Day 15 - Rest day

Rest day today and I really needed it as I felt quite tired and sluggish today, its probably because I did 7 days in a row instead of the 6...anyway I feel rested now and I'm raring to go tomorrow morning with my Plyometric Cardio Circuit :-)

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Day 14 - It should have been a rest day but...

...I have had a change of plan! as we are going away for a couple of days this weekend I decided that it would be best to switch things around so that my rest days were at the weekend - 1) because it means that I don't have to struggle in a hotel room trying to find the space to do my workouts and 2) so that it doesn't interfere with my husband and daughters weekend too! So instead of resting this morning I was up bright and early again (this time with a little more ease!) and I did my second fit test. I must admit I was a little apprehensive as I wasn't sure that my fitness had improved enough to get better results this time around, however I was pleasantly surprised. I did better in ALL of the exercises, some better than others but all the same I am so pleased to see this progress and it has spurred me on to give even more in the weeks ahead :-)

In addition to the fit test I also took my measurements and as I thought no change at all really, other than I have lost an inch off of my waist (again progress! Yay!) and the scales, well...they gave the same reading as last time I got on them, so I am still 3lbs heavier than when I started the challenge but thankfully no more heavier than that! I have subsequently read in the nutritional guide that you shouldn't view progress in terms of the scales so I am trusting in this and that this is normal and what I should expect!  after all I must be doing something good if my fit test results are better and I have lost an inch off of my waist!!! 

My daughter also took some more photos, and although I haven't analysed them thoroughly, from an initial glance, it looks like my muscle tone in some places is a little better (especially around my core)! and although I am shy to share all the photos I am happy to share this one as I think it shows the most improvement made in the last two weeks! 

So for Halloween tomorrow, I will be doing the Plyometric Cardio Circuit - bring it on! :-)

Day 13 - Pure Cardio

I really struggled to get up early again today but forced myself as I knew that this morning was the only opportunity that I would get today to do a workout. I am struggling to sleep at the moment, I just think I have too much on my mind and I am therefore struggling to switch off when I go to bed. I'm hoping going to bed earlier and doing some relaxation/breathing exercises and some meditation prior to sleeping will help!

Anyway, as soon as I pressed play on the DVD and Shaun T started talking to me, I felt motivated and full of energy. Today's workout: Pure Cardio is really tough (I should stop saying this really as all of them are EXTREMELY tough apart from the 'Cardio Recovery' one!)...but I felt great this morning, I still had to take the occasional break but I am definitely getting stronger.

Tomorrow is my rest day and I am looking forward to it, although I may go to the gym and do a swim or go for a walk just to get some gentle exercise - nothing too strenuous. Also tomorrow I will take my measurements again, jump on the scales and also take some more photos to update my records. Then on Thursday its my second fit test! I don't think my measurements will have changed much or maybe not at all but I do think that I will see progress  in my fit test (fingers crossed!). At the beginning of the week I was slightly concerned about my weight going up by 3lbs so I am also hoping that the scales will be kinder when I weigh myself tomorrow!

...and only 49 days left...

Day 12 - Cardio Power & Resistance...and a few principles!

What a great workout this morning. Day 12, which was a full-on Cardio Power & Resistance session. It was tough getting up again today but once I did, I felt great. I pushed myself further this morning and I feel I am now starting to see signs of better strength, flexibility and I can definitely last longer before having to break. 

I still sometimes find it hard to get my co-ordination right on the movements but I am also getting better at this. I feel I am at least able to carry out the whole workout now with only the occasional few seconds break...its all stepping stones in the right direction!

Today I have also started taking a whey protein drink after my workout to aid in recovery and maintenance of lean muscle. Although after taking this I couldn't face any breakfast as the protein drink is really quite filling.

In addition to this, today I have decided I am going to go back to recording all of my food intake in MyFitnessPal. I did this a few months back and it really helped me to track how many calories I was consuming and also enabled me to lose weight - for me its all about getting into a routine and taking control of my diet.  I am determined to get the most out of this challenge and it feels like now is the right time to make this additional step on the nutrition front. 

To help me focus fully as the weeks progress I have also come up with a handful of principles that I intend to follow and that will hopefully ensure that I do really get the best out of the next couple of months. My core principles are as follows:

1. I am not going to drink any alcohol (except on special occasions, e.g. I have my Birthday in November so I will allow myself a glass of wine or two then!)

2. I am going to aim to do most of my workouts in the morning (early, before the 'real' day begins). However, I appreciate that on some odd days here and there (e.g. when I have got to take my mum to the airport in a couple of weeks time at 4am - that I may have to do the workout in the evening!)

3. I am going to track all of my food intake and calories consumed throughout the remainder of my challenge in MyFitnessPal - aiming to not exceed 1200 calories a day

4. I am going to aim to eat smaller portions in all of my meals and try to eat more often (5/6 times a day)

5. I am going to eat healthy, nutritious food that will fuel my body properly for the workouts that I am doing

6. I am going to aim to drink lots more water (at least 10 cups a day)

7. I am going to spend 5/10 minutes every night before I go to sleep relaxing and/or meditating

That's it for now - I may add to these as the weeks progress!

Day 11 - Cardio Recovery

I really struggled to get myself going this morning but thankfully I managed it in the end! and I am so pleased I did as I did a really good 'Cardio Recovery' session - this routine is a lot easier than the other ones as its more like pilates and yoga and there's lots of stretching and slow movements. I really needed this 'recovery' day today as I am feeling quite tired. I think its a combination of the hard workouts this week so far and a busy life in general...but I'm sticking at it and still feeling very positive about the whole challenge!

Think I will need an early night tonight as its Cardio Power & Resistance tomorrow! :-)

...and have you seen the countdown, only 51 more days to go!...

Day 10 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit

I gave myself a little lie in this morning, so I did my workout at 8am instead of my normal 5:30/6am. All the workouts are tough but this one and the Pure Cardio one are the two hardest ones for me. However, this morning I felt good, it was still extremely hard and I had to take rest breaks but I felt I could dig deeper this morning, much deeper than I have been able to do on this workout before! Really pleased to have reached day 10. Only 50 days (well 53!) to go! Feeling good :-)

Day 9 - Pure Cardio!

I'm back to my early morning routine! Somehow it suits me better to get my workout completed before the 'real' day has begun. Thankfully too my stomach problems from yesterday seem to have completely gone...so there was nothing to hamper me this morning and I did a really good workout. It was extremely tough (EXTREMELY TOUGH!) this morning but I know I am pushing myself even harder this week. I am also feeling more confident in the stretching and I am seeing progress as I am able to stretch further than I could on day one. There is still a lot of room for improvement but the main thing is I am seeing progress. I am also still struggling with the push-up drills but I am at least attempting them and when it gets too much I am adapting them so that I have bent knees (the main thing is I keep going!). I'm sure I will get there and eventually I will be able to complete the workout in full but at least I can do a handful of press-ups in one go now instead of just one and then collapsing in a heap! :-)

Tomorrow its the Plyometric Cardio Circuit...bring it on!