Happy Birthday

My new (first) niece was born early this morning at 430AM EST.  I am very happy and feel incredibly blessed that she is finally here.  It's been a fantastic week!

MB45 Essentials - Workout 1

Tonight I did Marcus Martinez's MB45 Essentials workout 1.  This was my first workout in about a week, as I've been sick. I still wasn't at 100% today, but I really wanted to get some activity in.  The workout was GREAT!  It was relatively short (around 30 mins), but well sequenced and moved quickly.  I enjoyed the entire thing, and I'm looking forward to doing some of the other workouts on the DVD.  It's a great value for the price. You get 2 DVDS - one is instructional and the other contains 5 workouts: 2 beginner workouts and 3 follow-along workouts of increasing intensity.

I heard that Marcus is releasing a second volume of this DVD series targeted towards the more advanced exerciser. I'm looking forward to it!  I'll post more details as they become known.

Skogg 60-Day Challenge: Official Start Date Selected

Per my post about a week ago, I finally selected my official start date for the Skogg 60-day Challenge.  Since I've been sick for the past number of days (and am still not feeling my best), I plan to officially start the challenge on Mon, 4/4/2011.  The current round of Skogg participants are in their 5th week, so they're just about at the halfway point. 
To remind you of what the challenge entails, I'm reposting the details from a week ago:

Dates: Mon, 4/4/2011 - Sat, 6/4/2011 (60 days)
Overview: The 60-day challenge has both an exercise component and a nutrition component, combining clean eating and consistent exercise. 
Exercise Component: Commit to doing 4 kettlebell workouts per week (minimum), ideally using the Skogg DVDs. I have elected to include additional cardio and flexibility training into my own personal program, with perhaps a full-body circuit training day thrown in there every 1.5 weeks or so. 
Nutrition Component: The objective for the diet is to elminate all sugar, processed foods, wheat, rice, white potatoes, and alcoholic beverages, with no cheat meals during the entire 60 days.  I will also continue with 1 gallon of water per day (minimum) and a good supplementation program.  My diet is going to be approximately 1400 calories per day.

My Thoughts
The diet will no doubt be the most challenging part, and will be the part that is most imperative to success.  Since I don't usually drink, the 'no alcohol component' will not be difficult for me.  However, I have taken a strong liking to rice, bread, and sugar again, which will be harder to overcome.  Eliminating those 'comfort foods' is always the most challenging part of an eating plan for me.  However, this eating plan actually seems more balanced.  I know it sounds counter-intutive because on the surface it looks so restrictive, but at least it's not a total elimination of starch/grains, which will help keep my energy levels up.  I'll have to pay close attention b/c my caloric intake may have to adjust depending upon my activity level. I'm pretty sure that my activity level justifies at least 2100 calories per day, but I've not eaten that much food on a daily basis in a very long time.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to this challenge. I have an incredible support system in place, and I feel strong enough to see it through this time.  After all, it's only 60 days, and my body, mind, and spirit will really appreciate the consistency. (Note: I have a nutrition coach helping me with my diet this time around, which is why I know that it has variety.  I won't reveal who I'm working with until the end of my challenge. If I don't get the results that I want, I don't want it to be a reflection on this person.  After all, the execution of the eating plan is all up to me.)

Let's see how I do....I can only take it one week at a time and do my best :-). I've given my word that I'll commit to it, which means that there is no turning back now!

Couple of Sick Days this week...

Man, this week was so crazy busy!

Not to mention that I got sick to top it all off. I was out of commission Thursday, Friday, and I'm still not feeling 100% today.  I've been conked out on medication, and I'm listening to my body and giving it the rest that it needs. I actually had an upper respiratory infection, laryngitis, sore throat, fever, and chills. It hit all of a sudden from out of the blue on Thursday evening around 6PM.  A friend took me to the urgent care doctor, and I got some much needed medication.

That being said, this week was pretty much a wash for me. I'm going to try starting the clock again next week.  I got a few workouts in this week, but not as much as I'd planned or wanted.

Anyway, hope everyone is healthy & happy.  I'm off to continue resting....

cheers!

Skogg + Circuits

Activity Report: I was able to squeeze my workout in after my clients tonight.  I did Skogg Intervals L1 and added a few KB circuits that I used in class tonight. I decided to do Intervals L1 again because I liked the workout, it was short, and I wanted to increase my weight to 16kg.  I felt strong, especially after having gotten adequate rest yesterday/last night.

Here's the breakdown of what I did (note: my legs felt really great after the workout!):

Warm-up: 2:30 TGU @ 12kg followed by Skogg Scorpion Warm-up

Skogg Interval 1 @ 16kg
Rest 0:30
Skogg Interval 2 @ 12kg  - the high pull is finally starting to feel more comfortable. I'll try it with 16kg later this week.
Rest 0:30
Skogg Interval 3 @ 16kg
Rest 0:30

2:00 Swing Circuit from class @ 16kg
Rest 0:30
2:00 Squat & Press/1H Swing Circuit from class @ 12kg
Rest 0:30
2:00 Squat & Kick/Lunge & Press Circuit from class @ 12kg
Rest 0:30

Stretch & Cool Down

Nutrition Report: My eating today was actually pretty good, and I consumed all of my water.  I ran out of time before my clients, so I had to split up my (salad with flax oil) and (3oz ground sirloin/couscous) into 2 separate meals.  But, the cravings were down, and I felt satisfied with each meal.  I wasn't super hungry at breakfast, so I skipped the oatmeal today.  I'll probably need it tomorrow though.  Anyway, so far, so good :-)

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I haven't planned my workout just yet, as I'm not sure if I'll have clients in the evening. I do plan to do either a kettlebell workout or a circuit workout.  Wednesday will be cardio day and a rest day from kettlebells.

Cheers!

Rest Day

Well, today is definitely a rest day.  I slept in, and my body really needed it!  If there's one thing that I've learned over the past few years is to listen when the body says it's time to rest.   I also had 2 cups of Yogi Muscle Recovery Green Tea (one in the morning and one at the end of the night), and I must say that the muscle tension that I've been feeling was alleviated!  That's good stuff :-).

Anyway, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. It is the start of my 60-day challenge, and I'm looking forward to it.  I'm curious to see how this change in eating will affect my body composition and overall goals.

Have a great week, and I'll post throughout to let you know how things are coming along!

Remember to set goals and to be disciplined in whatever you choose to do!

Taught Kettlebell Seminar

This morning  I taught a 2-hour kettlebell seminar at my garage gym.  I hosted the 2 women who are currently participating in one of my small groups. They did a fantastic job!  They learned all of the foundational movements, plus a few more.  I was very surprised at how quickly and easily they learned the snatch and the clean. They didn't even really bang their wrists! I guess I've been driving home the point about the hip drive :-).

Anyway, that definitely counted as my Saturday workout!  My body is feeling really tired and drained, so I'm probably going to take Sunday off as a rest day and to get  my mind and kitchen ready for the 60-day challenge eating plan.