I'm really doing it!

After two different times starting and quitting, I, along with my awesome gym buddy, have completed the first three weeks of the "Total Body Blitz" 12-week exercise program. I have to say I am feeling great! Pounds are coming off... granted not like on the Biggest Loser, but they are coming off! My jeans are getting looser and looser. That makes me excited! There is nothing like results to make you want to keep going. I had a small victory in our work out today, too. I completed real-deal box jumps as prescribed. You are probably like, woo-hoo... go, you... but it was a victory indeed for me. We had been doing the box jumps on an aerobic step that's only like three or four inches off the floor. Like this one only without the risers underneath.

Today I used a 12" box. It was scary making the first jump because I kept picturing myself missing the box and scraping my shins all to pieces. After that, it was awesome! So the 12" box is the shortest one in this picture. Hey, gotta start somewhere!!

  

Can you believe there are people out there that can jump a 62" box?! Check out this video just for fun. I'm not even sure if that's the highest one. Have you ever heard of Cross Fit? That is definitely something I would like to get in to eventually. Those people are so fit. Although, some of the women are VERY built and that's not my goal. 

Anyway. My diet hasn't been top notch by any means, but I am certainly eating better. I've been keeping up with tracking my calories on My Fitness Pal and I know that has helped. I really want to take mine and AJ's diet to the next level and really eat clean. We have made several changes in our pantry, but one thing we haven't gotten rid of is potato chips!! I don't eat them every day, but on days when we have a sandwich for lunch I want chips. Sometimes we will have apple slices instead, but those chips are so yummy. I could do some carrot sticks. 

What have your work outs been like lately?

Have you had any personal victories?

 

Work out week 2.

Two? Yes, two. I repeated the first week because I didn't feel like I really did everything correctly the first time. Even repeating it I didn't do the 60 min jog on Friday. It is hard for me to get to the gym on Fridays.

Updated. I totally forgot to post my work out for the week. Here you go! 

Week 2:

• Monday – 5 sets of 8: deadlifts, bulgarian squats, lunges. 50: squat jumps,  calve raises.  Plank for 3 minutes, 60 reverse crunches, 60 hanging knee raises (these are almost impossible for me... going to get it.)
• Tuesday – 60 minutes HIIT cycling (:30/1:30 format)
• Wednesday – 5 sets of 8: incline bench press, clean and press, overhead tricep extension, bent over barbell row, concentration curls, upright row.
• Thursday – 60 minutes HIIT running (sprint for 30 seconds/jog for 1:30 minutes)
• Friday – 5 sets of 8: deadlifts, bulgarian squats, lunges. 50 squat jumps, 50 calve raises.  Plank for 3 minutes, 60 reverse crunches, 60 hanging knee raises

Tips: When there aren’t any sets listed for squat jumps, calve raises, planks, and any ab exercises, complete the number of reps/time in as few sets as possible. i.e. 50 squats as fast as possible, before moving on to the 50 calve raises.  Continue to go heavy on the weight during resistance training.

 
I use to really enjoy going to the gym first thing in the AM. Now I would rather go at 1:30 in the afternoon. I have figured out that it is the SLOWEST time for the gym; there are like 2 or 3 other people there at that time. Its awesome. Starting next week I will begin working again, keeping a little girl at my apartment 3 days a week. I will have to go first thing on those days at least.

I am afraid I will have another poor weigh-in next week. Even though the first is a Monday I am waiting until the fourth in order to give myself an extra couple of days. :/ Sad I know. I am going to predict a 2 lb loss. We shall see!

Tomorrow is mine and AJ's THIRD anniversary!!!! Yippee!!!! I love him A LOT! Won't say much about it since I will probably do an anniversary post tomorrow. <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="br">
Wednesday is our oldest nephew Sam's 8th birthday! I can't believe how grown he is! He is in second grade and loves video games, books, movies, Star Wars and all the super heroes. Most 8 year-old boys do though, don't they? He plays soccer, too! I am planning to go home for his birthday party this weekend. I am more than excited about this because it has been awhile since I have seen him! Not only that, but my brother (Sam's dad) and his youngest son, Gareth, are coming from Maryland, too! Its been a really long time since I have seen them. Its going to be a great weekend. The only thing that would make it better is if AJ could go with me. Sam loves his uncle and will be sad AJ couldn't come.

I'll leave you with a couple pictures of the birthday boy.




Sam when he was about two. Photo belongs to his mom.




Sam at 7 and 3/4s with my beautiful mom. Isn't Sam a handsome boy? :)
This photo was taken by my sister-in-law.

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Gym time

Check out my gym routine this week.

Week 1

Monday – 60 minutes HIIT cycling (30 seconds 100% intensity, 1:30 60% intensity, repeat for an hour)

Tuesday – 5 sets of 8: squats, barbell deadlifts, sumo squats, walking lunges, reverse lunges. 100 box jumps. Is that possible?

Wednesday – 30 minutes HIIT jump rope (45 seconds jump, 30 seconds rest. repeat for half-hour)/15 minutes row machine. This day will also include a training session with Trainer Lady, henceforth "TL".

Thursday – 5 sets of 8: bench press, military press, barbell curls, skull crushers, snatch, lat pulldowns. 250 ab reps ( you pick the type of exercises)

Friday – 60 minute jog

Tips: Try to complete this Mon-Fri, allowing yourself a full two days off on the weekend. On weight days, make sure the weight is heavy enough that the 7th and 8th rep are VERY tough to complete. Training heavy at the beginning of this program is key for establishing your base.

I found this routine on Pinterest. Its a 12 week program that I intend on sticking to exactly. It looks pretty intense, especially as you progress. I need intense though if I want to lose 30 by Jan 1. It seems like Cross Fit almost. By the way, I saw some of the 2011 Cross FIt games on ESPN today, those ladies are hosses... I don't want to be a hoss. I am not going to post a link because the woman who designed this routine has photos posted of herself and she is not dressed appropriately. Sorry.


Today I'm going to try my first green monster smoothie! Everything I read says they are delicious. Going to do the most basic version first. What are you going to do today to better your health?


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