Bootcamp: Take two

Yesterday's bootcamp wasn't any easier than the first, resulting in vision-blotchiness by the time I was finished. You might think I'm being hardcore, but I'm not. I'm just that out of shape. For lack of a better post, I'll just note down yesterday's routine.

Friday's Schedule

Warm Up x 3 sets:

-Run stairs and 1 lap

-10 Jumping Jacks

-10 Deep Squats

Workout:

(20 seconds of pushing your hardest, 10 seconds of rest x 8)

- Push Ups

- Jumping Lunges

- Varied Sit Ups

- Jumping Squats

I know it doesn't sound like a big deal to go for only 20 seconds at a time,  but by the end of that 4 minutes the specific muscle you are exercising is so worn out that you can barely do the movement. And for the record, I am so sore again today. Thanks Bootcamp! No, really. Thanks. (:

Exhausted...And Proud

Day one of Bootcamp is complete and I'm feeling weirdly masochistic about it. I wanted to die about half-way through...but I can't wait to go back. (: It's been a longlong time since I've worked so hard and pushed myself to the vomit/faint stage. Lol. Which sounds awful, but nothing that a sip of water and a walk around the gym can't cure. There was a lot of running in today's circuit training, more than I had anticipated, which was torture because I haven't run for quite a while.

Today's Schedule

Warm Up x 3 sets:

-Run 1 lap

-5 Handstands

-10 Good Mornings

-10 Deep Squats

Workout x 5 sets:

-Run 3 laps

-15 Clean And Jerk

Like I said. EXHAUSTED. I'm pretty sure I'll walk like a granny for a couple of days but man, it feels good! You know, I looked around at our 5:30 AM assortment (which didn't consist of any swimsuit models, to my amazement and relief) and felt proud of all of us for having the initiative to roll out of bed, drive to the gym in the dark and have our collective butts kicked first thing in the morning. There were about 15-20 of us, mostly thirty-somethings like myself, and then older people, too, including a couple well into their sixties - just doing their best.

It made me want to be that hardcore when I'm sixty - and it made me want to start NOW.
I cannot wait until Friday, when I get to feel the equivalent of being hit by a bus again.

And until then, I just might try another class in the meantime.
Power toning...or maybe Zumba...
Hm. Maybe this gym-phobia has turned into a new obsession. (:

Gym-A-Phobe

That's me.

Five weeks into my first ever diet/weight-loss regime (with a few failures along the way), and I have yet to go near the gym. Which is really very sad. I'm sure that if I had been exercising regularly I would have lost a whole lot more than just 7 pounds. Sure, I've got constant calisthenics going on and random bouts of jumping jacks, but it's just not really cutting it. What I need is something that will push me hard - something I'm going to absolutely hate...but love afterward.

Le gym.
...The very same gym I've had a paid membership at for months now.
...The very same gym I've never ever used.

A bit pathetic, I know, but Monday morning at 5:30 AM is going to change everything.

Hello, Bootcamp! I am SO scared to meet you!

Even so - I'm going to do it. And I'll probably be so out of my comfort zone that I'll want to cry, I'll look awkward and weak, but hey - I've got to start somewhere right? Plus, I've been afraid of gyms for so long that it's about time I cross that barrier once and for all. It's just that...in my head all women at the gym look like this:

...And actually know how to use the machines and whatnot. Then there's me, in my loose t-shirt and too-huggy stretchy pants, somehow getting my head stuck in a leg machine. Lol. (Just an example - but it wouldn't surprise me) But then I heard about our local Crossfit-inspired training, aka "Bootcamp", and I was intrigued. It's comforting to know that there are no weight machines, no mirrored walls, and that everyone goes their own pace - albeit, you're supposed to crank the workout as quickly/efficiently as possible with minimum to no resting. Still - there's no one hovering over you - you have to push yourself.

Taken from the Crossfit Draper website:

What is Crossfit? It’s an effective fitness program consisting of constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity.

That said - it's a given that this thing will kick my trash, but that's the point. I need a serious dose of motivation and Bootcamp is guaranteed to make me work harder than I do on my own.

So...time to just suck it up and jump in.
(Wish me luck.)

Links about Crossfit!
http://crossfit.com/
http://www.crossfitdraper.com/about/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzD9BkXGJ1M

Don't Just Sit There!

One of the biggest changes I've made in the past few weeks is that I rarely remain in one spot for too long. Even at the computer, which is the spot that I probably frequent the most in a single day, I'm contracting and sucking in my abs, keeping them somewhat engaged as much as I can. It's funny how looking at a single motivating picture can make you suck that jiggle in without even really thinking about it.

I've thought a lot about my past habits and about constantly making the choice to be lazy. Because, yes, it's a choice. And I'm not talking about lounging on the couch and eating bonbons all day, because most of us have a more hectic routine than that. What I am talking about is using free time better.

For example: If I know that I have a few minutes at any time during the day, the least I can do is crank out a nice set of jumping jacks or mountain climbers. Or, if I am just watching a movie at the end of the day once the kiddos are asleep I will go down on the floor and stretch or do some sit-ups (which is really quite enjoyable because you have something to keep your mind interested in).

So, I challenge you: Don't just sit there! There are plenty of at-home exercises to get you looking fabulous. No more excuses, no more procrastination. It's time to make those healthy changes and get fit!

At home workouts:
Lets you choose exercises based on what part of the body you want to work on.
Home workout routines
Can't make it to the gym? Three ways to sweat it out.

Three

Three what, you ask? 
Three pounds shed. 


Three - in one hit-and-miss week. Imagine what I could do if I really applied myself! It seriously motivates me. I came in under my daily calories and carbs goal yesterday for the first time, without feeling starved and frustrated, and it feels amazing. Makes me want to try even harder today. 

FOR BUSY SCHEDULES:
Fit in ten minutes of calisthenics whenever you can! Drop and give ten honest minutes of sit-ups - push yourself and make it count! Do it as often as your schedule will allow. Yesterday I got three ten-minute segments of abs in and I feel accomplished and sore. It's the least I can do, really, but it helps me feel that at least I did something.

MY FAVE DIET BUDDIES:
Unsweetened almond milk. So good! 35 calories! ZIP sugar!
Mission corn and whole grain tortillas. Satisfying for carb cravings!  90 calories!

Today I will get some cardio!
And you know what? This is getting easier.