Updated Workout Schedule

Now that I'm no longer able to do Insanity, I've got a revised workout schedule. I'm loving this new schedule! Two weeks in, this schedule seems to work out very well! As you know, I do all of my workouts from home. No gym fees = more money in my pocket!

Monday:
*Pilates for 55 minutes then 30 minutes of cardio on my elliptical machine. I rotate through two pilates DVD's: Mari Winsor: Pilates & Gaiam Pilates Body Sculpting Workout Kit with Ana Caban using a Pilates Ball.
* I currently do Monday's schedule with a workout buddy.

Tuesday:
* Physical Therapy Exercises for 15 minutes (Now that I know I have issues with my knees, I do specific exercises twice a week for maintenance at my Doctor's recommendation.)

* Half of a 40 minute circuit training session for arms, shoulders, chest, abs, core, back, and legs through the Jillian Michaels DVD "No More Trouble Zones."

* 30 minutes of Cardio on my elliptical

Wednesday:
* Yoga for 30 minutes
* Ab/Core Work straight for an extra 7 minutes
* Cardio on my elliptical for 30 minutes
* I currently do Wednesday's workout with a workout buddy.

Thursday:
* Repeat Tuesday's Schedule

Friday:
* Glute workout for 30 minutes rotating through my "Brazil Butt Lift" DVD's.
* 30 minutes of cardio on my elliptical

Saturday:
*Pilates for 25 minutes (The shorter, second pilates video on the Mari Winsor: Pilates DVD) and 5 minutes of straight extra Ab work.
* Cardio on my elliptical for 30 minutes

Sunday: OFF!

***As long as I continue my diet, I'm good. When I get off track with that, I don't do so well. I'm working to stay on target with my eating. Currently, I use the nutrition plan I got with my Insanity DVD's during the week, and do other alternatives on the weekends. I don't allow myself to go crazy on the weekends. I have other specific rules that I follow on the weekends. I will say that I have my imperfect moments as I sure most do. I'm human. However, I'm working to minimize those!

The Show Must Go on....

Obviously, both Jonathan and I have lingering feelings from everything that has happened this past month. Our insurance company understands our loss, but has been a major source of heartbreak for us with their lack of initiative. We're also still anxiously hoping Lowe's will start returning our calls so we can finally special order the new doors.

With all of that still lingering around like bad cigarette smoke, I'm still having to press forward with my normal schedule. Busyness at its best.

I've made some changes to my workout routines and will include an updated schedule soon. I'm still going Pilates and Yoga twice a week. I've also added in additional strength training programs to my schedule.

In the meantime, I'm excited about a new program I'll be implementing on Fridays. I have certain days of the week I'm focusing on for different strength training circuits. Every Friday I've been working on my glutes, i.e. booty, i.e. booTAY.....whatever you call yours!

I decided I wanted to step it up a bit. Now, please take in mind I have made fun of the name of this program. I'm giggle like a 7-year-old every time I hear about it. However, the results from this guy's training method's are no laughing matter. He trains the behinds of major celebrities.....INCLUDING Victoria's Secret models. One of his most famous clients is Alessandra Ambrosio. Take a look here!



What's the name of this program? Brazil Butt Lift. Yup. Brazil Butt Lift. (Come on...it's a funny name!) This program created by Leandro Carvalho works to create the bikini model behind. I'll take one of those please!



SO, I've ordered it from Beachbody.com and look forward to adding it to my routine. I'll continue to work the glutes every Friday. I'll be substituting my normal workout moves on Fridays with these DVD's. I'm looking forward to seeing the results!

Onward and Upward

The competition came and went. I had new experiences and learned new things as I do at all of my competitions. I had some mixed feeling regarding my performance. On one hand, I did challenge myself and do routines at a level I had never done before. My instructor was really happy with my performance. I, on the other hand, didn't feel like I danced to the best of my ability. I placed well. Who can complain with that? Well, I know the technique and I don't feel like I danced up to my ability.

Now, I had a few things floating in my head as to maybe why that happened. But in reality, when I looked at how I placed AND when I recognized that I had not one set of Latin routines but TWO...I feel like I went up against that pressure and still stood tall.

So, I have a whole new set of challenges to overcome and grow with for the next 6 months until my next competition. I'm taking a few weeks to rest my knee and work with my physical therapist. However, I'll be more than ready to step up and face those new challenges when the time comes.

Once my therapy is done, I also will have a new tool in my fitness arsenal. Meet our new Elliptical Trainer. Originally, I had looked into getting a Treadmill. However, at the advice of my physical therapist, we decided an elliptical would be better on my knee in the long run. I was able to purchase it on a payment plan. I plan on paying it off with no interest just like I have done most recent major purchases. I've made the decision to be start making the move to do all of my workouts at home by purchasing the necessary tools and equipment over the next year and a half. I'm fortunate to be one of the lucky ones with the willpower to workout at home. I've really liked my Insanity DVD at-home use and also plan on getting additional DVDs just as intense as those workouts.

So I'm going to be focusing on my knee getting WELL. Then I'll be back up and running....and dancing.

Chondromalacia Patella

THIS is the knee ailment I am currently recuperating from. It's the fancy way of saying, "damaged cartilage under kneecap." The next step involves my starting physical therapy. My physician is currently in the process of setting this up for me.

Three Lessons Can be Learned from this:

1. No matter how long you have been working out, you STILL have to watch your form: If you're doing switch-leap-lunges and they remind you to watch your knee placement. Don't just assume you do this naturally.....MRS. MEL B! I'm not going to attempt to write this out because this is something easier shown than said. If you've got questions regarding what's correct and incorrect in regards to proper knee placement, I suggest you consult a physician.

2. See post on workout shoes below. I still can't comprehend on how I made such a mistake. I've been in sports long enough to know the correct information on which workout shoes to wear. Goodness gracious.

3. "Increase intensity gradually. Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of your workouts." - This is going to be my lesson going forward. This helpful information was found on www.mayoclinic.com. Once I get over this injury, I really need to HEED this advice. Normally, I'd jump back into my usual routine. I'm really going to have to work hard at maintaining a safe pace to get back to my normal level of activity. For someone who has been as active as I am for as LONG as I have...I need to be careful. Naturally, I've got some creaks and funny noises coming from my knees after years of wear and tear from sports, dance, cheerleading, etc. Going forward I need to adjust workouts slowly to avoid any sudden changes that could cause further injury.

PSA - Buy New Workout Shoes!

So apparently, there are stricter guidelines on what types of shoes are acceptable for certain workouts. I hate to admit that I've been really naive about what types of shoes I should wear for certain exercises. All my life I have worn shoes that simply LOOKED good. More often than not, these ended up being running shoes. Running shoes are fantastic....if you're a runner/walker. They're also OK for light aerobic exercising as well.

However, my research on what has been causing my knee pain, has led me to the discovery that I was wearing the wrong shoes. Now, there are a few other things that probably aided in the knee pain like using the wrong knee placement in certain exercises like squats and lunges. However, I remember being warned about making sure I bought the proper shoes when I started this Insanity workout program. I also discovered through my research that you are supposed to change out your workout shoes at certain times in the year depending on your level of activity. According to my level of activity, I need to purchase new workout shoes a MINIMUM of twice a year. I am embarrassed to admit that I have owned my most recent pair almost 3 years. My back-up pair was almost SEVEN years old. WOW, I was WAY off!

SO, I did a ton of research on what type of shoes I should buy. I ended up buying a pair of cross trainers, (Nike AirMax Trainer I) that would support the lateral movement and high intensity of my workouts.

I couldn't find a picture of my exact shoe, but here is something that looks similar.



Obviously, the shoes aren't a magic fix to the current knee pain I have. BUT they are going to help me have proper support in the future. My doctor said my x-rays looked fine and that I needed to take it easier for the next two weeks. I initially took one week off from my normal program. Now that I have resumed exercising, I make sure to ice my knee after workouts and take anti-inflammatory aids to help as well. I'm currently having to do alternative exercises instead of the jumping in some of my workouts for another week. My knee is getting better even though the healing has been slower than I prefer.

I was able to find some good online resources about workout shoes. However, one link I recommend is http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30184.asp .

Things Change....as is life!

So exercising 7 days a week was harder than I anticipated. I am going to go back to scheduling a day off. Giving my body a weekly break seemed to work much better. I've had it this way for a long time! You know how the saying goes..."If it aint broke, don't fix it!"

Revised Workout Schedule:

Monday: Insanity Workout

Tuesday: Gym Cardio Routine ( I have various routines ranging from 30-40 minutes), Abs/Core Training for 10 minutes, 20 minutes of Yoga, 10 minutes of additional stretching

Wednesday: Insanity Workout

Thursday: Repeat of Tuesday's Workout

Friday: Insanity Workout

Saturday: Pilates Workout

Sunday: REST!

Second to last week of Insanity....

My friends and I have one more week and three days left on the 60 day Insanity workout program. I can see a little difference in the way my clothes fit and how my body looks. My friends can see a bigger change. I think I was expecting more drastic results. However, because I was in "decent" shape (meaning: not overweight) to begin with, I didn't have too drastic of results. Granted, we still have one more week on the program.

As soon as the 60 day program is complete, I will be adding in some older workouts and some newer workouts to my routine.

This is the tentative schedule:
* Monday: Insanity
* Tuesday: Insanity
* Wednesday: Insanity
* Thursday: Cardio and Strength Exercises at the Gym (Adding some of my former routine back to the mix)
* Friday: Cardio and Strength Exercises at the Gym
* Saturday: Adding in a weekly Pilates Workout for my core (I used to do Pilates)
* Sunday: Adding in a Yoga Workout. (This is new)

This schedule is tentative in that my friends and I will be discussing another possible schedule as well. Once we make a decision, I'll be modifying my workout calendar. As you know, things happen from time-to-time (as is life), so there will more than likely be an off day each week. I plan on doing a very light Yoga routine on Sunday to help give me a rest as well. I don't plan on doing one of the more advanced routines on that day.

Insanity - Week 6? I'm losing track.

Week 6 was harder than week 5 for me. I think it's because our muscles have gotten used to the exercises so we were getting more cardio benefit from the program.

However, I was very disappointed in myself this week for veering off from the diet that goes with the program. I know most people would agree I had excuses (sick cat, sinus infection, hectic work week), but I do NOT like excuses. I'm the type of person who goes to the gym even when I'm tired because it's the right thing to do. Therefore, I'm really not happy I slacked on the diet portion.

Even though I was sick, I pushed on through the videos though. Last night was the hardest with that, but I felt very accomplished that I still got through it!

KICKING.MY.BUTT.

This week we began the last 4 weeks of the Insanity workout. I'm simply dumbfounded by how exhausted we are! It's definitely much more intense than the first 5 weeks.

The workouts are almost twice as hard and are 10-15 minutes longer than the workouts in the first month.

Typically, I do all of my housecleaning in the mornings before work Monday-Friday. I divide up different sections/rooms for each day on a specific schedule. I've been so exhausted this week, that I'm MAJORLY behind! That does NOT make me a happy multitasker!

I'm hoping that I'll get used to the level of these workouts and have more energy next week! I'm a busy lady!

Insanity Week 5

My friends and I are currently on week 5 of the Insanity Workout. During week 5, you are focusing on your core throughout the entire week.

During normal weeks of the workout, you rotate through 4 different workout routines. However, we are repeating the same workout the entire 6 days of this week's program. (Reminder: Each week you are to work out 6 days and rest on the 7th.) The workout we are doing focuses on cardio using your core and balance. While we may not be as out of breath, it certainly isn't an easier workout. We are really having to focus on using our core to maintain balance through some of the more advanced exercises.

My diet hasn't been as strong as it needed to be this past week (Hey, can you blame me? It was my birthday!), so I'm focusing on bringing back the diet in conjunction with my workouts.

Once this week is over, we start the MUCH harder workouts for the last 3 weeks of the program. Although a bit nervous, I am very much looking forward to the results I will get throughout these last three weeks.

Insanity Update - Week 4

Currently, my friend and I are on week 4 of the program.

It still amazes me at how the workouts are still hard. We can definitely feel that we are able to get through the workouts easier.....yet they still kick our butts!

I feel better. I also feel like I'm losing some weight with the program. I can't tell much visually. However, my dance instructor, husband, and friend (friend who is doing the workout with me) can tell the difference. We are following the program instructions exactly by working out 6 days a week and resting on the 7th day.

The workouts are so hard. I find myself wondering if I'd lose more calories if I was a little more in shape. Does that make sense? Like, if I was in better shape, I'd be able to do the routines faster and harder. I guess that goes with any extreme workout. My friend and I are verbally encouraging each other through the entire workout to keep going even though we get tired. It's a great experience!

We have one more week of the first month to complete. In week 5, we have a whole different workout to do.

Once the 6th week starts, we have an entire set of new workouts we get to do throughout the remainder of the program.

Wish us luck!

I must be insane....

...because my friend (and dance instructor at our dance studio) are currently working through the Insanity workout.

She and I have both traditionally worked out 3-4 days a week on top of our dancing. However, we decided recently that we needed an extra boost....a BIG boost!

As an early birthday present to myself, I purchased the Insanity workout. This is an extreme cardio workout program that uses max interval training. The program lasts for 60 days. After completing the 60 days, you can use the program however you like. After the 60 days are up, I plan on using the Insanity workouts three days a week then bringing back my strength training for two days a week alongside 30 minute cardio workouts. I also plan on implementing the 60 day program again throughout various parts of the year.



Although we have been regulars at the gym, this is most definitely challenging! My friend and I have found ourselves to be quite out of breath halfway through the WARM up!

We are currently on week two and are starting to see results. The workouts continue to be challenging, but we are continuing to fight through them. This is one of the most physically demanding things we have ever done, but we are proud to be getting through it (even though we are SORE!).

This is definitely not a workout for those not currently considered "physically active." It's quite strenuous. The creators of the program advise users to consider another program before using Insanity if in fact they are not currently physically active.

Link to Check Out the Insanity Workouts

Because I'm feeling that way...

I've had way more sinus trouble than usual this year. I'm looking into some additional ways to build up my immune system. On top of the suggestions below, I will be looking at purchasing Oil or Oregano as well. I've gotten a lot of suggestions regarding taking that supplement.

Here's a link I thought I'd share on strengthening your immune system:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2311501_build-up-immune-system.html

Controlling those Cravings!

Happy Monday!

Recently, I began using this new product to help control my cravings. If you're like me and like, LIKE food (sometimes to the point of excess) this may be a product you may be interested in. I'm not looking specifically to lose a ton of weight. However, this has been a good product to keep me eating healthy amounts of food verses overeating. Take a look at it and let me know what you think. I highly recommend it. After using it for just a few weeks, I can really tell a difference.

http://www.trueessentials.net/index.asp?repid=6559818 - Look for their Crave Control product by clicking on products on the upper left side of the page then click on "Weight Control" in the drop down menu.



America is one of the fattest nations in the world. One of the main reasons for that is our lack of portion control. We eat much larger portions of certain types of food than we need to. I hear people all the time ranking local restaurants in terms of the ones who give them the largest amounts of food.

Understand, I'm not an advocate of scary dieting practices. However, I am an advocate of eating healthy portion sizes of food and making sure one gets their recommended amount of exercise in every week.

Here's a good link for information regarding healthy food portion sizes:

http://www.mealsmatter.org/EatingForHealth/Topics/Healthy-Living-Articles/Portion-Sizes.aspx

An Apple a Day...

Did you know that if you are on a low-carb diet, you may not be getting enough fruits and vegetables? Did you ALSO know that we are recommended to eat at least 5-9 fruits/vegetables a day? I always knew we needed them. However, I had no idea the number was THAT HIGH!

People are thinking of their health more and more these days for various reasons. If you aren't thinking about your health, you should. It's better to be proactive concerning your health than REactive.

Here's a link connecting heart disease to those who don't eat enough fruits and vegetables: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100217/Eat-fruits-and-vegetables-to-prevent-heart-disease.aspx

I don't eat enough fruits and vegetables even though I am making an effort to do so. I recently picked up this supplement to help me gain more nutrients throughout my day.



Check it out if you're in the same boat! It's called "Fruit and Vegetable Essentials." You can find it here: http://www.trueessentials.net/index.asp?repid=6559818 . Just click on the "Products" Tab at the top left. Then click on "All Products" to then go click on "Fruit and Vegetable Essentials."

Exciting New Health Development

Health is very important to me. I do take vitamins and supplements every day to help with my overall health. Recently someone told me about taking Vitamin D3 supplements because many people are lacking nutrients humans get from the sun! The damaging affects of the sun have been reported for many decades. Because of this, many people have done what they can to protect themselves from damage they could potentially get from sun rays using items such as sun block lotions. This is great for our skin, but it also causes us to miss out from nutrients we are missing out from the sun.

Recently, I ordered some D3 from True Essentials. I suggest you go to this website and take a look at their D3. I've done my research on companies that carry vitamin D3 and it really seems like they carry a really good one.

If you go to this website: http://www.trueessentials.net/index.asp?repid=6559818 , you will click on "Products" (top left button), then click "All Products." Once in the "All Products" section, you will then go to the second column of links and click on "Vitamin D3" at the very bottom of that section of links.