Some of you have been asking what my work out routine and diet guidelines are. So I thought I would share with you today a better look at that I'm doing to accomplish my goals. Here it goes:
Fitness:
My trainer suggests I work out 3-4x/week. However, I know I need to tackle more than that to get to where I want to be. So for the last 3 weeks I have been going about 6 times/week, usually resting on Saturday. Each week I meet with my trainer, typically on Tuesday morning, and she walks me through what I should do the rest of the week. She writes everything down in my little notebook for me, that way I have a guide. She also asks me to write down what I do each day I come in on my own, that way she knows what to prepare for me the following week (based on amount of weight, etc). The idea of changing up the work out routine each week is to help eliminate any dreadful plateaus your body may reach when doing the same routine day in and day out.
In the photo you can see my little notebook I write in each time I work out. This is so handy! Before I workout, especially if its in the morning, I like to drink a little something that will boost my energy and help burn fat. I picked up Prime Drive at Complete Nutrition and do feel that it works. Following the workout, I like to drink something filled with protein to replenish and repair muscle fibers. I mix my vanilla protein smoothie powder with a scoop of the vitamin mix, that way I am getting all the vitamins I need. I also take an Omega-3 pill every day. (Thanks to my friend Ashley for the recommendations!)
While I am working out, getting your heart rate "in the zone" is important. Depending on your age and weight, your heart rate lets you know when you are in the fat burning zone, how many calories you are burning, etc. So to help me have a better idea of what is all going on, I decided to get a Polar FT4 watch that does all of this! You wear a little monitor strap about your rib cage (at the band of your sports bra) and that picks up your heart rate and reports it to the watch. Totally comfortable and stays in place your entire work out.
Here's a shot of the watch. Killed my workout this morning! ;) I would recommend this to anyone who is into fitness. I found mine on Amazon for about half the price it's sold for in your sporting goods store.
Here is a sample workout routine idea for you:
Diet:When it comes to diet, it's all based on what you are trying to accomplish. As for me, I have set some goals for each day. They are: 1500 calories max, 80 oz. of water, and 100g of protein. To keep track of calories, I use the app MyFitnessPal on my iPhone. It is so handy! It records your progress as well. Check it out! In order to accomplish drinking enough water each day, I drink from a large jug with a straw (helps your drink more) and always add a fresh slice of lemon. So good and makes the water much tastier. :) My favorite ways to get protein are: turkey, chicken breast, tuna, cottage cheese, and greek yogurt. Your MyFitnessPal app will let you know how many grams you have took in as you record what you eat throughout the day. Other than that, I have cut out specialty coffee drinks and soda. I am avoiding unnecessary white grains and of course, sweets.
So far about 10lbs of what I call "junk weight" has come off me, and I couldn't be happier. I have a long way to go, but am finding that a good attitude, finding FUN in going to the gym, and a clean diet is what is going to get me where I want to be.
I am going to write updates every so often, so be on the look out for those!
XO, Carrie
