Kickstarting the new fit plan

Dieting
Recently I read that if you really want to move the needle on the scale, calorie restriction (NOT EXERCISE), is the most effective way to do it. Ugh!! I know. I know. Everyone has their opinions and scientific research on what actually works  but I guess it DOES make sense. It’s a lot harder to “exercise off” 1 lb of fat (=3,500 calories) than it is to cut 500 calories each day by swapping out high-cal foods for smarter (RE: veggie) choices.  And all yo-yo weight loss people like me know the value of losing weight slowwwwly instead of deprieving yourself, losing a few, then going on vacation and just letting things slide…and slide…and slide.

Strength Training with a Trainer
But I like to spend time at the gym honestly. I like a good spin class, I love pilates and yoga, I think Zumba is SO FUN, and I completely love my barre class at Boston Body Barre. And I really miss my trainer Tracey – a LOT. I had so much fun (albeit grueling fun) with her, doing an hour-long strength training session twice a week. She was so creative with her routines for us and pushed me in ways I know I’d NEVER have taken myself. And she held me accountable. First of all, I always dragged myself out of bed to meet her. Always! And second: She called me out on my excuses. Why can’t I wake up early to run before training with her? Even though I resented it just a teensy bit (hello pity party, wah wah wah) she was totally right and I needed to hear it. If I had the money, I’d hire her again in a second, but I just can’t justify it when I can put together my own routines.

Strength Training vs. Cardio
Just before my wedding I had a little panic session that my arms looked big and frantically scoured the web for quick ways to lose arm fat and read that if you have a vacay on the horizon and need to lose flab fast, strength training (or rather, circuit training) is the most effective way (versus cardio). Obviously doing BOTH is best, but this is for those with a tight deadline for “get fit” turnaround. Anyways, the reason strength training works is because muscle burns more calories while resting than fat, so if you build muscle, you’ll be creating a built-in calorie incinerator that will aid your diet in helping you shed some lbs. It’s kind of the same idea as trying to improve your metabolism (fast metabolism = lower weight), but I think there is a little less guesswork with strength training.

My New Plan
So with all this information in mind, and since I want to see some changes pretty quickly, my new plan of attack to shed this post-honeymoon “happy married lady weight” is going to be:

– Re-launch my diet
– Track my weight, workouts daily
– Re-start my “Food Journal”
– 2x weekly, hour-long (self-guided) strength training sessions
– 3x weekly hour-long interval cardio
– 1x barre class (because it’s fun and I enjoy it)
– 1 weekly yoga class  (because I enjoy it and it’s relaxing)