I’m happy to report that I am still tracking my macros. Yesterday was Day 8.
“Day 8” (or thereabouts) tends to be my kryptonite. Usually, any time I try to implement a change, or do a “program” (like when I tried repeatedly to do the #75Hard program…), I go forth strong for…about 8 days.
I have data to back this up. 🙂 (I think I started and failed the 75 Hard challenge something like ten or more times, always falling off around day 7-8.)
Something just happens around that mark that makes me abandon ship! Most likely, this would be called something like “the novelty wore off” phenomena. 😉
When we start a new habit, there is definitely usually a big burst of new energy. Everything is exciting, fresh. We feel very motivated. This is it! We’re going to change our lives, right here, right now. 😄
But 8 days of something is long enough for that high to level off. Normal life and routines inevitably are in full swing. The “fun” of a new challenge might not feel so fun anymore. This is the point where we have to lean a bit more into dedication, discipline and good habits. Dig deep. Stay the course. 🙂 Knowing this about myself, I actually put a little mark on my calendar for Day 8. Like, don’t you quit on me now!
So! I am happy and proud that I sit here on the morning of Day 9, still going! I don’t have an end date in mind yet. This weekend was not a perfect tracking weekend, but close enough. I’m feeling really great. Maybe this is the biggest motivator to keep going. Really, I feel fantastic.
Podcast Rec:
I stumbled across a new podcast recently about diet/ nutrition/ macro counting, if anyone is interested.
It’s called EmPowered Radio. (Her personal website is macroswithem.com.)
The host is a (very) fit looking, and very sweet sounding, trainer, who basically preaches the EXACT same messages and style as my previous trainer. She is also I think exactly my age- 38 or 39- and a mom.
The episodes are pretty simple and short, to the point. Just her talking, no guests. She covers all the main topics around macro counting, dieting/ fat loss, strength training, etc.
I sort of binge listened to a dozen or more episodes this past week, and everything I’ve heard has been on point accurate. Nothing crazy or extreme- a very healthy and balanced approach.
I’m also very intrigued by her monthly strength training plan!! (the “empowered elite monthly membership”).
I actually might buy a month. It’s only $20/month, no commitment required. This is very similar to what I did previously- an online group monthly plan. So, not tailored specifically to me, which is fine! I don’t need that. But it’s a nice set of workouts I could do for the month, without having to write my own, or recycle my old ones. Then you’d get a new one the next month (allowing ~4 weeks or so to progress on the first group of workouts).
It looks like she provides 5 workouts per week- 2 leg/ab, 1 shoulder/ triceps, 1 back/biceps and 1 full body. I think she provides options to do them at home, too, if no gym membership. This is the exact split I currently follow (minus the full body day- I just do 4 days currently). So this could be perfect! And, these are the exact workouts she does, too. She’s very open about that on the podcast.
I liked this episode: 5 Habits That Keep Me Lean
3 Reasons You Don’t Look Like You Workout was also good.
Actually, I haven’t heard one yet I didn’t like. So, check it out! Link to list of all episodes here. She has a very Tennessee twang accent. 😉
Final thought:
Wisconsin weather is clinically insane.
Thought of the Day:
In 6 months you will have 6 months of excuses, or 6 months of progress. The choice is yours. (Dedicated to myself, on my day 9! 😉 )
Daily Gratitude:
I am grateful for having good health insurance.
GRATEFUL KAE 
Thank you for sharing this! It is really interesting and inspirational… I need a complete 100% overhaul of my diet and the whole thing is so overwhelming to me. I’m a really fussy eater, vegetarian (I do eat some seafood but generally not fish and no meat…. easier to just say I’m veggie!), with a serious sugar addiction. I do LOVE healthy food and yet my feet lead me down the M&M aisle a lot more than the salad aisle…..
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I didn’t know you are vegetarian! Hmm…that’s an area I really have no advice to offer you! I would like to learn more about vegetarian protein sources, since when I count macros I definitely eat a LOT of protein. Much of it does end up being animal product….so that would be a big new learning curve, to try to do this while not eating meat!! If you want to overhaul your diet, go for it! We’ll all be here cheering you on. 🙂
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Thank you! I guess protein for me would be the seafood I eat, all the cheese in the world, soy products (which I don’t like), beans (Which I don’t like)…. lol. It’s tricky!
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The novelty definitely DOES wear off after a week! Good for you for keeping on keeping on! And your weather is nutso – so is ours. I am ready for some consistency please!
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This weather is killing me. I am still wearing my winter boots and using my SAD lamp and I honestly don’t remember doing that into MAY before this year. Why do we live in Wisconsin?
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Go home, Mother Nature, you’re drunk. This has been an awful spring. It reminds me of the spring of 2014. I moved back to Minneapolis that May so got 2 springs that year since spring arrives in NC in March. Things are just starting to bud here. We went to a little park at a church by our house after dinner last night, though. It was nice that it was nice enough to do that, although still on the cool side. Of course leaving this little park kind of offset any of the joy of the outing because Paul DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE! Do you remember those days of parenting! Ha! So much coercion and setting of timers and then being begged for another timer.
I will have to check out this podcast. I am so behind on podcasts, though! But it would be good to add in a different topic. How long do you think you will track your macros? Even though I eat better when I am tracking as it keeps me honest, it gets kind of tiresome after awhile. I tracked through WW for about 4 months I think and then just got fatigued by it! So maybe I need to track 10 days/month or something like that. I was hoping there would be a WW downtown that is open because I am a lifetime member so don’t have to pay once I reach my goal weight, but you have to attend a meeting/weigh in once a month so I was hoping I could do that now that I’m back at the office, but it looks like the downtown WW closed during the pandemic – not surprising by I was bummed!
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good job on sticking to it. I am the same, when I start a plan I usually derail after a week. I guess it’s because you do feel good doing it, not suffering everyday, and that it’s getting easier with tracking/planning. will check these podcasts, sounds like a good listen for my short runs.
I’ve debating to start a workout plan that is paid. on one side, there are so many free videos that have a weekly plan I can follow, but at the same time I want to commit to something (by paying) to really focus on strengthen training. But on the other side, I need running in my life for various reasons so doing strength training 4-5 days a week seems too much if I can to keep running. still debating…. haha
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I came across your blog only recently through Sarah’s blog and I must say I am enjoying yours very much. I completely relate with you about the 8th day slump. Good luck with your new fitness journey.
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Thanks for checking out my blog!! 🙂
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Good for you for pushing through… I agree that things usually get tough after around a week or so, although I usually anticipate the dip in motivation and (try to LOL) plan for it accordingly. I haven’t started to really work on my macros yet, but I think I want to give this a go sometime
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I think it’s a very eye opening experience! I’m not saying people should count macros forever or anything, but I really do think it’s beneficial to do it for a while. You just learn so much, I think. And I do like how you can adapt it to eating any food- so much flexibility! It does take some effort, though, especially at first.
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