Friday, December 10, 2010

Finish What You Start

Today was day 3 of Insanity and I noticed that yesterday and today I was nervous and excited about it.  The exercises are very intense and require a lot of focus.  I was so sore today that just getting started was a battle in my mind.  I kept on trying to make excuses as to why I SHOULDN'T do today's work out, but thinking about a few of my future goals and the reasons why I set out on this journey helped me get started.

Once I got started the mental battle wasn't over.  The entire workout I had to keep on pushing myself to keep on going.  Insanity really pushes your body to achieve a cardio and strength level that an average person otherwise would never achieve.  It's not that an average person isn't capable of performing these exercises, but it pushes individuals so far out of their comfort zone that they normally quit before they reach the "Insanity" point.

I wanted to share with you an important fact that I learned about home exercise programs that will help you finish what you start.  When training with a DVD program, we tend to compare our results with the individuals who are on the video.  But, we often forget that those people are professionals...people who are paid to be beautiful and to keep up with the trainer.  The key to success is to go at your own pace.  You may do half of what the trainer does, but you are moving and that is what's important.  At some point, you'll find you'll be able to keep up with the trainer.  And soon after that, you'll be doing the advanced movements.

People often give up days or a few weeks into living a fit life because they haven't met their expectations.  Unfortunately, I've found that those expectations are formed by watching other people and comparing.  You are not that person or those people you are trying to compare yourself against.  You have your weaknesses, but you also have your strengths.  The key is to start slow and slowly increase...at some point I guarantee you'll stop and realize how far you have come.

It's a journey.  You don't start at the finish line...you start at the start line.  So, on your mark, get set, go...

Enjoy the journey

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Insanity - Day 1 - Fit Test

It's been a little over 3 weeks since I last went out for a run and am feeling the physical and emotional consequences.  I am getting ready for a move and have very limited time to go out for runs, so I decided to join my friend Jordana and start the Insanity program. 

Today was my first day.  Day one of the program is a fitness test.  I was going to start yesterday, but I wanted to get prepared for it mentally.  Well, today was only about a 20 minute workout and I don't think ANYTHING could prepare a person for this...AND it's only the fit test...AND it's only 20 minutes.  They definitely named this program appropriately because it definitely is INSANE.  I am confident in saying that I probably got more our of these 20 minutes than if I had gone out for a 40 minute run.

Once I move I will add running into my routine because I'm going to run a half marathon in March with my best friend.  But, to keep me committed to Insanity for the next 60 days I decided to blog and post my personal information (Fit Test results).  That way I'll have all of you to keep my motivated.  I took a before picture and I'm posting that too (even though it's embarrassing). 

Date8-Dec
MoveFit Test 1
Switch Kicks100
Power Jacks51
Power Knees74
Power Jumps28
Globe Jumps7
Suicide Jumps14
Push-Up Jacks23
Low Plank Oblique30
Measurements 
Weight141.4
BMI 23.5
Body Fat %30.8
Neck13
Chest35
Waist30
Hips40
Right Thigh24.5
Left Thigh25
Right Calf13.5
Left Calf13.5
Right Bicep11
Left Bicep
10
Right Forearm9.5
Left Forearm9.5