keeping us down is impossible (we're unstoppable)

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Do you have a favorite fitness model? Mine is Ava Cowan. Do you like her? Hugs, Jane.

I'll be honest. I'm not really into following models. I don't quite know how to explain it other than I... don't care? That sounds kind of blunt and a little rude (which is not my intent), but I don't think I've ever been the type of person to follow or keep up with models/celebrities/etc. It's just never been an interest of mine. But she looks amazing! Definitely an amazing physique.

Just read through your diary. You're doing so well!

Thank you! I really appreciate that :)
 
Day 10

Oh, would you look at that? Day 10! We're in double digits now.

Today I had work from 10-3. It was a pretty good one. We have a a 30-day program for new members which falls under one of my responsibilities, where I help them figure out a goal, walk them around the gym, get them comfortable with the machines and help them establish a routine. Today I got to do a session with someone, and I always find great enjoyment from it because I get excited about exercising and going to the gym, and I'm happy that it's literally my job to get others excited about it too. It is absolutely not a personal training session; I follow mostly a script, and we have pre-designed workout templates that we can assign members so they have an actual game plan when they come in, but it's still flexible enough that I really get to engage and learn about people's lives, goals, passion, etc. It's one of the more rewarding aspects of my job, and I definitely think it helps keep me on track with my own journey because I hate to be a hypocrite, and I like to "practice what I preach".

Food is as follows
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled w/ spinach, toasted sandwich thins, coffee - 300
Snack: Muscle Milk protein shake - 160
Lunch: leftover meatloaf w/ brussels sprouts and potatoes, banana - 400
Dinner: rice w/ chicken and green beans - 339
Snack: bowl of honeydew, 1 fun size bar milky way - 214
Total: 1413

Water intake: 82.7 fl oz

I honestly don't know why I had the milky bar. My mom asked me if I wanted one, and I haven't really had any candy or sweets in awhile, so I thought, "Hey, I'm still below calories, and I've done well so far. Treat yo' self!" But, as it turns out, it's actually too sweet for me now, and I really didn't enjoy it as much as I would have in the past. Which, y'know, it's kind of nice to know! It tells me that I don't need sweets beyond fruit or smoothies, and that the temptation isn't really all there for me anymore. So, there's that I guess.

Anyway, I'm cutting it late again. I really gotta start sleeping earlier.

To be continued...
 
It´s nice to read the enthusiasm in your diary.

It's really not hard to stay positive and enthusiastic about everything because of the environment I'm in right now. Before, when I was working as an EMT, everything was very stressful and I was constantly cooped up in my ambulance all day. You don't really get much space to bring personal things along, so bringing my own food was sometimes hard to do, and you get a 30 min break to scarf down whatever you can. I absolutely loved that job and the feeling of helping someone in need will always be my favorite thing, but I just had to find a new way of doing it. My current job now at the gym is very fulfilling, and (hopefully) as a Medical Assistant later, I can keep a better work schedule that allows me to take care of myself too.

Thanks for stopping by! :)
 
I think it's wonderful that you've managed to continue helping people as your job, but found a way to do it that makes it easier for you to meet your own personal goals.
 
:iagree: with LaMa & Cory. You have found a happy balance & reading your diary brings a smile to my face :)
 
I think it's wonderful that you've managed to continue helping people as your job, but found a way to do it that makes it easier for you to meet your own personal goals.

It really has been a blessing that my job lets me engage with and help others while also putting me in the perfect environment to foster good habits while I'm in school for the next year, and hopefully by the time I complete my program and move on, they'll be ingrained enough into me that I don't fall back into old routines. I'm definitely very lucky to be where I am right now.
:iagree: with LaMa & Cory. You have found a happy balance & reading your diary brings a smile to my face :)

I have indeed found a happy balance, and can only hope to keep it up. Seeing your comments always bring a smile to my face, and I'm always happy to see you around the forum!
 
Day 11

Today was a gym day, which is always my favorite (kidding! Every day is my favorite!). Once again, the stair climbers were all filled out once I got around to cardio, which I'm a little bummed about, but I ain't about to let something as simple as an occupied machine get me down. I just cranked up the elliptical to level 15, and it really gave me a great workout. Definitely got me sweating, which is what I'm going for. Aside from that small setback, it really was a successful gym day and I'm feeling really good about it.

Food is as follows
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled w/ spinach, toasted sandwich thins, coffee - 300
Snack: glass of 2% milk - 120
Lunch: leftover meatloaf w/ brussels sprouts and potatoes, slice of bell pepper - 402
Dinner: chicken breast - 170
Snack: protein cookie, banana, another glass of milk - 480
Total: 1472

Water intake: 79.6 fl oz

Because I had school tonight, I ate dinner really early, but I only really had time to heat up a chicken breast in the oven and eat that. We had people over today for my mom's church group, and the kitchen was full up, so I didn't have any room to cook much myself. Kind of just threw it in the small oven, let it warm while I changed into my uniform and got my school bag packed, then ate it and went. I filled up on a protein cookie and a banana on break, and the had another glass of milk when I came home.

Tomorrow is work from 2-8, so looking forward to that. I am once again cutting it close to midnight, but at least my school/work hours allow me to sleep in, so I suppose that's at least the silver lining to staying up late. But lemme just say a quick prayer, and hope it gets me to sleep quick:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my gains to keep
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my fat to take.
*flexes* Amen.

(sorry, it's the sleep deprivation...)

To be continued...
 
Day 15

So, it's been a few days. Weekends are a lot less routine than weekdays, so I don't always find time to write here. I actually think it's pretty good for me to take a couple days away from counting calories and restricting myself just to see if my habits are sticking. Obviously on weekends you go out with friends and family, and I was actually able to control myself rather well. Friday I worked from 2-8, so a lot of walking as usual. On Saturday I had class in the morning, and then went to the gym that evening. Finally got another go on the stair climber - still makes me feel winded, but hopefully I can get more chances to try it again this week and improve.

Sunday was my mom's birthday, so we went out for Korean BBQ and got ice cream afterwards. I don't feel guilty about it because I know it was a special day, and I was able to eat in moderation without denying myself from partaking in the meal and celebration. And that's pretty much what this whole thing is about - me learning how to go out and still do all the things I like to do, but without overdoing it. So far, I think I'm doing pretty well, but I've still got a long way to go.

Anyway, today I worked from 10-4, so was very active and productive. I got to work with another member today, which was definitely the highlight of my shift. She's an older lady in serious need of weight loss. And I don't say this to be judgmental, but because she's morbidly obese with two hernias that cannot be operated on until she loses at least 30-40lbs, with a long list of other medical issues as well. But she was so excited to get started, and her (adult) children were there the whole time helping her out as well, and I was able to show them some of the machines so that they can guide her when they come on their own time. The trainer in charge of all the fitness classes stopped by as well and gave her a lot of great advice, and coordinated a little bit with me on how to get her started. It was just a great experience, and to see how much support she was getting was just really encouraging overall.

Food is as follows
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled, toasted sandwich thins, coffee - 280
Snack: protein bar - 140
Lunch: Chinese chicken salad - 340
Snack: pear, blueberries - 178
Dinner: chicken breast, broccoli, potato - 303
Total: 1241

Water intake: 79.6 fl oz

Calories are a little low, but I think it's okay considering what I ate yesterday. It's still pretty early in the evening, and I've got to study tonight, so I'll probably drink another cup of coffee and have maybe a small snack if I'm feeling hungry. But that's it for now. Until next time!

To be continued...
 
Yay for finding moderation even on special occasions! I really like the sound of the gym where you work; it makes such a difference for new members how they´re treated when they first visit.
 
I really like the sound of your workplace too. It sounds so positive & encouraging. Belated Happy Birthday, Unstoppable's Mum xoxo
 
Yay for finding moderation even on special occasions! I really like the sound of the gym where you work; it makes such a difference for new members how they´re treated when they first visit.

I felt pretty proud of myself for that. There was a point when I thought to myself, "I could eat more, but I don't need to, so I won't." I also think it helped that at KBBQ you grill the meat yourself, and those pauses in-between food when you're waiting for it to cook sort of gave time for my brain to catch up with my stomach.

I really like the sound of your workplace too. It sounds so positive & encouraging. Belated Happy Birthday, Unstoppable's Mum xoxo

My workplace is amazing. It's part of a local recreational/fitness center, so it's not a standalone gym and it caters a lot towards the needs of the community. I mean, it has a lot of the typical things: swim classes, fitness classes, a fully equipped weight room etc. But it also does childcare, summer camp, there are community events and fundraisers every other week, and so on. Even members will jump in and help if they see someone struggling, so I think it really is a positive environment to be in. I'll definitely miss it when it's my time to move on.

And thanks! My mom had a really great birthday - we made sure of it! :)
 
I'm not always consistent with posting here on the weekends either. Life happens sometimes.

Your workplace sounds so positive. I mean, I'm sure you have some people come in who aren't excited to be there, but I hope they're in the minority.
 
Day 17

Yesterday, I was pretty tired so I skipped writing here and went straight to bed, but it was a gym day for reference. I'm free on Wednesdays again as I was just covering the shift while a co-worker was on vacation, so today was also a gym day! I used the stair climber again for 5 minutes at the end before finishing with the elliptical. I haven't been able to use it as much as I wanted to (because it's always been occupied) so I haven't built much of an endurance yet, but it is still my goal to work up to 15-20 minutes. Baby steps!

I'm thinking of starting an exercise log as well just to keep aware of my progress. I'll probably start bringing a notebook with me and organizing my workouts a little more from now on. I'm a lot more comfortable working out now than when I first started, and though I've been keeping mental track of what I do, I think it'd be another nice way to look back and see how far I've come.

Food is as follows
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled w/ spinach and mushrooms, toasted sandwich thins, coffee - 306
Snack: glass 1% milk - 100
Lunch: turkey sandwich, veggie straws, pear - 503
Dinner: grilled flank steak and salad - 315
Treat: sugar free dark chocolate almonds - 160
Total: 1384

Water intake: 84.5 fl oz

I'm a sucker for anything dark chocolate, so I let myself have two pieces of chocolate as a treat ( a single serving, according to the box). I trust myself enough now to know I can stop at just two, and I know I'm not going to go back to raid the rest of the box later in the night. Plus, hey! It bumped up my calories a little. I might eat an actual snack a little later before bed (maybe an hour or so before) just so I don't wake up hungry.

To be continued...
 
I used the stair climber again for 5 minutes at the end before finishing with the elliptical. I haven't been able to use it as much as I wanted to (because it's always been occupied) so I haven't built much of an endurance yet
Right now it isn´t really about endurance yet. First couple of times you´re mainly working on your motor skills. Maybe you could do 5 minutes of it before or after your shift?
I'm a sucker for anything dark chocolate, so I let myself have two pieces of chocolate as a treat ( a single serving, according to the box). I trust myself enough now to know I can stop at just two, and I know I'm not going to go back to raid the rest of the box later in the night.
That´s BIG. Well done!
 
@LaMaria You're probably right about the motor skills thing. I mean, I can walk on them at a pretty regular pace, but my foot is just slightly longer than the step platform, and I'm trying to step more with my heel to better engage my thighs, but then it's a little awkward because I don't quite fit the full step. (To note: it's not like I have huge feet or anything, but the steps are kind of on the small side). I guess I just need to figure it all out before I focus on endurance.
 
Day 18

Super tired, so this will probably be really brief. Went to the gym this morning and managed 10 minutes on the stair climber after my usual strength training. I slowed the speed down just a little bit (1 level below what I usually put) and focused more on the movement of it than trying to just speed through the motions. Still kicked my butt, but feeling good about it. As usual, finished off with the elliptical.

Food is as follows
Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled w/ spinach and mushrooms, 12 grain toast, coffee - 296
Snack: glass 1% milk - 100
Lunch: turkey sandwich w/ lettuce & spinach, veggie straws - 560
Dinner: grilled chicken burger and small fries - 690
Total: 1646

Water intake: 84.5 fl oz

A little higher calories than usual, but I had to grab dinner on the way to class and this is what it came out to. I don't feel too bad about it because most days I'm lower on calories anyway, and I'll just do better tomorrow to compensate. I'm starting to notice that lunch is usually my largest meal, and that's probably because I eat after going to the gym. Often times I drink my milk right as I get home to help with hydration and to kick start muscle recovery while I go about fixing my lunch, and then eat, shower, relax and/or study etc. I dunno. Just thought I'd point that out. It's interesting how you start to notice patterns the longer you go about something.

Tomorrow I have shift from 2-8. Maybe I'll get lucky and get to work with another new member. Though my appointment schedule is empty for tomorrow, one can still hope for a walk in!

To be continued...
 
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