Body Revolution, Weeks 7 & 8

Sweet Mary, how am I not done with this program yet?!

Some days that's exactly how I felt.  And others.... I felt.... Accomplished.  Powerful.  Strong.

Workout 7 felt like the hardest workout EVER. And this is coming from someone who cursed Jillian's name throughout weeks 2, 3, and 4 of Ripped in 30.  It was all circuit 1, which was essentially 12 minutes spent in plank position.  My shoulders and arms were DYING.

Workout 8 seemed like a half hour frolicking through a sunny meadow in October compared to Workout 7.

W7: Awfulness.  Crow pushups. Single leg pushups.  Down dog pushups. Plank walk.  Plank ups.  Do you see a pattern?  I should have shoulders of steel by now.

W8: Not completely awful.  There were some balance moves that were challenging, but I am seeing a big difference in my balance from the beginning of the program.  My favorites:  Bridge dumbbell lat pulls, crescent flies (but then into Warrior 3 - ACK!), bicycle crunch with cable.

New stuff this week:  I started Couch to 5K 2 weeks ago, but the first week I only did 2 days.  Last week was my first week incorporating 3 days of running (wog intervals) with the 4 days of Body Revolution.  So I ended up with 2 days of double workouts - and it was great!  I did the C25K first, then BR, and it made a HUGE difference.  I thought I would be worn out, but the "running" (and given the tiny amount of actual running at this stage, the quotes are applicable) got me really warmed up, and I felt a big difference in my BR workout.  I plan to continue doing both until my vacation in a few weeks, then when I get back I'll keep going with C25K and mix up my strength days.  What I like about Body Revolution is that because each workout is circuit training, you could mix up all of them once you complete one round of the program.  I REALLY feel like the circuit training is effective for me, and I plan to keep it up while also mixing things up with running and swimming.

Body Revolution: Weeks 5 & 6

You know, I have really mixed feelings about the program at this point.  The upside is that it's only 30 minutes, and frankly, what else can I do in 30 minutes that leaves me feeling so accomplished?  My shoulders have also never looked better.  The downside is that I am TIRED.  And sore all the time.  Which I guess means that the program is doing something for me.  I certainly don't feel that way from couching out & eating Cheetos.

Phase 2, also known as workouts 5 & 6, continues the front of body/ back of body alternating workouts that started in Phase 1.  Cardio 2 is MUCH better than Cardio 1.  But I still only did it once.  More on that later.

Workout 5 (chest/ tris)

• The worst: Crescent pose flies with the band (I am not using the band that comes with the BR program, and I discovered that my band is just a little too short to do this effectively); Woodchoppers; Crab Tricep Dips with Leg Raised.  
• The best: Sumo Squat with Shoulder Press. 
• Overall: Lots of balance exercises, and I am still modifying for the left side - but I DID do them!  Chops - I was all over the place with these.  

Workout 6 (back/bis)

• The worst: Windshield wipers; Weighted Supermans, Chop Lunges. 
• The best: Lat extension with situp; Plank Rows, Bicep Curls with band. 
• Overall: Again with the balance exercises!  They are not difficult, but with my weaker left side, it was challenging to figure out a decent modification that still allowed me to maximize the exercise.  Chops - Ugh. 

My left ankle has been achy and weak.  So I did the workouts, but did not do the high-impact intervals.  I would march in place, or do a low-impact modification of the exercise.  Part of me feels like I am cheating the program but the other view is that Life Happens, and I am choosing to continue to follow through with my commitment to complete the program.  I did Cardio 2 just once, and I liked it, but decided that I would stick to lower impact cardio on those days - mostly 60+ minute walks in our hilly neighborhood.  

I haven't weighed or measured, and am OK with that.  I don't expect/ never expected to "lose sick amounts of weight" with Body Revolution.  But with visible muscle changes, I am pleased so far.  And pumped that I am halfway through!!!!   

Review: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution, Phase 1

I spent August ramping up my workouts just a bit, (and trying to pull things together for the start of school).  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next, but have been interested in Body Revolution for a while.  I've seen the infomercials, and since I've had decent success with Jillian Michaels workouts before (30 Day Shred, Ripped in 30, Banish Fat Boost Metabolism), I thought this might be a good challenge.  Unlike her other DVD's, this is a 12 week program where the workouts change every 2 weeks.

I'm only 2 weeks in, but here are my impressions:

• The first 2 weeks - Phase 1- consists of 3 DVD's: Workout 1, Workout 2, Cardio 1.  Each DVD is done on consecutive days, with 1 day off each week.  
• Similar to my favorite DVD, 30 Day Shred, all of the workouts are circuits - meaning that there is a set of exercises that is repeated multiple times.  In Workouts 1 & 2, the circuits are repeated 2x, with a total of 3 different circuits.  In Cardio 1, there is 1 circuit repeated 3 times. 
• Workout 1 is front of body with a little lower body.  Workout 2 is back of body and lower body. Weights are used in both, but there is no emphasis on the size of weights to use (I used 5's for Workout 1, 8's for Workout 2).  A resistance band is also used for 1 exercise in Workout 2.  
• Cardio 1 is a medium-impact, non-weighted workout. 
• Most of these exercises are single-muscle group (bicep curls, squats, etc.).  This is to prep you for more intense combination exercises later in the program.  

Pluses:

• Circuits keep me from getting bored, so I do like this formula.  
• Switching off front of body & back of body is different from her other workouts that I have done and I really like it, especially since the Cardio day allows for a "rest" before starting the workouts over. 
• The workouts average about 30 minutes each. 
• The Cardio is a total body workout (arms & legs are used).  

Minuses:

• I don't care for the Cardio DVD.  I only did it once each week - I skipped one Cardio workout the first week, and swam for the 2nd Cardio day on week 2.  I'm facing this Cardio DVD 4 more times in the next two weeks, and I may sub in swimming instead.   
• Cardio DVD: 'Suicides' - no, thank you.  
• Yes, the Jillian shtick gets a little tiresome, but I'm able to tune it out, so it doesn't really get to me.  

Results: I don't plan to measure again until the end of the program.  2 weeks in, and I am -1.6lbs.  I often do a little extra cardio in addition to the weighted workouts (probably an extra 20-30 minutes, 3 times a week) - riding the spin bike or walking hills, and plan to keep it up.

Note: Body Revolution can be purchased here, or through Amazon.  I am not being compensated for doing these workouts or writing these reviews.

Notes from Recovery

• Although I planned and prepped, one thing I didn't anticipate was how helpless I would feel on crutches.  Hobbling even short distances is exhausting, and it never even crossed my mind that I wouldn't be able to carry ANYTHING unless it was tucked into my cleavage.  Looks like I'll be pulling out my old backpack when I return to work next week - because I can't even manage a small purse much less purse, lunch, coat, etc.  

(waterbottle tucked into my sports bra)

• The upside to the cast/ crutches is that my arms and right side are getting a workout!  My balance on the right side is vastly improved in just a week, and I don't need to worry about working out my upper body - hauling myself around on crutches means a constant arm/ shoulder/ ab workout.  
• Sherlock on Netflix is brilliant.  I am sad that season 3 won't be out for months.  
• I mentioned this years ago after having Big J, but seriously - someone needs to open a drive-through mini mart.  It's probably best that there is not one locally, as I would have cleaned them out of People magazine and ice cream, but I still think it's a brilliant idea.  
• Next to freezing a bunch of meals, the smartest thing I did was to have Husband install a handheld showerhead in the downstairs bath.  I would be one stinky girl right now if I was trying to clean up using a traditional shower & a trash bag wrapped around my cast.  
• This actually happened prior to surgery (the day before, in fact), but it's worth including here:  

The note reads: My Mommy gave me a bath and I said thank you by chewing off the cord to her steam cleaner.  And I'm not sorry!  ~Luke

He's a good boy 80% of the time..... but the other 20%... look out. 

It's a good thing I am on one leg right now (and unable to clean anything), so I'll have time to save up for a new steam cleaner.    

The Vicodin Detox Diet: Do Not Recommend!

Consider this a Cautionary Tale.... A Life Tip.... a Do Not Recommend.....

I was given Vicodin to manage the pain after my surgery.  

I had anticipated this, but didn't think much of it.  

I started to write a detailed story about my experience, but I think I am going to condense the message to this: 

Vicodin is not my friend.  

2 days of following the prescribed doses gave me 3 days of misery and the cleanest gut in town.

Not worth it. 

And now, pictures!  

Yesterday I had my soft splint taken off & a hard cast put on. 

This is the side that had the work done: 

The tape around the back side closed the 2nd incision they had to make to get out the os trigonum.  It was so large they HAD to make another cut to remove it.  

This is the inside of the ankle.  Lots of bruising, and on the top you can see one of the sutures where they inserted the arthroscope.  

I picked blue for the cast.  I know, you probably thought I'd go with black, but I was feeling spring-y.  And the pink was REALLY bright.  

4 weeks in this bad boy, and then I get to move to a walking cast.  I am counting down the days.  

Surgery Day

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my ankle issues.  Well, Tuesday was the Big Day. Finally. I had spent so many days and nights preparing, worrying, planning, that it seemed as though April 16 would never arrive. 

Due to a 6am check-in time, at the last minute we decided to head to Columbus on Monday evening.  The kids were tickled because we surprised them with a late movie before a late bedtime. All went well until a 4:15 fire drill at the hotel. Not to worry, I wasn't sleeping anyway. 

Once they took me back to get prepped, the time flew by. The last thing I remember is moving to the OR bed, and then waking up in recovery. 

The surgeon was booked back to back, so we didn't have a chance to talk with him before leaving. Thankfully, we were out the door by 10am. 

So far, so good! The anesthetic block they used lasted until yesterday morning, so I didn't feel much for the first 24 hours. This splint stays on until next Monday, when they'll put on a hard cast.  I am hoping that I'll be driving by next week.  And I'm super grateful that I have another week off after this one.  

Update: 4/19 - rough night.  I took less Vicodin yesterday (just 2 during the day), but was having pain at bedtime, so I took 2 at 8pm.  I woke up multiple times between 3am and 6am, sweating and feeling like I was going to hurl in my bed.  I gimped to the bathroom multiple times, but ended up with nothing more than severe stomach cramps and body aches - and horrible sleep.  We're not sure if it's the Vicodin or the antibiotic, but either way, it has not been a fun day so far.  Here's to hoping the weekend is better.  

Banana "Pancakes"

I woke up extra early today, and my kids slept way, way in, so I was able to experiment with my breakfast a little bit.  I decided to try the banana/ egg "pancakes" that have been all over Pinterest and Facebook.  

Ingredients: 1 banana, 1 egg. 

And I added some cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little salt for flavor.  

Mix, and cook like a regular pancake. 

Except longer.  You really have to let it set up before attempting to flip them, otherwise you end up with this: 

With a little bit of this, too:

I finally got it figured out with my 3rd attempt.

Instead of syrup, I mixed up a little PB2 (with chocolate, of course), and drizzled it over the top. 

Verdict: Tasty!  Pancake-esque, without the guilt or the desire for a nap after breakfast. Next time I think I'll add a few pieces of bacon on the side.  At 200 calories for 3 pancakes, it also fits into a healthy lifestyle.  Try it!

My Favorite Salad

I enjoy salads but I rarely eat them because I don't like to make them.

I know, it seems perverse, as I will whip up a batch of brownies at the drop of a hat, but drag my feet at the thought of chopping a little lettuce.

And yet, I've found a salad that I've eaten at least 5 times in the last 2 weeks.

No picture, but the original post (found via Pinterest) is here.  I've found that you can pretty much add or take away anything you'd like and it is still tasty.

Here's what I put in:

• 1 head of Romaine lettuce
• Turkey (I use deli meat)
• Cranberries (just a small handful)
• Goat cheese (or feta)
• Avocado
• Pears (or apples)
• Bacon
• Poppy seed dressing
• Balsamic vinegar & olive oil

Everything gets finely chopped and tossed together.  I drizzle about 1Tbs. each of the dressings and toss well - it's just enough to flavor the salad without getting soggy.  I love that I can add or take away almost any element and it's still good.  It's great with chicken and green apples.  It's great with turkey and avocado.  It's great with ham and pears.   I use about 1 Tbs. of goat cheese, and it adds a nice creamy-ness to the texture.  

I always balked at poppy seed dressing (I just hate those little seeds that get stuck in my teeth), but it absolutely makes the salad.  I've also learned to whip up the vinegar & olive oil in a mason jar that I keep in the fridge.  If it gets too thick, I pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds, and shake well to remix it.  

Finally!  A salad I can make and enjoy!