Where is my cat

Leyla disappeared from my mothers house while we were on vacation

Day 3 - Week 4. What Doesn't Kill You

I was planning on doing this Friday but it was a rather stressful day and therefore I chose to chill. In all honesty, the stress of work on Friday became, in the end, emotionally draining. I had a cry and felt like I needed a curry. Once eaten, all was right with the world.

Today's killer of a workout was awesome. Very challenging. Dragging a sandbag with 35lbs of sand inside it across a floor whilst in plank isn't an easy task. Dragging it backwards is harder. But I loved the move. I pretended I was in stealth mode, dragging supplies thru a desert to people in need of them and there was a really scary creature following me.

I completed Lisa's part 2 times thru before moving on to Sean's bit. Bill did the workout after me but I modified timer for him so that he worked for 50 sec and rested for 25 sec. For me it was the usual 50/10.

Scores

Pushup with front raise - 10,8
Sandbag Drag - 10,8
Commando Pushup and 10 Mountain Climbers - 2.5,2.5

Shoulder lift & Squat w. Knee lift - 9,10
Round the world w. Squat - 9,9
Squat & Press - 9,9

I don't care about Bill's scores....joking! We don't bother keeping track. Yet. ;)

Day 2 Week 4 - Strip the Fear Workout - Jan 26 2012

No yoga this morning...bed felt way too good to leave.


It was a rushing sort of day.  I was stuck in a telecon with the UK for 2 hours.  It is a weekly meeting but went on longer due to some changes on the project.  Oh well.


Today's workout was great. I did it four times through making it a 16 minute one.


My scores were


1. Push-up + Clean & Press & Squat & Press - 6, 5, 5, 6 (Counting each round)
2. Plyo-metric Jump & Press Up - 10, 8, 8, 8 (counting each press-up)
3. Plank & Floor touch & Knee Tuck – Alternate Sides - 16, 16, 16, 17 (counting each side of course)
4. Reverse Pull Up’s - 16, 14, 16,16


I think I pulled a something or other in my inner thigh, right side, on the weekend and I felt it with #3.  Need to watch this.


Can't wait for the fit test at the end of this.

Week 4 Day 1 - Rock Star Booty

I started my day with a lovely yoga practice which focused on flushing the lymphatic system.

It was a long day at work and I really had to push myself to even do this workout last night. Glad I did because I loved it much!

Pushup jump over - 11,8,8
Side Straddle run burpee -16,9,7
Squat Woodchop - 18,22,22
UGI plank jacks - 32,35,30

I did only 2 rounds of Sean's cos I was wiped
Elevated PU 22,12
Diamond PU 15,10
Explosive PU 14,6
Triceps lunges (french press w lunge) using 20lb dumbbell 12,10

Week 4 - Active Rest

I must go and buy a children's birthday gift after work. And for someone who despises shopping believe me this will be a workout.

When I get home I will do yoga.

It's chicken with sautéed veg for dinner tonight.

Week 3 - Day 5

I have just finished eating 3/4cup of Greek syle yogurt with one scoop of protein powder and 1/2 cup of blueberries. My post workout snack. Delish. I completed the 800 reps in 14:10. I did Seans back and bicep focused workout one time through. Loved it. The reverse pull ups kill. I want to add that my inner thighs are scramming today! Bill did 400 reps in 10:50 and I'm so proud of him. He also did one round of Seans entire workout, which was 4 minutes (10/50).

Week 3, Day 4 - We Found Love Workout 2

WOW!  This was a sweaty, sweaty one. Those side planks with the top leg elevated, lower leg lifting were a challenge.  I was daft enough to no place anything  under my elbow the first two times through.  Ouch!!!!  I love my bamboo flooring but...OUCH!!!!

Bill did this with me.  I love the dude.  He gave it his all and he even did the plank leg lift exercise as I was doing them.  I wasn't happy with his form but he insisted.  I even remembered to write down my scores.  WOW again!

It was a challenge for the two of us to do this one at the same time. We used piece of equipment, a rack of sorts, I bought a couple of years ago for bench press, squats, pullups, etc. for the side plank leg raises. (I use this equipment to hang close on to air dry) We were side to side, face to face and then ass to ass.  That is love!  That is determination.

My scores:

1. Jump tuck, squat under and over  - 20, 19, 17

2. Elevated one legged Push ups with alternating knee tuck - 25, 18, 16

3. Side Plank Leg Lift Left Side - 25, 26, 13 (thirteen represents the OUCH!)

4. Side Plank Leg Lift Right Side - 31, 21, 18

I still want to do yoga but I don't know.  I had a lovely walk in Port Credit.  Its cold but so nice and sunny out. 

Blah blah blah - forgot to add

This week has been bad for me with my yoga practice. I did yoga Monday. Bad me. At the end of every workout I do stretch and my stretches are all yoga asanas and usually lasts for 15 minutes but it's not the same.

I wanted to mention also that Bill gas worked out with me for the entire week and tomorrow is Day 5 of week three and he has confirmed his attendance for this event in the posh venue that is our basement recreation room.

I discovered one obstacle today in that with Bill and our cat Leyla on the scene it makes for a cramped space. Leyla is always with me and she was a little unsure today with all the equipment/props we used where she should be. Bless her.

And I have just realized I should have been counting my active rest days in the 30 days. Oops!

The photo is our fruit for our morning smoothie and the Choco....where did that come from? ;)

Our morning starts with a fruit, water and protein powder smoothie. That's been my breakfast for three years more. Weekends it's eggs with veg or steel cut oats with fruit and protein powder. I once tried the oatmeal with egg and protein powder and I can tell you now .... Don't! It's bloody horrid!

Yoga later for me. Lobster tails, salad and veg sautéed with loads of garlic for dinner.

Day 13 - Friday Jan 20 2012

I'm blogging from my iPad and I want to mention that it is easier to blog from my iPhone 4s. Why? I do not know. There seems to be a better layout and I suppose its mainly the blog app on my phone is a better human interface...I'm all technical. Ha!I did Sean's shoulder and leg workout from week 2, day 8. I chose to use dumbbells. I didn't do Lisa's workout because I was just to tired from the day. It was a very stressful week at work. And also I had a wee bit of a cry at the office. The catalyst was a post from one of my son's friends on his memorial page. It was a lovely post that brought tears to my eyes. Crying makes me very tired.Looking forward to day 14 today...woot!

Day 12 - Hot Right Now Workout

This is a 16 minute interval workout with the intervals at 10/30 and a total of 24 exercises or rounds.  I neglected to write down my scores because Bill was doing the workout along with me...he distracted me?  Yeah, he was a big distraction in the nicest of ways.  I used my 10lb Ugi where ever I could.

The workout was as follows:

1 Push-up + Burpee + Tuck Jump
*High Knees Skip
Switch Lunge
*High Knees Skip
Press up with Spider Knee
*High Knees Skip
High Knees x 10 + Mountain Climbers x 10
*High Knees Skip
Side Burpee & Oblique Abs
*High Knees Skip
Push-up + Side Plank Twist + Oblique Drop
*High Knees Skip
V Abs Left
*High Knees Skip
V Abs Right
*High Knees Skip
Hug Knees + Star Jack
*High Knees Skip
Single Toe Touch Abs
*High Knees Skip
Squat Jump
*High Knees Skip
1/2 Burpee + 1 Push-up
*High Knees Skip

Really enjoyed this one.  Fun to do an not the least bit boring.  Not that any of the Bodyrock workouts are boring but this was really fun.

Day 11 - Fit Test and Chest/Triceps Wednesday January 18

I was tired before I started this. It was another Fit Test followed by a chest and tricep workout.
Scores are below and the first number represents my score when I first started the 30 day challenge
Jump squats - 40   new 46
Pushups - 24          new 30
Burpees - 17          new 18
High Knees - 117    new 150
Switch Lunge - 36  new 40
Tuck Jumps - 28    new 35
Straight Abs - 25    new 33

I wouldn't say its a significant improvement when you look at the numbers above but taking into consideration the first fit test was done when I was well rested and didn't work that day and the second fit test came after a very stressfull day at work with a longer than normal drive home and barely 3 hours sleep the night before, its fucking awesome!  So there.  ;o)

Day 10 - Glory To the Booty

I did this yesterday.  Sunday Jan 15 but haven't had the opportunity to past until now.  completed this 600 rep workout in 14:39


Below were the exercises to be completed.  I am feeling it today.

100 High Knee Skips

100 Lunge kicks (50 each leg) using the Pink Sandbag

100 High Knee Skips

100 squats using the Pink Sandbag

100 High Knee Skips

25 Straight Abs

25 V Abs Left

25 V Abs Right

25 Bicycle Abs

The workout above was followed by Sean's weighted workout focusing on the back and biceps and using the sandbag.  The goal was to do as many bicep curls in 3 minutes and as many sandbag rows in 3 minutes that you could possibly do.  I broke it down into one minute chunks for a total of 6 minutes. I forgot to record my reps. Damn!  And this workout I am most definitely feeling today.  

Day 9 - Bringing Sexy Back

I did this one today.  Loved it!  Hell, I love them all.

1. press up burpee with ply box jump - 9,8,8
2. Star Single toe Touch Abs - 20,18,14
3. Sit Squat & Jump - 20,17,14
4. Ugi Mountain climbers x 10 and ball toe touch x 10 - 4 full sets x 3

As much as I want to do some yoga today I won't have the time.

Day 8 - Wild Ones

To start my day YESTERDAY I did a yoga practice from Yogaglo which, near the end of the practice, had me doing a handstand at the wall.  Now Leyla, our cat, has watched me do yoga a number of times.  As a matter of fact she is now 'doing it' with me every morning.  However, for some reason she had never seen me do a supported handstand before.  


She watched as I dragged my yoga mat to the wall in preparation.  She was close by and curious.  It wasn't until I started to kick up for handstand that she started to look panicked.  And when I got up there she started to cry and looked torn between running away (supposedly to go upstairs and wake Bill) or to stay with me. She pawed my arm frantically. I came down and told her it was ok.  The second time I went up into the pose she was still nervous but much calmer.  Now I will have to focus on handstand to get her fully comfortable with seeing me upside down.  Which isn't a bad thing.


I did Sean's weighted workout. Love it. I did it first. Then I took a 15 minute break before continuing on with Lisa-Marie's workout and it's those scores I post below. As always work period is 50 seconds with a 10 second rest.


My Scores:

1. Clean and Press - 14, 9
2. Squat Leaps - 32, 28
3. 3 Tier pushups - 13, 14
4. Reverse pullups - 18, 16
5. Squat and Overhead Press - 14, 16
6. Sandbag lunges with press and side turn - 38, 28

Day 7 - Domino Workout

I completed this on Wednesday but haven't had a chance to blog. Anyway, I neglected to record my reps.

I did this one three times through and the interval was modified to 50/15 which was perfect. It was a tiring day and I really needed that extra 5 seconds of rest.

I will be doing day 3 after work today.

A colleague picked me up a tin of some awesome tea the other day from David's. Its called Nut Lovers and is almonds, apple, cinnamon and Beet Root. It's pink in colour when steeped and is a delivers a smooth and satisfying tasting experience of the well combined ingredients

Day 6 - Turn Me On

I was so brilliant in choosing a yoga practice this morning that had a lot of chaturanga dandasana.  NOT!  My triceps were spent. And then I come to Day 6 which is chest and tricep focused.


The strength workout was done first. I didn't bother to time how long I took.  By the last set of tricep dips I had do them all with feet on floor. 


The cardio intensive workout with the boxing flavour was great! I substituted the front jab and hook combo in the third exercise for upper cuts.  I love upper cuts.


My scores reflect the number of sets I completed in each 50 second period.

1. 3, 3, 3.5
2. 3, 2.5, 2.5
3. 3, 2, 2.5
4. 5, 5, 5

I am looking forward to Day 7

Day 5 - I Won't Give Up

Well, day 5 is now complete. I did Sean's workout first and inserted a back and bicep stretch between each set. Speed wasn't my motivator here; maintaining good form was. For the last sets of one arm rows I was feeling wobbly with the sandbag so I grabbed a 35 lb dumbbell and used it. And used 20lb dumbbells for the last set of biceps but could only complete 10 reps with good form. I'm happy. I completed Lisa-Marie's gum drop of sweetness in 6:52. In all honesty, when doing the knee ups I find it much easier not to bring my feet to the floor.

Active Rest Day

I really am feeling under the weather and have decided this will be an active rest day for me. We did take a walk along the lake for about an hour. I live 2 blocks north of Lake Ontario which has lovely trails that meander along the shore for miles. The fresh air felt so good and the sun was shining. The ducks, swans, and seagulls were certainly taking advantage.

Day 4 - Wish You Would Pump It Workout

I stayed home from work today.  I had a  terrible night of a million hot flashes, a migraine and felt like I was going to vomit. I slept from 5:30am to 9:30 am this morning.  Needless to say I decided to take the day off from work.

By 2 pm I was feeling a little better so I did my morning yoga; a Morning Flow with Jason Crandall which I chose from Yogaglo.  I am loving this site and the streaming yoga classes. This morning asana practice was the perfect compliment to yesterday's Bodyrock workout, International Love. It was very much focused on shoulder opening and hip opening and a bit of chest opening.  


I am a sweaty and stinky mess having just completed Day 4.


Here are my scores:

1. Burpees with pushup and tuck jump - 10, 10, 8
2. Reverse Pullups with Dip Station - 17, 14.5, 12
3. Triple Plank Burpees - 14, 14, 12
4. Knee ups on Dip Station - 22, 20, 18

My POWER word today was LOVE

Day 3 - International Love Workout (completed Jan 5 2012)

My Power Word for this workout was Jeff - I did this in memory of my son who passed away Thankgiving day 2010 at the age of 26. He was a great motivator and a very caring person.

Equipment Used:

• Dip Station
• Ugi Fitness Ball
• Sandbag filled with 35 lbs of sand
• 15, 10 and 8 lb dumbells

I started off with Lisa-Marie's workout. In retrospect I think perhaps I should have started with Sean's. I was pretty beat after the cardio intensive workout and so maintaining good form in the weight focused workout was a challenge.  But I do love a challenge.

When I got to Sean's workout I used a pyramid down format for the lunge/lateral raise sets and the lunge/shoulder press sets. 15 to 10 to 8 lbs for the final set.  I started off doing the Fireman's Lift with my sandbag filled with 35 lbs of sand.  However, for the second set I used my 10 lb Ugi.  And then, for the 3rd set I went back to the sandbag.  I think in the first set my grip was off and it was a little more cumbersome than was comfortable. 

Here are the results

1. Superman Push-ups - 12
2. Elevated Push-up’s & L&R knee to elbow touch - 6
3. Squat & Press  - 12
4. Ugi Clean & Press + Jump Forward + 3 x Squat Jumps - 8
5. Reverse Pull-Ups - 15
6. Side Jump Burpee + 2 knee to elbow Oblique Abs + Tuck Jump - 6
7. Forward Lunge + Side Lunge + Knee Lift - 8
8. Ugi Push-up & Burpee + Sumo L&R Knee Touch - 6
9. Tricep Dip + Kickout V Abs - 8
10. Overhead Abs - 9
11. Sandbag Shoulder Lift + Squat + Switch Shoulder Press - 10
12. Speed Run - 186

My time for Sean's lovely workout was 23:41

I am going to be doing Day 4 today of course and I will post it a when I do it.

Day 2 - Feeling Good Workout

I did feel good at the end of this workout.  I always feel good at the end of a workout.  Working out for me is like brushing my teeth.  Its something I have to do.  Its a regular part of my life and has been for over 25 years.

My sandbag has just a little over 35 lbs in it.  I was soaked in sweat at the end of this session.  I took a longer than usual cool down and a very good stretch.

My scores are as follows and I am showing number of sets fully completed in each circuit:

High Knees & Mountain Climbers - 6  so 60  high knees and  60 mountain climbers
Squat Jumps & Push-ups & Tuck Jumps - 6  so 12 squat jumps,12 pushups, 6 tuck jumps
Centre to Elbow Jump (L&R) & 2 x leg jumps - 5
Clean & Press & Squat & Press & Push Up - 4 (I know now why its a good idea to write big and I should have)
Tuck Jumps x 5 & ½ Burpee & squat hold x 5  - 3   - 15 TJ's, 15 HBSH's
Spider Knee Push up & Straight Leg Push Up (L&R) - 9
Switch Lunge & Press - 10 (5 each side)
Side Lunge x 2 & L & R Side Punch  & 2 Tuck Jumps - 4  (again, bigger print would have been better)
10 x Squat & 10 x Squat Jumps - 1.5  for a total of 20 sandbag squats  and 10 squat jumps
Elbow to Knee jumps 10 x each side - 59
Wide leg jumps & Push up - 11
Speed run - 173

Lisa says to write out each circuit so its easy to see. I should have.  I lost time with some circuits trying to read small print (I printed off the workout from the website) Next time I will print it out BIG so I can read what the heck I am suppose to be doing next.

Day 1

I did the fitness challenge 3 times through to make it a 21 minute workout.

Jump squats - 40
Pushups - 24
Burpees - 17
High Knees - 117
Switch Lunge - 36
Tuck Jumps - 28
Straight Abs - r25

The scores above represent the number of reps I did of each exercise in 50 seconds. I recorded these on my first pass. Not too bad for a 50 year old woman. I'm thankful I didn't have a hot flash during the challenge. That is really unpleasant when it happens.

My Stats and Goals

Age: 50

Height: 5'4"

Weight:. Not too sure but close to 120 lbs

I want to lose some of the fat I've put on around my mid section. I've eaten clean for a number of years but for some reason, let's say it was pre-menopause, I started to enjoy ice cream most nights of the week. This all started in the early fall. We have also been in the midst of renovating our house since April so, in with all the mess and chaos, workouts were irregular. I have a small frame and gaining 5 - 10 lbs is really noticeable on me. Also, two weeks ago I started menopause full on and I want to make sure that I stay physically and emotionally fit as I work my way through it.

Starting Challenge on Monday

I'm getting my days mixed up. Tomorrow is Monday and that's when the challenge starts.