What a differnece a week makes!

So I finished my first full week of UBC and am feeling really good! After last Friday and Saturday's workouts, I must say I was pretty scared. But Monday came and went and I was able to get back into a groove with my workouts. Last night was probably my best workout yet as I really got into a zone and it was really fun. I had a partner on the bag who was working just as hard as I was and it was nice because it really challenged me. But the big test came today. Saturday's classes are longer and we do both kickboxing and bands. Last week, I could barely function after that class, so there was a bit of a mental thing going on before I even got to class today. But I am happy to report that while it was tough, it was still a great class and I walked out feeling good! Yeah! Tomorrow is my free day and then its back at it on Monday.

I'm starting to get a hang of the nutritional part of this program. The focus is on raising our metabolism. We need to eat 6 times a day to help our bodies know that there's always going to be food there to burn so they don't hold onto it and store it as fat. We are supposed to eat 6 proteins, 6 carbohydrates, and 2 vegetables, though we can trade out carbohydrates for vegetables. (Ideally, 1 carb and 1 protein each meal with veggies added at lunch and supper) We need to stay away from a lot of creams and sauces like cheese sauces, butter, sour cream, Miracle Whip, Syrup etc. and watch the sugar intake in things like ketchup. We are also supposed to drink between 1/2 and 1 gallon of water per day. The water part is cahllenging for me, but I'm getting it. I used to drink a ton of diet soda and I quit having it in the house after Thanksgiving. It isn't a forbidden thing, but I save it for when I am out and then it is a treat. Even though I would drink a ton throughout the day, as soon as I switched to water, my consumption levels went down dramatically. So it is definitely a conscious effort to drink as much as I need. I have managed between 8 and 9 glasses a day, though, so it is going well. As far as what I eat, my main problem is that it is pretty boring so far. I have stuck to it pretty strictly and I wholeheartedly believe it will do what it claims, but I look forward to figuring out some different recipes so it isn't so plain. I think I'll get there, though. I have a couple of people helping me think up stuff, so I'll let you know if we come up with something really good. I have to admit the power carrot cake has over me, though :o) Sundays are free days to not work out and to eat whatever we want. Wedon't want to go hog wild, but it is actually good to eat a little more to keep our energy levels up and our calorie consumption high enough. Last Sunday, I still ate decent, but I had a coffee date with a friend at 3 Brothers in Woodstock, where I had a piece of carrot cake. I love carrot cake and this particular piece was wonderful! So as I have gone throughout my week, one huge thing that kept me from cheating was thinking about that carrot cake. If I don't eat well throughout the week, I don't get my free day on Sunday. If I don't get my free day, I don't get carrot cake! Simple as that. Now, I have no idea if I will make it back to 3 Brothers this week or not, but I might just start using Sundays as my evening to catch up with friends over coffee!