Saturday, April 21, 2012

P90X

Like Jess said the other day.....we're baaaaack!

And what a way to start my re-entry to blogging here than with P90X!

I started P90X on Monday. I was pretty terrified when I started, but I got the program on Craigslist for $45 so I was determined to make the most of my amazing bargain.

I made it through Monday's workout, Chest and Back, without a huge amount of modification. It was  mostly pushups and pullups, neither of which get along with my wimpy arms. Tuesday was Plyometrics, which equated to a lot of jumping around. The impact didn't bother me, but the cardio did. I was spent by  the end and took a bunch of breaks.

I actually really liked the arms and shoulder workout, and I can already see some progress in the 15 minute abs workout they toss in on some days. I obviously have a lot more days and DVDs to get through, but I am really hopefuly I will stick with this.

Has anyone else done P90X? Tell me your experience!


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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Annnd We're Back!

Hi! Is this thing on?! It's been awhile. Actually, it's been a loooong while. I'd like to start posting over here again, because I could use the motivation and accountability.

Yesterday I took "before" pictures for an online weight-loss challenge I'm participating in for the next six months and I was horrified by the woman staring back at me. I don't know when I became that girl, but I hate it and have to do something about it. I realized, from those photos, that I never really look at myself from head to toe anymore. I may glance at my outfit before running out the door, but that was the first time in months, if not years, that I saw what everyone else must be seeing. Talk about a wake up call.

I've been on this health train roller coaster before and I always vow to do better, and I do...until I get lazy and complacent and revert back to my old habits. So I need to make new habits and I need to adapt my favorite foods and make them healthier. I also recently purchased a planner, so I've inputted all of my workouts so I can see when/if I'll have scheduling conflicts.

I'm really going to try this time, because I don't want there to be a next time. I want this to be it.

How about you? Where are you in your journey to a healthier lifestyle?

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Saturday, December 11, 2010

Big Goals

I'm running a marathon.
In 6 months. I have my running planned out to prepare, including some races.

February 12th- 5K
March 5th-10K
April 9th- 15K
May 7th-Mini Marathon
June 11th- Carmel Marathon
Oct 9th- Army ten miler

I can do this!

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Monday, October 11, 2010

Diet, workout, and body image changes

I am starting off my whole foods diet by following the Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook I went to the grocery store and bought a TON of fruits and veggies. The point of the diet is to find if you're eating any foods that you have a sensitivity to. Which can make you feel unwell in many ways, such as sinus infections, acid reflux, bowel issues, headaches, asthma, skin issues and a ton of other issues. I'm just going to see if something in my diet is what is making me get sinus infections and be regularly exhausted. It's a 28 day diet, so it's not like it's a ginormous commitment.
http://www.nourishingmeals.com/
http://www.wholelifenutrition.net

I've also started the 100 push-up challenge. href="http://hundredpushups.com/index.html I'm starting on week three and going off of my pt test. I did better on the first test I did than I expected.

I'm also doing an ab workout that one of our cadre taught us. I'm hoping that by the time I commission, I'll be able to max the male PT test or be really close.

Not to mention running at least 3 miles each day.

And more on body image than fitness level, once I find my camera, I'm going to start taking a picture of myself everyday and journaling how I feel about myself that day. This will hopefully help reinforce in my mind that I'm being unfair to myself when I look at myself in the mirror.

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Saturday, September 25, 2010

Support System

Has it really been almost a month since someone last updated RTBA? Eeek! Well I'll give a quick update with my progress. About seven weeks ago I rejoined Weight Watchers, and although it's been a slow process, I'm finally seeing that number inch its way down on the scale. I no longer feel completely disgusting about myself, which is great!

My husband has been my biggest supporter for trying to lose weight—not in a condensending way, but in a way that he understands I have to do this for me. He keeps me in check with the things I eat and makes sure I'm tracking everything for WW, and we go on walks with our dog and he keeps me accountable for working out during the week.

So I know it's not a huge loss, but in seven weeks I'm down 2.2 pounds. This is a slow and steady process. I know I didn't gain those twenty pounds over night, so I can't expect to shed them quickly.

How are you guys doing? Do you have a supporter helping you along with your journey?

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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Bust a Move

I've had the same workout music playlist for far too long and would very much like to revamp it with some new songs. I currently have 81 songs on there, but I shuffle through them like crazy during a workout if a song isn't motivating me enough.

I was thinking it might be fun if we all (whoever wants to comment!) leave a comment with our top five to ten favorite workout songs. No repeats from other lists, please! Maybe we'll be able to add some new songs to our playlists!

Jessica's Top Ten Favorite Workout Songs
  1. Yeah! by Usher featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris 
  2. Fighter by Christina Aguilera
  3. Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson 
  4. Honky Tonk Badonkadonk by Trace Adkins 
  5. Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake 
  6. The Way I Are by Timbaland
  7. Santa Maria (del Buen Ayre) by Gotan Project
  8. Poker Face by Lady Gaga
  9. Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna 
  10. Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas
  11. Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas

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Monday, August 2, 2010

God's Pharmacy

I posted this on my personal blog a little over a year ago and thought you would all enjoy it, especially those beginning the 30 Day Challenge Ashely mentioned yesterday.

My husband will be out of town for the next two weeks, so I'm vowing to make healthy decisions and work out every day. Yesterday I went to the grocery store and stalked up on tons of fruits and veggies, many from the list below. I hope you enjoy reading it!




This intriguing list of fruits and vegetables is not my brainchild, but I rinsed it off and made it worthy for your consumption. Resources are also included. There are indeed other nutritional benefits that can be gained by consuming the foods listed, this should add to the benefits of the information and not minimize its veracity.

To be fair to the critics, there are some versions that stretch the facts or do not support their claims. Many of the lists are also ripe with juicy grammatical errors. Please forgive my grammar, the gingko supplements have not been working for me. I will switch to walnuts, in moderation of course.
In addition to the listed foods, other items contain similar nutritional benefits. Critics also use that as grounds to discredit lists of this nature. They claim the fruits and vegetables are selected to match the corresponding benefits. My response: "So what”

If the items on the list were cherry-picked to match the facts, it is facts none-the-less and not a contrived list. This publication of God's Pharmacy does not claim to be an exhaustive list, there are certainly additional fruits and vegetables that we can benefit from. This list is designed to be a creative reminder to eat healthy and to serve as a fun exploration into the wonders of nature. Perhaps, some of the critics are simply bemoaning the title. My response: "Lighten up, it's healthier."

Have fun and enjoy!


1. A sliced Carrot resembles the human eye including the pupil, iris, and radiating lines. Science indicates that carrots help protect the vision, especially night vision. WHFoods: Carrots


2. A
Tomato has up to four chambers and is commonly red. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and helps prevent heart disease, prostate cancer, breast cancer and more. Tomato juice can also reduce the tendency toward blood clotting. WHFoods: Tomatoes


3.
Grapes hang in a cluster that resembles the shape of the heart. The stronger the color of the grape is, the higher the concentration of phytonutrients. Grapes prevent heart disease and reduce platelet clumping and harmful blood clots. WHFoods: Grapes



4. Walnuts resemble the brain, mimicking the wrinkles and folds of the neocortex. Research suggests that walnuts may reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Walnut - Wikipedia The high concentration of omega-3 fats in walnuts promotes healthy brain function. WHFoods: Walnuts


5.
Kidney Beans, true to their name are kidney shaped. They provide nutrients that are helpful to the human kidneys. Kidney beans contain molybdenum, which helps sulfite oxidase to form and is responsible for detoxifying sulfates WHFoods: Kidney beans. Animal research has shown that chronic renal failure has been associated with oxidative stress Sulfite-mediated oxidative stress in kidney cells.

6. Celery has a bone like appearance and is rich in silicon and Vitamin K, which are needed for healthy joints and bones Gillian McKeith You Are What You Eat


7.
Avocados were used by the Aztecs as a sex stimulant and the Aztec name for avocado was ahuacatl, meaning "testicle" History of Avocados. An extract of avocado impedes the growth of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. WHFoods: Avocados


8. Figs have a rich history and often been referred to as a sexual food, this is partly symbolic due to the appearance of the fruit. Figs are loaded with seeds and when halved, many note a resemblance to female genitalia. The Hindu name for fig is anjeer and research has shown that anjeer is helpful for sexual weakness Ficus carica - medicinal plants. Figs have also been mentioned as a source helpful for male fertility and motility. Health-info.org



9.
Oranges, Grapefruits and other Citrus fruits have been compared to the appearance of female mammary glands. These fruits contain nutrients that are helpful in the fight against breast cancer. Health Benefits of Citrus Limonoids Explored


10. Sliced Onions resemble skin cells and contain quercetin. Studies have shown when treated with a combination of quercetin and ultrasound at 20 kHz for 1-minute duration, skin and prostate cancers show a 90% mortality within 48 hours with no visible mortality of normal cells. Quercetin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


11. Sweet Potatoes resemble the pancreas and have a low glycemic index count, which is beneficial for diabetics. North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission


12.
Olives resemble ovaries and may help reduce hot flashes in women going through menopause. WHFoods: Olives Research indicates that Olive Oil may reduce ovarian cancer by 30%. ACS: Olive Oil May Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk

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