Michaela Week 2: Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off To SPIN I Go!

Purchased this pants in December 2011.

Weekly update:  

Weight loss: — 3 lbs. Yeah me!

Inches lost:  Arms: 0; Chest: 0; Waist: -1/2″; Hips: – 1/4″; Thighs: -1/4

My biggest challenge this week? Those darn L.A. pool parties. I never miss a meal. Well this day due to errands, chores, etc. I missed lunch. I don’t have to tell you what happened next. Let’s just put it this way…. the appetizers won. I stayed extra disciplined with my eating and body movement the rest of the week which is what I credit for the 3 lbs loss. Appetizers 1: Michaela: 3. I still win!!

Tip #1:  I now keep a protein bar and a small bag of soya nuts in my glove compartment so when schedules get hectic I can at least get some protein in my system to keep me from attacking the appetizers while waiting for the BBQ to do its thing.

I wish I could say I was one of those people who jump out of bed with a spring, embracing the day by joyfully heading off to a 1-2 hour workout. I’m not that person.

My single biggest challenge on this journey has been learning to embrace exercise (or body movement as I like to call it) as part of my lifestyle. I’d like to get to the point where I am moving my body just because I want to, not because I know I have to in order to lose weight. Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?

Due to knee issues and a recovering crushed ankle I am limited to body movement that isthat is no or low-impact. This means that swimming, yoga, spin, walking, Tai-chi are all IN while running, dance, step, box-kicking are OUT. When I started this transformation journey I joined my local ‘Y’. The staff there are an awesome group of people; very knowledgeable and encouraging of my efforts — believe me this makes a difference at 5:45am.

I do SPIN class on M-W-F from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. From January – April I walked 3 miles on T & TH in a wilderness area (yes there are hiking trails in L.A.!). Notice how I used the word ‘walked’ past tense. In April I had a shift in work hours so I had to eliminate the walking time. I’m a morning exerciser. I know myself, if I don’t do it in the morning, first thing, I won’t do it. Plus it feels good checking that off my to-do list — Body movement: check.

I didn’t replace the T & TH walks… I let that little voice in my head convince me spin class was enough. It’s not enough. In order to truly transform my body in 12 months I need to take my body movement up a notch or two. Right now in August I am moving my body 3 hrs. a week. Here’s my new goal starting Monday, August 13th:

M-W-F:  Spin class 6-7am; T & TH:  Weight circuit  6-7am; Saturday OR Sunday and a three mile walk.

That’s 1 hour a day (60 minutes) six days a week, 6 hours of body movement a week; Can I do it?

TIP #2: If the word exercise throws you into a mental melt down, choose another, more upbeat positive, less threatening word. I go with body movement. Body movement. It rolls off my tongue nicely: “Oh, it’s 5am, time to get up for body movement…yeah!” It sounds less snobish: “Thanks,but no thanks, if I eat that big piece of New York style cheesecake I’ll have to increase my body movement for the week.” Pick a word that makes exercise seem less painful.

TIP #3:  Just get moving. I love Nike’s branding (which I’m sure they paid an arm and a leg for from some over priced marketing consulting firm — but look, I’m quoting it here so it worked!) JUST DO IT! Be aware of that voice in your head telling you that body movement is to hard, to painful, and an unnecessary part of life. When you feel like quitting, go another 10 minutes. Don’t let that voice win. I’ve been told that at some point in the journey the little voice goes away. I haven’t reached that point yet.

TIP #4: Similar to the diet plan find a body movement that you like, fits your lifestyle and your personality. If you dislike the movement you’re doing, you won’t do it.

I was introduced to SPIN by my friend Judy. I love it. It’s great for developing my leg strength (this is a priority for me given my knee and ankle situation) and builds my confidence with balance and overall comfort on a road bike. Thanks Judy!

TIP #5: Find friends to join you or make new friends at a local class or walking group (or form your own group!). Exercising with someone will help quiet that quitter’s voice plus you’re less likely to quit if your movement partner is still moving.

I’ve tried to convince myself every which way I could that I can succeed in my transformation journey without moving my body. It ain’t going to happen. Movement is key to weight loss success. There I said it. Own it, embrace it, accept it. Movement is key. There are 1,440 minutes in a day, use 60 of them to work out.

Inspirational quote: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”  —C.S. Lewis

Go on… GET MOVING!!