Brown Dress Plan: Weeks 2 & 3

Brown Dress Plan: Weeks 2 & 3

April 7th, 2009 @ 11:23 am by Mrs. Joey

I’ve just completed weeks 2 & 3 of the brown dress plan. I have to say, week 1 was much easier, but 2 & 3 weren’t bad. I learned a few things that I hope will get me through weeks 5, 6, and 100.

My goals were:

Spin class twice a week
Eating breakfast every morning
Weights and abs an hour a week
Additional hour of cardio

How’d I do?

Spin class twice a week - week 2: 1 spin class, week 3: no spin classes
Eating breakfast every morning : check
Weights and abs an hour a week : check
Additional hour of cardio : week 2: 2 hours, week 3: 3.5 hours

I also managed to get in 2 yoga classes both weeks and a little extra walking in during week 3, since spring has finally come to Seattle. I wasn’t as good with the walking to the grocery store part of the plan, but it did teach me some lessons.

My first lesson learned was all about planning.

Since I take the bus to work, buying food and storing it in my car while I’m at the gym isn’t an option. I need plan my workout days ahead of time so I know which days I’ll need to go to the store. What about going home first and then to the gym? Oh, that’s a big no-no for me. Once I’m home, I won’t want to leave — especially for the gym. If I’m home, I will do some weight training or a workout DVD. Basically, planning is essential. I need to write out our dinner menus for the week over the weekend, and plan which days I’ll go to the gym and which I’ll work out at home, and plan my shopping accordingly.

My second lesson learned was about being flexible. I love my Spin class, but it fills really quickly. I got to the gym at 4:50 for a 5:30 Spin class, and it was already full. During the summer, getting a spot isn’t as hard, but right now, it seems impossible unless you find a way to sign up really, really early. I think I need to either explore other classes or just jump on a machine until class turnout dwindles a little. It sucks, because 1 hour on the elliptical isn’t as satisfying as an hour of Spinning.

What lessons did you learn about a new health or diet plan after the first few weeks? How did you adjust your plan or diet?

Tags: diet, fitness |

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11 Responses to “Brown Dress Plan: Weeks 2 & 3”

Bee

Miss Peep Toe (message) 1,636 posts, Bumble bee

I am the same as you- it’s all about planning!! You go girl!

4/7/09 @ 11:36 am (reply)

Member

Dimplez1978 (message) 23 posts, Newbee

In terms of alternative classes, I highly recommend boxing if your gym offers it (with gloves is better than aerobic kickboxing). It’s never boring and it gives you an opportunity to work out some stress.

4/7/09 @ 11:44 am (reply)

Guest

Mel

I learned that I have to work out in the morning. My job has unpredictable hours and I could just never get in on a regular basis in the evenings (for example, I worked until midnight every day last week). I now bring lunch and dinner to work every day and keep a bag of carrots in the fridge.

I do spinning twice a week, personal training twice a week, 1 yoga class, and I try to get in for my own cardio twice. My trainer also has me not eating breakfast before I do cardio/ spinning. She says that way I am burning calories from the day before.

Also, I hear you on the full classes. On Saturdays FI and I go to Bob from Biggest Loser’s spinning class. We have to sign up an hour early.

Good luck!

4/7/09 @ 12:01 pm (reply)

Member

MaPo (message) 312 posts, Helper bee

The fact that you are so aware of works for and what doesn’t is such a huge important thing. Being a Queen of Yoyo-ers am very similar-I know all of my in and outs with food issues and exercise, but sometimes it’s so hard to take that imformation and put it to the best use. You are doing so well! Some of the best advice I was given from my pal who did a couple of personal training sessions with me is that food is not black and white. (I tend to forget the gray area in my thought processes.) So instead of beating myself up for eating a second cup of cereal or having that darn office cupcake, she told me to think of the whole picture. Yes MaPo, you ate that office cupcake, but you also chose the salad over the panini for lunch and skipped that second glass of wine. That has really helped me. Kudos for all of your wonderful efforts!!!!

4/7/09 @ 12:11 pm (reply)

Guest

nina

can you phone in to sign up for your spin class? most gyms will let you do that….

4/7/09 @ 1:03 pm (reply)

Member

TicaChica (message) 100 posts, Blushing bee

I went at got my body fat tested via water dunk since it is the only accurate way to do it. Losing weight and losing fat are completely different. I am pretty athletic and my goal has always been to be toned and not skinny. So I adjusted my weight loss plan to less cardio I went from and hour straight to a 10 minute running warm up and then 30 minutes on the Precor machine after weights. I focus mostly on weight training since the afterburn of weight training burns so many calories. I know a lot of women are intimidated by weights or are scared to “get big.” But, believe me if you want to lose just fat you should have at least a 2-1 ratio of weight training to cardio. Water weight comes and goes so beware of relying solely on the scale. Measurements and the way your clothes fit are the best detectors of fat loss. Remember muscle weighs a lot more than fat. One pount of fat is the size of a grape fruit and one pound of muscle is about the size of a golf ball. I also must add Jillian Michaels has been a great workout partner when I am too lazy to drive to the gym, I love her methods and her no excuse approach to exercise.

4/7/09 @ 1:40 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Joey (message) 829 posts, Busy bee

@MaPo: Thanks! I’m going to tackle food next.
@nina: You have to pay to sign up over the phone.
@TicaChica: I need to do more weight training. I think I may need some expert advice and I’m trying to figure out how to do that on a budget.

4/7/09 @ 2:02 pm (reply)

Member

West Coast Bride (message) 672 posts, Busy bee

I do exactly what you suggest when it comes to planning. I spent a few minutes with my morning coffee over the weekend plotting out four or five days worth of recipes, leaving a mix in terms of effort level required, left over potential and filling-ness (it’s a word now, ok?) so that I have options for various moods, including tired from the gym, need food now moods. It has also helped West Coast Groom and I enjoy great meals nearly every night, on a very reasonable budget.

4/7/09 @ 2:20 pm (reply)

Member

JennyBryde (message) 1,148 posts, Bumble bee

You go, girl! You’re doing an awesome job! Keep it up!

4/7/09 @ 3:23 pm (reply)

10.

Hostess

Jessie516 (message) 4,070 posts, Honey bee

You’re totally right, it’s all about planning ahead. Btw, I had the same problem with my Spin class at the start of the year. Right after New Years, the classes were filled with people and I was stuck just doing the elliptical or treadmill myself. I think you’re right that maybe people will drop out.

Just stick it with and you’ll keep doing great!

4/7/09 @ 4:50 pm (reply)

11.