2nd BodyRock Challenge Completed

Ok so I'm a little behind on this post but I finished my second BodyRock 30 Day Challenge. I realized I definitely wasn't as motivated as I was the first time. Although I definitely saw results in term of muscle tone I failed to really change my eating habits. Looking at the results from this challenge in comparison to the last is a real reminder of that saying that goes something like this...

Abs are made in the gym (or living room if you do BodyRock) and revealed in the kitchen.

So I promised I would post before and after pictures. There is not a huge difference but I can see subtle changes. I look at myself everyday so I'm not surprised if others don't notice. I do feel happier and stronger though. I did not enjoy losing all my muscle and having to start over again.

If you want to see the results from my First 30 Day BodyRock Challenge Before and After Picture click here. 30 Day Challenge before and after pictures. There was definitely a bigger difference as I focused on eating as well as working out and I think I was a bit more diligent with the workouts the first time around.

From now on I think I will be staying away from 30 Day Challenges. I get a little burnt out by the end of them and rather than sticking with it I take a break. I am going to focus on running again more with just a few days of the HIIT style workouts

2nd BodyRock 30 Day Challenge - Week 3

Alright so I am going strong with this 30 Day Challenge as I near the end of week 3... For anyone keeping track I did take a week off because of travel so technically I would be on week 4 but I just started fresh Monday with theWeek 3 Fit Test.

I do have to admit that I have been making some variations. A lot of this month's (BodyRock February 2012 30 Day Challenge Start Here) challenge is pyramid style reps. I am not a fan and if I did all of the repetitions it would take me 40+ minutes. If you don't know what I'm talking about it goes like this: They give you 4-5 work outs and you do 10 reps of each, then on the next round you do 9 of each, then so on and so forth until you do 1 of each and you are done. It shouldn't take that long but it does. My solution... I am not going to lift weights/do resistance reps for 40 minutes so I just set a timer for 20 min or so and see how far up the pyramid I can make it. I would probably see more results if I did the whole work out but I figure I am also running occasionally now and 20 minutes is still pretty darn good vs nothing. If you have been frustrated with the rep/pyramid style work out too maybe that will work for you as well.

So speaking of running, and working out too I guess, I have realized how well my body has been able to get back to it. Even though I was dragging on that first day fit test I have been able to get back to doing most of my push ups normally and not on my knees. I also only started running again about 3 weeks ago and I was able to do 4 miles without stopping  the other day so I am feeling good. On a side note.... there are zero hills here so I am wondering how much of that has to do with being able to bounce back with the running, hmmm? Oh well!

I have started to see some changes in my body as well. Some of the definition is coming back now if only spot treating fat worked... it doesn't, no matter many how magazine ads or things say otherwise. If I could spot treat my love handles I would be all over it.

So to recap I am feeling good, almost done with week 3 so have just another week+ to go. I have no been as good with eating habits as the first 30 Day Challenge but I am still sticking with it and doing ok. Anyone else doing BodyRock??? A challenge?

My Motivation Today... Lose fat everywhere and I will lose it here... damn you love handles!

Another 30 Day BodyRock Challenge

Ok so as mentioned in the most recent post I am doing another 30 Day Challenge! I have decided to search the archives of BodyRock.tv and have started the February 2012 30 Day Challenge. The first day is a fit test and you can find the workout and calendar for Day 1 Here.

It really is so sad how much of my strength and stamina I lost since the last challenge I did. But hey, at least I'm starting again and not being defeated. My Fit Test results are as follows and I will be excited to see the improvement when I fit test again at the end of the 30 days.

• Squat Jumps: 26
• Push Ups: 5 regular, 14 on my knees
• Burpees: 10
• High Knees: 78 (last 20 or so were at a slower stepping pace rather than running)
• Switch Lunges: 25 (lunges, not jumping when switching)
• Tuck Jumps: 44 (did the modification they suggested rather than jumps)
• Tricep Dips: 18
• Straight Abs: 13 (feet elevated, elbows to knees)

So here it goes today is Day 3 and I have yet to work out but I will. I am also planning on running today. In other big news...  I signed up for a lottery to run in the Chicago Marathon in October 2013. There were issues with registering and they had to do a lottery for the last 15,000 spots available. So if I get chosen then I may very well begin training for my first FULL MARATHON! Very scary and exciting idea. We shall see what happens.

I'm Back!

I am officially back to it! March is the beginning to the next chapter of This is My Edible Life. It took me a month from moving in to get to this point but it is ok, better late than never. Saturday I went for a 3 mile run (woot woot, so happy, seeing that it had been months since running) and I started a BodyRock 30 Day Challenge. I like the idea of the 30 Day Challenges as it keeps me on a schedule and I feel more accountable. As much as I love(d) BodyRock I think I liked their old format more than their new one. Props to them for growing and expanding but I think I am going to try something either from their archives after this challenge or a different work out site. You can still find anything I did or do that is related to BodyRock underneath the tab above. Anything workout related will be under exercise (so if it's BodyRock it will be in both places). I will make another post dedicated to this 30 Day Challenge so if you want to follow along or start it with me you can.

Getting Motivated Again

So how have I motivated myself to get going again? I followed some of my own tips: Getting motivated again and again. On Saturday before my run I did these:

• Spent some time on Pinterest in the health and fitness section looking at quotes, work outs, and pictures of extremely fit women--jealousy is pretty powerful haha.
• Wrote on my mirror that "I will work out today" just a little reminder that I need to do something each day and to feel proud when I work out and then see it later. I get to say "yup, I did"
• Took some Day 1 pictures. I will post them once I'm done with this 30 Day Challenge so I can do before/after.
• I also though about why I had been motivated before and why I was feeling stuck and came to some of the realizations below...

Some Realizations

So it had definitely been awhile since blogging, cooking, and working out and came to a few realizations in the time being. I realized that my mood had really changed as a result of my lack of activity and (way) less than perfect eating habits. I just felt more... blah. It's weird because I rarely worked out before starting this blog, then started working out consistently, and then kinda lost steam which was when I noticed how good I had felt before. I had more energy, even being at a heavier weight I felt more confident on the days I worked out, my mood was better, and I had more energy.

Another thing I realized after yesterday's work out was how much I missed feeling strong. I had totally lost my stamina and strength I had gained from the first 30 Day Challenge and continued BodyRocking. I felt pathetic hardly being able to do the exercises but rather than letting it deter me I am motivated to get that strength back and maintain it. I like knowing I can carry something heavy, kick ass, or be active at the drop of a hat if needed. Time to get that all back!

Lastly, and it kind of goes with the first one, is that I am caring (a little) less about the weight on the scale. I know muscle weighs more than fat and everything shouldn't be measured by the numbers on the scale. However, I have always been someone who weighs myself everyday. I think since I have been taking pictures of my progress it's easier to see the changes and differences. Right now I'm about 139 without the added muscle and I'm seeing a big difference from the 139 (about) I was after the 30 Day Challenge. I really think taking measurement or pictures is a better way to track progress. If you aren't working out and just changing eating habits then the pounds is a pretty good indicator but if you have started a work out regimen especially something intense like cross-fit, bodyrock, etc. then there are much better ways to see improvement.

New Challenge Week 2

Well I think BodyRock and some of their hosts are going through some transitions. I think because I started it with a certain host and a certain way I am missing that style and motivation. What should be week 2 of their new challenge that started Oct. 15 kind of falls apart and it a bunch of other hosts, doesn't address it being a challenge, and if you read the posts there is some drama happening behind the scenes. I skipped ahead to the Nov. 1 works out because it seems more organized and it's with Lisa again. I miss the old her but I still like her form and motivation. Starting November 1 the work outs are not in real time anymore but they do have great beginner modifications. I am starting there for week 2 and going forward. We shall see how it goes. If it's anything like the past couple weeks there will be more changes. My goal is to just do BodyRock work outs Mon-Fri and if I have to skip around then I guess I will.

New BodyRock Challenge

October/November 30 Day Challenge

Alright so after healing my foot and then taking a week off from bodyrock (eeek I know... more on that later) I have started a new 30 Day Challenge. This one is set up a bit differently than the May 30 Day Challenge. There will be instructed/real time work outs, usually 12 min, and then a bonus work out (3 min) Monday through Friday each week. My goal is to do another 30 Day Challenge following these work outs that started on Oct. 15. I will do the Monday through Friday and I also will begin running again this week. I started my new 30 days yesterday (10/29). I also plan on adding in extra sets here and there or some extra free weight work outs because I want to push myself a little more this time around and this challenge doesn't have the specific sculpt work outs like the May Challenge did.

If you want to do this with me Day 1 begins here! at BodyRock.tv

Apparently all the Monday through Friday videos are with Lisa-Marie who is my personal favorite so that has given me more motivation to keep doing it. Also these are in real time. If it works for you awesome. I typically watch the video first to see how to do the moves then try to start my interval timer the same time she starts and mute it so I can listen to my music/own interval timer. It's nice to have her video on mute though while I'm going so I can look back at the computer if I forget the next move.

Some tips if you don't have equipment that they use:

Instead of a sandbag you can use pretty much anything... I use a tent bag with the tent and everything in it plus I put a 10lb weight in it. You can use a backpack with some heavy books, free weights, pillow cases with some stuff in it and tied off, a gallon of water, anything! Depending on the work out and how they are using it you can use a variety of things.

Find a way that you can add a little resistance or just do the work out without equipment. It's still a good workout typically. If they are doing squats with the bag up on their shoulders just do the squats, if they are using the balance ball or ugi ball to elevate their arms or legs for push ups, just do the push ups without it. If you focus on doing the exercise with proper form and can get a few extra reps in it will still kick your butt usually.

For the dip station I have used two sturdy chairs. Other people have used couches, counters, etc. If you don't have anything do a variation. Maybe do a triceps dip with just one chair and then add an extra move.

If something requires a pull up bar... I do a different work out. I can't hang from anything in my house, if I tried just hanging from the door frame it would break. I don't have stairs or anything. If you have something use it and if not try to do a different work out that is focusing on some of the same muscles. One example is when they do knee raised from the pull up bar I will do crunches or tuck abs but holding a weight above my head, straight arms, and slighly above the ground.

If you don't have weights or are just starting out find something. At the beginning I only had 10lb weights so that was too much for a lot of reps. I took two cans of food (heavier things like chili), stacked them, and taped them together.

Lastly, the interval timer. If you are doing it with the video in real time you don't need your own. If you want one to set your own I use the iphone app pictured below. It's free but a little tricky. Set the high to 50 and the low to 10 but don't add a rest and then set it to repeat for however many minutes you are doing the work out. It will ding at the end of your 50 seconds and then again at the end of your 10 seconds (rest time). If you type interval timer into your app search it will look like this....

30 Day BodyRock Challenge Completed!

Woot woot! I have officially finished the BodyRock.tv May 30 Day Challenge!

I stuck with the schedule, despite some confusion around week 4 with what work outs to do (see week 4 update for clarification). I have seen some real changes in my body, strength, and fitness level. I have been doing BodyRock workouts on some the active rest days and have been adding extra sets to my work outs to make them longer and have transitions from doing all my push ups from my knees to doing quite a few with proper form. I love BodyRock and feel like this is something I can really stick with. I have really changed my eating habits as well and the combo has been awesome. I am eating fairly low carb but lots of veggies. I have cut out most refined/white carbs but still try to get some whole wheat/grains in each day. I try to have protein in each of my meals and I am using portion control. See some of the foods I've been making lately under the recipe tab above!

Here is my 30 Day Before and After Picture.....

I can't wait to see Day 60 :) I plan to do one of the older 30 Day challenges next and incorporate running. I ran a 1/2 marathon in April and have probably ran about 15 miles total since then so I need to get back on the road. I will post the new schedule and links for which one I choose.

Want to start BodyRocking??

Here is the link to Day 1 of the May 30 Day Challenge
The easiest way to find the next workout is to click the link at the bottom of the previous day. So at the end of the post for Day one (right before people's comments) will be a link for Week 1- Day 2. I just go to my history from the day before and then click the link for the next. They are in the process of re-doing the site so there is some organization issues but if you're willing to be patient and look around a bit you can find the work outs, calendar, and lots of helpful tips! You don't have to have the equipment. I don't and I have been able to do most things. I've used a tent bag with canned food in it as the sand bag, I use chairs as a dip station, I don't have a pull up bar so I just do a different work out during that 50 seconds. It's really easy to modify the work out to fit what you have and your fitness level. I have quite a few posts about BodyRock so check out the tab above for more info.

Week 4 BodyRock Confusion and Challenges

Confusing Week 4/Week 5 

First off let me say with the change in the calendar (both of which are posted in earlier posts) things get a little confusing at Week 4. If you are doing the 30 Day Challenge and get to the next work out by clicking the link at the bottom of the previous day then there are multiple links/posts between Week 3 Day 5 and Week 4 Day 1. I've realized these are technically Week 4 and then when you get back to what actually says "Week 4 Day ..." that would be the fifth and final few days of the 30 Day Challenge.

So not realizing this I did the Couplet Workout on Week 4 Day 1 and then skipped ahead past the bodyrock lite work outs and unlabeled ones so I got to the ones that said "Week 4..." and now I'm out of the scheduled workouts with a week left of my 30 Days. I'm annoyed but if you look at the dates you can see what work out were supposed to be on which days if you correlated it with May. I'm irritated but just going to go some repeat work outs or random ones from the website until I'm done.

Don't get frustrated. Even though the Couplet isn't technically one of the labeled days it was an AMAZING workout, so intense and 20 minutes long (you can make it 30 if you do it 3 times through) but it felt really good and I was able to just keep pushing. Then the sculpt that went with it was great and the flow was nice because it was more fluid than some of the other ones.

If you want to do the couplet workout (technically week 4 of 30 days) here is the link:   http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/05/21/couplet-workout-body-heat-workout-new-warm-up-flow/

If you want to find the 5th Week but labeled  Week 4 Day 1 without clicking through everything here is the link:  http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/05/28/week-4-day-1-show-your-skin-bodyrock-burn-sculpt-flow-workout/

Update/Challenges 
So I'm on Week 4 Day 4 and things are going well. I am seeing more muscle and definition and the fat layer covering that is slowly getting smaller. I had a it of a set back this weekend/monday. I didn't eat healthy Sunday and then Monday we had a potluck and at the end I crashed an burned and ate way too much cheese and desserts. I felt bad both inside and out. I felt gross and bloated but also felt bad and it put me in a bummed mood. I was feeling a little defeated because I had been doing so well with the 30 Day Challenge and was just disappointed in myself and willpower. I felt like saying screw it and not working out but instead I just forced myself to do it and because of the confusion on bodyrock.tv I did the couplet workout which as I said turned out to be awesome. That made me feel better cause I knew I burned some serious calories but it also helped me refocus. We can't be perfect all the time but I know I will be so much happier if I just get back on the horse and back on track rather than giving up and saying screw it. If I said screw it and stopped trying, working out at diligently , and eating as healthy in one month I would be so upset with myself. I'm opting to feel awesome in a month rather than guilty and frustrated, and I am in control of that. I am trying to use this as a reminder when I want to eat the world and sweets and a million pieces of cheese... remember how I felt when I did that. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I can have things in moderation and sweets here and there but it needs to be balanced. If I can keep this in my mind when I am at places with lots of good food (my weakness is cocktail parties and such... love those finger foods and appetizers) and can use will power I will feel good at the end of the day because I know my body will feel healthy but I will also be happy rather than guilty and disappointed .

To wrap it up I am still on my way and staying focused. I am loving BodyRock and look forward to doing another 30 Day Challenge after this one.

Week 3 BodyRock 30 Day Challenge Update

Alright so I've been doing the 30 Day BodyRock Challenge and I'm still going strong. I have added a new tab/category that will make it easier to find anything specifically BodyRock related and I will post updates and some hints or tips I've found along the way.

I'm on Week 3 and that includes another fit test. Yesterday was Fit and Flow Test #2 So exactly two weeks from when I've started and I will say it went better. Although my numbers were not amazingly better I found feel that my form was better and it just felt good.

Fit Test:

• Squats:  23, 19, 20
• Pushups: 6 real 19 on knees, 5 real 18 on knees, 17 on knees
• Dips:  19, 19, 20 (soooo much better)
• Crunch: 21, 22, 20

Flow test went well and I am feeling more flexible although it's hard to measure.

So I have seen some improvement with the fit test which is exciting especially in my upper body. I have also been losing weight and seeing slight changes in my body in the mirror as well so I am stoked and that much more motivated to continue. I will post before and after photos at Day 30 and although it may not be a huge difference in a couple months it will be awesome! As another one of those famous Pinterest/Motivation quotes go....

Today's work out included a lot of equipment so just a reminder to always watch the tutorial video if they post one to see way to modify it for what equipment you have/your personal fitness level. I am going to post something (tomorrow hopefully) with pictures of all my make shift equipment so if anyone else needs ideas they will be here. I was also so unmotivated to work out today since it was a very long day of class and traffic but I just made myself do it. I love having the 30 Day challenge and need to find a way to hold myself this accountable and stay this motivated once it's over... maybe just do it again? Or just say 5 days a week I have to do the daily video? We shall see. If anyone is reading this... are you doing this too? ideas? hello?

Motivation, Small Life Changes, and the 30 Day Challenge

So I am Week 2 Day 4 of the 30 Day Body Rock Challenge and I love it! I haven't done my work out yet today as I'm a bum and got up not too long ago and I'm still enjoying my coffee. The BodyRockers are amazing. First of all they have such hot bods I just watch it and think ok I can look like that! Also with the burn segments only being 12 min long in combination of having the timer beep at you it goes by so quickly. So my shout out to them is because I want to share with you (is anyone doing this with me?) what other changes the 30 Day Challenge is helping me make....

Food:

I have been eating really well lately and I feel I've found a balance of eating right and tasting good. My boyfriend has agreed that he wants to eat healthier so I've decided that as long as he wants to help me pay for produce (which I usually buy) and other ingredients I will make something tasty but healthy almost nightly. I will be posting some of the things I've made the last few nights in a little. So with that support and us not having two separate meals all time that makes it a lot easier. I have been doing really well with portion control also and because of that I am finding that I am getting full faster so it's becoming easier not to over eat. I am not cutting out refined carbs but I am limiting them.

Flossing:

So I went to the dentist the day before I began the BodyRock and although the exam went well I definitely need to floss more (who doesn't?!) but I've decided to add this into my daily routine.

Skin Care:

So I've always had problem skin. I've delt with acne as a teen, scars, oily skin, basically I hate my skin but I've decided that I need to do what I can to make it the best it can possibly be. If I have crappy skin and then I'm not consistent about taking care of it it's just going to be worse than it already is. I figured it's time to pay the big bucks... well not really but more than the $4 I was paying for face wash. I bought Loreal's Revitalift face moisturizer and although I don't really have wrinkles yet I have noticed a difference with skin texure, tone, brightness, etc. I am also making myself ALWAYS wash my face before bed. No more of this I'm so sleeeeeppppyyy screw it attitude.

Positive Affirmations:

The last thing I have decided to change in my life is my self talk. I have spent a lot of time wishing and hoping for different features, a flatter tummy, nice skin, a difference appearance. I have also spent a lot of time telling myself that I'm ugly and fat. Well I'm done with that. I have started to really take to heart some of those motivational quotes that you see on Pinterest, you all know I'm such a fan haha. Here is one my my favorites.

And it's true. I am in control of my body and it is one of the few things in my life that I have complete control over. I may not be able to change certain features like the width of my hip bones, of my nose, etc. But I can have a sexy body and I am in control of that. One of the most important things is believing in yourself and knowing you can do it. So I've started doing positive affirmation (I hope someone remembers those from SNL hehe) but seriously it's so much healthier than negative self talk. I tell myself, outloud, every day that I have a beautiful, sexy, and athletic body and I can do the things necessary to keep it that way. Although I am a work in progress currently, if I can tell myself this daily it will help encourage me to follow through with exercising and eating right. It also is true no matter that size I am for at least the beautiful part (sexy and athletic have yet to come but I believe), because if I believe I am beautiful and can exude positivity then that makes me a beautiful person.

So here is what I have done to remind myself of these things... I have written them on my mirror so I see them everyday. I can't just ignore them and they help keep me responsible.

3 Day Diet Completed and 30 Day Challenge Update

Alright so this morning I woke up and weighed myself just to see how realistic the 3 Day Military Diet really was and... I lost 3 pounds. So this diet is definitely far from a miracle diet, which I had doubted but was curious to see the results. I followed everything strictly to the diet except I had coffee (with a little tiny splash of fat free milk) each morning. I highly doubt this made the difference of 7 pounds. However, this does say you can lose UP TO 10 pounds in 3 days. Although it's probably unlikely it may be possible. I don't have a ton of weight to lose so maybe if I was much heavier I would have lost more. I do have to say I really liked eating real ice cream guilt free the past three nights as it was part of the diet. I think the point is healthy portions and everything in moderation. The diet for the tree days was around 800-1100 calories each day. If I were doing that daily it's perfectly acceptable to work in some ice cream.

I am taking this as a good jumping off point for continued healthy eating. Even though I am not on the diet I had a hard boiled egg and half a banana for breakfast. For lunch I had a good sized slice of cheddar cheese, 4 pieces of turkey meat and carrots, I really enjoyed it too! I rarely buy full-fat dairy products so that is a treat, like I said, everything in moderation

As for the BodyRock.tv 30 Day Challenge, it is going great! The work outs are a really doable amount of time and they give you tips on how to modify it if you're not quite at the level yet at which they are doing them. I just got done with Day 4! The next two days are active rest days so I plan to work in some running (it's been awhile), cleaning up around the house, and other things to stay active. Please let me know if you decide to do this too and keep me updated on how you're doing and what you think. I have been finding different ways to do the exercises that require their equipment by using things around the house. I needed a small weight but only had 10 lb hand weights so I taped two cans together! They worked perfectly for the exercises that called for multiple reps with a lighter weight and for a work out today where they used their equalizer bar to balance when doing squats!

30 Day BodyRock Challenge

Alright so I know exercise is an extremely important part of weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. I run occasionally and will go back and forth to having a regular routine and then sitting on the couch for weeks at a time. I have decided that along with using the 3 Day Diet to kick start my healthy lifestyle changes I would also find some sort of exercise regimen to compliment that.

I have decided to do the the BodyRock.tv  May 2012 30 Day Challenge

Everything can be found here