Determined To Succeed

Happy Friday, my friends. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and there’s a warm breeze in the air (at least here in South Jersey). Today is the day I see the personal trainer, Jorge, for the second time. I’m looking forward to it but I’m still partially in pain from the last time (my abs still feel it) plus from my workout yesterday (it is sooooo going to be an Advil kind of day). I also have to say I was good (for the most part) following Jorge’s meal plan yesterday.

Here’s yesterday’s meal plan and actually what I ate:

Meal 1 – Kashi Cereal or Special K (this was no problem. I bought the “Warm Cinnamon” Kashi cereal and had that for breakfast)

Meal 2 – Fruit (again, no problem. I enjoy strawberries and bananas so that is what I had right before I went to the gym)

Meal 3 – Chicken 6 oz., 1 cup rice, 3 cups broccoli (Here’s where I played a bit. I had one of my left-over lemon chicken breasts. However, instead of the rice and broccoli I had the onion/green pepper broth soup created when I made the chicken. I also had a yogurt and cheese stick for dessert).

Meal 4 – Metrix – Protein Shake (I switched this out and had a seedless naval orange and yogurt instead.)

Meal 5 – Chicken Cesar Salad, Sugar Free Jello with Cool Whip (I was good, again, for the most part. I had chicken breast on a bed of mixed greens with sugar-free Asian dressing. I had a zero-calorie Coke Cherry Zero to drink and two Jello cups for dessert with two cheese sticks for snacks afterward).

I think my greatest challenge is in fighting off the urge to snack. Thank God I have those cheese sticks and sugar-free/low-calorie Jello and Jello Pudding cups instead of chips, candy bars, etc. I find I so want to snack and munch between 10:00 p.m. and midnight so I have to break myself of that really bad habit. I mean it’s not like I am starving myself or not getting enough calories, I certainly am. I just like to snack on something sweet. But I will stay focused. Focused. FOCUSED.

As for today, since I have been instructed to change up my meals as well as my exercise, here’s what I am expected to have today:

Meal 1 – ½ Grapefruit and 3 Egg Whites (I plan on replacing the grapefruit with a seedless orange and having that with the egg substitutes I bought)

Meal 2 – 1 ½ Whole Wheat Pasta, Can Tuna, Balsamic Dressing

Meal 3 – 6 oz. Yam, 4 oz. Turkey, 3 cups of cauliflower

Meal 4 – 2 Yogurts

Meal 5 – 8 oz. Pork Chops, 3 Cups Mushrooms, Salad

As I go into the weekend I am feeling better about this new exercise and meal plan. It is helping me with not only NOT think about going off the rails to have beef fried rice but also changing up my exercises so that I am (theoretically) burning more fat and making better use of my gym time. I may be in pain but that proves it’s working. Not to mention that it’s going to be so beautiful outside I think it might be time to compliment a gym workout with a walk outdoors. Spring is finally springing and I can’t wait.

Tomorrow, I will definitely let you know what happens with my second training session. Jorge is supposed to give me a more specific meal plan to follow and tips on how to do the exercises we did last time using free weights instead of massive gym equipment. No matter what I am reminded I am continuing on a journey. And as with any weight loss journey I have so many new things to learn. These last twelve pounds may be most-stubborn but I will do my best, using these new meals, methods, exercises, to try new things to get rid of them…

…even if it does kill me in the gym.