Fitocracy ~ Check it Out!

I have a competitive streak.

Not that I'm all "OMG I HAVE TO WIN!!"  I'm more "I have to prove I'm not a loser."

I am so glad that a beautiful Rugby Wife i know turned me on to this site.  I can already tell that I'm going to get so much out of it.

Here are the basics of it:

• social network type site - I've already met some great like-minded people.
• really easy to log workouts
• you can schedule workouts and get an email reminder when they're due
• there are groups by interest/region/age/whatever that have individual challenges
• there are quests.  I did one last night that included:  

                                                                   *40 bodyweight lunges
                                                                   *30 bodyweight squats
                                                                   *15 jumping squats
                                                                   *25 pushups
                                                                   *1/2 mile run

It felt GREAT!  The quest aspect pushed myself to complete even though that run was killing me after all those squats.

I think it might be a really great resource.  Really great.  You should check it out.  No cost, no worries.

If you do join, look me up on there.  My screen name is  KickMeImAnna

I've also started a group based off this blog (http://www.fitocracy.com/group/5560/) and have joined a local South Dakota group.  Hope to see you there!

Some Rib Action

Happy Sunday!

Quick post today.

So I was laying on the bed this morning with my feet hanging off.  This is the pose that makes me the skinniest I can be.  I mean, it's the same pose I strike when trying to zip up or button too-tight pants.  It slims me.  But anyway, I was wearing my comfy pajama pants and had my tank top pulled up so that I could use my stomach as a drum. Don't pretend you've never done it!  If you really haven't, you should.  It's highly amusing as the tone of the "drum" changes based upon what you've eaten or drank.

ANYWAY.  I'm so darn easily distracted today.  My husband looks over while I'm drumming away and says "Sweetie.  You've got some rib action going on over there."  Sure enough, he was right.  Not that it's visible when I'm standing but without intentionally sucking it in, I've got "rib action."

Guess the workouts ARE working.

A Ray of Sunshine.

I hurt.

Not just a pleasant burn in my muscles.  I can barely move without wincing.  People weren't kidding when they said level 2 of the 30 Day Shred was the hardest.  I'm still debating whether I can do day 2 today.  I'm unsure whether I need the recovery day or if working out would stretch the muscles and make me feel better.  Anyone care to make the decision for me?


It's Friday!  Boo.  I know most people love Fridays.  They're not my favorite.  Don't get me wrong, I love the weekend.  there are just some things about it I'd rather not deal with. My husband's eating habits for one.  He could handle a one meal a day lifestyle and that doesn't really work with my mandatory 6 small meals a day plan.  I'm doing great food-wise today overall:

• 4 egg scramble on a slice of light toast
• 4 C of butter and dill popcorn
• a bowl of honey nut O's with raspberries on top
• oven fried fish & chips
• 1 C of Jello devils food chocolate pudding
• a peanut butter pop

I almost forgot about my ray of sunshine!  I had taken part in a discussion by Oboz Footwear about great hikes.  They liked my hike story that included tubing back down the creek so much that they sent me a gift!

I love surprise visits from the mailman.  Isn't it a nifty thermos bottle?  Thanks Oboz!

Sometimes I get so down on myself that it's nice to get a virtual gold sticker to let me know I'm doing a good job.  The thermos was kinda like that for me today.  I'm so thankful for the people online who have given me a virtual pat on the back, cheered me on, and helped me just by caring.  Sometimes just having someone who understands, is reward enough.

The Fat Chick Cometh

I look like a fat-ass.

No, this isn't some insult to motivate ploy.  It is on purpose though.  I bought some Fila workout gear that is super soft, lightweight, comfy, and downright cute.  It is however, skin tight.  I can see every lump, bump, and handful of blubber that I want gone.  Thanks to the bright blue trim, all my body imperfections are perfectly highlighted.  Instead of buying my normal style of clothes, I decided to think outside the box.  I took a picture of myself wearing the outfit pre-workout (in fact I'm still pre-workout since I'm procrastinating by typing this because I'm kinda scared to start the 30 Day Shred program) so that I can compare pictures with future pictures and hopefully can really see the weight loss.

Will I share these pictures with you?  Yes.
Now?  Not a chance.  I can handle showing you a "before" pic.  Just not a "now" pic

It's kind of funny actually.  Refreshing too.  To be able to truly see what needs to be fixed.  I think taking a pic once a week is my plan.  Although, doing it every day and then making a video that shows me shrinking has a lot of appeal.  opinions?

As for this little piece of terror, It better work.  I'm watching my food like a hawk.  Starting pure today.  Completely clean eating.  Super simple foods.  Tonight will be grilled chicken breast with corn and a gripload of fresh pea pods.  Only water to drink.  I'm not even going to risk having tea.  Dang it Jillian Michaels. Your program claims I can "lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days!"  I'd be thrilled with half of that.  I'd be happy with 6 since that would put me at 20 pounds lost.  Heck, as long as I lose something I can deal.  I DO think I'm pretty darn determined though.  It there is a big loss waiting for me, I'm out to get it.  If the Shred fails, there is always Sweating to the Oldies right?  Right?


EDIT:  Oh my God.  I just finished my first day of the video and I've gotta tell you the following things:

1. I hate that chick.  Not like personally, more like "Stop telling me to keep going while you just stand there talking about those of us that are actually doing the exercises!" and "She lies!  She said we were done and THEN we had to do bicycle crunches which sucked at the end."
2. I had sweat pouring off my body at the end.
3. I consider myself a polite woman but I was swearing like a sailor during the workout.
4. Do not do the workout in the basement.  I almost didn't make it back up the stairs to the living room afterwards.
5. I'm starving.

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!