Back on Track

Hello Fit Clubbers!!!
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Well I'm back from my hiatus.... sorry about that. Shortly after the Bahamas my son and I came down with a stomach bug that lasted for a week and then a week after that my son got a fever that wouldn't stay away so I've been busy getting him and myself back on track. It took a while but we're finally here, yay!

After a week with a stomach bug and hardly eating I made the mistake of having a couple of Oreo cookies and since then I've been barely able to control what I eat. Thankfully I'm maintaining my weight (5 lbs down from beginning of January, 2lbs since the Bahamas!!!). But it's like once I finally caved to a craving I can't stop eating (I haven't eliminated treats either, but a week of little solid food will force you to eliminate temporarily, which is why I don't follow the no treats except once a week because it's hard to control your eating after abstaining for so long).

So I had started a Get Toned beginner program through Nike Training Club but only got a few days into before my schedule fell apart. The beginner was a lot easier than the intermediate Get Lean program, but a lot of the difference is due to the increased cardio elements of the Get Lean program versus more muscle conditioning components in the Get Toned program. Because I have missed so many days (and I cannot adjust the schedule in the app) I have cancelled that program and started the intermediate Get Toned program. It includes running (I believe personally that a cardio component just helps you get a more complete workout and boosts the effectiveness of any training program focused on fat loss).

I made sure to specifically say fat loss in the previous paragraph, because a muscle building program would only benefit from a lot of cardio if you wanted more definition (i.e. lower body fat percentage), or if you wanted a conditioned cardiovascular system. You would keep cardio to a minimum in a muscle building program, though, and change your diet to exclude all carbs (except vegetables) and all sugars (including no juice).

This past week to get on track I have attended three classes and been doing some running 1-2 times per week. Doing something is better than nothing and it helped ease me back in to a more intense workout schedule. At the local gym I did a 30 minute Tabata class (was supposed to be a Jillian Michaels BodyShred class) on Wednesday, BodyCombat followed by CRX Worx (high intensity cardio using punches and kicks followed by core strengthening), and Saturday I did a BodyFlow class (Tai Chi, Yoga & Pilates mix class). I could hardly move yesterday, and normally I would be feeling worse today except that I think the BodyFlow class helped bring oxygenated blood to my muscles which speeds up the healing process. I still hurt in my core and shoulders, but it's pretty manageable.

I am debating whether to take today off or take advantage of my husband being home and doing a quick workout at the gym (Nike Training workout). Some of it depends on our tax return (fingers crossed). If we get some back we might go shopping. If not I think I will go to the gym (too cold to run outside today, but the forecast looks good for the rest of the week).

So with this in mind, I'll let you know what the final decision is and keep you updated this week on what I'm doing and how I'm feeling!

Happy Spring everyone! The warm weather is coming, I promise!