~~*September (the rest of!) Chat!*~~
 

Hi ladies! Figured I would make a thread for the rest of September instead of making one every week.

I START INSANITY TODAY! Well, it's Monday NOW, but I need to sleep since it's past midnight and THEN it's Insanity =p. Can't wait!

I also lost TWO POUNDS this week! Yay! =D

I've heard good things about insanity but I heard its really expensive too. Good luck! can't wait to hear about your results!

That's why you acquire it another way that's much much cheaper *cough*free*cough* >_>

:lol:

Hey Ladies!

Alrighty I am in between workouts right now, eating some breakfast with DD and DS. Did Insanity Max Interval Circuit at 5:45am...OMG I forgot how much harder the Max workouts are LOL!!!!!!! It's great though, I feel AMAZING now I have great energy for the day, so DS, DD, and I will hit the gym here soon :). I am hoping to lose 8 lbs or more in this last month of Insanity Round 2 :D. I don't weigh in until Thursday for the 12 week challenge so I am going to resist temptation to cheat weigh and make sure that I stay off the scale lol! Hope you ladies are doing great, and let's make the rest of this month awesome and kick lb butt!!!!!!!!!!!

Rie-GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO EXCITED that someone in the chats will be going through the same torture as I have been subjecting myself to the last 2.5 months lol! It is amazing and you will feel so accomplished after you finish. Oh I can't wait to see your results! I am going to post my pic from 2 days ago, I think there is a good difference from when I started for sure. You WILL DO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just DIG DEEPER YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!

Andrbeck-It is AMAZING and like Rie said, it isn't expensive, say, if you know someone who has "access" to it lol!!!!!!!

Okay ladies, time to hit the gym for workout #2. Hope that we have a great rest of the month and let's just get crazy!!!!!! PS-pics from Day 1 Round1 and Week 3 Round 2 of Insanity at the bottom :D.

So today marks the day I started INSANITEEHHH. I nearly puked, haha. It was the fit test today, so it was doing certain moves for 1 minute and counting how many you could do. They all SUCKED! I'm not good at plyometric moves, something my BF loves to tease me about (he makes me jump and then laughs at how little I get off the floor ;_; ) so I really struggled! But I got through it, I really don't know if I will see an improvement but hey ho - we'll see! Going to do a long a$$ shift at work now; all standing up and walking around - I think I'm going to sleep well tonight!

munster - HOLY MOLY YOU LOOK SO GOOD. Seriously girl, that stomach is flat as a pancake! You're such a huge inspiration to me, especially seeing your last set of pictures I just thought "Yup, I'm definitely going to do Insanity now!" I do feel really accomplished even after the fit test, and there was plenty of resting!! Tomorrow is going to destroy me. Do you have your fit test 1 results? Would love to compare them with you! As I mentioned, I really struggled with some of them, so you probably whooped my behind!

Hey ladies. I'm just a quick in and out, on my way to work.

I was thinking about what Rie said, so I checked out the videos, and I don't think even my physician would recommend it, lol. So instead, I've put together a HIIT that fits body (for now) and wow did it kick my butt this morning. I'll share later today more about it.

Happy exercising today!

Rie-DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT THE FIRST FIT TEST KICKING YOUR A$$! It is freakin hard, especially the first one. I swear I thought I was going to sweat through the floor that first Monday lol. My first fit test results were:

Switch Kicks: 54
Power Jacks: 50
Power Knees:71
Power Jumps: 31
Globe Jumps:8
Suicide Jumps (burpees):13
Push Up Jacks:18
Low Plank Oblique:51

I don't know if that helps, and I have no idea how good those numbers are, but I am sure they are about dead average (from looking on other beachbody boards) but man I swear I was ready to die after I did that whole thing haha! You will get better I promise, the next one you will push harder so it will still suck, but your numbers will be much better :D. OMG SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D. I LOVE IT MAX INTERVAL TODAY KICKED ITS A$$!!!!!!!!

Mande-Good for you for finding something that you like and that kicks your butt! You will work your way through it and then keep pushing in new exercise regimens. Exercise is so great for your self esteem and to kick your metabolism into high gear. Keep pushing, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

Worked out at the gym for 1.5 hours after Insanity training a friend of mine so burned some SERIOUS cals today girls! Lemme see those 140s next week baby!!!!!!! Let's do it girls, we can KILL it this week!

mande - Definitely do something that works for you!

munster - Thanks for sharing! Here are mine:

Switch Kicks: 46
Power Jacks: 39
Power Knees: 60
Power Jumps: 22
Globe Jumps: 6
Suicide Jumps: 7
Push Up Jacks: 16
Low Plank Oblique 36

You did better than me, but not surprising since I suck at jumping! But I wasn't toooo far off you so I don't feel badly about it ;p. Thanks for your support, will check in and tell you how tomorrows session goes! Plyometric Cardio Circuit, whoop whoop!

Go Rie! See? I am pretty sure unless you are already crazy that those numbers are right around where everyone starts! YAY!!!!!!!!! Plyo Cardio Circuit is a good one! Get ready to sweat your a$$ off lol! Do it girl, I will let you know how Max Workout #2 goes tomorrow ahhhhh! HAHAHAHA! I LOVE IT! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D.

Rie & Munster - have fun doing Insanity....I definitely will NOT be joining you two. HAHAHA!! I'll just stick to my C25K for now. ;)

About C25K...I'm only able to do 2 days a week at the gym right now. I told myself that I would go on Sundays, but it hasn't happened the last 2 weekends, so I'm going to say that it just isn't going to happen...**sigh**. Oh well, 2 days are better than 1. I am going to do my 3rd day of Week 2 tomorrow. I'm hoping the big gap in days isn't going to affect me.

Gosh, I'm so busy and have so much work to do. I gotta go...bedtime. Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow!

Rie way to go! I bet you'll lose loads while doing Insanity, that Shaun T is mean! But you're doing great on that plan already (just checked out your 90 day exercise challenge post)Congrats on steady loss!
Heheh...well, in my country,given that even PayPal is unavailable, all get all my videos that way. If it's not forbiden to share links here,I suggest you all to look up at bolt.org forum they have the biggest download catalog I've found online. PM me for the direct link if anybody wants it :)

Hey MMommy, I can just say WOW! You look great woman! I'm wondering what's your ultimate goal, not weight-related, but how you wanna look?

Oooh, you two make me jealous! Now I can't wait to start torturing myself with Insanity! But it'll have to wait, right now I think I'll drop dead 5mins into fit test..but I'll get there!

-
I'll come to share more tonight but I can tell you one thing: I'm back, I'm on track and will be here daily!

Hello everyone!

I am back after an extended break due to school and an injury. I didn't gain back the weight I lost (yay) and I'm ready to loose more. I had more time to contemplate my personal relationship with food and I think the food/luposlipaphobia relationship needs some work. I sneak food (mostly food I think is bad for me) and eat it in secret and when I'm not really hungry.

I think a lot of this is caused by stress. I am in the last year of my Master's degree program and am balancing work, school, and internship.

I would definitely like advice on this topic.

hotHealthy4life I would totally like the link. I'm looking into changing up my exercise program so I don't get bored.

Rie & Munster Is Insanity a video workout program? Is it mainly cardio or strength based too?

balance
 

Hi luposlipaphobia87,

I too, am balancing work, life, getting a master's degree, and dieting too! For me, it is hard to balance it all out. I think that having friends who support what you are doing is important. With my life, it's impossible to make all the commitments I need to. I have shave off the fat, and only focus on the people who mean the most to me, my family and close friends.

I do try to get around to meet new people, but these relationships stay pretty limited.

Getting a Master's degree when the economy is so bad is scary. My husband is currently in school, and I have been supporting him while he goes to school full time, and I only go to school part-time. Naturally, this is an incredibly stressful position to be in.

I definately use food to cope with situations, and I probably abuse alcohol and drugs more than I should, but I am just so stressed out with school and everything.

I've decided to stop drinking completely for a while. This has been positive for me. I try to focus all of my anger into working out, to be honest, and guess what, I just finished my second half marathon this last Sunday.

I do suggest running to try and cope with things, especially if you live in a beautiful area. (I live in New Mexico, it's gorgeous here).

All the stress of work and school and life starts to trickle down into my eating habits, and how I want the world to percieve me.

I don't weigh myself anymore because I have an obbessive personality. I've started to just weigh myself according to how I look and feel in the mirror. I know when I'm off my diet.

As for weekly chat stuff, I've found some AMAZING products that I am starting to like for weight loss:

-Kashi Puffs (70 calories per cup)
- Amy's Organic Light and Lean Lasana -so tasty!
(250 calories for one frozen meal)

Has anyone else heard about the new Amy's Organic Line for "light and lean"? I am addicted. They sell them for $3 a piece too at Walmart. I highly reccommend.

Day 2 of Insanity - Plyometric Cardio Circuit - OH MY GOOSE I WAS DYING. Let me give you some context here though guys, I was sore and stiff waking up this morning - all from the fit test. When I started today's workout I was like "Huh, ok, I'm feeling ok, getting a bit loosey goosey here." and I was owning it the first half. I was digging deeper (thought you might like that, munster ;p) and pushing through and it was gooood. Then Shaun T is like NEXT! and deals me a whole new can of whoopass. I started to struggle, especially with the power squats and the ski jumps (worlds worse jumper here).

By the third set I was dying. I was going at a snail pace, the push ups/plank ab moves were KILLER. And LEVEL 1 SUICIDE DRILLS?! THAT'S LEVEL 1?! Jebus!! Shaun T is like "imagine I'm there with you, make me work" - I would not be uppercutting your hand, I would be delivering a swift elbow to your crotch kind sir. I got through it all, sweating like a hippo in a power shower and wondering why I do this to myself! But I feel great! Really accomplished, I can already tell tomorrow morning I'm going to feel the burn but I'm glad I did it. BRING ON DAY 3!

munster - Any workout that has a "Max" before it in Insanity has got to be classed as self harm!

sgregg - How come you don't go on Sunday's? Is it just laziness or are you busy? Before if it's the former, be prepared for me to kick you in the behind!!

hotHealthy - Welcome back! This board is amazing for keeping yourself motivated and holding yourself accountable =). Never thought about doing a vlog before! I'll be sure to keep watching your progress! Your English is fine, woman, I understood all of it!! I would only recommend Insanity to those who have a good level of cardio fitness, I wouldn't recommend it to complete beginners!

lupo - Well done for maintaining! Unfortunately I don't have much advice on handling weight loss and stress - I was at my all time highest weight after a stressful final year at University and a trip to America. It was laziness on my part, I was making excuses. "I can't go running, I've got work to do." I could have gone for a 20 minute jog and it wouldn't have interfered with my work AND it would have helped me concentrate better. "I don't want to cook, let's just get takeaway" ...BAD DECISIONS! Looking back I was just making up problems and hiding behind them. Try and see things clearly and not make the mistakes I made!
Insanity is a max interval training programme. It's an intense cardio workout with plyometrics and also strength moves (like squats, planks, push ups). You don't use weights, it's all about pushing yourself to the limit then getting a 30 second break (rather than steadily working then pushing yourself for 30 seconds). It hits you right in the FACE, it's so challenging, but I'm on day 2 and loving it!

librarygirl111 Yeah it's crazy trying to balance everything. I know what I'm supposed to eat. It's just a matter of doing it because I have convinced myself I'm being deprived of my desserts. I'm a runner too. Ohio is very beautiful and good for running (except in the winter).

Riestrella Lol. Your post made me crack up "swift elbow to crotch" and "sweating like a hippo". Seriously, though that sounds pretty hard. Good job! It sounds fun but I'm scared of reinjuring my shoulder.

Hey Ladies!

Okay so having snack time with DS, just got back from the gym :). Had Max Plyo Circuit this morning (5:50am :dizzy:) oh man, I was FATIGUED from the first Max workout yesterday so this morning fully sucked! Oh well, it was over after 55 minutes of grunting, sweating, cursing Shaun T and generally looking like a dying elephant haha! Then went to the gym and ran sprint/incline intervals and hit the Jacob's Ladder. So, feel pretty good on the workout front today. Hoping to see 151ish this weigh in on Thursday, hitting the water hard for the next two days, and hoping for the best! Oh NSV, lost another inch in my waist and .5 inch in the hips from the last time I measured!!!! Yay :carrot::carrot:! Okay so happy there are more girls checking in here, that's awesome!

sgregg-Insanity does take a sick person to do it lol! I think that it is awesome that you are doing c25k, keep with it! Why are Sundays so hard? And if they are then why not Saturdays? I am just wondering because I know that it is difficult with LOs but you can get up before everyone and do it, it just takes determination and the will to DO it, trust me I know. I see it now as ME time, that I can use just to make myself feel better about ME. Maybe that would work for you? Just a thought!

HH4L-YAY! You are back :D! Oh Insanity will get you into crazy shape and melt fat off you haha! On the goal front, I have been an athlete forever, college, etc. and I am going to try out for a semi pro soccer team in the Spring. Mostly I want to get back into good enough shape to hang with girls that are still in college and playing. The ultimate goal is to get to 19% body fat (right now I'm at about 21%)-that's where I have good muscle tone and definition, but I don't look scary ripped or too thin. I have been as low as 15-16% (playing soccer in college) but after 2 kids and actually liking to eat and not kill myself I am fine with 19 lol! Thanks, I really have kicked my own a$$ for the last 2.5-3 months so getting good feed back on the fact that there is a noticeable difference makes me really happy lol! Keep working, you will get where you want to be in no time with hard work and dedication!

lupos-WELCOME BACK!!!!! Yay for getting back into it, we love that :D. Major bummer on the injury I hope that you are fully functional again! Not gaining during that time is AWESOME yay you! On the balance front, I was playing soccer in college, so I pretty much had a built in maintaining program going lol! But I did have 2 LOs when I was doing post grad work and yes it was difficult. Basically I just had to build in time for me to work on my fitness, and really plan out meals and snacks that I could take on the go or fast so that I wasn't eating crap all the time lol. On the Insanity front, like Rie said it is DVD program that is intense cardio/plyometrics/body weight strength/muscle endurance. Basically it is a total body workout for muscle strength and cardio all in one. REALLY amazing!

library-Hello! Balancing all of that is difficult. I think that many of us just have to take it one day at a time and try to deal with everything for that day and then move on to the next regardless of whether we are totally on plan or not for the day. I think that your running sounds cathartic for you, which is great! I too am a runner when I am not in Insanity mode lol! Half marathons are great, I have done 5 to date, plus several 10k and 5ks. I have found though, that the 13.1 miles for me is SO FAR lol! So I am going to stick to 10/5ks. How do you train? What methods do you use? I am looking for a new training program for after I finish this second round of Insanity :D. I hope that you continue to bring down those unhealthy habits and focus on your healthy future and working to improve on the stress levels!

Rie-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA:dev il::devil::devil::devil::devil::devil::devil::devi l::devil: Plyo Cardio Circuit is a b!tch LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry, remember how I told you during my first round that I literally sounded like a dying hippo? Now you feel my pain lol! Oh man I totally know how you are feeling right now, it's like someone ran you over with a big rig right? Every morning you will wake up feeling like that, then suddenly in about another 7-10 days that will go away and you will just feel like the world's biggest stud lol! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! LEVEL 1 DRILLS SERIOUSLY! I was like you have to be f*ing KIDDING me when in the Max workouts he calls out FULL BODY DRILLS :dizzy:. Yes the Max workouts do really, really, really, REALLY SUCK but that is where I lost the majority of the weight and body fat. I will let you find out but holy crap for real! Do you now see why I always curse him and want to punch him in the face lol?! I love it! I can't wait for you to start seeing those results Rie, you are doing soooooooo awesome!!!!! KEEP DIGGING :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D.

Okay girls, going to get DD up from nap and then get DS ready to go to preschool. Hoping to take a nap with DD later today, man I am freakin tired lol! Let's all kick lb butt the rest of the week ladies, man I can't wait for all of us to get into another decade! :carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:

Lol, I almost fell down off my chair laughing!
Yeah, I know how hard core Insanity is, I've downloaded it months ago, and I once did the Fit test and it was hard but not impossible. I was in better shape then, tough, but I'm just saying after I do build my endurance slowly,than do all the nice and gentle J Michaels videos, and be able to run 5-10k,than I will start hanging out with mister Shaun T. I just can't believe the same man did Hip Hop Abs and the Insanity...I mean HHA is such a mockery of a workout...

MMommy, yeah I tought you are going for definition :) Well, what can I say, it's great not being affraid to set big goals and then going for them. And it is great for us having you as a role model!

As for me, I was on plan today. It was a very modest plan - but it is my new strategy. I realized that I am always putting to much stress on my self, I'm trying to run while I haven't even learned to walk. And now I am not focusing on the scale, I am focusing on really changing a lifestyle. And even tough I feel embarased next to these mean machines like MMommy and Rie, I also know that I, myself can not do it now. So in order to break my pattern I'm great one week - than I binge for the next two, I am really going baby steps. That's why you don't even see a ticker in my signature now, but I am walking more, exercising light, cutting down on bad stuff and eating more vegetable. Some weight loss will come as a bonus, until I develop enough strength and confidence to raise my game and start deliberately destroying fat. Slow and steady wins the race is my moto now!

munster - Wowsa, congrats on losing an inch!! Not surprising though with the machine that you are ;p. Can't believe you wake up that early...that time just does not exist in my world. I too felt like a dying hippo! Together we are the Insanity hippos, haha! Hahahaha, can't wait to feel like the worlds biggest stud!! That'll be the day!! I think I'll feel like that when I'm in that healthy green BMI zone ;p. It hurt me last night to bring my leg up to my knee to take my shoe off...I'm very stiff right now!!

HH4L - I'm glad I could bring a smile to your face! I've seen the adverts for Hip Hop Abs...I know what you mean! I thought "really?" and saw him shaking his booty around! He suits the Insanity workout drill sergeant role much better =p. Honey, don't feel embarrassed next to us!! If you could SEE what I looked like during these workouts you'd be laughing your arse off!! I've been working out since January doing JM 30 Day Shred, then Making the Cut (but my own half arsed version!), running a 10k (trained for 7 weeks) and now I'm at a level where I think I can take on Insanity. Running seriously helped my fitness and that took time and dedication!
Go at your own pace and don't compare yourself to others. Do what works for you, and losing weight isn't about exercising like a machine straight away - it's about changing your mindset. I had to get over confidence issues and laziness issues, I was in a continued cycle of making excuses why I couldn't workout. Or if I lost a bit of weight I would start to slack off and it would just get worse. One step at a time!!

Day 3 of Insanity done! I really struggled again! I'm not sure if I'll ever get through one of these workouts without stopping!! I hate it when he's like "ARE YOU REAADDDYYY?!" and I say "NOOO!" but I have to keep going anyway =(. Why can't he hear my agonised plea for mercy?!

Trying to fit in the healthy eating plan is getting difficult again, mainly because of my work schedule...I can't just disappear to have a snack since I'm working! I've tried to make better decisions, eating a lot more fruit and the such - but still working on it! Need to keep drinking water too, I think I'm struggling with the workouts because of dehydration too!

So while my exercise is on form, my eating/water consumption isn't as good. Not terrible, but still not nearly as good as I'd like. I'm on my period this week so my weights been mulling around the 173 lbs mark but I'm going to take it in my stride considering!

Hey Girls!

Okay so Max Cardio Conditioning DONE! I am sooooooooooooo glad that one is the shortest Max workout because man, I am tired this morning! Knocked it out, and now I am hoping that my weigh in goes okay tomorrow :?:. I remember the last time I did this that I didn't lose anything the first week of the Max workouts, which sucked because it KILLS you, but I remember retaining a crap load of water because those muscles were crying lol! I think that may be what going on right now too, because I drink 100+ ounces a day (I have a tracker) and my rings are tight :(. So we will see! Amazing, everyone is still in bed except for me, which means I get to post and eat my banana in peace :D! Early might suck for a little bit, but it's nice to have a little bit of alone time hehe :).

HH4L-Thanks! I am so glad that my journey is helping to keep others on track and wanting to exercise! I am so into fitness again at this stage in my life, and I am glad because I know now that I will once again keep it as a main priority. I won't take a back seat to babies, or hubby, or anything else when it comes to my health, but I have to MAKE time lol! Definition IS the name of the game, I do still have weight I want to lose, but I am aiming for tone. I love it when my arms are toned, I have a flat tight stomach, and my legs are ripped lol! I think that your recognition of the changes you need to make for this to be a LIFELONG process are good. You are on the road to maintaining this instead of just losing a certain # of lbs and then coming right back to where you started. KEEP WORKING ON IT YOU WILL DO GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rie-OMG the first week I couldn't tie my own shoes lol! I kept the laces tied and slid my shoes on to my feet LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel your pain trust me :(. It will get better and you WILL feel like a stud I PROMISE :D. Great job on getting Day 3 done! was that Cardio Power and Resistance? Even after Month 1 of ROund 2 I STILL HATE THAT WORKOUT!!!! It is so freakin hard!!!! Shaun T doesn't hear you because he is a mean, hateful, super toned man who loves to hear the sounds of our grans, moans, and curses from hundreds/thousands of miles away I swear! I think he dreams sweetly at night of people cussing him out and sweating puddles on their living room floors :devil::devil::devil:. Keep it up, the eating IS tough, but it is what will really kick the lbs trust me. Just do your best, you will see results regardless. Great job Rie, stick with it :D!

Okay ladies, gotta go get DD out of bed and give her the baba. Then it's off to the gym for cardio and leg workout training a girlfriend of mine. Hope you ladies have a great day and that everyone does well, stays OP, and has fun! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Eating Better
 

Hey all,

I've been really excited the last two days because I have eaten good food, and I can see a tiny difference in the mirror. I can't stand getting on the scale because I don't think it expresses how I feel when I look in the mirror. I like this method better of focusing, because everyday, when i look in the mirror (something that i have to do everyday anyway), i can see where I am losing weight and where I am not. I think that focusing on exercise and what i eat, and not how much I weigh is a good method---those numbers change so much.

4Life: Good for you! A video blog is a really cool idea. Also, good plan with the baby steps. it's a lifestyle change, right? Our habits didn't develop overnight, so why assume these new habits will build overnight? Celebrate each victory (like staying on plan, way to go!!), and remember that tomorrow is a new day, beating yourself up over yesterday isn't a proven method of getting healthy :) heehee. So keep plugging away!! You can do it!
Lupos: Welcome back! I'm pretty much the same way. When I first started, the best thing that worked for me was clearing my place of all nasty foods. I convinced myself not to eat sugar/pop (empty calories), and then my palate changed, and I stopped craving it.
Library: Those puffs are delicious! Great work staying on track :). That helps me, focusing on today, not yesterday or tomorrow.
Rie: Good for you for pushing through! Just keep imagining how ripped you'll be for when you start training for your marathon. You will be better off for it! I bring a lot of small snacks (makes up on average 300 calories of my day), but they help! I have a desk job, so there is that luxury (ish) because I work in a call center, so ask me how often I'm sitting at my desk! LOL, I'm always on the run helping people out.
Munster: Congrats on the inches lost!

Been pretty busy, forgoing interweb time so that I can make sure to get in my morning exercise. This morning I woke up a smidge early, so I have 5 minutes to update!

Basically my HIIT consists of knee lifts, kicks, backkicks, and side steps (while listening to techno to keep my pace very quick), and short sprints about every minute for 15 seconds. In a bit I'll introduce some more intermediate moves, like squats, and my goal is to get my sprint up to 30 seconds (my calves will die! In a good way :)). Pounding back the water, about 2-3 litres a day.

I was gaining for the last little bit here, and I could not for the life of me figure out why. I think I plateaued because the workouts I was doing were not challenging me any longer, my body got used to them. However, with this HIIT I am producing copious amount so sweat, my heart rate is up, and I'm definitely having to focus on breathing, so I know I'm on to something ;). Weigh-in is tomorrow so we'll see!

Good luck today!

Wow I was stiff last night. Walking hurt me! My calves felt like rocks! This morning they're still a bit sore, but I can still walk around without feeling like robocop (one of my nicknames at work because of how stiff I walk sometimes!). It's Cardio Recovery today. I'm not sure what that means, but the word "Recovery" is very soothing. But then again...it is Insanity...who knows what will happen!
"Hey y'all this is Shaun T Insanity, today is Cardio Recovery...SO DO 20 PUSH UPS NOW!!!" *cringe*

My eating yesterday was better. Had cereal, fruit yogurt bowl, an apple and a sandwich with more fruit for dinner. I went to work for the evening which is why I didn't have a proper dinner. My scales are being nice to me and are back down to 172 lbs after hobbling around the 173 lbs earlier in the week. I even saw it stutter on 171 lbs for a moment!! Really starting to feel the thirst for that 169 lbs number! There are a few mini goals to be achieved in the 160s:
- 165 lbs is the halfway point to the Healthy BMI
- 164 lbs is the weight I was at when I was 18.

When my boyfriend and I first met we were 18, so if I can get below 164 lbs by February then when he sees me next I'll guaranteed be the thinnest he's ever seen me. So it's quite an important one to me! 141 days to go! By February 11th I want to be in the Healthy BMI zone, so that means getting to 150 lbs in 20 weeks. As is stands, I'll have to lose 22 lbs to get there, so I think it's an attainable goal! I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself, but it's definitely in the back of my mind!

I was also thinking, I really love checking in with you girls, but I love putting a face to the name! Would any of you feel comfortable with posting pics of yourself? It'd be nice to share more than just our weight loss!

munster - I would love to be a fly on a wall for a day in your life!! Well done on the Insanity workout, I'm already dreading these max workouts...

librarygirl - Perhaps you should measure yourself? It's a more accurate way of measuring weight loss, but obviously weight itself is still important but it's less random! Also, you should put aside way more money than $50 for a shopping spree!! At least $100!!

Mande - I wouldn't mind a desk job for that reason! I sure hope I'll be ripped...or just very nicely toned at this stage! I've got a pudgy belly to lose first! HIIT training is good, sweating is definitely a good sign that you're pushing yourself! Keep up the good work!

AHHHHH! NOTHING!
As in I weighed in, and lost nothing!

I know this will take time, and I still did not my work out (7 days a week, 2 weeks faithfully so far), still eating healthy (also faithful for the last 2 weeks). It didn't stop me from feeling dejected and unmotivated today :(.

Boo-urns.

On a more up note, I do like the idea of putting faces to names! Count me in!

Rie it is attainable and you have a strong motivation factor. And I bet you'll eventually come to LOVE Shaun T,cause that much work and struggle must be changing your body significatly!

MMommy thanks! And you are an inspiration to me, you're like a supermom. Hope I can be like that one day!

Mande ....oh, early morning exercises are the best! Leaves you feeling so accomplished for the whole day... good luck with weigh-in tomorrow!

It's been three days of me eating better now and all is going well. I've also been walking additional 4 miles every day cause there's this thing I need to attend to every day and that's across the town - so I decided not to take a bus but to walk there. And tomorrow I'll be also adding some daily exercising, nothing big, just 20mins on the elliptical, or 20mins of a workout video.
Let me just say how good I actually feel not pushing myself. I've been in the diet mentality for sooo long and (I'm veeery embarassed to confess this), but the longest I've been binge free in 2011 is 10 days! I'm currently reading a book about success which emphasizes how little things add up over time to make big results in the end - and I can totally see that principle working in weight loss as well. So maybe I won't lose 30lbs in three months. Maybe I won't lose it in 6 months either. But if it takes me a whole year to burn those 30lbs of and if along with that I develop habits that I will truly keep for a lifetime than I think that's the best option. I am so over trying to make a quick fix, I just want the change to be permanent, regardless of the time it takes me to hit the goal. As Tom Venuto says - I want to be lean and happy,not lean and miserable. And dieting makes me miserable.

Man, oh, man, I'm still so very busy. My brain hurts. But, hey, I've been making it to the gym every Tuesday and Thursday morning before my 9:30 class, so go me!! Woohoo! I did Day 1 of Week 3 of the Couch to 5k program today. That's a 5 minute brisk walk, 90 sec. run, 90 sec. walk, 3 min. run, 3 min. walk, 90 sec. run, 90 sec. walk, 3 min. run, 3 min. walk, and then cool down. Whew, my calves were on fire, but I did it!!

HH4L - Watched your youtube video and left a comment! ;)

lupo - I am also in school. In my senior year in the elem. ed department of my university...ALMOST there! I also have a husband, and 2 children - a 5 month old and 6 year old, so I'm definitely with you in the "busy" department.

Rie - The reason I can't go on Sunday is definitely NOT laziness...hahaha!! But thanks for being there to kick me into shape. ;) My husband's only day to sleep in is Sunday (so he won't be up to watch the kids) and I don't like going to the gym in the afternoon. Plus, that's the only day we have all day together. :( Oh, and I'm all for posting pics. Doesn't matter to me! :)

Munster - Woohoo for lost inches!! I would definitely get up before everyone and go to the gym, but DH sleeps on Sunday mornings (since it's the only day he can) and I can't go on Saturdays because I have the kids to myself in the mornings. Well, I COULD go that afternoon, but I feel like I get my best workouts in the mornings. Leaving before everyone wakes up wouldn't be such a big deal if the gym was only a couple of miles up the road, but it's 20 miles one way. Unfortunately, my gym doesn't do child watch. :( Maybe I can hit the local track, but it's still 10 miles away...haha! I just live too far out. Lol!

HH4L: I checked out your vlog. I'm excited to see where you're at a month from now! Morning workouts are my favourite, I'm just left with SO MUCH energy, that lasts for the entire day, I don't end up winding down until at least 8pm.
sgregg: Steady Freddie, way to get it done today! If you soak your calves tonight, they'll love you tomorrow, lol.

I got off my self deprecating horse, so to speak, today, and worked out twice as hard. I ended up having energy fit for the day, so I ended up throwing in another work out just because I felt like it... That's right, because I felt like it!

Stayed on goal calorie-wise as well today. Even went out for dinner, but had pre-planned what I was going to order, so there was no panic or excuses used to justify some sort of pasta and cream sauce (which turns out has a wopping 1,000 calories in some cases! What the deuce?!).

I have an early day tomorrow, which is not a typical day (I usually work 10-6), but have to be out of the house by about 6:30ish, so up at 5:00 if I want to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise. The plan is to set my alarm for the same time as my phone, leave my phone in the living room, so I have to get my butt out of bed to get it, and can usually stay awake without snoozing. That's the plan, anyway, lol.

I also started updating my 3FC blog. So far I'm only following Rie, you're the only one I know so far with a blog.

I think that's it... Going to go spend some time reading with DF, and then head to bed for my early wake up ;).

Good night!

hey everyone, sorry i havent been here for a while, ive been getting onto eating well but exercise has been a push, so much of work stress! and then yesterday i came down with some kinda of 24 hr stomach bug which i suspect i picked up from the hospital i work in, damn work. So its been a pretty hideous 24 hours, but i am actually sitting up now and have managed to eat and keep down a couple of jelly fruit cups so thats good. I'll try and do some personals over the weekend :)

Sgregg thanks! :) And it's great that you've been going to the gym before classes! I just got my timetable - college starts in October here, and I'm panicking a bit, because of time management and because of college too - I'm a freshman. How many hours are you spending in college, on an average day?

Mande thanks for watching! I'll try to make the next vlog with clearer video :) Sgregg also has a 3fc blog!
I have a blog too, but I'm more a tumblr kind of gal, if you want to check it out My fitness adventure
And I'll start following yours - all of yours(Rie, Sgregg and Mande) too.
It's a real funny thing - how giving support to others makes you feel more motivated yourself...
IG good to see you again! Hope the stomach bug goes away fast!

Well, as I just said to Sgregg, I just got my timetable for college. I am a freshman in pharmacy college, and teaching starts next Monday. Education lasts for 5 years and it's supposed to be one of the most demanding colleges in my country... So I'm freaking out a bit... And I'll be spending there an average of 6 hours with 2-3 hours commute, plus studying...I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed just by thinking of it, but thank you our dear forum overachievers, I'll be looking up to you if I start looking for excuses!

Icon: Welcome back! Hope you're feeling better soon :). Plenty of vitamin C (which you probably know, working in a hospital, lol).
HH4L: Yikes! I know you'll do fine. Watch out for the "Freshman 15!" I remember it used to be so tough not eating from vending machines and fast food places, so much studying to do! You can do it! I've got your blog saved! It's the support that motivates me to keep going (and the sight of shed pounds and/or inches lol).

I have to work tres early today, but I surprised myself by not snoozing my alarm, and didn't need any devices to lure me out of the room! I just got out, turned off the alarm on the other side of the room, stood there for a second, sat on the bed to get my bearings, and then put my shorts on, and worked out! I started Hip Hop Abs to compliment my regular work out routine, and am tracking it in my blog :).

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Mande - Good job for staying on plan with your calories! And yes, like HH4L said, I have a blog too! :) I haven't been posting as much lately because of how busy I am, but I do post at least a weekly weigh-in. I will follow you! :)

HH4L - On an avg. day...hmm...well, my days vary. Mondays and Wednesdays I'm at an elementary school for 8 hrs each day and then Tuesdays, I have class for a little over 8 hrs, and then Thursdays are my short days, but I stay at the school and try to work on assignments. So, I guess I avg about 8 hrs. per day except for Friday, which is my off day during the week. I am a senior and the work load is so much more than being a freshman. I have always enjoyed college...you probably will too. :) I wouldn't worry too much until the time gets here. There are always ways to work around your schedule and make good choices. Also, universities usually offer so many opportunities to stay healthy with clubs, gyms, etc.

Hi ladies! Not got much time for personals, need to get ready for work in 10 minutes and have a bit of a rant to do! But Day 5 of Insanity is done =D. When Shaun T says "I'm getting nervous about this next workout" I felt a sinking feeling...HE FELT NERVOUS?! That warm up is just ridiculous too, I felt like I've done my days work after the third circuit!! Dayum!!
I had to take quite a few breaks, but boy did I need em! Definitely need to be drinking more water in the days!
My weight has been flickering around 172/173 lbs this week. Would LOVE a 171 lbs but I've not seen it at all so I'm thinking I'll be the same this week as last week (I have "official" weigh ins on Sunday).

My Mum is continuing to annoy me slightly. She gets all happy and excited about planning exercise and getting a schedule, but just doesn't stick to it. She's bought a couple of books and wants to train to do an Iron Man (she tried to do one a few years ago but her bike broke during the race so she couldn't carry on) next year but wants to lose weight first. She's always been overweight, and she tried the Iron Man and did a Half Iron Man overweight (perhaps even obese)...she just needs to get her eating right and stop drinking wine!

But anyway, she said she lost 3 pounds this week, then she went to the store and bought a big box of white wine to drink tonight =/. It's just difficult seeing her make progress only to drink alcohol and ruin it. But the thing is: she knows that she shouldn't do it! I heard her talking to a friend at a meal and she said "I do really well in the week then ruin it by drinking wine over the weekend."
She also tries to bring me into her guilty pleasures. When we were in town a while back she said "Do you want a Pizza Hut?" I declined, because I had already eaten and she just scoffed and said "Suit yourself then." Yesterday she said "We're on our own tomorrow, I bought us both a pizza" and I said "Well, I'm working tomorrow night" "You can have it for lunch!" But...I don't want to eat a whole pizza for my lunch!! I'm trying to lose weight here!

Also last night at dinner she made us fajitas, then she put Cheesy Dorritos in the oven and covered them with more cheese. I'm not a huge fan of cheese, in fact I hate the stuff most the time, so she put this big bowl of Doritos that were plain for me. I had 3 of them (not an exaggeration!) then when I was done she said "Aren't you going to eat your Doritos?!" Did she expect me to scoff down 2 big fajitas packed with chicken and vegetables and eat a whole bowl of Doritos too?! *sigh*
Whenever I decline food or eat something healthy or say I don't want any treats from the shops I just get this vibe from her...she's supportive of me in ways, she has done and still does a lot for me, gives me compliments by commenting on how "slim" I'm looking - but there are moments where I swear she wants to see me gorge on crap so she feels better about herself.

Sorry for the rant, I really had better get going! Thanks for listening!

Hey Ladies!

Okay so yesterday was hubby's bday and I surprised him by ripping out wallpaper and painting the bathroom lol! So I didn't have time to post. Hit Insanity this morning early, Max Interval Circuit 59 minutes, holy cow it's SO LONG LOL! Got it done, and then hit the gym for cardio and ab workout training my friend. Feeling good today, not too discouraged but the weight didn't move this week yet, although I know that I am retaining an INSANE amount of water from Week 1 Month 2 of Insanity. Muscles are so torn down that there is so much H2O in there lol! Hope you all are having a great day, and I am getting excited for the holiday season and to be looking good for it! Let's all get super hot for this holiday season girls!

Rie-OMG I hate it when he says that during the stretch for Pure Cardio! The first time I heard that I was like "ok holy sh!t I am going to die this time" LOL! Good job on getting through it and digging deeper! I hope that the situation with your mom gets better soon, I know how hard it can be to have someone who isn't super supportive around. The sabatoge is the hard part to deal with, having someone trying to push pizza and chips on you isn't the best thing for you lol! But, maybe you can have some influence on here in the future, watching you (especially after you finish Insanity ;)) might just kick her butt into gear!

Mande-:hug: it will get there I promise! HAHA on the alarm and phones! I love that idea! Keep working hard and you will get where you want to be :). Staying OP with diet is the most important, but the fitness and workouts will only make it go that much faster I promise!

sgregg-KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!!! You are doing great, just keep trucking. That is tough being so far out of the way :(. Do you like workout DVDs at all? I would say having one or two that you like that you could do 2x a week when you don't get to the gym might be really helpful and would keep you sweating and working. That's why I do Insanity before anyone is up, so that if I DON'T get to the gym I don't feel blah or guilty for not working out lol! Just a thought :D.

HH4L-I have two really good friends who just finished Pharm D programs, and it was CRAZY work lol! Congrats! We were all pre-med/pharm majors and they now have great jobs and great lives lol! It is ridiculous on the amount of work you have to do, but one of them is INSANE about working out and he stuck with it like crazy even during all of it. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Okay girls, hoping to have a great weekend, it is starting off with dinner out tonight with the hubby for his bday, grandma coming over to watch the LOs :D. Wow date nights, so few and far between you are lol! It's okay though because I am saving calories to have a strawberry margarita OMG soooooooooooo yummy lol. Have a great day ladies!

Munster - Have fun on your date night!!! And I hope you enjoy every single minute of that strawberry margarita! Also, I hate workout DVD's. I have some and I guess I could do them. I may just do my Pilates one in the morning after DD goes back to sleep. Yep, I'm going to. :) I have 30DS, but I hate it, so I don't do it. I don't like being so sore that I can't move. Plus, I want some low impact so I'll be able to keep my running up on Tues and Thurs, so yep, Pilates it is.

Riestrella - I'm so sorry about your mom. That would really annoy me too and I would just have to tell her like it is, I'm afraid. :hug: Hang in there. Hopefully, your will power will just rub off on her.

I went walking this morning after dropping DS off at school. I had a couple of friends join me and it was really great getting out in the cool weather and having a good walk and talk. Then, me and a friend ate lunch at the Chinese place....and I stuffed myself, but that's ok because it's gonna happen occasionally and I only eat that once in a long while.

OH, OH, OH...NSV!!....I am wearing a pair of 16's that I had in the back of my closet and haven't worn in about 2 years!!! I've been in 20's and 18's for the longest time now. I've been trying on these 16's occasionally and today was the first day that I thought I could wear them comfortably. They are definitely still a little snug, but not so snug to where they are unbearable. I'm so happy. :D Also, I went to Walmart to grab a new pair of workout pants since my current ones are falling off when I'm running and I was able to get a size Large!! I don't even remember the last time I have worn a size Large in workout pants. Woohoo!

Hi ladies!

Not much to report today! Going bra shopping today, I think I might even be down a size! I'll have to measure and get back to you all. I'm also going to book an appointment for some new glasses + eye test, because the pair I got the first time (only need them for reading) were so cheap because I was a student! They're all wonky now!

I'm also starting the pill tomorrow - Yasmin I've been prescribed. I've been on it before when I was going through depression, so I wasn't sure if it was the pill that made a difference so I stopped it. When she weighed me she congratulated me on my loss, because I have lost 14 lbs since they last weighed me! I also had bulky clothes on, so I'm convinced it should have been lower but hey ho ;p.

I really miss the BF!! =( I'm going to start the chain of sharing pictures, so here is one of my favourite pictures of us together!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._5164615_n.jpg
That was in 2009 when we went to Italy together, it was the start of our "official" relationship since we'd been the "will they, won't they?" couple for about 5 years before then!! That was taken in the gorgeous Venice, my favourite place we went to in Italy. That's probably the thinnest I've been in my adult life, I didn't weigh myself but I'm getting super close to the same measurements (for boobs anyway, I used to subconsciously cheat at stomach ones!) so huzzah! My hair is a bit of a mess because I didn't bring any hair stuff with me!! Keeping it real, yo.

MandeLea - So happy you turned your mood around and started working out more. Sounds like you're doing amazing - and not just because you're keeping on track, but because you're actually seeking out exercise!! So proud of you!! I used to wake up around 9:30am but it's being pushed back to 10:30am these days, need some of your 'let's GO!' energy!
Oooh, will have to check out your blog! I don't update the posts as much but I definitely use it to keep track of my weigh ins/measuring and pictures. Oh, and my mini goals too!

HH4L - You're absolutely right. Go at the slow pace if that's how it works for you. I am not a dieter either, until last month I've been eating what I wanted but just exercising. But now that I'm so focused on getting the best performances out of my workouts, I actually seek out the healthier option because I want to. It was a huge shock to me that I was feeling that way! I was quick to get out of old eating habits after my third year at Uni because quite frankly they were disgusting! But holidays and special occasions were my biggest downfall - just wanted to eat out all the time!!
I'm so happy to hear that you've settled into a healthy mentality behind your weight loss. You're right - there is no time limit! Do what works, not what's going to make you unhappy. I was going to be training for a half marathon, but I stopped because running in the cold made me unhappy. Now I'm inside and doing Insanity and I'm loving it! It's all about finding what works for you, what makes you feel good and what isn't going to make you miserable!
Good luck at College, I'm sure you'll do fine. How come you're not living near the campus though? Seems like quite a trek! Don't worry about the reputation of the college, just focus and you'll do fine. Oh, and I DO love Shaun T!! He just makes me hurt so much haha!

sgregg - Well done on your workouts in the morning! Feels good knowing you get them done doesn't it? And I will be kicking any of your ladies in the fine behinds if I find you're making excuses! =p All out of <3 though. Congrats on the NSV! It feels like you can lose all the weight you want, but until you need smaller clothes it doesn't feel like a victory, haha! You rock it girl!

munster - You crazy woman! Happy birthday to your hubby though =). And 59 minutes Insanity?! What the Jebus! I will die!! I think my Mum has already been influenced by me, I can just tell by the way she sees me making progress and actually sticking to the workouts that it makes her feel like she should do something too. I think once I'm down to my goal weight and I have a flat stomach THAT'S when it'll really hit her. And if she uses the whole "Well, you weren't that fat to begin with" I can show her my before picture!!

Mande As long as I don't start eating while studying I'm not afraid of gaining lbs, and I'll be sure not to start developing such a useless habit. :)

Sgregg yes, I wil deffinitely remember you if I start looking for excuses! Congrats on a size down!!! :carrot:

MMommy thank you! It was my big desire to pursue a health-related career so I hope that'll provide enough motivation to me! Hope you had a great date night :)

Rie you are a cute couple :)
And you asked me about campus - I live in the other city. There are no classical campuses for Universities here. The whole education system is different then American, or English (you're from UK wright?), I can explain but I don't think you'll be interested.... :)

Not to be 'shrouded in mystery', I'm from Serbia. If you heard about us, you probably heard the bad stuff - politics, wars in early '90s, Kosovo and such... Or you might heard about our sport results, we're quite good at sports, basketball, waterpolo, handball, volleyball and of course, tennis - Novak Đoković :) won this year Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open.http://www.dodaj.rs/f/2D/eA/4bXYoaWD/serb.jpg

So that was not my picture, but was a little bit about me :)
I'll try to find a nice pic on my computer tonight, but honestly I hated having my pictures taken because of my weight. And you've already seen how I look in that yt video!

HH4L - I am interested! I love hearing about the different systems. Yes, I am from the UK! One of my closest friends is from Serbia, his name is Srdan. I have such a hard time pronouncing it haha! After years of friendship you'd think I'd have it down >_<.

Well, slavic languages are hard to learn for foreign speakers, at least that's what I've heard :)

Anyways, just popping in to say I had a good day today. I finally added some exercises, and even tough I wasn't feeling very energetic while working out, I'm glad I've started,cause everyday will get better and easier!

hothealthy- thanks! seemed to be a 24 hour bug but im pretty weak now. Pharmacy sounds like fun, dont freak out, try to enjoy it and do start things early! You'll do fine :D When people talk about Serbia i think of snow and huskies xD I have no idea if you have that much snow or huskies in Serbia. Probably not

Mande-thanks! I think i need more of vitamin everything >.< Congrats on getting up and working out! Thats something i want to work on more now.

Rie- its probably a bit of cognitive dissonance on your mum's side. I mean, when havent we justified having something off plan because we're out with friends/family and theyre having it? Plus you are doing something that she wants to do and probably feels a little bit of pressure about doing for her health etc, so it makes her uncomfortable. This is speculation but thats just what came to mind when i read your troubles. Not that this means its ok for her to do that or that it makes it any easier for you lol. Also, super cute photo!!

I'm doing better today. Managed to have a smoothie and some fries for dinner and lunch and it was too big and isnt agreeing with me >.< It is now that i read online that sugar/fruit juice etc is not a great idea for stomach viruses. Fantastic. But ive managed to keep it down and thats a plus. The worst part now is the tiredness and not knowing whether im feeling ill because of the virus or because i havent eaten. And then being so hungry/thirsty that its really easy to over eat, plus not having eaten a full meal in about 4 days its hard to judge a good meal size. I lost 2.6kg in the first 2 days of this, ive been pretty ill :( But ive managed to gain a little bit back which im actually happy about for once lol xD Its a crazy world we live in