Transformation Challenge: Day 8

I went to bed at 9:30pm last night. I was so tired that texting a friend back took too much energy and I felt overwhelmed. Like really overwhelmed.  That, my friends, is a good sign that you need to get your rear to bed.  So I did and I didn't have anything this morning before my 9am workout so I slept like a baby.  It was raining, which always puts me out like a light.  So why did I wake up still exhausted? I woke up in a debbie downer kind of mood and was a zombie.  But I still made it to BFF and somehow managed to make it through 2 workouts, but I just wasn't feeling it.

I rewarded myself with a bath and did a hair mask, and face mask to try and soothe myself.  After that I somehow managed to waste an entire day that was supposed to be filled with productivity for schoolwork, by sitting on my futon.  I think I online shopped for shoes? I don't know, it's like I black out the entire day haha.  Talk about a waste!  I did eventually get dressed and went out for dinner with some new friends from the gym.  (Yay new friends!!!!).  We went out for sushi and since they are also doing the challenge, I didn't feel awkward not ordering a drink and discussing which rolls were less calories than the others. It's so nice to be able to socialize and not feel like a freak for counting calories and checking ingredients.

Workouts:
Zumba (it was an easy instructor, but at least I was moving and sweating a little) 45 min
Barre Intensity 1.5 hours of arms, legs, and abs

Accomplishments:
Not giving in to all my cravings! Also, not ordering wine at dinner when others did.
Even though it's a certain time of the month, I can see abs!!! (only when flexing, but hey, they are still there!)

Treats:
Sushi!!! (California roll- 255 calories and Yellowtail Scallion- 200)
My favorite lunch - natural almond butter, greek yogurt, honey, banana

Transformation Challenge: Day 7

Tuesdays are my long grueling days for this quarter.  I leave my place at 5:30am and usually don't get back until 7:15pm.   I get a lot of stuff packed in those hours though so when I finally return to my couch/futon I feel pretty good about my accomplishments.  Today I pushed it extra hard and to reward myself I skipped my least favorite class. I figured I deserved some sort of treat and since I can't have the cake and ice cream I'm desperately craving, I thought it was a suitable compromise.  I think an extra early bedtime is in order for today as well.  For some odd reason I'm plain old exhausted!

Workouts:
Boxing Bootcamp - 45 min. (left drenched)
Body Combat (martial arts choreographed to a playlist...also left drenched)
Walk/Run with classmate Michelle (while skipping class) about 2 miles....but we somehow forgot to run all but .5 miles of it. Workouts seem to get in the way of gossip haha.

Accomplishment:
I burned over 1,000 calories by 9:00am and still managed to eat really healthy!

Treat:
No class with Prof. Watson!!!

Lesson:
Buy only healthy foods so that when you want to cheat, you can't. I'm having a hormonal induced chocolate craving, but only have an 80 calorie fudgesicle in sight. I have no choice but to stay on track. Yay for showing myself who's boss!

Transformation Challenge: Day 6

It's really a shame that I can't seem to convince my mind that it's important to actually do all that school work that's piling up.  Instead I'm so focused on this challenge and meeting my goals that I push the homework aside and spend hours researching nutrition, browsing pinterest for healthy recipes, and planning my workouts for the week.  It's not like I'm obsessed in an unhealthy way, but that is what I'm passionate about.  That's where all my energy and motivation is going.  If only I was in school for something where all this dedication counted maybe I'd be doing better in school.  To be fair, I lost all motivation for school half way through last quarter, so I'd just be avoiding homework with something else if not working out.  At least I'm making responsible decisions in one part of my life.  I'll take it.

Workouts:
Yoga (bright and early!) - 1 hour
Barre - 1 hour

Accomplishment:
Made and packed a healthy lunch for tomorrow as I run from work to Campus. Yay actually eating on Tuesdays!

Lesson:
If you have a George Foreman Grill, don't forget you have it! Thanks to a reminder from mi madre, I took it out of the box and dinner was so much easier and quicker.  I see dinners looking up :)

Transformation Challenge: Day 5

BFF is usually closed on Sundays, but during the challenge they are holding a special class for challenge participants called Survivor Sundays.  We are all trying to complete a mini challenge of attending a class at BFF 30 out of the 40 days, so this is a huge bonus.  However, each class on Sunday is a secret as to what we will be doing.  Since I work there I had the inside scoop on this weekend and I think it might have been better not knowing that Cardio Attack was the first surprise class.  But even so, I went, I sweated, I cursed the inventor of burpees, and I conquered...errr or at least survived.

Workouts:

Survivor Sunday - Cardio Attack.  1 minute of a cardio drill full out, followed by 15 seconds rest. Repeat with new cardio exercise. (doesn't it just sound like a blast?!)

Challenge:

One word - Burpees!

Accomplishment:

I did the harder versions of most of the exercises most of the class.

Treat:

A new twist on a breakfast staple. I had 1 slice of ezekiel 4:9 bread toasted topped with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter, 3 sliced strawberries and a drizzle of honey. mmmmmm

Transformation Challenge: Day 4

Ok so I did it, I had wine.. I know I know! I broke my rule! I should be ashamed, but I've already come up with excuses that make me feel that it wasn't really breaking the rule at all. I'm sure after you read them you will completely agree that I did the right thing:
1) It's not like I gave it up for lent so I'm not taking back my word to God
2) I was invited to dinner at my friends' house (Emily and Kyle) for a nice dinner (weight watchers approved!) and everyone else was drinking so I didn't want to be unsocial
3) I said "no thank you" 3 times before I said "yes"
4) I only had 1 (maybe large) glass so I was still good
5) I stayed within my calories for the day
6) I was the only single there with 3 other couples....so obviously I deserved a glass of wine for goodness sake!

Today's Workout:
Alter Ego Dance Class (Par of Justin Timberlake's "My Love").  Difficult choreography as far as details but not so great as far as cardio. Thus, today was an easy workout day.  I'm ok with that considering my legs are pretty achy today (maybe shinsplints?!) and I have a killer workout tomorrow.

Today's Accomplishment:
Ummm...I didn't have a second glass of wine?

Today's Challenge:
Trying to be a social person while trying to be really strict on my eating/workout/drinking/sleeping goals.

Transformation Challenge: Day 3

TGIF everyone! I was relieved that it was Friday because that meant I could "sleep in".  I didn't have to be at work until 6:45!  I like Fridays at the gym because I get to see one of my favorite members and although we only have a few minutes to chat, it's nice to catch up.  The rest of the morning gym regulars were there too so I saw lots of friendly faces all geared up for the challenge.  I started working on a new project - outlining a group called Strong is our Sexy.  It's going to be an organization that empowers women and is a place for women to come together for support and strength.  The idea is Strong Heart, Strong Body, Strong Mind.  I'm really excited to be asked to help put it together. I feel that all women could really benefit from a group like this.

Workouts:
1 hour Barre class - upped my weights today. Hope I can lift them tomorrow!
1 hour Cardio Chickboxing - I swear it was a sauna in that room. When we dropped for pushups at the end my feet kept sliding out. (eewww gross floors)

Treat of the day:
Diet Ginger Ale and natural peanut butter on a graham cracker (I live a wild life)

Challenge of the day:  
After my first workout I was feeling great, but a little tired.  I was originally signed up for a Butts and Guts class and then Chickboxing for the afternoon. I decided I could let myself only do two classes since I was already tired.  Even so, after I went home and had lunch and sat down, I didn't want to think about getting up and heading back for another workout. But I did. And that is the important thing. Because I burnt enough calories in 1 hour to cover my dinner and evening snacks.

Lesson of the Day:
Going to bed early is important if you want to have enough energy to get through the day. I'm slowly trying to get back to 8 hours of sleep.

Transformation Challenge: Day 2

Well I haven't fallen off the wagon yet, that's positive right?! Today I did two workouts and stayed under my calorie allowance. I even talked myself out of a glass of wine that was calling my name after another long class at UC.  My head was killing me and I so wanted to sip on the magical potion, but I stayed strong.  Even though I could afford the calories of a glass of wine, I didn't want to give in. Along with shamrock shakes, I'm trying to give up drinking unless at a big social event like oh say my upcoming Sorority alumni formal or my friend's Bachelorette party.  I figure the extra sugars in the alcohol will in no way shape or form help me reach a flatter stomach. It's a big sacrifice, but it has to be made (for 38 more days at least).



Today's Workouts: 
This morning I took the boxing bootcamp class. I can't believe how much I love boxing. Sure my pink boxing gloves are fab, but it goes beyond that.  I love putting all my energy behind each punch and feeling stronger every day. I love when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I can see my muscles in my arms as I make a left hook. I love how for the first time in my life, I understand how to throw a punch. I'm even starting to love to deal with the sweat dripping down my face (because as I've found out, once you have your gloves on you can't really do anything like adjust your shirt, fix your hair, or wipe off the sweat).  I was thrilled to hear that after the boxing bootcamp, they are adding on a boxing workout class at the gym. Sign me up! Maybe one day I can work on it not being like a choreographed sequence of moves and actually hit something for real (nothing that hits back preferably).

After an intense empowering class, I calmed down with yoga.  Unfortunately the sub yoga instructor felt the need to hold a lot of planks and do a lot of slow flows.  My arms were not happy after doing pushups and punching for 45 minutes.  But we both made it through!

Treat of the day:
Soy fudgesicle under 100 calories

Proud Moment: 
Avoiding wine

Lesson of the day:
Practice a few swings in the shirt you select to wear boxing.  Once that shirt starts creeping up, you can't do a darn thing once you have the gloves on.