My New THAAAAANNNNNGGGGG

I am back.........and so so so glad to be back. So, let's talk about what's changed since my last post!

Many of you know that I finished Insanity and it was great. It's a great cardio workout and if you don't want to buy a treadmill or go to the gym you should get Insanity.

However..........

After Insanity I was kinds in a workout depression. I wanted to continue working out but I was unmotivated. I tried to go back to L.A. Fitness and do the gym thang again but I couldn't. I went there and I was bored to tears. I tried to do P90x again but again.............B-O-R-I-N-G! The pace was way too slow. Then I thought, "ok, I'll just run again!" Hell to the NO!!!! That knee is too raggedy!

So I was stuck..........in a workout depression..........and my rear end was getting fluffy in the meantime!

Andrew Gamble (Drew) kept telling me about this workout he was doing. Everyday during my Cross-Country season, Drew would talk about CrossFit......CrossFit this, CrossFit that.......blah blah blah. At first I thought.......hmmm that sounds nice........or mmmm seems cool......but he kept on and kept on! Then he got Joey Vela on board! So then I had to hear Drew AND Joey go on and on and on and on about this workout!

Finally...........

They invited me out to a workout (that story will come in another blog)...........I've been hooked ever since! It's my new thaaaaannnnnngggg!

I will attempt to take you through my CrossFit experiences........the peaks and the valleys......the victories and the defeats.

But I must warn you............only read this blog if you want to laugh with me, cry with me, be happy with me when I win, be pissed with me when I lose and be proud with me as I try to do what's right for my body!!!

The Gremlins........the wagon.......the rubber and the road

The gremlins have returned and I can't seem to get back on wagon......or in the saddle or on my grind.


I've decided that this is where the rubber meets the road. This is where it all happens. Anybody can workout when they have absolutely nothing to do. But what about when you have to be at work at 6:00 AM for cross country practice. And what about when you have to take kids to swimming and dance and choir and praise dance...........oh and spend some time with your husband and write lesson plans and fight with the idiots that know a fourth of what you know and get paid triple your salary! Now is when I have to decide who I'm going to be. Am I going to stay the course, albeit Insane, or give up? I'll admit it, I need some inspiration. I need a reason to push through. I know that I am physically able but now I don't know if I want to.

Ok shut up Roni just shut up!!! Get over yourself and get tough already. Your word is your bond........you said you'd do Insanity for 60 days now get your a$$ to it already!!!!

I had a moment there could you tell? The gremlins (Pearland HS students) have already driven me to the point where I don't feel like working out. They've kicked me off my proverbial wagon or saddle but I'm back on it or in it!!!! YEEEEEEHAAAAAAWWWWWW!!!!

Check me tomorrow because I'm going to knock out 2 workouts in 1 day!!!!!!

The Gun Show.........

Many of you have frequently heard me talk about non-scale victories. For those of you that are new, a non-scale victory is seeing/feeling your success somewhere other than the scale.

I had on a tank top today and I received several compliments about my arms!!!! WooooooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

WELCOME TO THE GUN SHOW BABY!!!!!

Ok, I need to calm down!

Today I did Max Plyo Circuit. And this work out sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks sucks and then it still sucks some more!!!!!!! It is so hard and physically demanding. And more than anything I wanted to stop the DVD midway through and take a bubble bath instead. I guess in many ways, that's a non-scale victory too you know.........pushing through when you want to quit. That's a victory! I didn't quit and made it through the ENTIRE 55 MINUTE WORKOUT!!!!

Insanity Deconstructed

5 am: Alarm goes off
5:00.23: I hit snooze
5:07: Alarm goes off again
5:07.23: I hit snooze again
5:14: Alarm goes off and I get up
5:15: Potty.....brush my choppers.....put on my contacts and workout clothes
5:24: Put Insanity DVD in
5:25: I say many bad words under my breath as I realize the workout is 54 minutes long
6:00: I'm feeling near death as Shawn T is making me do power push-ups and squat push-ups............they are so hard I don't even have the words to explain what they are
6:19 am: The workout is complete
6:20: I'm walking around the house feeling pretty proud of myself!!!!!

Back in the Saddle

Well family I'm baaaaaaaaaack!!!!

Last week was my recovery week and so needed it! It gave the old knees an opportunity to recover and heal.

This morning's workout Fit Test AND Max Interval Circuit training. So essentially, I did two beastly workouts today. I woke up at 5 and popped the Max Interval DVD. Almost immediately I thought about giving up.........why you ask??? That workout was 59 minutes long!!!!! Shawn T are you craaazzzyyy!!!! This workout is tough tough tough tough tough. Any workout that goes beyond 40 minutes is truly insane! The first 9 minutes is warm up and stretching then the h e double hockey sticks begins! I must say though, I was seriously proud of myself today. Because after that workout, I had to report back to work today (actually, going back to work was much harder than any Insanity workout).

Part 2 of my workout was the Fit Test. Yes, I pretty much "beasted" on my fit test! I went up in every category...................so the verdict? I'm pretty much the bomb!!!

Stronger........Wiser.........Better

You ever been so close to something you can taste it? I'm so close to my recovery week, that I can taste it! Literally!!!!!!

I have two more days and then I go into my week of recovery. I'm looking forward to less pounding on these old knees. But what's really cool is that I'm just at the half way point with Insanity.

I've seen so many changes in my body. But more importantly, my mind has been changed. Because this workout is so tough, because it is so physically demanding, because it is so mentally grueling, I've had to be on my mental p's and q's.

I guess...............I'm stronger...........I'm wiser.........I'm better.........so much better.

Tired Tired Tired

I am so so tired. My knees ache my back is sore and I don't have anymore spring in my step. I think my body is telling me that I need a break! Next week is my recovery week and hopefully body will let finish this week. I have nothing else for you today...........

OH EXCEPT I LOST ANOTHER POUND TODAY!

Don't Be Like Me

I only have one piece of advice for you all today.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!

When your body says it can't go anymore LISTEN!

I didn't. I spent 4 hours in the hot sun today.......didn't drink enough water and then attempted to do Cardio Power Resitance. Needless to say, I barely got through the workout today. As a result of me being so stubborn, I don't yet know how I'll be able to get through tomorrow's workout.

So today.............DON'T BE LIKE ME!!!!!!!

Do it Baby

Well it finally happened today..........the warm-up felt like a warm-up today!!!!!!! So you know that just last week I said the warm-up was still a helluva workout in and of itself. But today something was different. I felt myself really warming up and getting loose. Of course I was sweating but I didn't feel any of that fatigue that I normally feel. This is what I call a non-scale victory!!!!!

For those of you who've been following my blog you know that last Monday I also began a new eating plan. I'm eating based on Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book Eat for Health. For the most part, the diet is very vegan and I'm ok with that. Some of you also know that I've been a vegetarian for about 6 weeks now so the transition to a mostly vegan diet is not that bad. Now be clear on one thing people............I HAVE MY STARBUCKS EVERYDAY!!!!! I can't (no no no I won't) give up my coffee. As a result of this new eating plan I've lost 6 pounds this week.

I have not been hungry people.

I eat several meals a day.

I DO NOT eat nasty food.

And my colon is healthy (sorry guys but colon healthy is of the utmost importance to me......and it should be for you too).


I wish I could say that my weight loss was strictly based on Shaun T's Insanity but I can't. YOU HAVE TO EAT RIGHT.......YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO!

Eat right. I know it's hard. I know you want a burger and pizza and queso sometimes but it's not worth your health. Do it for your body. Do it for your heart. Do it for your colon. Do it for your husband. Do it for your mom. Do it for your dad. Do it for your son or your daughter. But most of all, do it for yourself.............you are more than worth it............Just do it baby!!!!!!

The Enemy Within

I finished up another week of Insanity yesterday...........Today is Saturday July 31 and it is my rest day.

Yesterday I completed Plyometric Cardio Circuit. This is the killer workout with Level 1 drills. Let me explain what Level 1 drills are. From a standing position, you jump down and do 4 push-ups. After the push-ups, you complete 4 floor sprints. You bring your legs in jump up and reach........then you do that all over again. Do you know how stinkin' hard that is. I kept finding myself lying down on the floor watching Shaun T and company! But I made it through and my reward............REST TODAY!!!!

In my last post, I addressed the "enemies" of your workout success. But I couldn't blog today without addressing another enemy. That is the enemy within. There are days when I don't feel good enough. Days when I don't think I'll ever accomplish my fitness goals. Days when I am sure I'm not beautiful. Days when I put on my jeans feel like a total loser. And on those days.........in those moments I want to quit. I want to throw in the towel and say "forget about it"! That, my friends, is the enemy within me. That is the scared small woman who lives in me. She seeks to take me over so she drops these negative hints my way. Her hope is to get the strong tough as nails woman in me to relent......to give in......to give up........to say, "you're right I can't do it. I can't lose the weight, I can't eat better, this is just how it's going to be."

But I won't do it! I won't let that part of me win. And you shouldn't either. It's easy to do the same thing over and over and over again. It's easy to simply let yourself go but just think of where you'd be if you did. I promise you'd hate yourself for it. So I say all that to say...........don't forget to fight the enemy within. Keep her at bay!

Sleeping with the Enemy (kind of)

Completed Cardio Power and Resistance today!

If you've ever seen the Insanity infomercial, you'll hear this dude say "at about the third week, the warm-up will feel really good".............well he's a liar and the truth ain't in him! I'm still going through the warm-up and thinking this is pretty dang hard!

Cardio power and resistance is a good toning workout. There are dips and push-up and a fair amount of squats.........so I'm kinda thinking I'm gonna have some amazing arms.

I have to address something pretty serious in tonight's blog. Some of you are working out with me and I'm so happy for you but BEWARE. Beware of people who either knowingly or unknowingly try to derail your progress. Let me explain. In the past year and a half I've probably gained and lost the same 15 pounds over and over and over and over. The reason........I'm sleeping with the enemy!!!! It's all Lilo's fault......ok not really but kind of (it's ok, he doesn't read my blog he won't get mad).....I'm sorry, I digress. So here's how it goes. I commit myself to losing some weight. I hit the gym hard. I eat right. I go to bed on time and then POOF......I've lost 15 pounds. What does my husband say........."You look good babe!" Then a few days later he'll say something like this, "Now don't go too far I mean I don't want your head looking too big." So what do I do, I let myself slip back. Why? I don't want to disappoint my husband. I want him to like the way I look so I never venture past those 10-12-15 pounds, I just gain them and lose them all over again. The truth is that the people we love can inadvertently sabotage our progress. I know Lilo wants me to be healthy and strong and feel good about myself. But he doesn't realize that making those comments derails me (this feels like a couple's counseling session huh?). For you it may be your spouse, your parent or your friends. They want you to be healthy but I also think it scares the people you love when they see you changing. Maybe they think we'll love them less. Maybe they think we'll be different people. You wanna know the truth? We will be different people. When I get down to my ideal body weight, I'll feel better.......inside and out. That changes who I am. But change isn't bad. It's a good thing and we have to hope the people in our lives feel the same way.

Recovery

Today was my recovery day and it felt sooooooo good.


Now for the real deal..........After my rant about not wanting to get on the scale, I broke down and got on! Since beginning Insanity (3 weeks ago) I've lost about 2 inches in my waist! And since adding the Eat to Live eating plan on Monday.....I've lost 4 pounds!!!!! Wooooooohoooooooooooooo!

So let me say this if you are wanting to get fit you MUST eat right........for real. This has been the difference maker in my get fit plan!

Am I a Quitter?

Today was another day for pure cardio and cardio abs. Pure cardio was the usual.............hard a hell. But the cardio abs seemed extra tough today. Like I told you last week, this is a 16 minute workout and with 8 minutes left in the workout, I simply stopped the DVD. I'd had enough.............does that make me a quitter? I mean I could have gone on but I simply didn't want to but I must say, I didn't feel bad about it...........not even a little. Frankly, if that means I'm a quitter because of that then OH WELL.


That is all!

Fit Test......Again

I've been Insane for a full two weeks now!!!! And yesterday, I had to do my fit test again! Let me set the scene for you........

Saturday morning I got up and took my son Coby to his basketball game.........by the way, I'm his coach too. After the game, we loaded up the car and drove to Dallas. Coby qualified for the state swim meet and it was held in Frisco. We got to Dallas at 4:30 pm and had to be up at 9 to make it from DeSoto to Frisco. We sat from noon until 5 watching my sweet boy swim. We left Dallas at 6 and arrived back in Pearland at 10:30..........And then I had to do my fit test!!! Here are my results.....



Switch Kicks w1: 65 w2: 100

Power Jacks w1: 41 w2: 42

Power Knees w1: 66 w2: 78

Power Jumps w1: 30 w2: 30

Globe Jumps w1: 4 rotations w2: 8 rotations

Suicide Jumps w1: 9 w2: 10

Push Up Jacks w1: 12 w2: 16

Low Planks w1: 20 w2: 25

I was somewhat happy with my results although I think next time I'll have my previous results in front of me. I think this will push me to go for two or three more reps but I can definitely see growth.

I have yet to step on the scale..........matter fact I don't think I'm going to. How many of you have a bad relationship with the scale? I mean I just hate the scale! Here's my thing, I feel great.........I've gotten compliments on how I look and I feel proud of myself. Thus if I get on that scale and it has the audacity to say that I've only lost a pound or a 1/2 of pound I will be crushed! Devastated! Distraught! De-Pissed off! Ok you get it sorry!!!

Anyway..........no scale for me. I'm satisfied with how I look and feel, the number isn't important.


Today: Cardio Circuit

I figured out why this darn workout is so freaking hard! It's called the "last set"! This workout is broken up into two parts. There are roughly 4 exercises in each part and they have to done for 30 seconds a piece. That is not a big deal on the first and second set but that damn last set is so killer. I often find myself staring at the tube watching Shaun T and company.........yes watching them do their third set. I truly cannot not complete that final set no matter how hard I push. So the next time I do this workout my goal is going to be to complete the last set!

On another note, well kinda........I started my Eat to Live plan today. I've read Dr. Fuhrman's book on how to eat for "your life". It involves bringing in a ton of raw vegetables and fruits. Additionally, it calls for eating less animal products (meat, eggs, cheese and milk). Today went fairly well. Here is what I had today:

Breakfast: Cinnamon & Fruit Oatmeal (blueberries, apples, raisins, walnuts and ground flax)

Lunch: Green salad with light Italian Dressing

Dinner: Spinach salad with broccoli slaw, cucumbers and walnuts drizzled in a raspberry walnut vinaigrette.

I'm so excited because I ate nearly raw today. It felt great and surprisingly I was not hungry.......I ate until I was satisfied. I'll keep you posted on my clean eating plan as well.

Hello Cardio Abs...........

Day 12: Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs

Yesterday I completed Day 12 of Insanity. Pure cardio was first. I'm very very excited that I was able to complete so many sets of the various exercises! I found myself able to "hang" if you will. These basketball knees however still won't let me really jump like the Shaun T crew. But I keep pushing through.

After the pure cardio workout I had to do cardio abs! My my my my my my.............this is a booger bear of an ab routine!!! It is about 17 minutes in length but it makes your midsection feel like it's wrapped in Tabasco sauce. I was looking at Shaun T like, "dawg are you serious?" Cardio abs keeps your abs engaged for the entire session. In reality I know this is a good thing but in truth it simply hurt like whoopin'! You know one of those whoopins you got when your mom told you to clean up before she came home but instead you watched "You Can't Do That On Television" all day.

Shaun T won't tell you this (probably because it's not really true but I'm going to pretend it is) but this workout has a negative side effect. I makes you slouch when you're done. Your abs will be so sore, you won't want to stand up straight!!! But I am quite sure that when I put on that swimsuit in September, I'll be standing up straight and tall! :)

Today is my rest day.........YAY!

Tomorrow I'll do my second Fit Test and step on the scale............stay tuned for my results!!!!

A Changed Life

Day 11: Cardio Power Resistance

I decree it and declare it........I'm officially INSANE! I don't know what it is about this workout but every time I do it, something amazing happens. Last time I did this workout, my daughter joined me and nearly brought me to tears. Well, today when I did this workout I felt total buy in! If you've been reading you know that I've (rightfully) accused Shawn T of murder, I've complained about sore arms, backs and buns and I've even threatened to give up. But today, I felt as though I was fully vested in the program. As I pushed through this workout, I was so sure......so clear as to what my purpose is. I'm supposed to change my life over the next 50 days. And maybe just maybe change yours too! This Insanity thing has really inspired me. I know that I'm going to have an AMAZING body after this!!

Now in true AKA form let me just say.........I look pretty good right now........I'm pretty on my left, I'm pretty on my right....(Finish that out Kappa Mu)!

While I'm working my way through Insanity, I'm also reading my way through Eat for Health by Dr. Fuhrman (Thanks Chrystal I'm starting next week!). What is so amazing is that I finally feel like I've found what I've been looking for. I know that being healthy......not skinny.......is a journey and today, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I feel like I'm on the right path......join me today!

BIG TIME VICOTRY

Day 10: Cardio Recovery

I must apologize because I did not do this workout ANY justice last week. Don't sleep on this workout..........This workout is full of deep muscle work. Translation......a whole lot of deep squats coupled with pulses. Let me tell you something, these big legs don't like to be "pulsed"! However, this is a great great great core workout. There's no jumping no leaps no heavy heavy cardio work but this is a really tough workout.


_____________________________________________________
On a much much much much much much much much better note! Today 3 people who see me everyday (Lilo, Danyeal & Corey) told me that I looked smaller today!!!!! They all said that I seemed to be slimming down!!!! That is a big time victory!


OH OH OH OH OH OH........GO RONI IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY SHAKE YOUR BOOTY CUZ IT'S SMALLER GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!

So needless to say I'm sooo stoked for the next 50 days! Come on bikini body........I'm waiting on you!!!!!!

9 Days In

Insanity Day 9: Cardio Circuit

At 27 I was diagnosed with high-blood pressure. I was in pretty good shape (cardiovascular wise) but I my blood-pressure would not budge. The doctor put me on meds to bring down my blood-pressure and at 32, I'm still medicated. Damn I hate that word medicated!! But it's the truth. Since then I've been searching for an out......searching for a way out or off blood pressure meds. The bottom line is I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT. I've never been a skinny girl but I've been much smaller than I am now. I need to get back to a healthier weight and I think Insanity just might be the ticket.

Today marked 9 days in! I'm pumped because today I was able to get through the workout without feeling near death.......that is progress! I'm pushing through and I hope........no my prayer is somebody will be inspired.......that prayer includes a prayer for myself.

Shawn T's Arrest!!!!

CITIZEN'S ARREST! CITIZEN'S ARREST! CITIZEN'S ARREST!

I would like to place Shawn T, Insanity Creator/Instructor, under arrest!!!!

The Charge: Attempted murder and forcing a good good saved girl to say very bad words under her breath.

The Circumstance: I woke up this morning knowing that I had to do Pure Cardio again. I haven't done all the Insanity DVD's but Pure Cardio is the hardest one so far. The workout is 38 minutes........I spent the first 12 warming up. That left me with 26........I spent the next 5 stretching. That leaves me with 21 minutes. 3 of those will be used for cool down............calculation......18 minutes of PURE HELL.....er uh PURE CARDIO.

People let me tell you..........Shawn T needs to go to jail for this workout! I'm serious. For those of you who don't know, I had both of my children all naturally (it's possible ask my protege's Toni and Brandi.......and maybe Nzingha). That was very hard..........I mean very very hard........like quarter-mile butt lock hard (Tomika and Drew y'all know that butt-lock is painful). HOWEVER, this workout is right up there with childbirth. Each exercise is 1 minute long and then you move immediately to the next......no rest. After about 6 of these highly intense exercises the bad words come. After about 6 more.......well that's when I'm convinced that Shawn T is trying to kill me..........HENCE HE SHOULD BE ARRESTED.

If anyone knows where Shawn T lives, please let me know so I can arrest him immediately!!!

I am willing to adjudicate Shawn T under one condition..........if my tummy, backside and abs continue to shrink and tone AND if I'm alive at the end of this journey I'm willing to set him free!

Tomorrow Cardio Circuit!

One Week

Today marked 7 full days of Insanity! I feel very proud of myself and I'm extremely motivated. Here is what I've learned this week:

1. If I don't eat right, I'll pay for it during the workout.
2. I have to do a better job during the stretch routine.......I HATE stretching (Becca I think this is from all that damn stretching Coach Kyle and Coach Supak made me do during ACL rehab).
3. Suicide drills are the worst in the world and I can't wait to use them on my CC/Track girls (Lori the the CC girls are gonna hate me for this).
4. Any exercise called a "squat anything" is going to burn my hind parts up! Squat jack.....squat walks.....squat runs..........all painful for the booty.
5. Water, water, water, water, water, water, water, water.
6. Take breaks accordingly. These workouts are super intense and Shawn T encourages you to take breaks often..........take him up on these offers! When you feel like you're going to fall over......walk away and get some water.
7. Keeping my core tight for all exercises is the quickest way to washboard abs (Kim I don't think that rum cake recipe is going to help me with my abs......BUT I'm going to make it anyway!)
8. Insanity is contagious.........Lilo is doing it, my daughter does it with me, and my brother Corey is going to start (right Corey!).
9. Landing softly will protect my knees. I have one raggedy knee (thank you basketball) and the other is not trustworthy. There are so many jumping routines and landing softly is key.
10. NEVER GIVE UP!!!

I hope to continue my workouts for the next 53 days........no no no, that was weak......I will continue my workouts for the next 53. I already feel stronger and there are some areas of my body that are showing some definition (yep my backside is looking better). Keep reading and it really really encourages me!

Come to Jesus

Insanity Day 6: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

This is the second time I've done this workout and it was still hard.........there were exercises that I simply could NOT do! I mean for real........I found myself watching the TV and thinking, "Shawn T there is no way in hell that I can do that exercise!" But I pushed on anyway. Then something amazing and scary and heartbreaking and enlightening happened.

I was doing suicide drills (isn't that a bad name) and I thought I was going to pass out.............then I started to cry. I started thinking back on the amount of junk I've eaten......in the past 4 days.....4 weeks.....4 months and I just got so angry with myself. I became keenly aware of body in that moment. It is round in places it shouldn't be. It is soft in areas it should be firm. When I jumped up and down there were areas that kept on moving.......not a good look! I realized I've been working out for nothing and I mean NOTHING! I know in my mind that diet it is of the utmost importance but I'll admit that I use my workouts as my crutch. Because I spend nearly an hour a day in the gym I use that to justify Froot Loops, Chocolate chip cookies, french fries and an occasional Dr. Pepper. That thought made me cry because I know I'll never get those days and months back. Those are days and hours that I spent away from my kids, my husband, my mom, my grandmother and my friends. That makes me so sad to know that I've wasted that time........wasted!!! I'm angry right now just thinking about!

That was my come to Jesus moment. I realized that I've go to do a better job of fueling my body. I can't keep eating the way I do and expect results........I don't care how insane the workout is. For those of you that don't know, I'm somewhat of a vegetarian. I eat seafood and dairy but no other meats. I'm going to make sure to increase my vegetable intake so that I will begin to see real results. I made vow that I would no longer workout in vain (thank you Clark sisters). From this day forward, I'll make my workouts matter!

Tomorrow.....REST!!!!

Insanity Day 4 & 5

I'm such a bad blogger!!! I'm only 5 days into blogging and I skipped a day.........whoever is reading this, please forgive me!

Day 4 Cardio Recovery

This workout was right on time! I've had a good amount of soreness since beginning Insanity so I need a good rest/recovery day. This workout is no slouch though. It works your core like nobody's business and really stretches out the soreness. I hate hate hate stretching but Shawn T infuses enough core work into this routine to keep any anti-stretchers mind occupied.

Day 5 Pure Cardio

I'll start with the end first. At the end of this workout, Shawn T, himself falls on the floor and says "y'all that shit was bananas".

That should tell you how insane this workout is! The warm-up follows the same format as the other routines. If I haven't said it before, the Insanity warm-up alone is tough. However, I must say, I felt stronger and quicker during today's warm-up......that's pretty impressive for 5 days worth of work. I digress......sorry. After the warm-up, Shawn literally goes into a 19 minute NON-STOP cardio routine. By non-stop, I mean NON-STOP. No water breaks, no halftime, no timeouts just pure cardio. Each exercise lasts for 1 minute and they are unbelievably hard. When the people in the workout video are falling out you have to know that this is hard. I was dripping in sweat. (It didn't help that I spent 8 hours at Schilitterbahn watching 1B/33's float past me.....Amy, Gin and Doc, now you know what I mean!). At one point, Shawn stands next to one of the workout participants and he says...."how you feel?" Her response, "I wanna leave!" At another point, Shawn can't even remember the name of the exercise......he said "I'm so tired I can't even remember the name of my own moves!" Folks this workout is no joke.

I'll slip into the vernacular so that I can really explain how hard it is (Stephanie and CoCo I'm trying to earn my black people card back)..........This workout don't even much play......I was sweatin' so hard up in this hotel room it was a shame!!! I was tired than a mug when it was over!

By the way, the part about it being over..........that was the best part of this workout! Day 6 tomorrow Cardio Power Reistance!

Tiny Dancer

Insanity Day 3: Cardio Power Resistance

I could go into what how hard this workout was (and it was). I could talk about how every muscle in my body ached (and they did). I could talk about how I was unable to do so many of the exercises (because I couldn't). I could talk about how I wanted to shoot Shawn T in the head for making up such an insane workout (because I did). I could talk about how I was completely soaked with sweat after the workout (because I was).

However, I am choosing to talk about a tiny dancer. My daughter was sitting on the couch eating her breakfast when I began the workout. After she was done eating, she disappeared for about 5 minutes. I assumed she was changing out of her pjs. But when she came back, she still had on her pjs and she had on tennis shoes. She said, "Mommy I'm coming to workout with you". Throughout the workout I watched my little dancer giggle and smile about an insane workout. She pushed me when I felt like giving up........she told me when we were moving on to a different exercise.......and she got me cold water during the breaks. When it was over she and I stretched and cooled down together. And as she walked away, it dawned on me that she......SHE is the reason I do this! I want her to be healthy and strong. I know that if she sees me being healthy and strong, she'll follow suit.

As I push through the next 57 days, I'll keep my tiny dancer in my mind. She'll be my motivation.

Tomorrow Cardio Recovery

Propped Up on errrrry Leaning Side

Before the preacher would preach, he would pray, "Lord.....prop me up on every leaning side". He prayed that because he recognized his frailty and knew that the Lord would have to complete the task of delivering the Word.

Well I can't break down the Word like Uncle Tony (smile roomie).....and I can't loose any woman from her infirmities (smile Kenneth) and I definitely can't, as my momma would say, stand flat footed and preach like Pastor Daniels! But I must say that during this workout I was calling on the Mighty Name.......during a set of drills called "suicide drills" I literally said......Help me Lord! I needed to be propped up on every leaning side today........and believe me I was leeeeeeeeeeannnnnnin'!


Insanity Day 2: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Before the work out began, I realized that I was suffering from the following: a sore back.....sore abs......and sore lats! Wow all that soreness from the fit test.......needless to say I was feeling awfully nervous about the Plyo cardio circuit!

This workout is well.....insane. It put me in the mind of my high school basketball days at Clear Brook. Coach McKenna used to make us jump rope then we'd go through an insane amount of drills! I can remember being bent over in exhaustion.......looking over at my teammates (Gordo, Coop & Shannon) wondering if they felt as close to death as I did. None of us dared admit how hard it was but we pushed through. I felt the same way during this workout. I was at times exhausted beyond belief and at other times I felt tough and invincible. The workout lasted about 40 minutes it was, in a word, brutal.

I must say, though I'm excited about the next 58 days (if I mess up the math in the next two months please forgive me, I teach English!) (don't judge me Annette Martinez!). I think the workouts will get much much more intense......better yet insane......but I am convinced that if I stick with it, I'll achieve some real results!

Tomorrow: Cardio Resistance

Insanity Fit Test

I could begin by simply telling you that I got up this morning and did the Fit Test but that would be to begin "in medias res", instead I'll begin "in da beginning es" (yes I just made that up)

Last night, I committed myself to beginning Insanity on the morning of July 11th and I was committed to that. However, this novel that I'm reading has bewithched me. Jephte's Daugher by Naomi Ragen. I could not put it down so I didn't go to sleep until 3:30 am. Silly me.

However, my body did not fail me. I came to life at 7:00 am and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I got up donned my workout clothes and put on the fit test. Oh boy Shawn T is insane! This 25 minute-ish workout consisted of 8 grueling exercises. They are basically plyometric based exercises and let me tell you, they are hard. I consider myself pretty athletic (tomorrow I'll give you a little more history about my fitness) but these exercises were.....well.....insane. Shawn T basically asks you to do each exercise for 1 minute and count the reps. Here are my results:

Switch Kicks - 65
Power Jacks - 41
Power Knees - 66
Power Jumps - 30
Globe Jumps - 4 rotations
Suicide Jumps - 9
Push Up Jacks - 12
Low Plank Kicks - 20

Now, the suicide jumps and push up jacks were THE WORST BY FAR.

When it was all over, I was dripping with sweat and actually felling a bit discouraged. I honestly felt like I was not going to be able to complete this 60 day journey. That being said, I'm re-encouraged now (yep made that one up too) and I'm ready to go.

Tomorrow.........Plyometric Cardio Circuit

They're hhhhheeeeaaaarrrr!

Today was crappy and good all at the same time. We lost our little league basketball game and I was coaching against a really rude guy! You know how that is, the more rude someone is, the more you want to beat 'em. But I didn't so that sucked!

Then I had lunch with my husband and when I order my frozen margarita, I got carded! Ha! 32 and asked to show id! I loved it so that didn't suck!

Next on the agenda, I had to get ready for my grandmother's 90th birthday party. the dress I put on used to fall so perfect on my body. Just last summer it was my summer sexy sundress. Today it felt like I was wearing someone else's clothes so that sucked!

I arrived at my Rho-Rho's (my grandmother) and saw a some cousins that I hadn't seen in a while. Everyone was well and my granny was extremely lucid today so that didn't suck!

Then we went to a baby shower for baby Maxwell. There were lots of beautiful people there. My husband and I don't visit people (outside of the family) too often, it felt good so that that didn't suck!

Finally we arrived home, my body covered in mosquito bites......that sucked! No I take that back, that itched!!!!!

I decided to check the mail though just to see if Shawn T had arrived. And by gosh it was there!!!! All the DVDs, eating guide and wall calendar! So tomorrow Sunday July 11, 2010 will be day 1 on my 60 day insanity journey. I excited and terrified at the same time. I hate to admit it but I hate commitment. The thought of me being "required" to do something everyday irks me. I'll attempt to conquer that demon in the next 60 days!

But mostly I want that amazing body back. I want to look and feel better. Let the games begin.

Fit Test tomorrow!

Waiting on Shawn T

My senior year in college, I took a theater class. The entire premise of the class was to experience as many stage plays as possible. That year, I saw some great stage plays and I also saw some duds. Dud number 1......Waiting for Godot. If you've seen it, you know that the whole play is about waiting (or at least I think that's what it is about). I sat there watching that play feeling like the characters.....bored, anxious and expecting something amazing to happen.

I find myself feeling those same feelings. Last week I ordered Shawn T's Insanity DVD's from eBay. I wanted to do something amazing to my body and I feel like Shawn T's insanity is going to be a perfect fit. When the DVD's arrive, I'm going to workout for the entire 60 days. I'm 32 and what I want most in life is to wear a bikini..........a real one. Not a tankini. Not boyshort and a tank. No a real one! Hopefully Shawn T will get me there. We'll see.....but as for now I sit bored, anxious and expecting........Shawn T.