This year I want to try and write a blog post each week that addresses aspects of my life, each week will have a different focus depending on what I am going through at the time.
TLDR; new methods to achieve goals. Goal to turn the trajectory for my health and fitness.
This week my pain point is the realisation that over the span of a year and a half I have gained close to 10kg, It’s not for lack of trying to live an active lifestyle, I go to the gym 4 time a week and get an average of 12-17k steps in a day.
Pre-covid I had just started a lifestyle change, I studied personal training and started working in a gym just 10min from home and I had a lot of time to prioritize my workouts. And I did, I pushed myself hard and to the point of exhaustion, I was useless after lunch.
Post Covid, I moved back into a role that offered me more stability post-covid – Adult education; fashion industry. I have found that my biggest issue is juggling a shift in my work-life balance. Working a 9-5 job, travelling 90 min each way; I can’t afford to push that hard these days, the people I work with don’t deserve to deal with me in a state of fatigue, especially my students.
I also don’t deserve to have to deal with myself in that state.
THE DIRECTION
I don’t have the energy to exert in high-intensity workouts (energy out) so this year I will need to apply more structure in my eating habits (control energy in).
- Planning meals ahead
- tracking my food
- Ensuring that I hit my calorie and protein targets
Some apps that I love are:
Hevy – Workout Tracker
Hevy, the training app, has become an essential tool for me in tracking my workouts and monitoring my progress. Whether you prefer ready-made training programs or wish to create your own, this app caters to your individual needs. What sets Hevy apart and truly benefits me is its ability to adapt to my varying levels of mental energy during my training sessions.
On days when I’m feeling drained, all I have to do is follow the program I created, keeping me accountable and on track. And on the days when I’m fired up and ready to give it my all, the app conveniently displays the weight I last lifted for each specific exercise, making it incredibly useful for tracking my progress.
Another aspect of Hevy that I truly appreciate is its social component. By connecting with friends, I can see and engage with their workouts. Although my work often separates me from my workout buddies, I can still stay connected and get involved by commenting on their routines.
I have opted for the subscription plan, which grants me the ability to create an unlimited number of workout routines. I find immense value in preserving each program I’ve created, as it allows me to reflect on my previous achievements. It’s worth mentioning that the free plan offers access to four routines, providing a great starting point for those who want to explore the app’s features.
Hevy truly enriches my training journey, offering flexibility, accountability, and a supportive community.
Cronometer – Calorie Counter
Cronometer is a food macro and calorie tracking app which simplifies the process of monitoring your daily meals by inputting your consumed meals throughout the day. You can easily track your progress towards your eating goals. While not crucial, it is helpful to regularly check and calculate your consumption to ensure you’re meeting your targets.
When I began tracking my eating habits and counting calories, it felt like a daunting task that demanded meticulous record-keeping and consumed a significant amount of my time. Striving for the perfect record every single day added unnecessary pressure and ultimately became counterproductive. This is where the negative perception of calorie counting and its association with neurotic behaviour arises.
Nowadays, I utilize Cronometer differently. It serves as my day-to-day calculator, rather than a tool for creating a flawless record.
When I go on the app there is a mix of completely empty days, partially filled days, and fully logged days. Once I made the decision to let go of the pursuit of perfection in my records, I discovered a greater sense of balance in my approach.
And a little tip: I keep a note of my “perfect” days in the calendar and the app allows me to copy them into the current days log. This little trick means I only have to adjust and edit rather than enter everything.
Edit: I will add more information and resources to the post as I reflect through the year.
Further Reading
In week eighteen I explore moving into a calorie surplus as well as look into Setting the signs to ensure that I am prepared for the results.