NSV

I have had quite a few NSVs (non-scale victories) this week. I had bought the Hip Hop Abs DVDs as a switch up for running and walking. With this purchase, I could sign up for a BeachBody Coach. At first, I thought it was ridiculous. I thought I didn't need someone who was going to tell me what to do and make me feel bad if I messed up. Then, after talking to a friend who has a BeachBody Coach, I realized that this person could be the support I really needed. So, I signed up. At first, I was just assigned a random person, but I didn't feel like that was the connection I needed. After talking to my friend, I decided to switch coaches. That is how I met Amanda. She has been amazing. She asked me where my trouble spots were and shared with me some of her struggles and successes. With her support, I had the best week ever for workouts and eating.

I started Hip Hop Abs on Sunday. It is set up as a 4 week program with rest days every 7 days. This week, I did the workouts every morning (at 5:15am!). I usually give up by Wednesday or Thursday, but I didn't want to have to tell Amanda I didn't work out. It's so strange because I barely know her! I also walked or ran every evening. Today is my rest day. It feels so strange not to workout. I almost feel guilty, but I know my body needs rest.

I also got back on track with my eating. I had been pretty good, but when I treated myself I went overboard. This week, I decided that a treat (I don't like calling it a cheat because that makes it feel wrong) doesn't need to be anything big. I also learned that I wasn't eating enough whole grains. Due to this, my body may have believed I was starving, so it was not burning fat. I was under my calorie goal by 500+ calories every day. I feel like I am eating a lot more, but I feel full and I am staying within but close to my calorie goal.

Now, I didn't come upon all this on my own. I asked my coach a lot of questions. I mean, a lot of questions. I hope I am not driving her crazy with them. She also has been great about celebrating my small victories. She has reassured me that I am doing the right things on a regular basis, especially now that I am eating enough. The biggest piece of advice I think I have gotten from her is to hide my scale. I did cheat on weighing myself this morning, but it's ok. I set a new goal to wait until Saturday to weigh myself again, and I want to achieve that goal and make my coach proud. It is so strange to want to make someone I barely know proud, but if that is what works, then that is fantastic! It may sound cliche, but this time feels different.

I can't wait to see what next week has in store! I will start week 2 of Hip Hop Abs tomorrow, and I am going to do more research on the 21 day fix system. The system is designed to help you manage portions while also ensuring that you eat a balanced diet. It also focuses on eating cleanly. This may help me get away from counting calories and learn to eat healthy, appropriate portions on my own. I don't want to have to log everything I eat for my entire life. I want this to be a lifestyle change, not a sentence to constantly be attached to a calorie counting system.

This week, I had more energy and felt great! I also was sleeping better than ever. That made getting up at 5:00 much easier. I am looking forward to continuing all of that. Week 2 here I come!