Daddy and I recently made the decision to get fit as a family. A friend of ours had started taking on clients, our sisters being two of them. They both gave great reviews and I liked the results and changes I saw. So to make a long story short, we hired Mikey of Mikey Fit! And so far, it’s been the best thing we could have done for ourselves as parents, and a married couple who let go of their fitness goals. We had been talking about getting back into shape and changing our habits, but by hiring a trainer we got serious. Here is a daily journal I kept of our first week, cleansing week!
Day 1
Today was extremely hectic. I felt like I was never going to get my workout in. I experienced many hurdles but got as creative as I could with cardio. Our plan was to have Ryan work out first at the Jade Coast gym and then me. When Ryan got there, he found a man sleeping in the corner so we decided it would be best for me not to go in so early when it was still dark. It was frustrating and I was disappointed since I was ready to start. I was up early and I had prepped our drinks (green juice) the night before. Just getting prepped with one kid and a tired husband was tough.
Anyway, I didn’t give up today. I remembered that:
“…this would be hard, but not impossible. I want to be healthy for myself and for the sake of my kids. I want to be a good example of healthy living and I want to live long to see some grandchildren. I want to live a healthy lifestyle so my kids don’t have to worry about me when I am of old age.”
I also remembered the message from Sunday’s church service.
“That we are a team. We have to do what’s best for everyone, not just ourselves!”
I started my day late and took the kids walking, we went to Target and back. Thank God for the strength and for the patience with my kids.
Day 2
Today I was able to go to the gym before Ryan went to work. I was happy find another woman in the gym. Thank god she was playing music loud enough for me to hear. Can’t go wrong with Beyoncé! I jumped on the elliptical and stayed at a slow, but steady pace. I have to admit, it was much more challenging than pushing the two kids in the stroller to target on a hot day. On the machine there was no stopping. I made sure not to look at the time and to just keep going. When I used to work out, I would pray and sing worship songs in my head. This is what helped get me through my workout today. As difficult as it was to get back on the elliptical it felt great. Not only did I get a good workout in, but I had 35 minutes to myself. I played a few songs on my phone after my neighbor took off, but I think what I want to do is download some audio books to get my wheels turning, as well as for encouragement and motivation, and you learn new things.
It’s only the second day, and I am already feeling a difference. Not just physically, but mentally. I’m crossing things off my list that are important to me rather than just doing things randomly, like making Alana’s chore chart, teaching her how to spell her name, turning off the TV and reading a book, going outside…everything seems to align when you start to take care of YOU! It’s an epiphany I will not soon forget. And I’m am not a morning person. I always wanted to be, and now, I kind of am.
Mikey allowed me an extra meal, a salad, since I am breastfeeding. Since Alana wanted sushi we went to our spot, Todo’s! Ryan and I ordered the sashimi salad which was so good. I had been wanting to try it for a while now. We will definitely be ordering it again.
Day 3
Change is the only constant in life. This is what my status is on Facebook today. Following, “This past Sunday we made a decision to eat healthier and exercise daily. It’s difficult but it’s not impossible.”
This is Ryan’s last week being off Thursdays and Fridays since Duke was born so we took our cardio outside. After cleaning up Duke’s poop, we packed up the kids and went to Miramar Lake walked and ran for about 45 minutes. Even Alana ran with us. Ryan and I took turns pushing the stroller. We even stayed to feed the duckies. Alana definitely got her workout in. She was already tired by the time we were done.
Today, I still have a lot of energy, but not as much as the first two days. I need to get pumped up!
The best part about the cleanse and working out is that my husband, and the entire family for that matter are on board. It’s a collective effort so we aren’t making two different meals. It’s one healthy meal for all of us and whoever decides to eat with us.
Tonight, since we ran out of chicken breasts, Ryan made tilapia and it was delicious. We ate that on top of our salads along with a homemade vinaigrette Ryan also made. It was a long day for us all but we got our nutrients in for the day and if course our liver cleanse. A little grainy today, but we drank it nonetheless. I feel bad that we watched TV instead of something else. We’ll make sure to get out this weekend.
Day 4
Today was a rough day. For every good that comes along, there are 10 bad things waiting to happen. How we handle these “bad” things is up to us, all in our attitude. Sometimes we break and sometimes we have the patience and strength to keep our mouths shut. Anyway, the husband and I got into a little debacle about chores and finances, one think led to another and eventually led to silence…which I personally despise. I like to duke it out, even though I know that’s not always the best idea…if it ever is at all.
BUT, we didn’t let that stop us from getting our cardio in. We didn’t hustle as much as we wanted but we did it. Gotta give us credit for that.
I had lunch with a friend, Nana joined us. I am happy to report I stayed on the healthy path ordering a chicken Caesar salad and water with lemon. I had another coffee, an Americano with low fat milk and Raw sugar. I am not a fan of black coffee, but I will get there. On a side note, I have a theory about black coffee. Once you drink black coffee, I consider you old! I guess it’s not all that true.
The rest of the night was quiet…until we had to drink our liver cleanse. We ran out of berries and oranges. I knew that without them the juice would taste pretty bad. I ventured off to Vons at 10 o’clock at night. Before I left, my husband voices what I was thinking. “I’m craving something sweet.” I texted our trainer, Mikey and asked for his advice…his answer for our later night craving. One word: fruits! I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, in the grocery store. I picked up some pineapple, strawberries and two oranges all for $15! Damn…being healthy is expensive! Then I thought, well I probably would have spent the same on chips, dip and ice cream…but at least it would have lasted longer, haha. That’s beside the point though…we stuck it out and snacked healthily. I went home and made our liver cleanse but it was still hard to down. Too much beets in I think.
Day 5
We are so excited today because we get to cross something off our October Bucket List. We’re going to Julian. I know, it’s a big teaser, but my father-in-law wants to go, it’s on our list and it’s fall!!
Today we got up, packed the kids in the car again and went to Lake Miramar. The husby and I almost got into it again, but I decided not to feed the fire, his or mine. It just wasn’t worth it. We had a good walk/run and manages to get to our checkpoint 2 minutes early. Alana cooperated and Duke as usually was sleeping the whole time. When we were done we picked up Lolo (my father-in-law) and had breakfast at iHop. And I ordered a bowl of oatmeal with bananas and milk. It was quite painful, but really wanted to follow through. I couldn’t look at other people’s food, the menu or the pictures on the wall. I ate my oatmeal and felt pretty good about it. We went home to get ready for Julian…got into another passionate disagreement about our daughter…finished getting ready and finally hit the road.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the bustling winds of the Julian mountains. Good thing we came somewhat prepared with jackets and blankets for the kids. With it being so cold all I wanted was some hot, fatty food…not a salad! We ate at Julian Grille, not impressed, but the place was homey, comfy and cozy. Cozy enough to order a salad. There was a fireplace and they offered us blankets! We got one for Alana and I to share…she ended up using the whole thing. We did indulge in butternut squash soup. We cheated a little and has some bread and butter and snuck in a few of Alana’s steak fries, but for the moat part, we were good. We kept warm on the way back to the car with hot apple cider from Moms Pies, and picked up some pies for the road.
When we get home, I try again to drink our juice…after every sip I add more water. I’m now convinces that I put way too much beet juice. I love beets from the can in my salad…but this was the first time I was eating them raw. Very grainy and bitter if you ask me.
One Week
We did it we survived. Sunday we rested, still ate our salads and ate a little pie! Pecan, because we can 🙂 but made sure we made up for it in cardio the next day.
Honestly, I don’t know what I was scared of. I truly believe that being fit starts in the mind. The first week we were successful partly because we hired Mikey to be our trainer. He motivated us and was accountable to us throughout the week, texting us, calling us…but a big part of our success is because of ourselves. Even Mikey said it. He is just the help, a great help at that, but it is up to us to put his plan into action. That’s the only way we will begin to see results.
Today, Monday after our cleanse, I can say that I am feeling better about myself physically abs mentally. I noticed that walk taller and don’t have as much trouble waking up in the morning. My skin and hair are glowing and I can see the definition from my cheekbones. I have yet to weigh myself in, but my husband reminded me that dropping the weight will take time. I think this cleanse really set us up for success to withstand the rest of the program as well as to get into the habit of working out and eating well. We are trying foods we have never tried before, like the beets, and cooking kale! I’ve been wanting to cook with kale for quite some time now and was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was on our menu plan for the week.
So far, the prepping has been the biggest challenge. It is a lot of work and I feel like I’m spending more time in the kitchen. It will get better with time. I think I’ll ask for containers and Tupperware for Christmas 🙂
I’ve stopped taking my supplements until I see the pediatrician on for Duke’s check up. I’ve done some research and it seems pretty vague, and honestly i think it’s okay, but I want to get the docs opinion and make double sure i am not causing harm to my baby while breastfeeding.
This week we begin our workout! Looking forward to it, just hoping I can hang! Let’s do this!!
My motivation continues to be my family. I want to live a long and healthy life loving them! I want to look and feel good for myself, and my husband! I want to be a good example for my kids!
We are on the road to becoming a fit family. This is our journey!