My Rules for Working Out at Home

So I've been asked by a few people how I do what I do. How do I remain disciplined in my workout routine at home. I've heard "I can't do this..." and "I can't do that..." I used to say the same things! I never thought I'd be able to work out successfully at home. I made the decision to cancel my gym membership two years ago, and to do p90x. I later joined a different gym, but again, I'm letting that membership expire, and will continue to do my own thing.

The following are some rules I came up with to help me on my journey to working out at home:

I do rely on and use my friends around me. I complain about working out before I do it and they motivate me to get out of bed and get my exercise done. They keep me honest, as far as getting up, but when the DVD starts, it's just me. It's to the point where I feel bad if I don't put forth as much effort as I know I can. I even rewind back sections when I've half assed the routine! Now THAT'S dedication!

I don't know when it happened, but you rarely see me without my cell phone. I know every chime, sound, noise by heart and hate to leave notifications in my status bar. I HAVE to check it. For this reason, I nix the cell phone during work outs. No distractions. I don't silence it, or put it on vibrate. I don't even bring it to the basement. One time, I was expecting an important call, handed the phone to my sister and told her to let me know when that person called. Other than that instance, I leave the distraction alone. Insanity is roughly 40-45 minutes. Things can wait until after that.

Cue Jay-Z,you know the line about men and women lying, but numbers not lying. That's FALSE! Numbers do lie! On scales! Well, they tell the truth, but they are misleading. Have I gotten on a scale? Yes! I make sure not to live by it though. I don't even get on the scale weekly. I stay far, far, far away! I don't want to get caught up in reaching XXX weight, and then being upset if I don't reach that number. Especially when we all know muscle weighs more than fat! So STAY AWAY FROM SCALES!

Last and certainly not least is this rule! Just because I'm embarking on an Insanity journey, I know it's not for everyone...do what YOU like! Don't base it off of how any workout routine worked for someone else. You may not have the same results! I also enjoy spin class, but know it's not for everyone, and that's okay! I swore I'd never do Insanity, but look at me now! I love it! It's pain, but it hurts so good! (Lawd, I'm starting to sound crazy lol). So remember to find your niche and what you like.

Thanks for reading!

Slacking on Blogging, Not on Working Out!

So I guess it's no secret, I've been slacking on blogging. But I will say that I have not been slacking on my workouts. Last week was Thanksgiving, and I worked through it all, including a 5K Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning! I still don't like running/jogging, but I completed it in about 43 minutes. Not the best, but it's a start and I'm happy! I feel great! I've noticed slight changes in my clothes. They aren't as tight as before. I'm slowly making my way to my goal!

So in the beginning of Week 3, I had to retake the Fit Test. Here are my results:
Switch Kicks - 73 (+11)
Power Jacks - 43 (+6)
Power Knees - 103 (+20)
Power Jumps - 39 (+13)
Globe Jumps - 8 (+1) (I STILL don't like those)
Suicide Jumps - 9 (+3)
Pushup Jacks - 18 (+6)
Low Plank Obliques - 48 (+13)


So I improved on everything! I'm still loving the pain (not while I'm working out). I'm still working out in the mornings before work (4am!!) most days, and fist them when I wake up on others.

I'm almost halfway through the program and I'm happy. I can totally see myself doing this again once I complete this cycle.

Week 1 Recap

So one week of Insanity done...8 more to go. I can honestly say that this is by far the hardest work out I've ever done. I've taken spin class, I've done Afro-Brazilian dance class, I've done Tae Bo class, and they are hard in their own rights. But NOTHING makes me sweat nearly as much as this work out. AND I LOVE IT! I'm sore every day (not a lot, just slightly), I lose lots of salt and water. My abs are sore and we haven't done an ab workout yet! It goes to show you how much core work is involved. SO glad I started this program. I definitely plan to see this through to the end.

I don't do scales, so I have no weight check in. And I didn't measure. I plan to track my progress by how I feel and how my clothes fit. So far, I don't feel a real difference. I didn't expect it after a week, so I'm not going to let it discourage me from pressing forward.

Two For the Price of One

So I've been slipping on the blogging the past few days, but I'm happy to report that I have NOT been slipping on working out. This post contains updates from the weekend. Friday, I did the Pure Cardio DVD, Since it is my day off from work, I didn't wake up at 4am, but I did work out as soon as I woke up and got out of bed.

Shaun T did not disappoint with this one. It was a circuit workout. Only this time, there weren't as many breaks in between. There weren't repeat exercises. It. Was. Hard. Work. I stopped quite a bit, but made it through to the end.

Due to a chain of events, I didn't have time, or energy to work out Saturday, so that was my rest day. On Sunday, which was supposed to be my rest day, I did the Plyometric Cardio Circuit DVD. I've done this one, so I knew what to expect. I felt that I stopped less this go round, and was proud of that. I was told before starting this program that the workouts are never easy, even after doing it several times. It is a goal to make it through an entire DVD without stopping (outside of given breaks).

So after this workout, I had to go to kickball practice. I haven't laced up my cleats since August. Here's a little math problem for you...Insanity + kickball practice = PAIN! I'm crazy sore. I was limping through the store today. All of this BETTER pay off!

Day 3: Done!

So today was a telework day. I didn't wake up as early, but I did decide to work out first thing this morning. So that was around 7am. I did The Power Resistance DVD. It was one I've done already, and definitely tough. More circuit work. I still can't keep up, but I'll keep trying.

I noticed today that my arms and abs and legs are sore. But I LOVE IT! What's funnier, is that we haven't started working abs yet! A lot of the exercises use your core, and now I'm really seeing that today. I love the sweat, I love the challenge. I love the feeling of accomplishment when the DVDs are done!

Tomorrow, back up at 4am to get this work out in before work!

Day 2: Back to Morning Workouts!

Good morning! Rise and shine!! I did it! I woke up at 4am and completed Insanity. Today's workout was the Cardio Circuit. 40 minutes of drills, cardio and jumping! It was tough! I will admit that I feel great now. My arms are a little sore, but it was worth it. I used to do p90x in the mornings before work (I have to be at work at 6:30am), and I'd find myself yawning through the workout. I didn't yawn once while working out. I did struggle through it, but definitely completed it.

I have to run errands after work, and then meeting friends for dinner. I didn't want to try to squeeze in a workout when I got home. I made it a point to go to bed earlier, and it worked! I had no problem getting up and out of bed. I think I'll do this from now on. It makes a difference in the day! Plus, it'll give me time in the evenings to complete a second workout if I choose. That's the plan...hope I stick to it...

Round 2: Day 1

So I hit a snafu with the first bout of Insanity. I was missing two discs. It was too much to skip and/or replace, so I decided to wait and try again. Shout out to my boy Sam for looking out and getting me the DVDs!

So today started the fit test. Let's just say that I'm not much off from where I was two weeks ago. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Just like before, it was insane! Sweat was pouring from every crevice! It felt good though. Here are my results:


Switch Kicks - 62
Power Jacks - 37
Power Knees - 83
Power Jumps - 26
Globe Jumps - 7 (I don't like those)
Suicide Jumps - 6
Pushup Jacks - 12
Low Plank Obliques - 35


So some things I improved, others I let slip. I hope in two weeks when I do this again, everything improves.

Tomorrow, I have things to do in the evening, so I'm going to attempt to work out before work. This means getting up at 4am! I think I can do it. I mean I've done it before, but that's why I'm going to bed ASAP! Check on me!