Thrive Day 2

Today, I still haven't seen the energy gain that others have claimed, but I was quite surprised by the amount that my appetite has been suppressed. I don't think it's a placebo effect, because I cam into this with a conservative mindset and not high hopes that it would be a miracle routine to make me skinny.

I will admit that I've been under the weather a bit today, but I contribute that the the spike in pollen that occurred here. Seasonal allergies are a nightmare for me and I usually get flu-like symptoms when pollen suddenly spikes. It's miserable. My hears have been stopped up, I've had the chills, and am pretty sure I have run a slight fever once or twice today. Just a bunch of sinus congestion really, but it's no fun anyway.

Hopefully it'll ease up a bit tomorrow as my allergy medicine starts really working to full effect. I'll post my review of day 3 tomorrow, but so far I do believe I'm going to try the 8 week challenge just because I'm enjoying the appetite suppression and craving control. I can't say I've really wanted cokes or sweets of any kind.

See you tomorrow!

Weekly Weigh In

I believe I've hit my first real hurdle in losing weight.  My weight stayed about the same this week, and my measurements didn't really change any.  I'm hoping that the increases I've experienced are because of muscle gains, but I know I haven't been eating like I should be either.

• Arms - 12 (down 0.5")
• Chest - 37 (down 1")
• Waist - 41 (down 1.5")
• Hips - 42.25 (down 1.25")
• Thighs - 21.25 (down 0.1.25")
• Weight - 168.6 (down 3)
• BMI - 26.8 (down 0.5)

See you Monday!

Day 14: Cardio Power & Resistance

Phew!  I had my butt kicked today!  Somehow, I did enough yesterday to make me sore today (or maybe I slept wrong, who knows), so today's Insanity workout was torture!  Obviously, no run today.  I was dog tired this morning so I slept in.  I guess it helped, because I'm feeling much better today than I was yesterday.  I had my sugar drop right about the time I started the DVD, so I drank a quick glass of tea and gave it a few minutes to kick in.  Eating supper here in about an hour, so I wasn't worried about grabbing a snack right after I finished.

Cardio Power & Resistance is a really good arm workout, especially the last half.  All the V Push-Ups, Triceps Dips, and Moving Push-Ups really made my arms feel like cooked noodles!  I actually really enjoy the feeling though, because I know each drop of sweat is progress, and progress means I'm one step closer to my goal than I was yesterday.

The other day, I read about a great motivational thing for visual people like me.  What it is, is you take a clear jar (I have a glass vase) and you fill with with things each time you complete a workout and watching it fill up is motivation for the next workout.  Some fill theirs with money and use it to reward themselves after so many workouts.  I got marbles to fill mine with, pink for running, and purple for Insanity.  Well, wouldn't you know it, the same day I bought them, I misplaced them.  So I have, quite literally, lost my marbles...  I've been looking for them for three days now!  And the bad thing is, they're in a bright yellow bag!

See you guys tomorrow!  I'm going to look for my marbles some more..

C25K: Week 2 Day 2

Hello everyone!  I went out for my run this morning even though I really didn't want to.  But I'm glad I did!  I woke up this morning really tired and drug around until the absolute latest I could possibly go out because I was telling myself that I didn't want to go today.  When I finally forced myself outside, I told myself that I was only going to walk a few laps and go back inside.

I was not enjoying being outside, at all.  There's been a cold snap the past few days, so it was quite chilly when I started this morning.  Not to mention, there was a heavy dew on the ground that had soaked my shoes and socks through before I even made it to the road to start walking.

After my half mile warm-up, however, I finally forced myself to turn on my C25K app and started running, still telling myself that I was going to go in after two laps.  Let's face it, who likes running with wet, squidgy shoes?  I sure don't!

After two laps, I had started to wake up, the temperature was warm enough to take off my jacket (or maybe I was just hot?), and I had quit paying attention to the water squishing between my toes with every step.  I was enjoying myself!

So I finished my 2.5 miles in a rather slow 39 minutes and already completed my step goal set by Noom.  So far, I already have 6500 steps and it's only 8:20 in the morning!  Today is going to be a great day!

Get out there and work past your excuses!

Day12: Fit Test and Weekly Weigh In

I'm sorry this is so delayed.  It's allergy season here and I've been under the weather all weekend long.  Last Wednesday, I did Day 11, which I said was Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs.  Well, turns out, I accidentally skipped a day.  Wednesday I was supposed to do Cardio Powder & Resistance and Friday was supposed to be Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs.  I planned to make this up Friday, but, since I wasn't feeling well, I have changed my plans and hope to get it done this week - perhaps tomorrow.

Anyway, Saturday was my weekly weigh in day, but I never got around to posting it.  It turned out alright, however, as today was my second Fit Test.  Here are my results:

Weigh In

Arms - 12 (down 0.5")

Chest - 37 (down 1")

Waist - 41.5 (down 1")

Hips - 42 (down 1.5")

Thighs - 21 (down 0.1.5")

Weight - 169 (down 2.6)

BMI - 26.9 (down 0.4)

Fit Test

Switch Kicks - 58 (3 more)

Power Jacks - 32 (7 more)

Power Knees - 75 (20 more!)

Power Jumps - 10 (5 less)

Globe Jumps - 6 (1 more)

Suicide Jumps - 12 (3 more)

Push-Up Jacks - 25 (15 more!!)

Low Plank Obliques - 40 (10 less)

Now, you may ask, "But Hunter, aren't you bummed that you gained weight?"  My answer would be, "Yes, a little, but I know why."  There are actually a few reasons that I believe I gained weight this week.  One, would be my diet.  Since I've been feeling a little under the weather for the past week and a half, my diet has suffered as I've turned more to comfort foods rather than the healthy things I should be eating.  Instead of my 80/20 rule that I try to follow during the week, I've been munching on snacks and eating out more than I usually do simply for convenience.

Another, is because I've seen results, and my mind wants to tell me that I don't have to try as hard.  The little devil on my shoulder tells me that I should reward myself for my progress this far, and usually that involves sitting down to a Criminal Minds marathon, or going out to eat, or having that cupcake I've been eyeing.

The last reason, could be due to a gain in my lean muscle mass.  After all, I can't expect to do Insanity without gaining some muscle, can I?

So, this week, my encouragement won't be my weight loss, but rather that my clothes are fitting much looser (I can finally put my bras back on the tightest hook, my brand new jeans that fit when I bought them a week before I started Insanity are about to fall off, and I can tighten my belt two more notches.), the compliments I'm getting from my friends and family asking how much weight I've lost, and the results of my Fit Test.  Who would have thought I would have improved that much already?!

Tomorrow morning, I'm getting up and going for a run.  My husband is showing less interest in running with me, so it'll just be me and Harley out pounding the pavement.