PS90X

I was watching the infomercial (and usually skip these things when I channel surf)...but it caught my eye  because for quite some time I have been wanting to find something that would mentally and physically challenge me. The gym isn't cutting it.  

Not only did I dread going there because it can be intimidating....it just isn't what I am seeking for my personal long-term fitness goals.

So I watched the infomercial....(didn't scoff this time around)....and you know what....this one hooked me....so I cancelled my membership and am going to buy the package.  I figure the money I spent the last year and a half at the gym did what it could do and now in the privacy in my own home I can work the way I want to without being self-conscious of others "watching" me as I do...so this is the best fit for me (and am posing a challenge to my brother and sister to see if they will accept this and we do this "together" though live in different states):

P90X is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days. You'll also receive a comprehensive 3-phase nutrition plan, specially designed supplement options, a detailed fitness guide, a calendar to track your progress, online peer support, and much more. Your personal trainer, Tony Horton, will keep you engaged every step of the way, and you won't believe your results!

Exercising for the "right" reasons

When I ventured on my "quest" to lose weight little did I know three years later I would have surpassed my goal--ending up losing 50 pounds. At 37 years of age I felt completely overwhelmed, weighing in a 190 pounds, all piled on a 5'7" frame. I realized I had to lose the weight. With heart disease and diabetes prevalent on both sides of my family, I had to take action....and I did.

I exercised for the right reasons...those were a.) To Lose Weight and b.) To stay healthy.

Right now my goal is to firm up this soon to be 40 year old body and greet the decade with grace and style.

There are many other advantageous reasons for staying in shape...besides looking good ;^) Exercise adds energy, motivation, and overall well-being.

If you exercise to look good for others and not for yourself how true to your goals are you really being? Sure it's a wonderful motivator but when you base your self-worth solely on what others think of you how long do you think the routine will last....and honestly...what would you be feeling in regards to your own sense of self?

Getting fit for all the right reasons explores this issue: Women need to find the intrinsic joy in exercise. Discovering this motivating tool seems to be the key in overall mental and physical well-being. The authors of the blog discuss overcoming exercise fears, and getting women to improve their outlook on life.

As they stated...it isn't an easy road to follow but one well worth the journey.

The Debate

Right now mulling over should I drag myself out of bed early mornings or wait until after work....(when this place can mentally drain you). I am not a morning person, as the previous posting described, yet I hate going to the gym after a full day's work. So I decided to conduct some research (the ever-lovin' nerd in me), to see which is most beneficial:

Why is Morning Exercise Better?

Researchers believe that morning exercise may help to set a person’s circadian rhythms (body clock) to be awake during the day and asleep at night. Exercising at night may create the pattern that the body is too awake in the evening.

"If you are an evening person and someone tells you to exercise in the morning, you will never enjoy it (and not stay with it). So the best message is to exercise when you feel most comfortable," said William J. Evans, a physiologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (I am an afternoon person...but have not stuck with the previous workout plan due to fatigue AFTER work...so maybe I need to reevaluate my schedule).

Because I suffer insomia on occasion I think my choice has already been made. But that lawn chair looks quite inviting don'cha think?

Targeting "those abs"

One of the most frustraing parts of the body are the abs.....

No one has to tell me this.

If genetically you are NOT predisposed to rock hard abs from little effort people like me who are of Hispanic descent seem to have a more difficult (and laborious time) in getting their muscles to obey.

I have wracked my poor mind trying to think up innovative ways of getting to my set goals.

Perseverance does pay off and am not one about to give up:

Beating The Odds

When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, many Americans are called but few are successful. Yet, individuals who have "beaten the odds" in weight management share some commonalities in how they've achieved success.

Based on more than 20 years of working with overweight clients, John Foreyt, Ph.D., director of the Nutrition Research Clinic at Houston's Baylor College of Medicine, offers the following recommendations for successful weight management:

Regular physical activity. Exercise not only increases caloric expenditure, it increases feelings of well-being and perceived energy level. Studies also suggest exercise can be effective in regulating appetite. However, the challenge is to incorporate exercise into other life-long habits.

Social support. Long-term weight regulation is easier when individuals are supported in their goals by family, friends, colleagues and treatment support groups.

Internal motivation. Those who demonstrate internal motivation such as "I'm doing this to be in charge of my life," are more successful in weight management than those who focus on external reasons like "fitting into a new pair of jeans."

Positive health benefits. Focusing on positive health benefits such as an ability to walk further without being winded, increases the chances of successful long-term weight management.

Smaller, more frequent meals. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day helps maintain blood sugar levels and avoids feelings of starvation, which can lead to binging.

Gradual changes. Those who make gradual changes in diet and exercise are more likely to successfully manage their weight in the long run, than those who make dramatic changes at once.

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It all makes sense.....you have to take this one step at a time...don't bite off more than you can chew as the old saying goes...(because if you do it'll just go to your hips).

Seriously though, when I lost all the weight I did (50 pounds total) it took time and yes effort but it did happen. I had to break down my ideal weight loss in manageable steps and it seems like I need to do the same with getting my muscle right where I want them to be.

Motivantion+Energy=Happy Woman

Self motivation is an important factor in anyone's life, especially mine.

I look back at the pivotal moments which influenced the person I am today and these were accomplished with a driving will to get what I desired.

Motivating yourself will keep you moving forward.

Finding what motivates you is the real question and should be answered.

Energy to reach such a level of motivation can stem from either positive or negative influences within your life....the key is that it takes some overpowering factor to push a person forward.

Unless you are born with the inert passion sustaining you 24/7----for most people it seems (at least to me) have to have some kind of catalyst to spur them into action.

Motivation can cause self-awareness to accept and deal with life's challenges.

Having that all consuming inner fire to do well, (trust me) will push that person into wanting to be in a better place than they were before. And who wouldn't want to?

Who wants to live in misery?

Does success bring us happiness or is it the other way around?

According to, Galina Pembroke, research conducted by Sonja Lyubomirsky and colleagues at the University of California (who reviewed 225 studies with a collective 275,000 participants) has revealed that happy people are more successful in marriage and work and enjoy better mental and physical health.

People who report feeling satisfied before they get a job are more likely to get interviews. Happily, once they got the job, their performance was rated higher than the performances of their gloomy peers.


Not only that but people who retain positive attitudes in life are healthier physically and mentally.

Makes sense doesn't it?

As I return to the gym and into my routine perhaps I shouldn't see it as some evil chore which I must accomplished but as a beginning to something greater---a new outlook on life, on myself, my health, the way I look and where I am heading.........of course this overview rather simplifies things but all in all I feel that people who are emotionally healthy....happy--are bound to succeed in life on so many many levels.

Back to the gym

Monday I return to my regular workout routine which is sorely missed. With overtime I was not able to go as I usually did at 24 Hour Fitness.

Returning to a routine can be difficult but once it becomes a habit (ack ack) is easier to handle.

Going to the gym I suppose shouldn't be viewed as a necessary evil (such as getting up in the morning and going to work). ;^)

Exercise has a plethora of benefits and one being increased energy not to mention looking great.

With South Beach around the corner this Latina needs to get in gear.

After all gotta look my best for the wedding and breaking in 40.

Music and Exercise

Well it worked. I exercised harder and longer with my IPOD. There were songs that invigorated me to keep pushing and I wasn't bored. What a relief.

I need to add more songs to the playlist. Right now I have about 42. I use Bach to cool down and songs from bands like Guns & Roses to keep the blood pumping.

Today is gym day again for me and will see how it goes. I am determined to look 200% for September. Psyched!!

Going to the gym

If I can beat the severe thunderstorm heading our way (sigh yes).....I will trot off to the gym.....trying to wake up at the moment....because I usually am up around 5:30am or 6am every morning for work I want to sleep in on the weekends at least a little bit. Sipping on some coffee and will grab a couple of Vitamin B-12 tabs to chew on...invigorate myself.

I am excited to take my IPOD there for the first time (squeal)....ok ok.....corny but hey....at least I will have the motivational music I like to spur me into action.

I feel that certain types of music when coupled with exercise will burn more calories.

Why?

Because it makes your blood pump more and you want to remain longer.

Interesting info on the subject:

----One valuable way for you to use music is as a pre-exercise stimulus. The majority of the studies suggest that music may significantly increase respiration rate and moderately elevate heart rate so why not use some good music you enjoy to prepare yourself.

----Slower, sedative music decreases a person's muscular fitness potential.

----Music is found to improving gross motor (complex movements) skills, such as proper jogging skills.

----As music improves gross motor skills with the complement of music or rhythmic stimuli it can aid any rehabilitation process.

With all this in mind I do hope that I can continue on the same healthy path whiles listening to my vast genre of my favorite songs.....moving right along.

Source: http://zinaan.blogspot.com/2007/08/motivational-music-exercise.html

Kick starting goals

Picture of me at "nerve central". Where all my thoughts are written down)....ok...not always but yeah most of the time...like now.

Now I realize I have an honest to goodness goal in sight, I can focus on getting into the best shape possible.

This has many positive connotations.

1. Health
2. Looking simply awesome (especially for South Beach)
3. If I get back into the Army I will be able to retain my sergeant stripes and remain in the military
4. Having an awesome bod...(hmmm....I see a trend starting here). :^)
5. Feeling GOOD about myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw how my dad's health declined in his 40's and I don't want to stray down that dark path. Smoking didn't help his case any not to mention ignoring his diabetes.....health is so important and having a wonderful quality of life....

And I plan on living mine as completely and fantastically full of everything and anything as I can.

Hiking in the Missouri Woods

One thing I have learned from my experience yesterday is to take a backpack. I was thinking of bringing one but did not.

NOW I know better.

It was fun though. We were out there for maybe 5 hours. Reminds me of my own childhood days spent exploring the woods across from my home in Indiana. Yeah, yeah....I'm a country girl for sure!

After experiencing a few dizzy spells I knew I was getting dehydrated.

I experienced heat exhaustion before in the Army during basic training. Stationed at Ft. Jackson over in Tank Hill (Huuurahhhhh--ok....had to do it)....and fainted from the heat.

I still remember that day. I woke up with my gorgeous drill sergeant's face hovering over me. Somehow he managed to cradle my head in his lap and all the women from my Platoon (D-1-1)hovering over me as well with tears in their eyes. Back then I weighed a mere 100 pounds and did not eat properly. Long story there won't get into it. Well, I felt bad that they experienced it. I was a favorite in the platoon and women are well....they tend to become attached quickly.

THAT heat exhaustion episode was a scary experience due to the fact you have NO control over your body when you pass out.

I felt I was on the brink of passing out on the trail. However, the stoic soldier in me kept trudging through and I marched on so to speak....no pun intended. Managed to pull off maybe 7 ticks. 3 I found at home. I don't get all girlie grossed out...still......I don't like the little critters (can get Lyme Disease) but can handle plucking them off of my body. The largest tick was near the hairline. (I think I will wear a baseball cap next time)...yes....for sure. :^)

Overall it was a fun and exhilarating experience more ways than one (this one view from a bluff overlooking the Missouri River was gorgeous) Took my breath away. I need to bring along my camera next time to capture the tranquil yet majestic essence of the woods....and I know better now to stock up on supplies. The heat was over 92 degrees thus we were losing allot of water through sweat.

Next time I definitely will be hauling along an additional supply of water and granola bars for more energy!!

Another week another dollar

Monday Monday....ahhh Monday........My whole week is splayed in front of me....wonder what the days will entail? (Hopefully some good stuff). ;^)

I haven't been to the gym since overtime began well over 2 weeks ago, and I know I need to get back to exercise. Looms over my head like the proverbial sword of Damocles.

This is the last week of overtime then I get back on schedule with M, W, F gym time. Good or bad?

Hmmmmmm

Fitness Camp

Well, the fitness camp I am interested in contact me. I am def. planning to join for August. Greet 40 in the best shape as possible. After all who says 40 has to be frumpy?


I know space for the camp fills up fast and am looking at attending 3 days a week. I think going every day would not allow my muscles to rest or to rebuild themselves so by going every other day will do me wonders. Very excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Missouri Boot Camp

I have been mulling over the idea of going to an fitness boot camp to get into premium shape. Missouri has quite a few and will be doing some shopping.

Love the name on this one: Losing Booty :^)

From the site:

Women of all fitness levels, sizes and ages are gaining great results with Adventure Boot Camp! You can too! Are you looking for a jump-start to your fitness program? Then this adventure is for you!

Whether you are a beginner, an avid fitness enthusiast or just tired of the same routine come try this whole new approach to exercise...fun! St. Louis Adventure Boot Camp is a four week outdoor fitness program that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training - packed with fun and energizing activities designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight to fit into that special dress, shed the extra pounds from a pregnancy or just get fit before that special occasion, this is the program for you!

What you can expect from St. Louis Adventure Boot Camp:
One hour a day for 4 weeks
Monday through Friday 5:15 am / 9:15 am / 6:15 pm
Dynamic instruction from a Certified Fitness Trainer
Spaces fill quickly for this unique experience!
Registration is just $299 for a 4-week camp

Websites:

http://www.bootcampfinder.com/graduates.html

http://www.losingbooty.com/

Conquering your goals

Whether it be losing weight, buying a home, dealing with overtime (like I am today and for the next 3 weeks)....one thing I am learning is that you have to BREAK IT UP INTO MANAGEABLE PARTS.

If I look at say losing 20 pounds....I think to myself GOD I will never reach that goal or toning up for the wedding which is four months away. If I let those thoughts overwhelm me my goals will never be reached. What I have learned is if I break up my goal into manageable short term ones before I know it my ultimate goal will have been reach. Instead of lamenting that I will be working 12 hour days the next 3 weeks just take it a day at a time.

Because I want to be ultra fit for the wedding I need to break down my exercise routine into some kind of short term goal(s). By doing this I won't feel so bogged down by the details.

I simply would not reach my intended if I let it get to me.

Therefore, I am going to keep a reasonable track of my short-terms and take a deep deep breath....and begin at the beginning.

Overtime and working out

For the next 3 weeks NARA is offering overtime and I for one...for those who read my blog know I never turn this down. Good money. Bring on the coffee!!!!!!!!!!

Now my dilemma is figuring out how to work the 12 hour days and get a workout in there. With my brother's wedding four and a half months away and these cute dresses I want to wear I need to step it up a notch.

And I shall.

The Flabs

I bought Shape Magazine yesterday and found the exercise I am looking for to strengthen and shape my upper arms. I am sure you ladies out there know that when we get older if we do not keep up with our muscle tone it, well you all know...l....starts to sag and that is simply not a good thing.

Happy to have found an article as to how to firm those babies up.

Website:

http://www.shape.com/

Size 6

Never in a million years did I think I could fit into a pair of size 6 jeans. Why do I say that?

Glad you asked.

You see about two and a half years ago I was a size 22. Yep. I was taking certain meds that made me gain weight and coupled with stress I packed on the pounds.

It was a sloooowwww process to lose it all but in order to lose this extra baggage I had to do it the healthy way. Also a stint in the hospital and only being able to eat 30 fat grams a day pretty much motivated this chica to lose the blubber.

Going to the gym helped, having the ab lounger really whittled down my waistline. It DOES work if you are diligent. You gotta have that drive, that fire to reach these goals because it isn't easy and it WON'T happen overnight. If you think you will see results the day you start to lose weight think again. Having such a mindset can set you up to fail.

Look at the bigger picture.

Keep track of your weight loss not by days but maybe at the end of the week you can see where you are heading and adjust but adjust in a healthy way and talk to your doctor before starting any type of weight loss or exercise program.

Tomorrow is gym day and I am planning to stay there for at least 45 minutes. I want to build up my tolerance to going an hour each time.

God bless me!! ;^)

Roller Blading

Took my daughter to Grant's Trail to try out her roller blades. She did a pretty good job.....just doesn't know how to "brake"....instead she allows herself to "gracefully" fall on her butt...which had me going. The dutiful mom I walked behind her ensuring that if any incidents arose I would quickly capture my youngin'

We checked out the Clydesdale horses who were being quite sociable today. Awesome creatures. Several colts were running around and scratching their backs in the green pasture. Many people were out with their kids or couples biking. Gorgeous day out. Hope it lasts through the week.

Ahhh....

I spent roughly 45 minutes at the gym. Did a 15 minute mile and worked on my upper arms. Considering it has been almost a month since my last visit I think I did pretty well....even though I went after work my energy level did increase once I was done. Just getting back on the ol' saddle.

Exercise what exercise?

I have not been to the gym in three weeks...yes three weeks.

Mom came for a week then overtime was offered. I felt bad leaving mom home all day when I was at work and did not want to spend additional time away so I put off going. Then we were offered overtime and my gym membership is every other day: Monday, Wednesday, Friday's and Sundays. So I had to pick the days most advantageous to make additional $$$.

Sooooo, today I return to 24 hour fitness after my hiatus and let me tell you I DID feel guilty being away.

You get into a comfortable routine of going and then well...your brain, your body expects for you to keep up.

Kind of like brushing your teeth...

..........just the routine takes a little longer.

I am a person used to exercise.

Growing up in the country I had the lake, my bike, the woods, cornfields, etc....I think you get the picture.

Growing up in the country meant outdoor living. Then in the military well....we had PT every other day. While stationed in S. Korea we always had our 5 mile runs...those were awesome (and was proud of myself for keeping up).

Nothing like calling cadence in unison with 100's of voices as one. Ahhhh those were those days........

I digress but am excited about returning. With warm weather peeping around the corner it is an additional motivation for me to get back into the swing of things and keep in shape. After all...I have a wedding in Miami to attend in the Fall and am turning 40 (ack ack)...gotta look my best.

:^)