April Challenge Update

Way to make it happen, GO Trainers!

I have been scanning my tracking sheet and learned a LOT about my training in this little transition of life.  And I thought it would be a great source of reflection for us all!  GO Training will be moving to Portland in 2 weeks!

Here's what I got so far:

April Challenge

Day 1- Spin Class: SO HARD!  It's been a while since I have spun and I felt it!  Also lifted this day.
Day 2- Rest - poor planning! I was suppose to run, mwah mwahhhhh!
Day 3- 40' tempo run!  Sunny and breezy!
Day 4- 4 mile rain run - so miserable.  It was cold, and sloshy.  Great run for building mental resolve!
Day 5- Lifted with Madeline
Day 6 - Rest - Stayed up too late prepping garage sale and planned to do yoga later in day but never got to it.
Day 7 - 10 mile run - it was a toughernaut. I had a hard time. I think because of the poor sleep hygiene. I walked a lot and not because of my healing injury!
Week 2
Day 8 - Spin and lift with my buddy Angie!  Challenging and fun!
Day 9 - Lifting with Madeline!
Day 10 - Walk with my hubs.  What a beautiful day to get in some miles with a nice guy.
Day 11 - 3 mile run and liftage!

What to do when transition comes tap dancing (or pop and locking...or cha cha-ing) your way?

Transitions, moving, getting hitched, getting unhitched, new job, baby birthing or adopting, kids getting into school, kids start playing sports, being pregnant, being ill, illness for your other or family member, new pet, pet sick, loved one passing away, wow.  A lot of stuff can throw a workout plan for a loop.  As we prep to move to the exact other side of the country, on the diagonal and up, I have fell victim to lack of planning a couple times!

A planned workout day got converted to a rest day when 10 pm rolls around and I am sorting through things in my workout clothes!

How does one stay focused in times of transition?  Some tips below!

For me, I decided for the next 2 weeks before we officially move, to make my workout happen I am grabbing a class at the gym, or finding a buddy.  The only exception being some of my runs, but I am recruiting  helpers for that as well.  I need to physically remove myself from the fray or I will just keep deedling through my piles of home goods. From here to P-town, I will be leaning on other resources.

Also I am starting to research gyms in Portland!  This transition will probably take a while so getting things ready on the other end is important too.

Some ideas for exercising through transition:

1) BUDDY UP!  Find some support to keep you honest.  Either a class, an exercise mate, an online community, or trainer.  ASK for help in keeping focused.

2) Adjust expectations.  I knew I had this move coming and really wanted to do a spring marathon.  But I didn't think that was a good idea considering the time and effort required to prep for that long run. I looked at what was possible and the commitment and made a more realistic goal.  If you usually work out for 30 minutes, maybe do 20 minutes!  The stress relief from less will so benefit you during the intense moments of transition.

3) Schedule.  The unbreakable appointment!  Make an appointment and stick to it!  Set an alert on your phone! Do it! Tomorrow I have an 11:30 appointment to work out with a buddy, I call no breakies!

Some ideas for those of you transitioning into exercise:

1)  Shift your perspective.  See yourself as an exerciser.  Tell yourself you are an athlete.  Avoid using "I am too busy" or " I have never been an athlete" as a reason to omit exercise.

For those of you with kiddos, those little people are looking to you for guidance.  Setting the example of making fitness a priority is up to you!

Get creative with popping in 10 minutes here during lunch at work, or before work, or after.  Your workouts don't need to be long to be effective.

2) Discipline.  You can't control the myriad of outside influences that keep life interesting but you control what you do and how you react.  Make exercise and fitness high up on your priority list.

3) FUN!  Keep searching for something that makes your soul just sing! Tai chi?  Triathlon?  Kick boxing?  Seek out, sign up, and go! And smile!  And allow your tastes to change if need be.  What worked ten years ago may not be what your brain and body needs today.

Any one transitioning or participating in Das Challenge?  Please comment on successes and bumps!

Phase 2 Workout 8 - AKA Legs it's your turn!

Phase 2 Workout 8  of Jillian Michael's 90 day Body Revolution

Holy Moses are my arms SORE from Workout 7!!! Anything I lifted today made my biceps scream (possibly due to workout 8 as well), and the front of my shoulders…I can’t even tell you. I’m aware of them when I’m just sitting on the couch. BUT, I LOVE feeling that soreness – it lets me know I definitely gave my body a good workout.

Workout 8 wasn’t awful. That’s my general feeling about Workouts 7 and 8. Workouts 5 and 6, particularly 5, felt impossible initially. Workouts 7 and 8 do not feel impossible. Challenging? Absolutely. But I manage to get through it without feeling like I need to pause.

I liked Workout 8 more than Workout 7 because it hit lower body a lot more. I love how Jillian incorporates so many balance elements into these workouts – it really makes me feel like my core is getting a great workout. 

Overall, this one wasn’t terrible. She actually recommended using 3 pound weights a few times in this dvd, and initially I did, but for a few of the exercises I found I could use my usual 6 pounds. 

I’m really trying to push myself with weight. I’m trying to go heavy with my weights as often as possible, and only using lighter weights if absolutely necessary. The cardio intervals in 7 and 8 are more challenging, but again, not impossible.

I won’t mind these next two weeks! I’m back to Cardio 2 tomorrow (I’m starting to get a LITTLE sick of it). I will let you know how I’m feeling soon!

ALSO check out Madeline's latest foodie goings n at her cooking blog!
http://thelawsofthekitchen.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicken-enchilada-pasta-made-wgf-corn.html

Phase 2 Workout 7 AKA “Hold Plank Until You Collapse” of Jillian's 90 day!

Phase 2 Workout 7 AKA “Hold Plank Until You Collapse”

I am officially halfway through this program – woo! Unfortunately, I had to take a few days off last week due to traveling, but I am back on track! I do not anticipate any other delays moving forward, so I am set to finish off the program 2 weeks before my wedding. I am planning to repeat some of the workouts during the final 2 weeks, and then I will be wedding-ready. I just need to stay focused and stay on my diet (there has been some serious diet cheating due to Easter).

Here are my thoughts on Phase 2 Workout 7:

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I do not like resistance bands. I still don’t like it, and that was emphasized in this dvd. Jillian uses the band for 3 exercises, and I ended up using dumbbells for all 3 because I felt like it was more challenging with the weights. It’s totally up to you – some people LOVE resistance bands. I’m just not one of them. My form was sloppy when using the band, so I switched to weights. Listen to your body.

The first circuit and cardio drill is ALL plank/push ups. It’s BRUTAL. My arms were shaking so hard I could barely hold myself up. She takes a few points where she will joke around/talk before starting an exercise, and even the athletes in the video will take those moments to shake their arms out, so I didn’t feel that bad about struggling. I had to PUSH through the first 2 circuits. I found myself mentally coaching myself “just get through ONE more before doing the modification.” Those mantras definitely help me.

My heart rate was up through the whole dvd, but I didn’t feel like I was going to collapse like I did the first time I did Workout 5 (SO glad to be done with that one!!). The cardio drills are DEFINITELY harder – she’s incorporating more plyometric (read: jumping). 

Overall, this was a KILLER on my arms and shoulders. As much as I want toned arms/shoulders, I am hoping that she focuses more on legs in future videos – I want to feel the burn in my quads/buns!

I’m moving on to Workout 8 tomorrow, so I’ll be back soon.