Gym Junkie Wannabe

Let's face it, talking about health and fitness isn't exactly a party. It's taken me a while to face the reality of my lack of energy and poor eating habits to really make it a priority in my life.
In all honesty, I have no idea HOW to work out and on top of that I HATE working out. The last few times I was in a gym, I'd hang out on the eliptical or chat it up with my friends "lifting" (yeah right!) weights. It was social hour. I've tried running, but it was an attack on my body. I tried at-home workout DVD's. Adam literally had to drag me out of bed in the mornings to do it. Was I lazy? Maybe. Was I bored with the same workouts? Sure was. Was I getting anywhere with these bad/ lack of habits? Definitely NOT. It wasn't fun and I was never consistent. I also don't have the greatest health history as well as a family line of unfavorable health issues.
Adam wanted to help me overcome this dark cloud in my life so when we moved a month ago, he and I signed up at a gym and he got me a personal trainer...almost against my will.It was the point of no return... you know, I couldn't break a trainer contract. There was no where to go but forward into this unknown and terrifying change.

On my first day, I met with the head trainer for a one hour consultation. The conversation started off with basic questions. "What are your physical goals?" she asks. I reply "I want to get in shape and work on getting a butt like my husband." "Ok, great! Losing inches and working on your glutes." she says.  Then things got a little personal beyond my comfort level. She asked me the WHYS behind my different goals. At first, I just wanted to slim down and look great and "have fun shopping".  But as she digged deeper she broke me and uncovered  my insecurities and desires. With tear filled eyes I told her " I want to be healthy for myself and for my family. I want to look in the mirror and see someone I'm proud of, someone strong and happy." Though, I would've rather not broken down in the middle of a gym, she helped me find my motivation.  I had a rough pregnancy and delivery with Emery. If I can do something to avoid that then I NEED to. If I can feel better about myself by living a healthy lifestyle then I NEED to do somthing about it.

With my new found motivation, I set out to make a difference in my life. One of the biggest things that I have gathered from my trainers, documentaries, and health articles is...

YOUR DIET!

Your body transformation is 30% excercise and 70% DIET

Not necesssarily going on a diet, but eating clean foods. My favorite documentary about healthy eating is on netflix called "Hungry for Change". Anytime I need a good reminder I pop that on the screen.

It's only been six weeks since I started going to the Gym (with two family vacations in between) I haven't been terribly consistant...but I am getting there. Though, my gltues are looking more like my husbands :) I'm still learning to love excercise. To help with eating, my trainer gave me a guide to follow. If you want to slim down, you'll want to get those proteins in! I also use the app my Sister-in-Law shared with me called My Fitness Pal to track my calorie intake and learn about various health topics daily. Adam loves it becuase its like a game. When you add a meal, it decreases your allowed calorie count, and when you excercise, you get bonus calories to consume!!! I'm experiementing with different recipes that are easy and HEALTHY. 

 Detox Water! My favorite is lemon, cucumber and mint. Water can get boring so spruce it up! 

A friend from college is a great example of health and fitness. For some time I have admired her and wanted to know more about her experiences and thoughts. Caitlin is a trainer and gave me a lot of great advice. Read on!

1. Charlene: I want to write a blog on health/ gym goers. I don't know if you still go but I remember you would workout hardcore while pregnant. I thought it was so awesome and inspirational. 

Caitlin: Heavenly Father blessed me to have a healthy pregnancy. Working out while pregnant was one of the best things I could have done in preparation for my natural birth. Two days before the event, I had eyebrows raising all around me during my 3 sets of 20 squats. I loved it when people said it was motivating to see me.” That last push of getting my baby out, felt like the last squat in that last set of squats!! I was like ONE MORE I CAN DO IT! It felt good to be active during pregnancy, I was pregnant, not sick. I still work out every morning.  My husband and I do at home early morning workouts. We’ve used our living room as our weight room. Sometimes I’ll do a youtube video to add spice.

2. Charlene: I recently joined a gym and got a personal trainer. I like it but I’m still not at the point where I LOVE the change lol. 

Caitlin: Personal training can be an excellent tool. Sometimes the last little push you need though is a “smackdown” on the healthy eating. It can make or break the training. Check out some of my favorite Netflix videos- Forks over knives, Fed up, and Food Inc. What we put into our bodies is as important as what we do to them.

3. Charlene: As a mom what motivated you to go to a gym?

Caitlin: It felt TOO good to stop. It’s too cleansing to not. I had already formed a habit. It was my reflection time. I never went for more than an hour so it didn’t drag on. I kept it “sweat” and simple. Lol. I guess I wanted to prove something. I wanted to show woman that this was a positive, happy, fulfilling, accomplishing time in life. I wanted mostly to show woman the possibilities. I wanted to show woman that pregnancy can be a great time of self reflection and accomplishment. Human beings are made to work. I wanted to show that vigorous activity and working for health, cleanliness, or a goal, would be a blessing to the pregnancy (and life).

4. Charlene: How consistently did you go?  

Caitlin: a few morning sickness days got the better of me, but that was only in the first trimester. I went daily for the most part. M- bi, back. T-chest tri. W-shoulders. Th-chest, tri. Fri- glutes, inner + outer thighs. S-yoga. + 30 minute bike ride 2-3x’s per week. I still keep this general pattern with abs added back into Wednesdays when I’m not pregnant. Occasionally I’ll just do cardio for a whole week whether it’s running or a zumba or a kickboxing youtube video. Because I plan it in daily, it happens. I know that THAT time is dedicated to exercise.

5. Charlene: Did you ever not like going?

Caitlin: When my music wasn’t cooperating LOL. I really love it! Even if I work the same muscles weekly, I can change up the exercise, or learn a new one to keep it interesting.

6. Charlene: What benefits did you see and what goals (life or physical) did you accomplish. 

Caitlin: taking care of my body in as many ways as I know how, makes my concern and love for other people grow. I have been seeking out how to better keep the word of wisdom (check out the book Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation written by John A. Widsoe in1952, there were some things I really liked in there). The more I try to align myself with “God’s diet to man” found in the Doctrine and Covenants chapter 89, the more I grow.

7. Charlene: What are your thoughts on gym membership vs. Home workout DVDs? 

Caitlin: I like them both. Gyms are fun for friends. They are fun for group exercise, partner workouts, and different scenery. Gyms can also be a place of scantily clad intimidating people, it’s potentially time consuming, costs a lot of money, and there’s the drive, checking in, changing…the list goes on. If you wake up in your underwear, for example, you can make your bed, say your morning prayers, and pop your tablet on to a quick workout video and be at 140 beats per minute quicker than getting ready for the public. The only reason I wouldn’t spend money on DVD’s is because there is enough great workouts on youtube. At home is fine, but if I ever have a gym nearby that’s free I’m taking that route.

8. Charlene: You can answer some or all and add any piece of advice! I'd love to know your point of view. Thanks!”

Caitlin: here’s my last tid bit…..EAT CLEAN. As clean as you know how. Cut the fake stuff. Seek for the clean and the green. Connect every aspect of your life. Be one in mind body and spirit. Since being pregnant I’ve read some more books on eating clean. I bet eating clean will save me 25 lbs next pregnancy **)  (See Clean Eats by Alejandro Junger)

Lastly, I love this Chic. She makes great youtube videos for health tips and short workout rountines.  Check out Blogilates to see more videos!

My gym journey will be a long one...and hopefully a forever one. They say "moderation in all things" but I am seriously a popcorn fiend. My trainer told me popcorn is fluff...and if I eat fluff I will be fluffy! That's still a work in progress. I'm just happy my husband helped me make the first step toward making a change.