My two weeks off didn't exactly fly by, but was still over quicker than I would have liked. I didn't do everything I had on my to-do list but I did do quite a bit, including more sorting and organising and decluttering, without over scheduling myself. I was really feeling low on energy, so I did what I felt like.
What I did do was eat, and drink... regularly, with friends, family and more friends and different family. By the end of the two weeks, (and after a good two months of eating rubbish on a regular basis, can I just say that I say rubbish with love, I adore Freddo Frogs and Walkers Sensations but I really shouldn't have them on a daily basis.)
So, after deliberating for a few months and notching up another birthday, I finally decided to take myself in hand and do something about what I was unhappy about.
I decided to invest in Autumn Calabrese's 21 Day Fix just to get me exercising regularly, but a little weight loss would be a bonus, (nothing major but I've gained about 5lbs and while it's 'only' 5, let's face it, it's still 5lbs of fat.)
I watched the 'infomercial' probably fifty times before I bit the bullet and actually ordered it. I'm just going to spit it out and tell you that I will not be in the next version of the infomercial. I am, the 'anti-Autumn'. I'm kidding but I don't think I'll be revealing any shock stats at the end of my 21 days. I honestly thought I would struggle with the exercise, I don't mean the moves, (although I knew it would be a challenge,) I mean actually working out for 21 days straight.
I did think that I would be fine with the diet side of things, (sorry, if you haven't heard of this, it's an exercise and eating plan.) The plan involves eating way more than I do normally, so I thought it would be a breeze, unfortunately, I still had cravings for either 'more', even though I wasn't hungry, or rubbish that I still had in my cupboards.
I wasn't discouraged though, I realise it's a hand in hand approach but for me, getting my body moving is my priority, and I figure that the eating will catch up sooner or later.
Let me tell you a bit about Autumn Calabrese;
She's not annoying.
She is a mind reader, just when you're mid workout and having a conversation in your head, with yourself about the reasons why it's time to call it a day... she tells you that she knows what you're thinking, she can hear you and that you should keep going, you can do it. Damn it.
She's broken every workout down into 60 second chunks, so even if you think one particular exercise is a mountain to climb, it's only for 60 seconds after all.
She's kind. Monday's workout... my first one, left me sore, as you would expect. Tuesday's workout, mostly left alone the sore bits :)
She always has a modifier, in the guise of the lovely Kat. I didn't think I would need to modify but I probably have, at least 40% of the time, and that's OK... because Autumn said so.
I completed my first 7 days, struggled with the eating, managed the workouts. Scale showed I'd gained 2lbs, but when you do a bit of research, Autumn tells you to stay away from the scales in the first week or two as your muscles will swell and you'll retain water... or something which will give you a false reading in the scales department anyway.
Day 8, I'm struck down with some kind of virus. I ache from head to toe and I feel like the right side of my head is congested, infected... just not ticketyboo. I Googled and the experts from Beachbody recommend that if you're sick below the neck, rest, otherwise it's going to be the equivalent of over training.
I give myself the whole week off and then begin again. This time, the eating is a breeze, I'm never hungry and I have no cravings. I admit, I stuck to the diet Monday - Friday, rigorously. Saturday and Sunday, I did stray, (into wine and crisps,) I still lost 3lbs and I feel more toned already.
By the end of week two, my work pants feel enormous, the workouts are getting easier, correction... Autumn would tell me that I'm getting stronger, and I'm down another 1lbs.
Dawned on me this week that I won't get to complete my 21 days in a row, as I fly down south to friends next Thursday, I'll be 4 days short.
While I'm a bit disappointed that I won't get to finish, I'm not going to let it derail me. The website shows many examples of people doing multiple rounds until they reach their goal. My goal was always to exercise more... in first ranking, so I've already succeeded. While I know that there will be nights when I get home from work and it's practically my bedtime and I am too tired to eat let alone workout, or when I'm ill and I just can't bring myself to workout, and that will be OK if I miss a workout. If I can workout 5 times a week, from now on, I'll be very happy.
So, after 17 days straight of exercise and 13 days of following the eating plan, I have lost 6lbs and 1 inch. I'm very happy with that.
I'm off work and I know that I will eat things that are not on the plan or eat more of what I should, even if it's on the plan but I know that as soon as I'm back at work, I'll be focused again.
I think I have another 7lbs to lose, so I'm looking forward to seeing how my body reacts and co-operates to that end.
