Day 56 of Insanity

I decided to go to the gym with my husband instead of doing an Insanity workout. My right knee still hurts pretty bad and I have to give it a rest. If need be, I will do an extra week to make up for it but I can't compromise my knee. Doing squats hurts and bending it just to sit down does too. I have no idea how I injured it and I've never had problems with my knees before so I don't know what the deal is. Regardless, I will be doing a workout somehow or someway. I weighed myself and I lost the 3 pounds I gained from the first month..lol So now I'm back to my original weight but a smaller size. I had a great workout today with weights which was awesome. I miss lifting weights and found that my strength is better than before. I did 3 pullups at the gym so I am super stoked. =)
Oh, and I did hours of yardwork today. I was digging and pulling so I got a workout doing that as well.

Day 55 of Insanity

I have been out all day doing yardwork and going to Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes to find flowers, trees, and soil. We got finished a little while ago and I am beat. I still haven't gotten my workout done today and I'm dreading it but gotta get it done. I'm BEAT!

Day 54 of Insanity

I did the dreaded Max Interval Circuit today..hahaha There are some moves that I'm not able to do right now since my knee is acting up but I did what I could and still sweated up a storm. I am soooooo looking forward to the hybrid workouts. I need a break from all this insanity!! =)

Day 53 - Dancing last night

I made up for not working out on Wednesday by dancing like a maniac last night. I was sweating as much as I do during the Insanity workouts if not more. My knee really didn't like me and I had to stop several times to give it a rest. I didn't get home till 2am and then had to get up at 7:30am to work both stores. Needless to say, I am TIRED and will take today off instead of Sunday and workout both days this weekend.

Day 52 of Insanity

Max Recovery is not one of my favorite workouts. I think I like sweating my butt off and leaping around much more...lol I've noticed that I'm feeling weaker lately. I can barely do a pushup and I don't like it. My knee still doesn't feel any better. I've been taking glucosamine every day and I'm hoping that will help SOON. A friend of mine wants me to go out dancing tonight. I want to but I wonder if it's such a good idea with my gimp knee acting up. =) Knowing me, I will probably go because I enjoy it so much. I don't have to dance too much and getting out of the house will be nice.

Day 51 of Insanity

I hate to say it but I am not going to do my workout today. I have too many body parts that are hurting and I just gotta take a day off. I feel like such and old fart and I hate it. My right knee is hurting so bad that bending into a squat is painful. It was hurting yesterday but I pushed on through it but my workout wasn't a good one b/c of it. I'm not discouraged..I've been doing great and have persevered through a lot of potential setbacks these past two months. Through the years I have learned that if I don't give my body a break when it's screaming for one then I will pay for it and have to start all over again. I'm listening to my knee and it's telling me to take a day off so I can continue doing my workouts which I will do tomorrow and for the rest of the week.

Zesty Chicken with Artichokes

I just made this tonight for dinner and it's really good. I'm definitely going to be making it again.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and halved
• 3/4 cup white wine or reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives, drained
• 1/4 cup sliced ripe olives, drained

Directions

• Combine the thyme, lemon peel, salt and pepper; rub over chicken. In a large nonstick skillet, brown chicken in 2 teaspoons oil; remove and set aside.
• In the same skillet, saute onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the artichokes, wine and olives. Return chicken to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170°.
• Remove chicken and keep warm. Simmer artichoke mixture, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes or until liquid has evaporated; serve with chicken. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1/2 cup artichoke mixture equals 260 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 63 mg cholesterol, 706 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 26 g protein.

Day 50 of Insanity

My posts are getting lame b/c there isn't anything much new to report. Max Interval Plyometrics kicked my butt like usual. I'm still not able to get through the entire workout without having to stop and catch my breath. Lately I've been noticing that I'm just wore out from all these workouts. I wonder if I'm over-training or what. I've got less than 2 weeks to go and then I'm taking a break for no more than a week before I start the hybrid workouts. I need a rest b/c I feel run down and my heart isn't in it like it should be.

Day 49 of Insanity

I didn't do the fit test today. I did the horrible Max Interval Circuit video which is hard enough for me to get through without having the fit test beforehand. Maybe I will do it tomorrow. I still can't stand this video. It's difficult to get through and I just don't like it. 

Day 47 & 48 of Insanity

I'm so glad I only had to do Core Cardio & Balance this weekend. I have been wore out from work and wasn't up to doing a crazy video. I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left and then onto the hybrid workouts. I'm REALLY looking forward to doing weights again.

Day 46 of Insanity

Besides the pushup abs I was able to get through Max Cardio Conditioning pretty well today. Despite the fact that I was exhausted from work, I made myself do it. I was really surprised that I could do the warmup without any issues. YAY!

I don't know if it's just me but I'm not feeling the workouts in my abs at all. My waist hasn't gone down and it looks and feels the same. I've been doing everything I'm supposed to and have even had my husband watch to make sure I'm doing the moves correctly. It's very frustrating...I used to have great abs and I feel like it's an elusive dream to get them back. I'm not giving up..just frustrated.

Day 46 of Insanity

Instead of doing the Max Recovery workout, I did the Cardio Recovery. I didn't feel like I got anything accomplished last time I did the Max video and I feel it more with the Cardio video. Nearly everyone on the beachbody message boards said to do that as well so I did. I felt great after my workout. I do wish that there was more ab routines. The core workouts are great but I don't feel it in my abs like I should. I'm looking forward to the hybrid workouts next month and hopefully it will make a difference.

Day 45 of Insanity

Max Interval Plyometrics went pretty well today. I didn't feel like I was going to drop from exhaustion like usual..lol I'm still having a hard time with the funky pushups but overall I'm able to do more and feel stronger. My shoulder behaved itself and didn't wimp out on me. I think the antibiotics are doing the trick because the hacking coughs have stopped. I still cough a little bit throughout the day but nothing major..more like an irritating tickle every once in a while. I'm slightly congested but nothing like before. 

Day 44 of Insanity

Max Interval Circuit wasn't too bad today. Just seeing that 59 minutes on the bottom of the screen when the video starts is enough to make me want to turn the dvd player off..hahaha I don't particularly like the moving pushups or the plank punches. Either my wrists are wussy or it's the hard tile floor that is making it such a pain...literally.

Day 43 of Insanity

I just finished Max Cardio Conditioning and I feel pretty good. Maybe I needed that extra day off b/c the last few workouts have been half hearted. I felt like I was moving in slow motion most of the time but today I had the energy and motivation to get through it. I think I'm sweating more now than ever..it's dripping off me! One of the things I don't like about this video is there aren't many breaks. Shaun T just goes from one workout to the other and I'm dying.

Day 41 & 42

I'm not proud of it but I didn't get my workout in this weekend. It's no excuse but work has been hectic and I was so tired that I just didn't do a video. 

Day 40 of Insanity

I just did Max Interval Circuit and I think I hate it more today than I did Monday...hahaha My dang right shoulder kinked out on me again around the 13 minute mark so I had to skip the floor workouts. I don't get it...my shoulder has been fine all this time and now it's acting up?? I will not accept defeat! lol I'm just going to have to go easy on it and keep chugging along being careful not to hurt it further. I was not feeling it today at all which I'm sure didn't help with my feelings towards the workout. I'm looking forward to this month being over and doing the hybrid Insanity/P90X. Watch me eat my words on this.

Day 39 of Insanity

I don't like the Max Recovery workout at all. There are a lot of moves that require you to turn your foot at an awkward angle or be on your toes for long periods of time and I'm not able to b/c of my ankle injury. In particular is the wide stance squats on your toes...hell no! I also have a shoulder injury (I'm just a mess aren't I?) and the numerous plank exercises made it pop out of place and now I'm in pain. I had to stop b/c I can't risk injuring myself or I won't be able to do any workouts at all. I'm pretty frustrated with my stupid body but it's nothing I can help. I looked at the calendar and I have to do this video 2 more times...BLEH!

Protein Pancakes with Banana

I've had this recipe for a long time and I think it's great. I got it from a message board years ago and I've been using it ever since. I don't like oatmeal very much and this is a great way to get it in your diet without realizing it.

1 cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese
1/2 cup egg whites or egg substitute 
1 cup oats (I grind them into a powder in a food processor beforehand. It will make things much easier, trust me!)
1 banana
1 scoop protein powder
Cinnamon & vanilla to taste


In a blender add egg and cottage cheese first and blend until smooth. Add oats and blend well. Add banana, protein powder, cinnamon & vanilla. Cook on a griddle with med/med low heat like regular pancakes. They need to cook on a lower heat, otherwise the middle will be mushy.


You can top with spray butter and I use sugar free syrup. Aunt Jemima is the one I use b/c it's has a nice thick consistency. The others I have tried tend to be too watery.


They taste VERY good! I make extra an put them in the fridge. You can heat them up in the microwave or toast them whenever you get hungry. My husband and I devour them.

Day 38 of Insanity

Max Cardio Conditioning wasn't too bad of a workout. The only one that got me is the abs pushups. I'm having a hard time with many of the pushup workouts. I know I have a bad right shoulder but it hasn't been hurting me so I don't know what exactly is my problem. I am getting better at doing pushups that's for sure! And I have an accomplishment that I'm very proud of. We have a the pull up bar from the beachbody website installed and I was able to do 2 pullups on it yesterday. It's not a lot but I have NEVER been able to do even one in my entire life! I'm super stoked!

Day 37 of Insanity

I went to the doctor's today and they gave me antibiotics for my cough. They think that I may have allergies but that I got an infection and the medicine should help. A month of this crap is crazy so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will do the trick and soon. They weighed me and big surprise, I gained 3 pounds. On the upside the doctor says it's muscle and not fat but I'm hoping that soon I will see the scale drop b/c regardless, I still am overweight.


Max Interval Plyometrics is not as tiring as yesterday's workout but there are moves that I am either not able to do or that are more difficult for me. I'm not able to do the one legged v-pushups, the side pushups or the balance pushups. There is a pattern here..haha The diamond jumps aren't that difficult but by the time Shaun T gets to them I'm so dang wore out I don't have the energy to even jump. I know it's the first time I'm doing the video and I'm sure by the end of the month it will be easier (hopefully). I'm very sore from yesterday so I'm sure that didn't help me doing the moves with any ease whatsoever. 

Day 36 of Insanity

OMG..I just finished the Fit Test and the Max Interval Circuit and I want to die! When it hit the 40 minute mark I was ready to stop and at the 13 minute mark I think I almost did. I was cursing like I've never cursed before. I drank 3 bottles of water and I'm sweating so bad..I need a shower...wait, I'm soaked enough that I feel like I took one with my clothes on..hahaha I definitely am NOT looking forward to doing that workout again and am a bit afraid of the coming week...lol


Here are my results from my 3rd Fit Test:


Switch Kicks - 40 - 60 - 60 
Power Jacks - 34 - 53 - 58
Power Knees - 84 - 99 - 101
Power Jumps - 36 - 40 - 43
Globe Jumps - 5 - 6 - 7
Suicide Jumps - 9 - 10 - 12
Push Up Jacks - 8 - 17 - 24
Low Plank Oblique - 26 - 42 - 55


I'm definitely improving!!!

Updated Stats from Day 1

I'm going to wait till I see my doctor this coming Tuesday to find out my weight.I measured myself last night and am pleasantly surprised by my results. Not too bad for 5 weeks.


Before Chest 37"   After 36"    -1
Before Waist 33"   After 33"      0
Before R Leg 27"   After 26.5" -.5
Before L Leg 27"   After 26.5  -.5
Before Hips 46"     After 45"   -1
Before R Arm 14"  After 13"   -1
Before L Arm 13"  After 12.5  -.5


4.5" lost total..not that much but I'm happy. I just wish my dang waist would go down. I've been busting my butt on it and nothing..ugh I've never had a problem with my stomach until my thyroid went to shit. My waist has always been tiny. The biggest it ever got was 29" and when I was in my mid 20's it was 25". I hope I can get it back to at least 29" again. I'm not going to give up!

Day 34 & 35 of Insanity

I hate to do it but I'm going to take the advice of my fellow message board friends on beachbody and take the day off. Even my husband has told me to do it. I really don't want to, but I'm not getting any better and my cough is so bad that I'm peeing myself. Yeah, I know..TMI but it's the truth. I am going to do the fit test and start round 2 on Monday but today I will give it a rest. My consolation is that it's recovery week and not a hard core workout so I can live with myself not doing the workout. I'm hoping this coughing stops soon. I literally can't take much more.

Day 33 of Insanity

I forgot to write in here yesterday but I did not miss a workout. I am able to get through it better and the push-ups are definitely easier than they were. Today is the last day of recovery week. Then I'm doing the fit test tomorrow and Monday the insanity will begin all over again but even more difficult. I'm nervous but excited. This cough I have is getting worse and it's starting to hurt my back. The upside to it is that my abs are sore from it..lol Gotta find the silver lining somehow!

Day 32 of Insanity

I ate more today and was able to get through the workout much easier than yesterday. This stupid cough has been plaguing me for weeks now and it just won't go away. It's such a hindrance because I have to keep stopping what I'm doing to hack my brains out. I don't feel bad at all..just a raspy cough. I'm hoping it will stop soon. The part of the Core Cardio & Balance workout that makes me laugh is at the end when ShaunT says "Jimmy is starting to die over here." hahaha Poor guy being called out on a video millions of people are going to view.

Day 31 of Insanity

Those switch kicks and hop squats are murder!! Maybe it's just me but I feel like as the week goes on I'm getting more and more tired...ugh! I don't get it. I didn't feel like this the past 4 weeks. I'm still pushing on no matter what but I wish I had more energy. I think I may not be eating enough which is probably the reason. I have a bad habit of forgetting to eat. I get preoccupied with other things and then realize the time. Bad Karen!!

Day 30 of Insanity

I think the workout was harder today than yesterday. Those one leg extensions are brutal! And this is supposed to be the recovery week?? Recovery from your heart beating out of your chest and sweating in huge amounts but that's it. It's still not easy but definitely not as taxing on your body as the other workouts have been.