Lower Fix

I didn't fall of the face of the earth.
Truth be told... I didn't feel like spending anymore time than absolutely necessary on the computer the past couple weeks.

Keep trucking on!

Tonight I did the Lower Fix work out of the 21 Day Fix. 
Random thoughts about this work out:
- I think the hispanic (maybe asian?) man looked... under the influence of something
- Lots of lunges and squats - my knees hurt (tear)
- Autumn made me laugh a couple times - she has a great sense of humor in this video
- Autumn has a back tattoo (is it considered a tramp stamp??) - trainers are people too!

Overall, a great work out!
I read a review stating someone felt like jello after the work out - I was almost there!  If I would have given 110%, I too would have felt ready to collapse.  I did stop a couple times to gain my balance (I am soooo uncoordinated!!), catch my breath, and give my knees a break.
I am not a fan of lots of lunges - they are great exercises but not for me!

For this work out, you will need weights (I used 10 lb weights during the entire video where weights were called for). 
My favorite set was the last set - no weights involved - just using your muscle.  Great burn!

On another note, I have been having fun appreciating some little things in my life by participating in a challenge:  #discoverhappinessinlittlethings
Here are some great pictures that have captured happiness this past week:

Zariah enjoying kiwi for the first time.

Lola awaiting an ice cube while I make my morning Shakeology.

Zariah super excited about Frozen.

"Momma, take a picture of my picture"

Snow be gone!  Sun, drinks, reading ahoy!

The two sisters!

I have also started my half marathon training as of 3/24/14!  What a great program so far - its intense enough that I feel sore the next morning (a couple mornings barely rolling out of bed).  This is only the first week, so as the ante is upped - I may be singing a different tune later.

Until the next workout!
{ass donut may be in the horizon}

Shamrock Shuffle 2014

Green beer!
Green wigs!
Party, party!
^----- That was majority of the posts I saw on Facebook last night.  And I'm sitting here, "Nah, I'm good... I have a 5k run tomorrow."

I would gladly stay in and rest up for a 5k run :)

What a great course to run!  Holy hills.  The weather was terrible.  The wind was fighting every direction I ran.  People were farmer's blowing in front of me.  My gloves are 50% covered in snot.  I had a pain in my left ankle.  My left hip hurt.

All worth it!

The best part?  No port-a-potties.  We were able to pee in a heated bathroom stall.  HEATED.

We're so joyful in this picture, correct?  That is joy of standing in a warm place prior to our 5k start. (and a heated bathroom)  That would be me - 1112
I was also taking pictures of inappropriate sculptures of naked people on the wall. #notgrowinguptodaysucka

I believe the starting temperature outside was around 15 degrees.  It was slightly misting of snow by the end of the run.  The weather alone (and farmer's blowing going on) made the run difficult, but seriously...

THE HILLS.

The first hill was not terrible.  The second hill was bearable.  But the hills coming back after two miles made this run probably the epitome of what all 5k runs should but - hilly, difficult, and not entirely flat.  I believe all 5k runs should have AT LEAST 3 hills.  At least.

I think any runner can relate when they find "that one person" who is going at a good speed to try and keep up with during the entire run.  I found my gal!  She was short.  Decked out in shamrock gear - a shamrock sash, head band, jingly necklaces, shamrock socks... she's was the cutest darn thing.
Until she farmer blowed.
Going up the third hill she blew and I dodged.   And I stopped following her.

And I blame her for my terrible time.  If I would have followed her the entire end, I would have made it well under 31 minutes.

Just kidding.  But I would have kept up with her if it didn't feel like an elephant sat on my chest.  And really the farmer's blow weirded me out.  There has to be unspoken race day etiquette rules.

This was the perfect race to start my March-November races - I'm pumped, I wanted to beat my time, and I want to run for longer distances.  Some of the runs that will be coming up:
2014 Crazylegs Classic
Madison Mud Run

Some possibles:
Rock 'n Sole Quarterer Marathon
Fort Atkinson Half Marathon

Still on the look out for more to sign up.  So addicting.

On another note, I have not been exercising as much as I'd like due to flu, killer shin splints, and disability due to the squat challenge.

Excuse, excuses.  Yes.

I plan to complete more of the 21 Day Fix work outs to add to my review of the program.  I'm excited to do the Lower Fix and feel this noodle feeling I hear so much about.  I love a good work out that makes my limbs not functional.

On a side note - I have to share this wonderful picture of my running partner.  This was after our 3.5 mile run on Monday 3/10.  It was over 40 degrees outside and we wanted to romp the country roads.  And we did.  I felt how she looks and it felt GREAT:

21 Day Fix - Upper Fix Review

I write to you as a sore, decrepit whiner.
Why didn't anyone tell me a semi ran over me last night, pulled in reverse, and ran me over again?
Okay, I may be exaggerating.

Or not.

I will say, I am not as sore as Total Body Cardio.
I will say, 60% of my soreness stems from the squat challenge I am doing besides the 21 Day Fix.

I did the Upper Fix yesterday (3/2/14) and it was a good work out.  I could definitely do that work out DVD and then go for a run.

Here's my honest unbiased review:

First of all, I will say I was disappointed (not in the DVD) - I hate doing work out videos that do not clearly say you need extra equipment to do the work outs BEFORE you purchase it.
That being said, you should have either a resistance band or weights for this DVD.  Personally, I used 7.5 pounds as my light weight and then 10 pounds for my heavier weight.

Another thing that irked me was she didn't share what weights everyone else was using in the video.  I like to know.  Period.  
Perhaps Chalene Johnson spoiled me with ChaLEAN Extreme and saying what weights everyone used during the video.  I like that.

This DVD consists of two rounds of four exercises.  Between each exercise, you get 15 seconds of rest between each.  Fifteen seconds may not seem like a lot, but you're not doing cardio... so it's manageable.  However, Autumn continues to have you do exercises for 60 seconds, rest 15 seconds, and then continue 60 seconds.  You can choose to push yourself or go about everything moderately.

You can expect to work your entire upper body (waist up).  I woke up this morning and did not feel terribly sore... but as the day continues to progress I feel ailed by soreness - especially in my abdomen area.  Its a creeper work out! 

What's a creeper work out?  One that does not affect you until later in the day... the day after your work out. 

Overall, this was a good upper body work out.  For me personally, I would prefer ChaLean Extreme for an upper body work out - she really drives home to use a heavy weight... enough to allow you to complete the exercise, but also enough to make you shake on the last rep.

This is a program that is designed to do one of the work outs daily.  I took a day off today with the exception of my 60 squats.  I believe Lower Fix is next in the schedule.

Which brings up an important point - if you buy a Beachbody DVD... be sure to follow the work out schedule.  That schedule is created for a reason... it helps reduce injury and keeps you from being in a wheelchair.  I might have taken a motorized wheelchair today if it was offered.

T-14 Days until my first 5k of 2014.  Madison Shamrock Shuffle! 
This is why I struggle following a DVD series perfectly - I like to run and don't have the desire to stop running to faithfully complete a work out series.  I am not fit enough to consistently do the DVDs and running in one day (one day I'll do able to do that).  The DVDs do provide a good mix-up because sometimes I look at my treadmill and want to throw up (well, dry heave would be appropriate...no one likes puking).

All I have to say is... WHERE THE HELL IS SPRING???

21 Day Fix - Total Body Cardio Fix Review

I woke up this morning with a pain in my ass I haven't felt in a long time. (Excuse my language, but ass will be used a couple more times in this entry).

First and foremost, I need to apologize.  I advertised 21 Day Fix as a beginner friendly work out to friends and family.
It is beginner friendly... thank God for the "modifier" in the videos.  However, if you're like me and think "I run and work out regularly... I'm going to go balls to the walls on this video" - BE WARNED... you WILL need an ass donut to sit on the toilet the next day.  You will wish you had grab bars surrounding your toilet, sofa, refrigerator, and any area you frequent in your home.
You will feel tight and achy in your upper legs and butt the day after.

It was a great work out for 32 minutes (warm up and cool down included).
A couple times I had to stop and catch my breath (did not expect that).
A couple times I did modifier moves because I was tired, shaking, and out of breath.  This was not as easy of a work out that I was expecting.
Now, my soreness may also be because I started a squat challenge yesterday as well.  I did 50 squats before I went to bed and I could feel the tightness/soreness already starting three hours after my work out.
You could say my hair even hurts today.

This video is based around doing four rounds - each round incorporating two different exercises.  You do the exercises for 60 seconds and then get 20 seconds rest for the entire work out video.  Fun exercises and probably nothing you haven't done before.  Even if you're uncoordinated like me... you'll be able to do this.
Autumn (the trainer) does a really good job of explaining good form, giving you encouraging words, and also showing you how to make exercises even more difficult.  I seriously felt this work out was close to Insanity level work outs I've done.  Perhaps I'm a baby when it comes to body weight exercises, but a couple time I wanted to throw some choice words at Autumn that I use with Shawn T.

My first thoughts when I started the video:
-  Awesome use of different types of people in the video; you have your designated "modifier" who shows you how to do the exercises if they're too difficult.  You have your fitness buffs who you can try to keep up with.  You have your "average" weight people in the video.  It was refreshing to see a mixture because most other videos have thin, muscular people in them.
-  I did not expect Autumn's voice to be the way it was.  Silly, but that came to mind as well.  She's great at motivating you throughout the video.

I will definitely use this work out when I want to do cardio but don't feel like running.  My NEW go-to DVD cardio work out besides Insanity's Plyrometric Cardio Circuit.

To be honest, I wanted to shut the damn DVD off with seven minutes left.  I was sweating.  I was sore.  My chest burned.  But then, she started these strange plank exercises that had me struggling (my abs need some serious work).  Just the right amount of challenge in this work out.  And... I didn't want to give up.

I often encounter people online who want to lose weight, but don't want to invest in a program because "they want to do it themselves first". 
Shut. UP.
Don't get me wrong, I encourage anyone to lose weight by themselves.  Anyone can do that and only pay for healthy food, maybe some decent shoes, and maybe a gym membership.  I get it... maybe you're motivated if you have to go to the gym, or you want to see your friends in your work out class.
Good for you!  Because the above statement doesn't pertain to you then.  So if you're getting huffy/puffy... stop.  You're good.  You're motivated and you have a plan of attack.
I'm talking about the bazillions of people I have encountered online who join weight loss groups for motivation and then cry/whine about their weight and terrible eating habits but "want to stay away from the ads and people selling stuff" because "I want to do it myself".
You are... the way you are... because you're leaving it up to yourself.  There... I said it.

Programs like 21 Day Fix work.  No magic pill.  No magic shake.  You work your ass off and you control your diet.
For me personally, I would rather track my calories instead of use the measuring cups that come with the program.  But the containers work for people who are completely clueless on portions... because (da da da!) you can overeat healthy foods also.
This is my daughter using the portion containers.  Unfortunately for you and I, we cannot put three pieces of pizza and three pieces of pie in our containers.

So don't ever think you can still overeat healthy food like you're mowing down a bag of chips. 
No, you may lose some weight, but you're not going to get where you should if you don't control what you put in your mouth and work out.

So... that rant got slightly out of control.  But, bottom line... 21 Day Fix is a great program and you should purchase it if you're looking for a great program to get started in weight loss or even to add some variety to your routine.
You can purchase through me or not.  I don't care how you go about ordering it - of course I would love for you to order through me so I can support you through it - but its not going to be any more effective or less effective if you don't order from me.

I would strongly recommend drinking a protein shake an hour after the work out to help heal up your muscles... otherwise you may need to invest in an ass donut (like I should have).  I am very bad about following my own advice.  I know its important to drink or eat protein after a hard work out so I don't feel like I got hit by a semi the next day, but I never do.  And then you get to hear about me complain about it the day after.  :)

Lesson learned today:  Work out - and work out HARD.  And don't forget to buy an ass donut and invest in grab bars.