So Inspired...

I've commented a few times about how inspired I feel every time that I watch this season of the Biggest Loser.  I've only actively and consistently watched 2 very recent seasons (season 10 and season 12), which are both the Couples version of the show.  I really like the comraderie and the genuine good nature of the teams on these two casts. Anyway, I think that the women on this season have done an incredible job with their weight loss, especially Irene.  I thought she was such a beautiful woman (inside & outside) before her weight loss, and she looks absolutely amazing now!  I especially love to see the transformation emotionally that the contestants have. I can only imagine how much more difficult it must be to psychologically change as quickly as the body has physically changed. That's probably a much more lengthy process.  I'm always excited to see the finale, though I do think that they don't spend enough time on the winner at the end. It's like the live show is crunched for time and they go "okay, the winner is ...blah..." end of show...LOL.

I say all of this because these people lose hundreds of pounds in the span of 4-5 short months, and then even more for the finale.  I gain inspiration because my desired weight loss of 35 pounds is no where near as much of an obstacle as what they've gone through. If they can do it, then so can I.  I sometimes use the show as my benchmark...like weighing in each week and competing against them in my own way.  I know it's silly, but I'm like if so-and-so lost 8 pounds this week, then why can't I?  HAAA :-)  I do realize that it is TV and their "weeks" may not be exactly 7 days, but the point is that it's kind of fun to try to keep up (even though I fell behind in my losses long ago - lol).  I get frustrated with my progress. I am actually still at a plateau, and am working hard to get through it.  I sometimes feel like throwing in the towel and accepting that this must be my new reality. Then, I see how they've changed, and I realize that it is most certainly NOT the end of the road and giving up is NOT an option.  Changing the game and getting more focused on my goal is the ONLY option. 

Hold steadfast to those goals, people. Keep progressing toward them every day, no matter how many plateaus or roadblocks that you face.  It can be done, and you will be so much stronger for having weathered the journey.  When you feel sad or frustrated, think about how far you've come and celebrate that progress. It helps making the next step much easier.  Lastly, try to enjoy the journey and try not to put undue pressure or stress on yourself.  I never understood what the phrase "be kind to yourself" really meant or how impactful it can be on your personal progress until I actually started to live those words.

Good night, all..... :-)

Mission Ridiculous: 1000 swings & 1000 step-ups

Today I had a really tough time getting motivated. I had such an awesome Ch/Sh/Tri workout yesterday that I was really amped when I woke up to do Kenpo X. I tried to motivate myself all day, had periods of being indecisive, and I let the entire day pass by. Well, I sat down to watch The Biggest Loser (live instead of afterwards on demand). I couldn't just sit there while the contestants worked towards their goals. So, I made up a workout to perform while watching TV. It was pretty AWESOME. I'm really proud of myself. I set a lofty goal and almost made it. I wanted to do 500 kettlebell swings and 1000 stepups. Then, I decided to set the bar really high and see if I could do 1000 swings and 1000 stepups. I used my Gymboss and set up my rounds as follows:

Timed Round
2:00 swings
2:00 step-ups
2:00 rest

1000 swings was a lofty goal. I stopped at 10 rounds (40 minutes of work). I accomplished a total of 603 kettlebell swings @ 16kg and 1264 step ups. For the majority of the rounds, I did 2H swings, but there were a few where I focused on 1H swings. I had 3 risers on each side of my bench. I varied my stepups to traditional stepping (basic right/left), straddles, and runs. My last round of stepups was 0:30 seconds of straddle runs as fast as I could go, 10 pop squats, and another 0:30 seconds of straddle runs as fast as I could go. This was an awesome workout!!! Give it a shot if you have a step and a kettlebell.

I can say that after a day of doubting myself, I officially BROUGHT IT. (In the words of Jennifer Hudson on the Weight Watchers commercial) "I'm feelin' gooooooddddd". (BTW - my triceps are having some major DOMS - again - from yesterday's Chest/Shoulder/Tricep workout....I love it!)