And on the fourth day I rested

I really like this program!  The workouts are exciting and I am drenched in sweat each time.  I am literally dripping after each workout.  I'm actually sad that I don't have to work out today, but I need to rest my body.  Les Mills Combat works these recovery days in because they know that  your body needs a chance to recover from the beating it is receiving from the program.

Speaking of recovery, in P90X program, they kept talking about their recovery shake and how great it was.  I never partook in it, but I remembered how tired and beat I was after every workout.  This time around I still am not being swayed by their specially formulated organic protein powder, but I am making sure to drink a protien smoothie after every workout.  The ice and liquid cool my body down and the protein powder replenishes my tired muscles so I don't feel like all I can do is sit on the couch!  I am using EAS Lean 15 protien powder.  It seemed like the best bang for the calories of the choices at Target.  I was waffling between chocolate and vanilla, as I wasn't sure how chocolate would combine with the other mix ins when I remembered that chocolate tastes good with EVERYTHING!!!.  I've tried both recipes in the fitness guide (green tea and greek yogurt / raspberry and grapefruit juice) and I like the fruit one WAY better.  What can I say, I have a sweet tooth!

No matter what, I'm loving the shakes and they are a fantastic reward at the end of the workout!

I don't like oatmeal

or cottage cheese.

The grapefruit is growing on me, but I prefer grapefruit juice to the actual fruit.

Luckily all their other recipes have been delicious.   Lots of salads, but that makes sense since lettuce is the most volume for the fewest calories!

But yeah, oatmeal is so not worth the calories or the texture!

Les Mills Combat-day one

So I've been lapsing hardcore on my goals.  Instead of losing half a pound each each I've actually gained quite a bit more.  So I decided that it was time to get some help.

About five years ago Mike and I attempted Beachbody's P90X program and while I did not complete the program we were getting great results.  The downside to P90X is that the workouts are really long and require a lot of equipment (pull up bar, weights, etc.).  I wanted a program that would push me like P90X but contained shorter workouts and less equipment

My co-worker had been talking about Les Mills Combat and had successfully completely the program and looked GREAT after doing it so I decided to give it a go.  The program consists of 30, 45, or 60 minute high intensity intervals of mixed martial arts.  Not only do I love martial arts but I know that I can really push myself for  thirty minutes!  I also love that there are two rest days in the week! In short this feels like a totally do-able program.

In addition to the workout program there is a diet guide that "takes the fight inside".  the first week is a very specific 1200 calorie diet to kick-start your metabolism.  It includes a lot of favorites like raspberries, eggs, and familiar meats.  It also includes some stuff that I'm not quite sure about like grapefruit, oatmeal, cottage cheese, and tempeh.  Again I'm willing to try anything once!

It's been awhile...

So yesterday was my 29th birthday and if caused me to enter into a deep reflection. Was I where 12 year-old me thought I was going to be by the time I was thirty. Upon deep thought, I figured out I had made most of my long term goals: 1) I am a high school math and science teacher. 2) I am married to a wonderful man 3) I have a pet! My parents only let me have a turtle and it wasn't cuddly :( There were a few however that I haven't made: 1) I don't own a house or really a car (Mike owns CC) 2) I don't have any kids even though I've been married for five years. It seems like my married friends are popping out babies left and right (Congrats Jasmine!) 3) I'm overweight and I have self-image issues. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and I'm very happy, but I just want to enter my thirties feeling like I'm in a good place physically. I kinda see this year as one of my last chances to get it together before the ol' body starts breaking down. To be perfectly honest my body was breaking down in my twenties with my back and bad joints, so my main goal for this year is to be in a better place health and physically speaking. Here are my goals for the last year of my twenties: 1) lose at least 24 pounds (it's not as much as I need to lose, but I want it to be attainable :)) 2) Be under calorie count for 30 days straight (I will restart the counter each time I'm over) 3) complete at least 1.5 hrs of exercise a week The other two goals (house and baby) I will be working on with my husband :), but the third one is all about me and only i can do it. I know that if I lose weight and start taking better care of myself I will feel better about myself. It's kinda daunting and scary, but totally doable. I want to enter my thirties feeling good.