Here is my transformation log, I'm making this into a page so it can be viewed from the sidebar under "Pages". The first tab has my measurements that I update weekly, the second tab is my food/activity log, and the third tab is a color coded calendar. In the calendar, the bright green boxes are days I did exactly what I need to do to reach my goals, the darker green are days that were ok, and the orange/red are days that I strayed from my diet/exercise routine.

Day 8

I just finished my workout at the gym- I did 30 minutes on the elliptical at a speed of like probably 4.4 mph and did about 2.16 miles on there. After that, I did upper body machines, so I did chest, biceps, and all over my back and abs i'm feeling really good right now. I'm proud of myself for getting here and doing the work out but also because I feel really good, and recently I haven't been feeling very good after my workouts.

I think I'm now starting to get to the point where I am enjoying working out which is a really really great thing and I just hope that it continues to be that way. I know that if I keep working out and stick to my cleanse that I'm gonna have the best possible results and I won't have any regrets at the end of the month.

So I just need to get to the gym tomorrow, do some more cardio and legs and then Saturday morning I'm going to take my weight and my measurements and hopefully I'll have reached the rest of the goals that I set out last week.
I weighed myself this morning and I was at 215 lbs., so I'm wondering if that number is going to be different Saturday morning. I'm more excited to see what my measurements look like because I think I am should be at the swimming down.

I just want to remember this feeling that I have right now and that's calm, proud, exerted, hopeful, excited, and just overall very good feeling physically. Yay!

P.S. I also joined a fitness challenge hosted by Beach Body, and I could possibly win some money at the end. It is very motivating, and I'll be keeping up with that as well. 

#goals #fitnessgoals #fitness #nevergiveup #longwaytogo #anticipation #cleanse #cleansing #seekingsuccess #iwilldothis #workinghard #necessary #improvement #selfimprovement #empowered #iamstrong #defeatingmyvices #lifestylechange #positivevibes #feelinghappy #motivated #fitness #fitnessgoals

Day 7

I am just settling in from a day of no eating, working, and therapy. I actually feel pretty good, considering I had to do a complete cleanse today. I'm pretty tired, so I didn't make it to the gym today, leaving me with not having reached the goal I set out for myself last week. I'm not going to beat myself up about not reaching the goal, because I will still come pretty close. I don't think I should exercise on cleanse days anyway.

Friday is approaching quickly and I am really anxious to see the progress I have made so far. I weighed myself yesterday morning, and I rang in at 216, which is 4 pounds less than when I started. I definitely feel better than I did 1 week ago. Although I have my special time of the month, I am feeling less bloated than an average day. The booze put me in a perpetual state of depression and bloating, UGH.

Anyway, just wanted to check in, and make sure that I am coming back to the blog each day to reflect. Here are some pictures that are helping me get through my transition...

I have no idea who this woman is, but DAMN!! I am proud of her for this amazing accomplishment. She is extremely inspirational to me, and shows me that no matter how large (no pun intended) the goal is, it can be reached! It also gives me hope that my stomach can be somewhat flat again one day.....

#goals #fitnessgoals #fitness #nevergiveup #longwaytogo #anticipation #cleanse #cleansing #seekingsuccess #iwilldothis #workinghard #necessary #improvement #selfimprovement #empowered #iamstrong #defeatingmyvices #lifestylechange #positivevibes #feelinghappy #motivated #fitness #fitnessgoals

Day 6

Today is technically day 6 of my body transformation and cleanse period. I am getting back to a decent start after really screwing up my plan already. There were a lot of 4th of July activities, and I took that as an opportunity to screw myself over and drink, after accomplishing close to 1 week of not drinking. I drank 3 days in a row. I didn't drink the normal amount that I usually do, but I stabbed myself in the back for drinking not only 1 day, but 3 days straight. I can't take it back, but I need to continue to remind myself why I'm doing this and stick to my goals.

Speaking of goals, I have some big ones to meet by Friday. I set a goal to lose 5 pounds by Friday, and to also exercise 4 times this week. I went to the gym today, so that means I need to go every day from now until Friday to meet my goal. Aside from cheating myself over the weekend, I also didn't get in a quality work out, so I need double the amount of effort and diligence to make it to the end of the week successfully.

I'm feeling good, and trying to stay positive despite the regretful weekend I had. I look forward to taking my measurements on Saturday morning to hit my 9 day mark. I'm weighing myself in the morning because I don't trust what the scale says during the day, because it is always different.

I had another goal of signing up for a group exercise class. I picked up the schedule at the gym today, and I'm going to make myself go to one sometime in the next week. On Thursday, I am doing Orange Theory for the first time with my friend. I hope I don't die. I plan to sign up for some more classes after that.

Tomorrow is also the first "cleanse day" that I am doing, which means that I can't have any food or shakes, I just have to drink this vitamin liquid, a few pieces of fruit, and a ton of water. I hope I don't feel like crap! I will need to get my workout in early in the day.

Moving forward from breaking my promises to myself, I'm going to keep reminding myself of this:

#goals #fitnessgoals #fitness #nevergiveup #longwaytogo #anticipation #cleanse #cleansing #seekingsuccess #iwilldothis #workinghard #necessary #improvement #selfimprovement #empowered #iamstrong #defeatingmyvices #lifestylechange #positivevibes #feelinghappy #motivated #fitness #fitnessgoals

Day 3

Today is technically Day 4, but I am updating with results from day 3 (6/29-7/2). You will see the spreadsheet with my measurements, and food/activity tabs. The past few days have been pretty good, except I had a major cheat day already. Yesterday (day 3) I skipped a meal and instead had some unhealthy snacks. I feel regretful about messing this cleanse up already, but I need to just keep going and improving. I have to stay on top of the diet, no unhealthy snacks, no alcohol, and most importantly, exercising at least 4 times this week. Despite having a cheat day, I did update my measurements, and I'm surprised to say that I dropped 1 pound, and lost 10 inches all around. I guess it makes sense, since I'm eating much less and not really drinking. I am about to begin my time of the month, in addition to the cheat day, so I am more bloated than usual. I'm interested in seeing what my measurements look like on day 9. Here are updated pictures. The top row are the pictures I took at the very beginning, and the bottom row is day 3. Just looking at the pictures, I can't notice improvement, in fact, I may look even bigger in the day 3 pictures. #goals #fitnessgoals #fitness #nevergiveup #longwaytogo #anticipation #cleanse #cleansing #seekingsuccess #iwilldothis

Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups

These look so damn good, I won't be able to have them until after my cleanse....

Day 2

It's about 12:30 on my true second day of my transformation and cleanse routine.
I wanted to revisit the daily goals I set for myself, which were: 

• Begin cleanse 
•  Go to the gym Cardio at least 20 minutes Lower or Upper body machines 
•  Go to bed at a decent hour 
•  No alcohol 
• Drink a lot of water 
• No eating after 7 pm

So I met 50% of my goals. I slacked off with working out because I spent time doing other things like preparing for the class I'm teaching, and creating my blog. I was in bed at a decent hour (10 pm), but I tossed and turned all night, probably because I didn't exercise... And I did end up eating after 7, because I ate some fruit around 8:30 pm. So, having said that, I need to readjust my goal setting. If my goals will generally be the same each day, I think I'll set weekly goals. 

Goals for this week, Friday 7/1/16-7/8/16:

• Exercise a minimum of 4 days per week: Cardio at least 20 minutes, Lower or Upper body machines 
• No more than 2 days that I eat a little bit extra from the cleanse (healthy choice)
• Drink 64 oz. water every day 
• Sign up for a fitness class: Orange Theory, or a class at the gym (spinning, kick boxing, etc.)
• Only eat 1 small serving of fruit at night (if I really want to eat something)
• Buy a scale 
• Weigh myself and record my actual weight in the chart :-/
• Take body measurements and update chart (lose 1 inch off each area in my chart)
• Loose 5 lbs., take weight and update chart 
• Take body pictures, 1 set with my face to prove it's really me in the end, and 1 set without my face to stay anonymous for now. Post updated pictures to blog.

I will revisit these goals next Friday to see how I did. 

Despite meeting only 50% of my goals, I did meet the most important one, which was not drinking alcohol. It's embarrassing to admit, but I can't remember the last time I went this long without a drink (5 days). I know I have a long way to go still, but I'm going to pat myself on the back for that, because in recent attempts, I went 2 days without drinking and caved in every time. I think the cleanse is helping with releasing the toxins, and producing less cravings. 

I'm kind of tired from the serious decrease in calories, but I notice a big difference in my body and mind from eating well and not consuming alcohol. 

• My skin looks better than it has in a long time, I don't have any new blemishes, just the scabs from ones I had from last week. I would post a post pictures but I want to be anonymous until my transformation is complete. 
• My face has less darkness (especially under my eyes), and I have more of a glow than I've had in forever.
• My stomach is not sticking out as much (to be expected, but still happy about it)
• I am more mentally engaged in activities and interpersonal interactions

I'm looking forward to continuing my work and feeling the benefits of this lifestyle change. 

#goals #workinghard #necessary #improvement #selfimprovement #empowered #iamstrong #defeatingmyvices #lifestylechange #positivevibes #feelinghappy #motivated #fitness #fitnessgoals