new horizons!!

OK, so I haven't been posting much and haven't really been doing much lately either. I have been going to Zumba class at least once a week for the last 2 months. Last Monday my SIL and I did two Zumba classes back to back and we were about done! Stick a fork in us! lol We dragged my sister with us on Monday and so only did one class. She barely made it through it! So while I have fallen in love with Zumba, I have a new horizon in front of me. This Saturday my SIL and I are traveling to Martinsburg, West Virginia (1 hour and 45 minutes South West) to go to our Zumba Training to become Certified Zumba Instructors!!! YEAH!!! I am so excited! We have about 20 ladies that are interested in classes and are hoping to be able to start teaching in September! I am so excited and so nervous about this Saturday!! I'm beside myself! We are leaving at 5:30 am to get there by 7:45am. Registration starts at 8am and it all begins at 9am and goes until 6pm! It is going to be a very very very long day! We are going to be exhausted! We are going to a Gold's Gym, so hoping to be able to shower before we head home that night! Or we will be really uncomfortable on the way home! Plus probably a little stinky! lol We are so excited! My only concern is that a few years ago I was told I have a heel spur in my right heal and never really had any issues with it. Well, since I have started Zumba, it has started to hurt after class and sometimes it was hard to walk the next day. It's not so bad if I have shoes on, and Aleve helps too. Oh well, one of these days I will be able to get it checked out here when I have medical insurance!! That's all for now and I will let you all know how Saturday goes!!

Jillian Michaels and Zumba

I did level one of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred and I was a mess after it was done! I did that Wednesday afternoon for 20 minutes and it was some work! I was sweaty after that one! It has 3 circuits of strength, cardio and abs; 3 minutes, 2 minutes and 1 minute. You go through each curcuit twice. It does work you good, even though it is only 20 minutes!! I may try it again tonight, depending how my legs feel by then!!! (Zumba is to blame!! :)

Thursday night I did my first Zumba class and it was awesome!! I cannot believe how much fun it is and how much work it is!!! It was a little over an hour long and I was hot, sweaty and out of breath when it was all over with!! But I was smiling too!! It was such unbelievable fun, that you really aren't realizing that you are exercising!! It is a lot of latin dance moves that incorporate some regular exercise moves in with it too! I was feeling it last night after I got home and I'm feelin it today!! I'm sore in my legs mostly, but my shoulders, back, triceps....it may be easier to list where I'm not sore!!! LOL But it was so great and I'm going back next Thursday night!! I hope to find classes for Tuesday, Friday and Saturday too...then I can go whenever I can!! For only $5 a class, it's affordable too!!! LOVING IT!!!

its been forever

Ok, so I know it has been a while since I have blogged and it's because, like always, I gave up on the Insanity...for right now. They are some really hard workouts!!! They show you the results you can get from people that maybe had 30 pounds to lose and get buff. Well, I got more than 30 pounds to lose and my knees weren't too happy with me after 2 weeks of Insanity. I will go back to it, but I think I need to get a little more in shape in order to do it. It's funny that it says that in the disclaimer at the beginning of the dvds...that the workout isn't for everyone and you may have to do something else before starting Insanity. Anyway, I haven't been completely seditary, almost, but not completely. I am still going to Monday night Pilates class and would like to start going Wednesday nights too, but paying for 2 months at a time is limiting my participation there. I am going to a Zumba class Thursday night and really cannot wait! I have seen the infomercials for it and have a lot of friends go, but the only classes in my area are given Wednesday nights, when I have church activities with the youth. So, that's out of the question!! A friend of mine just told me that her church is having them Thursday nights for $5 a class, pay as you go and I am stoked! It's about 30 minutes away, but it's ok. My sister is going with me and perhaps another lady, if she can get a baby-sitter! I know it is going to be so much fun and I can't wait!! I got a Borders giftcard for Mother's Day and so I ordered online the Jillian Micheals 30 day shred (which I am going to try later today) another workout video said to burn 1000 calories and Jillian Michaels book, Mastering your Metabolism. I think if I mix up my videos that I do each day, then I won't get bored. I have an issue with boredom, which is probably why I can't commit to one program for long. Even if the workouts are hard, I get bored with them because I have done them over and over and over. So, I am going to mix things up! I have enough videos and equipment that I will be able to do that!

I can't wait for summer to start, because I will only technically be working 2 days a week (babysitting) and so I will have tons of time to get workouts in! I want to try to workout twice a day, morning and afternoon/evening...even if it's just a walk with the kids in the evenings. My husband got a job!!!! He will hopefully start within the next 2 weeks! I am so excited and so happy! He has been unemployed for over a year now and his unemployment benefits expire the end of July, so were coming down to the wire!!! The benefits are great, but the issue is that he will be working up to 12 hours a day. So that stinks, but right now he has a job and it pays decently!! So I'll be on my own alot with the kids during, but I think if I have the 2 exercise classes a week, then I may stay sane! Of course, babysitters will be needed!!!

I - 9 & 10

Insanity Day 9 and 10 - Yesterday was the pylometric cardio curcuit again. It is still hard, but I am finding that I am not taking as many breaks and the first two times I did on Tuesday. The worse are the drills, where you are up, then you down into a plank, do 4 push ups and run for 8 counts, jump up and do it again! Those are the worst ones! Planks suck too! I really hate planks. I don't mind push ups...even if I am doing the girl ones...but I really hate doing planks!

Today was Cardio Recovery...yeah well, not that much of a recovery day!!! lol There were a lot of squats and lunges! My knees hurt when I do it, but I just Dig Deeper and try to pull through the pain!! Today had plie work and plank work, that were so hard. I barely took any extra breaks today, so that has to be a good sign. We will see how tomorrow goes! I think it's a workout I haven't done yet!

I think Easter candy has become my downfall! I also baked bread to take to my two meals on Easter Sunday, and they didn't eat enough of it! I had 2 loaves left and we just finished them up today. I love fresh baked bread! It is the best thing in the world when it is warm and butter on it. Yum-o!!!!!! But I really, really, really have to start keeping an eye on the food intake part. I think I'm doing good, but then I have been eating chocolate and bread. Which is stuff I'm not supposed to have. So....I am going to make a good effort to get the eating under control. I have a wedding on July 3rd to go to and I would really like to be 30 pounds lighter!!! So here I go!!!

I - 6, 7 and 8

Insanity days 6, 7 and 8. Day 6, plyometric cardio circuit, was suposed to be Saturday but I was away most of the day and didn't get a chance to do it. Sundays are the off days on the program so I did #6 on Sunday instead of Saturday. It's the same workout I did on Tuesday and it wasn't much easier!! lol Day 7 was Monday, cardio power and resistance, and it was such a good workout. Of course, I have yet to get through one workout without stopping, but I'm doing my best! I also spent 2 hours cleaning the bathroom, an hour doing yard work with a rake and an hour pilates class that night...and a little extracarricular activities with the hubby later on. It was a very active Monday!! It was the first time I have done any yard work in the 5 years that my hubby has known me. I hate doing outside work, but he left a project unfinished for almost a year now and I had had enough! So I started it and he came home while I was doing it and helped me finish. I guess that's one way to get him to finish a project!!! lol Today, day 8, was Pure Cardio!! That one is what it says....pure cardio! He makes you go, go, go, go and gives you 30 seconds of recovery to get a drink and then go, go, go, go again!!@ You work at the high level and then come down and back up! I was a big, hot, sweaty mess when I was done!! The only issue I have with the pure cardio, is when I am jogging or sprinting in place or doing high knees, butt kicks or anything else like that, I can feel everything jiggle! My butt, belly and boobs. Well, the boobs are supposed to jiggle but I don't like feeling my bum and belly jiggling! I just imagine all the fat jiggling away...sometimes it helps!!! Oh, one success I want to brag about it that I held a plank (on the elbows) for 30 seconds in pilates class!!! I hate planks!! I told her I would rather do push ups instead!! lol Well, it is a gorgeous 80 degree day today and had the kids out. Pushing 2 40 pound kids for half an hour is quite an arm workout! Did that yesterday too! lol Tomorrow is going to be just as beautiful!!

I-5

Insanity - Day 5 - I'm on a roll!!! Exercise 5 days in a row now! One more day for this week and I get Sunday off, but I'm going to try to get a walk in between the 2 Easter meals I have on Sunday! Today was Cardio Max and it was crazy! (or rather INSANE!) I couldn't keep up but I tried my hardest. Like I said before, the people on the video, who are thin and in shape, are stopping and taking breaks, so I don't feel so bad when I have to stop. He was doing some stuff and I was just like WHAT!!! I just couldn't! I had nothing at that point to give! But I kept going and did what I could. I mean I haven't really exercised since November, so getting back in the swing of things is going to take some time!!! I am getting all my water drank and have been soda and caffeine free for 5 days! I am starting to feel a whole lot better! I can't believe how much of an improvement I am seeing already in how I feel when I am fully hydrated and not on caffeine. I do miss the taste of my diet mt dew, but I can live without it and it was starting to get expensive!! I am having a hard time with the sugar, though. I am trying my best and working on it!! Tomorrow is another day!!

I-4

Insanity - day 4! Cardio Recovery...he said it was an off day....yeah right!! It was hard! Loads of squats and lunges and drills. Killer!! Just have to Dig Deeper! (as Shaun T says!!) Food is going good...not to the 'T' but getting there!! :)

I-3

Insanity -Day 3 - Cardio Power and Resistance
I am sore in places I didn't think it was possible to be sore!! I swear to you, every muscle in my body is sore! I can feel it. My legs are killing me, my abs, my back, shoulders, and arms are jello! You ever try a traveling push-up? Or a V-stance push up? Oh my gravy!!! They are freaking hard!!! A move for a tricep work was you start out in a V-stance, hands on the ground, butt in the air, on your tip toes and then you bend you knees into your chest and you do push ups. It is so hard and I couldn't exactly get my knees to my chest, because my big ol belly was in the way. So, instead of my legs being together, they were apart...but at least I tried it!! It wasn't pretty! Not at all! I couldn't do the traveling push ups, so I just did regular ones. One day I may progress enough to be able to a traveling push up, check back in 60 days and I will let you know! lol!! You should see me try to get up off the floor or couch! I am moving like a 90 year old!! Ironically, going down the steps hurt worse than going up them! I carried two little ones upstairs for a nap today - probably around 45 pounds and I could barely make it! That definatly made me want to get this weight loss going for good this time! If I had to carry around another 45 pounds, I wouldn't be able to do anything! My knees would give out on me! I have a wedding on July 3rd to go to and I would love to be 30 pounds lighter. That is 10 pounds a month, a little over 2 pounds a week. I think I can do it if I stick to the Insanity plan. The program is 60 days and I know I will do the cycle more than once to get to my goal weight. Which seems sooo far off, but I am taking it one day at a time. My goal right now is 10 pounds. Once I hit that goal I will make another one. My dh is being supportive, but he also thinks it is funny the way I'm moving around! Oh well, at least I know it is the good pain...I guess! LOL

The food program I am trying to follow. I am trying to cut out caffeine (soda) and sugar. Well, I am doing good on the soda, but not so good on the sweets!! I am trying, but it is HARD to cut out sugar!!!! lol I have at least cut down and I will eventually get it cut out. :)

INSANITY day 2

Well, today I learned out why the program is called INSANITY!! Because the workout is insane!! Totally, totally insane! They named it quite appropriately! I did the first workout today and I was sweating and tired! I definatly didn't make it through the first workout without taking a few breaks. The warm up alone was quite a workout! Pylometric Circuit Training was intense! The people on the DVD doing it were taking breaks and were quite a mess when it was over and they were all skinny and quite fit!! I made it through and was hot and sweaty when I was done! This is a 60 day program and I hope I can make it through the 60 days and want to do it all over again!! :) I was already sore today from the Fit Test and Pilates class last night, but I did the workout anyway! I know I am really going to be sore tomorrow! It's ok...it's going to be good pain! Right??? The eating plan is going ok. I can't say as I have been spot on but I have been doing pretty good! A lot better than I normally would be at this point! I am sticking to my no soda and that has been rough! I had a horrible headache yesterday and very irritable!!! Today, another headache and only slightly irritable. It's getting better and I have drank all my water yesterday and today. So, we will see what tomorrow will bring!!

INSANITY day 1

Ok, this is going to be hard!!! (of course it is! what was I thinkging?) I ordered a new program called 'Insanity' and it's going to be a journey for the next 2 months!! I just hope I can keep up with it and do well! Today is day 1 and I started the eating program and did the FIT TEST. Some of the food is stuff I would normally eat anyway, just gotta get the portions right. I need to get to the store to get a few things, but I have most of what I need already. It is supposed to be a way to eat for the rest of my life, so as long as I can eat some of my favorites foods in there too, it will be good.

The FIT TEST - well I watched the DVD Saturday night, just to see what it was all about and it looked pretty easy. Well....looks ARE deceiving!! I did it today while the kiddos were eating lunch and they came out and were watching and cheering me on! My nephew K, told me I had to 'Stay Strong' after Shaun T said it on the dvd. He said, "You have to stay strong, Aunt Risa." When I had to pause. It was a disaster! I didn't realize that I was THAT out of shape!!! The Fit Test has 8 moves on it and you are to do as many as you can in a minute. You are to retake the test every 2 weeks as a way to mark your progress. So here are today's STARTING results!

Switch Kicks - 56
Power Jacks - 30
Power Knees - 58
Power Jumps - 15
Globe Jumps - 6 (4 jumps = 1 rep)
Suicide Jumps - 6
Push-up Jacks - 4
Low Plank Oblique - 20

I was so freaking tired when I was done!! I was sweating up a storm and wanted to just lay down on the floor!! My legs are hurting already and I have Pilates class tonight!!!! So, that's where I stand today. Tomorrow I start with the exercise dvds and I am starting with 'Plyometric Carido Circuit.' I've never done Plyometrics, so I guess we will see what it's all about tomorrow! I took my weight and measurements today also, and I will post them later or tomorrow because I don't feel like getting up to get them right now! :)

has is been that long?

Oh my goodness!! Has it really been that long since I have last posted here?! wow..that just shows where my determination and motivation went! Right out the window! I really can't believe it. I was doing so well and then...plop...nothing. I have regained about all that I have lost and doing really bad in my current competition on Weight Loss Wars. So bad....but my disgust and tiredness is getting the better of me. I have been overweight pretty much all my life and just thought I would always be fat. I have lost weight, only to regain it again later. I gained so much in my back to back pregnancies that it's not funny. I am almost back to my highest weight...what I was when I delivered my daughter almost 3 1/2 years ago! I don't know where my motivation has gone! I know I am unhappy and only I can fix it. No one else can fix my body for me, even though it would be sooo much easier!! :) I have been talking with my husband in joining a gym for some time now, but it's really just not possible. The nearest gym is 30 minutes away and I would have to workout 1 - 2 hours, so I'd be gone for 3 hours at a time. It's not feasible for us right now. So, I ordered a new weight loss and exercise program called Insanity. It should be coming by the end of this week, the beginning of next and I really can't wait. I know alot of people have talked a lot of good stuff about P90X, but Insanity looks just as intense, but doesn't use any equipment. I have weights and stuff, but I won't need to buy anything extra. So, I will let you know how it goes! I have been keeping up with my weekly Pilates class and started walking with friends once a week, so that's at least something! I'm trying to get more sleep, but really need to work on the food and soda. I know, know, know, know, know that I need to kick my diet soda habit and it is sooo rough!! I know these things aren't supposed to be easy, but to break the caffiene addiction will actually cause physical pain!! I get tremendous headaches when I go without and get a bit cranky!! So, my goal here is to get off the soda! :) So, wish me luck!

blah

I missed my pilates class last night because I have felt sick for the last 2 days. There is a stomach bug going around and my 3 year old has it. She was up at 2 am throwing up and at 4am with diarrhea! She's done throwing up, so far, but has quite a sore bottom! My poor little baby. She is acting normal, but feels like she's running a fever. My 4 year old is fine and so is the hubby...at least so far! It is a 24 hour bug for the most part, which is good for my little girl. I have felt nauseous since Sunday night, so whatever is going on with me is different in a way. I just hope I'm not pregnant! I should go get a test to make sure, but don't have an extra $10 to spend right now! If it doesn't go away by Friday, then I will get one. I was on the depo shot for almost 2 years and had to stop because I lost my health insurance when the hubby got laid off. The shot last for three months and so it 'wore off' August of 2009. The issue is that I haven't gotten my period yet, at all. I've never been a regular girl, so I am only about half concerned. Maybe I should call the doctor's office anyway and talk to someone. Anyway, I am digressing! Needless to say, just when I started exercising again, I am side tracked...again! I finally got a plan together of what I want to do on what days of the week and this hits me! Well, I hope to get better soon, so I can get back in action. The only plus is that I haven't been eating a lot, but have been drinking a good amount of water to stay hydrated. I hope to have better news soon!!

pilates is a killer!!

I had pilates class last night and she did some killer inner and out thigh work and my thighs and bum are killing me! I can soooo feel it today! My abs are a little sore too, but that's always after every class. I love going to class because I know that is my time to get out of the house! I am going to exercise this afternoon before I make dinner. Ill be sending the kids upstairs and the hubby if he's home. I did start another competition on weight loss wars and so far it is going ok. I've lost 2 pounds and I'm working really hard on my eating and getting exercise in when I can. I know it will be a slow process but my goal is to lose 10% of my body weight this competition. So that is 24 pounds in 12 weeks, a bit hefty, but I am going to do it!! I know I will! Going to play on the Wii fit as soon as I kick the kids off of playing Super Mario Brothers! Going to work out tonight and looking forward to it!

way too long

It has been way too long since I have posted last, but I am back! So much has been going on and my motivation has been lacking some since the holidays. BUT it is the new year and time for a new perspective on things and for a new body. I have joined another competition that starts Friday and I hope it will keep me motivated and moving! The rules are different in that if you lose 10% of your body weight, you will get a part of the prize money. So, as of this morning, that would mean that I have to lose 24.5 pounds in the 3 months in order to win. I think it is a hefty goal, but one that can be obtained if I work at it. I need to start exercising on a daily basis again and watch my food intake again. I got away from it for a little while and the scale shows it! I am back at 245 pounds, so I didnt gain a lot, but some it enough to make me feel bad. My problem is when I can fit the exercise in. I can't seem to be able to get up in the mornings before the kids to workout and I babysit some days, so I can't do it when the extra kids are here. So, that leaves the evenings and I really don't like my hubby watching me exercise. There isn't enough room in my bedroom to do any of my dvds....so I have to figure it all out. Maybe I'll make him and the kids go upstairs and watch TV in the evenings so I can exercise and be alone. I still have my monday night pilates classes and I can tell that they are helping and I can also tell that they are a little tougher when I don't do any other kinds of exercise during the week. Well, here's to a new start and hopefully my last 'start' on my weight loss journey. I know I have to make a lifestyle change, not go on a diet!!! :)