And we have officially started!!

Well, today marks Day 1 in our T25 journey! I'm super excited to start this process, and I always love doing these workouts with my husband beside me! 

I've done a brief synopsis of the T25 program in previous posts, but in case you are new....

T25 was created by Shaun T, who is also the creator of INSANITY. Brandon and I have both had amazing results with INSANITY, and have completed it twice (once a year). No, we are not health nuts, or gym rats (although we both were back in the day)...we are just normal people with full time jobs and an (almost) four year old. We loved INSANITY, but when Shaun T came out with a 25 minute a day workout, I jumped all over it! I ordered it the day it came out (which was in June, see previous posts). I started it, and got 2 weeks under my belt before I allowed my life to convince me that I didn't have time. Looking back, there was absolutely no reason for me to not complete it. I like to say that I got busy coaching volleyball and getting ready for school to start, which are viable excuses to anyone who wants to make an excuse. Being honest, I had plenty of time to get it done...I just didn't use the time that I had available. It was also harder to stay with it because my husband was not doing it with me. He's a good accountability partner!

The first year we did INSANITY, we didn't follow the provided dietary plan, but we ate very healthy. By the time it was all said and done, I ended up losing almost 30 pounds (and I needed to). I was ECSTATIC! Last year, we watched what we ate, but weren't nearly as vigilant. I think I had only gained 7 pounds back in the year, so I wasn't too concerned with losing weight, just wanted to tone up. I had amazing results again and was more toned up then I had been since college (back in the gym rat days)! I can't say enough good things about INSANITY and I hope that T25 lives up to the hype!

So, here we are, Jan 6th, and we're ready to get back in shape! I LOVE that it is only 25 minutes, and I really do feel worn out, so we'll see how good the results are in the end. We are both going to really watch what we eat this time, in order to have the best results possible. Today was brutal! Today was supposed to be our first day back to school for the faculty, but due to single digit temps following the monsoon we had yesterday, they callled in a snow day! I will always welcome a snow day, but I hadn't gone to the store yet, and it was WAY too cold to get out today, so we just had to make do with what we had. I munched on whole grain goldfish (that's gotta be better, right?), and had our only can of soup for lunch. Dinner was decent, we had baked chicken breasts with rice pilaf...I know, carbs in the pilaf, but I was desperate for a side item! I have my grocery list ready for a morning trip to the store, and it is loaded with healthy everything! I am actuallly kinda excited about the healthy eating...I am sure that willl be short lived, but I'll live it up while I can!

So on to the workout...T25 is only 25 minutes, but he gives you NO break time! If you feel like you can't go anymore, you do the modified move that Tania does (Tania is in ALL of his videos). It's kinda hard to program your body to do the modified move instead of putting your hands on your knees and breathing for dear life! I had to do a few modified moves today out of exhaustion, but it wasn't too bad for my first day. I definitely felt it in my calves and my bootay! CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK IN SHAPE!!!

So, I feel like I have to set a goal for my progress, so here we go...

I want to lose 6 pounds.

I would like to lose an inch and a half off of my waist and two from my butt.

I want to have my muscles back (I know that one will definitely be taken care of).

So, here goes nothing! Thanks for following me along this path!

Double Duty

Well, today was my first Friday doing Focus T25. One of the biggest lures of T25 is the ability to get a good workout in only 25 minutes a day, five days a week. Well, Fridays go against the grain...Fridays are double duty! You do two 25 minute workouts to finish out your workout week. I was NOT looking forward to today. I started with Lower Body Focus, which I had not done yet, then moved to Cardio. Lots of Cardio is lower body work and a few of the moves were repeated, so I was spent by the time I finished. I did it at about 9:30 this morning and I was glad that I got it done early. I have the Stretching DVD to do on Sunday, but no actual workout to do until Monday!

Yesterday, I felt sure that my abs would be sore today...but they actually weren't very sore. They were tight, but not actually sore, although I'm sure it will kick in tomorrow!

So far, I really am enjoying this program. I'll do this set of DVDs three more weeks before moving up to the "Beta." Next week is my last week of "freedom" before volleyball practice starts back every morning. This year I am coaching at my high school alma mater, and I am really excited to work with these older girls (although I enjoyed middle school last year). I try to do some of the conditioning with them, just to give them some added motivation,  so I'll be getting some extra workouts in. Most of their workouts consist of INSANITY circuits, ands they actually really enjoy it!

I'll do my best to keep you guys posted!

Focus T25

Well, hello everyone! It's been a while! Let me start this by apologizing for any typing errors; I am typing this on an ipad,and sometimes it has a mind of its own.

Well, it's been over a year sine my last post, so let me catch you up before I tell you whe I am now. If you are reading this, then you know that my husband and I completed INSANITY last year (whoop whoop)! We had planned to continue INSANITY on a modified, less intense schedule...but as you can guess, life got in the way and the we'll-just-do-it-tomorrow's kicked in. We fell off of the train shortly after starting our modified schedule. we had discussed starting it back up when school started, but I was coaching middle school volleyball, so that just was just a ridiculous idea. We kept putting it off, so we just decided that we would do it at the start of 2013 to jump start our year again... And we did! We completed the entire workout again! Oh yeah, we did! It felt awesome to do it again, although we screamed at Shaun T just as much as we did the first time. I had not gained much weight between the two rounds, but I definitely lost a lot of muscle. It was amazing how quickly my muscle tone came back! It's such as amazing program! This time, after we finished, we traded workouts with a coworker of my husband. His coworker was doing the TapouT program, which I thought would be interesting to try. My interest wained after just a few days. It was very ADD with no flow. And the guy leading it had to have been on some drugs to be as amped up as he was! About this time, I started hearing that the one and only Shaun T was coming out with a new workout program! Not only was there going to be a new one, the new one was only 25 minutes a day! What's that, you say? Yes, 25 minutes a day! So, I started my investigation.... I will now stop this run on paragraph and tell you where I am now...

The workout is called Focus T25 and I had to wait with heavy anticipation for it to come out! Luckily, it was due to "drop" around my birthday, so the hubs told me to order it and act surprised on my birthday (I have a great surprise face)! It was released to order through a beachbody coach (which I am not, but should I be?) on June 24, so I ordered that puppy on June 24 and received it on my doorstep on June 28th, the day of my 28th birthday! All I knew about the program was the workouts were 25 minutes a piece and only 5 days a week. I was a bit skeptical that I would "feel the burn" in that short of a time,but I was currently doing NOTHING,so it had to be better than that.

Well, I just finished day 4,and I can say that it is definitely a rough 25 minutes! So far the workouts are great! On the workout calendar, you are supposed to mark "nailed it" or "barely made it" for each workout. Monday, I "barely made it." The catch with Focus T25 is that there are NO breaks through
the entire workout...at all. Since there are no breaks, Tania (the one I hated *with love* from INSANITY) does ach move, modified. Her modifications are low impact and a little easier, so if you need a break, you do her modifications. I did as much as I could, then I'd join Tania doing the modified version for a few seconds, then jump back in with Shaun T. It was rough!

Tuesday wasn't as hard, I'd say I "nailed it!" It was lots of muscle work, but you stretched between each exercise, so it was almost like a break. Last night, "barely made it" through Total Body Circuit...whew! It was terrible! I hung out with Tania quite a bit last night.  Tonight was Ab Intervals,which was brutal! I thought INSANITY's Ab workout was rough, but it has nothing on T25! I hope I'mnot around anyone funny tomorrow,because laughter will be painful! Good gravy!! I definitely didn't nail it, but I was pretty proud of myself for keeping up as well as I did.

As far as the diet goes, I am not going to follow the diet that came with the program, but I am going to watch what I eat (except today...it's the 4th of July, so I had to have a big fat juicy burger!). I took before pictures so I can send them in for the t-shirt at the end! I plan to post pics after I finish the first month, so stick with me!

"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!!