Back in Love Again...
with Shaun T's "Insanity!" LOL! Yesterday, I had a falling out with this crazy man and his insane workout routine! But today's Cardio Recovery was just what my sleepy, sore body needed. This week was rough after my energetic week the previous week. I was so hyped up last week and so ambitious in both my workout routines and daily habits. By the time I reached Monday of this week, I was wasted. It didn't help that I decided any amount, even a few swallows of energy drink was just too much. So I went cold turkey again with the energy drinks and it really showed in my level of energy and emotions. But the good thing is, I'm now at a point where I know I don't have to have an energy drink to get through a workout routine or feel okay. It enhances everything but it is not necessary. A year ago, or shoot, months ago, it was a "necessity" if I were going to get through anything.
My Word for Today: Progress
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Day 137 - May 16, 2011
Restful Sundays...
I always have mixed emotions regarding Sundays. I love the fact that they are typically a sign of peaceful rest but on the other hand, they also signify the weekend is coming to an end. Today was one of those Sundays where I multi-tasked to enjoy a beautiful Sunday but prepared for the forthcoming week. My morning started with a great vegan breakfast of whole wheat pancake muffins filled with protein sausage and tofu scramble. Yumoo! ;-) Then I gave my body a good stretch with "P90X" Stretch X routine. It was really needed after a pretty aggressive chest and back strength training routine from Saturday. ;0 After that it was on...
Since returning to a more vegan diet, I've had to be more conscious of food preparation, especially since I'm trying to eat more whole foods and less processed foods. So today's kitchen duty required prep for today's dinner, and breakfast and lunch for the rest of the week. I made a great alternative version of one of my ole favorite pasta dishes from the past. It's a hardy, spicy, yet sweet tasting elbow macaroni dish filled with fresh vegetables, TVP (texturized vegetable protein), nutritional yeast flakes, and Daiya cheddar cheese. See the pic below.
The rest of my day is dedicated to preparation for work and catching a few hours of relaxation on the couch, watching TV, and then off to sleep before the storm that's to come tomorrow with a second week of Shaun T's "Insanity!" Pray for me while you enjoy your Sunday! LOL!
My Word for Today: Time
I always have mixed emotions regarding Sundays. I love the fact that they are typically a sign of peaceful rest but on the other hand, they also signify the weekend is coming to an end. Today was one of those Sundays where I multi-tasked to enjoy a beautiful Sunday but prepared for the forthcoming week. My morning started with a great vegan breakfast of whole wheat pancake muffins filled with protein sausage and tofu scramble. Yumoo! ;-) Then I gave my body a good stretch with "P90X" Stretch X routine. It was really needed after a pretty aggressive chest and back strength training routine from Saturday. ;0 After that it was on...
Since returning to a more vegan diet, I've had to be more conscious of food preparation, especially since I'm trying to eat more whole foods and less processed foods. So today's kitchen duty required prep for today's dinner, and breakfast and lunch for the rest of the week. I made a great alternative version of one of my ole favorite pasta dishes from the past. It's a hardy, spicy, yet sweet tasting elbow macaroni dish filled with fresh vegetables, TVP (texturized vegetable protein), nutritional yeast flakes, and Daiya cheddar cheese. See the pic below.
The rest of my day is dedicated to preparation for work and catching a few hours of relaxation on the couch, watching TV, and then off to sleep before the storm that's to come tomorrow with a second week of Shaun T's "Insanity!" Pray for me while you enjoy your Sunday! LOL!
My Word for Today: Time
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Day 136 - May 15, 2011
TGIS - Thank God It's Saturday!
My first week of doing Shaun T's "Insanity" has been sumtin else! This man is truly insane and as much as I'd like to find a more descriptive way to explain this boot camp torture, I can't...it's crazy, bananas, suicidal (which is the name of one of his exercises)! I'm just glad it all ended this past Thursday, at least for the week. I spent Friday revisiting my Zumba workout and today is Chest and Back strength training, with a wine down on Sunday of Stretch X! ;-)
One of the other changes that I made this week is to return to a vegetarian/vegan diet. As much as I would like to say that I am completely committed to this lifestyle, a gurl misses the flesh every now and then. LOL! So, as long as I can, I'm going to keep this diet. It always makes me feel so good both physically and mentally when I do it. But as time progresses, it gets challenging because you really have to prepare a lot of your food in advance, sometimes the options feel limiting, and the desire for meat always creeps back in. Now if they could manufacture a vegan substitute for seafood and chicken wings, I'd be sold permanently! LOL!
The great thing that I've noticed about my new diet and workout routine, is the immediate results in the weight loss department and my mental state. I loss 5 pounds this week and I just have so much energy and feel good. Now I'm not going to pretend that everything is kool and the gang, as one of my old colleagues would say. LOL! But my anger, frustration, and depression aren't long lasting as they would have been pre-new lifetime. I still have some emotional eating issues to clean up, but instead of eating tons of junk, I have reduced the emotional eating to doughnuts. ;-0 In the past, I would consume tons of ice cream, fried foods, sodas, juices, anything I could put my hand on for days when I was stressing. Now, it's just doughnuts and a little ranting. But honestly, this new diet and workout routine, keeps me hungry and sleepy. The good thing is, when I'm eating, it's tons of veggies and things that are mainly good for me. The sleepiness is perfect at the end of the day because it gives me a restful night and prepares me for a good workout in the morning. ;-)
This new energy, I also contribute to my liquid vitamins and extra B12 shots. I had to stop taking so much of the Green Tea shots because they were making me a bit more "regular" than this gurl needed. LOL! But I have to admit they are good for cleansing if you need it. ;-0 My mind and body are so clear now and feel inspired and empowered to do so much. I find myself semi exhausted by the possibilities but loving every minute of it. I feel somewhat like my old active self again, but with more energy and more clarity as to how to prioritize things. And when I realize that I'm overextending myself, I pay attention and heed that warning and slow down.
My Word for Today: Energy!
My first week of doing Shaun T's "Insanity" has been sumtin else! This man is truly insane and as much as I'd like to find a more descriptive way to explain this boot camp torture, I can't...it's crazy, bananas, suicidal (which is the name of one of his exercises)! I'm just glad it all ended this past Thursday, at least for the week. I spent Friday revisiting my Zumba workout and today is Chest and Back strength training, with a wine down on Sunday of Stretch X! ;-)
Check out the commercial below:
One of the other changes that I made this week is to return to a vegetarian/vegan diet. As much as I would like to say that I am completely committed to this lifestyle, a gurl misses the flesh every now and then. LOL! So, as long as I can, I'm going to keep this diet. It always makes me feel so good both physically and mentally when I do it. But as time progresses, it gets challenging because you really have to prepare a lot of your food in advance, sometimes the options feel limiting, and the desire for meat always creeps back in. Now if they could manufacture a vegan substitute for seafood and chicken wings, I'd be sold permanently! LOL!
The great thing that I've noticed about my new diet and workout routine, is the immediate results in the weight loss department and my mental state. I loss 5 pounds this week and I just have so much energy and feel good. Now I'm not going to pretend that everything is kool and the gang, as one of my old colleagues would say. LOL! But my anger, frustration, and depression aren't long lasting as they would have been pre-new lifetime. I still have some emotional eating issues to clean up, but instead of eating tons of junk, I have reduced the emotional eating to doughnuts. ;-0 In the past, I would consume tons of ice cream, fried foods, sodas, juices, anything I could put my hand on for days when I was stressing. Now, it's just doughnuts and a little ranting. But honestly, this new diet and workout routine, keeps me hungry and sleepy. The good thing is, when I'm eating, it's tons of veggies and things that are mainly good for me. The sleepiness is perfect at the end of the day because it gives me a restful night and prepares me for a good workout in the morning. ;-)
This new energy, I also contribute to my liquid vitamins and extra B12 shots. I had to stop taking so much of the Green Tea shots because they were making me a bit more "regular" than this gurl needed. LOL! But I have to admit they are good for cleansing if you need it. ;-0 My mind and body are so clear now and feel inspired and empowered to do so much. I find myself semi exhausted by the possibilities but loving every minute of it. I feel somewhat like my old active self again, but with more energy and more clarity as to how to prioritize things. And when I realize that I'm overextending myself, I pay attention and heed that warning and slow down.
My Word for Today: Energy!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Day 129 - Monday, May 9, 2011
INSANITY...OMG!
Shaun T is insane, his DVD series is insane, and I must be insane for getting up this morning at 5a.m. to do my first day of the "Insanity" workout! OMG! At first, the warm up was an eye opener and created little beads of sweat. By the time I was half way through with the 40 minute routine, I had to take my tank top off and use it as a towel because the sweat was pouring so hard and fast! When the cool down was done, I was a pool of sweat!! This man is off his rocker and so am I, because dare I say it, I LOVED IT! It truly hurt so good! LOL!
I tried "Insanity" last year during a time that I was not in the best of health but I was trying to push myself through recovery. That was not such a good idea at the time. After four days of trying to push through it, I felt defeated and embarrassed because I couldn't do the routine the way I felt that I should have been able to. After many exercise programs later, and healthier, I'm ready to take on this challenge again. Our goal is to get through 60 days of this grueling workout program while including a day of strength training and a day of Stretch X from "P90X" to the schedule. ;-0
Stay tuned for more updates and if you're the praying kind, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for us! LOL!
My Word for Today: Fearless
Shaun T is insane, his DVD series is insane, and I must be insane for getting up this morning at 5a.m. to do my first day of the "Insanity" workout! OMG! At first, the warm up was an eye opener and created little beads of sweat. By the time I was half way through with the 40 minute routine, I had to take my tank top off and use it as a towel because the sweat was pouring so hard and fast! When the cool down was done, I was a pool of sweat!! This man is off his rocker and so am I, because dare I say it, I LOVED IT! It truly hurt so good! LOL!
I tried "Insanity" last year during a time that I was not in the best of health but I was trying to push myself through recovery. That was not such a good idea at the time. After four days of trying to push through it, I felt defeated and embarrassed because I couldn't do the routine the way I felt that I should have been able to. After many exercise programs later, and healthier, I'm ready to take on this challenge again. Our goal is to get through 60 days of this grueling workout program while including a day of strength training and a day of Stretch X from "P90X" to the schedule. ;-0
Stay tuned for more updates and if you're the praying kind, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for us! LOL!
My Word for Today: Fearless
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 122, May 2, 2011
Evolution...
This week begins my second week of working out with Zumba Fitness. Last week's workout was challenging because I was getting over a chest cold but I still pushed play. ;-) This week's routine was much better and less coughing and nasal congestion while I moved my body to the grooves of the Latin music and dance steps. But the energy this morning was lacking. I was sleepy and felt a bit challenged by the movements of the 20 minute Zumba Rush routine. Today, we were busy trying to fit our workout in while still preparing for the day ahead. Our little Kashmir, has surgery this morning and had to be at the doctor's office by 7:30a.m., and I had to be at work by 7:00a.m. So, it was a quick routine for us and then a mad dash to get to our appointments.
Please keep our little puppy in your prayers as she goes through her surgery. She has a torn ligament and we pray that this surgery will repair the issue and get her back on her hippety hoppety feet. ;-)
All in all, today's Zumba Rush workout was a good routine. It got the heart pumping and the blood flowing. I also switched up my breakfast routine from my usual turkey sausage and cinnamon toast to cereal with rice milk. Just as I try to keep my workout routine interesting, I also try to keep my diet routine just as exciting as possible. Last night, we had a great, healthy whole wheat pizza with homemade pizza sauce, lots of veggies, Daiya mozzarella cheese, and turkey meatballs. Yummo! My eating habit over the weekend wasn't too bad except for one very bad cheat lunch on Saturday which reminded me why it's so important to eat clean. ;-0 It didn't have to be as bad as it was because the place we had lunch, Yeah! Burger offers gluten free breads and organic veggies and meat. I did opt for the Turkey Burger instead of the Beef or Bison burger. But I loaded it down with chili, slaw, and heavy aioli cream sauce. ;-0 I also had onion rings, and a milkshake! Yes, yes, yes! Very bad splurge, but oh so good going down the pipes. LOL!
Surprising Discovery...
On Sunday we stopped by the mall and had a back massage and did a little window shopping. I really didn't plan to try on any new clothes, but I couldn't resist the new spring outfits. LOL! So I grabbed a few shorts and tops from my favorite shop, Lane Bryant. With the new weight loss, I can't really buy bottoms from Lane Bryant because they start at a size 14 and I'm now in a size 12 heading towards a 10. But from time to time, I buy a size 14 slack there just because it's sooooo cute and I can always pull them way up my still very present stomach. Because my upper half isn't shrinking as fast as my bottom half, I can definitely still buy tops there.
So when I saw this cute little graphic tee, I quickly grabbed the top and headed for the dressing room. When I tried it on, it felt a little snug and I just assumed it was a size 18/20 and that the cut probably made it run smaller. I'm still going back and forth between sizes 20/22 and 18/20 depending on the cut of the blouse and often because the 18/20 shows off my belly more than a bigger size 20/22. I'd rather have too big of a shirt than a form fitting pregnancy belly shirt. LOL! So I took off the shirt and assumed I needed to go get a size 20/22 because this had to be a size 18/20. But when I looked at the tag in the shirt, I was pleasantly shocked to see it was in fact, a size 14/16!!! Although the shirt was a little snug, it wasn't too tight or difficult to get on. I was finally moving towards an even lower size than the 18/20 or 18s!!!! ;-) When I tried on the size 18/20, it took on more of the fit that my old reliable size 20/22 would, and gave me more breathing room and opportunity to hide the belly.
Sometimes I get frustrated with the amount of time it's taking to get to the results that I want, but then things like this will happen, and the improvements that I'm experiencing will sneak up on me. But even though sometimes I feel disappointed by the small changes, I never give up because I know what the alternative would be, and I definitely don't want to return there.
My Word for Today: Patience
This week begins my second week of working out with Zumba Fitness. Last week's workout was challenging because I was getting over a chest cold but I still pushed play. ;-) This week's routine was much better and less coughing and nasal congestion while I moved my body to the grooves of the Latin music and dance steps. But the energy this morning was lacking. I was sleepy and felt a bit challenged by the movements of the 20 minute Zumba Rush routine. Today, we were busy trying to fit our workout in while still preparing for the day ahead. Our little Kashmir, has surgery this morning and had to be at the doctor's office by 7:30a.m., and I had to be at work by 7:00a.m. So, it was a quick routine for us and then a mad dash to get to our appointments.
All in all, today's Zumba Rush workout was a good routine. It got the heart pumping and the blood flowing. I also switched up my breakfast routine from my usual turkey sausage and cinnamon toast to cereal with rice milk. Just as I try to keep my workout routine interesting, I also try to keep my diet routine just as exciting as possible. Last night, we had a great, healthy whole wheat pizza with homemade pizza sauce, lots of veggies, Daiya mozzarella cheese, and turkey meatballs. Yummo! My eating habit over the weekend wasn't too bad except for one very bad cheat lunch on Saturday which reminded me why it's so important to eat clean. ;-0 It didn't have to be as bad as it was because the place we had lunch, Yeah! Burger offers gluten free breads and organic veggies and meat. I did opt for the Turkey Burger instead of the Beef or Bison burger. But I loaded it down with chili, slaw, and heavy aioli cream sauce. ;-0 I also had onion rings, and a milkshake! Yes, yes, yes! Very bad splurge, but oh so good going down the pipes. LOL!
Surprising Discovery...
On Sunday we stopped by the mall and had a back massage and did a little window shopping. I really didn't plan to try on any new clothes, but I couldn't resist the new spring outfits. LOL! So I grabbed a few shorts and tops from my favorite shop, Lane Bryant. With the new weight loss, I can't really buy bottoms from Lane Bryant because they start at a size 14 and I'm now in a size 12 heading towards a 10. But from time to time, I buy a size 14 slack there just because it's sooooo cute and I can always pull them way up my still very present stomach. Because my upper half isn't shrinking as fast as my bottom half, I can definitely still buy tops there.
So when I saw this cute little graphic tee, I quickly grabbed the top and headed for the dressing room. When I tried it on, it felt a little snug and I just assumed it was a size 18/20 and that the cut probably made it run smaller. I'm still going back and forth between sizes 20/22 and 18/20 depending on the cut of the blouse and often because the 18/20 shows off my belly more than a bigger size 20/22. I'd rather have too big of a shirt than a form fitting pregnancy belly shirt. LOL! So I took off the shirt and assumed I needed to go get a size 20/22 because this had to be a size 18/20. But when I looked at the tag in the shirt, I was pleasantly shocked to see it was in fact, a size 14/16!!! Although the shirt was a little snug, it wasn't too tight or difficult to get on. I was finally moving towards an even lower size than the 18/20 or 18s!!!! ;-) When I tried on the size 18/20, it took on more of the fit that my old reliable size 20/22 would, and gave me more breathing room and opportunity to hide the belly.
Sometimes I get frustrated with the amount of time it's taking to get to the results that I want, but then things like this will happen, and the improvements that I'm experiencing will sneak up on me. But even though sometimes I feel disappointed by the small changes, I never give up because I know what the alternative would be, and I definitely don't want to return there.
My Word for Today: Patience
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day 115 - April 25, 2011
Back on Track...
Last week was a REST week after contracting a really bad chest cold. I was told by my doctor that it was allergies rather than a cold, but by mid week, my partner had also contracted the same symptoms. ;-0 We spent most of the week, coughing, sneezing, whining, and resting. Today was my first day back using the Zumba Fitness DVDs. I felt much better after days of not eating much and bed rest, but the cough is still here a little, and it's sort of challenging trying to breathe and cough while doing aerobics. LOL! But it really felt like being resurrected from the dead after a week of no activity. I'm back alive and ready to Zumba! LOL!
However, I am happy that I was able to get up this morning at 5a.m. to do the workout and got through it. I'm not sure if the sweating that I was doing was a fever breaking or actually the effort of working out, but I sweat a lot. Today was what they call, Zumba Exhilarate, which was a combination of various dance moves and music for an hour. Tomorrow is the toning routine, called Zumba Ripped for an hour. Wednesday is the 40 minute cardio routine called Zumba Activate. Then I repeat each workout for a total of 6 days. ;-)
I also started using the Pull Up Revolution that I talked about in my previous blog. This little devil is really helpful to get your body up to the bar for a pull up/chin up. In the past, I couldn't even get close to the bar but with the Pull Up Revolution, I've been able to lift my body very close, but no cigar yet, I'm afraid. So each day, I will practice trying to get one pull up until I'm able to finally do it. Then I'll do more reps until hopefully, I'll be able to do at least 10 consecutive pull ups. ;-)
My Word for Today: Resurrection
Last week was a REST week after contracting a really bad chest cold. I was told by my doctor that it was allergies rather than a cold, but by mid week, my partner had also contracted the same symptoms. ;-0 We spent most of the week, coughing, sneezing, whining, and resting. Today was my first day back using the Zumba Fitness DVDs. I felt much better after days of not eating much and bed rest, but the cough is still here a little, and it's sort of challenging trying to breathe and cough while doing aerobics. LOL! But it really felt like being resurrected from the dead after a week of no activity. I'm back alive and ready to Zumba! LOL!
However, I am happy that I was able to get up this morning at 5a.m. to do the workout and got through it. I'm not sure if the sweating that I was doing was a fever breaking or actually the effort of working out, but I sweat a lot. Today was what they call, Zumba Exhilarate, which was a combination of various dance moves and music for an hour. Tomorrow is the toning routine, called Zumba Ripped for an hour. Wednesday is the 40 minute cardio routine called Zumba Activate. Then I repeat each workout for a total of 6 days. ;-)
I also started using the Pull Up Revolution that I talked about in my previous blog. This little devil is really helpful to get your body up to the bar for a pull up/chin up. In the past, I couldn't even get close to the bar but with the Pull Up Revolution, I've been able to lift my body very close, but no cigar yet, I'm afraid. So each day, I will practice trying to get one pull up until I'm able to finally do it. Then I'll do more reps until hopefully, I'll be able to do at least 10 consecutive pull ups. ;-)
My Word for Today: Resurrection
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Day 106 - April 16, 2011
IT'S TIME TO PARTY...
The Zumba Fitness DVDs have arrived! We started using them immediately on Thursday and have truly enjoyed the new addition to our routine. The funny thing is, we tried to use the DVD series last year, but found the first version of this series to be boring and not comparable to a live group fitness session of Zumba. But this new version of the series is more exciting and gives you more of a live concert or dance party feeling than the original version. It also has more exercise routines and a concert DVD that covers various global dance routines with guest performers. I look forward to using the series throughout the rest of my workout program this year. ;-)
We made it through a week of doubles! Four days this week, we worked out twice a day, and then ended the week with one ab workout. The doubles routine was challenging and kept me and my working partner begging for mercy! LOL! But I really think it was worth the double effort and look forward to repeating this type of routine next week.
I have been somewhat frustrated with the lack of weight loss, but I've also been honest with myself. I know that the lack of pounds dropping is due to my eating habits, and have committed myself to working harder at reducing the consumption of food choices that hinder my weight loss. Thus far, I've been able to cut out splurges that include a lot of juices, desserts, and fried foods. No fried foods this week, and only one day where I broke down and ate something sweet. I also tried on some goal khakis, jeans, and shirt and was pleasantly surprised that at least I had loss some inches. I was now able to button the size 10 khakis and size 10 jeans, and ladies' large t-shirt!!!
Unfortunately, my food allergies did flare up this week and made me ill the latter part of the week, and now I'm struggling with a chest cold. But even with some health concerns, I'm still pledging to continue to work as hard as my body will allow me to, towards my goals. ;-)
So today, is rest day, filled with healthy food, couch potatoism, and lots of sleep. ;-)
My Word for Today: Rest
The Zumba Fitness DVDs have arrived! We started using them immediately on Thursday and have truly enjoyed the new addition to our routine. The funny thing is, we tried to use the DVD series last year, but found the first version of this series to be boring and not comparable to a live group fitness session of Zumba. But this new version of the series is more exciting and gives you more of a live concert or dance party feeling than the original version. It also has more exercise routines and a concert DVD that covers various global dance routines with guest performers. I look forward to using the series throughout the rest of my workout program this year. ;-)
We made it through a week of doubles! Four days this week, we worked out twice a day, and then ended the week with one ab workout. The doubles routine was challenging and kept me and my working partner begging for mercy! LOL! But I really think it was worth the double effort and look forward to repeating this type of routine next week.
I have been somewhat frustrated with the lack of weight loss, but I've also been honest with myself. I know that the lack of pounds dropping is due to my eating habits, and have committed myself to working harder at reducing the consumption of food choices that hinder my weight loss. Thus far, I've been able to cut out splurges that include a lot of juices, desserts, and fried foods. No fried foods this week, and only one day where I broke down and ate something sweet. I also tried on some goal khakis, jeans, and shirt and was pleasantly surprised that at least I had loss some inches. I was now able to button the size 10 khakis and size 10 jeans, and ladies' large t-shirt!!!
Unfortunately, my food allergies did flare up this week and made me ill the latter part of the week, and now I'm struggling with a chest cold. But even with some health concerns, I'm still pledging to continue to work as hard as my body will allow me to, towards my goals. ;-)
So today, is rest day, filled with healthy food, couch potatoism, and lots of sleep. ;-)
My Word for Today: Rest
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