dun dun dun... boot camp!

Oh my goodness yall.  I went to boot camp tonight at my gym for the first time.  I've never been a huge fan of boot camp, but now that I'm starting to really get into the swing of this whole working out thing, I figured this would be a great way to kick up my routine during the week. Although I did have a general idea of what to expect, it didn't matter - it was one of the 3 toughest workouts I've ever done in my life. Just so you know, the other hardest-workouts-ever were a bosu strength class and a crazy hard step class my friend Brittney Martin and I happened to both be at during senior of colleg. Let me tell you, the only thing that got me through that class was the fact that she was there laughing at the absurdity of what we were doing right along side me. 

Back on topic, warm-up consisted of running in place, jumping jacks, high knees, burpees, mountain climbers, squat jumps, more jumping jacks, and more running place.  Warm-up.  Ha.

For anyone that watches the Biggest Loser, we had to use those big ropes and make waves and outside circles with them.  From this experience alone I know for a fact that I never ever want to be on BL (not that that was ever a goal of mine or any thing).

The instructor must have really liked me because he kept calling me out.  Everytime he did I just gave him a nice big smile to show him how much fun I was having!  And he even graciously helped me lift the bar during the last set of chest reps - and it definitely wasn't because I had absolutely no energy left and couldn't have lifted that bar if my life depended on it.

It's cool though.  I'm totally going back next week.  One day, my arms/shoulders/butt/legs will thank me for it.

mission: get healthy

Back in July, I finally got fed up.  I had been irritable and unpleasant for weeks and blamed most of it on living in Connecticut.  Even more though I blamed it on not doing anything for myself - so that weekend I went out and bought some canvases and paint and an easel.  (I haven't used these yet but I feel better having them).  Overall I just wasn't happy with myself and one night I wrote down the things that were bothering me most:

• Unwillingness to workout even though I don't like being fat
• Buying things that are unnecessary or just because they're on sale
• Eating out all the time
• Living in clutter

Now I should clarify one thing: I had definitely gained weight, but I probably didn't fit in the fat category - but my pants defintiely weren't fitting anymore.  Anyways, clearly many of these were related.  If I actually went to the grocery store instead of eating out every night, my bank account would be happier and I would probably start dropping some pounds.  Once that light bulb finally went off, I started making some changes.

Things really got going on August 31 when I downloaded a food journal type ap that lets me keep track of everything I'm eating and calculates all the nutrition totals.  I also started going to the gym just about every day and really kicking up that cardio.  I started cooking again and discovered a delicious way to roast veggies and also learned that maybe I don't hate salads as much as I thought I did.

I don't have a before picture and even if I did, I probably wouldn't post it.  But here are some of my accomplishments so far:

• I've lost 7 pounds!!
• I jokingly flexed the other day and saw more bicep than I've ever seen on myself before
• My pants are fitting much better!
• I actually like and look forward to working out

My biggest accomplishment so far though came this past Tuesday though.  About a month ago, my friend Kristen introduced me to this little workout: run a mile, do 10 (girl) push-ups, 15 squats, and 20 crunches x5 (KK says 10, I laugh), and then run another mile.  Now I hate running.  I really do.  BUT running outside is actually rather peaceful and for just a mile, it's kind of enjoyable.  Plus, I know I'm running towards something and not just running to run.  I decided to do this workout for the 4th time on Tuesday.  I took out the crunches because I had done pilates the day before and added in some reps of tricep rows and make-the-love-handles-go-away moves, but everything else stayed the same.  News flash: the girl that hates running ran the first mile in 10 minutes flat with only 1.5 minutes of walking and ran the second mile in 10.5 minutes with only 2.5 minutes of walking.  I was ecstatic!  Here's to many more accomplishments and an eventual after picture!