Sometimes You Have to Dig Deeper

Getting up at 5am wasn't any easier today but I did it anyway. I ignored the alarm and snuggled deep within the covers, trying to go back to sleep. Then this tiny, annoyingly shrill voice started shrieking that I needed to get my butt in gear right now. I thought I could just workout after work and sleep a little longer but I could get no peace.

As I dragged myself out of bed I realized I'd finally arrived at just the place I needed to be. The desire to be fit is burning strong and refuses to be silent. Before, I would always rely on someone else to motivate me, to tell me what to do and to make me do it. Pretty sad huh? Today is the very first day that I didn't need any assistance. I scheduled my workout on the teambachbody website and I kept my appointment. No excuses. And even though I was still tired I brought it this morning. Now my job is to keep that fire stoked. I know that if I do I'll get there.

Once I finished working out, I tossed those evil holiday leftovers like butter cookies. I just don't need that kind of crap hanging around the house. I have so much I want to accomplish in the next 6 months and I know that it's my job, my responsibility to see that it happens. And dare I say that once I got passed the warmup I actually enjoyed that workout? Yeah, now that's what I'm talking about!

Waking Up at 5am is Tough!

Last week I had challenges to getting my workouts in and I promised myself I would do my best to eliminate the ones within my control. When I leave my workouts for the evening any number of things can happen to throw me off. It becomes so much easier to make excuses. Now I know waking up early to do your workout first thing is not some brilliant new idea I thought up but I guess I never really believed it. I decided that I would start putting me first. I woke up this morning at 5:00am and went into my private space in the house. I popped in the Burn disc and pressed play.

Wow! What a difference. I was really tired initially but once I finished I felt a sense of accomplishment and I must say it's a fantastic way to start your day. I tried my first raw protein shake and it wasn't the best but you know what, I drank it anyway. This is about more than finding the next yummy thing to derive pleasure from. That's what got me to this point in the first place. This is about changing my whole life so that I am healthier, happier and more efficient. While that doesn't mean I need to be miserable, disgusted by everything I eat. It does mean that as I make changes and adjust I will have some hits and some misses. The important thing is to keep moving forward and keep pushing play.

I had a revelation in a dream last night about the way I've been living my life. For too long I've focused on the past. I would constantly worry about how my past choices were ruining my current life and feel sorry for myself. This morning I woke up! I realized that I have been angry at others for how "they" mistreated me. All of a sudden I realize that I mistreat myself in a more defining way than any other person has the power to.

See it's from not loving and caring for yourself and not putting yourself and your needs first that you hurt yourself the most. People take not of how much we value ourselves and their actions are a direct reflection of how they perceive your self love. I never really got the saying that people only do what you allow but now it makes sense. With that understanding I am even more determined to love and care for myself, realizing that things like improved appearance are merely side benefits to taking time out to nurture my body, mind and spirit. Ask yourself just one question today. What have you done for you lately?

ChaLean Extreme Week 1

I just completed week one of ChaLean Extreme and all I can say is wow. I have never brought it this hard at home. When I used to go to the gym and work out with my hubby/personal trainer maybe but not at home. Once I realized the workouts in the box were no joke I decided to bring it hard every time I push play. I wasn't too serious about it last week and felt that these DVDs can definitely help you get a fantastic body but you have to be willing to work for it. So I repeated week one and actually picked up some weights. Wow what a difference it makes. I am tired but I feel so accomplished and ready for my rest day.
Back when I was the cardio queen I didn't take rest days but the soreness I am feeling means I will be using those rest days every week. I threw out my scale a little while back so I can't update on whether or not I lost pounds but I can and will take update pics and post them frequently, along with my measurements. DH is already asleep but I promise I'll get him to help me with measurements tomorrow. Night!

I Can't Believe It!

It's Christmas day. Normally the holidays are just the excuse I need to justify stuffing myself full of whatever unhealthy crap I can get my hands on. Cake, cookies, pies. . . you name it and I've made up an excuse as to why it needs to be on the holiday menu. This year was surprisingly different. I told myself I was waiting until Jan 4 to get serious about my fitness because the holidays were coming and whatever excuses seemed plausible.
Yesterday I convinced the hubby to do Burn Intervals with me and as the sweat was dripping off me I wondered what would possess me to think we should host a dessert social on Saturday. So today I woke up and exercised. I'm one workout away from completing my first week of ChaLean Extreme as directed in the guidebook and it feels really good. After getting my butt kicked doing Burn 3 I decided enough was enough. We ate a relatively harmless meal. Well harmless in comparison to what I'd normally have eaten. We had chicken, baked sweet potatoes, stuffing and cranberry relish. I didn't overeat. There was no pie or cake for dessert. Just fruit. I am pleasantly surprised by the way the day went. I feel so thankful to have finally realized that it's not all about willpower. This weight loss thing is actually about desire. You have to want results more than you want that next donut. I think I've finally felt the burn of desire. What a perfect Christmas gift. Oh and speaking of Christmas gifts, this year the only gift I got was ChaLean Extreme. It was an investment in my future and honestly it felt better than new clothes or shiny electronics. Happy holidays!

Food Hangovers Suck!

So hubby and I went out last night to celebrate our first anniversary. I figured since I hadn't "officially" started my health and wellness challenge for 2010 we could enjoy an evening at Fogo de Chao. Big mistake. Huge. (a la Julie Roberts to the sales clerk in Pretty Woman)
By the time we left the theater where we went to catch Avatar after dinner, we were both staggering. Anyone looking would have sworn we were hung over. I have never been so happy to see my bed. We did the necessary bedtime rituals and collapsed into bed. I slept a solid 11 hours trying to recover. I was so upset when I finally dragged myself out of bed that I decided to get in a morning workout and change my diet starting today.
Just because it's not Jan 4 is not an excuse to eat every thing in sight or make myself sick. The holiday party madness will not defeat me this year. I am done. I plan to attend the remaining festivities for social purposes only and will go forth armed with my own food. Till next time . . .

It's Time to Get Extreme Baby!

Nick and I went to see the Princess and the Frog on Friday. I enjoyed the movie. It was done in classic Disney style. Enjoyable music, fairytale story line, subtle potshots in reference to race and socioeconomic status and all that jazz. The best part about the movie was the emphasis placed on finding a balance between dreaming and hard work.
I thought I'd blog about it because it struck me how important finding that balance is to weight loss. You have to dream because if you can visualize yourself at goal it makes it more likely you will achieve it, but you have to be willing to put in the work. Work means more than working out you know. It's taking the time to purchase groceries and prepare healthy meals, count your calories, AND hit the workouts hard. It's taking extra time to walk to work because your muscles are screaming with soreness but doing it anyway. It involves coming back the next day to workout again and knowing you'll be a little more bad ass for your efforts.
I finally decided I would use ChaLean Extreme for the exercise component of my healthy living makeover. It's a 90 day program that combines strength training and cardio. I approve of the real weight training included with the program. That frou-frou cutesy strength training will only get you so far. Real athletes sweat. And sweat I did! If you are looking for a hardcore workout program this is it. I was literally spitting sweat out trying to get through the first video in the collection - Burn 1. I normally try to workout in the morning but today it was not going to happen that way. I thought the workout caused me to break a good sweat but kept whining to Nick that I didn't feel worked out. When I tried to get out of bed this morning I realized I may have underestimated that DVD just a little and so I'll be attempting Burn 2 in the evening hours instead. All in all I decided I've spent far too much time dreaming and that a dose of hard work would do me good. It's time to get extreme baby! I so love that phrase now. You can wipe the floor with me anytime Chalene, anytime.

Quick Update!

I just wanted to make a quick post today. I finally got my ChaLean program. I plan to start using it next week. I didn't realize so many things came in that little box! I want to take my time and sort through the materials before jumping in. I also am going to be embarking on a year long journey to raw. I will be posting details soon. I have to run but I'll be back soon.