10 days over with!

10 day milestone is done with today!

I have mix emotions about today's workout. I was able to do the entire warm up without resting. The only difference I do is keep jogging out when your suppose to do jumping jacks. And I wasn't trying to look for an oxygen tank after the warm up either!

Once the 1st set of the 1st combination was full on I was still able to keep going without resting. But towards the last set of this combo my shin was unbearable. I take fault because I didn't take ibuprofen till right before the workout, I didn't give it enough time to take affect.

I was sad because mentally I was still in the workout and able to keep up. My breathing was fine but not my leg. I had to jump back in once it was Insanity's version of push ups. I guess the positive is I gave it all I could while my leg was good. I'm gonna have to take ibuprofen at least an hour before.

But aside from the leg mishap I feel great after the workout. 

Enchilada Soup

I saw this recipe on Sandra Lee's show on foodnetwork called 'Tortilla Soup' but not only do I not understand why its called torilla because it has no tortilla in it, I also had to add seasoning.

My Tortilla Enchilada Soup

1 cup diced red onion

1 1/4 pounds ground turkey

3/4 tomato puree

4 cups chicken stock

1 tsp crushed garlic

1 tbsp diced jalapeno

2 tbsp enchilada mix sauce (find these next to seasoning in packets)

3 small bay leaves

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 cup of black beans (rinsed and drained from can)
1 cup of Mexican blend shredded cheese to top with.

sour cream to garnish

and I used some of my taco night salsa to garnish on top also.

- Just sautee onions, jalapeno, and ground turkey till cooked.
- Add your chicken stock, tomato, garlic, bay leaves and bring to boil.
Bring down to simmer add black beans, and cilantro let simmer for about 10min.
Serve top with your garnish and enjoy!

Pure Hell.. I mean Pure Cardio

I can't emphasis how much I hate Pure Cardio DVD!

It purely sucks!

But I did see improvements I was able to attempt about 5reps of each move.

Ive notice my breathing has been the biggest health change Ive felt and seen. I can breath better and I don't lose my breath as much, which is tremendous help when carrying a sleeping 1 year old dead weight upstairs to his crib. But all in all this DVD kicked my butt!

...Is it Cardio Recovery yet!?

Taco Night

I had some left over chicken from the other night. I shredded it up and made tacos with corn tortillas.

All I had to do was reheat it and make a salsa.

Half of avocado

3/4 cup of green pepper

3/4 cup Tomato

3/4 Red Onion

1/2 cup of black beans

about 1/4 cup cilantro



2nd Week on Insanity

Cardio Power and Resistance

AMAZING! Now that Im repeating the DVD's I get to compare how I did now to when I first started. Im shocked by the improvement. I was able to complete one whole set of each combination and keep up with Shaun T without resting!!!! Im so excited.

Not only does my body feel great but I feel great mentally. Im pumped!

Seeing the improvement feeds my energy.

Press Play. Push harder. Dig Deeper.



English Egg Muffin

English McMuffin Egg Muffin

Why spend money and risk the calories for a ridiculous unhealthy McMuffin?

You can make your own at home with healthy alternative and however you want it.

I decided to make mine with whole wheat english muffin, turkey bacon, and of course an egg!

Forget the hasbrown and add some fruit! Simple yet effective ^-^



My Green Monster Breakfast

Spinach? Really? Who drinks Spinach!?

Don't knock it till you try it! It was delicious!!

2 handfuls of Spinach

2 tbsp Greek yogurt

1 1/2 handful of blueberries

1 1/2 handful of cut strawberries

3/4 cup almond milk

You can also add a rip banana. I didn't have any to use. Oh and ice if you want it cold.

Enjoy! 



Dinner for One Please

Chicken Bruschetta Style with Cucumber Salad

I marinated the chicken with a Mrs. Dash Tomato and Basil rub.

Made the "brushcetta"which is just tomato and basil and added Mozzarella.

Cucumber Salad

1/2 cucumber with or without peel (personal preference)

1/3 cup diced Tomato

1/4 cup diced red onion

dash of salt

1tbsp Light Ceasar Salad Dressing (Kraft)

Just cut everything and mix together enjoy!

Healthy shopping

I had a great list of groceries that Ive been adding to it for almost 2 weeks now. I was terrified of the total because everything was "healthy" food. Mostly produce, dairy, and protein. We all have this misconception of healthy food being crazy expensive and not affordable... think again.

I walked away extremely proud and happy with what I paid for and the items I got.

Produce: 3Tomatoes,2 Red Pepper, 2 Green Pepper, 2 Red Onion, 2 Reg. Onion, 3L Broccoli Heads, 2 Avocados, 2 Bags of Baby Spinach, Strawberries, Blueberries, 4 Green Apples,2 Cans of Pineapple,Corn on the Cob,6 Bananas, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Ceasar Salad Kit.

"Meats": 2 Salmon Filets, Crab Meat, Packet of Chicken Breast, 2 Packets of Ground Turkey, Turkey Sausage, Turkey Bacon.

Diary: 18 Large Eggs, Gallon of Milk, Tub of Greek Yogurt, 2 light Cream Cheese, pkg Mexican Shredded Cheese, Provolone.

Misc: Oatmeal, Whole Grain English Muffins, Whole Wheat Slice Bread, Whole Grain Tortillas, Corn Tortillas, Wheat Thins, Special K Bars, Black Beans, taco seasoning, slice ham, baked chips, and of course peanut butter crackers for my son.

I thought I was well over $150, which would have been a first for me. And to make my matters worse I couldn't find much coupons for this trip because I need to get ink for my printer.

I came in right under $120! (with no coupons)

I was shocked. I normally come in at that price with barely any produce, nothing much whole grain/ wheat, and alot more misc junk food and with a stack of coupons.

Cucumber Sandwhich

I received cucumbers from a food bank and have no idea what to do with them.

But with the wonderful word of Pinterest I came across Cucumber Sandwhich.

You make them how you wish.

I made mine with light mayo, mesquite turkey, and colby jack cheese.

Enjoy!



Last Day of 1st week!

Its finally here! The week one done! At the start of the program I thought this week would never end.

Today's workout was Plyometric Cardio Circuit (repeated from the first day). I went into this workout knowing what it offered and wanted to improve from the first day I did this DVD. I impressed myself once again with the warm up I'm almost to the point that I can do the whole warm up without resting. Execpt the jumping jacks, my shin can't take it.

The first set of the circuit and I was in it, kicking ass barely resting. I felt like a warrior. Then came the second set of the same circuit still kicking ass but hardly able to catch my breath. Towards the end of the last set... I was on the floor like a fish out of water trying to catch my breath.

A whole new circuit was introduced and I was no where near finishing. At one point you have to stand up to come back down for push ups and I told Shaun T "Ill meet you down here".

I realized I had made a huge mistake. I went so hardcore in the beginning forgetting there was still an entire 3 set of a new circuit! I had no more to give by the end.

Tomorrow is rest day. Hopefully by Sunday I will keep in mind to balance my energy.

Have a great weekend everyone! And thanks for reading ^-^

Pure Cardio... More like Epic Cardio

I will start off by saying... I couldn't complete the DVD.

"Waaahhhtt?" You might tell yourself. Well if you must know in my defense most of the rock hard abs, killer legs, bubble butt, chizzeled chest workout models couldn't finish this workout.

But also there was too much jumping that was shooting a sharp pain through my right shin. So I learned my limit and had to stop. But on a lighter note, I was able to complete more than 50% of the warm out without resting which Im so impress with myself. I kept telling myself "you go girl"!

I am scared hopefull my leg will heal up so I can keep with this program. Im starting to like Insanity, so its time to buy an ice bag (don't have an ice maker- blame military housing), a tub of icy hot, and miles of wrap to get this leg working right. 

Day 3- Cardio Recovery

So I woke up this morning with no improvement on the pain level but thankfully a friend of mine asked me to go for a morning walk, and as much as I wanted to stay home and lotion my body with icyhot I knew I had to get my ass up and do something. Best idea ever, granted it took alot to get my legs out the door but once we were off my legs warmed up and I felt no pain.

Today was the best day so far just because; you guest it.. recovery day! The workouts were still burning but it included stretches that felt good. But there was one more the tabletop... Shaun T kept saying "use your core muscle to balance"... does this dude know that I don't have any!? Thats why I started Insanity!

I tried to get in position tipped over like a cow fell over and said "OH HELL NAH".

But all in all, just another day checked off my calendar and one day closer to a better me.

Push a little harder, and dig a little deeper. 

Chicken Soup

I have never made soup. My mom always made me think soup is for when your sick. But I had some left over chicken and some carrots, potatoes, garlic, brocoli that I had received from a food bank and I thought, why not? I wish I would have made soup before. It was so yummy and satisfying I was stuffed.

I know the picture isn't the best, but dont let those Pinterest food photographers let you think food is always pretty.

Insanity Day 2

Cardio Power and Resistance

I woke up this morning and my mind was moving but I realized my body wasn't. It wasn't until I heard my 1 year old crying from his crib that my legs woke up from their coma and started to move. I took every step like if I was walking on glass. Then the true test came when I had to carry my son and go down the stairs... I laughed at myself. I was both scared and excited to press play. Excited for another day to mark off and one day closer to my goal but scared for tomorrow. I felt like I was able to dig a little deeper and push a little harder. I was determined to do every workout atleast one full rep without resting ... didn't really work out towards the end. hehehe. But I made it through it and still alive. injured but alive. I believe I got shin splits on my right shin, so here I am now writing and elevated. I will still be pressing play tomorrow, maybe taking it a little easier but wrapping my leg before anything. Goodluck to anyone else whos starting a program and hating life. ^-^  

Sorry for my wrapping skills but I had to improvise.

Yesterday's post on beach body

Insanity Day 1 (after fit test)

I died. Yesterday I did Insanity's fit test and knew I was in for it. This morning I woke up sore, and felt like I was kicked in the ribs. Took some Tylenol to help me not only through the workout but through my day. I pressed play... The warm up alone was tough and hard to get through it without resting. I had to stop alot, I couldnt keep up not to mention my chest is thigh from coughing so breathing was a mission and holding me back. I felt defeated. I know it my first day and Ill improve but I couldnt help but feel defeated. Towards the last combo set push ups I was on my knees crying. Overwhelming feeling. I felt as if I let myself down and not for the DVD but let myself down from all the years Ive let myself go, ate what i wanted, let my health go to fritts and now I can barely finish a workout. Im determined to make a change even if it kills me atleast I went down with a fit. I refuse to give into my weight and hopefully tomorrow Ill find the strength to press play and not give up. If today is forshadowing the weeks to come Im sure to be a new person by the end of these 60 days not only physically but mentally and emotionally also... and Im ready



It's here

And just like that my journey begins...

A little pre info...

So I guess you'll need to know, why now? Why change my lifestyle now? Whats the big deal now? Well about a month ago I was diagnosed with Polycystical Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It had many contributions to other issues but PCOS is the underlined issue. So everyone diagnosed suffers something different. My PCOS was causing a marble sac of cyst in both my ovaries, obesity, pre-diabities, and causing my hormones to be all over the map. I was told from my doctor my BMI is so high I can qualify for a gastric bypass, but because my issue is from PCOS I would just gain my weight back. So I have to manage my PCOS before anything. Now Im on metformin. Walking out of that office was like a rebirth. Tears coming down, I felt failure, shame, and disappointment with myself. I could barely drive myself  home and face my husband. But I also felt a wind of change. Maybe this is what I need to kick my ass in gear and quit the quiting and excuses and finally do something about my weight. I had a choice then and I choose my life, and I still do. Everday is a struggle, and cravings are killer but I still choose for a better me.

Hello!

Name is Melanie. Ive created this blog to document my fitness journey. Ive already started a small blog on beachbody but you have to be a member to read that blog so I was influenced by my friend to create a public one. Ive only posted two post with beachbody so Ill post those on here.