Friday, August 30, 2013

Sweating Away the Pounds

I managed to lose another 2 lbs despite the heat!  So now there's just 11+ lbs to go for me to weigh under 200 lbs!
 
This week was another scorcher with the temperature in my house at 77-79°F when I'm working out.  So I know I was doing Ramp It Up! half-assed but half is better than none, right? LOL  It cools off a little bit next week so I'm hoping I'll be back to full steam.
 
At one point Debbie says that Steve looks like Ronnie Reagan.  I can only assume that she means the former president.  I managed to pause the DVD, snap a picture of Steve with my phone, and resume working out.  Do you see the resemblance?  Would you mention it when you're filming a DVD?
 

Reagan Photo Credit: Pictr One X via Compfight cc


Burn It Up! is a little longer than Ramp It Up! so I'm hoping I can get it all in the next two weeks.

Pretty Strong Medicine
 
This post is short and early because I won passes to WARMfest, a $30 gift card to Broad Ripple Brewpub, and a night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.  I've only ever heard of 3 of the bands playing but I think this will be an interesting experience.
 
 
Those of you in the US, what are you doing this Labor Day weekend?

Monday, August 26, 2013

Halfway to Slim

Believe you can and you're halfway there. -- Theodore Roosevelt

I searched for a collection of quotes about something being halfway completed but really didn't find anything good. Most of what I saw had to do with AA and being sober. I just couldn't figure out how to tie these things into fitness.  If you have a favorite quote on this topic, please post it in the comments.

This week I weighed in with a 3 lb loss so I made up for last week's 2.2 lb gain!  I hope that means my body is figuring how how to adjust to Slim in 6.  I sure don't want to start seeing yo-yo gains and losses and not reach my goal to be under 200 lbs by the end of September.

Ramp It Up! is definitely a kick in the rear compared to Start It Up!  For one it's about 20 minutes longer. Then there's just a lot more of EVERYTHING!  You're really working your core with this DVD.  I'm kind of scared what I'll have to do when I get to Burn It Up! So glad I start on Sundays so I could call in Monday if I overdo it!

There are standing opposite oblique crunches where you kind of look like Shaun T.  Who knew there was such a vast array of crunch styles period?! Squats are Debbie's absolute favorite thing to do.  With a few of the squats you're doing some sort of kick when you stand up. One of these kicks makes you look like Billy Blanks (Tae Bo).  I actually tried to demonstrate this to a coworker and there was a loud POP from my hip and a sharp, sudden pain. That hadn't happened before or since.  Needless to say I've had to do a modified version of just about everything this week.

With the last portion of Ramp It Up! (stretching/cool down) you're doing a little yoga.  Exalted warrior, proud warrior, up dog, down dog...a few others whose name I can't remember.  I'm sorry yoga fans but I just don't get it.  I thought you feel something when doing yoga....something being stretched.  Me, I feel nothing....it's like I'm standing there looking silly.

What I struggled with this week was keeping my temperature down.  You know the feeling when it's so hot outside you just can't get anything done?  Well, I'm experiencing that every day of Ramp It Up!  I've tried using a wet towel instead of a dry one.  I've wet my shirt and even taken it off, only wearing my exercise bra and shorts.  I've even poured some of my ice water on myself.  All these have been done standing under my ceiling fan trying to catch a breeze.  Nothing is helping to keep me cool.  Some days I can feel it slowing my workout down.

How do you keep from overheating during your workout?

In case anyone is interested, we're having a water and walking challenge starting now.  No soda or other sugary drinks or coffee.  No fast food or junk food.



Pretty Strong Medicine

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Slimmer Week 2

This week's weigh in was a little disappointing.  The previous gains I had were under 1 lb so it wasn't a big deal. This time I'd gained 2.2 lbs!  I've pretty much attributed it to the combination of TOM and Slim in 6 working new muscles.  After all my head is dripping with sweat every day.

Benny took my monthly measurements this week.  I've lost .5 inches off my hips and 2.5 inches off my waist this past month!  Since starting the measurements in May I've lost a total of:


3.5 inches off my hips
1 inch off my arms
3.5 inches off my waist
4.5 inches off my bust
.5 inches off my thighs


I received my Tai Cheng shirt in the mail this week from logging my results.  It feels like a lighter weight material than normal t-shirts yet the tag says it's 100% Cotton.  Perhaps because it's Ringspun that's what makes it different.




This week Benny said my stomach looked smaller.  Of course I can't see the difference even looking in the mirror.  I can only see my shrinkage by the way clothes fit on me.  How long does it take before your eyes and brain make the connection that you do look different?

Weird pains/pressure appeared Thursday afternoon while sitting at my desk at work.  It stayed more towards my right side where I've had a history of pain.  Perhaps it just wanted a final goodbye and just made a big deal out of it.

This crazy weather we're having brought on one of my sinus headaches.  For a brief spell Excedrin Sinus Headache was the only thing that took care of these.  I haven't seen these pills in the stores for several years so I just have to suffer through the pain until it passes.

Start It Up! was easier this second week.  I could've used 5 lb weights instead of 3 lbs as the resistance portion seemed too easy this time around.  Having the resistance band that comes with probably would feel like more of a challenge too.  I do the bicep curls a lot faster than they are on the DVD and am not feeling my muscles working.

I never took a sneak peak at Ramp It Up! so I don't know what's in store for me the next two weeks.  I'm sure I'll work some new area and be sore the first few days but it's all worth it.

Pretty Strong Medicine

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Slim in 6 with a New Identity

Another 3.6 lbs fell off this week so it's just under 14 lbs to go to be below 200 lbs!  I will have reached my second goal by the end of September.  I'm not sure where I should place my next two goal weights.  Do I just stick to 25 lb losses for the goals?

After Tuesday's weigh in I picked up a pair of sports bras and a belt.  They were all size XL!  I made sure I got a belt with many holes so I can continue to use it as I lose weight.  Today, I continued the bra shopping and bought a couple of regular bras - 2 band sizes smaller than my last known size!

Team Beachbody

Where is an industrial strength fan when you need one?  That's what I felt like during this first week of Slim in 6: Start It Up!  My face would be hot but my chest felt cold, assuming from sweating.  I've been so thirsty that most of my water is gone long before the workout is over.

The pain from starting a new workout didn't show up until bedtime Sunday night.  The aches continued for a few days and I looked like an old woman at work when I'd get up and walk after sitting for a little while.

I'm struggling with the arm movements.  I've always struggled doing anything with my arms elevated; my shoulders just don't want to cooperate.  Sometimes even brushing my hair I have to take breaks because I feel it in my shoulders.  I was glad when Debbie said to put your arms down if they were tired; definitely taking advantage of that!

Here are some tips I received to work on my shoulders:




Along with the overheating I was feeling dizzy the first few days.  I was trying to follow Debbie's breathing when she said to inhale/exhale.  That just doesn't work for me.  Once I returned to normal breathing the dizziness dissipated.  I still felt a little weak so during the band/weights portion I sat on the edge of the couch to work my arms.

I didn't try the Slim & 6-Pack or Slim & Limber with any of this week's workouts.  I may try Slim & Limber  a couple of times next week.


New Venture, New Identity

This new program and new week was also marked by me signing up to be an Independent Team Beachbody Coach.  "Life as We Live" was already taken on Facebook so I had to come up with a new name to make everything consistent.  This blog is a part of this new venture but it won't be overrun by it.

The Long and Winding Road to Wellness
Photo Credit: iman Khalili via Compfight cc

That is all I plan to say about it here.  Should you wish to know more or follow this blog or business on Facebook or Twitter please click the links below.



Pretty Strong Medicine

Thursday, August 8, 2013

An Absolutely PINTastic New Blog Hop

I’m honored to be selected to participate in an absolutely pintastic new blog hop!



Introducing the Lovely Ladies of The PINcentive Blog Hop

PIP-MEMBERS-B&W-DRAFT1-650px


 Alternates:  ANNEGOSIAKERA


So what is The PINcentive Blog Hop?

The PINcentive Blog Hop has a HUGE incentive for participating including: the opportunity to drive more traffic to your website, increase your page views and rank!  Don't forget the added benefit to meet new people and make some friends too.

Each week blog hop participants will vote for their 3 favorite posts. These will be our 3 winners.  As a winner you will be featured the following week and your content will be pinned a minimum of 31 times - once by the Program Leader (Elena @ Cropped Stories) and an additional 30 times by each program member.  Your content will also be pinned by the following week’s blog hop participants as one of the requirements to link up! The total number of times your content gets pinned will depend on the number of link ups we have so feel free to spread the word!


And when does this awesomeness begin?

On Tuesday, September 3, The PINcentive Blog Hop begins!  The first week, you will be able to link up at: CROPPED STORIES, A KITCHEN HOOR, and A PEEK INTO MY PARADISE.


Our old friend SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Pinterest rates #4 in the Top Social Networking Sites of2013,
and, in terms of SEO, is one of the best tools out there forcreating backlinks to your website, which plays a HUGE role in increasing both your page rank and views!


Want a reminder?







Don’t forget to snag The PINcentive Blog Hop button on your way out!


cropped stories


cropped stories


Saturday, August 3, 2013

Am I a Tai Cheng Master Now?

Life as We Live

In my final week of Tai Cheng I dropped another 1.4 lbs.  Counting down the last 17 pounds or so before I reach my next goal.  I'll be thrilled if I make goal in time for my birthday but I will be satisfied just with reaching the goal the same month.  It'd be like a belated birthday gift to myself.

Week 13 was entirely the same as week 12.  I knew I couldn't do the same thing again.  The first half of the week I would do the sequences once on each side and then go work on my smoothie, returning in time for the next sequence.  The end of the week I did all 18 moves once on each side during the first two sequences only and ate cereal during the third sequence.  I got all confused a few times doing all the moves without direction.  So do I qualify as a Tai Cheng Master now?

Photo Credit: beachbodyonline via Compfight cc

I'm ready to move on to Slim in 6 tomorrow.  My plan is to do 2 weeks of Start It Up! followed by 2 weeks of Ramp It Up! and finish with 2 weeks of Burn It Up!  I'm not sure how I'll work in the bonus videos, Slim & 6 Pack and Slim & Limber.  I'll just have to play it by ear with those two.


Be on the lookout over at Casually Cassi for my review of the whole Tai Cheng program.
Casually Cassi
Image courtesy of Sicha Pongjivanich / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Pretty Strong Medicine