Created an 8 week workout challenge
I should have posted a lot sooner but to be honest I wasn’t sure if the habits would stick so I waited… it is now Week 3 Da 1 of my 8 week challenge. My dad will be here in 6 weeks on March 19 to visit. Two weeks ago I gave myself a 8 week challenge to lose some weight and make and keep some habits I’ve been slacking on.
I’m proud to say that I have lost about 1 pound every week. The workout I am showing was created with the help of CHATGPT. I wanted to do a full body workout that included strength training, Pilates, and cardio (aka my mini stepper). This workout takes me 45-50 minutes every time I do the full 3 sets/rounds.
My habits are “simple”:
1. Workout
I created my own personalized workout cause the only person that knows me best and what I can handle is myself. I love my mini stepper and love to do Pilates. I also like doing strength training. Creating a workout that had all the things I enjoy is what helps make every day consistent. I do this “circuit” Monday Wednesday Friday. I’ll be honest I was trying to do 3 days on 1 day off but life has been lifing as a mom and wife. So I’m going to do my circuit MWF, weekends we typically go for a family walk or to the park or go run errands in the next town over since ours is very small. (Trust me when I say I get my steps in majority of the time.) I’ve decided that depending on the events and situation (if kiddo or hubby are sick/home/im not feeling good or aunt Flo is visiting and my energy is low) that Tuesdays and Thursdays are a (active) rest day. This I feel will guarantee me working out 5 days or more every week.
2. Eat healthier.
I started a 500 calorie deficit diet and have been able to keep it. I generally have an average of burning 2100-2300 calories every day so my minimum calorie consumption needs to be 1500 with a max of 1700. I know the math ain’t mathing but this is what the average has been for me and has been working amazing for me. I’ve seen and felt results in just the 2 full weeks I’ve been doing this. My cheat sheet is this: look at the serving size and decide how much you really need, look at the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t have anything bad in it, no more than 9 grams total (this includes added sugar only; if it has sugar alcohols or that erithonyl in it I won’t eat/drink it). I’ve recently (only the last few days) been using MyFitnessPal instead of chatGPT to keep track of calories. If I miss a calorie or 5 or 10 I won’t stress it. Like a swig of milk… not counting cause how do count that anyways? I eat a lot healthier now than previously because I’m looking at the label.
3. 5k steps
My goal is 5k steps daily but believe it or not when you don’t have a car or can’t walk by yourself in your neighborhood… 5k can sometimes be tough so as long as I get a MINIMUM of 3500 steps in then I’m happy. I’m honestly hoping once hubby starts working from home we can go on walks together during his lunch and I can aim higher like 8k+ steps daily.
4. Drink 64oz of water…
To be honest I’m failing at this my average is maybe 58oz but I’m doing my best to get as close to 64oz as possible daily. I won’t beat myself up on it cause I’m a mom to a special needs kiddo so I’m constantly busy and forget to grab my half gallon water bottle but I do always end up drinking 3 bottles of water…
5. Read
I already do this but since school break ended… it’s been hectic… therapists calling in sick, hubby getting sick, kiddo getting sick, house maintenance, car maintenance… it’s just been busy.
Questions or comments down below!
#weightlossworkout #weightlossandfatloss #8weekmechallenge #Lemon8Diary #lemon8fitness
Embarking on an 8-week workout challenge can be an empowering journey towards fitness and health. Many individuals, like myself, often seek ways to establish sustainable habits while integrating enjoyable exercises. For this challenge, I focused on a comprehensive program involving strength training, Pilates, and cardio exercises that resonated with my preferences. To stay consistent, I've structured my workout schedule around my family commitments, ensuring that I perform circuit training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This routine includes various exercises aimed at improving overall strength and endurance. I've also introduced active rest days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, allowing me to recover while still engaging in physical activities like family walks. In addition to exercise, I've implemented a calorie deficit strategy to enhance weight loss, aiming to consume around 1,500 to 1,700 calories daily. Keeping a close eye on nutritional intake through tools like MyFitnessPal has helped me maintain this balance while ensuring I’m making healthier food choices. Daily step goals are another crucial aspect of my challenge. I aim for a minimum of 3,500 to 5,000 steps each day, which can be a motivating target for anyone looking to increase their daily activity levels. Hydration is also significant, and while I strive to drink 64 ounces of water daily, I aim to improve gradually. Overall, this challenge has provided me with the structure and motivation I needed to steer my lifestyle towards healthier habits. Feel free to follow along, share your own experiences, or ask questions—let’s inspire one another!
