The More I Workout....

The more I workout, the more I LOVE IT!!!

Seriously, so often someone will start working out & then find themselves quitting after a little while.  There are so many reasons I'm sure.  -They don't carve the time out of their schedule to make it happen.  -The program they chose isn't the right one for them.  -They don't schedule their workouts ahead of time.  This last one is different from the first one about carving out time for the workout.  Making sure you have a scheduled plan of workouts for the week or even month is REALLY important! 

I didn't realize this until I started the Beachbody workouts. 

I got a schedule with each of the workouts I have & while I certainly don't need to stick with them, and I didn't at first with P90X, I realized maybe they knew what they were talking about! 

I am working right now on my 3rd round of ChaLEAN Extreme.  The workouts are really awesome.  She knows what she is doing.  She does the TurboFire workouts too & they are my FAVORITE cardio workouts to be sure. 

Recently, if you have been keeping up with my blog, you know I have a new addition to my weights.  I added 20lb weights & I am THRILLED to say I am using them during this program.  Right now they are more for lower body exercises but I know eventually I will be able to get them into the upper body too. 

I am so happy to say that after many years I have found the workouts that work for me.  Including running & biking.  Along with Beachbody workouts like TurboFire, ChaLEAN Extreme & P90X I have invested in Bob Harpers workouts.   His InsideOut workout DVD's are INTENSE & I use them between the longer programs I do.  Keeps me shaking things up with my workouts & keeps my body guessing what's coming next.

I am seeing some great results.  Great definition in my arms & legs.  I still have areas I want to work on but I know I will get there.  It hasn't been over night & I have been working really hard at it for over 7 years!

I feel great.  That's the idea right?  I want to be able to keep up.  I want my kids to grow up & know exercise should be an every day thing & not a chore.  There are other options than going to the gym.  So many people I have talked to get memberships & don't end up seeing the year through.  It can be discouraging.  The right mind-set & being determined to make a difference really does help!!

Have you found an exercise that works for you?  How do you challenge yourself?

Be Blessed & Live Healthy!!

ChaLEAN Extreme Lean Phase - DONE

Wow, this has been an AWESOME workout.  I have been playing around with doing it all over again right away. 

 

I combined this workout with my other Chalene fave - Turbofire.  I also joined a few of the monthly challenges others were having on Facebook & would throw a run in a few times a week.  Not a long run usually about 3 miles or so. 

The one thing I noticed is the last 2 weeks of this workout my appetite went NUTS.  I got tired of logging everything & stopped for a little bit.  With the goals I have the calories I was
taking in were making me nuts.  Even though my workouts were balancing things out the numbers get me all the time.  I will go right back to logging again Monday.  Had to set a goal :)

I am LOVING the fact that I see a lot more definition in my arms & legs.  Abs are still a work in progress but they feel great!! I am one of the believers that the abs are defined in the kitchen.  We can do a thousand crunches but truly if we are putting junk in our bodies that is one of the first places you will see it. 

Well, here are my stats.  Thanks for keeping up with me!  This has been fun.  I'm thinking I will do P90X again for my next 3 months.  I may take a week though & run to my hearts content & throw some yoga in there too.  Our bodies love the change in workouts.  Don't want to plateau!!

Drum roll please :)
Loss in phase 3: 1" and 0lbs
I did notice I messed up my addition after Phase 2 & my inches lost was actually 1" instead of 1/2"

Total weight loss with program: 3lbs
Total inches lost:4-3/4"

I love the way I feel after doing ChaLEAN Extreme.  I look forward to another round of it in a few months.  I did start P90X though on Monday.  Decided to just dive in.  I have to say I didn't expect to have the muscle soreness or have a hard time with certain exercises but I do.  I love that.  Challenges for our body are a good thing.

What are your challenges right now with staying fit & healthy?  Find one thing & set a goal to tackle it.  Don't overwhelm yourself!  I would love to hear from you!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

ChaLEAN Extreme - Lean Phase & Update

I can't believe how much I am ENJOYING this workout.  I love that she changes it up.  Starting out easy (Burn), lifting heavy (Push) then focusing on everything to get Lean. 

When I first started the Lean Phase I have to say my brain was screaming NO!!!!  She works the arms & legs at the same time & I think first thing in morning my coordination just isn't there.  This being my 2nd week I can say I'm doing much better at that & LOVING it. 

The 2nd phase "Push" she really stresses upping your weight.  "Go Heavy or Go Home".  I love that.

So in measuring this time around I didn't lose any weight but I did lose a 1/2".  Oh yes  1/2 ".  I will be happy with that.  I saw changes in the measurements.  Loss in places & slight gains in places.  It's all good.  Saw my dr yesterday for a check-up & she is really happy with what she is seeing.  That works for me!!

Looking forward to the final measurements & just seeing how this Lean Phase changes things for me.  Already looking ahead to my next step. 

What did you do for Easter?? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

 

ChaLEAN Extreme 30 day Update

VERY COOL!

Today I did my weigh in & measurements.  I am THRILLED with the results. 

I started the PUSH phase today.  This is where we UP our weights.  I realized I might need a higher weight soon!  My highest right now is 15#.  That is amazing to me that I might need to get a dumb-bell higher than that.  Our reps are only at 8 now instead of 12 like the BURN phase. 

As I have mentioned I'm also doing TurboFire during this program.  I love that program. Chalene talks about having your "soul-mate workout" and I would say that one is mine.  I am also doing different challenges that I see pop up on Facebook & I run 3 days a week.  Probably about 3 miles each day. 

With all that said -- my results are:

Weight lost: 3lbs
Inches lost: 2-1/2"

The great thing about this is I lost inches in my arms, thighs, waist and chest (WHAT?).  I love the fact that there was loss across the board.  I have to say I already knew I would see this because of the way my clothes are fitting. 

Hope your week has started off great! 

What is something YOU are doing for fitness lately?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Week 4 - ChaLEAN Extreme

I keep thinking about posting an update for this new program I'm doing & then it doesn't happen.  Here you go. 

 

I have been doing ChaLEAN Extreme and am officially in my 4th week (just started today).  I had ventured into it with someone's hybrid schedule & while it was nice it just wasn't for me.  So, I made my own schedule & started over.  To be honest, the schedule Chalene has in her book just doesn't give me enough for my workouts.  I have added her Turbo Fire (which I have already done & LOVE) to it & it is a kickin' workout!

I also run 3 nights a week.  With my schedule with my kids etc I just can't get a run in before or after my workout so I take a little time at night and run on my treadmill (too dark out for a road run and well, we have BEARS in the neighborhood!)

I have to say I LOVE Chalene.  I love TurboFire (a clip of TF with testimonials: http://youtu.be/oRGTuvoEgdA ) & ChaLEAN Extreme (check this video out: http://youtu.be/7vLU-PnMliQ  ).  Her philosophy is "lift heavy or go home".  I do like that.  I have already upped my weight during this 1st phase.  I still have 2 phases to go through, Push & Lean.  I will be doing a measure & weigh-in Monday next week & will post the changes.  I can tell you right now there WILL be changes in the numbers.  I can tell just by the way my clothes are fitting.  I cheated a little bit & stepped on the scale a few times & haven't lost more than a pound but the fact that I am able to fit in a couple of jeans that I was having trouble with before is VERY inspiring.

Switching subjects:
I signed up a few months ago for a free online nutrition course.  I have just finished 3 weeks & am so excited about what I'm learning.  This past week was about Diabetes.  I had NO idea about this & am just floored at what people will put in their bodies & probably don't even realize how much at risk they are at getting Diabetes.  Very scary!

Also have a GREAT update on a friend.  A friend of mine had her 1st baby & I had offered to kind of mentor her along with losing weight & getting fit.  She took me up on my offer & is officially on her way!!  She is already a couple of pant sizes down & WOW can you see a difference!!  This is one HOT, FIT Mama!!  I'm so proud of her!!  Eating right & exercising --WORK. 

What is your go to healthy food??

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

PS - if you are interested in ordering or finding out more about these workouts let me know.  I have some GREAT friends that are Beachbody coaches & I can get you in touch with someone) 

Time for a little Tweek

As you know I have been working on the ChaLEAN Extreme program but I had found a hybrid schedule to use.  After 2 weeks of it I decided it just doesn't have enough of the ChaLEAN workout for me.  That's the whole idea of it was to do that workout.  So, I'm going to sit down & figure out something that will work for me.  That's what I love about being so involved in my workouts.  I can decide what I like & what I need & combine the 2.  The answer to both of those is Chalene for sure but I will use the CE schedule as it came to me & then add in TurboFire to pump it up some. 

I'll let you know!

Have you ever started a program that just didn't seem to work for you?  How did you handle it?  Did you just quit or change things up?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

ChaLEAN Extreme/TurboFire Hybrid

(Really frustrated blogger won't let me post pictures right now) 



Oh I am a happy girl!!  When I received ChaLEAN Extreme as a gift I was so thrilled to start it & I can tell you that it is for sure an AWESOME workout.  Ok, I'm only 5 days in to the 90 but I'm telling you it is!!

I did some thinking & looking over.  Asking questions, etc & decided to use a hybrid schedule I found online that combines CE with Chalene's Turbo Fire.  Which is another fave of mine.  It has also allowed some extra time to be able to run more.  I love to run :)  I was blessed with a "hand-me-down" treadmill & I have been using that as much as I can. 

So, I will do as I did for P90X giving you inches/lbs lost if any (going to try to think positively) and maybe this time I will be brave enough to post pictures. 

Have you done anything new this year for working out? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Happy New Year!!!

Oh I am looking forward to this new year!!  I hope you had a wonderful New Years.  Are you ready to make some changes?  I hope so.

I'm about to start my next & NEWEST program.  ChaLEAN Extreme.  Honestly I have already done a couple of the workouts just to get an idea.  I'm am SO ready for them!  I can totally see me incorporating some HIIT workouts in there too.

So, next step is taking measurements & getting started.  As my typical OCD self is ...... I will be starting Monday January 7th. 

What about you????  What are some changes YOU are making for this new year?

Be Blessed & HEALTHY!!  (I'm very glad to say my family is finally on the mend to the healthy part!)