It is that time of year again when we all make promises we usually don't keep. And every year around this time my husband and I write down everything we want to accomplish over the up-coming year. And every year that list is lost almost as soon as it is written. Which is precisely what happened to our 2010 resolution list. However, I do remember two of the items I had jotted down. 1. Get our passports and 2. Have wills drawn up for both of us (not necessarily in that order). Well, we got our passports...today (Yay! Well, we didn't get them but applied for them. That counts. It's still 2010). As for the wills, well...I will be taking care of that next month. I promise.
This year my New Years resolutions are:
1. Finish my quest to find my rock hard abs (Yep, I'm at it again and another 12 week program I will soon begin.
2. Wills (since I didn't do this last year)
3. Career - prepare for a new one (or should I say switch from a job to a career). I've already started on this one and will be going back to school this January (studying to be a paralegal).
4. New house (This one is tougher not because of money but because I'm not sure what is going to happen with David's job)
5. Get book published and start new one. (I have the time. I just have to make myself sit down and do it. I think this may have been on last years list too. Got no where but really didn't try.)
I read online that the number one New Years resolution is some sort of exercise and getting in shape goal (as you can see it is #1 on my list). And must have been on last years list, hence the P90X and RevAbs programs. At least I kept that promise, for the most part anyway.
However, despite all my efforts, I still have at least one inch around my mid-section (maybe a little more after the holidays) that I am determined to lose (and at this point about ready to cut off). Apparently, I told a very good friend of mine a few years back that I wanted to be in the best shape of my life by the time I turned forty. Well, that time is fast approaching (July 2011) and although I am in good shape, I'm not in the best shape of my life (and not sure I can beat the bod I had when I was 18). Especially when I'm having such a difficult time getting rid of the last bit of belly fat. To show you what I mean, I have included pictures. (Taken this morning - 12/29/2010)
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| Look at the waist of my jeans on each side (close up below). |
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| The flab hanging over the waist of my jeans. |
Yes, this may seem a bit picky, but it is one thing I just can't stand about my body. I like clean lines (no panty lines, or bra lines, or flab squishing out). I workout too hard not to be able to get rid of the bulge I started all this exercise for in the first place. A friend said to me just this morning that I may have to accept that this can't be diminished by exercise alone after having a child (not is those words but the basic gist). And that has entered my mind but I refuse to accept that at this point in time. Hence the new workout program.
After completing two 90 day programs, the plan was to cut back to 5 days a week and choose workouts from 90X. And that started off great. I picked the workouts I wanted to do and continued to watch what I ate...that was until the holidays hit (beginning with Thanksgiving) and all hell broke loose (or should I say fat). Not only did my diet get out of whack but my workouts became more sporadic. During the holidays, who hasn't let that happen, right?
Using that excuse is an easy way to get yourself in trouble. And I can come up with some pretty crafty excuses. But what it really boils down to (at least for me) is that the only excuse that can really fly is I either have to be deathly ill or completely exhausted to get out of exercising. And I certainly haven't been ill this year (actually, I would say this was the first year in many that I didn't get bronchitis, twice...I didn't even get it once). Maybe all the working out and eating right (not lately of course), actually helped my immune system. Hmmm, another perk.
After completing two 90 day programs, the plan was to cut back to 5 days a week and choose workouts from 90X. And that started off great. I picked the workouts I wanted to do and continued to watch what I ate...that was until the holidays hit (beginning with Thanksgiving) and all hell broke loose (or should I say fat). Not only did my diet get out of whack but my workouts became more sporadic. During the holidays, who hasn't let that happen, right?
Using that excuse is an easy way to get yourself in trouble. And I can come up with some pretty crafty excuses. But what it really boils down to (at least for me) is that the only excuse that can really fly is I either have to be deathly ill or completely exhausted to get out of exercising. And I certainly haven't been ill this year (actually, I would say this was the first year in many that I didn't get bronchitis, twice...I didn't even get it once). Maybe all the working out and eating right (not lately of course), actually helped my immune system. Hmmm, another perk.
So, after feeling a bit bloated and flabby for the last few weeks, I decided it was time to start yet another 12 week program. And it is time to lose the fat around my belly once and for all. Or as I've stated in previous blogs...find my rock hard abs.
So on Sunday, I ordered a new program from beachbody.com and should receive it by Jan. 4th. In the meantime, I will be doing some P90X workouts and/or walking/running 5 miles. And the 5 miles I've done with my friend Amy (Hi Amy!) for the past two days. It helps having a friend to keep you motivated and one that is crazy enough to get up at the crack of down (and 25 degrees) to walk/run 5 miles with you...outside.
So, what program will I be doing this time? Well, this one is called Turbofire with Chalene Johnson as the trainer. And before I ordered the DVDs (11 of them), I read several reviews, watched a video of one of the classes, and looked at each of the workouts. In the reviews, I noticed that those who had used this program loved it and consistently mentioned that they didn't get bored (one thing that happened with me using P90X and RevAbs). Another thing I noticed was that those who had used the program had also done either P90X, Insanity or other programs by Chalene (and most of them had done a combination of the programs). So, it is advanced and high impact/high energy. Several had also mentioned that it was a good workout if you feel like you've plateaued in your other workouts and was great for getting rid off the extra fat in the mid-section that you haven't be able to get rid of. Now that's my kind of workout (Lord I hope it works).
This program also comes with a nutrition guide (surprise - which means I will have 3 nutrition guides from beachbody.com. So, if I don't know how to eat healthy by now, well, than I'm just a moran). The program also comes with some kind of band that you wear (I think) while working out. I'm not quite sure about that but hey as long as I lose the jiggle I'm willing to try anything. Can't hurt anyway.
Once again, I feel myself getting excited about starting a new routine. I've also realized that it's the routine itself that helps keep me motivated. I need structure and routine and like to finish what I start. Having a set schedule as to what workout I'm supposed to do every day helps keep me on track and focused. It's kind of like having a personal trainer that holds you accountable. Apparently, I can't depend on myself to pick and choose my routines. (As you can see by the photos above.)
And as I did with the other programs, I will be taking before and after shots (starting with the two above), and blogging about my experience (I know. I see the excitement on your face now). So, if you're interested in reading about my progress and picking up a few tips (I'm assuming I'll have some), then check back from time to time and hopefully you (and I) will finally see the end of my quest to find my rock hard abs.
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