for Weight Loss (Week 4 Day 2)

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3.6 mile run/sprint/walk with RFWL (Week 4 Day 3)

So far, I’m feeling really good. I can feel my body getting back on track, and ultimately, that’s what matters to me.

Thanks for reading, and I will keep you posted!