Phase Two (January - June)

                

After the holidays comes the sluggish winter.  Typically, I am a bear in the winter.  I love to hibernate with some comfy food and thermal underwear.  Don’t even get me thinking about the gym!!  So what’s a girl to do?!?!  

Calisthenics, yoga, and Pilates in the comfort of my home.  For a little added bonus, I also add some light weights.  10lbs ankle weights, three, five and ten lbs free weights. 

And yes the carbs came back into my life!  But no pasta.  Only wraps, whole wheat grains, sushi rice, steamed brown and white rice.  

Now there would be those rare days, like maybe once or twice a month, when I would go running around my complex in the early morning.  We’ve got a super steep driveway I love to run up when the mood hits.  

The in home work out routine was done for 20 mins every AM Mon – Fri.  Typically rest on the weekends.  My goal during the 1^st half of this time (January – March) was to not regress!  Normally in the winter I gain, starting a vicious cycle that I'm sure most of us are familiar with.  This time – I maintained!!!  Size 8 (Down a ½  size, 3 months)

In April, I kicked back into gear with daily walks and hikes, usually doing at least 3 miles each time I was out.  I still kept to the AM in-house routine as well.  You definitely have to push yourself into high gear otherwise you won’t stick to the routine.  Everyone talks about HIIT workouts; well it’s the same with the cycle of working out. Size 6-8 (Down 1 full size, 3 months)

Next up -  Phase Three.