So yeah, it's been a while since posting has happened. Oopsie. But the workouts have continued and we're still getting stronger! I am so happy to be ahead of the bandwagon and have already gotten a grip on my workout routine for the year.
Well a few days ago was the awesome fit test again. I was really nervous starting out because I didn't want to have super high expectations of what my progress would be and then be disappointed when it wasn't that great... but then I didn't want to think it would be lousy, cuz you know, mindset and all... it would be lousy.
I was very pleasantly surprised with pretty much everything. All of the drills had a significant increase and I didnt get dizzy or queasy through the whole thing (which was a factor the first time around). It's really cool to see how just over two weeks your strength, endurance, and power can increase so dramatically. I'm still not a fan of globe jumps or power jumps (I think I just don't like jumping in general...), but I still survived!
Since then there has also been a couple round of Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs. Eventhough the ab workout is only 16 minutes, it's the hardest ab workout I've ever done. It will leave your stomach feeling rather raw and sore for about 20 minutes afterwards, but it also has ridiculous results. And though it works you hard, it really is a good cool down after the intensity of Pure Cardio. My sister and I have considered slapping it on to the end of all our workouts because despite the pain, it's relaxing (oxymoron?).
Tomorrow is recovery day again with lots of stretching (yay!). It's pretty crazy how fast this first month is already going! Looking forward to really ripping it up.
Keep moving, keep pushing, and dont settle for living back on the couch!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Biceps
So you know that giddy excited feeling you get when you see someone you haven't seen in a long time? You just want to jump for joy and dance around. Well, I had a moment like that this morning.
Yes, it's only been 12 workout days since I started this crazy stuff.... but already I'm seeing muscle bugles in places I havent seen in a long time. This morning, I was throwing my hair up in a ponytail and I saw this familiar yet foreign shadow on my arm. I looked closer and lo and behold... I have a bicep! Havent seen you, old friend, in many years. It's a little thing, I know, but it's enough to push me to keep going.
Also newly forming once again is that muscle right above your knee, on the outside of my quads. I had it for years and loved it when I did a lot of dance and lunges... welcome back!!!
I will admit... I'm scared for tomorrow. 45 minutes of pure cardio and then cardio abs. whohoo. scary! Something tells me that my abs are going to haaate meeeee.
Here goes nothin'!
Yes, it's only been 12 workout days since I started this crazy stuff.... but already I'm seeing muscle bugles in places I havent seen in a long time. This morning, I was throwing my hair up in a ponytail and I saw this familiar yet foreign shadow on my arm. I looked closer and lo and behold... I have a bicep! Havent seen you, old friend, in many years. It's a little thing, I know, but it's enough to push me to keep going.
Also newly forming once again is that muscle right above your knee, on the outside of my quads. I had it for years and loved it when I did a lot of dance and lunges... welcome back!!!
I will admit... I'm scared for tomorrow. 45 minutes of pure cardio and then cardio abs. whohoo. scary! Something tells me that my abs are going to haaate meeeee.
Here goes nothin'!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Circuit training agaaaain.
Let me tell ya, trying to do this workout while having a cold is HARD. I mean, it's hard already, and then add in not being able to breathe fully and having a runny nose... Wow, yeah not fun. Maybe it's just hilarious... I'm not sure.
In spite of being groggy, I was actually able to do a lot more in this workout again. I had to take a break through the warm up sets and had drunk 20 oz of water in the first 10 minutes. Despite this, through the rest of the sets, I was happy to see my endurance building. I kinda wonder now if I need somebody right there with me telling me to push harder and do more sets. Otherwise I'll be tempted to slack off when it gets hard. And interestingly, I felt better all over (including from my cold symptoms) after doing the workout. Sweatin' it out!
Regardless of your physical stamina, strength, or fitness level, do NOT do this workout by yourself. It really is important to have somebody with you who can spot you, make sure your form is right, and to encourage you to make it through the end of the routine; whether it's 30 more minutes, 15 minutes, or 15 seconds. There have been several times where my sister has had to yell at me to "get my butt down" or "hold in the abs." Little reminders are a huge benefit and will help prevent injury.
Another fun benefit of doing the workout with somebody, is that whether you're naturally competitive or not (which I really am), competition does play a role. When I see my sister pushing through and keeping up with the routine, I'm more inclined to keep moving and push harder. Eventually it becomes a contest: who can do more Level 1 drill sets, who can sweat more, who can drink more water in a 30 second break, and who can go longest without taking an additional break. Let's just say, it's fun.
Definitely looking forward to tomorrow's "recovery" and then blasting it with Pure Cardio AND Cardio Abs.
Keep digging, and keep pushing through!
In spite of being groggy, I was actually able to do a lot more in this workout again. I had to take a break through the warm up sets and had drunk 20 oz of water in the first 10 minutes. Despite this, through the rest of the sets, I was happy to see my endurance building. I kinda wonder now if I need somebody right there with me telling me to push harder and do more sets. Otherwise I'll be tempted to slack off when it gets hard. And interestingly, I felt better all over (including from my cold symptoms) after doing the workout. Sweatin' it out!
Regardless of your physical stamina, strength, or fitness level, do NOT do this workout by yourself. It really is important to have somebody with you who can spot you, make sure your form is right, and to encourage you to make it through the end of the routine; whether it's 30 more minutes, 15 minutes, or 15 seconds. There have been several times where my sister has had to yell at me to "get my butt down" or "hold in the abs." Little reminders are a huge benefit and will help prevent injury.
Another fun benefit of doing the workout with somebody, is that whether you're naturally competitive or not (which I really am), competition does play a role. When I see my sister pushing through and keeping up with the routine, I'm more inclined to keep moving and push harder. Eventually it becomes a contest: who can do more Level 1 drill sets, who can sweat more, who can drink more water in a 30 second break, and who can go longest without taking an additional break. Let's just say, it's fun.
Definitely looking forward to tomorrow's "recovery" and then blasting it with Pure Cardio AND Cardio Abs.
Keep digging, and keep pushing through!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Why do I do this?
"As a fitness professional, I often ask myself, 'why do I do this?'... oh yeah, cuz I wanna look guuuuuuuuuuuud."
Why do I do this? Um yeah, pretty much same reason. It's all a matter of vanity after all. I want to be fit, strong, have high endurance, and hey, if I can look good in the process... why not? *wink*
Yesterday was my favorite workout again. Large muscle groups, intense burn, and complete exhaustion.... but literally feeeeeling your muscles getting stronger. This time around I was able to do at least two sets of each workout (yes, I know it sounds pathetic... but you try it and then tell me it's not a good start). Though I can't walk without wobbling, climb stairs, or lift anything for about 20 minutes after it.. it is sooooo fun and feels soooo good. Nothing like working to your max. By the end of this 60 days, I fully intend to be able to work my way through the whole thing.
Today was the Pure Cardio routine. wheew. I'm tired. But I'm also seeing results. I dont feel the need to collapse on the floor or take a mini-recovery nap on the couch immediately after turning off the TV. Instead I actually go take a walk around my 3 acre yard to cool off completely and get my heart rate back down. Not sure how well that's gonna work when it's bitter cold and there is snow on the ground, but seeing as we're currently having 60 degree days, I'll make use of it while I can.
The past few days have been interesting because I've been trying to do this crazy workout while slightly congested and with a sore throat... makes breathing fun. It has required more breaks to get my breath back, but, I'm told that expanding your lung capacity is good for you... so we keep going.
The most fun part is noticing muscles in places you didnt have them before. Even after only a week, I'm seeing a little more curve in my biceps and definite shape in the calf muscle. yesssssssssssssssss. It's exciting and makes me eager to see what will happen in the upcoming weeks.
Though I still have to agree with Shaun T's assertion of the Pure Cardio workout.... "This is baanaaaanas, yo."
Why do I do this? Um yeah, pretty much same reason. It's all a matter of vanity after all. I want to be fit, strong, have high endurance, and hey, if I can look good in the process... why not? *wink*
Yesterday was my favorite workout again. Large muscle groups, intense burn, and complete exhaustion.... but literally feeeeeling your muscles getting stronger. This time around I was able to do at least two sets of each workout (yes, I know it sounds pathetic... but you try it and then tell me it's not a good start). Though I can't walk without wobbling, climb stairs, or lift anything for about 20 minutes after it.. it is sooooo fun and feels soooo good. Nothing like working to your max. By the end of this 60 days, I fully intend to be able to work my way through the whole thing.
Today was the Pure Cardio routine. wheew. I'm tired. But I'm also seeing results. I dont feel the need to collapse on the floor or take a mini-recovery nap on the couch immediately after turning off the TV. Instead I actually go take a walk around my 3 acre yard to cool off completely and get my heart rate back down. Not sure how well that's gonna work when it's bitter cold and there is snow on the ground, but seeing as we're currently having 60 degree days, I'll make use of it while I can.
The past few days have been interesting because I've been trying to do this crazy workout while slightly congested and with a sore throat... makes breathing fun. It has required more breaks to get my breath back, but, I'm told that expanding your lung capacity is good for you... so we keep going.
The most fun part is noticing muscles in places you didnt have them before. Even after only a week, I'm seeing a little more curve in my biceps and definite shape in the calf muscle. yesssssssssssssssss. It's exciting and makes me eager to see what will happen in the upcoming weeks.
Though I still have to agree with Shaun T's assertion of the Pure Cardio workout.... "This is baanaaaanas, yo."
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Day 6
Wow.
So, you remember how I said there would be days I'd want to quit, cry, and run away? And then remember how I said I was excited for this morning's workout, to see how much better I could do?
Bahahahaha!
Well, truth be told, today was both of those days mixed into one. I actually did do better. But it was a LOT harder today. I reset the alarm three times this morning because I'd look out my window to an incredibly dark and gloomy sky... and couldn't face the idea of getting out of bed and facing 50 minutes of pain, sweat, and heavy breathing.
The idea of leaving my warm, cozy cave, trudging downstairs and then workout out for almost an hour sounded like Hell.
Why not just skip today? You can always pick it up tomorrow. You're sleepy and sleep is good for you too!
*groan*
No, if I skip out today, it will only be that much easier for me to skip out tomorrow... and then the next day... and then every day after that and I will have given up after only one week!
Eventually, I did make it down to the basement, did make it through the workout, and did feel better afterwards. But it is true, today was hard. I really did hold on by the "Only 10 more seconds. You can do it!" shouting at me.
The sets seemed shorter than I remembered and the water breaks longer (thank You, God!). I still had to take lots of breaks, and did skip one whole set of basketball drills (owzers!), but I still did better on everything else. Didn't make it through all three sets of the warm up today, but hey, at least I was down there.
Tomorrow should be better cuz we're doing my favorite workout so far - power cardio and resistance. Feeel the buuuuurn!
So, you remember how I said there would be days I'd want to quit, cry, and run away? And then remember how I said I was excited for this morning's workout, to see how much better I could do?
Bahahahaha!
Well, truth be told, today was both of those days mixed into one. I actually did do better. But it was a LOT harder today. I reset the alarm three times this morning because I'd look out my window to an incredibly dark and gloomy sky... and couldn't face the idea of getting out of bed and facing 50 minutes of pain, sweat, and heavy breathing.
The idea of leaving my warm, cozy cave, trudging downstairs and then workout out for almost an hour sounded like Hell.
Why not just skip today? You can always pick it up tomorrow. You're sleepy and sleep is good for you too!
*groan*
No, if I skip out today, it will only be that much easier for me to skip out tomorrow... and then the next day... and then every day after that and I will have given up after only one week!
Eventually, I did make it down to the basement, did make it through the workout, and did feel better afterwards. But it is true, today was hard. I really did hold on by the "Only 10 more seconds. You can do it!" shouting at me.
The sets seemed shorter than I remembered and the water breaks longer (thank You, God!). I still had to take lots of breaks, and did skip one whole set of basketball drills (owzers!), but I still did better on everything else. Didn't make it through all three sets of the warm up today, but hey, at least I was down there.
Tomorrow should be better cuz we're doing my favorite workout so far - power cardio and resistance. Feeel the buuuuurn!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Pure Cardio
So, you know it's going to be a rough morning when Shaun T is looking at you saying, "you know what, I'm actually pretty nervous about this workout today."
..... what??? NOT helpful, Shaun!
This was the workout I'd been hearing about. 45 minutes of blasted cardio and muscle power... with no breaks. Eeeek! I'm going to die!
But, I didn't. It actually was surprisingly fun. There were many breaks that I had to take myself, and I refilled my water bottle twice, but hey, it was cool! One thing I will say about Shaun T that is different from any other fitness video instructor I've seen.... he actually does the workout with you. It actually is remarkably encouraging when you hear the instructor huffing and puffing, gasping for breath at times, and running for water; definitely makes you feel less pathetic when you can't do the entire set.
Even after only five days, it is remarkable to see how quickly your muscle builds, your endurance extends, and your energy boosts. Today was the first time I'd been able to make it through all three accelerated sets of the warm up without running for water (yes, it sounds pathetic, but believe me... the first five minutes of the workout are NOT a walk in the park).
Tomorrow it's back to the same routine we did on day 2. I'm curious to see how much better I can do!!!
Keep moving, and keep diggin' in! :)
..... what??? NOT helpful, Shaun!
This was the workout I'd been hearing about. 45 minutes of blasted cardio and muscle power... with no breaks. Eeeek! I'm going to die!
But, I didn't. It actually was surprisingly fun. There were many breaks that I had to take myself, and I refilled my water bottle twice, but hey, it was cool! One thing I will say about Shaun T that is different from any other fitness video instructor I've seen.... he actually does the workout with you. It actually is remarkably encouraging when you hear the instructor huffing and puffing, gasping for breath at times, and running for water; definitely makes you feel less pathetic when you can't do the entire set.
Even after only five days, it is remarkable to see how quickly your muscle builds, your endurance extends, and your energy boosts. Today was the first time I'd been able to make it through all three accelerated sets of the warm up without running for water (yes, it sounds pathetic, but believe me... the first five minutes of the workout are NOT a walk in the park).
Tomorrow it's back to the same routine we did on day 2. I'm curious to see how much better I can do!!!
Keep moving, and keep diggin' in! :)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Recovery
So yesterday was our "recovery" day. No, that doesn't mean we got to sleep in. It means that instead of a turbo intense cardio workout that has you panting and gasping for breath in the first three minutes, it was a slower paced, controlled, targeted workout.
The focus was on all the large muscle groups (quads, glutes, biceps, triceps, abs). Each exercise is repeated slowly, carefully, and is heeeeeeld for.ever. There is a lot of stretching and a lot of intense burn. It was fabulous to have the day where I could actually breathe through the whole thing and the stretches felt SOOOOOO good. I will warn you, squat and lunge pulses are pretty killer, but you really CAN make it through the whole thing. My push-ups still need a lot of help, but at least I was able to do some during this routine (and moving push-ups, mind you).
Don't be fooled by the title "recovery," though. It is still a very intense workout that will leave you sweating and sore, but very stretched out and you won't collapse on the floor. I am amazed at how much more relaxed my muscles are today. For the workouts on day 2 and 3, everything was stiff, contracted and some parts were very, very sore.
Another thing I have noticed over the past few days, I'm not nearly as cold. Because of some other health issues and a lower internal temperature (yes, I have a fever at 98.6), the months of October-March are pretty miserable for me. No matter how many layers I put on, or how many pair of socks, I am still pretty much always frigid and shivering. I realized last night that it had been four days since I'd even needed to put a pair of fuzzy socks on at all! Whether or not this is directly related to Insanity or not, I'm not sure... but I'll take it!
I did take today off from Insanity, but it was not without it's own rigorous workout. 2 hours of kickboxing class and a full afternoon of running around on errands definitely makes up for it. Though, I must say, I am looking forward to sleeping in t'morrow for my rest day. Then back to it Monday morning!!! Can't wait!
Happy weekend!
The focus was on all the large muscle groups (quads, glutes, biceps, triceps, abs). Each exercise is repeated slowly, carefully, and is heeeeeeld for.ever. There is a lot of stretching and a lot of intense burn. It was fabulous to have the day where I could actually breathe through the whole thing and the stretches felt SOOOOOO good. I will warn you, squat and lunge pulses are pretty killer, but you really CAN make it through the whole thing. My push-ups still need a lot of help, but at least I was able to do some during this routine (and moving push-ups, mind you).
Don't be fooled by the title "recovery," though. It is still a very intense workout that will leave you sweating and sore, but very stretched out and you won't collapse on the floor. I am amazed at how much more relaxed my muscles are today. For the workouts on day 2 and 3, everything was stiff, contracted and some parts were very, very sore.
Another thing I have noticed over the past few days, I'm not nearly as cold. Because of some other health issues and a lower internal temperature (yes, I have a fever at 98.6), the months of October-March are pretty miserable for me. No matter how many layers I put on, or how many pair of socks, I am still pretty much always frigid and shivering. I realized last night that it had been four days since I'd even needed to put a pair of fuzzy socks on at all! Whether or not this is directly related to Insanity or not, I'm not sure... but I'll take it!
I did take today off from Insanity, but it was not without it's own rigorous workout. 2 hours of kickboxing class and a full afternoon of running around on errands definitely makes up for it. Though, I must say, I am looking forward to sleeping in t'morrow for my rest day. Then back to it Monday morning!!! Can't wait!
Happy weekend!
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