NTHG 2-week challenge

chuisle

Also, I'm starting a new 2 week challenge here but having trouble deciding on work outs. My friend burned me the first 4 weeks of insanity so I think I might try that. Too bad I am already off schedule by a day and I don't think I can commit to working out 6 days a week on top of my 2 midday work out sessions. I might just do the work outs on the days when I was planning on anyways.

I also start an evening class next week and take the GRE but I want to go into the new semester with good habits so I don't use class as an excuse to miss my work outs.

1. Continue to try to carb cycle and figure out what levels work for me.
2. Do 5 work outs per week.

mamareese

Great goals Chuisle. I can see why the full 6 days on top of your busy life plus midday workouts would be too much Insanity!!

Goals for me this week are to get in the right amount of protein so around 120ish g per day to stick with a higher protein/lower carb diet. Not going to be easy thanks to being a woman this week! I'd rather eat Milky Way Caramels and sip on soda...but I'll avoid! And, second, will be to not come off plan on Tuesdays just because I'm at my parents!! This is a constant issue for me. At 29, you'd think I could stick to my guns regardless of where I'm at but something about 'being home' leaves me loosening the reigns. It hasn't been too bad lately because my parents are doing Weight Watchers so calorie wise- I've been fine but we all know the came of macro-nutrients at this point matters too- so gotta stay on top of it. Oh, and did I mention we are also taking the kids to the fair Tuesday...yikes -that will take some planning!! :laugh:

jenomaha

Sounds like you all have a game plan!! My last challenge didn't work out so well for me. Although my weight has stayed within my goal range, I have definitely gotten sloppy and loose (too many ice cream treats!)

I have decided to compete as a Figure Athlete next summer. For the next 2 weeks (rest of August) I am just going to try and maintain and just "be" because Sept 1, I start my training nutrition plan. Not sure what that looks like yet, but I will probably be in somewhat of a "bulking" phase. I'm doing research now and planning with my trainer, so we will se what that will look like. For now, I will just keep working out 5 days a week, getting enough daily protein and just keep logging

Have a fabulous day and good luck with this week's goals!

chuisle

Great goals Chuisle. I can see why the full 6 days on top of your busy life plus midday workouts would be too much Insanity!!

Goals for me this week are to get in the right amount of protein so around 120ish g per day to stick with a higher protein/lower carb diet. Not going to be easy thanks to being a woman this week! I'd rather eat Milky Way Caramels and sip on soda...but I'll avoid! And, second, will be to not come off plan on Tuesdays just because I'm at my parents!! This is a constant issue for me. At 29, you'd think I could stick to my guns regardless of where I'm at but something about 'being home' leaves me loosening the reigns. It hasn't been too bad lately because my parents are doing Weight Watchers so calorie wise- I've been fine but we all know the came of macro-nutrients at this point matters too- so gotta stay on top of it. Oh, and did I mention we are also taking the kids to the fair Tuesday...yikes -that will take some planning!! :laugh:

Ah, yes, those dreaded social gathering and interruptions to the schedule! Sometimes I embrace them as a "high carb" or cheat day but when they come smack dab in the middle of the week they feel like a nuisance. I've been finding the more that I steel my resolve right before the crucial moment (looking at the menu, picking up the plate for the buffet, etc.) the better I do. Also, eating ahead of time...like I would maybe try to munch a bunch of grilled chicken right before the fair then pick a small splurge while you are there. But goodness it is tough!

Jenomaha, that is so exciting! Good luck and enjoy your new adventure. While I don't think I want to compete as i mentioned, since I work out partly for health and mostly for aesthetic reasons the figure athlete diets/workouts are great. Keep us updated!

amysj303

ah, been slacking the days of my sister's visit. Will run tonight.
I am curious, Jen, to see what your training and diet will look like for the fitness competition, that is awesome, by the way, what a goal, I'm glad you are on this site with the us!
I am worried about Warrior Dash, a little, but I guess I will just do what I can and regroup here after that!
Love the costumes, Kate, and it's always fun to have a passle of girls to dress up with!

chuisle

okay, so despite my best intentions this week has not been going well! I have been trying to make healthy choices but didn't pay much attention to the carbs or work outs. I am going to get back on it today but hold off on the carb cutting until next week and restart...


Also, does anyone have those weeks when it feels like your body is falling apart? My wrist has been kiling me, my knee hurt Monday, my back has been a bit of a bother and my neck is stiff. Merde! Hopefully working out for the next few days and taking it easy will help.

mamareese

chuisle- Those are the weeks I say to myself 'Maybe I really am getting old!" but at 29...I AM getting a little older.:laugh: I hear you though...it might be a good thing you didn't pay much attention to those carbs or workouts- you're body might be saying 'hey...a little break isn't a bad thing!' I had to give my legs a break at the beginning of this week...between the squats and volleyball they were SHOT.


Way do I want to just say F it and eat Chinese today?! I won't because I already made a salad and I wouldn't want to waste all the time I put into making it at 6am this morning. But yum...that is all. :devil:

chuisle

chuisle- Those are the weeks I say to myself 'Maybe I really am getting old!" but at 29...I AM getting a little older.:laugh: I hear you though...it might be a good thing you didn't pay much attention to those carbs or workouts- you're body might be saying 'hey...a little break isn't a bad thing!' I had to give my legs a break at the beginning of this week...between the squats and volleyball they were SHOT.

Yeah, I am beginning to think that way. I think when I started this journey in January it was crucial that I didn't let myself off the hook, even if I was tired etc. Now that I think I've begun to really internalize some of these changes I feel more trusting of my body when it says, I don't want to do that! Flexibility with my work out and diet decisions is okay because I'm operating in a place where even on a bad day its 1. not as bad as it used to be 2. I know that I'll "get back on the wagon"

That said, I am ready to really hit it for the next two weeks after this to prove to myself I can do it.

amysj303

I keep checking in here but I am not ready for a two week challenge yet. Monday! Monday I will start and it will be good, I got organic veggies bein delivered, I got some prepared dinners I put together last night (Dream Dinners groupon). I just need a fitness challenge, do I go back to KISS, or Sexy Female, or try something new? Maybe it's time for me to finally do Body Rocks!

jenomaha

Hey ladies, I am experiencing all of the above, lol!! Although I said I was giving myself a break, I have gone completely bonkers!! I'm getting back on Monday. I feel like a bloated, squishy, sluggish cow :sad: Sad thing is, I know what I'm eating is bad for me and yet I still keep eating it. I'm still working out really hard, but eating everything in sight :blushing: Enough is enough and I'm ready to be accountable again. I'll start with you on Monday Amy!!!

Have a great weekend!! We can do this!!!

amysj303

I completed the Warrior Dash in 39 minutes! It was tough, I walked up the hills a lot. I thought the mud was last but it was half way! so I was like, what?! I logged it as hiking but it had to burn more calories than that!

chuisle

I completed the Warrior Dash in 39 minutes! It was tough, I walked up the hills a lot. I thought the mud was last but it was half way! so I was like, what?! I logged it as hiking but it had to burn more calories than that!

AWESOME! Congratulations, Amy! Say it burned 30% more calories than hiking...take the hiking number and multiply it by 1.3 and manually change it?

And I am TOTALLY with you ladies on getting back to it! I wanted to do it last week but found I just wasn't quite ready. However, I woke up this morning and did Rachel Cosgrove's 45 minute work out before and I feel ready to keep it up this week. We can do it!

jenomaha

Congrats Amy!!! I hope you had fun doing it!! I want to do one next year, don't think I could fit one in this year!

So I started a modified version of Jamie Easons Live Fit 12 week program on Saturday. I say modified because I add a cou-ple more exercises than what she ha listed. Also, she says no cardio in the first part, but being that I teach, I have to do cardio. Anyways, I will do the second workout this morning. The nutrition p lan is nicely laid out for you and you have a lot of options and flexibility (imo). Here is a link if anyone wants to check it out!

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-phase-1.html

Have a fabulous day ladies!!!

amysj303

I am feeling ready for the week. I think my plan this week is to stick to 1200 cals and body rocks workout everyday. I have rehearsal dinner Friday and wedding Saturday, though. then, maybe for September I will try the Jamie Eason workout, it looks like a good one!

mamareese

Jenohma- HOw ironic! I started the Jamie Eason Livefit today too...with some modifications. I know she said no cardio in the beginning but I've slacked enough last week, I needed the cardio so I'm alternating those 3 workouts with 3 cardio based workouts. Plus, hopefully my *kitten* will get moving and do a bodyrock at least 4 times this week.

Amy- I'm with you on needing to stick to cals as part of my challenge. I'm on vacation until Wednesday and have been on vacation from eating right- that's for sure. My weight is still fluctuating the same but the bloating, the feeling sooooo fat in my clothes is ridiculous. Congrats on the warrior dash too! That's awesome! Great accomplishment and so much fun!

jenomaha

Yes!!! I need to stck to cals too since I have taken a break from tracking.

Mamareese, modified is the key I never do anything to a "T" lol!!!

Good luck everyone with this next challenge!!!

shander7

hey everyone! I'm back from my week off and desperately feeling the damage I did! Last week I ate without thinking and drank a bunch pretty much every night! I feel like my body really needs to detox with healthy foods and that is my plan for the week! I'm going to stay at or under calories, actually go to the gym and try not to drink so much!

amysj303

nice bikini pic, shander!
I didn't bodyrock last night, I watched the fat-burning one but wasn't sure how to do any alternative of the dip station, since I don't have one. But, my friend came over and she wanted to run around the lake, so that's what I did.

chuisle

Love the bikini pic shander! You look awesome! Love the swimsuit too!

Despite my best intentions, yesterday wasn't great. My sister had an allergic reaction to some medication and had to be rushed to the hospital (she lost visions, had trouble breathing, her blood pressure bottomed out). Thankfully she is just fine now but it meant that I spent all afternoon and evening at the hospital and didn't eat well. She wanted pizza and french fries so I picked some up (thankfully, it was a local place so I know the french were actually just a potato etc.)

Oh well! So goes life! At least she's okay and I got my workout in before work and the hospital!

amysj303

Yikes, I am glad she is ok, that is scary! But good to know it wasn't anything pizza AND french fries couldn't fix;) I tease...
Tonight is a friends b-day and the plan is for picnic in the park. I am making sangria and a crisp-crust pizza, I have heard there will be lemon cupcakes.
I don't see a chance to workout so I am going to be over on cals.
Also, I have PMS and I don't want to think about staying under cals at all right now, but I heard from the place where I had groupon for boudoir photos and they only have a couple of slots left so I may have to book it and then I won't have as much time as I'd hoped to get into shape, especially with a trip to Spain in between!

amysj303

ok, chang o plans! back to Sexy Female for the rest of the month. I scheduled the boudoir photo shoot for Oct. 1, they were running out of Saturdays. I am a little worried since it is 4 days after we get back from Spain, so I am going to have to be really good until then, earn my vacation but remain reasonable. I don't know, maybe I am making a mistake?

chuisle

ok, chang o plans! back to Sexy Female for the rest of the month. I scheduled the boudoir photo shoot for Oct. 1, they were running out of Saturdays. I am a little worried since it is 4 days after we get back from Spain, so I am going to have to be really good until then, earn my vacation but remain reasonable. I don't know, maybe I am making a mistake?

Can you do even a week later? I think the main difference will be mental...if you put in a solid week of work outs and health you will feel better at the shoot and worry less over vacation.

Regardless, I am sure you will look fabulous!!

amysj303

Oct. 1 is the latest date they have! I know you are right, Kate, but I don't have a choice, unless I want to do it Sept. 10, but that seems so close...

jenomaha

Kate, sorry about your sis, but so glad she is ok!!

Amy, it is amazing what a few days of clean eating will do...if you do Sept 10, I bet you could rock it!!! I did a budoir photo shoot and loved it! That of course was 15 lbs ago. My husband looked at one of the pics yesterday and said, you need another photo shoot because your butt's not that big anymore, lol!!!

I've been doing great with my eating and workouts this week. Scale is moving, slowly, but moving. Hope to make some progress the rest of the week because we are going camping this weekend. That usually means smores!!!

Happy Hump Day!! :bigsmile:

mamareese

Kate- Glad your sister is okay! All caution gets thrown to the wind when responding to a sister! I know! Good luck with the GRE tomorrow.

Amy- So glad you got an appointment set up! I'm sure you'll do fine on vacation and look amazing for the photo shoot!

Jenomaha- Loved your optimistic post on the wall this morning! On day 2 of my return from vacation, I needed to think of the positive in today!! Love me some smores. The count down is getting lower for your start on getting competition ready right? Are you excited and all set?

I did Jamie Eason's Live Fit Back & Body today. It was great, I just get a little case of ADD during rests..they are the longest 60 seconds of my life. :laugh: Packed a bag full of goodness to in an attempt to eat along the lines of her plans. I'm trying to follow it as closely as possible. Minus some of the supplements. I've tried BCAAs and couldn't stomach them. But hopefully be 95% on par with her plan will still yield some decent results!!

amysj303

Great work Jen and Reese. I want to try Jamie Eason's Live Fit I was just worried about the no cardio for a month, so I think I will wait, but I could probably benefit from the nutrition part. What do your meals look like? Do you really eat 5 egg white for breakfast?
I did the Day 1 of the Sexy Female workout, felt good after my break. Will do Day 2 tonight...

mamareese

Amy- Today has been a 'good' day as I transition into her eating plan. Good, atleast by my standards! ( you can check out today's food diary) I still have some foods in the fridge that I bought that need used up like the chicken sausage I've been eating for protein and Jamie suggests just straight up chicken breasts, turkey etc. I also forgot carbs in the am which is going to be a struggle for me as I do tend to avoid these things. It takes some prep. I made rice and salad last night at 10 after the kids went to bed. But with DH being on a transition into a different eating plan, I'm cooking regularly for him too! So why not add me into the mix! I figure as long as I make good choices along the lines and get the concept of what she's preaching under control the benefits will outweigh where I've been at with the ups and downs.

shander7

Sorry I've been MIA this week! Work has been wicked busy so I haven't had time to respond! Thanks girls for the comment on the pic! Fortunately that was taken at the beginning of my vacation last week I've been doing much better this week though! I've eaten an egg for breakfast every day and I've had salads for lunch and a decent dinner. So I've been doing well food wise! I also have gone to jazz 3 times so far, I was upset that I had to miss last night, but I had to work on a big project that's due by the end of the day today!

For the weekend I hope to get in a work out or 2, depending on if I can get out of the house with the hurricane potentially hitting us! I want to start 30DS again soon, maybe jump into part 2 since I never made it past part 1!

Everyone looks like they're doing great!

shander7

Love the bikini pic shander! You look awesome! Love the swimsuit too!

Despite my best intentions, yesterday wasn't great. My sister had an allergic reaction to some medication and had to be rushed to the hospital (she lost visions, had trouble breathing, her blood pressure bottomed out). Thankfully she is just fine now but it meant that I spent all afternoon and evening at the hospital and didn't eat well. She wanted pizza and french fries so I picked some up (thankfully, it was a local place so I know the french were actually just a potato etc.)

Oh well! So goes life! At least she's okay and I got my workout in before work and the hospital!

I'm glad your sister is okay!! that must have been really scary! Such a good sister for getting the food she wanted

amysj303

your diary does look good, Reese. I did the jogging last night but forgot the Supermans. oh well, I think I am going on a two-day break. Headed to Frisco for a friend's wedding, I am a bridesmaid, and so rehearsal tonight and wedding tomorrow. Home on Sunday and I plan to get back to it, I want to go to the grocery and make my egg breakfast, protein and salad for lunch. I got the Dream Dinners and most of them are ok on cals, but maybe not as strict as necessary.
Jamie Eason's plan is a tough one!