Project Indigo- Week 2
Week 1:
Work Outs x3- Run, HIIT Test and Legs and Abs
Eating Plan: On Point
Week 2:
Work Outs x0
Eating Plan: On Point with the introduction of treat day on Saturday
INDIGO INTROSPECTION
This is a weird start to a project for me because it feels like I'm already at the midway point. Don't get me wrong it is going well but I normally explode into projects with enthusiasm and motivation with my plan of action and I haven't done this time, it feels more slow, steady and relaxed.
It might be because Spain is just under 3 months away so I know I have plenty of time to prepare and I don't want to peak too soon or it might be because I haven't completely given into the 'pudgy interim' (see my previous blog 'Mind the Gap' if you have no idea what this means) and I started back on it again just as I was starting to feel a little bit uncomfortable as opposed to the norm, which would be when I was back at square one and completely miserable, so I'm not starting at zero. I'm not quite sure why it feels more calm, but I am still working towards my holiday goals.
I went on a run last week and I was surprised at how quickly my fitness has left me; I hadn't really worked out for about 5 weeks and I had been running about 2/3 times for the few weeks before we went to Santorini, but I really struggled and had to stop quite a lot. Cardio is a bitch really and I'm not a great runner to begin with. I also did a HIIT session last week (designed by FitByFrankii) which was HARD but I did my best.
Week 2 consisted of no workout sessions but lots of walking, a very busy work week with some late nights and lots of heavy duty gardening because the weather was so good. I don't feel guilty for not working out in the traditional sense because I still got some exercise and was out in the sunshine. I've also reintroduced Treat Days on Saturdays to keep me on track and accountable during the week if I know I have food to look forward to at the weekend.
Over the weekend I also figured out why I put on weight in the Summer and not the Winter, which is what everyone else seems to do and its all down to NI weather. On Sunday it was an absolutely beautiful day; the sun was blaring, there was no wind at all and it was sweltering at 23 degrees. We were in the garden and I was outside in a bikini ALL DAY which is something I've never done before here at home and then it hit me, if Summer was actually hot here and I knew I was going to be in a bikini all Summer that would be motivation keep on target and to not just eat everything. When we have good weather here its normally for only a couple of hours and what do we do? We have a BBQ, every single time. Not that I'm complaining (I love food), but as the weather is meant to be better this coming week I want to be more confident when I feel like throwing on a bikini. I was maybe like 70% comfortable in how I looked in my bikini but it was just me and Mark in the garden so I didn't mind but it was the perfect kick up the arse to actually work out after a busy and gym-less week.
I've also been quite bad at updating MyFitness Pal and tracking my calorie intake; this is really important for me because I would often eat too little instead of too much when I'm being good. It's not a deliberate restriction as in I've stopped eating, its more of the fact that I find it very hard to find healthy calorie dense foods. Foods that I find to top up my calories, for example protein bars or shakes, can be packed full of sugar and I don't want that. I also miss lunch terribly; I'm doing my vegan shakes again and they taste fine but I LOVE FOOD. So much. And shakes don't quite cut it.
But it'll be worth it, and now doubly so because I have a new goal! I am off on an adventure to Budapest in August with my best friend Ruth and we're away to celebrate my lovely friend Emma's 30th birthday. Em&m and I met when we were doing our Masters at Queens University, Belfast and I'm so fricking excited to celebrate with her and go on a girls trip with Ruthie! Budapest is in 53 days and Spain is in 82 days so it is double on!
