Motivation

Wanna ask me how P90X is going?

Don't bother.  I haven't started yet.  It's intimidating, I'm a chicken, and being lazy is so much more fun.  But at least I'm honest.  I'll be starting it Monday.  No excuses this time. 

It's hard to come up with motivation to better my body.  I don't know why and I think it's stupid, but it is.  Oddly enough, I have a competitive streak that drives me to beat others.  I was always the little kid who would yell "race ya!" and then take off down the sidewalk.  I think it stemmed from feeling inferior most of the time.  Competition allowed me to earn my place at the top.  To have a victory that others could recognize and appreciate.  I never felt entitled to good things.  Because, well, I never felt good enough.  This experiment/blog is about overcoming the negativity against myself and to stand tall by myself and for myself.  But i still need others to do this. Thank God for them. I've got motivation now!

Today equals 98 days until good old Greedy Pig Fest...  I mean Thanksgiving.  Typically I try to lose 2 or 3 pounds previous to balance out the extra weight a pumpkin pie diet brings.  This year I'm taking part in a weight loss challenge with a few fabulous women.  We're all different shapes and sizes so we're basing the challenge off of percentage of weight loss.  Whoever loses the highest percentage of weight loss in a healthy manner by Thanksgiving wins.  98 days of hardcore working out and watching my diet.  The winner will be mailed prizes from the losers.  Just something little from each of the other participants.  Of course, the losers might be winners themselves.  I don't mind losing if I still pull off a significant weight loss.

New Beginnings

I've officially finished the 30 Day Shred!  I think I'm going to print out one of these award certificates and fill in my own name.

As much as it sucked hardcore, I think I am better for it.  Here's what I achieved by the end:

• I don't lose my breath as easily so I was able to swear at Jillian Michaels more efficiently.
• I noticed I am usually following the harder example of the exercises not the modified.
• I've learned to drink from my water bottle while doing jump ropes, and high knees.
• I've regained some of the flexibility I had years ago.  My knee seems stronger for it.
• I've lost inches.  Most noticeable in my waist.
• I feel like I accomplished something

BUT.  The fat chick is still here and she's still fat.

Phase 2:  P90X

I'm scared, excited, terrified, and totally hoping for magic.  I'm willing to put the work in, I'm just hoping the program will get the numbers moving on the scale.

Any advice on P90X?

The Plateau is Over

Thank God!

I finally lost a pound.  I've been panicking.  I know, I know!  It's not all about the weight.  I totally took a pic on Monday and compared it to the pic I took 2 weeks ago.  I am definitely seeing a difference.  Especially in my waist/belly area.  I'm halfway done with the 30 Day Shred and although I might hate Jillian Michaels, I gotta admit that the chick knows her workouts.

I'm currently debating between the Insanity workout and P90X.  I have both available and am unsure which to take on first.  They're both supposed to be great workouts.  Insanity has been nicknamed Intensity.  So maybe I should take that as a warning.  Plus, if I start P()X on the Monday after I finish the 30 Day Shred, I'll finish it 2 days before Thanksgiving.  Talk about earning your dinner.

Opinions?  Thoughts?  Comments?  Suggestions?

New Challenges to Ponder

I've been hearing a lot of people complain about hitting a plateau or just not losing.  It scares me.

I'm going to try my damnedest to avoid it and I am hoping switching up my workouts every two to four weeks will keep my body on it's toes.  Literally as well as figuratively since I do love my NYC ballet workout.  As the happy owner of the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels , I'm planning on kicking my own butt starting Monday.  Hard.  I just have to be careful to eat enough.  I'd also love to try the p90x system but don't have the money for weights, a pull up bar, or resistance bands. Especially since I'm not sure I can even stick with the program.  It looks really intense and I'm a bit of a chicken.  I know losing weight isn't easy, I just wish it was cheap.

My husband revealed on Wednesday that he has a dream and it's the hike of a lifetime.  I'm still in a bit of shock since he's always been very anti outdoor sports.  Not just traditional team sports, but including bouldering, climbing, canoeing, fishing, camping, and a number of other activities that might be described as "rugged activities."  He wants to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.  All 2,181-ish miles of it, virtually non-stop, and it averages about 5 months to do it all. 
 
We would start in Maine in June of whatever year and then work our way south on foot to Georgia.  It's amazing.  I want to do it.  Who knows when?  I sure as heck don't.  But I want to be in shape when the time does come.  Nothing makes me as happy as the thought of a husband and wife adventure.  I figure I need my feet to be able to handle about 20 miles per day with moderate trail conditions.  I had better kick up the endurance!