Mixed-Up Head and Other Topics

I don't know why it is, but Level 3 of this Shred gives me the oddest feeling.  I once described it in a former post that my head gets all scrambly and I have a slight feeling of dizziness by the last circuit and definitely at the end.  Although today's after-workout feeling wasn't as bad as a couple of weeks ago, I have to say that yet again, I have come out of Level 3 feeling a bit crappy.  My muscles feel great and I know that I've gotten a good workout, but the type of up and down activities that make up Level 3 seem to mess with my equilibrium.  Does anyone else out there have this problem?

On another more positive note, my Couch to 5K program is going smoothly and I am still able to run without pain or stiffness in my knee!  Albeit, I am running very short intervals and short distances but still running!  I've just finished Week 1 of the program and will be moving on to Week 2 tomorrow... the amount of running time increases as does the walking time.  Eventually, the walking time will decrease.

On a diet note, I have newly discovered Quinoa a type of grain that is not only extremely tasty (if prepared well), but is extremely healthy and keeps you full.  If you've never tried it, have a go!  It has a lovely nutty flavor.  Here's how I prepare it:

1 1/4 cup of Organic Chicken Broth
1 cup Quinoa
Salt, Pepper

Get the Broth up to a boil, put in Quinoa, give it a stir, cover and reduce heat to a simmer for about 12-15 mins.  The Broth will get absorbed into the Quinoa - sometimes I have to add a TBSP more of broth after the 12-15 mins and cook it for a little longer.  Fluff it and serve.

Here are some great foods that I've substituted Quinoa as the "starch"
Chicken Curry
Beef from the Crockpot with Quinoa
Cold Quinoa with fresh tomatoes, feta cheese and a little Greek dressing (personal fave!)
Quinoa and Stir-Fried Veggies...

It goes well with lots of stuff.  Enjoy!

Cat Belly

It's been a couple of days since I last posted.  Not really much to write about everyday now that I am done with the initial 30 days.  I am still working on Level 3 and feeling pretty badass - as my facebook status yesterday read "Doing full walking push-ups makes me feel pretty badass".  It's true!  To have begun this workout video and only be able to do maybe 10 push-ups on my knees to doing 30 second intervals of full walking push -ups feels great!

So what's the title of this post all about?  I mentioned maybe 2 weeks or more ago to some friends that when doing any plank position my belly hung down like a fat cat's does.  You know what I mean, right?  Well, I am pleased to say that that belly is getting smaller and is dangling less and less as I progress through this workout!  Every move in Level 3 either directly or indirectly targets the core - she goes to say that "you won't get ripped abs with crunches alone - that's a myth".  Like with most things, there is no magic cure for losing weight and getting trim - it's just hard work and a good diet.  For some, it takes A LOT longer.

To give you an idea of how my body works - I've apparently lost 4 pounds in the past 2 days.  One word - whatever.  It bugs me, but deep down I know I'm looking better and more importantly, feeling better.  According to my "Accu-Measure Personal Body Fat Tester" I am "Average" for my age at about 30% body fat.  Not bad I guess - according to my BMI though I am overweight.

Every time I do a circuit that burns, or I'm feeling lazy, I just remember that one of these days I'm going to drop weight and below all this chub will be lean muscle.   Send your "weight loss vibes" everyone!!!!  Mr. Thyroid is seeing to it that I stay right where I am, but you can counteract that...

Day 1

I got the DVD in the mail today.  Watched about 5 minutes of it then decided to go ahead and start.  Today is my off day from rowing and I figured 20 minutes is not a lot.  Damn this workout is tough!  3 minutes of strength exercises followed by 2 minutes of cardio followed by 1 minute of abs, done 3 times.  I can tell where I struggle most; cardio.  Plus, it's a lot of jumping jacks and jump rope type things.  But, as Jillian says "you don't get results without hard work".  So, day 1 is done - I look forward to what I will look like on day 30.