I'm Overdue for an Update

So I was reading my last post about what I was going to do after P90X2. Hmmm. That's not really how it turned out after all. I started Insanity The Asylum, got through about a week, and sprained my ankle. Now that is enough to make a person angry. Thank goodness I was only limping for a day or 2 and I healed right up thanks to my new strength and health. But I was scared to death to try Insanity again. That workout is beyond intense. I know now that it was just too much for me, even though I don't like to admit that I quit something.
So after my ankle got a little better I actually went back to my old faves, Turbo Fire and Chalean Extreme. I used a hybrid schedule and got through most of that during the summer. Summer. Oh how I love having summers off. Unfortunately I actually was making less time to workout and eating more, not to mention the vacation eating. I am a person who really needs a routine to thrive. So while I love my summers, it was really nice to go back to work a month ago so I could establish my new routine.
And that brings me to my new endeavour. I joined our local YMCA! It took some convincing for my husband to agree, but after showing him how important it was to me (I really needed something new.)and how much it would benefit all of us he agreed to sign up. I love it. I surprisingly like working out with people, either in a class setting or just nearby so I can see what they are doing. I love love love Zumba. I've been going to a Zumba class about 3 times a week, resistance training about 3 times a week, and then I get on the elliptical or the rowing machine about twice a week.
So I've had this routine about a month now, and I am very happy with it. But. I still have these last 5 6 pounds that I want to get rid of. And they don't want to leave. At this point I'm not sure if I have it in me to change anything else or work any harder for it. They might just be sticking around and I might have to be happy with my current weight. But! The thing is, I am still noticing changes, both in my body and in my confidence/mental state. My arm muscles are amazing if I do say so myself, and I almost never feel like I need to cover some random fat spot I am noticing. I can wear a size 4 or 6, depending on the brand, which is way smaller than I ever would have set as a goal starting out.

The end result of all these musings is that I am going to keep doing what I'm doing and try not to worry so much about the scale as about the reflection in the mirror is telling me. And I realize some of this sounds very braggy, but I have worked very very hard for what I have. I spent a lot of years not happy with my body. I know that anyone with a goal can accomplish it. Just start and take it one day at a time. Research, connect with others, find something you enjoy, make small changes, etc., etc.



Today: September 30, 2012

My P90X2 Collage

I would love to encourage someone else to make the change that they would like. I welcome anyone to contact me with questions or for a pep talk.

P90X2 Results and What's Up Next

I finished finished P90X2 on the 31st of March- 4 weeks each of 3 phases, with one rest week in the middle. Because this program isn't heavy on cardio, I didn't expect to lose a lot of weight plus I really only want to lose a few more pounds anyway so I tried not to worry about that scale too much. I managed to get down to 146, about 8 pounds down from the first of the year. When I look at pictures, I don't see a big difference, but I can see that the shape of my body is changing. I continue to stand straighter and leaner each month. I am getting very close to having the body I always envied of others.

I was going to take a week off after I finished to give myself a break, but I just couldn't do it. I am officially addicted to exercise. So I started Insanity the Asylum on April 1st. Woah. Seriously this is like nothing I have ever done. I have gotten through 4 days and I have been so sore the entire time that going up and down stairs was torture. Just today I am starting to feel a little more normal. Today was the first of only 2 rest days for the entire 30 day program and I needed it. This program IS heavy cardio so I hope to lose another few pounds and get closer to my ultimate goal (130's!)

I also signed up for a 5k this weekend with my sister. I don't run. I don't like running. But I want to be able to say I've done it so... We did a practice run Sunday (also Day 1 of Asylum, might be a factor in my extra soreness) and we got done in about 32 minutes with one short walking break at the halfway point. I hope to do a little better at the race, but I am worried about it being in the morning. I also don't do morning workouts.

So wish me luck and I'll post my race results and Asylum results ASAP.

Quick Fitness Update

Ugh I am so bad about keeping a blog....

Anyway I want to update my healthy journey status. I started this journey on January 1st, 2011 with some Wii and Turbo Jam. May 1st I started hard core with Turbo Fire and Chalean Extreme. When I finished my first round on September 18th, I was down 35 pounds and smaller than I had ever been as an adult. I kept working out but had a bit of a slow down from then until December, losing only 5 more pounds. Then December was awful. The combination of holidays and a wisdom tooth removal had me put those 5 pounds right back on.
So I recieved P90X2 as a gift and decided I would start that on January 1st. Those 5 pesky pounds quickly came back off with Phase 1 (plus I got my eating back on track). Now I am finishing up week 1 of Phase 2 and the weight is dropping again. I am down another 2 pounds (a lot considering I am now past my original goal), and I am seeing more definition in my arms and abs. Plus I am determined to do a real pull-up by the time I am done with this.
I have decided that it doesn't really matter what program/workout you choose when trying to lose weight or get in shape. It matters that you commit yourself to it, put 100% into each workout, and make sure to change things up every once in a while. And it helps to enjoy it, too. I actually look forward to my workouts every day and miss them on my rest days.

So here is an updated collage. Not seeing big changes anymore, but...