"I'm shopping for a size 8....right?!"

The first week "off" of INSANITY has been odd. We've worked out every other day...which is almost more difficult to keep up. When we were doing it everyday, it was easy to make it happen...when it's every other day...things come up that make you want to postpone it to the next day. Like today, some friends of ours wanted to grill out. I was great with that! The hubs, on the other hand, said, "No, we have INSANITY tonight!" I was cool with putting it off until tomorrow, but I was glad that he insisted on doing it tonight. I don't want to slack off at all...and I probably would without realizing it if it wasn't for him!

After fussing to my husband about how I have NO pants that fit...I went shopping today! I knew that I had a couple of pair of 8's that I was wearing (as mentioned previously), but I had not purchased a size 8. In the back of my head, I thought maybe the ones that I already owned had stretched with me as I gained weight back then. So, I was very interested to see what size I would wear when I shopped for new pants this time.

In order to avoid the food temptations of an all day shopping fest, I cooked breakfast for the shopping buddy and myself. The thought was that we'd eat a big breakfast, which should hold us until we get ready to come home...and maybe we'd have to stop and get a cereal bar or something...and he plan worked!! We had scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, and choc-chip banana pancakes! Those pancakes were SO freakin good! I have made them once before, and they were just as good this time! It is a healthy recipe that I found on Pinterest! Only 178 calories in 2 of them!!

The first store we went to was Express. I had gone in and tried on pants since I had lost some weight, but that was after the first month...so I was ECSTATIC to fit into a 10! I haven't really shopped in Express in years. The last thing I bought in there were mentioned previously in this blog (my "stage 1" pants), and that was almost 4 years ago. Past that point, I did not feel like I was "up" for anything in that store. Today was different! My purpose was only to buy pants, so that is all that i tried on...I tried on their "Editor" and "Columnist" pants in a size 8. I told my shopping buddy, as I pulled up the first pair over my hips, "Cross your fingers!" AND THEY FIT!! I am a cheap-skate, so those pants were not on sale enough for me to buy them...I was just excited that they fit!!

Every store that we went in, I was a true 8! I was so excited to be in single digits again! I bought three pairs of pants and ALL of them were single digits!!!

I EARNED IT!!!!! WITH PICTURES

Well, we just finished our last workout of the INSANITY program!!! We are officially graduates!! No words can express how excited, proud, and amazed I am that we have stuck with and completed this program! I really don't know where to start in typing this EXCITING post!! I feel like such a goob, being so excited about something like this. I feel like I have really accomplished something and, better yet, proven something to myself! I did not hit my weight goal, but I would have never imagined that my body would react to this workout as well as it has! My physical results definitely surpassed any goal that I could have set!! Shaun T., I HATE you...but I LOVE you even more!! I "dug deeper" and got the results that I wanted!!

I guess I will start with my Fit Test results! Be prepared to have your mind blown!!!! Keep in mind, this has only be 60 days! We started the program on January 2! For descriptions of the fit test workouts, see previous posts.

First of all, my weight: starting weight 176.4    weight on Sunday, 3-4-11 - 157.3  for total of 19.1  lbs!!! Don't hate me for rounding up to 20!!! lol
Switch Kicks  1st-59    2nd-70     3rd-85    4th-100   5th-112     89% increase
Power Jacks  1st-37     2nd-45     3rd-49    4th-53    5th-55       48.6% increase
Power Knees 1st-60     2nd- 65    3rd-80    4th-100   5th-104     73.3% increase
Power Jumps 1st-13    2nd-20     3rd-23    4th-40     5th-47      261.5% increase!
Globe Jumps 1st-5       2nd-8       3rd-9     4th- 10    5th-10        100% increase!
Suicide Jumps 1st-9     2nd-12     3rd-17    4th-18    5th-22       144.4% increase!
Push-Up Jacks  1st-8   2nd-16!!!  3rd-23    4th-26    5th-30        275% increase!
Low Plank Oblique  1st-32   2nd-47   3rd-52   4th-60    5th-70   118.8% increase!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!?! I know I can't! Seeing the percentages REALLY makes it incredible!

Now for the measurements!!!
\Waist: Jan 2- 33 inches                 March 4- 28 inches             TOTAL LOST: 5 inches
Hips: Jan 2- 38.5 inches                 March 4- 33.5 inches          TOTAL LOST: 5 inches
Butt: Jan 2- 45.5 inches                 March 4- 41 Inches             TOTAL LOST: 4.5 inches
Thigh: Jan 2- L & R 26.75 inches   March 4- L & R 23 inches   TOTAL LOST: 3.75 each leg
Calf: Jan 2- R: 17   L:16.5              March 4- R: 15   L:15.5       TOTAL LOST:  R: 2  L: 1
Arm: Jan 2- L&R 12.5                   Feb 12- R: 11  L:  11.5        TOTAL LOST: R: 1.5  L: 1
GRAND TOTAL OF 27.5 INCHES LOST!!!!!!!!

SOOO close... (beware, bragging to follow)

Well, tonight we did our last "Max Interval Plyo" session! It is amazing to see how much I have grown since we started the Insanity program! I can do more pushups now than possibly ever in my life! We have one more full workout to go, and a fit test on Sunday. I cannot believe we are almost done! I am AMAZED at the changes that my body has accomplished in 60 days...just 60 days!!

The compliments continue to roll in, and I don't foresee me ever getting tired of that! My stomach is so much flatter now than it was when I started, my waist is close to the size that it once was, my quads are firm, my calves have definition (yes, my cankles have definition), and I have biceps!! I put on some old bathing suits the other night, and they fit! That's right!!! Two piece bathing suits!! I will not hit my goal weight of 150 pounds, but I did not expect my body to react to it this way! Regardless of what the scale says this weekend, for my final weigh-in, I am calling this process a COMPLETE success!! Let's be honest, people don't see the number on the scale when they look at you...they see YOU! I'm still not done trying to lose weight, but I'm not discounting this process because I didn't hit the elusive number!

We both still groan when we see certain exercises come up in each video. We still don't make it through the videos without taking unscheduled breaks, but we feel like we are burning out on each circuit...and that's what we're supposed to do!!

The next post that I have will say that we are DONE WITH INSANITY!!! We'll continue to do the videos 3 times a week...but we'll be done with the program! I can't wait to post the before and after pictures! I'm trying to figure out how to get pics side by side now, so that'll be figured out by then!

The Last Week

I did my measurements this weekend, but I'm not going to post them since I'll be posting my final measurements this weekend! THAT'S RIGHT....FINAL MEASUREMENTS!!! I can't believe it is almost over!

Tonight was rough for me (and the hubs, as well). I had softball practice after school, which went great. I introduced them to some Shaun T. moves, and they loved it! Actually asked if we could do it everyday! Before anyone gets too impressed with them, I just gave them some of the exercises from the warm up with a small break between each one. All they see is the 6 pack that they want for summer lol. The munchkin had been awesome ALL day, until it came time to go home. He got mad because he couldn't ride with GiGi (who was not going to my house). Just hearing him cry in the backseat over something that silly drives me BANANAS!!! Talk about nerve wrecking! About half-way home, he was fine...then we got to sing songs and play in the car, and all was well.We got home, and I fell asleep on the couch. I NEVER fall asleep on the couch, even when I want to. I woke up to get the munchkin bathed and ready for bed...then it was time for INSANITY. Tonight, we had the hardest video, Max Interval Plyo. It is soooo draining!! It's all jumping, whether from your feet to feet, feet to hands, hands to feet, whatever! If it's jumping, we do it! Being exhausted, and trying to do Insanity does not mix. Now I feel like I could fall asleep standing up! I'm about to throw my week's worth of chicken in the oven, shower and go to bed!!

Our motivation was really suffering today...but I think it was just because this is the worst video and we are both exhausted! Hopefully the rest of the week won't be so dreadful!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS ALMOST OVER!!!!

BIG DAY IN THE WORLD OF TORI!!!

Most important item of the day/week/moth/year/decade, first... I wore "college" jeans today!!!! THAT'S RIGHT!! I wore jeans today that I wore when I was in college (and they were a single digit!)!! I was going through my drawer this morning and saw a pair of jeans that I was not even aware that I still had. Out of idle curiosity, I tried them on...and they fit like a glove!! I wish there had been a camera on my face when I got them up over my hips! So, guess what I wore today (I was out of the building today, so I could wear them)!!!

I had a training today in Nashville, whose registration stated, "lunch provided." I had no clue what this lunch was going to consist of...would it be cold salads, sandwiches, mayo based salads, pb&j and chips...WHAT?!!! So I brought my lunch, just in case. I was pretty proud of myself for doing that! I needed to pack snacks anyway, so throwing my chicken and a wrap in the lunchbox was no problem. Well, lunch was a mini italian buffet...yes, I said BUFFET! and it looked AMAZING!! There was chicken alfredo, some sort of pasta marinara with italian sausage, some other pasta dish, some sort of lemon seasoned chicken breast, and tiramisu. Boy was I glad that I brought my lunch! I ate my good ol' carrots and salsa, a piece of the supplied chicken breast, and strawberries with mini marshmallows. I was pretty impressed with my will power while everyone else at my table had 2 helpings of tiramisu because, "this is soooo good!!"

The hubs and I had planned on eating mexican tonight, since it is "recovery" night. That sounded like a great idea until I got out of the training, went to softball practice, and went to "get my hair did." By that point it was after 6:15 and Brandon wasn't really wanting to get back out. I, on the other hand, had been thinking about mexican ALL day long. I had to fulfill my craving, so I got two chicken soft tacos, to go. I even told them to leave out the chips and salsa! Those chicken tacos were EXACTLY what I needed and I enjoyed every bite!!

When I got home, I had the sudden urge to try on old clothes! The "college jeans" were not a fluke! (First, I called my college roommate to make sure that the jeans I had on were, in fact, jeans that I wore in college.She would know since we raided each other's clothes on a daily basis.) I could wear other old jeans too!!! Brandon (being a total male in this situation) said, "I'm glad you kept those jeans, now you don't have to go buy new ones!"...and, he was DEAD serious. I looked at him like he had just said that I was missing a toe! I said, "You are out of your mind if you think I'm not going to go buy new clothes! If for no other reason than to say, 'I bought a size 8 today!'" Oh, silly man! Shopping WILL happen in my near future...but I want to wait for a few more weeks!

Tomorrow night, a friend is staying the night...so you know we have to have some "junk" food. I plan on making mini corndog muffins (via pinterest, a WW recipe) and WW cupcakes (a box of cake mix, mixed with a diet soda)...I'm really looking forward to it!

I'm ending the day feeling really good about myself! I'm not at my goal weight, but I feel amazing!! I'm still hoping and trying for the goal weight...although, it will not happen by the time we finish INSANITY next week.

Thank you to everyone for the words of encouragement and comments/compliments! They really do mean the world to me!!

I Prefer My "Fast and Furious" To Include Paul Walker...(and fit test results)

Tonight was Fit Test # 4 plus Max Interval Circuit. We dreaded it all weekend day, and there is no questioning why. I will post my Fit Test results at the end...I was VERY pleased with myself! It is AMAZING what a difference I can see in my body and my performance since day 1!

When we finished the Fit Test, Brandon and I did NOT want to do another hour of Insanity. Not only did we not want to, we really didn't have time to since Rylan went to bed later than planned. When we finished the Fit Test, it was almost 9:00...so we chose an alternative. In the Insanity kit, there is a video titled "Fast and Furious." It is a 20 minute video that is supposed to give the same cardio and muscle work as a full length workout...no stopping, no breaks, just GO. That workout was NO JOKE!! I was worried that we would regret taking the "easy" way out, but it definitely wasn't easy, so no regrets! that was by far the hardest 20 minutes of my life!! (I also only got about a half a squirt out of my inhaler before we started, so that didn't help with the exhaustion)
My throat has started hurting, which is NO BUENO!! So I pray that it is just a minor ache and that it will go away tomorrow!

Now for the Fit Test Results!!!
First of all, my weight: starting weight 176.4    weight on Sunday, 2-19-11 - 159.5  for total of 16.9  lbs!!!
Switch Kicks  1st-59    2nd-70     3rd-85    4th-100
Power Jacks  1st-37     2nd-45     3rd-49    4th-53
Power Knees 1st-60     2nd- 65    3rd-80    4th-100
Power Jumps 1st-13    2nd-20     3rd-23    4th-40
Globe Jumps 1st-5       2nd-8       3rd-9     4th- 10
Suicide Jumps 1st-9     2nd-12     3rd-17    4th-18
Push-Up Jacks  1st-8   2nd-16!!!  3rd-23    4th-26
Low Plank Oblique  1st-32   2nd-47   3rd-52   4th-60

These results are AMAZING to me!! As much as I fussed about having to do the fit test the first day, I'm so glad that we have had to do it! As if the physical results weren't enough, to see how much stronger I really am is amazing (did you catch that, it's AMAZING!!!)!!  
The next time you see fit test results, we will be DONE DONE DONE!!!!!

STILL PROUD...

Tonight we had Max Cardio and Cardio Abs. Max Cardio still isn't easy, but it's amazing how much better we both are at it! We haven't done Cardio Abs in 3 weeks (as laid out on the Insanity calendar), and it was AMAZING how much better we did with it! We both looked at each other at the end and said, "It's amazing what a difference three weeks can make," let alone compared to our first Ab night!

Weigh in is either tomorrow or Sunday (to be honest, I weigh both days and take the lowest number! LOL). Earlier in the week, I was certain that I would be happy with weigh-in, but today I wasn't sure. Now, I feel good about it! I'm intrigued to see what the numbers say tomorrow! I would be ECSTATIC if I got in the 150's this week (I was 162 Sunday...161 Monday), so we'll see!!

I must say, my guy knows exactly what to say to make me smile! We were talking about our weight loss goal, and I said how many pounds I had left to my goal (11 left), and he said, "you'll be skin and bones if you lose that much weight!" and he was dead serious! lol I just laughed at him! I reminded him that both of us set our goal to weigh the same as we did when we got married...and I'm 11 lbs away!!

To piggy-back on my last post... I got to thinking after I typed it up. I think this feels so surreal because I have never really lost weight in my life! I graduated from high school weighing 150 pounds. Through college, the lowest I ever got was 140 and was told I was too skinny by MANY (and I was), and graduated from college at 150. My body composition changed immensely through college, just my weight didn't. I was a gym rat and spent my free time in the gym, even outside of practice time. I didn't really pay too much attention to my weight; I was all about my body fat percentage. My lowest percentage was 9%...which is pretty freakin low! After I had Rylan, I joined WW and lost the 5 pounds that I still had on me from pregnancy (I think 165 was the lowest I got)...but, as I mentioned before, I couldn't fit in my clothes so I got frustrated and gave up. From that point on, my weight just continued to creep up and creep up. So the fact that I have lost 15 pounds is exciting to me! Ok...enough exciting "bragging."

Let me also say...I'm excited to see everyone else who is losing weight, too! Now I have a better understanding of what it takes to get it done and I am proud of EVERYONE who I have seen trying to better themselves!! Congrats and keep up the hard work! I love that we are all inspiring each other!

I Am So Proud Of Myself!!!

I don't know why it hit me today...but I am so proud of myself!! I mean, I've been proud before now...but it really hit me today! Maybe it's the fact that everyday someone tells me how good I look or asks how much weight I've lost, or maybe it's because everyday I either put on something I haven't worn in a LONG time or wear something with ALOT more confidence! My body is completely different, and I'm starting to feel like any goal that I set is doable. Not to sound like a goob, but it's almost surreal. I (as many people do) have talked about needing to lose weight, and wished that I could lose weight, many many times...but the fact that I've actually done it is amazing to me! I wish there was a way to explain how excited I am without someone thinking that I am conceited...lol.
All I can say is...today I wore a pair of pants that I haven't worn in a long time. About mid-way through the day, I got a glace of the tag, and it was a single digit number!! Now, does this mean that I wear single digits now, NO, but I can wear a pair that I have and that's a good start!!

I haven't not mentioned this in previous posts, but I help coach the softball team at a local middle school, and today started our tryouts. We start full time practice next week, but we'll be done with Insanity before our games start (thank goodness).

I've gotten to a point where I look forward to doing the workout every night, even when it's the hardest one (like tonight's). Tonight we had Max Plyo, which is the hardest one in both of our opinions. It's alot of muscle work and power moves, which kills me! But I definitely know I've worked my tail off when we finish. I am looking forward to seeing the scale this weekend!

Week 6 measurements

We'll get to the measurements...

Yesterday, Brandon and I had tickets to go to the Uk/Vandy game and planned to have a good dinner before hand. We don't get a date night too often without our bundle of energy, so we wanted to take the opportunity and run with it! This will also count as our "Valentine date" as well. After looking at our options online, we decided on The Outback because they had a  pretty good "Under 550 calorie" menu. I was excited that they had Coke Zero when we got there, too! We both ordered the sirloin, I had asparagus and a salad (I HAVE to learn how to cook asparagus!), and Brandon had the steamed veggies and steamed green beans (the green beans were AWESOME!!). We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals...and I feel like we have talked about it non-stop since!

Today, we ate at Maw-Maw's like we always do on Sunday. **Remember me mentioning that it is not easy dieting with my family...** We had chicken and dumplins, lima beans, fried apples, salad, and rolls...then brownies with ice cream for dessert. Brandon and I decided that it wouldn't kill us to eat Maw-Maw's food once a week...we would just try to watch our portion size. We've done pretty good with it, but I LOVE MawMaw's chicken and dumplins!! So I had a couple of servings! After my measurements, I felt like I could splurge a little!

Now for the measurements...  I was VERY excited about my measurements today! I can truly tell a difference in my body, and so can everyone else! This time I will actually put what my measurements are, not just how much I have lost...so here goes...

Weight:  Jan 2- 176.4                     Feb 12- 162.4                  TOTAL LOST: 14 lbs
Waist: Jan 2- 33 inches                  Feb 12- 29 inches             TOTAL LOST: 4 inches
Hips: Jan 2- 38.5 inches                 Feb 12- 34 inches             TOTAL LOST: 4.5 inches
Butt: Jan 2- 45.5 inches                 Feb 12- 42 Inches             TOTAL LOST: 3.5 inches
Thigh: Jan 2- L & R 26.75 inches   Feb 12- L & R 24 inches   TOTAL LOST: 2.75 each leg
Calf: Jan 2- R: 17   L:16.5              Feb 12- R: 15.75   L:15.5   TOTAL LOST:  R: 1.25  L: 1 inch
Arm: Jan 2- L&R 12.5                   Feb 12- L&R: 12               TOTAL LOST:  .5 each leg
                                                                        GRAND TOTAL INCHES LOST: 20.75!!!!!!!!

I am so proud of myself right now! I'm proud that I have stuck this out for 6 weeks, I'm proud that I have lost this much weight/inches, and I'm proud that Brandon and I have done it together! It's been great!! Six weeks down, three more to go!! Fourteen pounds down, twelve more to go!!! I may not hit my goal by the end of the nine weeks, but I WILL hit that goal!!

Max Recovery...

After three of the hardest workouts I have ever done, we got a little bit of a recovery tonight...key words: little bit. The past three nights have been rough, which as lead to a rough few days of soreness. Yesterday, I felt like I had been jumped in my sleep and been beaten. My upper back/shoulders were so sore and my bootwah!! I squatted down during a class and my knees cracked like a machine gun (not really new news for me)! The kids looked at me like I had fallen apart like a Mr. Potato Head.Then, it was all that I could do to get myself back up!  But more and more people are starting to notice a difference, and I LOVE it!

Today, my "lats," shoulders, and butt are all sore. Tonight's recovery workout was no cardio, but definitely still a workout. It has lots of slow and controlled moves (very pilates-esque...or what I assume pilates is like). Through the entire workout, either my quads were burning, or my shoulders were. If we weren't down in a squat, we were down in a plank! It was tough, but I like feeling like I'm getting some work done, even without doing any cardio!

As far as the food goes...I'm still bored with my evening meal. I think I'm just going to go back to cooking, and whatever leftovers we have will be dinner on another night. I have plenty of healthy recipes! I'd rather eat a real dinner while we're still working out, than start eating after we finish and start gaining weight back immediately...that's what I'm afraid of. I still love my grilled chicken for lunch! The program said to add some calories when we start the new workout, so this is what I have been eating for lunch: a grilled chicken wrap (on a high fiber, low calorie tortilla), a small salad topped with strawberries only, and strawberries with mini-marshmallows. I usually have some carrots dipped in salsa at some point during the day, whether it is for mid-morning snack or at lunch. Saturday night, I get to have a date night with my hubby! We're both pretty excited about eating (how sad is that?!) and watching the UK/Vandy game! We've been scoping out possible restaurants for the occasion so we can celebrate date night without ruining the work we have done already.

I'm not really looking forward to weighing in and measuring this weekend. It's that time to feel bloated, and gain a couple extra pounds...which can be very discouraging when you're watching the scale. Part of me considered skipping the measurements this weekend, but I'm sure I'll still go through with it.

After re-reading this post, it has a few ADD tendencies...but that's ok! lol Thank you to everyone who has sent me words of encouragement and/or support!!

And I thought I was kinda in shape... (with fit test results)

I apologize about how long it has been since I've posted. Last week was "Recovery Week," which, as I posted, was not much of a recovery. We did the same DVD all week, so I really didn't feel like I had anything to post about. We did go out to eat with friends on Friday night, and I ate more than I should have...but I guess that will happen now and then! I am proud to say that I did not partake in much of the Super Bowl food that I was around! I ate a bit of the Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip (thanks to my hostess for making it "skinny"), and some veggies (and maybe one chocolate oatmeal cookie...but, again, it's oatmeal right?!)!

So yesterday, we started the second set of DVD's in the INSANITY series. In the pamphlet, it said that you would think you were in shape, until the next set starts...and that was definitely true. We started with the fit test (results to follow), then did "Max Interval Circuit." In case you're keeping up, that was an hour and twenty minutes of Shaun T! I continued to improve on ALL of the fit test exercises!! the following DVD, on the other hand...OMG!! Brandon and i kept looking at each other like, "What in the world?!" It was just non-stop! I'm glad they get you a month into the program before they drop this workout on you...or there is NO way that we would have stuck with it this long, nor would we have made it through the first night!

Tonight's DVD was "Max Interval Plyo." I'm not sure which workout was harder...last night's or tonight's. Brandon swears that tonight's was harder because it was all power moves, but I'm not sure! Tonight's was definitely hard, so I'll say they were equally as hard (like that diplomatic answer?)! I wish I could begin to explain the moves that we did tonight. Lots of jumping...from hands to feet, from push up position to feet, jumping while in a push up position...if it was jumping, we did it. I am already sore, so I dread what tomorrow will feel like! Tomorrow we have "Max Cardio," which is this set's version of "Pure Cardio" so I'm sure it'll be easy (if you have been reading this blog, please tell me you catch that sarcasm!!!!!).

So here are my fit test results!!!
First of all, my weight: starting weight 176.4    weight on Sunday, 2-5-11 - 164.2  for total of 12.2 lbs!!!
Switch Kicks (kick one knee up at a time to belly button level, and kick the leg out) 1st-59 2nd-70  3rd-85
Power Jacks (jumping jacks with a squat when your legs are apart) 1st-37     2nd-45    3rd-49
Power Knees (bring one knee up to belly button level, as arms come to meet the leg, all at an angle) 1st-60   2nd- 65  3rd-80
Power Jumps (jump up while bringing your knees up, wide set) 1st-13   2nd-20   3rd-23
Globe Jumps (jump right, back, left, and forward, like a circle kinda. one rotation equals 1) 1st-5   2nd-8  3rd-9
Suicide Jumps (jump back in to a push up position, bring knees back to hands, and jump up) 1st-9 2nd-12   3rd-17
Push-Up Jacks (push-ups, legs spread as you go down, bring them together when you get to the top) 1st-8      2nd-16!!!   3rd-23
Low Plank Oblique (holding a plank position on your elbows, bring one knee up to the side toward your shoulder, then switch legs) 1st-32   2nd-47   3rd-52


I am so proud of myself!! I can't believe how much I have improved since he first day! I am trying to get pictures posted, but I'm having ALOT of difficulty (it really shouldn't be this hard!). I'll get them up as soon as I can!

You call that a "Recovery"?!!!???

I'm still riding high off of my measurements from Saturday! I'm so happy with the results that I have seen! I can DEFINITELY see a difference in my body and the way my clothes fit! At first, I was feeling different in a few pairs of pants...but now, ALL of my clothes are fitting differently! Kids at school are noticing, other teachers are noticing, and (sadly) the host at the mexican restaurant is noticing!! We all have a friend that you can count on to tell you like it is no matter what "it" is...well, today, THAT friend said, "I can tell a difference!" I looked at her like she had just told me that I had won the lottery!! I knew she wasn't just blowing smoke up my [shrinking] touchus! That felt great!! I can see abs coming through, my collarbones are starting to show again (I love collarbones...strange, I know), and my face is slimming down!

No longer do I have to stand in my closet going, "nope, my stomach pooches out," "nope, too tight," "OMG when did this stop fitting?!"  I can just grab anything and go. There is one pair of pants that is in the closet that I haven't tried on yet, and I don't know if I'm ready to yet! [Am I really about to put my pants size on here?!] Before I started, I was in a 12, but I could still wear most of my 10's too (but they were all quite snug...probably shouldn't have been wearing them). Now, all of my 10's fit comfortably and even have extra room in them. If I get into an 8 again, I will DIE!!! Then I will be in my Stage 2 pants (pants I wore when we got married)! At first, I felt like getting into an 8 was irrational thinking...but now I feel like I can do it!! There is one dress that I have in my mind as my "ultimate goal" dress! I told Brandon that if when I can fit in that dress, we are going somewhere to dinner that we have to dress up! I've only worn the dress once for a very special occasion, but I LOVE it and I want to wear it again!!! When I wear it again, I will definitely post a picture!

Anyway...on to what this post is really about..."Recovery Week." Oh Shaun T., why did you have to miss the day of elementary school when they explained what the word RECOVER meant?! What about this video is a recovery?!! Brandon and I had planned out meals for this week, even made plans to go out to eat with friends this week...but that plan changed Monday when we saw what this nut-case called a "recovery." It is almost as hard as a regular week! It's not as much cardio, which is why he refers to it as a recovery, but my shoulders are more sore than they have been since we started, and I can definitely feel it in my core! It's tough...I can't lie! I was expecting it to be Pilate's or something like that...you know, kinda chill but still working your muscles. NOPE!!! Brandon doesn't feel like he can eat a real meal and then do the workout, so another week without cooking real meals...   I think we'll both be fine as long as we don't overeat, and I tested my theory tonight! Mom and I ate mexican; I got a grilled chicken soft taco and a side of beans. I felt satisfied, but I wasn't wobbling out (and, might I add, it was WAY cheap!). I survived the workout and felt great while I was doing it. I may try to cook something tomorrow night, and just eat a smaller portion of it in order to survive.

I am still enjoying my grilled chicken wraps for lunch. I have become a bit obsessed with strawberries with mini marshmallows (it kinda tastes like strawberry shortcake), so I've had that quite a bit lately. All in all, I've enjoyed every aspect of this workout (except the fact that it feels like Tonya Harding attacked my knees). The knees are just sore, no injuries...just not used to this kind of work!

I want to thank everyone for reading and keeping up with me through this! This weekend I will officially post my before pictures (good grief) and my "now" pictures (that will be taken this weekend). I can't wait to put the pictures next to each other to see the difference!!

4 Week Measurements

Well, today will complete my 4th week of "Insanity!" I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself for making it this far, but I'm anxious to see what the next 5 weeks bring. Today we finish the first set of DVDs, next week we do "Core Cardio and Balance" all week for a "recovery," then we start "Max Interval" everything for the next 4 weeks. I'm kinda glad that we're starting new DVDs (even though I haven't "mastered" the ones that we've done thus far), just to change up what we're doing. We're still pretty bad about remembering what is on the DVD's lol. We'll see what some of the "back up" people are wearing and we'll say, "oh, i think this is the one where they look stupid doing..." We had Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs for the last time last night, and I'm glad to see Pure Cardio end (although I enjoy Cardio Abs).

Today was weigh-in and measurement time (I weigh every week, and measure every 2 weeks). So here are the outcomes (total amount lost from the beginning)...
Weight: 8.4 lbs
Waist: 3.5 inches
Hips: 3.5 inches
Butt: 2 inches
Thighs: 1.75 inches on both
Calves: .5 inch on both
Arms: .25 inch on both
For a Grand Total of 14.25 inches over all!!

I only lost like 1 pound this week, so that was a little frustrating, but my measurements made up for it! Brandon weighs exactly the same as he did last week, so he's getting frustrated too. Again, we both know that muscle weighs more than fat, but we want to see that scale go down! Brandon actually just came upstairs with "Big News, Babe!" Then he announced that he is starting to see abs!! YAY!! So maybe he won't be quite so frustrated now! lol I'm definitely seeing a difference in my stomach, as my measurements show. It kinda weird because I don't know that either of us have had a sore stomach since we started, but you can always tell that is has been worked!

We're getting ready to do breakfast with the family (ya know, the weekly Shoney's trip), so I've been looking online to see what I should order...not a diet friendly place. I'm hanging out with friends tonight, so I may eat a few more calories than usual, but I'll enjoy every bite of it!!

I hope everyone is enjoying reading my progress! Seems like I may have recruited a new couple to the Insanity family! Good Luck you guys (you know who you are)!!

All I Have To Say Is...

I FIT IN PRE-PREGNANCY JEANS TODAY!!!!

This morning I was flipping through my "pants" rack in my closet and I noticed a pair of jeans peeking out on the floor. I thought, "What in the world?! Why are there jeans hiding back here?!" I picked them up and then vividly remembered throwing them back there in frustration b/c I couldn't get into them. I bought these after we had been married for about a year, so I had already put on some weight by that point. After I had Rylan, I did weight watchers and lost my baby weight, but I still couldn't get into my pre-pregnancy clothes...so I quit! I remember when we moved into the house (May '10), going through my clothes to figure out what to put in the extra bedroom, and what to put in the closet that I actually use. Those jeans were my last hope to wear pre-pregnancy pants...and I failed...so I chucked them into the back of the closet to never have to face the reality of how big I was. I put those babies on this morning, and they fit like a glove!! It was all I could do to take them off to put on work clothes (although, I'm sure most of my co-workers would have understood)! I will definitely be wearing them on Friday...so watch out!!! I guess of the stages of "skinny jeans" (not skinny legged jeans), this is stage 1! Stage 2 will include jeans that I wore when we got married!
To continue on he note of pants that I haven't worn in a while...Last week, I wore a pair of dress pants that I had not worn since last spring! Sunday, I wore a pair that I haven't worn since early fall (and shouldn't have been wearing them then), and I found a $20 bill in the pocket! DOUBLE JACKPOT!!!

Ok...just wanted to brag!!! YAY!!!!
Counting down to Thursday...the Sherer family will be eating mexican!! I'm a little too excited about this!!! It has been 4 weeks since we ate mexican; those of you who know me know that that is an ETERNITY for me!!

I Still Hate Pure Cardio!!

Well, today we started week 4 of Insanity. I am so proud of us for sticking with it this long! We're both seeing results in our bodies, and I can't ask for more than that! I have dreaded "Pure Cardio" all day, but I've been looking forward to "Cardio Abs." As I mentioned before, I love ab workouts and this one is great!!

I wanted to post today, because I'm getting frustrated/bored with my food, and I feel like others can relate to this. I am still grilling my chicken at the beginning of the week, and I'm happy with my lunches! Dinner, on the other hand, is boring me to death! I don't cook anymore because neither of us want to eat very much because the workouts are so intense. Since meals aren't being cooked, you can imagine how limited dinner is. Brandon can eat a turkey sandwich every night and be fine...I can't do that for lunch, let alone dinner! Plus, I miss cooking!! Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to do it every night, but I enjoy cooking. Thursdays are "Cardio Recovery" day, so we can generally eat more on those days...so hopefully I'll cook something on Thursday (or at least eat real food, whether it's a restaurant or at home). Anyone that has any light dinner ideas, please pass those ideas forward!! I'M DYING!!!
To add to my food frustrations, today was my little guy's birthday...and I wanted to take him out for dinner. And my little guy LOVES Mexican food (he gets it honest). My mother (love her heart) wanted to go out for dinner for his bday, but we couldn't because we knew Pure Cardio was tonight and that it would not be pretty! I did run through the drive through and get him a Happy Meal for his bday...and I only ate 2 fries! lol  Next week is recovery week, so if we don't eat Mexican on Thursday (cardio recovery), then we definitely will next week! Let the countdown begin!!!

Still Keeping It Up!! (Recipe included)

It's been a while since my last post, just because nothing new has happened. The diet has been going well, and we have been VERY consistent with our workouts! Haven't had to miss a workout yet! I will have to say, it really doesn't get much easier as you go. You know what to expect, but the "better" you get, the faster you go, which winds you as much as you were when you first started doing it. So you always feel like you have room for improvement, and I like that!

Today we had my little boy's 2nd bday party, so as you can expect, I didn't eat extremely healthy. Although, everything that I made was a "healthy" version! Of course the cake wasn't healthy...but I'm not going to pass up my little boy's bday cake!

Since we had the party today, we decided we would weigh in this morning instead of tomorrow. We were both a little disappointed in our weigh-in, but we know it is just part of the plan and not a reflection on our hardwork and dedication. I only lost 1 pound this week (puts me at 169.0) and Brandon actually gained 4. Initially this was pretty bumming, but honestly, I know I have gained muscle and I know Brandon as too. He was more disappointed than I was. But he wanted to loose all of the weight that he wanted to, then gain muscle, and that's not how it works. We have to build muscle in order to loose fat, so I'll be patient and hope that the scale goes down more next week!! Just to make sure I wasn't wrong, I measured my waist to make sure that it had not gotten bigger or stopped progressing, and I had lost another inch off of it! So that's 3 inches off of my waist in 3 weeks!! Pretty good!!

We have discussed taking tonight off and do today's workout tomorrow (which is supposed to be our day off), but I don't know if we'll do that or not. Part of me says to just because we ate quite a bit during the party, and I don't know how that'll feel on our tummies...but then part of me says that we ate enough today to warrant a workout tonight...lol So we'll see!

I'm going to include a recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip (skinny style) just in case some of you are wondering what a "Healthy" party food is like. And it is AWESOME!!

Buffalo Chicken Dip
2 cans Chunk Chicken Breast, drained
1/2 C Fat Free Ranch
1/2 C Buffalo Sauce (I use Frank's Buffalo Wing Sauce)
1/2 C Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1 package softened Fat Free Cream Cheese

I find it easies to mix when you mix the sauces and cream cheese together first. Then add the two cans of chicken, mix well. Add mozzarella cheese and mix well. I usually sprinkle a little bit on the top as well...just a sprinkle though.
Bake on 350 degrees for about 20 mins.

Fit Test #2 Results

I have something to do this evening, so I went ahead and did my "FitTest" this afternoon. I have had vast improvements in ALL of the exercises!! I was very excited to see all of the new numbers!!
Just as a reminder of what the fit test is....There are 8 exercises that are done for a minute a piece. I'm not sure how long the break is in between, but I think it's like a minute and a half. I will post the exercise (my best explanation of that exercise), my first attempt's number, and my second attempt's number (today's number).

Switch Kicks (kick one knee up at a time to belly button level, and kick the leg out) 1st-59      2nd-70
Power Jacks (jumping jacks with a squat when your legs are apart) 1st-37     2nd-45
Power Knees (bring one knee up to belly button level, as arms come to meet the leg, all at an angle) 1st-60 2nd- 65
Power Jumps (jump up while bringing your knees up, wide set) 1st-13     2nd-20
Globe Jumps (jump right, back, left, and forward, like a circle kinda. one rotation equals 1) 1st-5  2nd-8
Suicide Jumps (jump back in to a push up position, bring knees back to hands, and jump up) 1st-9 2nd-12
Push-Up Jacks (push-ups, legs spread as you go down, bring them together when you get to the top) 1st-8      2nd-16!!!
Low Plank Oblique (holding a plank position on your elbows, bring one knee up to the side toward your shoulder, then switch legs) 1st-32     2nd-47

I am very excited with my progress! Not only that, but i weighed this morning and I entered "the next dimension!!!" I won't weigh again until Sunday, but I just had to check in one more time!!! lol

This afternoon I made some turkey chili, and it turned out really well. It actually tasted just like my normal chili! As you all know, you can't make a little chili, so we'll be eating on it all week! But that's ok because it is VERY low fat!!

Tonight I am meeting with some friends at The Outback, so I've already scoped out the online menu and I am prepared with a couple of ordering options. That is something that I have definitely started to really do. If I know that I am going to be eating at a restaurant, I try to look online and have an idea of what I am going to order, that way I am not tempted by other items on the menu. I'll let you know tomorrow how well I curb my temptations, because I'm sure appetizers will be ordered and thrown in my face. I so don't want to be "that person" who is the anal eater (ok, that sounds way gross...lol). What I mean is, I have been around people who make me feel uncomfortable when they are "on a diet." They are so anal about what they eat that they inadvertently make me feel gross about what I am eating. I hope that makes sense to everyone...I don't want to be that person....so...

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend (especially those of us who go extra long ones!!) Have a blessed week!!

First Day of Results!

Well, today was weigh-in! I didn't really know what to expect, although I was hoping to have a total weight loss of 7 lbs to put me in the "next dimension." I can't believe I am about to put my vital info on the Internet (vital, meaning weight), but here goes...

I started at 176.4, so I was hoping to loose 7 lbs to put me in the 160's. Well, I lost 6.4 so I'm still in the "170's" but DANG I'm soooo close!!! If I lose a couple of ounces, I'm in the 160's...maybe tomorrow morning! lol I was pretty happy with that outcome. I can't complain about 6.4 lbs in 2 weeks! It's on the track of the average that I need in order to accomplish my final goal, so I'm happy! I have to keep reminding myself that it isn't going to happen the first month that I do this! Patience has never been my strong suit! lol

I wasn't bummed about my weight, but I wasn't super pumped either...just kinda "eh." I knew my measurements would make me feel better, so I did those immediately following the scale. I knew they would be good because I could look in the mirror and see a difference! I was very happy with the outcome of those!! The following is a list of the inches LOST off of various parts of my body...
Waist= 2 inches
Hips= 1.5 inches
Butt= 1.75 inches
Thighs= 1.5 Left & 1.5 Right
Calves= .5 Right & 1 Left
That is a grand total of 9.75 inches in 2 weeks!! I'm pretty excited about that! I love that I have lost enough that my clothes fit differently!! Very happy about that!!

So, at this check point, I am content with my progress! We get the night off tonight, although we've discussed doing the ab workout again tonight. Tomorrow is the fit test, to see how much physical progress we've made. I am intrigued to see how different my numbers are, I know I've improved on that!

I'm glad you guys are sticking with me through this! I hope someone is finding inspiration through all of this...or at least a few laughs!!

Pure Cardio + Pure Cardio Abs = INSANITY

As I mentioned on our first night of "Pure Cardio," this is why it is called "Insanity." Then we added "Pure Cardio Abs" onto it (not by choice, that's the schedule)!! I feel like I got a little farther in "Pure Cardio" without a break, or took less breaks, either way I feel like I'm getting better with it! The abs part was crazy hard! Now, some of you reading this will remember the days that I LOVED to do abs and had the stomach to prove it...I have a feeling I'll end up wanting to do this every night!! Nothing is better than a flat stomach, and this will definitely give it to you! It is so tough, and I already feel my stomach, I can't wait to see what comes of this! I was already seeing a difference in my stomach before we ever even did a real "ab workout," so it can only get better! I did hate that it started off with jumping exercises (definitely working the abs), since we just finished "Pure Cardio."

I was speaking with a friend of mine today about posting some of my "inspiration" pictures, and I still haven't decided on it. These pictures would be of me at my physical peak, just to remind myself that my body can do it! By no means do I expect my body to get back in the shape that I was in when I was 20, but these are the pictures that I go back to when I'm questioning why I am doing this. We'll see what comes of that...

Tomorrow morning is weigh-in! As I previously mentioned, I moved the scale out of the bathroom, and I haven't weighed myself since, so I'm excited to see the number on the scale in the morning! I will also redo my measurements and post the outcomes, good or bad (although, they should all be good!)!
I keep visiting the "Insanity" facebook page, which is added inspiration. I love looking at people's before and after pictures! It seems to put it in perspective for me! I cant' wait to have a before and after comparison!!

I Got My Snowday!

Yay! I got to sleep in a bit this morning! The little man didn't realize it was unlimited sleep day and woke up at 8:00, but I'll still take it!!

Tonight was "Cardio Power and Resistance," which we also did on Monday. There's lots of jumping in this one, which wears me out!! The hubs has been battling "the crud" for a few days, so he's been struggling more than he usually would. I hope he's on the uphill swing of it all. It hasn't been terrible for him, but I know he doesn't feel his best.

Well, one of my predictions was right...it is that time for me (see previous post), which makes me not look as forward to my weigh-in on Sunday. I always bloat and gain during that time, so now I'm not as excited. At least the sweets cravings only lasted for a day! Still no "movement" (see previous post, again), but hopefully I'm helping it along its way.

As I posted last week, weekends are usually rough on a diet, due to my family eating. Well, we are not doing Shoney's tomorrow because there was a death in my distant family (my grandmother's cousin), so my grandmother and her sister are going to the funeral home tomorrow. So, now I just have to worry about Sunday (weigh-in will be first thing in the morning!)!!

As you have read, "Pure Cardio" is my least favorite workout...and that's what we have tomorrow, along with "Cardio Abs." This will be the first time for this workout, and I am nervous about ANYTHING coming after "Pure Cardio." That should be an interesting post...
After that, the posts will probably slow down since we will be doing the same DVD's for a couple more weeks. I will definitely still post periodically about the struggles of staying on the diet...that will always be a struggle! I'm already planning a trip to the mexican restaurant in town on the "Recovery Week." That's 2 weeks away!!!!

Motivation...? I called for you yesterday...

Well, so this post will start on the path of TMI, but it all has to do with this process, so...reader beware!!!
The past couple of days I have felt so bloated (as I have previously stated)! I started thinking today, and I have figured out some of it...I have not had a "movement" since Monday! I'm tearing up some salads, fruit, and high fiber foods...but nothing is moving! Someone mentioned that it may have something to do with all of the protein that I am eating...which is definitely a possibility. I'm liable to lose 5 pounds when it finally comes (I'll take it however I can get it!). This bloat has really killed my motivation. Once we start the DVD, I'm good to go, but every night I'm thinking, "I really don't want to!!"
I'm sure part of today's lack of motivation had to do with the snowfall! As a school employee in Tennessee, whenever white stuff falls, I get excited and (as my mother would say) "I ain't worth killin." So we've just been watching the snow fall and I've been posing the question to everyone..."Do you think we'll go tomorrow?" Hopefully not, then we'll have a 4 day weekend!!!

As I mentioned yesterday, today's eating pattern was a little different because I couldn't start the day off with my smoothie...I replaced it with a protein bar and was pretty surprised at how full I was! I had a rice cake with all natural pb for mid-morning, a salad with grilled chicken for lunch, and an apple when I got home. We decided last night that a big fat juicy burger sounded good, so we grilled turkey burgers tonight! Yes, we grilled outside as it was snowing! I'm sure our neighbors wondered about our mental state, but it was worth it. It wasn't quite as good as the burger from "The Depot," but it got the point across. I also had a baked sweet potato, while Brandon ate a baked regular potato. then I still had the munchies so I ate a Special K bar that was chocolate and pretzel. It must be getting close to "that time" because I've been wanting chocolate all day, and that salty sweet Special K bar came pretty close to satisfying me...for only 90 calories!

Tonight's workout was "Cardio Recovery." We've only done this one once, so we didn't really remember what to expect. It was a nice break from the "go as hard as you can as long as you can," but it was definitely still a workout. It does more deep muscle work than the other cardio videos, so my legs feel like jello right now. Tomorrow's workout is one we have only done once as well, so I'm not sure what to expect (maybe I should look back at my previous post on it).

I will leaves this post with hopes that I will get to sleep in in the morning since I am so drained! I feel like I'm not sleeping enough, but by the time we get done working out, shower, cool down, and get in the bed, it is at least 10:00...which is too late for me to go to bed every night! So, here's hoping I get to sleep in!!

Motivation, Motivation....Where for art thou, Motivation?

Last night I was glad to get to burn off some frustration when I got home. It had been a stressful afternoon, so I was glad to have that outlet.
Today started off great! I have an "intern" (who is already a counselor somewhere else but needs elementary hours to complete licensure requirements) that comes on Wednesdays, and it is so nice to have someone who relates to what days are like for a school counselor. We discussed frustrations that we have within our position, and talked about the warm fuzzy feelings that it brings sometimes. It's almost like we get a weekly counseling session within ourselves! I had Kindergarten and first grades, had a couple of individual sessions, met with teachers...very productive day. Then I had a meeting at the end of the day. I was up and motivated all day...until I sat down in the parent meeting. You know when you're tired and you are fine as long as your still moving and going?! Well, that was me today...and I crashed after about 45 minutes in that meeting. It was like my brain was floating! Part of it may have been that there were alot of people in a small room and it started getting hot and all that jazz...but man, talk about drained! I got home, caught up on "Pretty Little Liars" and played trains with my little boy...all of which were great, because they didn't take much effort. lol

As I was taking the munchkin to his room to read his bedtime story, my husband looked at me and said, "Do we have to do this tonight?" lol  "Yes, we do!" was my response, after I got a HUGE yawn.

Tonight was "Plyometric Cardio Circuit" and this is the 3rd time we've done it, so we are starting to learn the routine. I really didn't have to take an unscheduled break until we got to the planks and pushups...then, I definitely did! All of that is at the end of the routine, so I was exhausted. And, for me, it so hard to do pushups without holding my breathe...it always has been! lol So when I'm winded, there's no way I can do very many!

I still have nothing but great things to say about the Insanity program! I can definitely see a difference in myself, and I'm pretty used to the eating routine. Tomorrow will be a little different because, in my own little Tori way, left my smoothie container at school (and yes, I only have one), and I left my water bottle at school. At least I can buy water at school, although I am going to look into getting one of those filtered water bottles. The water at school tastes terrible, and I get tired of buy bottles of water from the cafeteria. Depending on the price, that would be a good investment to just leave at school and use there. The workouts don't get easier, you just learn what to expect. The time goes by really fast but your body feels like you have been going FOREVER!

I have moved the scale out of the bathroom because I was weighing myself ALL of the time. I would be like, "Oh, I just took a shower, let's see if how much dirt I had in my hair!" or "I just went to the bathroom, wonder how much that was worth?!" lol  So I moved it and will not weigh myself until either Sunday or Monday, which is when I will do my measurements as well. I'm intrigued and excited to see how well I have done. I don't have HIGH hopes for the weight, I just want to average my 2.5 pounds a week so I can hit my goal in the end!

Thank you to all of you who have been supportive! If you would like to leave a comment for me and don't want to join blogspot, you can just leave it on my facebook.

Pure Cardio....ugh!

Whew...we revisited the "Pure Cardio" DVD tonight and got reminded how badly it STINKS!! I did better tonight (I think), but definitely did not make it through without a break! I would have made it through the warm up today, except I had a "wardrobe malfunction" with my shoe! My new shoes came in yesterday and I love them! They are sooo light! Anyway...I had something in my shoe that was stabbing the side of my foot, so I had to stop long enough to take my shoe off and get that taken care of.

I feel extra bloated this evening. It didn't hit me unitl around 5 or so, but I also had a diet sabotager at around 3:30. I was with a family with whom I had discussed Taco Bell, previously. In response to our prior discussion, they brought me a taco from Taco Bell! I politefully declined citing that I was about to go home and cook supper (feeling as if they didn't need to know or wouldn't care about my diet). Then came the line, "Come on, eat a taco with us." This made me feel as if it was a bonding moment, which we needed, and I had one. I immediately regretted it being in my belly, but not if it makes them feel closer with me.

I had the best lunch today! Of course I took my grilled chicken (which I am really enjoying having), and I had a wrap. I borrowed an idea from the wrap place at APSU and mixed a tbspn of fat free ranch and a tbspn of buffalo sauce (I said wrong in my previous post...buffalo sauce has 0 calories!!) to use in my wrap! I also had carrots, which I had halved, dipped in salsa. This sounds pretty gross, but it's a good way to get your salsa "fix" in without eating the chips...and it's really pretty good!!

Tomorrow we go back to "Plyometric Cardio Circuit." It's hard, but I don't dread it like I do "Pure Cardio."

**Also, another mistake in the previous "OMG...Really?!??!" post. The warm up has no 30 second breaks! So you go through the warm up circuit 3 times, speeding up each time, without a break until the end.

What a Difference a Week Makes!

This weekend was ROUGH! As I mentioned in my previous post, Saturday was definitely a challenge on my will power; although it helps tremendously that Brandon is going through the same thing I am. First let me say how disppointed I am in Shoney's. The only "healthy" options that they had were a steamed vegetable plate and one entree of grilled seafood. Even their dinner salads couldn't be considered healthy...that means you put ENTIRELY too much junk on your salads! I had looked online at the menu in hopes that I would know what I was going to order and have my taste buds craving it when we got there. I clicked on the "salads" link, and they had a picture of a grilled chicken salad with strawberries on it, and that was what i was going to get...until it wasn't even listed as a menu item online or on the real menu.   My family started ordering, "breakfast bar", "breakfast bar," "breakfast bar," "country fried breakfast"...I ordered the "salad bar," knowing full well that it was still the breakfast bar, but I wasn't going to tear into that. I had a salad and what I though would have been one scrambled egg, and Brandon did the same. Also, bad on Shoney's part, the fruit on the bar is all swimming in sugary juice, not fruit juice!! I did NOT partake in the yummy breakfast, but I still had to feed it to Rylan! That kid loves breakfast!! Man, I really wanted a biscuit and gravy!!

Saturday night was the Christmas party for my group of girl-friends! We had a BLAST! I was really worried about what I was going to eat, so I brought two items that I knew were safER (although not really "healthy"). But the closer it got to time to celebrate, I thought, "I had a salad with sunflower seeds (protein) for lunch...I just won't over-indulge in the goodies. So that's what I did! What was so thoughtful was that there were a couple of friends who kept in mind that I was trying to eat better, so they substituted "better" items in their recipies (Fat free when they could, turkey bacon, "light" margarita mix...thx Brit!)! I ate all of the items that I wanted to, I just ate one of them (except a certain person's choc oatmeal cookies...I had 2 or 3 of them... but they're oatmeal, right?!).

Sunday was our day off from Insanity, but that doesn't mean that it is a day off from the diet! Sundays we always eat lunch with my family, and this week we decided to go out. I got the grilled chicken salad with buffalo sauce and fat free ranch on the side. FYI, buffalo has very few calories in it and fat free ranch isn't awesome by itself...but combined, they are pretty good, and a little bit goes a long way. We ate at the Catfish House, so of course there was fried okra in my face, and my family loves onion rings, so a large order of onion rings was also on the table. I ate NON of them! I was pretty impressed with myself! Brandon had a 6 oz sirloin and steamed veggies; we both left satisfied and pretty proud of ourselves!

Today was back to the grind! I'm really enjoying having the protein shakes for breakfast, then low fat string cheese for mid-morning snack, a grilled chicken concoction (I grill it all on Sunday)...sometimes a wrap, sometimes a salad with some fruit, then some fruit when I get home. Last week, I cooked every night, just cooked healthy items. This week, Brandon has suggested not cooking because he thinks he can eat lighter and lose more weight, but just for this week...I'm willing to try whatever.
Tonight's workout was "Cardio Power and Resistance" and it was our second time doing this workout. First, I have to say, I made it through the warm-up without taking a break!!!! You have no idea how good that felt and how proud I was! We've only been at this a week!!! Tonight's workout was SOOO much better than when we did it last week! We kept looking at each other saying, "I did way more tonight than I did last time!" There weren't nearly as many breaks, and more reps! All together, I probably did more push-ups tonight than I have since my old gymnastics days! Right now I am SOOO proud of myself!!

I have had two random people ask me "How much weight have you lost?" and one was a random parent in the car line! I have only lost 3 pounds (my goal was to average 2.5 per week), but I definitely feel like it is more and I can tell way more when I look in the mirror (muscle tone wise)! I'll redo my measurements next week when we do our fit test so I can see how much change I have made. I feel so much better about myself; I feel like I'm walking taller!

Definitely ending on a postitive note...until Brandon just reminded me that "Pure Cardio" is tomorrow...whomp whomp :(    (see previous post)

OMG...Really!!!???

So, I know that just a few hours ago I said I probably wouldn't post until Sunday, but...

OMG!!! Pure Cardio gives the entire workout the name INSANITY! I had to take sooooo many breaks, part of me wonders how much I really got out of it. Then I try to move any part of my body (except my fingers to type this) and I remember, "OH YEAH...That's why I took all of those breaks!"

So I thought I had figured out the routine of 3 minutes hardcore, 30 second rest...  Well, I guess tonight is what I get for thinking that I had figured anything out. We stretched (about 3 mins), then did the "warm up." I put "warm up" in quotes, because we couldn't even get through that without having to take a breather! It's the same warm up each time (at least, so far it has been...I'm not even going to think that I have that part figured out). I'm going to try to remember what all of the exercises are so you can understand how insane just the warm up is...
1) jog, 2)jumping jacks, 3) "the hiesman" (jumping from one leg to the other, while pulling the non-support leg to your chest) 4) the hiesman with 2 quick steps in between each side, 5) butt-kicks, 6) high-knees, 7) "mummy" (this one is hard to explain without a visual...bouncing foot to foot while kicking the other leg in front of you. Your arms are straight out in front of you, crossing each other with each foot-change)... 30 second break, then do it ALL again...FASTER...30 second break, then do it ALL AGAIN...FASTER!   "Hello, my name is 'warm up,' but I'm really here to kick your butt!!"

So basically after the warm-up, you take your last break of the session. For the next 15-20 minutes it is NON-STOP cardio: running, jumping, mountain climber, push-ups then running while holding a plank position, suicide jumps (back and forth with a squat as your starting point for each jump), what we called "quick feet" in high school (football drill), followed by hard sprinting (in place)....It was INTENSE...or should I say INSANE!!
As I said, I had to take alot of breaks tonight, but the people on the video were taking breaks left and right, too. Shaun T. even took a break or two! That's right! The CooCoo that decided that this was a good idea, couldn't finish it! lol   so I guess I'm ok to take a few breaks! We don't do this workout until late next week; at least we know what to expect!

On the up side...I feel like I did more push ups tonight than I did when we did the fit test on Monday. I wasn't really counting, but I felt like I did. There's the silver lining! lol

You gotta have goals!

Last night was "Cardio Recovery," so my husband and I thought it was going to be a well deserved kind of "night off." Well, we were wrong! lol  It was a recover from the cardio, but only the cardio. Lots of squats and lunges and staying down in those squats and lunges....oh my! But it was nice to have a slower night instead of going as fast as you physically can the whole time. Tonight we will do "Pure Cardio," so I'm sure we'll make up for the lack of cardio last night. I'm kinda dreading seeing what tonight has in store..."Pure Cardio".....really?! As if the rest of it hasn't been pretty much pure cardio...

Now for my goals... It took me a little bit to figure out what I wanted to accomplish. Of course, I want to lose weight, but how much could I expect or try for?! My weight goal is to lose 25 pounds, this will put me back to the weight I was when we got married. I would be ECSTATIC if I could do that! I was figuring it up last night, and if I can lose 2.5 pounds a week, I'll have my 25 pounds by the end. This does not mean that I will dismiss the idea of losing more, NOT AT ALL, but this is my goal. As far as the measurements go, I don't really know how to determine that. The only comparison I have is from back in my crazy workout phase in high school...I don't see me ever seeing a 26 inch waist again! So, for today, there is no measurement goal...just get me skinny!!!

As far as the diet, it has been going very well! It's hard to fit eating in my day at five separate times, but maybe once I get used to it, it'll be ok. Today and yesterday I missed my mid-morning "meal" due to meetings. When we got the "Insanity" information, the nutrition guide gave a formula to determine how many calories you needed to eat a day. Mine came out to about 2000 calories a day in order to lose weight...I thought that sounded pretty doable! The nutrition guide recommends eating the same amount of calories at each sitting, and I am deciding against this. It doesn't say that you have to, but it has the recipe section broken down into the 5 meals, and each section has the same amount of calories. I've decided that I will have a protein shake for breakfast (those have turned out to be pretty good!), and snack mid-morning (usually low fat string cheese), a grilled chicken salad or wrap with fruit, an afternoon snack (usually fruit or carrots), and then a larger dinner. I just personally prefer to still have my standard eating times as MEALS, instead of eating rabbit food all day long...if that makes sense. Since Tennessee refuses to understand weather patterns, it was a nice evening to grill tonight. I patted out some turkey burgers, and Brandon cooked them up! Then I cut up a few potatoes and baked some french fries. We didn't have the sandwich rounds that I normally have with a hamburger, so we just ate them with a fork instead of wasting the calories for bread. I topped mine with salsa and was very impressed with how good it tasted! I'll have to keep that in mind for next time!

We'll work out later tonight than usual, then we'll do tomorrow's workout in the morning. Tomorrow's diet will be difficult! My family meets at Shoney's ever Saturday for breakfast, which is not the most conducive place for any diet. My plan is to check out their salad selections and go from there. I hope to not consume many more calories throughout the day because my last Christmas gathering is tomorrow evening. Of course, we're all bringing "tasty morsels" to share, and I always look forward to trying everyone's dishes. So, I'm not sure how that is going to go... Sunday is our real day off, so that'll be nice!

Thank you to everyone for reading! I may not post until Sunday; I hope everyone can hold their excitement until then!

Well, I can still move

Tuesday night my husband did night 2 of Insanity "Plyometric Cardio Circuit." Whew! I really don't know how they come up with the names of these workouts. "Plyometrics," to me, means lots of jumping; although there was some jumping, it wasn't really based around it...which I was TOTALLY ok with since my legs felt a little like jello. I can't lie, it was tough, but I felt pretty good about my performance! By no means did I keep up with Shaun T. and the other nuts that are on the DVD, but I didn't have to take as many breaks as I was afraid I was.
On Wednesday, I was sore from he moment that I woke up in the morning! But, I could still get up and walk...and I could still sit on the toilet! I remember back in the days of my college 3-a-days, having to put my hands on the toilet seat in order to lower my body down onto it (with EXTENSIVE hand washing to follow). So far, I haven't had to assist myself in bathroom matters! :)   I kept with my eating plan and felt pretty good throughout the day. I definitely notice that my hunger hits like a ton of bricks though. It's hard to "schedule" 5 eating times in a day when I'm not sure what my daily schedule with call for.
Wednesday night, the workout was labeled "Cardio Power Resistance." It was pretty tough! I don't know if it was hard because my legs were so weak/sore from the prior day, or if the workout was just that difficult. Either way, lots of breaks were taken last night! We got to start incorporating our arms and shoulders, so it felt like a full body experience. I think there will always be more leg work than any other part of the body, but when anything includes alot of cardio, legs will more than likely be doing the work.
Today, my legs are still sore, but they feel awesome! It is to the point that my legs still hurt, but they feel so tight to the touch that I really feel like I've started accomplishing something...already! Does this mean others can SEE a difference?! Definitely not! But I'm on my way...you have to feel it before you can see it!! I LOVE that feeling, and i have missed it. My abs and core are sore as well, but we really haven't done much that has concentrated on those muscles. They are so tied into so many parts of your body movement that it is almost like a residual effect from all of the other movements. Tonight, we will have "Cardio Recovery." I'm not sure what that means, but I know on the information it says that "Shaun T. takes it a little easier on you." I think it's like Pilates or something like that...or maybe just stationary work without all of the movement drills.

So far, I'm really enjoying it and I am LOVING that my hubby is doing it with me! We always talked about starting a hobby together, and I guess we've done that without even meaning to. We end up texting each other throughout the day to ask about each other's soreness, what to expect for tonight, dietary questions, etc. We've always texted through the day, but it's different now!

Thanks for following along! I was telling someone today...I plan to post my measurements, once I know that I am making progress! lol I don't want to post my "before" measurements, then lose my motivation and everyone know my ending measurements! lol The same with pictures of progress!

So, here we go!!

Well, here are two firsts for me... 1)trying an at-home workout, 2) blogging about ANYTHING.

If you are reading this, you know that my husband and I started the "Insanity" workout last night, Jan 2, 2012. So, to make this blog more interesting (or, at least, in an attempt to), I'll tell you how this all came about. About six months ago, I saw the infomercial for "Insanity," and thought to myself, "hm...I would DIE!" I did like that it looked kinda like an intense practice session for an actual sport, which made it feel a little more like "home" to me. (For those of you who don't know, I was an athlete ALL of my life until I graduated college in 2007.) This was around the time of my birthday, so my husband offered to buy it for me for my birthday. Upon much consideration (probably more that I should have given), I decided I would join the Y instead. I joined the Y for the summer and loved feeling sore and feeling like I was getting back in a little better shape. Then...the summer ended and working full-time and being a wife and mother left little time to go to the gym, so I let my membership expire (not to mention it is PRICEY).
Fast forward about 6 months: I was laying bed with my husband about a month before Christmas, feeling absolutely disgusted with myself. I hated the way that my belly felt when I layed down certain ways, let alone to let my husband touch it while we snuggled. He, of course, would never say anything, but he didn't sign up for this. He didn't sign up for a jiggly belly and mondo thighs (and not mondo from muscle like they used to be). He just tells me that he can't really tell that I've gained weight, and, ya know, every other thing that a husband feels that he should say. I'm not saying that I think I should be in "college shape" by any means, but this is getting ridiculous. So I told him that maybe we should get a Wii or Xbox Kinnect so I could do some exercise games. We talked it over and over and came up with no real answer.
Christmas morning comes, and my husband has been saying how excited he is about one of my gifts, that I will "have no clue about!! You're going to be so surprised!!" He hands me my last gift (we always save the best for last), and I open it, not sure what to expect from the shipping box that I unwrapped. When I saw the word "insanity," I shreeked with excitement! I was even more excited that he was going to do it with me!! So, we planned to start it the day after the New Year (the Insanity calendar starts on a Monday).
Well, last night was that Monday. With the Insanity program, you start with a "fit test" so you can "track your progress"...I believe it is more so to show you how out of shape you are, and it definitely did that! The fit-test consists of 8 exercises that you do for a minute a piece to see how many you can do. You retake the same fit-test every 2 weeks to show how much you are progressing, so I can't really go anywhere but up! :) We did the fit-test and DIED! It was soo tough, but it was good to feel winded and worn out. Today, my legs feel pretty sore and I can tell a bit in my core, but the second day is always the worst for me, personally. Once my little guy goes to bed tonight, we do "Plyometric Cardio Circut" and I am sure I won't be able to get out of bed in the morning, which will be great for the first day back with students!!

Side-note about the eating plan that comes along with it: I'm supposed to eat 5 times a day, including protein bars and shakes. I do not plan to follow the eating plan completely (meaning, using his recipies), but I will try to stick to it for the most part. Today I had a real serving size of Special K pecan and cinnamon cereal, a protein shake, a grilled chicken salad (probably a bigger serving that Shaun T. would suggest) with buffalo sauce and a little FF Ranch as dressing, pretzels and cantelope for snack, and "healthy" ziti for supper. My biggest issue is portion sizes. I generally cook pretty healthily, but I eat way more than one serving size (as most people do). That's what I plan on focusing more on.

Thank you for following this blog! Please feel free to comment with any encouraging words, questions, or anything else. I don't plan on posting every day, but I hope to do it pretty regularly!