Week #5 Wohoo!

Time really does fly! We're getting ready to start week NO. 5 of the Boot Camp Test Group challenge. I feel pretty amazing that I'm hanging in there and feeling better and stronger everyday.  I feel stronger physically, especially my legs, but I don't feel a great deal of change in the size of my body compared to the week before. Meausurements tomorrow! I'm stressing out even though Maia said to focus on all of the other things I've gained (which I thought was wonderfully motivating!) like friendships and knowledge.

 I'm making it to boot camp and really working on getting my heart rate back up to the 160's which is where I was at during the first week. It's been tough to get back up to 160+ even though I'm out of breath and feel like I'm working really hard, I am not according to my hr monitor: (.  I've been staying at about 152-159. I did get to 160 on Wednesday! Finally!  I sometimes modify some of the exercises that require constant jumping and certain other things where I've noticed hurt my knees after I do them. I think that's causing the lower hr and along with that burning less calories. That WILL be my focus this week!

FUN! FUN! FUN!

working really hard can be lots of fun! I really liked the partner workout last week, Friday night's Megaxe was awesome! I'm really glad I made it out. I got my sweat on! I worked hard enough to burn the 145 cals (about) from my whiskey and coke. Did I really need to have that?! The cook out on Sunday was a great idea. I learned that I already eat pretty healthy BUT got some great new recipes. I made the Kale Chips last night! yum! I'd been dying to try them for awhile. 7.99 at whole foods was just a little too steep. : )

B - ody - So yes! I'm feeling stronger. My quads are stronger. I can do a wall sit for about 2 minutes and I'm not shaking during the first minute! Pushups are still very tough but I can stay in plank longer!  Not Marketa long though. lol.

L - learning -  I've learned that i really need to manage my eating better. I've known this to a certain degree, but.....I really love to eat. I love food and I love tasting and chewing food more than shakes. The chocolate shakeology is amazing. It is soooo....good. I'm only having it occasionally though. Got to prioritize my spending : ).
I'm finding that the weekends are tougher and less organized (they've always been) which makes it easier to want to munch on chips or other sweets like a few cookies here and there.  During the cookout today, I learned that I do eat pretty healthy, but I need to work on portions and when I eat what foods! I'm going to figure this eating thing out!!!!!!

O - I am grateful because every one around me is so supportive, interested in what I'm doing and sometimes even joining me in my by doing their own "challenge".  I think that's pretty awesome!  The only negative is that I"m feeling scattered at home! The 4 days straight, even though it's awesome for my body, makes it hard for me to keep up with making dinner for my family, laundry and keeping the rest of my LIFE organized. It's driving me a little nutty. My son is a senior and we have all kinds of things going on. Some more things that are scheduled at night (I just hate missing class!), so I need to figoure out how to make all of that work!
My honey is still doing the dishes though :) which is NICE!

G - goals - Reflect on your goals and action plan. 

I think I'm doing ok as far as my goals are.  I am not thrilled with how I'm doing! I know the mind is very powerful and really don't have to give in to temptations just figure out healthier ways to satisfy them (like shakeology balls and kale chips, YUM!). The eating the extra little things here and there is where I struggle. I ate a cookie! Aaargh! I broke down and felt bad about breaking  the promise to myself. Then I just had to remember how many I have NOT had since I made the promise.
I don't want to beat myself up for every little thing.

My main overarching goal is to be healthy and physically strong and lean. I don't know, maybe have the body of a fitness model even though I"m like at least 5 inches too short. LOL!  To learn how to eat in a healthy way to keep myself at a healthy weight (that means getting rid of the belly - even though I'm 41 and it will be harder).  If I can manage to eat healthy 85%-90% of the time, and have already reached my healthy weight, then I don't want to feel guilty about having a whiskey sour every once in a while and a yummy piece of flan. : ) Have a workout routine that I can maintain on a regular basis, like forever! 5 days a week would be my ideal.

NEXT WEEK's GOALS:

• I will log all of my food (share with Ashley)- I'm excited about this. I really need to be held accountable and need constructive criticism so I can master this part of my fitness routine.  This is my biggest hurdle and I know it!
• Keep my fruit to the beginning of the day- I've actually been doing pretty good with this!
• Get my heart rate above 160 during warm up.
• Lose 1 more pound
• Continue to get physically stronger - figure out those darn burpies and pushups!
• Have a green veggie with every meal
• Have Fun!

Week Four...........Here I come!

I am amazed that week four starts tomorrow! Amazed and excited! 


What I learned during week 3:


We had our first weigh in on Monday and slow and steady wins the race.........I lost 2.5 lbs. and 1/2 an inch to 1 inch all over, but 2 inches off of my waist! I am very excited about that! Like my son said, that's great! and you sound like one of those commercials. LOL


I learned that I am stronger than I thought (my legs were killing me in class on Tuesday! I had chin splints for the first time in a long time, but kept doing my best throughout my workout)

To wash off my mascara before Boot Camp! My eyes were stinging with all the sweat!

That I can make a commitment to myself for a better ME and keep it (I haven't had a cookie since I made the decision not to!) I've been close, but then remind myself of the promise I made. I'll have a few slices of apple or something healthy instead like coconut yogurt with almonds and blueberries.

The POWER of a team and group working towards the same goal (even if they are all slightly different)

I continue to be grateful for this opportunity and that my family continues to be supportive.


GOALS for week 4

B - ody - I feel stronger. Push-ups are getting a little easier. I can alternate between girl push-ups and try to fit in a few straight leg push-ups. I am modifying some of the exercises to protect my knees, but also using pre-wrap which really helps. My clothes fits better and my belly and love handles are smaller!

L - learning - I'm learning to eat the right foods at the right time of the day. I was eating the right foods before, but I was eating more fruit than vegetables and eating my brown rice or fruit at night. I'm switching things around and I think it's working.    

O - observations- So far I am fortunate that everyone is still very supportive. I have not run into anyone who is trying to sabotage what I'm doing.  More and more I want those that are close to me and that I care about a great deal to also exercise and eat more healthy. 

G - goals - So far, I have stayed away from cookies which is tough for me. I continue to work out 5 days and I have been able to fit in one day of yoga. I did not make it to spin today, but I think my body was just tired and I needed to rest. I am getting stronger, more fit and my belly is getting tighter : )

S - Goals for week 4:

1. Space out my meals every 2-3 hours. I have been eating closer to 4-5 hours. Figure out the right thing to eat before working out every day. Sometimes what I eat seems to heavy on my stomach, but if I don't eat the right thing I don't have energy.
2. Fit in Yoga once or twice this week and either Kazaxe or Spin as my extra cardio, take Blaze out for a run on my t/w day.
3. Use the tennis ball or get the rolling log that Maia suggested to help with the sore muscles in my legs
4. Lose 1 more pound

Week NO. 2 My journey continues!

So How was week NO. 2 anyways?

Week left me feeling not so great. I felt sick most of the week, with pretty bad stomach aches since Sunday. We had Labor Day on Monday (No work- wohoo!) but no Boot Camp. I did yoga on Monday and even though I felt good when I was done, I really felt like I needed to make up for it. Soooooooooooo................

Me and my boy Blaze (our doggie) went out for a run in the rain on Tuesday and then later headed to Boot Camp. What a tough class, but what an awesome workout! Wednesday was the same, so tough that my legs felt like I had lead in them. I just couldn't jump as much as usual. I was so sore, but I got through class! It was so HARD!

THURSDAY

I was really bummed about missing class on Thursday even though there was no way I was getting there because of the monsoon! My boyfriend could not believe class was still on and that I still wanted to go! So he decided he was going to drive me in his pick up truck. After over 30 minutes of trying 3 different routes and running into police enforced road blocks, I sadly headed back home. : ( I did a 30 minute leg and but focused yoga tape. It was a good workout, but not as tough as Boot Camp! I kept complaining about not being able to make the Kazaxe/Boot Camp combo class. LOL. I'm sure he just loved hearing that over and over again. : )

Soooooooo....................This is where I'm at now.

B - ody - I have been feeling stronger and tighter, but not slimmer. I weighed myself this week and I'd gained 1 lb. What am I doing wrong? This is very frustrating! I know this is a journey and I'm starting week 3, but I really feel like I'm working hard and am ready to see some changes. 

L - learning - I've learned that I can make this commitment to myself, for myself and my family. It's important for me to be healthy and strong. I feel great when I exercise regularly and eat well. So energized, it's awesome! I have knee problems (cartilage damage) which really tries to get in the way after I do a lot of jumping and plyometric type moves. I've been icing, stretching and I've used pre-wrap a couple of times. I really need to use the pre-wrap consistently. I don't want anything to get in the way of going to Boot Camp! 

I'm so excited that I finally, finally learned how to hold my abs in while breathing and working out! I know this seems simple, but I discovered it this morning during my spin class. I was riding, huffing and puffing, breathing too : ) and then had to put my hand on my abs to make sure, and I was holding my abs in!  I've been working on this since before Boot Camp, but I'm pretty sure that with all the repeated reminder (which I appreciate greatly!), I finally got it (at least during  spin).

Even though this week has been a little discouraging, I am excited about all of the changes I will see along the way.   

O - bservations - My family continues to be supportive, encouraging, telling me how proud they are of me for setting this goal and sticking with it.  I am fortunate that I haven't run into anyone who has brought any negative energy. Every night I get home, the first thing I hear is, "How was class tonight?" and everyday I say, "Hard as Hell and Fun", one more day down! : ) 

This 60 DAY challenge is only the beginning for me to get back on track with my healthy lifestyle!

G - goals - 

1. I want to be physically stronger, fit, slimmer and toned all over.
2. Lose weight (10 lbs.)
3. Tone my belly and arms especially!
4. Learn the right foods to eat for "me" especially considering all of my food allergies so that this can be a lifestyle that I master.

S - set next week's goals.

1. Remember to log ALL of my food (write it in my notebook just in case I can't get it into myfitnesspal.com)
2. Focus on what I eat, stick to my banning cookies for the rest of the challenge.
3. Focus on specific strengthening exercises to keep from injuring my knees (do these at home everyday)
4. Workout Hard! Keep my heart rate as close to 165 as possible during class! 
5. Hold my abs in, Hold my abs in, Hold my abs in!

Now back to sorting through laundry, my son's Senior year stuff and making sure he has enough dividers for tomorrow! Until next time.....To a wonderful week! 

What I've learned this week

I still remember when I read the email about the "Test Group". I just kept wondering whether I could make the commitment to go to Boot Camp 4 days a week.  How was this going to work? Being away from the house from 6-9:30 p.m. or 7-9:30 p.m 4 days a week for 2 months!


How was I going to get dinner ready for my family and get everything else done! 


BUT.............I knew it was exactly what I needed to finally get into the shape that I've been wanting for so long.




WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THIS WEEK:


B - ody - I'm feeling stronger this week. Still huffing and puffing through the warm up (aah), feeling like I'm gonna throw up (according to my 17 year old son, that's how I know I'm REALLY WORKIN). It feels good to peek at my heart rate monitor and see that I'm between  160-170 after warm up!  Hey! I actually wore a shirt today that I have not worn since I bought it! something's changing : )
 
L - learning - I've learned that I'm stronger than I thought, that the mind is powerful, that I can talk myself through to do anything.  Twenty minutes into the first day of class, I thought, "How am I going to do this 4 days in a row?" Well, with a little help from my Boot Camp friends, my workout  buddies and my wonderful son and boyfriend, here I am getting ready to start week NO. 2!


I'm learning even more about nutrition. What I should eat, when and how much! I think this has been part of the missing link for me. I'm so excited about this journey and the changes I will see.  

O - observations- All my friends and family are supportive.  I even have a few friends that have decided to start their own mini-challenge and follow along with me! The power of positive energy is amazing!

G - goals - My goals- get rid of the love handles and belly that I have. Be healthy and improve my physical endurance.


Lose as much weight as I need to feel good and look good especially in my bikini : ). 
Improve my endurance so that I can get through boot camp class.
Eat between 1100-1200 calories
Decrease my fruit intake to two servings per day
Increase veggies to substitute my fruit




S -  GOALS FOR NEXT WEEK:  4 nights of Boot Camp of course! 1 day of Yoga, 1 day of Groovin hip hop, 1 day of weight training (focusing on my legs to keep from injuring my knees) and 1 Spin class!


Drink lots and lots of water and plan my meals for the week on Sunday.


Stay focused.


Until next time.............Jadira
 

Tomorrow, what I've learned this week.............

1 week down!

So I never would  have thought that at the age of 40 I would play soccer for the first time ever! And now, a 60 day boot camp challenge?!

It's hard to believe, but true! I completed my first week of Boot Camp and already got in my 5th work out, but I'm not done for the weekend : ).

It's an amazing feeling. Just a couple of aleve and a little bit of ice on my knee and I'm good to go!

Maia and my coach Ashley are such motivating instructors and exactly what I need to push myself a little more.

My family has been perfectly supportive! Hey, the dishes were done 3 nights in a row! Ready for week #2!