Total Body Transformation, Month 3

This has been my workout for the last three months: Chris Powell Total Body Transformation

Here's how I did in month 3!

Beginning of the month:

• Alternating lunge jump:  12 reps, holding 8kg kettlebell        
• Bent-over row:  12 reps, 8lb dumbbells
• Stability ball hip raise and leg curl: 12, resting 3/4 through
• Incline bench press: 12 reps, 12 pound dumbbells
• Stability ball plank: one minute. 4-5 rests to complete

End of the month

• Alternating lunge jump: 18, 12, and 11 reps,12kg kettlebell  
• Bent-over row: 12 reps, 15lb dumbbells
• Stability ball hip raise and leg curl: 12, no rests
• Incline bench press: 12 reps, 20 pound dumbbells
• Regular plank: one minute, 2 rests to complete

Ridiculously good looking. You're welcome for providing this eye candy.

Other improvements:

• When I run, it's easier to run further and faster than when I used to just run without weight training
• My clothes fit better (looser) though I'm still too skeptical to try the skinny jeans yet
• I have established a routine that I don't waver from, even when I don't feel like doing it.  Habits are powerful!
• I lost 3 pounds

Conclusion:

I am not going to continue with months 4 and 5 of the Total Body Transformation - not because it's not a good workout, but because I think, for me, I need something different. Chris, if you're reading this, I hope this doesn't stand in the way of what might be between us i love you!

I started running outside again the past three weeks and I discovered that I had really been missing it.  I actually like running, even if I'm slow.  And after a run, I like it even more, because I get serious endorphins.

I know this quote is played out but it still makes me lol

I have been lifting continually for the last three months and, you know what? I don't like lifting! I don't get endorphin-high from lifting and as soon as I start I can't wait to be done.  Now, I will continue to lift because: 

• it makes me a better runner
• keeps your bones healthy and dense
• muscle raises your RMR
• I want to be fast AND strong
• muscles are sexy. 

But I think I need to readjust because a happy exerciser is a more productive exerciser, at least in theory! Details forthcoming!

Chris Powell Total Body Transformation, Month 2

Hello, readers! Long time, no see, I know.
I just want to share with you how it's going with the Chris Powell total body transformation.  Here are my stats:

Beginning of month 2
1. Crossover dumbbell step-up: 8kg each hand, could not make it through one set completely
2. Mountain climber: This was very easy from the start
3. Squat press: 8lbs each hand, could not make it through one set completely
4. Medicine ball slam: 14kg

End of month 2
1. Crossover dumbbell step-up: 12kg each hand, could only make it through first set
2. Mountain climber: This was very easy from the start
3. Squat press: 10lbs each hand, could barely make it through all sets
4. Medicine ball slam: 20kg

Fastest set: 4:20
Fastest workout: 15 minutes

I haven't seen any weight loss but at least I am getting stronger. And even though I haven't been running regularly, when I do run, it's still strong because the exercise that I am doing is making me all muscley and strong :D

Currently, I'm almost through month three, so another post soon to follow!

Oh, and one more thing:

BAM! Chris Powell.  Meeeeow!

One Month Checking In

Welp, it hasn't been my best month.  I went back to work after a long vacation and the new routine has been challenging my new healthy lifestyle thing, to say the least.  

Then skirmish went down like this:

Large ladies represent my fitness/schedule struggle.  Now you understand?

Now, it hasn't been as bad as it has been in previous falls, but I certainly haven't lost any weight.  I also haven't been counting calories because I am not put together enough to be making deliberate meals.  Every lunch is a kitchen sink lunch: lettuce + anything edible in the fridge.

No cats were harmed in the making of my salads.

But some nights I can't decide which is worse, my hunger or fatigue.  I think that I may be turning that corner, however.  There's a bit of an adjustment going on here and I know that this part is temporary.

Anyway. As for working out, I didn't miss a single weight lifting routine the entire month! Yay!  Triumph!  Remember, I am using Chris Powell's plan because he's sexy and I want to be sexy.  Here is how I progressed:

Day 1
Goblet Squat: 16 kg
Hammer Curl/Press: 15 lbs
Dumbbell Deadlift: 40 lbs
Dumbbell Pullover: 8 lbs
Planks: 50 seconds/46 seconds (2 rounds)

Day 30
Goblet Squat: 24 kg
Hammer Curl/Press: 15 lbs
Dumbbell Deadlift: 60 lbs
Dumbbell Pullover: 15 lbs
Renegade Rows: 12 lbs

I didn't switch over to the renegade rows until about 2 weeks in.  But before that, I improved my plank time to 80 seconds/68 seconds/60 seconds (3 rounds). And I know it doesn't look like I improved with the curl and press but I did On the first day, I couldn't complete more than 8 reps a set.  By the end, I was able to do 12 on the first set and 10 or so for the next two.

I'm getting stronger.  I can feel it but I sure can't see it because I need to get the food in check. I hate counting calories but I just don't trust myself not to. So for month 2, here are my goals:

1. Continue the CP plan without missing any workouts.
2. Add 2 cardio days, one being interval training. Bf says that cardio will give me more energy.  It's worth a shot!
3 Count dem calories.

Thought of the Day

"Working out at the gym to fit my underwear"

~ Weezer "Pork and Beans"

Yup.  That and my skinny jeans.  They just don't fit like they used to...

It's probably been a month since my last good outdoor run. 

Ran twice this weekend.  Okay, so it was only 30 minutes each day but I have to start somewhere, amiright? And at that, I'm sore!

Tomorrow begins month two of Chris Powell's 5 month program and I'm a little nervous because I took last Monday through Friday off because I was sick.  I know, through the wondrous power of logic, that I didn't lose all the muscle I gained in the last month, but it sort of feels like it.  Wish me luck, readers!

Here's to cardio.

Here's to lifting heavy.

Here's to counting calories.

Here's to keeping promises to myself.