Day 15 - OFF! - May 31, 2011

Today was a day of rest.  We have softball tonight, so a its a day off of the program.  We will however be biking up to ball. Nothing to crazy, but a nice little jaunt up the hill.  Body is feeling good, and no muscle soreness.  We finally have a nice day for ball with no rain, which is the first time this season.

Day 14 - Fit Test - May 30, 2011

Well, I started the day with a dissapointment and had a bit of a roller coaster with emotions.  I did my weigh-in first thing in the morning only to find that I only lost 0.6 of a pound.  Initially I was really upset, as its never fun to work so hard and not see results.  After much thinking and pep talking myself, I have come to the conclusion (and thereafter confirmed with research) that I have replaced the fat I have lost with muscle and therefore minimal weight loss.  I can definitively say this as a result of the change in how my clothes fit and after doing our measurements before the fit test.  I lost 4 1/4 inches! Woohoo.  My stats are as follows:

               May 17          May 30
Weight - 131 lbs             130.4
Bust -     33 3/4"            33 3/4"
Waist -   32 1/2"            30 1/2"
Hips -     39 1/4"            37 3/4
Thighs -   23 3/4"           23"

After the initial shock, I am excited about my results and it gives me the motivation to continue.

Tonights workout was the fit test.  The results for this week also gives me encouragement that I am definately getting stronger and more fit.  I also feel that my form is much better than the first fit test and the fact that I improved on all exercises despite it being harder with proper form feels great!  My results are as follows:

                                       May 17             May 30
1. Switch Kicks -              104                   129
2. Power Jacks -                60                     62
3. Power Knees -               95                   110
4. Power Jumps -               42                     45
5. Globe Jumps -                12                     13
6, Suicide Jumps -              20                     22
7. Push-up Jacks -             10                     14
8. Low Plank Oblique -      40                    50 

So all in all its been a good two weeks and I am proud and motivated to move on. 

Day 13 - Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs - May 29, 2011

Well, today was quite the day.  We were off to the city to run errands all day, and upon returning home around 7pm, there was little motivation to workout.  We pulled up our socks and pushed through "the lazies".  What a workout it was.  It was a double header, 2 workouts in one day.  The first, pure cardio is a workout that is nonstop card at a significant pace.  At the beginning Sean T actually says he's nervous about the workout.  It was followed by cardio abs, which is strickly ab movements.  We were spent.  I must say though, it was really nice to ad a new workout with cardio abs and it was really nice to focus solely on the abs.  But it kicked out asses.  I am really glad we pushed through and did the workout!

Day 12 - Cardio Power & Resistance - May 28, 2011

My body is definitely feeling good, but the workouts are definitely not getting easier yet.  I do find the workouts very repetitive and it will be nice to have some new ones.  I believe tomorrow is a double header workout with a new workout as the second workout.  Nutrition is still pretty much a piece of cake and easy to stay within the recommended calorie count of 1700 calories (specific to me) per day.  Looking at getting new sneakers tomorrow, which I think is long overdue.  Our weather is supposed to improve starting tomorrow, which may make it harder to be inside.  Going great and happy to be active every day.

Day 11 - Cardio Recovery - May 27, 2011

A lovely recovery day today.  Body is feeling good, but I think sleep is alot more important than I think.  Feeling sluggish from to little sleep definately affects motivation and endurance.  I am going to try to work on getting more sleep so I feel energized for the workouts.  Its been raining here for almost a week, and today we got snow, so its kind of dreary outside.  A good time to be doing workouts indoors, but not good for the motivation.  My workout buddy is back today, and vows to do the missed workout as a double header with tomorrows workout.  We'll see I guess.

Day 10 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - May 26, 2011

I felt really good in the workout today.  I think I am finally over this cold and back on the mend.  It was bound to happen, my workout buddy bailed today:(  He had somewhere he had to be, so I did it solo.  Tomorrow is a recovery day, so my buddy will either do 2 tomorrow or skip recovery and do todays workout tomorrow.  No free passes here.  Starting to feel minimally stronger, its hard to be patient and allow my body to get stronger and fitter.  The fit test and weight/measurements will hopefully give me some more drive.

Day 9 - Pure Cardio - May 25, 2011

Still feeling pretty sluggish, but I am still recovering from being sick and was up all night coughing.  I am still proud of myself for working out through the sickness and perservering.  We did the intense cardio workout again today.  It hasn't gotten any easier.  I still am not noticing any difference in my ability or body.  I am looking forward to doing the fit test again to see if there are any improvements.  I guess I must be patient, since it is only the beginning of week 2.

Day 8 - OFF!!!!

Thank god today was a day off.  My body needed it.  From being sick and from just having a tired body, it couldn't have come at a better time.  We still have softball tonight, so its not totally a day of rest, but ball isn't much of a workout.  I am hoping this rest will give me some energy and I feel refreshed and ready to begin the next week of the program.  Our weather has been pretty dreary, so its good to be staying inside to do the program.

Day 7 - Cardio Power & Resistance - May 23

Today was supposed to be a day off from the workout program, but as I said in my first post, we have modified the program to coincide with our softball schedule, so today we moved on to the next workout and will take a day off tomorrow.  I am still sick and am finding the workouts are wearing my down, so a day off tomorrow will be nice.  The workouts are getting to be a little monotonous and we are cycling through the same ones and we are just going into week 2.  Here's to a much needed day off tomorrow.

Day 6 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - May 22, 2011

So I'm still sick, but have been able to muscle my way through and continue to still do the workouts.  Today was the first day we repeated a workout and I had forgotten, but it was the first workout and by far the hardest one we have done so far.  My workout buddy mountain biked today, but still did the workout with me, so I have to commend him for his dedication.  Not feeling sore anymore, which is nice, but still have to work hard to finish the workouts.  I have not noticed a difference at all in how clothes fit, but still think its much to early to recognize any results yet.

Day 5 - Pure Cardio - May 21, 2011

I woke up feeling pretty good today except for the fact that I am definately sick:(  My body wasn't sore and it didn't feel all that tired, but I did feel rundown from being sick.  The workout was pretty intense with all cardio and very little breaks.  I thought the workout would be good, since I felt good, but didn't feel like I was able to push myself as much I as would like to.   We completed it nevertheless, and hope to have a better day tomorrow.  We did our workout first thing in the morning today because we had a really busy day planned and wanted to make sure we got our workout in.  It was nice having it done and over with.

Day 4 - Cardio Recovery - May 20, 2011

I will tell you now, I was awfully glad today was considered a recovery day.  I woke up this morning feeling like I am fighting a bug, and I now think I am sick:(  Someone in my office came to work sick the last couple of days and I think it got passed on to me.  Today's workout was a much needed break.  It was a break from cardio with just some strength and yoga stretches.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  This was the first day that it took some motivation to get my ass moving.  Tomorrow hopefully I am feeling better as I believe the work out may be the hardest one yet.  Off to bed, to get some much needed rest.

Day 3 - Cardio Power & Resistance - May 19, 2011

Well today was an interesting day.  I experienced total body soreness, which I attemped relief with some Advil.  Moving is the key, as staying still for to long allows things to seize up.  This is a sign of building muscle and I relish in knowing being sore means I worked hard.  Todays workout was much shorter than the first and I thoroughly enjoyed a lighter day.  Much of the same idea of a workout, but with different exercises.  It is still pretty difficult.  My workout buddy has remained totally committed, and eager to get going when he gets home from work.  (must be the recovery smoothies that I prepare ahead of time that gives him the drive).  We are having a blast doing the workouts and often find ourselves laughing or smiling in the struggle to finish.

Today`s smoothie recipe:

Almond Milk
Banana
Blueberries
Cocoa Powder
Vanilla Extract
Hemp Protein Powder

This one was a hit, and a much needed energy replacer after the workout.  Looking forward to tomorrows recovery day.

Day 2 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - May 18, 2011

Today was our first real workout.  Boy was it hard!  I really like the program as it mixes the exercises up very frequently so you don't get bored and the time flies by pretty quickly.  We worked really hard and I was totally exhausted when I was done.  We wrapped up our workout with a protein smoothie for recovery.  After sitting down for a little while, I was really sore when getting up again.  I think I am really gonna pay tomorrow!  Since, feeling so sore, I was able to treat myself to a nice hot tub to sooth my muscles.  The nutrition portion is going great.  Based on my personal details I am supposed to consume 1750 calories per day in five equal meals.  I have been able to stick to it, using wonderfully fresh and whole foods.  Until tomorrow.

Day 1 - Fit Test - May 17, 2011

So unlike some of the reports and other blogs I have read, I didn't find the fit test as hard as others say they did. Don't get me wrong, it is definately not a walk in the park, but perhaps one can hope I am not in as bad shape as I thought I was?  I don't dare to dream such nonsense, as I am sure I will be put in my place tomorrow with the first real workout.  My results are as follows:

1. Switch Kicks - 104
2. Power Jacks - 60
3. Power Knees - 95
4. Power Jumps - 42
5. Globe Jumps - 12
6, Suicide Jumps - 20
7. Push-up Jacks - 10
8. Low Plank Oblique - 40

I did have a hard time remembering to count for the first couple of exercises, so they may be a little off.  Post workout, I had tons of energy and went on to clean my entire house.  The next morning I felt a little sore, but nothing I can't handle.  On to day 2....

Before Stats - May 17, 2011

Weight - 131 lbs
Bust - 33 3/4"
Waist - 32 1/2"
Hips - 39 1/4"
Thighs - 23 3/4"

Before Pictures

Not a bad starting point, but hopefully I get more toned and fit!

About Me

To start, I will admit, that by no means am I a writer.  I have decided to create this blog as a tool for myself to monitor my progress while doing the Insanity Fitness Program and as a tool for others to have support on their journey.

I am a 33 year old female who, I would say, is slightly above average on the fitness scale.  I am 5'2" tall and around 130 lbs (I'll confirm that later with my before photo and stats).  I live in a very active mountain town and partake in such activities as yoga, softball, running, mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing.  My usual routine is around 3 days/week of cardio, lasting about an hour and 2 days a week of strength training, which is usually plyometrics.  My goal in the journey, is to take my fitness to the next level to help keep up with others doing the activities I love, to tone up and lose around 10 lbs.  I generally eat pretty healthy, eating lots of veggies and mostly whole foods.  Since I have a pretty clean diet, I will use the dietary plan only as a guideline for amount of calories consumed and spacing and sizing of meals.  I will be doing the program with my partner, a 30 year old male who does manual labour for a living.  I question his dedication and commitment to the program, but I am hoping we can motivate each other to "Dig Deep".

I plan to blog every day outlining my triumphs, failures and feelings.  I have shuffled the workouts slightly, around our softball schedule, using the days we play (usually once a week) as a day off.  We don't have time to walk our dog, play ball and workout on these days so they are now a scheduled day off.  We have not omitted any workouts, just shuffled the order slightly.

Well here we go...........