Hello everyone! It's somehow already three weeks in?! It feels like just a few days ago, but also like 2 months ago I started this haha 

This week has kinda been a challenge for me as I've been extra unmotivated and just kinda really tired for no reason. I'm about to begin my time of the month, so I think it has a lot to do with that, but also because I'm getting more used to working out, which in return, makes it easier to not care as much about it. However, I still managed to somewhat figure out what I could do to stay exercising daily. As well, I'm still tracking my calorie intake and watching what I eat. 

After a lot of back and forth and research, I ditched the Chloe Ting 2 Week Shred because it too extreme for my motivation this week, targeted towards people who are looking for quick and easier results (someone not planning on working out daily afterwards), and tones your body unevenly just to shink stomach weight. I'm not saying it doesn't work, or you shouldn't try it, but it's not for me— and that's fine. 

What I did end up doing, however, is the first part of the workout everyday. Basically the schedule is broken down into three videos a day that rotate different workouts— the first one, though, stays the same. It's a 15 minute full body cardio routine that is packed with just easy enough workouts that anyone could do it, but hard enough that it also will kick anyone's . It's high intensity for a short amount of time and so even though it's all I did everyday, I sweated like a son of a and felt like I had done a 40 minute workout instead 15ish one. 

They longest break you get is 15 seconds and it's packed with burpees, jumping lunges, up and down planks, high knees, and more. I know I am just going to get more tired since I should start my period anytime now, so I'm going to do this again next week and see how it goes. I am also pairing this with her 7 minute warm up. 
 

The one thing that I didn't do that week that I definetly should have, is stretch. I somehow just stopped making time for it and I can 100% feel the difference. The warm up I do has some stretches to help overall, but those minute specialized stretches are the ones I'm missing. My hips are hurting some, I have a lot of tension, and my back right now. So, moral of the story, make time for daily stretches. I know I will this coming week. 

Let's talk about a few things I have learned researching this week about fat loss and workout plans. 

So, when should you workout? Let me break it down. 

Morning (Before Breakfast): The morning time is technically the most efficient time for fat loss— not weight loss, fat specifically. However, what you are looking for in morning workouts, is not to spike your blood pressure, but to just get it pumping. If you get your heart beating too fast, you'll start burning glycogen, not fat. You can tell the difference in heart rate by whether or not you're able to hold a comfortable conversation. Glycogen is what holds all of your carbohydates and since you haven't eaten yet it will burn through them too quickly. Without them your body will start storing your fat, making it harder to burn them off throughout the day. Similar to how if you skip meals, you won't lose fat right away, your body will store it for burning later. What you should do then, is go on a brisk walk or do warm up exercises in the morning to get your blood pumping, but not too excited. This will kick start your fat burning throughout the day. 

Afternoon: The afternoon is the best time for high intensity workouts because you have the most energy and have probably already been in and out of your fat-burning heart rate zone. This time is great to go ham and do full body intense workouts. If you do these HIIT workouts and increase your heart rate immensly, you're body naturally will trigger a response called EPOC. This stands for Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption where you basically are breathing way more, getting way more oxygen to you muscles and organs, and spiking your metabolism. What this does for you is puts you in a state where your body will literally continue to burn fat at a quicker rate, even if you're sitting, for 38 hours after the workout. 

Evening: The evening time is technically the worse time for a workout. You are tired by then and getting ready to sleep. When you work out, your body begins to chemically react by releasing endorphines. One of the most prominant is the chemical cortisol— which is what makes you excited and able to continue the workout. However, it also is a leading chemical in stress and anxiety which can be triggered by trying to be calm directly after in order to sleep etc. If you still want to workout at night, try low intensity workouts like a walk or something that doesn't spike your blood pressure. However, if you aren't prone to stress, then you could be fine as well. 

Alright, that's all I'm going to share for now considering this is getting long and I have to have something to talk about next week haha

In the meantime, I need to stretch more and probably try to increase my water intake— though I have only drank water this week! (With an exception of a glass of milk and I had a rootbeer float lol)

So, what you may be waiting for... I lost 2 pounds this week!!! My measurements are the same so far, but I've reached 170.1 this morning which is 2 pounds lighter and 5 pounds loss from 3 weeks ago!!! 

Thanks to everyone reading this and good luck! 

xoxo, Syd