Saturday, December 21, 2013

Pregnancy Exercises

Well, I've finished my round of personal training sessions.  Halfway through, I lost my original trainer, so my workouts were much less challenging after that.

And now, I'm about 24 weeks along and find that my belly interferes with a lot of the things I had been doing - even walking on the treadmill.

So, now I rotate between the elliptical trainer, bicycle, and machine weights.

Any good ideas for pregnancy workouts?

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Nov. 24 - Dec. 7 for Jess

Sun: nothing
Mon: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Tues - Sat: nothing


Sun.-Tues: nothing
Wed: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Thurs: Dance with Julianne, Ballroom: did the cha-cha and jive sections (and warm-up and cool-down!)
Fri: nothing
Sat: 30 Day Shred, Level 1

Turns out that if I put on my exercise clothes first thing in the morning, I'm more likely to exercise. Whodathunkit? :)

-Jess

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Nov. 3 - Nov. 9 for Jess

Sun: nothing
Mon: nothing
Tues: nothing
Wed: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism
Thurs: nothing
Fri: No More Trouble Zones
Sat:

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Oct. 27 - Nov. 2 for Jessica

Sun: nothing
Mon: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Tues: nothing
Wed: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Thurs: 4.5 hours heavy housework
Fri: 30 min. walk
Sat: nothing

-Jess

Monday, October 28, 2013

Sept. 15 - Sept. 21

Sun: nothing
Mon: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Tues: nothing
Wed: nothing
Thurs: about a 30 minute hike, hilly but not fast.
Fri:  ?
Sat: ?

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

What I've been doing

Exercise has been happening, even though I haven't posted about it.  A new gym opened near us at the beginning of August, and I've been going at least three times a week.  For the past month, one of those days has been committed to working with a personal trainer, which I've enjoyed.  It has definitely added variety to my workout and challenged me in new ways.  Beyond that, I've been doing spin, cardio machines, and machine weights.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Sept. 8 - Sept. 14

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tues: hour+ walk with dog
Wed: this workout - WOW. So out of breath.
Thurs: nothing
Friday: nothing
Saturday: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD

-Jessica

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Sept. 1 - Sept. 7

Sun: nothing
Mon: nothing
Tues: took the new dog for a long walk!
Wed: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Thurs: took the new dog for a shorter walk
Fri: nothing
Sat: nothing

I'm finding having a dog is making me more active every day - even on the "nothing" days I'm doing more walking and active playing b/c of the dog. Cool!

-Jess

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

8/25/13 - 8/31/13

Sun: nothing
Mon: heavy cleaning, including moving furniture
Tues: Personal Training with Jackie, minus arm and back sections (pulled my shoulder a bit yesterday moving furniture!)
Wed: nothing
Thurs: Kickbox FastFix, Level 1
Fri: nothing
Sat: nothing

I only officially worked out twice, but it still felt like a good, active week. I'm  happy with this!  :)

-Jess

Saturday, August 24, 2013

the rest of the week

Friday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Saturday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3

-Jess

Thursday, August 22, 2013

sometimes I do this weird thing called exercise . . .

Mon., July 29: 30 Day Shred, Level 1

. . . . aaaand, skip to . . . .

Thurs., August 22: 30 Day Shred, Level 1


-Jess

Monday, July 29, 2013

The last few weeks. . .

Wk of July 7 - water aerobics; weightlifting at the gym
Wk of July 14 - Ab Ripper X
Wk of July 21 - water aerobicx (x2); hanging ab crunches

WW is still going well.  I've lost a total of 12 lbs overall, and I have finally reached my pre-baby weight (4 yrs after his birth . . .).  I looks like I'm going to need to work harder on working out as weight loss is slowing down a bit.  Of course, that might have something to do with our Cheesecake Factory visit last week . . . yum.

In other exciting news, Gold's Gym opens up near us in a couple of weeks.  We've already got our membership, and I'm itching to get into a spin class.

The rest of the week . . .

I did Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred on Thursday, which brought my total number of workouts last week up to TWO. :) But that's better than one!

This week, I'm going for three. :D

-Jess

Monday, July 22, 2013

a scattering of workouts

Week-before-last: Jilllian Michaels' Biggest Winner, Maximize, Back in Action (what a title!)

Last week: Jillian Michaels' Kickbox Fastfix, I-forget-which-level

Today: Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30, Level 4


 . . . and this week, my goal is to work out more than once!

-Jess

Monday, July 8, 2013

Week 4

M- Prevention Belly, Butt, and Thighs (almost all- interrupted)
T- Bob's Pure Strength beginner 20 min
W- Jillian's yoga meltdown level 2
R- Running Club (2 miles) 
F- walked around Austin carrying a 15lb baby and chasing a toddler- counts right? :) 
S- nothing
S- Jillian's yoga meltdown level 2

We went to Austin this week for a mini vacation. It was awesome- reminded me of the CA lifestyle a bit. 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

In the pool . . .

We've had family visiting this week, so I haven't done my usual treadmill routines.  I did pick up a water aerobics class again this summer, though.  Last time around, I was in decent shape and wasn't too impressed by the level of difficulty of the course.  I was, however, impressed by the tan I got while in the class and stuck with it.

This summer, with a year of distance from my gym days, my condition can best be described as "jiggly."  So I should not be surprised that, after only two classes in the pool, my calf muscles feel like they have knots in them.  No pain, no gain, right?

Monday, July 1, 2013

last week

Last week we were on vacation in the mountains, so I did some swimming and walking and rock-scrambling.

Also, I did over an hour of karate with Adam (oh, my quads!).

AND, I did a 52-card workout with my super-fit sister and brother-in-law. The idea is that you assign one exercise to each suite of cards, and then go through the whole deck, doing the number of exercises indicated on the cards (and 11 for jacks, 12 for queens, 13 for kings, and 14 for aces). We did squats for spades, sit-ups for clubs, burpies for hearts, and push-ups for diamonds.

I quickly substituted knee push-ups for diamonds and jumping jacks for hearts (I just did jumping jacks for as long as it took them to do the assigned number of burpies).

But oh-my-goodness, that still makes for one looooooooooooong workout!

And my bad-ass sister did real push-ups and real burpies for the WHOLE THING. :D

-Jess

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Remembering that I still have a postpartum body

M- Jillian's yoga meltdown level 2
T- Bob's Pure Strength (60 minute full workout)
W- Nothing
R- Running Club (1.2 miles) Bob's 20 min. workout
F- 10 minute ab video by Prevention 
S- Walk 2 miles with baby Anna
S- Nothing

I have long loved this DVD: http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Harper-Pure-Super-Strength/dp/B003ULW71Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372638569&sr=8-1&keywords=bob+pure+strength
Doing the full 60 minute workout was too much for me. I'm still nursing and carrying my nearly 15lb 2.5 month old around all the time. Next time, I'll try to split it over 2 days. I just got so excited to actually finish such a long workout. My kids were playing nicely and I actually had the time for once.

Running club- we have a little running/walking club in Houston and try to meet every week. We run around a large baseball field with our kids. The field is closed in so that we can control the possible escapees! After 25 laps around the kids earn a running necklace/chain with a little foot that attaches. They keep earning different color feet for every 25 laps they complete. It has been a lot of fun! Last week we brought watermelon to quench our thirst afterwards. It is SO hot here!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Last Week

M: Walk/jog combo on treadmill
T: Incline walk on treadmill
W: P90X back & biceps & Ab Ripper X
Th: nada
F: nada
S: Incline walk/jog combo on treadmill
Su: nada

Exercising is becoming a more natural part of my routine.  Also, WW is going well.  I've lost 9 lbs in 3 weeks and haven't felt horribly deprived in the process.  I like this plan because it hasn't required significant changes in my eating habits, which, in the past, have always been difficult to maintain.  I can eat the foods that I like, in moderation of course, and enjoy the benefits of weight loss.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Week 2

M- Jillian's yoga meltdown level 1
T- Jillian's yoga meltdown level 2
W- Shred level 1
R- Jillian's yoga meltdown level 1
F- rest- my arms were killing me
S- Walk 2 miles, YM level 2
S- Walk 1 mile

Still a good week. Trying to figure out how to get the kids more involved, or something that they could do. It is hot and full of mosquitoes outside.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Yoga Meltdown

Just a quick note :)

Reallly loving level one of this workout! It gives me a good workout without hurting my hips (the whole bursitis thing). I have not ever done traditional yoga. Can I say that? Is there "traditional" yoga? I am pretty sure that Jillian's version is not very authentic, but it fits my style- mostly strength with some cardio. I am not losing any weight, but my arms, back, legs, and core are definitely improving. Feeling stronger has really boosted my morale. :)

Monday, June 17, 2013

Getting into shape after baby!

I am getting back into shape after little Anna Lucille came along :) I am going back to my old favorite (quick and to the point!) 30 day shred. Jillian's yoga meltdown has been something I have wanted to try, so I plan on using that DVD too. No outdoor exercise for now, or I will get eaten alive by mosquitoes or give the baby heat rash. Houston. Summers.

M-
T- Shred level 1
W- walk 1 mile carrying baby
R- Shred level 2
F- Shred level 1, walk 1 mile
S- Began shred level 2... interrupted..
S- Shred level 2, Jillian's yoga meltdown

A good first week! I need to work out to keep my sanity more than anything else :)

Friday, June 14, 2013

Long Time No Post

So the last three weeks are a bit of a blur.  I remember working out two days in each of the past three weeks.  A minimum of three days a week is my goal, so I still have some work to do.

Also, last week, my hubby and I joined Weight Watchers online.  We've both lost 5 lbs so far - definitely more than I expected in the first week!  It seems like the weight loss is slowing a bit this week, which is to be expected.  In any event, we're enjoying the recipes and are working to overcome the occasional junk cravings that everyone experiences.  

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Kickbox Fastfix, Level 1

I really like this workout. It's fast and it's fun. This level supposedly concentrates on arms, but that mostly means there's a couple of sets of flies in the midst of all the kicking and punching.

-Jess

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Ripped in 30, Level 3

Possibly the most unpleasant level on this DVD - there's just no breathing room anywhere in it. EVERYTHING is hard.

I'm sure it's good for me. And it's done now HAHAHAHAHA. :P

-Jess

Sunday, May 26, 2013

3 for me!

In my first "normal" week in a long time, I was able to hit my target of 3 exercise sessions for the week.

T: run/walk intervals on the treadmill
W: uphill walk on treadmill, brisk pace
Th: the 7 minute scientific exercise, x2 (I definitely need to do more squats - my poor legs were very sore the next day).

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Ripped in 30, Level 2

Did this DVD today, and walked on Wed.
-Jess

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Ripped in 30, Level 1

This felt really familiar, like I done it sometime recently, but I couldn't find a record of having done it recently here on the blog. Oh well, maybe I just forgot to log it. But! I did it today. :)

-Jess

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

etc.

Yesterday I did a bit more than a half and hour of walking. You know, running is fine and fun, but I really like walking. I can think. I can plot the next chapter of my book! Walking rocks. I think I've developed an affection for it.

And today I tried this nifty work-out. No equipment, whole-body, very awesome. I went through it twice, and then added on 5 min. of plyometrics for good measure.

-Jess

Weeks 17 & 18

Not much to report.  Allergy symptoms hit hard during the week of finals, and I only managed one exercise session - P90X chest, shoulders & triceps.

The following week (last week), I was back outside again with a jog on Tuesday and a walk on Thursday.  

Sunday, May 12, 2013

walking and hiking

Friday I walked for about 35 minutes (in place of running) and today we all went for a hike. I'm not sure how long the hike was - we were hiking for 80 minutes, maybe? but it wasn't very fast. :) Lots of uphill, though!

-Jess

Saturday, May 11, 2013

back!

Hey, Jessica--Have you had someone look at your running stance?  Focusing on your running form might help with your knee issue.  For example, a lot of women tend to straighten their legs while running and this is much harder on the knee joint.  Also, their are exercises you can do to build muscles around the knee too.  Just a thought!

Re: me--I've been pretty good at exercising 4-5 days a week (usually 5) for the last few months.  I started alternating running days with strength training late Feb and, lo and behold, within a couple weeks I was back to my pre-preg 6 miles!!!  Very happy about that (though I don't do that often because running 6 miles with a jogging stroller is no fun).

However, whether it is the stress/anxiety from this last term plus the new stress of moving, I don't exactly know, but I've been struggling with boredom/discouragement in my workouts.  I think it is just the inconvenience of having a toddler when it comes to exercise, but I feel like no routine quite works right now.  This week I started getting up a bit earlier to try running before the kids go to school, but that means I am just doing 2 miles (I am NOT a morning person).  And then I try to finish up my workout with pilates/light weight lifting during the morning mayhem of breakfast.  Not the most ideal situation.

Hopefully, I can get used to waking up earlier or a good routine might just have to wait until we move.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

running

Went for a 25 minute run tonight - and it felt okay, my knees ached a bit like usual - but afterwards: ow. I think my knee is done being "oh I kind of hate this in the moment" and onto the "I SHALL BURN YOU WITH FIRE YOU TERRIBLE WOMAN WITH DELUSIONS OF RUNNING".  :D  We'll see!

-Jess

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Wks 15 & 16

My mind has turned to mush now that the semester is winding to a close.  Exercise has taken a back seat (unfortunately), but a cleared schedule should change that this week.

Here's what I remember of Wks 15 & 16:

2 walks
P90X chest/shoulders/triceps x2

My treadmill and I need to be reaquainted this week so I can shed the couple of pounds I gained sitting around and grading essays.  Ugh . . .

No More Trouble Zones

Did this DVD today. Missed a lot of workouts last week - partly because Adam was sick for part of the week and partly because I was pushing to finish a book project (which I did! one down, one to go!).

Feels nice to be working out again, though.

-Jess

Monday, April 29, 2013

C25K, Week 7, Workouts 2 & 3

Workout 2 was on Friday, and workout 3 today. Both workouts were just running for 25 minutes, but, oh, today's suuuuuuuuuuuuucked.

I think it was the shoes. I was wearing shoes and socks, instead of my Vibrams, and it took me a couple laps to realize why I was feeling so lousy. But my feet were hot, my legs felt like lead, and my knees (both of them!) ached the entire time. And my feet ached. And my toe went numb. Ugh. Not doing that again. Nope. Vibrams for me!

The only thing that kept me going was the thought that I'd completed every workout in this program so far, and I wasn't going to stop now!  Adam told me today, "Hey, guess what? This is the last time we have to run for 25 minutes!" and I said, "'Cause next time we're running for 28 minutes?" and he said, "Yep!" :D

-Jess

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 1

I'd forgotten that this has some fun martial arts stuff at the end. Love the kicking exercises!

-Jess

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Weeks 13 & 14

Both weeks, I did the P90X chest, shoulders & triceps workout.  This one is challenging but fun.  It includes one armed push ups, clap push ups, slow push ups, fast push ups (you get the idea) and weights.

I also got a walk/jog in both weeks.

The end of the semester is almost here, which means that some of the energy that I am currently putting into grading can soon be shifted into exercise. Yay!

Monday, April 22, 2013

C25K: Week 6, Workout 3

Which was a walking warm-up, 22 minutes of running (I think I was doing about a 9.5 min. mile), and then a walking cool-down.

-Jess

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Killer Buns and Thighs

Did Level 3 today. I'm getting close to finishing my quest to do every level in all of my circuit training DVD's.

-Jess

Friday, April 19, 2013

C25K: Week 6, Workout 2

This was a repeat, as being sick all Spring Break threw (I almost wrote "through") us off our running schedule.

-Jess

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Jillian Michaels' Killer Buns and Thighs

Did Level II of this today. Had forgotten the awful, terrible, no-good star jumps at the very end. Ugh.

But good to be working out again! It's been a crazy week.

-Jess

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Yoga for the Warrior

Did the hour-long section of this DVD today.

-Jess

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Body Rev Cardio Conditioning

Did the hour-long section of this Bob Harper DVD today.

-Jessica

Thursday, April 11, 2013

short Bob Harper workouts

Well, we were sick all through Bright Week (I know, right?), so I'm just back to working out today.

To get back into the swing of things, I did three of the short workouts that Bob Harper tends to stick on the end of his hour-long DVDs. So, I did the short workouts from his Yoga DVD, his Core DVD and his Cardio DVD.

I think it was about 40 minutes of exercise in all.

-Jess

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Week 12

A whole lotta nothing!

But the weather has been beautiful, and I'm looking forward to getting outside again.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Weeks 10 & 11

My memory is a little fuzzy because I have had a lot going on lately, but Weeks 10 & 11 went something like this:

Week 10:
Plyo
Walk/jog
Arms/Shoulders
Walk/jog ???? - not sure if this happened, or if I'm imagining it.

Week 11:
Legs/back
Walk
Kenpo
Walk

And then Easter happened, and physical fitness and diet went by the wayside . . . temporarily.

Friday, March 29, 2013

went for a run

Not an official C25K workout, as our schedule's all crazy with Holy Week. But I went out and ran for 22 minutes, and mapped it afterwards. It was almost 2.3 miles, which means I'm running a little less than a ten minute mile, which: yay! That's perfectly respectable, especially considering how hilly my route was, and that it was the middle of the day, in the full sun.

I did about a five minute warm-up and five-mute cool-down too, walking.

Also, this was a similar route to one I took back in the first week or so of the program, when I was walking more of the time than I was running. Really cool to just be able to run the whole thing, without stopping, and go even further than I could be for. That was a really, really nice pay-off for the last few months' work.

-Jess

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Bob Harper Ripped Core DVD

I did the longer workout on this one today.

-Jess

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Kickbox FastFix

Did workout 2 (lower body) on this DVD, and threw in 40 squats at the end as a preventative measure against knee injury (squats are supposed to help).

-Jess

Monday, March 25, 2013

C25K: Week 6, Workout 2

Which, sadly, is the last workout in this program that doesn't include 20+ minutes straight of running. Le sigh.

Oh, well. I'm sure if the program thinks I'm ready for it, I must be ready for it. Right? right?


Ignoring the sound of crickets,
Jess

Friday, March 22, 2013

C25K: Week 6, Workout 1

Done.

-Jess

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Maximize - Full Frontal

What a name for a DVD title, eh?

-Jess

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

C25K: Week 5, Workout 3

This was the 20 minutes straight of running, and . . . we did it! So, that's good.

-Jess

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Week 9

2 workouts - pretty good considering family was in town for spring break.

M: P90X arms & shoulders (for some reason, it felt like I had never done this workout before!)
T: Jogging

Shape Up - Backside and Front

Did both of these DVD's today; felt good to to circuit training again.

-Jess

Monday, March 18, 2013

C25K: Week 5, Workout 2

owwwwwwwwwwwwww.

-Jess

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Irish dancing!

way too much fun to count as exercise! :)

-Jess

Friday, March 15, 2013

Couch-To-5K, Week 5, Workout 1

We redid this one today, because we were sick for the past week and didn't want to just jump right back in.

-Jess

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Weeks 7 & 8

Week 7:
3 total workouts - P90X Kenpo, Jogging & P90X Back & Chest - was a good week to get back on track.

Week 8:
2 total workouts - P90X plyometrics & jogging - full week led to less exercise.

I should add that my son is now taking a class at the local elementary school 2x/week, which means that I get a half a mile walk in twice a week in addition to the working out.  Every little bit helps, right?

This week, I'm on Spring Break, and we're supposed to have visitors.  It will be an extra challenge to stay on track.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

C25K, Week 5, Workout 1

This one felt really good - it felt like my body had actually decided it knows how to run.

And after the first couple of laps, my knee didn't hurt! that's a first!

(I'm gonna keep ignoring the fact that the program thinks I'm gonna be running 20 minutes straight by Monday.)

-Jess

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Jackie Warner's Xtreme Timesaver Training

did this today.

-Jess

Monday, March 4, 2013

C25K, Week 4, Workouts 2&3

We did workout 2 on Friday, but I forgot to post about it. Did workout 3 today.

I'm a bit nervous about starting Week 5, because by the end of it we're supposed to be running for 20 minutes straight. Eep!

-Jess

Thursday, February 28, 2013

30 Day Shred, Level 3

Today, this almost felt good.

-Jess

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

C25K: Week 4, Workout 1

Wow! there was a huge jump in the amount of running time from last week to this week!

Here's this week's workout by time (it's the same all three days):

-5 min. walking warm-up
Jog 3 minutes
Walk 90 seconds
Jog 5 minutes
Walk  2-1/2 minutes
Jog 3 minutes
Walk  90 seconds
Jog  5 minutes
-5 min. walking cool-down

-Jess

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Week 6

I improved on Week 5 by getting 2 workouts in last week.  

Workout 1: jogging outside thanks to the arrival of a wheel that turns my bike trailer into a jogging stroller!  While it's not the easiest thing to maneuver, it does amp up the jobg (added weight while going uphill along with an arm workout when trying to make turns).

According to Google Maps, the jog was about 0.8 mi, and it took about 20 mins, which was just enough time to try out my jogging legs and lungs.

Workout 2 (the next day): P90X legs & back

I spent the next three days or so hobbling around the house as my legs recovered.  Ouch.

Monday, February 25, 2013

C25K, Week 3, Workout 3

Did this today, and added 3 extra minutes running at the end.

-Jess

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Personal Training with Jackie DVD

Did the 40 minute version of the workout.

-Jess

Friday, February 22, 2013

C25K: Week 3, Workout 2

Did this today. I added 3 minutes of running to the end tonight, and I forgot to say that I added three minutes to the end of Wednesday's workout, too.

-Jess

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Week 5, otherwise known as one step forward, two steps back

Last week, I ate Valentine's chocolates and exercised very little.  Only 1 P90X workout - arms & shoulders.

Oh well.  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Extreme Shed and Shred, Level 2

Ow.

-Jess

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

C25K: Week 3, Day 1

Did this, added three minutes of running to the end.

Didn't die! Hurrah!

-Jess  :D

Monday, February 18, 2013

C25K - week 2, workout 3

Finished week 2!

-Jess

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Bob Harper Pure Burn Super Strength DVD

I did both the 60 min. section and the 20 min. section, though it was really more like 72 min. all put together (there's stretching on either end).

And, may I say: Ow.

-Jess

C25K, week 2, workout 2

done! (yesterday.)

-Jess

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Extremem Shed and Shred, Level 1

Or is it Shred and Shed? I can never remember. Anyway, I really like this one. Lots of kickboxing and capoeira.

-Jess

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Week 4 - Getting Better

M: Kenpo
T: Chest & Back (my least favorite P90X workout)
W: Plyometrics
Th: Nothing
F: Most of the arms & shoulders workout.

Also, we just received the wheel that will convert our bike trailer into a jogging stroller, which means that we can now take advantage of the spring weather we've been having and move our cardio training OUTDOORS.  Can't wait!

C25K: week 2, workout 1

WEEK 2, FINALLY!

:D

-Jess

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

C25K, week 1, workout 3 (again)

Yesterday. Starting the week 2 workouts this week, I hope!

-Jess

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

I did this DVD today, and I did indeed complete the C25K, week 1, workout 2 yesterday.

-Jess

Friday, February 8, 2013

30 Day Shred, Level 2

and C25K later today, if things go well.

-Jess

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Week 3

Last week was a bust for me.  I had a change to my schedule and only worked out twice - P90X legs & back & P90X Kenpo.  I felt pretty blah by the weekend and blame the lack of exercise.  This week is going much better; I'll post my update soon.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

30 Day Shred, Level 1

After yesterday's workout-pa-looza, I just wanted something quick and basic. Hence: 30 Day Shred, Level 1.

-Jess

Monday, February 4, 2013

C25K, week 1, workout 1 (again)

Did the first workout of the first week of Couch-to-5K again, this time with Adam. Wasn't expecting to get to work out twice in one day, but it was fun!

-Jess

stationary bike

No exercise last week because I came down with the flu (fever and chills and everything!). But today I did 40 minutes on the stationary bike.

-Jess

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Body Rev Cardio

Today I did the 60 min. section of Bob Harper's Body Rev Cardio Conditioning.  Yaaaaay . . . I want a smoothie.

-Jess

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Week 2

Tuesday: P90X Plyometrics
Wednesday: 10 minute slow jog on the treadmill (for once, I don't feel like I'm dragging my body along.  It's great!)
Thursday: P90X shoulders & arms (must get heavier weights to get more out of this workout)

I hope to get some more working out in before week's end, but I often fizzle out after Thursday.

Also, here's a link to the video of my son doing a P90X workout.  Unfortunately, I had the mic turned off, so the video loses some of its comic effect:

http://tygonzablog.blogspot.com/2013/01/you-know-its-bad-sign-when.html

C25K, Week 1, Day 3

Same workout as before, only this time, in the rain!

-Jess

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

No More Trouble Zones

Did this DVD today - a bit of strength training to go along with all this running!

-Jessica

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

C25K, workout 2

Pretty much the same as Monday's workout. Still feeling pretty good about this whole running thing!

-Jess

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Couch to 5K, Day One

Today I did Day One of the Couch to 5K running plan. Although I did 25 minutes, not 20, just because of the route I chose. And I did a 5 minute walking warm-up and 7 minute walking cool-down. (The whole thing was 2.7 miles. Yay, GMap pedometer!)

But, oh-my-goodness! It didn't kill my knees! I've tried on and off in my adult life to use running as a regular part of my exercise routine and my knees always complain.

But this time, they didn't.

It makes me hope I might get to be a runner after all.

I really hope I can. It's such an efficient exercise, and you can do it outside. I love being outside. Sun and sky and trees = happy Jess.

I think every time I've tried before I've pushed too hard. This time, I'm following expert instruction and trying to do it right. And maybe it won't work, but I've a better shot at it, I think, if I rely on a proven method like this.

Oh! and also! every time I was running I was actually running not just jogging. The 90 seconds walking in between every 60 seconds running was just enough recovery to let me actually run when I was running. And going . . . well, not fast, but at a decent speed is definitely more fun that slowly plodding along. Which is what's happened to me before when I've tried to run the whole time.

I might not be able to really do this plan whole hog till it gets a bit lighter, just because of child care issues. But maybe I can modify it for weekend use, or do some of it with Adam when he's home. (He's interested, and we figure we can go to a park and run around the kids while they play on the grass.)

Anyway. Yay! running! <-- and="and" for="for" me="me" new.="new." p="p" s="s" something="something" that="that">
-Jess

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Week 1

So this week was basically a bust for me.  I attempted to do the first P90X workout (chest and back - my least favorite of the set) with my hubby on Monday.  Unfortunately, I just couldn't get my head into it, so I did 10 minutes on the treadmill instead.  I ran a little and walked a little and was basically all over the place.

Tuesday was a bit better, but not much.  I was on the treadmill for 15 minutes walking uphill.

And that was it for the week.

My three year old, on the other hand, is very enthusiastic about P90X and started a workout all by himself yesterday.  I have some video of him interacting with Tony Horton and will have it posted on my blog soon.

Goals for Week 2:
P90X on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Treadmill on one of the off days.

Pure Burn Super Strength

Today I did the 60 min. section of Bob Harper's "Pure Burn Super Strength." Ow, again. As usual. (But, yay, endorphins!)

-Jess

Friday, January 18, 2013

Extreme Shed and Shred

Or is it Shred and Shed? I dunno. I did Level II though!

-Jess

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Yoga for the Warrior

Today I did the 60 min. section of Bob Harper's "Yoga for the Warrior" - though it's really more like 56 min., and the first two and last ten are just stretching.

Still! Challenging and relaxing at the same time. There's a lot to be said for power yoga.

-Jess

p.s. We're still dealing with the cold-that-never-ends at our house. Ugh. It's throwing off our schedules, hence the couple of days without a workout.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Zumba!

One of my Christmas presents this year was the Zumba 2 game for Wii. Way too much fun.

Today I did 24 minutes of Zumba, about 6 songs, and I think all but one was medium intensity.

Not a lot of muscle-building, but great cardio! (It's less painful when you're having fun!)

-Jess

Sunday, January 13, 2013

1/12/13

I managed to squeeze a workout in this week.  Actually, it was more of a "fun" activity than a workout - my hubby and I towed our son to the neighborhood park in our new bike trailer.  Or rather, my husband towed, and I followed.  Not surprisingly, he got the more intense workout, but there are plenty of inclines in our neighborhood, so I did get some good leg work in.  And my lungs were tested, too - going to have to work on both my endurance and my leg strength.

Friday, January 11, 2013

1/11/13 workout for Jess

Today I did the long (about 45 minutes) workout on Bob Harper's Totally Ripped Core.

Gosh, Harper just makes it very clear that the common conception of abdominal crunches being ineffective only exists because every other instructor out there is a wuss. He has you do them fast, without rest, and at a variety of angles and oh my gosh does it hurt.

Also? His plank circuits are vicious enough that you're relieved when you finally get to do stand up and do insane-jumping-around cardio stuff. Only not for long, because the insane-jumping-around cardio stuff is vicious, too.

But it's so well-designed. None of the pain is injury-inducing pain, just muscles-being-pushed-to-get-stronger pain. Love this workout.

-Jess

(I might double-post this to my other blog, as a review. I'll have to check and see if I've reviewed this DVD there already.)

ETA: I did review it already! Here's a link, if you're interested: http://churchyear.blogspot.com/2012/08/exercise-dvd-review-bob-harpers-totally.html

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Jess 1/9/13

Did the 30 Day Shred today, Level 3.

-Jess

Monday, January 7, 2013

Shed and Shred

So, encouraged by Yolanda, I'm going to start posting my workouts here again.

Today I did Level 2 of Jillian Michaels' "Shed and Shred". Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Best/worst/most creative bit of torture? Push-up-jacks: Start in plank, lower down to push-up position while shooting your legs out in a plank jack at the same time. Push up, bringing legs back together at the center. Ow, ow, ow.

-Jess