Can we say exhausted!?!?

Well, Ms. Cherie, my boot camp instructor, definitely whooped our butts today! We did a Metabolic workout that was tough! Basically, we did a series of 10 different calisthenic exercises for 30 seconds each as fast as we could...rest for 1 min...then do each exercise for 25 seconds each as fast as we can...rest for a minute...and then do it one more time for 20 seconds each exercise. Needless to say, I was hurting and wondering if passing out may be in the near future! It was tough, but the heart rate was definitely up there burning those calories.

We worked on our backs and shoulders with weights today and then, of course, we did Ab work. I am extremely exhausted. She did explain that we would probably have a boost of energy towards the middle of the day from this workout.

No Pain, No Gain...right?

To your health!

Still recovering from day 2

Today was not so hard to get up and go. Just a little tightness in my legs, but nothing severe! Tomorrow may be another story as today was tough on the arms and the legs. I am sure I will feel what we did today tomorrow morning.

My confidence was boosted a bit this morning when my trainer asked me if I did sports in high school, since I was so athletic and had such great form. I of course thanked her and proceeded to explain that I rowed in crew for a year and a half in college. That was a bit of an ego boost though.

Today my toughest cardio was jogging 20 steps, 20 shuffles, and then 20 jumping jacks. We did this combo for 15 minutes. My calves were on FIRE!!! We did some chest weight today too that still have my arms shaking like a leaf!

Overall, a great workout though and I continued today to jog whenever she wanted us to walk, jog, or run! Pushing as much as possible to see the best results!

Something else that I have been introduced to this week is http://www.myfitnesspal.com .
This is an awesome site to log in your food intake for the day and your exercise and track the calories you've eaten versus the calories burned. It is very helpful to have a calorie tracker for when you are exercising to make this work though. I have a calorie tracker on the new watch pedometer I got from Target. Anyway, check this site out. You put your weight, height, and desired weight, and then the amount of exercise you are willing to do per week. Then it will calculate the amount of calorie intake you need to stick to so that you can reach your goal! It helps keep you on track! Great FREE program!

Until tomorrow...I know I will be sleeping well tonight...if not taking a nap in the middle of the day.

To your health!

Survived my first day!

Well, I definitely survived my first day of boot camp! I pushed myself the whole time and actually jogged instead of walking for the times we were to walk/jog/run...our choice! I was impressed with myself and excited about the experience. I am one of 6 women that started this camp this morning and they all are different fitness levels. It is inspiring to see women 20 years my senior out doing me, but it is also very helpful in my push to succeed and improve this health.

Happy Monday all and stay healthy!

To your Health!!!

Winston Boot Camp

Ok, so to start off, I am sorry for my slack posting. Hopefully this week helps me get back on track. I have definitely had an up and down time in the last few months with my fitness. This week, actually in just about 12 hours I will be starting a Fitness Boot Camp in Winston. I am doing it by myself, with other women in the Winston area that want to improve their health. I will need as much encouragement as anyone wants to give to keep me going. I have signed up for 5 days a week for the next 4 weeks. I start at 7am tomorrow morning and I really am excited...even though I have been working the longest job of the year for the last 4 days.

So I hope all of you followers are doing small things to improve your health too! More power to us all!

To your health!

Crossfit workouts

I think a few people have been wondering what I have been doing lately with workouts. I was having trouble with my heart rate getting up and staying there long enough to burn calories, so I asked for some help from a friend and past personal trainer. She has now given me 2 crossfit workouts to do within a 40 minute period.

To give you an example I have attached the first one below:

I will send you another one or two so you can alternate them- don't stop or cheat! You will only be cheating yourself! Also move quickly when you are doing this- you are suppose to be dripping wet after!

1. squat on bench as you throw ur swiss ball as high as you can up the wall (if you have medicine ball should use - I used a 2lb medicine ball) do this for 2 min. straight no breaks!

***switch quickly****

2. do as many push-ups possible for 2min. straight no breaks - girl ones are ok

DO THIS COMBO 5 X'S = 20MIN.

***switch quickly****

3. step-ups onto bench (I used my steps, and stepped up 2 steps to put my legs at a 90 degree angle) w/ 10lb dumb bells in each hand- alternate legs- no breaks and for 2 min. straight.

***switch quickly****

4. shoulder presses with dumb bells 10lbs (I used 2 3.3lb weights, 1 in each hand, working up to 10lb) as you squat on ur swiss ball.

DO THIS COMBO 5 X'S = 20MIN.

After doing this routine 1 time last week I thought I would never sit down again. I gave myself a rest day in between and then did again 2 more times. It hurt, I will not lie, but I could feel a change! This week I was given a new workout. see below:

alternate the workouts I gave you for a few weeks then we will change it up.

Russian twists on Swiss Ball w/ both of your 10lb dumb bells together in your hand. (I used 1 10lb dumb bell) You are using your weights like a kettle bell

******2 MIN. NO STOPPING******

Swinging squats with (2 10lb - I am not strong enough for 20lbs swinging, so I did 10lb) dumb bells: swing weight together up to chest level as you squat. You are using your weights like a kettle bell

******2 MIN. NO STOPPING******

Mountain Climbers 20x then into 20x Jumping Jacks

******2 MIN. NO STOPPING******

Dead lifts 15x (w/ your 10lb dumb bells in each hand)

Bicep Curls 15x (w/ your 10lb dumb bells in each hand)

So if you try this, I just want to warn you all that my torso felt like it was on fire when I was done. I could definitely tell I worked something or everything then. I am happy with this change of pace and excited that I am able to push myself into doing these workouts again...even after the massive pain I have endured. If you are up for the challenge I suggest you try some of these. Even if you do them without weights, it works.

Starting a new routine

So I have been having trouble with my heart rate getting and staying up...having to do with not as much push from me. Tomorrow starts a new routine...thanks to Ms Carico! I will let you all know how it goes. But, I have promised to do the workout 3-5 days a week and to keep it up! I am working on drinking 80 ounces of water a day this week too! It has been pretty easy to do so far. The other thing I am going to try...read a suggestion on some site I read everyday...is to take a picture of myself everyday from the front, side, and back. This will push me to change the picture I know. My ego is definitely going to get a but bruised from this, so any encouragement is appreciated. Thank you for all that keep pushing me with their own personal help.

Off to sleep.

Trainer J Smith

So last night I got offered my first training session from a friend...J Smith!  Some of you may know her.  So I arrived at her house today and she ran me through a reallygood workout.  I did the elliptical to get my heart rate up.  Then we worked on the punching bag...this was great and just up my alley for a Monday afternoon!  She then powered me through some squats, flys, and plank reps.  I was not liking her midway through, but she kept on and worked it out AWESOME for me.

Thank you Jennay!

I came home so excited that I made a turkey burger w/ chopped spinach, feta cheese, and garlic.  YUM!!