Day 44 - Max Cardio Conditioning - June 29, 2011

Todays workout was a slog, and I had the hardest time yet getting motivated and finishing the workout.  My legs were very tired from my ride yesterday.

I have done much soul searching and trying to determine my opinion on this program.  My opinion is as follows:

I feel that the program leans to much in the build muscle category and not enough in the burn fat category.  I have difficulty getting my heart rate up to the fat burning zone and maintaining it there, as my muscles can't keep up.  For example, it would be nice to do squats for 1 min, to get my heart rate up, but my legs just aren't strong enough to keep up.  Personally, my body needs a steady increased heart rate for a long duration to burn fat.  I have been struggling with this for a bit now and am discouraged that I am not getting the results I was hoping for.  Don't get me wrong, I am definately stronger and love the muscle I have built, but It would be nice to lose the layer of fat that is covering it, so you can actually see it:)

After much deliberation, I have decided to modify the program to better suit my body, needs and hopes for the program.  I have modified the program to incorporate 2 run/ride days/week.  1 being a shorter lunch run/ride and the other a long hour or hour and half run/ride.  To do this I did two things.  I replaced one of the cardio workouts that focuses mainly on cardio with the longer run and I added days for the short run, which will make the duration of the program 69 days instead of 60.  I am very happy with this decision and I think it better suits me and I look forward to better results.  Plus who wouldn't want to be outside more on our nice and beautifully sunny summer days.

Day 43 - Biking! - June 28, 2011

As I stated in the beginning of the program, now that the weather is getting nicer I have decided that I will not miss a ride to stay home and do the workout.  The rides are a better workout and who wouldn't want to be outside on a bike?  Today I rode instead of doing the workout.  It was supposed to be the Core Cardio and Recovery workout so I definately worked harder riding. We did a 3 1/2 hour ride with tons of climbing.  I felt great while doing it and nice and tired when we were done.  And best of all, we brought our fur baby along.  A great ride had by all.

Day 42 - Core Cardio & Recovery - June 27, 2011

Today's workout was not what I expected.  I thought it would be strength poses with long holds.  I was very mistaken.  It was a gentle version of all of the other workouts.  The program has you doing this workout for 7 days.  I think I would have been pulling my hair out.  Thankfully, with our company, we decided to do other things.  I only have 2 days of it, then back into the regular workout.  My body felt good, no soreness, but I can definately feel the fact that I haven't done an Insanity workout in a week.  Absolutely no difference in my body, but can get through more of the exercises at this point.  I am definately building a bunch of muscle, but not burning fat.  I am look forward to some long extended cardio like a run when the program is done.

Day 40 & 41 - Nothin - June 25 & 26

Both these days I didnt get up to much. Visiting and touring around, with some small walks. My body feels rested and i am definately looking forward to getting back into the workout. I need a good sweat burn. Tomorrow we are back at it.

Day 39 - Nothin - June 24, 2011

Today I took the day off to sightsee all day.  It was an awesome day!

Day 38 - Recovery - June 23, 2011

Today we had a rainy day, but was able to find the small sunny period and did a beautiful 1 1/2 hour gentle hike.  It was hot and sunny, and just as we finished the storms rolled in.  Good timing.

Day 37 - Recovery - June 22, 2011

Today was a beautifully sunny and warm day in Canmore.  I worked an early shift at work so we could enjoy the latter part of the afternoon.  Today for exercise we hiked highline trail.  It was a gorgeous, gentle 2ish hour hike.  Good to get the legs moving and get outside to enjoy the fresh air.

Day 36 - OFF! - June 21, 2011

So today is the beginning of the recovery week scheduled in the program.  It was actually supposed to occur last week before the second half began, but our schedule with company visiting, better suited us to do it now.  So the week is supposed to be a 7 days of a recovery disc.  Our plan is to do less than a week of recovery and do the discs when we can and continue to do activities such as hiking and biking throughout the week.  Surprisingly enough, I am actually looking forward to getting back into it next week for the push to the finish.  Today will be a full day off as we are heading into the city to pick up our company.

Day 35 - Max Interval Plyo - June 20, 2011

So I most definately made up for my lack of dedication on the weekend.  Today, I did a 30 min. run on my lunch with my fur baby, I did the workout and then did an hour and a half light hike with a friend and the pups.  It was a great day.  I got alot accomplished and had lots of energy doing it!  The workouts are still ridiculously hard and committing an hour has been difficult.  The commitment from my workout buddy is falling and I think I will end up finishing the program on my own, but he is still there, so fingers crossed he can put up with it for 25 more days!  I definately feel strong, however, my upper body needs alot of work.  I am a complete weakling when it comes to push-ups and such.  But I guess thats why I am here!

Days 33 & 34

Well I fell off of the wagon over the weekend, and I am definately beating myself up over it.  I didn't do the workout on Saturday or the recovery workout on Sunday, simply because I didn't make time throughout the weekend. It wasn't because I didn't want to do the workouts, I had all intentions, but it was such a busy weekend, I just couldn't find the time.  To make up for it I am going to go for a run at lunch today and do my regular scheduled workout.  It is warm and sunny out and its been awhile since I have ran, so I am really looking forward to it.

Day 32 - OFF! - June 17, 2011

So overall my body feels really strong and solid, but still feels tired.  I am really learning the importance of working hard on workout days, but taking a day off is key to improvement.  The day gives your muscles time to recover and get fresh.  Today will be a good day with relaxing and eating well, then back at it tomorrow.  I am off to the city to see me aunt who is coming for a visit from the east!

Day 31 - Max Cardio Conditioning - June 16, 2011

I felt a mix of feelings to day.  I began feeling energized and eager to get into it.  But as I warmed up, I realized my body was very fatigued and sore.  The warm-up helps with the soreness, but my body is still tired.  I am very much looking forward to the day off tomorrow for some recovery of my muscles.  Today's workout was similar with the pure cardio workout in the first half, with one major difference.... It begins with the new warm-up for the second half and proceeds to go into over 30 minutes of continuous repetitions of various exercises.  The pure cardio was 15 minutes straight and I thought it was tough.  Today's was over 30 minutes straight of intense power and cardio moves.  I will definately be sore tomorrow.

Day 30 - Max Inverval Plyo - June 15, 2011

Holy crap, this program is insane.  Tonights workout was slightly shorter than yesterday, albeit it was 50 some odd minutes.  It is purely exhausting.  Hopefully taking the workouts to the next level will bump up the results and the fitness level.  There was 2 rounds of 5 or 6 exercises that you do 3 reps of each.  Increasing the intensity after each rep, which is 45 seconds long.  They are new exercises or a spin on exercises in the first half of the program.  Its really nice to have some change.  Its a bit more of a struggle to fit it in, given that the workouts are between 10 and 20 minutes longer.  Looking forward to friday for a day off.  My body aches:)

Day 29 - Fit Test & Max Interval Circuit - June 14, 2011

I began today's workout with measurements and the fit test.  Here are my results:

               May 17          May 30       June 14
Weight - 131 lbs             130.4         131.8
Bust -     33 3/4"            33 3/4"       34 1/2"
Waist -   32 1/2"            30 1/2"          29"
Hips -     39 1/4"            37 3/4        37 1/2"
Thighs -   23 3/4"              23"          22 1/2"

In summary, I am thrilled I gained wait! Not! But I do understand it.  I have definately accumulated a ton of muscle and until I get all of the fat burned off, that was likely to happen.  I also think its hilarious that my bust measurement went up by 3/4", perhaps measurer error or due to all of those pushups building my pecs?  I am happy with the reduction in the rest of the measurements and in total lost another 1 1/2".

After measurments, I did the fit test.  I felt strong, but was only able to increase reps minimally and actually went down in a couple of the exercises.  The program schedules a day off the day before performing the fit test, I wonder if the fact that I didn't have a day off, made a difference in the results?  My results are as follows:

                                       May 17             May 30       June 14
1. Switch Kicks -              104                   129              130
2. Power Jacks -                60                     62                63
3. Power Knees -               95                   110                97
4. Power Jumps -               42                     45                47
5. Globe Jumps -                12                     13                15
6, Suicide Jumps -              20                     22                20
7. Push-up Jacks -             10                     14                 13
8. Low Plank Oblique -      40                    50                 60

I switched from doing modified push-ups to regular push-ups which explains the decrease in push-up jacks.  I also think my form is better in some of the exercises, which may also contribute.

Next was the first double header on the fit test day.  And I will say that s#$#%t is insane.  The workout was absolutely nuts and I feel like I am back at square 1 again.  Its 60 min. long and super hard.  Constant cardio and power moves with short 30 sec breaks scattered throughout.  The other big difference is each exercise cycles for 45 sec instead of the 30 sec previously.  Wow, I am sure not looking forward to the second half at this point.

Day 28 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - June 13, 2011

Woohooo, the last workout of the first half of the program.  Phew, it was a long 4 weeks and I won't be sad to see those exercises go.  I really like the type of program, but there isn't enough variety within the workouts and not enough different workouts to keep from getting bored.  I am anxious to start the second half and get some new workouts, however, I am nervous just the same.  The workouts are longer and harder.  But hopefully we will start seeing more significant results.  In the program, the next week is supposed to be a recovery week, doing a recover disc for 7 days.  We have opted to postpone the recover week by a week, as I have company coming next week and it will be more difficult to get the workouts in.  So we start right back into it and will take a few recovery days next week instead.  Here we go!

Day 27 - Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs - June 12, 2011

Today was a double header with a cardio workout followed by an ab workout.  I opted to forgoe the cardio workout and do a 2 hour mountain bike ride instead.  It was a beautiful evening and a I had a great ride with a good friend.  After the ride I went home and did the ab workout with my workout buddy.  We both really enjoy this workout, as its the only workout that specifically targets just the ab muscles. And its only 18 min. I am seeing a huge difference in my core strength and can do alot more of this workout without taking breaks.    It was a good day.

Day 26 - Cardio Power and Resistance -June 11, 2011

We did our workout first thing this morning. Its nice to have it done early. My workout buddy is hanging on by a thread and is so bored with the workouts is ready to quit. Thank god we get new discs on Tuesday. Power jumps and push-ups are my nemesis:(.

Day 25 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - June 10, 2011

Back on the wagon today and i have to say, i really thought after 2 days off i thought i would have more energy. Not the case. The workouts are getting boring and monotonous and we r losing interest really quickly. Good thing they all change on Tuesday. Tuesday is also the next fit test and measurements. This last 2 weeks havent felt all that amazing, so we'll see how that goes. I do have a ton of energy though.

Day 24 - OFF - June 9, 2011

Today is a regularly scheduled day off, since we have a ball game.  Even though I took yesterday off I am going to still take the day off today.  We don't have time to do everything we need to do on nights that we play ball and 2 days off won't make a difference in the grand scheme of things.  We will make sure we bike up to the ball diamonds to get the muscles working a little bit.

Day 23 - Fell Off the Wagon:(

Well I am sad to say that I skipped today's workout.  The decision to skip was a combination of many factors.  I was having a rough week to begin with, my body was really tired and we ended up having to make a trip into Calgary to visit a family member in the hospital.  At first I was really disappointed in myself and was beating myself up about it.  I have now changed my opinion.  My body needed a little rest and I took it.  I have done perfectly on the program thus far and even doing 2 workouts (riding & the program) on some days.  If I skip one workout in the entire program, I think I am doing pretty good.  So I decided to accept that I needed a day off both physically and mentally and to take it without guilt.  Now time to get back on the wagon.

Day 22 - Pure Cardio - June 7, 2011

Today was a great workout.  My body felt great and not to tired.  I have a bit of a tweak in between my shoulder blades.  Hopefully I can work it out.  Perhaps a massage will help:)  My workout buddy did something to his hamstring at work so sat this workout out.  We are hoping a days rest will help.  I can definately feel the impact of the exercises on my body. Mostly I feel good, but I definately feel the strain in my lower back.  I suspect this is due to not squating into the exercises after your legs get sore from doing them for a while.  The diet plan is going good, pretty much the same good eating habits I normally have, however, I do find myself treating myself to small treats now and then more than usual.  I get the "I worked hard and deserve a treat" idea and treat myself.  Treats are good, but in moderation.

Day 21 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - June 6, 2011

3 weeks down!  I didn't have a great workout today, my body is feeling tired and worn out.  I did everything in the workout, but I took it down a notch, so as to night wear myself out more.  We'll see how tomorrow goes.  We are definately super tired of the same workouts and thankfully this time next week we get a new set of workouts.  Its be physically demanding to do the workout and to maintain the amount of riding that I want to do.  I feel like I need an entire day in bed:) Hopefully a good nights sleep will improve the fatigue.  Its pretty weird feeling fatigued, but still have loads of energy.

Day 20 - Cardio Power & Resistance - June 5, 2011

It was a beautiful day today, so I began the day with a fun, moderately technical ride on Montaine traverse.  A 10km ride out on sweet singletrack and the same back on a paved path.  It was an awesome ride.  I began feeling tired and sluggish, but that quickly subsided and I had an amazing ride.  We did our workout in the evening, and I began the workout with a very fatigued body.  However, about a third of the way through, I got a crazy burst of energy and finished the workout as strong as I have ever done one.  I still don't feel much different in the way of strength or clothes fitting better, however, I do have a ton of energy most days and I don't find myself getting home from work and not being able to peel myself up off of the couch.

Day 19 - Cardio Recovery - June 4,2011

Today was a cardio recovery day. The program for today is a light stretching program, however, we decided to have a family mountain bike day instead. We had a wonderful day outside and biked about 15kms. Not much of a rest day, but well worth it.

Day 18 - Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs - June 3, 2011

Double header again today.  I really enjoy doing the ab workout, I wish we did it more often.  How else would I get that six pack.  My workout buddy went for a ride tonight so he joined me afterwards to do the cardio abs portion.  I am really bored of the workouts and am really looking forward to a change.  Not near as motivated today with nobody there to push me.  My body feels pretty good,  but I still definately feel warn out.  I definately need to improve on my upper body strength.  I suck at push-ups. 

Day 17 - OFF! - June 2, 2011

Today is another scheduled day off for us, since we have another ball game.  4-0 so far, way to go black sox!  I must say, I am happy today is a day off, after the day I put in yesterday.  I woke up this morning feeling sore and tired.  Cheers to a day of rest!  Fingers crossed the black sox can log another "w" tonight.

Day 16 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - June 1, 2011

Well lets just say I don't know what I was thinking today, but I had intended to do my workout and then go for a ride as well.  No big deal right?  It was alot of activity for one day.  A 40 minute intense workout, followed an hour later by an hour and half mountain bike ride.  The ride itself was not all that grueling, however the ride is located on one of the sides of the valley, and since we live downtown, it was a leg burning slog up to the trailhead for me.  But I am happy I did both, and my workout buddy did the workout with me and then had dinner ready when I got home!  So all in all, it was a super night and I had a good time hanging out with some girlfriends.  Its so nice to get on my bike again, and this is now the beginning of riding season for me.