Is Quitting At The End The Same As Finishing?

I've been looking forward to last night's workout for about a week now. I get so excited when I near completion of something and the Rockin' Body workout schedule was no different. Yesterday though, I wasn't looking forward to the workout at all. I was bloated. I had cramps, nausea, a headache and just generally felt like crap. I knew I wasn't sick but I wanted to pretend I was and curl up with a warm blanket and just read the evening away.

Something in my brain was telling me that the workout might make me feel better. Sometimes, a walk around the block would do the trick so how could the workout not work as well? So I went downstairs and started. The last workout of the 30-day schedule was slated as Party Express combined with Rock It Out. I found within 5 minutes, I was already following Tania's modified moves because it was too much bouncing for the nausea that was going on. I finished the 25 minutes of Party Express with a mild sense of satisfaction. I completed the workout even though I felt like ass. I pretty much faked my way through most of it but I did it, dammit.

On to the next one. I sat doubled over while I waited for the menu to start up - that's how bad I was cramping at that point. I feel it's necessary to point this out so you understand what I did next. Rock It Out is a 45 minute workout that targets pretty much all areas (abs mostly, 'cause it's Shaun T). In the first 10 minutes, you're basically doing standing crunches while moving side to side and pumping your arms in different directions. After that, you go into a squat position for about 10 minutes and use hand weights to tone your arms. There's more after that (obviously) but it doesn't matter for this post. I didn't even pretend to care for the first 10 minutes. I didn't jump, I didn't pump, and I didn't crunch. I basically walked side to side and flung my arms around a few times. It was pretty sad. It sucked so badly that I just wanted to cry. So when it came to the part where we go into a squat position, I said "Screw it" and shut off the dvd and called it complete.

Workouts are supposed to be fun. They're supposed to make me feel better. This is why I continue to do them. I love how I physically feel when I'm doing it and I love how I mentally feel when I'm done. So when that's not happening, then I'm not working out for the right reason.

I've already put together a calendar for February & March to do a modified version of the Lifehacker Workout. Today is a rest day and a well timed one at that. By Wednesday, I should be back to normal and ready to start the Deck of Cards workout. I need to get some music together tonight. Or a short movie.

Six to Go!

I've only got six more days left of the Rockin' Body schedule and then it's time to move on to something else. I still haven't decided what that will be though!

My brain is still screaming for the Insanity workout again but a few things are holding me back:

1. I need to find someone to loan me a copy since I can't afford to buy it
2. I need a new sports bra. The one I have is too constricting and I need to BREATHE for those insane workouts!
3. Some flooring renovations. I have the foam interlocking squares (thanks to a generous friend!) but they slide on the tile floor when I do side-to-side type moves. Maybe I could move the area rug from the bed area over to the tv area and put the foam pieces on top of the rug? 

Really, my biggest holdup is finding a copy. If I had that, I'd figure out a way to make the other stuff work! February has 29 days this year, and March (of course) has 31 - which basic math tells me is exactly 60 days (the length of the Insanity Program). I love when workout schedules fit in entire months. It's one more thing to push me to stay on track.

If I don't do Insanity, another thought I had was to try out the Lifehacker Workout.

I would alter the deck of cards workout to include a few other varieties though. Mostly because it's so easy to do chair dips with improper form without someone supervising. Also because I just prefer a bit of variety! They also didn't specify how long to hold the reps or to do them slowly so I figured I'd throw that in there too.

• Hearts = jumping (ski slalom style, jump rope style, jacks, whatever)
• Diamonds = L-sit raised, V-sit raised if possible - hold for 10 seconds/rep (triceps) 
• Clubs = plank climbers, knee-to-elbow plank, or helicopter - 4 seconds in, 4 seconds out
• Spades = lunges or squats - 4 seconds down, 4 seconds up

Shuffle the deck. Do the corresponding exercise for the number of reps on the card. Examples: 5 of Hearts would be 5 jumping moves. Jack of Clubs would be 11 plank moves. Ace of Spades would be 15 lunges or squats.

If I actually got through the entire deck, I'd be doing 105 of each exercise! Since I probably won't be at that point for awhile, I'd want to track my progress so I'll make a chart and keep it updated.

The Lifehacker Workout is only 3-4 days a week, and two of those days include 20 minutes of walking or jogging. I am not heading outdoors for workouts until it's above 60 again. If I'm going to make this work, I need to type out a schedule to follow and specify what I'm going to do for cardio that doesn't require being outside. Otherwise, I can tell by previous non-scheduled attempts, I will not follow through. 

Scary

About 30 minutes into my workout tonight, I got very light-headed and my face went cold and clammy. I immediately went to the futon, sat down, and put my head between my legs until I felt better. I did the last 15 minutes of the workout using the modifications. I felt like a slug but better safe than sorry I guess.

The only thing I can think of that I did differently was bring the workout to a higher "pow" level, which is scary. But maybe my heart's just not ready for that yet.

Happy News

I'm probably the only one who gets excited when a project has the possibility of meeting a personal deadline. In any case, I'm still going to rejoice for everyone to see!

I was looking at the rest of the Rockin' Body schedule and remembered I needed to allow for next Wednesday  as a rest day because of supper club. I pointed to each workout on one hand and pointed to each day on the other hand. Even with another rest day, I should be able to finish by the end of January! With another day to spare even!

I'm feeling great. I love how I feel when I'm in good practice of working out. Sweetie suggested I do a yoga type routine on my rest days to help stretch out my muscles. I think that's a wonderful idea!

Oops!

I laid in bed this afternoon and stared at the clock, calculating how much longer I could lay there and still be able to work out before heading out to meet friends. Then I laid there calculating how long I could stay in bed and still have time to eat before heading out.

By the time I finally heaved myself out of the comfy confines of blankets and kitties, I barely had time to eat before we had to head out for the day.

The day, by the way, was excellent! Sweetie and I went to Crown Center to see the finalists compete in the Brick Factor competition. It was freaking packed so we really just stood on tip toes for a few minutes before deciding to head over to Science City and meet up with our friends. This was my first time at Science City and I had a blast! I know that place is designed for kids but I wouldn't mind at all going again - with a kid in tow for appearances of course ;-)

I had been asked to work a benefit at 5 so we left directly from Crown Center and headed over to the bar for that. We sat around and watched football and images of the news for about an hour. Some misinformation had occurred with the organization putting on the benefit so it ended up getting cancelled. When we got home, I expected to watch our Sunday shows while eating, and then head downstairs for a 35 minute workout. We ate dinner, watched Once Upon A Time and Downton Abbey, and then I sat there. I sat on the couch and played Scrabble on Facebook. Then I read some blogs. Then I realized it was 10 o'clock and I should update my workout calendar on this blog's sidebar. It was at this point that I noticed today's workout is 75 minutes. That would put me finishing around 11:30, at which point I'd still have to shower and relax enough to fall asleep.

Hmpf.

Instead, I decided to deem today an early/unscheduled rest day. Could I have just gone ahead and done one of the 35 minute workouts anyway? Sure. I could have. I've mentioned before how irrational I am about schedules and "rules". I'm just a little irritated with myself because now I'm not going to be able to finish the schedule before the end of January. I'm not so irritated that I'm in a funk though so that's an improvement!

And really, a rest day isn't such a bad thing anyway. I'm sure I'll need it for tomorrow's scheduled workout. Booty Time + Rock It Out = about 75 minutes of stationary and moving squats. My legs and butt are gonna be talking to me this week!

Getting Back On Track

In my previous update, I mentioned that I had taken an extra "rest" day because of dizziness. Monday rolled around and I was in a serious funk (even called into work and slept until 2:30, WTF).

I fully acknowledge that I need exercise. My mental health depends on it. I should probably not even take the "rest day" that's recommended for these workout schedules. Granted, I probably shouldn't push as hard as I do on regular workout days but just hula hoop or take the dog for a walk. Something. Otherwise, it's just too easy to let myself lay around and do nothing.

In order to get back on track and complete the Rockin' Body calendar before the end of January, I need to skip the next 2 scheduled rest days - and I can't skip any more days. I'm okay with that. In the end, it's better for my mental health to keep at it anyway.

I haven't decided what February holds for me. I received my copies of Hip Hop Abs back from the friend I'd loaned them out to. As fun as HHA & Rockin Body are though, I've been kind of craving Insanity again. Or I've also found some Watch Instant on Netflix that are part of the 10 Minute Solution series, which I could mix and match on my own to make as long or short as I wanted. Sometimes just that 10 minutes is all I need to feel like doing more. I'll finish January first though ;-)

Dizziness

I had this incessant dizziness yesterday that lasted from about 4:00 until I fell asleep around 1. I didn't feel safe doing a workout so I skipped it, which really bummed me out.

This morning I woke up and just didn't want to get out of bed. I dozed off and on until about 2:30pm. The good news is, I haven't had any dizziness since I got up. That's the only real good news I have for the day. I otherwise don't feel like doing anything. I know I'll feel better if I do a workout but getting the motivation on a day like this is harder than the workout itself. So we'll see.

It's Soup Weather!

It's been soup weather for about a month now but I've been stuck on the creamy mushy food cravings. Today, I'm making a big batch of soup to keep me away from so much gooey cheese (and ultimately be kinder to my cholesterol!)

I've got some cans of low sodium black and kidney beans from last winter that I need to use. I've also got frozen mixed veggies. With those ingredients in hand, I went to Google for a well-reviewed recipe. I found Tangy Bean Soup. Even better, I can pop it all into a slow cooker and just go about the rest of my day. Awesome.

I also have some leftover tortillas so I might crisp one of those up when I have my bowl at work. The recipe is set at 6 servings so I'm set for lunches all week - plus two servings frozen for some day down the road when I don't feel like cooking again.