I have one word...

OUCH!!! FREAKIN' OUCH!!!  (Ok, that was 2 words.)

I am on day two of Body Revolution.  Every inch of my body is sore.  I think my fingernails may even be sore. ;)   I guess the pain must mean it is working, right?  I am also getting headaches.  I am assuming it is due to sugar/carbohydrate withdrawal.  I have had mad cravings today for anything sweet -- even a piece of fruit, but I am going to follow the plan as written and hope that I see some good results.

I am very proud of myself because I dragged my sleepy, flabby butt out of bed this morning at 4:30 AM so that I could do my morning workout.  It was not easy, but once I started moving, I forgot how horribly early it was.  Only problem was that I got a bit sleepy on the commute to work.  I guess I should brew some coffee for the road in the morning. I am glad that there is only one week of doing 2 workouts per day, because I don't know if I could make waking up at 4:30 in the morning a ritual.  Of course, maybe by the time the week is over, I will change my mind.

I had my husband take some before pictures yesterday so that I can see if there are results after Phase One is complete.  I am not going to post them yet, because quite frankly, they disgust me.  Once I start to show results, I will post comparisons though.

Well, I am sleepy...thanks to my early workout.  I think I am going to try and stand up...although I am not sure I can...and walk (oh, geez, ouuuuuch!) upstairs (nooooooooo!) to bed.  ;)

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ......

Let the Revolution Begin!!

So, I have been a little bit lost lately with my exercise and eating plan.  I have been exercising, but not as often as I should, but at least 3 times per week.  I have had some setbacks -- mono and a pulled back muscle that have hurt my mobility and my energy levels, but both of those have past and I am trying to look at it as a new beginning.

Food has also been an issue.  I have stayed within my calorie range, but I may not have been choosing the best possible foods.  Some of the things that I am eating are still really processed and I have had a few too many miniature chocolate bars from the candy jar at work.  I have a real problem with saying "no" to chocolate of any kind.  It's my drug of choice, really.  I have really tried hard to find something to give me motivation.   As silly as it may sound, the answer has been...Jillian.

Ok, I am not some creepy, overly-obsessed stalker.  I am just a fan.  I have read all of her diet related books and they make so much sense.  I also listen to her weekly podcast --- which I LOVE and makes my hour plus commute a lot more enjoyable.  I have done the 30 Day Shred too.  The thing is, I wanted something more.  I am at the point right now, where I need to boost my metabolism because it is currently working at a dead snail's pace.  One thing I have learned is that she really is an expert at boosting one's metabolism -- through eating all the right foods and exercise.  This is why I decided to look into this:

Body Revolution is a 90 day fitness plan, but the beauty of it is that it is also paired with a nutrition plan.  Based on reviews that I have read, the fitness plan works well on it's own.  I, however, have opted to follow the nutrition plan as well.  According to Jillian, it is modeled after the nutrition plan that she used with her Biggest Loser contestants.  I really need to follow a certain meal plan, because even though I thought I knew how to eat, I really don't.  

The first week of this program gives the option of a 7 Day Kickstart.  This program is a week long and is supposed to kickstart your metabolism to prepare it for the rest of the system.  It is also optional, but I have decided to do it.  This program puts you on a very strict diet for a week that it intended to detox you of the chemicals that have built up due to the over consumption of processed foods.  It is also intended to wean you off of sugar and white flour.  You also have to do 2 workouts per day -- where on the rest of the program weeks, you are only expected to do one.

Day One Verdict:  I know it is too early to have any kind of review yet, but I really really enjoyed the first workout.  It was challenging, but fun at the same time.  I also liked that time flew.  That is important to me in a workout!  She also works out with a large group of people -- well, larger than her usual 2 or 3.  It is nice to see all of those super fit people sweating and being challenged.  It almost like you are there with them, suffering along.  I really felt like I was in on their class and I loved that!  The only thing wrong at this point is that I am SO HUNGRY.  I know this is likely all in my head, but I know this week's drastic change diet-wise is going to be challenging -- but I am up for it.  The two a day workouts are going to be an adjustment too.  Not because I am not up for working out twice, but because in order to do the morning workout, I am going to have to get up at 4:30 each morning this week! Eeeeew.  

I am going to check in at the end of the week and let you know how I did this first week.  My husband is going to take before pictures today and I plan to make comparisons after each month of the program.  I am actually really pumped about this.

What the hell...?

These past few weeks have been so odd.  I went back to work and my new boss is working me to death.  I am a hard worker and have no qualms with working hard, but for the love!!  I would come home exhausted.  Even eating was too much work...which is NOT the way I usually am.  Stress usually is behind my binges.  Not this time.  I just didn't want to eat.  I was trying to work out, but could barely muster enough energy to lift an arm.  I started not feeling well, but I thought it was due to fatigue.  Then, one morning I am washing my hair in the shower, and I feel two painful lumps on the back of my neck.  What the hell?  I was alarmed, but decided to wait and see if they went down throughout the day.  They didn't.  They got bigger and more painful.   I went to the doctor, and through his exam and blood work, it was determined that I had Mono.  Just what I need!  I really needed this energy-draining, miserable illness when I am at my busiest at work and need motivation to continue living a healthy lifestyle.   I fell off the wagon, but I did not land in a pile of Oreo cookies.  Mmmmm...a pile of Oreo cookies..... Ok, snap out of it!

I am feeling so much better and have more energy today than I have had in weeks.  I used that energy to finally clean the house I have been neglecting since I got sick.  I am hoping to get a run in and to also get back into the positive direction I was going with my diet and exercise before I started to feel "off."