Boot Camp; End of Week 4

So I am definitely in a love-hate relationship with Boot Camp.

Really, I love it. It pushes me beyond the limits I thought I had. It encourages me when I feel like I can't go further. And it gets results.

I was slightly disappointed when, at the end of Week 3, I had lost a couple inches, but gained a pound. ...I was hesitant to step back on the scale this morning. (Sunday is my weekly weigh-in day.) But I did and was pleasantly surprise to discover that I had lost two pounds. Sweet. On to my measurements.

I did a Biblically-based weight loss program in high school, and they had us measure in pounds and inches, so following that lead, I measure in the following areas:

-waist
-hips
-bust
-thigh
-arm

I was so shocked by the results, I had to measure twice! From last week, I had lost about 5 inches, combined across all areas, for a grand total of 7 since I began measuring. I even re-calculated the math, thinking that somewhere, I had messed up my simple math. But no. 5 inches for the week, and 7 total.

I'm still not personally seeing the results, but clearly, they are there. Others notice them, and I now hear at least twice a week how much slimmer and toned I'm looking. And it's like I went shopping for a free wardrobe! Clothes that haven't fit since before I became pregnant are fitting again...and fitting well. It's kinda nice. I'm anxious to get to a point where I will start to see the results in myself, too, though. But hey. One step at a time. Success begets success, no matter how small the increments. :)

Some highlights of Boot Camp this week:

-alternating a 400 meter run with 50 squats, 30 burpees, 30 crunch/toe touches, and 20 pull ups. (one activity per alternate)

-relay races

-20 seconds on, 10 seconds off (for 3 minutes) mountain climbers, then a standing bench press, then rowing

I'm looking forward to continuing to get stronger, and more fit. Now if I can continue to make great choices where eating is concerned....I'll be set. For now, though, I'm working on just making sure that what I put into my body, especially when it's not super healthy, is in moderation and controlled. It would be nice to cut those things completely out, but for me, going cold turkey, is just a binge waiting to happen. So we'll go slow. :) And hey! My husband took me out for an early birthday lunch today, and I ordered sweet tea instead of Dr. Pepper. ..Probably still has plenty of sugar in it, but sweet tea has got to be less complicated, and therefore not as bad, than Dr. Pepper. :)

And so I guess that's it for the time being. Looking forward to our family fun run tonight, hoping we'll have time for me to attempt three miles (running).

Quick Update

Today starts Week 3 of Boot Camp. I have gone faithfully. I do take off Wednesdays to let my body rest, but I am there bright and early...well...more accurately I am there "dark" and early, but either way....

But, thanks to Daylight Savings Time, it is now light enough, long enough, after dinner to reinstate our nightly Family Fun Runs. I love being able to boast two workouts in one day, not to mention the fact that I get to work on my endurance and stamina. Two nights ago, B decided she wanted to ride her bike, which I thought would be perfect. I'd just jog along side her. I did not forsee her pedaling at the speed of stop, though. ...I kinda get why, though. We've taken her out to the school parking lot behind our house forever, and she speeds around the lot like nobody's business. But this was her first time riding along the roads. She was more than cautious. I jogged along side of her. At times she was going along so slowly that I literally had to stop and jog, virtually in place. Oh it was painful! lol  My bad knee did not appreciate the slow plodding along. I think it actually put more pressure on my knee going along so slowly. The good news is that I was able to jog the whole thing...2.25 miles. Of course, my speed was almost non-existant, but hey...I was more than walking, and that counts!

One of the things I have loved most about Boot Camp, though, is that it's always different, and usually with some type of running. ..And this I love! I was up to 6 miles before I got pregnant, and it was so discouraging to finally go out again and not be able to make it a quarter of a mile. But with Boot Camp, the different distances and speeds that we go, it has really helped boost my endurance.

The other night on another Family Fun Run, we took the small route....just over a mile, but I ran the whole thing. And do you know who ran with me? My 4 year old! Yeah! My 4 year old can run a mile! ...I guess I should offer the disclaimer that my running is more of a slow and steady jog, but moving is moving! And I can't believe my 4 year old ran the whole mile! I am detemined to foster a love of exercise and fitness in my girls. I do not want them to have to deal with the struggles of weight and self-image the way that I have.

....Looking forward to tonight's Family Fun Run. Today was stressful, and I could use a release! And then tomorrow...more Boot Camp! :)