The Strongest I've Felt to Date

I could do almost every move in the entire video. I was up to ten push-ups in the midst of cardio galore. I didn't get great sleep last night but I powered through today and felt fantastic. I felt kind of low this week and with the help of great friends, I was able to push through. One said, what really do you want? You know, good question...what is this about? Exercise, longevity, vanity, pushing myself to do things I couldn't think my body could do? Is it all of the above or do my goals change with what I can do that day. Today, I ate well and didn't have a beverage. That was the choice I made today and I don't have to make that choice tomorrow...maybe that will help me through. I'll just give it the best I've got for that day. I guess that's all you can ask of yourself.
Day 19 felt the strongest so far. By far.

We're Up We're Down

Success! I actually did every move in the video. I did every squat, lunge, and "pulse" that was required. This is the first time I've been able to do this in a video...now, granted it was cardio recovery which means it was shorter and not nearly as intense, but still-I'll take it.
That felt really good to notice growth, notice change, and see me getting stronger. I need to focus on that...but what do I focus on? The scale. I think I should throw it out the window. I look at it too often and to be totally honest-I really like food. I don't want to give up the foods and beverages I love. I really don't like sacrficing what I'm eating. So-maybe I should come to terms with the fact that I like to eat, I like to exercise-this is the body I'll have since I like both. Blah, I sound like a whiner. I'm done whining. Yay for finishing the video!
Day 18-done.

A Change of Scenery

I did the workouts today in my classroom during my planning period. This sounds odd, I know, but I'm finding that to fit it all in, I have to be realistic about time. This is something I didn't always do. I'd say...oh, yes...I'll do it, knowing probably pretty honestly that I wouldn't get it done. Not having it be a question of if I'll do it but when I'll do it has really framed my brain to it not being a choice. I'd like for this mindset to continue beyond the sixty days. I don't make a choice to brush my teeth...I just do it. Exercise shouldn't be a choice.
I also made decent choices when we went out to dinner tonight. I didn't deprive myself of things I love, just had less which wasn't bad at all.
I'm still thankful for this journey. I'm thankful to the great people that surround me and encourage me.
Today's workout was pure cardio-40 minutes of crazy cardio and then 16 minutes of core/abs. Shockingly...I didn't hate it. I couldn't do every move at his pace, but I didn't hate it. Go figure. Growth happens...you do actually get stronger if you don't quit something in a week. :)

I Get by With a Little Help From My Friends...

If but not for the accountability measures in place...today, I would have quit. I wasn't feeling the workout, I'm starving, and my mood is fluctuating...if you're a lady, you may see what fun I'm headed toward. Plus, even though my weekend wasn't wild and crazy...it was a bit on the unrestrained side and the numbers on the scale went up. I know it isn't where my focus should be...yet it makes me wonder what's sustainable for me since I liked all that I did this weekend and I plan on continuing with those patterns. Ok, enough whining about numbers on a machine. I'm thankful for my friends that pushed me today. I'm thankful for those of you that have said kind words. Hearing things like I'm an inspiration...that's downright kind, amazing, and just what I need to hear to keep going. So, today is done and I'm thankful for the people around me. I'm thankful that I'm still trying. And really...I have amazing people in my life that face challenges that are far more difficult than mine so here's to everyone facing things that are hard and trying to do something about it.

Fit Test

This program has some great points about it to keep you motivated. I am motivated by tangible results and seeing numbers go up makes a huge difference to me. In the series of 8 moves, I felt stronger and much more willing to push myself. All the numbers went up during those moves. It felt really great. Unfortunately the scale numbers went up too but I'm focusing on the positive gains made in the fit test and recognizing that a weekend of not eating the best and enjoying a beverage...or 4 probably didn't help. Back on track.
Looking forward to doing it again in 15 days and seeing those numbers improve too.
Day 15-you were pretty good to me.

Yay...Day Off!

I love softball Sundays...everything about them. It was a great couple of games that we pulled out and enjoyed each other while we played. My team is alot of fun with a great group of ladies.
I'm thankful for a day off. I'm looking forward to the fit test tomorrow to see if the numbers have improved. 15 days...here's to hoping!

Weak Sauce

Wow...nothing like a 15 min. video to only work your core to make you feel like total weak sauce. I did all cardio for 40 minutes and then had to do that tag-on 15 minutes video of cardio and core work. It kicked my butt...it's continuing to kick my butt right now. Feel a bit tired. My Fitness magazine came today and in it it talked about motivation and how it really does take a month of sticking to a routine to create new pathways in the brain for a routine to stick. They also said you should start a blog to make it public because you don't want to report that you quit. So, here I am at basically the two week marker. Tomorrow is a rest day and I'm really looking forward to it. Monday is the strength test where I'll do a series of 8 moves and compare them to two weeks and see if there's improvement. I'm hopeful there's been some changes.
Happy day 13 and here's to the two week marker.

Happy Friday!

Did it...didn't want to. Whined about it. Really didn't want to...DID IT! It's funny how you're absolutely convinced that you couldn't possibly squeeze out one more minute to get a workout in and yet for the past 12 days I've managed to squeeze it in.
Feels really good...when it's done for the day. It feels good to talk about it with people and it's really fun to talk with my students about it. Tomorrow is a double workout of 40 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of just abs...my core, barf!

Ain't No Thing

Recovery was a welcome break today. I still couldn't hold the deep knee squats for what seemed like 4 years but I did most of the other moves with no problem. I find myself wondering about those dreaded push-ups and just kind of doing them here and there to see if I can do more than I think I can. When I wasn't in the middle of the workout, I was able to do 10 push-ups in a row with good form and no break. It's funny to hold onto that marker as something that matters but it feels really tangible that I am getting stronger.
Fridays are really hard to fit it in but I'll make it happen. Max, Zach, and Dash have been really great about it. They are encouraging and just kind of chill when I'm fitting in the workouts.
Day 11 and feeling good. Friday weigh-in tomorrow...hope that keeps this momentum going.

Check Boxes

Today was a better day. I felt better all-around for a variety of reasons. I approached the workout with a more positive attitude. It's amazing all the things you need to do in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You need to fit in your workouts, plan realistically when you'll do it and stick to that schedule. It's also necessary to plan meals. I feel like I have a series of tasks to do once I get home and I know in the past that I eventually rebel against these tasks. They are little check boxes dangling over my head. The most powerful check box though that is keeping me motivated is the one on the Insanity Poster that I check every time I do a workout. It's funny how it's the little things that keep you in check. Sticky notes, a blog, and a check box on a poster are what's motivating me right now. I'm thankful for these boxes because week 2 is when I tend to lose steam and give up because results don't ever happen as quickly as I'd prefer. I focus on the scale too much and that is my weakness...so I'm sure I'll still focus too much on that but it's the check boxes that will keep me going...at least for now.
I felt like I got over the hump so to speak of reframing my attitude...at least for now. Tomorrow is a recovery day so that will be nice to be a bit more chill.
Day 10-Yay!

To Know Thineself

Today was a hard day all-around. My lower back still hurts during these workouts. It's not terrible, it's just kind of an ache. They do feel somewhat repetetive and I just wasn't into it. The scale hasn't moved anything remarkable and this is the week where I'm convinced that just because I've done 8 workouts, I should have abs of steel...if you're wondering, I most certainly don't have abs of steel.
I get so terribly impatient when the change isn't instantly there. I feel like such a cliche of wanting instant gratification, but I do.
So, I continue on. I did the workout and didn't love it. But, I did it. I guess that will be good enough for today.
Day 9, in the books.

And Then There Were 6

I did 6 push-ups in a row, NOT on my knees. Wahoo! I think it's a combination of yes, I'm getting a bit stronger but also the willingness to push myself a bit. Being more confident that I won't die if I push myself just a bit more. I am still not doing every part of the workout. I can't always keep up and I can't do all the moves as fast as the people but I try and tell myself that's ok.
You know what's fun side note of all of this? The art of physical fitness is fun to think about and talk about. I like hearing what new diets or eating plans people are trying. I'm a firm believer that what works for some won't work for others. Because of this forum and venue, people are chatting with me about what they're trying and what they're working toward. My friends at work are getting into their own personal challenges and it's lovely to talk about it at lunch or in passing.
Day 8 is in the books, now time for dinner and Max's baseball game.

A Day of Rest

Today was a day of rest for the program. Every Sunday there is no workout. THANK GOD! I was really ready for a break from the videos. My lower back hurts a bit...my friend HT confirmed that it's because my core is so weak. Awesome.
On my rest day, I had the great joy of playing two softball games in our season opener. We won one and lost one. It was a really tough loss to a team I hate to lose to. And I mean, really hate to lose to. But still, such a fun day in the sun doing an activity I love with really great people. It's probably important to pause once in a while and be so thankful for a body that allows me to do the things I love. We curse our bodies and wish they looked different but we should also be thankful for all that they can do.
Tomorrow, back at it. Made the plan of when I would fit it in before Max's basesball game.
I've read a billion fitness magazines, books, websites, etc. and I find myself really going...OH...I get it. When you have to be realistic about time and be sure you plan to exercise or you plan to fail, so true. I have to block out the time just like I block out all the other obligations and responsibilities.
Here's to one week at it. I have hopes that next week will be stronger and I will get to 4 push-ups in a row. That will be my mini goal for the week...and look, I made it public. :)

Sticky Notes

I was tired this morning. Went out too late last night and was not looking forward to the workout today. I think that's putting it mildly. I was REALLY not looking forward to the workout today. On any other day, I would have just taken the day off. There's a reason why goal setting strategists say to make your goal public. It was the day 6 sticky note, one of my students named Max put on the poster that pushed me to workout today. I pictured the number 6 on that little yellow sticky note and it pushed me. I didn't want to walk in on Monday and not be able to pull that yellow piece of paper off.
We had a great day today remembering Dana. We walked through Discovery Park and the kids played on the beach. I saw a bald eagle on the beach and got maybe 20 feet away from it. The walk was over 3.5 miles and then spent too much money at Costco. A full day but still able to fit it in.
Today was a workout I've done and I still can't do all the push-ups but I did a few more than last time.
Life is hard but there's lots of good in it too. I'm thankful for day 6.
Tomorrow is a rest day and opening games for softball...wahoooooo!

Friday Workout?

Go figure...I hurried home and fit it in. I'm feeling a bit stronger. I was up to 4push-ups at one time, again-small victories. Today was a purely cardio day with just a few push-ups snuck in again. I can't go as fast as he does in the moves but I was doing many more of them at a time. I was keeping up better but I do rest more than he says to. I'm still liking it and still enjoying having a system that I'm working on. My lower back is killing me which is another example of my weak core but slowly, I'm hoping it will get stronger.
I didn't post big weight loss this week which was really frustrating. Heidi is always harping on me to not check the scale but that's so hard. I know it's just a number but it's nicer when the number goes down. Oh well. I feel stronger so I'll try and focus on that.
Happy Friday to all, here's to a great weekend.

Recovery?

This was the title of the dvd today. Darnnit! Still couldn't sit in the 45 second squat he wanted me to. But..feeling a bit stronger or at least willing to push myself a bit harder. Tomorrow is not a day I would traditionally work out but the plan dicatates a workout. I've planned ahead and feel good about fitting it in tomorrow but wow, it can be tough between all the things that most parents/humans undertake.
I feel like if I can find a way on a Friday, I'm doing pretty darn good. Next week will be interesting... this is where the rubber will hit the road.

Push-ups Are Hard

Today was about 35 minutes of mostly cardio but he snuck in some push-ups. Did you know, those are hard. I often will just do the "girl" push-ups (as they were called in my day)if I ever did them and today, I did three real ones in a row. Small victories. It feels a bit small because I was supposed to do 8 but Tuesday I was certain I couldn't do one real one so there you go.
I was sore today, but not terrible and I like the soreness because it tells me that I did something that worked my muscles.
I feel like I'm right where I normally am when I start something new. I'm super jazzed about it and am loving it. I like having the calendar and checking the boxes as I do them. The real challenge comes next week and beyond. I'm also trying really hard to plan for the pitfalls where I know they'll be. Friday will be challenging to fit it in. I'd love an "adult beverage" (as Barb calls them) tonight but I think I will abstain...tonight. Empty calories. But know, I'm thinking about it.

Ha!

Today was 40 minutes of Ha! I wish I could explain it all to you but wow...such a great workout that I couldn't do completely. Here's what I know, I can do basic cardio, running at a moderate pace forever. I have no core strength. I have almost zero arm strength. I can barely do one regular push-up and we were supposed to be dropping to the floor and doing 4 and then do mtn climbers and then jump up and do it all over again...SEVERAL TIMES! You get the HA moment I had. So now the question is, will I actually get there? I don't know, but if I stick with it, in theory...I should, right? We shall see. I do a different video tomorrow and don't cycle back to this one for a few days so little by little, let's see if it gets any easier. I stuck with running for that to get easier but I've never stuck with any kind of strength piece for that to get easier. Hence why I'm barfing out my ideas on this place...if only so Snyder asks me, "well, did you do it?" That accountability seems worth it.
Speaking of accountability, I need to put up the picture of the three posters around the room of where kids think I'll quit. They put sticky notes with their name and number of the day that I'd quit. I had several kids put me at 60 and we talked about being realistic about your goals and my plan to meet it. I like being a positive role model for them too. I get to rip one off tomorrow because somebody said day 2. Day 2-done!
I can't wait to see how sore I will shall be tomorrow. I think it's going to hurt.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Today, the package arrived. I was ready after a great weekend with all kinds of activities, it was time. I made Heather help me with my measurements and take the "before" picture.
After careful consideration...I think this picture is nothing anyone needs to see. The premise behind these videos is tons of cardio that will also strength train using body resistance. I've run a marathon but I was clearly using different muscles in the fit test alone. You do a series of moves every 15 days to track your progress. I look forward to seeing those numbers improve.
I also entered a weight loss challenge with another co-worker who needs to be beat just for bragging rights so that extra motivation will help. Just for fun, I previewed what tomorrow will look like...it's going to hurt. I'm going to be sore and I look forward to it. Really? Look forward to it? I think so. I like pushing myself and I like knowing that I don't have to think about it. I'll check the box on the wall calendar that tells me what to do next and make it happen.
Here's to day one, I did it and I made the plan for tomorrow and when I will do tomorrow's workout. It's around 40 minutes and I've made time for it.
Side note, Max watched us doing the workout and mimicked different moves and even got his breath up a bit. It's pretty cool to be a healthy role model for him.
Ok...Here's the number break down, you might think I'm crazy to post, but eh, we're friends here.
Weight: 159.6
Body Fat: 32.9%
I did all the inches stuff on various parts of the body but I'll just post as they go down.
Yay! Day one down. Here we go!

The Man Behind the Curtain

The dvd's didn't arrive yesterday much to my dismay. To make matters worse, there was a box on the front porch...imagine my excitement to then be dashed by the fact that it was Zach's laundry that he left at Nana's...awesome.
So what did I do? Did I rally and exercise what I normally do anyway? Eat really healthy? Take the encouragement from my dear friend Audrey and Sara and say that it doesn't matter...today can be day one? Nope...I continued to place my faith in the magic of the dvd's coming in the mail. I couldn't possibly officially start; they haven't arrived. Plus, I'm going to see Dream Girls tonight and happy hour before. It doesn't sound fun to be on an eating plan when I do that. Right? I'm so full of reasons, it's amazing. I'll find a loop hole in anything.
In my all time favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz, the wizard is revered. He's the one that can fix all your problems. Are you old enough to remember what a big deal it was when that came on around Easter. We weren't raised with buying every movie that comes out. What a luxury to buy a VHS tape! Who did that? So when that movie came on once a year, it was time to pop popcorn and enjoy it before it was gone again for a year. At the end, Dorothy realized that she was the one that had it all along. I think I use every next program as the man behind the curtain. The very next thing will be what is going to extinguish those last 10 pounds. I'm not sure if I am Dorothy or if it's in me all along. I'm 34 years old, wouldn't I have figured this out by now? I'm a great teacher, a decent mom, a nice spouse...I can do anything I put my mind to...except this.
I'm going to hold out until this man behind the curtain arrives and call that day one. It makes me feel better...hopefully he will come today. I'm ready to meet him and see what's inside me in the next 60 days.

And still I wait and ponder

No Dvd's today. I've not officially embarked yet...but I guess it's kind of begun with this space to think about it and build up to it. It's probably pretty lame that I think I can't officially begin until there's some random workout dvd's to arrive but that's usually how I roll. There's usually certain items to buy or an official date needed before I begin this day one. Most health experts would say, just start already! There isn't anything magical about the dvd's there isn't any eating program that I haven't tried, read, or quit. From Atkins to weight watchers to flat belly to cabbage soup...I've tried them all. Weight watchers was the most successful for me but I just don't feel like paying someone to weigh me in although the accountability was probably the best part for me. You may wonder at my mild obsession with this and don't worry, I've explored it in therapy :). I attribute it to very overweight parents and vanity. My dad died at 55 of a heart attack and this was primarily caused by lifestyle factors. I'd like to be around longer and I like clothes that fit skinnier people. I do like sports and want to be able to compete at my best self...but if we're really being honest, it's mostly vanity.
Yet still...I like there to be a marker. I like a day one although I'm already struggling with that day one. If the dvd's arrive today...do I do them today because if I start them today then I'd have to do one tomorrow and I'm going to Dreamgirls and have kid duty so I'd have to get up at 5 a.m. to get it done. I've NEVER done that! I have to accept that this will be my lot in the next 60 days because we lead busy lives and it's hard to fit it all in during the day between baseball/softball practices, homework, grading, and leading a social life. The acceptance is a little challenging for me at this stage of the game. I'm the queen of day one but I'm also the mayor of put it off for one more day.
I guess I'll have choices to make if the dvd arrives...is today day one or is it Sunday after the fun weekend we have planned?

Motivation?

Whenever I embark on a new day one, I create all kinds of ways to motivate myself. All in efforts to trick myself that this may really be the time that I'll stick with a diet and exercise program.
This one seems to be the most extreme I've done...a public blog. I really don't think I'm motivated by begging people to read or even the expectation that people will follow, but I can't lie, reading the comments yesterday were really fun. They reminded me that we all have our own struggles keeping on top of things and I think most of the people I know, like to be connected to others. This is one more way to stay connected to each other, even if it's via a screen. I'm looking forward to seeing this develop...it makes me more impatient to get those dvd's here and get rolling.
I also am enjoying sharing this with my 90 8th graders. I shared what I did over the break and it included me watching that infomercial too many times and by the end of the day, through the kids' ideas, we decided on a way to motivate me. Because I have a fairly lame track record of sticking with things to fruition..the marathon excluded, I told them that my family was taking bets on when I'd quit. One family member gave me 6 days...one gave me 10 and one gave me a whopping 14 days. I told my kids to decide what day they thought I'd quit and they get to write that number on a sticky note and I'm going to put in on a poster. Every day I go further than one of those sticky notes, I get to take off those numbers and say "suck it!" to that number...not the child. :) Yes, I wasted 5 minutes of their academic life discussing this in class but I figured it's teaching those life lessons of setting goals and making them public.
You may think this is a weird way to motivate, but I thought I'd try it. There's a little reverse psychology in there, right?
I also tend to eat too much as I gear up for day one. No exception here this time; at least I'm consistent.
So, I wait and keep pondering what will make this journey different.

Day One

I'm the queen of the term day one...I jump on almost every bandwagon with glee, gusto, and amazing energy. Unfortunately, this energy doesn't tend to last more than...oh..say, a week. I've been in a rut lately. I trained and ran a marathon last June but wasn't willing to commit to another training run this Spring. It took too much time away from my family. So I need a new inspirtation, a new muse...if you will. Really, I need a new bandwagon to jump on. I spent some time alone at Cannon Beach and watched one too many infomercials of an exercise program called Insanity by the makers of P90X. Now, I'm not endorsing it, I'm not a Beach Body Coach, and I will get no money off telling you about their program. It really isn't about the program, it's about a journey of finishing something I say I'm going to start. I haven't even recieved the dvd's yet or done one of the workouts, I might hate it.
I'm not really overweight, but I'm a little overweight. I have never stuck with any kind of strength training program for longer than a couple of weeks. If you see me in clothes, you'd say, I'm average. I've always said..well in 10 pounds then I'll do this, or wear that,or try this. I'd like to see what happens after those 10 pounds...or see if those 10 pounds really matter in the first place.
I work with amazing people that are encouraging and funny and we laugh a ton during lunch. Today at lunch, my dear friend Snyder said...you need to start a blog. It will help keep you motivated and you can post your thoughts and people (him and probably a couple other friend that will follow) can encourage you. I decided...why not? Something different and it would be fun to look back at the progress I've made (hopefully).
I'm going to tell you my rules I've made for myself. It's the circle of success for Sally. I have to do the video every day as it's posted by the program creators and I have to make attempts to eat healthy. I don't have to eat perfectly but I will make attempts to follow some sort of healthy eating plan.
I'll post once a day regarding the progress and pitfalls that I am making and hopefully this will serve as interesting forum to look back at my progress.