Plan to Succeed

When you start out to lose weight or get in shape, people always ask your end goal. Most people are quick to say things like “I want to lose 30 pounds” or “I want to wear a size 4”. We tend to start off great then taper off once we encounter setbacks.  You see the castle at the end but not the road you have to travel to get there. People so often make goals without having a plan. Let’s take this to the football field. A  QB is not going to tell the rest of the offense to “go get a touchdown” and then break the huddle. If he did, he would have a very confused team and no doubt several pre-snap penalties (setbacks).  He is going to call a play (plan), and when something doesn’t work, an incomplete pass or negative yardage play, he is going to go to another plan to accomplish the goal.

Don’t overwhelm and confuse yourself by just focusing on the end result. If your goal is to lose 30 pounds, you should set small goals along the way.  For example, set a goal to lose 10 pounds by the end of May, 10 by mid July and the last 10 before the start of football season. It is easier to focus on 10 pounds rather than 30.

I made a list a couple months ago of things I wanted to achieve. It seemed easy enough at the time, but let’s say……s**t just got real. Over the last month I have doubted myself, and started feeling very incapable of accomplishing things. I think I suffered from the “trying to do too much” syndrome. I am making minor adjustments in my schedule and I am starting to feel a lot better.

CHALLENGE 1: Sit down this week and write out your goals and a plan to get there.  

My most recent goal was my “Abs challenge”. I am on a mission to have Abs by June (swimsuit season).  People started asking me how I was going to get there and I had no clue. I made a goal without a plan so I sat down and thought about some things I need to change in my fitness program.

Here are some things I am doing to get there:

1. No more processed sugar-free products (sodas, cookies, and Starbucks Latte’s)
2. Drinking more water
3. Increased Cardio
4. More Core exercises

I am 7 days into this challenge and I have already failed. Last Monday not only did I have my sugar-free Mocha Latte, but I added a little regular Raspberry syrup. Now it was DELICIOUS, but those were calories I didn’t need. I am not giving up! I am going back to my plan and starting over. I am determined to have abs this summer.

Food(s) of the week - FRUIT

I have been on a smoothie kick the past couple weeks. This means I have been experimenting with a lot of different flavors. I actually took the dive and blended some spinach in my apple/banana smoothie last night. If you can get over drinking something green, you should try it.

CHALLENGE 2:  I want everyone to incorporate smoothies in your meal plan a couple days this week.

Here is what I have tried so far:

• Pineapple/Orange: Diced pineapple, half an orange,  and Vanilla protein powder
• Chocolate/Banana: Banana, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla protein powder
• Apple/Banana: Apple, half a banana, spinach, vanilla protein powder
• Strawberry Banana: Strawberries, banana, protein powder, almond milk, water

If you do not use protein powder, try Greek yogurt. It will provide protein and a creamy texture. The pineapple/orange smoothie has been my favorite so far. This is probably because fresh pineapple is the best thing on Earth!!!!!  My next step is to get a juicer and start creating some new fruit/veggie juices.

Status Update

I don’t have too much to report this time. I have been sidelined with an injury for 11 days, and I was told Friday to hold out 5 more days. My exercise has been very limited so I have tried to really focus on my diet, but I have had a few too many treats along the way. I have not gained any weight over this time period which is a relief, and I hope to get back to my training next week.

I want everyone to take on the challenges this week, and hopefully your life is a little less hectic and little healthier because of it. Plan to Succeed!!!! Also, I have decided to run a 5k so training starts next week. I will be keeping you guys updated on my progress!