In a better place. Literally.

Well, it’s been a while!  My main excuse is that my puppy chewed my laptop charge cord and it’s literally been months since I’ve used a computer at home.  I finally sucked it up and ordered one on Amazon.  My second excuse is that I’ve been busy working out!  And third, helloooooo…. It’s been so nice out!  I’ve been gardening and swimming and taking my dogs to the dog park and doing everything possible to spend time outside! 

So, it’s not you, it’s me.  

Anyway, on this journey of mine, I have found a new path to take, and I'm in a new place.  Literally.  I go to a new gym that I LOVE!

I love this place.

The biggest change since I’ve blogged last is I joined a gym called “Real results fitness and performance” in Grayslake and I ended my membership at LA fitness because it was just too damn busy!  I was sick of writing out an entire workout plan for the day just because there wasn’t room or a machine/bench or enough weights to accomplish what I set out to do.  I would even go in with alternate exercises.  “If “X” machine isn’t available than proceed to “Y” machine and do this instead…”  I would have to power out all my sets on one machine instead of alternating between 2-3 machines at a time to do supersets.  Maybe I’m spoiled, but this is how I like to work out, and it just wasn’t working for me.  God forbid I get up to get a drink of water, I’d come back to some dude sweating and grunting on the machine I was using.  I would spend twice as much time at the gym than I needed to.  Ain’t nobody got time for that!

As a result, I no longer work out with personal trainer once a week.  Instead I work out with 2-4 personal trainers multiple times a week!  It’s a bootcamp style gym, and they also do crossfit.  It’s pretty much group personal training, and even though you're not alone, you get a ton of personal attention.  Every day you come in, there’s a different plan to work specific muscle groups so it involves no thinking on my part.  I just do what I’m told and get a killer workout!  I have never sweat so much in my life (check out the sweaty selfies sprinkle in this post.... I look like that EVERYTIME I leave!)

The team atmosphere is absolutely amazing.  The other bootcampers are so encouraging. (<--Look at them go!)  We laugh, give each other sweaty hugs and high fives, cheer each other on, motivate each other, challenge each other to complete another rep, and it’s just great to know that you’re not alone.  It doesn’t just suck for you, it’s hard for other people too, and together we keep pushing and sweating.  We even cry!  Everyone has a different story, we all have different struggles and weaknesses, and we are all there for each other when there’s a challenge or obstacle to overcome. 

Sweat game is strong.

Also, they have an entire nutrition plan for members based on what YOU want to accomplish, or where you’re at in your journey.  There’s always an open dialogue going on in class about food, and nutrition, and macros, and cheat days, over eating and /or eating ENOUGH, etc.  The trainers answer questions, offer suggestions, sit down with you if you’ve hit a plateau, go over your food diary with you to see how they can help you, and they’ve all made it their personal goal to help you reach your goals.

I’m excited to share more with you as I continue to my weightloss journey, especially since I’m so PSYCHED to be at this new gym.  So far, since 7/13 I’ve lost 10 pounds, officially. 7 of that in my first week, 3 my second.  I’ll let you know what my third week progress is on Friday.  My weigh-ins are Saturday mornings, so I’ll be back to check in, share my progress/struggles and hold myself accountable.

July 13th, 2015.  Day 1

Here is a picture after my very first workout at Real Results.  Hopefully you'll see a difference in the next picture I post!