Fit for 30

Oh, hello there! Now, where was I? Oh yes, sodding injured knee putting me out for 4 weeks, that's where. And you know the hardest part of training is to start training, so yeah, this week has been tough with a capital T!

I got pretty down about being injured, and worried it was going to be a long-term or recurring thing. I tried every week to see how it was coming along, but at the slightest twinge I backed off for fear of doing worse damage. The first week I did a trial run and boy, that mofo ached, pained and even burned for ages afterwards. I was suitable discouraged from trying any heroic leaping back into the programme.

This week has been really challenging, first of all to fit training back into my routine. It took a little while to get over it mentally and actually enjoy the free time I had back, and now it's proving similarly hard to get back into it. But I have completed two sessions this week, currently on a rest day (although I have had a 5 mile, super-brisk walk) as my darling baby kept me up last night and, to be honest, I hurt like buggery.

So here's what I'm hoping to do over the coming weeks in my new Fit for 30 plan.

In 68 days, I turn 30. How fit can you get in 68 days? Really, all I really want to achieve with this plan is to successfully incorporate exercise into my life - enough to catch the bug, to want to stay committed, and to see some good results.

The TAM Bootcamp was supposed to be a kick-start to the programme but it seems that, combined with the loss of endurance being off for 4 weeks right at the start brings, I've also lost most of the definition I sculpted on Bootcamp, and I've not even had the courage to weigh myself yet! But I'm not dwelling on that. I've just got to take these 9 weeks and get all I can out of them.

I'm planning 10 workout rotations of TAM, including the Mat DVD, Post-pregnancy DVD and webisodes, along with my own picks of available YouTube clips and magazine snippets. Now, the DVDs are an hour long, and the webisodes etc. much shorter, so I'm going to alternate one 10-day round of 1hr-long DVDs with a rotation of shorter 30 minute routines just to mix it up a bit. My aim is to do TAM 4-6 times a week, but to prioritise getting the cardio in to make sure dat fat is burning!

The cardio will, of course, be Turbo Fire. I've only managed 2 sessions so far this week, so will just follow on up the programme regardless of their Mon, Tues schedule.

That's all for now. I'll check back in a few days.

Bootcamp Up to Day 24. I found another muscle!

Well, as mentioned in my last post, I have been doing Turbo Fire barefoot and had an inevitable overstraining, lack of cushioning incident on Thursday (Day 22). I pushed though it on Friday but really shouldn't have and consequently had to take the weekend off. I've started TAM again today but haven't managed cardio. My training shoes should be here on the 27th, but I'm going to do a less vigourous attempt tomorrow. Sad face.

On the flip side, I'm totally rocking Sequence three! I thought about quitting as the moves just didn't seem natural, or to be working anything, but after some friendly advice on the FB page, I decided to give it one last try. I read thought all the instructions again and really performed the form slowly, searching for the spot each move is supposed to work. And I actually doubled the reps when I found it. I thought this would be really hard, but I've obviously gained a lot of strength over these few weeks. So I started at 40 reps and am already up to 60 on some of the moves. I'd actually like to go above this but apparently it's not recommended, plus it takes me almost two frickin' hours - longer with baby breaks! Friday I worked out on and off from 8am to 4pm. Not cool.

I've also got some gym mats coming to protect my carpet and so that I can wear my shoes (they catch on the carpet). So hopefully, I'll be a little more protected from injury. Hell, I may even go wild and get a knee support.

More good news... I totally have defined upper obliques when I flex! Yeah, I'm still covered in fat, but a flex and lean to the side reveals my top abs and diagonal oblique. Love it! Who knew that a mere 23 days of extremely inconsistent exercise and a pretty awful diet could produce such results?!

But I keep looking over at my TF discs, singing the theme tune, and pouting a sad pout. I miss it terribly and really wanted to keep consistent with it, but I guess I need to take the time to heal. I dreamt I could do a full plyometric jump last night, it's that bad! I am totally hooked on both TAM and TF, and working out and keeping healthy in general! It all gets better every day. La la laaaa...

Bootcamp End of Sequence 2 Results

Weight: 144 (-0.2lb) Total lost: 1.8lb

Chest: 35 (-0.5") Total lost: 2.5"

Waist: 30 (-0") Total lost: 1"

Navel: 34 (-2") Total lost: 4"

Muffin Top: 38.5 (-0.5") Total lost: 1.5"

Hip: 39 (-0.5") Total lost: 2"

Hip Pocket: 24 (-0.25") Total lost: 2"

Thigh: 22.5 (-0.25") Total lost: 1"

Arm: 10 (-0") Total lost: 1"

Calf: 13.75 (-0") Total lost: 0.25"

TOTAL WEIGHT: 1.8lb

TOTAL INCHES: 15 1/4 inches

Here are the results of Sequence 2 and the overall totals. I'm definitely happy, but know I could have done a lot more, life permitting. I'm amazed that I've lost 4" from the belly. I'm now down one dress size and two bra cups from my pre-pregnancy size, which is fab.

Now let's get serious. I really hadn't been eating very well, and that's obviously hampered results. 1.8lbs?! That really is shocking. Even with muscle building, I would have thought I'd seen more loss. Anyway, I've been eating clean all this week and drinking lots of water, which is doing wonders for my energy.

I'm not inflicting all of this upon myself just to look good. I want to be healthy, live longer, and set a good example of healthy living for my daughter. That means cleaning up my eating habits and taking control of my overeating and sweet tooth. Doing Tracy's diet 100% wasn't for me, because 700-1200 calories is no way enough when you're working out this hard. I want to make life-long changes and to find a better way of fuelling my body. And I hope that by doing this, I'll increase my weight loss and fitness.

Turbo Fire is proving to be so much fun. I took a week to acclimatise and started the programme proper on Monday. I really noticed how much I'd improved doing the classes for the second time, taking 0 breaks instead of 4! Hopefully now I'm eating healthy and doing more adequate and challenging cardio, more of this stubborn fat will melt away. That my waist has only budged an inch is really bugging me. I WILL be a 28" waist! But to achieve this, I seriously need some new trainers. My feet grew during pregnancy so I've been doing it barefoot, which is a bit of a killer on my ankles and knees.

Sequence 3 isn't as interesting as 2, I'm actually finding the moves really clunky, I don't feel I'm working anything, and it is so, so dull. I'm giving it one more day before freestyling for the last run with moves that are challenging from the previous sequences. Watch this space...

Bootcamp Day 14.-17. Turbo TAM

Things have gone a little off track. I've had to take several days off (or some days I've only managed to fit in either MS or Cardio, so I'm not actually counting it as a BC day) due to exhaustion from night wakings. And she used to sleep so well :(

Nevertheless, she slept wonderfully last night and I got up at 5am and rocked on with my Day 17 workout. I've managed only 30 reps on days 14-16, as I've had breaks in between the days and I feel that's hindered my progression, strength-wise. But today I managed 35 reps of everything except that darn downward dog push up thing. I squeezed only 30 of those still.

As for cardio, I've been following the Turbo Fire programme since Day 15 and, honest to God, I have never worked so hard in my life! How that woman manages to still breathe, let alone talk through those moves is beyond me. I am beet-red by the end of it and practically wheezing. I admit, I've cussed at the TV more than once. But I LOVE it! I really like the fact that I can do a 15 minute HIIT (high intensity interval training) session and burn more calories than a regular 45 minute session! And it sets your metabolism up to burn more fat for hours afterwards too. Now that is totally nap-time-friendly.

Food is going well at the moment, but there have been some terribly naughty moments. I'm talking chocolate cheesecake-type moments. But there have been very good days too. I'm using recipes from the veggie meal plan most days, sometimes with a little added carbs at lunch and protein at night. As I've said before, I'm trying my best not to get too obsessed with the food plan, because it does me no good, and I honestly think that I've craved and caved with all this bad stuff because, in my mind, I'm on a 'diet'. Sucks.

Anyway, something's going right, because I'm back into a UK12 and have gone down a bra cup already. There's a little muffin top going on, but it's all motivation to keep this thing up. I'm still all jelly in the middle, and am ready to see that gone now.

So, I have my fingers and toes crossed for a good night tonight so I can workout tomorrow. I really really really really do NOT want to have to take any more days off as I'm already looking at a 21 June end, and my results are obviously being compromised. I guess that means that, if I do have a bad night, I'm just going to have to suck it up and bring it anyway.

Bootcamp Day 13. Quick catch up

Worry not, I've just had a few mad days and not abandoned Bootcamp!

I've had to take another day off with the cub waking several times during the night - it's a real killer. I'm currently on Day 13 and absolutely loving Sequence 2. I'm up to 30 reps on everything, there's no moves I'm finding particularly difficult, which is really nice to see that I've progressed.

I'm still doing 30 mins of Tae Bo for my cardio and..... TURBO FIRE IS IN THE MAIL!! I am super, super excited about starting HIIT training. I love it as I can go crazy for just a minute or two and take a rest, for a total of 15-20 mins and get the same results as a long, high intensity workout. I WILL be learning DC08 as soon as I've finished with 'camp to add to the mix.

From tomorrow, I will be adding in some more elements to try and improve my results, namely drinking more water... a LOT more, cutting down on sugar, and I'll soon be adding in a shake. I'm not sure whether it will be an additional protein shake, or a meal replacement, but that will be instated in a week or so.

I'm actually going to measure my body fat/water/muscle mass etc. in the morning. I have an intelligent scale and, for some reason, never thought of recording it all at the beginning - what a shame!

Night night x

Bootcamp Day 12. AM

When Tracy says that you'll feel awful after days 1, 11 and 21, she really does mean it, doesn't she?! Oh my, I am aching in muscles I never knew existed and feel really quite ill. It doesn't help that the cubster woke several times last night and I'm shattered too.

I hope I can muster up the energy for a workout today...

Bootcamp Day 11. - Whoop Whoop!

Mat: 20 reps

Cardio: zilch

I am really enjoying this next sequence. The exercises don't actually feel as difficult as starting sequence one did - that must mean I'm getting stronger, YAY! When doing them today I felt really good and, although I haven't got perfect form just yet, I'm feeling super positive about it.

What I'm not feeling positive about is the darn cardio. Again, I couldn't fit it in, and I know I shouldn't beat myself up about it, but it is actually really really important for me as I have such a high bf%.

Ho hum... tomorrow is another day.

Bootcamp - End of Sequence 1 Results :)

Weight: 144.2 (-1.6lb)

Chest: 35.5 (-2")

Waist: 30 (-1")

Navel: 36 (-2")

Muffin Top: 39 (-1")

Hip: 39.5 (-1.5")

Hip Pocket: 24.25 (-1.75")

Thigh: 22.75 (-0.75")

Arm: 10 (-1")

Calf: 13.75 (-0.25")

TOTAL WEIGHT: 1.6lb

TOTAL INCHES: 11 1/4 inches

I am one happy camper!

Although I haven't seen much of loss in weight, I think that is going to come in the next 20 days, because I'm building muscle which burns fat, right?

The places I've really noticed change are the ones I haven't measured - my shoulders and upper abs; around my neck and décolletage.

I'm actually really happy with these results and inspired to keep at it!

Bootcamp Day 10. - Eeeekk!

Mat: 40 reps

Cardio: 30 mins Tae Bo

I was ALMOST going to have another day off today but pulled my gear on and took the opportunity during naptime. Yesterday, I felt awful. The cub caught four hours worth of Zs during the afternoon - enough for a workout - and I really wasn't prepared. All the time I used the excuse that I was quite tired, and expected her to wake up soon. And four hours passed. And I sat on my ass just waiting.

While there's nothing more frustrating than an interrupted workouts, for sure, a broken up one has got to be better than no workout. These thoughts obviously run on the same programme as my "I've eaten a jellybean, so I may as well eat the whole effin' bag, pizza, chips, ten bags of cookies and a tub of ice cream" rationale.

Anyway, I just got on with the damn thing today, with a hint of sadness to see this sequence pass, and curious excitement of the torture that lies in store for me tomorrow.

With the setbacks, I'm looking at a June 15th end date, if all goes to plan over the next 20 days, of course. I really don't want to let it push on any further, so am going to try my best to curb those 'all or nothing' voices. I also really need to up my water intake and STOP those everyday sugar cravings.

*off to research sugar weaning...*

DAY OFF!

Aww shucks, the cub had a bad night and I was exhausted - truly, truly exhausted - and spent the day catching up on sleep. I feel bad, but really shouldn't as I knew this would happen from time to time. I just don't want it to happen too much and keep that 30-day end-date pushing further and further away. I'll be on bootcamp forever at this rate!

Bootcamp Day 9. Loving it!

Mat: 40 reps

Cardio: 30 mins Tae Bo

I absolutely owned the workout today - about time too! Matwork was challenging but quite doable, and the Tae Bo was, as usual, fun and high intensity. I keep worrying that I'm not doing enough cardio for the amount of blubber I have to burn, but I really am not in any shape to be taking on very much more. I however do need to get some other form of cardio to gradually move on to. I'm really liking the idea of Turbo Jam or, even better, Turbo Fire. It looks awesome!

It's expensive, at $120 or something, but you get 10 discs of workouts and other goodies. I'd have to do this during the day or my neighbours downstairs would hate me. Oh, wait, they already do - then fuck it!

One day left of this safe sequence, and then I'm in the hot fire again. I actually can't wait!

Bootcamp Day 8. I Have Ab Lines!

Finally, something that tells me I'm getting somewhere. Today I found ab lines when I flexed. Sure, they're covered in a little fat jacket, but they're there at least. It's the motivation I needed to keep going with the cardio EVERY DAY. I will melt that fat and let you little abs shine!

Mat: 35 reps - and it killed me, how come?!

Cardio: 30 mins Tae Bo - I'm going to need to add something on the end of this very soon

I've been reading a lot about Turbo Jam/Fire and am really excited about trying it (when I have the money to spend on yet another workout DVD!). I've not given up on DC, I just don't have the time to commit to learning the routines whilst on BC. I just need a quick sweat on.

So, it's day nine tomorrow. With only two more days on this sequence, I really should try and get my reps up to 40, at least. I was all up for pushing it today, but for some reason I was totally pooped. Ah heck, tomorrow is another day. Looking through sequence two, I know it's going to whoop my ass good and proper. I guess that's when I'll start to really see results. I honestly can't wait.

I really don't think I've lost that much weight or even inches, but my clothes definitely feel different. I tried on some trousers and a shirt that I couldn't wear not four weeks ago, and they fit great. Even my benchmark trousers that are one of my goals to get back into fit ok. I probably wouldn't wear them out right now, they are tight with a bit of squidge out the top, but I COULD do them up!

Here's hoping the cub sleeps well so I get BRING IT tomorrow!

Bootcamp Day 7. Part II - Getting Serious

Oh, such a glorious workout today!

Mat: 35 reps

Cardio: 30 mins Tae Bo and dripping in fairy dust!

I absolutely loved it this morning and honestly wonder why it's so hard to take that first step in the morning - the lazy girl in my head is so persuasive! I so wish we could bottle this feeling, it fades all too quickly.

Foodage was good today too, although I had a rather large portion of the aubergine lasagne. It is totally yum.

Last night in bed, I was pondering on this whole regime and wondering whether I'll stick it out or see any results. Somehow, when faced with something difficult, my mind tends to let in this kind of negativity. I think that it's just not going to happen for me; there's no way I can change, that I'm stuck with all my bad bits and habits for life. What a loser!

With fitness, there is no 'luck', no shortcuts, just persistence, courage, and a lot of hard work. Quit wallowing and bitching about it and get your groove on, woman!

Bootcamp. A partial Day 7.

Last night my daughter woke every hour and I ended up sleeping on the couch with her to allow my husband and neighbours some sleep. Consequently, there was no workout today. I ate healthily all day until evening, when I indulged in some pretty nice cakeage, and TOM finally arrived, so hopefully my mood and cravings will get better from here on. I had the hanger proper today (hunger+anger).

So, I'm not really counting this as Day 7. I'm hoping the cub will sleep better tonight and allow me a workout tomorrow morning. If I'm not able to fit it in in the morning, I rarely get a chance later on.

Off to get some much-needed rest and hope she stays asleep too.

Bootcamp Day 6.

Weight: 146 - figures

Mat: Rocked 35 reps although it was still an ass-whooping.

Cardio: 30 mins and loved it.

Noms: all good.

Not much to report today, bar TOM is really trying me. I'm not going to weight every day now as it's not proving to be the motivation I thought it would. It's just getting me down and making me want to blow it all and eat cake if it's 0.5lbs up.

I'm having this problem where I'm trying so hard to be good that I'm not eating for half the day and then wanting to stuff my face when it all becomes too much. Urgh. I hope the next 23 days will see me becoming more aware of these horrid habits and being able to rid myself of them.

Feeling pretty meh, so I'll leave it there.

DAY OFF!

I've had a cracking migraine since last night and the cub woke up at 4am, so I took a day off today and ate my beloved bran flakes Oh, how I've missed you!

I need to plan the next week's and go shopping tomorrow - exciting! I'm really loving the recipes, although I don't usually spend so much time making breakfast and lunch, so I've found myself behind on housework - bad wife!

I managed to fit in a 5 mile walk, so all is not lost. I went into town and tried on some dresses, and to my surprise, a size 14 (UK) fit really nicely. Usually I'd have to get a dress in a size 16 to accommodate my largest bits. Dresses are the worst when you're a different size on top and bottom. I've got my first night out since having the cub possibly on 1st June (13 days away, day 18 of bootcamp), so I have renewed enthusiasm for sticking with the programme. Hopefully there'll be some discernible shrinkage by then.

Oh yeah - and I've realised something. That I really am not drinking enough water. Yesterday I had only one pint of water and one cup of green tea all day. How rubbish is that?! I'm definitely cramming in 3 litres from now on, as I usually do. Well, who has time to drink normall when you've got all this cooking to do!

Bootcamp Day 5.

Weight: 144.2

Mat: 35 reps, but it seriously whooped my arse!

Cardio: 25 minutes of freestyling it.

Noms: I didn't follow the plan completely today, I had a 120 cal canned soup... oh yeah, and a chocolate pudding. Well, it is TOM on Friday and this is my typical couple-of-days-before craving. I refuse to beat myself up about food these days. It just doesn't work for me.

The workout took me ages today - lots of fairy dust and lots of "fuck you three beat lifts, fuck you attitude butt lifts!". I pushed on through though. I've got a feeling the next few days are going to be tough with my little lady visitor on the way.

The playlist I'm using is paced for running, and isn't really upbeat enough for dancing, so I'm off to investigate the ones suggested on FB.

Bootcamp Day 4.

Weight: 145.2 STILL!

Mat: successfully upped everything by 5 reps and even got up to speed on a few moves I'd been lagging behind on

Cardio: zilch. And I'm not proud. It was due to the cubster sleeping in later than usual (I woke but fell back to sleep) and then being wide awake at 7.30am rather than having her 1-3hr nap. I managed to get through the matwork but wasn't able to do the dancing, which I really didn't want to do anyway. I probably made the most of a weak excuse, to be honest.

Noms: very nice food today, even though I did skip lunch. I just had the choco pudding and, my word, how rich is that little bugger?! I'm not sure I'll be having it again, or a whole portion at least.

I'm quite annoyed that my weight has gone up slightly, and I'm not seeing the c.1lb a day loss others have. I really haven't veered too far from the diet and have been working my arse off too. Never mind, good things come to those who wait and all that. I'm loving the feel of a fully worked-out body during the day though. It makes me stand taller, straighter, and more aware of every move.

Bootcamp Day 3. Hate You

Weight: I blummin' well forgot to weigh this morning!

Mat: 25 of everything apart from: No.2, side hip lift, No.7, attitude butt lift, No.12, connection push-up.

Cardio: 20 minutes of full-on jumping, and it was pretty knackering.

I have a gripe. I effin' hate the dance cardio. I love to dance, I really do, and I don't mind aerobics either. But this is so darn repetitive. There's different numbers of moves on each side, she doesn't dance to the beat. It's heavily edited, so you're jumping into one move and then half way through the beat it cuts to another move that you can't quickly get into when you're in full swing. and then it's only there a beat and a half until it cuts to a completely different move again. RUBBISH!

And while I'm on the subject... some moves on the DVD are different to the book! Which one is it?! The book says to start on 20 and work up to 60 reps, the DVD says 40 reps. And there's no warm up or cool down! I really don't see the point in putting your time and money into a product without thinking things like this through.

And yet I shall continue, because I know it works. But I think I'll dance freestyle from now on.

I haven't had anything on the menu for today but substituted with other things from other days, and I had the leftovers from last night's lasagne for lunch. I'm looking forward to the menu tomorrow though - mushroom omelette, tofu veg soup, choco chestnut pudding and roasted aubergine and tomatoes. Yumski!

I'm really regretting not weighing myself today. Grr. Can't wait to see what the score is tomorrow.

Cardio plan:

1-3 20 mins jumping

4-6 20 mins jumping, 10 mins step-touching

7-9 20 mins jumping, 20 mins step-touching

10-12 30 mins jumping, 10 mins step-touching

13-15 40 mins jumping

16-18 40 mins jumping, 10 mins step-touching

19-21 40 mins jumping, 20 mins step-touching

22-30 50 mins jumping, 10 mins step-touching

Who knows, I may exceed my own expectations, but I don't want to make it unachievable. Hell, I can't even imagine upping it right now - I'm so unfit!

Bootcamp Day 2.

Weight: 145 (-0.8)

Mat: easily managed 20 reps of everything bar no.12, the connection push-up, of which I managed 10/rest/10. I'm going to up most of these to 25 tomorrow.

Cardio: sadly, due to forgetting a pre-workout snack, only 10 minutes of full-on jumping. Well, as much as I can do barefoot. I must must must get some new training shoes.

Today went great. The meals so far (veggie plan) have been fantastic, but I haven't managed to incorporate the snacks. I can't find it in me to 'snack' on gazpacho or raw veggies. I'm just not that kinda gurl. Obviously, that's leaving me wanting something stodgy and sweet at that time of the day but I guess it's going to take time to wean this sugar addict. I've been allowing myself a little sugar each day so far - a lollipop, or gummy sweets - as I figured this form of sugar is fat-free and easily burnt up if I'm active and eating clean the rest of the time. Any excuse hey?