This has been a great first week of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge.  It’s probably not what you are thinking though.  Instead of busting my butt everyday, I mixed up working out with relaxing, and it’s exactly what I needed.  Let me give you a little back story.

Over the past four to five years I have slowly but surely dropped bad habits (smoking), picked up good habits (no fast food), and started lifting weights (this year, finally).  The journey has been long and slow, but I’ve lost weight.  More importantly, I’m healthy.  This year I’m healthier and stronger than I’ve ever been in my life.  At 35, this rocks.

Since I have been hitting the weights hard lately, I decided to give my brain and body the break that it deserves.  Instead of planning each day, I just let days happen.  A fear that pops into my head when I do not work out, or when I indulge – especially when I indulge more than one or two days in a row, is that I’m going to gain all of my weight back, stop working out, and get flabby.  This is a severe over reaction, but it happens.

Yesterday I had to repair my blog, which is challenging because I don’t know code.  Even though I was quite frustrated, having to click through past posts to fix photos was motivational.  I came across pictures of me when I was heavier and trying hard to be healthy, boxes of too-big-clothing stacked in the closet, and post after post of motivational sayings to keep me in good spirits.

Endurance bike event, Aug. 2010

Big pile of clothes in the closet for Goodwill, Nov. 2010

I realized that I have not gained weight since these posts, but I have had the fear of gaining weight.  Sometimes it’s easy to forget that I have lost weight until I look at older photos.

Nov. 2012 - This is the same jersey from the bike race shown above. The clothes still look dorky, but the shirt is loose and those other bike shorts were given away in another box of too-big clothing.

In fact, I keep having to give clothing away the more in shape I get, even when the scale doesn’t budge because I’m now lifting.

So this week when I decided to relax a little, enjoy my breaks, not go crazy on my eating, but have some wine and a piece of carrot cake, I didn’t freak out about it.  My journal proves that I’m consistent.  Actually, my strong body proves that I’ve completely changed over time.  My indulgences are very different from what they were years ago.  My pantry is different.  My choices are different.

I will make room for a butter cookie every now and then.

It is such a reward to realize now what I could only hope for when I started, that small changes pay off.  They really do.  So this week HBBC was not at the top of my priority list, because I was too busy relaxing.  Next week, however, it’s on.  Below is a recap of  week #1.  Following that is a short list of next week’s goals.

Monday
Today was difficult.  I felt a migraine cominig on after work, so I took medicine to keep it at bay.  It got me through a tough ab workout. I did a really good job, too.  Then I moved on to arms.  My bis and tris were shaking!  But when I got home, it was a different story.  My symptoms were a mix between a hangover, severe nausea, and exhaustion. So I’m very proud of myself for getting in a great workout despite not feeling my best.

15 minutes elliptical (1 point)
30 minutes abs (1.5 points)
30 minutes arms (2 points)

Tuesday
Not feeling much better today.  Since I felt even worse yesterday after working out, I didn’t do anything difficult after work.  I’ve been exhausted all day!  It’s important that I feel great tomorrow for work, and so I can get in a good workout.  So I’m counting today as my day off.
20 minutes yoga (1 point)
45 minute walking (3 points)

Wednesday
Again, with the migraine! Sheesh – at least they ARE getting less frequent and less painful. However, my head was pounding toward the end of the night, so I popped another pill.
Assisted a participant on Facebook (1 point)

Thursday
So far MIGRAINE FREE. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the opportunity to burn fat and build muscle.
Posted on the HBBC Facebook page (1 point)
21 mile bike ride (7 points)
Cooking, cleaning for T-Day 1 hour (2 points)

Friday
I swear I am not getting lazy – eh hem.  With four days off from work I have enjoyed mixing up my routine.  Is it bad that I do not feel guilty for not exercising like mad?  This year is different than last year.  Working out six days a week has become my normal, so a few lighter days, and a few days off are really good for me mentally.  So far my days off have been fun and relaxing.  Today we went downtown, walked around the new park, and checked out a new art exhibit.   Fun day with my best friend and some sun.
Posted on the HBBC Facebook page (1 point)
Walked 2 miles (2 points)

Saturday
Ahhh, another day off.  I cooked.  I cleaned.  I watched TV.  I also got up and did a really tough 30 minute Nike Training workout.  Kicked my butt.
Nike Training Club for 30 minutes. I’m counting this one as hard as Spin, because my heart rate was through the roof during the HIIT. (3 points)
Facebook comment (1 bonus point)
Stretching 20 minutes (1 point)

Sunday
Ride to the grocery store (.33 points)
6 mile ride around the neighborhood (2 points)
Comment on Facebook (1 bonus)
5 fruits and vegetables (1 point)

Point Total: 26.53
Bonus Total: 5

Week Total: 31.53

Next week’s goals:

• Workout 6 days (at least 3 weights, at least 3 cardio)
• Eat 7 servings of fruits and vegetables at least 3 days
• Stretch, roll my muscles at least 2 days

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