lifestyle

Putting Me First: Week 2 as a Mom at a Live-In Weight Loss Camp

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on a hike at camp Weight Loss—I tried to sleep in, I really did, but this is my first Monday morning weigh in! I have been here for one week and each Monday we all weigh in to see our progress. Every two weeks, we weigh and measure. My assessment time was 7:20am, but I was up at 5:00am. I was anxious. I wasn’t really scared because I felt like I did everything I was capable of and I knew I didn’t go off of the program’s nutrition plan one bit. I was still bouncing in my seat while I waited for my turn. It seemed to take forever and all I could think of is how awful the anticipation must be when Biggest Loser contestants have to sit on set and wait for their turn to weigh in.

The Big Weigh-In

I had a goal in my mind of 5 pounds. I thought that was optimistic, but I really wanted it. My dear friend here saw me on my way down, she lost 5 pounds. Another woman walked out losing 7 pounds. I was getting a little more nervous. Finally, it was my turn! I walked in and Wayne got me on the scale. I watched and saw it come up. I looked at Wayne and said, “Is that right?” He told me I lost 7 ½ pounds!! I jumped off the scale and hugged him, then rushed out to tell my roommates and friends who were waiting to hear! I was ecstatic! Then at lunch Wayne announced who this week's “Biggest Loser” at camp was… and I won! They take your percentage of weight lost and mine was 4%!! That means I won an extra massage at the spa! MONDAY ROCKS!

Rockin' The Workout

We did a hike on Monday morning and I was full of energy from the weight in and wanted to make it all the way to the top without stopping. I kept up the pace and not stop until it was time to come back down. I made it! It was awesome! I felt on top of the world! I found a friend on the way back and we both decided to jog down. I was pretty impressed with myself. We got back and did the resistance band class. I was really encouraged by my weight loss, so I tried to push myself at all of our Monday workouts. Then after boot camp, a few of us decided we wanted to walk back from the rec center instead of being dropped off at the church to walk back to camp. The walk from the church is about 2.5 miles, the walk from the rec center is closer to 5 or 5.5 miles. I booked it for most of the time and really felt like I gave it my all. I was extremely tired Monday night!!

Controlling Food Portions

Some days here I have been forcing myself to eat because I don’t feel hungry after working out or it doesn’t mesh with my taste buds, but this was gone really quick! One lunch, we had a grilled tuna steak with a fresh pico de gallo and vegetables. While at the camp we have multiple nutrition and cooking classes. This week we continued to learn about portion sizes. Liz, the nutritionist taught us "the plate method". First, don’t use a large dinner plate. Use the smaller (sometimes the salad plate at some places) one. Then one half of that plate should be salad and/or non-starchy vegetables. The remaining should be quartered between your protein and your starch. She also gave us a handout with the serving size of an item and a visual of what it would look like. For example, 3 oz. of protein equals a deck of cards or a small potato is the size of a computer mouse. I think this is especially helpful when you are eating out because you can’t measure it exactly.

Steaming Out The Stress

Tuesday has been my hardest day here so far. I was physically drained which quickly led to me being emotionally drained. Afternoon workouts were difficult and a couple of times I was close to tears because I was so frustrated that I couldn’t work as hard as I wanted to. Medicine ball class is always the worst for me because it is the end of the day and I am tired already. I struggled through and could not wait until dinner was over and I could hit the steam room. It has become one of my favorite times of the day. Savannah, Danielle and whoever else we can round up head down to sit in the sauna, the steam and then the hot tub for a few minutes. It relaxes my muscles and it really a nice time to just laugh and visit before bed.

Mix Up Your Workouts!

Luckily, I slept really well and Wednesday I was back to my happy-let’s-do-this-thing self. I was also excited that it was BOXING DAY! I think that is so funny that putting on the gloves and boxing with the bag or a trainer has become the thing that I really look forward to in the week. Even if trainer Brad just kind of shakes his head because I am so bad at it! Just a few weeks ago, I would be counting down the minutes until dessert! That seems so far away! We had Zumba again this week and we had a blast! It didn’t matter what age or shape you are, you just get in there and shake it! Thursday we have cardio kick-boxing which is still fun, but I really like the boxing better! Boot camp is a daily staple of our workouts and I am feeling like I am getting stronger when I am there.

Yes! Healthy Food Can Taste Great Too!

Let me just take a minute to say that the food this entire week has been fantastic. Between the chicken fajitas, lasagna (yes, a delicious and healthy version!), salmon, breakfast tostadas and the tuna steak my appetite is back! I would be concerned that would mean that I am not going to lose weight this week, but here at Premier Fitness Camp they portion our food and we know that the entire day is going to be within our calorie range. We were able to meet with Chef Jason for “Mamma Mia” night as well! He prepared us dinner with Italian flair and taught us how to make pasta with quinoa flour from scratch! He made a Bolognese sauce and instead of serving it over pasta, he served it over a rice/barley/vegetable mixture. I didn’t even miss the pasta noodles it was so good! We had carrots with kale as our vegetable and then got to interact and make the pasta ourselves! It is always so much fun to have cooking classes with Chef Jason! I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next week!

Missing My Family

It seems like forever since I was home at my own house, and yet, my time here is flying by! I can’t believe that I have already been here almost two weeks. Although I really miss being with my kids everyday, and especially miss my husband who can’t come for visits, today I felt a deep sadness to think of the people I won’t have in my everyday life in a few weeks. When I feel sad or upset about not seeing my family I just remember that I am here taking care of myself and this is going to make me so much better for my family if I am strong and healthy!

Come back here to the Mom It Forward blog and read more about my five week journey at a live-in weight loss camp. Here's last week's post - Putting Me First: Week 1 as a Mom at a Live-In Weight Loss Camp

Do you struggle to make time for yourself? How do you fit in exercise in workouts in your daily life as a busy mom?

I am 37 years old and a mom of 4 beautiful daughters. I am a stay-at-home mom who is never HOME! I do some work from home helping my husband run his business. My weight was not a problem until I got pregnant and began having children. I have never completely lost that weight. I have tried different diets and felt like a yo-yo for the past 8 years! (see me on far right of picture)

A combination of things happened in my life to make me decide to make some major lifestyle changes and putting myself first, making healthy choices for me and my family. Please join me on my journey here at the Mom It Forward Blog, on the Premier Fitness Blog, and on the Today's Mama Blog, as I do five weeks at the live-in camp and get twelve weeks of coaching and support after I return home. This is going to be life-changing! It is already life-changing!

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