So I survived another P90x workout - Legs & Back. I was able to do it when I got home last night before going out with friends for the night. The workout was an hour and focused a lot on squats and lunge-type movements. The back component was mainly pull-ups/chin ups. No, I cannot do unassisted pull ups, but I can do them with the assistance of a chair that I stretch out in front of me. I can put as much or as little weight as I want on the chair and in the past when I done them, I've definitely felt sore the next day, so I know I'm still getting a workout from it. I think if at the end of this three months I can do even 2 pull ups unassisted, I will feel like I've made tons of progress. Overall the workout was not that bad. I hate wall squats and the one legged wall squats - they are so painful! And I'm pretty sure that my bum and thighs are going to be in so much pain later today - usually I feel the ache after 24 hours or more.
So as I mentioned yesterday, Ren. Boy and I bought a house. We're doing our final walk through of the house this evening since we take ownership of it in less than a week! The sellers just put a new roof on the house, which is wonderful. I guess it was damaged in one of the many hail storms that we had this past summer - which is great for us, because now we have a brand new roof! The house is on the edge of east-end Toronto and the burbs right down by the lake. It is so quiet and peaceful - I LOVE it. There is a TON of green space and beaches because it is close to the lake. In fact, there is a huge walking trail along the lake, which will be great for getting outside more.
Right now my apartment is FILLED with boxes - but I still feel like we are no where close to being totally packed. There is SO much left to do! If anyone has any tips on smooth transitioning into a new house, I'd love to hear it! We already have a party planned for my 27th bday later in November, so I want to get this place up and running pretty quick!! I do not want to be living in boxes for the next couple of months... it will feel so good to be all settled in!
Anyway, it is gorgeous outside today, and I'm only in my midtown Toronto neighbourhood for a little bit longer. I need to get outside and enjoy it while it lasts! I'm so going to miss this place.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Feeling the ache...
After aching for the past two days from the YogaX, I’m back with an update. I completed the remaining 30 minutes on the YogaX on Tuesday night and overall it was pretty good. The workout expects a lot of you. Fortunately, I have some background in yoga and am fairly flexible, so it wasn’t too bad. But for a person with no yoga training or flexibility, I think this workout would be incredibly difficult. With the workout being 90 minutes with next to no breaks, it was tough. And I’ve paid for it over this week. My body ached in places I didn’t even know could ache – but the upside is, at least I know it worked something!
Wednesday I was supposed to do the Legs & Back, and Ab Ripper workouts. This did not happen because I had to be at work very early that day and had a meeting that night, so I didn’t get home until close to midnight. So I switched my day of rest from Friday (today) to Wednesday.
Yesterday, Thursday, I did the Kenpo X. At the time I think I had a good reason for not going in the order suggested by P90x, but I can’t remember what it is now. But tonight when I get home I’m going to do the Legs & Back and Ab Ripper workouts.
KenpoX is best described as a kick-boxing type workout. There is a lot of stretching at the beginning and then you start by doing jabs, crosses, and undercuts. There is also kicking incorporated later on in the video. The workout is just under an hour and I was surprised that I didn’t find it to be very intense. I have to admit that some of the arm sequences I was HORRIBLE at, but overall, I found Kenpo to be pretty manageable. However, I was definitely sweating and getting my heart rate up, I just wasn’t exhausted.
So the plan now is this:
Friday night: Legs & Back, Ab Ripper
Saturday: Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper (doing the Ab ripper two days in a row may be too intense, but we’ll see)
Sunday: Plyometrics,
Monday: Chest & Back, Ab Ripper
Tuesday: Yoga X
…and then for next week, I’m going to try to get back to the P90x schedule, rather than my own confusing schedule!
This was a pretty boring post – sorry! I promise to post on more interesting life events later this weekend or week, such as my move next week with Ren. Boy (the hubby) into our NEW HOUSE!!
Wednesday I was supposed to do the Legs & Back, and Ab Ripper workouts. This did not happen because I had to be at work very early that day and had a meeting that night, so I didn’t get home until close to midnight. So I switched my day of rest from Friday (today) to Wednesday.
Yesterday, Thursday, I did the Kenpo X. At the time I think I had a good reason for not going in the order suggested by P90x, but I can’t remember what it is now. But tonight when I get home I’m going to do the Legs & Back and Ab Ripper workouts.
KenpoX is best described as a kick-boxing type workout. There is a lot of stretching at the beginning and then you start by doing jabs, crosses, and undercuts. There is also kicking incorporated later on in the video. The workout is just under an hour and I was surprised that I didn’t find it to be very intense. I have to admit that some of the arm sequences I was HORRIBLE at, but overall, I found Kenpo to be pretty manageable. However, I was definitely sweating and getting my heart rate up, I just wasn’t exhausted.
So the plan now is this:
Friday night: Legs & Back, Ab Ripper
Saturday: Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper (doing the Ab ripper two days in a row may be too intense, but we’ll see)
Sunday: Plyometrics,
Monday: Chest & Back, Ab Ripper
Tuesday: Yoga X
…and then for next week, I’m going to try to get back to the P90x schedule, rather than my own confusing schedule!
This was a pretty boring post – sorry! I promise to post on more interesting life events later this weekend or week, such as my move next week with Ren. Boy (the hubby) into our NEW HOUSE!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I'm back
After almost 6 months of non-posting and next to zero exercising, I'm back and with an agenda.
I know, I know... you've heard it from me before. But I promise this time it will be different. This time I have a better schedule and I'm newly motivated. And there is nothing holding me back. That includes no self-pity!
So what's the plan you ask?
p90x.
I'm sure many have heard about this program. It is pretty extreme and exhausting. I was going to start with the simple p90, but I found it too easy. And I don't think it will provide the same results in 3 months that p90x will.
Let's get right into it!
Starting weight: 147.4
Starting exercise: YogaX
Now you are supposed to start with Chest and Back, but I started with Yoga, thinking that I could do it before work and it wouldn't make me all sweaty. First of all, that assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. I sweated my ass off. I knew yoga was hard, but this yoga was intense!! There are pretty much no rests, unless you press the pause button and you are in and out of the positions pretty quickly. I was sweating a lot! Also, the YogaX is 90minutes (I did not know this), and so I did not have time to finish all of it this morning. My plan is to finish the last 30 minutes (all balance poses) this evening.
So that's where I'm at. I feel pretty good this morning having started the day that way. Breakfast this morning was 1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt and a sprinkling of granola on top. Probably about 150 cals in total. I'd like to get some protein in my diet for the morning, but I don't have much time to cook eggs. We'll have to see what we can do. I'll definitely try to get some protein in my lunch.
So that's it. I'm back. Join me for the ride if you want. Sorry for being so MIA.
I know, I know... you've heard it from me before. But I promise this time it will be different. This time I have a better schedule and I'm newly motivated. And there is nothing holding me back. That includes no self-pity!
So what's the plan you ask?
p90x.
I'm sure many have heard about this program. It is pretty extreme and exhausting. I was going to start with the simple p90, but I found it too easy. And I don't think it will provide the same results in 3 months that p90x will.
Let's get right into it!
Starting weight: 147.4
Starting exercise: YogaX
Now you are supposed to start with Chest and Back, but I started with Yoga, thinking that I could do it before work and it wouldn't make me all sweaty. First of all, that assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. I sweated my ass off. I knew yoga was hard, but this yoga was intense!! There are pretty much no rests, unless you press the pause button and you are in and out of the positions pretty quickly. I was sweating a lot! Also, the YogaX is 90minutes (I did not know this), and so I did not have time to finish all of it this morning. My plan is to finish the last 30 minutes (all balance poses) this evening.
So that's where I'm at. I feel pretty good this morning having started the day that way. Breakfast this morning was 1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt and a sprinkling of granola on top. Probably about 150 cals in total. I'd like to get some protein in my diet for the morning, but I don't have much time to cook eggs. We'll have to see what we can do. I'll definitely try to get some protein in my lunch.
So that's it. I'm back. Join me for the ride if you want. Sorry for being so MIA.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
"No no, Mr. Usher, I always bring water in an Absolut glass bottle. You know, I'm worried about plastics, and stuff..."
Whoa, long title!
This weekend is going to be a busy one, but I've always loved having a billion things to do on weekends. I'm not feeling so awful anymore about the, you know, bad news, so I think the weekend will help even more for that.
Last night I went to see Sex and the City. Beforehand we went to a friend's condo for cosmos and then we went to the theatre. Has anyone else seen it? I won't spoil it for people, but it was a movie experience of many firsts for me. It was the first movie where I've :
1) seen numerous women/girls wearing dresses fancy enough to be at a wedding,
2) heard women hurl insults at the male characters when they do something shady,
3) heard clapping after a good movie trailer preview,
4) heard clapping for any good kiss, sexual position, comeback or fabulous outfit,
5) seen so many digital camera flashes going off as people took pictures of themselves and their friends at the theatre,
6) heard the sound of a fairly full glass bottle of what I'm assuming is alcohol break in the middle of the movie after which the girl stands up and says to the entire theatre - "don't worry, I've got more!", or
7) been totally buzzed off of cosmopolitans and fairly certain that everyone else in the theatre was feeling exactly the same way.
It was awesome.
The rest of the weekend will look like this:
- catch up on blogs on Saturday A.M. and go for a quick run.
- get ready for wedding for law school friend midday Saturday. Many friends are coming to get ready at my place from out of town and then we are going up to Markham together. I can't wait for my mini-reunion with everyone. In first year law, I lived in a house with a bunch of people that included the guy getting married.
- attend wedding reception - my first Catholic wedding ever... I've heard they are LONG and boring and there is a lot of standing and sitting.
- check into hotel and then cab it to wedding at Angus Glen for law school friend.
- recover from wedding Sunday A.M. and have brunch with the law girls.
- meet up with friend who has lost 27lbs over the last three months! Way to go girlie! She's an inspiration!
- and then I'm in court all next week. watch out all you criminals!!
This weekend is going to be a busy one, but I've always loved having a billion things to do on weekends. I'm not feeling so awful anymore about the, you know, bad news, so I think the weekend will help even more for that.
Last night I went to see Sex and the City. Beforehand we went to a friend's condo for cosmos and then we went to the theatre. Has anyone else seen it? I won't spoil it for people, but it was a movie experience of many firsts for me. It was the first movie where I've :
1) seen numerous women/girls wearing dresses fancy enough to be at a wedding,
2) heard women hurl insults at the male characters when they do something shady,
3) heard clapping after a good movie trailer preview,
4) heard clapping for any good kiss, sexual position, comeback or fabulous outfit,
5) seen so many digital camera flashes going off as people took pictures of themselves and their friends at the theatre,
6) heard the sound of a fairly full glass bottle of what I'm assuming is alcohol break in the middle of the movie after which the girl stands up and says to the entire theatre - "don't worry, I've got more!", or
7) been totally buzzed off of cosmopolitans and fairly certain that everyone else in the theatre was feeling exactly the same way.
It was awesome.
The rest of the weekend will look like this:
- catch up on blogs on Saturday A.M. and go for a quick run.
- get ready for wedding for law school friend midday Saturday. Many friends are coming to get ready at my place from out of town and then we are going up to Markham together. I can't wait for my mini-reunion with everyone. In first year law, I lived in a house with a bunch of people that included the guy getting married.
- attend wedding reception - my first Catholic wedding ever... I've heard they are LONG and boring and there is a lot of standing and sitting.
- check into hotel and then cab it to wedding at Angus Glen for law school friend.
- recover from wedding Sunday A.M. and have brunch with the law girls.
- meet up with friend who has lost 27lbs over the last three months! Way to go girlie! She's an inspiration!
- and then I'm in court all next week. watch out all you criminals!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Not so Swanky...
So last night I received some not so good news. I’ve mentioned that I’m an articling student in the area of Criminal Law. For those from the United States, articling is sort of like interning to become a doctor. It’s the final stage in the licensing process after writing my bar ad exams. Yesterday I found out that I will not be hired back. There are 10 students here and only 3 are hired every year, so I knew that the competition was tough. And unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut. I’m disappointed, but right now I have to be positive and focus on getting a job. So that will be my focus for the next little while.
And I would have always said that I don’t eat from stress, but last night, I was definitely consoled by my McDonald’s french fries and chocolate milkshake. I haven’t had those in SO long and I craved for them hard. And this morning, I got a GRANDE Starbucks non-fat latte. So bad. And also, last night I was in no mood to go to my training session, so I cancelled it. So I feel a bit like a slug. I’m hoping that I can get my ass back into gear with some hardcore dragon boating tonight. I’m going to kick Lake Ontario’s ass tonight! So I’m sorry if I’m a bit of downer for the next little while, but I will try to remain positive.
And I will try to remain on track with this weight loss thing. I’m worried about weighing in next week (which I’ll do on Monday morning). Especially since I have wedding this weekend that is also a reunion of old law school friends. The booze will be running, that’s for sure!! However, now that I will be unemployed as of June 17, I will have plenty of time to get to the gym!
TODAY'S MENU:
Breakfast - Starbucks grande non-fat latte w/ Splenda
Lunch - it's a mystery... I'm going out with a girlfriend update: went to Swiss Chalet (mmmm!) - had a quarter chicken with white meat, and a garden salad with chalet dressing
Dinner - also a mystery... another dinner out after dragon boat (I should cut down on this eating out... since I am unemployed!)
And I would have always said that I don’t eat from stress, but last night, I was definitely consoled by my McDonald’s french fries and chocolate milkshake. I haven’t had those in SO long and I craved for them hard. And this morning, I got a GRANDE Starbucks non-fat latte. So bad. And also, last night I was in no mood to go to my training session, so I cancelled it. So I feel a bit like a slug. I’m hoping that I can get my ass back into gear with some hardcore dragon boating tonight. I’m going to kick Lake Ontario’s ass tonight! So I’m sorry if I’m a bit of downer for the next little while, but I will try to remain positive.
And I will try to remain on track with this weight loss thing. I’m worried about weighing in next week (which I’ll do on Monday morning). Especially since I have wedding this weekend that is also a reunion of old law school friends. The booze will be running, that’s for sure!! However, now that I will be unemployed as of June 17, I will have plenty of time to get to the gym!
TODAY'S MENU:
Breakfast - Starbucks grande non-fat latte w/ Splenda
Lunch - it's a mystery... I'm going out with a girlfriend update: went to Swiss Chalet (mmmm!) - had a quarter chicken with white meat, and a garden salad with chalet dressing
Dinner - also a mystery... another dinner out after dragon boat (I should cut down on this eating out... since I am unemployed!)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The hair is cut.
So the hair is cut.
Thankfully it's still long! Now I'm rocking a long but heavily layered style that I think will look sweet with beach hair in the summer. And all the damaged pieces seem to be gone. My stylist thinks it was damaged because in Nov. 2006 I went from blonde to very dark brunette. I sported that for 6 months and then last summer started to slowly go back to the blonde. Not slow enough apparently because there was a ton breakage in my hair. Sucks because before that my hair was uber healthy. So I just have to be diligent with taking my fish oil and multivitamins and eating loads of lean protein.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to post pics or not. I have this fear that because I'm a lawyer (or will be in like 3 weeks) that I should protect my identity. I'm particularly nervous about it because of the area of law I practice - criminal law. It sort of doesn't go hand in hand with people knowing a lot about my personal life.. so I'll just have to see about that!
Tonight I have training with my model boy trainer. I'm pretty sure he is going to kick my ass tonight because I totally stood him up last week while at the conference. (oops!)
Oh and does anyone have any tips for getting rid of or avoiding shin splints? I'm totally prone to them, but I love running. I'm not sure if it is the way I run or my shoes or if I'm just stuck with it... but any suggestions would be fabulous. Merci.
TODAY'S MENU:
Breakfast - so today I actually measured my breakfast and realized that I was eating 3/4 cup of Special K w/ berries cereal and only 1/8 cup of 1% milk. But totally satisfying! (I'd like to get back to my egg whites though, but I love the carbs in the morning).
Lunch - mixed greens with grilled chicken breast, pumpkin seeds and raisins
Dinner - unknown... ooo.. perplexing isn't it? It'll be whatever Renaissance Boy whips up. He's my master hottie chef.
Snacks - today I brought to work raspberries, carrots and leftover hummus. mmm hummus.
Thankfully it's still long! Now I'm rocking a long but heavily layered style that I think will look sweet with beach hair in the summer. And all the damaged pieces seem to be gone. My stylist thinks it was damaged because in Nov. 2006 I went from blonde to very dark brunette. I sported that for 6 months and then last summer started to slowly go back to the blonde. Not slow enough apparently because there was a ton breakage in my hair. Sucks because before that my hair was uber healthy. So I just have to be diligent with taking my fish oil and multivitamins and eating loads of lean protein.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to post pics or not. I have this fear that because I'm a lawyer (or will be in like 3 weeks) that I should protect my identity. I'm particularly nervous about it because of the area of law I practice - criminal law. It sort of doesn't go hand in hand with people knowing a lot about my personal life.. so I'll just have to see about that!
Tonight I have training with my model boy trainer. I'm pretty sure he is going to kick my ass tonight because I totally stood him up last week while at the conference. (oops!)
Oh and does anyone have any tips for getting rid of or avoiding shin splints? I'm totally prone to them, but I love running. I'm not sure if it is the way I run or my shoes or if I'm just stuck with it... but any suggestions would be fabulous. Merci.
TODAY'S MENU:
Breakfast - so today I actually measured my breakfast and realized that I was eating 3/4 cup of Special K w/ berries cereal and only 1/8 cup of 1% milk. But totally satisfying! (I'd like to get back to my egg whites though, but I love the carbs in the morning).
Lunch - mixed greens with grilled chicken breast, pumpkin seeds and raisins
Dinner - unknown... ooo.. perplexing isn't it? It'll be whatever Renaissance Boy whips up. He's my master hottie chef.
Snacks - today I brought to work raspberries, carrots and leftover hummus. mmm hummus.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
On a Roll
I woke up early again this morning to go for a run. It felt great! And I did the same distance as yesterday in less time. I love quick progress. I'm going to have to lengthen the distance now, because a 20 minute run in the morning is just not going to cut it.
I didn't, however, make it to the gym last night. I ended up working late and so after a late dinner at home, Renaissance Boy and I hit the streets and went for a walk for just over an hour and a half. I think that is pretty good, although not the same as lifting weights for an hour.
Today is another day at the office and tonight I am getting my hair cut. I've had blunt heavy bangs for over three months now, and while they are super cute, I'm pretty tired of them. And it would be nice to look my own age for a change. Lately as well, I've been noticing that my hair has been doing this weird "christmas tree" effect... so that when I blow dry it all these little ends flip out all over my head. It is a crisis people!!
I have no idea what my hairdresser is going to suggest, but it might involve going much shorter. Right now I have long hair that goes past my shoulders. Short hair makes me look like I'm a twelve year old, so I'm scared.
That's it for now... there might be some drama later today (long story), so check in for an update.
TODAY'S MENU:
Breakfast - 1 cup of Special K w/ berries, 1/4 1% milk
Snack - vegan cupcake (brought in by a colleague who NEVER bakes... it was pretty tiny... i know, I know, excuses, excuses...)
Lunch - salad w/ raisins and soy nuts, hummus and whole wheat pita
Dinner - unknown... update to come
I didn't, however, make it to the gym last night. I ended up working late and so after a late dinner at home, Renaissance Boy and I hit the streets and went for a walk for just over an hour and a half. I think that is pretty good, although not the same as lifting weights for an hour.
Today is another day at the office and tonight I am getting my hair cut. I've had blunt heavy bangs for over three months now, and while they are super cute, I'm pretty tired of them. And it would be nice to look my own age for a change. Lately as well, I've been noticing that my hair has been doing this weird "christmas tree" effect... so that when I blow dry it all these little ends flip out all over my head. It is a crisis people!!
I have no idea what my hairdresser is going to suggest, but it might involve going much shorter. Right now I have long hair that goes past my shoulders. Short hair makes me look like I'm a twelve year old, so I'm scared.
That's it for now... there might be some drama later today (long story), so check in for an update.
TODAY'S MENU:
Breakfast - 1 cup of Special K w/ berries, 1/4 1% milk
Snack - vegan cupcake (brought in by a colleague who NEVER bakes... it was pretty tiny... i know, I know, excuses, excuses...)
Lunch - salad w/ raisins and soy nuts, hummus and whole wheat pita
Dinner - unknown... update to come
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