Motivation

I knew that in order for me to be successful on this journey, I would have to stay motivated. When I started this journey, I definitely did have motivation, but for the last 6 days my exercise motivation has ceased to exist.

In my defense (not sure if I can use this in my defense) last Thursday was an unexpected rest day, mainly because I had two exams and was getting stuff together for my cousins wedding and I was away from home from 6am until 3:30pm then again from 5:40pm to 11pm. But, I was all for doing my workout at 11pm when I did get home but I also knew I had to be up the next morning to finish more stuff so I told myself I would have my one and only rest day of the week. Friday was the same thing (final touches) and my rational was "hey, you've been out all day running around, you can take a break" and I did take a break. Saturday, exercise wasn't even an option, because I once again told myself that "today, every thing is coming together and you will be on your feet all day today" so I had yet another rest day.  Sunday through today my bed has been calling me and so have those lifetime movies which meant I haven't done a thing but eat. In my defense again, they haven't all been high calorie foods, mainly fruit (although those low calorie foods can soon add up).

So where is my motivation?

I don't know where it is, but it is slowly coming back today. I love doing the biggest loser workout but I have been in a rut since my Polar FT4 has been away from me and I think that (believe it or not) that is the reason I haven't been motivated to jump back on the workout train. On the other hand, I made it before without my Polar and I shall make it again (until I have a new one or upgrade to the FT7).

So today, I am back to doing the Biggest Loser workout because my entire reason for being on this journey was to become a better me and I can't do that by sitting on the bed, watching lifetime movies and eating. My body is telling me that it is ready to work harder than ever for what I want, I just have to get up and listen to it; I have to motivate myself.

Catching Up (Biggest Loser Workout, Weekly Goals and more)

This past week had been hectic for me. The last day of school was Tuesday, which was followed by two exams (with two papers due) on Thursday, which was followed by preparations for a wedding on Thursday and Friday which was followed by the wedding on Saturday. School really wore me out but preparing for the wedding took my mind off of everything that had been going on.

Another thing that helped me was the Biggest Loser workout. I started the workout on Friday April 26 and it has really been challenging me to dig deeper and push myself to get more out of the workout. I am still on level one, which is fine because I have yet to master all of the moves. Lunges have always been difficult for me because of one of my knees so the two weeks on level one is beneficial for me because I know I have another week to get more than 4 lunges completed. I am slowly getting better on my push ups, which is a definite accomplishment because those have always been hard for me. So far this workout is working for me and it gives me something to look forward to because it is only 30 minutes (at the moment). In the end, I may go ahead and send it back so I can avoid problems int he future, and with sending it back I may or may not upgrade to the FT7 (just a thought, not too sure).

One of the biggest helps when doing my workouts have been my Polar FT4 HRM. But, my chest strap and sensor managed to get their way into the washing machine yesterday and wouldn't work. Today I took the battery out and it seems that it is working okay but I am really upset that I may have to replace it. But hopefully my taking the battery out and wiping it down will allow it to work again, that still doesn't take away from me being upset that it happened.

This weeks goals are identical to last weeks because I had success with those goals.

• Log everything - Before it goes in my mouth, it will be logged, this is the only way I can be accountable for everything that I eat or drink. 
• Exercise - School is finally over (for now) and I have more time to exercise and that is what I am going to do. My goal is to exercise at least 5 days out of the week (that include weekends) and I know I can make that happen. 
• Focus on clean eating / cut out junk foods - I have an addiction to mint chocolate chip ice cream and no mater how many calories I do or do not have I will not be cutting that out of my system (last Thursday and Friday were the first times I had mint chocolate chip ice cream in weeks) but my goal is to keep my ice cream intake to one or two days a week, no more. I am still monitoring my carbohydrate intake and trying to incorporate more vegetables and fruits into my meals. 

This is everything that I have been meaning to put up on the blog this week and I am thankful for today to do that.

Polar FT4 Thoughts (After a Week of Use)

Run, Jog, Hop, Skip, Crawl ... do whatever you have to do to get you a Polar HRM. I don't know why I waited so long to purchase one, but the more I think about it, I purchased it when I was in a spot on my journey where I needed the extra push and my FT4 is giving me that and then some.

If you haven't check out my initial thoughts on the FT4 you can check them out right here (initial thoughts). I still feel the same way. This HRM gives you accurate results, there is no more wondering whether or not the machine at the gym got it right. It does link up with the machine when it comes to measuring your heart rate. The strap is so comfortable, that you don't even realize it is on; but trust me you will feel lost without it if you shall ever forget to put it on.

All I can say is that this device continues to amaze me everyday and instead of me rambling on an on (I will do that after using it for a month) don't waste any time in investing is this treasure, you will never regret it.

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Review

Earlier in my weight loss journey I set my sights on a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor but I wasn't sure if it was worth the $89.99 price tag. So, I sat on the decision for a couple of months trying to figure out if  (when) I purchased it, would I use it until it wore out or would I purchase it, use it a couple of times and then leave it sitting on my dresser.

In the meantime I went ahead a purchased a cheaper heart rate monitor on clearance from Target to "test the waters", I knew if I enjoyed using a cheaper heart rate monitor I would love using one that came with a price tag worth double checking.

This Saturday, I purchased my Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor and I am absolutely in love with it. I purchased the pink/purple monitor (I loved the gray one but for some reason I thought because it had a man on the packaging, it was meant for a man - now that I think about it, I can't believe I actually asked that question out loud to my mom in the store) and couldn't be happier. It's a great color that makes you happy when you wear it and it actually makes me want to workout.

I have only used the Polar FT4 for 5 days so far, but I am impressed. Some of the things I like so far:

• Both the monitor and the chest strap are comfortable enough to wear all day even if you aren't working out. Another bonus is that you can wear the strap without the Polar sensor (it snaps off).
• You wet the sensors on the strap by running them under water. My previous HRM required saliva or some gel to activate the sensors.
• The HRM syncs with machines at the gym. I am not sure if it technically considered syncing but while working out today, my heart rate displayed on the machine and on the Polar FT4 were the exact same.
• Your workouts are stored.
• The batteries are replaceable.

The only con I have so far is that the model I purchased doesn't tell you the percentage of fat you are burning, but I can definitely live without that.

Using the Polar FT4 over the course of 5 days has made me realize that I shouldn't have waited so long to purchase it. It has helped me get more out of my workouts by giving me accurate heart beats per minute, along with what I believe are accurate calories burned. You definitely get what you pay for, and I have gotten my $89.99 plus tax (and warranty) out of this product.

Below are pictures of the monitor, which if you haven't guessed by now, you should go out and purchase because it is one of the best ways to spend $89.99 while on a weight loss journey.