PiYo Journey: Day 8

Are you like me? You get to Thursday and all you want to do is sleep? I don't know what it is, but most weeks by the time Thursday comes, I am ready to just press snooze and hide under the covers from the rest of the world.  The good thing is that even though I allowed myself an extra half hour of sleep, I got up and just pushed play.  And am I glad I did! I got to try a new workout today as part of my PiYo journey called Core.  And it works that core area to the max! We revisit some moves we've already learned including side plank into PiYo pike and downward dog split into connecting the ankles, but we also got to meet some new players which were side bend while in side plank (you'll see when you get yours, because I know you'll get your own PiYo journey going) and the punt move.  I think this program was very well laid out in the way Chalene planned it because just as you were getting tired, that move was done and you were on to the next one.  This workout lasted around 30 minutes and when I was done my abs were on fire! It'll be interesting to see how they feel tomorrow.  Speaking of tomorrow, I get to do Define: Upper Body again tomorrow and is it weird that I am actually looking forward to more crouching tricep pushups? I really love them and my arms are starting to look so good! Or as Tony Horton calls them, my glamor muscles. 

 

Meals for the day:

Pre-workout: 6 almonds and some dried cranberries

Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg white and a whole wheat tortilla with all natural peanut butter and banana

Mid-morning Snack: Strawberry Shakeology with coconunt water and ice

Lunch: I went to the salad bar at Jason's Deli and got a little salad with a little cheese and a little light Ranch dressing.  I may or may not have gotten a little bit of chocolate mousse.  Oh well.  I wasn't too bad.  Promise.

Afternoon Snack: 4 oz cup of chicken salad from Jason's Deli that I didn't eat earlier because I was full. 

Dinner:Had dinner with friends at one of my favorite Tex-Mex restaurants. Stayed away from the chips and salsa with the exception of a few and had beef fajita tacos and only ate about half of my rice and beans.  I also enjoyed one glass of red wine.  I didn't overdo it and quit eating when I was full.

I didn't allow myself to miss out on my Shakeology today! So yummy!

PiYo Journey: Day 3

This morning I allowed myself to sleep in and I feel great for getting that extra hour in before starting my day.  I knew that we were getting off early for the holiday weekend so I made the plan to do today's workout when I got home.  Of course, after getting a relaxing manicure and pedicure and it being the weekend, I tried to deter my journey and head to the store for some wine, but I talked myself out of it and did the workout.  

Today's workout was called "Sweat" and yes, by the end of the nearly 40 minute workout, I was nothing but a puddle of sweat.  This is one of the few longer workouts in the series, but man oh man, what a great workout.  I remember getting to do this workout at the Super Saturday in April before it was released to the public.  It is definitely a booty kicker and 5 minutes into it, I was dripping sweat.  Side note, probably not the best idea to do PiYo after a pedi when your feet are still a little lotion-y.

This workout works your entire body from arms to core to legs.  There are lunges and warrior poses, crouching push ups, PiYo push ups, triceps push ups, squats galore and everyone's favorite, burpees.  And just when you think you're finally going to die from this sweaty workout, it is over.  I burned nearly 400 calories and I think that is pretty impressive.  I wasn't hard on my joints and I didn't have to do a lot of jumping or lift a bunch of weight.  I am using my own body and that is awesome!

 

I don't usually weigh myself on a daily basis, but this morning after I had eaten breakfast and had a big glass of water, something told me I should.  I was shocked to see that I was down 2 pounds from where I started this week! I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about how good my results would be at first even though I knew others had such great success from this program.  I feel amazing.  I carry so much stress in my upper back and shoulders and I feel more loose and relaxed up there.  I am seeing more definition in my arms and know my abs and legs will be following suit.  I am so happy that this program came into my life! It is a game changer for sure.  Tomorrow is a rest day and with it being a holiday, it will be a great test of my willpower to not overindulge on sweets and treats.  The good thing is that after that workout, I've already talked myself out of indulging tonight.  Because I am already seeing such great results, I really don't want to disrupt the changes that are happening.  

Meals for the Day:

Breakfast: Slice of gluten free cinnamon raisin bread with a little all natural peanut butter, 2 egg whites scrambled

Morning snack: Strawberry Shakeology with PB2, 1/2 cup of almond milk and water

Lunch: Jason's Deli Nutty Mixed Up Salad, lighter portion (natural grilled chicken breast, organic field greens, grapes, feta, nuts, dried cranberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, organic apples and balsamic vinaigrette).  I decided to get out of the office and enjoy the day.  You can still eat out and enjoy foods, you just have to choose wisely.  Jason's Deli is an excellent choice because they make everything in house and their ingredients are always top notch for a great price.  

Dinner: Pesto whole wheat penne salad with tuna, spinach, cherry tomatoes with a little red wine vinaigrette (trying to finish this up)

Jason's Deli Nutty Mixed Up Salad

 I plan to sit down this weekend and really figure out my meals better for next week.  I have done well this week, but know I'm missing out on something every day and I don't want that to catch up with me.  The good thing is it seems my body is adjusting to the calories and I wasn't very hungry last night or most of today.  It really is true that what you eat has a big impact on how you feel and how you lose the weight.