Well, It's Finally Happened

A plateau that is.

I figured it would be soon, because I have been steadily losing a pound or two a week for the duration of this program. Today I did my weigh-in and measurements, and for the first time they are both the exact same as last week. (Before, if my weight was the same, at least I had lost inches, or vice versa)

In case you're curious, however, my overall weight and inches lost during Insanity are as follows:

Total lbs. lost = 10 (down 17-18 overall from January!)
Chest = -3 inches
Arm = -1 inch
Waist = -2.5 inches (-4 inches overall from January!)
Hips = -1 inch (this doesn't seem right because I can see a huge difference, but at least it's -4 inches overall since January!)
Thigh = -1.5-2 inches (measurements fluctuate--I can never remember exactly where on my thigh I last measured)

Oh well, not to worry. Hopefully my body just hasn't caught up to the change from the first month to the "max" second month of Insanity. Especially since this whole week was more of a learning curve to figure out the new moves than an intense workout. Next week will be better!

Regardless of not much physical progress (my stamina and running times are up, though!), it is still time for my scheduled picture update. So here I present to you--Day 43 Progress Pictures:

Besides my loss of a tan, the only differences I can really notice are that my hips seem much smaller (aka, losing the love handles finally!) and my thighs seem more toned. Other than that, it's about the same from day 30.

You can really tell the difference in my hips here. Yeah!

 I can really feel the difference in my back muscles, and I think in this picture you can finally start to see my lats (I think that's the muscle I'm noticing--the small definition under my bra line that swoops out to my hips?)

My arms also seem to be getting more defined. I guess all those pushups I've been whining about have really helped.

And for the first time, I don't really notice any differences in the profile pictures. Maybe it was the queso and beer last night--totally worth it, though.

In other news, the group I started (Acworth Running Club) had its first run meetup on Sunday. There were only 3 of us (granted, I made the group and event very late in the week), but the feedback so far seems positive and promising. Check out the group page if you're interested. We are going to do meetup runs every Sunday at Swift Cantrell Park in downtown Acworth. Last Sunday we met at 2 p.m. and decided it was entirely too hot that late in the afternoon. So next week we're shooting for 11 a.m. Come join us! We were able to complete a 3.5 mile circuit (partially running/jogging/walking) and had a great time.

Also, I will be attending the Complimentary Yoga in the Park (also at Swift Cantrell) this Saturday (Cinco de Mayo!). I've been wanting to try yoga, and I love this park, so the whole idea seems perfect. Come out and burn off some calories before you go out celebrating that night. Hope to see you at one or the other!

Max Cardio Conditioning "Review"

Remember that time a few days ago when I claimed (quite naively, I will add) that Insanity's Max Interval Circuit was one of the hardest workouts ever?

Well, slap me on the ass and call me Sally (whatever that's supposed to mean), because I was wrong.

Very, very wrong.

I just "completed" (read: watched) Max Cardio Conditioning, and I will honestly say it's the first time I've actually been pissed during one of these workouts. I could barely do any of it... correctly. Sure, some of the slower "recovery" moves like belt kicks were no problem, but I just could not keep up with the rest of it for the life of me. Every time Shaun T said, "Take a break if you need it," I swear he sneered and whispered, "but you shouldn't need it, you lazy ass. It's the second month!" I'm not sure if it's because I mowed the lawn before hand, coming to the workout all hot and sweaty already, but whatever it was, no thank you.

The stinging eyes; the salty taste from "talking sweat" (as Shaun T says in another dvd); the dog hair from the stupid carpet that kept getting stuck on my hands and knees during all of the upper body moves (seriously, why so many of those back to back? My shoulders literally sat down and refused to participate any longer); the angry gangster rap playing in the background (which usually motivates me--it's my guilty pleasure--but today just turned me into an angsty cry baby); all of these things combined into a terrible concoction I have since dubbed "Hell Hour."

This picture was immediately after pressing drop-kicking the power button on the TV (the only move I did 100%). That's not a healthy glisten; that's my body rebelling against the craziness I just tried to inflict upon it. I couldn't stop sweating even though I wasn't really doing much of anything besides being furious (which is a great way to keep your heart rate up, FYI!).

Ugh.

Rant over.

Sorry, I just really had to get that out somewhere.

On a more positive note, it seems that a few of you are interested in running with me (I promise I'll be in a good mood)! For this upcoming Sunday I was thinking around 2 pm. I'm going to make a facebook group later tonight once I get back from dinner, so keep an eye out for it.

Here's another picture from last night after I completed (this time I used the word correctly) Max Interval Plyometric. As opposed to today's workout, I really enjoyed that one--especially the squat pushups. I was able to keep up for the most part and liked the new challenging moves. The coffee beforehand may have helped. I'm always happier with caffeine. I'm also happier with my new strong arms.

I can't remember a time they ever looked like this--even during high school. And it only took a little over a month to get to this point! I'm telling you, if you're thinking about trying this workout, ignore my earlier tantrum and do it. It will always be worth the tough days.

Fit Test #3 Results

Yesterday I completed my 3rd fit test. I swear that thing will never get any easier. And for some reason, no matter how many times I had looked at the Insanity calendar, it never registered that the third fit test also fell on the same day as the first dvd for month 2. So needless to say, yesterday was... intense.

Beginning with the fit test, I used the same tactic as before--power through until I reach my previous score and then keep going if I could, or if I couldn't, take a small rest and force myself back into it. And also like before, I felt like I was going to puke at the end. Totally worth it though, because I improved in all of the moves!

I'm almost double all of my beginning scores!

Then came a protein shake, dinner, a 2 hour rest/T.V. break to digest, and then I was back into it for Max Interval Circuit.

Ugh.
Just. Ugh.

I had read online that this was the toughest workout people had ever done, and let me tell you, they were not exaggerating. It felt like the first day all over again. I was confused, couldn't follow the moves, couldn't complete any of the sets--much less the whole circuit (there's 3 sets of 3 separate circuits). It came in at about an hour, whereas all of month one's workouts didn't last over 40 minutes. It was a lot to handle.

BUT! Like month 1, I will perfect the moves. I will complete a workout. And I will improve!

Speaking of improvement, I ran 3.1 miles at Swift Cantrell Park on Sunday (my off day) to begin training myself for the upcoming 5k's. I completed the distance in 33:39, knocking a little over a minute off my first 5k run. I really like that park, specifically because it has a marked mile-long trail (each .1 mile is denoted), and it's not a boring "around-and-around" track. It goes up and downhill, weaving itself around the beautiful park, providing a nice change of scenery. Not to mention it has very well placed watering fountains along the trail, and the whole place is dog friendly.

I had mentioned on facebook that I would like to start an Acworth running club that meets at Swift Cantrell once or twice a week. I would like to reiterate this offer and ask again if anyone is serious about joining. Sundays are best for me (any time really--afternoons more so). I will try to post a reminder each week when I will be there and hopefully we can get a thing going. A disclaimer though--I am more about endurance than speed. As it stands now, I'm running about a 10-11 minute mile (the last one usually longer), so if you're faster than that, by all means still come! Maybe you can help me pace myself better. If you're slower than that, again--come! Maybe I can help pace/motivate you!

Lately I've been trying to think of different entries I could do to keep this blog interesting. I was thinking my next one could be a food journal. Since my "Halfway Mark" post last week, I have been getting a ton of questions on facebook and real life asking me about what I'm eating. Like I've said before, I'm trying to keep it at or around 2,000 calories a day (it will be different for everyone, so use this calorie calculator to figure out yours). I also try to eat mostly clean--meaning lean meats, fruits, veggies, and whole grains--not a ton of processed or frozen foods. I do eat a protein bar during my shifts at work because I have little time for anything else (just make sure it's got a lot of protein--no less than 10 grams, ideally around 25--and less than 5 grams of fat and no more than 10 grams of sugar, otherwise it's just a candy bar). I also use whey protein in my shakes after each workout (very important!), and I try to drink around a gallon of water a day.

Until then I will share with you a little recipe I came up with today. Basically I've been craving blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream (my absolute favorite!), so this morning I improvised.

1 packet of maple and brown sugar oatmeal (160 cal.).
Follow the directions and then add 1/2 cup of fresh blackberries (about 40 cal.), 1/2 tablespoon of natural, raw, preferably local honey (30 cal.) and cinnamon to taste.
Pop it back in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm up the berries.
Mix it up, top with about 1 tablespoon of wheat germ for a "crust" (25 cal.) and a dollop of frozen light whipped topping (20 cal.) to take place of the vanilla ice cream.

I swear, I know it's not the real thing, but for 275 calories, it's pretty darn close. And it will fill you up, giving you a healthy dose of oats and fruit without all of the added sugar or butter that comes with the real thing.

You can try it and thank me later.

Halfway Mark

So like I said in my last post, I'm halfway through Insanity (this is the beginning of my "recovery" week), and almost halfway to my goal weight. I did 2-a-days most of last week, really watched my diet, and was excited to step on the scale and mark my progress. Unfortunately, my weight has stayed the same from the last weigh-in, but I have lost half an inch here and there. I'm hoping that it's mostly water retention since this is also the beginning of my "woman" week... if you catch my drift. I'm sure you do.

So needless to say, I was a little bummed after all my hard work and even more unenthusiastic about taking my scheduled progress pictures. I'm glad I sucked it up, though, because they really prove to me that I actually have progressed in the last 2 weeks! This is why I think it's so important to take photos (whether or not you share them with the world), so you can have a visual and physical standard with which to judge yourself.

I know--blah blah blah. Shut up and post the darn pictures already.

Okay... fine.

The changes are slight, more noticeable to myself than in pictures, but I love the way my arms are looking. Is it weird that I sometimes like to flex them and just feel my muscle? Is this what guys do? I feel like a goober, but they're just so much stronger than I ever remember them being. I can do pushups no problem now. When I began Insanity, I had a hard time doing even 2 or 3 at a time... just pitiful. And I'm starting to develop a small divot in between my upper abs just below my bra line--like an actual differentiation between one abdominal muscle to the next. It's not evident in photos, but I can feel it, and I'm psyched about it. Is it strange to be excited about such a small change? Probably, but it's such great motivation because now I'm determined to make it more noticeable!

Also, in case anyone was wondering about the possible two 5k's I wrote about in my last post, I ended up only being able to do the first one. We arrived about 5 minutes after the second one had started and decided it would probably be smarter to simply wait until the 1 mile fun run and just do that. Either way, I had a freaking blast at the 5k! It was my first, and I'm pretty sure I'm becoming an addict. Yesterday I found myself signing up for 6 in the next 8 months. The Dream Dash, the Virginia Highlands Summerfest, and all 4 of the 5k's in the Locomotive Race Series. I love that the Locomotive Race Series' last 5k is February 2013, ensuring that I have to continue my fitness and actually setting a realistic and tangible goal for myself! The 5k on Saturday I completed in 34:48.7 (coming in 280th place out of 630 participants), which I know is not a great time, but for my first 5k I will take it! I also completed my first mile without walking (a HUGE accomplishment for me!) at just over 9 minutes. My goal for my next 5k is to knock at least 1 minute off of my time, and my long term goal for the 5k in February is to complete it under 30 minutes.

If any of you would like to do one (or all) of these with me or to help me train, just let me know! It always helps to have someone else pushing you... or pulling, since you'll probably be ahead of me. :)

Truth Bomb!

Call me crazy, but as of right now I am committed to not one, but two 5k races tomorrow morning, and I couldn't be more excited about it. The first one is in Marietta (Knock Out Cancer) and the second is in North Paulding for Geoff's high school track team (I couldn't find a working link for this race). I will literally be finishing one, driving 30 minutes, and beginning another. Hopefully I can keep my energy up (hello coffee and protein shakes!) and knock out both of them.

I've been doing pretty well on completing my 2-a-days this week, which makes me really psyched for the weigh in and picture updates planned for Monday morning. There is no fit test (thank goodness!), because Monday also marks the beginning of my Insanity "recovery week." Basically the first month is crazy, then you get a recovery week of less strenuous exercises (but it's the same video everyday--bleh), and then month two knocks it into super high ridiculousness. I'm terrified of what's to come, but again, strangely excited and pumped for it.

I've found myself getting way more into fitness and nutrition than I ever have, which is making me think I really am committed for the long haul. I see myself daydreaming about what I will have accomplished 1, 2, even 5 years from now, and also trying to figure out ways to incorporate my new found love into a career or volunteer work of some sort (suggestions are highly welcomed). I think it would be a great way to give back in a positive manner, instead of slinging drinks and encouraging unhealthy lifestyles (no matter how great the pay). An awesome motivational website a facebook friend shared the other day is here. It's a wonderful testament to what you can accomplish if you give yourself the proper time, do things the healthy and long-term way, and really stick to your goals. I've also been checking out this website as well and thinking to myself, I can do that. I can look like that.

I know I originally stated my goal was to lose 30 pounds (halfway there!), but after checking out how amazing those women look, I really think I should shoot more for the 35-40 pound range and focus on toning and building muscle once I get there (if I gain some back in muscle weight, at least I'll still be under my goal). I know, I know--I shouldn't obsess about the scale; it's more about how I feel and look and inches lost. Which is all fine and dandy, but if I were to lose only my 30, that puts me at the very top of my healthy weight for my body type, height, frame, etc. and I really would like to have more wiggle room than that. Who knows, I may feel differently once I arrive, but for now, I'm going to shoot for 35 (so 20 to go!).

I know I can do this.

I know I can keep this up.

I can look amazing and be healthy and fit.

There's no excuse in the world as to why it isn't possible. I remember in high school weighing 170 lbs. at every physical, which is my current goal weight. So yes, if you can add, I started this journey at 200 lbs. (which is hard to admit on the internet, even if I'm 5'10''). That's the heaviest I've ever been and also my breaking point. I remember 3 years ago getting on the scale, and it said 185 lbs. (which is what I'm at now). I wrote it off as my freshmen 15 hanging on and didn't think much else of it. I also remember 6 months later realizing I had hit 190 lbs. I told myself it was okay, so long as I never hit 200 lbs. Again, I didn't actually do anything about it. So, inevitably, I hit my scary top weight, and have held it for 2 years, dropping 5-10 lbs. every April and then gaining it back at the end of the summer. I never did it the healthy way or the permanent way. I never made a lifestyle change, and now I'm paying for it. It's amazing how easy it is to brush aside a pound or two, until it turns into a whopping 30, and then it's even easier to say to yourself, "Screw it. Nothing I do can change this. I like to eat too much. I don't want to give up alcohol or sweets (or whatever it is). I've grown up and this is my adult weight." Well... bullshit. Those are excuses. You look and feel how you let yourself look and feel. And I let myself look and feel like crap. I'm going to change that now. I want to be a good example for my future kids and my family and my friends. I don't want to be an excuse.

Whew. Sorry for that. But I felt like it was a necessary component to share in my journey. On a more positive note--I walked/ran Kennesaw Mountain today and felt incredible. A friend and I walked most of the way up with short sprints and ran most of the way down (I could run downhill forever). As we were running, I shared with her that I'm not much of a distance runner, even though my stamina is much better than it was, and I think I get down on myself and give up too easily. I mentally give in before I physically need to. She suggested that I come up with a mantra to repeat to myself as I run.

"I am happy. I am healthy. I am strong."

And I am.

"Luuucy! I'm Hoooome!"

I seem to have taken a longer than planned hiatus from this blog, but it feels good to finally be back and writing. I'll warn you ahead of time that since it's been over a week since I updated, this post will be fairly long. To reward you however, it will also have lots of pictures! Let's start with my trip to North Captiva Island.

Absolutely gorgeous. These were all taken in the middle of the afternoon, during spring break, off the coast of Florida, AND THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO PEOPLE ON THE BEACH! It was as if we had our own private island. I can't wait to go back.

And here's me. Minus the sexy hair, I'm really happy with how I look. Not something I can usually say around this time of year. My thighs still look a little thundery, so I think I'm going to research how I can really accentuate the muscles I've built in them. They feel strong and tight in person, but in pictures they don't really showcase my hard work. Anyone have any suggestions for that?

As for what I said in my last post about this trip being a great way to really test myself in terms of fitness and nutrition (as in, can I keep it up over vacation), I think I did fairly well. I went running every day, even the day we arrived after having driven for 10 hours. After most runs I would do the Insanity warmup and some exercises from memory. One day I actually did the Cardio Recovery video in front of the girls I went with so they could see what it was like. Afterwards we watched Pure Cardio (I wasn't about to do that one in front of people! Ha!). It was strange to actually watch the videos, because I normally only listen to his instruction, as half the time most exercises have you facing the floor. I have to say, the other participants' faces are priceless during the harder parts of the workout. But overall, score one for me on exercising!

The nutrition half was a little tougher. Those beach cocktails I mentioned in my last post went at around 150-200 calories a pop, even with me measuring and using real fruit and lower calorie ingredients, so I had to be very conscientious of how many I had... which is hard after a couple. Looking back at my fitbook, most days I went over my 2,000 calorie limit by around 3 or 400. I did better towards the end of the week, when my friend's mom left us and stopped cooking her delicious meals. That lady can COOK, but she's a terrible influence on my waist line. Take this meal for example:

So. Good. However, after I calculated everything out, it came in at a whopping 950 calories! I'd have to say it was worth it though, because it was that good. But you see what I mean? How can you say no to this after the woman went into the ocean and caught dinner for you? Oh, did I not mention that yet? Yes, the lady can not only cook, she can fish, too! These were the sea trout she caught and cooked for us:

She was also an expert at filleting. Not one of us found a bone in our dinner. She was even nice enough to go out her last night and catch extra so all of us could take some home--such an amazing lady.

For my birthday night, we went to one of only 3 restaurants on the island--Barnacle Phil's.

My sister and I (the blonde next to me) split blackened grouper and shrimp over black beans and yellow rice. It was a disappointment after the delicious food to which we had become accustomed. We all agreed next time we would cook the whole trip; definitely not worth the island prices we paid, and not to mention I had no idea what was going into my food (how much butter, etc.).

When "I Can Do All Things" Mama left us, I took over the cooking portion of the trip. One night I made whole wheat pasta with turkey meatballs and fresh tomato marinara with onions, squash, and zucchini in the sauce. It wasn't half bad, if I do say so myself! Something I'll have to keep in mind when I need to make a big, easy dinner.

The next day for lunch we needed to use up all of our perishables before we left for home, so I made us grilled chicken salads with lettuce, garden tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, strawberries, grapes, and cheese.

I logged it at 500 calories to account for the large amount of chicken (and everything else), along with the cheese and the little bit of ranch I put on mine. It was very good and VERY filling. I loved the sweetness of the fruit as a nice surprise in each bite. So needless to say, it's easy to see how I went over every day; we all ate very well on this trip. Coming home, I was terrified to get on the scale, because I would have bet anything that I had gained weight--eating as much as I did and not doing my full workouts. Amazingly enough though, I had actually lost a pound!

Do what now?

Not sure what caused it, possibly my body getting some rest, but I have actually lost 3 more since then! That puts me at a total of 14 lbs. lost, 4 within the same week. I really think the scale finally budged a great deal because I took my week break from Insanity. Possibly my body was retaining a lot of water to prepare for my workouts... or something; I don't really have a good explanation. I don't think it's a loss of muscle, because it's been too short of a time for that, but whatever it is--I'll take it!

This week I'm having to make up for my little break though, with a few 2-a-days scattered in to catch up on my Insanity schedule. Coming back from vacation, I closed the bar 3 nights in a row, not to mention cleaning the house, doing laundry, and just simply getting back into my routine, so I ended up missing 2 workouts. 2-a-days won't kill me (we did them in high school all the time), and yesterday's I was actually very into both workouts. It was nice to get back into a routine, and my body felt stronger and ready for the challenge. Don't worry, I looked into them, and I'm taking all of the necessary precautions so I don't hurt myself (6 hours between workouts, extra protein, and so on and so forth).

I have to say, again, this trip could not have come at a better time. After returning, I'm super motivated by my progress, ready to go after my rest, and the idea of having to lose 16 lbs. is a lot less daunting than my original goal of 30! Almost half way there! Thank you for the continued support on here, facebook, and in person. I really appreciate everyone, and if you are looking to begin a fitness journey, don't hesitate to ask me for advice or to come with you on a run or whatever else it may be.

And oh yeah! Happy Belated Easter everyone!

(This is my biggest fan--my boyfriend, Geoff. This is also one of the first pictures I haven't felt self conscious standing next to his skinny frame. No amount of delicious food or extra hour of sleep in place of exercise can replace the amazing feelings of confidence and accomplishment.)