A Pair of Shorts...

So this week began our 2nd month of Insanity, which means a tougher and longer workout plan.  We had a recovery week last week so we got a bit of a break.  Starting up this week was tough, but sometimes the little things can be inspiring.  I think it was wednesday and I was sore from the previous days workouts and I just wasn't in the mood to work out.  Then I remembered... I had just purchased a pair of new work out shorts (as a reward for completing month one) and all of a sudden I felt inspired.  So I threw on my new shorts and got down to business.  Rewards for small accomplishments are important and they can keep you going and inspired.  Who knew the power of my shorts!?

Insanity Day 30: Weigh In & Before and After Pics!!!!

Pictures speak louder than words so these week I'm gonna skip the numbers and totals and just show you our before and after pics after 30 days.  

On the left Day 1 on the right Day 30.

I can't wait to see the pics in 30 more days : ) 

Insanity Update 3: Weigh-In & Breakfast Pizza Recipe!

Let's get right to it... Weigh In #3:

Jess: Down 3 lbs from last week. Total Weight loss = 10 lbs! 

Andrew: Down 8 lbs from last week.  Total Weight loss = 12 lbs!

Now for a scrumptious recipe that I snagged from my friend Ryanne:

Paleo Breakfast Pizza:  6 slices of bacon 1 med zucchini 1/2 onion 1 tomato  7-10 eggs Cut bacon to little pieces cook to crisp, add vegs with the bacon and grease, cook for a few min. Scramble the eggs, add pepper to liking, pour over bacon and vegs cook on low for 3-4 min then throw it under the broiler until top is firm. Cut and serve like a pizza! So good!

Above: Ryanne's Pizza

I followed her recipe...kind of.  I substituted the zucchini with mushrooms because I had no zucchini, I also used canned tomatoes because I was out of the fresh ones.   It turned out delicious and Shaw even ate 2 pieces himself!

Above: My Pizza

I have since tried this recipe using zucchini and spinach... yet another great combo! So many possibilities!

Insanity Week 2: Weigh In + Measurements

Yesterday (Sunday), marked our second completed week of INSANITY.  We had an adventurous Saturday hiking in Zion National Park for about 10 hours (another post on that later), and Sunday at the lake.  Needless to say I'm glad we have been doing INSANITY because I might not be walking right now if we hadn't.

So, now for the numbers the exciting part!

I lost another 3 pounds, bringing my total weight loss to 7 pounds! Yay!
I also lost 1 inch on my waist, 2 inches on my hips, and 1 inch on my neck... thats 4 total inches lost so far!
You put all that together and I have lowered my percentage of body fat by 3%!  


Andrews stats...
No weight loss this week for him, but he held steady at his previous weeks weight.  
He lost 2 inches in his waist! 
And all that combined he lost 4% of body fat! 


Now some of you might look at some of the numbers and think that's not much, but the real goal here is lowering our body fat because that is what really causes the problems... so if you are trying to reach goals and don't see weight coming off you might want to measure your body fat loss so you can see that their are still changes going on.

As far as the eating healthier I have really been able to change my mindset and realize that there are a lot of options out there for great tasting food... even when eating out... without the huge amount of calories.  Sometimes you have to get creative and ask them to leave something off or replace it with a more healthy option but it's totally worth it! We have been eating small meals about 5 times a day and I find myself being less hungry and not wanting to snack all day long.  It is a challenge everyday but I am seeing results and know that it is better for my future, I just have to keep on going and being disciplined.

Insanity Week 1: Weight In + Fish Taco Recipe!

After one week of INSANITY Andrew and I have both lost 4 pounds!  Whooo hooo! 

Getting closer to our goals already! 

Found a great healthy alternative:  Substitute your corn or flour tortilla in your taco to a large leaf of Romaine lettuce.  Has a nice crunch and my fish taco was still delicious! I think I might actually like this better than a tortilla : ) 

    

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Fish Tacos

Fish:
Filet of Catfish, Tilapia, or Mahi Mahi
Lightly bread with corn meal and some seasoning of your choice
Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and bake in the oven

Topping:
Cabbage cut thin
Cilantro
Jalapenos
Green onions
Toss the above items with some vinegar and oil to make a spicy slaw.

Pico de Gallo:
Tomatoes
Onions
Cilantro
Jalapenos
Garlic
Chop and mix together for a tasty chunky salsa

Put it together:
Cut or break apart the fish and place on your leaf of Romaine lettuce, top with a generous portion of the spicy slaw and Pico if you prefer and then squeeze a lime over the top.  Enjoy!

These are so crunchy, spicy and flavorful.  I had them for lunch and dinner today : ) I used the Mahi Mahi and it really holds the moisture and doesn't dry as easily as other fish, it was delicious!

Insanity Update #1

Well, we just completed day 6 of our first week of INSANITY.  Tomorrow we get a day off and a weigh in to see what kind of progress we have made.   The eating healthy part seems to be the biggest challenge, but I was able to survive a trip Las Vegas, the movies and the Cheesecake Factory without making any bad food choices.  I did lots of, "no bread thank you.... egg whites only please.... yes I'll have a water... no need to bring the cheesecake menu" I really love food that is bad for you but I know my body deserves better and with some disciple I can make it happen.  Can't wait to see the results!

Blueberries are my friend : ) 

Let the INSANITY begin...

On Monday we (Andrew & I) began a "kick ourselves in the butt" workout plan.  We have chosen to do the 60 day INSANITY challenge.  It's basically 60 days of butt kicking cardio workouts and healthy eating.  Today we completed our 5th workout and I'm already starting to feel stronger and getting used to being dripping with sweat.  I'm sharing this with you my faithful blog readers to keep myself accountable and to maybe encourage someone along the way.  So I encourage you to ask whenever you feel is necessary if I've completed my workout of stuck to the healthy food.  

I know how much I love to see before and after pictures so when I hit 30 days I will post a before and after for the first 30 days and again at 60.  

Let the INSANITY begin! 

P.S.  To all of my Crossfit family out there... I LOVE Crossfit and hopefully I will be able to get back to the gym soon, but right now this is where I am.   I miss all of you a ton and can't wait to be back in the gym. 

Let the Mystery Challenge BEGIN...

I'm starting a personal challenge today... I'm going to keep it a mystery until the end.

Start DATE: February 9th 2010
Finish DATE: April 26th 2010

Goal Details:
Complete this "activity" 5 times a week
It's a specific fitness goal

Why?
There have been many times I've thought that doing something would be great and have a wonderful result but I continually make excuses for why I can't start.  So, tonight I decided I'm going to START NOW... it's not about when you begin but that you just begin.

Crossfit confessions...

Okay let me get real here for a minute.  I've never been one for serious working out.  I ran at The Honor Academy, I did Power 90 before my wedding, Andrew and I did Body for Life when we were first married, and I've trained for a 5K.  But none of that compares to the last 4 months going to a Crossfit gym.
It's intense,
you sweat,
you question each time you walk in the door if you will leave alive,
but...
I'm addicted. 

Recently I've found myself reaching for something and I catch a glance of my toned arm... where did those muscles come from? I'm not even flexing? Now it's not like I'm ripped and I'm probably the only one who notices but I'm proud of myself for sticking with something that is a huge challenge.  It requires me to wake up "before the dew" (4:00AM) and to push myself harder than I ever have in my life.  So just a warning: if you catch me paused mid reach for something it's probably because I'm checking myself out.

God truly speaks to me in the midst of my challenging workouts.  He exposes weakness and strengths in my body and mind.  Weaknesses and strengths in my emotions and perceptions of life and myself.  Yes, I have cried at the gym and it wasn't because it hurt my body... I'd like to call it a wall ball alter call (that was fun... look at all those L's).

I'd also like to give some props to all the amazing people that join me there every morning.  I have been motivated, cheered for, encouraged, and inspired by every single one of them.  There have been many moments when I felt like I couldn't go on and a few words from my fellow Crossfitters, even them just shouting my name,  have given me what I needed to make it through.  There's never been a negative word spoken towards me at the gym.  I contribute part of my success to these wonderfully positive people.

I know this is just the beginning of my Crossfit journey but I'm so pleased with the effect it has had on my life so far and I know there are many greater things to come.