Well, it has been an entire month since I really got strict with making a total life change, and by total life change I mean mind, body, and soul. As you all know, we have been going through some crazy times over here as a family. A lot has been completely out of my control, but while spiraling into a deep dark hole of depression with seemingly no way to stop the plunge, I realized that I always have control over are my actions and the way I take care of myself. In this post, I am sharing my authentic journey, ups and downs, as well as some new experiences that have helped set me on the journey back to the light.
Body Measurement Comparison
Month 1 | Body Measurements
- Arms: Right & Left – 11”
- Bust: 37”
- Calves: Right – 14.5” Left – 14”
- Chest: – 32.5”
- Hips: 37”
- Forearms: Right – 10” Left – 9.5”
- Thighs: Right & Left 22.2”
- Waist: 32”
- Weight: 151 lb
Month 2 | Body Measurements
- Arms: Right & Left – 11”
- Bust: 37”
- Calves: Right – 14” Left – 14”
- Chest: – 32.25”
- Hips: 37”
- Forearms: Right – 10” Left – 9.5”
- Thighs: Left 22.2” Right 22”
- Waist: 31.5”
- Weight: 147 lb (4lb weight loss)
Overall, it looks like I have made a little progress in my thighs, waist, and chest. They say that slow and steady wins the race, but I think I will add more heavy weight workouts into my routine this next month.
The Real | Total Life Change
Time to admit my failures and hold myself accountable. One month ago, I was gung-ho and extremely positive about all of the goals I had set for myself. Many of my goals I have made major progress on and a few them I have fallen a bit short. As always, I promise to keep it real. Here is a review of my initial goals:
- Cut back on wine
- Eat more protein
- Get into the habit of working out
- Drink more water
- Take time to focus on my needs
- Be intentional with my spirituality
- Soul searching
Diet and Wine Update
One month later I have really gotten a hold of my diet and wine intake. The key has been to plan my meals a week ahead of time, go to the grocery store weekly, and ban wine bottles from my shopping list.
Prior to this journey, I would do the bulk of my shopping at the beginning of the month and then visit the grocery store a few times throughout the month for a few odds and ends. If you think about it, with my previous routine, how could I possibly be eating fresh if I was purchasing the bulk of my food once per month to last an entire month? Almost everything I purchased was loaded with preservatives to last! Now, I am buying fresh. My mindset has been, if I have to freeze it, I am not planning properly for maximum nutrition.
Also, you notice I referenced “wine bottles?” I have learned that by eliminating all indulgences completely I am setting myself up for failure. For total lifestyle changes, it is important not to shell-shock yourself. Enjoy indulgences with moderation. That’s why I only purchase one WINE CAN per weekly grocery visit. If I decide that I want to have a wine wind-down after work, I have one glass of wine in a can handy.
Of course, only water can become boring so when I am in the mood for a little flavor I have found some new low cal beverages that are so refreshing. I am in love with the Fevertree Elderflower Tonic and Celsius Energy Drink. Yes, I said energy drink. I can’t believe I am saying that I like an energy drink but hear me out. Celsius has no sugar or preservatives and it touts metabolism acceleration and body fat burning. Count me in!
Shop the Beverages
Workout Habits that have Fueled Water Intake and Detoxification
Speaking of changing the narrative on my evening habits, I have completely created an evening habit that I can be proud of, HOTWORX!
A while back I tried hot yoga and I was shocked that I actually loved the sweat matched with a good burn. I know hot yoga sounds miserable but try it, you would be pleasantly surprised. When I set out to develop a fitness plan for my total lifestyle change initiative I knew I wanted hot yoga to be a part of it, there was just one problem, the nearest hot yoga studio was 35 minutes away! After some intense Googling on nearby alternatives, I discovered the HOTWORX studio in Collierville.
Let me start off by saying, HOTWORX trumps hot yoga all day long because it is so much more than hot yoga. At HOTWORX you get the choice to enjoy hot yoga, hot barre, hot rowing, hot cycling, hot pilates, hot HITT, and more in your own infrared heated sauna. HOTWORX’s patented sauna combines heat, infrared, and exercise into a 3D Training making HOTWORX unlike any other fitness program I have ever tried.
Since starting HOTWORX, I have not only toned up my body, but I have effectively began a detox on my body and skin by opening my pores and sweating out toxins. As you can imagine, with a dry sauna set at 125 degrees, you sweat profusely during your workout but since it is a dry heat, it really isn;t unpleasant. As a matter of fact, it is pretty satisfying. I call the sweaty aftermath my “HOTWORX glow.”
One of my goals was to up my water intake. I am not 100% where I want to be for my daily hydration goals but you better believe my H2O intake is much higher since starting HOTWORX. During one HOTWORX session, I drink about 32 oz of water! At least that is three glasses out of my eight glass daily goal.
Since I want to loose more inches, I plan on adding a weight workout at the end of my HOTWORX sauna workout for extra burn.
Want to try out a HOTWORX class for free? Click here to redeem a free session.
Benefits of HOTWORX Workouts
- HEAT RAISES YOUR CORE BODY TEMPERATURE AND SPEEDS UP METABOLISM – When your core body temperature rises, there is an anabolic effect that speeds up your metabolism. Another heated workout advantage is that less time is required for warm ups in a heated studio.
- INFRARED ENERGY ACTIVATES AND STRENGTHENS THE REGENERATIVE PROCESS IN THE HUMAN BODY – Infrared energy has the effect of strengthening and activating the regenerative processes in the human body. This is why workouts in an infrared energy environment can help to accelerate workout recovery.
- EXERCISE INCREASES YOUR HEART RATE AND MAXIMIZES CALORIE BURN – Two forms of exercise work very well inside of the HOTWORX infrared sauna- Isometrics and HIIT. With isometrics, a variety of methods can be used, such as yoga and pilates. With HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), a short 15-minute routine with a cycle or row will provide just the right amount of workout results when combined with heat and infrared energy.
Focusing on My Needs for Total Life Change
Reiki and Subconscious Belief Shifting
I am sure you are asking, what is reiki healing and subconscious belief healing? I have had a reiki session years ago in Ireland, but had never heard of subconscious belief healing until meeting Heather Jordan at Sundara. Here is the rundown on both.
What is Reiki Healing?
Reiki is an energy healing technique in which a healer who has undergone formal training in the art, uses hand movements over the body to help guide the flow of healthy energy, or the life force energy, through your body to reduce stress and promote healing. I know it seems unworldly, and it kind of is, but I have to tell you, it works. In both reiki sessions I have had, I have gotten unexplainable emotional and have received “messages.” Yes, messages. It is the strangest thing. It’s like a random thought that pops in your head, but unlike any thought you would generate on your own, if that makes sense. It’s important to note, Heather didn’t prime me for these thoughts before the session. At the end of the session she asked if I had received any universal messages. I was shocked by her question because as soon as I opened my eyes at the end of the session, I was trying to make sense of the main thought that instantly came to me in the beginning of the session. I was perplexed and unsure what to make of the over all theme in my head during my session, but next we had a subconscious belief session that delivered overall clarity.
What is Subconscious Belief Healing?
Subconscious belief healing refers to the idea that certain emotions can cause physical effects on the body. This type of healing strives to release the energy of past emotions which can literally become trapped in your body, affecting your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Heather is working with me to peel away subconscious beliefs that aren’t serving me. Beliefs that are actually causing harm to my mind, body, and soul.
My homework after the session was to “check in” (or meditate) with my body and emotions for 15 min every weekday morning to identify how I am feeling. My goal is to pay attention to my feelings, something that has been hard for me to do with all that has been going on over the past 2 years.
I have also been working on improving my GMAP results and getting acupuncture at Sundara which I will cover in my next blog post of the series.
How Do You Make A Total Life Change?
Ok, so I know it’s a lot, but we tend to pick up tons of bad habits and thought processes in our lifetime so it is going to take quite a bit to undo the damage. Right now, this is my Total Life Change regimen. I will check in next month with coverage on my acupuncture, GMAP, and dietary overviews, as well as another body update!
- Protein Plus Diet
- Mixing up my fitness mediums (HOTWORX, Tonal, Booty Kicker, at home gym)
- Replacing wine with other tasty beverage options
- GMAP Testing and Dietary Sessions with Cody and Audrey at Sundara
- Acupuncture with Jessica at Sundara
- Energy and subconscious believe healing with Heather at Sundara
Read Month 1 : What is a High Protein + Diet? | Month 1
