Insanity Day 21 | Pure Cardio; 4.5 Miles

Today could have easily been another one of those days where I just gave in….where I found the temptation of waiting to be too hard to avoid. I think I need to find a new alarm, because I (once again) did not hear it go off and woke up only to my internal clock telling me I was ultra later than I intended. I usually like to give myself plenty of time to not have to rush in the mornings. That way, I can focus on the workout(s), rather than on being done in time.

Well, I finally got up out of bed, put on my running clothes, and headed to the Statue Garden. My original goal was 5K. Once I got there, I was feeling pretty good and I thought “let’s do 2 laps around the Statue Garden.” Each lap is exactly 1.86 miles….so 3.72 miles total. So, as I ran, I noticed I was feeling pretty good and pacing myself nicely…so I said to myself “let’s just run 4 miles.” When I got to 4 miles, I decided I hadn’t had enough still….so I decided to run another half mile and call it a day. Yeah…4.5 miles in a little over 46 minutes.

Then, I got home and popped in the Insanity DVD….and thought to myself…I must be crazy. This is going to HURT. And it did. Like crazy. I pushed as hard as I could, but it was incredibly difficult. 15 minutes straight of suicides, push-up jacks, mountain climbers, etc….no breaks…just pummeling your body into submission…plus the warm-up is really hard as well.

So, I feel really good about today. A lot of calories burned and a lot of progress made…especially mentally. I had been feeling a lack of motivation coming onto me lately and this helped subside that. I’m glad. I keep overcoming my mental obstacles so far….man, I hope that continues!

Thanks for checking in!

Weigh-in Sunday #3

Progress Report: Week 3
Weight: 256.2
Weight change this week: -1.6
Total lost in 3 weeks: -4.6

Well…it wasn’t the 2 or 3 that I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. I’m averaging about a pound and a half loss a week, which is gradual but good. I think it’s actually the healthy way to lose weight. Sure, I’d love the bigger losses and I will take them when and if they come….but as long as I’m losing, that’s all that matters.

So, a good way to start off the day. I might weigh myself again later, but then again, I’m probably not going to do it. Rather, I’m good with the loss and I’m just happy that I didn’t gain. I didn’t track calories this past week (even though I was watching what I ate and watching portions) so this week, I think I am going to do that all week long.

Those of you who have had big losses each week, how are you doing it? Steve? Jess? Seth? Anybody? Are you eating very little carbs? Are you just busting your butt? One of my friends who has been a workout buddy for a while has told me that I am probably not losing the weight fast because I am already somewhat cardio-fit. My body has too much weight on it, of course…but my cardiovascular system is in good shape because of my athletic past (soccer, basketball) when I was younger and I’ve been running and have a lot of experience with P90X. So, it’s just a matter of getting this weight off….for good….and maybe that will just take a while.

Thanks for checking in.

Insanity Day 17 | Pure Cardio; 5K

Hey there everyone! Today was extremely productive, even though my knees have been feeling a little bit weak. They aren’t painful, just kind of tender…if that makes sense. Anyway, I have decided to just continue on with my workouts regardless….being careful with my knees in the process as much as possible.

So, today, I went out to my favorite park here in the area and ran 5K in 32:14! I was really happy with the time. It was humid and one of the hottest days so far this Spring (80s), but I didn’t want to stop. I am gradually getting back to my old running self again. For a while there, when I was training for the half marathon, I felt like nothing could stop me…but quickly, you find out that the only thing that can stop you is yourself. But I am going again and that’s what matters.

I also got in my Insanity workout…Pure Cardio. It’s pure craziness. I love it though. This program is exactly what I need to get myself into shape. Tomorrow is a Cardio Recovery day…so I can take it slightly easier. But I will also be doing some abs work at some point. I will have to do my workouts early though, because I have to work 2nd shift….boo.

Also, I want a pair of Vibram FiveFingers. And a solid road bike. And a place to swim where there isn’t a bunch of other people around. Is that too much to ask??

Day 5 Part 2 – Tired Legs

I think my legs have just about had enough this week. lol I went to run my 5K intervals after work (where I am on my feet 99% of the time) and I only got through about 2 miles worth. Not horrible, but I would’ve liked more. I’m not terribly surprised, so that is good. And I am not super worried about it either. I got a small extra workout in today after a hard round of Insanity and all day on my feet at work. I’m doing more than many people out there, right? haha

Thanks to you guys who keep checking in and commenting. I appreciate it a lot. Help spread the word about my blog, especially to those who are doing Insanity also or are runners. But anyone in the weight loss community is welcome here to share their feelings, suggestions, comments, questions, etc.

Tomorrow is a repeat of Day 2…Plyo Cardio Circuit. Let’s see if it goes any better! Then, I will be done with Week 1 of Insanity!! I will probably be doing a post about my goals very soon, just to get them down. I’d like your feedback on that too.

Thanks again!

PS- No soda today. 🙂

Day 3: Insanity Ordered!

So, today, I made the decision to purchase Insanity. (Lane, I got it for $75 off eBay…you would’ve been the first person I contacted if I went directly through BeachBody…just know that!) I am real pumped for it. I am going to be starting either April 1st or April 4th. I haven’t decided whether I want to start at the beginning of the month or just at the beginning of the first week of April. I will decide that soon. Either way, it’s going to work great for me, I know it. I’m excited. Lane, Josh, Angelee….you guys have Insanity possibly?

I am running the Illinois Marathon’s 5K race instead of the half marathon due to knee issues. I want to still partake, but I don’t want to over-do it. Just trying to be smart about it. Plus, I have three more half marathons scheduled for the year, so that will be plenty. 🙂 Two of them in Chicago, one in southern Indiana (Evansville)…the same one I ran in October.

I’ve also decided I am going to bike to and from work now every day I can. It’s a 4 mile trek there and back, so it will be great for extra activity.

Well…that’s it for now. Eating went good today again. Not sure of the exact calorie count, but I know I didn’t bust the limit. I will record exact tomorrow though.

Day 2: The Long Haul

I like how I am approaching this totally differently. I am not putting up all of these expectations of myself and expecting immediate results. What I am doing is just holding myself accountable and not giving in. I am doing it for as long as it takes….the long haul. And it will surely be a long haul.

But I am not thinking about that so much. I am not worried about December 2010. I am worried about this week. I am worried about now. I approached it all wrong in the past, hence the reason(s) I failed consistently to stick with it. It would become overwhelming….I would find comfort in the bad things….and then, I’d fall off the wagon.

I have accepted who I am at this very moment. I’m heavier than I should be…so be it. I know that if I work hard and stay consistent….that will be temporary. One day at a time. No more than that.

I’ll post later today about how the day goes!

Thanks for checking in!

Pre-Day 1

This is a start. The beginning. I am starting anew. I have much to gain….much to lose. Saturday, March 20, 2010….the beginning of the new me.

I will gain everything. I will lose what’s necessary to lose. I will be realistic but hopeful…cautionary yet on the edge…strict yet liberal…an education on balance will emerge…for good.

This is it.

I will be posting my first update today. My stats will be in the sidebar. Expect honesty. Blunt honesty. Success and failure for all to see….because, in the end, there will be a person I have not been able to be as of yet.

Thanks for checking in.