R3 Week 2

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!!!