Burn Circuit Round Complete! ... well almost

Howdy fitness friends!

how have you guys been?  let me tell you I have been busy -- in a good way.  I am practically done with the 1st phase of Chalean Extreme which is Burn.  Tonight, or probably tomorrow in the AM I will tackle Burn Circuit 3, and Voila! Phase 1 complete!  Next phase is the PUSH phase, where you really up the weights, as you need to reach fatigue by the 8-to 10th rep.  Now since next week I leave for Camp Do More  (On Thursday - YAY!) I won't start the push phase, I'll just do some Les Mills Pump on Monday and Wednesday.   I'll start on the Push phase next week.  Not Monday, as I think I am going to let my body recover from workouts at Camp do More :) I'll start it on Wednesday the 18th.

Besides my beachbody workouts, for cardio is still zumba and turbo kick...I am in love with those 2! I am starting to slowly add PiYo...mind you I've only  "dabble" in it.  My zumba mentor is certified in PiYo and she teaches from time to time, but I would love to gain the strenght and flexibility - I need it especially if I want to prevent injury.  I am also seriously considering incorporating Tai-Cheng into my routine, the last thing I want is to injure myself, especially since my knees have always been weak.


My eating hasn't been spot on to be perfectly honest.  Too many camping trips, and too many date nights, but I am pleasantly surprised that I am still at 136lbs!! YAY! I think I can manage loosing 1 pound by Thursday! My goal was to reach 135 by when I traveled to Camp Do More, and I am on track!  So I am really  paying attention to what I am eating this week.






Saturday's  have been come my signature zumba days at home! tomorrow is going to be a fun filled day with zumba! I am attending a Zumba Jam, which is a 3 hours of dance, dance dance! you learne new choreographies! After that I head down to San Leandro and participate in a Zumba Fundraiser! HOW FUN IS THA?! I've never done in, so it will be fun! I am going to do 5 songs - and I am extremely excited! I am thinking nerves should kick in right before the event! :)


Hope you are having a great journey getting lean and fit! I am here to help and support, so please feel free to reach out to me!

Days 9 - 15 of Chalean Extreme

Hello Friends!

Don't think I've slacken off with Burn phase :)  I am right on track!

I did notice though that on the Burn Circuit 3, which focuses on shoulders and legs, that my shoulders did loose some of its strength,  which doesn't surprise me as my shoulders is a weak spot for me.  On the last round I could do 15lbs shoulder presses, now for my shoulder exercises I am down to 12lbs and 10lbs (depending) which I guess is not bad, I mean I don't necessarily want to look like I am wearing shoulder pads ;)  

My eating habits have not been the best lately, so I will come clean on that score.  I mean during the day I've been fine, drinking my shakeology, my snacks, and my lunches have all been good...its right after dinner.  When the kids are all settled, and I am waiting for my p90x buddy to get home.  He has been doing major overtime, so he gets home around 9pm...and I am bored! there I said it, I've been eating out of boredom! ugh! and I know better than that.  But oddly enough, based on my fitnesspal diary even with the not so good choices I am making after dinner,  am still around 1700-1800 calories per day.  So I am thinking that on a a subconsciousness level I know I will succumb at night time, and therefore my calories during the day are not as high?  it can also be that I switched to PB2 so my calories in my shake in the morning is not as high...but still if I would have refrained from eating when I don't need to I could have probably broken my weight plateau!  

I've noticed that if I "vow" things here on my blog, I really do stick to what I say, so here I go!

 I solemnly vow that I will not be doing any eating out of sheer boredom...and I can do some Hustle while I wait for Angel to come home ;)

Day 8 of Chalean Extreme - Burn Circuit 1

Howdy!

So mission accomplished! Burn Circuit 1 done! So that means I am starting off week 2 with a bang!   I am seriously considering getting the Select Techs...the 20lbs are not as challenging, but the 25lbs are a bit too much, I would think that the 22 1/2 lbs will be perfect for some of the exercises.

My eating has been a bit off, I think its because I am still hanged up with the Thanksgiving Holiday.  So yesterday, my meal plan was as follows:

6:30am - Shakeology with 5-6 frozen Strawberries  and one spoon of PB2

10:0am - 2nd Shakeology with 1/2 a banana, ice and one spoon of PB2

12:30pm - Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread and cranberry sauce - 1 orange

4:30pm - Yoplait Light Blueberry

8:00pm - whole wheat pasta with sauteed onion, mushroom, bell pepper with left over filet mignon, with only 1 tablespoon of alfredo sauce (or less, it was very little) and half a nut muffing from Mimi's cafe...

and well the muffin was my downfall for last night's meal.   As you can tell I did 2 shakes, after overeating like I did during the Thanksgiving break, drinking shakeology makes my insides better if you know what I mean, I feel lighter, and have more bounce in my step when working out it takes all the sluggishness away.  I am still thinking about the 3 day cleanse, but before I do I need to purchase some greens for my salad and I haven't had time to swing by costco.  Evenings have been hectic at home, usually get home, sit down and help Ximena with her homework, start dinner, eat dinner, hang out with the older kids and have conversation with them while we eat, then spend a few minutes with the youngest ones, then its bed time...last time I wasn't lucky so they went to bed without a shower, which considering the weather at least they are not all stinky! LOL

So the plan tonight:

Ximena Homework
Dinner
Quality time with the kiddos (this may include bath time)
Practice TK44 full round
Bed Time!

keep your fingers crossed so that all goes as planned!

Days 4-8 of Chalean Extreme

Hey Hey Hey!

Don't think I've have forgotten about my strength training! :)  Here is a Recap!

Day 4 - Thanksgiving Day:  On Thursday I decided to wake up early enough to get my Burn Intervals done before I started cooking for the Thanksgiving meal! Mission Accomplished!  I got my workout of the way, and I started cooking and enjoying my day with the family.  While I was cooking I didn't really obsessed with calories, and finding healthier substitutions...I just wanted to cook and enjoy the day with my kids.  We had a huge turkey, we also had Ham, and we also grilled a piece of Filet Mignon.  We had the usual side dishes, the green been casserole, smashed potatoes, apple,sausage,onion stuffing, and of course the pumpkin pies! (please note the plural on the pies!)

Big Turkey!

My Stuffing - Light on the bread

Omar grated some cheese!

Ximena helped with the pumpkin pies!

Eric helped with the Ham!

We made Foot and Hand Turkeys!

Ximena was grateful for the "Turkey"

Eric and Will Thankful for the pies!  

Day 5: Black Friday -- well today was supposed to be my  day for Burn Circuit 3 and I have to admit that I skipped this day, I did not do it despite my intentions of completing it after we had gone to watch the Muppets movie and the do a bit of black Friday shopping.  So I decided to come clean and admit that I skipped out on the workout for this day, BUT I need to put in my plug so that you go and watch The Muppets!  so fun, makes you feel good, the songs are great!  the jokes are well written, even my teenagers enjoyed it!   

Day 6 - All the food and family time and Skipped on the Burn it Off and Recharge....

Day 7 - Rest day!

So there you have it....week 1 of chalean extreme was not perfect....but this week I am committed to make it it PERFECT and follow the schedule to the T!  Tonight I have burn circuit 1 - and I am not missing it!  Have a great Fitness week! Lets Bring It!  -- now after the Thanksgiving Eats...I feel I need a Shakeology Cleanse, I know my body and I will be thankful for it! 

Day 3 of Chalean Extreme!

Good morning!

Today is day 3 of Chalean Extreme!  I didn't want to get up this morning to tackle my workout!  it is my day off, I wanted to lounge more in bed.  But when I woke up everybody was still sleeping.  The only ones that were awake and active were my 2 cats who happened to have a bit of a disagreement, not sure over what, so I got up and scooted them outside so that they could take a chill pill.  I was up! so I said, well I might as well get my tennis shoes on (Because for my pijamas I always sleep with my workout clothes so all I have to do is put on my shoes in the morning -- yeah I've been told by my husband that I am "lazy" for doing that, I say its a way to ensure I do what I plan the night before ;)

That was around 7am, so I knew that the kids would wake up soon, and the only place I can do my turbo is in the living room, so I did that first! I did a full round of 38 -- almost got it!  I only had to refer back to the DVD for the recovery and finale just so that I can "oh yeah, thats the move"  Right at the end of the Finale, guess what all three babies where awak and wanted me to put the disney channel, it was a good thing that I only had like 1 1/2 left of the finale, I made them wait.

 After the Turbo I decided while the kids were being entertained by Disney, to go head to the  garage and tackle Burn Circuit 2!  I still can't believe I haven't lost all of my strenght!  I curled 15lbs, and for some of the row exercises I did 25!  I mean not all of the row, towards the end there I had to go down to 20lbs :)




















Here I am saying "I am done! how about you? Come on! and groove" LOL

Day 2 of Chalean Extreme

Good morning!

Well today is my rest day from Chalean Extreme!   When I woke up this morning, my chest muscles were stiff and sore!  YAY! I welcome the pain...it's been a while since I felt that kind of soreness in my upper body.  

Per the Chalean Extreme schedule, today is my rest day, but  I didn't NOT want to do anything so I  decided to do my Cardio!  What's my favorite cardio?  well if you haven't figure it out already its TURBO! Turbo Jam (which is really for beginners) Turbo Fire, and of course now Turbo Kick!  Since I am now a certified instructor, I get all the awesome music and choreography and I practice to my hearts content!  Speaking of which, this past Saturday I got to showcase the punching section of round 44, a special thanks to Anita the TK instructor that teaches TK on Saturday mornings at the San Mateo Sports 24hr fitness!  It was a great natural high for me to get front and center and showcase that punching section.  I am naturally a quite girl...not one to seek attention.  I remember when I was in 5-6th grade there used to be a talent show at school, I would happily watch my friends practice their dances, but in no way would I have volunteered to participate!  although, thinking back I did participate in the 6th grade Drill Team and we performed for the school. That was so nerve racking!   After it was done I remember thinking to myself, well that's the last time I bring attention to myself! but I must say that I must secretly enjoy being front in center, because in middle school in Mexico I was part of the "escolta" which is a Mexican tradition, kinda like saying the pledge to the flag every morning, but in Mexico its on Monday mornings, and the escolta brings out the flag and then the school sings the national anthem before starting the school week.   So I guess I am a "front and center closet girl" that hasn't come quite come out and declare that she enjoys to perform for the world to see ;)

My 2nd Round of Chalean Extreme!

Wohoo!
Today was my day 1 of Chalean Extreme! this is my 2nd round this year, I did one round in the summer.  It was great. I really wanted to do P90X this fall, but this is the time of year where it gets so hectic at work, separating a full chunk of AT LEAST an hour, its tough!   and Chalean Extreme is only 45min tops!  So I decided to do another round of Chalean Extreme, it just works a lot better with my schedule.

 I wanted to start it almost a month ago, but my garage was a complete mess.  My garage is my gym when it comes to Strength Training this is where I keep my dumbbells, and where I pop in the DVD and push play.  I can't do it in the living room.   However, the garage is also the play room for my kids, and in the break when I stopped lifting, the kids took over that room.   Toys, clothes, blankets were all over the place!  you couldn't walk with out stepping on toys, let alone exercise!

All last week I kept posting about it on Facebook that I need to get back to lifting and that I needed to clean my garage again.  But it was just too daunting! finally on Saturday I put my foot down, and said no more, this mess has to be cleaned up.  I took it section at a time, and 3 hours later, my garage was once again my workout room and the kids playroom.  Once again we share this room!   that I was going get back in the weightlifting.

Normally when we share the room, its more manageable because I make them pick up their toys so that in the morning I can do mystrength training, however since I had stopped, I was lax about having them pick up after themselves.  When I wanted to start up again, I was very overwhelmed with the mess! so I just kept putting it off.  I was like, well I'll just do turbo!  and I must do Turbo in the living room, where the floor aids me to pivot and do my proper form without feeling it in my knees so the need for the garage wasn't a "must". 

What can I say?  My day 1 of Burn Circuit 1 - went well! I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't loose any of my strength  and could still lift somewhat heavy!  for the posterior deltoids (is that it?  the back of the shoulders almost the upper back)  I was doing 15lbs, vs the 12lbs that Chalene was doing...yeah I have to brag about it :)  and I did all the push-ups on my toes, no knee push-ups for me! It was a great surprise...Round 2, here we go again!  LIFT HEAVY OR GO HOME!

Chalean Extreme - Lean Circuit 3 - week 1

My goal this morning was to wake up at 5am to go and push play.  I didn't push play until 6:05, now I did wake up at 5am,  but just laid there staring at the ceiling.  I started to feel sorry about myself.  Lots of things going on in my mind, and the thing is that most of the things that I was mulling over where things I have no control over.   I wish I could help, I wish I can turn things around for other people, but seriously I can't.  I can only control what I do, I can only change things for myself for the better.  I will help out family members when I have the ability to do so, in this instant, in this particular moment, I just can't.  And it was killing me that I can't, and its not a good feeling.  Anyway I laid there for an hour thinking and thinking and feeling guilty.   BUT then I stopped myself.  I can't feel guilt over a situation that I didn't make for myself, in fact when asked for my opinion, I gave a total different advice from what was decided....anyway I am starting on a soap drama again.  So as I laid there, letting guilt consume me, I said to myself STOP!  You know if you could help you would do so without giving it a second thought, just because you can't help RIGHT NOW, doesn't mean you won't be able to help in a month or so.  So then I realized, instead of laying here feeling guilty you could of been done with your workout like 20min ago and had lunches already prepared.  So I got up renewed, and letting go of my guilt I  Pushed play.  I  felt rejuvenated! Chalene gives a great workout, and Lean Circuit 3 is just awesome.  It works my chest muscles like no other (not even P90X) and I know I will be sore.  After the workout while preparing my recovery drink my arms were shaking!  LOVE IT!  I totally exhausted my muscle tissue, I kept telling myself "ooohhh I can feel my muscles repairing themselves" LOL

So my tip for today is: when life is happening to you, when there are problems, its okay to feel a bit sorry for yourself, but don't get stuck in that rut.  Shake it off, and blow of some steam with a killer workout, when your done, you'll be amazed as to how you feel not just physically but from within.  Lets get stronger in more ways than one :)

Chalean Extremen - Lean Circuit 2 - Week 1

Hi guys!

Well yesterday I did Lean Circuit 2 - and it was shoulders, back and legs.  My shoulders are my weakest area, but even then just lifting at 10lbs for my shoulder exercise, I failed by the 11th or 12th rep.  At the end I did my last shoulder exercise with 8lbs dumbbells.  Yeah, not that heavy, but boy did I feel it!  This morning I have burn intervals, and I want to follow that with HiiT 15.

I'll be staying home today because Ximena is sick.  Not sure if its a bug or something, but her tummy is not feeling that well, so after crushing my workout, I'll call the doctors office and see if they can see her today. I just want to make sure its not an infection.  The poor kid hasn't been able to really enjoy her 1st week of school, and she was so excited about it too.

Another to report is that yesterday was the 10th day, and final day of my shakeology fat blaster cleanse.  I did fairly good! I did falter a bit there at the end, especially with my husband's birthday yesterday, but overall I feel good.   I ate pretty clean, lots of veggies, plus all the good stuff on Shakeology.   Final weight 136.8 - I am pretty excited about that!

So here I go to start my day! Hope you guys have a good one :)

Chalean Extreme - Lean Phase

This week I start on the Lean Phase from Chalean Extreme.  I had totally forgotten that this is a great phase!  I did Lean Circuit 1 yesterday, biceps, triceps and legs.  Chalene has you do lower body and arms at the same time really working your core and balance.  During the workout I could feel my core and legs working, and today my arms are totally feeling it!  I didn't go as heavy, I was only doing 15lbs and 12lbs but even then my body feels trampled on! I LOVE IT!   The plan this morning is a HiiT I am thinking Turbo HiiT 25 at first, but I may go with HiiT 15 followed by a stretch workout, my body needs it.

Today I am at home from work,  I could do a longer workout, but I am home with my 2 youngest boys.   We dropped of their sister at kindergarten this morning, so from now until 12pm its just us, then we leave to pick her up at 12:35pm so I want to spend some time with them this morning.  I am thinking going to take them to park and have them riding the little train.

So my 2 cents for today - take care of your health so that you can joy in spending time with your family, because your family is awesome and they deserve to have you around for a long tim3 ;)