Sunday, June 29, 2008

New Workout Routine

I'm taking a break from formal weight lifting. I have to go back to New York in 4 weeks, and when I return, I plan to hit it hard again. I bought Lou Schuler's The New Rules of Lifting: Six Basic Moves for Maximum Muscle. I'm going to read that and make a good plan. We also bought a Wii, and the Wii Sports is keeping me busy. I'm particularly addicted to tennis. It will be a while before we get a Wii Fit because they are nowhere to be found. But I am getting one, because I'll need the balance board for the Jillian Michaels workout that will be out later this year.

Speaking of Jillian, I got her 30 Day Shred. Reviewing it, I think it's interesting. I'm not sure when I'll be able to start doing it, though. I want to do a lot of the different videos I have and keep some real weight lifting in there.

For now, here's my plan, for the next four weeks:

Monday - Jillian Michaels Cardio Kickbox, TJ Ab Jam
Tuesday - Turbo Sculpt
Wednesday - Turbo Jam Cardio Party
Thursday - Biggest Loser Power Sculpt
Friday - Turbo Jam Fat Blaster
Saturday - Biggest Loser Strength & Sculpt, Bootcamp
Sunday - REST

I've got some Cathe Friedrich on my Tivo to review and hopefully use her stuff when I get back from New York. I like her style a lot.

As far as food goes, I honestly don't know. I'm going to try to kick the junk, and that's all I can really say. I sucked over my vacation and I don't dare get on the scale. I think I'll wait to weigh myself until I get a Wii Fit. I know I have to do better. It makes me so mad that I can't eat clean for more than a few days.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

BGB-1 Week 12

Monday

Here it is, the final week of my first Baby Got Back challenge and I'm really not sure I want to complete it. I have plans for big changes to the way I exercise when I get back from New York. I'll be there next week, then home for 4 weeks, then back to New York for another week. Then I'll be home until mid-November. I'm trying to decide what to do with those 4 weeks in between trips. I'm going to do a mini-challenge of some sort, but I'm not 100% certain how I want to structure it. I do know that formal weight lifting won't be a part of it. I'll still do strength training, but probably in a different form. I'll post about it once I finalize my plans.

Today I did the Biggest Loser High Intensity Workout, TJ Ab Jam (standing segment), and the TJ 20 Minute Workout. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!! I was going to add on the BL Boot Camp, but my son was impatient so I gave up the tv. I also spent 2 hours cleaning the other half of my house. Plus, I made my first trip to the recycling center with all my totes of recyclables. Then, I loaded all the stuff I'm giving my sister up in New York. Lots of heavy lifting in the heat.

I got my Turbo Jam Fat Blaster dvd today. I am positively giddy! I can't wait to review it. I spent last night watching a few exercise videos and it was fun.

Good on food today. I did want junk at one point but I pushed the thoughts away.

Tuesday

Well, I did my weights this morning so I guess I am going to officially finish this challenge. It was some of my best work, too. I must have pushed myself extra hard because it is THE end of this. After weights, I did Ab Jam and the 20 Minute Workout. I'm finally getting the moves down - there's only one that gives me problems now, and I should have it down by the end of the week.

I reviewed the Fat Blaster, as well as Cardio Party 2 & 3, AND the Biggest Loser Cardio Max segments I didn't watch last week. Oh, and I checked out Jillian Michaels' Cardio Kickboxing on Netflix. I think that's the name of it. I liked what I saw, so I think I'm going to buy it next time I get to the store. Fun stuff in my future, I can tell!

Food was great until I went to the store for ice cream and candy. What the heck is wrong with me???

Wednesday

I overslept, so I got off to a rocky start. I did not want to work out at all. Then I didn't want to do cardio. But I did, and I'm glad. I love Turbo Jam, still!

No junk food today! Yay!

Thursday

I did NOT want to workout this morning. I got up very early because my husband had to start work early and I had a meeting first thing in the morning. So I had do hurry up and either do my cardio or not. I did it. Biggest Loser Boot Camp and my regular Turbos. Good for me.

Food was good.

Friday

Great workout today. Normal weights and Turbos. Then I took my son out to lunch. I didn't eat completely legal, but I did keep the portions small.

I hurt my left wrist somehow. I don't know if it was during my workout or another time during the day. I don't remember any specific time or activity that would have caused this ache. I can barely move it or put any resistance against it.

Saturday

My wrist really hurt last night when I went to bed and I'd pretty much decided that I was not going to workout today. But then I woke up and it was a little better, so I did it anyway. I did regular squats instead of front squats, though, to keep the pressure off my arm a bit. Followed up with some Turbo. I am really getting those moves down!!

I'm not bothering with food today. Tracking, I mean. I've so much left to do to get ready for my trip. I'll behave though. Maybe.

Sunday

Off on "vacation" for a few days. I'll be home Friday and will resume blogging next week. Good riddance to this challenge.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

BGB-1 Week 11

Monday

I've decided I need to detox and try to get control of my cravings. That means Atkins Induction (only slightly less fat and more vegetable selection - can't give up those carrots!). I rarely craved junk when I was doing Atkins. So, I'm going back to it, at least for a couple weeks. Then I'll add back in brown rice and beans and maybe some whole wheat stuff. We'll see how it goes.

I had a really great workout today! I started with the Biggest Loser Workout - the high intensity option. Boy, that kicked my butt a bit. Then I took a "break" by doing Ab Jam, then kicked it back up and did the TJ 20 Minute Workout. It was awesome! My coordination is improving a lot. I think this is the routine I'll follow for now - all 3 videos twice a week, and all week while I'm in New York. Actually, I only have 3 workout days up there, but I think these will be fun.

Food has been really good today. I haven't been crazy hungry, and a deviled egg usually kills any cravings I have. Well, I actually craved broccoli, but I don't think that counts.

After some thought, I am going to modify my cardio. I'm going to give up HIIT for a while and do a video every day. I don't look forward to using my elliptical because it's boring, but I think I will enjoy the videos. I've been watching more today to see what I'd like to do. I'm going to try to fit in a 20-30 minute session after weights each day.

Tuesday

I noticed something today when I did the Biggest Loser Boot Camp. Those guys and gals get sweaty. They grunt and grimace and back off when they need to. The Turbo Jam crew members are all perfectly made up and happy and never break form. I realize the Turbo Jammers are, for the most part, "professionals" and very fit, and the Losers are real people who aren't in perfect shape. I like that. It makes me feel better that there are some things I can't do. Like pushups. Well, I can do pushups, but I'd prefer to do them modified, especially after an already intense upper body weight lifting session. Boot Camp was fun, though, and when I watched it yesterday, I wasn't really sure I would have the energy after my regular workout.

I'm not sure which I like better - Biggest Loser or Turbo Jam. I think Turbo takes more coordination, something I wasn't really born with. Biggest Loser is less chaotic. I like them both more than I like the elliptical, that's for sure! I'm almost glad I didn't buy a treadmill because I wouldn't be able to justify not using it in favor of the videos. I'm kind of looking forward to moving to the longer videos! Right now, I can really only do them in 10 or 20 minute segments. And I can't really jump in my house without knocking stuff down. Damn. I need a basement. Or garage, since we don't have basements here.

Food was great today! A little high in calories, but under 2000. I did get a bit hungry in the afternoon, but I was trying to stall so I could eat dinner with my husband. I held off as long as I could, and didn't get to eat with him anyway.

Wednesday

I did my normal leg routine today, then the Turbo Jam 20 Minute Workout. I really enjoyed it. I looked forward to it all day yesterday and it really motivated me to get through weights.

Food was pretty good.

Thursday

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided (without previewing them) to do all 3 segments of the Biggest Loser Cardio Max dvd. I ended up doing only the beginner. I was going to do some Turbo after, but my son was being a punk. I don't plan on doing Cardio Max again for quite some time - there are way too many lunges for my liking. I don't like lunges. I'd even go so far as to say I hate them. I think I'd much rather chop off my legs than do lunges.

Food was not good. I used good news as excuse to "celebrate" with McDonalds and a cake my son made. Thank goodness the cake tastes like crap.

Friday

I love Turbo Jam!!! I did the 20 Minute Workout after upper body today. I love it so much!!! I can't wait to get the other dvd I ordered (Turbo Jam Fat Blaster).

Food was good today. I skipped dinner, though.

Saturday

I did the Biggest Loser Boot Camp today. I was going to throw on some Turbo but changed my mind because I had to hurry up and get the grocery shopping done. Food was ok. On plan, but lots of it.

Sunday

I spent a few hours cleaning this morning. More of the same tomorrow. Eating off plan today - I'm not feeling well.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

BGB-1 Week 10

Monday

Ah, another week, another lame attempt at getting it right. It occurred to me last night that I have had 0 net pounds lost in the last year. When I left for New York last June, I weighed 151 pounds. Though I have not been on the scale recently, I cannot imagine that I weigh less than that now.

I have to rearrange my exercise schedule this week due to my son's dentist appointment on Wednesday. It really sucks when the only dentist is 90 minutes away and your appointment is first thing in the morning. So today, I did my upper body stuff. I was going to squeeze in some Turbo Jam after, but I woke up late. I'll try to squeeze it in Thursday.

Food was on track today.

Tuesday

I love HIIT, I hate HIIT. I really can't decide. I hate the elliptical, that's for sure. I want a treadmill.

Food was on track again! Go me!

Wednesday

No exercise today, but I was up by 5:30 AM. I had to take my son to a dentist appointment 90 minutes away. I don't know why I schedule these things first thing in the morning.

My quads are sore today. I had to sit down to feed the stupid fish.

Food's been good! We ate at McDonald's, and I had my usual grilled chicken salad. I didn't even eat any cookies I bought for the kid.

Thursday

I was going to take the day off from exercise but changed my mind. I did the Turbo Jam I should have done on Monday, and boy, did I work up a sweat! It was great - actually fun, too! Not a major accomplishment but I'll take small victories where I can get them.

Good eats again today!

Friday

I am really looking forward to going to New York so I can get a week off from weight training. I haven't had a break since I was sick at the beginning of the year. I'm going to try some Turbo Sculpt while I'm there, just for a change. And I'll bring my resistance bands and try to simulate what I've been doing with free weights, but I doubt it will be as intense.

I'm starving today. I'm not craving junk, which is good, but I know it's going to be a high calorie day.

Saturday

HIIT immediately after legs is kicking my butt. I'm doing 20 minutes, but I don't think my work intervals are as intense as they could be. They are agonizing but I think if I had different equipment, I'd get more out of it. Or maybe I need to experiment with shorter work/recovery periods.

I've been getting better about handling the cravings, and hunger in general. I've been ravenous lately and often want to eat more than I actually do. I find that I'm very hungry while I'm eating and immediately after, but I've been trying not to have seconds or find something else to eat. I remember when I first did BFFM, it took some adjusting to eating every 3-3.5 hours, but once I did, it was very manageable. I'm trying to get back to that.

But crap - I just blew it by eating 3 oatmeal cookies. I did log them in my tracker, and it didn't lead to a binge, though I sure as heck wanted to!!

Sunday

I'm starving today. It's supposed to be a lower carb day, but that last sweet potato is calling my name!! I've tried eating some protein, but at this very moment, I'm struggling not to get dressed and go out in the oppressive heat for a Dairy Queen monstrosity. I hate days like this. I'm desperately trying to keep myself distracted. I wish I could work out, but the living room is occupied and the outdoor heat is oppressive from now until September. I need something, anything but food, to keep my frustrations at bay. It's not enough for me to just say, "Oh, imagine the body you'll have by not eating that!!" I want to care, really, I do. I want control of this crazy, irrational urge to eat things that I know are not good for me. I'd love to be able to eat small portions and practice moderation, but I can't yet. I don't know how and it's make everyone in the house miserable.

Chicken and sweet potato has calmed me for now.

I bought ice cream. Not DQ, but still crap.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

BGB-1 Week 9

Monday

I did my Turbo Jam 20 Minute Workout this morning. It went well. I did the standing abs segment of the Ab Jam, and I attempted the lying portion but it sucked. I can't do it. I'll give it another shot next week. I think part of my problem was I was facing away from the TV so I had to twist around to see what was going on. I'll face the TV next time.

Let's not discuss food, shall we?

Tuesday

Slightly new weight routine. I liked it, though I'm not thrilled about pronated lat pulls. I really, really need a pull up bar.

I was ridiculously hungry today. I didn't have any junk food, so that was good.

Wednesday

Good workout. I like the step ups a lot better than lunges and split squats, that's for sure. HIIT wasn't as intense has it could have been.

I was incredibly hungry today. I resisted many temptations though.

Thursday

No workout today. It's a bit chilly out, so we're staying in and playing board games. I am absolutely disgusted with my food choices today.

Friday

Great workout! I swapped out the barbell pullovers for dumbbell pullovers and they feel so much better! Good eats today, too!

Saturday

Wonderful workout. I really pushed the HIIT!!!

Food, not so good.

Sunday

Food sucks. I suck.