Day 39 ... Yoga and Philosophy

    1 hour and 45 minutes later, I am done with my yoga workout for the day. I was really looking forward to this one today. Today and yesterday have been a rollercoaster ride of emotion and I was really hoping a nice calm yoga workout would help center me a bit. It started off a little rocky because I couldn't get the PS3 remote to work. So, I turned on the tv and started to watch The Biggest Loser instead of working out. There must be irony in there somewhere, right? As I sat there watching a 400 lb man cry, I thought to myself I should really be working out. Luckily, the remote started working so I could actually start the dvd. Then, it was onto Yoga world!!!

     There were a few moments during the workout when I was actually proud of myself. I was, gently,  pushing myself further into positions I had had difficulty with before. I could see the differences and how far I've come. Certain muscles were not screaming quite as loudly as they have been in the past. I have always had hip flexibility problems during some poses ... especially half moon and twisting half moon. It was still hard but I'm managing to get into a bit better now and stay in it a bit longer before the knife starts twisting itself into my hip. That's a good sign, yeah? When it came time to do Crow pose (which I usually skip), I decided to give it a shot. It has been a really long time since I have done Crow. It's always been a pain in the butt for me. Weak arms and slipping and sliding. This time, i got up on my arms and was able to hold myself up for awhile. I slipped off a few times, but i was able to get back up a bit before my arms started shaking too much to hold me. So, I was proud.

     By the end of the workout, I was feeling a bit more calm, relaxed, focused and overall peaceful. I realize the things in life I worry about are fleeting and mostly of my own creation. No matter what happens in my life, I will still be the same person ... always changed for the better, if changed at all. No matter how risky something is or how much it may hurt in the long run, life is far too short to be afraid of anything. I firmly believe that my future will be a happy one, no matter where I am, who I am with or what I am doing. The alternative is not an option.

    So, here is to the pursuit of love and happiness, wherever it may lead.

Day 38

Completed.

The end.

Embarrassed Nauseated Pledge

Day 37

Day 36. Week 6 Begins!

Day 34 and 35

Day 30

So, I got my Day Count mixed up somewhere along the line and that is why there is no Day 30 post.  Monday, the beginning of Phase 2,  should have been Day 29.  I think I have it figured out now.  Me no good at counting.

Day 31 - 33 ...

Day 29 ... More cardio!

    Today, I could feel a little progress. There is a section during the cardio workout that integrates the plyometrics workout. It involvesa whole lot of jumping and usually makes me so out of breathe i have to take a break in the middle of it. Today was the first time I was able to push through and finish the whole section without stopping. I was very proud of myself. It's these little goals that help keep me going because I can feel the results through them.Yesterday, I was able to do more push-ups. Everyday I keep it up, I will be able to do a little more and a little more. One of these days, it will all add up to a so much more than I was able to do the day I began.

     Tomorrow is a new workout. New to me, that is. If I remember correctly, I did this workout twice last year before I quit. It was push-up intensive and a real bitch. I have to get up a little earlier tomorrow to make sure I have enough time to get it (and the ab workout) done. I'm interested to see how it's going to go. Whatever comes, I'll take it.

    As I'm writing this I am watching The Biggest Loser season premiere. I LOVE this show. I look at these poor people who struggle so much and want to be thin so badly and see how much further they have to go than I do. If these people can make the decision to work so much harder for so much longer than I need to, then I can make it a through a couple months of exercise and eating healthy. My goal and my journey are nothing compared to theirs. I have no excuse to give up.





   

Day 28. Phase 2 Begins

Ok, so I know I skipped form day 22 to 28. Day 23 was a Kenpo workout. Did it in my parent's living room as well. The days following were a little more relaxed than they should have been. However, it was a "recovery" week and I was on vacation so I feel somewhat justified. Regardless of not doing 110%, onward and upward. Today was the begging of phase 2 and the begging of the second month. YES, I have been at this a whole month now. I am 1/3 the way though and feeling and looking better. In a few weeks, I should really start to see some changes. I can't wait.
   
    I'm back to work at the stadium for the week, so I have to contend with that right now too. Still, I will keep going. I am almost to the hump I couldn't get over last time around. This time, I DEFINITELY have it licked!!! Tomorrow is a cardio day. Thankfully, I get to sleep in a little bit before I get up and sweat my butt off. WOOHOO!!!!

Day 21 & 22

    Day 21 ...
    To be honest, I didn't do the yoga workout that i was supposed to have done for day 21. It was a travel day from NYC to Houston. By the time I made it to Houston and had dinner with my parents, I could barely keep my eyes open. I ended up going to bed early and sleeping for nearly 12 hours. SO, I will be looking to fit in that yoga workout some other time this week.

    Day 22 ...
    Today was my first attempt at working out at my parent's house. It was interesting to see how a change of atmosphere can affect how you mentally process working out. It felt odd to be doing these exercises somewhere other than in my living room. I had to move furniture around, lock up the dogs and even tape a ceiling fan cord out of my way. I got through it like I always do, though. I'm sure I will have no trouble getting through the rest of the week. There are definitely a lot more food temptations around. There is all kinds of stuff in the kitchen that I would love to eat. Working out, though, reminds me how stupid it is to put myself through daily hell and then run and eat cookies. So, I think I will be sticking closely to the plan.

That's all for now. Until tomorrow ....

Day 20

DAY OFF!!!!!!!

Day 19 ... Another Milestone

    WEEK #3 is DONE!!!

     Tomorrow is a day off and then I am headed to Houston for a week. There, I will continue my P90X-ing with my 4th (recovery) week. I am practically finished with Phase 1. WooHoo!!!!

    Here's the scary part ... Phase 2 was where I crashed and burned right around this time last year. So, PLEASE lend me your kind words and support. I know I am going to be asking for it. I have a long road ahead. I am making the tiniest bit of progress, so far, and I want to keep going. You can all help get me there!!!

    Here is a little video of me begging for your continuing support ....

Day 17 & 18

    Have I mentioned how much I HATE lunges? I think I have but let me just reiterate ... I HATE LUNGES. I think that the leg and back workout is my least favorite. Getting through a couple of hundred lunges in one hour is torture. Still, I made it through today. I also made it through yoga yesterday. I am still on track and all caught up. Tomorrow is the last workout of Phase 1. It is the end of my 3rd week of P90X. Next week, I begin the first recovery week. Recovery week is designed to give me a bit of a break and re-group but it's still pretty hard core. Basically, it just replaces the weightlifting workouts with more cardio and yoga. It's going to be interesting to see how it goes, because i am going to Houston for the week. I'm grateful going home happened to fall into a recovery week, since I wouldn't have any of my weights or bands with me at my parent's house. So, it is perfect timing! The other challenge is going to be FOOD! While I am at my parent's, I tend to just eat anything and everything in sight. This time around, there will be none of that. Cross your fingers for me being able to survive without any of those delicious home cooked meals!!!!!

Day 15 & 16 ... All Caught Up!

    So, we all know I had a minor FAIL on Monday. But I fixed it. Tuesday night I cam home from work andf did my Monday workout. Today, Wednesday, I came home from my last day of a 10 day homestand and did 3 workouts!! That's 3 workouts, which equals 2 days worth since the ab workout is included with the Day 16 workout. So, to be clear, I did the CARDIO workout, the ARM & SHOULDER workout AND the AB workout!! All in one day. I'M A BEAST!!!! It was definitely exhausting but I am very proud of mysef for getting it done and getting back on track so quickly. There really is no room for error with this workout. You can fall behind so quickly it isn't funny. Tomorrow, I am poised for my 3rd week of Yoga. I can't wait to be done with this week because that means I have one rest week (which doesnt consist of rest at all ... just lots of cardio) and then I am on to Phase 2!! Almost 1/3 the way there! I am feeling more confident with each day and feeling more healthy. The workouts are getting a little easier each time and can see very minor differences in my body. It's all very exciting! AND I had the BEST salad ever for dinner tonight. I even commented to Harry that it was better than anything at McDonald's. Ironically, there was a McDonald's not 50 ft away that was doing it's best to tempt me ... and it FAILED!!! =)

Til tomorrow!!!!!

Day 14 Redux

   I did it! I came home from work and I did the Core Synergistics workout that I should have done yesterday. I'm very proud of myself! Because it is somewhat late and I have neighbors downstairs, I did have to skip 3 of the sets that involved jumping up and down or over a towel. They complained once, last year, and all I was doing at the time was crunches. I wasn't making a peep then so I can only imagine what they would think about "towel hopping". Still, that was no more than 3 minutes of the workout that I missed. The rest is done and, I think, done well. I feel like I have a little bit more stamina and strength behind me now. I can honestly feel a difference from Day 1. I was able to do more push-ups and get through more of each set without floundering. It's working. There is a light at the end of the very very very long tunnel. It's only a speck in the distance but I know it's there and I can't wait to get to it.
    Tomorrow, I will be attempting 2 workouts to get me back on track. I wrote about it earlier and it will be interesting to see if I can pull it off. I'm sure I can. When I do, I will let you know all about it. I was a little worried I was going to get too far behind to catch up. Now, I think I am on track to being right back where I should be and I'm very happy about it. Bring it!!

p.s. - Tomorrow is the LAST day of my 10 day work week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Days 14 & 15

    Ok. So I missed my workout yesterday. It has been a grueling week of work and being sick and dieting and working out and yesterday my exhaustion hit me just as some personal issues arose in my life. All of this kept me from getting my workout done. But, believe me, I needed the rest and unwinding. I went out last night and had some drinks. Maybe alot of drinks. I wasn't falling down or anything but I was definitely D-Runk. I had a great time hangin out with lots of friends and don't regret it. It was a total re-charging evening. However, it did leave me feeling a bit wonky this morning. Thankfully, today's game is a night game, so I was able to get a little more sleep for the first time in 6 days. I definitely needed it. Unfortunately, my time management for the day, along with not feeling physically right, has led me to miss another day of working out. BUT FEAR NOT!! I HAVE A PLAN!!!
    TOMORROW I will be doing two workouts. Count em! 2! I will do the cardio workout that I should have done today before I do the arms and shoulders workout. Cardio before lifting. Piece of cake. Sugar free cake. Once I do this, I will only be one day behind, instead of two. Then I can make up my other workout on my usual "day off."
    I have to tell you that balancing something like this workout with reality and the things you have to deal, expected or otherwise, within your everyday life is not easy. I know I have said that before. I'm starting to believe, though, that you have to be nearly superhuman to get it done. Or you just have to have nothing else going on so your focus cannot wane. That is an option i don't have. Therefore, I will continue to work towards being superhuman. The workouts will give me the strength, in the long run. But I have to develop the mental and emotional stamina to complete this on my own. I am learning lessons everyday in how that process may or may not work. So, onward I go. Up, up and away ...

Day 13

END OF WEEK 2!

Tired.

That is all.

Day 12 ... Back in the Saddle

Day 11 ... Yoga #2

    It's my 4th day into my 10 day work week. Today, at work, I had one of the worst allergy attacks I have ever had. I could barely stop sneezing long enough to talk to a table. It was MISERABLE. The only good thing about it is that I was allowed to leave a little early. By the time I got home, I felt so swollen and exhausted, I decided to take a nap and leave my workout for later. I think that was a wise idea. After all, rest is just as important to a workout program as the actual working out. So I slept for about 3 hours and woke up feeling better than before. There is still something in the air, even now, that is bugging me but it's better.

   Today was yoga day again, the LONGEST of all the workouts. Still, I buckled down and did the whole 1 1/2 hrs.  I could even tell a definite improvement over last week. For the most part, I pushed myself just enough when I needed and feel confident it will get easier and easier. I have talked about sweating beforte during a workout but OMG!!!! I feel like there should have been a lake in the middle of the living room once I was done. Harry said that means I'm doing it right. I suuuuuure hope so.

=)

Day 10 ... The Challenge Continues

    At this point, every day feels like a milestone. Getting up and getting it done isn't always easy. Neither is trying to keep a work/workout/eating schedule. I'm sure i know some people out there who actually workout and experience this kind of thing. I am definitely trying but i was up a little later than usual last night (for a VERY good reason that I do not regret or harbor any negative energy towards at all) so I ended up sleeping a little later than usual today. I guess you could call that balance. The only drawback is that it put me in a bit of a rush to eat and workout. Not a problem. I had a quick protein shake ... perfect. I then did my arms and shoulders workout and it went well. I even increased some of the weight on certain moves and I feel confident about the direction I'm going. Watching the clock, I thought ... Hey, I'm going to get done and have plenty of time to spare. I'll relax and shower and hydrate and all that. So it all worked out just perfectly. See, I really can .... OH CRAP IT'S AB DAY TOO!!!! Gee, I wonder how in the world I could have forgotten something so fun as the Ab Ripper X. Sheesh! So, obviously, there is just no way I will have time to get the ab workout done too. I mean I only have it's 1:15 and I'm finishing up the arm workout. I have to leave for work at 2:15. I just have so much I have to do.
    Ok ok ok, I'll stop rambling now. The point being. I had plenty of time to do it but I was so easily convinced that I didn't because any excuse not to do it is a perfect excuse. So, I said I'll do it when I get back from work. HA! YEA RIGHT! I knew that wasn't goin to happen. So, after wasting some more of the time I swore I didn't have, I decided to go ahead and do it even if it made me late for work. I would just tell them I was mugged by Tony Horton.
    Now, I begin the workout. Everything is going well for the first 25 seconds, then the old brain starts in again.
    "You don't have enough time so don't try too hard and just barrel through."
    "Just do 15 instead of 25."
    "Oh, just skip this one, it'll be faster."

    So, that's what I did. I did the workout but I rushed through the whole thing, not really concentrating or benefitting from it at all. And, this, after I was so proud for taking my time and completing the WHOLE thing last friday.

    Anyway, excuses are dickheads. Like bad dreams or getting gas on a first date, excuses pop up to screw around with a good thing. They are all around you, all the time, destroying your motivation. So, here's me telling my brain to shut the hell up. NO excuses. Work on your time management skills and get this shit done!!