So daily blog-readers, again, I apologize for neglecting my daily writing duties. I've had a more than overflowing plate the past few weeks and somehow my blog has been one of the things that I just can't seem to get to on a daily basis. But here's the summary of the past few days:
Last Thursday was our Fit Par assessment and I did overall pretty well. I improved on a few things, maintained on a few things and lost a little bit on a few things. Rob changed the format a little bit so I wasn't able to completely gauge how much or little improvement I've had in certain areas but I am happy to report that my mile time was 8:04!!!!! And that's my best time as of yet!!! My new goal will be to make it under 8 minutes so if I can knock just another 5 seconds off, I'll be there.
Here are my assessment scores:
1 Mile
8:04
*That's 32 seconds off my last time and 3:19 seconds off my original Mile time!!! Yeah :-)
25's (something new for assessments, lifting 25 lb. ammo boxes above our heads) 49
Bench Dips
43
*I stayed the same on this one
Crunches
103
*improved by 2
Front Plank
3:31
*lost four seconds (Hmm, I guess I'll shoot for 3:45 next time around.)
Push Ups
36
*improved by 2
Reverse Crunches
71
*lost 3
Split Squats (also new for FitPar)
56
Suicide Shuttle (new)
17 seconds
This week, we've had 2 really challenging workouts so far and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week to see what's ahead. Yesterday morning was a little tough to get moving because I did not work out on Saturday. This morning, it was extremely humid after the rain and we worked out in the covered parking lot which is definitely not my favorite place to be but I made it though and I feel great! Intensity Levels have been consistent and I would say between the 8.8-9.3 range which is really good.
I am continuing to feel better about myself everyday. I am not using the scale on a daily basis and there are even weeks that I do not weigh myself. I know that I can finally say that it really isn't about a "weight issue" anymore but about how using my body as it was designed makes me feel. And more often lately, I'm feeling strong, accomplished and confident. I'm facing life's challenges head-on and with open arms instead of cowering from them under the covers. I am learning to be transparent with people regardless of how I think they may feel about me because of it. I really do feel like this has now become part of my daily routine but I must honestly admit that even after 2 consistent months, I still have mornings that if it weren't for the accountability that Boot Camp provides, I probably would stay in bed.
So, I continue to keep my "Boot Camp Envelope" and fill it with my little "extra" dollars and cents any chance I get (even though there doesn't seem to be as much extra lately). Every time I get the urge to stop at Starbucks or somewhere else for a "treat" or see a pair of shoes that I "need" (want), I stop, take a deep breath and think about how I felt after that morning's session and why I need to make Boot Camp my indulgence and 95% of the time, I keep right on moving without looking back. (Hey, no one is perfect 100% of the time and Starbucks has a way of knowing just how to tempt me in my weakest moments...)
I keep moving forward and pressing on every day even though I have struggles. Boot Camp hasn't solved life's problems for me. Being "more fit" hasn't made me immune to life's challenges. But every single morning, I use the God-given blessing of that 1 hour of "me time" to the fullest!!! And when I'm driving home, 100% of the time, I genuinely feel better and more equipped to deal with the day's trials, tasks, and challenges. And I guarantee that there's NO "happy pill" out there that can boast those results!!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Round 3 Here We Go
Okay, so I was informed today that there are people still reading this thing so I guess I have to keep it up. My hope is that it will continue to encourage and motivate you.
So last week (the week between sessions), I was able to keep up workouts every day. I was planning on running on Saturday but we had some torrential down pouring rain so I didn't make it out. Sunday, we had plans pretty much all day so I took Sunday off too. I did feel tired and missed the workouts but it was nice to have a few days to relax.
Sunday evening, we had our pre-Boot Camp physical measurements and assessments. I am happy to report that I am still on track and improving in inches, flexibility and strength. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that I had dropped a few pounds this time. I realize now that the pounds really do not matter in the grand scheme of things but still, it was nice to see a number that reflected a change.
Monday morning, again, there were downpours and storms and I woke up a few minutes too late. I arrived 5 minutes late for my first day but just in time to start warm-ups. We warmed up for a few minutes before heading into a circuit filled with resistance band pushes and pulls, step-ups, jump-ropes, mountain climbers, push ups, shuttles and crunches. We moved on to some weights and abs before finishing with some stretching.
I was given a new set of 10 lb. weights by two of the other campers that worked out with me last week. Katherine and Amy said it was because I worked out with them but honestly, I would have been there regardless and they helped push me to run faster than I probably would've if they wouldn't have been there. It was truly an unexpected surprise but so nice of them to think of me. And it was truly something that I had been wanting to purchase but didn't have the extra funds for, a need met without even an ask. Thanks, Guys!!!
Anyway, back to the blog, I was pretty physically tired and noticed that some of the things that would typically not be a problem for me were draining. I'm not sure if it was that I took those two days off or that I had lacked in sleep over the weekend but I definitely could have worked a bit harder so I made a commitment to do better the rest of the week and arrive on time and ready to push myself.
Intensity Level : 7.5
Last night, I got in bed on time and this morning, I got out of bed as soon as the alarm went off. I had a small breakfast and was able to enjoy a few minutes of quiet solitude and reflection before heading out the door. That is something that I need to take more time for daily. I arrived on time and glanced around. There were several new faces that I hadn't seen before. The first week is always a good week to get to know who will be good for motivating me and who I might want to avoid when working out. I find myself striving to keep pace with those who are physically a bit stronger/faster than me because it gives me a goal to work towards.
After we did a light warm-up, we did a partner jogging circuit with pit-stops for soldier kicks, jumping jacks, switch jumps (I forgot what they're really called), squats and cross knee-ups. After we finished that, we had time for a quick drink and to catch our breath before beginning the next circuit. We were paired up and headed out to do push ups, dips, hoop-jacks, skater squats, sissy squats, body bar lifts, res. pushes and pulls. The first time through, we did the circuit with a partner. The second time through, by ourselves, at our own pace. I resolved to push myself today and I did. I completed every rep asked of me, I focused on accuracy of form and maximum resistance levels on all tasks. I felt strong today and other than a tiny bit of nagging from my foot, I finished with relatively no struggles (I didn't say it was easy, just no added struggles...).
Today's Intensity Level : 8-9 (varied at different times)
I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of the week. I'm looking ahead to Thursday for my Fit Par test so that I can set new goals for this round. I feel good. I feel STRONG and I'm ready to do this (again)!!!!!!!
So last week (the week between sessions), I was able to keep up workouts every day. I was planning on running on Saturday but we had some torrential down pouring rain so I didn't make it out. Sunday, we had plans pretty much all day so I took Sunday off too. I did feel tired and missed the workouts but it was nice to have a few days to relax.
Sunday evening, we had our pre-Boot Camp physical measurements and assessments. I am happy to report that I am still on track and improving in inches, flexibility and strength. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that I had dropped a few pounds this time. I realize now that the pounds really do not matter in the grand scheme of things but still, it was nice to see a number that reflected a change.
Monday morning, again, there were downpours and storms and I woke up a few minutes too late. I arrived 5 minutes late for my first day but just in time to start warm-ups. We warmed up for a few minutes before heading into a circuit filled with resistance band pushes and pulls, step-ups, jump-ropes, mountain climbers, push ups, shuttles and crunches. We moved on to some weights and abs before finishing with some stretching.
I was given a new set of 10 lb. weights by two of the other campers that worked out with me last week. Katherine and Amy said it was because I worked out with them but honestly, I would have been there regardless and they helped push me to run faster than I probably would've if they wouldn't have been there. It was truly an unexpected surprise but so nice of them to think of me. And it was truly something that I had been wanting to purchase but didn't have the extra funds for, a need met without even an ask. Thanks, Guys!!!
Anyway, back to the blog, I was pretty physically tired and noticed that some of the things that would typically not be a problem for me were draining. I'm not sure if it was that I took those two days off or that I had lacked in sleep over the weekend but I definitely could have worked a bit harder so I made a commitment to do better the rest of the week and arrive on time and ready to push myself.
Intensity Level : 7.5
Last night, I got in bed on time and this morning, I got out of bed as soon as the alarm went off. I had a small breakfast and was able to enjoy a few minutes of quiet solitude and reflection before heading out the door. That is something that I need to take more time for daily. I arrived on time and glanced around. There were several new faces that I hadn't seen before. The first week is always a good week to get to know who will be good for motivating me and who I might want to avoid when working out. I find myself striving to keep pace with those who are physically a bit stronger/faster than me because it gives me a goal to work towards.
After we did a light warm-up, we did a partner jogging circuit with pit-stops for soldier kicks, jumping jacks, switch jumps (I forgot what they're really called), squats and cross knee-ups. After we finished that, we had time for a quick drink and to catch our breath before beginning the next circuit. We were paired up and headed out to do push ups, dips, hoop-jacks, skater squats, sissy squats, body bar lifts, res. pushes and pulls. The first time through, we did the circuit with a partner. The second time through, by ourselves, at our own pace. I resolved to push myself today and I did. I completed every rep asked of me, I focused on accuracy of form and maximum resistance levels on all tasks. I felt strong today and other than a tiny bit of nagging from my foot, I finished with relatively no struggles (I didn't say it was easy, just no added struggles...).
Today's Intensity Level : 8-9 (varied at different times)
I'm looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of the week. I'm looking ahead to Thursday for my Fit Par test so that I can set new goals for this round. I feel good. I feel STRONG and I'm ready to do this (again)!!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Week Between Sessions Update
My week off of Boot Camp has been relatively anxiety free so far. I am always concerned about the accountability part of working out but this week, each day, there have been others that have met me downtown.
On Saturday morning, we were having a Garage Sale so I got up early, donned my resistance band and my MP3 player and went for a run. I did approximately a 2 Mile loop stopping about 3/4 of the way for some target work. I did dips, crunches, resistance band pushes and pulls, squats, sprints, curb push ups, step-ups, and a bit of other ab work before making my way home. I felt great afterwards knowing that I had made the decision to get up and had pushed myself to work hard in the time that I had.
Intensity Level : 8.8
I took Sunday off to rest and enjoy my friends and family.
Monday morning came early and I headed downtown hopeful that someone would show up to work out with me. There were three of us and we decided to do the Mile loop with pit stops. We did 3-way calf-raises, squat-backs, assisted spread-eagle jumps, push ups, lunges, wall sits, dips and push ups, and reverse crunches. After we returned to home camp, we did lots of ab work before treating ourselves to a few longer-than-usual stretches. It was a great work-out and I was in good company.
Intensity Level : 8.9
Tuesday morning, I was pretty tired but that wasn't going to stop me from heading down. Stephanie taught on Tuesday and it was a full-body, hard work out. We warmed up with a ten minute run which we haven't done in a while. It was nice to run again with relatively no pain in my foot. The air was extremely hot and felt heavy and I had to cover my mouth when running through certain areas because of the swarms of gnats and bugs. When we returned, we did lots of hand weight arm work with stability leg work integrated then moved on to resistance band work and push ups and dips followed by ab work then stretching. We were all fully-sweat-drenched at the end of class because of the heat and humidity but I felt really strong afterwards.
Intensity Level : 9
This morning, there were three of us that met. We did a run towards the "Plainfield Steps" and along the way, we stopped for step-ups, sprints, robot walks, step-up hip raises, steps, push ups and dips. We decided upon arriving at the steps that because it was still pretty dark, we would avoid them for safety. (I am determined to hit those steps sometime this week, even if it's on my own.) We made our way back to home camp and did some weights and ab work before stretching.
Intensity Level : 8
I am looking forward to tomorrow's class with Stephanie and Friday and Saturday mornings. I am feeling stressed this week but my work-outs are helping me release some of that stress and cope with situations of frustration. I have been tired getting up but once I've started working out, energy begins to flow into me and it lasts through most of the day.
This week, I have noticed a change in my clothing. Many of the items that I have not even considered wearing in years are making it out of my closet and onto my body (many of them haven't been worn out of the house yet, but, hey, baby steps, right?). I have to admit that I'm anxious to do our re-assessments on Sunday and find out where I'm really at with measurements and in pounds. But I must also say that I am feeling great most of the time now and my outlook is happy which truly is the most important thing.
Physical exercise continues to be a daily blessing for me and has been the tool that I have needed for so long in my life to equip me with the confidence and allow me to find the inner-strength I've needed to be successful in many areas of my life that have lacked in the past. I do believe that all things are simply gifts to us and that we are designed to have the free will to choose how we use or do not use them. Every day, I want to make the most of what I've been given in all areas of my life but my physical body needs to be a priority and I don't feel guilty anymore making it one. It really is the only body I have and if it isn't working properly, I have to make the conscious decision to do something about it and give it my full attention for tune-ups and repairs (ok, sometimes complete overhauls too!) every chance I get.
I'm to a point now where I don't see daily exercise as a chore but as a part of my every day routine for well-being. I enjoy it and I want to do it. If I miss it, my body feels lethargic and my mind feels stressed. I have made the decision to make daily exercise a PRIORITY and even though it means that I have to sacrifice some other things in my life, I realize that the mental and physical benefits that I get from it completely outweigh the sacrifices I have to make to do it.
On Saturday morning, we were having a Garage Sale so I got up early, donned my resistance band and my MP3 player and went for a run. I did approximately a 2 Mile loop stopping about 3/4 of the way for some target work. I did dips, crunches, resistance band pushes and pulls, squats, sprints, curb push ups, step-ups, and a bit of other ab work before making my way home. I felt great afterwards knowing that I had made the decision to get up and had pushed myself to work hard in the time that I had.
Intensity Level : 8.8
I took Sunday off to rest and enjoy my friends and family.
Monday morning came early and I headed downtown hopeful that someone would show up to work out with me. There were three of us and we decided to do the Mile loop with pit stops. We did 3-way calf-raises, squat-backs, assisted spread-eagle jumps, push ups, lunges, wall sits, dips and push ups, and reverse crunches. After we returned to home camp, we did lots of ab work before treating ourselves to a few longer-than-usual stretches. It was a great work-out and I was in good company.
Intensity Level : 8.9
Tuesday morning, I was pretty tired but that wasn't going to stop me from heading down. Stephanie taught on Tuesday and it was a full-body, hard work out. We warmed up with a ten minute run which we haven't done in a while. It was nice to run again with relatively no pain in my foot. The air was extremely hot and felt heavy and I had to cover my mouth when running through certain areas because of the swarms of gnats and bugs. When we returned, we did lots of hand weight arm work with stability leg work integrated then moved on to resistance band work and push ups and dips followed by ab work then stretching. We were all fully-sweat-drenched at the end of class because of the heat and humidity but I felt really strong afterwards.
Intensity Level : 9
This morning, there were three of us that met. We did a run towards the "Plainfield Steps" and along the way, we stopped for step-ups, sprints, robot walks, step-up hip raises, steps, push ups and dips. We decided upon arriving at the steps that because it was still pretty dark, we would avoid them for safety. (I am determined to hit those steps sometime this week, even if it's on my own.) We made our way back to home camp and did some weights and ab work before stretching.
Intensity Level : 8
I am looking forward to tomorrow's class with Stephanie and Friday and Saturday mornings. I am feeling stressed this week but my work-outs are helping me release some of that stress and cope with situations of frustration. I have been tired getting up but once I've started working out, energy begins to flow into me and it lasts through most of the day.
This week, I have noticed a change in my clothing. Many of the items that I have not even considered wearing in years are making it out of my closet and onto my body (many of them haven't been worn out of the house yet, but, hey, baby steps, right?). I have to admit that I'm anxious to do our re-assessments on Sunday and find out where I'm really at with measurements and in pounds. But I must also say that I am feeling great most of the time now and my outlook is happy which truly is the most important thing.
Physical exercise continues to be a daily blessing for me and has been the tool that I have needed for so long in my life to equip me with the confidence and allow me to find the inner-strength I've needed to be successful in many areas of my life that have lacked in the past. I do believe that all things are simply gifts to us and that we are designed to have the free will to choose how we use or do not use them. Every day, I want to make the most of what I've been given in all areas of my life but my physical body needs to be a priority and I don't feel guilty anymore making it one. It really is the only body I have and if it isn't working properly, I have to make the conscious decision to do something about it and give it my full attention for tune-ups and repairs (ok, sometimes complete overhauls too!) every chance I get.
I'm to a point now where I don't see daily exercise as a chore but as a part of my every day routine for well-being. I enjoy it and I want to do it. If I miss it, my body feels lethargic and my mind feels stressed. I have made the decision to make daily exercise a PRIORITY and even though it means that I have to sacrifice some other things in my life, I realize that the mental and physical benefits that I get from it completely outweigh the sacrifices I have to make to do it.
Monday, August 3, 2009
R2 D20
It was the final day of this session and I couldn't believe it was over already. I am still enjoying every day and am sad when the sessions end.
We had a great last day work-out complete with strength training of various types, endurance stuff and core.
Intensity Level : 9.2
This Boot Camp session has taught me so many things. I've been able to feel a real change in my personal strength and endurance levels. I notice that tasks around the house like carrying laundry and heavy things up and down the stairs or mowing the lawn are much easier these days. I tend to find myself busier during my days at home with less time on the computer and watching TV. I always have more energy on the days that I work out on so I've been trying to get a good work out in on Saturdays too now. I do believe that it's important for me to take a day off per week so I am still taking Sundays off. I am still amazed that I have stuck with this for the whole time. I am proud to say that I have not missed one day since the beginning. For me, that is a HUGE accomplishment!!! However, I do not continue to go because of my attendance record or to prove something to myself anymore, I can say now that Boot Camp is something that I enjoy. It makes me feel good. I truly do look forward to every single morning. And even when the tasks get tough, and they do sometimes, I WANT to do it! I KNOW that I CAN do it! And I still feel so accomplished when I follow through. I have grasped a motivation deep within my soul to push through and to strive for new goals and to be proud of myself when I get there. AND to keep reaching and making new goals instead of clinging to the old ones and stopping there.
I am finding myself looking less and less at the flaws in the mirror and looking more and more at the "whole picture" and being ok with it. I'm not going to lie and say that I never have days where I just don't feel good about how I feel people will perceive me or that I never have those days where I keep trying things on until there's a pile sky-high on my bed only to go back to the old "jeans and a black shirt" stand-by. But I will say that I am finding that there are a whole lot less of those days and that I am learning to care a lot less about how others may feel about how I look. I am finding that if someone gives me a compliment, it's a little less awkward for me and becoming a little easier to believe. I've been able to say "Thank-you." and not "Thanks, but..." I can count the number of times that I've been on the scale this month on one hand. When I do step on that scale, the number still hasn't changed much but I find myself thinking "eh, whatever..." not "OMGosh!!!", "yuck", "failure", "gross", etc...
I am finding myself reaching for food for comfort less frequently. I will not say that I have conquered this one yet because I still do struggle with it when stress gets to a high level.
I am feeling more confident in general. I've never had a problem speaking my mind in certain settings but I've surprised myself a few times within the past month to find that I've shared things that I've needed to with people that I may have, in the past, kept to myself and even though, in a few cases, it has caused conflict, I've felt good about sharing it.
I've said "yes" to a couple opportunities that I NEVER would have even considered in the past. And more importantly, I've said "NO" to some things that I've really needed to keep off my "Priority List".
I am looking ahead to the next session. I am excited. I am ready. I'm not holding anything back. This is "ME" and with every new day, I'm feeling better about who "ME" really is...
We had a great last day work-out complete with strength training of various types, endurance stuff and core.
Intensity Level : 9.2
This Boot Camp session has taught me so many things. I've been able to feel a real change in my personal strength and endurance levels. I notice that tasks around the house like carrying laundry and heavy things up and down the stairs or mowing the lawn are much easier these days. I tend to find myself busier during my days at home with less time on the computer and watching TV. I always have more energy on the days that I work out on so I've been trying to get a good work out in on Saturdays too now. I do believe that it's important for me to take a day off per week so I am still taking Sundays off. I am still amazed that I have stuck with this for the whole time. I am proud to say that I have not missed one day since the beginning. For me, that is a HUGE accomplishment!!! However, I do not continue to go because of my attendance record or to prove something to myself anymore, I can say now that Boot Camp is something that I enjoy. It makes me feel good. I truly do look forward to every single morning. And even when the tasks get tough, and they do sometimes, I WANT to do it! I KNOW that I CAN do it! And I still feel so accomplished when I follow through. I have grasped a motivation deep within my soul to push through and to strive for new goals and to be proud of myself when I get there. AND to keep reaching and making new goals instead of clinging to the old ones and stopping there.
I am finding myself looking less and less at the flaws in the mirror and looking more and more at the "whole picture" and being ok with it. I'm not going to lie and say that I never have days where I just don't feel good about how I feel people will perceive me or that I never have those days where I keep trying things on until there's a pile sky-high on my bed only to go back to the old "jeans and a black shirt" stand-by. But I will say that I am finding that there are a whole lot less of those days and that I am learning to care a lot less about how others may feel about how I look. I am finding that if someone gives me a compliment, it's a little less awkward for me and becoming a little easier to believe. I've been able to say "Thank-you." and not "Thanks, but..." I can count the number of times that I've been on the scale this month on one hand. When I do step on that scale, the number still hasn't changed much but I find myself thinking "eh, whatever..." not "OMGosh!!!", "yuck", "failure", "gross", etc...
I am finding myself reaching for food for comfort less frequently. I will not say that I have conquered this one yet because I still do struggle with it when stress gets to a high level.
I am feeling more confident in general. I've never had a problem speaking my mind in certain settings but I've surprised myself a few times within the past month to find that I've shared things that I've needed to with people that I may have, in the past, kept to myself and even though, in a few cases, it has caused conflict, I've felt good about sharing it.
I've said "yes" to a couple opportunities that I NEVER would have even considered in the past. And more importantly, I've said "NO" to some things that I've really needed to keep off my "Priority List".
I am looking ahead to the next session. I am excited. I am ready. I'm not holding anything back. This is "ME" and with every new day, I'm feeling better about who "ME" really is...
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