P90x pain...bringin it.

I cannot believe how many muscles I clearly haven't been using over the past few years.  I'm in (now completed) week 2 of the P90x program.  I am so so sore.

I like it.

I feel very alive this week. I am very aware of myself, mostly due to incredible muscle fatigue and tenderness but it's worth it. The end result is worth it.  My eating is going well, my workouts have been amazing.  It's been wonderful. 

Today I was not able to workout, but am ok with it.  Today was my daughter's 6th bday.  It was a crazy busy day but totally worth it. I just behaved diet wise. I have a plate of cupcakes about thirty feet away and I have yet to attack it.  It isn't worth it. I'm working way too hard. 

Don't get me wrong though,  my halo is somewhat tarnished by the giant glass of red wine that accompanies me at the computer desk at the moment.  I do so love my wine. I will sacrifice cupcakes and other seasonal temptations simply to make way for the caloric overdose from vino. 

I'm heading to bed now in hopes of a few uninterupted hours of sleep.  I'm also hoping for a full yoga workout in the morining. Fingers crossed.....

N.

Shape shifting bust...

Last night I was so pumped to be able to escape the chaos that is my house on a Saturday evening and attend a family wedding (hubby's side). This was a black tie affair and the kiddos were staying home with my parents.

We both bought new outfits and couldn't wait to get out.

I found myself actually a little shy to be putting on control top panty hose in front of my husband. We were in rush mode aka our normal.  My folks showed up late, my husband worked late and I had to bolt out to pick up my eldest from her friends bday party.  It was 5pm.  Antipasto starts at 5:30.  I hadn't showered yet and my husband wasn't even home.  Fast forward to after a fast shower, quick hair blow dry and racing to get dressed at 6pm. 

I tried on several dresses for this event. I felt like I was in a moo moo in all of them.  It's the boobs, they shoot the dress out five feet from my frame just trying to get around them.  So not flattering. So I went a different route, I bought a suit. A killer Marciano black totally gorgeous power suit.  Madden killer heels finished the outfit.  The blouse was fitted. My boobs are humongous, they def. looked humongous. NO hiding them. I wanted to wear a shape shifting aka spanx top for the not-yet-toned tummy.  I bought it, the rep picked the size for me after having sized me for a bra. She knew....she knew and yet she sold me a shape shifter that wouldn't go over my boobs.  I was totally stuck in it. My husband had to help me out! What do you do with that? Nothing. Laugh at yourself and put the blouse on. It just means perfect posture is required at all times or the rolls are busting out! That and no matter how hot it gets I am not taking off the jacket.  It hides much and looks awesome. 

I'm not getting any deeper with age.

In the end this was a huge motivator to behave all night (WINE EXCLUDED).  I have completed my first full week of P90x. I'm going to go the distance.  I didn't eat the creamy soup or the cheese laden pasta. I did eat (inhale and practically lick the plate of) the filet Mignon w/ asparagus and stuffed mushroom, as well as, the green salad with apple and parm. cheese.  I didn't eat desserts ( one bite size choc. chip cookie) from the huge dessert table.  I behaved.  I am going to do this!

I'm lucky to have a hubby that puts up with me during all of this...and who will remove the stuck spanx for me and not say a word. Bless him.

The beginning...and it's not pretty!

Well, here it is. The moment. The "before" moment.

I've been staring at these pics....for a couple of reasons. Sometimes it's hard to believe this is actually you, which I cannot believe it's actually me. And secondly, aside from the boobs and belly,  I am not off to a bad start! It's all prego related. As much as I am not liking what I see, I love why it happened. It was all worth it.  It's going to be worth getting rid of it, but the "why" factor, worth every moment.

This is me, 3 and a half pregnancies under my belt ( ze momma gutty belt naturally ha ha).... 7.5 months post partum.... at the very beginning of my P90x adventures.

I do feel fantastic AND I am enjoying this so much I am eating well.  I watched my family inhale swiss chalet french fries last night (treat night)...but not moi. I managed to make it through without spazing or suddenly lunging across the table to snort them before they could eat them.  I'm going to make it to this finish line with the results I want...I want it that bad.



i can't wait for this to be a thing of the past





Today my eldest is home in addition to my younger two monkeys. The upside, she and Ryan play and Rachel is thrilled to watch them. I can work out with a little less interruptions. Awesomeness!! Must boogie to get the kids to their swimming lessons...but when we return, workout time!

Make it a great day!
Cheers, and thanks for reading. 
Nic.

Some days good, some days.....yeeeesh.

I never would have imagined how much I am enjoying Yoga these days.  I love the way I feel during and after the workout.  It always seemed incredibly boring to me, slow...boring...so not my thing. I was really looking forward to today's workout.

One huge drawback to P90x is the duration of the workouts. You can do shorter more intense workouts and get amazing results, but I do enjoy this program. Today's workout is 92 minutes. It's bloody well impossible to pull it all off without interuptions.

Today was BRUTAL. I feel like more of a fire breathing dragon right now vs a calm yogi as I should. My son was relentless and there was no pleasing my daughter. To further annoy me, she is totally content as I type this right now in the very thing she was in then, however, screaming at that time.  Her jolly jumper.  I tried everything today. Play pen, mat, jolly jumper, exersaucer, floor play, chair time... she just refused to co-operate.  She was fed, clean, just wanted mom. And Mom just wanted a workout! I managed 45 minutes. Not bad, but four thousand interuptions later there was a serious lack of flow.

I guess there's always tomorrow, but was so looking forward to today.

Trying to applaud what I did pull off but wishing it was more.

I took the photo's. I will post them later on today once I find where my son hid the cord.  He thinks he's cute, he didn't notice mom has mutated into a fire breathing dragon yet...

At least tonight there will be wine with my hubby by the fire. I know, so not what someone who is looking to lean out should be doing...but life needs to be lived with balance...and wine. Lots and lots of it.

Cheers!!!

P90x.

I can hear this little voice inside my head telling me to get moving already.  For every minute I sit idle, someone else somewhere else is working harder than I am at achieving the same goal.  So I've been really pushing myself...and I honestly feel fantastic. 

It's been brutal though, the everyday workout.  That's the thing with P90x - you really do have to train as laid out for maximum results.  The TRX system I LOVE...but the co-ordinating b/w the two workouts is more than I have time for right now. I really, really need to just do as I am told. I am so distracted and so tired.

My workouts themselves are full of moments wherein my kids are vying for my attention.  If I can train first thing after dropping kids at school, I do. However, I've had to utilise that time to accomplish Christmas shopping. Secret missions!

SO I'm stuck working out usually just after lunch time. Brutal. My son is home in addition to my seven month old.  Yesterday my son really would have preferred if I watched him transform his transformers the entire workout while Rachel kept rolling herself across the room to get onto my mat.  I was constantly moving her back to her area ( the jumper proved more of an issue and she screamed in the playpen, this was third option).  She had alternate ideas as to how we were going to spend our time. I still managed to pull it off, just thinking Tony didn't envision these scenarios of his audience ha ha.  Rachel began screaming at me with about twenty minutes remaining in the workout. As I was exercising I was singing Mary had a little lamb while acknowledging my sons transformation of transformers.  It was just as tiring as the workout.  I almost made it - had 10 minutes to go and had to stop it to pick her up.  It's ok though.  I've decided to start applauding myself for what I could pull off vs focusing on what was still remaining to complete. I can only do what I can do, I just have to push myself in the time that I do have to get the most from it. 

I will get it done.

So now I have joined the P90x on line community for support, set myself up for success diet wise at home and begun recording my workouts/eating so as to track my success towards my goal.  This blog is also a big piece of my dedication. 

This pic I have attached is from 7 years ago.  It was taken this time of year.This shows my frame and so when I post my "before" shots from tonight, you will see exactly how much I have to lose. It's all in the boobs and the belly...the momma belly. I can't wait until it's gone!!!

Well my daughter is now bored with her exersaucer, my moment is over.
Until tomorrow!
Cheers.
N.

Phase Two begins....Phase One results.

Although I am pleased there are results to post, I feel like Phase One was a bit of a let down.  So much happened in 60 days.  My uncle/friend died,  my son had pneumonia, my seven month old suddenly decided to stop sleeping at night... I'm exhausted.  That said, I am also very motivated for this next chapter.

First and foremost,  the results:

My current measurements, as of yesterday:  at bellybutton, 34" - unchanged, at boobs 38" - unchanged (damn't!), back 32" - down an inch, thigh 19.5 - up a half inch - I take pride in this...I am gaining muscle again. My legs are becoming shaply vs pipecleaners, hips 36.5 - down half an inch, bicep 11 - again, totally proud of the mini muscle starting to show!

This rounds goals:  tighten le tummy, shrink the boobies and regain shape/muscle in arms and legs.  We have our first family vacation coming up in January. I would actually like to wear a non-tent-like bathing suit.  I can do this, six weeks.  Of course, it is the most brutal time of year to diet BUT the reward is worth the sacrifices. 

The new year will bring about a whole new series of things to focus on. Hiring a caretaker for my kids, recertifying myself as a personal trainer and re-establishing myself as a facilitator in my workplace. A year away from work is huge. It is so amazing to be home and to spend time with the kids, but the time away is a huge barrier to overcome upon your return. Someone else has totally benefitted from your absence in that they filled your shoes.  They may have really shone ( I've been replaced a few times over now, the ego has already been bruised).  The flip side is, it is an opportunity to recreate yourself. To be who you want to be and to chase what you want with renewed enthusiasm.  I am on a serious mission upon my return. I have very specific, mapped out goals targetting the next 5 years.  It will take an enormous amount of effort to get to where I want to be,  but it's worth it.

I am on the brink of creating the life I ultimately want to lead with my husband and children.  As is he. 

One step at a time.

This next step, moi.  Reclaiming and reconnecting with myself.  This phase will consist of resistance training almost exclusively. Yes, cardio is a good thing, but I am tight for time. Calorically, physically, my results will come if I kick my own ass in resistance training. I am tired, very tired and so I am sticking with following pre-set routines. This time around, P90x and TRX training only.  3-4 x's weekly.

My diet is changing this time around.  All breads, pasta's, rice... cutt off after fourth meal ( I eat 6 mini meals a day - starting at approx 7:45 am and every 2/5-3 hrs following.  On all days except Saturday and Sunday evenings (those are sacred snack nights with the hubby ha ha).  The last two meals of the day will be variances of a lean protein and greens.  I have started to get into making my own salad dressings from sunflower seeds/oils, fresh spices and oil/vinegrettes... it is helping to stay on track. Variety is essential! That and I don't want to send the wrong message to my kids. We eat the same foods. I have to ensure they are getting what they need while I am trying to scale back.  I believe firmly in us all eating at the same time, the same foods. 

I do not count calories. I go by how I feel.  If I eat balanced meals throughout the day, I'm fine. If I don't, I will binge afterwards.  I have found a balance that works for me and have learned to understand my bodies needs effectively. If I am totally starving, I've strayed from the path.  In that case, I have to bust out the cake plate vs dinner plate to ensure portion control.  And yes, I've learned to pile food pretty high on those small plates at times.  I am my own worst enemy in the food game. I love it. So ensuring consistant meals, consistant regulated servings all day long keep me from pulling into any fast food joint to buy everything they have, that minute.

Well, my time is up for today's blog. The oven timer is about to go off and I have several meals coming out all at once. Multi tasking, multi meal making day. Need to ensure the fridge is stocked with what we need so momma stays on target.  Roasted root veggies, a lasagna and banana loafs are coming out. Beef stew and a bean soup have already begun to cool off.  Smells kind of funky with so many things cooking at once ha ha ha BUT it is worth it.  Once less thing I have to do tomorrow, one more minute I can spend working out.

Be well.
Mad luv,
Nikki

9 days to go....

So how does one begin this time. Phase One is not going as planned, let's just start with that.

I woke up this morning with a caloric hangover. Seriously h u n g over. I attacked my kids Hallowe'en bowl last night.  Not just a little. There were wrappers and chip bags strewn all over the coffee table when my hubby returned from hockey. I had passed out.  I'm not painting a pretty picture of myself right now am I ha ha ha.

Yesterday was the cremation of my 44 yr old uncle who passed from cancer this week.  We grew up together and grew to be friends, not just family.  So yesterday seriously sucked.  I ate in between sob fests. 
Today, not feeling so hot! 

The kids are off school today for a PD day. This is a good thing.  Not always, but today it is.  They give great hugs, and, yell at you when you touch their candy bowl. 

I'm not measuring anything or doing anything until Monday. New week + kids back in school = fresh start.

This loss is also a great motivator.  My uncle was fit.  He worked out regularly and he ate really well.  Here's what I've learned through his battle;

1.There is a huge difference between organic and non-organic foods.  We ate identical diets. The days consisted of many salads, lean proteins, fruits and veggies.  One key take away was the need to change my families foods to organic as we consume all of the "dirty dozen" foods, as well as, hormone~probiotic~grain GMO fed meats.  We were ingesting a huge amount of pesticides/poisons.  There are many other factors that contribute to illness, but if I could prevent something for them, I will. Last night as I was sobbing over the candy bowl inhaling out of control volumes of tiny chocolate bars and regular Lays chips I realized, my kids aren't really eating this.    There was way too many candies left for this time of year.  I don't remember mine lasting long, I ate piles of it in a sitting. Hmmm, seems I haven't grown up much in that respect.  My kids don't crave it like I do.  They will ask for a banana with granola sprinkled on it before candy.  I think I've been keeping all these goodies around for me!   If I don't stop eating them my ass is going to explode into much larger jeans! I have to throw them out....
2. Get as much oxygen as you can.  Exercise.  Use what you were given and keep it alive.
3. Speak your mind. Share your emotions. Allow yourself to really feel all that life has to offer.  When you ignore things or fail to deal with things your body will react. 

I am actually really looking forward to Monday.

For now, I'm going to enjoy a date night with my hubby tonight ( I will likely inhale a  days worth of calories in vino alone hee hee hee, it's our first date night in well over a year! ), a weekend of playing with my kids and cooking the weekly meals on Sunday.  I bought a new food processor.  We may have twenty styles of salad this week just so I can use it more!

I have lost this month.  I'm down a pant size, which blew me away considering all that has happened.  The boobs, nada. AnNoYiNg.  The mission continues....

Be well.