Return with INSANITY!

Long time no write! It's been a pretty busy summer, but a good one. With so much going on and trips to UT I have NOT exercised like I should. I have the body to prove it too. It makes me so frustrated that I let myself go like that. BLAH!

But deciding I needed to turn a new leaf and get back on the band wagon, I went with Insanity. I did P90X and really like it. I feel like I started to get the results I wanted. I didn't finish with Phase 3 I know, I know. I should have. But I started to get a little bored with it. I liked a ton of things about it. I felt like I was getting "sculpted" (their word not mine). But I kind of felt like I was getting man legs. Todd said I wasn't, but my thighs would get bigger. Some people told me it would even out and I guess it did.

Anyway, after talking with several people and hearing the same things I felt about p90X; that it took SO long, that it was a ton of weights and not everyone has the weights they needed, that it got old etc. and hearing lots of good things about Insanity; its faster (only 45 mins max) 60 days to results, more cardio, pushes harder for those who need it (more on that in a bit) etc.

I am 4 days in and HOLY CRAP!!!! It is HARD! I DO NOT recommend this work out if you are starting cold turkey, have not exercised at all or very little, and make sure you stick with good eating habits. (have mentioned how BAD sugar is for you?!!) Any way it kicks your butt! You know when they guys on the work out are taking breaks and can hardly keep up that you're in for something!

I'm not gonna lie. I barely keep up and modify a TON of the moves. Some of them my knees have a hard time with so I jump a little less, and take a few more breaks. I was glad I had at least done the P90X for a while, even if I haven't done them in a couple of months. But I will push through. I have been so sore! I keep on top the ibuprofen for a few days. I take my calcium and am working BIG time on my diet! (Sugar= bad remember!)

Its a Beach Body program so you will see a lot of the same moves as far as the stretching, modified Yoga and a few of the cardio moves. But it's all good!

Well long post to get you updated. I can stick with it for 60 days right!! Good luck with your work out! Another new goal is to keep this updated. Might even add a few good recipes when I find them.

End of Phase 2

So I finished Phase 2 right before we left for Utah. I feel like I did pretty good this phase. I modified the HGC diet (used the diet as a guide-line, but added more protein for my harder workout) and I think I lost a few inches. I felt really good about what I have done.

Problem is I went to Utah on vacation and so did my diet. I didn't do ONE workout while I was there. I had a bunch of family activities so of course I didn't eat all that great. In my defense I was sick for the last week of being there, and on the "plus side" I didn't over eat too much that week.

I've been giving my self a re-coup week. But next week it's head first! I am going to push hard again. I still really want to get rid of those last few lbs and inches!!!

Just keep swimming...just..keep swimming...

Not much new around here. I had a busy week so I was somewhat of a slacker. I did go running on Monday, and today I jumped back into P90X. It felt good. I only missed 2 or 3 days but I was worried about breaking the habit.

I've got 2 weeks until that first wedding so I better keep going! My goal is to loose another 1/2 total inch. I have gone down in inches quite a bit. I have been watching REALLY close what I eat. I guess it's paying off. Not much weight loss...but I didn't expect much, just inches, which I'll take!

Small Victory

I was able to do 45 out of the 56 mins of Plyometrics! It's a lot of jumping, moving, heart racing, cardio stuff. For me (besides pushups and pull ups) this one is the hardest. I am not a jumper/high impact person, so I felt pretty good about making that far! My goal by the end of phase 2 is to be able to finish the video!

Phase 2

I start Phase 2 today. Oh-man, I hope I can keep it up!

Brave?

I REALLY debated on putting up these photos. But I needed a way to see before and after and progress along the way. So completely out of my comfort zone....

Here is before:

After Phase 1.
Not a huge difference. I have lost about 1 1/2 total inches, and no weight... so far... apparently it takes time :-) So on to Phase 2 next week. Supposedly phase 2 is when you start to define things a little more. I sure hope so!

Inches

The inches are coming off? I measured today. I am happy to announce that I lost 1 total inch from a combination of arms, waist, chest, and hips! But measured and re-measured my thigh and it's UP 1 inch...what?! I am really enjoying this work out! I have fun...ok fun might not be the best word...but I do enjoy it. I like feeling like I've worked out for the day! I feel like I am more fit, and slim.

The thigh thing though...I don't want big, beefy, manly thighs....I will have to think about this one.

1 week.

I have made it through 1 week today, Hurray! I made it 10 mins longer today than I did the first day. So I hope that means I've made some progress.

Friday

Can't. move. my. arms. oh-boy!

I might be crazy....

Todd talked me into doing the P90x. Crazy! I have been SO sore the past few days! I am on day 3, only...wait I don't want to know how many days left...I can't make it all the way through the video yet. They are averaging about 60 min each, but I do make it through about 1/2 hour. The first day my legs were so tired after the 1/2 I could barley walk into the kitchen to make breakfast.

We have 2 weddings this summer, and I want to look fantastic! I want to feel awesome and I want to look awesome. I can do anything for 90 days right?! Just in time for the 1st wedding I will be all toned and ready for swimsuit season, at least I better be!

Healthy ramblings....

I am trying to eat more healthy. More fruits, veggies, less sweets, snacking, and portion control. I think it's working. As far as lbs being lost....don't know. But I do know that I am feeling better about myself and it gives me a goal.

We bought a new refrigerator (out of necessity) and I have found it makes a difference. No really. It helps. It's bigger so I can fit more veggies and fruits in it, and they stay fresh longer. It has an ice maker and a water filter so I drink more ice cold yummy water.

Does anyone else get tired of deciding what to fix each meal? I don't get tired of eating lol, I get tired of deciding WHAT to eat. Trying to eat healthier takes work. I stare at my pantry deciding what to eat that is worth the calories and seems healthy. I am not a huge rice cake and whole wheat cracker fan. So I am working really hard adjusting to grabbing a few carrots or grapes or something for a snack.

I am also looking forward to summer. I want to figure out a way to build a small garden box for my back yard. I want fresh zucchini, maybe some tomatoes for salsa, maybe some peppers...uhmmm I'll have to work on that.

Ok rambling done. What are some of your favorite healthy meals?

Zumba Review

I bought Zumba for the Wii yesterday. I was SO excited to try it. It definitely is not working out with my ladies at Zumba class. But I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

I wasn't sure how well it would work being a game and having to keep track of a paddle, but it worked pretty well at keeping my heart rate up. It comes with a belt that you put on and the remote goes inside. I wore the paddle on my back (as opposed to it resting on my hip, in front or holding it) and that seemed to keep it out of the way.

I started out on the intermediate 45 min class. I kept up pretty good. The moves were pretty basic and I was happy I recognized one of the songs from my class. I think I might download some other zumba songs on my Ipod and listen to them instead...still thinking about it.

My ankle is still pretty sore so I had to tone it down a little, but as long as I kept moving it gave me points and I got my heart rate up. I think it is something I will do 3-4 x's a week. It is a good calorie burner and is fun.

As with any Zumba be prepared to feel like a fool while dancing. Unless you have those amazing "wiggle" hips down already :-)

Zumba Wii

Ok, I know 2 posts in one day WHAt?! I bought Zumba for the Wii. Looks pretty good. I am excited to try it tomorrow!

Done

I'm done with my diet. I felt like I did pretty good. I only lost about 5lbs BUT I lost several inches. At this point I'm more about the inches. I still need to get my Zumba something, probably will go with the Wii game, but I have been doing the PX90 cardio X.

I wear a brace on my ankle and tone it down big time so to not hurt my foot any more, but it feels good to be doing something. I figure a little bit at a time. The ankle is slowly getting better. I haven't sprained an ankle since I was, like 10 maybe? So I have been super impatient in letting it heal. I read and people told me how long it can take, I just didn't expect to for it to be that long especially when everything says "it CAN take up to 8 weeks for a sprain to heal." Looks like mines about on track with that. Blah!

Oh-well. Like I said at least it's healing and I can do something now. A little cardio feels better than nothing and I don't feel like such a blob sitting all day!

Still Going...

I'm still going on my diet. It's been pretty good so far. I have my bad and good days for sure. Since hurting my feet I haven't done ANY exercising. I want to really bad, but on days when it's hard to walk, it's hard to do any exercising.

I know Tiffany has Zumba on the Wii, does any one else? How does it work? I have heard a few people say it's really fun...what do you do with the controler? Do you wear it some way? or Do you just hold it?

Still deciding between the Wii Zumba or the DVD's...both sound like good options.

Day 2

So I started the HCG diet again. I am doing it full force this time (no cheats) just like I did the first time. I think it's not too bad. I am a little hungry and yesterday slightly grumpy :-) but over all not too bad. I am hoping for a good 10 lbs lost this time hopefully even 15. I am not going to weigh every day. I think every -other day will be just fine. I don't want to get done and be obsessed with what I can and cannot eat this time. I don't like how controlled I felt the last time I did this. So my best solution is to not obsess. I am doing the diet, following it really well and if I am doing a good job my pants will go back to feeling loose, I will feel good and be excited doing the best I could. My best judge is the way I feel in my clothes.

I am still on the hunt for a zumba class though. I still miss it. I think it was the funnest (not technically a word but you get the idea) work-out I have EVER done. I really enjoyed it and felt like I was toning and burning fat at the same time. I really don't want to have to join a club or gym in order to go....so I'm still looking.

Why's it always food?

We live in a food oriented society. We (or at least I do) eat when I am happy and want to celebrate, I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I bored, I eat for birthday's and the list goes on. I get so frustrated by it. Why am I so attracted to food? I look forward to those butter saturated potatoes, and big juicy burgers. Uhg. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. I know that it is a struggle for A LOT of people. But that doesn't always make it that much less frustrating.

Moving to Texas it's been horrible on my eating habits. I haven't found to many hobbies yet, the kids aren't really involved in too many extra activities that keep me busy, so I eat. I eat because I am sad I left all my family and friends, I eat when Todd and Tanner had a birthday. I get lonely during the day so I make cookies and eat most of them because they sit, staring, at me on the counter.

I haven't exactly gone "up" a size but my pants are getting a little tight and a little to squishy in the backside.....so I think I am going to do the HCG diet again. I know its not the most healthy way to diet and it's pretty rough thing to fallow, but I feel like the last time I did it I got my self under control. I shrunk my stomach, and proved to my mind, as well as my body, I don't need all the extra STUFF to feel me up and be satisfied. I think there are better things to do with my time besides eat.

I think it will be a week or so before I get it and get going but I think I am looking forward to loosing those extra inches that have inched their way back onto my backside and get looking good again for the summer that is coming.

Holy Cow!

I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted on this thing. I guess I really should be better about that! I have moved, celebrated Christmas and New Years, and now feel like I am pulling my life back together...somewhat...

I miss my Zumba class! I had so much fun and felt like I was getting so much more firm doing it. I loved the dancing. I think it is my favorite way to work out. I look like a complete dork, but I was starting to feel like I could let go a little and have a lot of fun. I was also going often enough (2 x's a week) that I almost started feeling like I needed to step it up a notch. I also felt like it was getting my "trouble spots" I know I need to work on them more and harder, but the regularity and mixing up that she would do helped a ton!

I haven't found any classes around here yet but there are a few dance work out videos on Netflix that I want to try. I figure something is better than nothing, because working out makes me feel better about my self and gives me something productive to do, I will try them out.

Zumba Baby!

I went to my first Zumba class on Tuesday. It was a ton of fun! I think it helped that Nichole, Kim, and Jillynn went so I wasn't all by my lonesome. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to move the next day. I woke up and thought "ok this isn't so bad" then by around 2 o'clock it hit. I thought "oh-boy that was more than I thought" but it was all a Totally good burn!

I went again yesterday and it was a little easier and a little less dorky for me. I think I held my own OK. It was as fun as the first time and went by just as fast. I think it will be a regular thing for me. Well...at least until we move.

Todd will be home for a week next week and he is TOTALLY going with me :-) He even said he would!

At it again...

I took a break from exercising because we were moving, Todd getting a new job, Halloween, ect. But now I'm at it again. Welcome back exercise, I missed you.