My ChaLean Extreme Journey

I’ve already learned to look forward to the circuit training days.  I always feel so strong and proud when I’ve finished.  I was feeling pretty sore from yesterdays workout so I took it somewhat light with the weights because I didn’t want to hurt myself.  Range was mostly 5lbs, however some of the lower body stuff like the calf raise with sumo squats I gave 15lbs a try!  Forgot to wear my hear rate monitor tonight so I’m not sure about my caloric burn…

Feeling very tired tonight and kinda feel oddly sore, like flu like with body aches?  I dunno, I hope not but I’m heading to bed!

Oh M Gee!  Burn Intervals is NO joke!  About 45 minutes + of heart pumping intervals and using “light” weights.  I burned 555 calories today and I’m shaking like a leaf!  I couldn’t do 100% of the workout because I felt like my heart was going to burst onto the TV screen but I would say I completed at least 75-80%.  I took my breaks, walking in place except for one time, where I had to actually sit down because the room was spinning.  (I think it was during the Sumo Burpees because of all the up and down moves)

I’m doing well on my diet today and kept it slightly under 1400 calories.  I’m developing an every night dill pickle craving that I think I need to kick because of all the sodium but it really helps my sweets cravings.

Phew!  I’m going to take the rest of the night OFF!  I hope you had a great day!  :)

Day 2-Again, was a rest day!

Today was Burn Circuit 2.  This was similar to Burn Circuit 1 but broken up a bit differently.  There were some bowlers lunges that I don’t remember being in BC1 and boy did they shred my butt/hip area….WOWEE!  It hurt SO good! This circuit was an overall body workout as well, but seemed to be geared more towards lower body whereas BC1 had a lot more upper body/shoulder work.  I really enjoyed it!

Oh for weights I stuck to 5lbs. for upper body (triceps) work, 10-15lbs. for the lunges/squats and back exercises.

I’ll be back tomorrow!

I weighed in this morning just to get a start weight for the program: 144.8 lbs. (my usually weigh in days are Mondays)

My body fat percentage was measured at an average of 12mm.  (22.7%)  I honestly think I have more body fat than that but this is me doing it myself with the capillaries that come with ChaLean Extreme.  I measured it three times one inch above my hip bone and took the average from there.

Measurements:

Chest: 36inches

Upper Arm: 12inches

Waist: 30inches

Hips: 40 1/2inches

Abductors: 41 1/2inches

Thighs: 24 1/2inches

I also took before photos in an old bikini but I’m not going to post them until I have finished Phase 1 so I can compare them.  :)

WORKOUT 1; Burn Circuit 1:

I LOVED it!  It had a small warmup, followed by a full body routine and a short cool down.

I used mostly 5lb. weights to start with because I had no idea what I was in for.  For my lunges and squats I used a mixture of 10-15lb weights.  I burned about 300 calories in the 38 minutes according to my heart rate monitor which is great for a weights workout.  My arms are still shaking as I’m typing this!  Lots of shoulder work which I greatly need to work on.

Overall, I feel like I could also handle some cardio to go along with this so I may attempt it later tonight but right now we have to head out to dinner for my son’s 9th Birthday!  He chose Sweet Tomatoes which has an AWESOME salad bar so I’m all set with the diet.

Tomorrow is a scheduled rest day but I have a TON of house cleaning to do so I’ll be moving most of the day.  Thanks for reading, I’ll be posting again come Monday after my second workout!

Just an introduction. 

My name is Ginny.  I am 28 years old and I have a soon to be 9 yr old son from a previous relationship.  My fiance and I have been together for about 3 1/2 yrs and are planning to get married as soon as I finish college.  (I was a late bloomer! haha)  I’m currently taking my pre reqs so that I can apply to a Dental Hygiene program in Oregon….I am actually waiting to hear back from a school regarding a Fall 2010 entry!  *crossing fingers*

Anyways, a little bit of why I am here……I joined Weight Watchers after I had my son because I gained ALOT of weight and being only 19, I stupidly assumed that the weight would just fall off on its own.  Just to give you an idea I was 118lbs before I was pregnant and I ballooned up to 175lbs when I checked into the hospital to give birth.  I literally ate for 2 or maybe even 3 people.  BIG MISTAKE!  About a year after I had my son, I checked into Weight Watchers, and at 5′6 the scale read 168lbs. In about 6-8 months I was back down to 122lbs.  I enjoyed this weight for a few years and then it slowly began creeping back up.  I’ve tried to go back on Weight Watchers numerous times but it was always harder than it was the first time and I began being bored with the whole program. 

I began counting calories on and off in November 2009, starting at 154lbs (the highest I’ve been since the birth of my son).  I currently weigh 146lbs as of this morning.  Staying motivated has always been an issue with me and I tell myself it’s okay because  I’m so busy with family life, working and going to school fulltime.  However, I know these things are just excuses that I’ve allowed myself to get in the way with for much too long now. 

My Motivation right now is HAWAII.  My best friend is getting married on June 23, 2010 and I want to get my body back to where it was after my first round of Weight Watchers (only even more toned than before!)  My goal is to be confident in shorts, dresses and dare I say, Bikini?!  If I can do these things then I do not care what the number on the scale says!

My Program of choice to get me to my goal?

I purchased ChaLean Extreme Program from BeachBody.com and it arrived late last week.  It is 90 Day program with 3 different phases that promises to make you strong and lean if followed properly.  Its a mixture of free weights and cardio.  Here is a link if you want to know more about it:

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?code=BBHOME_CONTROL_CE

I also purchased some Power Block adjustable dumbbells to use during each phase that just happened to arrive today so I am eager to begin my new journey!  I purchased these through Amazon.com after reading many reviews on adjustable dumbbells and I believe I made the right decision for myself.  Here is the link for the Power Blocks: 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A6QINW/ref=oss_T15_product

I figured that Sunday and Fridays would be my ideal “REST DAYS” so I will officially begin the program on Saturday, January 23rd, however I do plan on attempting a few of the DVDs just to get a feel for what I am in for.  I will taking progress pics, weighing in, taking my Body Fat percentage and measurements at the beginning of every phase (30 days).

So there you have it!  I hope I can get some subscribers to kick my butt into gear and ask me where I’ve been if I don’t post after each workout.  I also hope to inspire others and find friends also doing Chalean’s Program.

Thanks for reading!

Just a WARNING, I am a Blog Virgin so please bare with me while I get this thing down!