Fitness Recap Friday!

Womp wooooooomp...another big fail this week!

I did 2 days of the hundred push up program and I've determined that it isn't for me.  I find myself not wanting to workout the days in between because I don't want to be sore and trying to do more push ups then I've ever done before.  I am going to make an effort to do push ups a few times a week, and I vow to continue to do "real push ups" not "girl push ups" but the program is actually making me workout less which isn't good.

And apart from 2 days of push ups, I did another Jackie Warner DVD: "Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training."  SUCH a good workout.  I recommend this one 100%.  Instead of the "work large and small muscle groups at the same time to burn calories" method that Jillian Michaels does, it's a "work a single muscle group to exhaustion then move on" method.  I did the 40 minute workout and I loved it.  I wish the music was a little more motivating, but that's what iPods playing in the background are for, haha.

Here's to hoping I have a better fitness week next week so I can have some killer "after" photos by the end of March.  I bet it'll be a good week seeing that I'm putting on my wedding dress for the first time ever tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Did you have a better week than I did?

So, it should be 'Fitness Recap Friday'...

...but I didn't work out, at all!  I did Week 3 Day 1 and 2 of the Hundred Push Up Program, and I shoveled snow (which definitely counts as exercise - especially when it's heavy ass snow like it was) but that's it.  And, I think I'm going to re-do Week 3 because I struggled through both Day 1 and 2.

So, instead of a fitness recap, first I'm going to complain a little bit...I HATE THE RAIN!  I especially hate the rain because some morning commuters think it is perfectly appropriate to walk down the sidewalk with freaking GOLF UMBRELLAS!!!!  Those things are so huge, and there is absolutely no way to navigate around them!  And I just feel gross by the time I get to work...at least I didn't waste my time straightening my hair or else I would be super pissed.

And, a quick public service announcement to all DIY-ers. HSN is celebrating national craft month with some killer deals!!!!!

Photo courtesy of the email HSN sent me

If you haven't ever shopped on HSN.com, I recommend it.  HSN.com is like a playground for me.  Not only do they have everything, but they also tend to have some pretty amazing deals.  And, they have videos of all their craft products in use!  I don't like to watch the home shopping network, because there are only certain things I would be interested in, but HSN.com lets you watch the segments on the products you're interested in!  If I find any amazing deals, I'll be sure to post about them (after I already purchased it, since there's always a limited number available).

Well, Happy Friday, readers, and thanks for all the Birthday Wishes!!!

Fitness Recap Friday!

Ahhhhhhh...this week was kind of a bust.  I'm quite upset with myself over it; last week went so well after I recommitted myself to my fitness routine and this week just sucked.  I can blame Valentine's Day, but honestly, I hate making excuses.  But here's my recap anyway...

Saturday - no exercise.  Unless you count bridesmaid dress shopping as exercise, lol.

Sunday - again, nothing.  I can't even remember what I did last Sunday...I'm too young to be having memory loss (read: I'm starting to freak out about my Birthday being next Thursday)

Monday - ate a ton but forced myself to do Week 2 Day 1 of the Hundred Push Up Program.  It was hard.  Week 2 makes week 1 look easy.

Tuesday - no exercise, and we ate out again...can you see where this week is headed?

Wednesday - went out to eat again (we shouldn't even being going out this much, we have a wedding to pay for!) but I did get myself to do Week 2 Day 2 of the Hundred Push Up Program.  Honestly if it keeps getting this much progressively harder each time, I don't think I'll be able to complete it in 6 weeks.

Thursday - I did not go out to eat (cooked a Weight Watchers recipe for Chili - it was delicious) and I worked out.  I did all 5 segments of "10 Minute Solutions: 5 Day Get Fit Mix".  Honestly, if you like workout DVDs, buy this one.  I love the 10 Minute Solutions set-up, and Amy Bento is awesome.  I also find kickboxing (there's a Cardio Kickboxing segment) to be quite therapeutic.  I was pretty pissed at myself for having such a horrible week eating/exercising wise and I found myself taking my anger out during the kickboxing segment.  It was like with every jab, cross, elbow, and upper-cut I was releasing frustration with myself for having such a bad week, and vowing to not let myself get lazy.  When I have a week this bad, I can see the difference in my body (although I may be hallucinating) and I can definitely feel the difference; I feel like crap!  But Amy Bento and I kickboxed away that anger and then relaxed with some power yoga (I love Sun Salutations).

Tonight I will do Week 2 Day 3 of the Hundred Push Up Program.  I can't not do it.

Did you have a better week then I did, or did Valentine's Day bring you down as well?

Fitness Recap Friday!

And I actually have a decent recap for you!  Woohoo!

Saturday - I did not work out.  But I became a Lifetime Weight Watchers Member!

Sunday - I did all 5 segments of my "10 Minute Solutions: 5 Day Get Fit Mix" DVD.

The 5 segments are:

Cardio Kickboxing
In this cardio kickboxing segment, you will burn up the calories, knockout the fat, and achieve a sleek looking physique.

Fat Blasting Intervals
This workout gives you the best of both worlds with intervals of cardio and strength training. These intervals are one of the fastest ways to transform your body and see results quickly.

Power Yoga
It’s important to take time to connect with your body and keep your body balanced with flexibility training. Using this yoga flow you will become more agile and more flexible.

Belly Fat Burner This series of belly blasting exercises will work the 6-pack, strengthen the lower back and zap away any love handles. Consider it a short-cut to the best abs you’ve ever had!

Lean Body Sculpt
Make the most of every minute with compound moves that work your upper and lower body at the same time. This type of sculpting leads to leaner bodies because it increases muscle mass which can raise your metabolic rate and melt away unwanted fat.

I really like this DVD.  The moves are a little fast paced, so if you're a beginner it might be a little discouraging, but if you have a history of doing kickboxing or choreography of any type this DVD is super fun.  And I love the Yoga section.  You go through the Sun Salutations and the Warrior Pose series in a way that really works your muscles.  Definitely recommend it!

I also did Week 1 Day 1 of the Hundred Push Up Program (yes, again).

Monday - I did all 5 Segments of "10 Minute Solutions: Pilates Perfect Body.
The 5 Segments for this DVD are:

Pilates Perfect Arms
Use light hand weights and your own body weight to beautifully sculpt your arms while also working your shoulders, upper back, and chest

Pilates Perfect Belly
Whittle your waist and flatten your tummy while you strengthen your entire core with innovative twists on traditional Pilates moves.

Pilates perfect Buns & Thighs
This modern taken one classic mat Pilates will give you a perfectly toned and lifted lower body.

Pilates Perfect Silhouette
Compound Pilates exercises will efficiently tighten and tone all the right places, sculpting sexy curves where you want them and creating a gorgeous body line

Pilates Perfect Stretch
Using fluid motion, this stretch will make your everyday movements look more effortless and improve your posture, which is a key part of the Pilates Perfect Body. The arm section and the lower body section are surprisingly tough, I was definitely feeling it the next day.  And I really like this instructor, she's pretty chill but motivational at the same time.  When I'm doing Pilates I don't want like Jillian Michaels screaming at me, know what I mean?  And I can only hope that someday my core is as strong as this woman's!  She is a machine!  Definitely recommend this as a Pilates DVD.

Tuesday - I started my day off shoveling the driveway, and yes, I do count that as exercise!  Shoveling is not easy and is definitely physical!  Then after work I did all 5 segments of "10 Minute Solutions: Knockout Body" with the weighted gloves. The five segments to this DVD are:

KNOCKOUT BODY BLAST
This kickboxing workout mixes combinations of cardio and strength moves for tightening and toning all-over.

FAT ATTACK
Punch, kick, and strike away flab. Fat cells don't stand a chance against this total body, cardio kickboxing routine!

FIERCE & FABULOUS ABS
This segment elevates the heart rate while attacking your abs and lower back to develop a strong, slim midsection with killer curves.

ULTIMATE UPPER BODY
Punches are the ultimate upper body workout! Sculpt a sizzling back, plus sexy arms and shoulders, with this boxing-inspired cardio sculpt segment.

KICKBOX CROSS TRAIN
Use cardio, core, endurance, and power moves in this cross-training combo. Develop your kickboxing form while you blast away fat and shape your knockout body.

Honestly, I think this might be my favorite workout.  But that might just be because I feel really bad ass working out with weighted gloves on.  And there's nothing better after a crappy day at work then pretending to punch your boss/coworkers in the face (with pink weighted gloves).  If you get this DVD though, I recommend "creating your own workout" (you can select which of the segments you want to play, and in which order) and always doing the "Kickbox Cross Train" section first, because it really breaks down the moves that you use in the other segments.

I also did Week 1 Day 2 of the Hundred Push Up Program.

Wednesday - I have a confession.  I had a bad day earlier in the week and ended up ordering 3 new workout DVDs (even though I really have been trying to cut back!)  Fi understands though, since he knew I was having a really bad day.  So Wednesday I did a Jackie Warner workout for the first time, "Personal Training with Jackie - Xtreme Time Saver Training"

This workout was hard.  And I like it better than Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (and they're pretty comparable since they're both short workouts).  I'm pretty strong, and I even had to do the modifications for some of the moves.  But if you're looking for a hard, but short DVD I recommend this one.  I really didn't know I could sweat that much in 30 minutes!









Thursday - I did another one of my new Jackie DVDs: "Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs" 
 I'm a little disappointed with this DVD to be quite honest.  It has 2 "crunch-free" ab workouts, one standing and one on the mat.  I did the one on the mat, and yeah, you weren't doing basic crunches, but you were doing different types of crunches.  And it was kind of boring.  I don't think it would really be possible to make a workout that was only ab work that wasn't boring, but I was a little disappointed all the same.  It was a good ab workout though.  I'm feeling it today (quite a bit actually)








And I finally did Week 1 Day 3 of the Hundred Push Up Program!!!!  And it was damn hard!  I can only imagine what week 2 is going to be like...but like I said, I'm determined to get back into my workout groove, and that includes completing this darn Push Up Program!

Today I probably won't workout, mainly because I worked out 5 days in a row for the first time in what feels like FOREVER, so I kind of want to die.  But hopefully next week I can do as well as I did this week!

Did you do any exciting/fun/hardcore workouts this week?

Fitness Recap Friday!

This week turned out to be a quasi-bust.  Not as bad as last week, but still not as good as I would have liked for it to be.  But anyhow, here we go:

Saturday - I did 45 minutes of Kundalini yoga.  I didn't do the weird cardio segment, but I did everything else.

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Sunday - no working out.  We went and hung out with fi's family for his Great Grandpap's Birthday (yeah, he's like 93, and a Pearl Harbor survivor...how cool is that!)

Monday - I did Week 1 Day 1 of the Hundred Pushup Program (since last Friday I failed and didn't do Day 3, so I had to start Week 1 over) and 40 minutes of my Kickboxing DVD.  The cardio segments in this DVD are awesome.  I really love it!

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Tuesday - Jillian Michaels and I hadn't hung out in a while so I decided to do No More Trouble Zones.  Seriously, I forgot how hardcore this workout is.  My body wanted to cry by the end of it (especially since I was such a slacker last week).  If you want an all over toning workout, you cannot go wrong with this DVD!

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Wednesday- Since I was still physically exhausted from Tuesday's workout, I just did Week 1 Day 2 of the Hundred Pushup Program and then the stretching segment of my Pilates DVD.

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Thursday - I had the worst day ever at work so instead of exercising fi and I went to the Hard Rock Cafe and I had a few cocktails, ate a burger, and we split a brownie sundae.  It was the complete opposite of burning calories, but it made my day better...haha

Today - I'm not going to kid myself into thinking I'll really workout tonight.  But I have to do Week 1 Day 3 of the Hundred Pushup Program or else I'm going to have to do Week 1 again next week (which I'd rather not do).

Next week is going to be tough because I'm travelling for work, but at the same time I'll be at a hotel with a gym so I really should take advantage of it!

Did you have any good workouts this week?

Fitness Recap Friday!

I'm going to warn you ahead of time...this is going to be a brief recap, because this past week was kind of a bust in terms of exercise.  But, we all have weeks like this at some point, and I'm not going to let it bring me down!

So, last Saturday I did 45 minutes of my newer Kundalini yoga DVD - Kundalini Yoga Cardio, Stretch, & Strengthen

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Basically it has sections for core work, stretching, upper body, cardio (which is kind of weird yoga dancing, haha) and of course relaxation.  I did everything except for the cardio.  I really enjoy it.  It isn't hardcore exercise, but I feel great afterwards.  Its very relaxing and Charles and Louie the cats love it too because in between segments you take a moment to meditate and they come sit on my lap.

Also on Saturday I did week 1 day 1 of the Hundred Pushup Program (in case you missed it, more on that here).  It wasn't easy but at the same time it wasn't hard either.  But what did I expect, it was the first day of the program!

Sunday I did not workout.  But I did spend a solid 4 hours in the kitchen baking home made cinnamon raisin bread and cleaning the kitchen.  Considering I thoroughly hate cleaning, this was unusual for me, so in my mind it sort of counts as exercise - it's certainly better then sitting on the couch watching marathons of the Jersey Shore!!!

Monday I did another new DVD (I'm cut off though, no new DVDs for a while).  It's another 10 Minute Solutions DVD, "10 Minute Solution: Pilates Perfect Body" to be exact.

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I really, really, really like this DVD.  As I've said in the past, I love the flexibility of the 10 Minute Solutions line, I also really love Pilates.  With Pilates you don't need much space, you don't need much more than a mat and a bottle of water, and I can feel my entire body work!  This DVD has sections for arms, belly, buns & thighs, silhouette (aka - total body), and stretch.  I did belly, silhouette, and stretch.

Then on top of the 30 minutes of Pilates I did Week 1 Day 2 of the Hundred Pushup Program.  This was a tad much harder then the first day.  But, you have to work in order to see results...and I really want to see the results of gaining upper body strength!

Tuesday I didn't technically workout.  But I did put together an Ikea desk:

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And sofa bed:

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And if you've ever put together Ikea furniture, you know it's hard work!!!  (In case you were wondering where these lovely Ikea pieces are going, they are now in my basement.  After cleaning up the spare room and basically having to crawl around while making my well wishes tags I decided I needed to redecorate the basement to make it more of a work space.  I'll share my excitement on how it all turned out in another post sometime though!)

Wednesday I got a bikini wax, and although I think that should count as cardio since it definitely raises my blood pressure no one else seems to agree with me.  So, technically, I didn't work out.

And I didn't workout yesterday either.  It was snowing, so I snuggled up with the dogs on the couch and watched TV (read: fell asleep really early on the couch).

Today I have to do the Hundred Pushup Program Week 1 Day 3 or else I'll be behind, so I plan on doing that after work.  But I probably won't do anything else!

Well it wasn't exactly a brief recap, but there wasn't much good workout content either...but I warned you ahead of time!

Do you count random things like putting together furniture as exercise?  Or was I just a completely lazy butt this week, haha?

Update on 100 Push up Program

So, yeah, I did the initial test for the 100 push up program and I could only do 10 real push ups.

Here's to hoping the program works, I'm officially starting on Saturday (since my weight watcher's week starts on Saturday I figured my workout weeks should start on Saturday as well).

Wish me luck, and again, if anyone wants to do this with me we can totally become push up machines together! haha

Men invented "girly push-ups" to keep women weak!

That's exactly what MOH Sam said to me as I was about to start doing "girly push-ups" (aka push-ups on your knees instead of in a full push-up/plank position on your toes) this past Saturday.  Mind you, he had already put me through the ringer with a killer Plyometric workout, and he didn't just want me doing normal push-ups, he wanted me to be doing push-ups while balancing on a bosu ball:

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Yeah, well, I managed to do 3 real, good form push-ups.  That pretty much sucks.  And you know what, I've been complaining about not feeling like my upper body is getting any stronger even though I workout all the time.  Maybe it's because I'm cheating myself (using lighter weights then I should, doing girl push-ups instead of regular ones, etc.).  So now I'm determined to get better.  Not at bosu ball push-ups (mainly because I don't have a bosu ball at home) but at regular push-ups.

So, I'm going to start the Hundred Push Up Training Program this evening:

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Basically this is a 6 week program that *supposedly* by the end of 6 weeks of doing their push up workouts 3 times a week (each week is outlined for you on the site) you'll be able to do 100 real push-ups consecutively.  Tonight I'll do the "Initial Test" to see where I'm at, and we'll go from there.  I'll be sure to let you all know how the initial test goes, although I'm sure it won't be pretty as I've gotten pretty damn used to doing "girly push-ups."

Anyone want to start the program with me?  I'm not gonna lie, I could definitely use the support...