little progress is still progress.

For the past 4 weeks, I've been doing Jamie Eason's LiveFit program.

On Sunday, I completed Phase 1. I'm happy to say that I didn't miss one workout in the past 4 weeks. I even bought a day pass to a gym when I was out of town for the weekend so I could still get in my workout.

During Phase 1, the workouts focus on weight lifting with no cardio. This was new to me and at first I thought it was strange. But I soon found out that I love weight lifting and skipping cardio wasn't so bad either.

The LiveFit program also focuses on eating clean and taking supplements. Although I didn't miss a workout during Phase 1, I did slack on these two.

Monday, I started Phase 2 off with a bang and did back and cardio (Phase 2 cardio is adding back in).

During this phase, I'm hoping to focus more on eating clean (abs are made in the kitchen!).

LiveFit 12 week trainer.

I've decided to try Jamie Eason's LiveFit 12-week trainer program.

It's a 3-phase program that focuses on training, nutrition and supplements and the best part is it's completely FREE.

It's all planned out too! It offers daily workouts and meal/recipe ideas. There are also a lot of videos to help explain exercises and to help motivate during each week.

Today, is day #1 for me!

Some main points:
-  eat within 1 hour of waking up
-  eat 5-6 small meals a day (every 3 hours)
-  take a multivitamin
-  take one tablespoon of fish oil or flaxseed daily

This weekend I went grocery shopping to stock up on healthy food.

Then my boyfriend came over and we meal prepped for the week. We made: rhubarb muffins, homemade salsa, zucchini/turkey burgers, homemade granola bars, protein pancakes, lemon tilapia, baked chicken, hawaiian chicken & cut up veggies!

homemade salsa, protein pancakes, chicken breasts (for wraps)

fresh cut veggies & bananas

It took a couple of hours to prepare everything but it will save a lot of time during the week!

This morning I woke up and weighed myself and checked my body fat% and BMI.

After eating a quick breakfast, I walked to my gym and did the first workout (chest & triceps). I was quite nervous at first. I've lifted a couple times with my boyfriend but never by myself. But after asking the guy at the desk and walking around and checking stuff out, I started to feel more confident.

I completed the entire workout and felt great after!

My goals for this week are:
-  have 1 fruit & vegetable every day
-  no pop
-  do all my LiveFit workouts in the morning before work

I'm excited to start this new program!

something has to change.

I'm happy to say that I reached my goal this past week of going 5 days without sweets & pop. I went from Tuesday to Saturday.

I went home for the weekend and that was the hardest. When I got home on Friday, my dad offered me million dollar bars... blondie crust bottom, a layer of caramel and then a layer of chocolate on the top. They looked amazing but I resisted.

Then Saturday, we celebrated my brother's birthday as a family. My mom made homemade chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. It was served with vanilla ice cream. I resisted and had a bowl of cantaloupe instead... there's a first time for everything!

It felt great to be able to resist things and work on having stronger will power.

Sunday, I had sweets. I don't think I over did it but I definitely enjoyed it.

Then I weighed myself Monday morning... I had gained a little weight.

It made me so mad. I've been gaining a little bit here and there each week and I've been in a great habit of working out 3-4 times a week.

That's when I realized it's time... it's time to change up something and that something is food.

I'd like to continue to workout but now I'd like to focus a little more on what I'm eating.

will power.

Today is the 3rd day with no sweets (for my 5 day no sweets goal).

To make this goal really easy, I wouldn't ever be around sweets therefore not being tempted.

But... that's not reality and that wouldn't help with having better will power.

Here were some big temptations so far:

     -  Day #1: One of my friends is moving and wants to get rid of a bunch of her stuff. She invited some of her friends over to see if we wanted anything before she donated it to the thrift store. When I got there (around 9pm), I saw that she had a bunch of snacks and drinks on the table... pop, funfetti dip, graham crackers, chips & salsa, iced popcorn, plain popcorn, etc. It all looked so good. I bypassed the table and went into the living room to look at the things she had set out to give away. A couple of girls were chatting and snacking on the delicious looking funfetti dip. I wanted that dip so bad and a pop. I resisted both and opted for some chips and salsa and some plain popcorn.

     -  Day #2: An hour into work, one of my coworkers brought in a big box of fresh donuts to my office. He said "take your pick." They looked and smelled amazing. I remembered my goal and politely declined (telling him about my 5 day no sweets goal). I decided to eat my peach instead. As I was walking to the bathroom to rinse it off, some of the guys saw me and started teasing me... "look at these tasty donuts"... "just eat one"... "don't they smell amazing"... I just laughed it off. Usually the donuts get devoured right away (and I just have to resist for an hour or so). But yesterday they didn't... they sat on the counter almost all afternoon. They just stared at me every time I walked by them to go to the bathroom or fill up my water bottle.

In the end, regardless of the temptation I faced, I was strong and didn't give in to it.

I'm sure each day of this challenge will be hard (each with different temptations).

I'm so glad I'm doing it though! Here's to another day being strong, resisting temptation and having better will power!

day #1 - no sweets.

I have a bad sweet tooth and need to work on getting it under control.

Back in March, I achieved my goal of going 5 days without sweets. It was hard and I almost gave in a couple of times. But when I accomplished my goal, it felt great!

So today marks the first day of no sweets. My goal is to go 5 days without sweets. I would like to eventually go 10 days but I'm starting small and working my way up.

I'm telling myself I don't want or need the following things:
     -  ice cream
     -  chocolate
     -  pop & sugary drinks
     -  candy
     -  donuts

Here's to day #1!