Before I get into talking about workouts and meals and such, I wanted to thank everyone who commented on my post about how much I hate diets, superficial fitness pros, and the lack of support we lend resolutioners. It sparked some great conversation with friends and on Facebook, too. I’m happy with the number of people who felt the same way. If you haven’t read it, have at it…I’d love to hear your take, too.
Let’s talk planning, why don’t we?
I’m sure you’ve heard that wise cliché. While I’m a huge fan of just being, I can’t help but say that in certain cases, planning is a must. Or I just get lazy. Haha. I admit it. I don’t like to plan everything in my life, but when it comes to workouts and meals, I have to. Or I’m in trouble.
Last week, I failed to plan, and you can probably guess what that means.
I did, on the other hand, get all my runs in for the week, and I credit that to the fact that once I start, that natural need to run comes right back. What I didn’t get done were my other workouts. While I would normally be really down on myself for that, I’m not now – I’m just now feeling back to myself and I’m cutting myself some slack. My meals didn’t get planned either, but I did maintain a pretty good grip on healthy eating. The weekend was my problem.
So while I failed to plan those pretty critical things, I didn’t stray too far from where I would have liked to have been this past week. Weight loss? Zilch. Weight gained? Zilch. I’m cool with that.
This week, however, I’m shooting to plan better.
First up – workouts. I’m trying to make a general routine that doesn’t require that I have to plan workouts every week. (Of course, if I’m not feeling a particular workout that day, I have plenty of options.) I’m trying to get back into the routine I had been so faithful to last year and establish the “habit” before baby #3 becomes more than a thought. My first two pregnancies were very uneventful and both of our girls are healthy and bright – I couldn’t have asked for a better experience being pregnant with either of them. It’s the postpartum experience I worry about, and that had everything to do with weight. That’s part of the reason why I started on this journey. (I’ll save the story about my experiences postpartum for another day. It’s not just any postpartum weight loss story.)
So here’s the plan.
- Mondays: Barre (Physique 57)
- Tuesdays: Running & Abs (Core Fusion); PM Yoga/Meditation
- Wednesdays: Barre (Physique 57)
- Thursdays: Running & Abs (Core Fusion); PM Yoga/Meditation
- Fridays: Barre Arms & Abs (Physique 57)
- Saturdays: Rest
- Sundays: Running & PM Yoga/Meditation
As you can see, I’ve got a wee bit of focus on my abs. No, I’m not setting goals to obtain the almighty six-pack right now, haha – I’m simply going for core strength necessary for healthy pregnancy and an easier time postpartum. It may seem like a lot, but the abdominal workouts are short and effective, and we all know runners benefit from yoga. (And boy do I need to loosen up.)
As for accountability? I’m posting it all on DailyMile and Facebook. Friend me. ‘Like’ me. PLEASE. Haha. Whatever you want…and you have my permission to say whatever it is you need to say to get my ass moving if you don’t see me posting. Mmkay? That’s what got me through half marathon training after all. 
As for meals, the one thing that’s changed drastically in this house is that salads have become a staple at every dinner. I eat more salad than I do the actual dinner, and I’m finding myself craving them every day now. It feels great to be craving far less sugar. Now, I’m off to plan for the rest of the week and get that barre workout in.
QOTD: What social media platforms do you use to stay accountable? Do you plan your meals? What are your favorite tools for planning workouts and meals?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Every week when Sunday night rolls around I want to do this: plan out all my workouts for the week, but it never ends up happening. Good for you for doing it!
Thanks! I say go for setting a schedule you can keep for a month. I know a lot of people who switch things up all the time, but for me, I need to plan a month ahead of time. Works if you can keep the same time schedule! Now planning meals? Haha. That’s a whole other issue.
I spend Sunday afternoons prepping my food for the week so I know what I’m making for dinner on the nights that I’m home. I also make a bunch of things that I can freeze and bring for lunch during the week. That way I keep my nutrition on track.
As for my workouts, I have a coached swim workout 3x a week and run group 2x a week so I plan anything else around those workouts. Kinda hard to stray when I have people that I feel somewhat accountable to, ha ha.
I love your workout focus, of course
not that I am biased! Accountability is huge for me too, and is so motivating, ya know? You can do this, I SO know you can 
XO
AMEN girl! I couldn’t agree more with your quote, no matter how “overused” it may seem. I just posted about this in my most recent post about last week’s diet/exercise. Exercise seems to come easy, especially the running because it’s addicting. But my eating plan? Yeah, there was no plan, so who knows what I ate. Like you, I didn’t stray THAT far off track or gain weight, but it’s still disappointing to realize that I just let that part of my plan go. Back to planning I go!
Good luck with your workouts. I use twitter for workout accountability and I track all my workouts on a workout log on my blog. No idea if anyone cares, but it makes me feel better knowing it’s “out there” for the world to see.
HUGE fan of plans — but not in just any ‘ol plan, a plan that you make your own and a plan that makes you WANT to come back to it day in and day out. This plan looks like a great one for you — loving the focus on core (and obviously on barre!). I’m excited for you my friend — and you know I’ll keep you accountable, probably on twitter more than anything.
Popped in from SITS! I just started Pilates and have noticed a total difference in my abs and core strength. Those blogliate videos are wonderful!
Lack of planning has been my fatal flaw for over a year now. I know I need to get back on top of it to reach my fitness goals, thanks for the push I needed! I just friended you on dailymile, btw : )
Recently just found your blog and I’m really enjoying it
I think planning is definitely the key! I don’t use any apps per se to keep me on target but I put it in my diary and make sure I stick to it (usually stupid stuff like I’ll work out on days I need to wash my hair, then I have to otherwise it messes with my hair routine haha – very silly I know).
And I’m definitely a meal planner. I do the food shop with my meals in mind (and a back-up or two for easy meals if it all fails).
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