Not Quite as Insane Anymore

[insani-cee-blog]

Still picking stuff up and putting them down

I finished the NROLFW program about 2 weeks ago. Although it took me over 6 months to complete, I'm proud of the fact that I stuck with the program and completed it. I went through a lot of struggles while doing this, mostly mental. It was a constant battle, especially when I was doing a set of 10 barbell split squats (that's 10 per leg!) with 105 pounds on my shoulder. Or trying to jump up on the bar to get my chin above it so I could do a negative chin-up (for the record, I was never successful, but that's okay). The most important thing is that I made gains and that's the point. I've posted my results below. First, I will break down the beginning and ending of each stage at weights/reps and then I will break down the starting and final weight of certain moves. Stage 1A Squat: 45/2 sets of 15; 115/3 sets of 8 Push-up: (beginning) set 1: 7/15 on the floor, set 2: 10/15 the bench (ending) set 1: 6 floor, 2 bench/8, set 2: 5 floor/3 bench, set 3: 5 down, 3 bench/8 Seated row: 40/15 & 50/15; 80/8 & 85/2 sets of 8 Step-up: 24/15 & 24/10; 50/3 sets of 8 Stage 1B Deadlift: 65/2 sets of 15; 115/3 sets of 8 Dumbbell shoulder press: 20/2 sets of 15; 40/3 sets of 8 Wide-grip lat pulldown: 45/15 & 50/15; 70/3 sets of 8 Lunge: 40/2 sets of 15; 60/3 sets of 8 Stage 2A Front squat/push press: 45/8 & 45/7; 50/10 & 50/8 Step-up: 50/2 sets of 10; 60/2 sets of 10 Dumbbell 1pt row: 50/2 sets of 10; 60/2 sets of 10 Static lunge with rear foot elevated: 50/2 sets of 10; 60/2 sets of 10 Push-up: (beginning) 7 floor, 3 bench; 6 floor, 4 bench (ending) 9 floor, 8 floor Plank: (beginning) 60/60 seconds & 48/60 (ending) 51/60 & 60/60 Cable horizontal woodchop: 10/2 sets of 10; 25/2 sets of 10 Stage 2B Wide grip deadlift from box: 115/2 sets of 10; 125/2 sets of 10 Bulgarian split squat: 50/2 sets of 10; 60/2 sets of 10 Underhand lat pulldown: 70/2 sets of 10; 75/2 sets of 10 Reverse lunge from box with forward reach: 30/2 sets of 10; 40/2 sets of 10 Dumbbell probe Cuban snatch: 5/2 sets of 10; 8/2 sets of 10 Stage 3A 1-arm dumbbell snatch: 20/3 sets of 6; 30/3 sets of 6 Dumbbell single leg Romanian deadlift: 30/3 sets of 6; 50/3 sets of 6 Barbell bent over row: 65/ 3 sets of 6; 85/3 sets of 6 Dumbbell single arm overhead squat: 10 & 20/3 sets of 6; 14 & 30/3 sets of 6 Dumbbell incline press: 40/3 sets of 6; 50/3 sets of 6 Plank: 90/90s, 80/90, 65/90; 70/90, 60/90, 48/90 Reverse woodchop: 20/3 sets of 6; 26/3 sets of 6 Bodyweight matrix: 2:54 & 3:28; 2:23 & 2:19 Stage 3B Romanian deadlift/bent over row convo: 85/3 sets of 6; 85/1 set of 6 & 2 sets of 4 Partial single leg squat: bodyweight/3 sets of 6; 10/3 sets of 6 Wide grip lat pulldown: 85/3 sets of 6; 90/3 sets of 6 Back extension: 10/3 sets of 6; 15/3 sets of 6 YTWL: 5/3 sets of 6; 8/3 sets of 6 Stage 4A (same as stage 2) FS/PP: 45/3 sets of 8; 55/3 sets of 8 Step-up: 60/3 sets of 8; 70/3 sets of 8 DB 1PR: 50/3 sets of 8; 70/3 sets of 8 SLWRFE: 60/3 sets of 8; 70/1 set of 7 & 2 sets of 8 Push-up: 8/8, 7/8, 4/8 floor; 4 floor, 4 bench/8, 8/8, 7/8 Plank: 51/120s, 55/120, 59/120; 49/120, 51/120 & 53/120 CHW: 20/3 sets of 8; 25/3 sets of 8 Stage 4B (again, same as stage 2) WGDFB: 115/3 sets of 8; 125/3 sets of 8 BSS: 60/3 sets of 8; 70/1 set of 8 & 60/2 sets of 8 ULP: 85/2 sets of 8 & 1 set of 7; 85/3 sets of 8 RLFBWFR: 40/3 sets of 8; 50/3 sets of 8 DBPCS: 5/3 sets of 8; 8/3 sets of 8 Stage 5A (same as stage 3) 1ADBS: 30/4 sets of 4; 35/3 sets of 4 DBSLRDL: 50/4 sets of 4; 70/3 sets of 4 BBOR: 75/4 sets of 4; 95/3 sets of 4 DBSAOS: 15 & 30/4 sets of 4; 25 & 50/3 sets of 4 DBIP: 50/4 sets of 4; 70/3 sets of 4 Plank: 62/120, 67/120, 66/120; 62/120, 62/120, 57/220 RWC: 25/4 sets of 4; 35/3 sets of 4 BWM: 2:49 & 2:32; 1:50 & 2:05 Stage 5B (same as stage 3) RDL/BOR: 85/4 sets of 4; 95/3 sets of 4 PSLS: 15/4 sets of 4; 30/3 sets of 4 WGLP: 90/4 sets of 4; 95/3 sets of 4 BE: 15/4 sets of 4, 25/3 sets of 4 YTWL: 8/4 sets of 4; 20/3 sets of 4 Stage 6A Negative chin-up: 1/3 sets of 1; 3 sets of 1 inverted row Underhand lat pulldown: 85/10 sets of 2; 90/1 set of 12 Barbell split squat: 105/2 sets of 10; 105/2 sets of 10 Push-up: 10/10 floor, 6 floor, 4 bench/10; 11 & 10 floor Stage 6B Reverse lunge with 1db on shoulder: 40/3 sets of 8; 40/2 sets of 10 DB 2pt row: 40/3 sets of 8; 40/2 sets of 10 DB push press: 25/3 sets of 8; 25/2 sets of 10 Back extension: 25/2 sets of 8; 25/2 sets of 10 Stage 7 Squat: 115/2 sets of 6; 115/2 sets of 8 Static lunge with rear foot elevated: 30/3 sets of 15; 30/3 sets of 15 Push-up: 12/15, 7 floor, 5 bench/15, 7 floor, 5 bench/15; 9 floor, 6 bench/15, 6 floor, 5 bench/15, 6 floor, 5 bench/15 Romanian deadlift: 65/3 sets of 15; 60/3 sets of 15 DB bent over row: 40/3 sets of 15; 40/3 sets of 15 Incline bench: 45/2 sets of 8; 55/2 sets of 8 Seated row: 70/2 sets of 8; 75/2 sets of 8 DB squat with heels elevated: 40/4 sets of 15; 40/4 sets of 20 DB shoulder press: 30/4 sets of 15; 30/4 sets of 20 Step-up: 20/4 sets of 15; 30/1 set of 20, 3 sets of 15 Underhand lat pulldown: 60/4 sets of 15; 60/3 sets of 20, 1 set of 15 Deadlift: 115/2 sets of 6; 115/2 sets of 8 From beginning to end, difference in certain lifts: Squat: 45 pounds for 30 reps to 115 pounds for 16 reps Deadlift: 65 pounds for 30 reps to 115 pounds for 16 reps Seated row: 40 & 50 pounds for 15 reps each to 75 pounds for 16 reps Step-up: 24 pounds for 25 reps to 30 pounds for 65 reps I lifted a lot of weight in these months and have definitely gotten stronger. Now, it's time for Stronglifts 5x5, which, compared to NROLFW, is very basic. But I don't mind. It gives me time to throw in some extra ab work and cardio after I'm done lifting. One of my goals had always been to look good in abs out of my clothes and now I'm really focused on getting there. Stay tuned!!

[insani-cee-blog]

We all fall down...

...but it's whether or not we choose to get back up that makes the difference.

I'd been off the wagon for a while before I finally told myself it's time to quit playing. I stepped on the scale and was highly annoyed by the number that stared back at me. I was *this* close to being back right where I started from (183 pounds). *sigh* It was time to get off the pot!

I came across a promotion for Retro Fitness and jumped at it. I knew they had the equipment I needed and it was affordable so using the excuse that I didn't have the equipment I needed was no longer going to fly. And since I had quit ZIN (Zumba Instructors Network) at $30 per month, I knew I could afford to join. So, I did. That was back in June.

I restarted New Rules of Lifting for Women at Stage 1 since it had been almost a year since I had picked stuff up and put them down. I went to the gym 3 times a week faithfully and made great gains. Here are my Stage 1 results.

Stage 1/A (First workout, last workout, difference)Squat - 65, 115, +50 Push-up - BW (body weight), BW, was able to complete 7 in a row by the end Seated row - 60, 80, +20 Step-up - BW, 40, +40 Prone jacknife - BW, BW

Stage 1/BDeadlift - 55, 115, +60 Dumbbell shoulder press - 10, 40, +30 Wide-grip lat pulldown - 50, 75, +25 Lunge - 20, 50, +25 Swissball crunch - BW, 10, +10

So, as you can see, after 16 workouts (8 each for A & B), I made significant gains. I took a week off before I started the second stage. Results:

Stage 2/A Front squat/push press - 45, 50, +5Step-up - 40, 50, +10 Dumbbell 1-pt row - 30, 50, +25 Static lunge (rear foot elevated) - 30, 50, +20 Push-up - BW, BW (up to 8 in a row!) Plank - 45s, 60s, +15 seconds Cable horizontal woodchop - 10, 25, +15

Stage 2/B Wide grip deadlift from box - 95, 115, +20 Bulgarian split squat - 40, 60, +20 Underhand lat pulldown - 45, 75, +30 Reverse lunge from box - 20, 40, +20 DB prone cuban snatch - 5, 8, +3 Swiss ball crunch - BW, 10, +10 Reverse crunch - BW, BW (hanging leg lifts) Lateral flexion - BW, BW (side plank dips) Prone cobra - 60s, 60s HIIT - Level 4, Level 6

All that in a matter of 8 total workouts (4 each for A & B).

I'm currently in Stage 3, which I will list below. I will say that the scale hasn't budged nor has the tape measure but I absolutely love how strong I feel when I'm doing this program. I'm usually the only female in the free weight section and hanging with the guys makes me feel a bit empowered, honestly. I'm not giving up and I know that my results will come eventually. I didn't gain this weight overnight and know I won't lose it that way. Here are my numbers for Stage 3 so far:

Stage 3/A (only 2 workouts out of 4 completed so far) 1 arm DB snatch - 20, 25, +5 DB single arm overhead squat - 10/20, 10/20 DB incline bench press - 40, 40 Plank - 75s, 80s, +5 seconds Reverse woodchop - 20, 25, +5 Bodyweight matrix - 3:18/2:54, 2:48, 2:55

Stage 3/B (2 out of 4 workouts completed) Romanian DL/bentover row - 85, 85 Partial single leg squat - BW, 5, +5 Wide grip lat pulldown - 85, 85 Back extension - 5, 15, +10 YTWL - 5, 5 Swiss ball crunch - 14, 14 Hip flexion - BW, BW (prone jacknife) Lateral flexion - BW, BW (side plank dips) Prone cobra - 90s, 90s HIIT - Level 5, Level 6

I have two more workouts each for A&B left. I will say that single arm overhead squat is freaking awkward. Or maybe I'm just not flexible enough to position my legs wide enough open to comfortably have the weight hang down on the bottom. And requiring 3 90-second planks is just torture. Just cruel and unusual punishment.

Also, if you've never had the pleasure of doing the BWM (body weight matrix), consider yourself lucky! You have to do 24 BW squats, 24 BW lunges (12 on each leg), 24 lunge jumps (12 on each leg) and 24 squat jumps. The first time I went through doing it, I was all confident, like THIS IS EASY! Ha! The lunge jumps should be considered corporal punishment! The day after the first time I completed the BWM, I had to foam roll my poor quads into submission! Give it a try and let me know how you like doing that.

I'm going to try to be mindful about updating this thing throughout my journey. I already know what program I'm going to do next (Stronglifts 5x5) and after that New Rules of Lifting for Abs. I'm so excited!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) - The NROLFW edition

It's been a minute since I've updated this blog. I gave my body a bit of a break that wound up being about 6 weeks. Yikes. But I'm back!!!

What is NROLFW you ask? Well, that would be the New Rules of Lifting for Women, written by Lou Schuler with Cassandra Forsythe and workouts by Alwyn Cosgrove. The tagline of the book is: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess. And since I'm already a goddess in my mind, why not look like it on the outside as well?  The program is split into 7 stages and covers approximately 6 months.

Monday marked my first day of the program - Stage 1 Workout A1. This is what the workout consisted of:

Squat (2 sets of 15) Push-ups (2 sets of 15) Seated row (2 sets of 15) Step-ups (2 sets of 15 - each leg) Prone jackknife (2 sets of 8)

After doing a 10-minute warm-up on the dreadmill, I went over to the weight room. Oh boy. They only have a Smith machine. I've read over and over that the Smith machine is NOT the way to go when doing squats.  What to do?? I just say eff it and do my 2 sets of squats (65 pounds) on the machine. I repeat the workout on Friday so I just might try to see if I can get the barbell on my back with 20 pounds loaded onto it. Or maybe someone will be in the gym that can help me get it up on (and off) my shoulders.

I did all 15 push-ups during my first set (on my toes, mind you). The second set was only 12 but that's okay. Both sets of rows were done at 50 pounds apiece. I held 20 pound dumbbells in each hand for the step-ups. Unfortunately, today I realized that I did the step-ups totally wrong. I will correct that on Friday.

Prone jackknife...don't know what it is? Heh. Let me insert this pic:

Now, me and my rushing behind...I thought I was supposed to do 2 sets of 15 on Monday. Nooooooo. I was only supposed to do 2 sets of 8. smh That's okay. My body appreciates it, I'm sure.

Today's workout was Stage 1 Workout B1. On the agenda:

Deadlifts (2 sets of 15) Dumbbell shoulder press (2 sets of 15) Wide-grip lat pulldown (2 sets of 15) Lunge (2 sets of 15 - each leg) Swiss-ball crunch (2 sets of 8)

After a five-minute warm-up on the elliptical today, I go over to the weight room. I load the bar up with 20 pounds (Olympic barbells are already 45 pounds) and go to it. I kept the bar up against my shins and went for it. By the time I got to rep 15, I was dying. The second time around, I thought I would drop the bar at rep 12 but I pushed through to rep 15.

Dumbbell shoulder press - I was brave and did both sets with 15 pound dumbbells in each hand. I wasn't able to finish the second set (I got stuck going up on on rep 12). I'm afraid of what my shoulders are going to feel like tomorrow. LOL Wide-grip lat pulldown - I did both sets at 50 pounds. The machine was a bit weird. I think when I do Workout B again next Monday, I will pay attention to positioning and form. Lunge - I did each leg 15 times holding 20 pounds dumbbells in each hand. Once I increase my grip strength, I will be upping that as well. And the Swiss-ball crunches were done with ease (that's a little worrisome but I will do the workout as it is written).

To wrap-up, I am pretty pleased with the program so far. For those who know me, you know I'm not a huge fan of cardio. I much prefer lifting to jumping around so this program is right up my alley. Let's see if I'm singing that same tune tomorrow...

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) - Final fit test results (and other random stats)

I'm finally getting around to doing this. I kept forgetting to bring my book in with me. I'm going to do a couple of comparisons:

Move:  FT5 results, FT4 results, FT5 results from first round of Insanity

Switch kicks: 60, 62 (-2 sets/4 kicks), 57 (+3 sets/6 kicks) Power jacks: 69, 60 (+9), 74 (-5) Power knees: 133, 120 (+13), 130 (+3) Power jumps: 46, 45 (+1), 45 (+1) Globe jumps: 12, 12 (0), 10 (+2) Suicide jumps: 17, 16 (+1), 15 (+2) Push-up jacks: 21, 21 (0), 30 (-9 - WTF???) Army crawl: 44, 40 (+4), 34 (+10)

Stats:

Body part: first week measurement, recovery week, final week, final week (Round 1)

Weight: 146.6, 145, 142.6 (-4 pounds), 153.5 (-10.9 pounds) Neck: 14, 14, 14 (0), (didn't measure) Bust: 42.25, 38.5, 39 (-3.25 inches), 39.25 (-0.25 inches) Back: 31.75, 31, 32 (+0.25 inches), 30 (+2 inches) Bicep: L 11, 11, 11 (0); R 11.75, 11.25, 11.5 (-0.25 inches), 11.25 (both; -0.25, +0.25) Waist: 35, 33.5, 34.25 (-0.75 inches), 33.5 (-0.75 inches) Hips: 38, 38, 37.25 (-0.75 inches), 36 (+1.75 inches) Thighs: L 23.25, 23, 23 (-0.25 inches); R 23, 23.5, 22.75 (-0.25 inches), 22.5 (both; +0.5, +0.25) Abductors: 36.75, 36.75, 36 (-0.75 inches), (didn't measure) Calves: Both 14.25, 14.25, 14 (-0.25 inches) - Love 'em!

I'm a little flabbergasted at how far down I went in the power and push-up jacks. Hmph. I'm moving on to New Rules of Lifting for Women next. Lifting 3 days a week sounds like my kind of workout.  :-) I think I may come back and revisit Insanity one last time after I'm done with that. NROLFW is a six-month program, so I will be doing this starting next week through the end of September. I'll be taking a couple of breaks during that time but I'm really, REALLY excited to see what a pure lifting program can do.

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) - Next to last day!

I made it! Again! This is my second round of doing Insanity and this morning marked the last time I'm ever going to do any of these workouts again. Okay, okay - at least for a long, long, long time. I'm moving to the New Rules of Lifting for Women after resting for a week. It's going to be AWESOME not waking up until 5 instead of 4 for 7 days. I am looking forward to it!

While I was still unable to keep up with the bots on the videos, I did notice that I went longer and harder in every single workout I completed. I'm thinking about coming back for a third round after I'm done with my lifting program to see if I can push any harder. Of course, by that time, I fully expect to have a much lower body fat percentage, smaller boobs and an even more efficient cardiovascular system.

Watch out now!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) - Fit Test 4 results

Today was Day 50, which meant the 2nd double day - fit test and Max Interval Circuit. Thank God I'm done with those. Here are my latest fit test results: Move: today's number, last test number (difference) Switch kicks: 62 sets, 55 sets (+7 sets) Power jacks: 66, 60 (+6) Power kicks: 130, 120 (+10) Power jumps: 45, 43 (+2) Globe jumps: 12, 11 (+1) Suicide jumps: 16, 16 (no change) Pushup jacks: 21, 16 (+5) Army crawl: 40 sets, 36 sets (+4 sets) I pushed myself to my limit during the power jumps and thus barely had anything left for the rest. I know I can do more suicide jumps but the tank was empty! After doing the power jumps and the globe jumps, my legs were toast. I kept telling them to go but they kept yelling no back at me. Lol Only 13 days left in this round. So excited!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) - Knocked back to reality

As you know, yesterday marked the start of Month 2. Now, while yesterday was tough to get through, I chalked that up to having to do both the fit test and the workout. But when I pressed play this morning and had to do Max Interval Plyo (aka Max Pushup), I realized that this month was going to be hard. I'm not sure if it was because I was sore from yesterday's double or the workout was just that hard, but, man, was I given a wake-up call. All I kept saying to myself was I have 4 more weeks of THIS to get through. LOL

MIP (aka MP) is THE hardest workout in the entire Insanity program. I'll tell you that right now. Not only because you have a circuit where you have to do power jumps but because there's tons of jumping in it. And the pushups. Oy. The pushups! Let's see if I can remember them all. You have the squat pushup, the power pushup, level 3 drills (16 - SIXTEEN - pushups then running while in a plank, aka floor mountain climbers for a count of 8). You have to do that TWICE. And the side pushups. Who came up with the idea of doing a pushup to the side??? I admit that I'm much better on the right side than I am on the left. I can almost do all 16 (or maybe it's 12) on the right but can barely get 5 done on the left. And my left arm is the more toned of the two. Crazy. And the last type of pushup is the one-legged V pushup. Come on, man, are you kidding me?

There were moments where I was killing Shaun in my head. He rightly titled this workout because who in their right mind puts their bodies through this ish?

Oh, that's right. I do.

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute (r) - Fit Test 3 and measurement results

So, today was the beginning of Month 2. It's the first of two days in this month where you have to do the fit test and Max Interval Circuit (an hour-long workout) on the same day. The next time is in exactly 2 weeks. I hate those two days so much. It's physically and mentally exhausting. When Shaun days to dig deeper, he had this day in mind. I fully admit that I dogged it today. My sleep was interrupted by a case of heartburn several times last night. So, when I finally got myself dressed this morning to do this, I was already feeling sort of blah. But I pushed through anyway. Here are my fit test results: Move: today's result (FT2, FT1 results) - difference between FT3 & FT2 Switch kicks: 55 sets or 110 individual (45 sets/90 individual, 43 sets/86 individual) -+10 sets or +20 individual kicks Power jacks: 60 (56, 53) - +4 Power knees: 120 (116, 95) - +4 Power jumps: 43 (40, 30) - +3 Globe jumps: 11 (10, 8) - +1 Suicide jumps: 16 (17, 12) - -1 Push-up jacks: 16 (17, 13) - -1 Army crawl: 72 (62, 50) - +10 After pushing to go up in the power jumps, EVERYTHING was a struggle after that, hence going down in the suicide jumps and push-up jacks. My arms were jelly during my workout too. I know I need to get back into lifting soon. Here are my measurement updates: Category: current number in inches, except where otherwise noted (number taken at beginning of Month 1) - difference Weight: 145 (146.6) - -1.6 pounds Neck: 13.5 (14) - -0.5 Chest: 38.5 (42.25) - -3.75 Back: 31 (31.75) - -0.75 Bicep: L: 11 (11), R: 11.25 (11.75) - 0, -0.5 Waist: 33.5 (35) - -1.5 Hips: 36.75 (38) - -1.25 Abductor: 38 (38) - 0 Thighs: L: 23 (23.25), R: 23.5 (23) - -0.25, +0.5 Calf: L: 14.25 (14.25), R: 14.25 (14.25) - 0, 0 Body fat: 24% (26) - -2% For the most part, I'm happy with the results. I think the chest measurement may be a little skewed because the first time I took the measurement, I had on a bra that wasn't the best fitting. I hope my calf measurements never change though. I love them. Hopefully, once I start weight training, my numbers will make a huge change. Can't wait.

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) is at the halfway point

I'm in the middle of recovery week. I never updated my 2nd fit test results, so here they are: Move: Current (1st test results) - difference Switch kicks: 45 (43) - +2 sets, or +4 Power jacks: 56 (53) - +3 Power knees: 116 (95) - +21 Power jumps: 40 (30) - +10 Globe jumps: 10 (8) - +2 Suicide jumps: 15 (12) - +3 Push-up jacks: 15 (13) - +2 Army crawl: 63 (50) - +13 How about that? Now, how I'll do this coming Sunday, who knows, but I will continue to be all in. I'm about the goals. Month 2 starts on Sunday with both the fit test and Max Plyo. Thank God I'll be doing that on a Sunday. Lol Let's see how I do.

[insani-cee-blog]

Yes, Operation: Cute(r) is still in effect!

I haven't updated this space in a while, but best believe I'm still at it! I believe at this point I've missed 3 scheduled workouts.  One for a good reason and the other two for not so good reasons. That's okay though, I'm still crushing it.

Today was the last Plyometric Cardio Circuit in Month 1. Can you hear the relief in my voice?? This is the longest workout in month 1. It's also the workout that has you down in a plank position for the longest. I never want to hear Shaun utter "IN. OUT. IN. OUT." for quite some time, okay?  That sounds dirty, doesn't it? There's a segment where we do "ski abs" and then "in and out abs" and he yells out those commands during the latter.  I sometimes yell out in unison, "BITE. ME. SHAUN. T." It works. :)

Anywho, only 3 more workouts before recovery week. I am SO looking forward to that. Even though his definition of recovery isn't like any recovery I've ever experienced before in my life, it's at least not all the jumping and hopping and push-ups and all that madness. So, yes, definitely looking forward to it.

What I'm not looking forward to? The first day in Month 2. Why? Because that's the day you have to do the fit test AND Max Plyo. It's not right, I tell you.  I haven't posted my numbers for my second fit test. I will get to it before I do the third one for sure. I went up in everything. I know I did 40 power jumps this time around. Now I have to get my mind right to get above that number, even if it means just doing 41.  I want to say I went up in everything this time around.

Measurements will be updated when I post the numbers for the third fit test as well. I figure a month in would be a good time to do new ones. Can't wait to see the results!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) Day 10

I think it's day 10 at least. I woke up this morning saying, THANK GOD TODAY IS RECOVERY DAY. Then I looked at the calendar. Shaun T. said not so fast, homegirl! smh Today was Plyo Cardio Circuit.

I don't know how many of you have done this workout before but, well, PCC is one of the harder Month 1 workouts. I sometimes think they made this the very first workout of the program to weed out those who say THERE'S NO FUCKING WAY and then return the kit for a full refund.  For those who are familiar, you know that plyo is short for plyometric, which is short for jump, jump higher and, finally, jump until your legs fall off! The jumping starts in the darn warm-up when you're doing jumping jacks.  Then he has us doing suicide drills, power jacks and, oh, let's get down and do some push-ups too! The man's a maniac.

But at the end of the day - workout, whatever - I got through it, literally dripping with sweat.

Tomorrow, I start my teaching back up. I'll be teaching 5 classes a week for a month. Let's see how my body reacts to being up at 4 a.m. every morning and then teaching later that afternoon or evening. Can't wait to see how my green smoothies power me up!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) Day 8

I missed a workout yesterday. Oh well. Nobody's perfect. Today was a repeat of Cardio Power & Resistance. I have to tell you...I actually stopped doing my power jumps to watch Chris in the back row. That chocolate bar in the back row is foine. When we're doing moving push-ups, I stop again because you can see every rippling muscle in the man's back. Rawr. That being said, I still burned almost 400 calories. I pushed a little harder since I missed a day. I also helped lead a Zumba master class this morning so the cardio output was on the high end. Now, I'm gonna cook a healthy dinner and end this day on a high note. Back at it in the AM.

[insani-cee-blog]

Whoops

I've neglected to update this. Just be to say I haven't fallen off! I missed the workout yesterday so instead used that as a rest day (instead of today) and will do yesterday's workout today. Update later!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) Day 3

Today was the push-up workout, aka Cardio Power & Resistance. I hate doing fast push-ups! I like them slow & controlled. So, that's exactly what I do. For every 8 regular push-ups that Shaun T. does, I get 3 in. Hey, it works for me! I have noticed how much my endurance has increased. I can get through the warm-up without any breaks. And I'm learning how to pace myself to the best of my ability. I'm eager to see the difference in my results this go-round. And, crazy me, I agreed to meet up with one of my Turbo friends to do a class later. I better get me a nap in right now. Lol

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) Day 2

So, the day started off wrong. I *thought* I set my alarm to go off at 4:05 a.m. but unfortunately, it was set...for Tuesday through Friday. smh So, I had to delay my workout until this afternoon but I got 'er done! 

Today was my date with Plyo Cardio Circuit. I have to tell you, the workout wasn't as bad as I remembered it! That's saying something because Insanity was so incredibly tough the first time around. I did take breaks - especially during the ski abs and in & out abs. My arms just weren't trying to hear it.  Also, during the Level 1 skills sets, I started out doing 4 push-ups each time around then to 3 then to 2 and finally just doing a plank until it was time to "run." I've never been good at doing fast push-ups, so I have now made that a goal.

While I'm cooking dinner tonight, I'm going to crack open my New Rules book and do some highlighting. I can't wait to start lifting again! With the new year knocking on the front door, I'm ready to reset and get back in the swing of things!

[insani-cee-blog]

Operation: Cute(r) Day 1

It's that time again! I'm doing Insanity again. Today was the first fit test. The numbers sucked but that's okay. Here we go: Switch Kicks: 43 sets (86 total kicks) Power Jacks: 53 Power Knees: 95 Power Jumps: 30 (I still hate these! Lol) Globe Jumps: 8 Suicide Jumps: 12 Push-Up Jacks: 13 Low Plank Obliques: 25 sets (50 total) Measurements: Weight: 146.6 Neck: 14 Bust: 42.25 (inaccurate - taken with 2 sports bras on) Chest: 31.75 Bicep: L: 11; R: 11.75 Waist: 35 Hips: 38 Abductors: 36.75 Thighs: L: 23.25; R: 23 Calf: L: 14.25; R: 14.25 I'm doing this alongside mi hermana, Lucy. The name Operation: Cute(r) came along during one of our workplace conversations. We're cute already so this program will only make us cuter. Lol I'm excited about this. Along with Insanity, I'm reading the New Rules of Lifting for Women and will start the program probably within the week. I'm also going to find a yoga program to do. My left hip hates me and I want to do something to loosen it up. Let's see what these next 63 days bring. Ploy Cardio Circuit tomorrow! Vamanos!!!!

[insani-cee-blog]

Being afraid of overdoing it

I just finished an email from a very good friend of mine who teaches 10 classes per week (some Zumba, Body Pump and Turbo Kick).  She said one thing in the email that rang familiar to me: I love teaching at [withheld], but I'm finding that my current load doesn't give me enough 'me' time to really fit in my own workouts.

If that isn't my own personal truth right now.  And to think - I only teach 5-6 classes per week.  Granted, my friend is a true fitness professional, having been in the field for many, many years longer than I have.  As a fitness instructor, it is so very important that we get our own personal workouts done, but it's sometimes difficult to do when you're balancing so many different things in life.  Yeah, that's an excuse (and you know I'm not a fan of them).  But it is true.

I was doing very well in making sure I got out of my bed at 4:05 every AM to get my personal workout in.  Heck, because of that regimen, I lost close to 40 pounds. Then I fell off.  And then I allowed life to get in the way.  When I sit down and write down the things I have to do, I get overwhelmed.  I say to myself, "Once I get this new routine down I'll get back into it."  I have the new routine down now...but I haven't gotten back into it.  I'm a single mother who works a full-time office job, teaches 5-6 classes per week and I do contracting work from home that takes up A LOT of my time over the weekend.  *takes a deep breath*

I think part of my hesitation comes from the fear of overdoing it.  Even without doing my personal workouts I'm exhausted - to the point where I've fallen back on cooking convenient meals for the family (aka not all that good for us) or, heaven forbid, buying fast food.  smh  If I'm exhausted now, how will my body ever last getting up at 4 AM to workout and then teach 4 or 5 of the 7 days of the week (with two classes back-to-back on one of those days)?

I know the answer.  It's time to quit with the excuses.  It's time to quit laying in the bed over the weekend watching whatever movie I've watched a million times before and get my butt in the kitchen to cook healthy, nutritious meals that will provide the nutrients I need to sustain my schedule.  I'm exhausted because I'm eating crap.  I'm exhausted because my priorities have been skewed.  I know better.

I'm starting on Saturday.  I will make Monday a mandatory rest day since I teach two classes that day.  Even though the 30-Day Shred is supposed to be done for 30 straight days, yeah, no.  I'm not going to kill my body just because Jillian Michaels says so.  I have to learn how to conserve my energy.

I will get my butt back on AllRecipes.com and plan my weekly meals.  (Why did I pay to be a supporting member if not to utilize the tools that comes with it?) I will start cooking those meals over the weekend and freeze them so that I don't have to worry about what we're going to eat during the week.

It's time to stop allowing fear to win and take my life back.  Updates coming starting on Saturday.  Let's do this!