Better CT's Better Fit Blog
January 15 - Thursday
Elaine
So the Holidays have come and gone. I didn't really have a hard time with the eating. I allowed myself a bit more than usual but nothing really crazy. The most difficult thing was finding the time for everything... getting to classes, personal training sessions, and fitting in work and the extra things that come with the holidays.
I met with Carolyn for my first training session after the holidays and she weighed and measured me and also took my body fat. The scale hadn't moved much, although I didn't gain. What was most encouraging is that I had increased my muscle mass again and lost another 4 inches total. That's really important to remember for me and for anyone else that is making a life change to be fit and healthy. If I only went by the numbers on the scale I would be discourage and, because I know this from past experience, more tempted to give up. Because Carolyn has explained, step by step, the importance of looking at the whole picture, I have continued to be motivated and enjoy the success.
Carolyn went over my diet again to see if she wanted to adjust anything. What we found it that I am still not consuming enough calories so she recommended a few changes. I need to add brown rice at my dinner meal and also change from skim milk to 1%. She explained that I tend to "eat too clean" meaning my body doesn't get the balance and nutrition it needs to burn fat and calories efficiently. I am going to get back to keeping a weekly journal including calories to make certain that I get 1200 calories in every day.
Megan
I approached the holidays with a different attitude this year. I was not going to shy away from anything I wanted to try or tell myself ahead of time that I could NOT have certain things. Instead, I told myself that I could try anything but not over-indulge. Let's face it, the holidays are always going to come, therefore I wanted to have a different attitude about them that would stick through the years and it worked!
Things have been going well in the area of exercise. Except for the week I was sick, I have been going to my scheduled classes, my personal training, and walking outside as much as possible. Obviously the weather plays a big part in that activity, but it is something I really enjoy so for the most part I brave the cold. Can't wait for the spring!!
To date I have lost 9 pounds, 8 inches, and 5% body fat. My clothes are looser and I can't wait to go buy a new pair of jeans soon. On top of that, I feel much better about myself at this point and can't wait to feel my best. Other than the health benefits of losing weight, that is my driving force!
December 11 - Thursday
Megan
The past couple weeks have been very encouraging. I sat down with Carolyn and went over what I was eating and with the Vitabot system. We were able to tweak my diet based on things that I was missing - some vitamins and more protein - which I knew I was not getting enough of. I was still able to incorporate things that I already had been eating and enjoying which made it very easy to adjust my diet.
For exercise, I am taking 5 classes a week and really am benefiting from the variety. For example, I take 2 different pilates classes and then more cardio-based classes with a spin class and cardio kick. My personal training has also been going well. I love working with weights but I am also enjoying the pilates reformer that I have never experienced until Fit Behavior.
I look forward to learning more moves on the reformer and of course reaping the benefits of my overall hard work!
December 6 - Saturday
Elaine
So much has happened since my last blog... it's been busy. I met with Carolyn last Saturday and she did my fitness assessment. She was able to assess that the right side of my body was out of line and recommended that I see a chiropractor. She explained all of the things that could be affected because of this. I took her advice and actually met with the chiropractor today. She agreed with Carolyn's assessment and I will be working with her to correct my problems. I'll let folks know how it goes.
Carolyn also did a nutritional assessment and designed a diet plan to follow. The Online Meal Planning program is great. It is able to let you know what vitamins you are lacking in your diet and plug in the foods that will allow you to get those needed vitamins. Carolyn added wheat germ to my diet and... oh boy... I'm a new fan of wheat germ believe or not. I add it to my oatmeal or yogurt and Carolyn just suggested adding it to salad. It has tons of vitamins and fiber - something I really need - flushes all the toxins out of your body. I learned that I was not eating enough food and Carolyn was able to help me pick the foods I like to eat so that this plan would be a change in lifestyle rather than ANOTHER DIET!
I've had two personal training sessions and about a week of classes. The Hot Iron Class, which works with weights, is a lot of fun in just a half hour and you get a good workout. This is my first experience with Pilates. I did the Group Mat Pilates class and then was able to work with the Pilates Reformer during my personal training session. I really like Pilates. I never realized the benefits of Pilates - it really works on strengthening your core - building stomach and back muscles. Something I need to improve. I have to say... it's not easy but I look forward to the classes and feel much better when I'm done. I have also found it's great to manage stress. It's been a busy few weeks.
November 12 - Wednesday
Elaine
After much anticipation, the time was finally here. Megan and I were on Better Connecticut today starting our journey toward a fit and healthy life. We were lucky enough to be chosen by Carolyn to be the "Fit Family" and have the opportunity to work with Carolyn, Better Connecticut, and Harford Hospital to help us reach our goals. It was not easy for myself, or Megan, to go on television let alone have to talk about a very sensitive subject... our weight... but we kept telling each other "We can do this; the benefits outweight our fears!" Everyone was so nice, which certainly helped us relax... a bit.
I have struggled with my weight all of my life, but it has become harder and harder for me to lose weight in the past six or seven years. I have been fighting with the same 30-40 lbs. for the last 3 years and have tried many diet and weight loss programs. I would lose and gain it back again. I have also been recently diagnosed with osteoporosis in my back and I know how important it is to commit to building muscle as we age, something I have to work on being disciplined to do. I am hoping that Carolyn can help me make a lifestyle change. I am ready to do this!
Our next step will be meeting with the nutritionist from Hartford Hospital - that's on Tuesday. I think Carolyn will also be meeting with us then to discuss our goals, exercise plans, and yes, measure our body fat. Can't wait. This is such an opportunity and I am determined to meet my goals.
Megan
Today was our first appearance on Better Connecticut. Getting over the fact that I had to be on TV in order to be apart of this awesome opportunity was a HUGE stretch for me. I don't even like to have my picture taken... go figure!! But, once it was over all I could think about was jumping into the next step toward a "Fit" life. Like my mother, I have always struggled with my weight. I don't consider myself an unhealthy person when it comes to food because for the most part I do make smart choices but I am not consistent with working out. I think that is where I will benefit the most from this lifestyle change.
I am 28 years old and I am tired of being consumed with the fact that I am not happy with myself. Therefore, this is it for me!!! I am ready to do this for good and experience what it feels like to love myself in my own skin!!!