The Challenge is ON!

The Challenge has started!!! As I said in my last blog post I decided to take on a new challenge to help combat my post season blues. I will be doing my DVD- 30 day Shred with Jillian Michaels and heading back to Bikram Yoga. So its ON! Well actually I decided to start it on Wednesday night by taking my "off day" and going to Bikram Yoga. Anyone who has done Bikram knows it is far from an "off day"- 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises in a room that is 105 degrees with 40% humidity. FUN TIMES! Actually I really like it. It helps me a lot mentally and really helps me physically too. So this is part of my month long challenge.

Yesterday before I started Day 1 of my DVD my friend Kissing_frogs read my challenge and decided to join me- virtually. Perfect another motivator! So here's the plan on the virtual challenge DVD portion: We came to the decision we will do the DVD 5 days a week MINIMUM- with the goal of 6 to 7. We will do level 1 for 10 days, level 2 for 10 days, level 3 for 10 days giving the 30 day shred!

I did my run that my coach wanted me to do yesterday then it was time to start the challenge. After much debate (since I am not pleased with what I see) I have decided I will post before (now), progress and after pictures. I guess it is the best way to gauge if the challenge works. So here we go.... please be gentle- try not to judge me too much!





The Challenge Deets:
Do my coach prescribed workouts for swim, bike, and run- generally 6 days a week and races are planned in here too. Do 30 Day Shred DVD- 5 days a week minimum with the hope of 6 or 7. I will also be doing Bikram Yoga as often as I can with my schedule- trying for at least one day a week. I will post progress photos every Friday and weigh myself on Friday mornings- hopefully it really works and the photos get better and the scale shows the hard work! I will also post a day of the week's nutrition- just so people can get a feel for what I am eating too. And of course... my 2cents on the whole thing will come along with the posts :)

The stats:
This week's workouts- Mon- Swim 1400yds, Tues- Bike 7.91mi, Wednes- Yoga, Thurs- Run 1.89mi and DVD Day 1, Fri- Swim 1500yds (still need to do DVD Day 2)

Weight Friday Morning- 185.2lb

Nutrition- Breakfast: 1 apple w 1tbsp honey, spices and 1/3c granola- 247 cals
Lunch: veggie chilli, cornbread, red fat cheese, apple- 383 cals
Dinner: ground beef taco meat on a salad w chips, NF sour cream, and cheese. dessert- GF cookie w strawberries and SF caramel- 605 cals
Snack: tortilla chips and salsa- 152 cals
Total: 1,387 cals <-not enough! need to work on this!

Thoughts- I am not going to lie- Day 1 of that DVD was not easy. I have done it before and my stamina and endurance are way better but there are some muscles I just haven't used in a long time- youch!

Post Op Day

Things have been progressing really well. I started this past weekend doing normal life stuff again. Went to dinner, got my nails done, a little grocery shopping... all of which I was driven to by my fiance but hey I got out!! My fiance had Monday off so we did some more lunch out and other things our and about. It is nice to be out but it kills me I can't do it alone. I get to shower just about every day, of course, not alone since I need someone to hold me up, and as a safety net.

I also sat down on the floor on Sunday and did some sort of workout. I sat with my 5lb dumbells, both in one hand did curls and tricep extensions. I did some shoulder lifts, 5lb per arm, and hammer curls. I did the same on Monday, I was a lil sore with from the day before. It was nice to sweat a bit and get my heart rate up.

I tell you it has gotten to the point that I am sick of not being able to do things. 2 crutches make it hard to carry things and move around. I have still been icing regularly but have switched to motrin to help with the pain when it gets a bit much.

This morning was my post op appointment. I am a week and a half out from my surgery (12 days to be exact). I had the hope that I would hobble in and walk out. Well close but not exactly.... I went in had my stitches removed. Then the doctor came in (Dr. Busconi's fellow- he is on vacation). He said I looked good. He cleared me to swim and water run- said swimming is best. Bike with low resistance next week. Yoga next week not pushing it though. Eliptical is cool the week after that (4 weeks out). I am okay to hit the chiropractor and massage (as long as I keep them from hurting me). As for the fracture- it isn't a big deal since it is now healed! YAY- I was so afraid that was going to keep me from running again. The doctor said wait till Friday to start walking. Well- on my way to make my follow up appointment- I saw the resident that helped with my surgery. He said I looked good and that if I wanted I could walk at home without the crutches. I was so happy to hear that!! He said stick with crutches outside the house- so I don't get bumped around. So- okay no driving through Friday. Got it!

I have a follow up appointment in 6 weeks with Dr. Busconi. I walked back into the condo and TOSSED the crutches in the kitchen and started walking. It isn't too bad to walk around. Hurts a bit taking it easy. But hey I am free in the house from those horrible crutches! I plan on hitting the pool tomorrow. Take a day of walking around a bit to let my body get used to it then get back to it :-) I need to set up my PT- 6 weeks 2 per week.

I AM ALL SMILES NOW! I can't wait to get back to life. I plan on taking this week and next easy with the workouts and work. I also get to go back to coaching! YAY!!

I have had the greatest support team though this whole process. I had a great doctor- which I hear is the key to this whole thing! My parents have been so supportive from being there the day of surgery through phone calls and stop by to say hi. I have a great room mate that has helped with everything. And the best friend in the world! They check on me daily bring me presents and give me support through the ups and downs of post surgery! Send me the greatest messages and talk me through ever tear and every smile. THANK YOU ALL!!! <3 you all!