Lifestyle Changes

Hey girls, sorry I haven't written in several weeks. Our trip to Iowa was so much fun & such a needed break from, everything. I feel more renewed in various ways & realize sometimes a short get-away is just necessary in order to regain a positive outlook on life. Yay!

Got back into my workouts fairly easily. After a week off, I actually could feel my body missing the schedule, & also, was getting a little stressed about losing ground. I know it was only a week off, but it coming back to the altitude made things feel a bit more challenging! I gritted through most of the cardio in Burn It Off & had to go down in reps on several exercises I had mastered...so there was a price to pay for some R&R!!!

Now I'm back on the wagon & progressing again. I am going to order TurboFire next week! It looks terrifying, but I think its just the switch up I'm looking for. I think I will keep up the Chalean Extreme weight program, but switch out the cardio exercises for the TurboFire exercises. Once I order & receive my copy, I'll give you girls the overview=)

Sarai, Aaron & I have decided to stay here in CO for another year. He plans to attend Maritime school & get a degree in Marine Transportation. The school is located in San Francisco, but this year's program was already full, & he'll have to enroll in the 2011 courses... so we have a year to prepare for that move! We were looking in Alaska, but decided we wanted to move as few times as possible, & San Francisco was pretty much a guarenteed move, where AK was not (and it turned out all there positions were filled before I could interview!). So we are Rockies dwellers for 1 more year!

Also, Aaron is really into the CrossFit. He hasn't been consistent with it because there are no gyms here that have all the necessary equipment (rubberized barbell, chin up bar, etc), however he goes to the website all the time & tries to incorporate the style into his workouts. He used to do Crossfit regularly while in Iraq. Apparently its big among Army soldiers. I watched some of the footage on the website, and I must say that thing is the most hard core workout I've ever seen. It made this girl cry when she was through, I mean literally bawl. And she was pretty ripped. I'd be a mess.

Shannon, don't worry about missing 2 workouts. You know your body won't even be phased because you've been so very regular with the programs for over a year! I missed 1 workout last week, & I didn't feel very guilty. A little guilty, but then I realized how far I've come. I used to only work out 3x a week for less than 30 minutes each workout, & that was on a "consistent/good" week! Now if I don't get all my weight workouts in, I know I can't progress as much the next week. So its really become a lifestyle change for me. I don't feel as guilty missing a workout once in a while because I know my body can handle that without any negative results. That & I've worked so hard on my diet, I know its no longer a matter of "I need to workout to burn off that box of Girl Scout Cookies I wolfed down yesterday", lol! Also, you had a VERY busy weekend!

Sarai, we miss you terribly at CDC. I'm a little surprised about your comment regarding our great bosses...are your new bosses mean? I hope not. Can't wait for you to come visit!

Take care, & talk soon!

EXHAUSTED!!!!

Hey Ladies!!

I have to first confess that I skipped two workouts this week. The first was yesterday...we had the surprise party up in Highlands Ranch for my step-dad and just didn't have the time. The second was today...I was just sooooooooooo tired that I didn't not have the energy or the motivation to even attempt it. Oh well!! I have at least confessed. :)

Moving on...

Sarai,
Way to go with the 15 lbs biceps...that is so awesome. I am getting closer to the using that weight during the push, but definitely not the lean or burn circuits. You should be very proud of yourself. :) Oh, thanks for explaining more of the crossfit. It does sound intense and effective...just not for me. Like you said, I would rather have better form so I don't injure myself and definitely shorter workouts, to keep me motivated. Also, I miss you too! I can't wait for you to come in July...it will be so good to see you. Let me know when you have more details. :)

Amber,
Hope your workouts are going well. I can see by your lunches that your eating is doing quite well. In fact, I am very impressed...I would not make it on what you eat especially how regular you are with it. You too should be proud of yourself. :)

Anyway, I really don't have a lot to report...other than me missing two workouts. He He!! Oh!! I just did purchased the Brazil Butt Lift program. We will see....

Take care!!

Hi Friends!!!! I cannot express how much I miss you guys. Not sure why but today I'm having a hard time not being in Colorado. I miss EVERYONE!!! Seriously...I saw Renee's Relay for Life pictures and almost cried when I saw the picture of Banba. I know you guys will laugh at me but you must know that you have AMAZING bosses. Overall, Colorado is just very close to heart. I can't wait to come up for a visit.

Shannon, I can't wait to hear about Brazilian Butt Lift. It's such a funny name but no doubt it's intense. One of the OT's at the clinic I work said that she did Power 90. She said that she really liked it although it was essentially the same workout everyday. I don't know that I could do that. I'm actually considering Insanity or P90X for my next workout adventure...we'll see. I don't really want to start thinking about anything else too seriously until 2011. Anyway, I wanted to clarify that Crossfit is INTENSE!!! It's like P90X intense. In fact, Crossfit uses the same "muscle confusion" philosophy that is used in P90X. I know that anyone who would take it seriously would see amazing results. Unfortunately, even the intensity of Crossfit has to be coupled with a good diet which is what a lot of the people lack. Also, a good number of them end up getting injured...knees, back, etc. Honestly, it doesn't surprise me based on the way that they do their exercises. They do take form into consideration a little bit but it seems like what's most important is finishing a set of exercises, with as much weight or speed as you can, in as little time as you can. Here in Lubbock, some people do Crossfit at the gym but there's also a whole separate gym that ONLY does Crossfit. It costs about $75 a month, they workout in a VERY hot warehouse or outside in the 95-100 degree weather, and the workouts are anywhere from 20-120 minutes in length depending on what that day's workout consist of and how long it takes you to do it. SOOOOOOOOOO, overall I'd rather workout in the comfort of my own home, not pay $75 a month, and follow someone (aka Chalean) who places so much importance on form and injury prevention.

HAH...I'm sure you guys really wanted to know all that. Well, I'm not sure how I did it but I was able to complete one Lean exercise (split lunge with bicep curl) with 15 lbs on biceps. I was very surprised that I was able to do it but honestly, I was able to finish relatively gracefully. Maybe it was the posture of the excersie that enabled me to do it. I'm still not 100% able to do 15 lbs. on any other bicep exercise but for some reason, I can on that one.

Well, girls...I hope you're both doing well. I'll be writing again soon...

Hello Ladies!!

It has been awhile since I last posted, so I thought I would give a little update, which isn't a lot. Oh well...it is still fun to blog. :) My weight went back down to my "normal" weight, which is 123. I was happy to see it go back to that number even though I was only heavier by a couple of pounds, it still bothered me. I think it bothered me so much because I didn't really know why I had gained those pounds. I was still working out and my eating habits hadn't really fluctuated. No matter what the reason, I am back to where I have been for awhile and I am happy about that.My program that I have been doing for the past month is going well. The tower 200 definitely gives my lower body a challenge and it also really challenges my balance, which is good. I do have to admit that I am feeling ready for a change, so I have decided I am going to buy the Brazil Butt Lift program. I realized I have been doing Chalean Extreme (which I love and will always return to) for over a year now and I think both mentally and physically I need a change. I will finish with this program towards the end of June and than I will give myself a week off and start in with the new one. I will let you guys know what I think of it. I am hoping it is what my mind and body needs. :) On to a comical topic...I have been keeping up with drinking 3, 8-oz. glasses of chocolate milk a day (well most of the time) and must say that I like it. I haven't really noticed any changes in my body yet, but I do like that I am having something that is good for you and that also satisfies my sweet tooth, especially at night when that craving, for whatever reason, gets really bad. :)

Sarai,
I am glad to hear that you continue to be satisfied with where you are at in terms of your weight and I am extremely happy to hear that you seeing your muscles and that you are so happy with how you look. I think that is the most important thing for all of us. It is how we feel and how we look at ourselves and NOT the number on the scale. I am also excited to hear that you will be going up to 15lbs with your biceps...that is exciting. I think I am getting closer to that weight during the Push series, not for the burn or lean series, but that is ok. Also, thanks for the information about Crossfit. I had always wondered what that program was like since you hear so much hype about it. I am glad to know that CE is just as effective (if not more) and that you don't have to dedicate so much of your time to it. I know I would not be successful with a program like that.

Amber,
How was your week off? I am sure it was wonderful. It is such a nice break to have and than you feel recharged and ready to get back into the routine. You will have to let me know when Turbofire comes out. I think I will definitely want to check it out, especially since you found that it will fit in nicely with CE. I know after I do the Brazil program, I will be missing Chalene and I will be ready for CE again. Oh, thanks for your support with my weight change, it means a lot to me. :) I am glad to hear that Aaron has continually supported you with your workouts and your eating. It is so nice to have that support and encouragement from your husband...it can really help motivate you. :)

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week of working out! Love you both!!!!

HI GIRLS!!!!! How are you? Amber, I'm anxious to hear about your trip to Iowa. Do you guys know where you're going yet? Shannon...thanks so much for the info on Turbo Fire. I think I'm set for now with all of the Delux Chalean Extreme workouts but it might be something I consider for later. Let me know what you guys think about it if you get it.

I miss you guys so much!!! People in Texas don't know what to think of Chalean Extreme...they just kinda look at me funny. Crossfit is the "in thing" right now around here. Let me tell you...they work out TOUGH but it kinda feels great to not have to work out so long and so hard and still get great results. Honestly, I feel like I'm getting better results than some of the people that I know are doing Crossfit. AND, I don't have to go out in the heat, run miles upon miles, or work out for 1-2 hours everyday!!! I love you Chalene!!


So, not much new to report this time around. My body feels very content being around 122 right now. Yes, it's great that I can cheat a little bit and still be at a good weight BUT, I'm ready to start moving down again and the sad part is that I can eat "leaner" and my body still just likes to sit around 122. The lightest I've been since I've been in Texas was 121.6 but all I have to do is look at food and I go back up to 122. Soooooooo, maybe I'll just stick with it for another month and hopefully my body will eventually drop another pound. OR, if I feel like I'm having to starve myself to get there or workout unreasonable amounts, I'm just going to be ok with being where God has me (aka 122-125).



To be honest, I feel great about the way I look. I love feeling my arms and/or legs and being able to feel/see deltoids end and biceps start...rather than just a straight mass of flab. It's HOT, HOT, HOT here so I go to the store and feel the need to buy tank tops and sun dresses and for the first time in my life, I feel 100% comfortable wearing them. Today, I actually bought a strapless sundress...I LOVE IT!!!


Anyway, this is where it get's tough girls. Like I said, I'm going to stick with it another month but if it's too much of a headache trying to get below 122, my goals might have to change. What keeps me going at this point is that I can definitely tell that my fitness is improving...I can run as long as I want without having to "work up" to it, I can do more than 12 slow pushups, and I'm going to start working on 15 lbs for my biceps. So here are my weight goals specifically:

Goal Weight Range for June: 118.5-123.5
Weight in April: 123.9
Today's Weight: 122.1 (Still in my range)
Goal Weight Range for December: 112.5- 117.5

One more thing before I leave you ladies. I did things a little differently the last week of Burn by using the bands instead of the weights. Long story but I wanted to change things up and I was curious. OMG...I didn't feel like I was even working out. I didn't sweat or feel even slightly out of breath. So, if you ever just need to take it easy, use the bands.

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU BOTH!!!