To obtain more info on this plan, click here. Also, I am not recommending a fitness routine or diet to you without the suggestion of double checking with your health practitioner.
I have always struggled with my weight. When I got “diagnosed” with Scoliosis in 2004, I started working out. Hard. I felt that it was somehow my fault for my spine turning into an “S” curve instead of developing perfect and straight like it should. I was so hard on myself. Flash forward to today, working at a desk for the first time in my life. 8+ hours sitting down at work and then going home, or my local Starbucks, to blog or study was not helping my posture, figure, and overall health. Not only that, but I was also noticing a change in my creativity and attitude. I was more irritable, prone to start meaningless fights with those around me, fatigued, and, to my extreme surprise-super inflexible. In my first years of college, I started practicing yoga, pilates, and Zumba. A few weeks before the Bikini Series started, I attended an event at my local hot yoga studio and was, quite frankly, sad and disappointed in myself that I was in pain and could not obtain the poses like I once could.
Keep in mind, I’m only 26. I was journaling one evening and started to write down my frustrations on paper. Then, right beneath that, I wrote out questions to myself to see if I could be honest with myself. They were questions like “How do you want to feel?”, “What foods do you notice make you feel fatigued, bloated, or overall, really unhealthy and sluggish?”.
That brought some clarity and perspective. Then, I saw Karena and Katrina’s post on Instagram about the 2017 Bikini Series. Crap. Again, already? Keep in mind that I have followed K+K, founders of the crazy popular and successful, Tone It Up brand, since about 2014. Working out for free via their YouTube videos here and trying a recipe there, I realized they had always helped me feel great. Clean. Lean.
Naturally, I became a member, bought the Nutrition Plan and signed up for the 2017 Bikini Series. I sought out other “#TIUGirls” in my area, or that I found extraordinarily inspirational, on Instagram and simply committed to myself. I had to tell myself that. I am doing this for you and your benefit only. I want to share my journey with you all in the hopes that one girl out there may find a bit of inspiration to begin her own journey to an overall healthier lifestyle.
There are 8 weeks total. This is the recap of my first one.
Monday | Crap. I missed my first Booty Call (the AM workout you do as soon as you get up). No worries, I will make it up later. I had meal-prepped the night before (THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS!), so I essentially had my meals figured out for the week. I will tell you that this is KEY and a habit I hope to retain for years to come. It really takes the stress out of finding proper-yet really damn good-nutrition for the week. I did the 5 Daily Moves and the 20 minutes of cardio that were on the TIU Weekly Work-Out Schedule and felt AMAZING. I did start the week with a bit of a cold and was not feeling a workout at all , but I remembered the heart-to-heart I had with myself and felt so compelled to fulfill the commitment. I did it. I felt damn good.
Example of next week’s nutrition plan!
Tuesday | Woke up feeling pretty great. Groggy from cold medicine, but no upset stomach, no fatigue. Worked out.
Wednesday | Feeling even better today. Went for an after-work walk with my lovely friend Julie and her dogs. According to her Fit Bit, we completely over 7,000 steps. It was a long walk; 70 minutes or so.
Thursday | Still sticking to my Tone It Up Nutrition Plan for the Bikini Series and noticing my taste buds changing. I felt satisfied and full after consuming much smaller portions.
Friday | Slipped a bit today due to a brand representative bringing us lunch at work. I had stayed up pretty late Thursday night studying and reading, so the last meal for the work week that I had planned on was not prepped. To top it all off, I was running to late to work this AM, so I ended up eating half of an Italian sandwich from Jimmy John’s, a dill pickle (guilty pleasure!) and a water. I am proud to say this was my only “slip-up” the whole week!
Saturday | I am feeling really…”happy”. I can feel that my joints have better range of motion, my muscles are feeling tight and a little sore–which I don’t mind–, and I am feeling more me.
Sunday | Reflecting on my first week, I can say that I am really proud of myself. I am feeling so grateful for life, health and the opportunity to decide to change something I don’t like, and the wisdom to realize it will take continued discipline, inspiration, and perspiration 😉
If you are reading this post and can relate to ANY part of this, I want to tell you that I am with you. I am here to listen to your doubts and to tell you that you need to get over your fear and just. freaking. do. it.
XOXO,
M
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