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Archive for March, 2012

Day 14 of workouts, 2 weeks of just workout days, and monster headaches!

Saturday, March 31st, 2012

Hooray! This marks 2 full weeks of just work out days!! This makes me happy!
*happy dance*
I feel very accomplished, and I love milestones 🙂
Sorry, but I ended up unable and slightly unwilling to do my workout yesterday.
I had a monster of a headache that would not leave me, despite the amount of Advil I ingested.
I didn’t really want to take a chance on making it worse, and with a headache of that magnitude, I didn’t really want to workout.
So, I’m making it up today!
Here’s what I did:
Set 1:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Set 2:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Cardio:
4 minutes at 2 MPH
13 minutes at 3 MPH

My abs are loving me today, feeling the burn!!
I love the burn, its comforting to me.. its like a sign that I’m headed the right direction.
Also, my arms are burning… those push ups are just extremely intense for my arms 🙂
No dance cardio today because I just craved treadmill time.
I love the feeling I have while on the treadmill, and the feeling afterwards.
Treadmill time is more satisfying to me than dance cardio, but this doesn’t mean I’ll never do dance cardio again.
This just means that if I want a change that dance cardio is there as an option, or if I’m at 1 of the parents house, I can do dance cardio since they have no treadmill 🙂
God I love treadmill time.. today I listened to the Rays Vs. Red Sox game..
I almost thought they were going to call the game about 2 minutes after I started listening lol.
But, all in all.. I am happy I could get my missed workout from yesterday in today.
Working out always makes me feel good 🙂

Well, guess I’ll catch you all on Monday 🙂
Amanda Ellen

Day 13 of workouts and a minor injury

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Yay! It was increase day!
I only increased the treadmill time since I’m happy with where everything else is right now.
So, now treadmill is up to 13 minutes at 3 MPH!
I’ll be extremely happy when I can reach an over all time of 20 minutes. This includes warm up and cool down periods.
So, I guess here’s what I did today!
Set 1:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
1 set of lunges 10 reps
25 crunches
Weight routine 2 sets each (8 reps each)
Set 2:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
1 set of lunges 10 reps
25 crunches
weight routine 2 sets each (8 reps each)
Cardio:
4 minutes at 2 MPH
13 minutes at 3 MPH
I added a weight routine in this week.
It gives me an alternative to the push ups.
It is made up of 6 different workouts, but I forgot how to do 1 of them.. oops? lol
So, this week I only got 5.
I plan to try doing this weight routine 1 time a week and see how it goes… if the pushups continue to be brutal to my shoulders, I may increase the weight routine to 2 a week if they don’t kick my ass!
I’m using two 3 lb weights if anyone was curious, and I’m starting out with 2 sets for each total set.. and each set has 8 reps for each excersise normally totaling 48 reps in total per set.
So, for each total set, I’m doing 16 reps for each individual excersise wwith the weights.
Ouch! I think I tweeked a groin muscle today.. probably with the lunges, not sure how I could’ve done it on the treadmill.
Although, I didn’t feel it till I was done with the treadmill, so it either exascerbated it or that is where I did it. Strange.
Also, I’m not even sure girls can tweek groin muscles, but that is where the general pain and tenderness is…
Its right there on the panty line… that is putting it nicely I think lol.
I will just keep an eye on it, take a anti inflammatory, and try to stretch it out a bit.
Also if I have time tomorrow, I’ll try to fit in a hot bath, that is the best thing for sore and strained muscles in my opinion!
Maybe next week I will pick up some Icy Hot… that might be good too.

Guess that is it for today…
Hope I’m better to workout on Friday!

Amanda Ellen

Day 12 of workouts and sorry for the late post!

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Sorry, I got caught up in life in general around here and forgot to post this!
But yes, this is day 12 of workouts! Oh, my shoulders are sore, but thats the worst of it 🙂
Its Monday, its the last normal Monday I’m going to have for a few weeks, so I thought I better enjoy it.
After this week, my workout schedule and general life schedule will be in complete disaray until April 26.
This is because I have my final major project due by then, and I’ve got to dedicate some real time in to coming up with a 12 page marketing plan!
*I hate marketing* lol
Anyways, here’s what I did today:
Set 1:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Set 2:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Cardio:
4 minutes at 2 MPH
12 minutes at 3 MPH

Feeling very blah today, so I had hope that the workout might make me feel better.
My problem is too much on my mind and it is makeing me feel very claustorphobic, because I feel like I have no real outlet for all my questions and concerns.
Also, Google doesn’t help answer my questions quite as well as I would like 🙂
Did Yoga yesterday, and I wasn’t as sore the day after like last time! That’s a yay! 🙂
I did however not notice what it did to my abs this time around until I went to doing abworkouts and noticed a fair amount of soreness, it was a nice surprise!
No game until 8 or 9 tonight, so this means that Lady GaGa was what I settled on for my cardio on the treadmill today.
Working out is just what the doctor ordered, I feel slightly less crazy!
I think I’m on schedule for another treadmill increase on Wednesday, but the rest of my work is actually almost perfect where its at for now.
Now, I should be off to find out about a free set of 3 or 5 pound hand weights! Just another option for my arm work outs 🙂
P.S. I should have said weights tomorrow 🙂 YAY!

TaTa For Now,
Amanda Ellen

Day 11 of workouts and just some random musings

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

So, its day 11, and here’s whatI did today followed by my musings.Set 1:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Set 2:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Cardio:
4 minutes at 2 MPH
11 minutes at 3 MPH

Feel the burn!!
Yes, today was an ass kicker!
I needed it after yesterday, and it feels great!
My abs feel abused, but thats alright by me 🙂
Its nice to know that this current regimine still makes me out of breath and makes me sweat like no one’s business!
This means somethings burning 🙂
I got me some new Lady GaGa for the treadmill and even made a playlist with specific songs just for treadmill time!
You know the treadmill may not feel so killer if I learned to just jog on it and not feel the urge to dance lol.
I blame it on Lady GaGa, which whos new CD I’m not impressed with.
Gramted I didn’t get to hear it all but a lot of it I only listened for 1 minute and skipped to the next… very weird and not the up tempo beat I was looking for.
I’m also on the hunt for anexcersise bike. Thought I found 1 on Amazon that sounded perfect, and it was decently priced, but once eye balls looked att, the verdict was cheap, looks non sturdy and unsafe.
This made me sad, the rest I seen are all upwards of $300 and up, plus they don’t fold up like that 1 did. Oh well, probably wouldn’t want to pay shipping on that sucker anyways, it weighed 50 lbs lol.
Oh, and note to self, try to find a way to avoid BHH’s questions about how the workouts going, her reactions will only piss you off.
But on the other hand, was pissed when I got on the treadmill, and it felt really good to be in my own world.. hmm…
Anyways, I guess thats it for now…Catch you all on Monday maybe, I think I’ll take another stab at this whole yoga thing on Sunday 🙂
TaTa for now,
Amanda Ellen

Day 10 of workouts, small increase, a neat article, and Woo Hoo I’ve made it!

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

So, its day 10 of working out! This is a small milestone for me,this means I’ve been working out for 3 days a week spanned out over 3 weeks!
This is the longest that I’ve stuck to any kind of excersise since graduating highschool. So, Woo Hoo I’ve made it! I think I’ll have my little milestones on workout days of 10. So, next one is 20!
I honestly can’t wait to write that post, and start looking back at where I was when I started compared to then!
So, here is today’s workouts and notes of interest 🙂
Set 1:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Set 2:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Cardio:
4 minutes at 2 MPH
12 minutes at 3 MPH

Holy moley! This workout is hard, but I think its going to be just hard enough to get what I want out of it!
I also didn’t see any problems with getting the whole thing done today either.
I was really unmotivated today because of some recent sleep issues, but RO was right, I’m feeling better after the workout, thanks for the motivation!
Then Nic was there to tell me how bad I would be for not getting my workout in, guilt is always a good motivator 🙂
I had no problem bumping treadmill time to 12 minutes at 3 MPH today surprisingly, given the other increases I’ve already made.
So really, think thats it.
Oh, I suggest anyone who is working out or thinking about starting to check out this link I really enjoyed what it said, and it made me feel much better about what I’m doing with my workout regimine. Although, it seems to support daily workouts, something I’m not completely in agreement with, it is still a good article.
I feel good, and notice a little more strength today, so that is always nice!
Here’s hoping that I can learn to sleep through the night soon 🙂
Also, please forgive me if this post goes up and down, I’m trying to make sure the link shows up properly!

Can’t wait for Friday!
Amanda Ellen

Day 9 of Workouts and stepping it up!

Monday, March 19th, 2012

So, on the suggestion of someone’s opinion I value very much, I’ve decided to step the workouts up a notch!
Here’s what I did:
Set 1:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Set 2:
1 ab circuit 6 reps
20 girl push ups
1 set of lunges 10 reps
6 regular push ups
25 crunches

Cardio:
4 minutes at 2 MPH
11 minutes at 3 MPH

Sweet jesus, this work out plan does it! I’m sweating my butt off, and only after the 2 sets of non cardio!
Not to mention, I’m actually out of breath for a change!
Takes me about 10-12 minutes to do each set, and I have a 5 minute break between them!
I think I found my thing!
But I’m also afraid that I don’t know if I can do this rigourous of a workout 3 days a week.
Guess I’ll find out on Wednesday!
Darvish pitching made treadmill time go quickly!
Also, holy crap, I’ve got stretch marks, I didn’t have those a couple of weeks ago, anyone got suggestions on how to make them disappear? Very unsexy hahahaha
I think I’ll probably be sore tomorrow, but its alright.. my legs are already feeling better on the treadmill!
Oh, damn, the Rangers just lost another spring training game.
Well, guess thats it for today, off to finish cooking fajitas for supper!
Yum!

Amanda Ellen

Day 8 of workouts, and yay its Friday?

Friday, March 16th, 2012

So, its Friday, and I just finished my workouts.
Working out is the only that has kept me sane this week. I was supposed to be on spring break, but instead I spent the week working on major projects.
Thats another story in its self, and this a work out blog!
I will note that I didn’t do dance cardio today because I’m trying to figure out what contributed to my massive cramps on Monday, yoga or the dance cardio.
So, I cut them both out for this week, and I’ll add 1 back next week, and if all goes well I’ll add the other back the week after that.
So, here’s what I did today:
1 ab circuit (6 reps)
25 girl push ups
25 crunches
7 regular push ups
4 minutes at 2 mph on the treadmill
11 minutes at 3 mph on the treadmill
Really feeling the burn today, I’m noticing a slight increase in my upper body strength, but really its just very slight. I’m not sure I’d notice if I wasn’t being fully aware of my body during workouts.
It feels really good to be able to do my full work out these last couple of days, but honestly, I’m not seeing much increasing much but my ab circuit and crunches next week.
I think I can increase my cardio by a minute, but its really about building endurance, which I have little of at the moment. 🙂 I did notice that doing 11 minutes on 3 MPH today didn’t even cause me to break a sweat, or make me out of breath. My legs on the other hand seemed to wear out quickly today. So, I’m hoping by next Wednesday that I can tack on another minute to my 3 MPH time.
Lady GaGa makes my treadmill time much more pleasurable, I almost want to dance on the treadmill hahahaha. I tried listening to baseball today while on the treadmill, and I think that could make treadmill time better when it goes to regular season games, this spring trining mess does not capture my attention all that much :).
I know this might be all in my head, but I think I’m noticing a definition in the curve from my rib cage to my hips.
Like I said, this is probably me wanting to see some difference, but all the same, it makes me feel good 🙂

So, thats it for Friday, I’ve now done over 1 total week of working out, not counting the off days 🙂
Time to relax,
Amanda Ellen

Day 7 of work outs and Hooray for being back to somewhat normal!

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

So today, I’m actually back to somewhat normal. But I didn’t increase much of my workout because of the problems I’ve been having.
I did increase my ab circuit because 4 reps weren’t do anything for me anymore.
So, here is what I did:
ab circuit 6 reps
25 girl push ups
7 regular push ups
25 crunches
4 minutes at 2 MPH
11 minutes at 3 MPH
No all around increases this week since I’ve had problems this week.
I did increase the ab circuit because 4 reps weren’t cutting it any more. Glad to say at 6 reps, the burn is back and it feels great!
Thinking part of my problem might be lack of electrolytes, so I bought myself some gatorade, and I drank it before and after treadmill time, lets hope this resolves the recent problems I’ve been having.
My body acting 9 kinds of weird is unsettling, but its not going to stop me from working out.
I also started eating 1 banana a day just to keep my potassium up, because those cramps are awful, and are preventable.
I’m feeling really good after my treadmill today, and I think it might be partly because of the gatorade. Thinking it was the low electrolytes that had me all screwed up.
My workout partner is a bit under the weather, and I hope that I worked out enough for her and I both today.
I also hope she gets to feeling better soon 🙂

So, maybe next week I’ll increase the whole workout, but just playing it safe for now.
I also will not be doing yoga this week because I’m not sure I can handle soreness like that again so soon from the last lol.

Thanks for reading and supporting me in my journey!

Amanda Ellen

Day 6 of workouts and the fight I lost

Monday, March 12th, 2012

1 ab circuit 4 reps
15 crunches
20 girl push ups
4 minutes at 2 MPH on the treadmill
9 minutes at 3 MPH on the treadmill
Work out is abbreviated due to yesterday’s fight.
Yoga vs. Me
I’ll tell you I don’t think I won that fight lol
Everything from hammys up are sore.
Couldn’t do regular push ups because when I tried, my body just flat out said no.
Didn’t want to run the risk of injury so I did a lighter workout today due to the soreness.
I did yoga yesterday because I was too lazy to do it Saturday, and it taught me a lesson, lazy people pay for that laziness some how and at some time, and I’m paying for it in major soreness, and I’m paying for it today. lol
I can say that I’m amazed at the core strength increase I see everytime I workout, I can’t wait for the day that my core is finally reached a good strong plateau!
I think that instead of doing yoga on Sundays I will be moving it to Saturdays, at least until I can reach a pplace in my fitness plan that yoga doesn’t kick my ass!
I started taking Vitamin D supplements, and they seem to help a lot with weekend fatigue I seem to be prone to.
As the day progresses, the soreness becomes more pronounced, and damn does it hurt! I really would like to be able to find somewhere and just lay still…
Been laying on the floor when I can just because hard, flat surfaces seem to feel the best.
I thought for a few minutes that I would be able to make my normal treadmill time, but about 8 minutes in I went from fine to total leg cramp up.
This is very unpleasant, so I finished at 9 minutes, and went to immediate stretching.
I think I’m going to make myself a nice place to lay on my living room floor for my Monday night television watching, and only hope that the stretching I’ve done through the day helps the soreness ebb away a bit by tomorrow!

The yoga abused and sore,
Amanda Ellen

Day 5 of workouts and time to change it up! :)

Friday, March 9th, 2012

So, today is Friday, and day 5 of my workouts.
In honor of that I decided to change things up just a little 🙂
I followed the example of my friend/workout buddy/ accountability partner (lol) (Poking fun at my favorite baseball player and certain people know who that is and what that was in reference too)and made myself a cardio playlist.
As of now, the playlist includes:
Cotton Eyed Joe (Asleep at the Wheel)
Boot Scootin’ Boogie (Brooks and Dunn)
Cha Cha Slide (DJ Casper)
Legs Dance Remix (ZZ Top)

All of those songs have a dance associated with them, Cotton Eyed Joe has the Cotton Eyed Joe dance, Boot Scoottin’ Boogie has the boot scoot dance, Cha Cha Slide has the Cha Cha Slide, but Legs does not have a dance that I am aware of.
So, since there is no known dance for Legs, I decided to do the electric slide.
It’s been a while since I did it, and it took a minute to remember how, but I got it!
Dance cardio makes it so easy to do 25 minutes of cardio, that it is unreal!
So, from now on, Fridays will be known as Dance Cardio days! Its so fun, and Leah loved running around me as I danced in my living room! lol

So, here is the total list of what I did today:
1 ab circuit 4 reps
25 crunches
25 girl push ups
7 regular push ups
25 minutes of dance cardio

Sad to say, that the 4 reps for the ab circuit are already losing their burn.
But the good news is, that I’m noticing a little more core strength, or more than I had when I started!
This is a good thing, and I love the feeling to know I’m getting stronger! YAY!
Push ups were still the arm killers that they always are, but hey, its a good thang 🙂
Also, once I finished everything I stretched for about 10-12 minutes, and god does it feel good!
I always stretch before cardio, but its a light stretching, just to try and wake up the muscles and let them know what they are in for 🙂
The stretching I do after cardio is a more deep stretching and it makes my muscle sing with enjoyment when cardio is over!

I thank all of you guys that are helping me with support through this, it really is amazing!
I couldn’t stay on track without you!
Thank you all so much!
Amanda Ellen