a new (motivated) me

i've come full circle from 2011, and re-joined Steve Nash Fitness Clubs. my 2 year membership at 30 Minute Hit isn't quite over yet (due to my 3 month suspension from last year's car accident), but i haven't been going consistently.  part of it is the monotony of the same circuit, and the other part is the restrictive hours.  i know i can take the kids with me and they'll sit and play on their gadgets, but J has been unpredictable lately and more attached to me.
i think my big motivation is turning the big 4-0 this year (yahoo!).  but i also want to feel better about myself, and really focus on being healthy.  

so, let's get it out there.  my mid-april weigh-in with my trainer was 182 lbs.  surprisingly, this is lower than i had thought i weighed :)  so i have a goal in mind...to lose 30 lbs before i turn 40 (#30before40).  since my birthday isn't until december, it's a real possibility. 

so what am i doing about it?
 
step 1:  i joined the gym.
joining a gym is easy for me...i've done it 4 different times in 10 years.  the challenge i face is once i join, i need to GO to the gym and KEEP GOING. see step 2.

step 2:  i booked 15 sessions with a personal trainer
i've committed to see my trainer 2x a week, plus 2x a week on my own.  that's the minimum. since i joined 10 days ago, i've managed to hit the gym 8x. after only 2 sessions with my trainer, we're already starting to see some results.  i'm going to have him video me doing some exercises to see the end results after 15 sessions.

step 3:  i'm tracking my food & exercise with myfitnesspal
it's true, tracking all of the food i eat is definitely making me more aware of how much i'm eating, and how much good vs. bad i'm eating.  the tracking app isn't perfect...i'm picking food descriptions that match as closely as possible to my intake.  but, just knowing that i'm accountable to my trainer has me more aware of choices i make. i ate out twice this week, and both times opted for a salad instead of burgers & fries which is more up my alley. i realize that restaurant salads aren't perfect...they still have plenty of fat and calories depending on the toppings and dressing.  but i'm making baby step progress. i've also resisted ordering my usual coca-cola, and opted for club soda with lemons & limes.  i really like my fizzy drinks :)

step 4:  i connect w/my trainer between sessions about my "diet"
i have to be accountable to someone.  yes, the app helps open my eyes to the calories, fat, etc.  but having someone i can message for advice and motivation is helpful.  it also helps that he loves food as much as i do, so he can relate to my food tendencies.  but, he also is serious about me reaching my goals.  it also helps that i have mom-friends who inspire me and motivate me to be a better healthier me.
 
so, what's next?  i'm determined to keep up with this blog just so i can track progress and be accountable to myself.  this is it...i want this. #30before40 #BRINGITON