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October 25, 2006
More on 20/20
Back by popular demand. Translation: Bonnie’s request. Here is an update on my life and mostly the 20/20 program.
I am starting my 4th week. This means that I have less than 7 weeks left of the intensive part and still another 12 weeks of maintenance. I have to say I am feeling much healthier and generally better than before I started. My sleeping habits still aren’t great, so I still get a little tired, but I have had more energy. I think I have also been happier.
Here’s a little breakdown of the different parts:
Food:
I started with Lean meat, berries, protein shakes, and a few extra servings of fat/protein (like almonds or peanut butter). Week 2 I got to add in veggies (except for starches); then yogurt; and this week they added in 1oz servings of low-fat cheese. It really hasn’t been very hard for me to stick to eating these things. Don’t get me wrong I am really looking forward to getting to eat Thai food or sushi. At the same time I know that each week I will add something else new, and by the time I know it I will have all of those things back in my diet.
The hard part is portion control and planning. I thought it would be hard to eat smaller portions; that hasn’t been the problem. I actually haven’t been eating as much as I am supposed to (I am working on that). The real hard part for me is measuring and tracking the exact amounts that I eat. Being a person that usually cooks without measuring a single thing, this is difficult. It is also hard to get the right amount of each type of food at the right time.
Exercise:
The requirement is that I have a cardio workout 5 days a week. Three of the days are with my trainer. I really like him because he talks to me about interesting things while I workout. The whole time though he watches closely to make sure that I don’t drop below my target heart rate. I can work out longer if I am being distracted. It is also nice since my workouts are right after work. This allows me to have completely non-work related conversations for about an hour to let my mind leave work at work.
I mentioned before that yoga doesn’t count as one of my 5 days. I figured there would be no way I was going to work out extra. Well, I am as surprised as you are to know that I have been working out extra. In fact, I can’t work out today, because I have worked out the last 9 days in a row. I had 4 days with my trainer last week (we made up a session since I was in Portland for business the week before) and again once this week, 2 days on an elliptical (one with Abigail), and 2 times I did hot yoga.
Hot Yoga … wow. I have to digress for a moment here. It is just like it sounds: yoga in room heated to 105 degrees. I had no idea that I could sweat so much. There is this place right near my house. Anyways, it was one of the hardest workouts I have ever had, but it left me more relaxed than anything ever has as well.
Drs & group meetings:
Not much here yet to talk about. I see the doctor for the program in another week or two and I have my first group meeting tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. I might make some friends and it will be nice to hear what other people are doing.
Time management:
This sure does take some time. Between workouts and planning meetings it is a lot of time, not to mention the special meetings throughout. So far I am coping. My stress levels have dropped a bit (I owe that to working out after work every day), but I don’t get to see Dan quite as much. I am sure things will level out and my schedule will be easier.
Last but not least, the Results:
I feel more in shape — I can run more. I also feel like I have more muscle. I wish I were losing weight a little faster, but I was told that I am losing at the right rate. So far I have just about lost 10lbs. If I stay losing at the same rate, then I will hit my target right on time. My concern is that I plateau and then lose a whole lot less. Oh well, I am just going to keep following the rules and hope for the best.
Posted by layla at 6:55 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2006
20/20
Two weeks ago, I started a workout program. Hmm, workout program is an understatement.
Let me back up a moment. I have fantastic insurance & benefits. One of my benefits is a gym member ship to the proclub. It really is quite an exquisite place. At the proclub they have this program called 20/20. It is an all inclusive deal.
There are four pillars to the program and an expert for each: Dietitian (diet & nutrition), Doctor (health and injury safety), physical trainer (workouts & more workouts), Therapist (runs group support meetings). Workouts are 3 times a week with the trainer for 75 minutes, and 2 days on your own. The diet is almost nothing and then slowly adds back in food groups. It is a 10 week program with a 12 week maintenance program to follow (same, but 1/2 the time with the trainer ...). Yes, it is a lot! Oh and did I mention, no alcohol for the whole program?
This program is not just to get a bit more in shape. The goal here is to drastically lose weight and change your health.
Sure I could have just made myself go to the gym (yea, that seems to have been happening), but I choose to do this. The main reason — my insurance coverst80% of the program. That means that for what I would pay for the physical trainer for about 1/4 of the time that I get one now, I get this whole program — accountability and all.
Like I said at the very beginning, I started just under 2 weeks ago. I am glad that I have the accountability - I need it. I am not at the point yet where I am self motivated to go to the gym. I have however lost 6lbs already.
I expect the first 15 to come off quickly, but after that, it will probably be pretty hard.
Posted by layla at 6:08 PM | Comments (2)