Getting up to date

Here are a few of my posts which bring me up to date:

From 12/29/08

Today is the official start for my 12 week rotation of Chalean Extreme. This month is called "Burn" and this morning I did Burn Circuit 1. It is a strength workout that is just over 35 minutes long. I'm tracking the weights I'm using, because you're supposed to fatigue between the 10-12th rep. On about half of the exercises I'll need to pyramid up next time. That was encouraging, because it made me realize just how strong I am!!!

One of the things I love about this program are the extra materials that came with it. Usually those "add-ons" are just junk, but not with this one. There is a guidebook that talks you through all the aspects of getting ready for, form and recording results. Last night, Taylor and I took pictures, measurements, weight, and the fit test. It is designed to do every 30 days so you can see the results. Then I went through the recipe book and planned out meals through next Monday ... I'm talking every meal. I am getting ready to go shopping in a bit. I think having it all laid out will leave less wiggle room. I'm glad I like most of the recipes because it made it very easy to plan and create a shopping list.

Anywho ... I am going to update some info here giving the details for this new rotation.

12/31/08

And I'm feeling great. Just got done with BC2 woooo, that sure worked me. What I really like is that the moves are way challenging, but I don't have to do 2-3 sets. The pushups at the end are the only set I couldn't complete fully, but I tried my best!

Also, I've have been way on track with my eating. I've planned all my meals and prepared snacks and so far it's been great. In fact, since Sunday the scale is down 5.2 lbs! I won't officially record until Monday, since I know sometimes there is a big drop and then it settles back up. But I am very happy with things. So far there has not been that "dread" factor. I am sooooooo excited for the cruise, so I think that is really helping keep me motivated. Maybe I just need to go on a cruise once a year and then run a half marathon 6 months later, so I'm always working towards a big goal!!!

1/2/09

I just finished BC3 and feel so good. I have been having a lot of muscle fatigue this week (that's putting it mildly) and wasn't sure I would be up to this today, but I don't have any time to spare so I just did it. And I was able to lift much heavier than I thought I would be able to (each time I went heavier than I thought I could and only twice was it too heavy.)

Yesterday I did Burn It Off and Ab Burner. I misread and thought that was what was on the rotation. No problem, I'll just make sure to do Burn Intervals tomorrow and then do it the "right" way next week! Since Taylor had the day off we did it together. Oh and I am so feeling my muscles popping out. I was taking a shower and washing my arms and was amazed at how rock hard my muscles were.

I am really proud at how on track I have been staying with eating on this plan. The planning I did last week really helped (Scheduled B, L & D for each day, pre-packaged snacks, shopped). In the past I have planned out dinners and just had stuff for lunch and breakfast. Having each meal planned leaves me not having to think about food all the time, which is very nice. I also did what Chalean suggested in the video and made convenient snack foods. I bought a bunch of little Rubbermaid containers to make snack sizes for the fridge and I have a bin the in the pantry with snacks in Ziploc bags. I got Aubrey to help, and it was very easy. Took about 10-15 minutes longer while we unpacked the groceries. Now if I'm heading out the door and know I'll need a snack, I can just grab one.

Yesterday I had the Canadian bacon sandwich and loved it. We went to Red Lobster for dinner and I was able to eat yummy food, but stay on plan (crab, shrimp, broccoli and salad) and I totally resisted the biscuits. I was nervous at first when DH suggested going out, but we picked a place where I wouldn't be as tempted by the food I have a weakness for (like pasta) and it went well. I've discovered I just don't like veggies in with my eggs. So I've started cooking them separately and then eating them on their own first, then eating the eggs. I'm weird, but it works!

1/3/09

Today Taylor and I did Burn Intervals and Recharge. This is because I mistakenly did Burn It Off on Thursday. I was thinking it would not be as hard as Burn It Off, since you got the light weights for a "break". Well, I was wrong ... this was tough! On some of the shoulder work I transitioned to no weights, because I was totally burning from all that shoulder work yesterday. Taylor wasn't too thrilled about Recharge, since it is yoga poses. I think the rest of the workouts work for him, but just not that one. I told him that he could spend the time doing his own stretching and breathing. I think he'll probably do that. He's so tight, that I think the yoga poses just were too hard for him. I am soooo looking forward to a rest day tomorrow!

Still doing great on the eating plan. Last night was flank steak with faux mashed. I added more to the marinade to make it more like our favorite marinade. Steaks are always good, what was different was not eating as much as we normally do. The faux mashed (puree cauliflower) ... eh. We both decided we'd just rather have the steamed cauliflower. So we'll leave that step out next time. We didn't do spinach but had salad instead. This is more veggies than I've eaten in a LONG time! Had the Canadian Bacon Sandwich again this morning ... love that one!

I had to make the text smaller so it doesn't seem so long!!! ;)