Fourteen Weeks Down!

Blogdate: 10/24

Workout: 5 Mile Run

Well, I didn't get my workout in yesterday as planned, but I went for a run this morning at our hotel in Orlando. I was pleasantly surprised at how my Turbo conditioning translated into running- I felt really strong!

I had my final weigh in yesterday- 153! Wow! 18 lbs! I feel amazing about all that I have been able to accomplish. I love how strong I feel and how I look when I catch a look at myself in a window.

I'm not going to stop. I am going to workout every day on this cruise. I'll let you know how things went when I get back.

Have a great week!

Riptoberfest Week 4 Day 5!

Blogdate: 10/22

Workout: 20 Minute Workout & Lower Body Jam

I re-arranged the schedule, again, to relieve some of the pressure off today. I've got so much to do, with packing and all, that I needed shorter cardio this morning.

The 20 Minute workout- still one of my favorites! "The Roof Is On Fire" finale is a blast! The energy is fantastic. It just zips past.

I can hardly believe I am here at the end- 14 weeks and 75 workouts! I am very pleased with the results. Can't wait for the weigh-in tomorrow!

Riptoberfest- Week Four Day 4!

Blogdate: 10/21

Workout: Cardio Party 3 + Yoga

I'm dividing my workouts up again today- CP3 in the morning, yoga when I get home from work.

CP3 was tough this morning- and I didn't even use the gloves! I think working out in the am takes some getting used to for your body. I can really bring it at night after an entire day's calories, but it is tougher in the morning with a cold body and no calories (I get sick if I eat immediately before cardio).

2 more days!

Riptoberfest Week 4 Day 3!

Blogdate: 10/20

Workout: Cardio Party 1 + Turbo Sculpt

I had to break up my workouts today- I got up early and did Cardio Party 1, then when I got off work I came home and did Turbo Sculpt. It was just too daunting to have all that to do tonight with all that I am doing to get ready for our trip.

I used the gloves today up until the Turbo- but I had to take them off. Serious fatigue! Cardio Party 1 has that killer punching section that just does not give your upper body a break. Usually it is not a big deal, but with the gloves? Oh, man!

Three days to go!

Riptoberfest Week 4 Day 2!

Blogdate: 10/19

Workout: Cardio Party 2

So much of Cardio Party 2 is in Cardio Party Remix it felt like I did the same workout 2 days in a row. I think I could have won a sweaty contest tonight!

70 Workouts Down!

Blogdate: 10/18

Workout: Cardio Party Remix + 3T

Yesterday I was kinda feeling like, what is the point of this last week- it's not like I can lose much weight in 6 days. But then I realized that this week has the opportunity to be the 'Exclamation Point' on this whole process, the entire 14 weeks. So this week is the 'Exclamation Point'!

Week 14 Schedule (Or, as Chalene says, This is how we're going out!):
Cardio Party Remix + 3T
Cardio Party 2
Cardio Party + Turbo Sculpt (ouch, that's a long one)
Cardio Party 3 + Yoga
Punch, Kick & Jam + Lower Body Jam
20 Minute Workout (we're ending where we started!)

Week 13 Down!

Blogdate: 10/17

Workout: Fat Blaster + Lower Body Jam

Man, Lower Body Jam is a killer. Fat Blaster however... I don't know. I must not be doing it right. It is just really easy for me, I don't feel like I am burning as many calories as I do in the Cardio Parties. But some people on Turbo Jam's Facebook page do this workout all the time and swear by it. Even with the gloves, it just seems too easy.

Today it was like I was deliberately sabotaging myself from the moment we got home from church. I've had about 12 graham crackers. BUT I haven't had any soda at all (and no caffeine for the last THREE days!).

Riptoberfest- Week 3 Day Five!

Blogdate: 10/16

Workout: Cardio Party 3 + Yoga

Cardio Party 3 really is the best workout of the bunch. Every song is motivating, every combination is fun to do. I paired it with 30 minutes of Ten Minute Solution Yoga off Netflix streaming. There are tons of workouts on there!

... Need to win the freaking lottery or something...

... but that would mean I'd actually have to play it.

I am loving the Define Jacket in static plum, and I love love love the Heart Tank in plum also. Sigh.

I do have a meager amount in Lululemon gift cards saved up, but not enough for both. And I really wouldn't wear either all that often- I almost never wear the fitness jackets I have, and I would be unable to wear a bra under this tank which would make it a no-go for cardio. So for this much $$ I should get something I'm going to get a lot of wear out of- Groove Crops or a Cool Racer Back or something.

Riptoberfest Week 3 Day 4!

Blogdate: 10/15

Workout: Turbo Sculpt + Ab Jam

Good workout today, really pushed myself in Turbo Sculpt. Ab Jam is Ab Jam. On Turbo Jam's Facebook page there is some discussion about Ab Jam being difficult to get through initially. I have been doing this for so long I cannot even remember that far back. I do remember the first couple of times trying to do Cardio Party being difficult. I remember having to take a couple of breaks to get through the whole thing.

There are some things I really love about Beachbody:

They are very realistic about what it takes to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

They offer products for a wide range of conditioning- newbies to hard-core veterans.

They have good production values and the little timer at the bottom- awesome.

What I don't love so much:

Anytime someone starts pushing supplements I get suspicious. Things like 'slimming formula' just set off alarms in my head. They might even work- I don't know, but the whole realm of supplements is just so shady that I feel like it cheapens their image.

Shipping is outrageous (15-25$ and two weeks- even with "free express shipping"- are you kidding me?)

Riptoberfest- Week 3 Day Three!

Blogdate: 10/13

Workout: Cardio Party Remix + Fat Blaster

My DVR ran out last night before The Biggest Loser finished recording. I went on the Message Boards to find out what happened and there are a lot of angry people at there about how these elimination challenges are favoring the men. What challenge wouldn't favor the men? Perhaps something balance based? But other than that- muscular strength or endurance- it is going to favor the men, but that has never stopped women from winning in the past. Remember when Tara pulled that car? Even after everyone gave her all their extra weight? And how did digging in the sand last week favor the men? And now that I think about it, there weren't even any men in the race that first week!

Riptoberfest- Week 3 Day Two!

Blogdate: 10/12

Workout: Punch, Kick and Jam + Booty Sculpt

Last night I did PKJ with the gloves- man, that was a tough workout! I was relieved when Turbo came, because that was the biggest break my arms got!

The squats at the beginning of Booty Sculpt are killer- every time it just about kills me!

OK, this is me being stupid. Today I went to buy some diet soda, and I decided to get a big liter of caffeine free diet pepsi. So I buy it, pour myself a glass and I'm drinking it at work thinking, wow, this tastes really good, whatever sweetener they are using is fantastic! After my second big old glass I notice that I didn't buy diet. I bought full sugar, caffeine free soda. Yeah, 10 points later. So this week has been fairly points-intensive so far.

Riptoberfest- Week 3 Day One!

Blogdate: 10/11

Workout: Cardio Party 1

Just having to do a Cardio Party for my workout was a breeze! It felt like it has been a long time since I've done it- it felt fresh and fun and fast- all good things!

This Week's Schedule:
Cardio Party 1
Punch, Kick & Jam + Booty Sculpt
CPR + Fat Blaster
Turbo Sculpt + Ab Jam
Cardio Party 3
Fat Blaster + Lower Body Jam
Yoga

12 Weeks Down!

Blogdate: 10/10

Workout: Total Body Blast

TBB is a tough workout! A. It is looooong! And no Turbo in the middle to break it up! B. The intervals are so short and there are so many of them that you feel like you have been working out forever and haven't made a dent! C. All the up down up down on the ball standing all the ball standing and tempo changes makes it difficult to keep your energy level high- as a result, I always feel like I am being dragged through this workout.

Wow! Two weeks to go until my vacation! I cannot wait!

Riptoberfest Week 2 Day 5!

Blogdate: 10/9

Workout: Cardio Party 2 + Ab Jam

Yesterday turned into a rest day when we got up very very early to catch the Mass Ascension at the Balloon Fiesta. I was going to work out at night but was so. damn. tired. Then I got crappy sleep all night and excuses, excuses, excuses... late night workout again. I've got to get up early tomorrow and get my rhythm back! I felt so good to have my workout over and done with for the day!

NSV last night- I tried on some size 8 shorts that I wanted to wear on my vacation and they fit- not tight or anything! Hooray!

Riptoberfest Week 2 Day 4!

Blogdate: 10/7

Workout: 3T + Fat Blaster

I got up early again today- I just cannot express how nice it was to have my evening free these last two nights! I find I eat better all day when I work out in the A.M. I also reversed the order I usually do my cardio & strength workouts so I would be nice and warm for my cardio.

Fat Blaster was tough today- it is usually a piece of cake. Maybe it was the weighted gloves, or following up 3T- my muscles were already exhausted.

What is Up With The Biggest Loser?

I am not so sure I like the new format of the Biggest Loser. The whole rhythm of the show is just- wonky now.

It used to be there was a early challenge or contest in the week, then lots of sweating and throwing up and stuff, and then a BIG challenge where you could win immunity or whatever, and then the Last Chance Workout (with more sweating and barfing) and then the weigh in and big vote off.

NOW they switched things around so it goes early challenge or contest, sweating and barfing, WEIGH IN, Last Chance Workout, then a BIG challenge for the players who fell in the bottom half of the weigh in, then the big vote off for the two players who lost the BIG challenge.

This new format just has a feeling of desperation to it. I can understand why they did it- it earlier seasons when in came to challenges contestants were either the one who was on fire and going to win or one of the ones who were just trying to not be last. This is much more exciting, certainly for the contestants, and so far both challenges require the participants to actively strive to complete them instead of passively finishing.

Last night the 6 bottom contestants had to dig through 4 piles of sand to find 4 brass rings. Good gosh, what a nightmare. And how random! If you started on the wrong side of the sand pile- you could be going home! Last week's race seemed more fair, although for the more deconditioned participants, the randomness was probably welcome!

60 Workouts Down!

Blogdate: 10/6

Workout: Punch, Kick & Jam (w/ 20 Minute Workout) + Ab Jam

I tweaked my back big time during Ab Jam- I hope I'm not paying for that later!

Working out in the morning is challenging- and not just from a getting up at 5:30 standpoint. I don't have a full day's supply of energy to draw on, and my body isn't as warm and limber from moving around all day.

I also need to refuel better after an am workout so I am better prepared for the next day. I love my morning oatmeal with blueberries, but I need more protein post-workout.

I Hope You're Sitting Down...

... because I got up early and worked out- in the morning!

Blogdate: 10/5

Workout: Cardio Party Remix & Booty Sculpt + Abs

I am much less coordinated in the morning- yikes. But I managed to get my sweat on without killing myself or anything. It feels really good to be done by 7 am with my workout!

Riptoberfest Week 2 Day 1!

Blogdate: 10/04

Workout: Kickin' Core

Not a huge fan of the ball workouts in general, but the cardio part of this one is a blast!

Camus said, "Real generosity towards the future lies in giving our all to the present".

Chalene said, "It's good for you! It's like broccoli!"

Week 11 Down... Sort Of!

Well, Week 11 I kinda imploded. I think I just needed a break. I did get in 3 of my 6 scheduled workouts, but really, that could have gone better. It was nice to get a break, though. I'm not getting my reward for that week, but I'm not repeating it, either. ONWARD to WEEK 12!

Schedule:

Kickin' Core
Cardio Party Remix + Booty Sculpt
Punch, Kick & Jam + Ab Jam Standing
Fat Blaster + 3T
Cardio Party 2 + Ab Jam
Total Body Blast
Yoga

In related news, you can ACTUALLY SEE DEFINITION IN MY BICEPS. Yes, I am yelling that.

Riptoberfest- Week 1 Day Three!

Blogdate: 9/29

Workout: Punch, Kick & Jam (first 35 minutes) + 20 Minute Workout

Felt so strong tonight. Really threw down. Wanted to keep the momentum going so I popped in the 20 Minute Workout- it is a lot slower BPM than the more advanced workouts! I did not realize there was that big of a difference!

Riptoberfest- Week 1 Day Two

Blogdate: 9/28

Workout: 3T + Ab Jam

It's only been about a week and a half, but it felt like I haven't done Ab Jam in forever!

I totally knocked out the tricep pushups tonight in 3T! It felt great! I've always struggled with them, but tonight it was like bam! Bam! Bam! And they came out of nowhere- it was like someone threw a switch or something.

Welcome to Riptoberfest!

Blogdate: 9/27

Workout: Cardio Party 3

Wow- I got a really good sweat on tonight! One of those workouts where you finish feeling way more energized than when you started.

I am going to do the Rip You Up Rotation for another 4 weeks to get ready for my cruise (26 days and counting!). This week's rotation:

Cardio Party 3
3T + Ab Jam
Punch, Kick & Jam
Fat Blaster (w/gloves) + Ab Jam
Cardio Party 2
CPR (w/gloves) + Booty Sculpt
Yoga

10 Weeks Down!

Blogdate: 9/26

Workout: Cardio Party 1

The schedule said Cardio Party 1 + Turbo Sculpt, but due to poor planning I was lucky to get in Cardio Party 1! I'll try to slip in an extra Turbo Sculpt this week.

Technically, this is the completion of the 4 Week Tip You Up Rotation! Yay me! Now I need to figure out what to do for the last 4 weeks of my 14 week challenge. I could do Rip You Up again and add in the Ball Workouts, or I could rotate in some of my non-turbo DVDs. I was hoping my co-worker would let me borrow her copy of Insanity at this point- but I guess she's not done with it. (hey- that's good!)

Secret Weapons

I find that the number one key indicator of whether or not my fitness efforts will be successful is how faithfully I am keeping my food journal. This technique is at the heart of why Weight Watchers works- you are mindful of what you are eating, you are accountable, and when you mess up you go on.

My Mom and my sister and myself, all being fairly crafty, look forward to each time we clear a food journal and get to buy another one because we customize them with scrapbook paper and jewelry findings- hey, anything to keep this fun! Here are some of my past food journals.

Rip You Up Rotation Week 4: Day Five!

Blogdate: 9/25

Workout: Cardio Party 3, Yoga

I took a rest day yesterday, so I need to double up tonight. Luckily, CP3 is my favorite Cardio Party. While exercising, my right knee gave a loud 'pop'! I thought something very, very bad had happened. But so far, I seem fine. No swelling or anything, even.

Tonight I noticed a definite difference in my hamstring flexibility- I could go noticeably further in my yoga poses. I am very, very happy about this because increased hamstring flexibility has been a goal of mine for awhile now.

Rip You Up Rotation Week 4: Day Four!

Blogdate: 9/23

Workout: Punch, Kick & Jam + Lower Body Jam

I did the entirety of PKJ tonight, I had forgotten that there was band work at the end! I never make it past the capeoira. LBJ is pretty brutal- maybe I'm just not used to it, but yikes! I usually don't have to bail on reps, but I did near the end of the squats!

Rip You Up Rotation Week 4: Day Three!

Blogdate: 9/22

Workout: 20 Minute Workout

Really? The 20 Minute Workout? How long has it been since I've done this?

I was really tempted to blow off my workout tonight, and double up another night. I mean, It's just 20 minutes, right?

But hey, it's just 20 minutes. Let's do it!

My pictures got a little messed up at this point, because I thought tonight's workout was 52, instead of 51. So this picture is actually tomorrow night (PKJ + LBJ- I even used the gloves!)

Biggest Loser 10 Begins! Or, Happy Hunger Games!

The Joker: [to Gambol's thugs, being held helpless by his own] Now, our operation is small, but there's a lot of potential for "aggressive" expansion. So, which one of you fine gentlemen would like to join our team? Oh, there's only one spot open right now, so we're gonna have...
[breaks pool cue over knee]
The Joker: ... tryouts!
[throws broken pool cue at the thugs]
The Joker: Make it fast.

The Biggest Loser definitely has an element of cruelty to it, and no where is this more apparent than in the first episode of each season. The contestants are systematically humiliated in public, their deepest, darkest fears and moments laid bare on national TV, but in this episode they were made to compete on the spot (a'la the scene from The Dark Knight quoted above) for their position on the show. This is a matter of life and death for these people! It kills me to see the producers treat them so lightly. Thank heaven Bob and Jillian at least appear compassionate and empathetic. Ally Sweeney is doing her best Effie Trinket impression.

It frustrates me that we are colluding with the producers in this exploitation of people who are emotionally, physically, and many, psychologically ill. The Producers act like if these people just didn't eat so much, they wouldn't be so fat. At least in this season opener there was a lot of talk about some of the psycological issues that have contributed to obesity in many of these contestants, but still, is there a psychologist on the ranch? I haven't seen one.

So why do I watch this show? Despite the cruelty of the producing team, this show inspires and gives hope to a large audience. It's a hard truth- diet and exercise is the only way out- and the cast and trainers deliver it well. Each season I get inspired and find I can dig a little deeper. I feel guilty just for writing that- is that what someone from the Capitol thought about the Hunger Games?

Burgandy is my early favorite. Read her story- she has been trying on her own- even completed a half-marathon in her recent efforts. She looks like a Mormon housewife, and her story certainly added to that guess. The Commercial Photography Business was the biggest giveaway. She wouldn't be the first Mormon (Felipe, Sione, Koli, I think there have been others) on the show, either. It looks like she comes into conflict with Jessica, which bums me, because I liked Jessica from her profile and race results. But not if she is going to be following in Melissa's footsteps!

FIFTY WORKOUTS DOWN!!!

Blogdate: 9/21

Workout: Cardio Party Remix + 3T

What a milestone! FIFTY! I was really looking forward to my workout- I wore my party pants and everything! My rotation says "Fat Blaster" for today, but I thought that in honor of this special occasion I would do one of my absolute favorites- Cardio Party Remix.

Let's look back, shall we?

Rip You Up Week 4: Workout 1!

Blogdate: 9/20

Workout: Cardio Party 2 + Yoga

Because I only did 20 minutes of yoga last night I threw in another 20 tonight, since 40 minutes of cardio tonight just felt so short (how crazy is that?).

A bit of an NSV tonight- I am on my 6th 3 month Weight Watchers Food Journal (although, these have all not been used consecutively).

Week 9 Down!

Blogdate: 9/19

Workout: Fat Blaster + Lower Body Jam + Yoga

... and you thought I wasn't going to do it!

I did do one of the shorter yoga workouts- a Yoga Zone for flexibility.

Next week, I am going to double up my workouts early on so I can take a day off and play video games all evening. I am also going to save up my WPA and eat a whole freaking jug of red vines. Awesome.

NSV tonight- the pants I am wearing (my current favorite) keep slipping down! They've never done that before.

ALSO The Biggest Loser starts this week! Hooray!

Week 10 Schedule (Week 4 Rip You Up):
Cardio Party 2
Fat Blaster + 3T
20 Minute Workout
Cardio Party 1 + Turbo Sculpt
Cardio Party 3
Punch, Kick & Jam + Lower Body Jam
Yoga

Wow- this week is brutal (with the exception of just the 20 minute workout on Wednesday- which will practically be a rest day after three weeks of Rip You Up). I gotta dig deep! After this week I am going back to 5 days Turbo and 1 day Yoga- I had better balance in my life then.

Rip You Up Week 3: Workout 5!

Blogdate: 9/18

Workout: Cardio Party 3

So angry. Went to my local Lady Foot Locker- they had 3- THREE- pairs of cross trainers (And a freaking WALL of go-ram toning shoes). The entirety of the cross training selection was the following style of nike shoe that is, pretty much, the ugliest shoe ever. BEHOLD! The Nike Air Max Trainer One:
I mean- it looks like the kind of shoe they would give to old folks to wear in some sort of convalescent home operated by pre-teens. This isn't even the ugliest pallet. But Lady Foot Locker had it in THREE different colors instead of stocking some decent looking shoes.

My local LFL told me the store across town stocked Rykas. I call over there, they have 4 styles in stock, including one trainer off my list. I decide to drive the 15 miles to try it on. I get there and they have TWO sizes in stock! Of course, neither are my size. But they had THREE different colors of the Nike Air Max Trainer One!

Does no one wear cross trainers anymore? Does everyone just wear running shoes? The guy at Foot Locker said they stock a lot of Men's trainers, but hardly any for women. Is lateral support an outmoded ideal? WTH?!?!?! Any for crying out loud, Lady Foot Locker, do you not have ANY customers who do anything at the gym, besides cardio machines, for which a trainer would be better suited? I'm kinda cheesed with LFL from a philosophical standpoint- way to support things that are pretty much all female- like group fitness classes.


By the time I get home I am pu-hissed and tired, but I think that no matter what happens to me, what others do, I have control over what I do. So I get my workout in.

These Shoes Were Made For Kicking...

So I need new shoes. I really like my Rykas, but since they are 5 years old they don't make the style I like any more. I need a cross-trainer or a studio shoe for lateral support, and it wouldn't hurt if they were easy on the eyes. And I'd like to stick with Ryka- these things are awesome!

After a brief survey of the interwebs, here are my choices:

This is the Studio Flex Low- it gets great reviews on Zappos. People rave about it's stablity (or stabamability, if you are my brother-in-law) and support. Sounds good. It is on the spendy side- 80$, and the boring side. It comes in blue (shown), pink (mostly white), and black. I just don't think I could bring myself to wear black athletic shoes. I really feel that only professional athletes can pull that look off.

This is the Studio Flex Mid:

I like the look of it but I think this might be the child-of-the-Eighties in me talking, and this look just has not come back yet. Remember hi-tops? Reebok sure does! I bet they have a warehouse full of them just ready to go! Plus, this shoe got lousy reviews from all the jazzersizers and zumba-ers on Zappos.



This is the Assist XT. It is a cross trainer. I love the look of it- the red red, the checkered body- it looks checkered, anyway, it may just be mesh. The description doesn't stress lateral support, but a lot of the reviewers have, so it is in contention... Plus one of the reviewers who gave it a great review uses it for pliometrics in Insanity, and one thing this shoe is going to have to do is take me through Turbo Fire.



This shoe, the Affirm XT2, is pretty new, so there are no reviews on Zappos. I like the look of it best, though, purple and green have so much energy together.


This shoe, the Studio D Mid, is so ugly I would have to work out in the dark. I only list it here because the reviews of it are so glowing (although, most complain about how ugly it is). Especially where lateral support and forefoot cushioning come in. It comes in black, which isn't quite as ugly, but I've already got issues with black athletic shoes and I've not going to conquer them now.

The Studio D Low is even uglier- I'm not even posting a picture of it so you'll have to use your imagination because, damn.

I am off to Lady Footlocker tomorrow after work to see which ones they carry and try them on. If their selection is poor, then I'll order a couple off Zappos and keep the one that works!

Rip You Up Week 3: Workout 4!

Blogdate: 9/17

Workout: Turbo Sculpt + Ab Jam

It's been awhile since I've done Turbo Sculpt (relatively). It was nice to have it so fresh (relatively). Let's see- last I did it was workout 29!

I've really gotta thank my co-worker. I haven't seen her in a few weeks and she came in tonight and complimented me on how 'great I look' and asked me if I've been 'working out'. I said, "THANK YOU!" It is funny how something so seemingly small can make such a big difference in your day.

Well, whoever sent Mojo after yesterday's post- I gotta thank you, too! Because today I was back to my old, bony self again! Yeah! My knee is still complaining a little, but my motivation is back!

My favorite persistence quote: "You don't drown by falling in the water- you drown by staying there."

Rip You Up Rotation Week 3: Day Three!

Blogdate: 9/16

Workout: Cardio Party Remix + Fat Blaster

I am teetering on the verge. I feel like I am barely hanging on- out of control. My eating has been so off this week- I've got to reign it in. I've got some anxious feelings and I need to deal with them more productively. I'm also feeling down because I know I'm 11 lbs down, I know my conditioning is vastly improved, but I don't feel like I look any different! I thought these pictures would be a great measurement of my progress- but they all look the freaking same!

I took a rest day yesterday because things felt to sore and achy- I haven't had a true rest day in well over 3 weeks. Plus, I really think I need new cross trainers.

Anyway, whoever is reading this, send me your mojo so I can keep going. It's just 6 more weeks (and then the rest of my life).

Yay! Bebe Sport is Back and now 40% Trampier!

I guess they are making up for lost time.

I have found a few things at Bebe Sport that I really liked that I think even the Pope would approve of. I picked them up at Irvine Spectrum and wore them to a live Turbo Kick class, taught by Chalene herself! They say, if you spent more time getting ready for the class than in the actual class itself you are definitely in the OC.

Here is a great article about the demise of Bebe's ill-conceived Ph8 line that supplanted Bebe Sport. And here is a link to Bebe Sport's fall line. I still wanted to get a quarter-zip tank, but I was waiting for a normal color (leopard print is not a color).

Rip You Up Week 3: Workout 2!

Blogdate: 9/14

Workout: Punch, Kick & Jam + Booty Sculpt

I threw in the last 18 minutes of Cardio Party 1 at the end of PKJ instead of the endless capoeira.

My arms were sore today- I'm thinking it was from Yoga on Sunday! I must have worked some muscles that don't usually get so much attention.

My knees felt a little weak tonight- so I babied them somewhat. I've gotten pretty good at looking out for them by keeping weight off my heels in just about everything. I was able to identify some 'trouble moves' for my knees- any time the back leg twists and all the weight is on the front, my front knee was getting torqued. Keeping my weight off my heels in BOTH feet has alleviated this immensely. Also, on kicks and knees, I need to keep my supporting leg slightly bent. Not sure why- but it makes my knee happier. I'm thinking I also might need to replace my shoes- they seem to be losing some lateral support.

I am so looking forward to Turbo Fire. I hope that all this adequately prepares me for it! I have NO IDEA when I am going to be able to get it. Probably when money falls from the sky. We are spending a lot of money on this cruise for work (the bringing my DH part) and flying the whole family out to the coast for the wedding (and hitting Disneyland- things are getting exponentially more expensive). We are just not going to dip into savings 200$ bones for Turbo Fire, and we are old school as far as paying for things all at once goes. Man, I think I just may have to ask Santa for this. Lucky for me, I've been pretty damn good.

Rip You Up Week 3: Workout 1!

Blogdate: 9/13

Workout: Cardio Party 1

I know the schedule says something else, but I was so tired and full of food from my father-in-law's birthday the thought of working out for an hour was daunting. So I re-arranged things a little. But Cardio Party 1 felt great!

Oh yeah, the birthday party. My MIL makes this great pasta salad- of which I had 2 servings. And then I had cake. I didn't go over my weekly points allowance, but let's say there really is not much left. The rest of this week is going to run LEAN!

Hey! My weigh in was this morning! Drumroll..................... 160! Hooray! I am at a healthy BMI! 11 lbs in 8 weeks is pretty darn good!

8 Weeks Down!

Blogdate: 9/12

Workout: Ten Minute Solution: Yoga

Ten Minute Solution Yoga is included in the Instant Cue on Netflix so I thought I would give it a try. I have nothing but good things to say about it! Well cued, challenging (but not intimidatingly so for an experienced beginner like me) and low on the spirituality (less spiritual than Sara Ivanhoe, and she really isn't) but still uses the English names (and a lot of the sanskrit). It is broken into 5 ten minute segments so you can customize it or do the whole 50 minute thing like I did tonight. Loved it!

8 Weeks down! I weigh in tomorrow. I have to admit, I have peeked, like a week ago. I am pleased. Reasonably pleased, not Biggest Loser pleased.

Next Week's Schedule (Rip You Up Rotation Week 3):
Cardio Party Remix + Fat Blaster
Punch Kick and Jam + Booty Sculpt
Cardio Party 1
Turbo Sculpt + Ab Jam
Cardio Party 3
Fat Blaster + Lower Body Jam
Yoga

Rip You Up Rotation Week 2: Day Six!

Blogdate: 9/11

Workout: Lower Body Jam + 20 Minute Workout (with gloves)

This is the first time I've done LBJ in I don't know how long- well over a year! It is an amazing, intense workout, it just doesn't workout the upper body (duh) so I don't do it very often. I have forgotten how TOUGH this thing is!

This is the first time in weeks that I've done the 20 Minute workout. It is fun to be able to give something your complete and total all knowing you can go guns-a'blazing because it is so short. I can remember, though, a time not so long ago (perhaps 8 weeks ago?) when this was a tougher workout. It's a nice benchmark.

BTW- I had a Non-Scale Victory (NSV) today. After 8 weeks, 42 workouts and who knows how many pounds (I will on Monday) SOMEONE noticed that I have lost weight. My mother-in-law mentioned something to my husband when she came over to babysit tonight about if I 'had lost weight' and he told her to 'please say something' about it to me- apparently I'm neurotic about all this or something. Did the fact that I'm blogging about it give me away as neurotic? ANYWAY my MIL was very complimentary, and me, being a self-conscious goob, thanked her and quickly changed the subject.

Rip You Up Rotation Week 2: Day 5!

Blogdate: 9/10

Workout: Cardio Party 2 + Ab Jam

I am re-ordering my workouts so the resistance training ones alternate better with the cardio-centirc ones.

I was tempted to do yoga tonight because my quads are really sore, but I made cupcakes (stupid, stupid, stupid!) and needed the extra calorie burn.

"Persistence is much more important than perfection in the weight loss battle." - My Weight Watchers food journal said that.

Knock, knock, knock!

Hi! You don't know me, but I live right up the street- I am working on a project and I am asking the community for help.

How can you help, you ask? Why, I need to raise a mere 189$ in order to purchase the new workout program from Chalene Johnson- “TurboFire”!

Your small contribution will get me closer to purchasing the new cardio conditioning program consisting of 12 workouts on 11 DVDs, Turbo Fire tools AND three free gifts to help me succeed!

I will also get the Advanced bonus discs with 5 more workouts AND the Turbo Tracker! If I order soon I can get a FREE Upgrade to Express Delivery*–a $15.00 value–and receive TurboFire in just 5 to 7 business days!

Just think of how hot your neighbor/acquaintance will be from your small donation? What better way to improve the life of a child-at-heart-but-really-grown-adult?

How much would you like to contribute?

What? Nothing at this time?

Then perhaps you would like to contribute to LPFM? Lululemon Pants For Me?

Hello?