ChaLean day 10... and 40 days til 40!

Day 10 already! Now THIS is a sign that I'm into this workout: I got to bed on the late side last night, and thought I'd maybe allow myself to sleep a little later today, and exercise after work (not really an easy feat -- I generally work til about 7 pm).

Well -- I shocked myself by waking up with the alarm this morning, and found that I wanted to work out! Crazy -- but I'll take it!

In the past, I've found that I get excited by the novelty of a program (be it Weight Watchers, or a new trainer)... but once the newness wears off, I start tapering off, until I suddenly wake up one day and find that I've stopped following the program. I'm really, really hoping that doesn't happen here. I'm feeling stronger already, and I just want to keep that ball rolling. It definitely helps that I've come across so many success stories -- I want to be one too!

Also: this is turning out to be quite an investment -- not only was the Deluxe ChaLean Extreme program rather pricey -- but buying new weights can add up as well. Saying that: I caught a sale at Sports Authority this weekend: a pair of 8 lb and a pair of 10 lb weights was just $32.

I was also in dire need of new sneakers... got this snazzy pair. They'll make their debut tomorrow morning, with the Burn Intervals workout.

Updates since the last time I posted:

Monday -- day 7 -- my one rest day this week, and boy did I need it! My glutes were still burning from the previous day's workout -- definitely a good burn.

Tuesday -- day 8 -- Burn Circuit 1. My first day with my new weights (last week, I just used the workout bands) -- I liked the weights SO much better than the bands! Though I must admit, I think I went a bit lighter than I could have -- I was being overly cautious. I used 5 and 8 lbs, where on some exercises I probably could have gone up to 10.

Wednesday -- day 9 -- it was supposed to be my other rest day this week, but I wanted to add more cardio, so I did the Fat Burn Challenge that came on the bonus disc, along with "I've Got Abs". Very, very challenging! My abs muscles probably need the most work out of anything on my body (arms are a close second)... and boy, was I feeling it.

Thursday (today) -- day 10 -- Burn Circuit 2. Did slightly heavier weights today -- those 10-pounders even got some play.

I've been telling lots of friends about this program, and it's very motivating when, for example, my friend Debra emailed me, saying she didn't feel like going to the gym today, but she thought about me and this program, and it motivated her to go. Nice! In return -- that pushes ME to keep going!

Would love to hear from you... what motivates YOU?

ChaLean day 6... and 44 days til 40!

Day 6 of ChaLean Extreme -- I've found that each day, I actually look forward to these workouts! This is really unusual for me -- I generally work out, but begrudgingly. I know I need to do it, but I'm not really happy about it. Even in the past, when I worked out with a trainer, my heart just wasn't that into it.

I promise, I'm not a salesperson for ChaLean! I paid full price for my workout, and have no affiliation with them whatsoever. I'm just pleasantly surprised how great this workout is, and how revved up I am!

So: today's scheduled workout was Burn It Off (30 minutes of intense, kick-ass cardio) and Recharge (some stretching, some yoga). I started with Burn it Off, and oh my -- did it kick my butt. Some seriously challeging cardio moves that had me gasping for air -- and I previously thought I was in decent cardio shape! Just goes to show that there's plenty of room for improvement.

I wanted to add even more cardio, so I did one of the bonus workouts that came with the packet: Turbo Jam Fat Blaster. I've never done any of her Turbo Jam workouts before -- this is fun, with a good amount of punching, jumping, etc. I was on a lower impact than she was... I think I'm also due for new sneakers!

I then did the Ab Burner workout -- 10 minutes of solid, challenging abs exercises. My middle is my problem area -- I look a bit like a TeleTubby -- so I'm going to start adding additional abs workouts every other day.

I started to do the Recharge workout, and got about halfway through -- but then the moves became more yoga-like. I already did Dynamic Flow Yoga yesterday, and decided that I didn't need that two days in a row (and the 80 minutes of hard exercise I'd already done was sufficient for today).

I don't know if it's psychological, but I feel like I'm seeing a difference in my body already! My shoulders seem to have a bit more definition, and I feel a little smaller around the middle. Overall, my muscles feel great -- I feel like I'm starting to wake them up. It's a great feeling, but I also think I need to work harder this week.

Tomorrow is a rest day -- I was really tempted to do more cardio (I'm on a roll!) but after researching a bit on line, I found that you really should give your body a day of rest after this kind of intense exercise.

One last thing! Whoo hoo, my weight was down slightly this morning! For the past few weeks, I've been fluctuating between about 141- 143 lbs -- today I weighed in at 139.8, my first time below 140 in quite a while. Yee-hah!

Time to go out and buy new sneakers, as well as additional dumbbells. If you're doing ChaLean (or any of the other workouts: Insanity, P90X) -- be sure to comment below!

I've started! 46 days til the big 4-0!

I'm very happy to announce that I finally started the fabulous CHALEAN EXTREME workout program -- today is already day four! (I was dying to blog earlier in the week, just didn't have time).

When I first decided to do this workout program, my first thought was, how will I find the time for this? My work hours can be crazy at times (I work in TV production), and I go out after work a few days a week. I'm absolutely NOT a morning person, but -- surprise, surprise! -- I discovered that if I put my mind to it, I can indeed wake up an hour earlier each day to do this. AND it's getting easier -- one day I even shocked myself by waking up before my alarm.

Days 1 and 3 were with weights -- or in my case, the workout bands that came with the program. (I bought the "deluxe" version) I've never worked out with bands before -- I'm going to try to give it more time, but I'm not loving them so far. It feels like there's just too much room for error (eg, it's too easy to have too much slack on the bands, which means you're getting a too-easy workout). My wonderful friend Debra gave me a pair of 5 lbs weights, and I'm going to look into buying others -- maybe make an investment into some cool adjustable weights. Any suggestions are most welcome!

Day 2 was supposed to be a rest day (already??) -- but I was raring to go, so I did a hip-hop cardio workout that I had DVRd from Fit TV -- the TV show All Star Workouts. Holy cow! I've taken dance classes in the past, but this was some seriously intricate choreography! You'd have to be a former Fly Girl to keep up with the steps -- but it was fun, and I still broke a sweat.

Today -- day 4 -- hard-core cardio with some light weights in the Burn Intervals workout (followed by 10 minutes of abs in Ab Burner). WOW! This was some challenging cardio! Towards the end, I had to stay on the lower impact side -- but I stuck to it.

This was an interesting eye-opener: the program comes with a fitness test to help you estimate your level of aerobic fitness, strength, flexibility and endurance -- it's a good way to track your improvement over time. I did it with my friend Debra last night -- she's very slim, and is very much into weights and boxing classes. It was interesting to see that we had very different strengths and weaknesses: I was able to do more pushups, but she was able to do the seated wall squat for quite a bit longer than I could. I'm more flexible, but she could do more arm curls.

This was most humbling -- Debra took some "before" pictures from me. Looking at these pics, I realize I have almost NO muscle tone. I'm pretty active in biking and rollerblading, but I haven't been consistent lately -- and it doesn't help that I'm carrying about 10 - 15 extra pounds.

Can't wait to see how these pics will change in the coming months!



STATS:
Age: 39 (not for much longer!)
Height: 5'4"
Weight: this week -- fluctuating between 140 - 142
Waist: 33"
Hips: 38"
Abductors (just below the butt -- saddlebags): 37.25
Chest: 35.5
Right arm: 11"
Left arm: 10.75
Right thigh: 20.5
Left thigh: 20
Body fat percentage: 22.2*
* using the calipers for the first time -- no idea if I was doing this correctly.

If you're doing ChaLean Extreme (or have done it in the past), would love to hear your stories, tips, etc!

56 days away!

There's no excuse -- I'm disappointed in myself. I've barely worked out this past month, partially because work was absolutely, completely insane -- Hudson Valley shoot, with many scout days leading up to the shoot. I let myself be swallowed up in it, without looking at the big picture, especially the promise that I made to myself to look as kick-ass as I can by 40.

Well -- it's a new day!

I think I lost part of my momentum because when the ChaLean Extreme finally arrived, it wasn't complete -- I had ordered the deluxe version, which comes with the exercise bands (to be used in lieu of weights), and was sent the standard version (DVDs only, no bands). I called to complain, and was told that an entirely new set would be sent to me.

It never arrived, and in the weeks that followed, I got sucked into work, and never bothered calling to follow up. Finally, this weekend, as work lifted somewhat, I emailed the customer service department -- so, hopefully it'll come soon.

In the past, any time I've been successful with losing weight and / or getting in shape, it was because I had something new to excite me, be it Weight Watchers (and later, the online community boards with their challenges), or just a matter of having time off from work to bike and rollerblade every day.

This time, I was excited about the CHX program -- but til that comes, I just discovered something new tonight! I was a couch potato most of the day, meaning to do a yoga workout (the iTrain yoga that I've done many times before, and was rather bored with) -- as I was scrolling through the channels, I came across the Fit TV channel. Holy cow -- one workout program after the other! I immediately starting DVR-ing a few.

I actually motivated myself to do a rather high-impact half-hour cardio workout at 9:30 pm, followed by a more mellow bellydance workout. I got so excited by this that I'm actually writing this even before I hop in the shower. I'm going to try to motivate myself to get up early tomorrow and do one of the Gilad workouts -- now that would be impressive!

So - I "lost" the last month of workouts, but I still have just under two months until I turn 40 -- I can still make an impressive difference in that time! 56 days to go. This morning I was about 141, have been averaging about 140 lately. Will do an "official" weigh-in for the week tomorrow.

I'm back!!

85 days and counting...

85 days til I turn 40. That's 85 chances to do something great for my body to look as kick-ass and confident as I can! (actually, the number of chances are infinite, but this is more lyrical).

Time for a run. I made the mistake of overeating like crazy not once, but TWICE, this weekend:
1. dinner party on Friday night -- crabs (healthy), but I went back for *thirds* on the fabulous mac & cheese. Oy.
2. bday dinner for a friend at Pipa last night. It's way too easy to go overboard on the tapas. Let's just say that my stomach protested in a big way -- rather than hanging out for pool and ping pong after, I had to dash home to be near a bathroom. Annoying.

My ChaLEAN workout still hasn't arrived in the mail, but I'm trying to prep myself for it. Did 40 minutes of iTrain yoga yesterday (my muscles are feeling it a bit today), and getting ready to go out for a one-hour run now.

Go go go!!!

p90x? CHX huh? Wha...?

A few days ago, on Aug 24, it hit me: I'm going be 40 years old in exactly three months, on November 24. I certainly don't feel 40 -- and I don't think I look it -- but I could certainly look better. I'm a little squishy around the middle... my arms remind me a bit of my Grandma Millie's with the flappiness... and my butt could be tighter. This, despite semi-regular time spent on rollerblades or my bike. Emphasis on the "semi".

I thought in passing, "hm, I should really amp up my workouts NOW -- that would be the best birthday present I could give to myself, to look and feel the best I possibly can at 40!" Then that night I met co-workers for karaoke, beer, pizza and french fries.

The next day, I was having a drink with a friend, and he mentioned the P90X workout, an intense workout program that has challenged him into getting into some of the best shape he's ever been in (and yes, he looked good). Apparently, this program works on a premise called muscle confusion, "which accelerates the results process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so your body never plateaus, and you never get bored!"

Sounds like just the kickstart I needed -- something with a finite timeline. And I took it as a sign that I had just about 90 days until my birthday, and suddenly, here's this 90-day program, fallen into my lap!

After doing a bit of research online and asking other friends, I opted for the ChaLEAN Extreme workout -- it's in the same family as the P90X, but sounds a bit more manageable. (read about the comparisons here) A friend told me that his boyfriend (who was already in good shape) started the P90X and found it to be way too intense.

So -- I placed the order yesterday, and am very impatiently waiting for it to arrive! I hope it gets here sooner than the 5 - 7 business days that was promised to me. After all, only 89 more days until I turn 40! Will wake up early tomorrow to do an hour of iTrain yoga to get started, and will do some biking, rollerblading and / or running this weekend to keep it going.

My biggest question to myself: how will I find the time for this?? Once I wrapped my head around it, I realized I had no excuse NOT to do this. I don't have to be at work until about 10 am -- I can easily wake up at about 7:30 or 8 am, get in a great workout and still get to work on time. All I need to do is make sure I get to bed by midnight or so -- that could be a challenge, as I'm fond of my late-night internet faffing -- but what's more valuable to me: yet another adorable bunny on CuteOverload.com, or fabulous abs and increased self-confidence? It's a no-brainer.

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This blog started as my Weight Watchers page, and while WW remains a fabulous program, I needed something new to renew my excitement in getting in shape. I'm hoping the ChaLEAN Extreme program (which I'll refer to as CHX from this point on) will do just that.

When I last blogged here in March, my weight was 138 -- these days, it's been fluctuating anywhere between 136 and 140. My birthday goal is going to be 125 lbs, or about a pound a week. Totally do-able.

Slipping...

I've done WW many times in the past, and I feel that I'm falling into one of these old patterns that I've repeated many times before: after being excited about this for 6 or 7 weeks, I start to get bored with it. I slack with tracking... I don't work out quite as much... I rationalize that just this *one* cheeseburger won't hurt... and I just don't plan my meals as well.

Time to turn around that attitude! I gained .6 this week, but know it could have been worse. And as of today, I'm down 8.2 lbs -- I'm feeling great about that, but I have at least another 10 to go. I just need to convince myself that I CAN do this, and this IS worth fighting for.

This point is rather difficult -- I feel that I do look "okay" right now. I'm not fat... but I'm not exactly slim either. It's too easy at times to think, "well, *okay* is good enough... isn't it?". But it's really not... I don't want to just feel "okay" with the way I look -- I want to be excited when I look in the mirror, and feel confident and sexy and slim. That's why I need to keep going with this -- need to make that my new mantra.

This week's goals!
* work out at *least* five times this week -- the weeks when I've done a few kick-ass treadmill runs have always been my most successful.
* track EVERYTHING.
* I'm a foodie, and if I'm someplace known for its, say, fried chicken -- I tend to feel that I *have* to try that specialty. I need to convince myself: does the fried chicken really taste *that* good? Doesn't the feeling of dropping that extra pound, and feeling my jeans get looser, outweigh (ha) the momentary taste of something good?

Will try to keep these in mind. Seriously.

Another thing -- I'm very social -- I tend to go out several nights a week with friends or on a date. It's hard NOT to revolve that around food and / or drinking. But I'm trying. A few recent non-food / drink alternatives:
* A and I thought about going out to dinner a few weeks ago (she's also on WW) -- instead, we decided to do a power walk from the west village to the lower east side for steamed dumplings. (8 dumplings each @ 1 pt a piece). And a total of at least two hours of walking.

* Dancing! I recently planned a night out with a big group of friends at Mehanata -- we had a blast, and danced up a sweaty storm. Must do that more often.

* Ping pong! Surprisingly, I find that I can work up quite a sweat with a vigorous game of ping pong. Love this place in the west village, the Fat Cat. (warning: it's crazy crowded on weekends)

Any suggestions, pep talks, etc you have are always welcome!