So again, I've been neglecting my blog :-s but I'm here now so I wanted to post about the latest health venture in my life.
Firstly I'll start off telling you guys why I decided to do this. I recently started working as a flight attendant with WestJet and as great as the job is, it was damaging to my health for a variety of reasons. Mainly because it stressed me out, so I turned to food for comfort but also because the scheduling is all over the place and very unsteady. Flying is unlike any other job I've ever done. It's physically demanding on my body and takes a toll on my sleeping pattern. People don't realize how utterly exhausting it is. I come back from 12 hour work days and all I want to do is plop down on my bed and sleep. As a result I gained about 10-15lbs over the fall and I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life (I'm not sure how heavy exactly since I don't have a scale that works properly but I estimate about 170lbs). To be perfectly honest with you all, it didn't really bother me at first. I was willing to overlook the tight fitting clothes and the chubbiness as long as I could eat whatever I wanted. Then, the wake up call for me was seeing pictures of myself at my cousin's birthday. (Pictures are always the trigger for me it seems). Seeing that image just flipped a switch in me. I didn't recognize myself. In my mind I'm a bubbly, quirky young lady but I didn't see that in the image staring back at me. I told myself it was time to make myself look on the outside, the way I feel on the inside. It was time to get out of this rut and return to the real me.
My first change was my diet. I had heard of the 4 hour body from a friend online a couple years back and I had used the diet before my trip to Europe with great results. By the end of February I slowly started back on the 4 hour body diet which is very restrictive.
Secondly, (and to me this is the most significant) I was inspired by my cousin Sandra to try Insanity. I remember her telling me at a cafe that she could barely move her arms after the first couple days and that intrigued and inspired me. By March 3rd, 2013 I started my Insanity journey.
After a couple weeks of Insanity I quickly learned that the 4 hour body diet needed to be amended so I have enough fuel for my workout. It took a few weeks and a few different tries but I think I've finally figured out a diet and exercise plan that is sustainable and practical. I still don't eat carbs (except legumes) but I have added fruit to the diet. My cousins were also helpful in shedding light on a few things I may be doing wrong or I could change to get better results. For example, on the 4 hour body diet you get one cheat day a week. However, I realized through the wise words of my cousin George that cheat days shouldn't be incorporated until I've "earned" them. I thought that was great advice and so obvious since most of the time after my cheat day I felt so guilty. I decided I'm going to go at least one full month without a cheat day and maybe see how things go after that.
Obviously like everyone else, there are days when I don't feel like working out or I really want a piece of cheese cake. At those moments of weakness I go online and look up stories of people who have had inspiring weight loss and fitness successes. It's a constant battle (although I must say it's much easier to say no to a burger after you've completed such a challenging workout.)
Many mornings I'm practically looking for an excuse not to do my workout but I force myself to do them anyways because I know I'd regret not working out. Even if it was a slower day or my energy level was lower for some reason I still always come out of it feeling empowered and proud of myself.
Currently I've done the full round of Insanity but I'm still not where I want to be. I am currently in the process of doing month 2 again and following that I will try a new circuit training workout called Turbo Fire which is another Beachbody workout program that lasts 90 days. After that I'm not sure what I'll do but I am sure I will find a way to maintain this new fitness lifestyle because it has not only strengthened my body but also my mind.
I'm always amazed by what a little bit of exercise does to us mentally. I challenge you, if you are down in the dumps or just feeling sluggish. Turn on some fun music and dance. A great song that is also meant to be used as a mini workout is:
Give it a try.
I have taken photos of myself before my fitness journey and I will post before and afters eventually. I hope my journey inspires some of you to strive to be the best version of you that you can be, mentally and physically.
That's all for now!
Love'
Maureen
