During the month of January, I lost a total of eleven pounds and seven inches. Wow. Core De Force did a number on my psyche. That’s a good thing. I’m happy. I’ve always loved working out, but before Beachbody came into my life, I merely took to the treadmill. Sometimes I’d do weights, sometimes Pilates. [image error]But I usually try to run my weight off. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, any little bit does work…but I’ve come to learn that variety is key. This is why Beachbody offers you workout schedules. Each day of the week, it gives you a different style to the program with the intention of targeting every single muscle in your body in different ways. Depending on the program, one day could be thirty minutes while the next is sixty. The third day could be your rest day, and the fourth may only take twenty minutes to complete. Variety is key to your fitness, as well as keeping you motivated.

An hour on the treadmill at the gym five days a week = BORING! For me, anyway.

So for February, my program of choice is my beloved 21 Day Fix. I both love and hate this program. It’s a great program to start off with if you’ve never done a workout before in your life. Twenty-one days of working your muscles with the help of weights. Twenty-one days of thirty-minute workouts. Twenty-one days of challenge and change. I love it. It has something for everybody.

On the eating front, I’m thrilled on how well I’ve been doing. There are foods that I’ve been wanting to splurge on, but I’ve set myself on a schedule of what to eat and when. It’s food I like, so when my hungry mind wants something not good for me, I grab what I already have planned. No thinking required!

On Sunday, I had McDonald’s. At first, I declined it when my mom had called and offered me some, but then I decided why not? Normally, I don’t like McDonald’s, period. It’s just rarely very good to me. The fries are the best thing about it, and often, those are cold and stale. But I went ahead and agreed to it. For the first time in a long time, McDonald’s was one hundred percent yummy. Quarter Pounder (no cheese) and fries alike. My first cheat meal was a success.

[image error]But I find I still have to train myself not to beat myself up when I eat food that’s essentially not good for me. It’s not easy to do. That’s for sure. Anybody else have that problem? It’s frustrating because you want to reach your goal, but you still want the unhealthy food that you love. It’s not very encouraging when you start feeling deprived, now, is it?

So, what is encouraging?

Progress.

That’s what keeps me going. If I see the scales go down, that’s progress. If I don’t see the scales go down, but I do see my inches going down, that’s still progress—a non-scale victory. Or, if nothing’s happening, I have the peace of mind that I’m still getting my workouts in. I’m still eating the food that’s good for me.

And in the long run, it will work.

One day at a time. Cliché, I know, but still very true. I’m proud of how far I’ve taken myself. After all, that’s the ultimate goal.

Do you have a goal? Share below! Also, share a few healthy recipes if you have something.