Working it out

So I've promised myself I'm getting serious about my body and health. I have so many travel desires (as well as "other" plans for myself that I will share with you I'm sure later this year) which require me looking and feeling the best I can. There is a trip to Vegas this summer with J and friends which will require a bathing suit body, camping, rock climbing (which will require strength and endurance) and outside of that just needing OVERALL health and energy and who doesn't want that?

Not since high school have I been consistent about working out. I just don't like to. I am not adverse to working out, it's just I bore easily and/or just haven't had time or the right regiment. My typical go-to 'workout' from home has been the Jillian Michael's series (30-Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones, etc.) and my favorite 'out of home' workout - is and will ALWAYS be - hot yoga. So why not continue these?

First off - Jillian - annoys me. The workouts work but I can only stand it if I put her on mute. Sorry, Jillian, but I really can't stand the way you read cue cards...

Second - Hot yoga, as much as I LOVE it, is still out of home and I'm not good at maintaining a routine which requires I get in the car and drive someplace. There are too many good excuses out there that keep me from it (weather, kids, too dark, too light, too busy, traffic, etc.)... Not to mention, it gets expensive going all the time. There are MANY awesome positive things that come out of practicing hot yoga on a regular basis so I don't want to stop going, but I think I will have to continue it as a supplement to my new workout regiment rather than the main.

So, after being inspired by Mrs. K and her endeavor to get fit(-ter) and after hearing from other friends of mine that had tried it, I got my husband on board with me and we purchased the Insanity workout DVDs.

Now, we'd already tried one other collection from the Beach Body series called P90X a couple of years ago. But we'd only done that for a couple of weeks before my focus changed due to being laid off from work. Suddenly, working out didn't seem so important anymore. But with P90, as much as it DID work and it was awesome - I didn't like the fact that it required so much equipment. Not to mention, I think the exercises are more meant for 'bulking up' and since I - a former track, soccer and basketball player knows from experience - know how easily I bulk up, it's really something I want to avoid. want to get strong and lean, not strong and bulky.

With Insanity, you don't need weights and it's an intense 30-40 minute workout that is full of cardio and toning, strengthening and recovering exercises. Today starts week 2 for us and so far I love it! I've NEVER gotten out of bed excited to start a workout before and believe it or not, now I do. Anyone who knows me, KNOWS I am not a morning person. Don't talk to me before 9 a.m. (!) but with our routine now, we wake at 5:30, eat a light breakfast, relax until about 6:15 (in order for the food to digest a bit) and then we start working out. By the time we're done, I'm exhausted but charged and it lasts me the entire day! J gets ready for work, I get the kids ready for school and when I get home, I'm ready to start work in the office.

Even though J has missed a couple of days, I am proud to say that I have not and I'm really taking this getting in shape thing more serious than I have in the past. I don't know if it's because I have places I want to go and look good for or that I stepped on the scale and frightened myself (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas were not nice to me). Whatever the reason, it's motivation enough. I am also hoping that if I keep it up, it will serve as motivation for J to follow my lead and keep his head in the game as well. If he sees me not quitting, he'll have no excuses for why he couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't work out as well.

So we'll see how it goes. So far, so good. I took some before pictures (forgive the face - like I said, we were up at 5:30) and I'll even share my (gasp!) weight with you...

For reference, I'm 5'10". Last week, before we started I was 142. Although I'd like to lose about 5-7 lbs.,  my focus isn't necessarily weight but how I look physically with being more tone/trim.

1/10/11, 5:30 a.m., 5'10, 142, 4 kids, Insanity

...no butt...
not sure Insanity can do anything about that...
"Thanks, Mom..."

Don't want Popeye arms,
but I want my sculpted biceps back. 

"Where did the abs go...?"

My first day Fit Test results (as many as you can do in one minute):  

1. Switch Kicks - 60

2. Power Jacks - 49

3. Power Knees - 60

4. Power Jumps - 30

5. Globe Jumps - 5

6. Suicide Jumps - 14

7. Push-up Jacks - 12

8. Low Plank Obliques - 58

Here's to reaching my body, eating and overall health goals in 2011!

Are you taking any physical challenges this year? If so, what are they?