Chapter 5: New Year Resolutions, 7lbs down, Focus T25-Beta, lost INCHES?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! 

Welcome 2015...where New Year Resolutions are made!!!

I decided  to update since it has been a while since my last post in this section of my blog (December 3rd wow...full month). So what's my progress?!!!

So Far I've LOST 7LBS (OMG!!!).

I've lost a total of 9" OVERALL or 1.5" each area (ex. waist, hips etc)

Though for some people, that may be nothing but for me, seeing that number on the scale after not seeing it for AWHILE (or more like seeing the number increase -_-) its a good accomplishment! I'm trying to lose about 60-80lbs so 7lbs is indeed progress. It also shows that what I'm doing currently  is working!

How Have I Lost Weight So Far?

1. Diet or Lifestyle:

Brown Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Egg with Black Pepper/Salt and Roasted Chicken

• So I personally HATE diets. I think diets are pretty useless since your not going to be on a diet forever right? I want to make this a LIFESTYLE change. Ive noticed some people going on diets where they eat REALLY healthy and yes, the weight drops fast which of course I would love to happen to me too. However, once u end this diet and go back to the OLD food you use to eat, sadly that weight will ALL return and more.
• Therefore, Ive been trying my best to have more healthier meal choices. I still personally struggle when I go outside with friends (which I'll talk about later) but when I'm home, I have improved in eating much better food.  
• Another thing is WATER. I drink LOTS of water!!!! About 10-12 glasses or MORE! Lowest I drink is about 7-9 (thats ONLY if I go outside and dont bring a water bottle). 
• TRACK WHAT YOU EAT!!!!
• I never liked tracking my food online or on my phone since I'll either forget or it just doesn't happen! Now I track everything I eat, drink and my workouts in a book! I started on Dec.8th and I've kept using it (like a weight loss bible now)! I write down everything I do and really helps on those days where I'm starving and dont know why?

2. Workouts/Routine?

Example of what I aim for at the Gym

•  Some people have been asking me what I do at the gym or how have I been losing weight? I go to GoodLife Fitness about 2-4 times a week currently as well as do Focus T25. 
• GoodLife Fitness Gym
• I go to Goodlife normally on Mondays, Tuesdays, and the other 2 days are pretty random. It all depends on how I feel and if  I think I need to do another workout. I normally focus on Cardio especially Treadmill. I now started focusing on weights to get toned and lose fat/replace it with muscle 
• ZUMBA (Mondays):  
• I LOVE ZUMBA! People who say Zumba doesn't burn calories is LYING or dont know what they're talking about!!!!! I dont even reach the best of my ability (still learning) with the moves/steps and I burn on average 450-500 calories within the hour. The best part is, I'M HAVING FUN! I burn more when I go on stage to dance in front of the class since I work harder (everyone watching you >.<). Class #4 is on Monday. 
• Focus T25: 
• I started with Beta Phase of T25 because I was bored with Alpha. I have tried alpha 3 times (completed it once fully) and was just bored since I knew the moves already!. However Beta is TOTALLY DIFFERENT!! Now THIS is what you call a workout! Its so much more intense, fast pace and all those moves you learned in Alpha MAKE SENSE! With this/combined with my gym workouts have contributed to my weight loss. It in-cooperates weights and cardio so I get some weight training within the week. Today I finished Day 17. Did I mention its only 25 MINUTES >:D
• BTW I currently have ONLY been doing the modified version of all the videos. Therefore, Next month I will be REDOING Beta Phase but with little to NO modifications. 

• How many Days I workout on average: 
• With Home workouts and Gym workouts combined I work out probably 5-6 days a week. In December, I worked out 22/31 days of the month (which was due to the holidays and I was kinda lazy =D)

3. Do I have Any Goals I Want to Achieve?

• OF COURSE!!!! Everyone always has new goals to achieve when its the New Year. However, I have stopped with the whole New Year = New Me Nonsense. Compared to other years, I have been working out before the new year and am expecting to continue working out and trying to make it a habit even a lifestyle!
• I wrote down a list of rewards I will treat myself too once I lose a # of lbs. Though personally, I HATE THE SCALE with a Passion due to a number of reasons but I will SADLY use it for a while? I will probably use it till I reach 10lbs lost and than will check either monthly or whenever I feel like :D! One main reason for me is that due to my body type. I weigh ALOT heavier on the scale and when I lose weight (inches) it seems the scale increases -_-. So I will not be dependent on it. Also, A NUMBER DOES NOT DEFINE YOU!!!! 

• I have some plans in August with my best friend and REALLY want to look Goood like SEXYYYYY GOOD for it. Therefore, my currently goal is to lose enough weight by August 2015. Therefore I have about 8 months!!!

That is what I've been doing so far. When I went to Zumba last week, my friend told me I looked like I lost weight. I think it may be cause I was wearing black pants but I do feel I have lost a little bit on my thighs. Regardless, I'm going to keep pushing. I will make another update probably by the end of the month since I will be done Beta Phase of Focus T25.

I took new before pictures when I was at the gym last week with my friend so I will post an update in a month or two when I see better progress or results.

The remaining of my goals will be kept to myself for now. I have removed many people from my Facebook since I didn't want many people knowing my plans or personal life. Now the people remaining are people I talk to daily or inspire me. I also becoming a "fitness hermit" and reducing my hangouts since that of course will lead to junk food and I want to stay on course this year!!!!

Another way to remind myself of my results and goals are STICKY NOTES! Love putting them all over my computer, so whenever I come on to play videogames etc its another reminder to get off my ass and workout =3

Measurements, Goal Sizes, Due dates etc

Thanks for Reading and hoped this helps some of you achieve your goals!!! Be Strong!! <3 ~

Till Next Time...

Yumoyori <3~

Chapter 4: December Goals, Zumba, One Month to 2015

December is here and so is my GYM membership! I registered for GoodLife Fitness in November with my workplace (I get really good discount so instead of paying $60/month, I pay $29) and it started December 1st.

Me and the bestie, Anissa, went to go workout but they apparently, couldn't find me on the system. So, we had to wait for one of the fitness advisors to come check the computer to try and locate my name. Thankfully, I had not deleted the confirmation of payment email I got as well as the corporate welcome package PDF. That was enough evidence to prove I paid. Instead of sending us home, they let us in for FREE (Anissa pass is only for one location, so I was suppose to pay $5 bucks but that never happened) and informed me if they cant find me still, they will give me a pass till it shows up on their system (Wow, so nice).

Finch station location is the closest one to me (10 minute bus/5 minute car) so I wanted to go there and see where everything was located especially the Zumba room. After changing, we clearly found the zumba room from all the loud music. We ended up joining in; talk about FUN! After that we did stair master, treadmill, and some squats! My friend is evil when it comes to the gym, she like my personal trainer who isn't paid. I really had to push myself but it was a good overall workout. Whenever, my heart rate would go to 160+ Anissa would tell me to slow down, esp on the treadmill. I suck at running long distance, but interval training is a start!

In terms of goals for December, I of course want to get some results, but want to be more dedicated to my workouts and eating habits. My friend Lina, got me this cool book called "Cinch" and it centres on stopping cravings and lose weight etc. So, Im gonna look into it and see how I can implement it. Now that I have a gym membership with a gym that has locations on every subway stop, I can't use many excuses anymore. Going to still combine my home workouts but go to the gym as well.

I LOVE these Shoes...

Overall goal is to workout 4-5 times a week using home workouts, weights, gym cardio and Zumba classes. For food, Im going to make a eating schedule and continue my preps.

New Year is approaching with that obviously "new goals new me" status. I just want to continue this goal and show improvement now, than waiting till 2015 comes around and hop on the "New Year Resolution Train"

Guess will wait and see. Had an awesome week so far, going to the gym with the bestie and by myself in the morning (which is rare for me). 2-3 more workouts this week =3

Till Next Time...

Yumoyori <3~

Chapter 3: 2lbs LOST, Focus T25 Alpha, Shaun T Crazy

Today marks Week 2, Day 4 of Focus T25 (W2D4) and I've lost 2lbs so far!

2lbs isn't ALOT, I have to admit (could honestly just be water weight), but I think its good progress. Im not to focused on my weight atm because it wont be AS accurate as it could be for many reasons.

I do night shifts 4-5 times per week, so its almost impossible for me to weight myself the same time since the days I have night shift, I have to switch my whole schedule opposite (day time=sleeping, night time= food, workout etc). I clearly understand that this CAN hinder my weight loss just a bit since I'm confusing my body, especially on my days off when I go back to my Day-Food/workout and Nights- Sleeping pattern. Regardless,  I wont let it hinder me at this point. As stated, Im not AS concerned with my weight, my focus is on how my measurements or the feel of my clothes so I'll weight myself in December 1st since I start the gym that day.

I got myself the Polar FT4 Heart Monitor Watch (well do a review later). I realized I haven't been pushing myself to the best of my body capabilities. In my double workout when I got my watch, I did an about an hour workout and ONLY burned about 180/workout. Doing a double workout, and adding squats/dumb bell lifts with 5lb weights, I burned 405 calories. This is pretty low for me. When I use to do Insanity, where I lost 33lbs, I would burn about 500-650 within 1 hour of workouts. With Cardio portion of T25, many individuals usually reach 200+ but for me to only reach 180, was kinda disappointed.

So, I analyzed what I was currently doing. With T25 there is the main workout moves and there is a modified version. Jumps are still pretty hard for me due to my weight and such (which honestly sometimes I use that as an excuse) so I usually do the modified moves for all these workouts for the first week of T25. However, regardless of doing modified you can still be sweating buckets which only proves that the real thing will get your body burning!

Today, was Cardio and I had just woken up from my 12+ hour sleep =3= (I have a night shift so...). When I pressed play, I decided, lets push myself today. Instead of just the modified moves, I alternated between the two. I would start with the normal move OR modification, after 15 seconds, switch (if I did the normal move, I would switch to modification IF I cant continue). So some jumps include the basic jumping jacks/rope, squat jumps, high knees, lung progression etc. By 15 minutes in, I was already sweating and feeling it in my legs. However, I continued forward and by the time I was done BAM 200 calories! After the 3 minute cool down, 100 squats and 20 dumb bell raises with 5lbs I was at 265 calories burned! Much better improvement than before.

Now that my "experiment" has been successful (I survived the workout), I'm gonna push myself harder for the remaining 3 weeks of Alpha. I want results! Thats my primary goal. I'm in a Focus T25 Facebook group where many people post their results etc, and T25 CAN get me to where I wanna be. Alpha round is literally just a stepping stone to the REAL thing.

I reviewed Beta, just a little peak to the workouts I'm going to be doing the middle of next month and WOW. Talk about crazy/intense. Thankfully,  there is also a modification version as well. So once Alpha is over with, I'll be performing Beta twice (1st round modification/2nd round hard core). By than, with the addition of my gym workouts with my best friend/zumba classes, I'll determine IF I will redo both Alpha and Beta again OR progress to Gamma (CRAZY INTENSE ROUND! Zero modification). I personally love Shaun T workouts, especially this one since its all centred on getting you results within a good time limit that ANYONE can incorporate in their schedule.  Im pretty busy person myself but 25 minutes....I can do that.

That's what has been going on with me! I'll update on Dec.1st or 2nd after my first gym workout at Goodlife Fitness with my best friend and any changes in my weight/measurements. Still been eating as healthy as I can (I need to go shopping, ran out of salad) with the occasional hangouts. Trying to choose healthier options when I go out with friends, so well see how this week goes (have 3 hangouts -__-).

Till Next Time...

Yumoyori <3~