The positive about writing a daily diary while attempting the six-week Utopia Food & Fitness program? I stay honest. The negative of writing a daily diary? That honesty gets communicated to my fearless trainers/leaders/motivators at Utopia. It’s hard not to feel a tiny bit of shame as I walk into the gym each week knowing that they know I’ve cheated/sipped wine/reviewed food/expressed my thoughts. And yes, I do get called out for my cheating (see below). But hey, we’re all just staying honest, right?
Day 1: I get to switch up my workout today! I’m moving from the rotary exercise machines to compound movements. The first three weeks of Utopia focuses on building a foundation of controlled movement through a range of motion. They want you to learn how to use your muscle and not momentum. (Example: The seated leg curl works only your quads.) After you’ve completed the segment, you graduate to the “other” side. These machines use a combination of muscles to take your workout to the next level. (Example: The leg press works your quads, glutes, and hamstrings.) I haven’t lost any weight in a week (eek!), but the trainers assured me today that the change up in routine will probably result in a few more pounds lost. It. Was. Hard. I can tell the difference in using more than one muscle, and I’m a bit more sore than usual.
Stephanie wanted to talk through my “cheating” episodes. My response?
“I mean, everyone cheats a little, right?”
Well, no. She confidently claims that most people on the program do not cheat. They’ve made a financial commitment, and most of them stick to the program meal-by-meal. OK, but most people aren’t writing a daily diary of their thoughts and then sharing it with the world either. Would they actually tell you if they cheated? Plus, I’ve cheated, and I am still seeing great results, so that is just another win for the program, right?
She told me a story about a woman who didn’t drink on her daughter’s wedding day. Dedication or extreme? I guess to each their own. I can’t write about the program and not fess up, so I better prepare them for the glass of champagne I will drink for my birthday this weekend.
Day 2: Today was a good day. I have not purchased new (nice) jeans since I had my second child, and I have been dreading the task. For me, jean shopping is akin to bathing suit shopping. I wanted to lock myself in a dressing room with 40 pairs, giving each pair its due as I try them on. After doing pretty much this, I can confidently say I can zip up my pre-baby size. Cheers! (I’m just cheers-ing with water today, guys). Next up, bathing suit shopping. But not today. There is only so much one girl can handle.
Days 3-4: Two words: Birthday rosé. Not feeling guilty. Feeling good. It’s a “5” birthday, so it only felt right to celebrate. I spent the weekend celebrating with some girlfriends. Brunch turned into happy hour, but I still maintained my diet, and I didn’t gain any weight.
Day 5: This was my first day solo on the new machines. They are, without a doubt, more challenging than the first circuit. I can feel my heart racing. I sweat a bit more. But I like this feeling of working my body even harder. I have also noticed that I am getting used to the new calorie range–just in time to drop again soon.
I am starting to notice a bigger difference in the way my clothes fit. The pounds aren’t dropping as quickly, but the muscle tone is starting to show through.
Day 6: I am starting to notice a difference in my my stomach. FINALLY! My abs feel stronger and leaner. (Is there a six pack? No. But there’s not a keg in there anymore.) I am making tiny strides in my weight loss (an ounce here and an ounce there), but I am hoping that means I’m building muscle.
Day 7: It’s the day before we leave for a Spring Break trip to the mountains. We’ll be gone for five days, but I’m able to still fit in my workouts due to our convenient flight times and Utopia’s flexible hours. I am taking food with me, but this will be the ultimate challenge. Not sipping wine while watching the sunset? Not sipping wine while in the hot tub looking at the mountains? Not sipping wine while dining al fresco at our favorite spots? Luckily, my kids will be there. Lucky because I love them, but also lucky because the temptation to dine out will be tempered. Because, well, you try to dine out with a 19-month old.
Final thoughts: After completing week four, I am starting to notice a bigger difference in the way my clothes fit. The pounds aren’t dropping as quickly, but the muscle tone is starting to show through. Two more weeks. The homestretch is exciting, and I’m feeling a new motivation to stick to the diet. (Yes, even after my cheating episodes.)
Ryan Conner is associate editor of D Weddings and D Home.
