Goal # 7: Workout Four Times a Week

Since requesting a gym membership for my 16th birthday, I have been working out five or six times per week. In an ideal world, I would do an hour each of cardio, weight training, and yoga every morning. To have a goal of hitting the gym four times per week is actually a little sad to me…a sign that I’m getting older and life is getting busier.

Exercise is my drug. I feel better when I do it and when I haven’t had my “hit”, I start to feel pretty down. Over the years I have found that I’m most addicted to high-impact exercise; I am trying to learn how to slow my mindby trying pilates, yoga, and meditation…it’s an uphill battle.

Here are some of my favorite workouts, exercise media, and workout locations in Chicago:

1. TURBOKICK (thanks Kristina for the introduction!) – an amazing, fast-paced combination of kickboxing, aerobics, and choreography. It's like dancing on the gym floor. The music is awesome and, with a good instructor, the classes are high energy! See an example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHDUJ4kHTf0

2. YOGA BOOTCAMP – A six week course of 2-hour yoga sessions. For those new to yoga or looking to get back into it, this course should be a great way to [re] commit. It’s held at a Spring Pilates Wellness Center (http://www.springpilateschicago.com/) on the North Side of Chicago, a studio that keeps classes affordable and high quality.

3. RUNNING – I hate to do it, but with my Saucony running shoes I feel like I’m running on air! I also download DJ Divsa’s mix tracks (available for free at his website http://www.djdivsa.com/) and the never-ending jam session keeps me enjoying the run! Can’t wait until the weather gets nice to go to the lake!

4. KETTLEBELLS – amazing workout that leaves you limping…and begging for more. Though I’ve only done it in a class session, it’s an exercise easily adaptable to home. Sort of like yoga with weights.

5. WOMEN’S WORKOUT WORLD (Monroe St.) – A $20-a- month gym located a block from where I work. Not a high-scale facility by any means, but great for the basics [and for a recession]. This is where I acquired my love for TurboKick. http://www.w3body.com/

6. FLIRTY GIRL FITNESS – By far the best classes and instructors I’ve ever had! These ladies push you to your limits, but keep you entertained with dancing, boxing, and pole classes. Unfortunately the facility has no cardio machines, otherwise it would be heaven (salon and bar included!). The price is a bit high for me as well. http://www.flirtygirlfitness.com/

UPDATE: Plant-strong vegetarian

I did it! Twenty-eight days of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes only. I gotta say, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Week two was probably the worst week for cravings…I wanted a bagel with butter so badly! I was more surprised by some of the things I did not crave though - like cheese and sweets - which I would have thought I was going to miss the most.

A lot of people have asked me questions about my experience. The most common question was whether or not I felt a difference. I have to say that I did. Overall I felt cleaner and lighter; literally, I was more regular than I have ever been. I experienced increased energy, most noticeable in my improved and extended workouts. And I felt a general positivity and comfort with food, no more guilt and concern over calorie counts and fat intake. To be fair, some of these effects might have had a mental element as well. Regardless, they were all very positive and enjoyable.

Through the process I learned a few interesting things:

1) A lot of what I was eating was based on pure habit. For example, somewhere along the line I picked up the idea that cheese could be put on everything. Bagel for breakfast –cream cheese on top. Sandwich or salad for lunch, topped off with cheese. Pasta for dinner, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, please! Even midday snacks were not off limits; after all, an apple is always better with some cheese spread on it. I was eating cheese at every meal and didn’t even realize it.

2) Convenience played a major factor in my eating. For years I never thought of going to more than one grocery store. My shopping destination was always Pete’s, a Latin-based chain in our area. To give credit where it’s due, this store has an amazing produce section. But the rest of the store is mainly packed with high-sodium, processed food selections. After the Engine 2 plan, I now do my produce shopping at Pete’s and get the majority of my other foods at Trader Joe’s. Making the extra trip takes extra time of course, but finding healthier food alternatives is worth it.

3) Patience is truly a healthy virtue. Making a dietary change doesn’t only involve restraint. I chose to focus on retraining myself instead: learning new recipes, finding healthy substitutes, and giving my palette time to become accustomed to the new tastes. Since finishing the E2 plan, I have had to restrain myself from proclaiming to others its benefits. For example, I would love to have my entire household on the E2 program as well. I have to understand, however, that people can make their own decisions and the best I can do is point them in the right direction. So I have learned to incorporate some of E2’s methods in my cooking to make it healthier overall, as opposed to forcing the change on others in my house who are not interested.

I continue much of the E2/vegan lifestyle even after completing the 28-day program; though I am not as strict about excluding dairy (I’ll eat non-fat Greek yogurt and low-fat cheese occasionally). I have continued to concentrate my diet on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes…though I will allow myself the occasional piece of pizza or scoop of ice cream.