I can't believe I just completed my FIFTH Peak 10 Challenge. Wow!
Motivation
When the endocrinologist told me that my weight was just going to be higher now that my thyroid is all out of whack, I was seriously depressed. In February, I got back down into my five pound "normal weight" range and that made me super happy. But I also stuck to an insanely strict diet.
My main motivation is always to stay skinny because Mr. Higgins is super skinny. I don't want to be the fat wife. But I also love how much better I feel overall now that I'm exercising and challenging myself regularly. Life, in general, is better. I'm going to try not to be freaked out by the number on the scale but it's hard.
Results
At the end of this Challenge, I'd lost 2.2 pounds. Not great but considering my eating was never consistently as good as I would have liked, I'm not complaining. In reality, I'm really bummed that I couldn't be more strict with my diet - but life kinda blew up in my face halfway through this 8-week period. And that's unavoidable. My thyroid is also partly to blame..... I just can't lose weight like I used to.
But my Fit Test numbers did change!
Before After
Squats 75 77
Front Lunges 49 53
180 Jumps* 56 66
Tuck Jumps 54 66
Push-Ups 38 43
Ankle Grabbers 22 25
Sit Outs 42 47
Plank to Frog 36 40
Fence Hoppers 78 87
Side Lunge to Jump Shot 37 37
*I subbed 180 jumps for the burpees the program called for.
My numbers improved, once again, from the previous challenge. Yay! I was a bit annoyed that the numbers didn't improve more from the beginning to end of this Challenge....but my fitness level has gotten so much higher than when I first did this Challenge.... I'm happy!
Going Forward
The only thing I hate about this Challenge system is the Fit Test. Ha! But at the end of each Challenge, I'm always excited to do another in a few months.
In the meantime, I'm going to do something different, once back from vacation. FitnessGlo has an 8-week challenge program that I'm going to try. After looking through the advanced program, some of the workouts are still a bit too easy so I'm going to sub in some harder stuff. And I'll keep doing some Peak 10 workouts on the weekends. They're too much fun not to do!
Monday, June 13, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
Baby Hat and Socks
My BFF is having a baby! A baby boy! I love babies - other people's - and knitting for them! So I was super happy to knit some goodies for this little guy.
Pattern: Shibui Baby Hat and Socks by Helen Bingham in Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders
Yarn: Chameleon Colorworks Bamboo
Needle: US 1 double points (socks); US 3 circs (hat)
Made for: Baby P
Time to completion: 1.5 months
I didn't follow the pattern for the hat so I hope it fits. I like the rolled edge for babies so I changed that....and I didn't want the top knot either. But I followed the pattern for the number of stitches and decreases.
And I love the socks! Baby socks are the best but when you combine them with variegated sock yarn - wow! I'll have to do more!
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Dead Wake
For May, my book group chose to read Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. Come to think of it, I suggested the piece of non-fiction to the group.
I'd heard great things about Larson's work and several of his books have sounded interesting to me - but I'd never read him. When the Lusitania book came out, I knew I had to read it. Considering how much we cruise, it just seemed like a must read.
Parts of this book were very interesting to me. Learning about the captain of the Lusitania and the commander of the u-boat that sank it, U-20, was fascinating. For some reason, the stories of the passengers did not hold my attention all that well. Larson's writing was good and informative, reading like fiction at times. But this was not the best non-fiction I've read.
If you have any interest in World War I or ships, I recommend this book. It is very informative.
I'd heard great things about Larson's work and several of his books have sounded interesting to me - but I'd never read him. When the Lusitania book came out, I knew I had to read it. Considering how much we cruise, it just seemed like a must read.
Parts of this book were very interesting to me. Learning about the captain of the Lusitania and the commander of the u-boat that sank it, U-20, was fascinating. For some reason, the stories of the passengers did not hold my attention all that well. Larson's writing was good and informative, reading like fiction at times. But this was not the best non-fiction I've read.
If you have any interest in World War I or ships, I recommend this book. It is very informative.
Monday, June 6, 2016
The Week Before Vacation - Workouts
Yes, that's a lame title, but at least it's specific!
I have less than a full week before vacation, after the completion of my fifth Peak 10 Challenge. My body is getting tired but I'm forcing it to go on......
Monday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster
Memorial Day meant I had time for a longer workout. However, in the midst of this workout, all hell broke loose in the house. I finished the workout but I had some unscheduled breaks throughout. Ugh. I finished off with a stretch and ab work.
Tuesday: Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101 + Heart-Pumping Groove + weights
I've missed these workouts. Dance Intervals is so much fun - but difficult! Ilyse works you hard in this one with non-stop running and hopping in the beginning. Groove is fun and more low-key - a good break for the joints. At lunch, I did weights at the rec center. The last time I'll do weights before vacation!
Wednesday: Ilyse's Your Best, Sweaty Self + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast
This workout is work. When Ilyse mentions sweat, she means it. This workout contains tuck jumps, my favorite move - not. I modified them a bit. After this one, I did Michelle's HIIT - always fun and effective. These made for a good morning workout!
Thursday: Treadmill
With my in-laws in town, workouts at home are not possible. So, I did 30 full minutes on the treadmill at lunch. I really focused on adding in serious inclines. This made my calorie count soar, which I liked to see. And it made me sweat! So, a good workout and then some abs and a stretch squeezed into 5 minutes.
Friday: Treadmill
Amazingly, I was not dreading my treadmill time today. Yesterday, I watched - with no sound - HGTV while I climbed hills so today I did the same. Ha! The 30 minutes of torture went by pretty quickly! Once again, I raced through a stretch and some ab work afterward.
Saturday: VACATION!
I have less than a full week before vacation, after the completion of my fifth Peak 10 Challenge. My body is getting tired but I'm forcing it to go on......
Monday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster
Memorial Day meant I had time for a longer workout. However, in the midst of this workout, all hell broke loose in the house. I finished the workout but I had some unscheduled breaks throughout. Ugh. I finished off with a stretch and ab work.
Tuesday: Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101 + Heart-Pumping Groove + weights
I've missed these workouts. Dance Intervals is so much fun - but difficult! Ilyse works you hard in this one with non-stop running and hopping in the beginning. Groove is fun and more low-key - a good break for the joints. At lunch, I did weights at the rec center. The last time I'll do weights before vacation!
Wednesday: Ilyse's Your Best, Sweaty Self + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast
This workout is work. When Ilyse mentions sweat, she means it. This workout contains tuck jumps, my favorite move - not. I modified them a bit. After this one, I did Michelle's HIIT - always fun and effective. These made for a good morning workout!
Thursday: Treadmill
With my in-laws in town, workouts at home are not possible. So, I did 30 full minutes on the treadmill at lunch. I really focused on adding in serious inclines. This made my calorie count soar, which I liked to see. And it made me sweat! So, a good workout and then some abs and a stretch squeezed into 5 minutes.
Friday: Treadmill
Amazingly, I was not dreading my treadmill time today. Yesterday, I watched - with no sound - HGTV while I climbed hills so today I did the same. Ha! The 30 minutes of torture went by pretty quickly! Once again, I raced through a stretch and some ab work afterward.
Saturday: VACATION!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Texas Dishcloth
I have a finished object! Albeit, a small one….
For Mr. Higgins' parents, who are in the process of moving to the Lone Star State, I made a Texas dishcloth. I love knitting small projects like these…..they make me feel so productive!! Ha!
Pattern: Knitted Texas Cloth by Rhonda White
Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream Solid
Needle: US 7
Made for: in-laws
Time to completion: 1 week
I think this is the actually the second Texas dishcloth I've done…but the other was years ago.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Week Eight: Peak 10 Challenge #5
Oh my goodness! This is the last week of my fifth Peak 10 Challenge! Incredible!
Time has just flown by since life has been crazy these past two months. I'm amazed that this Challenge is almost over. Afterward, I'll have a week until vacation....and bikinis!
Monday: Peak Fit Pure Cardio + walk
I'm going to miss this workout after the Challenge. It's so good and a lot of fun...until the lunge jumps start. Ha! After my rest day yesterday, I was good to go today so I hit this one hard. And it felt good! At lunch, I walked at the rec center. I need to burn those calories like crazy this week!
Tuesday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength + weights
Time for strength today. I really do love Michelle's C+S workout. It works your entire body in 45 minutes - and you get the added benefit of cardio! This morning it felt good to move and I even did the high-impact moves. At lunch, I did weights at the rec and boy, those are effective. I was feeling it before I even left the rec center.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
Oh, boy. The only thing that got me through this workout was knowing I was doing it for the last time for a long time. After eight weeks, it still gets me. It still almost kills me. And it was especially harder this morning because the house was so hot. Ugh. At least I lost a lot of water weight. At lunch, I walked outside for 20 minutes.
Thursday: Barrett's Grace and Gusto + stretch
I felt really bad this morning after a night of an upset stomach. Thankfully, I'd planned on doing my stretch/light workout today instead of Friday. Ellen Barrett's workout was perfect - not too much movement. I did about 25 minutes of that workout and then had a nice, long stretch. It felt good!
Friday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength - Fat Blaster
A trip to the doctor this morning meant I had a bit more time….enough to squeeze in my weekly CS. I chose to do this Fat Blaster edition because the peaks are a bit easier to conquer at 5:30am. But overall, this is a tough workout. And I can tell my body is getting tired after 8 weeks of Peak 10. Let's hope it can make it another week before a week of vacation!
Saturday: PeakFit Fit Test + Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn Remix
I had the whole weekend to do my Fit Test but I wanted to do it early enough so that I'd be a bit more energized. So today it is. I was happy with the results, though my numbers didn't increase all that much. And that's okay. I think my fitness level is just so much higher than it used to be….and it can't increase much more. After that 25 minutes of peaks (whew!), I did 40 minutes of my favorite CIB. I didn't do the peak moves but I kept up the intensity throughout. But I was tired. Ten minutes of stretching and planking and I was done.
Sunday: PeakFit Cardio Strength 2 + Ilyse's Groovy Dance Party
I was a bit short on time this morning but I managed to get in this CS - challenging but fun - and 15 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout. It's amazing to me how much more difficult these workouts are in the summer, when the house is so much hotter. I usually lose a pound of water weight in a workout. Dang!
Calorie Counts:
I had four good days this week but then some bad ones. With everything going on, it's just too hard to be good every day. Sigh.
Time has just flown by since life has been crazy these past two months. I'm amazed that this Challenge is almost over. Afterward, I'll have a week until vacation....and bikinis!
Monday: Peak Fit Pure Cardio + walk
I'm going to miss this workout after the Challenge. It's so good and a lot of fun...until the lunge jumps start. Ha! After my rest day yesterday, I was good to go today so I hit this one hard. And it felt good! At lunch, I walked at the rec center. I need to burn those calories like crazy this week!
Tuesday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength + weights
Time for strength today. I really do love Michelle's C+S workout. It works your entire body in 45 minutes - and you get the added benefit of cardio! This morning it felt good to move and I even did the high-impact moves. At lunch, I did weights at the rec and boy, those are effective. I was feeling it before I even left the rec center.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
Oh, boy. The only thing that got me through this workout was knowing I was doing it for the last time for a long time. After eight weeks, it still gets me. It still almost kills me. And it was especially harder this morning because the house was so hot. Ugh. At least I lost a lot of water weight. At lunch, I walked outside for 20 minutes.
Thursday: Barrett's Grace and Gusto + stretch
I felt really bad this morning after a night of an upset stomach. Thankfully, I'd planned on doing my stretch/light workout today instead of Friday. Ellen Barrett's workout was perfect - not too much movement. I did about 25 minutes of that workout and then had a nice, long stretch. It felt good!
Friday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength - Fat Blaster
A trip to the doctor this morning meant I had a bit more time….enough to squeeze in my weekly CS. I chose to do this Fat Blaster edition because the peaks are a bit easier to conquer at 5:30am. But overall, this is a tough workout. And I can tell my body is getting tired after 8 weeks of Peak 10. Let's hope it can make it another week before a week of vacation!
Saturday: PeakFit Fit Test + Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn Remix
I had the whole weekend to do my Fit Test but I wanted to do it early enough so that I'd be a bit more energized. So today it is. I was happy with the results, though my numbers didn't increase all that much. And that's okay. I think my fitness level is just so much higher than it used to be….and it can't increase much more. After that 25 minutes of peaks (whew!), I did 40 minutes of my favorite CIB. I didn't do the peak moves but I kept up the intensity throughout. But I was tired. Ten minutes of stretching and planking and I was done.
Sunday: PeakFit Cardio Strength 2 + Ilyse's Groovy Dance Party
I was a bit short on time this morning but I managed to get in this CS - challenging but fun - and 15 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout. It's amazing to me how much more difficult these workouts are in the summer, when the house is so much hotter. I usually lose a pound of water weight in a workout. Dang!
Calorie Counts:
I had four good days this week but then some bad ones. With everything going on, it's just too hard to be good every day. Sigh.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Two Weeks
In two weeks - well, actually, less than two weeks - we'll be in paradise!
We have a birthday to celebrate as well as five years of marriage. I'm hoping it'll be a great, relaxing time because we both need the break.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Week Seven: Peak 10 Challenge #5
Oh my goodness....only two weeks left!
After my trip to San Francisco, I'm really worrying about my weight. And the next three weeks before vacation are going to be insane - social things and meals out... Sigh. Let's hope I can find a balance.
Monday: Dozois' Tip Top Shape + weights
I was not feeling well this morning. Thankfully, I made this workout as low-impact as possible....and still sweated up a storm! Though I shouldn't do two weight sessions in one day, I did. I needed to get out of the office so I went and did weights at the rec. It felt good since I still felt guilty about missing last week. Ha!
Tuesday: Amy's Intervals + Cardio Intervals + walk
Time to alternate from Pure Cardio this week. Amy's Intervals is so very different from Michelle's PeakFit. And that's why I like it! Twenty second on, 10 seconds off. On and on.... It's tiring but a nice change of pace. At lunch, I walked down to our favorite cafe near campus to meet a friend. I like sneaking in 20 minutes of exercise!
Wednesday: McLean's HIIT - Bodyweight Circuits
Ugh, Wednesdays. This is the day I have to not think, just do. And it works, usually. I got through this workout with minimal pain but lots of sweat. And it was the last time I'll have to do it for a while! Yes!
Thursday: Dozois' Cardio Strength 1 + walk
So, life is happening. I can't get an evening workout in this week so my additional CS had to happen this morning. It's very difficult doing these on a weekday morning. And I can't get through it all.... But I did as much as time would allow. And I'll try to do some extra work on Saturday. I walked at the rec at lunch - a good break!
Friday: Peak 10 More Cardio Interval Burn + walk
I will not have time to work out on Sunday so that workout got shifted to today. Yay. None of the CSs or CIBs are easy in the morning, including this one. But I really like it, which helps. At lunch, I walked at the rec since the number on the scale scared me this morning.
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength
Wow, this morning was a challenge. I warmed up for about 3-4 minutes before doing all of this CS. Then, I finished the past two workouts I hadn't completed. So, 10 minutes for CS 1 on Glo and 15 minutes from More CIB. I cooled down by doing my own cardio and lunges for 5 minutes. Then, ten minutes of stretching and ab work. So, that's 90 minutes of cardio total. Whew. But I needed it because tomorrow….
Sunday: REST
….is a too-busy-to-workout-forced-rest-day. I hate these. But because of family obligations, I could not work out today. Honestly, I think my body really needed to rest, though, so I won't complain too much.
Calorie Counts:
I had some really good eating days this week, staying below 1200 calories for three days. When I weighed on Sunday morning, I was happy with the number, thought it's still not in my former "normal" range - by 1.9 pounds. Sigh. The problem is that life cannot be controlled and it's at it's craziest these days between work and home. I'm happy I'm doing as well as I am when I can, honestly.
After my trip to San Francisco, I'm really worrying about my weight. And the next three weeks before vacation are going to be insane - social things and meals out... Sigh. Let's hope I can find a balance.
Monday: Dozois' Tip Top Shape + weights
I was not feeling well this morning. Thankfully, I made this workout as low-impact as possible....and still sweated up a storm! Though I shouldn't do two weight sessions in one day, I did. I needed to get out of the office so I went and did weights at the rec. It felt good since I still felt guilty about missing last week. Ha!
Tuesday: Amy's Intervals + Cardio Intervals + walk
Time to alternate from Pure Cardio this week. Amy's Intervals is so very different from Michelle's PeakFit. And that's why I like it! Twenty second on, 10 seconds off. On and on.... It's tiring but a nice change of pace. At lunch, I walked down to our favorite cafe near campus to meet a friend. I like sneaking in 20 minutes of exercise!
Wednesday: McLean's HIIT - Bodyweight Circuits
Ugh, Wednesdays. This is the day I have to not think, just do. And it works, usually. I got through this workout with minimal pain but lots of sweat. And it was the last time I'll have to do it for a while! Yes!
Thursday: Dozois' Cardio Strength 1 + walk
So, life is happening. I can't get an evening workout in this week so my additional CS had to happen this morning. It's very difficult doing these on a weekday morning. And I can't get through it all.... But I did as much as time would allow. And I'll try to do some extra work on Saturday. I walked at the rec at lunch - a good break!
Friday: Peak 10 More Cardio Interval Burn + walk
I will not have time to work out on Sunday so that workout got shifted to today. Yay. None of the CSs or CIBs are easy in the morning, including this one. But I really like it, which helps. At lunch, I walked at the rec since the number on the scale scared me this morning.
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength
Wow, this morning was a challenge. I warmed up for about 3-4 minutes before doing all of this CS. Then, I finished the past two workouts I hadn't completed. So, 10 minutes for CS 1 on Glo and 15 minutes from More CIB. I cooled down by doing my own cardio and lunges for 5 minutes. Then, ten minutes of stretching and ab work. So, that's 90 minutes of cardio total. Whew. But I needed it because tomorrow….
Sunday: REST
….is a too-busy-to-workout-forced-rest-day. I hate these. But because of family obligations, I could not work out today. Honestly, I think my body really needed to rest, though, so I won't complain too much.
Calorie Counts:
I had some really good eating days this week, staying below 1200 calories for three days. When I weighed on Sunday morning, I was happy with the number, thought it's still not in my former "normal" range - by 1.9 pounds. Sigh. The problem is that life cannot be controlled and it's at it's craziest these days between work and home. I'm happy I'm doing as well as I am when I can, honestly.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
San Francisco, Part 2
My tour of San Francisco was great. One of our stops was Twin Peaks - a great place to see the city in all of its glory.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Week Six: Peak 10 Challenge #5
Only three more weeks left in this Challenge! And four weeks until I'm in a bikini! Eek!
I'm going to be out of town Tuesday through Friday (San Francisco for a conference), so it'll be interesting to see how this works. Usually, I have no problem getting up and working out, even on a trip. Let's hope that trend continues.
Monday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength
This may be my only day with weights this week (except for the weekend) so I did Michelle's fun workout. I love it....and I really love how easy plank walk ups are for me now! Cool! I meant to go the rec for more weights at lunch but work was crazy.
Tuesday: PeakFit Pure Cardio
A traveling day. Once I got to San Francisco, I checked in early (thank goodness they had a room) and did Pure Cardio before my tour of the city began. I was crunched for time but I'm glad I got it done! It wasn't easy since I did the whole thing (I usually have to skip 5 minutes) so I was proud of myself for getting through it.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
My system is all screwed up with the time change. I went to bed early so I got up early and did this workout. I was going to do an additional Glo workout but the internet wouldn't work. So I did my own bodyweight exercises for ten minutes and then stretched. Still a good workout!
Thursday: Peak10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster
Since I'm missing my additional Cardio Strength this week (I couldn't bring along my free weights to San Francisco), I did an additional CIB instead. And let me tell you, in order to get up early while out of town to work out, there has to be very little dread factor in said workout. So I chose to do this CIB again - though I'd done it over the weekend. It really is a lot of fun and truly enjoy it. So, 55 minutes of cardio followed by 10 minutes of stretching and abs.
Friday: Dozois' Barre Fusion
Ah, a light day. I did this workout and added on a bit of stretching for 35 minutes of work. This Fusion is like a condensed BodyFit 360. Very good without being too long. At the end, Michelle throws in some arm and ab work. I wish there was a bit more stretching but overall, it's very good!
Saturday: PeakFit Cardio Strength 2 + McLean's Cardio Hip Hop
After eating bad in San Francisco, I was back home today and ready to work hard. This CS is tough but I really like it. The last circuit always gets me - so very challenging! I then did 25 minutes of McLean's dance, making as much high impact as I could. I wanted to work hard and I did! Then, 5 minutes with the 12-pound weights, ab work and a stretch.
Sunday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn
I didn't have as much time today to work out but I got through this CIB. Whew! It's another one of my favorites and it's tough. The peaks really get me, for some reason. I did a full 10 minute stretch afterward.
We're just not going to talk about calories this week.
I'm going to be out of town Tuesday through Friday (San Francisco for a conference), so it'll be interesting to see how this works. Usually, I have no problem getting up and working out, even on a trip. Let's hope that trend continues.
Monday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength
This may be my only day with weights this week (except for the weekend) so I did Michelle's fun workout. I love it....and I really love how easy plank walk ups are for me now! Cool! I meant to go the rec for more weights at lunch but work was crazy.
Tuesday: PeakFit Pure Cardio
A traveling day. Once I got to San Francisco, I checked in early (thank goodness they had a room) and did Pure Cardio before my tour of the city began. I was crunched for time but I'm glad I got it done! It wasn't easy since I did the whole thing (I usually have to skip 5 minutes) so I was proud of myself for getting through it.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
My system is all screwed up with the time change. I went to bed early so I got up early and did this workout. I was going to do an additional Glo workout but the internet wouldn't work. So I did my own bodyweight exercises for ten minutes and then stretched. Still a good workout!
Thursday: Peak10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster
Since I'm missing my additional Cardio Strength this week (I couldn't bring along my free weights to San Francisco), I did an additional CIB instead. And let me tell you, in order to get up early while out of town to work out, there has to be very little dread factor in said workout. So I chose to do this CIB again - though I'd done it over the weekend. It really is a lot of fun and truly enjoy it. So, 55 minutes of cardio followed by 10 minutes of stretching and abs.
Friday: Dozois' Barre Fusion
Ah, a light day. I did this workout and added on a bit of stretching for 35 minutes of work. This Fusion is like a condensed BodyFit 360. Very good without being too long. At the end, Michelle throws in some arm and ab work. I wish there was a bit more stretching but overall, it's very good!
Saturday: PeakFit Cardio Strength 2 + McLean's Cardio Hip Hop
After eating bad in San Francisco, I was back home today and ready to work hard. This CS is tough but I really like it. The last circuit always gets me - so very challenging! I then did 25 minutes of McLean's dance, making as much high impact as I could. I wanted to work hard and I did! Then, 5 minutes with the 12-pound weights, ab work and a stretch.
Sunday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn
I didn't have as much time today to work out but I got through this CIB. Whew! It's another one of my favorites and it's tough. The peaks really get me, for some reason. I did a full 10 minute stretch afterward.
We're just not going to talk about calories this week.
Friday, May 13, 2016
San Francisco
Today I leave San Francisco. I didn't get to see and do everything I wanted to (stupid work!), but to get to go for free is pretty neat. All in all, I have a pretty great employer.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Week Five: Peak 10 Challenge #5
I've made it halfway! Wow! Now comes the hard part.....
An additional Cardio Strength workout is needed these last four weeks. I may miss one next week, due to a conference trip, so I did an extra last week. But with the addition of that workout, my energy level really starts to suffer.
So.....wish me luck!
Monday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength + walk
I was home sick from work today. Ugh. However, by the evening, I felt like I could get through a workout. I chose to do my additional CS today since I had the time. This CS was my first Peak workout ever so it holds a dear place in my heart.......and it usually tries to kill me. Ha! After the first 2 circuits, it gets a bit easier, but...ow. I took a fifteen minute walk outside once I finished because the weather was just perfect.
Tuesday: Amy's Intervals + Cardio Intervals
This morning, after a rough night of sleep, I was noticeably lethargic. I made my legs work, though, and got through all of Amy's Intervals. Dang! Then, about 10-15 minutes of Cardio Intervals to make up my 45-minute workout. It's always nice to use these workouts as an alternate to Pure Cardio.
Wednesday: McLean's HIIT - Bodyweight Circuits
Thankfully, I was well rested when I began this workout because it's such a challenge. I shortened some of the floor work moves to get more steps with standing cardio. It's cheating, in a way, since the floor work is what really makes this one so difficult for me... So at some point I'll have to suck it up and do it all. But this workout still gets me every time!
Thursday: Dozois' Tip Top Shape + weights
No, I'm not supposed to do two rounds of weights in a day but sometimes it can't be helped. I tried to take it easier this morning. I jumped a bit but not too much. But I just love Michelle's workout. At lunch, I dragged myself to the rec to do weights. Every time, I'm so glad when it's over!
Friday: Ilyse's Sweaty, Sassy, and Strong + BodyFit 360: Vol 3 - Athletic Conditioning (stretch) + walk
I basically warmed up today with 15 minutes of Ilyse's fun dance workout. It's so light and fun….a great way to get moving at 5:30am. Then, I did the full 20 minute stretch on the third volume of BodyFit 360. I love it! At lunch, I took a 20 minute walk outside. Another gorgeous spring day!
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength - Fat Blaster + Ilyse's Heart-Pumping Groove
Time to burn some serious calories! I switched it up today with the CS Fat Blaster - the newest of Michelle's Peak 10 line. It's highly choreographed but after a lot of times going through it, I finally feel comfortable with the moves. But beware - the last circuit is the hardest! Yikes! After that, I did 20 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout. Then, five minutes with my heavy weights followed by a nice stretch and sit-ups.
Sunday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster
After doing the CS - Fat Blaster yesterday, it seemed only natural to do the CIB today. And it was so much more fun than I remembered! Some of the moves are from the CS and therefore familiar which is helpful considering the more complicated choreography. But I had fun and that's always nice when working out! Ab work and a stretch followed.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1192
Tuesday - 1440
Wednesday - 1198
Thursday - 1198
Friday - BAD
Saturday - 1235
Sunday - 1198
I had some good days this week - and some not too good. It'll be worse next week, when I'm out of town so the last two weeks of this Challenge will have to be super healthy!
An additional Cardio Strength workout is needed these last four weeks. I may miss one next week, due to a conference trip, so I did an extra last week. But with the addition of that workout, my energy level really starts to suffer.
So.....wish me luck!
Monday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength + walk
I was home sick from work today. Ugh. However, by the evening, I felt like I could get through a workout. I chose to do my additional CS today since I had the time. This CS was my first Peak workout ever so it holds a dear place in my heart.......and it usually tries to kill me. Ha! After the first 2 circuits, it gets a bit easier, but...ow. I took a fifteen minute walk outside once I finished because the weather was just perfect.
Tuesday: Amy's Intervals + Cardio Intervals
This morning, after a rough night of sleep, I was noticeably lethargic. I made my legs work, though, and got through all of Amy's Intervals. Dang! Then, about 10-15 minutes of Cardio Intervals to make up my 45-minute workout. It's always nice to use these workouts as an alternate to Pure Cardio.
Wednesday: McLean's HIIT - Bodyweight Circuits
Thankfully, I was well rested when I began this workout because it's such a challenge. I shortened some of the floor work moves to get more steps with standing cardio. It's cheating, in a way, since the floor work is what really makes this one so difficult for me... So at some point I'll have to suck it up and do it all. But this workout still gets me every time!
Thursday: Dozois' Tip Top Shape + weights
No, I'm not supposed to do two rounds of weights in a day but sometimes it can't be helped. I tried to take it easier this morning. I jumped a bit but not too much. But I just love Michelle's workout. At lunch, I dragged myself to the rec to do weights. Every time, I'm so glad when it's over!
Friday: Ilyse's Sweaty, Sassy, and Strong + BodyFit 360: Vol 3 - Athletic Conditioning (stretch) + walk
I basically warmed up today with 15 minutes of Ilyse's fun dance workout. It's so light and fun….a great way to get moving at 5:30am. Then, I did the full 20 minute stretch on the third volume of BodyFit 360. I love it! At lunch, I took a 20 minute walk outside. Another gorgeous spring day!
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength - Fat Blaster + Ilyse's Heart-Pumping Groove
Time to burn some serious calories! I switched it up today with the CS Fat Blaster - the newest of Michelle's Peak 10 line. It's highly choreographed but after a lot of times going through it, I finally feel comfortable with the moves. But beware - the last circuit is the hardest! Yikes! After that, I did 20 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout. Then, five minutes with my heavy weights followed by a nice stretch and sit-ups.
Sunday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster
After doing the CS - Fat Blaster yesterday, it seemed only natural to do the CIB today. And it was so much more fun than I remembered! Some of the moves are from the CS and therefore familiar which is helpful considering the more complicated choreography. But I had fun and that's always nice when working out! Ab work and a stretch followed.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1192
Tuesday - 1440
Wednesday - 1198
Thursday - 1198
Friday - BAD
Saturday - 1235
Sunday - 1198
I had some good days this week - and some not too good. It'll be worse next week, when I'm out of town so the last two weeks of this Challenge will have to be super healthy!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Sweet Potato Hash with Sage
Almost every Saturday, I cook a light meal for Mr. Higgins. In the winter, it's usually soup and cornbread. In the summer, it's generally veggies and potatoes or something. We don't eat a lot of meat.
This past weekend, I wanted something different. I happened upon a recipe for Sweet Potato Hash with Sage and thought to give it a try.
I made some substitutions/changes.... Red onion instead of green; no ham but a sprinkling of bacon bits. I served the hash with some scrambled eggs.
For my first hash, I claim this to be very successful. Mr. Higgins gobbled it up and then took some from my plate. I wasn't blown away by the sage and I thought it could have used a little something else.... But I'll keep this recipe and use it again!
Give it a try at your next brunch or breakfast for dinner!
This past weekend, I wanted something different. I happened upon a recipe for Sweet Potato Hash with Sage and thought to give it a try.
I made some substitutions/changes.... Red onion instead of green; no ham but a sprinkling of bacon bits. I served the hash with some scrambled eggs.
For my first hash, I claim this to be very successful. Mr. Higgins gobbled it up and then took some from my plate. I wasn't blown away by the sage and I thought it could have used a little something else.... But I'll keep this recipe and use it again!
Give it a try at your next brunch or breakfast for dinner!
Monday, May 2, 2016
Week Four: Peak 10 Challenge #5
Almost halfway through this Challenge! And six weeks until our vacation in the U.S.V.I. Wow!! That means it's time to buckle down and eat crazy healthy!!
Monday: Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101 + Heart-Pumping Groove
I'm so glad Ilyse was on my schedule this morning since I hardly slept at all last night. I was exhausted. But Ilyse got me moving very quickly with her intervals - so much jumping and running right away! Whew! I did all of that workout and then switched over to her Groove, which is much less intense. I still tried to jump and jog to keep my heart rate up. At lunch, I stayed in since I was so tired.
Tuesday: PeakFit Pure Cardio + weights
Back to Pure Cardio this week! I skipped to the end to get in all of the last circuit, which I usually have to cut short due to time. That last circuit is the one with lunge jumps. Oy. But I did them all and moved on. Yay! At lunch I did weights at the rec center. I still have no love of them but at least the weight room was relatively empty today.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
I was so tired this morning - thankfully from sleeping very deeply - that this workout seemed impossible when I started. But I persevered and got through it all! I can't say it was easy, at least mentally, but it felt great afterward! At lunch, I went to a talk about flexibility training - very interesting.
Thursday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength + Cardio Strength 1 on Glo
So this morning, I got up and did Michelle's weight workout and kept it low-impact - super low because...... I realized I need to start my additional CS this week since I'll be at a conference in a few weeks and may miss that one. Ugh. I hate adding in the additional CS workout. This is when I really start to feel this Challenge. I got through it, after work, but it wasn't easy. This CS was appealing because I did it over the weekend and hoped it would still be fresh in my mind. It mostly was.
Friday: Bob Harper's Yoga for the Warrior
I needed little to no movement today and yoga sounded good. Bob Harper's yoga is effective without being too intense. The link above is a clip since I still haven't reviewed it (sigh).
Saturday: PeakFit Cardio Strength 2 + Amy's Metabolic Meltdown
Tomorrow, my workout time will be limited so I need to hit it hard today. I started with Michelle's CS….which may be my favorite CS ever. Really, it's so well put together without having complex choreography. Just a good workout! After that, I did 25 minutes of Amy's cardio drills. Whew! Then, five minutes with the 12-pound dumbbells followed by abs and a nice stretch. What a day!
Sunday: Peak 10 More Cardio Interval Burn
I didn't have much time today so I had to work hard and work quickly. This CIB does the trick - making me feel like death after the first circuit. Ha! It's a fun one, though, and after the first two circuits, I really enjoy it. After that 55 minutes, I stretched, did some sit-ups, and called it a day.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1192
Tuesday - 1192
Wednesday - 1229
Thursday - 1445
Friday - 1198
Saturday - 1288
Sunday - BAD
Before my bad day on Sunday, I weighed - and I've finally lost weight! Two pounds. Awesome!! If I can have my one splurge day, I'm good. Yay!
Monday: Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101 + Heart-Pumping Groove
I'm so glad Ilyse was on my schedule this morning since I hardly slept at all last night. I was exhausted. But Ilyse got me moving very quickly with her intervals - so much jumping and running right away! Whew! I did all of that workout and then switched over to her Groove, which is much less intense. I still tried to jump and jog to keep my heart rate up. At lunch, I stayed in since I was so tired.
Tuesday: PeakFit Pure Cardio + weights
Back to Pure Cardio this week! I skipped to the end to get in all of the last circuit, which I usually have to cut short due to time. That last circuit is the one with lunge jumps. Oy. But I did them all and moved on. Yay! At lunch I did weights at the rec center. I still have no love of them but at least the weight room was relatively empty today.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
I was so tired this morning - thankfully from sleeping very deeply - that this workout seemed impossible when I started. But I persevered and got through it all! I can't say it was easy, at least mentally, but it felt great afterward! At lunch, I went to a talk about flexibility training - very interesting.
Thursday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength + Cardio Strength 1 on Glo
So this morning, I got up and did Michelle's weight workout and kept it low-impact - super low because...... I realized I need to start my additional CS this week since I'll be at a conference in a few weeks and may miss that one. Ugh. I hate adding in the additional CS workout. This is when I really start to feel this Challenge. I got through it, after work, but it wasn't easy. This CS was appealing because I did it over the weekend and hoped it would still be fresh in my mind. It mostly was.
Friday: Bob Harper's Yoga for the Warrior
I needed little to no movement today and yoga sounded good. Bob Harper's yoga is effective without being too intense. The link above is a clip since I still haven't reviewed it (sigh).
Saturday: PeakFit Cardio Strength 2 + Amy's Metabolic Meltdown
Tomorrow, my workout time will be limited so I need to hit it hard today. I started with Michelle's CS….which may be my favorite CS ever. Really, it's so well put together without having complex choreography. Just a good workout! After that, I did 25 minutes of Amy's cardio drills. Whew! Then, five minutes with the 12-pound dumbbells followed by abs and a nice stretch. What a day!
Sunday: Peak 10 More Cardio Interval Burn
I didn't have much time today so I had to work hard and work quickly. This CIB does the trick - making me feel like death after the first circuit. Ha! It's a fun one, though, and after the first two circuits, I really enjoy it. After that 55 minutes, I stretched, did some sit-ups, and called it a day.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1192
Tuesday - 1192
Wednesday - 1229
Thursday - 1445
Friday - 1198
Saturday - 1288
Sunday - BAD
Before my bad day on Sunday, I weighed - and I've finally lost weight! Two pounds. Awesome!! If I can have my one splurge day, I'm good. Yay!
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
One Summer: America, 1927
For our book this month, my book group chose Bill Bryson's One Summer: America, 1927. I wasn't terribly excited until I realized who wrote it....and then I was curious about this one.
I love history but American history and modern history are not my things.... So it is an achievement that Bryson pulled me in so quickly with this work.
Bryson focuses on several personalities that made headlines that summer: Charles Lindbergh, Calvin Coolidge, Babe Ruth, Herbert Hoover, Ruth Snyder, Al Capone, Henry Ford....and many more. I'll be the first to admit that I knew these people in only general terms. But Bryson's writing style is such that I couldn't help but be curious about them all - and he gave wonderful portraits of them, while putting all the events into the context of the late 1920s.
I learned a lot from this book and I can honestly say that I only skipped over a few parts of the baseball sections. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig had fascinating lives....but baseball statistics hold little interest for me.
This was a well-written, informative read and I highly recommend it!
I love history but American history and modern history are not my things.... So it is an achievement that Bryson pulled me in so quickly with this work.
Bryson focuses on several personalities that made headlines that summer: Charles Lindbergh, Calvin Coolidge, Babe Ruth, Herbert Hoover, Ruth Snyder, Al Capone, Henry Ford....and many more. I'll be the first to admit that I knew these people in only general terms. But Bryson's writing style is such that I couldn't help but be curious about them all - and he gave wonderful portraits of them, while putting all the events into the context of the late 1920s.
I learned a lot from this book and I can honestly say that I only skipped over a few parts of the baseball sections. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig had fascinating lives....but baseball statistics hold little interest for me.
This was a well-written, informative read and I highly recommend it!
Monday, April 25, 2016
Week Three: Peak 10 Challenge #5
I really need to try to enjoy these next two weeks, before I enter into the last month of the Challenge. It gets harder as you go along....
But for now, I'm still super motivated and energized. My weight may not be cooperating but I'm feeling strong. So that's something!
Monday: Dozois' Tip Top Shape
My lunch appointments have messed up my day for weights at work, so I shifted this workout to Monday. And that worked well since I kept it all low-impact after my crazy weekend workouts. It felt good to work with the weights without killing myself, like in a CS video. At lunch, I took a very short walk, which doesn't really count for anything.
Tuesday: Amy's Intervals + Cardio Intervals
After two weeks of Pure Cardio, it was time to switch things up this morning. Out with Michelle's mountain climbs, in with Amy's intervals. Both are challenging cardio so it's nice to mix them up! Intervals consists entirely of 20 second intervals followed by 10 seconds of rest. Do that 8 times and rest for 2 minutes; repeat 4 times. Cardio Intervals takes you through one move for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, with short rests between. Very different! And good! At lunch, I had to go to an HR talk - which meant walking across campus.
Wednesday: McLean's HIIT - Bodyweight Circuits + weights
So my alternate for Anytime Anywhere is McLean's HIIT workout, which almost kills me every time. Much like AA! Not having done this workout in months, it was a bit traumatic this morning...but I eventually got into the swing of it. And I survived. Yay! At lunch, I did my weights at the rec center. I swear they keep that place way too hot so we'll just sweat off calories. Ugh.
Thursday: Amy's Kickboxing Skills and Drills + Ilyse's Sweaty, Sassy and Strong + walk
Ah, my light day! So lovely! I definitely tried to do as much high-impact as possible today but it was nice to not be jumping constantly. Amy's kickboxing is good and I definitely worked up a sweat in no time. Ilyse's dance is super light but fun, as always. At lunch, I walked to a cafe with a co-worker - so about 20 minutes of walking in the lovely sunshine.
Friday: Dozois' Conditioning for Long Lean Muscles + walk
Thank goodness it's Friday! Today it felt so good to take it down a notch. I did about 35 minutes of Michelle's Barre/dance workout, skipping the jumping and harder moves. Light was what my body needed today. I didn't skip her core work, however, which is always challenging! At lunch, I walked at the rec center and then had a nice stretch.
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn + Ilyse's Long and Lean
Oh, boy. I wasn't sure if I was ready for peaks today…..but I just went with it. And of course, the first peak in this CIB is tuck jumps. I can definitely tell that I'm heavier than usual (stupid 5 thyroid pounds!) because these are so much harder than they used to be. I hate it. Sigh. After that 55 minutes, I tuned into Ilyse's workout - a new one for me. It focused on strength - a lot of ballet movements. A very nice 20 minutes of non-jumping. Then, a stretch and sit-ups.
Sunday: Dozois' Cardio Strength 1 on Glo + Ilsye's Easy to Follow Dance Moves
All I remembered about this CS was that it was tough - and it is. Thankfully, the peaks aren't too bad. But Michelle works you really hard with the non-stop weighted and cardio moves. I was sweating like crazy! Then, 20 minutes of Ilyse's fun dance workout. I added on 5 minutes of weights, using the 12lbs dumbbells….. Then a stretch and some planks.
Calorie Counts:
This week was pretty bad and I knew it would be. I had two days under 1200 calories, I think. But this is my last bad week….. Look for some better eating next week!
But for now, I'm still super motivated and energized. My weight may not be cooperating but I'm feeling strong. So that's something!
Monday: Dozois' Tip Top Shape
My lunch appointments have messed up my day for weights at work, so I shifted this workout to Monday. And that worked well since I kept it all low-impact after my crazy weekend workouts. It felt good to work with the weights without killing myself, like in a CS video. At lunch, I took a very short walk, which doesn't really count for anything.
Tuesday: Amy's Intervals + Cardio Intervals
After two weeks of Pure Cardio, it was time to switch things up this morning. Out with Michelle's mountain climbs, in with Amy's intervals. Both are challenging cardio so it's nice to mix them up! Intervals consists entirely of 20 second intervals followed by 10 seconds of rest. Do that 8 times and rest for 2 minutes; repeat 4 times. Cardio Intervals takes you through one move for 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, with short rests between. Very different! And good! At lunch, I had to go to an HR talk - which meant walking across campus.
Wednesday: McLean's HIIT - Bodyweight Circuits + weights
So my alternate for Anytime Anywhere is McLean's HIIT workout, which almost kills me every time. Much like AA! Not having done this workout in months, it was a bit traumatic this morning...but I eventually got into the swing of it. And I survived. Yay! At lunch, I did my weights at the rec center. I swear they keep that place way too hot so we'll just sweat off calories. Ugh.
Thursday: Amy's Kickboxing Skills and Drills + Ilyse's Sweaty, Sassy and Strong + walk
Ah, my light day! So lovely! I definitely tried to do as much high-impact as possible today but it was nice to not be jumping constantly. Amy's kickboxing is good and I definitely worked up a sweat in no time. Ilyse's dance is super light but fun, as always. At lunch, I walked to a cafe with a co-worker - so about 20 minutes of walking in the lovely sunshine.
Friday: Dozois' Conditioning for Long Lean Muscles + walk
Thank goodness it's Friday! Today it felt so good to take it down a notch. I did about 35 minutes of Michelle's Barre/dance workout, skipping the jumping and harder moves. Light was what my body needed today. I didn't skip her core work, however, which is always challenging! At lunch, I walked at the rec center and then had a nice stretch.
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn + Ilyse's Long and Lean
Oh, boy. I wasn't sure if I was ready for peaks today…..but I just went with it. And of course, the first peak in this CIB is tuck jumps. I can definitely tell that I'm heavier than usual (stupid 5 thyroid pounds!) because these are so much harder than they used to be. I hate it. Sigh. After that 55 minutes, I tuned into Ilyse's workout - a new one for me. It focused on strength - a lot of ballet movements. A very nice 20 minutes of non-jumping. Then, a stretch and sit-ups.
Sunday: Dozois' Cardio Strength 1 on Glo + Ilsye's Easy to Follow Dance Moves
All I remembered about this CS was that it was tough - and it is. Thankfully, the peaks aren't too bad. But Michelle works you really hard with the non-stop weighted and cardio moves. I was sweating like crazy! Then, 20 minutes of Ilyse's fun dance workout. I added on 5 minutes of weights, using the 12lbs dumbbells….. Then a stretch and some planks.
Calorie Counts:
This week was pretty bad and I knew it would be. I had two days under 1200 calories, I think. But this is my last bad week….. Look for some better eating next week!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Key Lime Cake Mix Cookies
Mr. Higgins loves key lime pie. And he likes lime flavored desserts much more than I do. For me, dessert usually means chocolate....but I'm learning this doesn't have to be the case all the time. Ha!
Have you seen this in stores?
I saw it last year but somehow never bought a box. This year, I snatched up the first one I saw and finally, over the weekend, baked with it.
For my cake mix cookies I used....
Cake mix from the box
2 large eggs (or egg substitute)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Drop by tablespoon-fulls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for about 10-11 minutes (for soft cookies), or until you see the edges start to brown. Cool on a rack.
Yum! Mr. Higgins can easily eat 5 in one sitting. I got about 38 cookies from my mix which means each cookie, with egg subsitute, came to 65 calories. Not bad!
Have you seen this in stores?
I saw it last year but somehow never bought a box. This year, I snatched up the first one I saw and finally, over the weekend, baked with it.
For my cake mix cookies I used....
Cake mix from the box
2 large eggs (or egg substitute)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Drop by tablespoon-fulls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for about 10-11 minutes (for soft cookies), or until you see the edges start to brown. Cool on a rack.
Yum! Mr. Higgins can easily eat 5 in one sitting. I got about 38 cookies from my mix which means each cookie, with egg subsitute, came to 65 calories. Not bad!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Week Two: Peak 10 Challenge #5
One week down, seven more to go!
I really need to try to eat better this week - that's the goal. I can splurge on the weekend but until then, I'm buckling down!
Monday: Amy's Skills and Drills + McLean's Unleash Your Inner Strength + yoga
After sleeping super well last night (a rarity), I was almost energized this morning. Ha! I started with 25 minutes of Amy's kickboxing workout. Good but not really challenging. I needed a lighter day today. The same with McLean's workout - I skipped the lunge jumps and burpees in favor of more subdued high-intensity work. It felt good! At lunch, I did yoga. It was alright - lots of sun salutations.
Tuesday: PeakFit Pure Cardio + weights
It's always nice to not dread a workout and this one has no dread-factor....except for lunge jumps. Ha! This morning, PC was fun as usual! At lunch, I did weights at the rec center. I was still sore from yoga, or something else, so it was good to move and have a good stretch mid-day.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
Even in a Peak 10 Challenge, I dread Wednesdays - always reserved for my hardest weekday workout. At least I survived AA last week....so how hard could it be this week? It was still difficult but I'm almost learning to appreciate it, if not like it. Ha! At lunch, I went for a short 10-minute walk just to get out. But it was almost chilly out, so I didn't walk for long.
Thursday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength
Yay, weights this morning! And a lighter workout in general! I haven't done this workout since the last Peak 10 Challenge and I always enjoy it! I kept the cardio mainly low-impact, though some high-impact moves were unavoidable. The single arm planks are always challenging in this workout - but they're so much easier now than a few years ago! At lunch, another quick walk.
Friday: PeakFIt Dynamic Flexibility + Amy's Core and More + walk
Ah, Friday! What a lovely day! And what a lovely workout! Dynamic Flexibility is one of my favorites. It's perfect for a Friday - you warm-up, move a bit, and stretch a lot. Great! After that 30-minute DVD, I did Amy's core workout. Ouch! Effective but….ow. At lunch, I walked outside for about 20 minutes. It was so nice out!
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength - Fat Blaster + Amy's Metabolic Meltdown
This CS hasn't made enough of an impression for me to know if I should dread it or not - ha! It turns out that the hardest circuit is the last. I did really well until then when my energy was no longer existent. But it felt good to move and this CS is very well choreographed. After that, I did 20 minutes of Amy's cardio - so 70 minutes of heart pounding work. I then did 5 minutes with the 12lbs weights and stretched for 10 minutes.
Sunday: Peak 10 More Cardio Interval Burn + Amy's All Around Energy
I hadn't done this CIB in so long that I was looking forward to it! This was my very first CIB and perhaps my favorite. Michelle is at her best here - the choreography isn't too complicated and it's fun! After it finished, I did 15 minutes of Amy's body weight workout - lots of squats and lunges! Then, a nice stretch with some sit-ups.
Calorie Counts:
I ate so well (under 1200 calories) Monday through Thursday and then I weighed on Friday - no change. I swear! This thyroid thing is the biggest obstacle I've faced. I'm not going to weigh for two more weeks…..That's how long I have until I get super strict before the next trip.
I really need to try to eat better this week - that's the goal. I can splurge on the weekend but until then, I'm buckling down!
Monday: Amy's Skills and Drills + McLean's Unleash Your Inner Strength + yoga
After sleeping super well last night (a rarity), I was almost energized this morning. Ha! I started with 25 minutes of Amy's kickboxing workout. Good but not really challenging. I needed a lighter day today. The same with McLean's workout - I skipped the lunge jumps and burpees in favor of more subdued high-intensity work. It felt good! At lunch, I did yoga. It was alright - lots of sun salutations.
Tuesday: PeakFit Pure Cardio + weights
It's always nice to not dread a workout and this one has no dread-factor....except for lunge jumps. Ha! This morning, PC was fun as usual! At lunch, I did weights at the rec center. I was still sore from yoga, or something else, so it was good to move and have a good stretch mid-day.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere
Even in a Peak 10 Challenge, I dread Wednesdays - always reserved for my hardest weekday workout. At least I survived AA last week....so how hard could it be this week? It was still difficult but I'm almost learning to appreciate it, if not like it. Ha! At lunch, I went for a short 10-minute walk just to get out. But it was almost chilly out, so I didn't walk for long.
Thursday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength
Yay, weights this morning! And a lighter workout in general! I haven't done this workout since the last Peak 10 Challenge and I always enjoy it! I kept the cardio mainly low-impact, though some high-impact moves were unavoidable. The single arm planks are always challenging in this workout - but they're so much easier now than a few years ago! At lunch, another quick walk.
Friday: PeakFIt Dynamic Flexibility + Amy's Core and More + walk
Ah, Friday! What a lovely day! And what a lovely workout! Dynamic Flexibility is one of my favorites. It's perfect for a Friday - you warm-up, move a bit, and stretch a lot. Great! After that 30-minute DVD, I did Amy's core workout. Ouch! Effective but….ow. At lunch, I walked outside for about 20 minutes. It was so nice out!
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength - Fat Blaster + Amy's Metabolic Meltdown
This CS hasn't made enough of an impression for me to know if I should dread it or not - ha! It turns out that the hardest circuit is the last. I did really well until then when my energy was no longer existent. But it felt good to move and this CS is very well choreographed. After that, I did 20 minutes of Amy's cardio - so 70 minutes of heart pounding work. I then did 5 minutes with the 12lbs weights and stretched for 10 minutes.
Sunday: Peak 10 More Cardio Interval Burn + Amy's All Around Energy
I hadn't done this CIB in so long that I was looking forward to it! This was my very first CIB and perhaps my favorite. Michelle is at her best here - the choreography isn't too complicated and it's fun! After it finished, I did 15 minutes of Amy's body weight workout - lots of squats and lunges! Then, a nice stretch with some sit-ups.
Calorie Counts:
I ate so well (under 1200 calories) Monday through Thursday and then I weighed on Friday - no change. I swear! This thyroid thing is the biggest obstacle I've faced. I'm not going to weigh for two more weeks…..That's how long I have until I get super strict before the next trip.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Painterly Cowl
I finished up a project using my favorite yarn find from last year's Fiber Fest - Miss Babs' Sojourn. It's a lovely mix of cashmere and silk. And I loved watching these colors knit up together!
I'm not big into wearing orange so I decided to give this to my bestie, ALJ.
Pattern: Painterly by Casapinka
Yarn: Miss Babs' Sojourn
Needle: US 2
Made for: ALJ
Time to completion: 2.5 months
Monday, April 11, 2016
Week One: Peak 10 Challenge #5
Holy cow! I'm up to my fifth Peak 10 Challenge!??! Dang! It's now my third year with this program and I spend four months of every year going through it. Wow.
That should tell you something: it's effective!
I'm excited to get into this fifth round - especially since I saw great numbers on my Peak Fit Test on Sunday. I know Michelle Dozois' program will whip me into even better shape.....because I need to get into a bikini in early June!
Monday: PeakFit Pure Cardio + walk
I always love getting back into Pure Cardio. It's just so much fun! After weeks of doing interval workouts with Amy Dixon and Jeffrey Scott on Glo, it's interesting to get back into Michelle's intervals. Dixon and Scott do moves for 30 second bursts and then you rest for 30 seconds; repeat, repeat.... Michelle guides you through a 5-minute hill - low impact gives way to high impact and, in the CIBs and CSs, all the way up to a peak. It's different - and challenging! Of course, Pure Cardio has no peaks, thank goodness. At lunch, I walked outside for 25 minutes - such a lovely day!
Tuesday: Amy's Kickboxing Skills and Drills + Ilyse's Sweaty, Sassy, and Strong + weights
After three straight days of high impact, I decided to take it down a notch today. For the first four weeks of a Peak 10 Challenge, I get a light day. After that, it's gone, so I have to enjoy these four weeks! Amy's kickboxing was a level 2, so not too intense. I always sweat, though. Ilyse's dance workout is fun - and definitely lighter. At lunch, I did weights at the rec center, even though I still ached from home weights on Sunday. Dang.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere No Excuse Workout + walk
Originally, I was going to give myself another week before doing this workout (hereby called Anytime Anywhere or AA), the toughest (in my opinion) of the PeakFit workouts. But then I remembered the pizza last weekend. And so, off I went this morning with my inaugural AA workout. And it actually wasn't so bad. Amazing! I guess my fitness level really is increasing! And I'm sure the Combat HIIT workouts help, too. My only modification was to skip the burpees in the last peak - I subbed a different move. At lunch, I walked to a cafe to meet my old boss - so a 20-minute round-trip walk!
Thursday: Petra's Lengthen and Energize
I needed very light today - my stomach was not happy. And so I did one of Petra's workouts on Glo. I haven't done many of hers, because she's pretty easy compared to the others I like. But today, she sounded infinitely appealing. And this was a good flowy workout - a bit of yoga and some good flow. I added on five minutes of my own stretch at the end.
Friday: Ilyse's Your Best Sweaty Self + Full-On Cardio Blast
My stomach was still acting up but by the end of the day, I was feeling better. And so I attempted some heavier cardio. Ilyse's Sweaty workout is indeed sweaty. The tuck jumps at the end almost kill me every time. Her Cardio Blast is a challenge - just because you jump and hop and run for very long periods. I got through it….and felt better afterward.
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn + Dozois' Tip Top Shape
Since my workouts are screwed up, I'm doing a no-no: weights two days in a row. I started this CIB, confident that I could get through it…and then the first peak was tuck jumps. Ugh. H.A.T.E. Thankfully, it was all downhill after that! When it was done, I did Michelle's weighted workout on Glo - skipping the warm-up and cool down. Then, five minutes with the 12lbs weights followed by fifteen minutes of stretching and abs. Whew.
Sunday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength + Ilyse's Groovy Dance Party
I thought this CS would kill me….and it didn't. Wow! I never like the floor-work - it's tough! - but I got through it with relatively little pain. The tuck jumps, of course, got me, but I made it through that peak. After that 50 minutes, I did 20 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout - for steps and a longer workout. Then, five minutes with the 12lbs weight; and finally, a 15-minute stretch and ab work.
Calorie Counts:
I had three good days this week, below 1200 calories. The other days were not that good, except for Sunday when I stuck to my diet.
That should tell you something: it's effective!
I'm excited to get into this fifth round - especially since I saw great numbers on my Peak Fit Test on Sunday. I know Michelle Dozois' program will whip me into even better shape.....because I need to get into a bikini in early June!
Monday: PeakFit Pure Cardio + walk
I always love getting back into Pure Cardio. It's just so much fun! After weeks of doing interval workouts with Amy Dixon and Jeffrey Scott on Glo, it's interesting to get back into Michelle's intervals. Dixon and Scott do moves for 30 second bursts and then you rest for 30 seconds; repeat, repeat.... Michelle guides you through a 5-minute hill - low impact gives way to high impact and, in the CIBs and CSs, all the way up to a peak. It's different - and challenging! Of course, Pure Cardio has no peaks, thank goodness. At lunch, I walked outside for 25 minutes - such a lovely day!
Tuesday: Amy's Kickboxing Skills and Drills + Ilyse's Sweaty, Sassy, and Strong + weights
After three straight days of high impact, I decided to take it down a notch today. For the first four weeks of a Peak 10 Challenge, I get a light day. After that, it's gone, so I have to enjoy these four weeks! Amy's kickboxing was a level 2, so not too intense. I always sweat, though. Ilyse's dance workout is fun - and definitely lighter. At lunch, I did weights at the rec center, even though I still ached from home weights on Sunday. Dang.
Wednesday: PeakFit Anytime Anywhere No Excuse Workout + walk
Originally, I was going to give myself another week before doing this workout (hereby called Anytime Anywhere or AA), the toughest (in my opinion) of the PeakFit workouts. But then I remembered the pizza last weekend. And so, off I went this morning with my inaugural AA workout. And it actually wasn't so bad. Amazing! I guess my fitness level really is increasing! And I'm sure the Combat HIIT workouts help, too. My only modification was to skip the burpees in the last peak - I subbed a different move. At lunch, I walked to a cafe to meet my old boss - so a 20-minute round-trip walk!
Thursday: Petra's Lengthen and Energize
I needed very light today - my stomach was not happy. And so I did one of Petra's workouts on Glo. I haven't done many of hers, because she's pretty easy compared to the others I like. But today, she sounded infinitely appealing. And this was a good flowy workout - a bit of yoga and some good flow. I added on five minutes of my own stretch at the end.
Friday: Ilyse's Your Best Sweaty Self + Full-On Cardio Blast
My stomach was still acting up but by the end of the day, I was feeling better. And so I attempted some heavier cardio. Ilyse's Sweaty workout is indeed sweaty. The tuck jumps at the end almost kill me every time. Her Cardio Blast is a challenge - just because you jump and hop and run for very long periods. I got through it….and felt better afterward.
Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn + Dozois' Tip Top Shape
Since my workouts are screwed up, I'm doing a no-no: weights two days in a row. I started this CIB, confident that I could get through it…and then the first peak was tuck jumps. Ugh. H.A.T.E. Thankfully, it was all downhill after that! When it was done, I did Michelle's weighted workout on Glo - skipping the warm-up and cool down. Then, five minutes with the 12lbs weights followed by fifteen minutes of stretching and abs. Whew.
Sunday: Peak 10 Cardio Strength + Ilyse's Groovy Dance Party
I thought this CS would kill me….and it didn't. Wow! I never like the floor-work - it's tough! - but I got through it with relatively little pain. The tuck jumps, of course, got me, but I made it through that peak. After that 50 minutes, I did 20 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout - for steps and a longer workout. Then, five minutes with the 12lbs weight; and finally, a 15-minute stretch and ab work.
Calorie Counts:
I had three good days this week, below 1200 calories. The other days were not that good, except for Sunday when I stuck to my diet.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Fiber Fest 2016
This past weekend was the Fiber Fest. I've been looking forward to it for about 11 months - ha! Last year's event was just so amazing - the yarns were breathtaking!
When planning for this year's fest, I perused the list of vendors with growing alarm - two of my favorites from last year were not on the list! I was very sad. But alas, I managed to find so much more than I thought and didn't miss the ones who were not there (I'll be ordering more of theirs online!).
Some of my new finds and favorites from this year:
-Wolle's Yarn Creations, sold by a very nice German lady. The subdued gardient colors took my breath away. I bought some!
-Must Stash had the best supply of self-striping yarn this year.....and it was hard to choose just one! But I managed to find a brown and pink combo that will knit up so nicely! My favorite named yarn in her stall: Tarts and Vicars. Ha!
-Woolfolk was nestled into a corner in Hill Country Weavers' stall and, oh my gosh! I've never felt such yummy wool in all my life. I couldn't even figure out what to buy so I'll have to some homework and order some online. Just decadent!
-Gynx Yarn is still one of my favorites and I love perusing (and touching!) their stuff. I have two skeins stashed away so I didn't buy any.....but it was hard not to.
When planning for this year's fest, I perused the list of vendors with growing alarm - two of my favorites from last year were not on the list! I was very sad. But alas, I managed to find so much more than I thought and didn't miss the ones who were not there (I'll be ordering more of theirs online!).
Some of my new finds and favorites from this year:
-Wolle's Yarn Creations, sold by a very nice German lady. The subdued gardient colors took my breath away. I bought some!
-Must Stash had the best supply of self-striping yarn this year.....and it was hard to choose just one! But I managed to find a brown and pink combo that will knit up so nicely! My favorite named yarn in her stall: Tarts and Vicars. Ha!
-Woolfolk was nestled into a corner in Hill Country Weavers' stall and, oh my gosh! I've never felt such yummy wool in all my life. I couldn't even figure out what to buy so I'll have to some homework and order some online. Just decadent!
-Gynx Yarn is still one of my favorites and I love perusing (and touching!) their stuff. I have two skeins stashed away so I didn't buy any.....but it was hard not to.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Four Week Post-Cruise Workouts: Week 4
My last week before another Peak 10 Challenge!
I'm enjoying the varied workouts that this four weeks has allowed me. I don't feel too tired which is good, considering the Challenge ahead.
Monday: McLean's Kickbox Your Way to Fit + Amy's Kickbox Power
Both of these workouts were a nice change this morning....except for the lunge jumps in McLean's workout. I thought I remembered them and I was right. Ugh. I took out the burpees after that, doing squat jumps instead. Amy's kickboxing workout is much tougher than her others, which are level 2s, I think. This level 3 was tough! But I enjoyed it!
Tuesday: Shape's Bikini Body Camp Transforming + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast + weights
I was ready for some serious cardio this morning. And so I did Michelle's cardio from Shape's DVD - always good. Also good: I can feel this one getting easier. And I was able to up the intensity a bit. My fitness level is increasing - thank goodness! - which is good considering the Peak 10 Challenge coming up. After that, I did Michelle's cardio on Glo. At lunch, weights at the rec center. Awesome!
Wednesday: Amy's Cardio Intervals + Intervals
To gear up for Peak 10, I did these two workouts by Amy. They're my alternate cardio in Peak 10 to have a break from Pure Cardio. I did them today and they felt good! Usually, I start with Intervals but this time, I finished with that one. Cardio Intervals has longer but slightly less intense intervals....so it's good to change it up mid-workout.
Thursday: Scott's Boot Camp Burn + walk
Time for weights this morning! I happened upon Scott's workout recently and it looked good! I downplayed the cardio a bit, wanting a little less impact. Still, after his first weighted section, I was huffing and puffing. Squats with endless curls and presses will do that! All in all, it was a good workout! I liked the cardio intervals and the weighted sections really challenged me at times. After work, I went for a short 15-minute walk because it was so beautiful outside.
Friday: Body Fit 360 Vol. 2 - Dance Conditioning + walk
It felt so good to take it a bit slower this morning - not that this Dance Conditioning is slow. Ha! But I didn't jump and tried to relax….while sweating. The stretch at the end was lovely. At lunch, I took a 20 minute walk outside.
Saturday: Cathe's Cardio Core Circuit + Amy's Total Package
As always, I dread Cathe's Cardio Core workout. It's just not fun for me. Thankfully, at least, it's gotten easier. I got through its 45 minutes this morning and then tuned into Amy's low-impact Total Package, which focuses on body weight exercises. It's different and good. I was sweating like crazy. It felt nice to move in different ways! I did 25 minutes of that workout, so 70 minutes of cardio. Not bad.
Sunday: Peak Fit Test + Amy's Cardio Interval Drills
Next week starts my 5th Peak 10 Challenge so today meant it was time for the Peak Fit Test. I really hate it; I'm always nervous about my fitness level. Given my eating habits of late, I was doubly nervous. But I did well. For most moves (7 out of 10), my count was between the first and last numbers of my last Test. Awesome! That means my fitness level continues to improve, even when I've gained a few pounds. Afterward, for something different, I tried Amy's level 3 workout. It was alright. I added some more weights into it since she focuses mainly on cardio. So, 70 minutes of cardio/weights today and then a nice stretch.
Calorie Counts:
I stayed below 1200 calories for two days this week. Ugh. I had two not-so-great lunches due to work events. And then Friday and Sunday were awful. I have three more weeks to eat what I want and then, for six weeks before our next trip, I'm buckling down and being super good again. Dang it!
I'm enjoying the varied workouts that this four weeks has allowed me. I don't feel too tired which is good, considering the Challenge ahead.
Monday: McLean's Kickbox Your Way to Fit + Amy's Kickbox Power
Both of these workouts were a nice change this morning....except for the lunge jumps in McLean's workout. I thought I remembered them and I was right. Ugh. I took out the burpees after that, doing squat jumps instead. Amy's kickboxing workout is much tougher than her others, which are level 2s, I think. This level 3 was tough! But I enjoyed it!
Tuesday: Shape's Bikini Body Camp Transforming + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast + weights
I was ready for some serious cardio this morning. And so I did Michelle's cardio from Shape's DVD - always good. Also good: I can feel this one getting easier. And I was able to up the intensity a bit. My fitness level is increasing - thank goodness! - which is good considering the Peak 10 Challenge coming up. After that, I did Michelle's cardio on Glo. At lunch, weights at the rec center. Awesome!
Wednesday: Amy's Cardio Intervals + Intervals
To gear up for Peak 10, I did these two workouts by Amy. They're my alternate cardio in Peak 10 to have a break from Pure Cardio. I did them today and they felt good! Usually, I start with Intervals but this time, I finished with that one. Cardio Intervals has longer but slightly less intense intervals....so it's good to change it up mid-workout.
Thursday: Scott's Boot Camp Burn + walk
Time for weights this morning! I happened upon Scott's workout recently and it looked good! I downplayed the cardio a bit, wanting a little less impact. Still, after his first weighted section, I was huffing and puffing. Squats with endless curls and presses will do that! All in all, it was a good workout! I liked the cardio intervals and the weighted sections really challenged me at times. After work, I went for a short 15-minute walk because it was so beautiful outside.
Friday: Body Fit 360 Vol. 2 - Dance Conditioning + walk
It felt so good to take it a bit slower this morning - not that this Dance Conditioning is slow. Ha! But I didn't jump and tried to relax….while sweating. The stretch at the end was lovely. At lunch, I took a 20 minute walk outside.
Saturday: Cathe's Cardio Core Circuit + Amy's Total Package
As always, I dread Cathe's Cardio Core workout. It's just not fun for me. Thankfully, at least, it's gotten easier. I got through its 45 minutes this morning and then tuned into Amy's low-impact Total Package, which focuses on body weight exercises. It's different and good. I was sweating like crazy. It felt nice to move in different ways! I did 25 minutes of that workout, so 70 minutes of cardio. Not bad.
Sunday: Peak Fit Test + Amy's Cardio Interval Drills
Next week starts my 5th Peak 10 Challenge so today meant it was time for the Peak Fit Test. I really hate it; I'm always nervous about my fitness level. Given my eating habits of late, I was doubly nervous. But I did well. For most moves (7 out of 10), my count was between the first and last numbers of my last Test. Awesome! That means my fitness level continues to improve, even when I've gained a few pounds. Afterward, for something different, I tried Amy's level 3 workout. It was alright. I added some more weights into it since she focuses mainly on cardio. So, 70 minutes of cardio/weights today and then a nice stretch.
Calorie Counts:
I stayed below 1200 calories for two days this week. Ugh. I had two not-so-great lunches due to work events. And then Friday and Sunday were awful. I have three more weeks to eat what I want and then, for six weeks before our next trip, I'm buckling down and being super good again. Dang it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)