Day 4: June 8, 2011

So, I'm half way through week one and am making good progress towards this week's major goal, which is getting back to pre-vacation weight. My biggest challenge this week is time management. It's finals week for school and with four classes, I'm finding it hard to justify taking 2-3 hrs away from studying for workouts. Another big challenge I'm facing is nutrition and remembering to take the time to eat. I know that sounds crazy, but sometimes I get so wrapped up in homework, I will completely forget to eat lunch. To help with this I pre-baked 10 chicken breasts earlier in the week and set up a time schedule for meals, and snacks. So far, it seems to be working.

This is what an average day looks like. 4 meals, all ranging between 300-500 calories = roughly 1600 calories per day. Breakfast: multi-grain toast w/ jam, fresh egg whites w/ spinach & chicken, 1 C fruit. Snack: I only have a protein shake on the days I strength train. This one is fresh yogurt (not the crap full of HFCS and other random sugars), avocado, strawberries, flaxseed, whey (low sugar) protein powder and H2O. Lunch: Whole grain salad w/ fresh vegetables & chicken. Dinner: Salad w/ chicken.



Workouts this week consist of full body strength training sessions and running. Since another one of my goals is to run 1200 miles this year, it's important that I continue with the running schedule I was on before I started the hardbody challenge. As you can imagine, I'm quite sore. I've been fighting a few minor strains, one in my gluteus medius, which is proving most difficult to overcome and still after two weeks is tender to the touch. Another challenge is the heat!! With temperatures reaching 100+ and humidity ranging from 40-70% I'm finding it difficult to run my normal distances of 8-10 miles and maintain a decent heart rate. So, I started two-a-days. Running 4-5 in the morning and 4-5 in the evening 5 days a week, then strength training mid-morning, two days on, one day off.

So here's all my gear that I have for home workouts, although I normally run outside. I try to hit the base gym for more diversity a couple times a week, but I prefer my home workouts.

Some of you may wonder what a typical strength training session looks like....well it ranges from 18-22 different exercises, averaging between a total of 650-900 reps, with high knee jump rope every two exercises and a ten minute stretch at the end. I write everything down to track progress!!

Here's an example from earlier this week.

Current stats:

Height: 65inches

Weight: 129. 4

Body Fat: 17.2%

Leg measurements are the same. Bust, waist, hip, and left bicep all down -.5inch

Current running totals (miles):

For the week: 18

For the month: 29.35

For the year: 452.6