As of today, I can officially do burpees!!! And oh my goodness are they HARD! I never knew what I was missing...until now. Those suckers just work every single muscle in your body and they let you feel it! I didn't know something could be so difficult. I also didn't know how excited I would get from being able to do that silly little combination of moves called a burpee. So needless to say, I am proud of myself. Very proud of myself.
Also, a new personal record is I did one whole minute of cross jacks. Now all of you on the 21 day fix program know just how hard those are. Or, maybe they're not hard at all and I'm just a really big whimp??? Whatever it is, I am so darn excited that I FINALLY was able to do one full minute without going to the modification. (Thanks to my big sister Laura for cheering me on those last 20 seconds :)
I am almost done with round two of my 21 day fix and I am definitely seeing some improvements in my strength and endurance and I'm loving it! I'm not noticing any physical changes yet, but that's ok. For now, my milestones of being able to do the full 60 seconds of each workout is enough to make me do the happy dance! As for my sadness at gaining a few pounds two weeks ago, I have done a LOT of reading on the science of weight loss and muscle building and I'm really not too worried about what the scale says. I can FEEL my body changing inside. It's just a matter of time before that change is able to be seen on the outside. And boy oh boy can I hardly wait!!!
One thing I am learning a lot of on this program is... patience. When I first started this program, I really took to heart what Autumn says, "in 21 days you'll have the body you always wanted!" NOT TRUE! And I'm not saying this to be a pessimist or a jerk at all. I'm saying it because it's simply not true. I think people (especially myself) are too used to instant gratification and 21 days of exercise and diet sounds like a pretty awesome instant fix to me! But it's not. It really isn't. And for a few weeks there, I mourned the easy weight loss journey I thought I was on. You see, I figured I would do the program for 21 days, have amazing results, lose the 20 pounds and be done! But no, this program happens to be a life-style change... as it should be. It was a little misleading the idea that in 21 days you could have such incredible results. I guess some people do, but as they say, "results vary" or "results not typical" is so true. I'm learning that it is a transformation that takes time, commitment and passion. It really is a labor of love...a labor for the body you deserve and the lifestyle you dream of.
Nothing can be fixed overnight or in 21 days, but with dedication you can do anything and you'll be even more proud of the results after you've put out some sweat. blood and tears. The last two weeks were the tears for me, I've been sweating since day 1, so now I've gotta throw some blood into the mix and I should be golden! :)
Until next time,
Happy sweating my friends!
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
I've changed my mind
I made a mistake a few days ago and just one week into round 2 of my 21 day fix I stepped on the scale. To my surprise, I was UP 4 pounds!!!!! What the heck!?!?!?! I stepped off and back on that scale 3 more times to verify the ungodly number. And yes, every time it said I had gained 4 pounds. It took all my strength and will power to not pick that blasted scale up and hurl it through my bathroom window while screaming like a mad woman! This isn't fair! I'm working too hard for this! What in the world is going on??? All of these questions ran through my mind as I found my computer as quickly as possible and vented to my beach body coach. She was so sweet, affirming and very compassionate about the dilemma I was facing. And believe me, this was a very real dilemma. We dissected my eating plan, time of month, salt intake, water intake, stress levels, etc. and decided who the heck knows what is wrong with me! So... I have changed my mind that instead of using the 21 day fix as a weight loss program, I am going to use it as a strengthening and toning program. That way I am not discouraged when the scale shows little decrease or even an increase. And, that scale is being thrown away. I don't need no negativity like that in my life! :)
This weight gain has been such a frustrating time for me, because I have never gotten such opposite results than what I was working so hard for. I really feel like I have no control over what's going on, because even though I'm doing what I'm supposed to, my body is doing it's very own thing. I'm kind of out of sync with myself and it's an odd feeling. So I will admit, because of this major let down, I have slacked a little...okay a lot on my eating plan. It didn't help this happened over my birthday week and family party. I'm not over-eating, just not clean eating and definitely not 21 day fix eating. I am still working out daily including abs and tomorrow I promise myself I will get back on the bandwagon, lest I weigh myself in 2 weeks and weigh MORE than my starting weight. That would just be grand.
So, cheers to falling and catching yourself. I can do this. We all can do this. I am strong. I will CONQUER!!!!
Happy Sweating!
This weight gain has been such a frustrating time for me, because I have never gotten such opposite results than what I was working so hard for. I really feel like I have no control over what's going on, because even though I'm doing what I'm supposed to, my body is doing it's very own thing. I'm kind of out of sync with myself and it's an odd feeling. So I will admit, because of this major let down, I have slacked a little...okay a lot on my eating plan. It didn't help this happened over my birthday week and family party. I'm not over-eating, just not clean eating and definitely not 21 day fix eating. I am still working out daily including abs and tomorrow I promise myself I will get back on the bandwagon, lest I weigh myself in 2 weeks and weigh MORE than my starting weight. That would just be grand.
So, cheers to falling and catching yourself. I can do this. We all can do this. I am strong. I will CONQUER!!!!
Happy Sweating!
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Mind Games
I'm not sure if I'm starving myself to death or if it's just this point in any dedicated lifestyle change that your mind starts playing games with you. I've found myself having conversations in my head similar to, "hey, you only lost 2.6 pounds the first round, maybe this program isn't working for you". Or "maybe you aren't losing weight because you're starving yourself", which I think is not the case because I'm never hungry. Anyway, something inside me is either lazy or afraid to fully commit to this program. I know it was a huge let down to not have lost big the first 21 days and I hate the idea that I might just be losing 2.6 pounds(or less) every 21 day cycle. That will take me 10 months to get to my goal and that just bites! It's really a strange inner turmoil the decision that I have to make daily, convincing myself that even if I'm not losing significant weight, this exercise is so good for me for so many reasons. It makes me feel better about myself, gives me something to look forward to anticipating the awesome toned body I'm going to have and it helps me clear my mind. For just 30 minutes every day, I get to focus on... nothing. Just the raw physical exhaustion of pushing myself to the limit every day for 30 minutes. No decisions to make, no one to direct, I can just step back and command my body to do something and it does.
I love sweating. It makes me feel alive, like I'm accomplishing something. Maybe that's why I'm expecting to see results, because I have been sweating buckets! Well, regardless of the visible physical results, I am becoming stronger. Both physically and mentally.
And after that lower body workout, I am really feeling it physically, in my BUM! :)
Happy Sweating!
I love sweating. It makes me feel alive, like I'm accomplishing something. Maybe that's why I'm expecting to see results, because I have been sweating buckets! Well, regardless of the visible physical results, I am becoming stronger. Both physically and mentally.
And after that lower body workout, I am really feeling it physically, in my BUM! :)
Happy Sweating!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Day 21...The weigh in
Well, 21 days are over and quite honestly I didn't want to blog tonight after weighing, measuring and seeing my results. I'm disappointed. Frustrated and quite honestly ticked. Maybe I was expecting too much, but I'm not thrilled with my results. I started this program at 167.8 pounds. Tonight I weighed in at 165.2 pounds. That's a whopping -2.6 pounds. All of my measurements are very close to what they were 21 days ago, so I won't bore you with those numbers. I feel like I worked so much harder than a measly 2.6 pounds! I followed the eating program incredibly closely to a "T" and did the workout program more faithfully than anything, yet my numbers stink. After weighing and re-weighing, measuring and re-measuring I contacted my coach. She is very encouraging and reminded me that I did say I'm feeling stronger and the exercises are becoming easier. She also asked if I was eating ALL of my containers each day...I wasn't. I haven't been hungry enough to get down so much food! Then I was kindly reminded that you can go into starvation mode if your body isn't getting enough calories. I was also reminded that the equivalent of almost 2 and 3/4 pounds of fat when comparing it to blocks of butter is a pretty decent loss! After much encouragement, I was happy with the loss.l I'll take losing 2.6 pounds over nothing... Note to self for round two, eat ALL of the containers each day and push harder in the workouts. I'm not quite sure how I can push harder, but I've gotta do something, because at this rate it's going to take me over a year to get to my goal weight and that's just ridiculous!
Maybe I'm being too hard on myself. All I know is that I'm not giving up and this next round I'll be just as hopeful to see positive results. No matter what happens, I am building a healthier happier me and I love how I feel. It's amazing how doing something good for yourself can give you a mental lift just as much as a physical one.
I hope you are getting good results on whatever workout program you do, even if you lose just a pound or two. Google search "visual of one pound of fat"
Feel better???
YOU'RE WELCOME! :)
Happy Sweating!!!
Maybe I'm being too hard on myself. All I know is that I'm not giving up and this next round I'll be just as hopeful to see positive results. No matter what happens, I am building a healthier happier me and I love how I feel. It's amazing how doing something good for yourself can give you a mental lift just as much as a physical one.
I hope you are getting good results on whatever workout program you do, even if you lose just a pound or two. Google search "visual of one pound of fat"
Feel better???
YOU'RE WELCOME! :)
Happy Sweating!!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Day 20
Whew! Today is day 20 of the 21 Day Fix and I am really excited about tomorrow! I have done this entire workout and only missed one day. I'm very proud of myself and so hopeful of the results.
Today's workout was the full body cardio and I was not looking forward to it. I have been feeling sick the last few days with a headache and just all around yucky feeling, but I have decided to continue with the workouts, because it's too easy to make an excuse and fall out of the routine. I figured if I was really sick and I puked, then I'd give myself a break, but that didn't happen so hey, I must not be that bad after all!
My mind and body are syncing really well and are a lot more cooperative with the idea of a daily exercise program. When my body wants to quit, my mind is strong and when my mind wants to quit, my body is strong. 21 days is what it takes to break a bad habit and create a new one and I think I have officially created the habit of daily exercise and I love it! I have more energy and it is a designated 30 minutes all to myself. The kids go to their rooms and play quietly or read a book and they know that if they bother mom during her workout all hell will break loose!!! :)
I'll be posting my results tomorrow night after my final workout, then it's on to round 2! I am going to do the 21 day fix one more time and do my best not to modify any workouts. Then I have the Insanity Max 30 coming in the mail and I think that might just be my next program. Until then...
Happy Sweating!!!
Today's workout was the full body cardio and I was not looking forward to it. I have been feeling sick the last few days with a headache and just all around yucky feeling, but I have decided to continue with the workouts, because it's too easy to make an excuse and fall out of the routine. I figured if I was really sick and I puked, then I'd give myself a break, but that didn't happen so hey, I must not be that bad after all!
My mind and body are syncing really well and are a lot more cooperative with the idea of a daily exercise program. When my body wants to quit, my mind is strong and when my mind wants to quit, my body is strong. 21 days is what it takes to break a bad habit and create a new one and I think I have officially created the habit of daily exercise and I love it! I have more energy and it is a designated 30 minutes all to myself. The kids go to their rooms and play quietly or read a book and they know that if they bother mom during her workout all hell will break loose!!! :)
I'll be posting my results tomorrow night after my final workout, then it's on to round 2! I am going to do the 21 day fix one more time and do my best not to modify any workouts. Then I have the Insanity Max 30 coming in the mail and I think that might just be my next program. Until then...
Happy Sweating!!!
Friday, August 7, 2015
Planks
Today I have a victory to celebrate. I did a plank, on my toes for an entire 60 seconds!!! That's right everyone, no longer am I a knee planker, I am officially a toe planker and proud of it!!!! Planking has been one of the hardest workouts for me in this 21 day fix routine, but finally after 16 days, I have become strong enough to plank it! Yay! :)
I've noticed a few things throughout these workouts over the past weeks. One being, I DO have abs. I cannot see them, but boy can I feel them! I have had a very difficult time finding my abs and tightening them, pulling them in as we're supposed to do, however, at some point I think my abs caught on and showed up to the party, because I am engaging them like it's nobodys business!!! I LOVE that I have found my core, although it's not always steady and strong it can only get better from here.
A second thing I learned. I sweat like a pig when I'm working my bum off. I have NEVER sweat more during ANY workout as I did last night in the lower body fix. HOLY COW!!! We're talking the kind of dripping sweat onto the mat sweaty sweat! The kind of I'm sticky and stinky, but feeling so hot because look at what I'm doing sweat! I know I'm getting in a good workout when sweat is literally dripping down every part of my body. It's gross, but it's productive and I know it's making a difference.
I will be weighing myself on day 21 and sharing the results. I can hardly wait to see what difference I've made in these 21 days. To help with this weight loss and exercise plan, I have ordered the Fixate cookbook to help with creative food ideas. I've become entrenched... entrenched in a boring, safe food habit. One that is working with the portion control and food groups, but one that cannot be maintained, because it is getting boring. I'm talking carrots, cauliflower and grapes...over and over and over and over and over. You get the picture. I'm really excited for the cookbook to arrive. REALLY EXCITED!!!
Happy sweating and goodnight!
I've noticed a few things throughout these workouts over the past weeks. One being, I DO have abs. I cannot see them, but boy can I feel them! I have had a very difficult time finding my abs and tightening them, pulling them in as we're supposed to do, however, at some point I think my abs caught on and showed up to the party, because I am engaging them like it's nobodys business!!! I LOVE that I have found my core, although it's not always steady and strong it can only get better from here.
A second thing I learned. I sweat like a pig when I'm working my bum off. I have NEVER sweat more during ANY workout as I did last night in the lower body fix. HOLY COW!!! We're talking the kind of dripping sweat onto the mat sweaty sweat! The kind of I'm sticky and stinky, but feeling so hot because look at what I'm doing sweat! I know I'm getting in a good workout when sweat is literally dripping down every part of my body. It's gross, but it's productive and I know it's making a difference.
I will be weighing myself on day 21 and sharing the results. I can hardly wait to see what difference I've made in these 21 days. To help with this weight loss and exercise plan, I have ordered the Fixate cookbook to help with creative food ideas. I've become entrenched... entrenched in a boring, safe food habit. One that is working with the portion control and food groups, but one that cannot be maintained, because it is getting boring. I'm talking carrots, cauliflower and grapes...over and over and over and over and over. You get the picture. I'm really excited for the cookbook to arrive. REALLY EXCITED!!!
Happy sweating and goodnight!
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
I ATE FRIED CHICKEN!!!!
AAAAAHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!!!!! Autumn Calabrese would kill me!!!! One of my weaknesses, fried chicken, for some crazy reason Scott was craving today. He NEVER cares for fried chicken, but you guessed it. Smack in the middle of my 21 day fix, he decides he really needs fried chicken for lunch. So off to the store he goes.
I was so determined to stay away from the chicken and be content munching on my grapes, tomatoes and cucumbers, but the smell of the delicious, saturated, deep fat fried, MSG coated chicken filled the air and then it was RIGHT THERE. Sitting in front of me to dish out onto all the kids plates for lunch. I was so strong, I got them their plates with chicken and grapes and once everyone was served I walked back into the kitchen and like a flippin' starving woman grabbed a chicken leg and devoured it in 10 seconds flat!!! Holy cow! Where did that come from!?!?!? It's like I didn't even think about it. The old me had reared her ugly head and grabbed the food and shoved it down my throat!!!! And it was soooo goooooood.....
Get control of yourself, Lisa! One chicken leg and half a thigh later, I walked away. What had I just done??? I felt like crap. Quite honestly, I had just binged and I felt like I had undone all the work I had been doing the last 2 weeks. And for what? Fried chicken? Really? Wow, people's weaknesses are so strange. Luckily, I hadn't done my workout for today, so I hit it hard and did the upper body workout digging extra deep and pushing harder than before. And after that, in the hopes of clearing my body and conscience of that stupid chicken, I did the 10 minute abs. And boy, 40 minutes of work made me feel a little better about the chicken. Not perfect, but less guilty. Next time, I hope I'll just skip the chicken so I don't have to torture myself trying to burn it off later. It's amazing the games our head can play on us and how there can be such an inner battle over something as silly as fried chicken! I'm not a foodie or anything, but man, today was a tough one.
Right now, I'm drinking my Shakeology with banana, peanut butter and sunflower seeds , so we're back on track. For the rest of the day and this whole weight loss journey, I'm going to be extra careful to not let small temptations set me off track. I literally felt like the Tazmanian Devil. CRAZY!
I hope that by sharing my weaknesses and successes, I can encourage you to keep on going!
Happy sweating!
I was so determined to stay away from the chicken and be content munching on my grapes, tomatoes and cucumbers, but the smell of the delicious, saturated, deep fat fried, MSG coated chicken filled the air and then it was RIGHT THERE. Sitting in front of me to dish out onto all the kids plates for lunch. I was so strong, I got them their plates with chicken and grapes and once everyone was served I walked back into the kitchen and like a flippin' starving woman grabbed a chicken leg and devoured it in 10 seconds flat!!! Holy cow! Where did that come from!?!?!? It's like I didn't even think about it. The old me had reared her ugly head and grabbed the food and shoved it down my throat!!!! And it was soooo goooooood.....
Get control of yourself, Lisa! One chicken leg and half a thigh later, I walked away. What had I just done??? I felt like crap. Quite honestly, I had just binged and I felt like I had undone all the work I had been doing the last 2 weeks. And for what? Fried chicken? Really? Wow, people's weaknesses are so strange. Luckily, I hadn't done my workout for today, so I hit it hard and did the upper body workout digging extra deep and pushing harder than before. And after that, in the hopes of clearing my body and conscience of that stupid chicken, I did the 10 minute abs. And boy, 40 minutes of work made me feel a little better about the chicken. Not perfect, but less guilty. Next time, I hope I'll just skip the chicken so I don't have to torture myself trying to burn it off later. It's amazing the games our head can play on us and how there can be such an inner battle over something as silly as fried chicken! I'm not a foodie or anything, but man, today was a tough one.
Right now, I'm drinking my Shakeology with banana, peanut butter and sunflower seeds , so we're back on track. For the rest of the day and this whole weight loss journey, I'm going to be extra careful to not let small temptations set me off track. I literally felt like the Tazmanian Devil. CRAZY!
I hope that by sharing my weaknesses and successes, I can encourage you to keep on going!
Happy sweating!
Too hot!!!
This past Saturday I decided to take all the kids to the fair. Of course it was 100 degrees that day, so it was the worlds #1 bright idea. We all had a great time being sweaty petting the animals and watching magic tricks, but there was a severe shortage of water-filling stations. We brought two large water bottles and ran out pretty quickly. By the time we got home, pretty much all of us had headaches. I'm guessing it was minor heat stroke, brilliant! Right? Way to go mom! I hydrated, they hydrated, we all hydrated and they went to bed....but I could not. You see, I hadn't done my 21 day fix workout for the day and I am determined NOT to owe Scott $1 and admit that I can't stick to something for 21 short days. I laid on the sofa for 30 minutes hoping my head would catch up to me and I'd feel well enough to do a half decent workout. Well, 30 minutes later my head was still spinning and my bed was sounding REALLY nice. Everyone was already asleep and I was exhausted, so call it an excuse or heat stroke ( I prefer the later:) I sadly did not do my workout on Saturday :( I was SO bummed!!! I couldn't even do 21 days of working out!?!?!? Wow....laaaame.
Hours later, ok, the next day. My pity party was over. I decided I was NOT a failure and you know what? I had worked out for 10 days straight without fail! Maybe I'm not so lame after all! I felt better about myself, but I wasn't ready to become an official slacker and make skipping workouts a routine. The very next day we left for vacation in Bend and you know what I did? I packed my yoga mat and both sets of weights into my duffle bag and hauled those mothers all the way to Bend with my workout DVD in tow! I was NOT giving up and I was NOT taking a vacation from my dream of a new me. Bend was just going to have to understand that I am a woman on a mission and no one messes with that!
All 3 days in Bend I did my workouts. I was SO proud! One night Scott was watching and said he didn't think he'd be able to do half the stuff I was doing. That made me happy :) BIG SMILE. I just hope all this work pays off and that I start to notice a change in my body. Crossing fingers!
Happy Sweating!
Hours later, ok, the next day. My pity party was over. I decided I was NOT a failure and you know what? I had worked out for 10 days straight without fail! Maybe I'm not so lame after all! I felt better about myself, but I wasn't ready to become an official slacker and make skipping workouts a routine. The very next day we left for vacation in Bend and you know what I did? I packed my yoga mat and both sets of weights into my duffle bag and hauled those mothers all the way to Bend with my workout DVD in tow! I was NOT giving up and I was NOT taking a vacation from my dream of a new me. Bend was just going to have to understand that I am a woman on a mission and no one messes with that!
All 3 days in Bend I did my workouts. I was SO proud! One night Scott was watching and said he didn't think he'd be able to do half the stuff I was doing. That made me happy :) BIG SMILE. I just hope all this work pays off and that I start to notice a change in my body. Crossing fingers!
Happy Sweating!
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