I NEVER look cute after my workouts, unless they're the quick 5 minute ones!  lol

I am pretty happy today - I did not workout over the weekend, I know...I should not be happy about that, but my word!  My inner lower calf muscles (if that's what they are) were SO sore from doing jumping jacks on Friday!  I'm really beginning to wonder if I will ever NOT be sore after working out.  You'd think after 3 months, that the soreness would be gone, but NO!  Not for me!  The soreness is finally gone today - yippee - so that makes me happy!  Also, I weighed 249 this morning.  That's the LOWEST I've weighed so far AND with it being my "first thing in the morning" weight, it should go down by this afternoon.  I'm strange - my lowest weight is usually in the afternoon not in the morning like everyone else, so I can't wait to see what it will be this afternoon!  Hopefully, my weight is coming down, but as long as I see the results in inches lost and my clothes fitting better, I'm happy with that, too!

Today's workout is for time, 3 rounds of:
   50 squats
   7 reverse pullups (jump up, go real slow down)
   10 hang power snatch, 20 lbs

I watched the video Jenni posted of dumbbell hang power snatches, and they don't look too bad.  I'm going to see if I can find a few more to watch to make sure I get my arms right, but they look fairly simple.  I'll also be using 24 lbs (2 - 12 lb dumbbells) instead of the prescribed 20 lbs. 
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So, I totally ran out of time.  Will work this in tomorrow or over the weekend.  Happy New Year, y'all!!

I need to remember this!  I'm always saying "So far, I have the worst time" whenever I post my time on the CrossFit blog.  I'm not always the slowest, but I'm usually right there at the bottom.  Honey Buns (this is what I call my husband) will usually reply with "At least you're doing something" and that makes me feel better.  Then, I get to thinking there has to be some who do the exercise but don't post their times for whatever reason and I recall an earlier blog where I posted all of my stats and remember - the reason I post my stats is not necessarily for people to see (even though I know some see it) but because I'm "owning" my body and my results.  By putting it out there for everyone to see, whether I'm proud of them or not, I am letting the world know "This is me."  So, I will continue to post my times on the CrossFit blog, whether they're good or bad it's me telling the world "It wasn't pretty, but I DID IT!!!!!"

That being said, I will probably have a sucky time with today's workout!  lol  Today is a doozy...for time:
   50 jumping jacks
   50 push ups
   50 jumping jacks
   50 CrossFit situps
   50 jumping jacks
   50 squats
   50 jumping jacks
   50 back extensions

UGH!  Back extensions!  I think I'd rather do burpees than back extensions!  I think it's because I feel like a beached whale whenever I do them - maybe I'll like them better once my stomach gets smaller, but right now?  No.  I don't like 'em.  Will I do them?  Yes.  Yes, I will.  And I'll be happy about it because it will let me know today's workout is over when I finish them!  :)  Positive thoughts...
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25:00 - WOW!  This was a tough one, but I feel great right now.  Tomorrow might be another story!  lol - SO glad it's the weekend, but I still have the squat-a-thon to do.  I added an extra 35 squats after my timed workout to reach today's squat-a-thon goal of 85.  I am tired (but in a good way)!!!
:)

I am surprised to say that I can lift and move my arms today.  My triceps were SO sore after yesterday's workout, but feel fine this morning.  My badonka-donk is another matter.  I'm really beginning to wonder if I will ever wake up without a sore ass?  lol  You'd think those muscles would be like, "Okay...we're being used...over and over!", but NO!  It seems like they are still surprised!!  Oh well, it's just something I'll have to live with.    :)

Today's workout doesn't look too bad, but as I've said before - those are the ones that usually are!  For time, 3 rounds of:
   *Run 200 meters (.124/mile)
   7 push presses w/10 lb dumbbells
   14 knees to elbows

I'm curious if the push presses are supposed to be a 10 lb dumbbell in each hand?  I hope so, because that's the way I intend to do it - only I'll probably use 12 lb dumbbells in each hand.  It's either 12 lbs or 9.5 lbs, so I always try to go with the one that's a little more.  I'm also excited to use my workout gloves I received for Christmas from my son.  He was too funny telling me I could use them while doing my "knee to elbow things"!  Then, my daughter was like "OH!  They're open on the top of the hands, which is good since you're such a weirdo and sweat there!"  So sweet.  I really do sweat on top of my hands.  As far as I know (and I HAVE asked around), I'm the only person I know who sweats there.  Oh well, it is what it is.  Sweat is just my fat crying, so that's a good thing!!  

YIKES!  I was just checking out everyone's times so far (it kinda gives me an idea of what to shoot for) and noticed people talking about running and I thought...running?  We aren't running today!  So I looked at the blog again and guess what?  We ARE running today!!  ARRGGHH - 200 meters each round, which is .124/mile for a total of .372/mile.  I WILL run the entire distance - no walking.  THAT is my goal and I WILL make it!  :)
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14:22 - Probably the worst time, but you know what?  I did it!  I've decided that even though I would like to be a runner, I sure don't enjoy running!  Lord help me if I'm ever being chased!  Hopefully I'll be running off of the adrenaline if that ever happens!  lol 

I used 12 lb. dumbbells for the push presses, so I guess that makes 24 lbs.  I'm glad I did that much, I really couldn't see me using less - even with the 12 lb dumbbells it still seemed a little light weight.  Maybe I'm just stronger now!

My knees to elbows are now knees to waist and just a tad above that - so that's an improvement from knees to hips!  :)  I tried using my new workout gloves with the bar, but because my bar has padding where you grip, it just made the cut off fingers hurt my real fingers - so I had to take them off.

I also got back on the treadmill and finished out to a mile.  I walked (no more running today!) at 3.3/mph and inclined every 30 seconds.  Once I reached and walked at the 10 incline (the highest one), I started declining every 30 seconds until I came back down to 0 (the lowest setting).  After walking that for 30 seconds, I slowed down to 3.0/mph for 30 seconds, 2.8/mph for 30 seconds, and finally 2.5/mph for the remainder - it was just a tad over 30 seconds.

I feel like I've done a GREAT workout today!  So glad it was a day of rest on the squat-a-thon!  :)

This one fits me today!  Today's workout was a good one!  I know, I know - they're ALL good ones, right?  Ha-ha!  Um...no,  but today's was a fun one - I guess I should have said that instead.   ;)

Anyway, as many rounds as you can in 20 minutes of:

   5 Pushups
   10 Wall ball, 10 lbs
   15 Kettlebell swings, 15 lbs

Well - I went over 15 seconds to make it a full 14 rounds!  Woot-woot!!!  NOT the worst, NOT the best - but I did beat my "in my head" goal of 12 rounds, so VERY happy with that!  I also did not get a heavier ball for Christmas, so I stuck with my 4 lb. ball and used a dumbbell set at 15.5 lbs. for the kettlebell swings.  Let me just say, even though this was a fun workout, my triceps are KILLING ME!!!!!

I added it all up and in 20 minutes, 15 seconds I did 70 pushups, 140 wall balls w/4#, and 210 kettlebell swings w/15.5#!  Not too shabby!  :)

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!  I did - my son DID get me some workout gloves for when I "do those knee to elbow things" (as he put it) and a weighted vest, which I did have on my list.  I'm going to start wearing it next week whenever I work out in hopes of burning more calories and dropping more pounds.  :)

3 Month Stats

Sorry it took me so long to post these, but Christmas was busy, busy, busy!  Anyway, here are my new, improved, updated stats:

9/24                               12/24          Difference
254.5     Weight             249.5          -5 lbs
42          Bust                 38.75          -3.25 in
49          Waist               43               -6 in
56          Hips                 52.25          -3.75 in
15.5       R Upper Arm   15.25         -.25 in
15.5       L Upper Arm    15.25        -.25 in
29.5       R Thigh            29.25         -.25 in
30          L Thigh            29.75         -.25 in
20.25     R Calf              19.75         -.5 in
20          L Calf               20             0

Total 14.5 inches and 5 pounds lost so far!  I also added some new places to check, because I could see a difference there as well. 

12/10                               12/24            Difference
20.75     R Upper Knee   20.75             0
21          L Upper Knee   21                  0
18          R Knee              17.75            - .25 in
19          L Knee              18.5               -.5 in
17.25     R Lower Knee   16.5              -.5 in
17.25     L Lower Knee   17.25            0
11          R Ankle             10.25            -.75 in
11.25     L Ankle             10.75            -.5

This is another 2.5 inches lost, bringing my overall total to 17 inches gone!  AND - I wore a pair of jeans Christmas Eve night that I wore the 1st weekend of November to a birthday party and guess what?  NO muffin top in those jeans!  When I wore them in November, it was the first time I was able to get in them in over a year, and they fit but were those kind of jeans you couldn't wait to get home and take 'em off!!  So, I'm very proud of the whole "no muffin top" thing and I wasn't in a hurry to get home and take them off.  It's THAT kind of result that makes me happy!  :)

3 Month Check-In

This is SO true for me!  I've even asked my husband if something was wrong with me, because what I see in the mirror is NOT what my camera shows me!  lol - Oh well, that's just one of life's mysteries, huh?

Well, today makes three months that I have been doing these CrossFit workouts.  I can't believe I've stuck with it for three months, but if I hadn't been seeing a difference I would have given up already and went back to my treadmill.  I am so glad I came across the workout blog on Pinterest - it has made a difference in my life!  I can see a difference with my tape measure, the fit of my clothes, my strength, and my overall fitness.  I can breathe better!  Don't get me wrong, stairs and hills still get my heartrate going and I'm not a runner yet, but I AM getting better! 

I will be posting my updated measurements later today - I have some errands to do this morning...it IS Christmas Eve after all!  I will also do my workout sometime this morning as well.  From 12:00 on, my day is full.  I never did the dreaded 100 burpee workout that I missed last week, and hope to do it tomorrow if a workout is not scheduled.  I know it's Christmas, but we are doing our family get together in the morning and the rest of the day is free and since my beloved Patriots won't be playing and my Falcons have already played and there won't be ANY football games on and I HATE pro-basketball, I might as well workout, right?  Right!  :)

Today's workout is 5 rounds of:
   10 front squats, 40 lbs
   20 CrossFit situps
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Today's Workout - 9:22 :)

I'll put my results on this post tomorrow.  I will say I have lost a total of 17 inches and 5 pounds since I started CrossFit.  SO happy!!  I have to go shower and get ready to go to my in-laws for our Christmas celebration. 

I need to remember this today!  So, I totally did NOT work out yesterday.  My body was entirely TOO SORE!!  Just thinking of using my arms at all for burpees was painful.  I know, I know....excuses, excuses.  I will do it tomorrow or Sunday.  I can't believe how sore/tight my body is this week.  And after looking at today's workout, my upper body is getting hammered this week!!  lol

Today's workout is 3 rounds of 15-12-9 reps each round of:
   Thrusters w/20 lbs
   Walking Lunges
   Pushups

For example:  Round 1 - 15 thrusters/15 walking lunges/15 pushups/12 thrusters/12walking lunges/12 pushups/9 thrusters/9 walking lunges/9 pushups - Repeat that for rounds 2 and 3.

Killer, right?  Yup, looks that way!
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16:30 - I must say, it wasn't as bad as I thought!  So...GO ME!  AND I did not have the slowest time, so...GO ME again!  Ahhhh, it's the little things.   :)  AND, as prescribed except I used 24 lbs. with my thrusters!  AND I get to count my thrusters against today's squats since there is a squat movement.  Wow!  A quadruple whammy!  It's a good day.

If you figure it up (and you know I always do), that's a total of 108 thrusters w/24 lbs, 108 walking lunges, and 108 pushups.  That's a LOT of work in NOT a lot of time!  I'm still loving these workouts and have discovered that even if I don't feel like doing them, I feel so proud afterwords...so I need to just suck it up and do it!  :)

Well...it looks like an "attempted homicide" kind of day!  lol - Today's workout is 100 burpees for time!!!!  What...the hell?  I know Jenni knows how sore my shoulders/upper arms are - she commented about how sore she was when she posted her tabata score yesterday.  Oh my goodness!  Let's all hope I don't die...really...just kidding.  I'll give it my all.  :)

I'm not too sore today, just my upper obliques - if that's what you call them.  Not sure, I might need to Google it!  It's the muscle on my side - kinda under my arm, but more towards the back not the front nor directly under my arm.  I was telling my husband yesterday that I was very surprised about the new muscles I keep discovering from doing these workouts.  I mean, this is my 13th week of CrossFit and I still get sore in new places!  I guess that's a good thing.

Wish me luck on my burpees!
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This is me after yesterday!  Deficit pushups are really hard and let me say I finally found something that makes me forget about how sore my ass has been from all of the squats/squat motions I have been doing and it's sore shoulders!!!!  I'm sure they will get better once I get up and going, but right now while I'm just lifting my coffee cup?  Ooohh yeah...they're there.  ;)

Today's workout is a tabata workout.  I really don't like those.  Let me rephrase that - it's not that I don't "like" them, it's just that they make me SOOO mad because I kinda feel like a failure because you have to post your worst round score.  I know - I'm NOT a failure because I'm at least working out.  Maybe that was the wrong word.  Posting the worst score makes me look/feel like a weakling, and THAT I definitely am not!!  lol - I'll get over it.

Anyway, today's workout is 8, 20-second rounds of work with 1 minute rest intervals in between exercises.  Post your lowest score per exercise and your total number of reps for all.
   Jump rope
   Squats
   Push press w/20 lbs
   Pushups
   CrossFit situps

Well, I know my jumprope will be extremely low being that I am SO inconsistent with it!  Oh well, gotta get 'er done!  :)
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First, my results - then my thoughts!  :)

Jumprope - 12 - SO mad!  I got a 12 on my first round because I tripped and tripped!
   12, 17, 16, 15, 16, 14, 19, 15
Squats - 17 - I was pretty consistent with these!
   17, 17, 17, 18, 18, 17, 18, 18
Push Press w/24 lb dumbbells - 20 - My arms are SO weak and still sore from yesterday.
   21, 23, 23, 22, 21, 20, 20, 20
Pushups - 8 - I really think it was SUPER mean to make us do these after yesterday!
   8, 10, 10, 10, 10, 9, 10, 9
CF situps - 8 - SO proud I can do these AND my feet stay on the floor!
   8, 9, 9, 9, 8, 9, 8, 8

I have to say - my soreness really did not get better.  I even took baby aspirin!  At first, I thought I was sore from the deadlifts - those always work my back muscles.  But then, it was in my shoulders more than my back, and I thought...still could be from deadlifts.  But then, it was down my obliques and I KNEW it was from those deficit pushups!!!   Damn you, deficit pushups!!!  I was really surprised I could do pushups today after yesterday - even though I had crappy numbers, they were consistent.

I really don't want to complain about my arms too much because I know Jenni will give us a run or something crazy like that for tomorrow!  Please, please, please....no running!  lol  :)
  

I should have posted this pic yesterday just to remind ME!  I was such a bad girl yesterday - didn't post...didn't work out...JEEZ!!  I didn't do the 12/12 workout over the weekend either.  I've just been so busy shopping and doing holiday stuff, but I WILL get back on track today.  I always feel so guilty when I don't work out, but I had no "get up and go" yesterday.  It's been rainy and yucky weather here - I couldn't live where it rains the majority of the time.  I would be so miserable without my sunshine!  I will do the 12/12 workout and yesterday's workout - hopefully this weekend.  I might do yesterday's workout after today's workout since they are both short ones, then save the 12/12 for the weekend.  I really want to do the 12/12 workout because it sounds so hard (and long!) and I really want to see what I can do.

Today's workout doesn't look too bad.  Do as many rounds in 12 minutes of:
   15 Deadlifts, 60 lbs
   15 Deficit Pushups - hands on books, weights, or something!
   15 box jumps, 18"

Yesterday's workout is 4 rounds of:
   10 Dumbbell snatches, 15 lbs (alternate arms - right arm 1st round, left arm 2nd round, etc)
   200 foot sprint

I'll let you know how I do later!
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Today's workout - 4 complete rounds
WOW!  Deficit pushups are WAY harder than regular pushups!!  Also - did deadlifts w/50 lbs - it's all I got!!  lol - My husband was on the treadmill today while I was working out.  I made him swear not to laugh at me and guess what?  He was a good boy!  lol - He finally was allowed to see what I have to do and I think he now understands why I come downstairs huffing and puffing!  :)

I also did yesterday's workout when he was done with the treadmill.  Instead of doing "rounds", I just went ahead and did alternating arms/dumbbell snatches then I ran on the treadmill when he was finished.  My arm exercise time was 1:39.  I looked up to see how many miles 800 feet is (.151/mile) and ran that.  And by run, I mean RUN!!  I ran at 5.3 for the majority and slowed to a walk for the last three "block" segments on my treadmill and guess what I realized today?  I am NOT a runner!  Boy was I sucking wind!!  I don't know what it is about running.  I'm trying.  Really.  I am.  :)  OH!  Forgot to mention my treadmill time - 1.59.  That makes yesterday's workout time 3:38, which wasn't too bad considering I did it AFTER working out for today AND being a "run" workout!  I'm happy.

I S'wanee!!!!  My WHOLE lower body is sore today, but especially my badonka-donk!!!  Oh My!  I felt SO good after walking the 5k (I just love saying that!) yesterday, but boy did the achyness start last night and all night and this morning!  I'm hoping once I get up moving around (and after taking some Tylenol) that it works itself out.  I told my Honey-Buns last night that I definitely needed some new workout shoes, so if I don't get any for Christmas then I'll purchase them myself afterwards.

Today's workout doesn't sound too bad, but I've discovered those are the ones to watch out for!  lol

5 rounds of:
   7 deadlift, 60 lbs
   30 squats
   7 pushups

Squatting looks initimidating to me today...maybe because my butt is sore right now?  Hmmm....I think so.  Oh well, gotta do it!
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9:49 - 50# deadlifts - the rest as rx'd and man, oh man!  My legs are SOoOooO wobbly!!  Glad it's Friday, but tomorrow I'm doing the infamous 12/12/12 workout!  Yikees!!  :)

So, I totally shopped all afternoon into the evening yesterday and did not work out.  I'm saving yesterday's workout for Saturday, but  must admit looking at everyone's times is VERY intimidating!!  Even Jenni's time was 59 minutes and some odd seconds, so there's no telling what my time will look like!  I can usually look at everyone's times and double them in my head and come really close to what my actual time is.  So, on Saturday I will do the workout and hope for the best.  I certainly hope it doesn't take me two hours, though!!  One good thing about saving this for Saturday?  Yesterday's squat-a-thon number was 70 and Saturday's is 85 for a total of 155.  I'll be doing 144 in the workout, so I'll just need to add 11 more.  Two days in one - gotta love that!  :)

Today's workout looks intimidating as well - well, at least to me it does.  Run a 5K.  Really?  Run?  A 5K?  Oh my goodness - WHAT are they thinking?  lol   I looked it up and 5 kilometers is 3.1 miles, so I seriously doubt I will run that entirely.  I think I may just do a 30 minute programmed workout on the treadmill (that's usually 1.5 miles) or if it's not too cold outside, I may just go walk the trails in the park.  There are two trails that are a mile long each with LOTS of hills, and a trail that goes around a pond that is .6 miles long, so I could do that one twice to come up to 3.2 mile.  I really wouldn't mind doing that - no running though (not in front of people!), but it would be a nice, long, fast walk!  You'll see what I decide later!
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I decided to walk in the park for a total of 3.2 miles!  I did both longer trails (up hills and down!) for 1 mile each, and the pond trail which is fairly flat and .6/mile.  Gorgeous day in Georgia to walk outside - sunny, blue skies, 60 degrees, and just enough of a breeze to keep you from being too hot!  This took awhile (an hour) but it was a great workout!  :)

Still on a "high" from yesterday's plateau buster of going below 250 on my scales!  I know it's just a number, but DAMN!  That sure made me feel better - such a mood lifter!  I was having major inner dialogue - don't stop CrossFit, you're getting stronger - you can see/tell the difference, the scales don't matter - you're clothes fit better, you FEEL better, etc.  I know it's not much, but it worked!

Today is 12/12/12 for those of you who didn't know and today's workout is in honor of that fact.  Meaning...we do 12 rounds of 12 reps each of:
   CrossFit situps
   Squats
   Walking lunges
   Push ups
   Box jumps
   Thrusters, 20 lbs
   Back extensions
   Bench dips
   Kettle bell swings, 15 lbs
   Jump rope
   Leg lifts
   Wall ball, 10 lbs

I've requested a heavier wall ball for Christmas and even showed my children what mine looks like and am hoping they get me one.  I don't want one that looks like an oversized soccer ball, I like the smaller version.  The one I have came from Target and my son works at Target, so...fingers crossed!

I'm glad to see squats in the workout - today's squat-a-thon number is 70, but it looks like my number is 144!  Can't wait to post THAT!  I am feeling every single one of those weighted squats from yesterday, too, by the way.  Not sure why, but my left butt cheek is feeling them more than my right - does this mean my left side is weaker?  I don't know...just know that's where I feel it.  OH!  My thighs, too.  Unweighted squats are WAY easier, huh?  lol

I'm hoping to have time to workout - I'm taking my niece and her best friend Christmas shopping right after school.  That is normally my workout time, but I think I'll try to get it in early so I can have Saturday off!  Although, I'll probably do a treadmill workout (or two) over the weekend.  I have set a goal of making it into the 230's in four weeks (by the week of January 9th).  I'm hoping I can meet that goal.  :)   No, let me re-phrase that...I WILL meet that goal!  There!  In writing!  Makes it official.
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Looks like I'm saving this for Saturday.  Too much going on today.  :(

Good morning!  You will be happy to know I have not weighed myself this morning like I usually do.  I'm avoiding my scales for now.  Let's see how long that will last!  lol

Today's workout looks like a short one, so I'm going to do a pre-programmed workout on my treadmill beforehand.

For time -
   30 front squats w/20-30 lbs
   7 pullups (or attempted pullups)
   30 front squats w/20-30 lbs
   5 pullups (or attempted pullups)

Short and easy, PLUS this will count against my 65 squats for the squat-a-thon!  I know, I know.  I said I wasn't doing it but decided as long as I'm not sore I will do them and today is a non-sore day.   Tomorrow is another story! 
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4:42!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm in the average time range!!  Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!  I used 24 lbs for the squats and did a total of 3 unassisted pullups, but switched to assisted and came down extremely slowly - my arms were quivering!

I also did a programmed workout on my treadmill - workout #1.  This workout used to make me SO out of breath and I would always slow the fastest timed segment down from 3.5 mph to 3.2 mph.  Well!  Today, I did it as programmed and checked my heart rate throughout the workout.  The highest my heart rate got was 125 at 3.5 mph with an incline of 6 (10 is the highest incline the treadmill goes).  Not bad!  I was surprised I wasn't as tired from this workout as I used to be - so I MUST be getting stronger!  YAY!!  I did the treadmill before I did the CrossFit workout.  I also added 5 weighted squats (untimed) at the end so I could count this for my 65 squats for the squat-a-thon.  :)

OH!  My whole "ignoring the scales" didn't last long.  I weighed before working out and guess what?  I made it below 250!  That's right - 249.5!  That's a total of 5 pounds lost.  I'm hoping the weight does start coming down - I was very discouraged yesterday, but I refuse to stop my workouts.  This is the longest I've stuck with them while doing them by myself, at home.  Still loving CrossFit!

11 Week Stats

I have been following CrossFit Mamas' blog for 11 weeks now.  It's hard to believe it's been 11 weeks!  I'm still not seeing hardly any results on my weight, but  I do see a big difference in my clothes and in the mirror.  It just has me stumped on why my weight hasn't really gone down, but my husband said I needed to quit obsessing over that and be happy with seeing the results.  I know I'm stronger - there are LOTS of exercises I can now do that I couldn't when I started.  CF situps, pushups, box jumps, jump rope, running - the list goes on and on.  I'm still not great at running, but I see a major improvement there.  I just need to get it in my head to quit worrying about the scales.  Stupid scales!  lol

I promise I am updating my stats today.  I don't care what they are, I'll take them and put them up.  My goal before the new year is to at least weigh in the 240's.  I keep hovering between 250 and 252 and it's driving my crazy!  I'm also taking pics today, but those will not be shared because I'm taking those just in my bra and panties and really don't want THAT out in cyberspace!

Today's workout is for time, 5 rounds of:
   100 jump rope
   10 deadlift, 60 lbs
   Rest 1 minute

It's a good thing I can now jump rope, huh?  lol  :)
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Okay - I did my measurements and let's just say I don't know what sucked more...my stats or my jumprope skills.  Pathetic!!  I'm not giving up, I just need to really do better with my food choices.  I feel great and my clothes fit better than ever, but my stats are not what they were just a few weeks ago, BUT they are better than when I started = gotta think positive, right?  Anyway...here they are:

9/24 stats:                      12/10 stats:      Difference
254.5             Weight     251                  -3.5 lbs
42                  Bust          39.75               -2.25
49                  Waist        45                    -4
56                  Hips          53                    -3
15.5              UpRArm   15.5                  0
15.5              UpLArm    15.5                 0
29.5              R Thigh      29.25              -.25
30                 L Thigh      29.25              -.5
20.25            R Calf        19.75              -.5
20.                L Calf         20                  0

Total loss of 10.5 inches, which is good.  I just don't know if I was measuring wrong previously or not, but I'll take it.

Back to today's workout - I had the worst time but this was because of my jumprope skills, or should I say lack of jumprope skills?  I can jump, just not the rope!  lol  I finally gave up and just jumped without the rope on the last round and I wish I had done that after my lousy first round of jumping!  I used 50 lbs with my deadlifts, but I did 12 reps each round.  I figured 10 reps @ 60 lbs = 600 lbs and 12 reps @ 50 lbs = 600 lbs - so that's how I came up with that number.

I did take pictures today as well and can tell the difference between my "Day 4" pics and today's pictures and also a difference in my face from my October 5th picture of my face and today's pic of my face.  It's a little slimmer.

Nothing but positive thoughts now.  I'm getting in shape, I'm getting stronger and that's what counts!  :)

Just finished Friday's workout!  I set a personal goal of 5 rounds and surpassed that!  I did 5.5 rounds - not too bad!

Just a reminder of what the workout was:
  As many rounds as you can in 15 minutes of:
    8 bench dips
    10 box jumps
    12 walking lunges w/20 lbs
    15 CrossFit situps

I did 6 rounds of the bench dips and box jumps (11" box), 5 rounds of lunges w/24 lbs and the situps.

I am finally up to 11" box jumps and let me say - they are WAY harder than 10" - or they seem like it anyway.  I'm really feeling my thigh muscles today!  :)

I think I'm giving up on the squat-a-thon - my ass muscles are entirely too sore!  I don't like being in constant pain and there just didn't seem to be any recovery going on unless I skipped a day.  So, that's out!

Just did Thursday's workout and OMG!!!  I am sweating sweaty sweat!  Trust me...that's A LOT!!!  :)

That was an awesome workout and I thought at one point about skipping some things...like burpees, and the deadlifts near the end and those last squats, but then I thought "I ain't no quitter!" so I finished.  Not only did I finish but I finished in under 30 minutes!!!  I saw that most people did theirs anywhere from 20-30 minutes and thought mine would be 45-60 minutes, so I am very impressed with my time.  Are you ready for it?  27:02!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yup, yup - that's how I roll!  And believe me, I was rolling - especially after the situps!  lol   I'm confused on the difference between regular situps and CrossFit situps, so I just did all CrossFit situps and am also very proud to say I can do 20 of those without stopping!  My pushups were weak today which was surprising to me.  But my legs...my legs are still quivering! 

Just a reminder of what Thursday's (today's) workout entailed:
   20 of each:
      wall ball
      situps
      box jumps
      push ups
      cleans, 20 lbs
      jump rope
      thrusters, 10 lbs
      front squats, 20 lbs
      kettle bell, 20 lbs
      push press, 20 lbs
      bench dips
      sumo deadlift high pulls, 20 lbs
      burpees
      hang squat cleans, 20 lbs
      CF situps
      walking lunge
      deadlift, 20 lbs
      knees to elbows
      squats

I used two 12 lb dumbbells with all weighted exercises (total of 24 lbs).  I plan on doing yesterday's (Friday) workout tomorrow, so I won't be skipping any of my workouts.  Still sweating from this one!

I did not work out yesterday, but am saving that one for tomorrow - or I may do it today and save today's workout for tomorrow.  Either way - I'm NOT skipping a workout!!

Today's workout is many rounds as you can in 15 minutes of :
   8 bench dips
   10 box jumps, 18" box
   12 step walking lunges w/20 lbs
   15 CrossFit situps

I've noticed the workouts are starting to state "CrossFit" situps or just situps.   Regardless of what they say, I will always do a CrossFit situp - especially now that I can!  :)

Today's squat number is 50 - but since I skipped yesterday's squats as well, I'll do those first.  I'll catch up because the 10th is supposed to be a day of rest - I'll just be squatting on that day!
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I don't know if I'll work out today, or save today's workout for tomorrow or Saturday.  It's my annual Christmas shopping day with two of my best friends!  We leave as soon as I drop off Hayley at school and am not sure what time I'll be back.  To be honest, after looking at today's workout I'm kinda hoping I won't be back in time!!  lol

My left butt cheek is very sore today.  I think between the squats in the squat-a-thon and the burpees and the running yesterday (all week really) - something funky is going on.  I can feel it when I walk, so I think it might be more of a muscle strain.  I don't think I'm going to do my 45 squats today either - but I always said I would count any CrossFit squats against the squat-a-thon squats, so today's workout actually included 40 of those - 20 of which are weighted!  So...I'm not going to feel bad about skipping them today.  I'll catch up tomorrow - tomorrow was supposed to be a day of rest in the squat-a-thon.

Today's workout is one of those that includes everything...and by "everything", I mean EVERYTHING!  For time, 20 each:
   wall ball
   situps
   box jumps
   push ups
   cleans w/20 lbs
   jump rope
   thrusters w/10 lbs
   front squats w/20 lbs
   kettle bell swings, 15-20 lbs
   push press w/20 lb
   bench dips
   sumo deadlift high pull w/20 lbs
   burpees
   hang squat cleans w/20 lbs
   CrossFit situps
   walking lunge steps
   deadlift w/20 lbs
   knees to elbows
   squats

WHEW!  I'm tired from just typing all of that!  lol - I'll let you know if I do this today or tomorrow!
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I feel really good about yesterday's workout.  I know you're not supposed to compare yourself to others, yada, yada, yada...but I was looking through everyone's results and I was NOT the worst (YAY ME!), but I was close to what Jenni had.  For anyone who doesn't know, Jenni is the one who does the CrossFit Mamas blog.  My score yesterday was 49, with 433 total reps - Jenni's was 54, with 448 total reps.  I have to say - I really pushed myself yesterday to not slow down or slack off and that alone made a HUGE difference!  I soaked for a really long time last night in my bubble bath and felt great afterwards, but was really sore/stiff after sitting and watching t.v. last night.  This morning isn't bad at all - my upper arms and shoulders are a little stiff and sore when I move them, but that should work itself out once I get to moving this morning.  It's still my coffee drinking time right now.  :)

Today's workout looks like a good one as well.
   For time, 3 rounds of:
      10 knees to elbows
      Run 200 meters (.124/mile)
      10 bar facing burpees
      Run 200 meters (.124/mile)

I love to see the runs set at 200 meters because I know I can actually run that distance without walking!  I can't wait for the day when longer runs are easy for me!  I watched the video Jenni had showing how to do bar facing burpees.  They are actually just burpees with a barbell on the floor at you head.  After you do your burpee, you jump over the bar, turn to face the bar, do another burpee, jump the bar, turn to face it, etc.  LOVE the video - it shows a guy and girl - both fit looking, but the girl is WAY faster than the guy.  He's like me, he stops to catch his breath for a moment.  Still, I love it when the girls beat the guys.  Makes my little girlie heart smile.  :)

Today's Squat-A-Thon number is 40!
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30:22 - Geez Louise!  WHAT a workout!  I'm still pouring sweat!  I can actually bring my knees to just above my waist line.  I know this for a fact because I marked it on the doorway that I have my bar located at.  The last time I did knees to elbows, I could only bring them up to my hips and only do one at a time.   Today I could do three in a row without having to stop and stand - so I am VERY proud of that!

Running the 1/8 mile on the treadmill was WAY easier after the knees-to-elbows segment.  I had no issues with running until after the burpee segment.  I ran the majority, walking a total of 4 blocks the entire time (there are 16 blocks in a 1/2 mile), so I am also EXTREMELY proud of that!  My treadmill time was 10:26 - so not too bad.  I'm improving and that's the important thing!

Since I don't have a barbell, I used my aerobic step on the lowest setting, which is 6 inches.  I use this for burpees anyway to avoid face planting in the floor.  So, I'd do my burpee then box jump onto the step, jump off the step, turn around and face the step, then do another burpee.  Burpees are getting easier, but maybe that's just because I only had to do 10 each round.  They're getting easier as well.  Can't wait until I can do them without the step - hopefully that's not too far off.

Great workout today AND I did my 40 squats this morning for the squat-a-thon.  :)

Today is Tabata Tuesday!  If I understand the instructions correctly (and that's a big IF), this is what I'm to do - exercise for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds doing 8 consecutive intervals of the following exercises:
   Wall Ball - 10 lbs
   Sumo Deadlift High Pull - 20 lbs
   Box Jump
   Push Press - 20 lbs

Score each individual round - of course the lowest number is the only score that counts, then add all scores together to get a final, overal score.  Confusing, right?  I had to re-read it, but am fairly confident I'm correct.  For example -

   1 - count # of wall balls for 20 seconds - rest 10 seconds - 2 count # of wall balls for 20 seconds - rest 10 seconds - 3 - count # of wall balls for 20 seconds - rest 10 seconds, etc. until you do 8 rounds.  Write your score down during your 10 second rest.  Use only the lowest score and move on to the next exercise.

Got it!

Today's Squat-A-Thon number is 35 and I must say between my squats, little run, and burpees - I can definitely feel my ass today!   I had to take some aspirin last night to stop the throbbing.  :)
**********************************************************************************
That was a hard, quick workout!!  Thanks, Jenni!  I scored as follows:

10 on 4# Wall Ball - 10-11-11-14-12-12-11-11
14 on 24# Deadlift High Pull - 14-15-16-15-15-14-15-14
8 on 9" Box Jump - 8-10-9-9-9-9-9-9
17 on 24# Push Press - 21-18-18-20-21-18-17-19

Total Score = 49

Not bad, but still mad about that 17 on the push press.  My left arm was so shaky when I went up on #16, so I brought them both down and shook 'em out - then only had time to go back up once more!  ARGH!!  Another weird quirk, my lowest score was on my first round of each exercise.  I guess I just started slow - I do know I kept telling myself "Do not go below" whatever number that first one was and really pushed myself that way.  Especially with the box jumps - those are killer!  Can't wait until tomorrow.  :)

OH!  Did my 35 squats this morning and feeling them this afternoon!  ;)

Hard to believe I have been doing CrossFit religiously for 10 weeks!  Normally, I slow down on things, but must say I've impressed even myself for sticking with this program.  I think it's because it's always different workouts everyday and I really can see/tell a difference in my body.  Looking back, I couldn't even jump rope, box jump, run (!), or even do pushups.  The first workout that I did that called for pushups I did a few on the floor, then switched to wall pushups!  Now, I can get in almost 20 without shaking or stopping!  I do believe I'll take my measurements today - it's also a picture day.  I haven't taken a pic in awhile, so I'm hoping to see changes.  Fingers crossed!

Today's workout is to see how many burpees you can do in 7 minutes.  THAT is going to be a blast...NOT!  :) 

Also, it's Day 3 of the December Squat-A-Thon.  You have to do 30 squats today.  I think I'm also going to throw in a 1/4 mile run.  I'll never be able to conquer running if I don't do it and I am determined to conquer running!!!!
**********************************************************************************
59!!!!  I set my goal to be 50 after reading everyone else's numbers, so I'm happy with what I did.  Plus - this was after I did a little over an 1/8 mile run (2 minutes even) - I had planned to run 1/4 mile, but my lungs were burning too bad. 

I did my 30 squats this morning AND I put up my Christmas tree.  I had to bring the decorations up from the basement (stairs...LOTS of stairs), and I brought my tree into the house (more steps), up and down my step stool - so all in all, I think I got a pretty good workout in today.      :)

Squat-a-thon Day 2 is complete!  25 squats, done!!  :)

It's official!!  December Squat-A-Thon is on!!!  I've already done my 20 squats for today.  :)  I have to say, after doing those CrossFit weighted front squats the other day, it was amazingly easy to do 20 regular squats!  I'm getting tickled - the people doing these on the Facebook Squat-A-Thon page are looking at the numbers and getting antsy about doing 100 squats!  I'm like...ppsshaw..that ain't nothin'!  lol

I'm so glad I made the choice to get fit.  Now, if I could only run....I am planning on running 1/4 mile today. I've got to get better at runnin.  I don't know why, but I feel like if I accomplish that feat, I will be accomplishing a lot.  Can't get better if you don't try, right?

It's all in the perspective, right?  Here I was...so excited about my workout yesterday (I'm still excited, by the way) and the fact that I ran 1/4 mile on my treadmill as well - when I get a phone call from my sister-in-law.  She needed advice on Christmas gifts for my family and was telling me how tired she was, she'd been in the mall for three hours, she needed to get off of her feet, plus she did a 4-mile run BEFORE going shopping and I was like "Hey!  I ran 1/4 mile today!!"  Of course, she was excited for me (she IS my favorite sister-in-law after all), but I just thought it was funny that she's running 4 miles and I'm running 1/4 mile!  Oh...did I mention we are the same age?  Yeah...we are.  She doesn't judge me or anything, so I felt okay bragging about my 1/4 mile run to her.  I wish she lived closer to us, though - she's in St. Louis - circumstances are keeping them in Missouri for the holidays and that makes me sad.  :/

Off of sad subjects!  I was worried today's workout would be a killer one since yesterday's wasn't so hard (wink, wink).  I didn't mention how sore my ass was last night, did I?  Well, my left glute muscle was EXTREMELY sore last night.  Adding weights to those squats really make a difference!  duh!!!  Anyway, today's workout:
 
   21-15-9 reps of:
      Deadlift w/40-60 lbs
      Push-ups

Quick, funny story about yesterday as well - I follow a page on Facebook called Ripped Goddesses.  It's about girls who work out and they always post inspiring, encouraging quotes and pictures.  Anyway, they posted a "Squat-A-Thon" workout plan for December.  Looked easy enough - one day you do 50 squats, 60 the next, 70 the next, etc.  There are some designated "days of rest", but the squats lead up to 100 squats every now and then for a workout day.  People were complaining...saying 100 squats couldn't be done without injuring yourself, etc.  I was like...umm, we did 5 rounds of different exercises on Monday (or was it Tuesday) where we did 50 squats per round, which totals for 250 squats in one day and I wasn't damaged.  I think that may be why I like CrossFit so much - you do a LOT of exercises in one day, but it doesn't sound like a lot and doesn't always feel like a lot, and before you know it - BAM! - you did 100 pushups, 150 lunges, 200 situps, and 250 squats in ONE workout!  :)
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5:32 - 50 lb. deadlifts

Awesome week of workouts!  Starting the December Squat-A-Thon tomorrow.  For those of you that would like to do it with me, here's what we do for the first few days:

December 1st - 20 squats
December 2nd - 25 squats
December 3rd - 30 squats
December 4th - 35 squats
December 5th - 40 squats
December 6th - 45 squats
December 7th - 50 squats
December 8th - 55 squats
December 9th - 60 squats
December 10th - day of rest :)

I will count any squats done in my regular CrossFit workout against the squat-a-thon amount - then add some if I need to.  :)

This is me from the other day!  Thank goodness for Pitbull and his music or I don't know that I could finish some days!!  I fell asleep on the couch last night sometime between 9:30 and 10:00.  Yesterday's workout was a fun one, but very exhausting!  When I got up to go to bed, my shoulders and upper arms were killing me - those wall balls that I love so much kicked in!  I took some Tylenol and slept like a baby for the rest of the night.  Not very sore this morning.  My ass/glutes are letting me know they've been used a lot this week and my lower back was a little achy this morning (not bad) from the deadlifts yesterday.  Overall, not too shabby!

Today's workout looks like a fun and quick workout.  I think I'll run 1/4 mile before doing it, just to get in some extra cardio. 

For Time:
   5 Front squats w/40 lbs
   25 situps
   4 Front squats w/40 lbs
   20 situps
   3 Front squats w/40 lbs
   15 situps
   2 Front squats w/40 lbs
   10 situps
   1 Front squat w/40 lbs
   5 situps

I'm going to do 1 real CrossFit situp for every 5 prescribed - ex:  5 CF situps during 25 set, 4 CF situps during 20 set, 3 CF situps during 15 set, 2 CF situps during 10 set, 1 CF situp during 5 set.  I've been doing them on the weight bench and it feels like I use all of my abdominal muscles doing it that way - which is better than the way I did them before, on the floor with my feet under the treadmill.  Hopefully, I'll get to where I can do CF situps without any modifications.  Not hopefully, I know I will!  I'll post my time later.  :)
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8:40 - AS RX'D, bitches!!!!!!!!  Woo-hoo!!!!!  I can't believe I can not only DO Crossfit situps now (tried SEVERAL times before), but I did them ALL!!!!  I believe doing situps on my weight bench helped tremendously in strengthening my abdominal muscles.  I have tried to do CrossFit situps several times before, and could only barely get my shoulder blades off of the floor.  I was way slower doing them this way than on the bench, but am SO proud of myself!!  My feet didn't even come up off of the floor - I figured they would, but NOPE!  YAY, me!!!

I also used 50 lbs. with the squats - I figured I could use all of the extra help I could get!  Also - my time is double what everyone else had, but I did NO modifications WHATSOEVER!!!  :)

Not included in my time, but I ran 1/4 mile on the treadmill before starting.  I saw that everyone's times was in the 4-5 minute mark, and thought "What the hell...can't hurt!"  My treadmill time was 3:18 - I jogged/ran at 4.6/mph

SO proud of me!!  :)

Surprisingly not very sore today.  My glutes are the sorest, which is crazy - my back/side muscles were sore last night before I went to bed - from the Bent Over Rows!!  I'm telling you...it's always the easy ones that get me the next day!  :)

Today's workout looks challenging, but looks fun - AND it's only 1 round!! 

For time:
   10 pushups
   15 deadlifts w/15 lbs
   25 box jumps
   50 situps
   100 wallball shots (I LOVE wallball!)
   200 jump rope
   Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)

I'm debating on whether I want to do this exactly as prescribed, or if I want to do the run first.  I'll decide when I get in my exercise room, but would love to do this as prescribed with NO modifications - even in the order of the workout! 
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26:56!  I was SO proud of my time until I saw everyone else's!  I really need to stop comparing, huh?

10 pushups were easy!
15 deadlifts w/50 lbs because my wall ball is lighter than prescribed.  :)
25 box jumps w/10 in. box!  WOO-HOO!!  So much better than 2 weeks ago!
50 situps are getting easier.  I was able to complete 36 before stopping for a few seconds, then finished all.
100 wall balls w/4 lb. ball - I LOVE this exercise!  Of course, I'll probably be super sore tomorrow, but this is by far my favorite!  I need to put a heavier weighted ball on my Christmas list though.
200 jump ropes - My jumps have improved!  I can jump around 20 times without getting tangled up!
400 meters (1/4 mile) on treadmill - 3:48 - ran 10/16 blocks @ 4.5/mph - walked 6 blocks @ 3/mph.  The next time, I will run first.  I knew I should have, but wanted to try it this way.

Overall, I LOVED this workout today!  Nice combination of everything, AND I could see improvements in stamina and ability!  :)

Can't believe I forgot to post this morning!  WHAT a workout today!!!

For time - 5 rounds of:
   Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)
   20 Burpees
   15 2-hand dumbbell bent over rows w/10 lbs

I RAN!!  Well, the first round anyway.  Still on the tail end of a chest cold and thought I was going to cough up a lung after I finished that 1/4 mile, but I RAN!  I biked 1/4 mile at 10 resistance and no less than 15/mph on the other 4 rounds.  Talk about getting your heart rate up!  That definitely did mine!

My burpees are kinda funny, but still they're burpees.  I use my aerobic step because I still can't squat all the way down to put my hands on the floor - anyway, I squat and put my hands on the step, kick my legs back, bring my legs back in and stand up.  I didn't do the "jump up" at the end today, but I do plan on incorporating that in the future.  I can't wait until I don't need my step anymore!  I do have it on the lowest setting, which is 6 inches - but I really need those extra 6 inches right now.

I used my adjustable dumbbells for the bent over rows - 12 lbs. each dumbbell, which I guess means I used 24 lbs total.  I wasn't sure if Jenni meant 10 lb total dumbbell weight or each dumbbell, so I erred on the side of caution and did each.  Of course, those seemed really easy which means those muscles used will be super sore tomorrow!  lol

I did run down the stairs afterwards - not by choice.  I started downstairs and my thighs got all jiggly, squiggly and it was either "run" or fall.   Needless to say, I chose to run!  lol  

This week should be WAY better than last week!  I was sick last week, but still worked out some until my cold moved into my chest.  It really is hard to work out with a chest cold!  I did get out and do yard work several days last week, so I wasn't a complete slug-a-bug.  I even put up most of my outdoor Christmas lights yesterday.  The majority of my property is on a hill - steep incline, so it's practically a workout going from the front yard to the back to my basement to get out my decorations.   Actually, the workout is coming from the back to the front (it's all uphill) and carrying stuff!  My thighs were sore last night, so I know I worked something!!

Today's workout is 5 rounds of:
   20 pushups
   30 lunges
   40 situps
   50 squats
   *Rest 3 minutes in between rounds, but time the rounds only.

I will do my measurements today - I hope they aren't icky - and post those later.  Wish me luck, I do believe I'll need it today!  Hey!  NO running!  :)
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Did my measurements - not impressed, so I'm pretending I didn't do them in hopes that they will improve after this week! lol - I did lose 2.5 lbs this week, so THAT'S a plus!!

Man - could I tell I didn't work out some last week.  My legs were like jello towards the end and I only did 4 rounds!  I was hoping/crossing my fingers that I wouldn't fall flat on my ass during the last set of squats!  I don't know about you guys, but the situps took up most of my time.  On all rounds, after completing pushups and lunges, I was only between 1:45 and 2:00.  I did all situps on the weight bench and I could feel EACH and EVERY one!  I was so excited to see NO running today, but those lunges and squats made me squiggly!  My times are below:

5:19
6:54
5:18
6:43

Can't wait for tomorrow's workout!  :)

Instead of CrossFit today, I worked out in the yard.  From almost 12:00 until 4:00 I trimmed the bushes, raked up the cuttings from said trim, wheelbarrowed them down a hill and dumped them in the woods, then pushed the wheelbarrow UP that damn hill!  I then repaired my retaining wall - it was kinda wonky from the ground settling after 10 years.  I had to remove the entire top row of bricks and part of the next row to straighten them all up.  I then took the entire top row of removed bricks and put them under my front porch - one by one.  I then scooped up the old grass cuttings around the tree and wheelbarrowed them down the hill to dump them in the woods and pushed the wheelbarrow back up that damn hill five times!  This is a super steep hill, can you tell?  lol 

Anyway, I figured I did a lot of lifting, moving, uphill, downhill that they would do as a substitute for CrossFit - especially since I did this for four hours!  Working out tomorrow!!  :)

It's hard to believe I have been doing CrossFit religiously for eight weeks!  I can tell such a difference in my clothes and in my fitness - meaning, I'm nowhere near as out of breath going up the stairs or anything like I used to.  My legs just feel stronger too, whenever I walk.  I must admit I am very proud of myself - usually I convince myself to stop or life gets in the way - but not this time.  I have only missed three workouts since starting eight weeks ago.  Two of those were from like the second week and my husband surprised me with an out of town trip and the other one was from last week when I was having back issues.  All in all, VERY proud!

Today's workout doesn't sound hard, which means I will probably be exhausted before it's done!  lol

For time, 7 rounds of:
   12 Thrusters w/20 lbs
   9 Knees to Elbows
   Run 200 meters (.124/mile)

I'll post my updated measurements later when I post my workout time.  :)
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Well...my sinus issue yesterday has turned into fever and chills today.  Saving this workout!  :(

I just did Wednesday's workout - WOW!  That was a GREAT one!  Just to refresh your memory, for time I had to:
   Run 500 meters (.31/mile)
   50 - box jumps
          push ups
          situps
         kettlebells
         back extensions
         bench dips
   20 burpees

Well...35:22 - I'll take it!  SO PROUD OF ME.....I ran a full 1/4 mile at 4.5/mph WITHOUT stopping!  I tried to continue, but could only run more block segment into the next 1/4 mile and I slowed to a 3.0/mph walk for the remainder.  It is SO hard to workout with sinus issues - I kept coughing and gagging due to sinuses draining in my throat.  That got old real quick.

I raised my aerobic step to 9 inches for the box jumps - first time EVER that I could do 9 in. box jumps - another ACCOMPLISHMENT!

My pushups still need a lot of work - I could only do 25 before having to rest, so I did 10 back extensions during my rest period, then 10 pushups, 10 back extensions, 15 pushups and 10 more back extensions.

My situps are improving!  I can do so much better on my weight bench than on the floor.  I actually did 29 situps and took a quick pause (for coughing!) then finished them up!  My stomach muscles were burning!

I did kettlebells with a 15.5 lb dumbbell - super easy!  I tried to finish up my back extensions, but could only do 6 more before my back started cramping/aching in my "hurt" spot, so I stopped doing those - total of 36 back extensions.

I thought the bench dips would give me a hard time like they did the last time I did them, especially since I started off all shaky from the get go - but I was able to do 22, rest and stretch, then 15 more, rest and stretch, then I forced myself to finish them up without stopping.  I will probably be majorly sore in my triceps tomorrow.

I did 10 burpees - without the pushups, since Jenni said they weren't prescribed.  I was going to push myself to do the final 10, but just did not have the energy today.  But, hey!  I did 10 burpees!!  :)

Looking forward to this week's workouts, but not measurement day tomorrow.  I really don't expect to see much difference this week, since it was so messed up for me - although I did do all workouts but one - Thursdays.  Oh well - I'm having fun and seeing improvements and that's all that counts, right?  :)

Right now, my back is 100% better!  I hope it stays that way so I can get today's workout in.  I HATE not being able to workout AND being behind!  Today's workout actually sounds pretty easy, too. 

For time:
   21 - 18 - 15 - 12 - 9 - 6 - 3 reps of:
      situps
      squats

SEE!  Easy, right?  Fingers crossed!!!!
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DID IT!!!  6:47 - didn't hardly break a sweat!  YAY me!!

Let's hope I can get back on track today with my workouts! I really missed it yesterday and it TOTALLY threw my schedule off without working out between 3:00 and 4:00. Jen suggested it might have been the deadlifts that injured my hip/back area and I am going to agree with her because last night I went to bring in a carry-bag full of firewood and hurt myself again! Picking up the firewood bag was the same movement as a deadlift and carrying it in? OMG - pain!!! I told my husband he was on firewood duty for the rest of the night. Normally we take turns bringing it in.

Looking at today's workout is kinda scary, but Jenni said we could break it up as we saw fit except for the runs. She wants us to begin and end with a run. I think she's trying to kill me, so if y'all don't hear from me after this just blame her! ;)

For time:
    Run 1 mile
    100 pushups
    200 situps
    300 squats
    Run 1 mile

It looks hard, but I got this!
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Okay - no workout again today :(   I'm so afraid of making things worse, so I'm saving this one for Sunday.  My hip is getting better, but it still isn't pain free.  I can just be sitting, and then BAM!  Pain...Makes me sad.

Hey!  It's Wednesday!!  I know...let's do EVERY exercise there is!!!  You know...just for shits and giggles!!!! 

THAT'S what I feel like today's workout is telling me.  And by EVERY exercise, I mean EVERYTHING!  Well, except for squats.  There are no squats today.  I'm thankful for that - hey!  It's the little things.  :)

For time:
   Run (!) 500 meters (.31/mile)
   50 - box jumps
          pushups
          situps
          kettle bell swings w/15-20 lbs
          back extensions
          bench dips
   20 burpees

See!  EVERYTHING!  lol  I am glad to see the run first, I should be able to do that!  Not sure if I have hurt my back or just have a muscle strain, but as I mentioned yesterday - I am sore around my right hip area, but more towards my back than the front.  It kept "catching" yesterday and boy! did THAT take my breath away!  It's a little better today, nothing like it was last night so I'm hoping it was just a muscle strain.  I have no idea which exercise it was though.  I was blaming it on the knees to elbows since that was the first time I had done those with a bar, but it was WAY worse last night so it could have been the lunges or deadlifts as well.  I don't know - I just hope it's gone by the time I work out this afternoon.

I am looking forward to the workout - especially now that I can actually DO all of the exercises prescribed!!
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Sorry - putting this off until Saturday.  My back/hip area is just WAY too sore or I would attempt it.  I just don't want to injure myself. 

Looks like a run day today...AARRGGHH!!  Just kidding, I know I need to run AND my running has improved AND I enjoy seeing my progress, I just wish I could breathe while running!! lol 

I am surprisingly not very sore today - I figured my newly discovered muscles in my back/shoulder area (from using my new bar yesterday) would be sore, but they actually are not.  The one place I am sore is on my right side, just above my hip area.  Not sure what that is from, unless it's the knees to elbows that I attempted to do yesterday.  It's not super sore, just a certain movement I make lets me know it's there.

Today's workout is for time, 4 rounds of:
   8 Deadlifts w/50 lbs
   16 Burpees
   15 Walking Lunges
   Run 600 meters (.37/mile)

I will attempt Burpees again (I'm going to master those suckers one day!), but if I can't do them correctly then I will sort of go through the Burpee motion - pushup, squat, and jump straight up.  I will run as much as possible on my treadmill, and will walk whatever I cannot run.  I might even throw in biking, not sure.  Let me see how I feel on my treadmill.
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34:19 of pure, screaming HELL!!!!  Guess what?  I BURPEED!!!!  SO proud of me!  They weren't  perfect, but they were burpees!!  They took me forever, but THEY WERE BURPEES!!!  :)

50 lb deadlifts and I rode my bike for 1/2 mile each round at 5 resistance and never less than 18/mph.  I'm huffing and puffing, sweating like a dog, but I DID IT!!  I'm calling my version of burpees "Berta Burpees".  I'm sure y'all would die laughing at me while I did them, but I did it!  :)

7 Week Stats

I totally forgot to post this morning!  Well, I did my measurements and I'm either measuring wrong, or there was actually very little change from last week.  Maybe it's just me, but I swear I can see changes in the mirror and I can DEFINITELY tell the difference in my clothes!  I did actually drop a pound or two this week, so that's progress!

9/24/12                                11/12/12          Difference
254.5             Weight          251.5                -2.5 lbs
42                  Bust               39                     -3
49                  Waist             43.5                  -5.5
56                  Hips               53                     -3
15.5               UpperArmR  15                     -.5
15.5               UpperArmL   15                    -.5
29.5               ThighR           29                    -.5
30                  ThighL           29                    -1
20.25             CalfR             19.75               -.5
21                  CalfL             19.75               -1.25

Total inches lost = 15.75

Great overall, but only .5 inch lost from last week.  BUT, it's a loss so I'll take it!!  :)  I could have went the other way, right?

Today's workout looked super hard: 
   For time:
     30 pushups
     50 back extensions
     30 knees to elbows
     30 dead lifts w/40 lbs
     30 push press w/20 lbs
     50 kettlebells w/15-20 lbs
     Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)
     10 pullups or pull downs
     30 bench dips

I bought a bar at Walmart today (it was only $19), and I installed it in the closet doorway of my exercise room.  I actually ended up emptying out that closet (it was just a bunch of junk) and put it all in my guest room for now.  So, guess what my next project is?  Yep....cleaning out the guest room!

I did the running part first because I wanted to run as far as I could.  I actually increased my speed to 4.5/mph (progress from 4.0/mph!) and ran 11 block segments before I slowed to a 3.0/mph walk - hey!  I was sucking wind!  Still, it was a solid 2 minute run (again, progress!) - then I walked for 3 block segments and ran for the last 2 blocks.  Overall, I only walked 3 out of 16 blocks - and THAT is great for me!  My treadmill time was 3:39.  When I started, I could only walk the 400 meters and that took me 5 minutes, so I am VERY impressed with that time!  Jenni - if you read this, don't think that means I want longer distances!!  lol

Pushups were girly, but easier as well.  I only stopped to rest once (on number 20), progress!  Back extensions are not my favorite exercise, but I did them.  Knees to elbows....I was so excited to use my new bar!  That quickly wore off - I've discovered I can only do knees to hips, but that is a start and my goodness could I feel the muscles in my back/shoulder area being used!  Deadlifts were with 44 lbs, push press with 24 lbs, and kettlebells with 15.5 lbs.  I actually had to stop and rest after 30 kettlebells today - my shoulders were burning!  I looked at several videos online for pullups and discovered "assisted" pullups for beginners, so that is what I did.  THOSE suckers were NOT fun.  AT...ALL!  NO FUN!  Even assisted, I was pouring sweat on my arms.  After that, I thought bench dips would be a breeze, but no such luck.  My triceps are in horrible, horrible, horrible shape!  They were burning after just 9 dips!  I had to stop every 3-4 dips to rest because of the burn.  I bet those alone took all of 5 minutes or more! 

I'm still loving these workouts - it seems like every day I play the "I wonder what's going to be sore tomorrow" game.  Right now, I'm guessing my back/shoulders and definitely my triceps - since that's what is sore now, but who knows?  It's anyone's guess.  :)
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In honor of Veteran's Day, I want to share a funny story about meeting my 2nd oldest brother.  First - some background - I am the baby of 6.   And, I'm the only one of the 6 that was born in Georgia.  My two oldest siblings, Billy and Bob, were born in Indiana and my other 3 siblings were born in California.  Needless to say, I was not planned - my mom was 40 when she found out she was pregnant with me.  My brother, Bob, had been serving in Vietnam.  I was maybe 4 years old and someone knocked on the door and I was the one who answered it (things were WAY different back then, huh?).  Anyway, the guy at the door said "Hey!  I'm your brother, Bob!"  And I replied, "No you're not, he's in the war!!" and slammed the door in his face.  I went back to the family room and sat down, when my mom asked me who was at the door and I told her some man who said he was my brother.  Everyone started screaming and freaking out - turns out it really was my brother!  lol

SO happy to see there is NO running in today's workout, however, EVERYTHING else IS in there!!  lol - Just to look at it is intimidating, but they're not really hard exercises - just a lot of them.  And I mean a LOT!!

For time, 5 rounds of:
   11 situps
   11 pushups
   11 jump rope
   11 squats
   11 leg lifts
   11 sumo deadlift high pulls w/20-30 lbs
   11 back extensions
   11 walking lunges
   11 wall ball w/10 lb ball
   11 push press w/20 lbs
   11 kettle bell swings w/15 lbs

I will do the deadlift high pulls with 31 lbs - wall balls with a 4 lb ball (it's still all I have) - push press with 24 lbs - and kettle bell swings with 15.5 lbs.  Some of these amounts sound weird, but I have adjustable dumbbells and they have on each end pounds of 3, 6, 9.5, and 12.5 so I have to play around with the combinations to get close to some of the requested weights.  I'm hoping it's not a super long workout, because I have a lot to do today...but no matter what, I'm doing it!
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Okay - so I didn't do my workout on Friday - surprise, surprise - I was running late!  BUT, I did do it today (Sunday) and I must say...what was I thinking?  I thought this would be a breeze!  NOT!!!  Loved the workout though, but I did shift some things around just so I wouldn't waste time getting up and down off of the floor.  I did all situps on my weight bench because I can't do true CrossFit situps, but have discovered I use more of my abdominals on the weight bench than I do when I stick my feet under the treadmill.  VERY proud to say I did almost everything without having to stop and catch my breath - meaning all situps, pushups, etc.  I did take quick water breaks and what I term "sweat rag" breaks in between exercises.  The only things I did have to stop and rest for were the leg lifts and back extensions.  Have I mentioned I hate leg lifts and back extensions?  Man, oh man...those things get my heart pumping.  I can tell a difference when doing lunges - I go down deeper than before.  I will say that my last round was slower than the others, I could feel all of my muscles working that last round.  I left my adjustable dumbbells on the same weight throughout all weighted exercises - on 9.5 and 6 (total of 15.5 lbs) for each dumbbell.  So, I used 31 lbs for the deadlift high pulls and push presses.  Kettle bell swing was with 15.5 lbs, and wall ball with 4 lbs.

Great workout today!  Tomorrow is a measurement day.  Can't wait to see the results!

Thank goodness this week is almost over!  I do believe this has been the hardest week for me doing CrossFit.  Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed EVERY workout, but I have been so exhausted every night this week.  I fell asleep on the couch just a little after 9:00 last night - my husband woke me up at 11:00 to go to bed and I crashed all night long.  My leg muscles (especially my upper thighs) were beyond exhausted last night - no pain, just could hardly move them.  What was (and still is) sore are my abs!  I do believe I will keep using my weight bench for my situps - I think I'm using more of my abdominal muscles that way.  My bench is at a slight decline and I lay back on it (straddling it with my legs) and try to keep my feet on the floor as I come up into the situp position.  My feet of course do NOT stay on the floor and the situps seemed easier, but by the middle part of yesterday's 2nd round I was feeling pain/strain/"the burn" in my abs!  They are definitely letting me know they were used yesterday!  So far it's true what I've said - what seems the easiest seems to leave me the sorest!

Looking forward to today's workout - someone posted like a 5:00/6:00 minute time and talked about how quick it was.  Today's workout is for time, 3 rounds of:
   10 front squats w/30 lbs
   100 jump rope
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15:01 - Again, I had the worst time of the day.  I have realized that I can pretty much look at everyone else's times and double it - that's usually what my time ends up being, but today was triple!  NOT good, but I can see such a big improvement on my jumping.  I didn't have to stop and catch my breath or get water - I just kept going until I got my 100 in for each round.  I do jump like one at a time, because I still don't have that whole coordination thing down.  BUT, I'm not tripping or landing on the rope as often as before so that's an improvement as well.

I did the front squats with my adjustable dumbbells and used 50 lbs, 44 lbs, then 31 lbs.  I sure as hell hope I get a decent badonk-a-donk out of all these squats!!!  I'm way late working out and posting today because I've been getting ready to go out of town this weekend.  My husband is racing in Phenix City, AL this weekend and my daughter is coming to stay with my niece so I'll have a nice, dirty weekend going on!!  And by dirty, I mean the racing - it's on a dirt track.  Y'all get your minds out of the gutter!  ;)