I have found setting goals for myself and posting them publicly really help increase my motivation to accomplish each goal. This goal may be the most challenging so far due to a combination of my busy schedule, and pure laziness, but I am determined to become stronger and healthier. While I want to build a better physique, my main focus is my health and to see how much of a difference changes in my diet and exercise can make. I have always been comfortable and satisfied with my body. I’m a very petite girl and I have come to accept it. This isn’t so much about image, it’s about health, and becoming the best ‘me’ possible. Life is a journey and every day I want to try to make myself a little bit better than I was yesterday. And this includes my health and fitness.
I have always been slightly underweight. I want to gain muscle and become stronger and leaner. I want to tone my body and improve the overall shape I am in.
I will begin this journey with a workout plan and a healthy meal plan. My goal is to work out 5 days a week. I started following a workout plan created by Jen Ferruggia called Bikini Body Workouts. I find this workout plan perfect for beginners like me. It is not too challenging, but just challenging enough to leave me sore the next day. I already feel a difference.
As for my diet, here is what I eat in a week:
Sunday:
Breakfast- Nut butter on toast
Lunch-Chicken salad sandwich (swap the mayo for avocado!)
Dinner– Chicken breast and veggies
Snacks– Veggies and hummus; pumpkin seeds and cashews
Dessert– Ice pops made of fruit juice
Monday:
Breakfast– Fruit smoothie
Lunch– Salad with mixed greens, berries, nuts, chicken breast, and a balsamic dressing
Dinner– Salmon and veggies
Snacks– Tea plus mixed fruits; frozen yogurt
Dessert– Greek yogurt blended with frozen berries
Tuesday:
Breakfast– Berry parfait with greek yogurt, granola, and nuts
Lunch– Chicken salad wrap with lettuce and dried cranberries
Dinner– Salad with leftover salmon and veggies
Snack– Dark chocolate, mixed fruits
Dessert– Banana and peanut butter
Wednesday:
Breakfast– Oatmeal
Lunch– Turkey and avocado sandwich on rye bread
Dinner– Spaghetti with pesto and spinach
Snack– Homemade trail mix with nuts, dried cranberries, pretzels, and dark chocolate; sliced apples and peanut butter
Dessert– frozen banana dipped in dark chocolate with a side of berries
Thursday:
Breakfast– Scrambled eggs with a side of fruit and vegetables
Lunch– PB&B sandwich
Dinner– Turkey and rice
Snack– Pretzels; mixed fruits and veggies
Dessert– Oatmeal cookie
Friday:
Breakfast– Acai bowl with berries and bananas topped with peanut butter or honey
Lunch– Chicken noodle soup
Dinner– Shrimp scampi
Snack– frozen grapes; yogurt
Dessert– Frozen yogurt
Saturday:
CHEAT DAY!!
Of course my diet may not exactly follow this schedule and some things change day to day based on what I have in my house and what is available to me, but for the most part, these are the foods I keep in my diet. Not everything is perfectly healthy, but it’s a great combination for me of nutrition without ridding myself of all of my favorite things. Not to mention these recipes are simple and do not take an excessive amount of time for preparation.
I’m excited to work on myself and my body and to become the best me possible. I want to become healthy and strong and I am determined to stick to it.
