Hot Damn!

That's right! Guess who made it to day ten!!!! Woooo!!!!!!! I am congratulating myself!!! LOL. I feel...vindicated. I know this is not a lot, ten days on a workout program, but if you read back through this blog and see how many times I have started and quit, you will realize what an accomplishment this is. Several times I worked out with a buddy, but you know what else? When I didn't have one, I worked out by myself. I am feeling really proud right now in case you couldn't tell.

Guess what else? Jillian Michaels? She's not lying when she says you will change you body if you are diligent with her work out. I know that I've only been on it for ten days, but my thighs are firmer, and today I saw those lines that form on the outside of you abs...I am in shock, cause I haven't seen those on me in years!!! This is the part where I explain that I carry most of my weight in my hips, thighs and the lowest part of my stomach. Today when I saw those lines forming, whew....I was in shock! My lower legs are usually in pretty good shape (from the cycling and all the walking I do on a regular basis), so my main trouble spots are my thighs, lower abs, and lack of strength in my upper body. And those lines I saw? They were there when I was relaxed (as in not sucking in my stomach to pretend I have abs...)

Now, also let me say, that I haven't lost weight, I am still hovering at 160, but I feel better. And I've been told that I am looking slimmer (but she could be lying, as she is my bestie and will say anything to make me feel better...) And as an added bonus, my posture is also getting better, and I'm starting to walk like I own the sidewalk...or the hallways...or my living room. Whatever. Its a good day, and I'm seeing results, so let's hear it for level two day one!!!

On that note:

An Update

So like I told you before, I have effectively been doing the 30DS. I have done it a total of 9 times, but two of those don't count since they were not in consecutive days. The way I'm counting is that they count as part of the level, as long as you don't go more than one day without doing it. So right now I should be on day 8, as long as I work out either today or at the very latest tomorrow. For the most part, doing the workout with someone else has been effective.

I was a little concerned because I am not losing weight; instead I am gaining it. However, I have been told that this is normal as you begin to build muscle. I hate to admit that I didn't take any pictures or before measurements, so I can accurately say if there are any results. I can say that I am feeling stronger, and girl push ups don't wear me out right away anymore. So here's to getting healthy and sticking to a plan. Aiming for day 10!

I'm working....

Well, it's been awhile....I start alot of my posts like that. LOL. I have some mediocre news to report which is that I have been working out, maybe not as consistently as I'd like, but at least three times a week. It a mix of the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and Rodney Yee's yoga for beginners. I'm hoping to ramp it up to at least five times a week, but I am also trying to pace myself. I have been doing it by myself when no one is there to do it with me, and one of my coworkers seems really motivated to doing it. We'll see how long it lasts. Off I go to work out now.

E.

Well, Damn.

It's been awhile since I posted last, and needless to say things have not gone well. I've had some more personal issues, as well as the loss of someone I cared for. It has made me somewhat apathetic. At this point I'm just tired, and could really use some help.

Advice Welcome.

So Far

I've been keeping my promise to myself. I worked out last night to the Sweat 1-2 video (we're having some fun!) and I am somewhat sore, but not a lot. Tonight I am going to do the Sculpt 1-2 video again. I am having some issues with the ab workout, mostly because I don't know if I am doing it right or not. My lower back doesn't hurt, but neither do my abs. Regardless, that was day 2/3.

The Best Revenge....

I've been going through a tough time here lately. There is a lot of things going on, both personally and professionally, that leave me feeling useless and depressed at the end of the day. Family issues, health issues, friend issues, work issues, school issues, all leave me drained. 

Recently, I had one of the toughest breaks so far. My friends and coworkers that know me well know that I  am a rule follower because they are there for a reason. I have also been told that I wear my heart on my sleeve and that I need to have more confidence and increase my self esteem. I will be the first to admit that my self esteem has been torn to shreds on various occasions by various people. 

Then I realized something, I have to stop trying to let other people make me happy, and have to make myself happy. I know to some of you this might be common knowledge, but its harder to put things into motion to actually make it work. At least for me. So I sat down and made a list of things that would make me happy. Here goes:

1. I want to get in shape: this will resolve many health issues, including the insomnia (because I'll be tired, so I'll sleep better), the stress and depression (because I'll be too tired to care, and because if I look better I won't have to complain about my looks), the cholesterol and pre-diabetic-ness (because what I eat won't be clogging my arteries and my insulin will hopefully kick in). It will also improve my self esteem, hopefully. 

2. I want to advance at work, because I hate being stagnant, and once my work loses its appeal I start getting bored and start getting the newness-itch (the urge to try something new). 

3. I want to finish school: now this one is within reach, so long as my teachers don't screw me over this semester. At this point I don't think I even care about keeping a perfect GPA, I just want it to be OVER. I have considered doing a Master's, but that's going to have to wait at least till...

4. I want to pay off my car and my credit cards, to free up money for other things, like travel and possibly a Master's. This is hopefully on the horizon as well. 

5. I want to go home to see my family. For those of you that don't know, my motherland is Southern Mexico. 

6. I want to be a better friend to those I have. This is an on-going awareness that I've had for awhile, and I've been working on it.

7. I want to be in a happy, stable relationship, because my friend and I calculated it and its been way, WAY too long that I've been single. 

So with this list created, I've started working on things. Last night I went home and did Sculpt 1-2 from the Power 90 system. I rode my bike to work today, and I have to ride it home in a few hours. I also will probably do the Sweat 1-2 from the Power 90 system this afternoon. Or I might take Hachi for a walk.

I've also started doing portion control, and eating somewhat healthier. I know that they say that you're supposed to eat 5-6 times a day, but I just can't do it. So I eat two to three times a day, in moderation. 

Except for spaghetti at Nick's. You don't get between me and my spaghetti. 

Part of the reason for this intense self-evalutation is the disintegration of a friendship that was dear to me. This particular incident left me feeling low and unwanted. It's been a few days, and I haven't had to speak to this person other than in professional situations, nor has this person inquired into my sudden coolness. This to me demonstrates that I was held in very little regard, and in turn made me realize that I am only worth the value I place in myself. So I plan to make it really hard to get hurt again. I am not the enemy, I am just someone tired of being used. If you get to know me, you might find deep inside my little black, ice-covered heart that I am indeed a good person; I can be extremely generous when I feel like it; I am there when you need me; and I am a good listener. I know there's got to be other good qualities in there somewhere, but I'll leave those for you to find out. 

Ughhhh....

I haven't been a good girl lately. I have been lax about working out and my eating habits haven't changed much. In regards to the Juicing/Jillian Michaels, it didn't work out. Our schedules didn't mesh well enough to stand up to a work out routine. I'm supposed to have started doing the P90X again, but it's also not consistent enough to keep me engaged. 

A friend of mine has been working out consistently for a project that she has coming up. She kept up photos on her fb page so that people could see her working out and see her progress. She changed her diet, gave up alot of stuff, but the results are beyond *effen* amazing. I talked to her today and told her that the only thing really holding me back is lack of motivation. And she said the most mind boggling, puzzling thing: That's all on you. I thought about it for a minute, and hot damn if I didn't agree. 

So, I got up off the couch and away from the computer. I grabbed my Zune, Hachi (my dog), and my keys and headed out the door. We took a 20 minute walk, which with Hachi is a long walk because she hates the leash and she's not socialized with other dogs. It was a constant battle of wills. When we got back I decided it wasn't enough, so I aired up my road bike (the one with the crappy gears) and went for a ride. Am I out of shape? Yes, definitely, but the ride that previously would have had me gasping for air and sprawled on my living room floor didn't really tire me out this time around. It's progress.

I'm going to jump back into the P90X and this time if there's no one there to join me, it's their loss. I am determined to A) get back in shape and B) get my health back up to where it needs to be. Oh yes, I was told after blood work with my doctor that I am pre-diabetic and have high cholesterol. I have now purchased a juicer and cook more at home. I'm hoping to embark on a healthier lifestyle. 

I know this means a lot of changes, and hopefully I'll be able to adapt and stick with it. Only time will tell.