Well That was Tough

Well folks, I did it.

I survived week one of T25.  Woo hoo!

It may not seem like much to most but for me it was a huge accomplishment.  

And along the way here is what I found…

Pride- This is the most intense workout I have done since surgery. I still am very limited when it comes to cardio endurance and core strength so to get in 6 pretty freaking intense workouts over 5 days was beyond amazing

Strength- Not only did I feel accomplished by completing the workouts I also realized how much strength I had started to gain back when I did burpees for the very first time since surgery. Burpees are the worst. I hated them before the surgery and after I was unable to do them. Until now. This is a good indication that I am ready to resume boot camp classes in the fall, if my schedule allows it

Determination- And not only was the workout tough, it wasn’t always easy fitting it in to my schedule either. Sunday morning I couldn’t work out because E’s BIL was sleeping in the living room (AKA my fitness room) and so I had to move my workout until the evening- AFTER I spent the day moving. I was exhausted and still pushed myself to get up and do it. That was both surprising and rewarding.

I love this program so far. It is intense, for sure. It is no joke. But it is short and I can fit it in most mornings before I get ready for work.

 

Super sweaty after my 'double down' (back to back workouts) this morning!

But what I really love is having weekly and daily goals again. I was starting to feel a bit aimless, a bit lost. I think that’s to be expected though. I spent like 18 months super focused on weight loss goals, then I spent almost a year focused on half marathons and that training schedule, then there was the triathlon, and then after that…nothing.

It wasn’t long after the triathlon that I was separated, then divorced, and then had surgery and wasn’t able to do anything. And after I was cleared to work out again I slowly got back into it only to have another surgery and further residual fitness setbacks. Since I was cleared a second time to work out again, 6 weeks ago, I have been traveling and traveling and packing and moving. Just all over the place. So I am beyond ready for some structure and focus again.

This week, and then again in two weeks, I will be traveling. But this time I am planning on setting myself up for success and bringing both my laptop and T25 DVDs and will try to stick to the training plan, as best I can, as outlined. Not necessarily because I feel that I need to but more so because I want to. I do better with a bit of structure, some goals, and time to focus on my fitness and strength.  

Just like everything else in my life, it is all about balance.

Don’t think for a single minute that this re-established focus means no more beers…that will never happen.

I shudder at the idea ;)

Have you tried T25 or any of the Beach Body programs? What are/were you thoughts?

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxo

Go Big or Go Home

When I made the decision to train for a half marathon, just mere months after running my very first mile, I was completely stepping outside of my comfort zone. Growing up I was not a runner and even after losing over 100 lbs. (at that point) I still wasn’t super comfortable running. Training for a half marathon was a HUGE undertaking.

So was steeping into a boxing studio when I weighed 260 pounds, having never boxed a day in my life, and having the physical endurance of a ground slug. It challenged me more than anything ever had before. It pushed me to the point where I thought I would collapse and die right there from sheer exhaustion.

And when I started taking Nia, Pilates, bikram yoga, qi gong, tai chi classes while I was still 100 pounds overweight having never tried any of those activities before, I knew that something had changed inside me. I had become a person who loved trying new things, loved being challenged, and loved feeling accomplished.

All of those things brought me to where I am today. Cycling, hiking, swimming, running, yoga’ing, boot camping, and dancing through life healthy and fit. All because somewhere inside I found the courage to take a chance, to not let my fear or shame talk me out of not trying something new.

I found a moment where I stopped giving a fudge and just did it.

And what I learned about myself is that I love, love, love group fitness classes and also that I do really well when I have a set training plan –like when I trained for half marathons or when I had a personal trainer guiding me.

But now, here I am almost six months post-surgery and I just feel a bit aimless. I am not training for anything, there are no group fitness classes during the summer at the university that fit around my work schedule, and my personal trainer has moved away.

I am doing the best I can, for the most part, just doing gym stuff on my own but it’s not really cutting it. I need more. I need to be pushed. I need a plan. I need to set some goals and start working to get myself back to where I was before the surgery fitness-wise.

So this weekend, after talking with a friend of mine from high school (thanks, Amy) and then conferring with E, I decided to do something radical and completely outside my comfort zone. Something that might possibly kill me. Ok, it probably won't kill me. I have a feeling though that there will be alot of swearing and acting like I’m about to die.

Over the weekend I decided to buy the Focus T25 program from Beachbody. I know their fitness programs work. I have tons of friends that swear by them. I know that this program will totally help get me back into fighting shape as long as I stick with it, following along as faithfully as I can. I am a bit nervous as I will be traveling to Philadelphia (6 days) and then not even a week later Orlando/Tampa (6 days) then a couple weeks later Savannah (also six days) – basically I will be away from home for 18 of the 42 days after the program is delivered. It’s going to be tough.

My goal is going to be to stick to the routine of T25 5 times a week, which is what the plan dictates, or every day that I am home on travel weeks. I am not sure I will be able to get through the first session in five weeks, because of all the travel, but I am going to do my best.

I also plan on running more, hopefully short runs in the morning after I do T25, and still getting in some gym time after work for weights, start yoga back up 1-2 times a week, and hopefully riding again on the weekends I am home. We’ll see. It probably seems like a lofty goal but I think now is the time to set some lofty goals.

I am definitely in need for some serious ass-kicking.

Bring it on, T25!

Have you ever tried Focus T25 or any other Beachbody programs? What are your thoughts?

Love and hugs-

Dacia
xoxoxoo