beachbody ultimate reset: week 2 results

We just completed week 2 of our Beachbody Ultimate Reset! So far I am down 12 pounds and I am really noticing the changes in my body. Tracy is down 5 pounds and looking awesome. I didn't mind the detox drink as much as Tracy did, and I am finally getting used to the alkalinize drink. My skin is glowing, my hair is shiny, and my energy is fairly high. Sleep is still disrupted, but I think that's mostly due to having a lot on my mind. I can't wait to post our final results and before and after pictures next week! Only one more week to go and we are going strong (though I am looking forward to having my morning coffee again)!

beachbody ultimate reset: week 1 results.

Click here for more information about the BeachBody Ultimate Reset.

the secret to weight loss.

After all of the years I have spent trying to lose weight and get in shape, I finally figured out the secret to weight loss. I bet you’re dying to know what it is, right? Well, unfortunately for you (and for me), the secret is that there is no magic pill you can take to lose weight and get in shape. The only way to really change your body is to eat healthy food in moderate quantities and to get off your ass and get moving. That’s it.

Knowing this, a few weeks ago I started a really good supplement program to get me on the right track. It’s a 90 day challenge (see...there are no quick fixes). I’ve been on the program for 2 weeks now (in whole hog doing the Transformation Kit) and I’ve lost 5 pounds, which I’m really happy with. I also feel exceptionally clear headed and light (as if the world has been lifted up off my shoulders). To rev things up a bit, this week I also started my second round of P90X. I did my first round back in January and I had amazing results. Unfortunately for me, I totally slacked on exercising this summer, and I am now paying the price for it. Ouch!

So, that’s where I’m at. Slogging it out with Tony Horton and doing my best to eat an exceptionally nutritious diet. On top of that, I’ve cut down on my alcohol intake (no more lazy afternoons on my neighbor’s back deck drinking vino) and increased my water intake. My goal is to be fit and ready to conquer the sequel to P90X which is coming out in December. Also, I have a certain pair of jeans I’d love to squeeze into.

If you’ve been thinking about turning a new page and switching up your eating and getting your butt in gear, now is a great time! Don’t wait. I had been thinking about putting off getting back into P90X until Max was back in school when I’ll have more time for me, but I realized that there will always be a reason to not exercise. And really, there is always time to exercise if it is a priority. So get off up your butt and join me! I could use the support!!

                                                                                                                                            

Exercise: P90X workout (currently on week 1)

mental health monday: oakville tracy rocks the guelph lake triathlon.

This past Saturday, I had the honour of watching my friend Tracy cross the finish line of the Guelph Lake Triathlon. She swam 750 metres, biked 20km, and then ran 5km. I would find any one of those challenging on their own. It blows my mind that Tracy did them consecutively. She has been getting up before the birds for the past 3 months in preparation for this event. Early morning swims, weight training,  training runs and rides, plus hot yoga have kept her a busy woman.

While I have no desire to do a triathlon, I think the training alone is admirable. The last few months have been tough ones for Tracy and I am willing to bet she would say that training for the tri is what got her through it in one piece. Seeing her sprint to the end was a great reminder that focusing on physical health often helps us with our mental and emotional health as well. I decided to start another round of P90X to see if that will help me conquer some of the anxiety I have been feeling with all of the recent changes in my life. Today is day 3 and I am more sore than I remember being the first time through the program. I dare say the physical discomfort has taken my focus off my emotional discomfort, for at least a little while.

Congratulations Tracy! I have never seen you look so strong and beautiful as when you crossed that finish line with your fists pumping victoriously in the air! You inspire me and I am proud to be your friend.

getting back on the p90x wagon after the flu.

I started P90X on December 26th and up until last week I hadn't missed a single workout. Even on the rest days, I opted to do the optional Stretch workout. Everything was going smoothly until the end of Week 7, when the flu that had taken Cam, Max and Scott down finally brought me to my knees.

Lucky for me, I was headed into my recovery week, so if I was going to get sick and miss workouts, this was the week to do it. I still felt awful about missing my daily date with Tony though. I had been so dedicated up until this point! I really was kicking myself for not following the P90X schedule perfectly (that's not a surprise for anyone who knows me).  I'm either all in or not at all.

But then it came to me.  Getting sick was actually the perfect challenge.  Acing P90X for 90 days is not what my ultimate goal should be (though it is a terrific challenge and definitely something worth doing and celebrating).  Incorporating exercise into my life on a daily basis is what I am shooting for.  Getting knocked off the horse gives me an opportunity to prove to myself that I can get back into my exercise routine after a much needed rest.

I decided that instead of taking up where I left off, I would start Week 9 on my original schedule.  The first two workouts back have kicked my ass, but I think I made the right call.  I plan on doing P90X again after I finish this round, so I'm sure I'll get the chance to do that recovery week next time.  I am starting to see some changes to my overall physique which is keeping me motivated to push through this last phase! I took this picture on my blackberry last week (it really doesn't show much progress but trust me, things are happening).  I think the before and after pictures are going to blow your mind!

come on 2011, BRING IT!

(taken with photo booth on my mac, not with my lovely nikon)

2011 got a running start this year.  I found out at 11:30 pm on New Year's Eve that I won 2nd place in the 2010 Canadian Weblog Awards for the Health & Wellness category.  What a terrific way to kick things off!  The universe is also cooking up some other cool stuff on my behalf - I'm trying to remember that if this specific thing doesn't come to fruition that there must be something even bigger and better waiting around the next bend.

It looks like I missed out on the opportunity to title a blog post "1.1.11". I was busy relaxing and hanging out with my crew.  Oh yeah - and finishing up week one of P90X.  It was a gift from Santa.  All it took was one friend telling me it was super hard and that he didn't think I could do it.  Yeah, I'm easy to bait like that.  I was all "um, excuse me? I can do anything I set my mind to! I'll show you!"

Today is the beginning of week 2.  There are sniffles traveling through my house (I am choosing not to acknowledge them lest they derail me).  I am a little bit sore (in a good way, I like to think).  The "before" photo is not a pretty sight (I may or may not share it with you at the end of the 90 days).  In lieu of a closeup of my love handles, I am sharing this picture, where I at least look happy, if nothing else.

Happy New Year! Off I go to find my joy for the day...