Listening to my body...this is getting easier.

I was supposed to do Plyometrics today...but I have 3 sick kids, and I'm fighting my own head/chest cold, so I made a decision today. Since I'm not feeling well, and since I'm going out of town Friday-Sunday, I have decided to take the rest of this week off as well, and start the second round of P90X on Monday. It just so happens that Monday is Feb. 1st too, so what better way to start a new month than starting a new routine?! Yep, that's what I'm going to do, and I'm feeling good about it. I can foresee a wonderful 3 months of P90X with more strength, more toning, and lots of weight-loss.

Listening to my body....

Today was supposed to be day one of my second round of P90X. BUT, Bridget had an eye specialist appointment out of town, so it was a looooong day. We were on the road at 9am, and we just got back. Since we were out of town, we stopped at my friends house which was only 20 minutes from the city where the appointment was....so we visited for a few hours, the kids all played together. Then we went to the mall in another city by Toronto....which was actually fun. But, I'm tired! 4 plus hours of driving does that to you. And since I'm having a clearer, newer understanding of my body and what it needs, I've decided to take tomorrow as my first day of my second round of P90X, but I'm starting on day 2. Sorry Pitz, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I'm fighting off what everyone around me has, which is a sore throat and stuffed schnoz...plus my back is aching...so, my decision is to rest. Ha. See, I've learned a lot, and I've come a long way. Giving myself permission, guilt-free permission feels freeing.

Plyometrics tomorrow! Gonna bring what I have.

What I've Learned

So, after I made the decision to break my streak, I felt a few things. I felt disappointment. I felt relief. I felt pride. Now, I'm good. After thinking about it, I realise that I wasn't actually being balanced. I know all the opinions about consecutive working out....about what your muscles need to build, about how your body needs rest. I know all about that stuff. I'm not an uneducated newbie. I DO read, lol. However, I kept the streak going for a few reasons...not entirely based on the physical end of things. Sure, one major reason is weight loss, and firming up this body that I've let go. But the main reason is mentally. I was training myself. I was training myself to go the distance whatever come what may. See, a friend that I've met on WLW and now in the blogosphere started her journey to 'Finish what she started' well, I'm a person who used to run away from things. I ran! I ran away and didn't face situations. I ran away instead of using the situation at hand to help me grow, instead of digging deep and finding my inner strength. So for some reason, I figured that if I could do daily consecutive exercising and NOT LET THINGS come between us, if I didn't run away and bury my head in the sand, but stood my ground and worked out in spite of whatever situation/event/occurance happend, it would make me strong. And to a degree it did. I now have a respect for working out that I never had before. I know it will be a lifelong thing, a commitment to myself, something that challenges me that I LOVE doing. But it will not be my crutch. It will not have this negative connotation attached to it, like the feeling that I would be a loser if I didn't do it, if I broke my streak. I KNOW I'm not a loser, I'm actually a winner. I've won my 'self' back. I've earned the right to take a break, let my body recover, and when I hit the P90X hard again on Monday, there won't be any negative resentful feelings attached. I will be training for my 5K, and I will be commited to the next 90 days of working out, and I will do it because I want to...because it's good for me, not because I have this thing attached to my pride, this looming thing that is held over my head. I now feel free. I have the freedom to workout and if something comes up, sickness/events/ time constraints, I won't have to feel like I'm letting myself down. There is no room for vanity on this healthy lifestyle...at least not the kind that is damaging. Pride comes before a fall, dontcha know. I know. And now I also know when to say when, when to listen to my body, and I no longer have the fear that it will be something I run away from. I have longevity. I have discipline. I have determination. No streak will make or break any of those things any more. So I did learn a lot. I am fully appreciative of what I've learned during this time. And now, I'm great. It's all good baby. Watch me soar now that I've unfettered my own wings!

Decisions...Decisions

THE STREAK IS OVER!
Yep, you heard it here, folks. Last night I was forced to make a choice...a conscious decision, and I ended my 193 day run. I was hoping to make it a year, I was hoping to at least make it 200 days. But, my body had other ideas. I've been going through some...stuff....some stress, and that's why my body got run down, and why I got sick the past few weeks, why I had lowered my exercising minutes, why I never pushed super hard. I was pushing hard enough for what my body can withstand right now. See with me, the first place my body takes a hit is in my back, and then it just spreads from there. So, with lack of sleep being the final straw that broke this camels back, last night I was SICK! I mean, move and throw up-sick. I had 3 hours of sleep Saturday night, and I knew it would hit me like a ton of bricks this week. At dinner last night, I sat there and looked at my food. I didn't really want to eat, but I knew I should, so I ate. It tasted good....but soon, I was swooning. I layed my head on the table and said 'you know I think I need to go to bed.' But I sat there, thinking...what can I do in the exercise department? Which one can I accomplish without killing myself? Which one could I tolerate? And the answer was....nothing. I couldn't even dream of anything. My husband told me that I was strong, that I COULD accomplish it if I wanted to....but my body...it said 'uh, I don't think so'. So, with that, I chose to end my streak. I sat in for my girls bedtime story, but I was hurtin....I needed bed. At 8:30, I lay there in bed, still as I could with my head spinning, and the room spinning, trying not to vomit...similar to the feeling as if I were completely out of my mind drunk...except without a drop of alcohol...and I decided right then and there that perhaps my body needs a break. I'm going through some tough stuff, and my body is taking the hit...so...I've decided to take the rest of the week off. No working out...unless I do X Stretch. And then on Monday, I will start P90X. I cannot force myself to do a half-assed workout this week, mentally, emotionally, physically, and expect to recover from this run-down, overstressed body, mind, spirit. I feel really bad for Pitbull...we were supposed to be doing this week together...starting this second round together, finishing together. {{{ PITBULL: I WILL however just be a week behind ya girl.}}}
You know that saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?" Well, I intend to be iron woman! Strong as steel! I am Woman, hear me roar!

Today, I'm feeling still out of sorts physically. I'm tired, my stomach is swirling still...got a slight headache....and right now, even tho part of me is disappointed in the streak being broken, another part of me knows that I have to take a mini break...recoup, so I can go strong again. I sense another streak coming on....Monday, January 25, 2010 marks the beginning of "THE STREAK, pt 2" LOL

Couch 25K...and NO P90X!

I did my couch25K around 5, and it took every last ounce of energy I had. The lack of sleep I had yesterday is affecting me today, obviously. I'm tired. I'm really really tired! So, I've made an executive decision...LOL...and I will start my 2nd round of P90X tomorrow...I will start with the second day...and continue with the rest of the program as is...and you know what...I don't even feel guilty or bad because I worked my butt off on the treadmill...

Tomorrow...Plyo

Sunday, Jan. 18..some X stretch...

SO I had 3 hours of sleep Sat. night. I was dead on my feet Sunday. Literally. It was all I could do to stay vertical-ish to get some X stretch in. 20 minutes keeps my streak going strong...

Tomorrow...P90X + Couch25K

Sat. Jan. 17/10 A little X Stretch goes a long way...

I almost forgot to workout today. We were gone or busy all day, and I remembered at 9...too tired for couch25K, already did strength last night...so X stretch it was again. I chose the ones that were good for arms and legs, neck...much needed stretches.

Looks like couch25K tomorrow.

June 5th ~ 5K

I just registered for another 5K...this time it's with Jacqui (YAY) and Pammy (can't wait to meet you in person!) This is going to be fun!

strength 20 minutes

Thurs. Jan. 14/10...X Stretch

I did 30 minutes of X Stretch. I find that because I'm not doing the program until next week, I don't feel obligated to do the whole thing...so I pick the ones that work for my current program...the arms, the legs, the glutes...I steer clear of the back stuff, for now. Getting some in feels good.

A Little Side Competition with Cindy.

yeah, the flash on the camera is a LOVELY thing when wearing all black, especially TIGHT black. If your eyes need help, I'm sure the E.R isn't too far away, LOL

So a gal from weightloss wars challenged me today....she threw the gauntlet down, and I accepted it. The race is on....Cindy, if you're reading this (which I know you are) I'm bringin all I have baby! LOL. The race is the first one to 200 lbs wins. I am currently at 224.5. There is no cash prize...there is no trophy, there is however bragging rights....ha..kidding...there is PRIDE! So, between the Losing competition, and my P90X with Pitbull and Pammy...and my training doing the couch25K, I'll be plenty active. All's fair in...weightloss! ;O)

Btw, the funny look on my face, the way I'm holding my mouth...yeah, that's because I have Crest WhiteStrips in..LOL....Whats up with the little blotches too? Gotta clean the lens...TIP: if you're going to wear TIGHT BLACK, make sure the lens is CLEAN! I CANNOT wait to have THESE clothes on (which are the same ones for the LOSING comp too)..in a month, in 2 months... I'm going to ROCK them! ha...Def Leppard...ROCK...hehe.

Week 2, Day 2...Couch25K

I was tired tonight...but I kept telling myself 'you can do anything for 30 seconds'...everytime my energy dropped, that's what I told myself....and you know, it's true. Tony says it in P90X...if you TELL your brain you CAN do it...your body will listen. Man, I'll be happy when this cold is gone!

25 minutes Couch25K plus stretching

Tues, Jan. 12/10...Strength

I don't know, I'm not getting much out in the 70 lbs yet...LOL

35minutes strength and stretching:

Bench press:
10 reps @ 50 lbs/ 10 reps @ 60 lbs/ 5.5 reps @ 70 lbs/10 reps @ 60 lbs

Overhead Extensions:
3 sets of 12 @ 25 lbs

Laying Flys:
3 sets of 15 @ 12 lbs

Stretches: swimmers, arm circles, bicep/tricep stretch, neck rolls, neck stretch

Can-Fit-Pro Membership

Today, I started the ball rolling. I became a Canadian Fitness Professional member. This summer, I will be taking the Personal Training Specialist Course...and begin down a new path, one that I am already passionate about. Think about it. What better person to train people to lose weight and become healthy than someone who took that journey already, by herself. I have every intention...I WILL be in the 160's by June...and at goal weight by Fall. Then doors will start to open for me. After I take the course this summer, I have 4-6 weeks before the exam to get practical experience. I hope to go to the gym in the neighbouring town and ask for someone to mentor me so that I can learn, and get the experience needed to take the exam. I am so stoked about this! I think in the meantime, I'm going to take a course or two that will be recognized too...just for fun, for knowledge and to keep this goal first and foremost. I had to pay a fee to become a member...you just don't 'join'. So having that first step taken...that feels so good. This is MY year, people. Watch me soar.

Couch 25K,week 2, Day 1

I did it! If that sounds like I'm thrilled, well, I am! I accomplished todays training despite the fact that I am coughing up a lung. At this particular time, my lungs are on fire, my throat feels like you rammed a hot poker down it. At this present time, I'm hurtin...my stomach hurts...or is it my back? Can't tell...but not feeling so great now! I AM happy that I didn't keel over while jogging though. Ha! Feels good to be sorta back...well, back at it, anyway.

25 minutes: couch25K plus stretching.

Sunday Jan. 10/10, X Stretch

So I did 30 minutes tonight. I'm feeling a bit better. My back is feeling a bit better too...the stomach flu exacerbated it....and now that that's clearing up, I feel a bit of relief that I can start working out harder...once my cold clears up more. Still coughing up a lung...so we'll see how Couch25K is tomorrow.

Barely Enough Strength For Strength

So it seems that I may have had a stomach flu on top of my inflamed back and cold. My stomach was killing me...which I contributed to the out of control fire in my back. Apparently, it's going around. Lovely. Anyway...tonight I did strength...and now I'll be going and getting some muscle relaxants :oS

BenchPress:
10reps @ 50 lbs/10 reps@ 60 lbs/5 reps @ 70lbs/10 reps @ 60lbs

Overhead Extensions:
3 sets of 15 reps @ 15 lbs

Laying down Flys:
3 sets of 10 reps @ 12 lbs...

Stomach and back both hurting! But I cannot NOT do stuff...So...
My plan for tomorrow is to get lots of rest...and maybe some couch25K. If that doesn't pan out due to pain...then X Stretch it is.
Anyway, glad to be back...ish.

Friday, Jan. 8/10...Double Whammy

Well, on top of my back being inflamed, I now have a cold. Managed to do my 20 min of X Stretch, but barely. Going to try and get some extra rest this weekend...hopefully help the recovery process along.

Day 3 of Couch 25K

Well, feeling a bit better...but also lots going on in my head...so, instead of sit there thinking, I got up and did my 3rd day of Couch 25K. Um...it went well...while I was doing it...but then my back went on fire. And my lungs feel extra crispy. LOL

When I cannot do a FULL workout because of being ill, or injured, I still give my all...even if my all is only 20 minutes worth. Today, I gave it...and now I deserve to chill out (with some muscle relaxants) and know that tonight when I'm tired...(a lot lately, run down I think) I won't have a workout looming over my head.

Wednesday.....X Stretch...Again

Well, I really toyed with the idea of taking a day off...breaking my streak. I know my body would have benefited from it. But, what about my mind? I thought what if I stop? Will it click a switch in my mind, in my head and start up that whole 'it's okay to stop' mentality...the whole, 'I don't feel like it today' when in reality, I could totally do it? So I guess for the sake of my brain, I put the X Stretch in again, and did 20 minutes. That's all I could do. My back is calming down...but everything else...my stomach hurts, my ribs feel bruised, I'm nauseaus, I feel sort of....like I have pneumonia. I don't. It just feels like that because of the inflammation. I know that the vulnerability of my back makes my whole system vulnerable. Now, I have a bit of a cold too. I got sent for a loop, and my immune system took a hit. I say, 20 minutes is way better than no minutes!

Holy Toledo Batman!

Well, my back is toast! I totally had a major flare up tonight, brought on by some stressful news. See, I aggravated my back by doing the Hyper-extension bench...which I thought would strengthen it...and under normal conditions, with a normal back, it would. But mine, I suffer from chronic back pain caused by a snowmobile accident 14 years ago...so mine is different. I should have left well enough alone...but Nooooo, I had to go and do that exercise, repeatedly. Well, tonight, I had such an attack, it affected my stomach, my digestive system, as well as the back. I had to go lay down. When it gets that bad, I can't tell if it's my stomach or my back until I lay still...and eventually, I feel it. I am so out of it, so ill, that I couldn't do my treadmill tonight. In fact, I struggled big time to get 20 minutes of X Stretch in...but I did it. I cannot break my streak. Just moving makes me want to be sick, and starts things rolling and just feel like a bag of crap. I'm a major hurtin unit tonight. Someone shoot me and put me out of my misery!

Losing To Win...First Weigh In

Okay, well, here goes! I fully expect to see this number drastically reduced by the end of this competition. I'm going for....hmmm....lets say 175! Watch me shrink!

Please Give Me The Strength To Do Strength!

I am tired. I could have just went to bed as soon as the kids were in bed, alas, I still had to work out. See, today, all day I thought I was supposed to be doing my couch 2 5k training. But it didn't dawn on me until after dinner that it was actually strength training. So, after the kids were in bed, I ventured downstairs for my strength workout. It's funny...after my first set of 10 reps @ 40 lbs, I said to my husband "I feel tired tonight" meaning, I didn't have much strength. He goes "that's because you ARE tired" lol.
My back is not being friendly to me today/tonight. I should have known not to try the hyper-extension bench...I should have known it was going to flare everything up...but I did it anyway. Sometimes it takes getting hit over the head with a hammer to figure things out, I'm 'strong-willed' like that. Ha! So, wisely I opted out of both the Hyper-extension bench, AND the Ab RipperX. It's going to take a while to calm the old back back down....

Warm-Up:
Swimmers, Arm Circles, Bicep/Tricep Stretch, Chest/Back/Shoulder Stretch

Bench Press:
10 reps @ 40 lbs/10 reps @ 50 lbs/10 reps @ 60 lbs/4.5 reps @ 70 lbs/5 reps @ 60 lbs

Over Head Extension:
3 sets of 15 reps @ 15 lbs

Lying Down Flys:
3 sets of 15 reps @ 12 lbs

Back/Bicep Stretch

30 minutes.

Sunday night X-Stretch

I did 30 minutes of X Stretch. I figured just because I'm not currently doing P90X, it doesn't mean I should give up some things that are essential...and after doing the strength training I'm doing, as well as the couch 2 5K thing, this was just what I needed. Funny how tight your muscles get without you even knowing it.

Day 2 of Couch 2 5k

Well, I adhered to the program. I did it the exact way I was supposed to. I even upped the brisk walk...but I also upped the speed of which I jogged as well. I jogged at 5.0. Maybe I should go slower a bit...like 4.7 or so. I could feel my shins, likely from the whole entire 5K from the last program day. I'll do some of the toe flexor stretches to ward off shin splints. I'm opting out of Ab Ripper X. Gotta let that settle for a bit.


25 minute workout.

Powering Through

I warmed up with some of the exercises from P90X, then I hit the Hyper-Extension Bench. As I'm doing it, I realized that yep, this is really disturbing my back. I asked my hubby how he felt when he did this one...and it differs from how I feel...almost spasmy, and burning pain. So I decided that I'm going to alternate Hyper-extension bench and Ab Ripper X days. I cannot do both on the same day, but I can power through one or the other. I can't overdo it all at once, or else I will be junk, in agony, and unable to do anything.
I've upped my reps for the bench press, and my weight for the overhead extension...I love pushing myself and feeling strong. When I start my second round of P90X, I'm going to be ready.

Warm Up: swimmers, arm circles x4, chest & tri stretch.

Hyper-Extension Bench: 3 sets of 15
Bench Press: 15 reps @ 40lbs/15 reps @ 50 lbs/ 12 reps @ 60 lbs/ 15 reps @ 50 lbs
Overhead Extensions: 4 sets of 15 reps @ 15 lbs

42 minutes

Biggest Loser Competition Final Weigh In

SW: 259

LW: 236

FW: 229

Loss: -30

This is my final weigh in for the Biggest Loser Competition. It's frustrating because I am up 3.5 pounds from yesterday. That's due to the fact that I did a 5K last night finishing at 11pm, then had my recovery drink and something to eat....I was hungry. The 3.5 pounds will be gone later today, early tomorrow. It is what it is, and I don't care either. Ha! It's not actual weight. But for this competition, I'm not worried about it either. I worked my tushy off, and I feel better than I ever have. I'll take it.