Happy Monday and Happy August! I can NOT believe how quickly the year has flown by and how quickly SUMMER has gone. The boys fall sports have started, back-to-school activities are happening, and my calendar is getting filled! Oh what a fun season of life this is.
Last week was a blur of fun summer activities with the boys: Oceans of Fun, Worlds of Fun, swimming with friends, birthday parties and more! This week I am hoping to keep our activities a bit more at home. Soccer and football practices start. Before school appointments are happening. Lots of things going on… and fitting in fitness (and eating healthy) are on the agenda.
I find that I stick to my nutrition plan better when I pre-plan my meals ahead of time. Plus is a lot easier when I am staying home. Ever have to pack your massive amounts of chicken in a cooler when you travel to Worlds of Fun!? No fun! Ha. Those pretzels and dip n dots look so much better when you are hungry on the go.
My plan changes as the day goes on (sometimes I eat on the go and need to change the rest of the day’s meals). If you are curious, you can friend me on myfitnesspal to see what I eat each day. Now please be warned that it is what is working for me… and I am learning as I go. I am not perfect nor am I saying YOU should eat like me.
My fitness last week was hit and miss. I did a lot of walking… and a lot of sitting (reading). For some reason, when I focus on nutrition my fitness falls to the way side. And the same is true when I focus on fitness. I am working on finding balance with the two. I not only want to lose weight (lose body fat and gain muscle) but to get stronger (lift heavier and run faster). I want it all!
On a whim… spur of the moment… I decided to join Jill Fit’s 20×20 Fitness Challenge. It is FREE! She challenges you to workout 20 times in the month of August. 12 of the workouts need to be strength training (to which she provides a few workouts to kick your butt!). I completed day 1 on Saturday and look forward to sweating buckets with two more of her strength workouts this week.
Here is my fitness plan this week:
Monday: Strength
Tuesday: Run
Wednesday: Strength
Thursday: Run
Friday: Strength
Saturday: Run
I know it isn’t super specific this week. My strength workouts will be from Jill. They are 20 minutes of lifting heavy with HIIT focus. My running will be heart rate training (using my polar heart rate monitor).
Alright, my morning is off to a productive start (Jesus, coffee, breakfast, laundry, blogging)… now to get my sweat on before it gets too hot here in Kansas City!
Have a great day and week!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I always find that having a challenge like the one you’re doing really helps me stick to a plan. It makes me feel like there are other people holding me accountable, and I have to make good on my promise to follow through. I hope it works that way for you!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
Good luck with your August challenge. I love participating in challenges to help keep me motivated and to help hold me accountable.
Becki S says
I am totally with you. When I focus alot on nutrition and meal planning and counting macros, my fitness routine often is meh, and vice versa. Sometimes I just think we have too much to think about to fit it all up there 😉
Rachel says
Haha! Yes. I agree. I just don’t have the focus/motivation to not have a plan (fitness or nutrition) to be successful with my goals. So… LOTS of planning I shall do 🙂
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I do believe that preplanning meals is the key! I have planned our weekly menus for years. Preplanning makes shopping easier, and it sure is nice to know what we are having for dinner ahead of time. Plus you have total control over the ingredients.
Jenn says
Best of luck with your challenge!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
For some reason I suck with challenges, I don’t know why!! You’d think they would help!! I will have to look up that strength plan you are doing! I need to be consistent with my strength training!
Rachel says
Haha. I love planning… it is the follow through that I lack (and suck at too). Hopefully I will be able to stick it out. 😉 Day 3 and going strong! haha
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club says
I totally love Jill Fit and have been following her FOREVER!! And starting the day off with Jesus sounds like the right way to go. LOVE IT.
Ivanna says
Great plan for the week, I hope it goes awesome!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Wow back to school stuff already?! My kids don’t start school until after labor day. My daughter is going to college in 2 weeks though
Marcia says
All the best with the challenge! As for back to school, I’m in denial about that. Summer flies by way too fast.
Coach Hennessr says
Oh man, fun challenge! I know what you mean about plans changing as the day goes on. And totally, having things preplanned helps make it easy to stay on track even as you have to shift things around. Way to go, girl!
Margo says
Good luck with your August challenge!
MCM Mama Runs says
I used to be really good about doing challenges, but lately I’ve been awful. I really need to get back to the weights.
I make a meal plan every Monday before I got to the grocery store so that I can figure out what items I need and what I have.
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
I like the sound of those 20 minute workouts – I look forward to seeing your recaps of it! I jsut checked out her website but couldn’t find those workout you’re talking about?
eliz frank says
It was an interesting observation that your nutrition and/or fitness seem to switch off when you focus on one or the other. I have that experience too and it’s good to know we are not alone… Finding balance really does take work and effort. 🙂