The beginning of the end.

So...I have finally finished week 3 of month 2.  Roughly two weeks behind schedule but I finished.  After having to take a week off for my back, it was harder to get into the routine of working out on a daily basis.  I don't know what it is, but you just get into a mindset of "this workout can wait til tomorrow and it'll be ok."  And it was ok.  I didn't feel guilty for skipping one day and then getting back to it the following day because I knew I would do it. 

I'm really excited to finish this final week and see the end results.  With completing the Insanity program, you're asked to take before and after pictures.  I decided at the beginning I would take the before pictures and then wait to look at them again when comparing them to my after pictures.  I am so close to being able to take those after pictures and I look forward to comparing to see the results.  Already, I can see and feel the results so I have a good idea of what I'll see!  With this final week, I'm also looking ahead to decide what I want to do next.  I'm considering taking a week or two off and then completing another round of Insanity.  My main goal is to focus more on my nutrition; by taking advantage of the Team Beachbody program online and have my meals planned out for me.




 I don't expect different results...I expect BETTER results with a second round!  Does that still go under the definition of Insanity??

And the Week 2 Re-do

I never thought I would say this...

But it was nice being able to workout again today.  I seriously missed it, even the muscle fatigue and massive amount of sweat.  It honestly felt like an accomplishment to me.  I could have easily said that I needed another week off because of my back and that there was still some soreness but I knew I was ready.  Instead of making it an excuse, I made it the reason to keep pushing through...to prove to myself that I could do it. 

I decided to pick up where I left off and do the Max Interval Circuit tonight. There were a couple of workouts that I modified or completed at a slower rate...side suicide jumps, most definitely slower at those than before.  To get back on track with my workouts (since I'm a day behind), I plan to double up on Wednesday and Thursday.  Luckily, I have Wednesday off (HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!)  I also need to get back on track with my nutrition.  Having a week of no workouts was great but I definitely attribute no need to follow nutrition all the time to no workouts.  Hopefully this week goes more smoothly.

Wish me luck!  And to everyone that's doing Insanity or just working out, keep pushing yourself and digging deep.  You can do it! 

3 Weeks Left and A Setback

Last Thursday, I was really excited because I finished week 1 of the second month and I was in the downhill stretch with Insanity. WOOT WOOT!  So I decided to workout while I went home to Illinois for the weekend and did the Max Cardio Circuit on Saturday on a concrete floor, when I've been doing it on carpet this entire time. 

Bad idea. That downhill stretch turned in to me tripping over my feet and falling face first into the ground.

I now not only have one pulled muscle but two pulled muscles.  And both are on my back, perpendicular to one another (not fun to have this issue when you're driving or looking down.)  Needless to say, I'm having to take a temporary break from Insanity.  I went to the doctor today and he said that I needed to take it easy for the next few days.  Then, I could do some light stretching.  My guess is that I won't be able to get back into it for another week or two.  I was looking forward to being able to complete this the week after my birthday so this has been somewhat of a downer for me.  But hopefully I will be back and in it soon.  Positive side is that I have an extra hour in the evenings now.  Here's to a quick recovery!!!



Sorry, crazy lady, but sometimes it's okay to quit...so don't try to be macho and push yourself through potential long-term pain.  That's just crazy.

Some "Fit"spiration

First off, kudos to Amber and Sarah for starting their own fitness journeys and starting workout blogs!!!  It's really inspirational for myself knowing that I've motivated others to either blog or begin Insanity. :)  Keep it up, girlies...you can do it!

So with that said, I wanted to take some blog space to talk about those days that I'm unmotivated.  When I first began working out (think my pre-Insanity, at-the-gym days), it was sooooo easy to make excuses: "I don't have time," "I'm too tired," or "I'll do it tomorrow."  But thinking about it, I can't make excuses for my health so I decided to do something about it.    For the past month and a half, I've been working out 6 days a week (this coming from maybe once or twice a week.)  So of course, I've had my bad days.  Starting work at 8 AM and not getting home until 7:30 PM and then going straight into working out, it's been tough.  But the important thing is to just get up and do it.  In the case of Insanity: keep pushing play!  And after working out, I feel better than I did before.

Today was the first day that I just wanted to get home and work out...it's starting to become more of a stress reliever for me and that feels great!  However, doing the max cardio conditioning did not feel so great at times.  Backwards suicide jumps?  CRAZY!  But I will try again next time. Looking forward to cardio recovery tomorrow!

To provide a little more "fit"spiration, here's one my pinterest finds that I've found motivating for myself:

Fit Test and an Ass Beating.

So...the fit test first and overall results.

1. Switch Kicks= +8
2. Power Jacks=  +3
3. Power Knees= +12 
4. Power Jumps= +6
5. Globe Jumps= +1 (stupid globe jumps...)
6. Suicide Jumps= +1 (ditto on the stupid.)
7. Push-up Jacks=  +4
8. Low Plank Oblique= +8

Woot woot for improvement!  I have yet to take my measurements to compare to when I first started BUT I've definitely noticed more of a change...some clothes are loose in certain areas (mainly my workout shorts and jeans.)  I'm still feeling fit and toned, of course, with more energy.  And if my workout today is any indication of what results to expect, it'll definitely be worth it.

To the first day of Month 2:
It was brutal.  Absolutely brutal.  I really didn't think it was possible for someone to sweat so much (my hair was almost completely soaked by the end of the workout.)  Shaun T. said he smiles because he loves it....I did not love it right then.  Especially some of the drill circuits.  I can't even remember all of what I did.  It was that crazy.  There were a lot of impromptu breaks and I did have to pause the video a few times just to take a breather.  Going at your own pace and keeping your form is key...although I knew that I wasn't going at the same pace as the video, I still felt the workout.  This upcoming week may be harder or easier than my first week with Insanity.  But I'm over halfway through so there's no stopping now! 4 more weeks!!

Halfway-ish Point!!!

Just a few words for ya...I have officially completed Month 1 of Insanity!  Woot woot!  Now, a week of Core Cardio & Balance and then on to Month 2.  Apparently, it's rough.

I'm not going to take much time blogging tonight (due to paperwork and such) but I did want to reflect a little bit on this past month and what I plan to do differently in the upcoming month.

First off, nutrition is very VERY important.  If you don't fuel your body, then you'll end up a big blob (not literally but moreso, have no energy.)  I've been very off course this past week and not doing my 5 Meal plan.  At this point, I'm feeling the difference compared to the last few weeks. However, I will say that I've been making healthier food choice decisions and been focusing on putting protein, fiber and healthy fats in my meals.  And my blender is seriously my new best friend.  This next month, I really plan to put more focus on my nutrition.  I have the workouts down...now it's down to my food.

Second: splurge a little and get some good cross trainers...not running shoes or your $15 tennis shoes from Walmart.  A couple weekends back, I bought a pair of Nike cross trainers (the exact type, not sure) but I definitely feel a difference in my feet and ankles.  When I was using my running shoes, I felt more strain in my ankles and calves throughout most of the workout but now, it's mainly when I first start.

Thirdly, don't trust the scale...the numbers can lie.  I've been all over the place with the scale since I've first started (usually within a 5 lb. range) but I can feel a difference.  According to some of my friends/co-workers, they can see a difference as well.  I have yet to measure myself and compare to when I first started by I'm pretty sure there will be a difference. 

And lastly, keeping pushing play and digging deep! 

End of Week 3!

This blog is a little late (by a couple of days at least) but I've made it through week 3! 

Almost.

Why almost, you ask?  This girl didn't do her workout on Thursday and failed to make it up yesterday.  And with doing both Cardio Abs and Pure Cardio today (as well as going swimming and hanging out with friends), it just wasn't going to happen.  I thought a little bit about this and I realized that if I would've skipped going to the gym or doing a workout a few months back, I wouldn't have cared.  I would know that the gym would still be there when I felt like going again.  But with missing the last day of Week 3, I'm feeling a little disappointed in myself or bummed out that I missed a workout.  Granted, I worked late Thursday night and I made last minute plans with Friday.  Part of me feels there just wasn't a good excuse.  However, I know next week will be better...it's week 4 and the halfway point.  WOOT!

In comparing this past week to my week 3 (especially doing Pure Cardio today), it was a lot easier!  Today I kept pushing myself to not give up...to take a 5-10 second break and then get right back into it.  I'm not getting out of breath as quickly AND my body isn't sore after workouts!  I haven't seen a major change yet with clothes and weight (probably because I haven't been as exact with the nutrition portion) but I feel the difference.  I feel leaner and toned, especially in the arms and legs...stomach area is slowly making it. And I have more energy.  So if I can have these type of results in just month 1, I'm really excited to see what's going to happen in month 2.  Wish me luck and everybody out there who's doing this, keep pushing play and digging deep!!!

PS-Favorite new quote from Shawn T.  "Why do I keep doing this? Because I look good!"  TOTALLY agree!